Behind the mountain!
Ling Feng carried a basket on his back, following closely behind the others, walking along a winding mountain path.
On both sides were dense trees and lush bushes, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
As the group delved deeper, a fresh scent of vegetation wafted over, invigorating their spirits.
"Junior Brother Ling Feng, do you know?
Although the back mountain is under the jurisdiction of the Outer Sect, the Spiritual Plants here belong to the Sect.
Our Utility Disciples of the Pill Pavilion are only responsible for picking Spiritual Plants on weekdays, which is much easier than the tasks of Utility Disciples on other peaks.
Nevertheless, there are still many Yao Beasts appearing in the back mountain, so there is still some danger.
However, you don't have to worry too much; the Yao Beasts here are not highly Cultivated, and as long as we don't encounter a beast tide, we can all easily handle them.
Anyway, as far as I know, since the establishment of the Sect, there has been no Disciple reported to have died in the mouth of a Yao Beast."
When Ling Feng heard that there were Yao Beasts in the back mountain, a hint of chill flashed in his eyes, but upon hearing again that the Yao Beasts were not strong, he finally felt a little relieved.
The person speaking was a burly young man named Zhang Da Niu, the oldest and most experienced among this group of Utility Disciples.
"The Spiritual Plants picked must be handed over to the Pill Pavilion in exchange for contribution points, which can be used to exchange for other Cultivation resources.
It is important to note that you must never hoard the Spiritual Plants you pick; once discovered, you will be severely punished."
Zhang Da Niu introduced this to Ling Feng as they walked.
"Oh, by the way, Junior Brother Ling Feng, I heard that Senior Sister Yu He brought back a Disciple with a low-grade talent of one chime yesterday.
It couldn't be you, could it?
But, you don't look like it!
At least you were able to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi on your own in one night without any guidance.
Logically, your talent isn't low, so why was your talent test only one chime?"
At this moment, another Utility Disciple spoke up; this Utility Disciple was named Xu Gou Zi.
As soon as Xu Gou Zi finished speaking, the other Utility Disciples also chimed in.
Although Xu Gou Zi's words were not very pleasant, he did not mean to mock.
Therefore, Ling Feng did not take it too much to heart; the fact was indeed true, it could be said that he had no talent whatsoever.
Ling Feng knew that Xu Gou Zi had no ill intentions, so he nodded and openly admitted that he was the Disciple with one chime of low-grade talent brought back by Yu He.
"You lucky fellow, you met Senior Sister Yu He and got a Utility Disciple spot for free."
"Alright, Junior Brothers, let's hurry up!
Let's finish the task early and go back to Cultivate."
After speaking, Zhang Da Niu ignored the others and quickened his pace.
Along the way, Zhang Da Niu meticulously explained the details to Ling Feng about picking Spiritual Plants.
"Everyone, pay attention, do not disturb the Yao Beasts here."
Soon, everyone arrived in a deep, ancient forest.
Various kinds of Spiritual Plants grew here, some emitting a faint fragrance, while others exuded a rich medicinal scent.
These Spiritual Plants were all needed by the Pill Pavilion for refining various Medicinal Pills.
Are they the old Disciples of the Outer Sect?
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully observing the people who had arrived.
Just by their attire, it was clear that these people were undoubtedly Outer Sect Disciples.
After a few more glances, Ling Feng even judged from the Aura emanating from them that the Cultivation of these people was not lower than the sixth heaven of the Qi Refining Realm!
One must know that even those new Disciples who had just been recruited into the Sect, even those with extraordinary talent, could absolutely not Breakthrough to such a high Realm overnight.
Because of this, Ling Feng secretly speculated in his heart: "Without a doubt, these people must be the veteran Disciples of the Outer Sect."
Thinking of this, Ling Feng took two steps forward, then cupped his hands and said to everyone: "Senior Brothers, I indeed discovered this three-leaf qingzhi first, I hope you Senior Brothers can do me a favor, be lenient, and not intentionally make things difficult for me."
"Oh? It's true you discovered this three-leaf qingzhi first, but now it belongs to this master!
What, do you have any objections to this?" The Disciple again reached out his hand, unceremoniously demanding the three-leaf qingzhi from Ling Feng.
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng quickly retreated several steps and loudly replied: "Since you, Senior Brother, like this three-leaf qingzhi so much, then you can go find it yourself, why must you make things difficult for a Junior Brother like me who has just entered the Sect?"
"New Disciple? Are you that new Disciple who came in through the back door yesterday?" The speaker's eyes were sharp, full of disdain and contempt.
"Yes, that's me." Ling Feng replied with firm eyes, not flinching or cowering because of the other party's attitude.
"I hate people who come in through the back door the most.
I couldn't beat the last one who came through the back door, but dealing with you is very easy."
That person again sized Ling Feng up and down, as if to see through him, and after confirming that Ling Feng was indeed the new Disciple who had just entered the Sect yesterday, a hint of an extremely disgusting, mocking smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
"Senior Brother, this kid is a bit strange.
