C51 Source Flower

In Renzhong City, the Family Trials were a fierce competition among over a hundred families vying for supremacy. Yet, in reality, only a select few elites from three major families ever rose to prominence.

For the prodigies of these families, securing more than ten tokens was considered a commendable feat. Most geniuses did well just to keep their tokens from being taken, but many didn't have any tokens at all, and some were even slain.

While tracking a particular trail, Han Feng quickly came across a number of competitors. But after a day's struggle, over half had been stripped of their tokens. Out of the more than ten people Han Feng met, only one had three tokens; the rest were empty-handed.

Han Feng frowned in frustration. "My luck today is downright awful. If things keep up like this, I might not gather a hundred tokens by day's end."

"Tomorrow is the final day, and the fight for dominance will only intensify. I could score several tokens, maybe even close to ten, from just one person. But that doesn't ensure I'll safely secure first place. Today's going to be tough."

Navigating the mountainous terrain, Han Feng's gaze sharpened suddenly. He had found a mark, well-hidden at the base of a massive tree.

"Isn't this Han Lin's mark?" he mused. "He even showed it off to me once. Isn't he worried about giving away his position? Though the mark is well-concealed, I doubt anyone but me would notice... Wait, except for me?"

A realization struck him, and Han Feng rose to his feet, his expression grave. He began scouring the area for more marks.

Before long, his face set in a grim line. "Just as I suspected, these marks indicate Han Lin's in trouble and needs my help. In the Jade Peak Mountain Range, aside from Devil Beasts, only the Chang family could inflict such harm on Han Lin. I must find him quickly."

Following the trail of marks, Han Feng hastened his pursuit. Along the way, his expression turned icy as he encountered several bloodstains.

Instinctively, he linked the blood to Han Lin. "If all this blood belongs to Han Lin, his injuries must be severe. I need to find him without delay."

Upon realizing that Han Lin was wounded, Han Feng deliberately gathered herbs known for their blood-stopping and healing properties.

Roughly an hour later, Han Feng located Han Lin in a cave concealed by thick grass. Han Lin lay there with his abdomen drenched in blood, his complexion ghostly pale, unconscious. Without hesitation, Han Feng applied the herbs to the wounds.

Vigilantly, Han Feng stayed by Han Lin's side, awaiting his awakening. He needed to find out who was responsible for Han Lin's injuries and if Chang Wenhua was indeed the perpetrator. This vigil extended beyond three hours.

Gradually, Han Lin stirred to consciousness. He could barely make out a figure beside him, yet he detected no threatening aura and relaxed. "Han Feng?"

As Han Lin came to, Han Feng, who had just finished his meditation, rushed to assist him. With clearer senses, Han Lin managed a feeble smile upon recognizing Han Feng. "Thank goodness, you've come."

With a grave tone, Han Feng asked, "Han Lin, what happened? Was it Chang Wenhua?"

To his surprise, Han Lin shook his head. "No, it wasn't him." Anger flickered across his face as he continued, "It was Hong Xingbao and others from the Hong family, including the top talents from the Lee and Yu families under their command!"

Han Feng was taken aback. "Them?" Confusion laced his words. "But we've just allied with the Hong family to stand against the Chang family in the upcoming Family Trials. How could this happen..."

With a bitter smile, Han Lin explained, "The Chang family's threat loomed too large; that's why we banded together. I was too complacent."

"Yes, we formed an alliance, but when certain benefits are at stake, greed can lead to betrayal."

"After all, if I were dead, no one would know what Hong Xingbao and his cohorts did. The Han family would still naively maintain the alliance with the Hong family."

Han Feng's brow furrowed. "Benefits? Did you stumble upon something extraordinary?"

Han Lin nodded. "Indeed. Near the heart of the Jade Peak Mountain Range, Hong Xingbao and I found the Source Flower."

"Source Flower!" Han Feng's eyes rounded in astonishment.

The Source Flower blooms with just nine petals, each one not only capable of unlocking the Main Bloodline but also accelerating the condensation of Internal Strength into Attribute Genuine Qi.

These nine petals are potent enough to enable someone in the Late Mortal Rank to gather over half their Attribute Genuine Qi in a remarkably short time.

Han Feng's eyes sparkled with excitement. The petals of the Source Flower could significantly reduce the time and effort needed at this stage of his cultivation.

However, his excitement quickly turned to concern.

Han Lin had found the Source Flower alongside Hong Xingbao. If Han Lin was injured, did that mean Hong Xingbao had claimed the Source Flower?

In the expansive Jade Peak Mountain Range, finding a deliberately concealed Hong Xingbao would be an extraordinary challenge.

Reading Han Feng's mind, Han Lin chuckled, "Relax. A Devil Beast guards the Source Flower, lurking in a pond nearby. If not for its sudden assault, I might not have made it out alive."

"Hong Xingbao has reached the peak by opening six Main Bloodlines."

Han Feng raised an eyebrow in surprise. "The peak with six Main Bloodlines? I thought his talent was inferior to yours."

Frustration edged Han Lin's voice. "Clearly, the Hong family has funneled the bulk of their resources into Hong Xingbao. How else could his cultivation foundation have outstripped mine?"

"Apart from Hong Xingbao, there are hardly any in the Hong family who have opened even three Main Bloodlines."

"If it weren't for that Devil Beast's interference, escaping wouldn't have been so easy for me."

With that, Han Lin pushed himself to his feet. "That Devil Beast is formidable, but it's not quite a Level-four. It's more of a high-end Level-three. Hong Xingbao won't be able to handle it quickly, but given time, it's hard to predict. Let's head there now."

Han Feng looked at Han Lin with concern. "Are you sure you're up to this? With your injuries, you might struggle against even a Middle Mortal Rank from the Main Bloodline."

Han Lin clenched his jaw and said, "This is nothing. If Hong Xingbao gets his hands on the Source Flower, I'll be the one truly spitting blood in frustration."

Han Feng had no choice but to follow Han Lin's lead. Both were determined to prevent the Source Flower from ending up with Hong Xingbao of the Hong family.

Near the heart of the Jade Peak Mountain Range, a group of about a dozen, led by Hong Xingbao, gazed at the Source Flower near the pond with covetous eyes.