Chen Feng withdrew his left fist, the searing pain making his entire arm throb. That punch had certainly carried immense power, yet the opponent’s defense proved far too formidable.

In that direct clash, the bones in his arm had shattered completely. It seemed that while the technique Cosmic Phantom was overwhelmingly potent, it was best used sparingly in the future, lest he too lose his fighting capacity.

“The techniques like Great Serpent Pheasant don’t cause physical side effects, so why does Cosmic Phantom come with such a severe drawback?” Chen Feng muttered, resetting the broken bones. A strange, dark vortex materialized within his body, continuously nourishing the injury.

This dark energy vortex had grown significantly more substantial after the time spent on the ship. Though the reason remained obscure, Chen Feng knew it was intrinsically linked to the crystal ball absorbing that specific energy.

This peculiar energy had enhanced his spiritual perception; unexpectedly, the power of this strange dark vortex was also evolving. “Truly an uncanny energy,” Chen Feng sighed, pushing the thought aside to recall the event that flashed through his mind during the instant he fought Leidi.

Why couldn't Lingfeng transform into her true Phoenix form? And why did the Flame Dragon Clan possess no inheritance?

These matters seemed trivial, nothing monumental, yet connecting the dots revealed a profound strangeness. How could a senior Flame Dragon from ten thousand years ago possibly foresee that his future self would transmigrate?

If he couldn't foresee it, why leave the Flame Dragon essence blood within the Ninth Layer Pagoda, awaiting his arrival? The secret password outside was still: “Lifting my head, I gaze at the bright moon; lowering my head, I long for home!” And what an improbable coincidence it was: why did he transmigrate precisely near Dragon Map Mountain?

And why did he happen to enter the Ninth Layer Pagoda? Chen Feng, looking back on everything now, felt that it was all far too coincidental.

Furthermore, the Flame Dragon, the Fire Phoenix, and Yu Leidi found it utterly unbelievable. As members of Divine Beast families, challenging opponents of higher levels was feasible, but Chen Feng was just an ordinary person—how could he possess such strength?

Moreover, even challenging higher tiers, the gap he bridged was astronomical… Muttering under his breath, Leidi’s face grew increasingly ashen. After all, sustaining more than a dozen broken ribs was beyond the capacity of an ordinary person.

“You concealed your cultivation... You’ve already reached the Sanctuary realm?” Leidi roared suddenly once more.

“…In truth, I really only possess the strength of a Third-Tier Dou Zun,” Chen Feng admitted frankly. “I don’t believe you!” He bellowed and promptly passed out again.

Chen Feng watched Lingfeng approach from behind and shrugged helplessly, “Why is it that no one ever believes me when I tell the truth?” Lingfeng laughed softly. “If I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t believe you were truly only a Third-Tier Dou Zun either!” “…” Chen Feng.

………………………………………………………………………… They found a place to treat Leidi, staying in Fickeria City for three days. After three days, Leidi was fully recovered, yet his expression was one of absolute devastation.

For a man as proud and arrogant as him, losing a contest where he boasted the most formidable defense was a profound blow. However, a saving grace for such a personality was his willingness to honor a lost bet.

No matter how hard he tried to rationalize it, he ultimately had to concede that he had indeed been defeated. Five years as a slave...

Thinking of this, Leidi’s fists began to itch painfully, grinding his teeth. To be reduced to worthlessness by someone who cost him everything, only to end up at his mercy.

“The Four Great Divine Beasts each possess distinct traits: the Dragon Clan’s arrogance, the Phoenix Clan’s aloofness, the Qilin’s pride, and the Black Tiger’s loyalty—these have long been known!” Lingfeng explained. “The Dragon Clan is united, so arrogance is understandable.

The Phoenix Clan lives in seclusion, detached from everything, so coldness fits. The Qilin’s pride also makes sense, but what about the Black Tiger’s loyalty?” Chen Feng inquired.

“The legends say the Four Great Divine Beasts served under the Main God of Light, and only the Black Tiger was supremely loyal. I only heard these details from some of the elders in my clan; I don’t know the specifics myself!” Lingfeng replied.

“Oh,” Chen Feng acknowledged, falling silent. By this time, Leidi had fetched the carriage.

Chen Feng and Lingfeng entered the carriage compartment, naturally leaving him outside. Leidi gnashed his teeth, gripping the whip and glaring hatefully at Chen Feng and Lingfeng inside the carriage: “You will ride in my carriage!” “Crack!” A crisp snap of the whip made the horses cry out in pain and suddenly accelerate.

“My horses…” the coachman shrieked in anguish. “Get lost!” Leidi roared, kicking the coachman off the seat with one foot, venting all his accumulated resentment onto the driver and the animals.

For a moment, the carriage careened wildly through the streets, stirring up a clamor of shouts and curses from passersby. But Chen Feng and Lingfeng paid it no mind.

“He’ll get used to the status of a slave soon enough…” Chen Feng said with a smile, a grand plan for rehabilitating a slave already forming in his mind. “…” Lingfeng.

The carriage lurched its way out of Fickeria City. Upon leaving the city limits, the three abandoned the vehicle and took to the air, flying toward Xiaohu’s location.

Xiaohu was now drawing near, and Chen Feng could clearly sense his presence. They estimated that by flying, they could rendezvous with them in less than half a day.

Thinking of meeting Xiaohu sooner, Chen Feng abruptly increased his speed. This acceleration was manageable for Lingfeng, but it nearly made Leidi faint.

The Qilin Clan excels at defense but not at speed. With acceleration, he was relegated to trailing far behind.

The dignified Prince of the Qilin, inferior in speed, inferior in attack, and even his most trusted defense proving insufficient—Leidi suddenly felt an urge to commit suicide. “I am a Divine Beast…” he wailed mournfully toward the sky.

ps:: I just realized today is the 31st. I have to accompany someone for an IV drip this afternoon, so there won’t be an update then.

I’ll try my best to write more tonight… aiming for nine thousand words today. Also, it’s the last day!

If you don’t vote for monthly tickets now, they’ll go to waste. Give them to me, thank you!!

(To be continued. For further events, please log on to www**, for more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!) First published.