Chapter 25: Golden Silkworm Gu Poison!

“How will you choose?” Lin Canglang’s gaze fixed on Ling Feng without blinking. A hint of his majestic aura leaked out slightly, exerting a powerful sense of oppression.

Beside him, Li Liang chuckled. “Ling Feng, is there even a choice to be made? Duanmu Qingshan is a man standing alone. If you stand with us, you will gain the support of an entire sect!”

A slight curve appeared at the corner of Ling Feng’s mouth. These conditions were indeed tempting, but looking deep into his heart and asking himself, he would never betray his master.

“Then, what does the Sect Leader want me to do?” Ling Feng did not answer directly, instead posing a counter-question.

“You are a smart man.” Lin Canglang had clearly misunderstood Ling Feng’s intent, a flash of amusement crossing his eyes. “You don't need to do anything. Return to Duanmu Qingshan’s side. Once he has passed all his ultimate techniques to you, you can return to my side and become my true disciple.”

A sense of disdain rose in Ling Feng’s heart. To think that the dignified head of a sect would use such methods to swindle Duanmu Qingshan’s sword manuals.

Truly a "fine Sect Leader" of the Wenxian Sect!

“I think I know what needs to be done,” Ling Feng said expressionlessly and indifferently. “Can you allow me a few days to consider?”

“No!” Lin Canglang’s gaze was aggressive.

“Since you know of this matter, you either agree, or you die here.” Lin Canglang’s voice was incredibly cold. “Do not harbor any delusions about being able to take the Sect Leader’s Jade Command. I long anticipated that Duanmu Qingshan would attempt such a thing. The mountain-protecting formation of the Wenxian Main Peak has already been modified by me; the effects of the Sect Leader’s Jade Command cannot cover the Main Peak.”

*Old fox, how ruthless!* Ling Feng cursed inwardly, though his face remained composed. *It seems I have no choice.*

“No, between life and death, you do have a choice.” Lin Canglang smiled coldly. “Now, how do you choose?”

“I don't want to die,” Ling Feng said slowly, taking a deep breath.

“Very good. You are indeed a smart man.” Lin Canglang flicked his hand, and a brown medicinal pill landed in Ling Feng’s palm. “This is the Golden Silkworm Gu Poison. Swallow it, and I can trust you completely.”

“The Golden Silkworm Gu?”

Ling Feng’s expression shifted slightly. He knew that once the Golden Silkworm Gu was swallowed, the poison would consume the heart at regular intervals. The piercing pain would make a person wish for death but unable to find it.

“Swallow it. As long as you obey my commands, I will grant you the antidote every month. Once you obtain Duanmu Qingshan’s 'Flower-Shifting Jade-Burying Sword' manual and hand it to me, I will clear all the Gu poison for you. At that time, you will be my third true disciple, and in the future, you may even become the next Sect Leader of the Wenxian Sect!”

Ling Feng shrugged. Without much hesitation, he swallowed the Golden Silkworm Gu.

This time, Lin Canglang was destined to be one move behind, losing the entire game.

While the Golden Silkworm Gu was formidable, it was no match for Ling Feng, the successor of the Medical Saint. A mere poisonous Gu was nothing more than a trivial matter to him.

Swallowing the poison and feigning allegiance was a stalling tactic; at the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about Lin Canglang and the others causing trouble for a short while.

Once he had completely cured Duanmu Qingshan, the day Duanmu Qingshan broke through the formation would be the day this old fox met his end!

“Good! Very good!” Lin Canglang stood up from his seat. “You truly did not disappoint me!”

“A wise bird chooses its tree to perch upon. Did the Sect Leader not say I was a smart man?” Ling Feng smiled faintly.

“Mhm. From today onward, you will receive the treatment of a true disciple. Regardless, Duanmu Qingshan is trapped on Bamboo Peak; how you act in front of him is your business. You only need to win his trust. Once you reach the Pulse Condensation Realm, he should pass that sword technique to you.”

As he spoke, Lin Canglang took out four or five white jade porcelain bottles and said slowly, “These are Qi-Boosting Pills, which only true disciples are qualified to consume. Take them back and take one every day. I believe that within half a year, you can advance to the Pulse Condensation Realm!”

“Thank you, Sect Leader!” Ling Feng took the bottles, feeling secretly pleased. He naturally would not refuse such good items.

“Very well, you may leave. You should know whose hands your life is in. You know what should and should not be said in front of Duanmu Qingshan, don't you?” Lin Canglang’s piercing eyes stared at Ling Feng, as if trying to see through his very soul.

“I know.” Having received the pills, Ling Feng turned and walked out of the great hall, flying toward Bamboo Peak.

Watching Ling Feng fade into the distance, Li Liang finally spoke, “Sect Leader, is this kid trustworthy?”

“The world gathers for profit and scatters for profit.”

Lin Canglang stood with his hands behind his back, a confident smile on his face. “He is nothing more than an unseasoned brat. I promised him the chance to become Sect Leader; how could he not be tempted? Furthermore, the Golden Silkworm Gu is something that can take his life at any moment. The poison should take effect shortly. Once he has tasted that feeling of being unable to live or die, if he still dares to betray me, then he truly has guts!”

“Brilliant. Sect Leader Senior Brother is truly brilliant!”

Li Liang chuckled and gave Lin Canglang a thumbs-up.

“Enough. Go and arrange Xiao Qingfeng’s body properly.”

A trace of coldness flashed in Lin Canglang’s eyes. In truth, Xiao Qingfeng was a nephew from one of his branch lineages. Since Ling Feng had killed Xiao Qingfeng, he had already harbored murderous intent toward him.

Once Ling Feng handed over the "Flower-Shifting Jade-Burying Sword" manual and lost his utility, let alone becoming a true disciple, the first one to die would undoubtedly be him!

***

“What an insidious and venomous Sect Leader of the Wenxian Sect.”

Ling Feng ran down the mountain path from the Wenxian Main Peak. By the time he reached Sunset Slope, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

At that moment, the Golden Silkworm Gu in his body began to act up. Even though Ling Feng had tasted hundreds of herbs since childhood and had extremely high resistance to various toxins, he still suffered full-body convulsions from the pain.

“What a powerful Gu poison!”

Gritting his teeth, Ling Feng endured until he reached Bamboo Peak. Only then did he find a patch of shade, sit cross-legged, and take out golden needles, stabbing them directly into his dantian to temporarily suppress the poison.

Then, Ling Feng’s hands stopped trembling. Only then did he dare to begin the acupuncture. Under the Tai Xuan Acupuncture Technique, expelling the Gu poison was not difficult at all.

In just a quarter of an hour, the poison was completely eliminated, no longer able to threaten him.

“Phew...” Ling Feng slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. His face was slightly pale, but he felt a surge of triumph. He sneered, “Lin Canglang, in the end, you were played by me. Thank you for the Qi-Boosting Pills. Once my cultivation is successful, I will 'repay' you properly!”

Having said that, Ling Feng slowly stood up and walked toward the bamboo house on Bamboo Peak. He needed to tell Duanmu Qingshan about today's events as soon as possible.