Chapter 71: Lin Nuoyi

Lin Yaoyi arrived, her long hair flowing. Under the bright moonlight, a soft, clear radiance enveloped her slender body as she stepped lightly, reaching just outside the courtyard.

"Yaoyi."

Chu Feng quickly stood up. The courtyard gate was open. He gazed at the figure under the moonlight and walked over in a few steps.

Lin Yaoyi nodded to him. Although she had endured a thrilling battle earlier that day, narrowly escaping death at White Snake Ridge, she was now peaceful and serene.

She looked at Chu Feng, also surveying everything in the courtyard. Bathed in moonlight, she appeared even more exquisitely beautiful, possessing an ethereal aura.

"I came uninvited," she said. Though her demeanor was somewhat cool, it wasn't intentional aloofness; she had always been this way.

"I'm delighted you came," Chu Feng said, ushering her into the courtyard.

"It's a shame my parents aren't here," Chu Feng said with a smile. "They always talked about wanting to meet you. If they knew you were here, they'd be overjoyed." He used these words to bridge the distance between them.

It wasn't a meeting with parents, but his words gave it a certain undertone. People with thick skin never felt embarrassed.

"You're always like this, saying things you don't mean," Lin Yaoyi said, glancing at him before following him into the room.

"I'm always honest," Chu Feng said quite naturally. "When I see you, I can't hide anything; it just comes out."

"This is where you live?" Lin Yaoyi asked. She was always exceptional in every way, but even now, she showed a hint of surprise.

This was Chu Feng's home, her first visit, and she was indeed curious, looking around intently.

"Be a bit more reserved!" Chu Feng reminded her.

Lin Yaoyi glared at him, remaining silent.

"You're a goddess; you shouldn't be so curious," Chu Feng said. "It ruins your image."

"You don't have anything hidden in your room, do you?" Lin Yaoyi asked, turning gracefully and entering his bedroom.

"What else could I hide in my bedroom besides a beautiful woman?" Chu Feng said, smiling brazenly. He stared at her beautiful face, then let his gaze drift to her long legs.

In truth, he felt a little guilty. The black short sword was under his quilt, and he hadn't expected Lin Yaoyi to tour the room and enter his bedroom.

At White Snake Ridge, he had used this sword to kill Mu, wound the Silver-winged Heavenly God, and slay many other unique individuals. He hesitated, wondering whether to tell her the truth.

But he was concerned they might become adversaries if he did.

Lin Yaoyi was always cold and glamorous; normally, no one dared to stare at her so boldly. She reached out, decisively and directly pushing his face away.

Then, she walked out of the bedroom.

Chu Feng followed her out, touching his face. "I've been teased!" he exclaimed.

Lin Yaoyi ignored him and went directly into the courtyard.

Moonlight spilled down. The area bordered an orchard, and the air was filled with a fragrant, slightly sweet blend of fruit and flower scents.

The climate was changing. In late autumn, not only were there ripe fruits but also blossoming flower buds—something that had never happened in previous years.

"Your home is very peaceful," Lin Yaoyi said. "It's easy to find tranquility living here."

Chu Feng walked over, no longer grinning mischievously. He helped her comfortably settle into a wicker chair and brought her a cup of clear tea. "Yaoyi, you're too tired," he said.

He spoke from the heart. He had seen everything that happened during the day. Heavenly God Biological was battling a large white snake, which had caused countless casualties.

This time, Lin Yaoyi was responsible for leading those people, naturally placing her under immense pressure.

"You saw the news, you know what happened at Mount Taihang?" Lin Yaoyi asked.

"Yes, I was very worried about you," Chu Feng nodded.

The emergence of the white snake was unexpected by everyone. Even missiles couldn't kill it, and the fate of Sakyamuni's disciple after battling it was unknown. It was terrifying.

"Why haven't you left yet? It's too dangerous here," Lin Yaoyi said, looking at him with deep eyes.

"I'll leave after I see you safely depart," Chu Feng said.

Lin Yaoyi remained calm, gazing at him.

"Alright, I'll be honest," Chu Feng said, handing the teacup from the stone table to Lin Yaoyi. "The uncle who promised my parents he'd take me away, he also went into Mount Taihang during the day, and he told me to wait for him here."

