Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 499: Semi-Saint

Lin Feng slowly stood up and surveyed the tower. It was a vast space, large enough to accommodate thousands, yet aside from a single staircase leading to the second floor, there was nothing else. This level of the tower was incredibly tall, as tall as a dozen or twenty people stacked together. Mysterious runes on the walls glowed faintly, as if revealing ancient secrets.

As Lin Feng surveyed his surroundings, five men's gazes fell upon him, their eyes gleaming with greed. These five were Jiang Cheng, Chang Jihou, Zuo Lun, Guan Jinsong, and Duan Yin. They exchanged glances and slowly approached Lin Feng, their steps steady yet impatient.

Lin Feng keenly sensed the five men's intentions. He discreetly shielded Xu Tian, ​​Chen Xin'er, and Chen Yu behind him. His right hand subconsciously tightened around the scabbard of the Star Blade, his fingers turning white from the effort. His eyes instantly grew alert, fixed intently on the approaching five men. His aura subtly intensified, like a cheetah poised for a strike.

Chang Jihou walked in front, a smug smile on his face, as if he had already grasped the Star Blade in his hand. "Lin Feng, you can't escape this time. Hand over the Star Blade quickly." His voice echoed in the tower, full of oppression. As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes turned to Lin Feng, and they also noticed the mysterious Star Blade in his hand.

Lin Feng's face was as cold as ice on a cold night. His eyes revealed a resolute determination, showing no sign of retreat. He swept his gaze over the five people's faces one by one, as if he was weighing the situation, secretly considering a response strategy.

At this moment, Hou Ming, the Fourth Elder of the Nine Emperors Pavilion, stepped out from the crowd. He looked at Lin Feng with a complex expression, one that seemed both sentimental and calculating. "Lin Feng, we meet again." His voice was low and hoarse, as if carrying the vicissitudes of life.

Lin Feng also looked at Hou Ming, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Elder Hou, I really didn't expect this to be such a coincidence." His tone was calm, but he was wary.

Hou Ming narrowed his eyes slightly and took two steps forward, his hands behind his back, looking confident. "Give us the Star Blade, and we'll see to it that you're safe." His words carried a hint of unquestionable authority, as if to demonstrate to Lin Feng the strength and determination of the Nine Emperor Pavilion.

However, before Lin Feng could say anything, a man wearing a bamboo hat, a cloak, and a mask suddenly spoke. His voice was deep and magnetic, yet it carried an irresistible sense of oppression: "Are you Lin Feng? Hand over the Star Blade to me, and I will protect you for life."

The sudden voice startled everyone, and a flurry of discussion erupted in the crowd. Zhou Yi of the White Dragon Cult was the first to object. He took a step forward, pointing a finger at the mysterious man, his face filled with anger and disdain. "You mean you can protect Lin Feng for his entire life? You really don't take our sect seriously." His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and he unconsciously clenched the spear in his hand.

Fang Mufei also nodded in agreement: "That's right, who do you think you are?" His eyes were full of arrogance. As a strong man close to the semi-saint level, he was full of contempt for this mysterious man who came out of nowhere.

The mysterious man said nothing. Instantly, a powerful aura emanated from his body. This aura, like a surging tide, carried an immense pressure that forced everyone to step back. The air within the tower seemed to freeze in its presence, and the runes on the walls began to flicker.

Lin Feng was also forced to retreat two steps by this powerful aura, a deep fear welling up in his heart. He had never felt such a strong force before, and the oppressive feeling made it almost impossible to breathe. His eyes were filled with shock and vigilance as he stared at the mysterious man, trying to find a flaw in him.

Everyone around stared at the mysterious man in horror, not daring to breathe. Jiang Cheng, Chang Jihou, and the others, who had just been arguing over the Star Blade, now fell silent, expressions of fear on their faces. In the face of such overwhelming power, they all realized how insignificant their own calculations were.

The mysterious man looked at the crowd's horrified eyes, his lips curling up slightly in a barely perceptible smile, seemingly enjoying the attention. He slowly raised his hand, his fingers long and powerful, his movements graceful yet irresistible, and began to remove his bamboo hat. Beneath the hat, a head of neatly tied white hair was revealed, each strand gleaming with a cool sheen in the soft light of the tower.

He then untied the ties of his cloak, which slowly drifted away like a black cloud, revealing a long black robe embroidered with golden threads. The robe was faintly visible in the dim light, as if betraying his extraordinary identity. Finally, he gently pulled away the black cloth covering his face, revealing a stern face with sharp eyes.

"You're actually Xinghai Peak's Third Elder, Lü Cheng!" Jiang Cheng's eyes widened, his face filled with shock, and he cried out involuntarily. His voice echoed through the tower, filled with disbelief. Jiang Cheng's body trembled slightly, and he unconsciously clenched his weapon. He knew the Third Elder of Xinghai Peak's reputation well, one of the most powerful figures on the continent. His presence now filled him with a strong sense of unease.

There was a faint smile on Lu Cheng's lips, with a hint of complacency and calmness in that smile. He said slowly: "I haven't been out in the secular world for too long. I didn't expect that someone still recognizes me." His voice was low and magnetic, as if carrying a charm of time.

"I didn't expect Xinghai Peak to actually send a Semi-Saint." Zhou Qian's voice trembled, his expression darkening as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. As an elder of the White Dragon Cult, he had originally considered himself a prominent figure in the martial arts world, but facing a Semi-Saint-level warrior, he was deeply aware of his own insignificance. He scoured Lu Cheng's face, trying to find a flaw in his expression, but Lu Cheng's calm expression gave him no clue.

Just as everyone was still reeling from the shock of Lu Cheng's identity, a demonic figure with a taotie pattern on his black robe slowly approached. His steps were steady and slow, each one seeming to tread upon everyone's hearts, accelerating their pulses. Suddenly, without warning, he unleashed a powerful aura, like a black storm, instantly sweeping across the entire tower.