Chapter 9: Qi-Transforming Ice-Fire Wine!
Ling Feng was inwardly quite astonished. Despite it being his first attempt at replicating his opponents’ moves using the Heavenly Dao Eye, Ling Feng still outperformed them.
He was unaware that his body had undergone substantial strengthening due to the consecutive activation of the Eye of the Emperor in moments of rage, Ling Feng was now more formidable than warriors who had diligently cultivated from the Body Refinement Realm.
Ling Feng exhibited a superior level of proficiency in both strength and speed compared to individuals like Ren Yifei. As a result, when using the Black Wind Claw and Cloud-Chasing Steps, his performance surpassed that of his opponents.
With Ren Yifei out of the picture, his lackeys were left without the capability to continue the fight.
Striking while the hammer was still hot, Ling Feng deftly employed his golden needle to seal the acupoints of the remaining challengers.
Despite how different acupuncture techniques and martial skills were, effectively sealing the opponent's acupoints still proved advantageous in practical combat.
As Ling Feng observed the lifeless dogs on the ground, he became convinced that his entanglement in the situation was a consequence of underlying grievances between his disparaged master and the high-ranking members of the Wenxian Sect.
Duanmu Qingshan refrained from defending himself, possibly to avoid becoming involved in the situation.
However, getting Ling Feng to leave obediently was not such an easy task.
Apart from the discrepancy in treatment between the inner and outer sect, the inner sect boasted spiritual energy that was more than three times denser than that of the latter, leading to a significantly disparate cultivation speed.
Furthermore, inner sect disciples had exclusive access to the scripture depository for selecting martial arts techniques, while those in the outer sect were typically tasked with daily menial chores.
How was he going to rapidly boost his strength and reclaim the second volume of The Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion from the Yan family in the Eastern Capital if he left the inner sect?
Despite the challenges he faced to stay in the inner sect, he was determined not to give up, even if there was only a glimmer of hope!
He required more formidable strength!
"Remember, don't provoke me in the future!"
Disdainfully snorting, Ling Feng retracted the golden needles from Ren Yifei and the others, then turned and walked toward the bamboo tower.
Upon the release of the acupoints, Ren Yifei and the others regained their mobility. Startled and disoriented, they crawled backward a few steps before struggling to stand. With an angry glare at Ling Feng, Ren Yifei declared in a hateful tone, "Just you wait! Don't assume that defeating me guarantees tranquility. Tomorrow, more formidable senior brothers will be coming here, so your fate will be exceptionally miserable!"
Furrowing his brow, Ling Feng turned around, shot a fierce glare at Ren Yifei, and clenched his fist which made a sound resembling popping beans.
Ren Yifei's body trembled as he quickly recoiled. Not daring to linger any longer, he promptly fled as if his life depended on it.
"A bunch of rats!"
Ling Feng let out a cold snort, then turned and walked into Duanmu Qingshan's bamboo tower.
Upon Ling Feng’s return to the courtyard, he noticed his belittled master seated on a bamboo chair, seemingly surprised as he scrutinized Ling Feng.
"Master!" Ling Feng stepped forward and bowed.
Duanmu Qingshan pursed his lips, not dwelling on Ling Feng addressing him as "Master." He simply remarked, "Surprisingly, you have some skills."
"Skills are forced out," Ling Feng tightened his fist and said solemnly.
"Interesting!" Duanmu Qingshan raised the wine gourd, took a sip, and gestured for Ling Feng to approach with a nonchalant curl of his finger. He calmly stated, "Come here."
Ling Feng advanced a few steps and stood before Duanmu Qingshan.
"Third level of Qi Condensation?" Duanmu Qingshan was mildly surprised. "In just one night, you've progressed to the third level of Qi Formation?"
"Perhaps it's the outcome of accumulated efforts," Ling Feng remarked with a casual pursing of his lips.
"Is that the case?" Duanmu Qingshan, showing no inclination to delve deeper, directed his gaze toward an adjacent bamboo chair. He uttered calmly, "Have a seat."
Ling Feng nodded and, as instructed, took a seat beside Duanmu Qingshan. He listened in silence without saying much.
"With your young age, you exhibit a composure and stability that surpasses ordinary individuals," Duanmu Qingshan remarked, turning to give Ling Feng a brief look. "It appears you've experienced quite a bit."
"Perhaps to some extent," Ling Feng nodded slightly. "However, Master, you are evidently a person of seniority among those peak leaders and elders. Yet, within the sect, you seem to lack a prominent position and are somewhat isolated by the entire sect. There must be some reasons behind this."
"Yes, the reasons are quite significant."
Having another sip of wine, Duanmu Qingshan calmly stated, "However, enduring this first time doesn't guarantee your peaceful stay here. As I've said before, I am not your master, and I won't be teaching you anything. Don't nurture false hopes; leave obediently."
"I've also mentioned before, I am determined to become your disciple!" Ling Feng retorted.
Arching an eyebrow, Ling Feng smiled, his focus shifting to the wine gourd in Duanmu Qingshan's hand. With a teasing grin, he remarked, "Master, could it be that the contents of your flask are medicinal wine?"
"Oh?" A trace of surprise flashed in Duanmu Qingshan's eyes. "Go on."
"Weakness in vitality, outwardly strong but internally rigid. Master, it appears you have suffered a severe internal injury in the past. Am I correct?"
"Your eyes are keen." Duanmu Qingshan nodded. "For your young age, your medical skills are quite impressive."
“I have some basic knowledge.” Ling Feng met Duanmu Qingshan’s gaze and said slowly. “However, Master, the composition of this wine you have seems a bit off.”
"Hmm?" Finally, a subtle change appeared in Duanmu Qingshan's expression. "Kid, while I won't boast about being unparalleled in medical skills, several decades ago, I did earn the reputation of Duanmu the Godlike Physician. Few Taoists can surpass me in the realm of medicine; you can count them on one hand. How dare you suggest that my Qi-Transforming Ice-Fire Wine is improperly composed?"
"I’m not simply suggesting!"
Determined, Ling Feng gritted his teeth. While he might try to avoid disputes with Duanmu Qingshan in other matters, when it came to medical skills, he had a distinct and unwavering stubbornness.
This is also the reason why, despite his young age, he had achieved such remarkable proficiency in the field of medicine.
Duanmu Qingshan locked eyes with Ling Feng for a while before finally bursting into hearty laughter. "You're right, the composition of my wine is indeed off!"
Standing up gradually, Duanmu Qingshan commented, "If the composition were correct, after over a decade, my cultivation wouldn't have decreased but would have continued to flourish. I, Duanmu Qingshan, who once prided myself on my advanced medical skills, am now being schooled by a junior."
"I believe, Master, that I could attempt to refine this medicinal wine," Ling Feng remarked casually.
"What did you say?" Duanmu Qingshan looked at Ling Feng incredulously. "Youngster, your confidence seems a bit too much. I've spent a decade attempting to refine the formula for this Qi-Transforming Ice-Fire Wine, yet you're now claiming you have a solution?"
Duanmu Qingshan scrutinized Ling Feng from head to toe. "How old are you?"
"Give it a try, what harm could it do?" said Ling Feng.
Ling Feng extended his palm and asked calmly, "Master, could you let me take a look at your Qi-Transforming Ice-Fire Wine?"
Duanmu Qingshan casually tossed the wine gourd to Ling Feng. "Take it and let's see what you can come up with."
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