Chapter 64: Bottomless Pit

Lin Moyi and Zhen Chen stood side by side, their faces reflecting yet another wave of shock—something they were growing all too familiar with today. The turbulent fluctuations of Jiang Feng's Essence aura had stilled, but the sheer magnitude of his breakthrough was undeniable.

Both men could sense it: Jiang Feng's Essence Lake was far beyond ordinary. They could only guess its capacity, but it had to be nearing two thousand drops of pure Essence, an astonishing feat. Yet, what would truly floored the two elders was the lake's size—it spanned an unprecedented three meters in diameter and did not just contain only two thousand drops of essence.

Lin Moyi shook his head with a weary smile. The dark flames surrounding Jiang Feng dissipated, fading back to their original blue hue before vanishing entirely. Jiang Feng exhaled deeply, tilting his gaze toward the star-strewn night sky. A fleeting thought crossed his mind; 'Father, are you watching?' His father, Master Jiang, had set him on this arduous path, one fraught with peril. During his first tribulation, Jiang Feng had feared he wouldn't survive. But tonight, he had conquered his second tribulation, emerging stronger than ever.

"Feng'er, let's head back," Lin Moyi said as he approached, placing a firm yet comforting hand on Jiang Feng's shoulder. The elder's tone carried a hint of urgency. "It's already deep into the night. Though the Sky-Locking Formation created an isolated space around us, spanning a thousand meters in diameter, there's no guarantee that stronger cultivators didn't sense it. If they're heading this way, we don't want to be here when they arrive."

Jiang Feng nodded, his expression softening with gratitude. "I've made you worry," he murmured. It was only then that he noticed the subtle but striking changes in himself. His body had grown taller, his frame more robust and chiseled, each muscle taut with newfound power. His voice, too, had deepened slightly, and his hair had grown longer, cascading down his back in dark waves.

He had always been a handsome young man, but now, there was an undeniable edge to him. His dark brown eyes, once filled with boyish wonder, now gleamed with the wisdom and resolve of someone who had faced the abyss and returned unbroken. His connection to the Aetherion Dragon added a wild, untamed aura to his presence—one that drew people in or repelled them entirely, depending on their constitution.

"It's nothing," Lin Moyi replied with a dismissive wave, though his tone carried an underlying concern. "But before we leave, I must warn you—never show that dragon in public. Dragons don't exist in the lower realm anymore, and anyone who senses even a trace of their bloodline will stop at nothing to claim it. Your dragon's blood is extraordinary. Do you understand the danger?"

Lin Moyi pointed to the ground, where the remnants of golden blood glimmered faintly before dulling, losing their luster and fading into ordinary red. Jiang Feng's gaze followed, his expression somber.

"I understand," Jiang Feng said solemnly, turning toward Zhen Chen. "Senior, thank you for your help. Without your pills, I wouldn't have progressed this far so quickly. I'll repay this favor in the future—I swear it." He clasped his hands and bowed deeply, a gesture of utmost respect.

Zhen Chen chuckled, the light in his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "No need for gratitude, boy. You're a living miracle. Consider this an investment in something extraordinary." His sharp gaze lingered on Jiang Feng, an expression that teetered between admiration and intrigue. To Jiang Feng, it bordered on unsettling, but he trusted the old man's character enough to let it slide.

"You don't owe us any explanations," Zhen Chen added, his voice turning grave. "We've pieced together enough on our own. Your secrets are yours to bear, but remember: the path you've chosen is one of no return. With power like the one you seek, comes danger, not just to you, but to everyone around you. Tread carefully, Jiang Feng. Touching taboos like this always comes with dark consequences."

"I won't forget, Senior," Jiang Feng replied firmly. "Thank you for the reminder. I won't let your expectations down."

"Call me uncle Chen"

"Yes uncle Chen"

"Let's move," Lin Moyi interjected, gripping Jiang Feng's shoulder firmly. The trio ascended into the sky, heading toward the city but veering in a slightly different direction to avoid unnecessary attention. Behind them, Zhen Chen lingered a moment longer, his sharp eyes sweeping over the Sky-Locking Formation. With a flick of his wrist, the intricate formation dissolved into a burst of radiant light, leaving no trace of its existence, seeing this, he flew away swiftly.

As the light faded, the devastation within the thousand-meter radius came into stark view—scorched earth and charred remnants stretched as far as the eye could see. Outside the formation's boundary, a lone figure emerged from the shadows silently.

The young woman stepped forward, her expression calm yet tinged with curiosity. Her eyes swept over the ruined landscape, narrowing slightly. "What could have happened inside that formation to leave such destruction?" she muttered, her voice carrying a note of unease.

"Something is up with that kid" a second voice echoed from a nearby tree as Wu Jin appeared, covered in a black hooded robe, standing beside him was Hang Cai who frown deeply at seeing Lin Moyi flying without the assistance of any martial technique.

"That's my guess as well" replied the woman. "Report back to Phantom Valley, tell elder Bia And Xu of what happened here. I'll stay and monitor the situation. We either get the boy or kill him at this point. Also inform them that Lin Moyi has broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm" the woman smiled darkly as she continued looking a head.

"As you command- Elder Yue" Hang Cai and Wu Jin bowed before turning to leave. After a moment's pause, the young woman melted back into the shadows, vanishing as silently as she had appeared.

As Lin Moyi and Zhen Chen approached Northern Moon City, they were greeted by the aftermath of a fierce downpour. Rainwater pooled throughout the city, sluggishly draining through the network of stone-lined gutters. The lingering effects of the storm were evident—many protective formations had automatically activated in response to the dragon's roar it when first appeared. These formations shimmered faintly in the damp air, a testament to their power and the tension that had gripped the city.

The unusual phenomena had drawn numerous residents out into the streets despite the late hour. Curiosity filled the air as people whispered among themselves, pointing toward the distant horizon where Jiang Feng's tribulation had taken place. Even Yumo, ever vigilant despite his modest demeanor, stepped outside his Embersteel Shop to survey the streets. After a moment of quiet observation, he retreated back inside to rest, shutting the doors firmly behind him.

Although the tribulation occurred well outside the city, the devastation it left behind was impossible to conceal. Rumors began to spread rapidly as the citizens speculated about the events that had unfolded.

The following morning, Jiang Feng awoke with a voracious appetite. Seated in the courtyard, he devoured everything within reach while Lin Moyi sipped on his customary snow leaf tea, his expression torn between amusement and exasperation. Jiang Feng tore through the breakfast provisions with such vigor that Lin Moyi eventually relented and handed him a Spiritual Burst Pill, one of the precious treasures Zhen Chen had entrusted to him.

"Here, eat this," Lin Moyi said with a sigh, watching as Jiang Feng popped the pill into his mouth without hesitation, chewing it like candy. Within moments, Jiang Feng's insatiable hunger was sated.

Lin Moyi shook his head in disbelief. "You're like a bottomless pit. If you keep this up, you'll drain anyone who dares support you" he muttered, standing and walking toward the courtyard gate.

Jiang Feng quickly followed, feeling both energized and curious. As they stepped into the open air, Lin Moyi turned to face him, a playful but serious glint in his eye.

"Let's see how strong you've become," Lin Moyi said, gesturing for Jiang Feng to prepare himself.