Other than that.

Jiang Feng also clearly sensed that there was an additional mark on the Red Dust Sword—a restriction imprint left by the mage.

At first, he had to carefully investigate this mark, check it over several times before he could sense it.

Now, after his cultivation increased to Fourth-Layer Qi Condensation, even if the Red Dust Sword was not by his side, Jiang Feng could feel something unusual on its blade.

It’s just a pity that with only Fourth-Layer Realm strength, he still couldn’t summon the Red Dust Sword back. At least, with the distance between South City Gate and the Imperial City, Jiang Feng was not able to do so yet.

Moreover, Jiang Feng was keenly aware that the Red Dust Sword had fallen into the hands of the Imperial City Sword Immortal. To summon the sword back from the other’s hands over such a distance was easier said than done.

If the spiritual connection was severed, the backlash and injury would be minor.

But if his location was tracked and he fell into an encirclement, that would be a real problem.

So Jiang Feng dared not attempt it rashly.

He put away the Qinglong Cauldron. Now that his strength had risen, the other side would not be able to lock onto his position through the spiritual aura left on the Red Dust Sword.

Of course, if the chance came, he would still have to take the Red Dust Sword back.

"If you have the guts, come take it tonight."

Young Master Liu sensed the faint vibration from the Red Dust Sword, and although it lasted only a moment, he caught it—that was a sign of summoning.

This made him even more certain that Jiang Feng was in the southern region of Dragon Capital, perhaps somewhere near the Imperial City itself.

However, he did not act recklessly.

He remembered Jiang Feng’s speed.

Back by the city gate, the spiritual power Jiang Feng leaked alerted him. By the time he’d recalled the purple little sword, Jiang Feng had already vanished from his senses.

To catch someone like that, either your speed has to surpass his, or you must break through his magical artifact’s defenses and deal a heavy blow in an instant.

Otherwise, if you rashly charged out and failed to catch him, not only would you lose the chance, but you’d also become a laughingstock to the Royal Family.

"I can’t slack off on body technique advancement—if I do get surrounded, it’s the only way out alive."

Seeing that there was still a plus sign behind Three-legged Body Technique’s Great Success stage, Jiang Feng recalled it had cost two hundred forty thousand Fortune Points to upgrade it last time, so now he spent four hundred eighty thousand Fortune Points to boost it even further.

The attribute panel changed.

Name: Jiang Feng

Fortune: 9117 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Cultivation Technique: Yangchun Technique (Great Success)

Skills: Three-legged Body Technique (Perfection) Flame Saber (Proficient) Wind Control (Proficient)

Realm: Qi Condensation (Fourth-Layer)

Divine Power: Immortality

"Finally, another layer of security. As long as I don’t run into the Three-tailed Wolf King, it shouldn’t be dangerous anymore!"

Jiang Feng let out a long sigh of relief.

With increased strength came formidable confidence.

If he couldn’t win a fight, with his Three-legged Body Technique at Perfection Realm, he could shake off most pursuers. Add the Qinglong Cauldron’s protection, and for the first time, Jiang Feng felt he could confront the Imperial City Sword Immortal head-on.

If he was ever surrounded again by Elder Qingzhu, Fellow Daoist Zhang, and Fellow Daoist Li, Jiang Feng was confident that, if he struck first, he could catch them unprepared and crush all three directly.

It was late at night.

No trace of ordinary folk could be seen on the streets and alleys. Ever since the Rebel Faction had stirred trouble in Dragon Capital, the city’s curfew had only gotten stricter. If a commoner was seen on the street at night, they’d be taken for rebels and executed on the spot.

Once the curfew fell, the streets and alleys were basically deserted.

Jiang Feng left Shuitang Lane, changed his appearance, and headed toward Zhenbei Prison.

He didn’t dare get too close.

At the same time, he concealed his aura, disguising himself as an ordinary Innate Powerhouse, running over to watch the commotion.

He saw many Innate Powerhouse figures atop the attics surrounding Zhenbei Prison. Some were experts from within the Imperial City sent to guard the area, but most were idle loose cultivators who’d sensed something amiss and came to join the fun.

Each and every one of them harbored their own motives. On the surface, they behaved, never daring to break Dragon Capital’s laws, but if an opportunity presented itself, they would all rush in at the first chance to snatch it, even if it meant becoming wanted by the Court.

"Hoo!"

Jiang Feng stamped his feet, borrowing force atop the rooftops, and landed in an attic that was neither too close nor too far from a view of Zhenbei Prison.

There were already three Innate Powerhouses in the attic.

Jiang Feng recognized one of them.

It was Lin Cai, the man he’d encountered at the Cultivation Marketplace entrance.

This fellow had conspired with the Royal Family to lure him into Purple Bamboo Forest.

Jiang Feng still bore a grudge about this.

He’d never treated Lin Cai poorly; when he sent him away, he’d even gifted several Reishi Grass and some Spirit Stones.

Now, seeing the other had come to watch the fun as well, Jiang Feng pretended not to notice him, blending in as an ordinary Innate Powerhouse.

"Gentlemen, may I borrow a spot?"

Jiang Feng nodded toward the three of them.

He took the initiative to stand in a corner of the attic, avoiding the best vantage point.

The three glanced at Jiang Feng but then ignored him. In their eyes, his strength was only at the Innate Elemental Realm, while all three of them were at least Celestial Profound Realm. Though all were Innate, each could easily kill Jiang Feng in an instant. Not tossing him out was already polite enough.

How could they bother saying more to Jiang Feng?

"Big Brother, shouldn’t we go check up front?"

One of them said.

"If you want to go, go without me."

Lin Cai’s face showed annoyance.

He’d disguised himself—turning from a skinny, tall man into a little old fellow, face covered in age spots, clearly well into old age. If Jiang Feng’s strength hadn’t vastly surpassed his, he wouldn’t have recognized him at all.

"If Big Brother isn’t going, neither are we."

The other chuckled to smooth things over.

"The lot of you keep watch up front. If any foreign Immortal Master appears, come let me know immediately."

Lin Cai ordered.

"Uh..."

The two were a bit confused.

"Did you not understand what I said?"