Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

Faced with Lu Feng's frankness, Shen Tianzhong sighed and stopped hiding his true intentions. "Brother Lu, the drastic change in Yunyou's personality and his later joining the Wusheng Demonic Sect are all related to the massacre of the Shen family twelve years ago."

"Back then, I had just returned to my family from the outside world, and before I could even find out the real culprit behind the massacre of the Shen family, I was suddenly attacked by a group of heartless drug slaves..."

Shen Tianzhong's tone was grave, his face showing lingering fear, "These Heartless Medicine Slaves were not only numerous but also incredibly powerful. I couldn't handle them all by myself, and I almost lost my life on the spot..."

"A heartless drug slave?"

A hint of surprise appeared on Lu Feng's face.

The Heartless Medicine Slave is one of the many medicine slaves cultivated by the Wusheng Sect. Although its strength is not as great as that of the Extreme Realm Medicine Slave, it is still far superior to that of ordinary medicine slaves. Moreover, cultivating such a strange medicine slave requires a large amount of "Reversal of Fate Elixir".

As for the main ingredient for refining the Reversal Elixir, the "Datura Flower," and the refining method, only Liao Fusheng, one of the four protectors of the Wusheng Sect and known in the martial arts world as the Poison Protector, could master it, even within the four kingdoms of Lingnan and the entire Eastern Xuan Region.

Therefore, it can be confirmed with absolute certainty that the people who wiped out the Shen family in the past were none other than the infamous Wusheng Demonic Sect!

However, even though the real culprit who wiped out the Shen family was the Wusheng Demonic Sect, Shen Yunyou insisted that his own brother, Shen Tianzhong, killed a group of Shen family members, which surprised Lu Feng even more.

"Brother Lu, those heartless drug slaves who attacked me were none other than the Shen family members who were persecuted in the past...!"

Seemingly sensing Lu Feng's doubts, Shen Tianzhong shook his head, then gave a helpless bitter smile, "After the Shen family was attacked by the Wusheng Sect, in addition to some of the clan's experts being killed on the spot, a large number of clansmen were used by the Wusheng Sect as test subjects for refining medicine slaves, including the Ninth Uncle and others mentioned by Yunyou..."

"If it were anyone else, they might have died from the attack of the heartless drug slaves long ago. However, Uncle Nine and the others had not completely lost their minds. Instead, they recognized my identity at the last moment..."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, could it be that you mean...?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Feng raised an eyebrow, as if he instantly understood something.

"That's right!"

Nodding again, Shen Tian clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, then said in a deep voice, word by word, "The remaining shred of reason in Uncle Jiu and the others prevented them from harming me, yet they were unwilling to be manipulated and become mere lackeys of the Demonic Sect. In the end, they had no choice but to surrender and die..."

"At the time, I was too weak to neutralize the life-altering elixir on Uncle Nine and the others. In the end, I had no choice but to kill them to help them escape their suffering completely..."

Shen Tianzhong spoke with a heavy heart, and a trace of self-reproach appeared on his face.

Although he was framed by the Wusheng Sect from beginning to end, Shen Yunyou, who had narrowly escaped death by hiding at the bottom of the ruins, was unaware of this and was kept in the dark the whole time.

After all, Shen Yunyou was only six or seven years old at the time, and he clearly saw Shen Tianzhong kill all the Shen family members who had become slaves to the Heartless Medicine.

Therefore, although Shen Tianzhong felt helpless about Shen Yunyou's overwhelming hatred, he did not blame the other party.

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Lu Feng stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. "No wonder that brat Shen Yunyou mistook you for the mastermind behind the massacre of the Shen family. Such a huge misunderstanding is indeed difficult to explain..."

"Moreover, the Wusheng Sect and its demonic members are also behind this, causing trouble..."

Now, he has figured out where Shen Tianzhong's obsession comes from.

However, a mental illness requires a mental cure.

Lu Feng couldn't help the other party with this kind of thing; at most, he could only offer a few words of comfort. As for whether Shen Tianzhong could overcome his inner demons and get out of this situation, it would ultimately depend on himself.

A moment later, as a majestic and imposing mountain slowly emerged in the distant sky, Lu Feng and Shen Tianzhong exchanged a glance and then breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, Cangmang Mountain is the campus of Luoxing Academy. No matter how arrogant and lawless the Wusheng Demonic Sect is, it would never dare to run wild on Luoxing Academy's territory.