"He was injured and is resting, but it's nothing serious," Chu Feng continued. "We'll be leaving soon."

"He sounds like a truly interesting uncle," Lin Yaoyi actually said, and then she smiled, her red lips and pearly teeth making her incredibly radiant.

At that moment, under the soft moonlight, her face seemed to glow with a pearly white light, and even her strands of hair shimmered, making her appear exquisitely beautiful.

Chu Feng clutched his chest, gazing at her in a daze, unable to look away.

"What are you doing?"

"When you smile like that, it's so dazzlingly beautiful," he replied, "it almost blinds me. I have to force my eyes open, and my heart races, so I have to hold it."

"You're just spouting nonsense so earnestly!"

"Seriously, I swear to heaven! You know I'm always this honest!" Chu Feng said, lowering his hand but keeping his gaze fixed on her. "I've always told you, if you smile more often, no one can resist you. That charm instantly captivates everyone."

Lin Yaoyi was calm, looking towards the distant orchard, where moonlight spilled down, making it hazy, as if draped in a light veil.

"What kind of life do you want?" she asked Chu Feng finally.

"Peaceful, tranquil, but of course, not without passion, with occasional surprises and excitement," Chu Feng answered immediately, without a moment's thought.

Lin Yaoyi immediately smiled, but this time she didn't look at Chu Feng, to avoid him staring endlessly again.

"No way," Chu Feng said, thick-skinned as ever, leaning closer, insistent on staring. "Such a captivating smile and you're not even directing it at me? That's too extravagant and wasteful."

Lin Yaoyi looked at him and said, "The life you desire seems simple, but it will be difficult to attain. This world will likely soon have no pure lands left."

Chu Feng knew what she was implying. The world was changing, many creatures were evolving, terrifying beings were slowly emerging, and various unpredictable events would happen in the future.

"Do you like conflict?" Lin Yaoyi asked him.

"No!" Chu Feng shook his head.

Lin Yaoyi fell silent, looking at the distant mountains.

Chu Feng added, "In this kind of world, perhaps people have no choice; everything will be forced to change."

"Go to Shuntian City," Lin Yaoyi said. "It's the central metropolis of the north and can still offer you the tranquility you desire for a while. There's a helicopter outside; leave tonight. It's no longer safe here."

"You came to send me off?" Chu Feng asked, quietly looking at her.

"Yes," she replied. "Earlier today, I arranged for Heavenly God Biological personnel to withdraw. All personnel have safely departed, and there's a spare helicopter that can take you."

"Yaoyi!" Chu Feng exclaimed, reaching out, wanting to take her slender hand.

"What are you thinking?!" Lin Yaoyi said, slapping his hand away. She looked at him calmly. "We're just friends. I wish you all the best."

"Alright," Chu Feng said, sheepishly lowering his hand.

A thick-skinned person wouldn't blush. He spoke again, "Yaoyi, I know you're worried something might happen to me, so you specially came to see me off. However, the uncle coming to pick me up isn't simple either. After you leave, he and I will likely depart as well."

Chu Feng chose his words carefully. "Don't worry, I won't gamble with my life," he said. "When you eventually go to Shuntian City, I'll treat you to a big meal. I want to see your brilliant smile again."

Lin Yaoyi looked at him, remaining silent.

"I'm serious, I won't joke about my life," Chu Feng said, no longer smiling, meeting her gaze intently.

Finally, Lin Yaoyi nodded.

"And also, Yaoyi," Chu Feng said solemnly, "if you ever run into any trouble or face something very difficult, you must tell me. I'll find someone to help you then!"

The moonlit night was quiet and peaceful.

Chu Feng knew that Lin Yaoyi understood the changes in this world more clearly than he did, because Heavenly God Biological was enormous and had been involved with such matters for a long time. He wanted to ask her about it.

"Yaoyi, what exactly is the situation now?" he asked, pressing further about what was happening to the world.

He understood that there were some things Lin Yaoyi couldn't say; she had already hinted at it last time.

Lin Yaoyi actually sighed softly, a very rare occurrence.

