"Stop!"

A commanding voice suddenly rang out across the marketplace.

The voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority that made many cultivators instinctively lower their heads.

The bustling crowd immediately parted to create a path.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

A middle-aged man slowly walked forward.

He wore luxurious robes embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered under the sunlight.

Every movement he made exuded dignity and status.

Behind him followed dozens of attendants, guards, and cultivators.

Each of them carried an arrogant expression, as though they stood above everyone else in the city.

The surrounding crowd immediately recognized the newcomer.

"He’s here!"

"It’s actually him!"

"No wonder he came personally after such a huge incident."

Whispers spread throughout the marketplace.

Even some experts who had previously remained calm revealed respectful expressions.

At first glance, it was obvious that this newcomer was a major figure within Fragrant Mist City.

Whether it was his bearing, his entourage, or the fear and respect shown by the crowd, everything pointed to one conclusion.

This was a man accustomed to holding power.

Yet despite his imposing arrival, Lin Feng merely glanced at him before looking away.

To everyone else’s surprise, he showed not the slightest interest.

It was as though the arrival of this influential figure was no different from the arrival of any ordinary passerby.

"That’s Pill Master Gao Shan!"

"The number one pill master of Fragrant Mist City!"

"This is going to be huge!"

The crowd erupted into whispers as soon as the newcomer’s identity was revealed.

Pill Master Gao Shan was not merely a renowned alchemist.

He possessed tremendous influence throughout the city and had countless cultivators indebted to him.

Many powerful experts would gladly fight on his behalf for a single favor.

In Fragrant Mist City, few dared to offend him.

However, the moment Lin Feng saw the man, he could not help but shake his head slightly.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"So the king finally appears after the pawn has fallen."

Lin Feng immediately understood the situation.

The pill vendor he had exposed was merely a disposable piece.

The real beneficiary behind the operation had finally arrived.

After all, a mere merchant would never possess the confidence to sell such dangerous pills on such a large scale without the protection of someone powerful.

"It seems removing one weed has disturbed the entire root system."

Lin Feng silently mused to himself.

Even so, he could not be bothered to deal with the matter any further.

He had already punished the guilty party.

This was the final chance he intended to give Pill Master Gao Shan.

Without another glance, Lin Feng turned around and continued walking away with his women.

Seeing himself ignored, Gao Shan’s expression instantly darkened.

His authority had always been unquestioned within Fragrant Mist City.

Countless people trembled when they heard his name.

Yet this mysterious young man had treated him as though he did not exist.

"Are you deaf and blind?" Gao Shan shouted furiously.

"I told you to stop!"

Boom!

A terrifying spiritual pressure erupted from his body.

The air itself seemed to become heavier.

Many nearby cultivators immediately felt their breathing become difficult.

Several weaker individuals stumbled backward, their faces turning pale.

The sheer force of Gao Shan’s cultivation was enough to make ordinary cultivators kneel.

It was obvious that he intended to teach Lin Feng a painful lesson.

The invisible pressure surged forward like a tidal wave and rushed toward Lin Feng’s back.

The crowd watched with widened eyes.

Some even anticipated seeing the young man forced to his knees.

But something bizarre happened.

The overwhelming spiritual pressure arrived before Lin Feng... And vanished.

Just vanished. Like a puff of smoke scattered by the wind.

The pressure simply ceased to exist.

It was as though an invisible force had erased it from reality.

Lin Feng’s footsteps never paused.

His robes did not flutter.

Not even a strand of his hair moved.

He continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.

Then three breaths later, Lin Feng finally stopped walking.

He slowly turned around and looked directly at Pill Master Gao Shan.

For the first time since the man had arrived, a serious expression appeared on his face.

There was no anger. No fear. Only disappointment.

"I tried to give someone one final chance to survive, yet they were too blind to recognize it."

Lin Feng sighed inwardly.

Some people simply refused to appreciate mercy when it was offered to them.

His gaze settled firmly on Gao Shan.

The marketplace became silent.

Everyone could sense that the atmosphere had changed.

"Tell me something," Lin Feng said calmly. "I don’t know you, so why should I stop simply because you told me to?"

His voice was neither loud nor aggressive, yet every word echoed clearly throughout the marketplace.

Gao Shan’s face immediately darkened.

No one had spoken to him in such a manner for many years.

Before he could respond, however, Lin Feng suddenly sniffed the air.

Once.

Then a second time.

A curious expression appeared on his face.

"Oh?"

The action confused everyone present.

"What is he doing?"

"Why is he sniffing the air?"

The crowd exchanged puzzled looks.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

An amused smile slowly spread across his handsome face.

"Now that’s interesting."

His gaze sharpened as he looked directly at Gao Shan.

"Very interesting."

The smile on his face gradually faded.

"And do you know what I find even more interesting?"

Lin Feng raised a finger and pointed directly at the famous pill master.

The crowd instantly held their breath.

"You and that evil pill merchant from earlier carry the exact same scent."

The words struck the crowd like a bolt of lightning.

Gao Shan’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Lin Feng continued as though he had not noticed.

"The scent of the same herbs. The same pills. The same medicinal residue."

He took another slow breath.

"I can smell it quite clearly."

The surrounding cultivators immediately began whispering among themselves.

"What does he mean?"

"The same scent?"

"Could they really be connected?"