Chapter 5: Wenxian Sect

The next day.

At Ling Kun's urging, Ling Feng packed up his belongings and embarked on a journey to seek the way of the martial art with his grandfather.

From Yunxi District, they traveled north all the way, entering a region known as the Seventh Northern District.

Due to Ling Feng's activation of the Emperor's Eye, which resulted in the massacre of all the members of the Lord's mansion in Kaiyang City, Ling Kun continued to lead Ling Feng northward. He wanted to minimize the potential troubles and complications they might encounter.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month had passed.

During this period, Ling Kun visited numerous locally renowned sects, hoping to have Ling Feng accepted into one for cultivation.

Unfortunately, as soon as those people saw Ling Feng's age, they immediately shook their heads and rejected the idea.

The path of martial arts generally required youngsters to toughen their bodies from an early age. The disciples of martial arts families typically began body tempering and training at the age of twelve or even ten. Ling Feng, at eighteen, though not too old, had evidently missed the prime age for such training.

Starting martial arts at the age of eighteen was essentially equivalent to squandering effort and resources.

Therefore, even if some martial practitioners from certain sects had once received favors from Ling Feng's grandfather, they still hesitated to accept Ling Feng. Some avoided him, while others outright sent people to drive him away.

To this day, it was already the twelfth sect that had cast Ling Feng and his grandfather down the mountain, severing ties without mercy.

"Get lost! With your grandson's aptitude, wanting to step into the martial path is simply a fool's dream! Elder Jian said that he doesn’t know you two beggars, so get out!"

The disciples, who were guarding, grumbled and cursed.

"Damn it, if it weren't for my master back then, you would not be alive today!"

Once again rejected by a sect's guarding disciple, Ling Kun couldn't contain his anger and burst out, "You people who look down on others! Not accepting Feng'er is your loss!"

"Let it go, Grandpa." Ling Feng sighed softly. "Why bother arguing with these guard dogs?"

"You brat, who are you calling guard dogs?"

Upon hearing this, the guarding disciples immediately swarmed in, punching and kicking Ling Feng and his grandfather. They forcefully expelled the two from the mountain gate.

Ling Feng lifted his eyes and glanced at the plaque above the mountain gate inscribed with the words “Liuyun Sword Sect”. He quietly noted it in his heart.

The humiliation of today would undoubtedly be repaid twofold in the future!

...

In the quiet of the night, Ling Feng and his grandfather huddled around a campfire, enduring the night's hardships.

"It's been nearly a month." Ling Kun clenched his fist, sighed deeply. "Feng'er, Grandpa will take you to Wenxian Sect tomorrow. There's an outer sect elder there with whom I have some acquaintance. He... he should be willing to help us."

"Let it go, Grandpa. Don't sacrifice your dignity for my sake anymore," Ling Feng gritted his teeth and said, "Even if I don't join a sect, I can still cultivate!"

"Feng'er, Grandpa knows you're filial, but you don’t even have a method to guide the Qi into your body, how can you cultivate?"

Ling Kun patted the back of Ling Feng's head, smiled slightly, and consoled, "As long as it's for you, even if Grandpa has to abandon his dignity, what does it matter? If it weren't for Grandpa's greed for wealth and glory, you wouldn’t be... Let's not talk about it, let's not talk about it..."

Ling Feng's expression dimmed. He sighed softly as he leaned against a large tree.

Indeed, without even a method to guide the Qi into the body, there would be no discussion about martial arts.

...

The sky gradually brightened.

Ling Kun urged Ling Feng, and together they hurried towards the Wenxian Sect mentioned by Ling Kun.

In the vicinity of the Xianzong Mountains, there were numerous sects, but only three were considered major sects: Wenxian Sect, Qiankun Sect [1], and Liuyun Sword Sect.

Ling Feng had already visited the other two major sects, but unfortunately, he was rejected by both. Now, the Wenxian Sect remained as the last hope.

After notifying the mountain guardian disciples, it didn't take long before a dignified middle-aged man descended from the mountain.

"Aren't you... Old Man Ling Kun?"

The man wore a wide robe and had a square face with slightly drooping eyebrows. He looked extremely stern.

"Master Wang!" Ling Kun quickly bowed and approached, gesturing to Ling Feng. He chuckled and said, "Feng'er, come over and greet Master Wang!"

Ling Feng knew that when in someone else's territory, one had to show respect. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Ling Feng pays respects to Master Wang."

He knew that his fate of being accepted into the Wenxian Sect depended on this person.

