Chapter 18

On the black island, there was not a single sign of life. Everywhere was covered with black stone rocks. The wind, coming from an unknown direction, raged across the island without any direction, like a giant axe, leaving huge wind grooves on the rocks. However, these grooves disappeared in a very short time, as if they had never been harmed.

At some point, the wind on the island ceased, and the entire island became as quiet as a dead zone.

"You can go ashore now. To ensure that Miss can definitely obtain the viscount title, I cannot step onto the island. Miss is entrusted to the five of you. You must protect Miss, slay the wind spirits, and return safely," the silver-armored knight said to Bai Cangdong and the others from the deck.

"Sir Silver-Armored Knight, please rest assured. We will swear to protect Miss Xiangfei with our lives," Luo Ge said, patting his chest excitedly.

"Very good, let's set off," the silver-armored knight said, smiling and patting Luo Ge on the shoulder.

The five of them stepped onto Li Feng Island. Since the wind had stopped, they did not feel anything unusual. On the way, they encountered many rock caves, and almost every cave housed a wind spirit. They easily slew the wind spirits.

"What a joke, these wind spirits are so weak. Are they really baron-level undead? They are so slow, their bodies are pitifully weak, and they have almost no offensive power. They are even weaker than ordinary undead. I don't think that viscount-level undead is anything special; we can easily slay it," Luo Ge said excitedly.

"Since these wind spirits live alone and hide in caves, why don't we head straight to the cave of the viscount-level wind spirit at the center of the island, and ignore the baron-level wind spirits? This way, we can save time and ensure we slay the viscount-level wind spirit before the wind starts again," Chen Xifeng suggested.

"Sir Silver-Armored Knight specifically instructed us to slay all the baron-level wind spirits first. There must be a reason for this. We should follow Sir Silver-Armored Knight's instructions," Li Yan disagreed with Chen Xifeng.

"That's right, Sir Silver-Armored Knight must have his reasons," Luo Ge nodded in agreement.

Li Xiangfei smiled and said, "The viscount-level wind spirit we need to slay has the ability to summon baron-level wind spirits. Therefore, we must slay all the baron-level wind spirits first, otherwise, we will be surrounded by all the wind spirits when we try to slay the viscount-level wind spirit."

"Lord Count has really put a lot of thought into Miss Xiangfei. He found such weak undead and even researched the safest way to slay them. Miss Xiangfei is truly blessed," Chen Xifeng said enviously.

A hint of something unusual flashed in Li Xiangfei's eyes, and she said softly, "Father is very good to me. This time, I have troubled you to accompany me. I don't want to deceive you. The 'Five Departure Fingers' you are cultivating are actually for my 'Harmony Fingers.' You will channel the power of the 'Five Departure Fingers' into my 'Harmony Fingers,' allowing me to deliver the final blow to the viscount-level undead, but you will be completely drained of energy."

The five of them stopped and looked at Li Xiangfei. Except for Bai Cangdong, the others did not know that the 'Five Departure Fingers' were actually for this purpose.

Bai Cangdong also looked at Li Xiangfei in surprise. He did not expect Li Xiangfei to reveal this directly. He believed that Count Daolun must have a plan to make them use the 'Five Departure Fingers' to help Li Xiangfei.

"Miss Xiangfei, I wonder if the 'Five Departure Fingers' have any other side effects besides draining energy?" Li Yan asked cautiously.

"No other side effects, but the energy drain I mentioned is not just a matter of using up all your strength. It is a drain that harms your vital energy. At best, you will need to rest in bed for half a year, and at worst, it could be fatal. Although you have learned the longevity technique that can strengthen your vital energy, it will still take at least ten to fifteen days for your body to recover," Li Xiangfei did not lie and explained all the drawbacks of the 'Five Departure Fingers,' and also told Chen Xifeng and the others about the effects of the longevity technique.

The five of them looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

"Miss Xiangfei's honesty is greatly appreciated. Since we are here, there is no reason to turn back now. We will do our best to help Miss slay the wind spirit and obtain the viscount title," Li Yan said solemnly.

The others also agreed, understanding that the silver-armored knight was on the ship outside the island, and they could not return empty-handed. They had to push forward.

"Thank you for your help. Let's find the viscount-level wind spirit first. If it's not necessary, we won't use the 'Five Departure Fingers.' Perhaps we can hunt it down with our own strength," Li Xiangfei said.

"Miss Xiangfei's consideration is appreciated," Chen Xifeng and the others agreed, but they secretly thought, "If we didn't need to use it, why would Count Daolun go to such lengths to have us cultivate it?"

