Jin Huang was both shocked and furious: "How dare you kill my people!"

"He who kills will be killed in return." Chen Feng pointed his sword at Jin Huang. "You're next."

The two engaged in fierce combat once more, fighting from the ground into the air and then crashing onto the lava lake. Jin Huang grew increasingly alarmed by the battle; this human, despite only recently reaching the Heavenly King realm, possessed terrifying combat power. He considered retreating, feinting an attack before turning and fleeing.

"Trying to escape?" Chen Feng was about to give chase when he suddenly sensed something and jerked to the side. A flash of silver light grazed his throat, leaving a trail of blood.

High in the sky, Yunyi calmly folded his wings: "Not bad."

Chen Feng wiped the blood from his neck, his eyes grave. He wasn't afraid of Jin Huang alone, but with Yun Yi, whose speed was even greater, the situation was dire.

"The Eagle People also want to be my enemy?"

Yunyi said calmly, "Your human race is powerful, which is detrimental to our race. Although Jinhuang is annoying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Before she finished speaking, she flapped her wings and vanished instantly. Chen Feng felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly dodged, but his back was still slashed by her wing blades.

"So fast!" Chen Feng was shocked; this speed was even more terrifying than described in the jade slip. He immediately used his clone technique, and three clones appeared simultaneously with his main body, disrupting Yun Yi's judgment.

Yunyi sneered, "A mere trick." Her wings glowed with silver light, instantly splitting into four wing shadows that attacked four "Chen Fengs" simultaneously. Three of the clones shattered instantly, and the main body was also knocked back dozens of feet, blood spilling from the corner of its mouth.

In that critical moment, Chen Feng suddenly sensed a strange fluctuation emanating from the Nine Flames Chaos Grass on the island in the lava lake. A quick idea struck him, and he feigned defeat and retreated towards the island.

"Give up resistance?" Yunyi said disdainfully, chasing after him like lightning.

The instant she entered the island's perimeter, Chen Feng suddenly formed a strange hand seal: "Activate!"

Suddenly, the entire island lit up with complex patterns, and the Nine Flames Chaos Grass erupted with a blinding red light. Yunyi felt his body sink, and his speed decreased by more than tenfold.

"A formation?!" Her expression finally changed.

Chen Feng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth: "When I discovered the Nine-Flame Chaos Grass, I sensed an ancient restriction on the island. I secretly activated it during our fight, just waiting for you to fall into my trap."

He pointed his sword at Yunyi: "Now, it's my turn."

Yunyi, though startled, remained calm: "Even if your speed is limited, you can't do anything to me." She crossed her wings, forming a silver light shield.

Instead of attacking, Chen Feng suddenly rushed towards the Nine Flames Chaos Grass, plucked it, and swallowed it. The intense medicinal power erupted instantly, turning his skin bright red and causing his blood and qi to surge wildly.

"You!" Yunyi was furious; this spiritual herb was one of her goals for this trip.

As the medicinal effects were absorbed, Chen Feng's internal energy surged from 120,000 to 150,000, significantly increasing his physical strength. He let out a long roar and charged towards Yun Yi.

The two fought fiercely for over a hundred rounds within the island's restricted area. Yunyi's speed was limited, and she gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. She gritted her teeth and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood essence onto her wings: "Sky-Splitting Escape!"

The silver wings shone brightly, temporarily breaking free from the restraints. Without hesitation, she turned and fled, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Chen Feng did not pursue, but instead sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing and stabilize his surging blood and energy. Although he had won this battle, he had also revealed his strength. There would likely be more ambushes targeting him in the secret realm to come.

After finishing his meditation, Chen Feng looked towards the depths of the secret realm: "It's time to head to the inner region."

Three days later, Chen Feng stood before an ancient ruin. This was the "Sword Tomb" marked on the jade slip, said to contain the sword-wielding legacy left by the ancient sages of the human race.

Nine stone pillars stand in the center of the ruins, each engraved with mysterious sword patterns. Chen Feng approached for a closer look and discovered that these sword patterns were actually flowing slowly, as if they were alive.

"This is... Sword Intent Remaining Form?" He recalled his master's words that those who reach the highest level in swordsmanship can keep their sword intent intact for a thousand years. Chen Feng tried to probe the stone pillar with his divine sense, and his mind immediately buzzed as countless sword moves surged forth like a flood.

He groaned, blood seeping from his seven orifices, yet he gritted his teeth and persevered. These sword techniques gradually formed a fragmented "Chaotic Sword Diagram" in his mind, containing the supreme true meaning of the sword path.

"So that's how it is..." After three days and three nights, Chen Feng finally opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with sword light. He pointed his fingers like a sword and with a gentle flick, a boulder a hundred meters away silently split in two, the cut as smooth as a mirror.

"Mind and sword become one, thought moves the sword." Chen Feng murmured to himself. This enlightenment elevated his swordsmanship to a whole new level, with his mental power and sword energy perfectly fused, multiplying their power.

Just as he was about to leave, the ground suddenly trembled. The nine stone pillars glowed simultaneously, projecting a complete, phantom map—the route to the core of the secret realm!

"This is... approval?" Chen Feng was pleasantly surprised and memorized the route. According to the jade slip, the core of the secret realm was where the greatest opportunity lay, but few had been able to enter it for thousands of years.

Just as the illusory figure vanished, Chen Feng suddenly dodged to the side. A streak of silver light grazed his shoulder, spraying blood in the process.

"Still haven't learned your lesson?" Chen Feng coldly stared at Yun Yi, who had returned. Behind her stood more than ten Eagle Clan warriors, each exuding a powerful aura.

Yunyi sneered, "Let's see how you escape this time." She waved her hand, and everyone simultaneously drew their silver longbows, arrows locked onto Chen Feng.

Chen Feng inwardly groaned. He had just grasped the unity of mind and sword, but facing so many powerful figures besieging him, his chances of victory were slim. Just as he was preparing to fight to the death, the sky suddenly darkened.

"What's going on?" Yunyi looked up alertly.

A huge crack appeared in the sky, and pitch-black spatial turbulence poured down, hitting the Eagle People first.

"Get out of the way!" Yunyi shouted urgently, but it was too late. Three Eagle Clan warriors were swept into the turbulent current and instantly turned into a bloody mist.

Chen Feng could have taken the opportunity to escape, but seeing Yun Yi about to be hit by a turbulent current, he rushed over as if possessed: "Watch out!"

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