Chapter 1311: Power Can't Be Bend

Meanwhile, Lin Mu led Ling Feng and the others back to Xianyao Pavilion. To their surprise, the girl Yu Linglong had already prepared a table full of delicious food and fine wine.

It turned out that this monster-strength girl, Yu Linglong, was also a renowned "god chef" of the Earth Spirit Hall. Her culinary skills were said to surpass all others in Dongling Immortal Pool.

Even though everyone present had long shed their mortal bodies, the sight and aroma of the dishes still made their appetites stir.

"

Haha,

I have traveled through all the nations of the Dongling Region and tasted countless delicacies these past two years, but none compare to your cooking, Little Yu'er. Whoever is lucky enough to marry you must have accumulated blessings from a past life!"

Lin Mu ate with great satisfaction and turned to give Yu Linglong a thumbs up. At his praise, her delicate face instantly flushed red. Her shy and innocent expression made her all the more endearing.

"Senior Brother, you... You are laughing at me again!"

Yu Linglong felt her ears burn. She turned and fled the room as if running for her life.

"

Hehe,

that girl really is thin skinned!"

Lin Mu looked delighted. It was strange, though. He loved teasing beautiful women whenever he saw them, yet he never teased this junior sister. Perhaps, in his heart, he had always regarded Yu Linglong as a younger sister.

After several rounds of wine, Lin Mu finally allowed Ning Guichen to leave. Ning Guichen clasped his fists toward Ling Feng and apologized once more. "Junior Brother Ling, regarding the assessment, I apologize again. This elder brother truly did not dare to disobey..."

"Senior Brother Ning, a man who lives upright and openly needs only to be clear of conscience!"

Ling Feng smiled easily as he spoke. "Wealth cannot corrupt, poverty cannot sway, and power cannot bend!"

"Power cannot bend..."

Ning Guichen looked into Ling Feng's eyes, as if enlightenment dawned on him. He repeated the words again and again under his breath.

"Senior Brother Ning."

Ling Feng looked at him seriously. "I can see that you are full of righteous spirit, but your nature tends to hold back. You should know that what a sect truly values is not only talent. It also values the courage to push forward and face sharp edges without fear!"

A sharp light flashed in Ning Guichen's eyes. He nodded heavily. "Junior Brother Ling's words struck me like a wake up call. I will remember them. It is late, I shall take my leave!"

Ling Feng smiled faintly. He could tell that Ning Guichen was a good person. That was why Lin Mu treated him as a friend. It was also why Ling Feng had spoken so frankly. Perhaps these words alone would be enough to change Ning Guichen's life.

"Senior Brother Ning, keep going!"

Ling Feng silently encouraged him. He glanced at Lin Mu, who was already drunk beyond recognition, and could not help but smile.

In some ways, Lin Mu was more like a child who never truly grew up.

...

Early the next morning.

When Lin Mu woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

"Damn it, I overslept!"

He kicked the blanket away, hastily straightened his clothes, and rushed out the door. Ning Guichen was walking toward him.

"Senior Brother Ning!"

Lin Mu's eyelid twitched. "Where are Brother Ling and Miss Tuoba?"

"They already departed."

Ning Guichen shook his head with a smile. "I escorted them to the city gate and just returned. You only woke up now?"

"Damn!"

Lin Mu frowned deeply. "Drinking really ruins things. I planned to tell them about a shortcut through Demon Heaven Snow Ridge!"

"You..."

Ning Guichen laughed helplessly. "Put away those thoughts of cheating. If you cause Junior Brother Ling to lose his qualification, that would be disastrous."

Lin Mu rolled his eyes and thumped his chest. "I cannot speak for other halls, but the Earth Spirit Hall is under my protection!"

Ning Guichen smiled lightly. "Yes, yes, you have it under control. Since everything here is settled, I should return to Flowing Flame Hall to report. I will take my leave."

"Ah? Wait for me!"

Lin Mu hurriedly said, "We can teleport back directly. It is fast. I am heading to the Immortal Pool entrance to welcome Brother Ling!"

"

Mm

."

Ning Guichen nodded. "After I report back to Flowing Flame Hall, I will also go to welcome Junior Brother Ling."

"

Oh?

"

Lin Mu's eyelid twitched. He circled Ning Guichen once, looking at him as though seeing him for the first time. "Senior Brother Ning, after just one night, you stubborn fellow suddenly have some warmth in you?"

Ning Guichen replied calmly, "A man lives upright and openly, seeking only a clear conscience."

"That stubborn head of yours finally opened up!"

Lin Mu laughed loudly and hooked an arm around Ning Guichen's shoulder. He grinned and said, "Then shall I bring you along the next time I sneak a peek at the junior sisters bathing?"

"

Ahem

..."

Ning Guichen's face turned bright red. "Junior Brother Lin, do not joke like that!"

"Did you not say clear conscience? Or do you dislike women and prefer men?"

Lin Mu chuckled mischievously.

Ning Guichen was speechless. He rolled his eyes and smiled bitterly. "Junior Brother, you are good in every way except that you are far too improper."

"After two days under that lecherous old man, you would not stay proper either."

Lin Mu pursed his lips, then waved his hand. "Enough joking. Senior Brother Ning, we are friends now, right?"

"Yes. True friends!"

Ning Guichen nodded firmly. "And Junior Brother Ling as well!"

His expression was solemn, even though he knew that becoming friends with Ling Feng meant standing on the opposite side of Elder Qingxuan.

...

Outside Iron Ice City, the wind and frost raged.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Cold gales swept across the land. Mountains and plains alike were covered in white. Heaven and earth blended into a single expanse of snow.

"Demon Heaven Snow Ridge!"

Ling Feng spread out the map before him. There were about twelve routes that led to Dongling Immortal Pool. Each path differed in difficulty, and the chosen route would serve as the final evaluation, determining whether one entered the outer sect or the inner sect.

"Among the twelve routes, three grant a grade A evaluation."

Ling Feng scanned the map and memorized the general layout. As he was about to choose a path, he suddenly heard voices calling from behind. He turned and saw Mo Qingfeng arriving outside the city with Mo Sanqing.

"Senior Mo!"

Ling Feng stepped forward to greet Mo Qingfeng. After this journey, there might not be many chances to meet this old friend again.

"Master Ling."

Mo Qingfeng returned the salute and spoke slowly. "This old man has an unseemly request. I hope Master Ling can take Sanqing along with you."

Ling Feng glanced sideways at Mo Sanqing and pursed his lips. "I have no objection."

According to Dongling Immortal Pool's rules, participants could form teams, but no more than three people. With Mo Sanqing included, the number was exactly right.

Mo Sanqing clenched his fists. It was clear that Mo Qingfeng and Mo Qiuhua had already reprimanded him. Though unwilling, he still bowed to Ling Feng and said through gritted teeth, "Thank you, Brother Ling, for overlooking past matters."

"There were no past matters to overlook."

Ling Feng shrugged. He agreed purely out of respect for the two elders, Mo Sanqing and Mo Qiuhua. Mo Qingfeng was advanced in age and had lowered himself to ask. Ling Feng could hardly refuse. Helping Mo Sanqing and bringing him to Dongling Immortal Pool was no more than a small favor.