Chapter 146: Stirring Clouds in All Directions!
Chapter 146: Stirring Clouds in All Directions!
In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
Ling Feng ascended the mountain daily for swordsmanship practice, departing early in the morning and returning late in the evening.
To devote himself entirely to his cultivation, Ling Feng instructed Su Hongxiu to take a temporary leave and focus solely on caring for Luo Jianying and preparing the Eight Treasure Jade Essence Ointment.
On this particular day, instead of ascending the mountain for sword practice, Ling Feng arrived at the secluded stone chamber where Duangmu Qingshan was meditating, patiently awaiting his emergence.
He could already sense potent energy emanating slowly from the depths of Little Bamboo Peak.
After an extended period of seclusion, Duangmu Qingshan had finally achieved a breakthrough!
Buzz!
A deep resonance rumbled through the earth, prompting birds to flee their nests, clouds to billow, and mountain streams to murmur, even causing a momentary interruption in their flow.
Zifeng tightly grasped Ling Feng's garment and exclaimed, "Wow, is it an earthquake, Master?"
Ling Feng didn't reply. He simply stood outside the stone chamber, bowed respectfully, and said, "Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Master."
Tock, tock, tock!
At that moment, the tightly closed stone chamber finally opened, revealing a tall figure stepping out. He stood like a spear, his gaze sharp and intimidating.
His eyes gleamed brightly, a look only achieved when one's spirit reaches its peak.
It was clear that this former top expert of the Wenxian Sect had finally fully awakened, and his strength had even reached a higher level.
"Master," Ling Feng called out, approaching with a hint of joy in his eyes.
"This moment has finally arrived!"
Duanmu Qingshan reached out, patting Ling Feng's shoulder as he laughed heartily. "My good disciple, today's achievements are all thanks to you!"
With his strength restored, Duanmu Qingshan's voice exuded immense confidence.
At last, he possessed the power to break the seal, depart from Little Bamboo Peak, and exact revenge!
"Little Feng, in less than a month, you've actually broken through to the Pulse Formation Realm?"
Duanmu Qingshan fixed his gaze on Ling Feng, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. Yet, considering Ling Feng's extraordinary talent, he quickly calmed down.
"I got lucky," Ling Feng said with a faint smile, maintaining his customary modesty.
"So, you're my master's master? Not as impressive as that old man Wen, huh?"
Zifeng leaped onto Ling Feng's shoulder, his small eyes sizing up Duanmu Qingshan, unable to resist muttering.
"Hmm?" Duanmu Qingshan didn't pay much attention to Zifeng's comment about his skills. There were always people stronger than him in the world.
However, he was quite curious about Zifeng and asked, "Little Feng, what exactly is this little creature?"
"It's a type of demonic beast, but I've already tamed it, making it my spirit pet," Ling Feng reached out and tapped Zifeng's small head, frowning. "Alright, Zifeng, this is my master, so show some respect."
Zifeng stuck out his tongue, deciding not to misbehave anymore, and obediently sat on Ling Feng's shoulder without saying another word.
"This little creature exudes remarkable spiritual energy. I've never encountered such a demonic beast before," Duanmu Qingshan said with a faint smile, before redirecting his gaze to Ling Feng. "Since you've already achieved the Pulse Formation Realm, let's fight side by side as master and disciple!"
"Agreed!" Ling Feng nodded enthusiastically, his excitement stirring his blood.
It was time to unveil Lin Canglang's deceitful facade.
Duanmu Qingshan's eyes flashed with a cold light as he spoke in a stern tone, "Ling Feng, step aside for now. Let me break through this Sealing Array first! Then we'll make Lin Canglang and his group pay for their blood debts!"
"Understood!" Ling Feng nodded, swiftly retreating several dozen yards.
The Sealing Array on Little Bamboo Peak was targeted specifically towards Duanmu Qingshan. Ling Feng's assistance would be futile, as only Duanmu Qingshan could detect its presence.
Duanmu Qingshan's body surged with vigorous energy. He gracefully leapt up, and with a resounding clang, pointed his long sword towards the sky.
Boom!
