Chapter 19: A Life-and-Death Duel!

“To think you could actually block three of my strikes in a row. Interesting!”

Xiao Qingfeng was slightly taken aback. His eyes locked onto Ling Feng as he curled his lip. “However, that is all. I advise you to hand over the manual for the 'Ninefold Sea-Suppressing Fist.' Otherwise, with only this meager strength of yours, you will surely suffer, or perhaps even lose your life!”

When he spoke the words "lose your life," Xiao Qingfeng's gaze turned visibly cold. Even the surrounding disciples felt a sudden chill and couldn't help but shudder.

“Oh?” Ling Feng let out a bright laugh. “What a coincidence. I, Ling Feng, have always preferred softness over hardness. If you want the manual, fine—come and take it with your strength!”

“Hiss!”

As soon as these words were uttered, the surrounding disciples all gasped in horror.

Had this guy's brain been kicked by a donkey?

Xiao Qingfeng's strength was at the eighth level of Qi Condensation!

Did he honestly think that because he had blocked a few moves just now, he could be compared to such a genius?

It was sheer stupidity!

Xiao Qingfeng was almost laughed out of anger. “Kid, I only used thirty percent of my strength just now! Fine, very well!”

Xiao Qingfeng stared coldly at Ling Feng. “Since you are seeking your own death, then do not blame me for being ruthless!”

“Bring it on!” Ling Feng’s expression remained unchanged. Although Xiao Qingfeng held the advantage in true qi, Ling Feng possessed the Heavenly Eye to see through weaknesses. Even if he wasn't a match, he wouldn't be so helpless that he couldn't find an opening to escape.

Just then, a disciple rushed up and whispered something into Xiao Qingfeng's ear. Xiao Qingfeng immediately let out a cold snort and glared at Ling Feng. “Kid, consider yourself lucky to have escaped a disaster this time! However, in ten days, do you have the courage to face me on the Life-and-Death Stage?”

Once on the Life-and-Death Stage, life and death are irrelevant; one must accept their fate!

Ling Feng naturally understood the implications of the Life-and-Death Stage, yet he showed no fear. He replied coldly, “If you aren't afraid of death, I am happy to oblige!”

“Good! Very good!”

Xiao Qingfeng glared at Ling Feng. “Then I shall let you live for ten more days! In ten days, you will understand exactly what kind of terrifying opponent you have provoked!”

With that, Xiao Qingfeng left with the disciple. The Peak Master had summoned him, and he had no choice but to go.

After seeing Xiao Qingfeng depart, Ling Feng acted as if nothing had happened, merely shrugging his shoulders before walking away.

To him, Xiao Qingfeng might be a formidable opponent for now, but in ten days, that might not be the case.

...

Soon, the news of the duel between Xiao Qingfeng and Ling Feng spread throughout the entire Immortal Seeking Sect.

Ling Feng's reputation was unparalleled for a moment.

First, he had managed to stay at a place like Bamboo Peak, and then he had high-profilely taught Shi Tailong a harsh lesson, blinding him in one eye.

Furthermore, he had produced the Sect Leader's Token, causing even the Pavilion Guard Elder to choose to yield and restrain himself.

Now, before the previous news had even cooled down, word had spread that he had entered a ten-day life-and-death duel with a genius like Xiao Qingfeng!

If it weren't for the fact that Ling Feng had joined Bamboo Peak, he might have become a legendary figure praised by the inner disciples.

Unfortunately, he happened to be the disciple of Duanmu Qingshan, the man who had slain the previous Sect Leader.

Ling Feng did not know how "famous" he had become, nor did he care.

At this moment, he had already returned to the bamboo house on Bamboo Peak. Seeing Duanmu Qingshan drinking wine in the courtyard, he immediately stepped forward to pay his respects. “Thank you, Master!”

Back in the Library Pavilion, if Duanmu Qingshan hadn't transmitted a sword qi through the Sect Leader's Jade Token, he likely would have been crippled by the Pavilion Guard Elder.

