Chapter 50: Jiang Wanqing!
The next morning, Ling Feng headed to the main peak and found Li Liang.
Li Liang, being the errand boy for the sect leader, praised Ling Feng with a smile and then presented the so-called gifts.
There was a medium-grade mystical armor, tightly fitted and resistant to blades and swords. It could also bear over a thousand pounds of force. In battle, having such armor almost meant an extra life.
A map of the training grounds was also included. Since Ling Feng was leading the team, a detailed map was indispensable. Moreover, this was no ordinary map. It meticulously marked hazardous locations, areas where rare medicinal herbs grew, and the distribution of various demonic beasts.
The routes on the map were carefully selected by Li Liang, ensuring a path that was both safe and promising for significant gains.
It can be said that letting Ling Feng lead the team on this trip was essentially a way for him to build prestige within the sect. Moreover, it presented a golden opportunity to harvest valuable spirit flowers and herbs along the way. It was undeniably an excellent assignment!
Indeed, the implications of recruiting and buying allegiance were evident. The only thing that they did not do was to explicitly state: "As long as you obediently pledge loyalty to us, the benefits like this in the future will be as much as you want and whenever you want!"
Of course, there was one more item.
The antidote for the Golden Silkworm Gu Poison!
It had been a month, and Lin Canglang intentionally delayed giving the antidote to Ling Feng by a few days, just to make him suffer a bit. It was a reminder for Ling Feng to understand that his life was in the hands of someone else.
Little did he know, the Golden Silkworm Gu poison in Ling Feng's body had long been neutralized. Instead, every time he took the antidote, he had to find a way to eliminate the medicinal properties in the antidote.
Medicine could be as harmful as poison. While the antidote alleviated the toxicity of the Golden Silkworm Gu poison, it was inherently a highly toxic substance. For Ling Feng, who wasn't poisoned, taking the antidote was a form of suffering.
Yet, he had to feign an eager expression, gulping down the antidote as if he desperately needed it.
...
Time flew by, and the three-day deadline had arrived.
As the sun rose, over a hundred newly admitted inner disciples gathered and formed ten neat lines on the martial arts square within the inner sect.
Having joined the inner sect for about a month or even longer, it was time for these disciples to embark on their first external trial arranged by the sect.
As disciples of the sect, it was insufficient to merely cultivate and spar within the sect.
One had to undergo bloodshed and battles to truly transform into a true martial artist.
These young faces, each with eyes filled with hopeful anticipation, represented the fresh blood of the Wenxian Sect.
Li Liang stood with his hands behind his back in front of everyone, his expression serious as he began to speak sternly.
"The sect needs disciples with valor. The blades of cultivators must be baptized in fresh blood to truly sharpen their edges!"
Li Liang's words were incredibly stirring, igniting the fervor within all disciples. Their blood boiled as a gleam of determination sparkled in their eyes, brimming with fighting spirit.
In these ten teams, nine of them had two slightly older disciples standing at the forefront, each exuding a powerful aura. Their cultivation levels were prominently at the initial stage of the Pulse Formation Realm.
In their eyes, a hint of a smile lingered, more or less. Seeing these young faces, they couldn't help but recall their own past, as if they too had been swayed in a similar manner.
However, standing at the forefront of the sixth team was only a woman dressed in purple. Her eyebrows slightly furrowed, she occasionally glanced towards the western side of the martial arts square, as if waiting for something.
After Li Liang finished delivering his rousing words of encouragement, he also turned his head towards the west. In his heart, he muttered, Damn it, why hasn't that kid arrived yet!
As he spoke, at the edge of their vision, a young man in a white robe appeared. He carried a jet-black sword on his back and walked towards them at a leisurely pace.
His speed appeared deceptively slow, but in the blink of an eye, he had approached closely.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late," Ling Feng said as he halted his steps not far away.
As he had to collect Stone Marrow Flower Dew for Duanmu Qingshan, he arrived a bit later than others.
"Hehe, no problem."
Li Liang appeared quite patient, giving a faint smile. Little did they know, had it not been Ling Feng, Li Liang would have lost his temper long ago.
"Hurry, join your team. You'll be leading the sixth team, and accompanying you is Jiang Wanqing, a disciple of Senior Sister Shui Yun from the Yunxiu Peak."
Ling Feng glanced at the crowd, secretly feeling emotional. If it weren't for the twist of fate that assigned him to Duanmu Qingshan's branch, he might have been one of the rookies.
His gaze shifted to the sixth team, each team comprising roughly ten people. Among them was Su Hongxiu, the one who had sent him the message earlier
Ling Feng scrutinized Jiang Wanqing, the team leader in purple, for a moment. Indeed, she was a beauty, tall with especially long legs!
Moreover, at just twenty-something years old, she was already a martial artist in the Pulse Formation Realm, evidently a remarkably gifted individual.
Jiang Wanqing had evidently heard of Ling Feng's reputation, but she didn't seem impressed with this guy who was late for departure.
Thinking highly of himself due to his somewhat famous status, he made everyone wait in the cold wind for him. Quite presumptuous!
Seeing Ling Feng assessing her, her gaze met his with a hint of provocation. The unspoken message was clear: Although we're in the same team, you'd better not mess with me!
In her eyes, no matter how formidable Ling Feng might be, at most, he was just an arrogant fellow in the Qi Formation Realm. She, on the other hand, was in the Pulse Formation Realm. Even if it was just the initial stage, she could easily overpower Ling Feng.
Ling Feng shrugged, paying no attention to Jiang Wanqing's provocation. He walked slowly to her side.
The duration of this expedition was set for seven days. Ling Feng had prepared a sufficient quantity of medicine for Duanmu Qingshan. Upon his return, he could administer the final treatment. It wouldn't be long before Duanmu Qingshan could make a complete recovery.
Seeing Ling Feng joining the team, Li Liang nodded and raised his voice, "Alright, I have already said what needs to be said. Now, each team leader, take your members and set off!"
The expedition, amid the nervousness and excitement of those rookies, finally commenced.
With ten teams embarking on their respective expeditions, there was naturally some competition involved.
The rules were straightforward. The team that could hunt down more demonic beasts and collect more spirit flowers and herbs would naturally be the victorious team. Upon their return, each member could choose a yellow-tier middle-grade martial technique. The team leader would also receive a substantial reward.
However, Li Liang had secretly provided Ling Feng with the best route map beforehand. With this advantage, Ling Feng's team would find it hard not to emerge victorious.
"Let's go!"
Without even glancing at Ling Feng, Jiang Wanqing waved her hand, leading her disciples to start their movements.
Unfortunately, her words didn't seem to have much effect. Everyone was looking at Ling Feng, waiting for him to give orders. Only a few male disciples, captivated by Jiang Wanqing's beauty, took a few steps with her. However, seeing most of the team standing still, they hurriedly retreated back.
"Let's go!"
Ling Feng shrugged and gave a command casually. Immediately, everyone followed behind him, none daring to lag behind.
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. It seemed that in the hearts of these inner sect disciples, his presence carried more weight after all.
In fact, it wasn't about Ling Feng's status, but rather his notorious reputation. He was known for being ruthless and efficient in killing. Who would dare to provoke such a ferocious figure?
"Damn it!" Jiang Wanqing's face flushed with embarrassment. Not a single person had paid attention to her commands!
Angrily stomping her foot, she gritted her teeth and could only follow along. In her heart, she seethed, Damn Ling Feng, I'll remember this!
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