Chapter 1289: The poor do not accept food offered with disrespect

"Stop!"

The voice was not loud, yet it echoed through Xianyao Pavilion with perfect clarity. A moment later, an old man in a blue robe walked slowly down from the upper floor.

His figure looked frail and his hair and beard were completely white, yet his face held very few wrinkles. He looked like an immortal or sage.

Qin Wuyang and the others spotted him and immediately bowed. "Greetings, Elder Qingxuan."

Yu Linglong shrank her neck and whispered timidly, "Greetings, Elder..."

The young geniuses gathered outside the door also bowed one after another.

Their respect for Elder Qingxuan bordered on reverence. Since arriving in Iron Ice City, this was the first time any elderly figure had appeared before them.

Ling Feng alone remained silent. His fists were clenched, his eyes fixed on Elder Qingxuan, yet he said nothing.

When the elder had spoken earlier to stop him and Qin Wuyang, the sound wave hit him directly. His aura collapsed on the spot. If he continued fighting, he would not have stood a chance.

"Wuyang, you disgraced the Blazing Sun Divine Hall!"

Elder Qingxuan let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve. Qin Wuyang immediately lowered his head, too frightened to make a sound.

After a quiet breath, the elder shifted his gaze to Ling Feng. His eyes narrowed slightly and he spoke with a faint smile. "You can stay at Xianyao Pavilion since you are a friend of Lin Mu's, but rules must be followed. This qualification token cannot be handed to you directly. If you wish to enter Dongling Immortal Pool, then win the token properly according to their rules."

With a light gesture, he pulled the token embedded in the wall back into his hand. "That will do. Yu girl, follow my instructions. If Lin Mu objects, he can come speak to me himself."

Under the elder's pressure, Yu Linglong did not dare utter a word. She only turned toward Ling Feng with an apologetic look.

"Brat, what are you waiting for? Elder Qingxuan has been merciful enough to allow you to stay in Xianyao Pavilion. Kneel and thank him!"

Seeing Ling Feng still standing still, Qin Wuyang immediately cursed at him.

"

Hehe,

impressive!"

Ling Feng's fists tightened even further. His back straightened and his eyes never left Elder Qingxuan. "The poor do not accept food offered with disrespect. If this is how Xianyao Pavilion treats people, then I won't stay! Yan'er, we are leaving!"

He turned and walked out of Xianyao Pavilion without the slightest hesitation.

Tuoba Yan bit down on her lip and hurried after him, anxiety flickered in her eyes.

"What an ungrateful fool, does he think he matters?"

"Exactly! The elder of Dongling Immortal Pool personally allowed him to stay in Xianyao Pavilion. That is an honor of a lifetime, yet he treats it like nothing. Arrogant idiot!"

"With that attitude, even some talent will lead nowhere!"

"

Bah...

"

Mockery and scorn rained down behind them. A few even spat in his direction from afar.

Once Ling Feng's figure disappeared completely, Qin Wuyang stepped closer to Elder Qingxuan and lowered his voice. "Uncle, why did you stop me from fighting him?"

"If I had not acted, you would have humiliated the Blazing Sun Divine Hall." Elder Qingxuan shot him a glare and walked away.

Qin Wuyang stood frozen, disbelief spreading across his face.

Would I have lost?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

...

Ling Feng held back his injury until they reached a street three blocks away. His vision blurred and he suddenly coughed up blood.

"Ling Feng!"

Tuoba Yan rushed forward to support him. "Are.. are you hurt?"

"That old man acts righteous on the surface and despicable in secret, such hypocrisy!"

Ling Feng wiped the blood from his lips and spoke coldly. "He used a sound wave to strike my spiritual consciousness, I have no choice but to retreat. He even has the audacity to pretend to be gracious by offering me to stay. Hypocrite, I will settle this score one day!"

"

Pfft!

"

He spoke too forcefully and spat more blood. The elders of Dongling Immortal Pool were indeed terrifying. Their strength was crushing!

"This is bad!" Tuoba Yan held Ling Feng close, her face full of worry. "Are you alright? I-I don't know what to do!"

"I..." Ling Feng felt his sea of mind weakening rapidly. He grabbed Tuoba Yan's sleeve. "I feel... tired. I want... to sleep for a while..."

Before he finished speaking, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

"Ling Feng... Ling Feng..."

Tuoba Yan lost all composure. Only then did she realize how deeply she had come to rely on him. Without him beside her, the world felt as if it were falling apart.

"I have always depended on you. This time, let me be the one you depend on."

She lifted Ling Feng onto her back and walked forward, with no destination in sight.

...

While unconscious, Ling Feng felt himself sinking into a bottomless darkness, as if a giant crack was trying to devour him whole. He ran endlessly with no path of escape!

No one knew how much time passed. When he finally woke, he found himself lying on a soft and spacious bed.

"

Hmm?

Where am I?"

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Ling Feng blinked and immediately looked for Tuoba Yan. She was nowhere nearby.

"Yan'er..."

Pain throbbed in his head. Elder Qingxuan's attack had wounded his sea of mind. Fortunately, his soul essence source was strong, or he would not have merely been unconscious for a few days, instead, he might have ended up crippled or dead.

"Where is Yan'er?"

Ling Feng thought back about what had happened to the point he had fainted. They had been stranded on the street, and as far as he remembered, there were no inns left in Iron Ice City.

He sat up slowly, took a deep breath, and activated Boundless Vision to search for Tuoba Yan.

What he saw surprised him. He was inside a luxurious private manor, and still within Iron Ice City judging from the surroundings.

Through Boundless Vision, every corner of the manor unfolded clearly in his mind. Buildings, corridors, disciples passing by, all as vivid as if seen with his own eyes.

Suddenly, his eyelid twitched. In a quiet room, he found Tuoba Yan. An elderly woman with silver hair sat beside her, speaking nonstop.