The group searched the island and slew the wind spirits one by one. It took them about half an hour to slay nearly a hundred baron-level wind spirits.

Strangely, none of these baron-level wind spirits dropped any life balances or equipment.

"The baron-level wind spirits should be almost all slain. Half the time has passed. We must hurry to slay the viscount-level wind spirit now, or it will be too late," Li Yan said, checking the time.

"Alright, let's go to the cave of the viscount-level wind spirit," Chen Xifeng said, looking at the map.

The cave of the viscount-level wind spirit was in the center of Li Feng Island, with an entrance on a rock over ten zhang high, leading deep underground.

The viscount-level wind spirit was not much different from ordinary wind spirits, with a ghostly, white, transparent body, no fixed form, and countless small vortices inside its body. As it moved, it left many wind spirals in its wake.

"Is this the viscount-level wind spirit? It looks no different from ordinary wind spirits," Chen Xifeng said, exaggeratingly widening his eyes.

"That's right, it's the one. Don't be fooled by its appearance. It is far more powerful than ordinary wind spirits. Be extremely careful," Li Yan said.

"Fear what? We came here to beat it," Luo Ge stepped forward, raised his fist, and struck.

The wind spirit moved slowly, even at the viscount level. It could not avoid Luo Ge's punch and was hit directly.

Suddenly, a white light shone from the wind spirit's body. Luo Ge's punch did not break through the light but was instead repelled, sending him flying back.

Luo Ge was drenched in cold sweat, clutching his fist. His gauntlet was broken, and his fingers seemed to be fractured.

"Is this the undying light of the viscount-level undead? It's so strong!" Bai Cangdong stared at the white light emanating from the wind spirit, his expression complex.

Mei Wanjian shouted and thrust his sword at the wind spirit. The baron-level golden armor shattered upon contact with the white light, but the light did not waver.

Bai Cangdong and the others also rushed forward, using their best martial techniques, but none could break through the white light. Instead, they were all injured by the white light.

"The viscount-level undead is truly too powerful. Even such a weak wind spirit, once it reaches the viscount level and gains the undying light, is almost impossible for us barons to defeat," Li Yan's body could not hold up, and he had to retreat.

Bai Cangdong and the others also retreated from the cave. The wind spirit's movement was too slow to catch up with them.

"Fortunately, this wind spirit only uses the undying light for passive defense. If it were another viscount-level undead, we would have died many times already," Chen Xifeng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"There's no time left. The wind will soon start again. We must slay this wind spirit immediately."

"It seems we have no choice but to use that technique," Chen Xifeng sighed.

"Miss Xiangfei, we will use the 'Five Departure Fingers' to help you slay the wind spirit and then leave Li Feng Island and return to the ship," Luo Ge said.

Li Xiangfei said softly, "I will make sure nothing happens to you."

"Having Miss Xiangfei say that, we are reassured," Luo Ge stepped forward first, pointing at Li Xiangfei's palm.

Suddenly, Luo Ge became extremely weak, almost falling to the ground. A red line appeared on Li Xiangfei's palm, extending to the tip of her index finger.

Bai Cangdong and the others also stepped forward, using their 'Five Departure Fingers' on Li Xiangfei's palm. Each of them felt extremely weak, as if they had just recovered from a serious illness, and could barely stand.

Li Yan was the worst off. His body was already weak, and after using the 'Five Departure Fingers,' he immediately fainted. The others quickly checked on him, but he was just unconscious, not dead.

Five red lines appeared on Li Xiangfei's palm, each extending through a finger, with a faint glow.

"Miss Xiangfei, go and slay the wind spirit," Chen Xifeng called out.

Li Xiangfei did not hesitate, rushing into the cave. Bai Cangdong and the others heard a loud explosion from inside the cave and soon saw Li Xiangfei rush out.

"Did Miss Xiangfei succeed?" Luo Ge asked urgently.

Li Xiangfei showed the mark on her forehead, which had changed from a baron mark to a viscount mark.

"Congratulations, Miss Xiangfei, on advancing to the viscount level. But now is not the time to talk. We should leave here quickly. The wind is about to start again," Chen Xifeng said.

"Your bodies are very weak. I will carry Li Yan," Li Xiangfei helped Li Yan up and carried him on her back.

Boom!

Just as they were about to leave, a terrifying explosion sounded from inside the cave, accompanied by a strange noise, like a howling wind or a roar.

[PS: The power went out yesterday afternoon and only came back on now. In the suburbs of a small city, the power supply is unstable in the summer. This is the chapter from last night. I will not skip the two chapters for today.]