After leaving Qianhong Pharmaceuticals, Chen Fei fell into an unusual silence. He had just received some disheartening news: the various major factions were treating precious spirit herbs as strategic resources. Didn't this mean that finding such herbs in the future would become exceedingly difficult?

At the thought, a headache began to creep in, but fortunately, he still had one avenue left: Lingnan Mountain Martial Arts University. For now, he could only pin his hopes on that place.

Later, Chen Fei bid farewell to Dong Jianhui and went with his old classmate, Quan Bowei, to inspect a batch of goods he had. Chen Fei hadn't held out much hope for this transaction, but reality, however, often enjoys being unpredictable.

The batch of wild, precious Chinese herbs his old classmate possessed actually contained one of the very herbs he urgently needed—an ingredient for a medicinal cuisine recipe that could accelerate the formation of his Sword Qi of Sanyang True Fire.

This was a delightful surprise, and his gloomy mood instantly lifted.

It's not that things are hard to find; it's the fear of finding nothing at all that's the worst...

Overjoyed, Chen Fei immediately spent a 'hefty sum' to purchase the entire batch from Quan Bowei. If for no other reason, the single ingredient he needed was well worth the price. This, of course, also thrilled his classmate, much to their mutual delight.

With such a promising start, Chen Fei poured all his focus into this endeavor. He began planning to head to Lingnan Mountain immediately, hoping to gather the remaining items he needed there.

But just as he was about to leave, he received an unexpected call from Chief Luo Yuanzhi, asking him to visit the base if he had time.

***

"The Lingnan Mountain Martial Arts Conference?"

Inside a room at the Base of Flying Leopard, Chen Fei asked in surprise.

"Yes. You should be free these days, right? If so, could you represent Flying Leopard and attend?" Chief Luo Yuanzhi nodded.

"Wait a moment... Chief Luo, I'm a bit confused. Isn't the Lingnan Mountain Martial Arts Conference an affair for the Ancient Martial Artist circles? How is Flying Leopard qualified to participate?" Chen Fei asked, clearly bewildered. It was an event for Ancient Martial Artists, so why would a government entity like Flying Leopard be involved?

"We've always been qualified, alright?" Chief Luo Yuanzhi rolled his eyes and replied speechlessly, "As the special security department stationed in the Three Provinces of Lingnan, we have the authority to supervise such influential and potentially volatile events. And strictly speaking, Flying Leopard can be considered one of the factions within the circle. So, from time to time, we need to make sure those people feel our presence."

"So you want me to go and make a show of force?" Chen Fei asked, his expression turning a little strange.

"Not exactly," Chief Luo Yuanzhi explained with a hint of helplessness. "It's just that we've missed the last two conferences, so it's inevitable that some people have lost their respect for us."

Ever since their previous head instructor was poisoned and killed nearly ten years ago, Flying Leopard had become somewhat constrained and timid in its operations. Worse still, at the conference nine years ago, their reputation plummeted after one of Flying Leopard's deputy instructors clashed with an expert from a hidden sect and was killed on the spot. They hadn't attended the conference since.

It wasn't that they didn't want to go; they didn't dare.

Although they were reluctant to admit it, many powerful figures in the circle seemed to resent their special status as a government agency and often looked for opportunities to target them. At that time, they no longer had a Strong Innate Ancient Martial Artist to back them up. Beset by troubles both internal and external, they couldn't afford to stir up more conflict. Even when they were wronged, they had to swallow their bitterness in silence.

"This..." Chen Fei's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing his dark, lucid eyes. He wasn't sure if he should agree. In his view, a government agency like Flying Leopard seemed completely out of place at a Martial Forest gathering like the Lingnan Mountain Martial Arts Conference.

Seeing Chen Fei's expression, Chief Luo Yuanzhi sighed inwardly, though his face remained impassive. "I just want you to go and represent us," he said slowly. "After being absent for so long, there's bound to be gossip... It makes our daily work very difficult."

"...Then in what capacity do you want me to attend, Chief Luo? As a member of the younger generation, or as the honorary head instructor?" Chen Fei asked abruptly after another moment of silence.

"That's entirely up to you, of course. I won't interfere," Chief Luo Yuanzhi said, a sudden smile spreading across his face. "But... it can be quite effective to play the pig to eat the tiger."

Chen Fei was taken aback by his words. Play the pig to eat the tiger... Wow, I didn't expect Chief Luo to know a phrase like that at his age. He really keeps up with the times.