Wang Danfeng laughed heartily. "Old Man Ling, if it weren't for Medical Saint Ling's treatment back then, my arm would have been useless long ago. We're all one family, no need to be so formal. Hehe, I'm just a modest outer sect elder, far from deserving the title of 'Master'."

"It’s rare to see Master Wang with such deep sentiments, still remembering the past favors. This old man expresses his gratitude in advance." Ling Kun bowed once again to Wang Danfeng and continued, "This is the only grandson of Master Ling. I hope Elder Wang can recommend him to join the Wenxian Sect for cultivation."

"Since you are the descendant of Medical Saint Ling, you are naturally someone to take care of," Wang Danfeng smiled lightly, glanced at Ling Feng, and said, "Your name is Ling Feng, right?

Mhmm

, indeed valiant, reminiscent of your grandfather's demeanor in the past!"

"Master Wang is too kind," Ling Feng humbly replied.

"What 'Master' are you talking about? Medical Saint Ling has shown me great kindness. You are his grandson, just call me Uncle Wang," Wang Danfeng said with a warm smile.

"Uncle Wang!" Ling Feng respectfully called out.

Ling Kun looked deeply at Ling Feng, took a deep breath, and suppressed the warm tears. He exclaimed, "Master Wang, from now on, I entrust Feng'er to you!"

"Why not spend more time with this kid inside the sect? Don't worry, although my authority is limited, I do have the power to let you stay for a few more days," Wang Danfeng said with a smile.

"No need, you've already done a lot for Feng'er," Ling Kun took out a heavy bag of gold coins from his pocket and handed it to Wang Danfeng.

With tears in his eyes, he said, "I will leave Feng’er in your care."

"No need for these things," Wang Danfeng pushed the gold coins back to Ling Kun, smiled faintly, and said, "For cultivators, these things are not very useful. Old man, you keep them for yourself."

"

Ah

, if everyone in the world was as kind as Master Wang, my grandson and I wouldn't have..."

Ling Kun sighed softly, understanding the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

"Feng'er, remember what I’ve told you!" Ling Kun turned to look at Ling Feng, speaking with great emphasis.

"Feng'er will always remember it in my heart, never forgetting it!" Ling Feng nodded emphatically.

"Feng'er, once you enter Wenxian Sect, focus on your cultivation and don't worry about me. I've lived for so many years and know how to take care of myself! Grandpa will be waiting for you at the inn in Yunxi District, hoping you'll achieve success in your cultivation as soon as possible."

Ling Kun took a deep breath, suppressing his tears.

For over a decade, Ling Feng had been raised by Ling Kun and was as dear to him as his own grandson. This parting naturally filled his heart with reluctance.

Ling Feng, understanding his grandfather's emotions, bowed deeply to Ling Kun. "Grandpa, with me not by your side, p...please take good care of yourself!"

After saying that, Ling Kun wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes and turned away, leaving.

Watching his grandfather's departing figure, Ling Feng clenched his fists tightly and silently vowed in his heart, "Rest assured, Grandpa. Feng'er will definitely become the strongest! The strongest person in the world!"

Wang Danfeng shook his head with a light sigh and patted Ling Feng's shoulder. "Let's go, my child. Don't let your grandfather's efforts be in vain."

Ling Feng nodded, casting a deep glance at Ling Kun. He then followed Wang Danfeng, gradually moving away.

"Here is Jiuxian Mountain. Come, I'll take you directly to the inner sect," Wang Danfeng said with a faint smile.

Ling Feng looked around, and Jiuxian Mountain truly lived up to its name [2] The scenery was picturesque, resembling a wonderland.

He clenched his fists. From today onward, he would begin cultivating martial arts in this place!

"Greetings to the Elder!"

"Greetings to the Elder!"

Upon seeing Wang Danfeng, each outer sect disciple immediately approached respectfully, bowing in salutation.

Wang Danfeng held a respectable position in the outer sect, which is why he had the authority to recommend an inner sect disciple.

Wang Danfeng waved his hand to the greeting outer sect disciples and led Ling Feng straight to the mountaintop.

Watching the figures of Wang Danfeng and Ling Feng as they left, many outer sect disciples stopped in their tracks and exclaimed.

"I’m so envious of the disciples who are able to join the inner sect directly!"

"Enough with the envy. Focus on completing your chores well. As long as you work hard, there's a chance for outer sect disciples to join the inner sect too!"

"

Ah

, got it..."

1. Qiankun is a term in Chinese philosophy meaning the universe ☜

2. In Taoism, the concept of xian (仙) is ascribed to a person or entity having a long life, or is understood to be immortal in some sense. The concept of xian has different implications depending upon the specific context: philosophical, religious, mythological, or other symbolic or cultural occurrence. ☜