“I told you I could protect you. Do you have any doubts now?” Duanmu Qingshan tilted his head back and took several large gulps of wine before grinning.

“Hehe, this disciple had no doubts to begin with.” Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a bit hollow inside as he spoke.

“You brat, hahaha...” Duanmu Qingshan laughed loudly, then added, “Although I can transmit sword qi through the token to protect you, you should still try to stay near me. Otherwise, there is no telling what insidious methods they might use against you.”

“I understand.” Ling Feng nodded and added, “By the way, Master, I selected many medicinal ingredients from the Pill Pavilion and thought of a prescription. It should be able to accelerate the clearing of the sword qi within your body.”

“Good child, you've gone to a lot of trouble for me again.” Duanmu Qingshan patted Ling Feng's head and smiled faintly, but then he seemed to remember something sorrowful and sighed despondently.

Ling Feng knew that Duanmu Qingshan must be thinking of his wife and daughter. Not knowing how to comfort him, he could only stay in the courtyard and drink wine with him.

...

Early morning, at a precipice on the back mountain of Bamboo Peak.

Endless seas of clouds rose up, and a gentle breeze blew as Ling Feng stood facing the wind with his sword.

By now, he had changed his longsword. During his last encounter with Xiao Qingfeng, his steel sword had been chipped in three places. It wasn't that his swordsmanship was inferior, but rather that the quality of a steel sword was far below the Mystic Tool in Xiao Qingfeng's hands.

Duanmu Qingshan was not stingy with his prized disciple. Seeing that Ling Feng's sword was damaged, he had directly given him a low-grade Mystic Tool named the "Moon-Slaying Sword."

After practicing the Star-Shattering Sword Technique a few times, Ling Feng took out the three secret manuals from his robes.

In the Library Pavilion, he had taken one movement technique manual, the "Swift Light Steps." Although he had previously used the Heavenly Eye to copy the "Cloud-Chasing Steps," that technique was a common one that any disciple, even an outer disciple, could practice. The Swift Light Steps were much more sophisticated.

The second was a body-tempering technique, the "Monolith Body." Duanmu Qingshan had said that the "Immortal Seeking Qi Condensation Manual" was sufficient for him, so instead of choosing from the various Qi Condensation techniques, he had chosen a body-tempering one.

After using the Human Eye last night and exhausting the thirty-second duration, he had already begun practicing the techniques within the "Monolith Body." Body tempering was different from ordinary martial arts; there were no shortcuts. First was physical training, and second was the cleansing of the marrow through medicinal baths.

The "Monolith Body" was not considered a particularly profound technique, so the required medicinal ingredients were not rare; they were all available in Duanmu Qingshan's medicinal garden. Once the time was invested, the Monolith Body could be mastered.

The third was the "Ninefold Sea-Suppressing Fist," though he had already exchanged the second half of the incomplete manual with Xiao Qingfeng.

Ling Feng pondered for a moment. He was in no rush to practice the "Ninefold Sea-Suppressing Fist" and instead opened the manual for the "Swift Light Steps."

Perhaps due to his former life as a physician, Ling Feng did not like direct confrontations. If he could use movement techniques to evade an opponent's attacks—where only he could strike while the opponent could not touch him—wouldn't that be interesting?

“First Divine Rune of Heaven, Condense!”

His right eye felt a slight heat as the divine rune condensed. Ling Feng felt as if the diagrams in the manual were coming to life.

Although this "movement" was far inferior to watching a real person demonstrate it, while the Heavenly Eye was active, Ling Feng felt his senses sharpen and his thoughts fly. All the information in his mind became incredibly clear.

As the diagrams entered his mind, he began to simulate the practice process within his consciousness.

After repeating this several times, Ling Feng finally began to practice the movement of the Cloud-Chasing Steps.

The first pass went smoothly. Although his execution lacked refinement, it would not be difficult to master with continued practice.

This was the heaven-defying nature of the Heavenly Eye. For an ordinary disciple, reaching the entry level of the Cloud-Chasing Steps in a month was considered rare, yet Ling Feng had reached it after only a few glances at the manual.