Chapter 6: Joining the Inner Sect!

“Are you saying you want to use your recommendation quota to recommend this kid to the inner sect?”

Inside a grand hall, a middle-aged man dressed in black robes sat upright. Holding a teacup, he took a light sip and sized Ling Feng up from head to toe.

“Yes, Elder Yang.”

Wang Danfeng nodded hurriedly. This middle-aged man before him was named Yang Wei, a figure of extremely high status within the Wenxian Sect. He was one of the leaders of the nine peaks of Mount Jiuxian, and his peak was the strongest in terms of comprehensive strength, excluding only the Sect Leader's peak.

“This kid?”

Yang Wei gave a disdainful laugh. “Wang Danfeng, are your eyes failing you in your old age?”

“Elder Yang, this is a small token of my sincerity.” Wang Danfeng pulled a bulging pouch from his robes, placed it gently on the table, and chuckled.

“Oh?” Yang Wei picked up the pouch, tossed it lightly in his hand, and grinned. “That’s somewhat decent.”

With that, Yang Wei rose from his seat, walked over to Ling Feng’s side, and asked indifferently, “Kid, what is your name?”

“Ling Feng.” Ling Feng looked up at Yang Wei, his manner neither humble nor arrogant.

“Not a bad gaze. His temperament is acceptable.”

Yang Wei reached out and patted Ling Feng on the shoulder. His expression grew increasingly grim until he finally let out a cold snort of rage. “His bone age is over eighteen, yet he has only just produced a tiny wisp of True Qi? Wang Danfeng, are you sure you aren't mocking me?”

Yang Wei turned his back and strode back to his seat, saying coldly, “A waste like this is a pure waste of resources even if thrown into the outer sect, yet you actually have the audacity to recommend him to the inner sect?”

Wang Danfeng turned to glance at Ling Feng and said through gritted teeth, “Elder Yang, this child's grandfather saved my life!”

“So what? It wasn't him who saved mine.” Yang Wei smiled coldly. “Take him back. Why bother training such a useless thing! He’s clearly a waste, yet he puts on airs, acting all composed as if he were some genius?”

“Elder Yang!”

Wang Danfeng wanted to say more, but he was silenced by Yang Wei’s sharp command. “Enough, Wang Danfeng. Remember your status. You are merely an outer sect elder; what right do you have to waste my breath here?”

Wang Danfeng let out a long sigh. This Yang Wei was nothing but a "Zhou Bapi"—a ruthless extortionist. As the saying goes, "the mouth is soft when eating someone's food, and the hand is short when taking someone's gift."

This old fellow had taken the money, yet he still dismissed him so perfunctorily. He was an absolute scoundrel!

“Eh, Senior Brother Yang, since Elder Wang has spoken to this extent, wouldn't it be a bit too heartless to refuse him so bluntly?”

At that moment, a thin middle-aged man strode in through the entrance, chuckling. “Our Wenxian Sect has always been people-oriented. Since Elder Wang values this child so much, he must have some extraordinary qualities. We shouldn't be too ruthless.”

“Oh?” Yang Wei lifted his eyes, a curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. “So it is Junior Brother Li Liang.”

“Elder Li...” Wang Danfeng’s pupils shrank violently. Compared to Yang Wei, Li Liang was the one who truly devoured people without spitting out the bones!

Ling Feng, however, was somewhat in the dark, thinking that a turning point had arrived.

“Elder Wang, it is not impossible for you to recommend this kid to the inner sect. However, the sect's resources have always been very tight.” Li Liang chuckled, his gaze fixed on Wang Danfeng.

“Qi-Boosting Pills... twenty... twenty pills!” Wang Danfeng said through clenched teeth.

“Good!” Li Liang laughed loudly, then patted Ling Feng on the shoulder. “I think this kid is alright. There is no harm in him joining the inner sect.”

Yang Wei raised an eyebrow and then nodded. “Then let him join the inner sect.”

“How is that, Elder Wang? You should be satisfied now,” Li Liang said indifferently, looking back at Wang Danfeng.

