Chapter 7: Wenxian Qi-Refining Sutra
"Come in!"
Amid Ling Feng's contemplation, a gentle voice emanated from the bamboo tower. The voice sounded surprisingly mild, dispelling the earlier impression of fierceness and malevolence.
With a clenched fist, Ling Feng proceeded towards the bamboo tower with unease creeping into his heart.
Step by step, ascending stairs woven from bamboo, Ling Feng entered the central and largest room of the bamboo tower.
Approaching the door, Ling Feng came to a halt. He then bowed respectfully before the entrance.
"Disciple Ling Feng pays respects to the Master!"
Being assigned to Little Bamboo Peak implies I am now the disciple of this "Master Duanmu," right? Does this mean, in terms of seniority, I am on the same level as the peak leaders of the Wenxian Sect?
A gentle breeze swept through the halls, and before Ling Feng spotted anyone, the scent of alcohol permeated the air.
In green attire with tousled white hair, an elderly man emerged. A flask, containing alcohol, hung from his waist, and his disheveled appearance was the epitome of a "drunken sage[1]."
Despite his somewhat unkempt appearance, he wasn't as menacing as Ling Feng had anticipated.
"Are you the disciple they sent my way this year?" the old man scrutinized Ling Feng and inquired.
"Yes! Disciple Ling Feng greets Master!" Ling Feng bowed, a hint of curiosity lingering in his mind.
Why is he residing in such modest quarters when he's the mentor of Yang Wei and Li Liang? Shouldn't he be dwelling in a more prestigious place?
"You're quite the wise kid, aren't you? Addressing me as master even before I've taken you under my wing." Duanmu's mouth curled slightly as he continued, "However, it's a bit early for formal apprenticeship. As you can see, our branch is down to just the two of us."
Hesitating for a moment, Ling Feng recalled that the closer he got to Little Bamboo Peak, the scarcer signs of human presence became.
Could my Master be a bit eccentric? Perhaps that's why nobody dares to be his disciple.
"Extend your hand," Duanmu Qingshan's voice, magnetic yet lacking any emotional ripples, urged Ling Feng.
Ling Feng gritted his teeth and extended his right hand.
Firmly seizing Ling Feng's arm, Duanmu Qingshan assessed his pulse and then shook his head. "Indeed, another youth with mediocre aptitude," he sighed.
Blinking, Ling Feng, even in his naivety, could sense the ill intentions harbored by Yang Wei and Li Liang.
Why would they send a disciple with mediocre aptitude to Duanmu Qingshan?
"I'll teach you the fundamental cultivation methods of the Wenxian Sect since you've addressed me as your master," Duanmu Qingshan stated with a cold demeanor, hands clasped behind his back.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Duanmu Qingshan retrieved a book. Its pages were stained with alcohol, yet the text remained discernible.
Wenxian Qi-Refining Sutra!
"Take it!" He casually tossed the manual.
Reaching out, Ling Feng caught it and recognized that it was the method for cultivating and circulating qi for Qi Formation Realm disciples. He quickly bowed to Duanmu Qingshan, saying, "Thank you, Master."
"I've told you, hold off on addressing me as Master for now," Duanmu Qingshan said nonchalantly.
Observing Duanmu Qingshan's demeanor, Ling Feng felt a hint of doubt, especially considering the pitying look he received from Zong Yuan. It was evident that trouble awaited him in the coming days.
With a downward glance, Duanmu Qingshan advised Ling Feng, "It's better for you to avoid any association with me, lest you ruin your entire life."
"Indeed!" Ling Feng's gaze sharpened as he clenched his fist. He was reluctant to invite trouble, but if it came knocking, he wouldn't back down!
Being part of the inner sect meant one couldn't easily venture into the outer sect.
The resources available to inner disciples differed vastly from those of the outer sect. If he wanted to grow stronger quickly, Ling Feng knew he had to stay within the inner sect.
"Maybe there's some connection between us. There are healing herbs and medicine outside; feel free to gather if you need them," Duanmu Qingshan said, patting Ling Feng's shoulder. He then took a sip from the flask at his waist before turning and walking away.
Watching Duanmu Qingshan leave, Ling Feng's doubts deepened.
As a top figure, standing equal to even peak leaders, why is he so irresponsible?
Is there something more to this situation?
However, at that moment, Ling Feng furrowed his brow, sensing an anomaly in Duanmu Qingshan's body.
"Hidden injury?" Ling Feng touched his nose.
In the realm of medicine, observation, listening, questioning, and palpation were all essential.
Ling Feng's medical expertise reached a level comparable to that of a sage. Despite lacking pulse diagnosis ability, he remained confident in his keen observational skills.
"Even as a senior figure in the Wenxian Sect, the master lacks standing within the sect and bears concealed injuries…" Ling Feng contemplated, furrowing his brow, "There must be more to this."
In the next moment, he shook his head with a bitter smile, remarking, "I'm like a clay Buddha crossing the river[2]; I need to figure out how to get through these next few days first."
"Being expelled is certainly not an option after overcoming the challenges of gaining entry to the inner sect."
Clenching his fist, Ling Feng realized that unraveling the many mysteries within himself required significant strength.
Ling Feng took a deep breath.
Duanmu Qingshan mentioned he had planted some herbs.
Intrigued, he turned and headed towards the courtyard, where he indeed found several herb fields.
"Red Sage!"
"Qirong Chrysanthemum!"
"Oh my, all of these are precious! "
Ling Feng's eyelid twitched violently; these were spiritual herbs, unseen in the mortal realm.
The moment Ling Feng laid eyes on these herbs and medicine, being a physician, his mind spun with excitement.
Given Duanmu Qingshan's consent for harvesting them, Ling Feng decided to gather some herbs for himself.
…
Sitting by the window, Duanmu Qingshan sipped his wine, his gaze fixed on Ling Feng.
It's odd. How can this kid be so interested in these herbs? Ordinary folks probably wouldn't even recognize them.
As a highly skilled medical Taoist, Duanmu Qingshan cultivated herbs in his yard for treating his own hidden injuries.
Without considerable medical expertise, recognizing those unconventional herbs would be implausible by all means.
Suddenly, a dark aura flickered on Duanmu Qingshan's forehead. Hastily, he sealed several acupoints on the left side of his body, taking a while to catch his breath.
"Lin Canglang, Yang Wei! Don't think you can trap me, Duanmu Qingshan, forever!"
Duanmu Qingshan snorted lightly, finally withdrawing his gaze away from Ling Feng.
He was well aware that even if the young man named Ling Feng understood some medical skills, that wouldn't change his own destiny.
In no time, he would become akin to the mediocre talents sent here in the past decade, unable to endure the humiliation from disciples of other branches, and opt to leave voluntarily.
1. Drunken sage is a nickname given by Li Bai by himself ☜
2. It means: why worry about others when you can't even ensure your own safety or well-being? ☜
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