Chapter Sixty-Two: Fang Ling Platform

The mysterious forest remained lush and verdant, its dense botanical aroma invading his nostrils. The fresh scent made Jiang Feng involuntarily shiver, yet his mood grew heavier. Old Yichen had already seized the Blood Fiend Fruit. If it were merely to enhance his Nether Force, that would be fine, but should he discover the secret of Nether Soul Power within it, all would be lost.

The secret of the entire Blood Fiend Tree would be exposed to the world!

The gravity of the situation pressed on Jiang Feng’s heart like a heavy cloud of lead, leaving him breathless. With no other option, he carefully stowed the jade vial, intending to return to Wang Manor before making any decisions.

As long as he gained Old Master Wang’s support, and leveraged the full strength of Wang Manor, he was certain he could topple Yichen!

Gurgle~

A rumble thundered from his stomach; Jiang Feng nearly wept. He’d been in the mysterious forest for so long without a morsel to eat—how could he not be hungry?

Nearly an hour later.

He stood outside Wang Manor, unease rising within him. The Wang Manor of today, from servants to guards, had been completely replaced since he last visited. He tried to ask a couple of servants, but none paid him any heed.

Helpless, he turned away, needing time to reconsider.

As he walked the familiar streets, everything felt different. Just days ago, Wang Yingying had accompanied him—her gentle smile still lingered in his mind. But now, not only had the people changed, even the things themselves felt altered.

“Isn’t this the Wang family’s promising son-in-law?”

The voice of an old woman startled Jiang Feng. He recognized it immediately and turned with joy—it was the pear seller he’d briefly met days before.

“Grandmother, do you know what major event happened at Wang Manor these past two days?” Knowing the matter might be serious, Jiang Feng drew near to her and lowered his voice.

The old woman glanced at Jiang Feng’s anxious face and sighed lightly. “Everyone in the manor knows you and Miss Wang went to that mysterious forest. You don’t know what’s happened these days—understandable, lad. Let me tell you: it seems Old Master Wang is in big trouble.”

“Trouble? What kind of trouble?” Jiang Feng’s heart skipped a beat, worry etched across his face.

She looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then took a few steps forward before continuing, “Word is, Old Master Wang is from a branch of the Wang family in Nine Rock Town—one of the Four Great Families! But it seems he angered some powerful people from another family, the Fang family. To protect him, the Wang clan summoned him back urgently. Oh, both Fang and Wang are renowned houses—when they feud, it’s us common folk who suffer.”

Jiang Feng didn’t need to guess—it had to be Fang Yichen stirring up trouble. He calculated quickly and realized Yichen was likely the cause. He pressed, “Do you know who’s in charge of Wang Manor now?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The Fang family!” The old woman seemed to think Jiang Feng was a naïve child, eager to explain. “The Wang family didn’t want things to get ugly, so they handed control of the manor to the Fang family. Now, Fang Lingtai is overseeing Wang Manor.”

“Fang Lingtai!”

Jiang Feng sneered inwardly. Fang Lingtai held a high rank in the Fang family, famed for his extraordinary talent—rumor had it he had reached the sixth stage of the Void Nether Realm!

The old woman was startled by his reaction, waving her hands anxiously. “Don’t say things like that! All right, you wander here, lad—I need to sell my pears. The Fang family’s young master has imposed heavy taxes on us common folk!”

After sending the old woman off, Jiang Feng strode swiftly toward Wang Manor—now, in truth, Fang Manor.

Familiar with the layout, he quickly found the lord’s quarters. With a bang, he burst through the door, only to find the room empty, save for a few tables and chairs.

“Where is everyone?” Jiang Feng wondered aloud.

The spacious chamber was utterly deserted, lifeless. Suddenly, he felt an impulse, as if Old Master Wang were still seated on the dragon stool, chatting with him.

“Who goes there?” Jiang Feng was instantly alert. Just then, the door creaked, and a trail of green smoke streaked in, coming to a halt before him. It coalesced into a young man clad in emerald robes.

Speak of the devil, and he appears.

The newcomer: Fang Lingtai, eldest son of the Fang family.

“Hmph, so it’s the useless young master from the Jiang family.” Fang Lingtai stopped and let out a cold laugh. His gaze sharpened, disbelief in his voice. “The Jiangshan Vial is in your hands? You! Return Uncle Yichen’s Jiangshan Vial!”

“Your uncle’s Jiangshan Vial? Don’t be ridiculous. This is clearly my Nether Artifact. If you want it, you’d better think twice!” Jiang Feng curled his lips, mimicking Fang Lingtai’s expression with remarkable accuracy.

