Chapter Twenty-Three: The Strange Map

Zhao Yang witnessed a scene beyond belief.

Liu Feng and Yang Ming faced each other, their fists landing simultaneously upon the other's body. Yang Ming’s frame trembled, then slowly toppled to the ground. Liu Feng staggered twice, but did not fall. He quickly struck Yang Ming’s body at several points, sealing away his strength.

Unable to hold on any longer, Liu Feng swiftly sat cross-legged upon the earth and began to channel the Qi Qian cultivation technique.

Zhao Yang and the others likewise settled themselves, produced healing pills, swallowed them, and started circulating their energy to recover from their wounds.

As their cultivation methods worked, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth thickened around them. Within moments, a mist appeared beside Liu Feng, formed by the abundance of spiritual energy.

Liu Feng felt his injuries rapidly mending; even his cells, organs, and bones grew stronger at an astonishing pace.

After about a quarter of an hour, Liu Feng finished his practice and stood up, finding his wounds fully healed.

His true energy felt stronger than ever, reaching the peak of the sixth stage of the Qi Condensation Realm—just a step away from breakthrough.

“This cultivation method is truly extraordinary. Such severe injuries healed in no time,” Liu Feng thought to himself.

By now, Zhao Yang had also risen, his wounds mostly healed. Zhao Yu and the others followed suit.

Zhao Yang spoke, “This place is not safe for us to linger. We’d best leave quickly.”

“Agreed. We’ll escort Yang Ming back to Chiyang City and hand him over to the City Lord’s men,” Liu Feng replied. He approached Yang Ming, produced a rope, and bound him securely.

Wang Yue interjected suddenly, “Wait, let me see if he’s carrying anything.”

Yang Ming glared at Wang Yue, fury written across his face.

Wang Yue searched Yang Ming and found a storage pouch.

Everyone gathered round as Wang Yue opened the pouch.

Zhao Yang glanced inside; there weren’t many items—just over twenty spirit stones, some spirit herbs and medicines, and a gray map made of unknown beast hide.

Liu Feng’s interest was piqued. He took the map and examined it closely, his expression turning to astonishment.

Zhao Yang noticed Liu Feng’s reaction and asked in puzzlement, “What’s the matter? Is there something unusual about the map?”

Liu Feng, visibly excited, replied, “This map records the locations of many rare treasures of heaven and earth.”

Wang Yang hurried over, took the map from Liu Feng, and studied it.

“There’s even the Taiji Immortal Fruit! If we could obtain such a precious item, our strength would soar,” Wang Yang exclaimed, thrilled after reading the map.

Zhao Yang frowned, his expression grave. “Such treasures grow only in extremely dangerous places. With our current strength, we dare not enter, or we’ll end up dead and forgotten.”

“Yes, we’re not yet capable of acquiring such treasures. We’ll only consider it when our strength has grown,” Liu Feng added.

Wang Yang nodded, “I was too excited just now. I know, with our abilities, we can’t hope to obtain such treasures.”

The others nodded in agreement.

After a brief consideration, Zhao Yang said, “Let’s copy the map, make several copies, and give one to each of us. The original will stay with Liu Feng. Does anyone object?”

Wang Yue answered, “No objections. If not for Liu Feng risking everything, we’d have fallen victim to Yang Ming’s schemes.”

The rest voiced their approval.

Liu Feng’s tone grew serious. “Everyone, guard your map well. Don’t let others learn of it, or trouble will surely follow. Treasures tempt the hearts of men.”

“Yang Ming knows about the map. What if he tells others?” Zhang Bing asked, worried.

Zhao Yang remained calm. “Yang Ming won’t disclose the map’s secret. If he did, he’d lose his own chance to obtain those treasures.”

Yang Ming looked at the group and said, “I won’t speak of the map. As long as I leave Chiyang City someday, I’ll still have a chance at these treasures.”

Liu Feng and the others exchanged glances but said nothing more.

They went to Yang Ming’s cave dwelling and found little inside—a bed, a chair, and some daily necessities.

Liu Feng found several sets of clothing and quickly passed them to Zhao Yang and the others. “Here are some clothes. Let’s change so we won’t stand out when entering the city.”

Zhao Yang agreed, “Our clothes were torn in the fight. If we wear them into the city, we’ll surely attract trouble.”

They changed their clothes and dressed Yang Ming as well.

After gathering their belongings, Liu Feng and his companions escorted Yang Ming toward Chiyang City.

They traversed remote villages and took to the main road; soon, the city came into view.

Upon arriving at Chiyang City, they stopped at the City Lord’s residence, which sprawled grandly with tall, imposing buildings.

The gate was wide, guarded by eight sentinels.

Seeing Liu Feng and his group approach, two guards came forward.

“What business do you have here?” one asked.

Liu Feng replied, “We’re from Yuanwu Academy. We’ve completed a task assigned by the academy and are here to submit it.”

“Is this the man?” The guard pointed at Yang Ming, whose hands were bound.

“Yes, handing him over completes our mission,” Zhao Yang said.

“I’ll take him inside and let the person in charge confirm. If it’s him, the City Lord will issue you tokens; with those, you can return to the academy and exchange them for contribution points,” the guard explained.

Liu Feng nodded, “We’ll wait here.”

Two guards led Yang Ming inside.

After about fifteen minutes, the guards returned. One carried several tokens and a sheet of paper, which he handed to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng examined the tokens—made of pure iron, bearing “City Lord’s Residence” on the front and “Completed” on the back. The sheet listed the details of the mission’s completion.

Liu Feng distributed the rest of the tokens to Zhao Yang and the others, who put them away.

“My stomach is growling. Let’s find something to eat,” Wang Yue suggested.

Liu Feng realized he was hungry as well.

After a brief discussion, they sat at a street-side food stall and ordered some noodles.

It was late; few people remained on the streets. The stall owner quickly served the noodles.

They ate in silence, finished their meal, paid, and departed.

Following the main road, they headed toward Yuanwu Academy. As they passed a corner, they suddenly heard a woman’s sobs.

Alerted by the sound, Liu Feng and his companions hurried toward it.

In a narrow alley, three men were harassing a woman, who called out for help.

Zhao Yang strode up to them and said, “Who are you, daring to assault an innocent woman here? You have some nerve.”