Martial Arts Overlord
Chapter 972 - 967: The Agreement
The sound of footsteps grew closer, and soon, a woman dressed in a snow-colored gown, exuding an aura of cold nobility, appeared at the entrance of the grand hall. It was none other than the Law Enforcement Elder of Linglong Hall, Gu Xifeng.
"Master."
Upon seeing Gu Xifeng, Xia Yunjing hastily bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Elder Gu," Luo Feng also bowed.
Gu Xifeng nodded slightly, her cold gaze fixed on Luo Feng as she asked, "Luo Feng, what brings you here?"
Luo Feng maintained a calm demeanor as he replied, "I came to discuss the matter of this hunting assembly with Junior Sister Yun Jing."
Junior Sister...
Hearing Luo Feng’s address, Xia Yunjing showed a surprised expression as she realized Luo Feng’s aura was strong, even surpassing hers, making her even more astonished.
Gu Xifeng took a deep look at Luo Feng, her gaze subtly shifting.
She had heard about Luo Feng’s significant advancement in cultivation, but did not expect he was already at the peak of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, two levels higher than Xia Yunjing.
Nodding slightly, Gu Xifeng suddenly turned her gaze towards Xia Yunjing, asking, "Yunjing, what is that in your hand just now?"
Xia Yunjing’s face turned pale, hesitated slightly, knowing there was no hiding from Gu Xifeng, she retrieved the Cloud Sky Order from the storage ring.
"Cloud Sky Order!"
With a wave of her hand, a cold wind swept by, and somehow the Cloud Sky Order had already fallen into Gu Xifeng’s hand.
Upon seeing this scene, Luo Feng’s mind tensed.
Even he hadn’t seen how Gu Xifeng took the Cloud Sky Order just now. No wonder Nanxuan had said the Hall Master Shui Qingcheng showed three points of respect to Gu Xifeng. Though her temper may not be great, her strength is indeed unfathomable.
Glancing at the Cloud Sky Order, Gu Xifeng looked at Luo Feng, her tone colder by several degrees, "Luo Feng, what is your intention?"
Luo Feng did not intend to conceal the matter of the Cloud Sky Order, nor could he, so he immediately spoke:
"Elder Gu, this Cloud Sky Order is a gift from me to Junior Sister Yun. I’ve already cultivated Earth-grade techniques, the Cloud Sky Order is no longer of use to me. If Junior Sister practices Earth-grade techniques, in the next New Dragon List Tournament..."
"Hmph!"
Gu Xifeng snorted coldly, a terrifying aura arose, distorting the surrounding air slightly, as she casually flicked the Cloud Sky Order shooting towards Luo Feng.
Bang!
Luo Feng frowned, catching the Cloud Sky Order in his hand. Immediately, immense force emanated from the token, causing him to uncontrollably retreat more than ten steps backward.
"Luo Feng!"
Xia Yunjing’s expression changed slightly, she flashed into position before Luo Feng, addressing Gu Xifeng, "Master, Luo Feng means well..."
"Well-meaning? I see he is just flaunting his success at the hunting assembly here."
Gu Xifeng sneered dismissively.
Luo Feng exhaled a breath, raising his head to look at Gu Xifeng, "Elder Gu, this is a matter between Junior Sister and me. Even though you are the Law Enforcement Elder, you have no right to interfere."
"As her Master, I have that right."
Gu Xifeng waved her long sleeve, her expression cold, "My disciple is not for you to worry about. Stop pretending here. Take this Cloud Sky Order back. A low-level Earth-grade technique, I, Gu Xifeng, can still manage. These upcoming months, I will personally teach Yun Jing the mid-level Earth-grade technique ’Chaos Hole Ten Thousand Water Jue.’ In the New Dragon List Tournament, Yun Jing will completely defeat you, proving to Shui Linglong that including you in the Golden Palace was itself a mistake!"
Luo Feng knew the reasons behind Gu Xifeng’s dislike for men and never minded her deliberate targeting of him, yet now he couldn’t help but feel anger, his Yuan Qi surging.
