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Chapter 213: Tiger of the Northern Frontier
🕑 Added 2025-06-09 18:14:42 +0000 UTCAll Novels || Martial God
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"I've found a good place to live here. If Brother He has time, please grace my humble abode with your presence," Zhan Tianfeng said with a smile, extending an invitation.
He Yiming merely pondered for a moment before readily agreeing. However, before leaving, he nodded slightly to Shui Xuanjin and Ting Shi Guang and others.
Although they hadn't truly helped him much on this trip, their intentions alone were enough for He Yiming to be grateful.
As if understanding the meaning in He Yiming's eyes, Shui Xuanjin and the others were overjoyed. Two of them, who had been apprehensive and indecisive, were even more delighted now. They all rejoiced, congratulating themselves for having followed the trend this time, otherwise, not only would they have failed to continue befriending He Yiming, but they would have also offended this strong expert with unlimited potential.
Led by Zhan Tianfeng, He Yiming and the other person departed gracefully.
Looking at their receding figures, everyone felt a mix of emotions. Especially their gazes towards He Yiming, all carried a hint of fervor.
Just half a day ago, they were all Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm masters of similar status, but in these turbulent hours, He Yiming's standing had undergone an incredible transformation.
Single-Line Sky Realm expert, from now on, compared to them, one was in heaven, the other on earth.
Who knows how long passed, these Innate experts silently looked at each other. But from beginning to end, no one spared another glance at Bu Xingcong, not even Mu Jintian.
It wasn't that he was heartless, but the consequences caused by Bu Xingcong were simply too severe. In such a situation, even someone with the best composure could no longer tolerate him.
Mao Lieguang naturally acted as a mediator, persuading the few Innate masters on both sides.
At this point, everyone knew that this matter had come to an end, and no one had any further interest in pursuing it.
It was two hours later when the servants and attendants were called to clean up everything, including the bodies of Bu Xingcong and the unfortunate Innate expert.
Although Mu Jintian's expression was bleak and his complexion poor, no one dared to underestimate him because of it.
Although he hadn't broken through to the Single-Line Sky Realm, his freezing coldness still made him invincible among the Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm experts.
With everything settled, Mao Lieguang lightly coughed and said, "Everyone, should our previously agreed upon Master's Exchange still proceed as scheduled?"
Everyone's gaze turned to Mu Jintian, as only he could make the decision now.
Mu Jintian hesitated for a moment, then immediately said, "Of course it will proceed as scheduled. Everyone needn't be wary because of Bu Xingcong's matter." He paused, then stated solemnly, "The friendship between Tufan and Kairong will absolutely not change because of this."
Shui Xuanjin frowned slightly and let out a soft hum. Although the sound was extremely faint, everyone present, except for the ignorant Xie Mingjin, was shrewd.
Mu Jintian forced a bitter smile and added, "It was my oversight. The friendship between Tufan Kingdom and Tianluo Country will also not be affected by this minor matter."
Only then did Shui Xuanjin nod in satisfaction. Having received Mu Jintian's promise, he finally felt truly relieved.
A promise from an Innate expert like him was far more effective and reliable than a promise between politicians.
Mao Lieguang's brows, however, subtly furrowed, unnoticed by others.
Mu Jintian's words had put Kairong Country and Tianluo Country on par, as if these two countries were already on the same level.
Whether Mu Jintian intended this or mentioned it unintentionally, it was not a good sign.
Everyone agreed on the specific time for the Master's Exchange and were about to disperse. Suddenly, a hearty laughter echoed from outside the door.
"Junior brother, you've finally broken through! If master knew, he would be overjoyed!"
This voice was like a series of winter thunderclaps. Although not very loud, everyone who heard it felt a heart-pounding sensation.
At this moment, everyone involuntarily thought of He Yiming's loud shout.
Then, a burly man appeared before everyone. This man appeared middle-aged, with a full beard, a typical image of a large northern man.
As soon as he appeared, his gaze first fell on Mu Jintian. Then, the smile on his face slowly solidified, eventually flickering with astonished and uncertain light in his eyes.
