Chapter 16: The Guardian Elder of the Depository!

The entrance gate of the Wenxian Sect is astonishingly vast!

Furthermore, with few daring enough to engage with disciples from the Little Bamboo Peak, Ling Feng spent half a day navigating through the grand structures before finally locating the position of the scripture depository.

Ling Feng had no knowledge that the current Peak Master of Feixing Peak, Yang Wei, had already given the command to prohibit the provision of any sect resources to him.

Approaching a three-story tower, its entrance proudly displaying the words

Scripture Repository

, Ling Feng found a lively scene with numerous inner sect disciples gathered around.

Each month, inner sect disciples are limited to borrowing just one manual of martial techniques and one manual of martial skills.

Coincidentally, it was the start of the month, the peak period for disciples to borrow and exchange manuals. Ling Feng found himself in a lengthy queue, and only after some time did he finally have the opportunity to enter the scripture depository and make his manual selections.

"What is your name, and to which peak or branch do you belong?"

The disciple, tasked with overseeing the scripture depository, lazily glanced at Ling Feng and inquired in a routine manner.

"Little Bamboo Peak, Ling Feng," responded Ling Feng, truthfully stating his sect affiliation.

"Little... Little Bamboo Peak?" The disciple guarding the depository raised an eyebrow and suddenly stood up from his chair. "Are you the Ling Feng everyone's talking about?"

"Oh? You've heard of me?" Ling Feng rubbed his nose bridge, never imagining he would be popular within the inner sect of the Wenxian Sect.

"Get lost immediately! The scripture depository is not a place for you, and you are not qualified to borrow any manuals!" The disciple guarding the depository's demeanor turned cold in an instant.

He even gestured, calling over a few more disciples responsible for guarding the depository. They subtly surrounded Ling Feng, as if giving him a warning: if he didn't leave quietly, they would make sure he regretted it!

"As an inner sect disciple, why am I not allowed to borrow manuals from the scripture depository?" Ling Feng's gaze turned cold as he focused on the disciple guarding the depository. "Who granted you such authority? What gives you the right to disregard even the sect's regulations?"

Ling Feng's intense gaze left the disciple feeling uneasy and momentarily speechless.

In accordance with the sect's regulations, each inner sect disciple does have the right to borrow manuals from the scripture depository. However, he had just received instructions from Feixing Peak to restrict Ling Feng's access to the depository.

This was a directive from the higher-ups; how could he dare to act against it?

"Hmph, my words hold authority!"

Just then, a white-bearded elder emerged slowly from the scripture depository. This individual was the Guardian Elder of the depository, not as illustrious as the various peak masters but still a significant elder wielding genuine influence within the Wenxian Sect.

The Guardian Elder of the depository approached Ling Feng with deliberate steps. Though his pace seemed unhurried, in just a few blinks of an eye, he stood before Ling Feng.

"Greetings Elder!"

The disciples guarding the depository, along with others seeking to borrow manuals, all bowed in reverence. This Guardian Elder was a formidable presence at the Pulse Formation Realm, boasting remarkable seniority. Even if the Sect Master were to appear, they would address him as Senior Uncle.

Narrowing his eyes, the elderly man coldly stared at Ling Feng and warned, "Young man, I strongly suggest you leave obediently. Don't invite unnecessary trouble upon yourself."

"You're an elder?" Ling Feng raised his head, meeting the gaze of the Guardian Elder. A subtle curve appeared at the corner of his mouth as he continued, "Does holding the title of an elder grant you the right to disregard the regulations established by the ancestors of the Wenxian Sect?"

"Smooth words and a charming demeanor! Are you qualified to question me, an elder?" The expression of the Guardian Elder turned cold. Given his close association with Yang Wei and the others from Feixing Peak, he was more than willing to extend a personal favor if they sought to suppress this junior.

"I am a disciple of the Wenxian Sect, am I not qualified?" Ling Feng stood proudly, maintaining an unwavering expression in the presence of the Guardian Elder.

"Very well, you have quite the audacity!" The Guardian Elder swept his sleeves dramatically. "Someone, drag this insolent brat out, break both of his legs. Let's see if he dares to defy me again in the future!"

