Chapter 24: The Sect Leader's Invitation!

"Hmph, a bunch of rats!"

A wave of secret satisfaction washed over Ling Feng. There was a world of difference between having a backer and not having one. If it hadn't been for the Sect Leader's Jade Command given to him by Duanmu Qingshan today, he wouldn't have dared to kill Xiao Qingfeng even if he had defeated him. Even if he had merely crippled him, his life would likely have been in jeopardy.

Amidst the wary and fearful gazes of everyone present, Ling Feng turned around and strode purposefully toward the direction of Little Bamboo Peak.

He had killed a genius of the Wenxian Sect; it wouldn't be long before the news reached the Sect Leader's ears. Even with this Jade Command, Ling Feng could not guarantee that he would be able to ensure his own safety.

The only way to be truly safe was to stay by Duanmu Qingshan's side.

Just then, a figure suddenly descended from behind him. It was a middle-aged man dressed in a black robe, tall and thin, with a mustache and small, bead-like eyes. It was none other than Elder Li Liang, the very man who had assigned Ling Feng to Little Bamboo Peak.

Li Liang had seen Ling Feng strike Xiao Qingfeng down from a distance, but unfortunately, he was a step too slow. By the time he arrived, Xiao Qingfeng's head had already hit the ground.

However, since Xiao Qingfeng wasn't his disciple anyway, Li Liang felt only a sense of surprise rather than much anger.

"Elder Li!"

The surrounding disciples and deacons bowed in salutation. Li Liang's status within the inner sect was second only to the Sect Leader and the various Peak Masters; he could not be treated with anything less than respect.

"Ling Feng, please stay your steps!" Ignoring the others, Li Liang walked slowly toward Ling Feng, his voice gentle and his face wearing a smile.

However, those familiar with him knew that this man always hid a dagger behind his smile; within the Wenxian Sect, he possessed the deepest schemes and most profound calculations.

Ling Feng stopped in his tracks and looked back. Seeing that the newcomer was Li Liang, he felt a flicker of curiosity—why was this man looking for him?

"Hehe, Ling Feng, do you still remember me?"

A smile hung on Li Liang's face, as if he hadn't seen Ling Feng kill Xiao Qingfeng at all. Instead, he acted as warmly as if he were treating a nephew.

"I don't," Ling Feng replied. Having no interest in entangling himself with the man, he gave a light snort and turned to leave.

Li Liang's smile stiffened slightly, and a trace of venom flashed in his eyes, though he concealed it well.

"Hahaha, what character! All geniuses possess pride. It seems I misjudged you that day."

Li Liang walked quickly to Ling Feng's side, his face full of geniality.

Ling Feng curled his lip. "Speak plainly. There's no need to beat around the bush."

Li Liang said with a beaming smile, "The Sect Leader heard about what happened and gave me and Peak Master Yang Wei a severe scolding. He even said he wants to meet you personally. So, I have come to deliver a message on his behalf. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to visit the Main Peak of Liuxian today?"

"The Sect Leader wants to see me?" Ling Feng's brow furrowed slightly. Generally, if a disciple could receive an audience with the Sect Leader, it was a monumental honor, but he...

He was Duanmu Qingshan's disciple, and Duanmu Qingshan had killed the Sect Leader's master.

He and the Sect Leader were absolute enemies!

"Rest assured, the Sect Leader is definitely not coming to settle scores. On the contrary, he admires you. A genius like you will surely receive the Sect Leader's attention."

Li Liang continued cheerfully, "Think about it. As a disciple of the Wenxian Sect, you wouldn't want to stay stuck with Duanmu Qingshan and be isolated by the entire sect, would you? As long as the Sect Leader accepts you, the disciples in the sect will be your good brothers, and the elders will be your respected seniors. With your talent, it might not even be impossible for you to actually succeed the Sect Leader a hundred years from now!"

Li Liang's flowery rhetoric left the surrounding disciples stunned and awestruck.

"Wow, I'm so envious! If I had such an opportunity, I'd be willing to live thirty fewer years!"

"Could it be that Ling Feng is about to leap over the Dragon Gate?"

"What 'Ling Feng'? You should call him Senior Brother Ling!"

Li Liang looked at Ling Feng with a smile and asked, "Well? Will you come with me to see the Sect Leader?"

Ling Feng raised his sword-like eyebrows and said indifferently, "And if I refuse?"

"Refuse?" Li Liang's expression froze. "You are a smart man. You must have heard the saying: 'A wise bird chooses the tree on which to perch.'"

"Hahaha!" Ling Feng laughed loudly. "That doesn't sound like a difficult choice at all!"

"Exactly. A normal person knows how to choose," Li Liang also laughed heartily. "Come, follow me to meet the Sect Leader. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"

Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Elder Li, lead the way."

If one does not enter the tiger's den, how can one catch the tiger's cub?

Ling Feng wanted to see exactly what this Sect Leader of the Wenxian Sect was plotting.

...

The Liuxian Main Peak sat at the core of the Nine Immortals Mountain and was the place within the Wenxian Sect territory where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was most concentrated.

Under Li Liang's guidance, the two arrived before a magnificent, grand hall within a short time. Upon seeing Li Liang, the guarding disciples bowed in unison.

"This is the Nine Spirit Hall. On ordinary days, countless people wish to meet the Sect Leader, yet many wait decades without an opportunity. You are the first disciple to see the Sect Leader in less than a year of joining the sect."

As Li Liang spoke, he led Ling Feng into the hall.

The solemn and majestic hall felt quite empty at this moment. In the center stood a man in blue robes, his hands behind his back, his back turned toward the entrance.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!" Li Liang bowed toward Lin Canglang and called out loudly.

Only then did Lin Canglang turn around. His piercing, spirited gaze swept over Ling Feng, and he suddenly asked, "Was it you who killed Xiao Qingfeng?"

Ling Feng was not particularly surprised. As the head of a sect, Lin Canglang naturally possessed far-reaching influence; such news could not escape his ears.

"It was me," Ling Feng replied, meeting Lin Canglang's gaze with neither humility nor arrogance.

"Do you know that I once had the intention of taking Xiao Qingfeng as my true disciple?"

Ling Feng curled his lip and said indifferently, "In other words, I killed the disciple you had internally chosen, and now you want to kill me to vent your anger?"

"And yet you still dared to come?" An aura surged from Lin Canglang, sweeping out like an ancient divine mountain pressing down, making it almost impossible for Ling Feng to breathe.

"The Sect Leader has ten thousand ways to kill me. If I can escape today, I won't be able to escape in the future. So, why not come?" Ling Feng grit his teeth. He felt a pang of regret; at this moment, he could not move a single finger, let alone find the opportunity to take out the Sect Leader's Jade Command.

"Hahaha!" The terrifying pressure instantly receded like a tide, and Lin Canglang laughed loudly. "You have courage! Then do you also know that I find you to be a cut above Xiao Qingfeng? You are qualified to become my third true disciple!"

Ling Feng raised his eyebrows. This Sect Leader of the Wenxian Sect was indeed no ordinary man; using a carrot and a stick was quite a skillful tactic.

"I am honored by the Sect Leader's favor," Ling Feng said, feigning an expression of being overwhelmed by the unexpected grace.

"However, you are currently the disciple of Duanmu Qingshan. Do you know the relationship between Duanmu Qingshan and this Sect Leader?"

"I know a little, but not clearly."

"Knowing a little is enough!" Lin Canglang turned and strode to his Sect Leader's throne, slowly sitting down. His eyes locked onto Ling Feng as he spoke slowly, "Now, I shall still ask you to make a choice. Between Duanmu Qingshan and me—which will you choose?"