Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 346: Jinyan City gathers major forces

Chen Xiner hurried over and took Lin Feng's arm, her eyes full of concern. She shook her head gently and said, "Lin Feng, you used up most of your Qi sealing Xu Tian. You're very weak now and really need to rest. What will we do if you collapse?" Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a spring breeze, caressing Lin Feng's weary heart.

Chen Yu also advised: "Yes, Brother Lin, don't be so stubborn. I'm here, nothing will happen. You should go and rest." His eyes showed trust and encouragement, which warmed Lin Feng's heart.

Helplessly, Lin Feng nodded. He patted Chen Yu on the shoulder and said gratefully, "Thank you for your hard work. Wake us up immediately if anything happens." Chen Yu nodded vigorously, then picked up his weapon and walked towards the cave entrance.

Inside the cave, Lin Feng, Xu Tian, ​​and Chen Xin'er each found a spot to lie down. Though physically exhausted, their minds were swirling with thoughts, preventing them from falling asleep. Xu Tian gazed at the rocks at the top of the cave, silently contemplating his future, wondering how many more hardships and obstacles awaited them. Chen Xin'er lay on her side, her eyes slightly closed, her brow furrowed slightly, clearly burdened with worry. Though Lin Feng was exhausted, his senses remained alert, ready to respond to any unexpected situation.

It was unknown how long it took before they drifted off to sleep. Chen Yu, however, stood at the cave entrance, silently guarding like a statue. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's in the night sky, watched the dark world outside. The cold wind blew, rustling his clothes, but he remained motionless, as if blending into the darkness.

The next day, at dawn, before the sun had fully penetrated the clouds, Jinyan City was already bustling with activity. In the streets and alleys, people were running around telling each other about the news and discussing it.

A teahouse in the city was bustling with activity, with nearly every corner buzzing with the same topic. A burly, bearded man slammed the table and shouted, "Have you heard? The people from Xinghai Peak are fighting the Demon Cult a dozen miles east of Jinyan City! That scene was truly earth-shattering!" His eyes were filled with excitement and admiration, and he waved his hands in the air, as if recreating the battle scene.

A scholar-looking man next to him pushed his glasses and said in amazement: "Yes, it is said that the fight was very brutal. Although the people of Xinghai Peak were brave, the people of the Demon Cult were too cruel. In the end, the people of Xinghai Peak were defeated and their cultivation was sucked dry by the people of the Demon Cult!" His voice trembled a little, and his eyes were full of fear of the people of the Demon Cult.

"But the people of Xinghai Peak are truly remarkable! Even though they were defeated, they protected the people of our city!" an old woman said gratefully, tears in her eyes. Her words drew nods of agreement from those around her.

"That's right. They are like our guardian gods. Although they didn't kill the people from the Demon Cult in the end, they saved our Jinyan City from the suffering of war and maintained peace." A young warrior clenched his fists and said with reverence.

At this time, in every corner of Jinyan City, people were praising Xinghaifeng's heroic deeds and were full of admiration for them. However, on the other side of the city, there were some unusual signs.

Many people had quietly surrounded the Chen family's location. They hid in the shadows, their eyes filled with complex expressions of greed, jealousy, and curiosity. Like ghosts in the darkness, they lingered around, waiting for the right moment.

As a prominent family in the city, the Chen family was no pushover. They had a Half-Step Grandmaster at the helm, whose perception was as sharp as a cheetah's. With so many people secretly watching, how could they possibly escape his notice?

In the Chen family's hall, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the sky before a storm. The Chen family elders, faces solemn, sat together to discuss countermeasures.

A white-haired old man frowned, with majesty in his eyes, and said, "It seems that our Chen family has been targeted. I don't know what these people's purpose is, but we can't just sit there and wait for death." His voice was low and powerful, echoing in the hall.

Another middle-aged man nodded slightly and said, "That's right, we have to find out the identities and intentions of these people first. However, no matter what they want to do, we must protect the safety of our family." His eyes were firm, and his hand unconsciously grasped the weapon at his waist.

At this moment, the situation around the Chen family was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring, ready to explode at any moment. Lin Feng and the others in the cave were still completely unaware of all this. Where would their fate lie in this vortex of martial arts?

Inside the Jinyan City Lord's Mansion, the atmosphere was as heavy as the sky before a storm. The hall was packed with people, representing various factions, each with a complex expression.

City Lord Zhuang Junhao sat solemnly in the highest seat, his gaze deep and piercing, as if he could see through everything. To his left sat several prominent figures.

Grandmaster Jiang Cheng, dressed in a white robe, was the Sixth Elder of the Sun and Moon Sect. His expression was calm, his white robe spotless, as if he were detached from the complex situation. But upon closer inspection, a subtle hint of vigilance lingered in his eyes. His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were lost in thought, or perhaps waiting for something.

Chang Jihou, the Seventh Elder of the White Dragon Cult, sat below Jiang Cheng. He was a burly figure with a resolute face. He was the Grandmaster who had appeared with Zhuang Junhao and the others in the pit where Jian Cang had died. His brow furrowed slightly, and he glanced toward the door from time to time, a hint of impatience building within him.

Below him stood Zuo Lun, the patriarch of the Zuo family from the capital. His eyes were deep, radiating an air of authority. He sat quietly, fiddling with a jade pendant. The pendant shone faintly as it turned in his hand, revealing his seemingly calm yet tense inner state.

On the right side of the City Lord's Mansion, there were also several important figures sitting.

Guan Jinsong, the Sixth Elder of the Nine Emperors Pavilion, wore a solemn expression, his gaze piercing as he scanned everyone present. His hands rested on the armrests, his fingers rhythmically tapping, a soft sound that was especially clear in the quiet hall, revealing his inner unease.

Duan Yin, the headmaster of the Duan family in the capital, sat beneath Guan Jinsong. One of the few female Grandmasters, she looked to be in her twenties or thirties, with skin as white as snow and a face of breathtaking beauty, though she was in fact no less than fifty. Her eyes were cold, like stars in the sky, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, as if she were dismissing everything.