Chapter 26: The Vast Wilderness and Mountains!
When Ling Feng returned to the bamboo tower, Duanmu Qingshan was meditating to restore his energy. After taking the Moon Spirit Flower, the sword qi within his body had become more and more stable in the past few days.
Ling Feng estimated that within a span of just two months, his concealed injuries were destined to undergo a thorough and complete recovery.
Squeak!
Ling Feng pushed open the bamboo door and bowed respectfully to Duanmu Qingshan, "Master."
"You're back?" Duanmu Qingshan opened his eyes, immediately lifting the wine flask and taking a hearty sip. Then, he smiled and asked, "How did it go? Did you defeat Xiao Qingfeng?"
"With the Starshatter Sword Technique that Master entrusted to me, defeating Xiao Qingfeng was a piece of cake," Ling Feng said as he sat down on the chair next to Duanmu Qingshan. His voice turned serious, "However, Lin Canglang has sought me out."
"Lin Canglang!" Duanmu Qingshan's eyes flashed with a hint of resentment. "What does he want from you?"
"He tried to bribe me, urging me to betray you and steal your sword techniques," Ling Feng revealed without hiding anything. He even took out the Qi-boosting pills and placed them on the table.
"Hahaha, didn't your heart waver, young man?" Duanmu Qingshan looked at Ling Feng with amusement.
"I've said it before, a day as a master, a lifetime as a father," Ling Feng shook his head. "However, Lin Canglang didn't truly trust me either. He made me take the Golden Silkworm Gu poison."
"Oh, it seems that Lin Canglang is destined to fall at your hands. How could he know that your medical skills surpass mine, Duanmu, the Godlike Physician, by a hundredfold!" Duanmu Qingshan laughed heartily. While he might not be able to neutralize the Golden Silkworm Gu Poison himself, for an heir of the medical saint, it was hardly a challenge.
Only those who had truly witnessed the Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion could understand the power of this acupuncture technique. It could be described as nothing short of bringing the dead back to life.
"Master, you're too kind," Ling Feng touched his nose and said lightly, "I used delaying tactics to temporarily handle Lin Canglang, but this is not a long-term solution."
Ling Feng's expression became serious. "I am confident that I can completely eliminate the sword qi in Master's body within two months. At that time, when you are restored to your peak state, will you be able to break out of here?"
Duanmu Qingshan smiled faintly, "Over the years, my strength has stagnated, and as a result, I've been trapped here unable to leave. If my injuries are fully healed and my strength advances further, breaking out and leaving won't be difficult at all."
As he spoke these words, Duanmu Qingshan's eyes flashed with unparalleled confidence.
This silent powerhouse, dormant for a decade, would eventually emerge like a hidden dragon from the abyss!
...
Jiuxian Mountain was located in the Xianzong Mountain ranges which covered an area of several thousand miles, all filled with dense forests and towering mountains.
In this scenic region, where spiritual energy abounded and the landscape was picturesque, various martial arts sects thrived alongside the Wenxian Sect. Among them, the Wenxian Sect stood out as one of the most prominent, enabling it to claim coveted locations like Jiuxian Mountain.
Amidst the mountains and forests, a figure in gray swiftly moved with agile and graceful steps, effortlessly weaving through the dense woods. Unhindered by the terrain, it was evident that the person had exceptional skills in body movement.
It was Ling Feng.
Feigning allegiance to the sect leader, Ling Feng would have the freedom to move within the Wenxian Sect, even going on mountain expeditions without encountering any obstacles.
On the path of martial arts, one could not improve without actively practicing and gaining real-world experience.
Having gained rare freedom, Ling Feng, upon Duanmu Qingshan's suggestion, ventured to the eastern side of Jiuxian Mountain to cultivate in the vast wilderness mountains.
After half a day, Ling Feng had already used the Ninefold Ocean-Guarding Fist to slay several ferocious beasts, obtaining a considerable amount of materials in the process.
"Fighting fierce beasts here is the best way to sharpen martial skills and enhance strength!"
With those words, Ling Feng's figure trembled, and he pressed forward into the thick woods ahead.
...
Within the dense forest, five or six youths, clad in the distinctive attire of inner disciples from the Wenxian Sect, were gliding swiftly towards the entrance of the vast wilderness mountains.
"Senior Brother Xiao, I found out that Ling Feng, that little bastard, went to the vast wilderness mountains for cultivation!" The lead youth, with red hair, walked at the forefront, guiding the way while speaking over his shoulder.
"Hmph, this little bastard dared to kill my little brother. I don't understand why the sect leader didn't kill him to offer it to Qingfeng," remarked a man in his early twenties, exuding an aura that had reached the pinnacle of the Qi Formation Realm—tenth stage of Qi Formation.
With such prowess, one could be recognized as a Qi Master, entrusted with the position of a city lord in the mundane realms.
For instance, Su Shixiong, the city lord of Kaiyang City whom Ling Feng went berserk and slew that day, was a Qi Master at the tenth stage of Qi Formation
"Inside the sect, I refrained from taking action against you, but since you dared to seek your own death and run out here, don't blame me for being ruthless," he sneered.
A deeply resentful expression flashed in Xiao Qinggang's eyes. Xiao Qingfeng was his younger brother, and he met a tragic end at the hands of Ling Feng. If he didn't kill Ling Feng, how could he console Xiao Qingfeng's spirit in the heavens?
"Senior Brother Xiao, if we sneak out like this to kill Ling Feng, and the sect leader finds out..." one slightly chubby disciple hesitated.
"Don't worry. The sect leader is my relative. If anything happens, I'll take care of it. Do you think the sect leader would punish me for the sake of an outsider?"
As Xiao Qinggang spoke, his speed increased even more. "Damn it, that bastard must have taken advantage of Qingfeng's momentary lapse to kill him. The debt of killing my brother must be repaid!"
"You're right, Senior Brother Xiao. With a few of us attacking together, even if Ling Feng has three heads and six arms, he's bound to die." The red-haired youth leading the way chuckled coldly.
Another slender figure with a gloomy gaze spoke in a cold tone, "Indeed, Qingfeng is Senior Brother Xiao's brother, which makes him our brother too. If that kid dared to kill Qingfeng, he would have all of us as enemies!"
"Ling Feng, the vast wilderness and mountains will be your burial ground!"
Xiao Qinggang's countenance hardened, and the howling wind disheveled his robes and ebony hair. Yet, it failed to sway his resolute determination to end Ling Feng's life.