"Very well! Then I’ll witness Elder Gu’s Chaos Hole Ten Thousand Water Jue myself! But if I win at that time, I urge you to retract these words!"
Gu Xifeng’s expression was indifferent, "Hmph, you think your luck, some unknown encounter outside gave you today’s strength, and dare boast proudly. Well, we’ll make an agreement then. If you win against Yun Jing in the New Dragon List Tournament, I’ll acknowledge you and give you great benefits. However, if you lose, you shall leave Linglong Hall immediately!"
Leave Linglong Hall!
Xia Yunjing’s expression changed at the unexpected development, about to voice persuasion.
"Fine! It’s a deal."
Luo Feng agreed straightforwardly, his voice like a booming thunder echoing through the Meteor Star Hall.
Not that he lacked confidence in defeating Xia Yunjing, even if he did, he wouldn’t want to be looked down upon. Moreover, if he couldn’t prove himself, Shui Linglong would surely face immense pressure.
While he didn’t know all the details, he was well aware that the Linglong Hall, typically accepting only female disciples, breaking convention to admit him, wasn’t a change Shui Linglong could make with a few words; surely there were many twists and turns.
"Luo Feng!"
Xia Yunjing saw Luo Feng agree, both upset and angry, turning to Gu Xifeng, "Master, please retract your previous statement."
Gu Xifeng ignored her, looking at Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, West Islet Peak does not allow men to enter, I’ll let this matter slide this time, but if it happens again, I won’t be lenient."
"Farewell."
Luo Feng said no more, turning to leave.
Xia Yunjing watched the situation settle, tightly pursed her red lips, saying to Luo Feng, "I’ll see you off the mountain..."
"Yunjing, come into the hall," Gu Xifeng said.
"Master, I..."
Xia Yunjing looked at Luo Feng, hesitating.
"Do you dare defy your master?"
Xia Yunjing’s expression stiffened slightly, she bowed, "Yun Jing dare not."
"Yun Jing, this is for your own good."
Gu Xifeng’s expression softened a bit, she turned and walked into the grand hall, "Come in, I’ll teach you Chaos Hole Ten Thousand Water Jue. Luo Feng is already at the peak of Spiritual Rotation Realm level seven cultivation, to surpass him in the New Dragon List Tournament, you have to work hard."
"..."
Xia Yunjing glanced towards the direction Luo Feng had left, pursed her red lips, and turned back towards the Meteor Star Hall.
"Senior Brother Luo Feng, why did it take so long?"
Luo Feng descended from West Islet Peak, and the two mountain-guarding disciples saw him and immediately asked nervously.
"Something small happened, which caused a bit of a delay." Luo Feng smiled faintly.
The pretty female disciple breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest, looking somewhat startled, "We thought Senior Brother had encountered Elder Gu. Elder Gu dislikes men the most, and if she sees Senior Brother heading to Meteor Star Hall, who knows what might happen."
"Yes, Elder Gu is so scary. Every time I see her, I don’t dare to breathe."
Luo Feng smiled wryly; things indeed had happened, not a small incident.
"I have some matters, two Junior Sisters, I’ll take my leave."
Without further delay, Luo Feng bid them farewell and left West Islet Peak.
"It seems I can only give it to Ling Qingwu, hoping not to face a closed door this time."
Walking along the path, Luo Feng considered this and headed towards North Yao Peak.
North Yao Peak was still covered in silver, like a snowy world, completely opposite to the lush scenery of West Islet Peak.
The mountain-guarding disciples were still the same three as last time. Hearing Luo Feng was looking for Ling Qingwu, they exchanged smiles and did not stop him.
Walking on the white snow, Luo Feng followed his memory and soon arrived in front of a courtyard half-covered by snow and ice, which was Ling Qingwu’s residence.
Arriving at the tightly closed courtyard door, inside came the sound of thunderous swooshing, accompanied by crisp and clear shouts. Luo Feng recognized it was Ling Qingwu practicing sword, so he did not disturb, waiting patiently.
