Chapter 1290: Moxue Mountain Manor

Inside a secret chamber at Moxue Mountain Manor.

Tuoba Yan sat cross-legged, carefully following the instructions of the elderly woman before her. Her cultivation focused on the circulation of energy, and after several cycles, her aura had strengthened noticeably, growing several times more powerful than before!

"Excellent, excellent! Truly worthy of a young talent with the Profound Yin Physique!"

The old woman's face was filled with satisfaction. She looked at Tuoba Yan as though she had discovered a treasure unmatched in the world.

Tuoba Yan slowly ended her practice, her thoughts drifting to Ling Feng. She had no desire to push herself further. Biting her lip lightly, she spoke. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior, but my companion..."

"You need not worry, his physique is extraordinary. An ordinary person would have suffered irreparable harm from the same injury, yet your companion recovered in just a few days, as if by miracle. His sea of mind is vast and powerful, and his spiritual consciousness protects it with a purity rivaling even mine."

The old woman's smile softened, her voice gentle. "I gave him a Soul Nourishing Pill. In a few days, he should awaken."

"That is reassuring."

Tuoba Yan said, her heart settling slightly. She bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Mo."

"

Sigh

..."

The old woman shook her head with a light sigh. "Tuoba girl, have you truly decided not to consider becoming my disciple?"

Tuoba Yan clenched her fists. "Senior has shown me great kindness. Under ordinary circumstances, I would never refuse such an honor. But my companion and I plan to enter Dongling Immortal Pool together. For that reason..."

"You need not worry about that at all."

The elder interrupted calmly. "Moxue Mountain Manor has connections with Dongling Immortal Pool. Even if you were to become my disciple, it would not prevent your entry. I can also provide recommendations, which will greatly aid in obtaining a qualification token."

Seeing Tuoba Yan hesitate, the old woman pressed on. "My intentions are sincere. Your physique makes you the perfect successor for the secret teachings of Moxue Mountain Manor. I have searched for over a century and have never found another with a Profound Yin Physique like yours. If you refuse to cultivate these secrets, they may be lost forever. Would that not be a great shame?"

"

Uh...

"

Tuoba Yan bit her lip and shook her fists lightly. "I... I will wait until my companion awakens before deciding."

"

Sigh

... So be it, so be it..."

The elder sighed softly, a knowing gleam in her eyes. Age had sharpened her insight, she could see that Tuoba Yan's feelings for her companion went far beyond simple friendship.

At that moment, a maid called from outside. "Manor Master, the young man surnamed Ling has awakened."

"Awakened?"

The old woman's eyes flickered. She had expected Ling Feng to wake soon, but not this quickly.

"That is excellent!"

Tuoba Yan's heart leapt. She didn't stop to think further and dashed out, sprinting toward the courtyard where Ling Feng rested.

...

Inside Ling Feng's room.

Ling Feng scanned his surroundings with Boundless Vision. Footsteps suddenly echoed, and several maids entered the room.

"

Ah!

Young master, you are awake!"

They hurriedly set down the towels and basins they had been carrying. For the past few days, they had tended to him, washing and caring for him each day.

"Where am I?" Ling Feng asked, his brow furrowed as he studied the young women.

"This is Moxue Mountain Manor, the largest mountain manor in Iron Ice City," one maid replied with a smile. "You were unconscious for five days. Manor Master brought you and Miss Tuoba here."

"Manor Master?" Ling Feng touched his nose, realizing that the elderly woman he had seen speaking to Tuoba Yan in the secret chamber must be the manor master.

"Yes. She said you would awaken in a few days. We did not expect it to be this soon."

The maid laughed softly, then remembered something and said quickly, "Young Master, please wait. I will fetch Manor Master and Miss Tuoba. Miss Tuoba has stayed by your side every night, she will be overjoyed to know you have awakened."

"Yan'er..."

Ling Feng's heart stirred at her name, yet he shook his head and smiled faintly. "Impossible... I must be imagining it."

Not long after, Tuoba Yan burst into the room. She froze when she saw him awake. A wave of joy crossed her face, and she ran forward. When she reached his bedside, she stopped, tightened her fists, and let her expression cool. "

Yo,

you are not dead!"

"No, thanks to you, I managed to keep my life," Ling Feng replied, stretching lazily.

He knew Tuoba Yan's cold exterior hid a warm heart, and he had survived largely because of her care.

"

Hmph,

you always love to act tough. This will teach you not to cause trouble again."

Tuoba Yan's eyes reddened, and she glared fiercely at Ling Feng. Although her words were blaming him, they contained an overwhelming concern and worry.

"Heaven knows I did not go looking for trouble," Ling Feng said, smiling faintly. Then his expression hardened. "Since I survived, that old man will be the one to pay!"

Tuoba Yan sighed softly. She knew him well enough to understand that he repaid both kindness and grievances without hesitation. Once he decided on something, nothing could sway him.

At that moment, a cheerful laugh echoed from the doorway. Mo Qiuhua, the manor master, entered with a smile. "Young Master Ling, you have finally awakened."

Ling Feng rose quickly and bowed. "Senior, thank you for your help. I owe you a great debt."

"It was nothing."

Mo Qiuhua replied with a smile. "Everything depended on your own physique. Otherwise, even I would have been powerless."

"Being taken in by your grace is already a great kindness," Ling Feng said, giving a fist-and-palm salute.

Mo Qiuhua waved a hand, smiling with a trace of embarrassment. "To be honest, I had a personal reason for helping both of you."

She explained her interest in Tuoba Yan's unique physique. "Young Master Ling, I value this girl greatly. If she becomes my disciple, I will teach her everything I know. I will also recommend both of you, giving you the chance to enter Dongling Immortal Pool."

"Although Moxue Mountain Manor is not first rated, we are in favor of Dongling Immortal Pool, and that gives us some influence, so recommending the two of you is possible. If Miss Tuoba becomes my disciple, it may take a year or two before she can formally enter Dongling Immortal Pool, but for martial practitioners, two years pass in the blink of an eye."