"Junior brother, what's going on? You haven't broken through. Then who was it that broke through using ice power just now? Also, who injured you? Was it that old man Zhan Tianfeng?"
His words came out like firecrackers, one after another, and combined with his unique Northern Frontier accent, it was hard to understand exactly what he was saying.
However, Mu Jintian seemed to have spent a long time with this person, as he heard him clearly and said with a bitter smile, "Senior Brother Zhuo, let's not mention all that. I was not injured by Zhan Tianfeng."
Senior Brother Zhuo blinked his big eyes twice, his face full of doubt. "In Kairong Country, besides Zhan Tianfeng, is there anyone else who can injure you?" He suddenly widened his eyes and said, "Could it be that person who just broke through?"
Mu Jintian pursed his lips and suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Zhuo, why have you come here?"
Senior Brother Zhuo chuckled, "I was sent by Master's orders to escort you." He cupped his hand towards the north, "Master said that you are at a critical juncture and could break through to the Single-Line Sky Realm at any time, so he wanted me to follow you from afar and protect you if I sensed any changes."
Mu Jintian's eyes showed gratitude. He took a deep breath, faced north, and bowed from afar. Although he said nothing, his devout attitude clearly expressed his feelings.
Mao Lieguang's expression changed several times, then he stiffened his neck and said, "Brother Mu, this senior is..."
From Senior Brother Zhuo, they all felt an immensely powerful aura, terrifying enough to be no less than Zhan Tianfeng or the newly ascended Single-Line Sky Realm expert, He Yiming.
Having understood the other party's strength, Mao Lieguang naturally dared not be negligent.
Mu Jintian nodded slightly to him, "This is my senior disciple brother, Zhuo Wanlian."
"Tiger of the Northern Frontier?" Mao Lieguang exclaimed in shock, almost knocked over by the man's name.
Upon hearing this name, Shui Xuanjin and the others simultaneously thought of someone, and their expressions subtly changed.
Only then did they understand that Mu Jintian was actually this person's disciple. No wonder he was able to reach the peak of the Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm around the age of one hundred and twenty, and possessed the strength to break through to the Single-Line Sky Realm at any time.
Zhuo Wanlian glanced at Mao Lieguang indifferently. He didn't even put this person in his eyes and couldn't be bothered with him.
"Junior brother, a few days ago I discovered a Spirit Beast, so I went deep into the mountains to pursue it. I just rushed here today, but from a hundred miles away, I felt the cold air here surge fiercely, as if all the cold air in Heaven and Earth had converged here. This is clearly a sign of breaking through to the Single-Line Sky Realm with ice-elemental power." His face was solemn as he continued, "I hurried as fast as I could, but I was still a step late. Since it wasn't you who advanced to the Single-Line Sky Realm, is there another Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm peak expert here who cultivates ice-elemental techniques?"
Mu Jintian's face was bitter. He didn't hide anything, recounting the details of his encounter with He Yiming. Finally, he said, "Senior brother, that He Yiming is only seventeen years old this year, and he advanced to the Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm at fifteen."
Zhuo Wanlian's eyes had widened at some point. His lips twitched a few times as he said, "A fifteen-year-old Innate? A seventeen-year-old Single-Line Sky Realm?"
Mu Jintian nodded heavily, a complex feeling also present in his eyes.
Zhuo Wanlian took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly sparkling with bright light, then he stared intently in one direction.
That was the direction He Yiming and Zhan Tianfeng had left in.
"Breaking through to the Single-Line Sky Realm within two years, hehe... How can I not go and see such an interesting character?" Zhuo Wanlian murmured softly.
He was naturally loud, and even when questioning Mu Jintian, he hadn't lowered his voice at all. But now, for the first time, he spoke in a softer tone.
Mu Jintian's face changed slightly, and he said, "Senior Brother, I have already made the decision to let go of the matter of Bu Xingcong. Please do not interfere."
