Chapter 21: Wen Tingguang!

Chapter 21: Wen Tingguang!

Just as the Moon Spirit Flower was within reach, a gust of powerful wind shot from behind.

Ling Feng hurriedly dodged to the side, only to realize that the force of the blast was not directed at him, but had instead transformed into a suction force, actually pulling the Moon Spirit Flower away.

"Who is it!"

Ling Feng's eyelids twitched in alarm. Panicked, he turned around to see an old man wearing a cyan robe and sporting a small goatee, floating silently behind him.

Judging by his attire, he did not appear to be a member of the Wenxian Sect.

"May I ask who you are, Senior, and why you are snatching my Moon Spirit Flower?" Ling Feng asked, frowning and gritting his teeth.

"What do you mean 'your' Moon Spirit Flower? Natural treasures belong to the first person who finds them," the cyan-robed old man smiled with narrowed eyes. "I, an old man, simply didn't want to be accused of bullying the young, so I intended to offer you some compensation in spirit coins or something similar."

The old man pulled a bulging pouch directly from a Spirit-Storing Ring in his hand and tossed it casually to Ling Feng. "Kid, take it. The spirit coins inside are enough to buy two Moon Spirit Flowers. This flower has some use for this old man, so I cannot give it to you!"

With that, the old man flicked his wide sleeves and turned to leave.

"Wait, Senior!"

Ling Feng hurriedly called out to him. While the spirit coins were good, Duanmu Qingshan's condition could not be delayed.

His internal injuries had already eroded into his vital organs; every month of delay brought an extra month of risk, potentially jeopardizing his entire treatment plan.

Never mind that Duanmu Qingshan was his master; even if it were just any random patient, Ling Feng could not stand by and watch a medicinal herb capable of saving a life slip away right before his eyes.

"What, do you think it's not enough?"

The old man's temperament was surprisingly good; he didn't get angry, but merely said indifferently, "I said this Moon Spirit Flower has other uses for me. Although it does look a bit like bullying the young, I have already compensated you. What more do you want? Do you truly think this old man has no temper?"

"No, that is certainly not my intention," Ling Feng shook his head quickly. "It's just, Senior, if this Moon Spirit Flower is related to the life of one of my kin, do you think I should abandon that person's life for a bag of spirit coins?"

"Well..." The old man stroked a strand of his beard. "Logically speaking, you shouldn't."

"Then you see. Since Senior understands my predicament, you shouldn't force me to become someone unfilial and disloyal," Ling Feng returned the bag of spirit coins in its entirety and said solemnly, "Senior, I only need the Moon Spirit Flower. Even if you placed mountains of gold and seas of silver before me, my answer would remain the same."

"You kid actually have a bit of filial piety," the old man nodded. To Ling Feng's surprise, he actually handed the Moon Spirit Flower back. He curled his lip and said, "Fine, whatever. The effect of the Moon Spirit Flower is only marginally better than nothing anyway. Since I find you somewhat likable, I'll return it to you."

"Thank you, Senior!" Ling Feng bowed deeply to the old man, filled with gratitude.

"Forget it," the old man muttered under his breath, "A wasted trip. How unlucky!"

With that, he turned to leave.

"Senior, wait!" Ling Feng called out once more.

"Good grief, kid, are you ever going to finish!" The old man rolled his eyes, sounding impatient.

Ling Feng waved his hand and said through gritted teeth, "I have no other intentions. Since Senior was willing to return the Moon Spirit Flower, I should reciprocate and repay you in some way. You mentioned earlier that you also need the flower. As far as I know, the Moon Spirit Flower is typically used as an atomizing agent for alchemy or to suppress internal toxins. I know of several other spiritual herbs that can substitute for it. With your wealth, Senior should be able to purchase them from a merchant guild."

"Oh?" The old man's eyelids twitched slightly, and he looked at Ling Feng with newfound respect. "You are also proficient in medical theory?"

"I know a little," Ling Feng replied with a humble smile.

"No, no, no..." The old man's gaze locked onto Ling Feng. He stroked his chin and began to chuckle. "Good heavens! I truly didn't expect it! To think such a 'hidden expert' was lurking within this tiny Wenxian Sect!"

Ling Feng's forehead went dark, and his mouth twitched slightly. "Senior overpraises me!"

"This old man never overpraises!" The old man patted Ling Feng on the shoulder and grinned. "Even the Daoist physicians around... ahem, around my master, don't know of any spiritual herbs that can replace the Moon Spirit Flower's efficacy, yet you actually know several! Your medical skills are definitely extraordinary."

Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So, does Senior need my help with something?"

"There is indeed one matter I could ask you to try," the cyan-robed old man said with narrowed eyes. "I am Wen Tingguang. Kid, what is your name?"

"Junior is Ling Feng!"

"Ling Feng, is it?" Wen Tingguang stroked his long beard and said slowly, "Kid, I have matters to attend to right now, but I will return in two months. When that time comes, I hope you can accompany me on a trip to treat a certain important figure."

"An important figure?" Ling Feng's eyelid twitched. He thought to himself that in two months, Duanmu Qingshan's injuries should be mostly treated, so accompanying this old man shouldn't be a problem.

"Fine, I accept!" Ling Feng nodded.

"Good. You certainly have guts. You didn't even ask where I'm taking you before agreeing. If it were a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, would you still go with me?" Wen Tingguang squinted and smiled faintly.

"Since I have already agreed, even if it is a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, or a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, I will not even blink!" Ling Feng said with a solemn expression.

"Good, very good!"

Wen Tingguang laughed loudly. "I'm off then, little fellow. Take care of yourself!"

With that, Wen Tingguang's figure flashed. Like a great roc spreading its wings, his body soared into the air. After a few leaps, he ascended into the clouds and vanished from Ling Feng's sight.

"Phew..."

Only after Wen Tingguang's figure had completely disappeared into the distant horizon did Ling Feng let out a long breath. Fortunately, this Wen Tingguang was not a wicked or murderous person; otherwise, with his strength, killing Ling Feng would have been as easy as turning over a hand.

"The experts of this world are truly as numerous as the hairs on an ox. This tiny Wenxian Sect has a perspective that is far too narrow."

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes, gripped the Moon Spirit Flower in his hand, and without further delay, sped off toward Bamboo Peak.