Chapter 834: A Formidable Expert

Chapter 834: Chapter 834: A Formidable Expert

"The Moon Marrow Blood Platinum was snatched?"

Yang Cheng frowned deeply, but his hands didn’t stop; he continued to bandage Feng Jiuge’s wounds.

"Yes."

Feng Jiuge nodded, a trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes. "I originally planned to find a place to enter seclusion, using the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum to break through the bottleneck, but I didn’t expect to encounter those three black-clad men halfway."

"They came at me with deadly intent from the start. I barely managed to escape, but the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum was still stolen."

Yang Cheng was silent for a moment before he spoke in a deep voice, "Are you sure they were after you? Or was it the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum they were after?"

"It should be the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum. As soon as they saw me, they demanded it. When I refused, they attacked."

Feng Jiuge gritted her teeth as she finished speaking, a trace of pain flashing in her eyes. The Moon Marrow Blood Platinum had been hard-won, even though it was just a small amount, it was crucial for her breakthrough. Now that it was stolen, her heart was filled with reluctance.

"Do you know who they are?"

Feng Jiuge closed her eyes, recalling the battle just now, and slowly spoke, "All three are Foundation Establishment Realm, one probably at the Seventh Layer, two around the Sixth Layer. Their cultivation technique was sinister and deadly, and they cooperated with extreme harmony, not like loose cultivators just thrown together."

Yang Cheng frowned, "Three people at the Foundation Establishment Realm, cooperating with such harmony?"

Such a combination was indeed rare.

Loose cultivators mostly acted alone, even if they travelled together, such harmonious cooperation was hard to find unless... they came from the same organization or were hired by the same person.

With this in mind, images of those cultivators from the Gong Family suddenly flashed through Yang Cheng’s mind.

Back when he was investigating the Gong Family, he vaguely sensed a few hidden yet strong presences, though he hadn’t confronted them, judging by the intensity of their aura, they should all be around the Foundation Establishment Realm.

After a long silence, Yang Cheng slowly began, "There aren’t many people in Zhonghai with such strength. I do know one, which is the Zhonghai Gong Family. A few days ago, I infiltrated the Gong Family to investigate and happened to discover several cultivators."

"I have no grievance with the Gong Family, nor have I ever come into contact with them. It seems someone sensed the aura of the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum in my possession, that’s why they pursued."

Yang Cheng nodded, "It’s very possible. I once sensed a cold aura within the Gong Family, and there seems to be a powerful master backing them."

Feng Jiuge frowned deeply; she had contemplated retrieving the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum, but if even Yang Cheng considered the opponent a master, she couldn’t possibly be their match.

"That person is at the Golden Core Realm, and their aura is strangely sinister, unlike a normal cultivator."

"Golden Core Realm..."

Feng Jiuge gasped, her face paling even more.

Though she was at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Stage, the gap between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core was like a chasm; even ten Foundation Establishment experts might not match a Golden Core early-stage powerhouse.

"Did you go to investigate the Gong Family because of that Golden Core expert?"

Feng Jiuge asked out of curiosity.

"I went to the Gong Family for other reasons, and just happened to discover that expert. The person’s perception was extremely sharp, and the cultivation technique they practiced was sinister and mysterious. I nearly fell into their trap; the aura was too chilling. I suspect they might be cultivating some Evil Technique."

"Evil Technique?"

Feng Jiuge murmured, repeating it, a thought suddenly flashing through her mind, "Yang Cheng, do you remember I told you my master was killed by an influential family from Yanjing?"

"I remember."

Yang Cheng said while packing the medical kit.

"That family maintains a group of death warriors to handle their underhanded dealings; those death warriors practice such sinister methods."

Feng Jiuge’s voice trembled, "My master was silenced for uncovering their secret."

"So you think the Golden Core elder behind the Gong Family might be connected with that Yanjing family?"

Yang Cheng was a bit surprised, not expecting the Gong Family matter to interlink with Feng Jiuge’s master.

Feng Jiuge nodded, gritting her teeth, "If that’s true, then the Gong Family’s issue isn’t merely a wealthy family’s power struggle. The implications behind it are far more complex than we imagine. Only by advancing to the Golden Core Realm will I be qualified to settle scores with that family in Yanjing."

Yang Cheng stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the pitch-black night outside, taking a long time before he spoke, "Regardless of what complications lie behind, the Gong Family won’t be let off by me."

"But we don’t have enough strength, so we can’t confront them head-on; we have to rely on strategy, and I’ve already started making arrangements with Gong Jian."

Feng Jiuge looked at him, her eyes filled with admiration.

This young man was more composed than she imagined.

"Thank you for saving me."

She spoke softly. She had always been a loner, and now, having someone to rely on brought an indescribable sense of gratitude.

Yang Cheng waved his hand, "You got injured getting the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum for me before. We come from the same sect; it’s only right I save you."

"Senior Sister, rest assured, after settling the Gong Family’s matter, I’ll accompany you to Yanjing."

Feng Jiuge’s lips curved into a faint bittersweet smile, "If my master were still alive, he’d be pleased to see I have such a junior brother."

Yang Cheng walked over, sat beside her, and asked, "You often mention your master. What kind of person was he really?"

Feng Jiuge was silent for a long time, so long that Yang Cheng thought she wouldn’t answer, but then she began slowly.

"My master was named Gu Changfeng, a successor of the Dragon and Phoenix Dance Scripture. In his lifetime, he took three disciples, and I am the youngest, also the only one still alive."

Her voice was light, like reminiscing about a distant past.

"Senior Brother and Second Sister were both killed by enemies. Master took me and fled, but ultimately, he couldn’t escape their pursuit."

"That night, we were surrounded by over a dozen experts. My master fought desperately to shield me as I escaped, but he himself..."

Feng Jiuge’s voice choked, her eyes reddened, but she forcibly held back her tears from falling.

"After escaping, I vowed to avenge my master. But after all these years, I haven’t even identified the enemy, only knowing it’s an influential family in Yanjing."

She let out a bitter laugh, "Am I not quite useless?"

Yang Cheng shook his head, "You are already very strong. With no one to depend on, you reached the Foundation Establishment Realm with your skills, dared to venture into the Land of Extreme Yin alone for the Moon Marrow Blood Platinum; regardless of strength, your courage already surpasses most people."

Feng Jiuge was taken aback for a moment, turning to look at him.

"Besides, your master left the final opportunity to you, indicating his belief that you could live on and fulfill his unfinished wishes. If you think of yourself as useless, wouldn’t that betray your master’s expectations?"

Yang Cheng looked at her, his gaze sincere.