Chen Feng emerged from the Phoenix Clan residence late into the night, remembering that KOF was still looking for him, so he swiftly flew towards Lianzhufeng.

Because of an explosion at the Phoenix Domain residence, the entire population of KOF Island had heightened their vigilance. Along the way, he encountered several checks, but for reasons unknown—perhaps due to special instructions from KOF or otherwise—no one actually stopped him.

Soon, Chen Feng arrived atop the peak of Lianzhufeng. The night was hazy, a few scattered starlights piercing through the palace roof, adding a touch of chill to the air.

Just as he hesitated about how to enter, a figure stepped out.

“Iori Yagami…” Judy called out.

“I truly never expected you to become a disciple of KOF!” Chen Feng exclaimed once more, following behind Judy as he walked inside.

“What exactly happened just now? With KOF, the number one ranked expert on the Strongest List, personally guiding you, your cultivation shouldn't be low, so how could you have been abducted?” Chen Feng couldn't help but ask.

He had witnessed KOF’s power; the Great Elder and Hu Ben attacking simultaneously were easily neutralized by him. Looking at the ability he displayed, casually slicing open a spatial rift, Chen Feng suspected he couldn't manage that level of skill even now.

“I…” A blush rose on Judy’s face, and she shook her head, murmuring, “It wasn’t a small lapse…”

She couldn't possibly admit that she had become distracted, unable to sleep alone because she kept recalling moments spent with him, leading to her being taken advantage of!

Judy had followed KOF for five years of study. But ultimately, she lacked Chen Feng’s inherent alertness, that innate sense of foreboding before danger struck. Coupled with her inexperience and overconfidence in the security of KOF Island, she had actually been captured.

“Back then…” As the two walked along the palace façade, Judy couldn't help but say, “It was my fault. I realized it later…”

“No need to say it!” Chen Feng had long since forgotten those past incidents and had no desire to bring them up again. He cut her off directly.

“If you don't want to talk about it, does that mean you haven’t forgiven me?” Judy felt a pang of unbearable sorrow in her heart.

“Can we still be friends?” Judy asked again.

“Friends?” Chen Feng shook his head. “The moment the Red Bow was incinerated, the friend named Judy in my heart died! I brought you along just now because we share some history; I simply didn’t want anything bad to happen to you!”

Chen Feng was not a petty person. If he were, he might have killed her when Judy passed out, or perhaps not woken her up at all. But saving her did not equate to forgiving her, because Judy truly lacked the standing to warrant his forgiveness.

A man must possess integrity and backbone. Which man could forgive a woman who used his compassion to deceive the very man who had helped her from the start?

“Now that I know you are KOF’s disciple, what I did earlier was rather superfluous!” Chen Feng said coldly.

Judy’s mouth filled with bitterness. From those few brief sentences, she clearly understood Chen Feng’s sentiment. She sighed inwardly; what else was there to say at this point?

“Is that Chen Feng? Judy, you go back and rest first!” As they reached the entrance of a side hall, a voice projected from within—it was KOF.

“Yes, Master!” Judy replied, turning to leave.

Her tone remained unchanged, but the moment she turned away, tears were already rolling down her pale cheeks.

People should not approach relationships with suspicion or indecision. If you love, love fully; if you hate, hate truly. Only then will you avoid the devastating regret that strikes at some later moment, leading to unbearable suffering…

In truth, a life is short—a tree grows for a season. Living unhappily for the sake of others is the path of a saint, or perhaps just a fool; avoid it. Making yourself happy at the expense of others is the path of a degenerate; shun it. You are you. When you should be happy, be happy. When you should love, love fiercely. Even if it ends in separation, you will have no regrets!

(Writing this makes Lao Ya recall a silly poem he penned in his first year of high school, which he still remembers and offers to everyone: “If those in love cannot be together, I will not weep in sorrow. For love is inherently a bitter fruit, it has no reason to emerge as sweetness!”)

Sometimes, blaming the heavens and others is less useful than simply acting bravely. Here, Lao Ya has rambled a bit. The purpose of writing this book is simply to express his own heartfelt views—this is my philosophy of life. I believe it is reflected in the protagonist as well; he acts according to his own code, which is never to regret. Once he sets a direction, he commits with all his might, and he won't regret it even if he crashes headlong into a solid wall! This is quite similar to when Lao Ya resigned from his job—once he decided, he turned and left. Even though subscription numbers are poor now, and in terms of food, lodging, recreation, necessities, and money, life is much harder than it was at the company, he has absolutely no regrets!

Judy didn't know that when the man in the black robe gave her a Level Five Battle Core, he had planted a seed in her heart. The argument at John's Blacksmith Shop was like placing that seed into fertile soil. Saving her from the bandits watered that seed. Her desperate efforts to get him to participate in the competition were when the seed had already sprouted…

If Judy had harbored any genuine feeling toward Chen Feng back then, she wouldn't have felt such profound fury and biting hatred upon learning that he had killed Danny and Moko. This truth is immutable.

