Chapter 348: The Captain of the West Court Sword Team, Xuanyuan Ao!
Chapter 348: The Captain of the West Court Sword Team, Xuanyuan Ao!
When Ling Feng awoke, he found himself lying once again in the familiar bed of the guest room he had previously rested in. Slowly opening his eyes, he recognized the surroundings and remembered his last stay there.
"Hey, you woke up pretty quickly this time! You were only out for a night!"
The voice belonged to the lively maid, Qiao Qiao.
"Miss Qiao Qiao," Ling Feng acknowledged as he rubbed his nose and glanced around the room. Qiao Qiao chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she teased, "Are you looking for my lady?"
"Uh..." Ling Feng paused, momentarily confused. Why indeed was he seeking Yue Yunlan?
She was, after all, a young lady of noble birth and had no obligation to stay by his side.
"My lady stayed with you all night long. She only went to see the sect leader this morning," Qiao Qiao giggled and leaned closer to Ling Feng, her voice teasing. "So, while she's not here, why don't you tell me—do you like my lady? I promise I won't tell her. Cross my heart!"
"I might as well cross mine too!" Ling Feng retorted, rolling his eyes. He stretched his muscles slightly, feeling much less weak than after his previous needle treatment.
There were three reasons for his improved state.
First, the presence of the Regenerative Golden Needles significantly reduced the strain of deploying the Regenerative Needle Array.
Second, his cultivation had advanced, boosting his true qi and energy reserves considerably.
Third, the Body Refinement Art had transformed his physique into that of a humanoid beast. Even when exhausted, his recovery was swift.
"Tsk, not saying anything just proves you like her," Qiao Qiao stuck out her tongue playfully. "My lady is so perfect and outstanding—it's no surprise you would."
"Maybe," Ling Feng smiled faintly. "But right now, I'm not in a position to talk about liking or disliking anyone."
"Why so serious and brooding?" Qiao Qiao pouted. "I'll go tell my lady that you're awake."
"Wait, don’t—" Ling Feng started, but Qiao Qiao had already dashed out before he could stop her.
In no time, Yue Yunlan arrived in a rush. She seemed surprised that Ling Feng had regained consciousness so quickly this time. Accompanying her was Wen Tingguang, who had come upon hearing that Ling Feng was awake.
"Brother Ling, you recovered quickly this time!" Wen Tingguang said with a hearty laugh.
"Thanks to the Cangqiong Sect for crafting the nine Regenerative Golden Needles for me. Without them, I might have been out for three days and nights," Ling Feng replied with a calm smile. He then inquired, "How is the sect leader's condition?"
"My father has improved significantly after your treatment," Yue Yunlan looked at Ling Feng with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Ling."
"As a physician, healing the sick is my duty," Ling Feng said quietly. "However, my skills are still far from enough."
He was referring to the second part of The Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. If he had mastered it, he believed he could have cured Yue Zhonglian more swiftly.
"Haha! If you talk like that, you're making every Daoist physician in the world look bad."
Wen Tingguang laughed heartily. When Yue Zhonglian was gravely ill, the Cangqiong Sect had sought help far and wide. Even the divine imperial physicians were helpless, and only Ling Feng's intervention saved Yue Zhonglian's life. If Ling Feng himself admitted to lacking skill, then what could be said of other Daoist physicians and divine doctors? They might as well bury themselves out of shame.
"There’s always a higher sky and a greater person," Ling Feng shook his head and said calmly, "The depth of medical knowledge is limitless. What I’ve learned is merely scratching the surface."
"You always have such a way with words," Wen Tingguang squinted and smiled, his eyebrows lifting playfully. "It seems things are progressing well between you and Lan, isn’t that right?"
"Uncle Wen! Stop speaking nonsense!" Yue Yunlan’s face turned a bright red as she glared at Wen Tingguang, her ears also flushing with heat.
Ling Feng merely smiled lightly, not engaging in the banter. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "Brother Wen, I need to return to Tianwei Academy soon. The holiday is almost over."
"That’s fine," Wen Tingguang nodded. He looked Ling Feng over with surprise and said, "Your True Art of Xuanyuan has progressed well. You've already opened twenty-three meridian gates. It’s incredible—truly incredible!"
Just six months ago, Ling Feng was merely at the Qi Formation Realm!
Such rapid advancement would make even the elite disciples of the Cangqiong Sect feel inadequate.
"It’s just a stroke of luck."
Ling Feng’s expression remained calm. Although his progress was swift, it was still far from enough to confront the Yan family in the Eastern Capital and reclaim The Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion that belonged to the lineage of the medical saint.
Yue Yunlan bit her lip gently. "Since my father's condition has stabilized, I'll return to the academy with you."
"Alright."
Ling Feng nodded slightly. He had originally planned to use the short break to hunt some demonic beasts to train the Eight Desolations Body Refinement Art. However, the unexpected events of the past two days had caught him off guard. Still, obtaining the Five Elements Heavenly Palace, such a treasured item, was an immense fortune.
...
Around dusk, Ling Feng and Yue Yunlan, along with her maid, finally returned to Tianwei Academy.
Upon their return, Yue Yunlan immediately parted ways with Ling Feng to avoid any rumors and unnecessary trouble.
Ling Feng headed straight to Tianshu East Court. With the holiday ending, he just wanted to rest before the busy schedule of sword team training and studies resumed.
As he approached a narrow alley near the Tianshu East Court, three or four figures suddenly leaped towards him. Judging by their attire, they were clearly sky-tier students.
The leader shouted, "Ling Feng, Captain Xuanyuan wants to see you. Come with us!"
"Captain Xuanyuan?"
Ling Feng rubbed his nose. The name sounded vaguely familiar, like he had heard it somewhere before.
In fact, the Captain Xuanyuan they referred to was Xuanyuan Ao, the leader of the West Court’s sword team.
Liu Shengjie had become a complete joke. The other students who were involved were utterly ashamed. After returning to the academy, they shut themselves in and avoided showing their faces.
As a member of the West Court sword team, Liu Shengjie’s disgraceful actions naturally prompted Xuanyuan Ao, the team’s captain, to step in and seek justice.
If it had been someone with a more fiery temper instead of Liu Shengjie, they might have committed suicide already.
"Who is this ‘Captain Xuanyuan’? Never heard of him!" Ling Feng pursed his lips, showing his reluctance to go along with them.
"Hmph! The Captain of the West Court sword team, Xuanyuan Ao!"
The man in the blue robe glared at Ling Feng and said coldly, "Follow me."
In his mind, offending Xuanyuan Ao meant Ling Feng was already marked for death.
Ling Feng’s lips curled into a slight smile. He replied calmly, "If he wants to see me, he can come himself!"