"Instructor Leng, if I dare to return, why would I be courting death?"

Ling Feng raised his hand and patted Leng Jianfeng on the shoulder. A stream of fire elemental qi flowed into Leng Jianfeng's body, instantly dissolving the alcohol in his system. Leng Jianfeng let out a long hiccup before finally sobering up.

"Hic..."

The sour stench of alcohol made Ling Feng frown. He waved his hand in front of his nose and rolled his eyes.

"Instructor Leng, if you can't handle your liquor, then stop drinking so much!"

Leng Jianfeng snorted.

"What would you know? Tianwei Academy has turned into this miserable wreck. If I don't drown myself in wine, what else am I supposed to do? And you, brat. Do you realize the entire empire is hunting you right now? Yet you still dared to come back. What are you doing, hanging yourself on your birthday? Tired of living?"

Although his words were harsh, it was obvious Leng Jianfeng was genuinely worried about Ling Feng.

Ling Feng had already left the Tianbai Empire. No matter how chaotic things became within the empire, he would have been safe.

But this fool had returned anyway. Wasn't that just walking straight into a trap?

Yan Jinghong was now terrifyingly powerful. Even Human Emperor level experts like the director had been effortlessly killed by him.

If Ling Feng came back now, wasn't he simply throwing his life away?

Of course, Ling Feng was extraordinarily talented. But only half a year had passed. How strong could he possibly have become?

At best, perhaps an early-tier Human Emperor!

What Leng Jianfeng failed to realize was that Ling Feng's growth had far exceeded even the limits of imagination.

"Instructor Leng, can't you have a little faith in me? For example, maybe I'm strong enough to turn the tide and save the empire?"

Ling Feng folded his arms and raised a brow with a smile.

"Bah! Your bragging has certainly improved!"

Leng Jianfeng sighed.

"Whatever. Since you've already come back, I'll take you to see Vice-Director Tong and Mentor Su. We'll figure out the rest slowly."

"Vice-Director Tong and Mentor Su are here too?"

Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Vice-Director Tong was Tong Chengtai, Lin Xian'er's teacher and one of the vice-directors of Tianwei Academy.

Back then, Tong Chengtai had actually had a few conflicts with Ling Feng. But after Elder Yan intervened, he no longer dared to make things difficult for Ling Feng. Over time, he had even grown quite appreciative of him.

As for Mentor Su, she was naturally the beautiful instructor Su Qingxuan.

Thinking back to his days cultivating at Tianwei Academy, it felt as though it had happened only yesterday.

"It would be good to see them."

Ling Feng nodded slightly.

Remaining in Tianwei Academy now was far too dangerous. Ling Feng planned to temporarily bring Leng Jianfeng and the others into his Five Elements Heavenly Palace.

In the past, he could not expose such a treasure.

But with his current strength, who in the Tianbai Empire would dare covet it?

Once Yan Jinghong was dealt with, he could release them again.

Led by Leng Jianfeng and the plump instructor Zhao Dayuan, Ling Feng soon arrived at a hidden underground chamber among the ruins.

Most of the instructors, mentors, and students who had remained at Tianwei Academy were gathered inside.

There were not many of them, perhaps just over a dozen in total.

Around the chamber was an array that concealed spiritual consciousness detection. That was probably the reason they had managed to remain safe until now.

"Instructor Leng, didn't Vice-Director Tong ask you to keep watch outside tonight?"

A young woman with a graceful figure approached them.

But the moment she saw the young man following behind Leng Jianfeng, she covered her lips in shock.

"You... Ling Feng? Why are you back?"

"Mentor Su, it's been a long time!"

Ling Feng stepped forward and looked at Su Qingxuan.

More than half a year had passed, yet her appearance remained as elegant and refined as ever. Only her expression seemed slightly worn, as though she had not rested properly for a long time.

Ling Feng had always had a favorable impression of this gentle, graceful mentor who also carried a hint of playful charm(Author's note: not what you're thinking). Seeing that she was safe brought him some relief.

Su Qingxuan shot him a reproachful look and pressed her lips together.

"You... do you realize this is the worst possible time for you to come back?"

"Exactly!"

Leng Jianfeng jumped in.

"You have no idea how strong Yan Jinghong has become. I bet even if all the Human Emperors in the empire joined forces, they still wouldn't be his match!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ling Feng smiled faintly.

"I think this is precisely the time I should return. Yan Jinghong is looking for me. If I stay away, more people will suffer because of it!"

"But..."

Su Qingxuan bit her lip.

"But Ling Feng, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. I heard you went to the Dongling Immortal Pool to take a master. If you cultivate there for three to five years and return then, you might actually have a chance to defeat Yan Jinghong."

"Defeat him? Why would I need three to five years?"

Ling Feng laughed calmly and lightly patted Su Qingxuan's arm.

"Don't worry, Mentor Su. I know what I'm doing. By the way, where is Vice-Director Tong? I should go pay him my respects."

"Heh, Ling Feng. When did you become so polite?"

A voice filled with laughter came from the inner chamber.

It was clearly Vice-Director Tong.

However, the voice carried a hint of weakness.

Ling Feng hurried inside and saw Tong Chengtai sitting there. He appeared pale and worn, clearly injured.

"Vice-Director Tong, what happened to you?"

Ling Feng frowned as he approached.

"It's nothing. I simply overestimated myself!"

Tong Chengtai shook his head with a bitter smile.

Leng Jianfeng clenched his teeth angrily.

"Vice-Director Tong tried to save several students and blocked an attack from Yan Jinghong. That's how he ended up like this."

"It wasn't really an attack," Tong Chengtai said quietly. "It was only the aftermath of Yan Jinghong's battle with the director."

He tightened his fists.

He had always held great ambitions, yet he could not even withstand the residual force of another man's attack. The blow to his pride was immense.

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes.

From the sound of it, Yan Jinghong's strength truly could not be underestimated.

"Vice-Director, this place may be relatively safe, but it's not suitable for recovering from your injuries. How about this? I'll take everyone somewhere completely secure."

Ling Feng took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"Kid, you're already in trouble yourself. You can barely protect your own life. Bringing all of us along will only burden you," Leng Jianfeng said with a dismissive wave. "Honestly, sticking with you sounds even more dangerous!"

"Instructor Leng, you should see the place first before saying that."

Ling Feng snapped his fingers.

In the next moment, a purple gate of light appeared before them. It was a space portal leading into the Five Elements Heavenly Palace.

Instantly, a dense surge of heaven and earth spiritual energy poured out from within.

Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Five incredibly pure elemental energies filled the air, causing everyone present to feel their spirits lift at once!