Lin Feng remained unperturbed by Chen Fan's provocation.
"You said it yourself, and everyone heard it. Don't go back on your word."
Lin Feng had been waiting for Chen Fan to fall into his trap. The fellow was truly brimming with confidence.
"I won't. Tell me, what other mysteries does the Nameless Heavenly Book hold that I don't know?"
Chen Fan handed the Nameless Heavenly Book to Lin Feng. Without the incantation to activate it, the book was no different from scrap paper in Lin Feng's hands.
Lin Feng took the book and injected his Zhen Qi into it, attempting to sense its contents.
He discovered that his Zhen Qi poured into the book as if falling into a bottomless pit, eliciting no reaction whatsoever.
However, he recalled Liu Mengyao's reminder, and perhaps the key to unlocking the book's secrets truly lay in its nemesis: lightning.
Among wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, fire was the element that naturally countered lightning.
This meant he had to burn the book with fire, and its mysteries would naturally be revealed.
With an idea in mind, Lin Feng immediately spread his palm. To the astonishment of everyone present, a ball of flame ignited in his palm.
Without a word, he directed the flame towards the Nameless Heavenly Book.
This action startled everyone.
How could Lin Feng be willing to burn such a powerful treasure?
"It's fine. My Nameless Heavenly Book is immune to water and fire. Let him burn it."
Chen Fan chuckled. He had tried burning the book with fire countless times himself, but alas, the book was too miraculous; fire could not destroy it.
As expected, when Lin Feng burned the book with fire, it showed no reaction. Moreover, no matter how fiercely the flames blazed, the book remained unburnt.
"Foolish!"
Ying Tianqing could no longer stand it. He shook his head and stood up, walking over.
"Can't you use your brain, kid? Do you think ordinary flames can affect such a magical artifact?"
Ying Tianqing glared at Lin Feng, frustrated by his lack of progress.
"And what are you doing? What business is it of yours?"
Seeing Ying Tianqing's flamboyant attire, Chen Fan mistook him for one of Lin Feng's subordinates.
"What I am is not for a lowly mortal like you to know. Shut your dog mouth before I lose my temper."
Ying Tianqing said coldly. With a thought, the Nameless Heavenly Book in Lin Feng's hand immediately flew into his own.
Ying Tianqing snapped his fingers, and a strand of blue demonic flame appeared on his fingertip.
The demonic flame emitted no heat; instead, its appearance caused the surrounding temperature to plummet to freezing point.
The once warm room instantly became as cold as if the air conditioning had been turned on, chilling everyone to the bone and forcing them to wrap their clothes tighter.
Chen Fan had initially paid little attention to Ying Tianqing, but upon witnessing the extraordinary display, his expression instantly turned serious.
Especially the blue flame emitted by Ying Tianqing, which was not hot but radiated an unusual chill.
Chen Fan found it very peculiar. He had never seen a flame that emitted coldness; it defied all logic.
Then, the most miraculous scene unfolded. Under the burning of Ying Tianqing's blue flame, the previously blank Nameless Heavenly Book immediately displayed lines upon lines of dense text.
Even the middle-aged man Chen Fan had previously absorbed into the book fell to the ground out of thin air.
Both Chen Fan and Lin Feng's eyes lit up at this sight.
"The Nameless Heavenly Book has actually displayed text! Who... who exactly are you?"
Chen Fan was greatly astonished, suddenly recalling his master's warning before he descended the mountain.
According to his master, Chen Fan would encounter a person of great stature during his descent who could make the Nameless Heavenly Book reveal its script.
Now, Ying Tianqing had made the book reveal its text. Could he be the great person his master spoke of?
"Never mind who he is. We've made the Nameless Heavenly Book reveal its mysteries, so shouldn't you give me this book now?"
Lin Feng said.
"Alright, take it. This book has long since recognized me as its master. If you can take it, feel free to do so."
Chen Fan was nonchalant. The book had already recognized him as its master. No matter who took it, as long as he summoned it with his will, the book would swiftly return to his side.
Now that the book had revealed its text, Chen Fan was even less likely to give it away.
However, just as Chen Fan and Lin Feng were talking, Ying Tianqing extinguished the blue flame, and the text on the book instantly vanished without a trace, not allowing Chen Fan or Lin Feng to even glimpse what was written.
"I don't care who you are. Hand over the book quickly!"
Chen Fan reached out to Ying Tianqing, demanding it back.
"Kid, didn't you say the book already recognized you as its master? Then call out to it. If it responds, I will return the book to you."
"If it doesn't respond, then this book is not fated to be yours."
A smile appeared on Ying Tianqing's lips.
"Alright, return to me, Heavenly Book!"
Chen Fan summoned it with his will.
As a result, the book remained unresponsive. No matter how he summoned it, the book lay flat in Ying Tianqing's hand, completely still.
"How can this be? Did you erase the connection between me and the book?"
Chen Fan was utterly shocked. This situation had never happened before.
Ying Tianqing shook his head. "I wouldn't stoop to such tricks. This book is meant for those it is destined for. I am fated with this book, so it naturally recognizes its true master. And you, it seems, are truly unworthy of possessing it."
Ying Tianqing's words were undeniably cutting.