"Brother Lu, we owe you a great debt of gratitude for your help during this trip to the Shen family ancestral tomb. I have no treasures on me, so this small gift is just a token of my appreciation!"

Having finally returned safely to Cangmang Mountain, Shen Tianzhong turned to look at Lu Feng beside him, then took out a high-grade storage ring from his robes. "This storage ring contains my savings accumulated over the years. Please accept it, Brother Lu!"

Although he was unable to personally capture the Poison Protector Liao Fusheng or avenge his deceased clansmen during his trip to the Shen family ancestral tomb in the Western Qin Kingdom, he unexpectedly discovered that his younger brother, Shen Yunyou, was still alive.

Therefore, Shen Tianzhong was extremely generous, taking out almost all of his savings, as well as the contribution points and various treasures he had accumulated at Luoxing Academy over the past year, to thank Lu Feng, his savior.

"One million mid-grade spirit stones, eighty thousand contribution points, various spiritual plants, pills, and ores...?"

Lu Feng took the high-grade storage ring from Shen Tianzhong and circulated his Yuan energy to examine it. A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. "Shen Tianzhong is really an honest man. He just gives away so many treasures like that...!"

Although this amount of spirit stones is nothing to him, it is still a considerable sum. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that most low-level Spirit Soul Realm martial artists are not as wealthy as Shen Tianzhong!

This clearly shows that the other party was extremely sincere, giving Lu Feng almost all of their valuables, leaving him with absolutely nothing!

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you're too kind."

As Lu Feng put the high-grade storage ring into his pocket, he gestured to the other party that there was no need to be polite. "During this trip to the Western Qin Kingdom, I was unable to rescue Shen Yunyou from the remnants of the Wusheng Sect, nor could I resolve the conflict and misunderstanding between you two brothers. I am truly unworthy of this gift of thanks."

"Brother Lu, you flatter me. This matter has nothing to do with you."

Faced with Lu Feng's modesty, Shen Tianzhong waved his hand and said, "Although Yunyou has a deep misunderstanding of me now, and even regards me as an enemy, I will not give up. Sooner or later, I will definitely rescue him from the bewitching influence of the Wusheng Sect and clear my name!"

"Brother Lu, I must take my leave now!"

After saying that, Shen Tianzhong cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and left in a hurry without looking back.

Clearly, the fact that his younger brother Shen Yunyou is still alive has had a tremendous impact on Shen Tianzhong's heart.

Right now, he only had one thought in his mind: to keep cultivating and become stronger!

After all, the Wusheng Sect is extremely powerful, and at its peak, its influence spread throughout the entire Eastern Xuan Region. With Shen Tianzhong's current cultivation level, he simply cannot rescue his younger brother, Shen Yunyou.

After Shen Tianzhong left, Lu Feng did not wander around. He returned to his residence on Shanxing Peak and began a tense and exciting seclusion.

As the saying goes, "The clouds rise over the stream as the sun sets behind the pavilion; a mountain rain is about to come, and the wind fills the tower."

Now, not only is the day of the Four Kingdoms Martial Arts Tournament drawing ever closer, but the Starfall Secret Realm will also officially open in two months. At that time, Xu Tianlong, the leader of the Five Spirits Society, will most likely come knocking on our door.

Therefore, Lu Feng dares not slack off in his cultivation at the moment!

...

Before we knew it, another three months had passed.

Inside a secluded cave on Shanxing Peak, all was completely silent.

Boom!

Suddenly, a tremendous, earth-shattering roar erupted from inside the cave.

Whoosh! Buzz!

The next moment, Lu Feng, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed and circulating his energy, suddenly opened his eyes. At the same time, his whole body emitted an extremely terrifying Yuan energy aura, as if it had formed a powerful aura that was as solid as a physical object. Finally, it soared into the sky and into the clouds!

The nascent Yuanhai aura is taking shape!

If any other students were to pass by this cave at this moment, they would surely be astonished!

After all, the Yuanhai aura is an ability exclusive to Yuanhai Realm experts!

Lu Feng is merely a Spirit Soul Realm martial artist, yet he has already condensed a nascent Yuan Sea aura. Such talent and comprehension are truly monstrous!

"Seventh level of the Spirit Soul Realm!"

Sensing the immense changes throughout his body and within his dantian, Lu Feng slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, then stopped his practice and stood up, a hint of relief appearing on his face.