NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: Path to Rank 3
Chapter 40: Path to Rank 3
The Ruins of the Eternal Night had tested Han Feng in various ways, but now he carried with him the essence of the Dark Moonstone, an invaluable resource for his advancement. However, he knew that absorbing such energy was not a simple task. It was necessary to find a safe place to refine this power and finally break through to Rank 3 without drawing attention. The Return Journey Moving through the shadows, Han Feng avoided the main paths of the ruins. The strange cultivator he had encountered earlier left him uneasy. Who was he? Why was he there? The fact that he had allowed Han Feng to leave without conflict suggested that he had other plans. "I need to move quickly... otherwise, I might end up being a target." With that thought, he quickened his movements, using the Art of the Celestial Veil to mask his presence. The dense mist of the ruins began to dissipate as he approached the exit. That's when he felt something was wrong. A group of cultivators waited near the exit, their auras hidden but still perceptible to someone sensitive like Han Feng. They wore dark cloaks with symbols of a serpent devouring the moon—a emblem that Han Feng recognized immediately.
The Ambush of the Shadow Hunters — You took your time coming out, boy. — A cold voice sounded from the group. Five cultivators emerged from the shadows, their gazes fixed on him. The leader, a tall man with gray hair, emanated a sharp aura. He was a specialist at the peak of Rank 2, about to advance to Rank 3. Han Feng remained silent, his eyes analyzing the enemy's weaknesses. — There's no use pretending you don't see us — the leader continued. — We know you found something valuable inside the ruins. Let's make things easier. Hand over whatever you have obtained and maybe we will spare your life. Han Feng suppressed a cold smile. If he were an ordinary cultivator, he might have panicked, but he was not someone easily intimidated. — I don't know what you're talking about — he replied calmly. — Are you still trying to deny it? — One of the cultivators laughed. — We saw you enter the ruins, but it took you a long time to come out. You must have found something valuable. The leader raised his hand, and the four subordinates surrounded Han Feng. Their movements were disciplined, indicating that they were experienced assassins. If it had been a few months ago, this situation would have been dangerous for him. But now…
The Art of the Dark Void — Very well. — Han Feng sighed. — Since you want it so much, come and get it. Without giving time for reactions, he activated the technique Shadow Wind Steps, disappearing in a blur. The leader's eyes widened, but before he could command his men, Han Feng reappeared behind one of the assassins. With a precise strike, he hit the adversary's vital point, throwing him against a wall. The others reacted quickly, attacking with swords and poisonous blades. Han Feng activated the Celestial Veil Art, becoming a fleeting illusion amidst the enemy strikes. Dodging with precision, he counterattacked with his concentrated Yin energy. — Perpetual Shadow Dance! Dance of the Eternal Shadows! Dark Qi spears emerged around Han Feng and shot towards his opponents. Two of them were hit directly, falling to the ground without being able to react. The leader, seeing his subordinates fall one by one, finally realized that they had underestimated the young cultivator. He roared and unleashed his energy, his fiery aura exploding around him. — Damned! I'll take care of you myself! The cultivator launched a fiery palm strike towards Han Feng. The impact made the ground tremble and cracks spread across the soil. But Han Feng had already anticipated this attack. With an agile step, he dodged and appeared beside the man. — Too late. — Han Feng murmured. Using all the strength accumulated in his Dual Chaos Larva, he delivered a punch wrapped in dark Qi directly to the enemy's chest. The leader spat blood and staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. — What... are... you...? Before he could finish the sentence, he fell to his knees and fainted. Preparing the Advance Han Feng observed the bodies on the ground. None of the enemies had survived. He knew that assassinations attracted attention, but he couldn't leave witnesses. Without wasting time, he searched the belongings of the fallen and found some useful pills and an assassination technique called Silent Moon Claws. He stored the scroll and quickly moved away from the location, erasing his tracks. Now, he needed to find an isolated place to finally break through to Rank 3. The Reclusion in the Cave of Shadows After traveling for hours, he found a hidden cave in the Misty Fog Mountains. The place was ideal—full of Yin Qi and far from unwanted eyes. Sitting in a lotus position, he extracted the essence of the Dark Moonstone. As soon as he began to absorb it, he felt his Qi violently swirl within his body. The dark energy invaded his meridians, trying to corrode him from within. But Han Feng did not panic. He channeled his Dual Chaos Larva, balancing the forces and transforming the hostile energy into something he could absorb. The process was painful, but he persisted. His body trembled as the energy fused with his dantian, expanding his spiritual core. After hours of intense cultivation, he felt a silent explosion within himself. His Qi overflowed, and his aura grew exponentially. He had finally broken through to Rank 3. Continues...