Chapter Thirty-Three: Meeting the Sword Saint
"I finally made it out; the fresh air feels so good."
Lin Feng emerged from the water, free from the terrifying pressure that had tormented him. He felt as light as a feather, walking with a spring in his step.
"It’s been a while since I last saw Miaomiao. I wonder how she’s doing now."
Lin Feng remembered that Miaomiao had been taken as a disciple by the Grand Elder, so he hurried towards Qixiu Peak.
Qixiu Peak is renowned for its extraordinary mountains and steep ridges. Each peak has its own unique shape, crafted with remarkable skill. The palace of Qixiu Peak is built atop the towering Wanren Peak.
As Lin Feng arrived at the foot of Wanren Peak, he gazed at the magnificent sight before him. Wanren Peak rose like a colossal pillar, soaring thousands of feet into the sky, its summit shrouded in mist.
The peak is named for its sheer cliffs that rise straight up on all sides.
Disciples of Wanren Peak are divided into three tiers. The lower tier can be accessed via a mechanical basket-like device located at the base of the peak. The middle tier requires climbing through wooden stakes protruding from the sheer cliffs, situated in the middle section of Wanren Peak. The upper tier is reached solely through one’s own abilities.
Solitary Moon City is divided into five branches, with Qixiu Peak being the foremost among them. Lin Feng was assigned to one of the five peaks, Bamboo Peak.
At the foot of Wanren Peak, there was a basket that was always manned. Only disciples of Wanren Peak were allowed entry without permission. Other branch disciples had to notify and seek approval beforehand if they wished to come.
Lin Feng approached the basket and clasped his fists together, saying, "Senior Brother, I would like to go up to find someone."
The disciple guarding the basket glanced at Lin Feng and, seeing his ordinary appearance, asked, "Which peak are you from?"
"I am Lin Feng from Bamboo Peak," Lin Feng replied honestly.
“Bamboo Peak? Lin Feng? I haven't heard of it. Show me your token,” the man said.
Lin Feng had not yet reported to Bamboo Peak, so he had no token to show. He replied, “I haven't reported yet; I came here looking for an old friend.”
“No token, no entry. Just leave,” the man said impatiently.
While Lin Feng was negotiating with the man, someone descended from the basket and approached him. Lin Feng focused his gaze and realized it was Lin Heng.
Seeing Lin Heng walking towards another path, Lin Feng immediately raised his hand and called out loudly, “Lin Heng! Lin Heng!”
Upon hearing his name, Lin Heng turned around and saw Lin Feng. After hesitating for a moment, he walked over.
Lin Feng said, “Congratulations on entering Qixiu Peak.”
“Hmph, not just anyone can enter Qixiu Peak. He only came to deliver something,” the disciple guarding the basket said arrogantly.
Lin Heng showed an embarrassed expression. He had always been known for his talent, treated like a star wherever he went. Now things were quite different. He replied, “I entered Falling Sunset Peak; what about you?”
“I entered Bamboo Peak,” Lin Feng answered.
Falling Sunset Peak was the lowest ranked among the five peaks, while Bamboo Peak ranked third.
Lin Heng responded with an “oh” and fell silent. It was expected that Lin Feng would have entered a better place than himself.
Lin Feng then asked, “Have you seen Miaomiao?”
Lin Heng shook his head and said, "I haven't seen her since the Inner Sect competition."
"I haven't seen her in a long time either. I was actually planning to go find her today, but that person wouldn't let me."
The two of them walked away from Wanren Peak.
"Lin Miaomiao isn't at Qixiu Peak. Didn't you know?" Lin Heng asked in return.
"I... I didn't know," Lin Feng replied with an embarrassed smile.
Lin Heng was unaware of the incident involving Lin Feng and the others entering the Sword Pool. He continued, "You and Lin Miaomiao are close, so logically, she should come looking for you."
Lin Feng forced a bitter smile, not wanting to mention the Sword Pool incident. He asked, "Do you know where Miaomiao is?"
"I heard she has been taken as a disciple by the elder guarding the ancestral hall," Lin Heng replied.
"Thank you."
After expressing his gratitude, Lin Feng hurriedly made his way to the Solitary Moon City ancestral hall.
Miaomiao was sitting on a meditation mat in the hall, deeply focused on her cultivation when she thought she heard someone calling her name.
"I think I heard Lin Feng calling me," Miaomiao murmured to herself. She opened her eyes and then thought, "It might just be an illusion. It's been five months since that guy came out to see me."
"Miaomiao, Miaomiao..."
Lin Feng stood before the ancestral hall, gazing at Miaomiao's name.
"It must be Lin Feng," she thought.
Miaomiao opened her eyes again, rising from the meditation mat. She hurriedly made her way to the entrance of the hall.
After five months apart, the two finally met at the door of the ancestral hall.
