Chapter 14: I'll Handle It!

“Your appearance has shown me hope!” Duanmu Qingshan stared at Ling Feng, a trace of excitement on his face. “Not only can you heal my injuries, but you are also the peerless genius I have seen in my entire life!”

“I ask you, are you willing to take me as your master, even if it means forming an irreconcilable blood feud with the Wenxian Sect from this day forward?”

Duanmu Qingshan’s voice was extremely serious. He stared intently at Ling Feng and asked in a heavy tone.

Ling Feng took a deep breath and nodded heavily. “A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime!”

“Good!” Duanmu Qingshan burst into loud laughter. “I, Duanmu Qingshan, have finally not misjudged a person.”

“The *Sword Scripture* that Lin Canglang and those others have always coveted is titled the *Flower-Shifting Jade-Burying Sword*. It was originally the sect-protecting ultimate technique of the Yihua Palace, the sect where my wife belonged. Those villains have coveted this sword technique for over ten years, yet they haven't even managed to steal a shred of its essence. Since you are my personal disciple, I will certainly teach you this ultimate technique in its entirety!”

“The Flower-Shifting Jade-Burying Sword?” Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose. Even the previous Sect Leader of the Wenxian Sect had lost his life because of this sword technique; one could see just how astonishing it was.

It was likely countless times more powerful than the "Star-Shattering Sword Manual" that Duanmu Qingshan had taught him previously.

“The Flower-Shifting Jade-Burying Sword has an extremely high cultivation threshold; one must reach at least the Meridian Condensation Realm. You are currently only at the fourth level of the Qi Condensation Realm, which is quite a distance from the Meridian Condensation Realm.” Duanmu Qingshan took a deep breath, returning to his usual calm demeanor.

“The Wenxian Sect owes me too much; it is time to collect some interest.” Standing with his hands behind his back, Duanmu Qingshan continued slowly, “Take this Sect Leader’s Token. Go to the Scripture Pavilion and the Pill Pavilion to demand many good things. With this token, you can ask for any treasure you desire.”

“This...” Ling Feng gripped the Sect Leader’s Token and smiled bitterly. “Master, the token is good, but with my current strength, I might not even be able to defeat a slightly powerful inner sect disciple. I fear that as soon as I show the token, it will be snatched away.”

“Rest assured, since I have given you the token, I naturally have my ways.”

With a flourish of his wide sleeves, Duanmu Qingshan said, “Go ahead and demand benefits from the Wenxian Sect. Pills, cultivation methods, divine weapons—take whatever you like! You are my disciple, Duanmu Qingshan’s disciple. With me protecting you, you have no need for any worries!”

“Mhm.” Ling Feng nodded. Since Duanmu Qingshan dared to say this, he naturally had an arrangement.

In that case, he didn't need to remain huddled within the Small Bamboo Peak. It was time to exercise his rights as an inner sect disciple and take a stroll through the good places like the Scripture Pavilion and the Pill Pavilion.

...

The next morning, a figure moved with the agility of a bird, traversing through the mountain forests.

This was the first time Ling Feng had left the Small Bamboo Peak since arriving at the Wenxian Sect.

Within the Wenxian Sect, there were many grand buildings and palaces, which were incomparable to the simple bamboo houses of the Small Bamboo Peak.

Before long, Ling Feng arrived at a massive martial arts arena. This was the place where disciples from various peaks and lineages gathered for their daily morning training. At this moment, many disciples had already gathered, practicing basic fist and sword techniques.

“Eh? Isn't that the disciple who just joined the inner sect a few days ago? He seems to be from the Small Bamboo Peak lineage!”

“This guy is quite lucky. Usually, those who join the Small Bamboo Peak leave the inner sect within three days, mostly covered in injuries. How has this kid lasted this long?”

“Regardless, joining the Small Bamboo Peak never ends well. We should stay away from him to avoid being implicated.”

“Right, right, right!”

As they spoke, the whispering disciples moved away from Ling Feng as if avoiding a plague.

“Hmph!” Such words naturally did not escape Ling Feng's ears. His eyes narrowed slightly. As for who would not end up well, it was far too early to make a conclusion!

Just as Ling Feng was about to walk away, a surprised voice came from behind him, “Ling Feng?”

Ling Feng turned around to see that the newcomer was Wang Danfeng, the outer sect elder who had brought him to the Wenxian Sect.

