The gates of the Asking Immortal Sect were astonishingly large!
Furthermore, since nobody dared to interact with Ling Feng, a disciple of the Little Bamboo Peak lineage, Ling Feng wandered through the grand buildings for half a day before he finally found the location of the Scripture Pavilion.
He didn't know that Yang Wei, the master of Feixing Peak, had already issued an order prohibiting him from accessing any sect resources.
Ling Feng walked up to a three-story pavilion, above its door, the words "Scripture Pavilion" were prominently hung. The area was bustling, crowded with many Inner Sect Disciples.
Every Inner Sect Disciple could only borrow one Secret Technique Manual and one Martial Skill Secret Manual per month.
Being the beginning of the month, it was the peak period for disciples to borrow and exchange manuals, and Ling Feng had to wait in a long line before it was his turn to enter the Scripture Pavilion and choose a manual.
"What's your name, and which peak and lineage do you belong to?"
The disciple guarding the Scripture Pavilion lazily glanced at Ling Feng and asked as a matter of routine.
"Little Bamboo Peak, Ling Feng." Ling Feng truthfully reported his sect affiliation.
"Little… Little Bamboo Peak?" The Guardian Disciple's eyelids twitched, and he suddenly sprang up from his chair, "Are you that Ling Feng?"
"Oh? You know me?" Ling Feng touched his nose, surprised to find that he was somewhat of a "celebrity" within the Inner Sect of the Asking Immortal Sect.
"Get out of here quickly! The Scripture Pavilion is not a place for you, and you are not qualified to borrow any manual!" The Guardian Disciple's expression suddenly turned cold.
Even summoning several other Guardian Disciples, they subtly surrounded Ling Feng as if warning him that if he didn't leave respectfully, he would regret it.
"I am also an Inner Sect Disciple, why can't I borrow the manuals from the Scripture Pavilion?" Ling Feng's eyes grew cold as he fixed his gaze on the Guardian Disciple, "Who gave you the authority to even disregard the laws of the sect?"
That disciple felt unnerved under Ling Feng's gaze and was momentarily at a loss for words.
According to the sect rules, every Inner Sect Disciple indeed had the right to borrow from the Scripture Pavilion, but he had just received instructions from Feixing Peak to restrict Ling Feng's access to the Scripture Pavilion.
This was a directive from the higher-ups, how could he dare to disobey?
"Hmph, my words are the authority!"
At that moment, an elderly man with white hair and beard slowly emerged from the Scripture Pavilion. He was the Guardian Elder of the Scripture Pavilion, and though not as prominent as the Peak Masters, he was an influential elder within the Asking Immortal Sect.
The Guardian Elder slowly made his way forward. Despite his slow pace, he reached Ling Feng in the blink of an eye.
"Greetings, Elder!"
The Guardian Disciples and other disciples who had come to borrow manuals all bowed respectfully. This Guardian Elder was a powerhouse in the Magnetic Condensation Realm and had high seniority; even the Sect Leader would have to call him Uncle Master.
The elderly man squinted his eyes and stared coldly at Ling Feng, saying in a chilly tone, "Young man, I advise you to leave obediently. Don't embarrass yourself."
"Are you an Elder?" Ling Feng raised his head, meeting the gaze of the Guardian Elder, a curve forming on the corner of his lips, "Just because you're an Elder, does that mean you can disregard the rules set by the forebears of the Asking Immortal Sect?"
"Smooth talker! You dare to question me?" The Guardian Elder's face chilled. He had always been close with Yang Wei and his group, and they wanted to suppress this junior, so he was naturally willing to do them a favor.
"As a disciple of the Asking Immortal Sect, why don't I qualify?" Ling Feng stood proudly, unflinching in the face of the Guardian Elder.
"Very well, very well, you've got some nerve!" The Guardian Elder flung his sleeves, "Someone come and drag this impudent brat out, break his legs, and see if he dares to defy me again!"
