Taking a Master

The expressions on the two Qi Sea Realm cultivators' faces were both rather ugly, as though they had swallowed flies.

But there was nothing they could do about Lin Qifeng.

Since when had an outer court elder dared to be so arrogant?

Before the inner sect, those from the outer court ought to tuck their tails between their legs and behave themselves.

But Lin Qifeng had a good master.

Born of Kongyuan Mountain, his master was none other than Yun Yichen, the current Sect Master of the Empty Mountain Sect.

Not only was Yun Yichen peerlessly gifted in cultivation among his generation, his methods of power and intrigue also towered above the rest.

Sending Lin Qifeng down to Wenyuan Hall meant that Yun Yichen could achieve complete control over the outer court.

The outer court was especially important to a sect—particularly a colossal entity like the Empty Mountain Sect.

That was because the Empty Mountain Sect's influence over the mortal world and certain small and medium-sized sects depended entirely on the outer court.

The two Qi Sea Realm cultivators bowed to Lin Qifeng, then turned and left Wenyuan Hall.

"Damn it, those bastards from Qingchan Peak."

As Lin Qifeng cursed, he poured boiling water into the teacup on the Rosewood Desk. "When they came to the outer court's Scripture Hall to poach people two months ago, it already pissed me off enough. And now they're here stirring up trouble again."

As he spoke, Lin Qifeng's gaze fell upon Chen Yan, who had remained in the hall.

"You're just a kid from the outer court. How did you get mixed up with those things from Qingchan Peak?"

Chen Yan truthfully reported the full course of events to Lin Qifeng. Other than the part about going to the Law Enforcement Hall, which he had fabricated, everything else was reported truthfully.

As for whether the Law Enforcement Hall disciple on duty tonight truly knew Chen Yan, or whether Chen Yan had really gone to the Law Enforcement Hall tonight, there was no longer any proof either way.

"That bastard Song Mingde only turned himself in to the Law Enforcement Hall yesterday evening, claiming that he'd embezzled several thousand spirit stones from Shang Gong Hall's public accounts and gambled every last one away at a gambling den. That's why he was locked up in the Detention Center."

Lin Qifeng paused slightly. "Now, if Qingchan Peak gets dragged into this, and he was murdered too, then it seems everything can be explained."

Song Mingde had possessed a very important piece of intelligence, and in the end, he had died because of it.

The reason he had gambled away all the spirit stones from Shang Gong Hall's public accounts was because Song Mingde had long since been targeted.

He could have been killed at any moment, and he had no opportunity to contact the people of Qingchan Peak.

That was why he had chosen to be imprisoned in the Detention Center, seeking to protect himself.

Yet he still had not escaped.

Then what exactly was the intelligence Song Mingde held?

...Could these matters have something to do with the calamity that would befall the outer court three years later?

Chen Yan could not be certain. It was only a suspicion.

"Have some tea."

Lin Qifeng pushed the teacup on the Rosewood Desk a little closer toward Chen Yan.

Chen Yan froze for a moment, not daring to act rashly.

"I told you to drink the tea!"

Lin Qifeng's tone grew slightly heavier. This direct disciple of the Sect Master, who looked like a middle-aged man, seemed to have a rather odd temperament.

"This disciple obeys."

Only then did Chen Yan step forward two paces, pick up the teacup, and drink.

It was simply ordinary Yujia Grass medicinal tea.

"What's your name?"

"Reporting to Elder, this disciple is named Chen Yan."

"What is your cultivation level?"

Lin Qifeng was at the middle stage of the Qi Sea Realm and had not yet reached the Spirit 통 Realm, so he could not discern another's cultivation level.

"Late Body Tempering Realm."

Hearing this, Lin Qifeng fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"So you're trash."

"Heh heh..."

Chen Yan gave an awkward laugh.

"But I'm trash too."

Lin Qifeng said, "Among Master's disciples, I'm the most foolish and the most useless. Sending me to oversee the outer court can be considered making the best use of what little I have."

"You humble yourself too much, Elder."

Faced with Lin Qifeng's "modesty," Chen Yan looked somewhat flattered and uneasy.

"That's true. Compared to you Outer Court Disciples, I really don't know how much higher I am."

Chen Yan had nothing to say, merely forcing out an awkward smile in silence.

Though this was their first meeting, Chen Yan had long heard of this Sect Master's Personal Disciple's wild, unfettered, free-spirited nature.

"That old fellow Fu Qian can stir things up in the Outer Court all he wants. If things end badly, someone will naturally clean up after him."

Lin Qifeng continued grumbling, then abruptly changed the subject:

"Kid, do you have a master?"

"..."

Before Chen Yan could answer, Lin Qifeng supplied the answer himself:

"Probably not. After all, you're a good-for-nothing."

Chen Yan's expression twitched slightly. It seemed Elder Lin had been taking jabs at him from the very beginning.

Yet faced with the gap in both cultivation and status between them, Chen Yan could only rage inwardly and keep silent.

"Since that's the case, how about becoming my disciple?"

Lin Qifeng continued.

Chen Yan stood frozen where he was, looking as though he had not quite understood what Lin Qifeng had just said.

Did Lin Qifeng mean he wanted to take me as his disciple?

Why?

"Well?"

Seeing that Chen Yan had not reacted, Lin Qifeng pressed him again.

"This disciple is dull-witted and incompetent. How could I possibly be worthy..."

Chen Yan's first thought was that Lin Qifeng was joking.

But as Lin Qifeng's expression gradually turned serious, Chen Yan quickly realized something was wrong.

He had no right to refuse.

"Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"

Chen Yan hurriedly dropped to his knees and knocked his head against the ground.

"Mm."

Lin Qifeng nodded faintly, seemingly quite satisfied with Chen Yan's response.

Yet Chen Yan felt not the slightest joy inside.

He had no talent for cultivation whatsoever. If Lin Qifeng's reason was anything like cherishing talent, that was simply impossible.

Then why did Lin Qifeng want to take him as a disciple?

"Though you are an Outer Court Disciple, as my disciple, you now count as an Elder's Personal Disciple. Your cultivation resources and treatment should therefore be brought in line with those of Inner Sect Disciples."

As Lin Qifeng spoke, he casually turned his hand in the air, and a token appeared in his palm.

"Take this. Tomorrow, make a trip to the Alchemy Hall on Kongyuan Mountain and collect some higher-purity Body Tempering Fluid. It will help pave the way for your future."

"Thank you, Master."

Chen Yan replied.

He could not make out what medicine Lin Qifeng was selling from his gourd, but Chen Yan understood better than anyone that pies did not fall from the sky.

Lin Qifeng was the Sect Master's Personal Disciple and an Outer Court Elder. What could he possibly gain from an utterly ordinary Body Tempering Realm disciple like Chen Yan?

For now, he could only take one step at a time and see where it led.

Chen Yan accepted the token Elder Lin handed him. Its texture was very similar to Fu Qian's token.

Only, the words engraved upon it had changed from "Qingchan Suwu" to "Outer Court Steward."

Lin Qifeng was the Personal Disciple of Sect Master Yun Yichen, and Kongyuan Mountain, as the Main Peak of the Empty Mountain Sect, was also Lin Qifeng's home ground.

Thus, Lin Qifeng's Outer Court token could also be regarded as a pass for Kongyuan Mountain.

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