Everyone could see the Elders' current focus was entirely on Lin Feng. Hearing Wen Mochen's dismissal, they wisely began filing out. Lin Feng also wanted to leave quickly, but as he turned, Wen Mochen's voice stopped him.
"Lin Feng, you may also go and rest. However," Wen Mochen instructed, his tone losing its previous detachment and gaining a hint of warmth, a faint smile touching his lips that spoke of a senior regarding a promising junior with kindness, "it would be best if you did not go far. Once we inform the Sect Leader and the other Elders regarding your situation, we may need to summon you again."
"Yes, this disciple understands. Esteemed Elders, I take my leave..." Lin Feng responded respectfully despite his inner reluctance, bowing once more to both men before finally turning to depart.
Stepping outside the hall, Lin Feng immediately felt the weight of numerous gazes upon him. Lifting his eyes, he scanned the expansive square outside, still crowded with many disciples. Those who had just exited the side hall were already surrounded by others, no doubt recounting the results of the competition – and, Lin Feng suspected, his own unprecedented feat. Consequently, his appearance instantly drew the attention of nearly everyone present.
The stares directed at him held a tumultuous mix of emotions: shock, disbelief, astonishment, envy, and jealousy... The vast majority had never even heard of 'Lin Feng' before. Those who did know of him were only familiar with negative snippets: 'Low-Grade Fire Spirit Root aptitude', 'gained entry through connections', 'mere Spirit Beast Garden caretaker', 'had conflicts with the South Courtyard Chief Disciple, Di Xuan', 'rumored to be involved with the West Courtyard Senior Sister, Jie Feiyuan', and so on. The sudden revelation that this Lin Feng had stunned everyone during the competition, even prompting Elder Wen to desire him as a personal disciple, struck them all as utterly incredible.
Lin Feng ignored the pointing whispers and scrutinizing looks. His gaze swept the crowd until he spotted Fei Biao standing not far to the right, watching him. Lin Feng immediately walked over. "Senior Brother Fei, still here? Shall we head back together?"
"Ah? Oh, oh, yes..." Fei Biao had been hesitating, unsure whether to approach Lin Feng. Seeing Lin Feng come to him first flustered him momentarily, but he quickly nodded. Relief washed over him as he realized Lin Feng's attitude towards him hadn't changed in the slightest. He let out a long sigh and then stared at Lin Feng with undisguised awe. "Junior Brother Lin... you... you truly hid your talents deep! This Senior Brother is impressed, utterly impressed!"
Lin Feng chuckled lightly. "Senior Brother Fei, please don't tease me. It was merely a fluke, an instance of exceeding my limits. Even now, I find it hard to believe myself..."
"Heh, modest, too modest..." Fei Biao grinned broadly, shaking his head. "Didn't you hear Elder Guo? He declared you an 'absolute heaven-sent prodigy'! Tsk, tsk, you should have seen the expressions on those Inner Sect disciples' faces earlier! They looked like they'd seen a ghost! Ha ha! Lin Feng, you've truly brought honor to us Outer Sect disciples! It's good to let those who normally strut about proudly know that even an Outer Sect disciple who seems mediocre on the surface can surpass them!" His expression turned slightly wistful. "Though, I suppose you'll be joining the Inner Sect very soon now, eh? Heh, congratulations! Remember to look out for your old brother here when you're up there..."
"Senior Brother Fei, you jest..."
...
Chatting amicably, the two made their way towards the South Courtyard. After parting ways with Fei Biao, Lin Feng walked alone back to his secluded dwelling in the Spirit Beast Garden at the rear mountain.
"Chiu!!" The moment he stepped inside, a blur of yellow shot towards him, scrambling onto his head and vigorously mussing his hair – it was Xiaoqiu. The little creature had been left behind during the important competition, and it seemed quite displeased.
"Alright, alright, enough mischief." Lin Feng laughed, gently plucking the furry beast off his head. He pulled out a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone. "Here you go. I need to think about some things. Go play."
Xiaoqiu snatched the spirit stone, appeased for the moment. It gave a satisfied sniff before hopping into the bedroom to 'devour' its prize.
Lin Feng sank into a chair in the main room, pulling out the two vials of Spirit Nourishment Pills he'd refined that day. He turned them over in his hand, falling deep into thought.
So what he called 'Perfect Quality' – the zero-flaw pills – were truly known as 'Celestial Grade'. And this quality appeared to be exceptionally rare. My knowledge is still lacking, he reflected inwardly. Even though I tried to hold back, it still caused too much of a stir. While Guo Mingxian had praised him as a 'heaven-sent prodigy', Lin Feng knew the truth. His supposed alchemy talent was illusory. Without the Repair Technique, his performance in the competition wouldn't even have matched Fei Biao's.
