Lin Feng, his little thoughts exposed by Ying Tianqing, no longer felt the need to hide, and truthfully replied, "Brother Ying, you're right, we do consider you a protective umbrella."
"But my brother and I have no intention of using you. Just as it's said, 'leaning against a big tree offers shade,' if that Chen Fan opposes us with his master, then my brother and I have no other recourse but to rely on you."
"However, rest assured, I promised to help you find Qingniao's reincarnation, and I will do my utmost to make up for it."
Lin Feng didn't want to owe Ying Tianqing too much, and his words were sincere.
"Brother Qing, what Brother Lin said makes sense. While my status and position can't compare to yours, I'll be part of finding Qingniao's reincarnation as well. We three brothers will help each other and benefit mutually," Duan Liang echoed.
Only then did Ying Tianqing feel somewhat at ease. He casually tossed the Golden Core he had obtained from the white-robed old Daoist to Lin Feng, saying, "I won't let you help me in vain. While this Golden Core of the Nascent Soul stage isn't anything special, it's enough to elevate your strength by a level."
"Once you help me find Qingniao's reincarnation, I will bestow upon you some fortunate encounters."
With that said, Ying Tianqing spread his roc wings and vanished into the sky.
Lin Feng held the Golden Core given by Ying Tianqing, already sensing the terrifying energy within.
A Nascent Soul stage Golden Core was not much to Ying Tianqing, but it was a rare treasure for Lin Feng.
"Little Brother Lin Feng, this Golden Core is partly mine too. Don't hog it all, you brat!" Duan Liang said, his eyes glinting with desire for a share.
"Daoist Priest, you are already at the Nascent Soul stage and don't need replenishment. I'm only at the Foundation Establishment stage, I need this to improve." Lin Feng had no intention of giving the Golden Core to Duan Liang. Seizing an opportunity when Duan Liang wasn't paying attention, he swallowed it in one gulp.
As the Golden Core entered his stomach, a terrifying energy instantly dispersed within Lin Feng's body. While nourishing his internal organs, this energy, like the ocean meeting the sea, rapidly surged towards Lin Feng's Dantian.
Due to a previous fortuitous encounter, Lin Feng's Dantian was different from others; within it lay a slumbering little dragon. The little dragon seemed to sense this powerful energy and opened its small mouth, greedily devouring it.
Lin Feng sat cross-legged, circulating the "Heaven and Earth Creation Art," continuously refining and absorbing the energy.
"You brat are really protective of your food. Seeing as your strength is lower than mine, I won't fight you for it this time!"
"But if Ying Tianqing gives you that Dragon Orb, you have to give it to me. I'm also waiting to level up," Duan Liang said. Without disturbing Lin Feng's cultivation, he called out to Su Xiaoyue and headed elsewhere.
With Duan Liang gone, Lin Feng focused intently on converting the energy within the Golden Core. Under the nourishment of the energy, the little dragon in Lin Feng's Dantian began to exhale golden dragon breath.
The dragon breath continuously gathered and condensed. As time ticked by, the dragon breath solidified into a golden orb. It somewhat resembled the Dragon Orb within Su Xiaoyue's body, and also somewhat resembled the Golden Core of the white-robed old Daoist. More accurately, this golden orb was a combination of the two.
Before long, Lin Feng opened his eyes. He looked vibrant, and his physical strength had increased countless times compared to before. Most importantly, Lin Feng had advanced from the Foundation Establishment stage to the Golden Core stage. At the Golden Core stage, Lin Feng was astonished to find that he could store more true qi within his body and unleash even greater power. In this upgraded state, Lin Feng felt he could now contend with experts at the Nascent Soul stage like Duan Liang without being at a disadvantage.
"You brat, happy now? You reached the Golden Core stage with a single Golden Core. As for me, I worked hard for half the day and got nothing, all my efforts went into making you better!" Duan Liang walked over, sensing the significant surge in Lin Feng's aura, and felt unbalanced.
"Daoist Priest, we are brothers. You don't need to envy me. If I'm doing well, you're doing well. I'll share any future benefits with you." Lin Feng patted Duan Liang's shoulder, then suddenly remembered something. He immediately took out the Netherworld Demonic Jar and released the white-robed old Daoist from it.
The white-robed old Daoist lay on the ground, his cultivation crippled by Ying Tianqing. He was now no different from an ordinary old man. He could barely fight anyone, let alone kill a chicken.
"You little brat, even though my cultivation has been crippled, I will not surrender to you."
"If you want to kill me, do it quickly. I have no desire to live!" The white-robed old Daoist glared at Lin Feng and Duan Liang with malice, wishing for a swift death.
"Old man, whether you live or die is not important to me. I ask you, do you know the secrets of your Ghost Valley lineage's Wordless Heavenly Book?" As soon as Lin Feng spoke, Duan Liang understood his intention and eagerly anticipated the white-robed old Daoist's answer.
The white-robed old Daoist snorted and chuckled, "Little brat, do you think I would tell you the secrets of the Heavenly Book even if I knew them?"
Lin Feng shrugged dismissively, "You don't need to tell me. We probably know more about the Heavenly Book's secrets than you do. You're going to die anyway, so I don't fear telling you a secret."
"Although we burned the Wordless Heavenly Book, its ashes formed an ancient character. This character is extraordinary; it possesses infinite power and can seal gods and demons."
After Lin Feng finished speaking, the white-robed old Daoist's face showed a hint of shock.
"So, what our Patriarch said was true! The Wordless Heavenly Book condenses the grand momentum of heaven and earth. Within it, one character can stabilize the universe and seal all demons!" the white-robed Daoist muttered, clearly knowing something.
"Old fellow, you really do have something. Then, tell me, what else did your Patriarch say?" Duan Liang pressed.
The white-robed Daoist stroked his white hair and laughed, "He also said that even if you obtain the character hidden in the Heavenly Book, you won't be able to make any waves, because this character cannot be imitated. You need two other divine artifacts to cooperate with it to unleash its true power."
"However, I will never tell you what those two divine artifacts are. I want you to search for the true answer your entire life!" Seeing the white-robed Daoist's infuriating expression, Lin Feng suddenly felt that this old fellow was truly an idiot.
"Old man, your cultivation has been crippled. Do you think we need your permission to make you tell the truth?" Lin Feng said, without giving the white-robed old Daoist a chance to react, he wrote a Truth Talisman in the air and cast it upon him.
*Crack.*
As the Truth Talisman took effect, the white-robed old Daoist immediately became like a controlled puppet, his spirit gone.
"Speak, what are those two divine artifacts?" Lin Feng asked.