Chapter 83: The Ever Watching Lin Moyi

Complete silence enveloped the Eastern Wall. Moments ago, the Golden Core Realm experts had dealt with the rampaging Golden Core Mammoth, leaving the remaining defenders relieved, certain that the day's dangers were over. They began preparing to clean up the battlefield, intent on returning to their duties of protecting the wall. Yet, in their wildest dreams, they never imagined witnessing an unknown young blacksmith—just hired days ago—dominate the field with such unrelenting brutality.

The sight left everyone stunned.

It was common knowledge that Zhen Ming, Lei Wenshan, and Wu Lihua were all at the eighth stage of the Essence Condensation Realm. Among their respective families and sects, they were recognized as rising stars, widely considered the third strongest of their generation. Each had their sights set on breaking through to the ninth stage before the Obsidian Waterfall Realm opened—a critical opportunity for fame, resources, and ascension.

Though they looked young, they were all close to a hundred years old, that why mention thought that Bia Zhen's elder sister entering Golden Core before the age of 200 was a bench mark for shocking talent. This battlefield was supposed to be a training ground for the trio, a chance to test their mettle and refine their skills. Yet, instead of glory, they found themselves trampled and humiliated.

Haaaa!!!

A vortex of blazing blue flames tore through the battlefield like a descending comet, slamming into Lei Wenshan with unrelenting force. The impact ignited flames across his body, and blood sprayed from his mouth as he was sent hurtling backward, utterly defeated. Zhen Ming staggered, his vision blurry, clutching at his wounds and several broken bones. If it wasn't for his formation and talisman, he would be out for the count long ago, while Lei Wenshan collapsed, near to falling unconscious and nearly utterly incapacitated.

At the center of this chaos stood Jiang Feng, with a bloody back and chest that dripped with fresh blood, he could feel the itching of his flesh, as it slowly healed under the strong regeneration of his draconic blood, but his cold facial expression seemed to make him ignore his current body's condition. The black scales adorning his body shimmered ominously, their defensive power rendering him nearly impervious to the attacks of his peers, if they could even muster the power to attack at this time. To those present, he seemed like a monster among men.

Jiang Feng frowned as the blue vortex subsided. "Senior" he called out mentally, "does the Skyforge Flame have a will of its own? Or does it follow my thoughts?"

The air around him shimmered with heat, growing heavier by the second. Jiang Feng's question came from confusion—he hadn't yet mastered the ability to summon or control such a vortex. It had happened before, seemingly in response to his need, but he didn't know how to replicate it deliberately.

The Codex's voice emerged from within his mind, calm and authoritative.

"The Skyforge Flame among two others are one of the oldest flames in existence, whether in our family or the upper realms. To answer your question, yes, it does have a mind of its own. It does not communicate as we do, but it understands your intent and, at times, will act of its own accord if it deems it necessary. When it awakens a new ability, it may execute that ability even if you have not yet comprehended it."

The Codex paused briefly before continuing, "For its intelligence to grow, the Skyforge Flame must consume the essence of other high-level flames. The purer and more powerful the essence, the faster its growth and awakening will be. Keep this in mind as you progress."

As the Codex's voice faded, another voice rumbled within Jiang Feng's mind—the voice of the Aetherion Dragon, his symbiotic companion.

"Jiang Feng, I've devoured too much tribulation lightning. It's becoming unstable, and I need time to digest and absorb it. During this time, I'll temporarily withdraw. However, before I do, I will pass the Aetherion Devouring Art directly into your mind. This technique will allow you to consume vast quantities of cultivation resources even while I'm dormant."

The dragon's voice deepened, resonating with power. "Once I've finished, my Black Lightning will grow stronger, and I'll use it to temper your body further. In the meantime, be at ease—Lin Moyi is watching from the shadows. He won't interfere I assume, unless something pose great danger to your life."

"The old man is here?" Jiang Feng nodded subtly, his resolve strengthening.

Finally, the Codex's voice returned, its tone instructive. "Remember, Feng. The Abyssal Imperion Crucible should remain at the forefront of your blacksmithing practices. It holds the key to forging Mundane-Tier weapons at your current cultivation level. Mastering it is crucial.

