Chapter 156: Unwilling Acceptance!

Awkward!

Very awkward!

Ling Feng rolled his eyes and hurriedly reached out to help up Duanmu Qingshan, offering a wry smile. "Master, please rise."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Duanmu Qingshan promptly straightened up, demonstrating his obedience to Ling Feng's command.

"Everyone, please stand up!" Ling Feng also helped Elder Yao to his feet, sighing softly. "I hope all the elders can provide me with guidance in the future."

He truly had no desire to become a sect leader, but unfortunately, Duanmu Qingshan had maneuvered him into the position, leaving him with no choice.

However, the feeling of commanding obedience and holding great power did give one a sense of elation.

Ling Feng shook his head, finding the allure of power rather misleading. He had little attachment to authority, especially in the context of a mere Wenxian Sect.

His aspirations extended far beyond the confines of the sect.

"Sect Leader, with the internal turmoil now quelled, the sect awaits your decisions to address the numerous pending matters."

Elder Yao sighed lightly. The former sect leader Lin Canglang and nearly ten peak leaders and elders were revealed as traitors. Some were dead, and some imprisoned. Additionally, what to do with their direct disciples posed another dilemma.

"The blame lies with Lin Canglang, Yang Wei, and others this time. As for their disciples, those willing to stay may continue on their respective peak," Ling Feng responded.

"We shall follow the Sect Leader's orders." Elder Yao nodded slightly. Ling Feng's approach of reconciliation undoubtedly offered the best means to soothe the unrest.

Otherwise, the close aides and disciples of Lin Canglang and Yang Wei would likely feel deeply apprehensive. This could potentially lead to their defection from the sect, undoubtedly dealing a severe blow to the sect's vitality.

"The appointment of trusted peak leaders will involve an open competition among disciples of the major peaks, with each peak making its own decision before reporting to the main peak."

While Ling Feng lacked experience as a sect leader, he possessed exceptional wisdom and understood the importance of prioritization. Currently, these were the two most pressing matters to address.

"Allowing disciples to openly compete for the peak leader positions was indeed a commendable approach."

Elder Yao stroked his beard, a glint of approval shone in his eyes, revealing his admiration for Ling Feng's handling of the situation. While traditionally peak leaders were appointed by the sect leader and the elders' council, this time enabling disciples to vote ensured the selection of the most trusted peak leaders.

At that moment, a disciple responsible for handling the bodies stepped forward, kneeling before Ling Feng and the elders as he reported, "Reporting to the Sect Leader and all the elders, in the recent massacre by the Four Evils of the Bloody Night against the Wenxian Sect, all four culprits have been executed on the spot. Their nine subordinates have also been slain. Among the captured traitors of the Wenxian Sect are Yang Wei, Li Liang, Dan Xiong, and six others. Two disciples of the Wenxian Sect have perished, and twenty others are injured."

"The Four Evils of the Bloody Night, vicious and ruthless outlaws, dared to attack the Wenxian Sect, yet ultimately only caused two deaths; this can definitely be considered a resounding victory."

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Thanks for your hard work." Ling Feng nodded slightly. The casualties were almost negligible.

"Sect Leader, there is another matter I must report..."

"Speak up, there's no need to beat around the bush," interjected Elder Yao firmly.

"Yes!" The disciple gritted his teeth. "I collected all the bodies, b-but I did not find the body of the former sect leader, Lin Canglang."

"What?" Duanmu Qingshan was the first to react, jumping to his feet. "No sign of Lin Canglang's body?"

"Yes, there was no sign of him among the bodies..."

"Lin Canglang!" Duanmu Qingshan clenched his fists tightly. His greatest adversaries were two people. One had perished over a decade ago by his sword, Lu Tianji, and the other was Lin Canglang.

"How is this possible?" Elder Yao's expression was incredulous. "I distinctly remember Blood Red Garment clawing through Lin Canglang's heart and then delivering a kick. His meridians were severed, and his consciousness extinguished. Could it be that you didn't look carefully enough?"

"I've confirmed it carefully several times."

"This..." The elders exchanged uncertain glances. "Can the dead return to life?"

"It's not entirely impossible," Ling Feng confidently interjected, "While most people have their hearts located on the left side of their body, there are exceptions, with some having their hearts on the right. Lin Canglang could be one of these unique individuals, so it's possible he didn't die at that moment. Instead, he might have feigned death and escaped during the chaos."

"That scoundrel is indeed as cunning as a fox!" Duanmu Qingshan's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly regained his composure. "Good, this gives me the opportunity to personally exterminate him!"

"A mere Lin Canglang is no longer a concern," Elder Yao remarked calmly, "Even if he survived, he likely suffered severe injuries, rendering him half-dead. If he dares to seek revenge, he's only digging his own grave."

"Indeed, we'll dispatch a few teams of disciples to search the nearby areas. With his injuries, encountering some demonic beasts would likely seal his fate."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose bridge, sensing a faint unease creeping into his heart.

Though Lin Canglang wasn't a prominent figure, his depth of cunning and scheming left Ling Feng with an unsettling feeling as long as Lin Canglang remained alive.

However, Ling Feng quickly shook his head with a smile. With his Heavenly Dao Eyes, he would only widen the gap between himself and Lin Canglang. Perhaps the next time Lin Canglang appeared before him, Ling Feng would be able to strike him down with a single sword.

"Sect Leader, now that you hold the esteemed position of sect leader, please move to the Liuxian Peak. I've already instructed someone to prepare everything for your relocation."

Elder Yao, considered a veteran of the sect, was quite adept in handling such matters.

"Furthermore, I request all elders to announce the change of leadership in the Wenxian Sect to the other nine sects and ten factions of the Xianzong Mountain Range, to assert our authority!"

"Sect Leader, please follow me. We need to have your sect leader's robe tailored."

Ling Feng pursed his lips. There were many things he wanted to discuss with Duanmu Qingshan, but given the current situation, it seemed he would be busy for quite a while.

...

Hidden deep within the dense forest, where daylight struggled to penetrate, the echoes of tiger roars and ape cries filled the air.

Spat...

Lin Canglang, clutching his chest, forcefully expelled a mouthful of blood, leaving his face as pale as paper.

"Ling Feng, I never expected you to possess such abilities!

Pfft...

"

Another mouthful of blood erupted from Lin Canglang's lips as he collapsed heavily onto the ground.

As Ling Feng had pointed out, Lin Canglang's heart lay naturally on the right side of his body, enabling his narrow escape from the Wenxian Sect during the chaos.

However, his relentless flight had depleted his energy entirely by the time he reached this point.

"I refuse to accept this! I refuse!"

Lin Canglang clenched his fists tightly. While he harbored resentment towards the betrayal caused by the Blood Red Garment, his hatred towards Ling Feng ran even deeper.

If it weren't for Ling Feng pushing him to this extent, his meticulously laid plans over the years wouldn't have been destroyed in an instant!

"

Hehehe...

you’re unwilling to accept? In this world, the amount of people who refuse to accept their situations is quite abundant!"

In the next instant, a dark figure seemed to emerge from the void, emanating an unparalleled pressure that pinned Lin Canglang to the ground, rendering him immobile.

"W-Who... who are you?" Lin Canglang trembled uncontrollably, feeling as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. He had never encountered someone so powerful before.

Rending the fabric of space itself, could this be... the harbinger of souls from the depths of hell? Had he already perished?

"

Hehehe...

"

With a sweep of his hand, the surroundings warped into an illusionary realm, shrouded in a crimson hue.

"Hell...? Is this... Hell? Am I dead? Am I really dead? I refuse to accept this! I refuse!"