Chapter 20: Night of the Full Moon!

Before long, Ling Feng mastered the movement technique of the "Swift Light Step" and only then opened the manual for the Ninefold Sea-Suppressing Fist.

After a short while, Ling Feng finished browsing the contents of the fragmented manual and slowly closed his eyes, clearing his mind of all distractions.

Because the manual was somewhat incomplete, the difficulty of comprehending it was significantly higher than that of the Swift Light Step.

Ling Feng condensed the First Divine Rune of the Heavenly Dao, pushing his comprehension to its absolute limit, and gradually entered a state of meditative absorption.

After a long time, Ling Feng opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within his pupils.

*Whoosh!*

He rose abruptly, his fists dancing as wind rose and dust stirred, executing every move and form of the Ninefold Sea-Suppressing Fist.

The First Form: New Moon Emerging from the Deep Sea!

The Second Form: Crescent Moon Hanging in the Vast Sky!

The Third Form: Great River Accompanying the Rising Tide!

...

The Eighth Form: Vast Ocean Reaching a Thousand Zhang!

As his fists swept through, a howling astral wind swirled around his body, and a fierce killing intent emerged, forming an incredibly thick fist-light. It tore through the hurricane and struck out with an aura that could sweep across a thousand zhang and devastate a thousand miles.

"There is still the ninth killing move, '蛟龙镇沧海' (Flood Dragon Suppressing the Vast Sea), which is difficult to decipher."

Ling Feng retracted his fists and stood still, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air. He had successfully reconstructed the first eight forms; only the final form remained, which would require more contemplation.

However, with nine days remaining, Ling Feng was in no hurry.

"Just practicing the eight forms of the Ninefold Sea-Suppressing Fist consumed almost half of my true qi. It seems this fist technique is indeed not simple."

Ling Feng sat cross-legged once more, dispelling all distractions and circulating the "Immortal Inquiry Qi Refining Art." Once his true qi had recovered, he would continue to hone his fist and movement techniques.

He repeated this cycle until nightfall, when the sea of clouds grew deep and the starlight filled the sky. Only then did he return to the bamboo house, preparing to condense the Human Dao Divine Rune to increase his cultivation.

The moon was at its zenith, a perfect circle hanging high in the sky.

As soon as Ling Feng returned to the bamboo house, he discovered Duanmu Qingshan sitting cross-legged in the courtyard, surrounded by a ring of dark green baleful aura, with green energy fluctuating across his face.

His brows were deeply furrowed, appearing to be in extreme pain.

Ling Feng looked up and realized that tonight was, in fact, the night of the full moon.

During a full moon, the Yin energy between heaven and earth is at its strongest. Duanmu Qingshan had spent years resisting the sword qi within his body, and the resulting hidden injuries had long since accumulated a surge of frigid Yin energy within his organs. When the Yin energy reached its peak, the cold energy would naturally erupt.

"Damn it, I was too absorbed in my cultivation and actually forgot," Ling Feng muttered. He quickly blurred into motion, appearing beside Duanmu Qingshan. His hands moved like flying as he pulled a row of golden needles from his robes, swiftly embedding twelve of them into Duanmu Qingshan's back to barely suppress the surging cold energy.

"Master, how are you?" Ling Feng asked with concern, supporting him.

"Heh, it's an old ailment. I thought that after taking the medicine you prepared, it wouldn't flare up again, but I didn't expect..." Cold sweat poured from Duanmu Qingshan's forehead.

Ling Feng helped Duanmu Qingshan into the bamboo house, found a cushion to prop him up, and checked his pulse for a moment before saying in a heavy voice, "Master, I was too optimistic before. I didn't realize your hidden injuries were this severe."

Ling Feng frowned and continued slowly, "I originally thought that with my prescriptions, combined with monthly acupuncture, I could completely eradicate that hidden injury. But that injury actually triggers an eruption of cold energy on the night of the full moon, allowing it to regroup its strength. With this cycle, no matter how skilled my acupuncture is, it is impossible to completely root out that injury."

