Only seven individuals ultimately arrived, a success rate that, given the near-death stakes, was quite encouraging.

The seven, plus Chen Feng, Long Xiaoqiang, Judy, and Angelisa, made a total of eleven. While the Fist Emperor was finalizing arrangements with these eleven, Xiao Hu, who had appeared from nowhere, insisted on joining.

The Fist Emperor finally had to agree, bringing the total contingent up to twelve.

Among these twelve, Chen Feng recognized the majority: Ling Feng, Xiao Hu, Long Xiaoqiang, Judy, Angelisa, Reidi, and Jin Ling.

Upon closer inspection of the remaining four, Chen Feng realized he knew one of them as well.

“Durotes? Is that you?”

“Lord Chen Feng!” Durotes bowed deeply. “As your admirer, I naturally had to come!”

Chen Feng smiled faintly without commenting. When Durotes had sold him the Compendium of Champions, he had been the epitome of over-the-top flattery; trusting his words was like trusting a ghost story.

However, his emergence from the Five Continents Tournament was somewhat unexpected for Chen Feng. A scan with his mental power now revealed that the man had actually reached the Saint Domain level, a testament to his remarkable cultivation talent.

The remaining three—two men and one woman—were unfamiliar to him. Although he had seen them during the competition, they hadn't been in the same bracket, and he didn't know their names.

“My name is Mary, from the Sky Snow Demon Clan,” the young woman introduced herself with a slight smile. She wasn't strikingly beautiful, but she possessed a vibrant, heroic air and an indescribable charisma. Her full chest strained against the tight soft armor, appearing as if it might burst free.

Of the five women in this group of twelve, if one were to select the most beautiful and charismatic, Ling Feng would undoubtedly win. But if the criterion was the largest bust, the one drawing the most scorching gazes, Mary was the clear choice.

“Call me Bens. B-E-N-S. Bens’ S, not the ‘stupid’ B-E-N and the ‘dead’ S. Actually, I’m quite smart... hehe,” said a young man next to Mary, making a playful face. “I hail from the Golden Crow Demon Territory!”

“Ehart. An independent cultivator,” stated the last member, a slightly tall and thin youth, in a reserved tone.

Their self-introductions revealed two distinct types: Bens was cheerful and playful, while Ehart was serious and measured.

After they finished introducing themselves, Chen Feng and the others did the same. When the others learned that Long Xiaoqiang, Judy, and Angelisa were disciples of the Fist Emperor, they displayed unmistakable envy.

“Brother Feng, Sister Feng, Brother Qiang...” Bens stood to the side and addressed each of them individually with a unique, affectionate nickname, significantly boosting everyone’s favorable impression of him.

“Haha! Someone called me Brother Hu! Well, you’re not bad!” Xiao Hu laughed proudly.

Xiao Hu was actually only six years old, yet Bens called him 'brother,' causing a collective shiver of awkwardness among the group.

“Shameless!” A cold voice cut in from the side—it was Jin Ling.

“Do you want to fight again?” Xiao Hu, having had his excitement dampened, glared at her with annoyance.

“Can’t beat me, so now you need others to step in?” Jin Ling retorted coolly.

“Brother Hu, Sister Ling, please don’t argue! We’re comrades on the same mission now; we should be helping each other!” Bens interjected with a smile.

“Hmph!”

“Hmph!”

Xiao Hu and Jin Ling both knew a fight wouldn't erupt—even if Bens hadn’t spoken, Feng would have intervened. With a simultaneous snort, they both turned their heads away.

Chen Feng watched the pair of oddities with mild exasperation. Jin Ling wasn't inherently malicious, just intensely competitive and somewhat spoiled, possessing the classic airs of a young mistress. Xiao Hu, on the other hand, had the temperament of a child. It was hard for them not to clash.

“Let’s move out!” After a brief period of familiarization, Chen Feng announced loudly. As the undisputed leader of the team, his strength spoke for itself. No one raised an objection, and even Jin Ling, despite her minor grumbles, calmly accepted Chen Feng as captain. After all, a powerful leader reduced unnecessary sacrifices.

The group entered the teleportation array connecting Fist Emperor Island to the outside world. With a flash of light, they appeared within another massive magic circle. Chen Feng stepped out, glanced around, and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. He was surprisingly familiar with this location: Fekolia City!

It was here, long ago, that he had encountered Prince Reidi, provoked him, and won a bet that resulted in Reidi becoming his slave. Turning to Reidi now, Chen Feng noted the fluctuating colors on his face—pale, then red.

Fist Emperor Island did not possess a direct ultra-long-range portal to the continent housing the Four Great Empires. That single portal existed on a hidden island in the middle of the ocean, its location known only to the highest echelons of the major powers.

Fekolia City merely served as a transfer point, possessing a magic array that led toward that specific oceanic region.

“Hehe, now that we’re here, it’s like being at my home! Come on, my treat for a massive feast!” Bens said cheerfully.