In an instant, the clouds stirred in all directions.
In the sky, dark clouds gathered rapidly, rolling in with faint streaks of lightning hidden within the layers of clouds.
"What's going on? It was clear and sunny just a moment ago, so how did it suddenly become overcast with dark clouds?"
"Wait, why are all those dark clouds converging towards Little Bamboo Peak?"
One by one, the disciples and elders alike were puzzled and bewildered.
"Hmm..."
At the main peak of Liuxian Peak, Lin Canglang gazed towards Little Bamboo Peak, his brows furrowed.
"Sect Leader, it appears that the Five-Thunder Sky-Locking Array, arranged by our senior brothers and our late master before their demise, has been triggered."
Yang Wei's eyes flashed with fear as he tightly clenched his fists.
"It is indeed the Five-Thunder Sky-Locking Array!" Lin Canglang's expression turned grave, his teeth gritted with hatred. "Duanmu, you old geezer, I never imagined you still possessed the strength to withstand the Five-Thunder Sky-Locking Array!"
He had assumed that after so many years, the sword qi left by the former sect leader in Duanmu Qingshan's body would have tormented him, causing his strength to significantly wane.
However, Duanmu Qingshan could even go against the Five-Thunder Sky-Locking Array.
"What's going on? This can't be happening!"
One of the peak leaders was in a state of panic. He had played a part in the siege against Duanmu Qingshan. If Duanmu Qingshan broke through the array and escaped, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Don't panic! Whether Duanmu Qingshan can successfully break through remains to be seen. Even if he does, what is there to fear from an old man who has been abandoned for over a decade?" Lin Canglang snorted coldly. "Don't forget, as the Sect Leader, I've long since advanced to the Transformation Realm!"
Li Liang clenched his fist and grit his teeth. "Sect Leader, I suspect that Ling Feng never truly cooperated with us from the beginning. His agreement to steal that old geezer's Sword Scripture was just a ruse! We've been played by that kid!"
"Cursed brat!" Lin Canglang's eyes blazed with fury. "Regardless, the venom of the Golden Silkworm Gu Poison is genuine! You, you audacious scoundrel, dared to deceive our sect. Today, I shall ensure that both of you, master and disciple, find no resting place for your corpses!"
Clang!
With a swift stroke of his sword, Lin Canglang ascended into the sky like a bolt of lightning. Casting a cold glance back at the other peak leaders and elders, he commanded, "What are you all standing around for? Follow me!"
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Figures darted forth like lightning bolts, converging towards the direction of Little Bamboo Peak.
...
The thunder roared, and the heavens and earth trembled!
Duanmu Qingshan's eyes shimmered, his momentum steadily rising.
Swish!
A gust of wind emanated from Duanmu Qingshan's center, sweeping through the surroundings. Trees and flowers trembled wildly, uprooted by the force.
Ling Feng kept his distance, tightly gripping onto a massive boulder. Despite the distance, he could still feel the fierce wind brushing against his skin, causing it to sting.
From afar came a furious roar, "Duanmu, you old geezer, don't even think about breaking through the array!"
Subsequently, figures descended from the sky, revealing themselves to be Lin Canglang, Li Liang, Yang Wei, and others.
Duanmu Qingshan stood proudly, his long sword swaying in hand as he sneered, "So, you've all finally arrived. Unfortunately, you're too late!"
Crack!
The first bolt of lightning descended from the sky. Without dodging or evading, Duanmu Qingshan soared upward, gripping his sword with both hands. He aimed directly at the lightning bolt and slashed straight toward it.
Rumble!
Sword qi swept through the sky, colliding with the lightning bolt. The lightning bolt shattered with a crisp crack, followed by the rapid dispersal of the dark clouds in the sky. Around Duanmu Qingshan, it seemed as though a faint golden light curtain shattered, and the Five-Thunder Sky-Locking Array completely collapsed.
Crackle!
Arcs of lightning surged around Duanmu Qingshan's body, causing his arms, holding the long sword, to tremble slightly.
Nevertheless, after over a decade of being trapped, he had finally broken free from the sealing array, regaining his freedom.