Chapter 1256 - 1253: Prey, Qing Ling’s Whereabouts

"Two."

Luo Feng gently placed the body of the short Martial Artist on the ground, his eyes shining brightly in the night.

Releasing his Soul Power, he took control of every movement within a kilometer radius. These Martial Artists who thought they were well-hidden were completely revealed under the scan of his Soul Power, instantly swapping the roles of hunter and prey.

"Three more..."

Glancing to another side, Luo Feng swiftly moved, like a breeze, his figure merging silently into the night.

Soon, three faint sounds arose in succession and then disappeared into the night wind.

The night remained tranquil, as if nothing had happened.

Whoosh!

Luo Feng returned to the rooftop where Jiang Fengfeng and Elder Hai were, saying, "We can go in now."

"So quickly!"

Elder Hai blurted out.

From the time Luo Feng left to when he returned, less than ten breaths had passed. In such a short span, finding those hidden experts was challenging enough, let alone killing them.

Even Jiang Fengfeng was somewhat impressed. Having witnessed Luo Feng’s Qinggong, she knew it wouldn’t take long, yet this speed still far exceeded her expectations.

Luo Feng strapped Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber behind him and said, "Their methods of hiding were not sophisticated, easily discovered."

Elder Hai smiled wryly, naturally not believing his words.

The Crown Prince intended to kill the Second Prince, surely he wouldn’t allow anyone to enter or exit the Second Prince’s mansion. The experts arranged in the dark wouldn’t be ordinary people. Yet, he didn’t point this out.

"Then let’s go in," Elder Hai said.

"You go first."

Luo Feng shook his head, showing no intention to enter the Second Prince’s mansion.

Jiang Fengfeng’s beautiful eyes reflected her doubt, "You’re not going in?"

"I need to see a friend. Today is the last day of the court mourning period; the Crown Prince shouldn’t tarnish his reputation. I’ll return by dawn tomorrow."

Luo Feng nodded, telling Jiang Fengfeng, "If you’re worried about me leaving alone, you can come with me."

Jiang Fengfeng pursed her red lips, a gentle snort escaping her dainty nose, "I’m tired. Besides, I’m not interested in your friend."

Luo Feng smiled faintly, took out a Spirit Mirror infused with Yuan Qi, and handed it to Jiang Fengfeng, "If anything unexpected happens, use this Spirit Mirror to notify me, and I’ll return quickly."

"Let’s go, let’s go. Elder Hai, let’s go in and not disrupt his secret meeting with a lover."

Jiang Fengfeng took the Spirit Mirror, waved her small hand, and urged Elder Hai.

Luo Feng sighed; Jiang Fengfeng’s words were never forgiving.

Elder Hai also smiled, grateful to Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, we’ll head in first now. The Crown Prince has many spies within the Imperial City; be cautious."

Elder Hai knew very well that without Luo Feng, he wouldn’t have safely returned to Azure Sky City.

Swish! Swish!

Bidding farewell to Luo Feng, Jiang Fengfeng and Elder Hai immediately increased their speed to the limit, shooting towards the Second Prince’s mansion. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared inside, while a few members of the Water Cloud Army looked up, found nothing, and continued their patrol.

Watching the two disappear behind the tall courtyard walls, Luo Feng retracted his gaze, murmuring softly, "I wonder how Qing Ling is doing."

The friend he intended to meet was none other than Qing Ling.

It had been four or five months since he last left Azure Sky City. He was eager to see how that little girl had changed.

With a light step, Luo Feng’s figure slipped into the night.

Soon, Luo Feng arrived at the city gate, where several bronze cauldrons burned with Yuan Qi flames reaching ten meters high, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daylight. Rows of guards stood tall on either side of the gate, strictly inspecting those entering with more vigilance than during the day.

Casually taking a Demon Core in hand, Luo Feng flicked his finger, sending the Demon Core skimming along with a wave of air, striking one of the bronze cauldrons with a resounding noise.

"Who’s there!"

Immediately, nearby guards turned their fierce gazes towards the vibrating cauldron.

As everyone’s eyes focused on the cauldron, a faint shadow swiftly passed through the air, shooting through the city gate undetected. Even the guard captain with a first-level True Yuan Realm could only sense a peculiar cold wind, and upon closer inspection, found nothing, dismissing it as a mere illusion.

"Though the Sky Cloud Step is fast, it doesn’t excel in concealing traces like the Phantom Mirage Step of Jade Hall."

Once outside the gate, Luo Feng exhaled lightly upon landing.

The Phantom Mirage Step from Jade Hall contained illusion techniques that could confuse enemies. If he mastered it, he could walk out of the gate in full view without being revealed.

But each skill has its strengths and weaknesses; every Martial Art has its unique characteristics, and one cannot demand them all.

Finding his direction, Luo Feng employed the Sky Cloud Step, speeding along like a gust of wind or lightning, and within breaths left Azure Sky City far behind.

Shortly after, the initially flat terrain began to rise, with towering peaks jutting into the sky threateningly, enough to deter ordinary people.

Following his memories, Luo Feng navigated through the mountains, occasionally demolishing obstructive Demon Beasts with a single punch.

"It should be here."

As dawn broke, Luo Feng spotted a towering peak, his eyes lighting up. This was where he visited Qing Ling with Yingkui last time.

Crossing the peak, a deep valley unfolded before Luo Feng.

Trees flourished within the valley, centering around a verdant lake beside which sat an elegant pavilion. Large stones intended for practice were placed on the ground, with bird chirps and gentle breezes adding to the valley’s tranquil ambiance.

Landing on a giant tree, Luo Feng extended his Soul Power but detected no presence within the valley, "Seems they’re not here now."

Swish!

His figure flickered, arriving in front of the pavilion, and he pushed the door open.

Swoosh!

As soon as he stepped into the pavilion, a black shadow lunged from above, prompting Luo Feng to immediately deploy his Protective Gang Energy.

Bang!

The black shadow was thrown out, tumbling several times before revealing itself as a monkey-shaped Level 1 Demon Beast.

Chirp!

The monkey demon shrieked and hurriedly fled through the window in panic.

Luo Feng paid no attention to the monkey demon, scanning the room with a furrowed brow.

The room was webbed with cobwebs, dusty with untouched, neatly placed tableware, evidently uninhabited for some time.

"How strange, where did Yingkui and Qing Ling go..."

Qing Ling disliked public exposure, and with her impending fourteenth birthday and preparation for awakening the Demon Eye, it was logical she would stay here to practice. Given the circumstances, Luo Feng was slightly worried.

Thankfully, the furniture was neatly arranged, and no signs of battle were present in the valley, suggesting Yingkui and Qing Ling had left on their own rather than facing a worst-case scenario.

Considering his options, Luo Feng decided to visit the Cold Moon Marquis Mansion.

Only by finding Yingkui and Qing Ling could he uncover what had transpired.