Duanmu Qingshan shook his head with a bitter smile. "I stopped holding much hope for that long ago. Your medicine can at least allow me to live a few more years, and that is enough."

"Don't worry, Master, I have a way to solve this cold poison curse," Ling Feng said hurriedly. "We only need to find the Moon Spirit Flower to suppress the cold poison in your body. As long as the cold poison doesn't erupt for a few months and the hidden injury in your dantian is eradicated, a mere cold poison won't be able to stop me."

"Moon Spirit Flower?" Duanmu Qingshan frowned in thought for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "That flower only blooms on the night of a full moon, which is why it is called the Moon Spirit Flower. I remember now—there is such a spiritual flower on the cliffs of the back mountain of Star Nebula Peak."

"The back mountain of Star Nebula Peak?" Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose. Today was the night of the full moon; if he missed it, he would have to wait another month.

"Fine, I'm going now!" Ling Feng glanced at Duanmu Qingshan and said solemnly, "Master, wait for me here. I will be back shortly."

Duanmu Qingshan hurriedly tried to stop him. "No, I cannot help you with the Sect Leader's Token right now. If something happens..."

"There will be no 'if.' I will be careful," Ling Feng said with a faint smile. The Moon Spirit Flower only bloomed on the night of the full moon, meaning he had to pick it tonight, and Duanmu Qingshan was bound to suffer a cold poison eruption tonight.

In any case, he had to take the risk.

Deeply moved, Duanmu Qingshan gave Ling Feng a profound look. Suddenly remembering something, he opened his storage ring. With a flash of light, a cluster of pale green light-wings flew out and hovered before Ling Feng.

"Your cultivation is insufficient to perform the 'True Qi Feather Transformation.' This magical treasure is called the Clear Spirit Light-Wings. It can carry you in flight, consuming far less true qi than the feather transformation, and it is much faster."

Duanmu Qingshan taught Ling Feng the incantation to activate the Clear Spirit Light-Wings and added through gritted teeth, "You must be careful on this journey. You are my last hope!"

"Rest assured, Master!" Ling Feng nodded heavily.

He still had to live to go to the Yan family in the Eastern Capital to reclaim the second half of the "Great Profound Acupuncture Scripture" and uncover the mystery of his birth. No matter what, he could not die!

"Then, I am off."

Ling Feng grasped the Clear Spirit Light-Wings, turned, and rushed out of the bamboo house. Following the incantation provided by Duanmu Qingshan, he injected his true qi into the wings.

The wings began to flap automatically, settling onto his back as if they had grown there. They beat rapidly, carrying Ling Feng directly into the air.

"I'm actually flying!" Ling Feng felt a surge of joy, then looked toward Star Nebula Peak and soared away.

In the dead of night, the disciples of martial sects would be in their rooms practicing breathing exercises, so there was rarely anyone wandering outside.

This provided Ling Feng with an opportunity. Under the cover of darkness, he flew all the way to the back mountain of Star Nebula Peak.

The green light of the Clear Spirit Light-Wings was very dim, appearing like a firefly in the night, unlikely to attract attention.

Ling Feng reached the summit of the back mountain and then leaped, diving straight down.

As his body plummeted, his gaze swept across the cliffs, searching for any sign of the Moon Spirit Flower.

The Clear Spirit Light-Wings flapped continuously behind him, keeping his body steady in the air. He dared not miss a single crevice or broken wall, inspecting them meticulously.

Suddenly, a thick fog appeared. Ling Feng beat his wings to break through the mist, searching for about fifteen minutes.

"Hm?"

Ling Feng's eyes brightened. Within the fog ahead, there was a faint, moon-like glow—it was the radiance emitted by the Moon Spirit Flower!

"Found it!"

Overjoyed, Ling Feng's wings beat powerfully as he flew toward the flower. There, nestled within a crack in the precipice, indeed grew a small, moon-white flower. It emitted a soft halo and a delicate mist.

"It's you!" Ling Feng held his breath and reached out to pluck the Moon Spirit Flower.