After tidying up his belongings and tossing everything into his storage spirit ring, Ling Feng prepared to depart.
Exiting the sect leader's residence, he found the nine peak leaders and several senior elders of the Wenxian Sect waiting at the gate. Everyone was standing under the midday sun, with sunlight streaming down and a gentle mountain breeze rustling the trees, casting swaying shadows.
Scanning the gathering, Ling Feng noticed Elder Yao's absence and inquired, "Where's Elder Yao?"
A nearby peak leader squinted and smiled, "Elder Yao knew of your departure and mentioned preparing a gift for you."
"A gift?" Ling Feng raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Elder Yao is indeed thoughtful."
After a short wait at the entrance, they soon spotted Elder Yao riding a tall horse, advancing from the direction of the rising sun as though floating on clouds.
Everyone turned their attention to the magnificent fine horse before them. It was pitch black with muscles bulging with strength and a mane shining with a hint of red gloss. Its hooves bore sharp spikes, and a sharp air of wild arrogance exuded from it.
The horse before them was evidently no ordinary steed but rather a hybrid with the bloodline of a demonic beast.
Ling Feng's eyes narrowed. Demonic beasts capable of navigating clouds and mist were at least at the third-tier level, equivalent to human experts in the Pulse Formation Realm!
It was clear that Elder Yao had put considerable effort in finding this mode of transportation for him.
With a graceful leap, Elder Yao dismounted and approached Ling Feng, and spoke with a warm voice. "Sect Leader, this is the gift I've prepared for you: a Black-Scaled Dragon Horse. What do you think?"
The Black-Scaled Dragon Horse let out a long neigh, exhaling a white mist from its nostrils. Its pitch-black eyes exuded a domineering aura, while its entire body emitted a faint murderous intent.
If it weren't for Elder Yao's intervention, it would have likely gone on a rampage.
However, this aggressive demeanor suited Ling Feng's taste, and he approached to stroke the neck of the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse.
The horse was unruly, attempting to bite Ling Feng's hand as soon as he approached. Nevertheless, upon sensing the intense killing intent emanating from Ling Feng, it trembled in fear, ceasing its movements.
Seeing the horse immediately calm down, Ling Feng grinned. "Thanks a lot, Elder Yao. I really gift."
Elder Yao stroked his beard and chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. This horse can travel eight thousand miles a day, traverse clouds and mist, and possesses formidable strength. Using this horse as your mount will save you a lot of energy."
"Alright, I'm off! Thanks again, Elder Yao!"
With a nod to Elder Yao, Ling Feng mounted the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse, turned it around, and prepared to depart.
At the end of the road, a figure suddenly appeared, slowly approaching with the assistance of several people.
It was none other than Luo Jianying and his companions. Alongside him were Jiang Wanqing, Zhou Yan, Wang Qiang, and the others who had ventured into the Luofeng Canyon with Ling Feng, now all assembled.
Although Luo Jianying's injuries had significantly improved, he still couldn't walk normally. Nonetheless, he could now leave his bed and move around.
Ling Feng smiled knowingly as he dismounted from the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse, stepping forward to support Luo Jianying. "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, so there's no need to push yourself."
"Sect Leader, I will forever be grateful for your life-saving grace. As you embark on your journey to the capital, I am determined to accompany you," said Luo Jianying, ready to kneel down and express his gratitude to Ling Feng.
"Alright, if you're grateful, then after your recovery, focus on cultivating diligently and upholding the honor of our Wenxian Sect."
Ling Feng patted Luo Jianying's shoulder. He then turned his gaze to the disciples of similar age, saying, "Young ones, strive tirelessly for self-improvement. Dedicate yourselves to your cultivation!"
"We will heed your teachings, Sect Leader!"
The disciples bowed deeply, and Ling Feng nodded slightly. He then turned to Elder Yao and said, "After I depart, focus on nurturing Luo Jianying and Jiang Wanqing. They have promising talents and aspirations, and they could become pillars of our Wenxian Sect in the future."
"Yes, Sect Leader!" Elder Yao nodded promptly, understanding the importance of nurturing talents appointed by the Sect Leader.
"That's settled then. Take care, everyone. I'm off!"
With a graceful leap, Ling Feng mounted the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse once more. As the horse galloped, kicking up a gust of wind, they ascended into the sky. Ling Feng felt the rush of wind in his ears as they shot off like lightning.
The speed of this demonic horse was several times faster than the Clear Spirit Wings.
Soon, Ling Feng's silhouette faded into the distance under the crimson sun, disappearing entirely.
"Sect Leader..." Jiang Wanqing watched Ling Feng's departing figure, her heart feeling a sting of pain. After a short period of time, she let out a soft sigh. They were simply not meant to belong in the same world.
Indeed, one meeting with Ling Feng could alter the course of a lifetime...
Half a day later, Ling Feng once again arrived in Hanwu County. According to the map, after leaving Hanwu County, he could head straight to the capital along the official road.
Touching his nose, Ling Feng urged the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse to land on the ground. Though this hybrid demon horse was fast, it also consumed a lot, requiring meat at every meal.
Fortunately, as the sect leader and having defeated the Four Evils of the Bloody Night, all the wealth from their storage spirit rings belonged to him alone. At present, he had quite a bit of savings.
With a month left until the enrollment of the four major academies, Ling Feng wasn't in a rush. He urged the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse forward and entered the city.
Passing travelers couldn't help but take a few more glances at Ling Feng's Black-Scaled Dragon Horse. This horse was extraordinary, and anyone who could ride such a "treasured horse" was definitely a person of noble status.
As the sky darkened, Ling Feng had no choice but to stop in front of a bustling inn.
The keen eyes of a boy who worked at the inn quickly assessed Ling Feng's horse, recognizing him as a wealthy guest – in other words, a lucrative opportunity had presented itself!
"Are you just passing through or planning to stay the night, sir?" The inn boy greeted with a bow, wearing a welcoming smile.
"Staying the night," Ling Feng replied calmly. "Please ensure my horse is well taken care of and fed meat."
With a nod, he tossed a few crystal coins to the inn boy as a tip for the horse's care.
Grasping the crystal coins, the inn boy promptly directed the stable hand to attend to the Black-Scaled Dragon Horse. Then, he escorted Ling Feng to the innkeeper's desk to complete the check-in process.
Ling Feng went straight to a sky-tier room, arranged his luggage, and then went to the second-floor lobby to find a seat by the window. He ordered a table full of delicacies and began indulging in a feast.
While dining, he suddenly heard the familiar neigh of his Black-Scaled Dragon Horse. Ling Feng frowned, recognizing the sound immediately.
Ling Feng's eyes narrowed, and a smirk played on his lips. "Seems like I've encountered an 'old friend!'"
With a swift movement, Ling Feng leaped up and jumped directly out of the window.