Wang Danfeng sized Ling Feng up, shook his head with a sigh, stepped forward, and grabbed Ling Feng's arm, trying to lead him away.

“Xiao Ling, are you still not clear about your situation? Since you joined the Small Bamboo Peak lineage, you shouldn't be appearing here. Otherwise, if the disciples from the Flying Star Peak lineages see you, you'll be in trouble!” Wang Danfeng said in a low voice.

“Uncle Wang, don't worry, I'm fine.” Ling Feng smiled faintly. He hadn't expected that Wang Danfeng, out of gratitude for his grandfather, would still show him some concern.

“I have a few bottles of Qi Condensation Pills here; take them first.” Wang Danfeng took three porcelain bottles from his sleeve and handed them to Ling Feng. “I advise you to leave the Small Bamboo Peak and come to the outer sect. Although the treatment isn't as good as the inner sect, I can arrange a leisurely job for you, which would prevent you from being bullied in the inner sect.”

“Uncle Wang, thank you for your kindness, but while there may be people who dare to bully me, Ling Feng, there certainly won't be any within the Wenxian Sect!”

A piercing, disdainful light flashed in Ling Feng's eyes. He returned the Qi Condensation Pills to Wang Danfeng, gave a carefree smile, and turned to walk toward the back of the martial arts plaza.

“This kid...” Wang Danfeng froze on the spot. After only a few days, he felt as though Ling Feng's entire aura had become like a precious sword hidden in its scabbard; that domineering sharpness even made his own heart tremble.

At that moment, several well-dressed disciples appeared on the bluestone steps ahead. The leader, upon seeing Ling Feng, froze for a moment before breaking into a cold laugh. “Ling Feng, oh Ling Feng, instead of hiding behind Old Ghost Duanmu, you actually dare to come here?”

The newcomer was none other than Shi Tailong, the one who had gone to the Small Bamboo Peak to teach Ling Feng a lesson that day. He had been driven back by Duanmu Qingshan and had suffered significant injuries, only recovering after ten days of recuperation.

He didn't dare to cause trouble for Duanmu Qingshan, so naturally, he directed all his hatred toward Ling Feng. It was a classic case of enemies meeting and seeing red.

“Kid, there are paths to heaven you won't take, yet you charge into the gates of hell. Without Old Ghost Duanmu protecting you today, why don't you tell me—do you want your left leg broken first, or your right?” Shi Tailong grinned savagely. He had been holding in a belly full of rage, and today he finally had a place to vent it.

“Wow, it's Senior Brother Shi Tailong from Flying Star Peak! Haha, there's going to be a good show this time!”

A crowd of Qi Condensation realm inner sect disciples immediately gathered around, watching with great interest.

Wang Danfeng clenched his fists, took a step forward, and said in a heavy voice, “So it is Senior Brother Yang's prized disciple from Flying Star Peak. I wonder how Ling Feng offended you all; please show some mercy.”

“Tch, a mere outer sect elder dares to interfere in inner sect affairs?” A flash of disdain crossed Shi Tailong's eyes. “Old man, I respect you as an elder and won't argue with you, but get lost immediately. Don't get in the way of my business!”

There was a clear distinction between inner and outer disciples; once one entered the inner sect, their status increased a hundredfold.

Although Wang Danfeng's cultivation was higher than Shi Tailong's, his talent was limited and his age was advanced; he had essentially reached the limit of his cultivation in this lifetime. How could he compare to a "fine talent" like Shi Tailong?

Therefore, even though Wang Danfeng was an outer sect elder, Shi Tailong held him in no regard at all.

“Uncle Wang, this has nothing to do with you. I will handle it.” Ling Feng's gaze turned cold. His tone was flat, devoid of joy or sorrow, calm and unhurried.

“Xiao Ling...” Wang Danfeng clenched his fists. He felt bad for having boasted about taking good care of Ling Feng, only to find himself unable to help at all once they arrived at the Wenxian Sect.

“Ling Feng, you have guts, but you are definitely going to die a miserable death today!” A savage grin hung on the corner of Shi Tailong's mouth, as if he could already see Ling Feng collapsing on the ground like a dead dog.

Ling Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on Shi Tailong, as he spoke word by word: “Is this how a mere disciple speaks to his Martial Uncle?”