He just entered the Sect yesterday, but now he already has a Cultivation of the first heaven."
Another Disciple standing nearby surprisingly discovered Ling Feng's true Cultivation level.
Hearing this, that person immediately narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Ling Feng for a while, then slowly spoke: "Could it be that Yu He used the method of A sudden enlightenment to raise his Cultivation?"
"It's not impossible." The Disciple next to him nodded in agreement, expressing his approval.
"Kid, it seems you're quite lucky with women!
To be able to gain Yu He's favor, even going so far as to expend her own Spiritual Qi to help you with A sudden enlightenment ." That person continued to mock, the fire of jealousy burning fiercely in his eyes.
"Senior Brother is joking, Senior Sister Yu He, she..."
Before Ling Feng could finish speaking, that person again said sharply: "Who's joking with you?
Even if you have Yu He as your backing, you must hand over this three-leaf qingzhi today, whether you want to or not!"
Ling Feng's brow furrowed slightly, his eyes turned cold, and he responded in a chilling voice: "What if I truly refuse to hand it over?"
"You're truly asking for trouble.
I think you're looking for death." That person immediately stopped talking nonsense and directly made his move.
He saw a dense Spiritual Qi swirling in his palm, and then he slammed out a palm with a fierce Aura.
"How can you people be so righteous when robbing others of their property?
Don't you worry about being held accountable by the higher-ups at all?" A cold light flashed in Ling Feng's eyes, and he swiftly retreated, narrowly dodging the incoming palm.
That person saw that Ling Feng had easily dodged his attack, and he had done so in front of many Junior Brothers, moreover, Ling Feng was only a new Disciple who had just entered the Sect, which made him feel utterly humiliated.
In his rage, he lunged at Ling Feng again.
With a "whoosh," that person leaped high like a bird, reaching a height of three zhang.
Immediately after, he swiftly drew the Spiritual Sword from his waist and, with lightning speed, thrust it directly towards Ling Feng's chest.
The blade shimmered with a cold light, and the sound of it cutting through the air was sharp and piercing, as if it would tear the air apart.
Driven by extreme anger, that person swiftly drew his sword from its sheath, moving like lightning, and unleashed a sword strike with accumulated power.
Immediately, sword light flashed before his eyes, and dense, dazzling sword shadows appeared.
Ling Feng was astonished, never expecting this person to be so ruthless, resorting to lethal moves from the start.
After all, he had just stepped into the immortal Sect and had never experienced a true battle between Cultivators.
Facing such a sudden attack, he instantly panicked, unsure how to parry.
As the fierce sword light was about to reach him, a flash of inspiration suddenly crossed Ling Feng's mind.
He recalled the time he fought with peers in Yunzhou City and quickly stepped sideways to the left, narrowly avoiding the blow.
However, the sword tip still cut through the clothing on his left shoulder, tearing off a strip of cloth.
Ling Feng's heart burned with fury, and he fearlessly stepped forward, his body suddenly lunging at the opponent.
That person was secretly surprised to see Ling Feng not only not retreat but actively attack.
Even so, he did not choose to dodge, but silently circulated his True Qi within his body, raising a layer of Protective Aura.
At the same time, he secretly rejoiced in his heart: "It's your own fault for being so foolish as to run into me; you can't blame me."
That person secretly calculated in his heart: He was a master of the sixth heaven of the Qi Refining Realm!
While Ling Feng was merely at the first heaven of the Qi Refining Realm, no matter how they compared, he had the advantage and would definitely not suffer a loss!
Just as he was secretly congratulating himself, Ling Feng, like a cannonball, slammed into his embrace.
In an instant, a loud "bang" was heard—the originally indestructible Protective Aura actually disintegrated and vanished under Ling Feng's impact!
Immediately after, an immense impact force heavily struck his chest, causing him to grunt.
In the blink of an eye, he flew backward like a kite with a broken string.
Upon seeing this scene, the people around were greatly alarmed and quickly joined forces to cast Divine Abilities and Spells, catching the unfortunate fellow.
However, when they finally succeeded in rescuing this person, everyone's gaze towards Ling Feng was filled with venom and resentment.
"This brat must be up to something!
Junior Brothers, let's work together and take him down!" That person, having suffered a great loss, shouted in anger and exasperation, completely disregarding his recent humiliation.
At this moment, all he wanted was to capture Ling Feng and avenge himself.
Before his words faded, he struck again with a frosty face; with a wave of his right hand, several incomparably sharp sword lights shot out; at the same time, a short sword shimmering with cold light was hidden within his sleeve, flying out like lightning, directly hurtling towards Ling Feng's face!
Almost at the same time, the other five also unhesitatingly drew their Spiritual Swords, and with a series of crisp, pleasant sword cries, six dazzling sword lights suddenly lit up...
Instantly, a flash of sword light swept across, and the air hummed, the sound of wind blades tearing through the air, coming from all directions.