Chen Fan was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I don't care. This book is the supreme treasure of my Ghost Valley lineage and must not fall into the hands of outsiders."
"Return it to me quickly, or I will not be polite."
Chen Fan became a bit anxious. He took out a golden needle from his怀 and prepared to strike Ying Tianqing at any moment.
"Lin Feng, he's just a piece of trash. Deal with him. Once you've handled him, I can give the book to you."
Ying Tianqing disdained to engage with Chen Fan and walked back to his seat.
"You're seeking death!"
Seeing Ying Tianqing's indifference, Chen Fan immediately flicked the golden needle towards him.
Lin Feng moved. Utilizing his Flying Pig Swiftness, he instantly appeared behind Ying Tianqing, his fingers firmly clamping onto the golden needle Chen Fan had thrown.
"Lin, this has nothing to do with you. Don't meddle!"
Chen Fan, aware of Lin Feng's formidable martial prowess, felt a degree of apprehension.
"Too much nonsense. As your future brother-in-law, I'll teach you how to behave today."
Lin Feng lost his patience and lunged at Chen Fan, slapping him across the face repeatedly.
Chen Fan's martial strength was no match for Lin Feng's, and he was rendered incapable of resisting.
In a short while, he was beaten until his face was bruised and swollen, collapsing to the ground.
"Excellent! This brat is arrogant and disrespectful. Young friend, you've taught him a lesson on my behalf, and it's truly satisfying."
Old Hu was ecstatic, finding immense pleasure in watching Chen Fan being beaten.
"Lin Feng, what are you doing being so reckless? Chen Fan is one of our own. How can you lay hands on him?"
Lu Zhichang was displeased. Lin Feng's actions were not just slapping Chen Fan's face but also an insult to the Lu family.
"Chen Fan, are you alright?"
Lu Guyu also rushed forward, holding Chen Fan with concern, her eyes casting a trace of resentment towards Lin Feng.
"He's arrogant and will cause trouble sooner or later. I hit him to teach him a lesson."
Lin Feng spoke, offering no further explanation. He turned to reclaim the book from Ying Tianqing.
"Ahhh! Lin! Today is my engagement day. You hit me and snatched my book. I, Chen Fan, cannot swallow this insult!"
"You wait. I'll go back to my sect right now and ask my master to come. You bullied me, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Chen Fan, enraged, sprang up from the ground, feeling utterly humiliated. He no longer had the face to proceed with the engagement ceremony.
After uttering a harsh threat, he turned and left.
"Chen Fan, you're leaving, but what about me? You promised to marry me. How can you just leave?"
Lu Guyu became frantic.
"If your Lu family doesn't respect me, Chen Fan, am I to propose and humiliate myself?"
"Lu Guyu, don't be naive. We are no longer possible!"
Chen Fan turned back, giving Lu Guyu a sinister glare, and disappeared without looking back.
Stunned.
Lu Guyu and Lu Zhichang were instantly dumbfounded.
On what should have been a joyous occasion, it seemed Lin Feng had ruined everything.
With this incident, wouldn't the Lu family become a laughingstock in the provincial city?
"Haha, you brought this upon yourselves! Little Lu, your Lu family has truly reaped what you sowed!"
Old Hu seized the opportunity to clap his hands in delight.
"Mr. Hu, how can you speak like that? Why do you wish to see my Lu family in such a state?"
Lu Jingzhe stepped forward indignantly.
Her father and sister were already distressed enough, and Old Hu was adding insult to injury. How could he be so insensitive?
"You're that little girl Lu Jingzhe, aren't you? Am I wrong about your Lu family?"
"Your Lu family thought you'd found a golden son-in-law and aspired to become the top wealthy family in the provincial city. Do you think I would agree?"
Old Hu grumbled impatiently. With Chen Fan gone, he no longer felt any trepidation.
"You old geezer, how dare you speak to Lin Feng's woman like that? Do you think I'm easier to bully than Chen Fan?"
Seeing Lu Jingzhe being harassed, Lin Feng immediately stepped forward.
"Young friend Lin Feng, you avenged me earlier by beating that brat Chen Fan. I won't hold it against you. Please, sit down quickly."
Old Hu waved his hand. Ah Hu, who had regained his freedom, wisely positioned himself in front of Old Hu.
Without Chen Fan, he now stood tall and proud once more.
"Kid, my boss told you to sit down. Sit down quickly, and don't force me to turn hostile."
Ah Hu glared at Lin Feng, speaking threateningly.
He might not have been a match for Chen Fan and his Nameless Heavenly Book, but surely he could handle Lin Feng?
"You piece of trash, you dare to show your face again? I see you haven't had enough beatings!"
Lin Feng said, brandishing his Nether Demonic Pot.
Then, he opened the lid, and with a whoosh, before Ah Hu could even react, he was sucked into the pot.
This scene stunned Old Hu and everyone else.
First, Chen Fan, who could absorb others, was replaced by Lin Feng, who possessed the same ability.
Would this never end?
"My apologies, old man. I failed to recognize your true worth. I didn't realize you, young friend Lin Feng, were even more formidable than Chen Fan. I was wrong to speak out of turn."
Old Hu's attitude underwent a drastic change. Witnessing Lin Feng's ruthlessness, he immediately became subdued.