Chapter 48: A Change in Lin Feng's Personality
"You..."
"Ning Xian, don't regret this!"
Lin Feng's expression abruptly shifted, settling into a calm facade.
Yet it was evident to everyone that a maelstrom of emotions roiled within him.
"Lin Feng..."
"This is all a misunderstanding. You can still apologize to Jiang Chen and Ning Xian, and mend the situation..."
Qiu Liaoxi, not wanting to see Lin Feng sever ties with her and the others, attempted to reason with him.
"No!"
"I am not in the wrong!"
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me now. Soon, you will see his true colors!"
"When that time comes, for the sake of the 'Thousand Green Pill Heart Records', I will rescue you all!"
As Lin Feng's emotions escalated internally, his thoughts became increasingly turbulent.
His words were frigid and detached.
This was tantamount to deliberately distancing himself from his relationships with Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi.
As a protagonist possessing a strong sense of dignity,
His psychological defenses crumbled when faced with repeated accusations and misunderstandings.
Lin Feng's own feelings towards Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi began to wane.
Once his emotions reached a boiling point,
He relinquished his ties!
Armed with the Burning World Red Lotus, was there any woman he couldn't find?
Lin Feng was confident that even without the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, he could easily attain the Inquiring Journey realm and rule the entire Mysterious Truth Continent!
Acquiring the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records would simply be an added bonus.
Such a favor
Could be effortlessly repaid.
Above all, Lin Feng sought to prove that he, Lin Feng, was right, and that Jiang Chen was in the wrong...
It was at this moment,
"Sigh!"
Jiang Chen shook his head and sighed. "Lin Feng, it's not too late to set things right."
"Hmph!"
Lin Feng snorted coldly, a mocking smile gracing his face. He then turned around and departed.
[Ding! You have successfully instigated a significant change in the protagonist Lin Feng's personality, and his Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!]
[Ding! You have gained 500 points in Villain Value!]
Two system notifications materialized in Jiang Chen's mind, leaving him astonished.
'Lin Feng's personality has changed?'
'Indeed, after enduring multiple psychological traumas, he has grown much colder!'
'According to the original storyline, he should have been an overwhelmingly positive character.'
'...'
Jiang Chen reflected on the situation, and a wave of elation swelled within his heart.
At this juncture,
Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value had been steadily declining, now reduced to a mere 280 points.
Although he retained the protagonist status,
The power of his protagonist status had undoubtedly reached an unprecedented low.
Had he possessed only an ordinary Fate Value instead of the Heavenly Fate Value, he would currently be nothing more than a bystander who had fortuitously stumbled upon a grand opportunity—an opportunity destined to be snatched away from him soon.
Naturally,
There remained a possibility for Lin Feng to make a comeback.
As a result,
Jiang Chen dared not lower his guard, vigilantly tracking Lin Feng's movements using his divine sense.
Nevertheless, he observed that after departing from the Vast Spirit Residence, Lin Feng halted at a secluded spot roughly a hundred meters away.
Gazing in the direction of the Vast Spirit Residence, Lin Feng clenched his fists resolutely.
In Lin Feng's perception,
Jiang Chen's 'triumphant scheme' this time likely indicated an imminent demand for the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records or something similar.
Furthermore, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain might stage a resurgence following the failure of this mission.
Hence,
His opportunity to prove himself was fast approaching!
With these thoughts swirling in his mind,
Lin Feng promptly retreated to a corner and sat down, commencing his cultivation.
The protagonist's indomitable spirit in the face of adversity was vividly displayed at this very moment.
Within the Vast Spirit Residence.
"Ning Xian, Alchemist Qiu."
"It's no longer safe here; we must leave."
"I'd like to take you back to the Jiang Clan, but... I'm concerned you might not trust me."
Jiang Chen's expression had 'improved' significantly, and he spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
After all.
His plan involved creating an illusion of an agreement between the Jiang Clan and the Illusory Slaying Tower.
"Fret not, Jiang Chen!"
"Considering the importance that the Jiang Clan's patriarch places on you..."
"You've decided to break the agreement between the Jiang Clan and the Illusory Slaying Tower. Since the Jiang Clan can no longer rectify the situation, we will surely follow you."
Ning Xian shook her head and reasoned.
Through numerous endeavors by Jiang Chen.
She had developed an incredibly high level of trust in him.
Within Autumn Glory City, Ning Xian trusted Qu Liaoxi the most, and now Jiang Chen had become her second most trusted individual.
'This girl is truly clever.'
Jiang Chen praised her silently, smiling inwardly. Outwardly, he nodded and said gravely, "Very well, but if we encounter any signs of danger, I will take you to the Starry Abyss Sect, where you'll be absolutely safe!"
"Mm!"
Ning Xian nodded emphatically.
It was at this very moment.
"Jiang Chen, are you alright?"
Jiang Xingtai, bearing the marks of battle, suddenly materialized at the gate, his expression a mix of worry and complexity.
"Uncle, I'm sorry."
"I took it upon myself to defend the Vast Spirit Residence."
Jiang Chen appeared remorseful as he engaged in a subtle exchange of acting prowess with his uncle.
"It's alright, it's alright!"
"I should have taken your feelings into account. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to their demands in the first place."
Jiang Xingtai promptly shook his head and approached Jiang Chen. "Come, let me examine your injuries!"
"I'm fine now, uncle."
Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, then inquired with concern, "What about you? Who were you battling?"
"It was the leader of that group of people."
"The outsider who has reached the Mysterious Platform Realm!"
"He assaulted me without any warning, and that's when I discovered you were at the Vast Spirit Residence."
"Rest assured, he isn't faring well either. I've forced him to make a temporary retreat from Autumn Glory City!"
Jiang Xingtai elucidated and declared, "Alright, this isn't a place for us to linger. Let's return to the Jiang Clan!"
"Alright!"
Jiang Chen nodded, confirming, "I'll take Ning Xian and Alchemist Qiu with me."
"No problem at all!"
Jiang Xingtai grinned, "Our Jiang Clan is already at odds with that group of individuals!"
"Haha, I still apologize for that."
Jiang Chen chuckled as well and instructed Ning Xian, "Quickly search their storage artifacts for any valuable information or clues."
He mentioned finding information.
In reality, he sought loot.
Jiang Chen wouldn't leave these spoils of war for Lin Feng to claim!
Upon hearing Jiang Chen's command, Ning Xian promptly complied and gathered the storage artifacts from the five Spiritual Awakening realm corpses.
Subsequently.
Jiang Xingtai guided Jiang Chen.
While Ning Xian supported Qiu Liaoxi.
The team of four departed from the Vast Spirit Residence, heading towards the Jiang Clan.
Midway there.
A large contingent of 'belated' Jiang Clan cultivators flocked towards them.
They escorted Jiang Chen and Ning Xian into an opulent carriage.
As for Qiu Liaoxi, she boarded a separate carriage and was tended to by Alchemist Xie, whom she had met earlier.
Not far behind.
Lin Feng had been trailing them the whole time, a frosty expression in his eyes.
All he could contemplate in his heart was proving himself...
Simultaneously!
At the Zhou Clan estate.