Chapter 091：Cliff Cave

"Stay here!"

Another sharp shout echoed behind Bei Lao and Lin Feng as the Kunpeng serpent, a massive mystical beast, exhaled clouds of mist. Suddenly, it opened its enormous maw and inhaled violently. A tempestuous wind erupted, churning the air as torrents of energy surged into the beast's gaping mouth.

Simultaneously, the Kunpeng spread its colossal wings and beat them fiercely, lunging toward Bei Lao and Lin Feng. The overwhelming gravitational pull of its devouring force slowed even Bei Lao's movements, while Lin Feng felt his body torn toward the beast's jaws, as though he no longer controlled his own limbs.

If not for Bei Lao's iron grip, Lin Feng would have been swallowed whole.

The Kunpeng, an ancient Mystic Beast, rivaled the power of a human Xuanwu Realm cultivator. A single breath from it was beyond Lin Feng's ability to resist.

"Bind!"

Teng Wushan, standing atop the Kunpeng's back, roared. A dark chain erupted from his body, lashing toward Lin Feng.

"Back off!"

A hoarse voice countered as a wrinkled hand caught the chain mid-air. The old woman—Lin Feng's unexpected ally—clenched the links in her gnarled palm.

"Go. I'll kill this abomination," she declared calmly.

Bei Lao nodded solemnly. Among their pursuers, only two could match his speed: the sword-riding elder and Teng Wushan with his Kunpeng. With the swordmaster injured by Kong Lao, eliminating the Kunpeng would secure their escape.

He didn't doubt her vow—when she spoke death, it arrived.

"I've kept our pact," the crone added, her voice steady. "Tell that brat Liu Canglan I forgive him. The marriage between Wenren Yan and Fei Fei is void. Lin Feng... he's worthy."

Bei Lao chuckled but stayed silent.

"Arrogant fool! How will you slay my Kunpeng?" Teng Wushan sneered, his chains coiling around the old woman. The beast's maw yawned wider, its devouring force redoubling.

"Beast remains a beast."

With a piercing shriek, the woman's hair whipped wildly as a colossal serpent phantom materialized behind her. She transformed into a living viper, riding the chains' momentum straight into the Kunpeng's throat.

Lin Feng stared, awestruck, as the crone willingly entered the monster's gullet.

"Let's move," Bei Lao said flatly, glancing back one last time before darting away.

A thunderous explosion and enraged roar echoed behind them. Lin Feng knew the outcome.

Any resentment toward the old woman—who'd broken her vow to save Wenren Yan—dissipated. She'd sacrificed honor for her disciple, and now her life for the sect.

That disfigured crone deserved reverence.

Unhindered now, Bei Lao's武魂之翼 (Martial Soul Wings) carried them from the ravaged valley until Yunhai Sect's carnage faded from view. Yet neither felt relief—their survival was bought with rivers of sect blood.

Heavenly Barrier Cliff

The (Bell-Drum Precipice) loomed—a sheer drop accessible only by air. A crane-shaped shadow descended, landing atop the stone face.

Lin Feng frowned. Instead of fleeing, Bei Lao had brought them here?

"Down."

Sliding along the cliff face, they plunged a thousand meters into roiling clouds.

"Remember this spot," Bei Lao instructed. "A thousand meters below the precipice's edge."

Three knocks on the rockface. Stone groaned, revealing a hidden chamber.

The ancient hall within radiated primal grandeur. Dragon-phoenix carvings adorned pillars etched with mythical beasts Lin Feng couldn't name.

"Yunhai Sect was founded here not for terrain," Bei Lao explained, "but because ancestors discovered this sanctum. The (Star Pavilion) manuals originated from these walls. Once, they held far mightier arts, but millennia of leaks left only fragments. This secret belongs solely to sect guardians—not even the Sect Master knew."

Lin Feng surveyed dust-shrouded relics as they progressed to a study. A sandalwood shelf held ancient tomes.

"Star Pavilion's copies are pale shadows," Bei Lao said. "These originals range from Mystic-grade to Earth-grade lower tier—impossible to master fully, even for us. Choose what suits you."

But Lin Feng's heart remained heavy with ghosts.

Armory

A new chamber assaulted them with metallic auras. Weapons hummed with sentient hunger.

"These aren't mere blades," Bei Lao intoned. "They're (spiritual artifacts)—alive with power."

To demonstrate, he drew an ancient sword and shattered Lin Feng's blade effortlessly.

"Such treasures stay hidden lest they invite doom. Now, they're yours."

A stone ring appeared in Bei Lao's palm—crude yet pulsing with antiquity.

"An ancient spatial ring. Blood-bind it."

The ring glowed crimson as Lin Feng's blood seeped in. Awareness blossomed—the space within held relics... and a fading familiar presence.

Lin Feng stiffened. "This aura—"

"You sense correctly. It was Nan Gong's. Now, you inherit it." Bei Lao's gaze pierced him. "Lin Feng, you are Yunhai Sect's new Sect Master."