Fekolia City belonged to the Tuen Empire, one of the Seven Great Empires, and fell directly under the jurisdiction of the Golden Crow Demon Territory, making Bens’ statement entirely appropriate.

Seeing the eager expressions on everyone’s faces, Chen Feng smiled. “We still have half a year; there’s no rush. Let Bens splurge a little! Everyone, don't hold back!”

Everyone laughed and cheered in unison as they walked toward the city gates.

Their group was highly conspicuous: a gathering of young people, five of whom were exceptionally beautiful maidens. Ling Feng, in particular, walked as if untouched by dust, resembling a fallen immortal.

It was just past nine in the evening, the city's busiest time, and their entrance immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Bens seemed to recognize the effect they were having and quickly led them into the largest nearby tavern.

“Welcome, sirs and madams, right this way!” the waiter rushed out with a smile.

“We need a large private room,” Bens requested.

“What excellent timing! We happen to have exactly one large private room left—the ‘Charming Serenity Chamber.’ Please follow me!” The waiter happily guided them up to the second floor.

Once seated, they looked around. It was indeed an elegant space, filled with various potted plants that diffused a subtle fragrance throughout the area.

.....................................................

“Those women just now were absolutely stunning!” a pale, richly dressed young man stood frozen in place, looking weak, clearly drained by indulgence in wine and women. “If I could just snatch them and press them underneath me, that would truly be…”

He drooled slightly as he spoke, his eyes narrowed into slits, flashing with lustful light.

“What’s the problem, Young Master? The entire city is under your control now. Forget a few girls; even if you demanded every woman in the city strip naked and wait for you in bed, no one would dare resist!” a dark-skinned middle-aged man fawned.

“Good, good, you say well. Show me where they went,” the richly dressed youth commanded with a smirk.

“They went to the Deshun Tavern!” the middle-aged man continued with a smile.

“Then we’ll go now. Ah, yes, send someone to fetch the Twelve Guards!” The youth grinned maliciously. “Little beauties, here I come…”

He could already visualize the beautiful women writhing beneath him, emitting captivating moans...

.....................................................

“I didn’t expect the food here to be so delicious!” Long Xiaoqiang commented.

“You’ve been on Fist Emperor Island too long. Anything you eat now will taste incredible. If you like it, eat more!” Bens asserted his host status with casual generosity.

“I didn’t realize Senior Brother was also a man greedy for physical pleasures!” Angelisa watched Long Xiaoqiang eat and smiled faintly. Her smile was like a warm spring breeze thawing ice, immediately causing the surrounding men to momentarily freeze.

Long Xiaoqiang gave an awkward chuckle. “You know what the food on Fist Emperor Island is like, Angelisa. It’s the same monotonous flavor day in and day out. After years, I’m sick of it. A change of pace really hits the spot!”

Judy heard her senior brother’s explanation and found it reasonable. She glanced toward Chen Feng and saw him placing food into Ling Feng’s bowl, which caused a brief, uncomfortable pang in her heart. She quickly composed herself. Perhaps only a peerless beauty like Ling Feng deserves him... Why am I even thinking about this? It’s over. What does it matter who deserves whom?

She shook her head and looked at the others, only to see Xiao Hu and Jin Ling starting to bicker again. This time, neither would yield, throwing insults around without restraint, which only provoked widespread laughter.

“Second Young Master, why are you here?” a waiter’s voice called from a distance.

“Are you unwelcome?” the Second Young Master snapped.

“No, no, it’s just that we are completely fully booked right now…” the waiter replied hesitantly.

Smack! A crisp slap echoed, followed by the Second Young Master’s furious roar: “Are you blind, you son of a bitch? I’m entertaining honored guests! Can you handle the consequences? Clear out a private room immediately, or I’ll beat you to death!”

Immediately, the Second Young Master softened his tone toward another person: “It is fate that I should encounter a supreme expert like Elder Shu here. Your nephew will book you a private room right away!”

“Hmph!” a cold snort followed, clearly belonging to an old man.

The Second Young Master cursed inwardly. He had intended to come here to chase women, only to run into such a distinguished figure—what terrible luck! But his eyes darted, and a sly idea formed. He turned back to the waiter and shouted angrily: “Hurry up! Why are you lying on the floor playing dead? I want the ‘Charming Serenity Chamber’! Throw the people inside out!”

The waiter obeyed, scrambling and crawling his way to Chen Feng’s room.

“Esteemed guests, could you perhaps…”

“No! Get out of here!” Bens stood up. Encountering such arrogance on his local turf deeply annoyed him.

The Second Young Master’s shouting had been loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, so Bens’ outburst seemed justified.

Chen Feng placed a hand on Bens’ shoulder, signaling him to sit down, and addressed the waiter: “We won’t make things difficult for you. Go back and tell them this: leave immediately, and we won't press the matter. If you don't leave, you'll face the consequences!” (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log onto www** for more chapters, supporting the author and legitimate reading!)