"At your command!" The depository disciples grinned maliciously. With several years in the Wenxian Sect, they had never encountered such a fearless and audacious individual. Ling Feng, challenging even an elder, was a breath of fresh air for disciples who had grown weary of the routine.

"I'd like to see who dares," Ling Feng snorted lightly, retrieving a token from his pocket. "Guardian Elder, take a look at this. Do you recognize it?"

The Guardian Elder, who had initially swept his sleeves to depart, couldn't help but turn back upon hearing Ling Feng's words.

In Ling Feng's hand, a palm-sized jade token was held, bearing the engraving of the character "Xian" — unmistakably the Sect Leader's token of the Wenxian Sect!

"What!" The Guardian Elder's pupils suddenly contracted, and he swiftly turned around. "The Sect Leader's token? How could you possibly have the Sect Leader's token in your hands?"

The surrounding disciples were instantly bewildered. What does the Sect Leader's token signify?

It signifies the authority of the sect leader of the first peak!

That instant, no one dared to proceed with breaking Ling Feng's legs. They stood frozen in place, shifting their gaze between the Guardian Elder and Ling Feng, unsure of what to do.

"At least you still have some insight!" Ling Feng silently wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. He hadn't expected the Sect Leader token to work so effectively, actually managing to restrain the Guardian Elder.

"Hmph, I see, I see!" The Guardian Elder paused for a moment, quickly catching on. "It's that old man, Duanmu Qingshan, who gave you the token, isn't it?"

"Duanmu Qingshan is already my master. Is there an issue with him passing things to me?" Ling Feng gripped the token, snorting lightly. "Guardian Elder, now that you've seen the Sect Leader's token, aren't you going to kneel?"

"Hahaha!" The Guardian Elder burst into laughter. "Kid, while the Sect Leader's token might have some sway in Duanmu Qingshan's hands, for a brat like you, even if you hold the token, what's the use?"

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

With fervent eyes, the Guardian Elder of the depository stated, "In Duanmu Qingshan's hands, this token is secure. However, in your possession, well!"

As he spoke, the Guardian Elder cast a malevolent gaze towards Ling Feng. With a forceful grab, a dreadful power immediately shrouded Ling Feng, suppressing him to the point where he could hardly catch his breath.

"Duanmu Qingshan the old freak has been consistently wise throughout his life, yet an unexpected lapse in judgment has occurred. Hehe, it appears that the Sect Leader's Token is now on the brink of being reclaimed by its rightful owner!"

The Guardian Elder erupted in hearty laughter, his hand casually reaching out. Ling Feng found himself ensnared by a dreadful suction force, pulled towards the Guardian Elder.

"Trouble!" Ling Feng thought to himself, acknowledging the situation. As he had expected, the token represented unparalleled authority, but without the strength to uphold it, it was essentially meaningless.

Just as Ling Feng thought the token was about to be taken away, the jade token suddenly emitted a deep radiance. A sharp sword qi, as if tearing through a distant span of time and space, swiftly traversed the void. It fiercely shot towards the hand of the Guardian Elder, just in the nick of time.

"

Ah!

"

With a cry of agony, the Guardian Elder's suction force abruptly vanished. Ling Feng, gripping the token tightly, released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his heart still racing after the harrowing encounter.

"Elder!" The surrounding disciples quickly rushed to assist the Guardian Elder. He looked at Ling Feng with a mix of astonishment and suspicion, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

"Huang Xuanling, think of this as a gentle warning. Ling Feng is my disciple. If you decide to mistreat the weaker ones and show disrespect, be prepared to face the consequences!"

From the Sect Leader's token, resonated the emotionless voice of Duanmu Qingshan. It thundered forth, echoing like a clap of thunder, sending a shiver down the spines of the surrounding disciples, chilling them to the core.

Clutching his hand, the Guardian Elder revealed a sword hole, about the size of an egg, its gruesome appearance marked by blood and mangled flesh.

"To all disciples of the Scripture Repository, listen carefully. From now on, Ling Feng is granted unrestricted access to borrow manuals from the repository."

Having spoken, the Guardian Elder, his face darkened, discreetly tucked his injured arm into his robe's folds. He then turned and walked away, no longer daring to intentionally trouble Ling Feng.