"This world is very complex and still changing," she said. "Great terrors are about to appear, but opportunities have also arrived. Once I return, I'll have various arrangements to make, accompanied by many conflicts."

Chu Feng was surprised. Although Lin Yaoyi hadn't specified, it was clear she would face all sorts of trouble next.

"After the changes to heaven and earth, some major powers, such as Bodhi Gene, are doing the same as Heavenly God Biological," she explained. "They are dispatching special individuals to famous mountains and great rivers everywhere, searching for spiritual roots."

Chu Feng listened quietly, without interrupting.

"The small tree at Mount Taihang was just one of our discoveries," she continued. "In fact, there are many famous mountains throughout the world, many places far more renowned than Mount Taihang, and far more wondrous."

Chu Feng was moved and couldn't help but ask, "Are you saying that all the major famous mountains have mysterious plants, and they will spark conflicts?"

"Yes," Lin Yaoyi informed him. "The mysteries in some places far exceed your imagination. Most likely, there will be sacred trees, and spiritual roots might even be found in clusters."

Chu Feng was astonished. Did clusters of spiritual roots mean there would be many strange small trees bearing fruit? He knew what terrifying consequences that would lead to!

"Heaven and earth are undergoing strange transformations, and it's continuing, becoming increasingly unpredictable," Lin Yaoyi frankly told him. "Any major power seeking to establish itself must seize a famous mountain!"

The battle at Mount Taihang was just a prelude; the real great upheaval was yet to come.

Yet, Mount Taihang alone had startled a huge white snake into appearing. What about other places? It was hard to predict!

"Mount Longhu, Mount Putuo, Mount Wudang, Mount Song, Mount Emei, Mount Zhongnan... these famous mountains are all places that major powers will contend for."

Lin Yaoyi's words stirred a huge ripple in Chu Feng's heart.

"Wouldn't it be simpler if each family just took one mountain?" Chu Feng said.

Lin Yaoyi shook her head, saying, "Currently, no one has secured a single one."

"That difficult?"

"The evolved beings have made their move," Lin Yaoyi informed him. "I received news tonight that several glowing Vajra Bodhi trees appeared on Mount Song, possibly sacred roots. Bodhi Gene immediately rushed there and attacked tonight, but they suffered a crushing defeat."

"Who occupied it?" Chu Feng asked, his heart trembling.

"It was occupied by several divine apes," Lin Yaoyi said.

"Several divine apes? That powerful!" Chu Feng exclaimed, surprised.

Bodhi Gene had Sakyamuni's disciples, who were unfathomable, yet they actually suffered a crushing defeat tonight.

It wasn't just Mount Taihang with conflicts; people were acting in other places too!

Mount Song was no ordinary place; it had millennium-old temples, flourishing incense, and sprawling monasteries.

"There's an old ape with extraordinary abilities," Lin Yaoyi informed him. "It can even recite scriptures now. It's incredibly powerful."

Those temples were now occupied by several divine apes, who would likely gather a large number of ape-like mutated beasts.

Chu Feng could imagine what would happen in places like Mount Longhu, Mount Putuo, Mount Wudang, Mount Emei, and Mount Kongtong; he estimated that fierce battles would also occur there in the future.

Now, a famous mountain had already been occupied by evolved beings!

"What exactly is going on with Sakyamuni's disciple?" Chu Feng asked. He wanted to know why that middle-aged man was so powerful.

"Twenty-one years ago, a child from the Mu family accidentally ate a wild fruit," Lin Yaoyi said. She didn't mention Sakyamuni's disciple but spoke of someone from the Mu family within Heavenly God Biological, which surprised Chu Feng.

"Later, he underwent a strange transformation and became incredibly powerful!" Lin Yaoyi said, looking at him with deep, beautiful eyes.

How could there have been a strange fruit twenty-one years ago? Chu Feng was puzzled.

"He is Mu's older brother and has rarely appeared over the years," Lin Yaoyi said. Then she stood up and walked out of the courtyard.

Under the moonlight, she was enveloped in a pure white radiance, appearing sacred and beautiful. Her skin was as white as jade, and even her hair strands seemed to glow.

Chu Feng gazed at her perfect back, lost in thought. She had simply left.

"She's far too clever. Does she know who I am?"