"Understood!" Guardian Disciples sneered, intrigued. They had joined the Asking Immortal Sect years ago, but they had never seen such a fearless youth who dared to provoke even the Elders. Truly, he was sick of living.
"I'd like to see who dares," Ling Feng snorted lightly, retrieving a token from his bosom. "Guardian Elder, take a look at what this is?"
The Guardian Elder, who had already turned to leave, turned back upon hearing Ling Feng's words.
In Ling Feng's hand, he held a palm-sized Jade Token, engraved with the character "Immortal." It was indeed the Sect Leader Jade Token of the Asking Immortal Sect!
"What!" The Guardian Elder's pupils shrank violently, and he spun around. "Sect Leader Jade Token? How do you have the Sect Leader Jade Token in your hand?"
The surrounding disciples were instantly terrified. What did the possession of the Sect Leader Jade Token imply?
It signified the dignity of the leader of the sect!
In an instant, who would dare to break Ling Feng's legs? Everyone stood there dumbfounded, looking alternately at the Guardian Elder and at Ling Feng, unsure of what to do.
"So you do have some discernment!" Ling Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected the Sect Leader Token to truly be effective, but it had indeed subdued the Guardian Elder.
"Hmph, I understand, I understand!" The Guardian Elder was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. "It was Duanmu Qingshan, that old coot who gave you the token, right?"
"Duanmu Qingshan is my Master. Is there a problem with him passing things on to me?" Ling Feng, clutching the token, lightly snorted. "Guardian Elder, seeing the Sect Leader Token, shouldn't you kneel?"
"Ha ha ha!" The Guardian Elder burst out laughing immediately. "Boy, in the hands of Duanmu Qingshan, this Sect Leader Jade Token might still possess some deterrent power. But you, a mere greenhorn who's still wet behind the ears, even if you hold the Sect Leader Jade Token, what use is it?"
A fierce light flashed in the eyes of the Guardian Elder. "In the hands of Duanmu Qingshan, naturally, no one dares to snatch it, but in your hands!"
Saying this, the Guardian Elder gave Ling Feng a sinister look; his large hand grabbed, and a terrifying strength suddenly enveloped Ling Feng, nearly suffocating him.
"That old monster, Duanmu Qingshan, was wise all his life but foolish for a moment. Hmph, this Sect Leader Jade Token should finally be returned to the Sect Leader!"
The Guardian Elder burst into laughter again. With a false clutch of his palm, Ling Feng was immediately seized by a horrifying absorption power and flung towards the Guardian Elder.
"Not good!" Ling Feng inwardly cursed. As he had feared, though the token represented supreme dignity, without the strength to back it, it was useless.
Just when Ling Feng thought the token was about to be taken, the Jade Token suddenly burst into a ghostly glow, and a fierce Sword Qi, as if cutting through a distant expanse of time, emerged from the void and shot violently toward the hand of the Guardian Elder.
"Ah!"
The Guardian Elder screamed in agony, the absorption power instantly dissipating. Ling Feng exhaled in relief, grasping the token, his soul settling after the shock.
"Elder!" The surrounding disciples hurried to support the Guardian Elder, who stared at Ling Feng incredulously, sweat pouring from his brow.
"Huang Xuanling, this is just a minor punishment. Ling Feng is my disciple. If you dare to bully the weak and disregard me, feel free to taste the consequences!"
From within the Sect Leader Jade Token, Duanmu Qingshan's emotionless voice erupted, booming like thunder, chilling everyone nearby to the bone.
The Guardian Elder gripped his palm, where a chicken-egg-sized hole from the Sword Qi pierced, flesh mangled and blood flowing.
"To all Scripture Pavilion Disciples: henceforth, Ling Feng may freely access the Scripture Pavilion and borrow any secret manuals without restriction!"
Having said this, the Guardian Elder, with a dark expression, concealed his injured arm within his sleeve and turned to leave, no longer daring to deliberately make things difficult for Ling Feng.