After a short while, the sword sounds ceased, and Ling Qingwu’s gentle and agile voice came from within the courtyard.
"Xiaoyin, go open the door, there’s a guest."
Footsteps echoed, the courtyard door creaked open, and through the gap appeared a small head — the delicate girl Luo Feng saw last time. She saw Luo Feng, a happy expression flickering in her eyebrows:
"Miss, there’s indeed a guest! It’s Senior Brother Luo Feng."
Turning her head, the delicate girl smiled at Luo Feng, "Senior Brother, come in."
Luo Feng nodded, entered the courtyard, and saw a graceful, elegant sword-wielding girl washing her sword in the snow — it was Ling Qingwu.
"Xiaoyin, go brew tea."
Ling Qingwu instructed the delicate girl and inserted her sword back into the sheath, looking at Luo Feng with clear eyes:
"Since you arrived early, why didn’t you come in?"
"I just arrived." Luo Feng smiled lightly.
"Come inside."
Ling Qingwu glanced at Luo Feng, turned, and walked towards the side room.
Last time, although Luo Feng observed Ling Qingwu’s room with soul power, he hadn’t detailed it. The room was simple, the table and chairs smooth and gleaming, spotless, with a faint aroma in the air.
"How is your injury?" Luo Feng asked as he sat beside the table.
"Recovered eighty to ninety percent, nothing serious now."
At this moment, Xiaoyin brought out the brewed tea.
"Let me do it."
Ling Qingwu poured a cup of hot tea, placing it before Luo Feng on the table, speaking, "By the way, congratulations on achieving the fourth rank on the Personal Battle Record. The three volumes of Earth-level cultivation techniques in Linglong Hall each have their own specialties; have you decided on which cultivation technique to choose for training? Would you like me to introduce them?"
As Ling Qingwu spoke of the Earth-level cultivation techniques, a trace of envy flashed in her eyes.
Luo Feng put down the teacup, shook his head, and laughed:
"No need, I came today just for this matter."
With that, Luo Feng took out the Cloud Sky Order and handed it to Ling Qingwu.
"Cloud Sky Order?"
Ling Qingwu’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, looking at Luo Feng with some curiosity.
Hearing Ling Qingwu’s words, Xiaoyin beside them gazed at the token, her eyes glowing. She had heard Ling Qingwu mentioning the Cloud Sky Order before, knowing this token could be exchanged for a volume of Earth-level cultivation technique at the Cloud Sky Pavilion.
Luo Feng nodded and straightforwardly said:
"I have already practiced an Earth-level cultivation technique, this Cloud Sky Order is useless to me. I hope you’ll accept it."
"Gift it to Miss!"
Xiaoyin covered her mouth in surprise.
Ling Qingwu’s beautiful eyes sparkled, glancing at Luo Feng; she knew his character and understood that since he said he did not need it, he must have practiced other advanced cultivation techniques. Nevertheless, he gifting her the Cloud Sky Order was also a slight surprise.
After pondering for a moment, Ling Qingwu reached for the Cloud Sky Order, seriously saying, "I’ll remember this favor."
"No need for thanks. Back then, we encountered Young Master Xi and barely escaped with our lives; we’ve faced life and death together."
Luo Feng smiled lightly; Ling Qingwu’s straightforwardness saved him from further words.
Ling Qingwu also recalled the events of that day, her lips curling with a faint smile.
"Alright, I’ll take my leave now."
Seeing it was getting late, Luo Feng stood up to say goodbye.
"I’ll see you off."
Ling Qingwu saw Luo Feng off to the courtyard door, only retrieving her gaze after his figure disappeared, looking at the Cloud Sky Order in her hand, slightly lost in thought.
Oh!
Xiaoyin’s voice suddenly sounded beside her.
Ling Qingwu snapped out of it and asked, "Xiaoyin, what’s wrong?"
Xiaoyin crouched in the snow, examining the footprints Luo Feng left on the ground, her fingers comparing them carefully, furrowing her eyebrows:
"Miss, how strange. Senior Brother Luo Feng’s footprints are exactly the same as the large footprints from three days ago..."