"Oh? A letter from Master?"
Ling Feng's eyelids twitched. Ever since Duanmu Qingshan had tricked him into becoming the sect leader of Wenxian Sect, the old man had set off alone on a journey to find his daughter.
Since then, there has been no news of him.
Ling Feng took the letter and instinctively glanced at Lin Xian'er. Though she appeared calm, Duanmu Qingshan was most likely her biological father—how could she possibly be indifferent?
Ling Feng unsealed the envelope and confirmed that the signature indeed belonged to Duanmu Qingshan. It appeared that Elder Yao had refrained from opening the letter beforehand.
Skimming the contents, Ling Feng learned that after leaving Wenxian Sect, Duanmu Qingshan had traveled south in search of clues.
According to the letter, his late wife had been a successor of the female cultivation sect "Yi Hua Palace." If he could find this sect, he might be able to learn more about what happened to his wife and daughter.
(PS: Earlier chapters mentioned that Duanmu Qingshan's Flower-Transposing Jade-Burying Sword Scripture was a martial skill from the ancient Yi Hua Palace. While the sword art itself wasn't particularly remarkable, it held significance as part of Yi Hua Palace's legacy.
Unaware of this secret, Ling Feng had treated the scripture as an ordinary sword manual, leaving it neglected in his storage spirit ring. For details, see Chapter 124)
As an ancient sect, Yi Hua Palace's lineage had long since faded into obscurity. With this as his only lead, Duanmu Qingshan's search was fraught with difficulty.
Over the past year, he had journeyed from the Xianzong Mountains in the Seventh Northern Counties all the way to the Nanjiang region. He had briefly stayed in Iron Wolf City, where he penned this letter.
"Master's love for his daughter runs deep—for him to have journeyed all the way to Nanjiang."
Ling Feng let out a soft sigh and handed the letter to Lin Xian'er. Compared to Duanmu Qingshan, a heartless "father" like Lin Canglang wasn't worth a second thought.
Lin Xian'er bit her lip. Fate had cruelly kept father and daughter apart for so long.
"Don't worry, Xian'er. You'll meet him eventually. If necessary, we can go to Nanjiang to find him."
Ling Feng gently patted her shoulder. He already had unfinished business with the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor—one way or another, he would return to Nanjiang.
His sworn brother Feng Mo—also known as the Seventh Prince, Mo Feng—had previously mentioned unusual movements among Nanjiang's demon race. Once Ling Feng defeated the Royal Sword Team and reclaimed the second half of The Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion from the Yan family, he would head to Nanjiang to assist Mo Feng.
By then, he could also leverage military resources to aid in the search for Duanmu Qingshan, greatly improving their chances.
"Thank you, Ling Feng."
Lin Xian'er clutched the letter tightly, her voice soft. "I need some time alone."
"Sister Xian'er..." Su Hongxiu made to follow but was stopped by Ling Feng.
"Let her be. She's stronger than you think."
Turning to Luo Jianying and the others, Ling Feng retrieved a batch of pills from his storage spirit ring. "These are medicinal pills I've refined recently—some aid cultivation, others cleanse the marrow and enhance physique. For now, you'll train here at the general's mansion. I expect every one of you to open at least fifty meridian gates. Understood?"
"Fifty meridian gates!"
Luo Jianying and Jiang Wanqing exchanged glances, shock flashing in their eyes.
Fifty meridian gates—once an unimaginable realm!
But the next moment, their expressions hardened. With the sect leader providing such resources, failing to break through would be downright shameful!
"No problem!" they chorused.
Ling Feng nodded in satisfaction. Once this first batch of elite disciples was fully trained, the Divine Ling Sect's rise would become unstoppable.
"By the way, Enshrined Protector Wu, I need you to make a trip to the Xianzong Mountains for me."
Ling Feng glanced over at Wu and Sun, the two enshrined protectors waiting eagerly to greet him. Ever since he had taught them a lesson, they had been behaving themselves.
Enshrined Protector Wu hurried forward, grinning obsequiously. "Whatever you command, General! This subordinate swears by his life to fulfill your orders!"
"No need for such solemnity." Ling Feng arched an eyebrow and took out three beast taming tokens. "Given your experience, Enshrined Protector Wu, you should recognize these, yes?"
"B-Beast taming tokens?"
Wu's eyelids twitched. Spotting the insignia on the tokens, he gasped. "T-These are the Northwestern Army's sky-tier beast taming tokens! M-My lord, could these be... Silverwing Griffins?"
"Good eye, Enshrined Protector Wu."
Ling Feng smiled faintly. "Indeed, these contain Silverwing Griffins. You may ride one to the Divine Ling Sect in the Xianzong Mountains and deliver the remaining two tokens to a man named Elder Yao. Instruct him to station the griffins on Liuxian Peak. With two Silverwing Griffins guarding the mountain, no petty thieves would dare cause trouble!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Wu nearly jumped for joy. "My lord, you mean to hand only two to Elder Yao? Then the third one... hehehe..."
Rubbing his chubby hands excitedly, Wu gazed at Ling Feng with boundless gratitude.
The general is truly generous!
"Ahem... Enshrined Protector Wu, I think you've misunderstood." Ling Feng's lips twitched, ruthlessly crushing the man's dreams. "I'm merely lending you one to speed up your journey. The remaining griffin will remain at the general's mansion as a means of transport."
"Oh..." Wu's shoulders slumped, his spirits plummeting from heaven to hell.
"Do your job well, and the rewards will come."
Ling Feng's glance sent Wu retreating with a dejected pout.
After his experiences in the Western Wilderness and witnessing the Northwestern Army's discipline, Ling Feng had gleaned some insights into leadership—carrot and stick, a balance of kindness and authority!
Next, Ling Feng offered a few more instructions to the Divine Ling Sect disciples before dismissing them to train. Though he carried himself without arrogance, his bearing as sect leader was unmistakable.
The young man was gradually developing the demeanor of a grandmaster.
Once everyone had left, Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan retired to their respective quarters. Of course, Ling Feng's idea of "rest" wasn't sleep—it was cultivating with the "Blood Soul."
Over the past days, Ling Feng had truly sensed the Blood Soul's immense power. In just ten days, he had broken through repeatedly, reaching ninety-eight meridian gates before his progress slowed slightly.
Yet whenever he absorbed the Blood Soul's energy, he could feel his strength surging. Worse, the Blood Soul seemed to tempt him, urging him to draw deeper from its power.
Fortunately, Ling Feng's mental fortitude, bolstered by the Sacred Mystical-Heaven Art—a technique that warded off inner demons—kept him from descending into darkness.
Thus, he no longer dared to absorb its energy recklessly as he had before. Only after purifying it with the Sacred Mystical-Heaven Art would he proceed.
Even so, Ling Feng's progress remained nothing short of astonishing.