“Thank you, Elders!”

Wang Danfeng cried out inwardly. Twenty Qi-Boosting Pills—that was nearly a two-year quota!

However, being able to do something for the descendant of the Medical Saint was a way to repay the life-saving debt of the past.

Ling Feng saw all of this and felt a secret sense of gratitude. Perhaps while most of the world was indifferent, there were still people like Wang Danfeng who valued loyalty and righteousness.

“Alright, you may leave.” Yang Wei waved his hand and said indifferently, “An outer sect elder shouldn't linger in the inner sect too much.”

“Yes, I shall take my leave.” Wang Danfeng gave Ling Feng a deep look and said solemnly, “Xiao Feng, once you join the inner sect, cultivate well. Do not fail your grandfather's hard work!”

“Mhm!” Ling Feng nodded heavily. Although the process had been bumpy and full of twists, he should now be considered an inner sect disciple of the Wenxian Sect.

With the abilities of his Heavenly Eye and Human Eye, it wouldn't be long before those who once looked down on him would all be trampled under his feet.

After Wang Danfeng left, Yang Wei and Li Liang instructed Ling Feng to wait outside the hall before they both entered the inner chamber together.

“Junior Brother Li, you really are ruthless!” Yang Wei narrowed his eyes and chuckled.

Li Liang sneered. “A mere twenty Qi-Boosting Pills is nothing.”

“However, I doubt any peak in the inner sect will accept such a dull waste. Let me state this clearly: the Qi-Boosting Pills will be split fifty-fifty, but I am not taking this kid!”

“This...” A look of difficulty flashed across Li Liang's face. His eyes darted around before he suddenly smiled. “Has Senior Brother forgotten that our Wenxian Sect still has another lineage? Although it is not among the Nine Peaks, we still have to send one mediocre disciple to that old ghost every year. This kid's aptitude is already as mediocre as it gets; why not just send him to that lineage?”

“You mean, Old Ghost Duanmu?” Yang Wei pondered for a moment, a flash of hatred appearing in his eyes!

Li Liang sneered coldly, “Once he reaches that lineage, I believe he will leave on his own within a few days.”

“Fine, then let's follow the old rules and send him to Old Ghost Duanmu's lineage.” Yang Wei snorted lightly. “I'll leave the rest to you.”

A moment later, Li Liang emerged from the hall and said indifferently, “Your name is Ling Feng, right? From now on, you will join the sect under the tutelage of Martial Uncle Duanmu... cultivate well!”

“Martial Uncle Duanmu?” Ling Feng was stunned. He had actually been assigned to the generation of the Peak Masters' martial uncles? Wasn't he supposed to be mediocre?

Though suspicious, he still bowed and said, “Yes!”

“Mhm. Zong Yuan, take him to Bamboo Peak,” Li Liang instructed a disciple standing nearby.

“Yes!”

A disciple around twenty years old stepped forward, bowed to Li Liang, and then gave Ling Feng a look of profound "sympathy." He said indifferently, “Follow me.”

Seeing Zong Yuan's expression, Ling Feng's confusion deepened.

This Bamboo Peak was definitely not a good place!

...

Soon, the youth named Zong Yuan led Ling Feng into a bamboo forest.

Inside the forest, there were only a few bamboo houses arranged around a small courtyard. Although they were quite simple compared to the magnificent and grand buildings along the way, they possessed a unique sense of leisure and elegance.

It seemed like a place for self-cultivation and peace.

“Senior Brother, who exactly is this Martial Uncle Duanmu?” Ling Feng finally couldn't help but ask.

Throughout the journey, Zong Yuan had not said a single word on his own, maintaining a certain distance from Ling Feng as if afraid of being pestered.

“I don't know!” Zong Yuan reached the bamboo houses and called out loudly, “Martial Uncle Duanmu, this is the disciple assigned to you for this year! I have brought him here!”

Having said that, Zong Yuan acted as if he were escaping a disaster, leaving the place immediately without staying for a moment.

Ling Feng frowned. Was the person living inside truly that terrifying?