"In addition, practice Infernal Breathing—it will temper your body, preventing the Skyforge Flame from overwhelming you. Cultivate your forging arts and dragon arts in balance. These are your priorities until we return."

As the voices faded from his mind, Jiang Feng exhaled deeply. The weight of responsibility pressed against him, but he welcomed it. The battlefield around him crackled with residual heat, the scent of scorched earth lingering in the air.

He raised his gaze, the black scales on his body glinting menacingly under the sunlight. The stunned onlookers remained silent, their gazes a mixture of awe and something else. Jiang Feng clenched his fists.

The path before him was clear, and he would forge it with fire and blood.

"Hey, you. Let's fight!."

A soft voice cut through Jiang Feng's thoughts like a gentle breeze, bringing him back to the present. The tone wasn't arrogant or overbearing, but it held an unmistakable confidence. He turned his head sharply, intending to brush off whoever it was. However, as his gaze landed on Wu Lihua, standing a short distance away, his frown softened a little.

Lin Moyi's warning echoed in his mind: "Don't use your draconic abilities recklessly. If others found out it's true origin, you will have more than the Shadow Church to deal with." Yet, despite his efforts, it seemed like his draconic essence flared on its own, especially when he was injured or under pressure, Draconic resilience would manifest- 'this thing had the same unruly personality as the Aetherion Dragon'

"I need to leave" Jiang Feng said, his voice gruff and impatient. "I have urgent matters to attend to. This... whatever it is, serves me no benefit." Without waiting for a reply, he turned to leave.

But Wu Lihua wasn't deterred.

"I am Wu Lihua of the Ironwood Sect" she said, her voice steady and unwavering. "And what we don't lack in my sect are resources. Let's make a bet."

Jiang Feng paused, intrigued despite himself.

"I'm currently stuck at the eighth stage of the Essence Condensation Realm, and I need something to push me past this bottleneck," Wu Lihua continued, gripping her staff with both hands. "A spark—something to drive me to the edge of despair and force my breakthrough. Fight me. If you can do that, I'll give you an Essence Harmonizing Pill."

Jiang Feng's eyes flicked toward the box Wu Lihua had just produced. She opened it with a smooth motion, revealing a radiant pill resting within.

The Essence Harmonizing Pill was a treasure for cultivators at his level. Its jade-like surface shimmered under the light, faint swirling patterns within resembling flowing streams of energy. These weren't just for show; they symbolized the purity of the pill's essence. A soft herbal fragrance, mixed with the sharp tang of spiritual energy, drifted from the box, making Jiang Feng's senses sharpen.

Wu Lihua smiled faintly. "I have two of them. I'd originally planned to use them after this battle with the demonic beasts, but after seeing you... I've changed my mind." Her tone hardened slightly, and she stepped forward, planting her staff into the ground with authority. "What do you say? Don't expect to beat me as easily as you did the others. I'm not as injured as they were."

Jiang Feng studied her carefully, his eyes narrowing. The promise of the Essence Harmonizing Pill was tempting. As a grade-two pill, it was a rarity in his eyes, capable of stabilizing the flow of essence and pushing cultivators closer to a breakthrough. For someone like him, who was constantly on the edge of his limits as of lately, it was an opportunity too valuable to ignore.

"Very well, then" Jiang Feng said finally, his voice steady but tinged with determination. He needed every resource he could gather, especially if he intended to head to the Obsidian Battlegrounds after completing the Eastern Wall's month-long project.

Wu Lihua's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Great! I like straightforward people the most."

She raised her staff, its polished wood catching the light, and assumed her battle stance. The tension between the two cultivators thickened as the surrounding onlookers, still reeling from Jiang Feng's earlier display, fell silent.

Jiang Feng took a deep breath, the black scales on his forearms glinting ominously. He wasn't entirely sure he could hold back his draconic essence in a heated battle, but for a pill like this, he was willing to take the risk.

The fight was about to begin, and the stakes couldn't be higher. If he lost, it wasn't anything much, but there was a chance he may not have the opportunity to continue with Yumo on the Eastern wall, if Lin Moyi haven't stepped out yet, that might he didn't plan to unless he would be killed. He assumed it was the same got the others too, only when their juniors were on the brink would they act.