Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Chapter 142: Chapter 141: The Choice

In Xiling County, Cultivators streaked across the Void on flying beasts as Winged Serpents circled overhead. Everyone was searching for Ling Fei.

But the streak of rainbow light had been too fast; not even Marquis Yun had been able to find a single clue to his whereabouts.

After a full day, no one had found any trace of Ling Fei.

It was as if Ling Fei had simply vanished from the face of the earth.

”That Ling Fei has family in Longtan Town. He must have fled in that direction!” After the fruitless search, some people decided to head for Longtan Town.

「Three days later.」

Ling Fei had, in fact, arrived in Celestial River County.

「In a certain mountain forest.」

A sharp cry echoed out, and then Ling Fei was seen steering a giant Golden Eagle into the Void.

This was an Innate Realm Golden Eagle that Ling Fei had just tamed.

That day, Yiyi had exhausted a great deal of its Essence Qi to activate the Dragon Bone, carrying Ling Fei a full twenty thousand li.

However, its Essence Qi was steadily depleted, and its aura weakened significantly, forcing it to stop in this mountain range.

Yiyi was now in a deep slumber inside the Dragon Bone Space.

The little fellow had exhausted too much of its Essence Qi and now needed a constant supply to gradually recover.

Otherwise, if it were to continue, it would truly damage its foundation and leave behind irreparable harm.

Naturally, Ling Fei couldn’t bear to see the little fellow destroy itself, so he didn’t push it.

Instead, he tamed an Innate Realm giant eagle in the mountains to serve as his mount.

Normally, Innate Realm avians are incredibly proud and would never be tamed so easily.

But Ling Fei’s Soul Power was exceptionally strong. The sheer force of his presence made the Golden Eagle’s very soul tremble, leaving it with no choice but to submit.

’Where should I go now?’ Ling Fei wondered as he rode the Golden Eagle. His eyes scanned in every direction, but his heart was filled with hesitation and uncertainty.

As he was leaving the ancient ruins, Ling Fei had sensed Wang Xu and the others following him.

Then, using its powerful senses, Yiyi had discovered Marquis Yun following them with his men.

By now, the various factions must know that he had killed Wang Dongyang and the others.

He figured countless people were probably hunting for him at this very moment.

In fact, the main reason Ling Fei had been so eager to leave the ruins was his fear that his adoptive father might be in danger.

Ling Fei’s face was etched with worry. ’If I return to Longtan Town, will I endanger my adoptive father? When I left, Miss Yurou and the others were still there. I’m afraid no one has told him to leave yet. Should I go warn him now? But if I go to Longtan Town, I’ll draw countless experts there. Can Father even handle that?’

First, he was afraid his adoptive father didn’t know what had happened and wouldn’t be able to escape the Empire in time.

But if he went to warn him recklessly, he might attract even more powerful enemies, which would make things much worse.

After all, Elder Ling was incredibly strong, capable of instantly killing Celestial Spirit Realm experts. Few could be considered his match.

Ling Fei estimated that his adoptive father was likely an expert at the Primordial Pill Realm.

But he was injured. He might be able to handle a single Primordial Pill Realm Cultivator.

But what if several Primordial Pill Realm experts descended upon Longtan Town?

Could his adoptive father fend them all off?

And even if he could, would he exhaust his vital Essence, causing his old injuries to flare up and kill him?

That was an outcome Ling Fei was obviously unwilling to even consider.

Ling Fei was well and truly caught in a dilemma.

’No... I can’t go to Longtan Town. If I did, I would draw countless powerful enemies there, which would only add to Father’s injuries. As his son, I’m already unfilial for being unable to heal his wounds. If I were to endanger him further, I could never forgive myself, even in death. Since I started this, it’s my responsibility to finish it.’ Abruptly, Ling Fei’s gaze hardened with resolve. To him, his adoptive father and his sister Xue Xi were the people he was sworn to protect.

He would not allow them to be dragged into this.

Ling Fei fell into deep thought. ’So where do I go now? Celestial River Academy? Can the academy even protect me at this point?’

Ling Fei shook his head.

’That seems impossible.’

Celestial River Academy was strong, but not strong enough to openly defy the Empire.

