NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 320
Chapter 320: The Brewing Storm
Lin Feng was eager to eliminate Lu Ming and be done with it.
Initially, it wasn’t personal. Lin Feng wanted to kill Lu Ming to attract Jiu Han’s attention and sell out one of the Subverters' key players, Moonfiend. But as events unfolded, it had become a personal vendetta.
Who did Lu Ming think he was, overshadowing Lin Feng, the Son of Fortuity, at every turn? For someone as proud as Lin Feng, this was intolerable.
Reflecting on the differential treatment he’d received from Jiu Han lately, Lin Feng clenched his teeth in resentment.
Hatred surged within him but quickly dissolved into frustration.
“But there’s nothing I can do!” he muttered bitterly.
The plan was well-designed. If Lu Ming had left the academy, Lin Feng had a hundred ways to deal with him. But he hadn’t expected Lu Ming to be such a recluse, remaining inside the Boshi Tower and refusing to step out.
As long as Lu Ming stayed within the Boshi Tower, no one could touch him.
Looking around at the others, Lin Feng asked helplessly, “Does anyone have any good ideas?”
The room fell into a heavy silence.
The Subverters were a large and powerful organization, one that had been lurking in the shadows for a long time. No one knew how many hidden factions they controlled.
Infiltration was their strength. The Subverters had long since wormed their way into various races and organizations, including the Three Elements Academy. Even Lin Feng and the five others in the room were affiliated with them.
Their circumstances were not unlike what Lu Ming’s had been in the past.
Finally, after a long pause, one of them broke the silence. “There’s nothing we can do. As long as Lu Ming stays in the Boshi Tower, he’s untouchable.”
Another chimed in, “Then we need a new approach. If Lu Ming won’t leave the academy, we should focus on the people around him. I remember he has a servant who also entered the academy—Quan Chao, right? What if we use him to lure Lu Ming out?”
Lin Feng shook his head immediately. “I’ve already tried that. It didn’t work.”
“Quan Chao is almost as cautious as Lu Ming. He refuses to leave the academy, and he has no ties to anyone.”
With that option off the table, frustration hung thick in the air.
Not far away, a faint red glow appeared, and the blood-red eyes reappeared.
The five of them lowered their heads respectfully as the voice from the blood-red eyes spoke.
“Lin Feng, you’re being too impatient.”
Lin Feng, slightly startled, quickly replied, “You’re right, Teacher.”
The voice continued, “There’s no need to rush with Lu Ming. You’ve only been in the Three Elements Academy for a little over ten days. There’s no need for hasty actions.”
“Your main task now is to study the art of array formations and find any weaknesses in the array protecting the Boshi Tower.”
Lin Feng nodded in agreement, lowering his head further.
Seeing Lin Feng’s obedient demeanor, the figure with the blood-red eyes chuckled. “In any case, let me offer you some guidance.”
“Lu Ming’s strength is trivial; he’s not the real issue. The reason you find him so difficult to deal with isn’t him—it’s his backer, Jiu Han. Jiu Han is the real problem.”
The figure paused before continuing, “Think bigger. If Jiu Han, the Three Elements Academy, and even the Hundred Schools of Philosophy fall, wouldn’t it be easy to deal with Lu Ming?”
This suggestion seemed absurd to Lin Feng and the others.
How could they, mere pawns, possess the power and influence to topple institutions like the Three Elements Academy or the Hundred Schools of Philosophy? It felt like a pipe dream.
Of course, none of them dared voice their doubts before the blood-red-eyed figure. Silence lingered until the voice spoke again.
“There will be a significant event in the Hundred Thousand Mountains Battlefield soon. When that happens, Jiu Han will leave the academy. If you’re truly eager, you could strike then.”
“But I’d prefer you not act at that time—it might raise suspicion.”
“In short, Lu Ming’s fate is a minor issue. The larger threat lies elsewhere. Lin Feng, don’t let personal grudges cloud your judgment.”
With that, the blood-red eyes vanished, leaving the five of them in the dream space, deep in thought.
A month later.
The 683rd day of the Black Mist Calendar.
Drastic changes swept through the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Countless zombie beasts surged into the mountains’ core, attacking the steel defense line maintained by the four ancient beast races, the Eternal Clan, and the Giant Clan.
Behind the horde of zombie beasts came an endless tide of insects.
On that day, six Divine Realm experts from the Subverters, including Moonfiend, launched a brazen attack on Shufang and Hao Jun.
The battle raged for ten days.
When news of the conflict reached the Eternal Clan’s rear lines, the world was left in shock.
The Aeonian allied army had suffered a catastrophic defeat.
Hao Jun was killed on the spot, while Princess Haona was captured, reportedly falling into the hands of Moonfiend, her fate uncertain but grim.
On the same day, an elite squad of quasi-Divine Realm experts attacked the final stronghold of the Giant Clan, swiftly obliterating it.
The once-mighty Giant Clan was effectively wiped from existence.
Shufang managed to retreat from the battlefield, but he had been severely injured, rendering him unable to fight for the foreseeable future.
The Aeonian coalition’s front line had crumbled. The army of the four ancient beast races was nearly annihilated, and Moonfiend personally slaughtered what remained of the ancient beast tribes. From that point onward, no ancient beast tribe remained in the world.
With the fall of the Hundred Thousand Mountains’ defense line, the Subverters advanced rapidly, penetrating deep into the territory of the Eternal Clan, seizing control of Qinghe(Clear River) Province, and reestablishing themselves there.
On the same day, the Aeonians convened a council of gods and made a decision.
The military would now be responsible for defending the front line, with top-tier forces from the Hundred Schools of Philosophy joining them.
In light of these developments, Jiu Han was forced to leave his seclusion and personally take command of Qinghe Province.
Meanwhile, Lu Ming remained oblivious to the chaos in the outside world.
He paid no mind to the unfolding political turmoil.
However, during a morning class, he noticed something unusual about Jiu Han.
“Teacher, your body…” Lu Ming began, concerned.
Jiu Han’s form appeared slightly blurred.
Jiu Han shook his head. “There’s been trouble on the battlefield. Your senior brother, Shufang, was overmatched. As an old man, I have to go to the front lines and exchange a few blows.”
“But don’t worry,” Jiu Han added with a smile. “Although my true body is on the battlefield, I’ve left a clone to guard the Boshi Tower. You don’t need to concern yourself with such matters. Focus on your cultivation.”
He smiled warmly at Lu Ming before asking, “How is your progress?”
“I’ll be ready to switch to a new Body Forging technique in two months,” Lu Ming replied.
Jiu Han stroked his beard, nodding approvingly. “I’ve already prepared your next cultivation technique and the resources you’ll need. Just focus on your training, and don’t worry about anything else.”
Lu Ming bowed his head gratefully. “Thank you for your guidance and support, Teacher.”
His gratitude toward Jiu Han came from the depths of his heart.
Jiu Han smiled back, but behind that smile lay a quiet sorrow.
He could sense the approaching storm of terror brewing within the war between the two great powers.
As for Lu Ming…
Jiu Han sighed inwardly.
Such talent, such dedication, such uniqueness.
Yet he had a troubling premonition.
Time was running out for this child.
End of Chapter 320