Inside the tavern, the crowd was filled with heated discussions.
Clearly, within Fengtian City, Lin Feng was already considered a small local figure.
In the past, hearing such chatter would have made the old Lin Feng feel embarrassed and restless, but ever since following Zhong Qing, his perspective and state of mind had completely transformed. He understood that once he unleashed overwhelming strength, these idle gossips would naturally shut up.
However, when he heard someone criticizing his master, he still couldn’t remain seated. He slammed his hand on the table, intending to teach that person a lesson.
But Zhong Qing patted his shoulder, signaling that such insignificant people weren’t worth engaging with, and that lowering himself to their level would only ruin his appetite.
“Remember, your future opponents are the vast stars and sea, not the small fish and shrimp in a tiny pond,” Zhong Qing said with a soft smile.
“Yes, Master,” Lin Feng replied and obediently sat back down.
The master and disciple sat by the window and began drinking together.
After two cups, Zhong Qing couldn’t help looking toward the distant horizon.
A figure was flying their way.
His system allowed him to sign‑in every day.
Although most sign‑ins no longer surprised him, the habit had long been ingrained. And today’s reward was precisely that incoming figure.
“A Moon Profound Realm puppet—not bad at all,” Zhong Qing said with a faint grin. With this puppet, dealing with someone like Hongmao Laogui in the future would be as simple as sending the puppet out.
Moments later, the black‑clothed figure flew straight toward the tavern. The immense pressure radiating from him instantly suffocated everyone inside. Their heads lowered, and they didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.
“How could such an expert appear in our Fengtian City?”
“Yes… I wonder which mighty cultivator he is. Why did he come here?”
“Speak quietly! Do not offend him!”
Yet what happened next was beyond everyone’s imagination. The mysterious expert who had descended from the sky suddenly dropped to one knee before Zhong Qing.
“This servant greets Master!”
The entire tavern instantly erupted with shock.
A cultivator with such terrifying strength actually knelt and addressed someone as Master?
And that person was the white‑robed youth sitting with Lin Feng—the very person they had been gossiping about moments ago!
What kind of terrifying identity did that white‑robed young man possess? How was Lin Feng connected to someone like him?
Those who had spoken earlier wished they could burrow under the table, terrified that Zhong Qing might have heard them and retaliate.
But Zhong Qing clearly had no interest in them.
“Withdraw your cultivation and follow behind me,” Zhong Qing said as he inspected the puppet. It was nearly indistinguishable from a real human—complete with aura—and it obeyed commands flawlessly. He had to admit, he was quite satisfied.
“Yes, Master,” the black‑robed puppet replied respectfully, then stood silently behind Zhong Qing.
“Master, he is…?” Lin Feng asked, stunned at the sight.
“An old subordinate I took in before,” Zhong Qing replied casually. He certainly couldn’t say the puppet came from a system sign‑in, so he had to improvise.
“A subordinate… Master, you’re incredible,” Lin Feng said in awe. Someone so powerful obediently called his master “Master.”
“Stay calm,” Elder Jian’s voice echoed from within the Desolate Ring. “With how terrifying your master is, having a Moon Profound Realm servant is perfectly normal.”
“Moon Profound Realm!!!” Lin Feng was even more shocked. He never imagined the black‑clothed figure was actually at the Moon Profound Realm. To him, that realm was still a distant, unreachable height.
Just like that, after the master, disciple, and puppet finished their meal, they finally left the tavern.
“Master, I need to return to the Lin Family later,” Lin Feng said respectfully after they stepped outside. “My clansmen have always treated me well. I’ve saved up some money, so I want to go to the Wanbao Pavilion to buy gifts for them.”
“Alright. I’ll go with you. Buy whatever you want. If you don’t have enough money, I’ll cover it,” Zhong Qing said with a smile.
“Thank you, Master.”
The three of them headed toward Wanbao Pavilion.
And once they left, the tavern was thrown into chaos.
“Did you hear that? Lin Feng actually called that white‑robed man ‘Master’!”
“Yes! How did Lin Feng get such dog‑shit luck? Didn’t everyone say he was a waste? How did he end up with such a powerful master?”
“No matter what, with that person backing them, the Lin Family will definitely rise!”
“Incredible… unbelievable!”
Inside a luxurious private room, a richly dressed young master who had watched everything gulped nervously. Ignoring the women he had worked hard to invite out, he hurriedly ran home with his subordinates, unable to delay for even a moment. The same happened in several other private rooms.
South of Fengtian City—at the Lin Family residence.
The city was filled with countless families, and the Lin Family ranked among the second‑rate powers. At this moment, inside the Lin Family’s hall, the patriarch, elders, and senior members were all seated, their brows filled with deep worry.
“Patriarch, the Fang Family from the eastern district has been suppressing us relentlessly. They’ve swallowed half of our shops already. If this continues, our entire industry will be gone!” one elder said gravely.
“Yes, Patriarch. Not only the Fang Family— even the Gu Family in the west is watching us closely. The mine we’ve been developing outside the city has caught their eye. They even warned us to hand over the mine or they will attack us soon!” another elder said angrily.
For a moment, the entire hall was filled with sighs. Patriarch Lin Hanyi’s brows were tightly furrowed. It truly was misfortune upon misfortune. Ever since the Murong Family incident, the other families in Fengtian City had been targeting the Lin Family nonstop.
However, just as the atmosphere reached peak heaviness, a family disciple rushed in to report.
“Patriarch! The Fang Family’s patriarch from the east seeks an audience!”
“The Fang Family? What does he want?” Lin Hanyi’s expression darkened. “After swallowing our shops, does he intend to come and make trouble personally?”
“No, Patriarch. The Fang Family’s patriarch seems to be here to apologize,” the disciple said quickly.
“Apologize?”
The Lin Family senior members were instantly stunned.
Before they could recover, another disciple rushed in anxiously. “Patriarch! The Gu Family from the west has arrived with ten carriages filled with gold and treasures—they say they’re here to clear up misunderstandings!”
Everyone was completely dumbfounded.
And the reports kept coming.
“Report! The Zhao Family seeks an audience. They say they came bearing gifts.”
“Report! The Guo Family sent an invitation, inviting the entire Lin Family to dine at Fengtian First Pavilion.”
“Report! The Feng Family seeks an audience. They say they are here to propose marriage…”
The Lin Family hall exploded with activity, but every high‑ranking member was utterly speechless.
They were completely, thoroughly stunned.