’I can act as a diversion first, to draw away my pursuers. That way, I can buy time for Miss Yurou and the others to warn Father.’ All at once, Ling Fei thought of a way to keep his adoptive father out of harm’s way. If his own location were exposed, everyone hunting him would surely come for his head.

By doing so, even if some people still went to Longtan Town, the pressure on his adoptive father would be greatly reduced.

Then, his father could use his own strength to break out and escape the Empire with Xue Xi.

A wave of relief washed over Ling Fei at this thought.

For him, the priority was figuring out how not to endanger his adoptive father, not ensuring his own safety.

’But I’ll have to reveal my location in a dangerous area. That’s the best way to create an escape route for myself,’ Ling Fei mused.

For example, in a forest considered a deathtrap, he could reveal his identity at the outskirts. Then, when his enemies gave chase, he could slip into its depths to hide.

That way, he could buy himself a better chance of survival.

While he was willing to risk life and limb to protect his loved ones, it didn’t mean he was simply going to get himself killed.

After all, he could only protect his family if he was alive.

If he died, what good would he be to them?

’Where can I find a place like that?’ Ling Fei’s eyes narrowed in thought.

Maps and information about various mountain ranges surfaced in his mind.

Ling Fei didn’t know much about these places; he had only learned what he knew during his time at Celestial River Academy.

A piece of information surfaced in Ling Fei’s mind. ’Near Celestial River Academy, deep within the Beichuan Mountain Range, legends say there are Great Demons at the Primordial Pill Realm!’

He’d gotten this information during one of his training expeditions.

Great Demons of the Primordial Pill Realm were rare, but they weren’t non-existent.

The regions inhabited by these Great Demons were considered Forbidden Lands.

Ling Fei’s eyes glinted with resolve. ’If they press too hard, I’ll retreat deep into the mountain range. What’s more, it’s close to Celestial River Academy. If the academy really wants to protect me, they’ll come running when they get word. That’ll be one way to find out. Plus, my True Dragon Roar will give me an advantage in the mountains.’

Furthermore, the Beichuan Mountain Range was saturated with dense Cold Qi, making it a deathtrap for most Cultivators.

But Ling Fei was different.

For him, the denser the Cold Qi, the faster his Cold Chi True Qi would recover.

His mind made up, Ling Fei steered the Golden Eagle toward the Beichuan Mountain Range.

The Beichuan Mountain Range was located in the northern part of Celestial River County.

Having just flown in from Xiling County, Ling Fei wasn’t far from the Beichuan Mountain Range.

He then flew straight for the Beichuan Mountain Range.

Meanwhile, Marquis Yun and his followers were already flying toward Celestial River County.

But Celestial River County was massive, and they had no exact route to follow.

Marquis Yun and his men paused in midair, debating which direction to take.

”I will go to Longtan Town to search for any trace of this Ling Fei. The rest of you, head for the region around Celestial River Academy!” After a moment of thought, Marquis Yun commanded the people beside him in a low voice.

He had learned a bit about Ling Fei’s background and knew that Elder Ling was no ordinary person.

That was why he was going to Longtan Town himself.

”Yes!” Wang Tianba nodded, then, radiating killing intent, he led the people from Tianyan Academy toward the area around Celestial River Academy.

In addition, many Divine Guards from Tianyan Academy also joined the hunt upon hearing the news.

Among them were even some Innate Realm Cultivators who had joined the search parties.

Although they were no match for Ling Fei, more searchers naturally increased the chances of finding him.

And so, the number of people hunting for Ling Fei grew larger and larger.

’According to what my little sister said, Ling Fei is a filial son. If he knows everyone is out to kill him, he probably won’t go to Longtan Town, as that would only endanger his adoptive father.’ At this point, Shangguan Wan’Er had also arrived in the Celestial River County region. After arriving, she too was deciding on a route.

’If Ling Fei isn’t going to Longtan Town, where will he go?’ Shangguan Wan’Er wondered aloud.

’Celestial River Academy is the only power Ling Fei can rely on. Maybe he’ll go there... but the situation is so complicated right now... Regardless, I should head there first. There will be plenty of academy people around, and they’ll be searching for Ling Fei too. It will be easier for me to gather information that way.’

After some deliberation, Shangguan Wan’Er decided to head toward the academy’s region.