Zhuo Wanlian snorted coldly, "That prince of yours, since he dared to provoke a Single-Line Sky Realm expert, he was seeking his own death. This elder has no time to stand up for him. However, since that He Yiming injured you, this elder naturally cannot stand by idly, otherwise, how can I explain it to Master?"
With that, he moved, already leaping out.
Mu Jintian's face changed unpredictably. He hurriedly called out, "Senior Brother, be careful!"
A loud laugh echoed from afar: "Junior brother, don't worry. How could a newly advanced Single-Line Sky Realm expert be my match?"
Mu Jintian opened his mouth. Although He Yiming was a newly advanced Single-Line Sky Realm expert, his cultivation method was extremely strange. Not only was he skilled in Five Elements techniques, but even ice-elemental power could not harm him. So at this moment, he was feeling uneasy, vaguely having a sense of unease lingering in his heart.
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He Yiming and Zhan Tianfeng traveled together, and in just a moment, they arrived at the temple where Zhan Tianfeng resided.
Zhan Tianfeng's courtyard was not large, and the furnishings and decorations inside were all very ordinary, and looked quite old. He Yiming could even find some subtle cracks in certain places.
He glanced at Zhan Tianfeng in surprise. If it weren't for the fact that he felt a power even stronger than his own from Zhan Tianfeng, he would really find it hard to believe that a Single-Line Sky Realm expert would live in such a place.
Not to mention that this was one of the Three Great Northwestern Powers, even in the Hengshan Mountain lineage, a place severely lacking in various architectural resources, the residences of the several elders were much better than this.
Zhan Tianfeng ignored his gaze, merely chuckled, "I've been in this courtyard for decades, and today is the first time I've left. But since a distinguished guest has arrived, I naturally have to entertain them well."
He led the way into the backyard, and He Yiming's eyes grew even more surprised.
In the backyard, there was surprisingly a patch of green vegetable fields. This vegetable garden was not like the Medicine Garden on Hengshan Mountain, nor did it cultivate any rare medicinal herbs.
What was planted on it were some common vegetables.
Zhan Tianfeng entered the field, and right before He Yiming's surprised eyes, he picked some different varieties of vegetables.
A very peculiar feeling arose in He Yiming's heart. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhan, are all the vegetables here grown by you?"
"Yes, all the vegetables here are personally selected, planted, watered, and weeded by me," Zhan Tianfeng said with an undisguised sense of pride on his face. "I guarantee that the taste of these vegetables is something you've absolutely never experienced."
He Yiming hesitated to speak. Although he wasn't particularly impressed, he thought that since even Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm Innate experts had their own inexplicable hobbies, it was understandable for a Single-Line Sky Realm expert to have slightly peculiar tastes.
Zhan Tianfeng washed the vegetables and went directly to the kitchen.
If there was one place here that differed from ordinary homes, it was undoubtedly this kitchen.
Here, there would always be an ordinary servant who did not know Inner Energy, serving. Their only task was to ensure that the fire in the kitchen never went out, so that Zhan Tianfeng could use it at any time.
And Zhan Tianfeng was quick and skillful, quickly washing, cutting, and cooking the vegetables he had just picked.
His movements were as fluid and natural as flowing clouds and water. He Yiming could tell at a glance that Zhan Tianfeng wasn't just putting on a show, but had cooked countless times to achieve such naturalness.
Bringing the cooked dishes to the outer hall, the two sat down. Zhan Tianfeng produced a jar the size of a human head, and gently lifted the lid, instantly a refreshing aroma wafted out.
"Drink, eat..."
Zhan Tianfeng finished these two sentences, then ignored He Yiming and enjoyed himself, pouring and drinking.
He Yiming hesitated for a moment, then took a sip of the wine from the jar. It tasted sweet and smooth, moisturizing his throat. He took a bite of the dish, and it also seemed to have a different flavor.
However, he couldn't be sure whether it was the inherent quality of the dishes that was different, or if it was because the person who cooked them was different, which made him feel this peculiar sensation.
