Chapter 1666: Chapter 897: The Real Person_2
But how could her inner thoughts not be expressed without embellishment? After all, Su Liqian was still a cultured and reserved young lady. So even though her heart was racing, her exterior remained calm as always, save for a blush on her pink cheeks, making her look like a girl in spring. However, to Lin Feng, who rarely interacted with women, her shyness was just a familiar expression.
Su Liqian gathered her inner turmoil and said to Lin Feng, "Mr. Lin, since you’re here, why not come in and have a seat?"
Lin Feng, not thinking too much, gladly accepted Su Liqian’s invitation. He intended to come in and console her and tell her the Clan Leader agreed for her to accompany him in the investigation, hoping this would cheer her up.
Lin Feng felt that women were sometimes like children, needing coaxing. But he didn’t know that the only person who could truly cheer Su Liqian up was him.
"The Clan Leader has agreed to let you take charge of investigating the Fire Stone."
Lin Feng said to Su Liqian at the table, looking relaxed.
"Really?" Su Liqian quickly asked upon hearing Lin Feng’s words.
Lin Feng paused, lips slightly parted, but after a moment of thought, he continued, "There’s only one condition: I accompany you."
Upon hearing Lin Feng’s words, Su Liqian immediately stopped crying.
"Did the Clan Leader really let me go with you?
Su Liqian smiled, her face lighting up with joy, her dimples looking especially charming.
Clearing her throat, she asked Lin Feng with a clear and gentle voice, "When do we set off?"
Lin Feng chuckled, appearing very laid-back.
"Let’s set off now; there’s a lot of clues we need to gather."
Hearing Lin Feng’s answer, Su Liqian pursed her lips and responded with a "Yes!" before hastily heading outside with him.
Lin Feng led Su Liqian to the camp gates as per the Clan Leader’s instructions. Since it was the Clan Leader’s arrangement, all the warriors in the camp were to assist them without reservation.
Luo Tuo and a guard were waiting with two Spiritual Horses for Su Liqian. As they reached outside the camp, she asked Lin Feng,
"Why are we heading to the main entrance of the camp; isn’t the back entrance closer?"
Only after coming out did they realize the Clan Leader had other plans.
Luo Tuo, upon seeing Su Liqian and Lin Feng, quickly approached Su Liqian with enthusiasm and greeted her.
Su Liqian responded, "Hello, Brother Luo Tuo."
Then she glanced toward Lin Feng, and Luo Tuo’s face briefly showed an awkward expression before quickly returning to normal.
With a firm and calm demeanor, Luo Tuo looked at Lin Feng and said boldly, "The Clan Leader ordered us to assist you and ensure the young lady’s safety."
Su Liqian pouted, unable to defy this big brother, knowing that this was all the Clan Leader’s arrangement, and it wasn’t Luo Tuo’s fault. But this time the Clan Leader chose the right person; Luo Tuo, being the only warrior close to Su Liqian, was indeed the right choice.
This way, Su Liqian wouldn’t hinder Lin Feng’s investigation, allowing him to focus entirely on it without worrying about her safety. However, the Clan Leader hadn’t instructed Luo Tuo to speak so bluntly. It was just Luo Tuo’s spontaneous decision earlier.
Maybe he just couldn’t stand someone else competing for his sister.
Lin Feng showed respect to Luo Tuo and the guards by clasping his fists in salute. Luo Tuo returned the gesture, then instructed a guard to stay close to Su Liqian while he and Lin Feng took the lead.
Outside the camp was a dense forest, lush and vibrant, pleasing to the eye.
In the absence of war, this place was definitely a mortal paradise.
However, due to a powerful Fire Stone carrying the "Natural Heaven Stone Fire" unexpectedly blasting into the forest yesterday, a camp was completely obliterated.
Fortunately, it was only a storage space for grain, burning through a year’s supply but resulting in no major casualties. Yet, this meant the Giant Wood Clan would face famine within a month without food.
Although they could try importing some supplies from outside, the only path out was riddled with war. If discovered by raiders, not only would the supplies be lost, but people might also be captured.
Lin Feng and his team were heading to investigate the affected camp.
As their Spiritual Horses galloped swiftly, birds erupted in flight. The spiritual power in the green trees was most abundant and pure; if the Fire Stone had landed there, the entire forest might have quickly gone up in flames.
During this, Lin Feng questioned Luo Tuo.
Luo Tuo, riding his horse and staring straight ahead, replied, "With the tree god’s protection, the fire won’t spread. If the tree god is satisfied, it will directly conjure a shield to protect the forest. Even if we encounter a strong enemy, we can preserve ourselves. But..."
At this "but," Lin Feng saw Luo Tuo clench his teeth, then urged his horse faster with a shout, "Yah!" Yet, Lin Feng’s horse, though similar, lagged behind. At that moment, Su Liqian and the guard on their Spiritual Horses caught up and said to Lin Feng, "Are you not going any faster?"
Lin Feng could only look on speechlessly. He let his Spiritual Horse follow the guard’s lead, as these intelligent creatures were as wise and obedient as a thoughtful person. After leaping up, Su Liqian’s horse followed the guard’s lead, slowing down.
Su Liqian’s graceful movement technique allowed her to leap fluidly onto Lin Feng’s horse, as elegant as a fairy.
"Nonsense, you’re blocking my view."
"The Spiritual Horse can steer itself; move your hand so I can sit."
With that, Su Liqian settled into Lin Feng’s embrace and began navigating the horse.
Lin Feng hastily told Su Liqian, appearing quite flustered, fearing the horse might veer wildly into the dense forest.
But Su Liqian, with a radiant fairy-like smile, whispered charmingly. However, Lin Feng had no mind to listen as she said in the commotion, "Should we go faster?"
Instantly, the Spiritual Horse sped up, quickly catching up to the fast-running pair.
"This is the natural power granted by the Giant Wood Clan’s tree god, enhancing the speed of the Spiritual Horse. It allows the horse to run much faster than before."
Luo Tuo, watching Su Liqian and Lin Feng on one horse zoom by, stood agape, foolishly witnessing them overtake him. As the first disciple of Phoenix Cliff Sect and adept in high-level Healing Techniques, this cultivation required spellcasters’ spiritual power purity and sensitivity to natural communication, a perfect match for utilizing natural power. The more sensitive one’s connection to nature, the greater the horse’s enhancement.
In this respect, Luo Tuo couldn’t match Su Liqian, resulting in his horse falling behind. The natural power augmentations don’t tire the Spiritual Horse nor have any adverse effects or rely on its energy for speed, sparing them exhaustion. This intricacy remains a mystery, hard to explain briefly.
Seeing the two of them on one horse, Luo Tuo felt immense regret, silently swallowing his sorrow.
Luo Tuo initially wanted to use "natural power" to outpace Lin Feng slightly for some face in front of Su Liqian.