If Chen Feng hadn't felt even a flicker of affection for her, why would he have enthusiastically delivered the bow late at night? If there were no affection, why, upon hearing her misunderstand and wrongly accuse him, did he not explain, but instead felt a deep surge of sorrow in his eyes?

Two people who should have loved each other ended up unable to be together precisely because of this.

Chen Feng didn't want to think about these things, nor would he. But Judy spent five years constantly thinking, unable to reconcile it!

That is why she is sorrowful, that is why she is heartbroken! And it is a sorrow so absolute, leaving her utterly helpless.

……………………………………………………………………

Before Chen Feng even entered the side hall, he felt a pressure rising ahead of him. Under the oppression of this pressure, sweat beaded on his body, making his steps difficult.

He knew KOF was deliberately testing him. His gaze sharpened, and an unyielding will surged throughout his body.

This will collided with the opposing pressure, and like smoke from a battlefield, it sparked a burst of energy in the air.

“Hmm?” KOF’s surprised voice came from inside the room.

Immediately, the pressure increased even more intensely. Chen Feng took a deep breath, and his entire person instantly transformed into a sharp sword, carving a path directly through the center of the oppressive force!

“Ah… what…” A stammering voice suddenly rang out, clearly shocked beyond measure. Chen Feng turned to look and saw Long Xiaojiang, whom he had met before, standing on one side of the room, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Chen Feng knew this was not the time for reminiscing. The pressure still lingering in the air had not completely dissipated. He puffed out his chest and strode forward with firm steps.

He never thought KOF would harm him. If the man truly intended harm, he would have acted long ago.

Furthermore, in Chen Feng’s subconscious, there was always a sense that he shared some kind of connection with this KOF. He practiced KOF’s techniques; why was this man coincidentally named KOF?

Feeling the pressure ahead grow ever greater, even with his profound cultivation, Chen Feng began to struggle to maintain his footing. The sensation was akin to what he felt before the Golden Xuan Tiger—a profound, visceral shock and oppression.

However, the greater the pressure, the stronger Chen Feng’s fighting spirit became. This was a trait established from the beginning. Just when the pressure seemed to reach his limit, he gritted his teeth and continued forward as if sensing nothing amiss.

“Bang! Bang!”

Two explosive sounds of air pressure erupted immediately in front of Chen Feng. The collision between the invisible pressure and the invisible will manifested as tangible effects.

After advancing a few more steps, he finally saw KOF seated in the center, not far off. Chen Feng cupped his fists and stated calmly, “I have arrived!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Feng felt the entire pressure instantly vanish, his body feeling undeniably lighter.

KOF’s eyes showed a hint of a smile, appearing deeply satisfied. He turned to look at Long Xiaojiang, who was standing nearby.

“Now you know that there are always greater people and higher heavens, right? You may leave; I have matters to discuss with Chen Feng.”

“Yes, Master!” Long Xiaojiang replied, turning and walking out of the side hall. As soon as he exited, he let out a long breath and wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

“That was terrifying. If Master’s aura had been directed purely at me, I probably wouldn't have managed eight steps!”

He sighed softly, immediately recalling what his Master had told him when he first accepted him as a disciple.

“My aura can judge a person’s potential, regardless of their cultivation level. If you can walk five steps in front of me, I will accept you as a disciple.”

“Back then, I had to grit my teeth to manage seven and a half steps! Afterward, Master called me a rare genius! My two junior sisters both managed seven steps! And… he just walked past ten steps, and it looked like he still had plenty of energy left. If I am a genius, then what is he?” Long Xiaojiang couldn’t help but gaze toward the silhouette inside the hall, his face filled with profound shock, before striding toward his own quarters.

……………………………………………………………………

KOF watched his disciple leave and then smiled at Chen Feng.

Only then did Chen Feng truly observe KOF’s appearance: around forty years old, with a slightly sallow complexion, his dark eyes radiating a sharp, intelligent light. In every aspect, he resembled a Chinese person from his previous life.

KOF seemed to notice his bewilderment, smiled slightly, and suddenly stood up, flicking his finger. A jet of flame burst forth from his fingertip.

“How do Kyo Kusanagi’s and Iori Yagami’s flames compare?” KOF’s calm words struck Chen Feng’s ears like a massive hammer!

ps: I was dizzy from exhaustion. After I posted the single chapter update, the power kept cutting out intermittently, more than ten times, each lasting less than five minutes. Poor me, my laptop has no battery, so I was tormented mercilessly by this… I’m dizzy. Now the power is stable, so I can keep typing… It’s killing me… And what’s even more galling is that this power outage situation is going to last for several more days… (To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please log in to m, for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)