"Brother Zhan truly has refined tastes," He Yiming said with a smile. Although he didn't particularly approve of this lifestyle, he had no intention of interfering.
Zhan Tianfeng laughed heartily twice, "Brother He, I cultivate The Dao of Water and Wood. Since stepping into the Single-Line Sky Realm sixty years ago, I've made no further progress for decades. However, thirty years ago, I inadvertently came to this place and had some insights. Since then, I've lived here idly, not bothering with outside affairs. For thirty years, I've lived here, doing everything myself, never relying on others, and I've finally gained some understanding."
He Yiming was finally moved. He thought for a moment, then finally stood up and bowed deeply to Zhan Tianfeng, saying, "Thank you for the guidance."
The Dao of Five Elements is inherently the way of nature. When Zhan Tianfeng found no success in arduous cultivation, he relaxed his mind, opened up a small world here, and fully integrated himself into the way of nature. If he still couldn't achieve anything, then there would truly be no justice.
It's just that this method of cultivation wasn't suitable for a young person like He Yiming.
Zhan Tianfeng waved his hand slightly, "This is a minor path. Although it has some uses, compared to Brother He, it's a world apart."
He Yiming's face reddened slightly. He knew his own situation. Whenever someone praised his talent, he didn't quite know how to respond.
Zhan Tianfeng took another sip of his home-brewed rice wine and said, "Brother He, do you know Mu Jintian's background?"
He Yiming was slightly startled, "Mu Jintian is the Tufan Kingdom Nation Protecting Master, known as the number one below the Single-Line Sky Realm."
Zhan Tianfeng chuckled, "Mu Jintian is indeed the Nation Protecting Master of Tufan, but his sect is not from our Northwest lineage."
He Yiming heard him mention it so seriously, and he understood somewhat that Mu Jintian's background likely made this elder quite wary.
Zhan Tianfeng looked towards the north, "Back in my youth, I once traveled the world. After entering the Northern Frontier, I crossed paths with a strong expert from a certain lineage. Due to their prolonged residence in the cold environment of the Northern Frontier, they cultivated a special ice-cold power instead of the Basic Five Elements Dao."
He Yiming immediately thought of his battle with Mu Jintian. However, when it came to ice-cold power, Mu Jintian was clearly inferior, far less effective than the liquid in that green bottle.
If Mu Jintian knew He Yiming was comparing his cultivation method to the naturally formed Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow, he would surely be so enraged he'd spit three liters of blood. Moreover, if the news of this item on his person leaked out, Northern Frontier experts would undoubtedly stop at nothing to snatch it away.
"Brother Zhan, you specifically brought this up. Is Mu Jintian's sect incredibly powerful?" He Yiming asked in a deep voice.
"Yes, his sect is indeed powerful, and it's also the number one sect in the Northern Frontier," Zhan Tianfeng said solemnly. "You defeated this person today and advanced to the Single-Line Sky Realm. Even if he doesn't blame you, his sect's experts might not be so magnanimous. If they come for revenge, it would be a troublesome matter."
Countless thoughts instantly crossed He Yiming's mind. What he worried about was not himself, but his relatives. If a powerful expert he couldn't resist came and massacred He Family Village, he would regret it immensely.
As if seeing through his thoughts, Zhan Tianfeng comforted him, "Brother He, actually, you don't need to worry. The Northern Frontier's number one, though powerful, may not necessarily defeat our Northwest Countries, and it's also unlikely they would send a large force for this. As long as you don't easily step into the Northern Country in the future, you can rest easy."
He Yiming felt slightly relieved, but suddenly, both their expressions subtly changed.
Because they simultaneously sensed a surge of cold air rising from afar.
It was the same source of power as Mu Jintian's, but compared to it, it was much more powerful.
He Yiming's gaze towards Zhan Tianfeng held a hint of suspicion.
And the old man's face became exceptionally grim. He had just said that they could rest easy, but before his words had even faded, someone had already come knocking on their door. Even if his skin were twice as thick, he would still be slightly flushed at this moment, unable to justify himself.