"Miaomiao," Lin Feng said, a smile spreading across his face upon seeing her.
"Lin Feng," Miaomiao replied, her voice filled with excitement and surprise.
Just as they were about to reach each other, a plump figure appeared, blocking the path between them.
"Who is this ruining the moment?" Lin Feng thought to himself, but when he looked closer, he realized it was Elder Xu and dared not speak up.
"Elder, why are you being like this?" Miaomiao said boldly, pushing him aside as she tried to reconnect with Lin Feng.
Elder Xu stood firm as a mountain. He looked at Lin Feng and said sternly, "Come with me."
"Oh," Lin Feng replied, not daring to ask where they were going.
Their brief reunion ended abruptly. Miaomiao watched Lin Feng leave, feeling a pang of reluctance in her heart. She called out to his retreating figure, "Lin Feng, what sword did you find?"
Lin Feng turned to look at Miaomiao, his expression filled with disappointment as he replied, "I didn't find any sword."
"Ah?"
Miaomiao showed a look of surprise. She thought that according to Lin Feng's stubborn nature, he wouldn't come out until he found the sword. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed for more than five months. What she didn't expect was that even after five months, there was still no harvest.
This luck is just... too bad.
Miaomiao was about to offer some comforting words when suddenly, Lin Feng and Elder Xu's figures vanished, leaving her wondering where they had gone.
Lin Feng and Elder Xu ascended into the void.
Elder Xu held Lin Feng's hand, taking one step at a time as they moved upward.
From a distance, it was a remarkable sight. One tall and one short, one plump and one thin, they floated up effortlessly, astonishing onlookers. It seemed as if there were invisible stairs beneath Elder Xu's feet; he walked leisurely and gracefully.
This scene was something that no one in Solitary Moon City could witness except for a few Grand Elders.
After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Lin Feng felt as if he had risen hundreds of feet. He looked down and saw Solitary Moon City appearing small like a fist. This was the first time in his life he had been this high above the ground, overlooking the entire world.
At that moment, Lin Feng felt only one thing: exhilaration.
How he wished he could also ascend like this with just a step.
Elder Xu led Lin Feng into a realm of starry skies. Everywhere was filled with the colors of night, but the stars shone brilliantly, making the night even more dazzling.
To see the starry sky during the day was indeed a marvel.
Under the starry sky, a figure sat cross-legged. Dressed in white, he faced away from Lin Feng and the others, emanating a fierce aura that instilled deep fear and reverence in their hearts.
"Junior Brother, the person has been brought," Elder Xu spoke.
The Sword Saint did not rise. He said, "You may leave now."
"Alright." Elder Xu turned and quickly disappeared from sight.
"Senior Elder Xu..." Lin Feng called out to Elder Xu's retreating figure, but he couldn't finish his sentence. He thought to himself, "You've left, how am I supposed to get down now?"
"Are you the new disciple of Divine Ruins?" Lin Bai slowly began.
"What is Divine Ruins? May I ask who you are, Senior?" Lin Feng respectfully bowed. Anyone who could cultivate at such a level was certainly not an ordinary person.
"Did Dugu Po not inform you about Mountain Gate when he accepted you?" Lin Bai asked, slightly puzzled.
"Who is Dugu Po? I'm sorry, Senior, but I really don't know." Lin Feng felt a bit anxious as sweat began to bead on his forehead.
"Who took you in?" Lin Bai changed the subject.
Lin Feng pondered this question carefully and suddenly recalled the Gray Robed Man. He recounted his encounter with the Gray Robed Man in detail.
"So it was Master Da who accepted you," Lin Bai realized.
Lin Feng reflected on the Sword Saint's earlier words and understood. The Gray Robed Man was named Master Da, and his sect was called Divine Ruins. It seemed to be quite impressive, connected to the divine in some way. However, he wondered how it compared to Solitary Moon City.
"What's your name?" Lin Bai asked again.
"My name is Lin Feng," Lin Feng replied respectfully, not daring to be careless.
"Your senior brother entrusted me to take care of you. If you have any questions about your cultivation, you can ask me now," Lin Bai said as he stood up, facing Lin Feng directly to show respect for the Divine Ruins.
Lin Feng was momentarily stunned by the Sword Saint's presence. His beauty was indescribable; even standing next to an unparalleled beauty, he would not lose any charm.
"What questions do you have? I only have a limited time to answer you," Lin Bai reminded him.
Unbeknownst to him, the Sword Saint was deeply engrossed in the sword path. He had spent his life in seclusion, never concerning himself with matters of Solitary Moon City, let alone taking time to guide a newly initiated disciple.
This was already a significant favor.
Lin Feng felt immensely grateful; he had always seized opportunities tightly. Coming out of his shock, he said, "I indeed have many questions regarding my cultivation that I would like to ask you in the future."
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