His initial goal had simply been to secure a spot in the Blackmist Herb Valley trial. That objective was achieved, but at the cost of attracting intense scrutiny from the sect's highest echelons. For Lin Feng, who had already planned to leave the sect soon, this was a significant complication. The more attention he garnered, the harder it would be to act discreetly. He carried too many secrets and needed constant vigilance to avoid exposure.
I'll just have to endure it for this period, he resolved silently. Ten more days until Blackmist Herb Valley. Once the trial there concludes... it will be time to leave.
Having made this decision, he pushed further worries aside. He stood up, intending to head towards the back of the garden. Elder Wen had advised him not to wander far, but judging the time still early, Lin Feng decided to complete his daily task first: delivering the medicinal pellets to the spirit beasts.
...
Approximately two hours later, as Lin Feng returned from the depths of the rear mountain forest, he discovered someone already waiting for him in his main room. The visitor was seated behind the low table, casually leafing through some papers stacked there.
Seeing Lin Feng enter, the man stood up smoothly and offered a congenial smile. "Junior Brother Lin, I arrived to find your door unlatched, so I took the liberty of entering. I hope you don't mind..."
"Senior Brother Xu is too polite," Lin Feng replied courteously, masking his surprise. "To what do I owe the visit?"
The man waiting for him was none other than Xu Huaishan, the personal disciple of the Sect Leader himself. "The Sect Leader instructed me to summon you to the Council Hall," Xu Huaishan informed him. "He and the assembled Elders wish to speak with you."
Lin Feng sighed inwardly. Here it comes. Disinclined though he was, refusal was impossible. He nodded. "Understood. Thank you for the summons, Senior Brother Xu. Shall we proceed immediately?"
...
Stepping once more onto the grand plaza atop the sect's main peak, Lin Feng crossed the threshold of the Lingyue Sect's Council Hall for the very first time.
The moment he entered, he felt the weight of multiple gazes lock onto him. Simultaneously, an almost palpable pressure – the combined, invisible aura of sheer power – washed over him, stealing his breath for an instant. His eyes swept the chamber. Seven figures sat in solemn array. On the right sat Grand Elder Wen Mochen in the first seat, flanked by East Courtyard Elder Guo Mingxian, and beside him, an unfamiliar white-haired elderly woman he surmised must be West Courtyard Elder Chen Rongyue. On the left sat Vice-Sect Leader Ye Lingxuan in the first seat, adjacent to him was South Courtyard Elder Zhou Xiantai, and next to Zhou Xiantai, a man appearing to be in his forties – undoubtedly North Courtyard Elder Lu.
Dominating the center at the head of the hall, seated upon the grandest chair, was a majestic, stern-faced middle-aged man clad in crimson robes embroidered with potent sigils. This, without question, was Lu Danxin, the current Sect Leader of Lingyue Sect, an elite cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage. Though likely similar in age to the Vice-Sect Leader, his visage seemed remarkably younger than Ye Lingxuan's.
Under the collective gaze of these seven individuals – the weakest among them still a Mid Core Formation powerhouse – Lin Feng felt utterly exposed, as if stripped bare. He approached the center of the hall with extreme care and bowed deeply to the assembly. "Disciple Lin Feng pays his respects to the Sect Leader, the Vice-Sect Leader, and all Esteemed Elders."
"Mm. Rise." Lu Danxin gave a slight nod, his eyes appraising Lin Feng with cool detachment. "In the thousand-year history of Lingyue Sect, no Foundation Building disciple has ever refined Celestial Grade pills. You... are exceptional."
Lin Feng kept his head respectfully dipped. "This disciple is undeserving of the Sect Leader's praise! Producing a Celestial Grade pill was merely a stroke of immense fortune. To receive such attention from my esteemed seniors fills me with profound apprehension..."
Lu Danxin waved a dismissive hand, his tone flat yet carrying undeniable weight. "Such modesty is unnecessary. Celestial Grade pills are not forged through 'fortune' alone. Your talent in the Dao of Alchemy is undeniable. Previously confining you to the Outer Sect borders on negligence, nearly obscuring your brilliance. You have proven your worth through decisive action."
He paused deliberately, letting the implication sink in, before continuing. "You have rightfully earned your place in the Blackmist Herb Valley trial. Good. That place holds boundless opportunities. I trust you will reap significant rewards within its bounds."
Another pause, heavier this time, his gaze intensifying. "Upon your return from Blackmist Herb Valley, I shall formally accept you as my personal disciple." His voice resonated with finality. "Perform well during the trial. Do not disappoint me!!"