Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 169 The last moments

When he finally staggered to his feet, he still tightly grasped the long sword that had accompanied him through countless storms. However, his strength was almost exhausted at this moment, and his hand, which had once firmly grasped the sword, gradually loosened. The blade dragged on the ground, leaving a shallow mark.

Lin Feng lifted his heavy eyelids and glanced at the solitary halberd standing opposite him. A complex emotion flashed across his eyes: relief, exhaustion, and confusion about the unknown future.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and took heavy, arduous steps forward. Each step felt like treading on cotton, weak and unsteady. The knife he had once tightly grasped was now dragged powerlessly by him, making a harsh sound as it scraped against the ground.

At this moment, the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, and Mu Yan's five subordinates and the people from the two major families appeared in the field of vision. Their eyes first focused on Lin Feng's slow but determined figure, and then they noticed that where Mu Yan had originally been, only the halberd stood quietly.

Among Mu Yan's subordinates was Liu Meng, a man with an impulsive and violent personality. Upon seeing this scene, his eyes instantly turned bloodshot and he roared angrily, "The City Lord has suffered such a cruel fate! I must kill this brat and avenge him! While he's weak, I'll take his life!"

After saying this, Liu Meng's whole body was filled with energy, and he rushed towards Lin Feng like lightning, regardless of everything. His face was twisted with anger, and the weapon in his hand flashed with a cold light.

Lin Feng noticed the moment Liu Meng started moving. He slowly turned his head and looked at the rushing Liu Meng with cold eyes.

The moment Liu Meng's eyes met Lin Feng's, an unprecedented fear suddenly surged in his heart. Lin Feng's eyes seemed to hold an endless darkness, a cold and resolute gaze from someone who had experienced the brink of life and death, like a gaze from the depths of the abyss.

Liu Meng's footsteps stopped instantly, and his body seemed to be fixed by an invisible force, unable to move forward at all.

"This...this look..." Liu Meng's voice trembled, beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead, and his eyes, which were originally full of murderous intent, were now filled with fear.

Seeing that he didn't dare to move forward, Lin Feng ignored him, turned around and continued to walk slowly forward with heavy steps.

"Liu Meng, why aren't you moving?" someone in the crowd shouted.

Liu Meng seemed not to hear it. He just stood there blankly, watching Lin Feng walk away.

Lin Feng walked towards the north gate of Xihai City with difficulty, step by step. The guards at the gate were surprised to see him like this, but under Lin Feng's fierce gaze, no one dared to stop him.

After leaving the city gate, Lin Feng walked towards a nearby mountain. The mountain road was rugged and overgrown with weeds, but his steps did not hesitate at all.

With every step he took, he could feel the severe pain in his body, but his eyes remained firm.

"I can't fall down yet." Lin Feng said to himself silently in his heart.

Finally, Lin Feng arrived at a quiet spot on the mountain. He carefully observed his surroundings and only after confirming that there was no danger did he slowly put down the knife in his hand.

The moment the knife fell to the ground, it made a dull sound, as if it was Lin Feng's tired sigh.

Lin Feng sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to slowly practice the Xuanling secret book.

His breathing gradually became steady and deep, and the weak Qi in his body began to flow slowly like a trickle. However, every movement of Qi would cause severe pain in the wounds all over his body. Lin Feng clenched his teeth, and veins on his forehead bulged.

"Hold on, you must hold on." Lin Feng kept encouraging himself in his heart.

Sweat slid down his forehead and cheeks like rain, dripping onto the ground beneath him.

As time passed, Lin Feng's face gradually turned from pale to rosy, and the wounds on his body began to heal at an extremely slow pace.

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes, and a gleam of brilliance flashed in his eyes.

"It's not enough. I need more time to recover." He closed his eyes again and continued to immerse himself in cultivation.

As the glimmer of dawn pierced the darkness, Xu Tian, ​​carrying Ma Qian on his back, along with Ma Ziyan and her child, set out for Jinyan City. Fine beads of sweat covered Xu Tian's forehead, trickling down his resolute face and dripping into the dust beneath his feet. His breathing was a little rapid, but his steps were firm and powerful, never pausing for a moment.

Ma Qian lay on Xu Tian's back, his heart filled with guilt and gratitude: "Xu Tian, ​​child, if you are tired, take a rest. Don't exhaust yourself."

Xu Tian shook his head, his voice slightly hoarse but full of determination: "Uncle Ma, we can't stop. Lin Feng's plan cannot be delayed."

Ma Ziyan held the child's hand and followed closely beside Xu Tian. Her eyes were filled with concern and anxiety. Seeing Xu Tian sweating profusely, she said distressedly, "Xu Tian, ​​even if you have to hurry, you need to rest properly. Your body won't be able to bear it."

Xu Tian gritted his teeth and looked ahead with a determined gaze: "Zi Yan, I can still hold on. We must get to Jinyan City as soon as possible."

The child raised his head sensibly and pulled Ma Ziyan's clothes: "Mom, I can walk by myself, so it will be easier for uncle."

Ma Ziyan touched Chu Qing's head and said, "Qing'er, there is still a long way to go."

They walked along a winding path, the scenery constantly changing. One moment, it was a lush forest, with tall trees intertwining their branches and leaves, forming a green canopy. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting tiny specks of light like golden threads. Xu Tian, ​​carrying Ma Qian on his back, carefully avoided low-hanging branches, his footsteps rustling through the thick fallen leaves.

"Everyone, be careful. There may be wild animals in this forest." Xu Tian reminded.

Ma Ziyan hugged the child tightly and looked around vigilantly.

After emerging from the woods, the view suddenly opened up to a vast expanse of grass. The tender green grass swayed gently in the breeze, like a vast ocean of green. Xu Tian and the others seemed insignificant in this ocean.

"Wow, Mom, it's so beautiful here!" Chu Qing excitedly broke free from Ma Zi Yan's hand and ran on the grass.

Ma Ziyan quickly chased after him: "Qing'er, don't run too far."

Xu Tian looked at Chu Qing's innocent smile, and a hint of relief appeared on his tired face.

Continuing forward, the road became increasingly rugged and steep, and they began to cross mountains and ridges. The mountain path was narrow and covered with rocks of various sizes. Every step Xu Tian took seemed particularly difficult, but his eyes remained firm, and he never flinched.

"Xu Tian, ​​slow down and watch your step." Ma Zi Yan nervously reminded him from behind.

Xu Tian panted heavily: "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."