Jiang Feng had heard of Fang Lingtai while still at the Jiang family—he knew Lingtai was no good and couldn’t be reasoned with. The only way to deal with him was to defeat him, to step on his pride and force him to listen. In the past, even with the Jiangshan Vial, he would never have been a match for Fang Lingtai, especially since his Nine Heavens Steel Blade had been shattered to fragments by Fang Yichen’s myriad powers.

The difference between a Nether Adept and the Void Nether Realm was vast—like heaven and earth!

But now things were different. His strength was much greater, and his Nether Force was formidable. One-on-one, Jiang Feng believed he could fight him.

As Fang Lingtai spoke, Jiang Feng summoned the Jiangshan Vial, and at once, a surge of spirit emanated from it, infused with Jiang Feng’s own essence.

“You actually erased Uncle Yichen’s spirit—damn you!” Fang Lingtai was stunned that Jiang Feng had so decisively claimed the Jiangshan Vial, his face contorting in rage.

Without warning, Fang Lingtai flung dozens of emerald mists, fingers forming a sword. The mist flickered like serpent tongues, converging into solid forms that tore through the air, stabbing fiercely at Jiang Feng.

Within the room, lifeless moments before, Fang Lingtai’s emerald mist transformed the entire chamber into a lush green landscape; moss sprouted on the tables and chairs.

Jiang Feng recognized this as the Fang family’s Emerald Vitality Technique—a practical Nether Art among the younger generation. When struck, a seed was planted in the victim, which then grew wildly, turning them into a towering tree!

A barrage of emerald energy struck Jiang Feng’s protective Nether Force, ringing like mighty bells and gongs, causing his blood to surge and a sweet taste to rise in his throat. Yet the energy failed to penetrate his shield, and Jiang Feng exhaled in relief.

Losing a battle was one thing—but to lose as a tree would be utterly humiliating!

“Fang Lingtai, your Fang family’s vile acts against the Wang family are nothing short of disgraceful. Don’t forget—the Four Great Families are not ruled by the Fangs alone!”

Jiang Feng shouted with all his might, knowing Fang Lingtai was ruthless. He used these words to provoke him, hoping to spark his arrogance and scatter his focus.

Sure enough, Fang Lingtai burst into laughter, as if he’d heard the most absurd thing in the world. “You, a useless Jiang, know nothing of status or importance. An ant like you isn’t worth my words. I’ll waste no time—cripple you, reclaim Uncle’s treasure, and soothe his wrath!”

“Vitality Radiance!”

With Fang Lingtai’s furious shout, the emerald energy transformed into a giant hand, splitting into countless tiny green darts. With a violent toss, they rained down everywhere, overwhelming the eye.

Sizzle...

Wherever the darts struck, tender shoots broke through the earth. In a blink, those shoots surrounded Jiang Feng, enclosing him in an impenetrable wall of green. All around, nothing but emerald—the world was swallowed by a sea of life.

As Jiang Feng was momentarily stunned, a dart pierced his left shoulder. Instantly, his head grew hot, his body surging with unending vitality. A plant’s unique sense of direction spread from his body, and a thought, domineering and wild, invaded his mind, threatening to seize control.

“I want soil!”

The thought burned and echoed through his mind, as if determined to convince even his brain itself.

Worst of all, his consciousness began to blur.

This was his second confrontation with a Fang, and to his surprise, after surviving Fang Yichen’s avatar, he now suffered a crushing defeat at Fang Lingtai’s hands.

“Careful! He’s refining your will with Nether Force. If you can’t hold on, you’ll believe you’re a tree, and then all is lost!”

At this critical moment, a voice in his sea of consciousness jolted him awake—it was Jue, lurking within.

“Jue, what should I... do... I want soil.” Halfway through speaking, the thought seized his mind again. Now, every word from his mouth was “I want soil,” prompting Jue to frown deeply.

Had it been mere physical harm, Jiang Feng might have resisted with Nether Force, but this was mental hypnosis. He was drowsy, yearning only for peace—as a tree.

Jue realized Jiang Feng’s condition was dire, panic rising as he shouted, “Use Nether Soul Power, quickly!”

Jiang Feng was in a haze, needing only a spark of motivation. Hearing the words “Nether Soul Power,” his heart paused, and he instinctively summoned it from his sea of consciousness.

All notions of keeping Nether Soul Power secret vanished from his mind!

Now, only two thoughts remained: “I want soil,” and “Use Nether Soul Power!”

Endless Nether Soul Power flowed from his mind, effortlessly expelling all vitality within him. The branches that had sprouted from his arms receded with a crackling sound.

Fang Lingtai watched, dumbfounded.

What was this power, able to resist such deadly vitality? No, it wasn’t Nether Force—it was...

Three times more powerful than Nether Force!