"Alright, it's settled then. I was planning on going to check it out anyway," Chen Fei nodded in agreement. After all, he was still an honorary member, and he owed them for helping him deal with some clueless troublemakers before, so it was only right that he pitched in. "When do we leave?"

"Anytime. I'll notify our people there to be on standby. Someone will be there to receive you when you arrive," Chief Luo Yuanzhi replied immediately.

"Great. Please make the arrangements now, Chief Luo. I'm ready to leave right away," Chen Fei said with a smile as he stood up. He knew the Base of Flying Leopard had military private jets, and since he was already here, he figured he might as well depart directly and save himself the trouble.

"Excellent, consider it done. I'll arrange it now," Chief Luo Yuanzhi smiled, rising and heading out of the room.

Watching Chief Luo's retreating figure, Chen Fei's brow furrowed slightly again. A complex, wistful look passed through his deep, translucent eyes. Looks like there's going to be more trouble... It seemed Flying Leopard had indeed fallen on hard times. Who knew how many unruly individuals in the circle feigned compliance while privately stirring up trouble and showing them no respect.

That must be why Chief Luo was so eager to use him to make an impact at the Lingnan Mountain Martial Arts Conference, to make certain people think twice. After all, Flying Leopard's duty was to maintain stability among a specific population in the Three Provinces of Lingnan and to combat dangerous criminal activities within that group. If they couldn't command respect, their job would become immensely more difficult. This was undoubtedly their biggest headache right now. In terms of both strength and resources, they were simply too weak.

Relying on intimidation or their special government status alone would never be enough. After all, some hotheads in the circle truly feared nothing! Furthermore, while their official status granted them a certain renown, it also put them in the line of fire for years, earning them the resentment and hostility of many. Given the chance, those people wouldn't hesitate to kick them while they were down. By going there under their banner, he was sure to attract a great deal of that hostility. How troublesome...

Less than an hour later, a small military private jet departed from the Jiangnan Province Flying Leopard Base, heading toward the Lingnan Mountains.

***

Deep within the Lingnan Mountains, amidst a range of steep peaks and precipitous ridges.

Giant trees blotted out the sun, the land teeming with snakes, insects, and rodents. Ancient vines hung from cliffs, bizarre rock formations loomed, and a strange, intoxicating fragrance filled the air. This was a primordial scene deep within the vast mountains, filled with the breath of nature—a world apart from any high-tech modern metropolis.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing the ancient trees, their floors littered with withered branches and yellowed leaves, to sway. Their dense canopies rustled, and the crisp, fresh air flowed freely. In the distance stood countless towering peaks. Some looked like swords thrust into the heavens, others like deep gashes carved by a world-splitting axe, and still others like celestial lands shrouded in mist. The sheer scale was breathtaking—majestic, imposing, and profound. They were truly worthy of being known as one of Huaxia's three great mountain ranges, standing alongside Wangwu and Kunlun.

Since ancient times, the Lingnan Mountains have been a sacred, seldom-trodden land, but they have also been a paradise for members of the Martial Forest seeking seclusion to cultivate. It was a place of silence, free from the disturbances of the mundane world. The only ones here were Cultivators.

Yes, Cultivators like the ascetics of the Buddhist Sect, untainted by the mortal world and its trifles. They were focused single-mindedly on reaching the pinnacle of martial arts or perhaps catching a glimpse of what lay beyond this world.

On the outskirts of this mountain range, tucked away deep in an ancient forest where vines, dead branches, yellow leaves, and moss intertwined, stood a modern military base. It sat quietly and unobtrusively in a low valley, a slightly incongruous sight.

At this moment, a group of people stood waiting in silence by the small private jet landing pad. They wore slightly old-fashioned clothes or military uniforms.

At the head of the group stood two elderly men with imposing auras. One wore a black robe with striking silver embroidery along the edges. His expression was stern, and his body seemed to radiate a murderous energy, warning all to keep their distance. The sleeve of one of his arms hung limp and empty.

This man was none other than Ma Dong, the one Chen Fei had frightened into severing his own arm.

Standing beside him was another man who appeared much younger, perhaps in his late forties or fifties. He had a round, plump face fixed in a disarmingly pleasant smile, making him look rather comically like a wealthy landlord from an old play, clutching a golden ingot.

Only the sharp glint that occasionally flashed in his eyes would give one pause, a silent warning not to underestimate this seemingly ordinary man.

For this person was none other than one of the five Deputy Instructors from the Headquarters of Flying Leopard, a man known only as the Smiling Demon.

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