The Martial Emperor

Chapter 17 - The Mystery of Cen Linxi

The rumbling sound of the waterfall gradually became a soothing backdrop for Lin Feng's meditation. He sat cross-legged on a large rock, practicing the Qi filtering technique. Each breath felt lighter, separating pure energy from the impurities that contaminated the outside world.

Although his cultivation felt progressive, Lin Feng's mind could not be completely at peace. Cen Linxi's face as she endured pain while using the Torment Ring kept appearing in his mind.

"Why does she have to push herself that far?" Lin Feng muttered softly. "And who exactly is the person from the Battle Hall that she wants to defeat?"

Lin Feng remembered something. His best friend, Zhang Hao, had been chosen to enter the Battle Hall while he himself was under Ye Jingshi in the Scholar Hall. If there was any conflict or rivalry between the two halls, Zhang Hao must have at least heard something.

That afternoon, as the sun began to slip behind the horizon, Lin Feng decided to return to the dormitory. He had to find Zhang Hao.

As soon as Lin Feng pushed open the dormitory door, a large shadow immediately lunged at him and roughly hugged his shoulders.

"Feng! You're back! Damn it, you made me worry half to death!" Zhang Hao exclaimed with a booming laugh.

Lin Feng smiled thinly, patting his best friend's arm. "I'm fine, Hao. You yourself look more filled out. Is training at the Battle Hall very heavy?"

"Heavy? It's hell!" Zhang Hao released his hug and sat on the edge of the bed enthusiastically. "But forget about me. Feng, your name is now the talk of many places! Senior Gu Yanfeng and Yan Huo keep praising you. They say you're the hero of Chenglai Village. Is that true? Tell me quickly!"

Lin Feng sat on the wooden chair in front of Zhang Hao. "They're exaggerating. We just worked together to survive the attack from the Ghost Crow Sect."

"Come on, don't be humble! That arrogant Yan Huo even scolded other disciples who insulted you. That's a miracle of the world!" Zhang Hao urged. "Quick, tell me the details!"

Lin Feng finally gave in. He told their journey, from the attack of the Red-Eyed Crow Demons to the appearance of the Ghost Crow Sect cultivators. However, in accordance with his promise to himself, Lin Feng kept tightly sealed the part about the appearance of the Twin Koi Rune and the mysterious power intervention from his Yin-Yang necklace.

"So, it was Senior Gu who released that high-level lightning attack to repel them?" asked Zhang Hao after listening.

"Yes, that's how it was. Luck was on our side," Lin Feng answered flatly.

"Insane... The Ghost Crow Sect dared to act that brazen near our sect. You're amazing to have survived, Feng," Zhang Hao sighed in relief, then his face turned playful. "But now you've become a 'hero'. There must be many female disciples starting to glance at you, right?"

Lin Feng shook his head, then changed his tone to become more serious. "Hao, there's something I want to ask you. This is about the Battle Hall."

Zhang Hao straightened his sitting position. "Oh? Want to transfer halls? Unfortunately you're Master Ye's golden child now."

"Not that," Lin Feng ignored his best friend's joke. "While you were there, did you ever hear about a Battle Hall disciple who had a special relationship, or perhaps personal rivalry, with a girl from the Scholar Hall?"

Zhang Hao furrowed his brow, his eyes moving upward as he tried to remember. "Special relationship? You mean dating or enmity?"

"Could be both. But leaning more toward grudge or desire to defeat," Lin Feng explained.

Zhang Hao was silent for quite a while, then shook his head slowly. "Honestly, I don't know. I'm still new there, Feng. My focus is just running around the field and punching sandbags until my hands blister. Besides, the Battle Hall is very large. There are hundreds of arrogant disciples there."

"Isn't there a single name that stands out?" Lin Feng asked again.

Zhang Hao looked at Lin Feng with an investigative gaze, then a mischievous smile began to appear on his lips. "Wait a minute... why are you suddenly asking about a girl from the Scholar Hall? Could it be..."

"Don't start, Hao," Lin Feng cut in quickly.

"Hah! Our ice-cold Lin Feng has finally fallen for someone!" Zhang Hao laughed while pointing at Lin Feng. "Who is she? Is it that genius Cen Linxi? I heard she's very beautiful but hard to approach. Wow, you have high standards too!"

"I'm only asking because there's something bothering me, not because of that," Lin Feng replied with an emotionless expression, though in his heart he felt slightly awkward because Zhang Hao's guess hit the mark.

"Yes, yes, classic excuse," Zhang Hao winked. "But seriously, I haven't heard anything about specific inter-hall relationships. But don't worry, as a good friend, I'll keep my ears wide open at the Battle Hall tomorrow. If there's a senior with a loose mouth about a Scholar Hall girl, you'll be the first to know."

"Thank you, Hao. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. But if you two really get together later, you have to treat me to grilled meat in the city!" Zhang Hao laughed again.

The night grew late. After chatting a while longer about the basic techniques Zhang Hao learned, both decided to rest. Lin Feng laid his body on the hard bed. The quiet dormitory atmosphere usually made it hard for him to sleep because his mind was always active, but this time, spiritual exhaustion from the afternoon training made him fall asleep quickly.

Darkness enveloped his consciousness, but it did not last long.

Suddenly, Lin Feng found himself standing in the middle of a vast enclosed room. The sky above him was only black stones. There was a lake there, in the middle of that lake was a small island. It was the core of the mysterious cave in the Black Bone Valley at that time.

Lin Feng turned and his heart beat rapidly. There, sitting on the well-kept grass, sat that woman, the woman in robes as white as snow.

The mysterious woman smiled thinly, looking at him with a million meanings as if she had indeed been waiting for Lin Feng here.

"You came faster than I expected, Little Ant,"