Chapter 5: Wenxian Sect

Chapter 5: Wenxian Sect

The next day.

At Ling Kun's urging, Ling Feng packed up his belongings and embarked on a journey to seek the way of the martial art with his grandfather.

From Yunxi District, they traveled north all the way, entering a region known as the Seventh Northern District.

Due to Ling Feng's activation of the Emperor's Eye, which resulted in the massacre of all the members of the Lord's mansion in Kaiyang City, Ling Kun continued to lead Ling Feng northward. He wanted to minimize the potential troubles and complications they might encounter.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month had passed.

During this period, Ling Kun visited numerous locally renowned sects, hoping to have Ling Feng accepted into one for cultivation.

Unfortunately, as soon as those people saw Ling Feng's age, they immediately shook their heads and rejected the idea.

The path of martial arts generally required youngsters to toughen their bodies from an early age. The disciples of martial arts families typically began body tempering and training at the age of twelve or even ten. Ling Feng, at eighteen, though not too old, had evidently missed the prime age for such training.

Starting martial arts at the age of eighteen was essentially equivalent to squandering effort and resources.

Therefore, even if some martial practitioners from certain sects had once received favors from Ling Feng's grandfather, they still hesitated to accept Ling Feng. Some avoided him, while others outright sent people to drive him away.

To this day, it was already the twelfth sect that had cast Ling Feng and his grandfather down the mountain, severing ties without mercy.

"Get lost! With your grandson's aptitude, wanting to step into the martial path is simply a fool's dream! Elder Jian said that he doesn’t know you two beggars, so get out!"

The disciples, who were guarding, grumbled and cursed.

"Damn it, if it weren't for my master back then, you would not be alive today!"

Once again rejected by a sect's guarding disciple, Ling Kun couldn't contain his anger and burst out, "You people who look down on others! Not accepting Feng'er is your loss!"

"Let it go, Grandpa." Ling Feng sighed softly. "Why bother arguing with these guard dogs?"

"You brat, who are you calling guard dogs?"

Upon hearing this, the guarding disciples immediately swarmed in, punching and kicking Ling Feng and his grandfather. They forcefully expelled the two from the mountain gate.

Ling Feng lifted his eyes and glanced at the plaque above the mountain gate inscribed with the words “Liuyun Sword Sect”. He quietly noted it in his heart.

The humiliation of today would undoubtedly be repaid twofold in the future!

...

In the quiet of the night, Ling Feng and his grandfather huddled around a campfire, enduring the night's hardships.

"It's been nearly a month." Ling Kun clenched his fist, sighed deeply. "Feng'er, Grandpa will take you to Wenxian Sect tomorrow. There's an outer sect elder there with whom I have some acquaintance. He... he should be willing to help us."

"Let it go, Grandpa. Don't sacrifice your dignity for my sake anymore," Ling Feng gritted his teeth and said, "Even if I don't join a sect, I can still cultivate!"

"Feng'er, Grandpa knows you're filial, but you don’t even have a method to guide the Qi into your body, how can you cultivate?"

Ling Kun sighed softly, understanding the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

"Feng'er, remember what I’ve told you!" Ling Kun turned to look at Ling Feng, speaking with great emphasis.

"Feng'er will always remember it in my heart, never forgetting it!" Ling Feng nodded emphatically.

"Feng'er, once you enter Wenxian Sect, focus on your cultivation and don't worry about me. I've lived for so many years and know how to take care of myself! Grandpa will be waiting for you at the inn in Yunxi District, hoping you'll achieve success in your cultivation as soon as possible."

Ling Kun took a deep breath, suppressing his tears.

For over a decade, Ling Feng had been raised by Ling Kun and was as dear to him as his own grandson. This parting naturally filled his heart with reluctance.

Ling Feng, understanding his grandfather's emotions, bowed deeply to Ling Kun. "Grandpa, with me not by your side, p...please take good care of yourself!"

After saying that, Ling Kun wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes and turned away, leaving.

Watching his grandfather's departing figure, Ling Feng clenched his fists tightly and silently vowed in his heart, "Rest assured, Grandpa. Feng'er will definitely become the strongest! The strongest person in the world!"

Wang Danfeng shook his head with a light sigh and patted Ling Feng's shoulder. "Let's go, my child. Don't let your grandfather's efforts be in vain."

Ling Feng nodded, casting a deep glance at Ling Kun. He then followed Wang Danfeng, gradually moving away.

"Here is Jiuxian Mountain. Come, I'll take you directly to the inner sect," Wang Danfeng said with a faint smile.

Ling Feng looked around, and Jiuxian Mountain truly lived up to its name [2] The scenery was picturesque, resembling a wonderland.

He clenched his fists. From today onward, he would begin cultivating martial arts in this place!

"Greetings to the Elder!"

"Greetings to the Elder!"

Upon seeing Wang Danfeng, each outer sect disciple immediately approached respectfully, bowing in salutation.

Wang Danfeng held a respectable position in the outer sect, which is why he had the authority to recommend an inner sect disciple.

Wang Danfeng waved his hand to the greeting outer sect disciples and led Ling Feng straight to the mountaintop.

Watching the figures of Wang Danfeng and Ling Feng as they left, many outer sect disciples stopped in their tracks and exclaimed.

"I’m so envious of the disciples who are able to join the inner sect directly!"

"Enough with the envy. Focus on completing your chores well. As long as you work hard, there's a chance for outer sect disciples to join the inner sect too!"

"Ah, got it..."

1. Qiankun is a term in Chinese philosophy meaning the universe ☜

2. In Taoism, the concept of xian (仙) is ascribed to a person or entity having a long life, or is understood to be immortal in some sense. The concept of xian has different implications depending upon the specific context: philosophical, religious, mythological, or other symbolic or cultural occurrence. ☜