[Drinking Makes You Stronger]
Looking at this newly acquired talent, Ling Feng blinked in surprise.
Wow.
So, it turns out you don't need to cultivate to grow stronger—just drink alcohol?
The system's gifted talents are indeed powerful and strange.
Seeing his master, Liu Rusi, drinking nearby, Ling Feng walked over. "Master, master, could you give me a jar of that Drunken Immortal Brew?"
"Oh, you're in the mood for drinking today? Here, take it," Liu Rusi generously handed him a jar, as the brew was originally purchased by Ling Feng.
Ling Feng held the jar of Drunken Immortal Brew, popped open the seal, and immediately, a fragrant aroma filled the air. He took a large gulp, letting the alcohol slide down his throat.
Instantly, the warmth spread through his entire body.
It was... true energy!
Just one sip of the Drunken Immortal Brew caused his true energy to circulate on its own, rapidly increasing. This was far more efficient than grinding through cultivation.
Ling Feng's eyes lit up.
This talent isn't bad at all!
"Master, I'll drink with you from now on," he said.
"You rascal! Out of all the things you could learn, you pick this?" Liu Rusi scolded, tapping him on the head.
But Ling Feng didn't mind. Even if his master didn't let him drink, he could always buy it himself. After all, he had plenty of silver and spirit stones.
While Ling Feng and Liu Rusi were drinking together, Gu Linglong and Leng Ningshuang arrived, excitement written on their faces.
"Junior Brother, you're famous now!"
Gu Linglong held a copy of the Jianghu Bulletin, spreading it open to show him. It was filled with text and images.
"Junior Brother, you've become the top of the Great Zhou's Hidden Dragon List!"
Gu Linglong exclaimed excitedly.
Ling Feng blinked. "Hidden Dragon List? Really?"
The Great Zhou government had various ranking lists, such as the Famous Sword Chart, the Grandmaster List, the Hidden Dragon List, and the most prestigious, the Heavenly List.
The Hidden Dragon List ranked the young talents of the martial world, all under the age of thirty. It highlighted the future powerhouses of the Great Zhou.
Anyone who made it onto the list was considered a peerless talent, and the top spot was especially remarkable. In past years, those who topped the Hidden Dragon List almost always made it onto the Grandmaster List and eventually ascended to the Heavenly List!
"Not only that, but you're also on the Grandmaster List! Junior Brother, you're currently number one on the Hidden Dragon List and number nine on the Grandmaster List! At your age, you're already famous throughout the Great Zhou!"
Gu Linglong said, so excited she looked as if she had made the list herself.
"Hic... It's just the Hidden Dragon List and the Grandmaster List. Why get so worked up?" Liu Rusi hiccuped after drinking.
If anyone else had said that, Gu Linglong and Leng Ningshuang would have argued back. After all, making it onto these lists was the dream of countless martial artists in the Great Zhou, something many pursued their whole lives without achieving.
But considering how Liu Rusi, even while drunk, had effortlessly slain the ninth-ranked Heavenly List expert with a single sword strike the previous day, her disdain for the lists was justified.
"Thank you for letting me know, Senior Sisters. By the way, do you know how Senior Brother Feng and the other disciples are doing?" Ling Feng asked, remembering the severely injured Feng Xiaoyao and others.
Gu Linglong replied, "Senior Brother Feng is fine after taking some medicinal pills. He was injured while trying to stop the Grand Elder."
"As expected, Senior Brother Feng is righteous. It's just a shame he followed the wrong master," Ling Feng said with a sigh.
"I always knew that Grand Elder was petty and small-minded, but I never thought he'd actually dare betray the sect. Quite bold of him," Liu Rusi commented from the side.
"Oh, by the way, Junior Brother, the Sect Master and the others have called for a meeting. They want you to attend," Gu Linglong mentioned.
"A meeting? For me?"
Ling Feng was surprised. He was just a disciple. Weren't meetings meant for elders, like his master?
"Are you sure they want me and not my master?"
"Yes, Junior Brother, they specifically want you."
Liu Rusi scoffed from the side, "No doubt about it. They call for me all the time, and I've never attended any of their meetings."
Ling Feng nodded, understanding a bit more.
Afterward, he flew over to the main hall of the Taixu Peak.
When he arrived, several elders had already gathered. Upon seeing him, they smiled and nodded.
"Ah, Xiao Feng, you're here."
"Good, Xiao Feng. We've called you here because there's something we need your help with. It shouldn't be too difficult for you."
Ling Feng was curious. "What is it?"
"Well, it's like this: after the attack by the Xuan Shen Sect, they suffered significant losses, even losing their patriarch. Now, the other sects are..."
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the White Cloud Sect naturally couldn't fall behind in annexing the territory of the Xuan Shen Sect. After all, the Xuan Shen Sect's downfall was partially due to their efforts, so it would be unreasonable for other sects to take all the resources. The White Cloud Sect had to act.
"The White Cloud Sect must take action," the Sect Leader of White Cloud Sect said with a smile. "I want you to lead some disciples and represent the sect to seize the resources and territory of the Xuan Shen Sect."
Ling Feng thought about it and agreed.
It made sense. The Xuan Shen Sect had been defeated by them, so it wouldn't be right for others to take all the spoils.
"I understand. I'll go," Ling Feng replied.
"Haha, I knew Xiao Feng would act for the sect. You'll show everyone how powerful you are. You're already number one on the Hidden Dragon List and number nine on the Grandmaster List. How many people have ever achieved that? This attack on the Xuan Shen Sect is also a great opportunity. It's time for everyone to recognize your name!"
"Seize this opportunity to boost the White Cloud Sect's reputation as well."
The elders looked at Ling Feng with intense expectation.
The Sect Leader then handed Ling Feng a map.
The map recorded several key resource points belonging to the Xuan Shen Sect, places that Ling Feng would need to attack and take over.
Ling Feng accepted the map and went to prepare.
Watching him leave, the White Cloud Sect Leader and the elders exchanged looks of understanding.
"Xiao Feng is the future of the White Cloud Sect."
"This action will not only allow us to seize Xuan Shen Sect's resources but will also increase Ling Feng's prestige, paving the way for him to become the sect leader in the future."
Back at the Miao Peak, Ling Feng told Liu Rusi about the situation.
After hearing this, Liu Rusi chuckled lightly. "With so many disciples, they chose you. Do you know why?"
"Because of my cultivation level?" Ling Feng replied confidently.
This was undeniable. Among all the disciples in the White Cloud Sect, only he had reached the Martial King level. He was even capable of defeating a Martial Venerable.
"That's part of it," Liu Rusi said nonchalantly. "The other reason is they want to pave the way for you."
"Pave the way? Pave what way?"
"Of course, they want you to become the sect leader! To become the sect leader, you need more than just cultivation—prestige is equally important. Not only within the sect but also in the outside world. By taking action this time, if you succeed, your prestige will increase significantly. And with the White Cloud Sect expanding its territory, it will only be natural for you to become the sect leader in the future."
"Ah, they want me to be the sect leader?" Ling Feng was surprised.
He had never thought about it.
"Surprised?"
"I am surprised. But being the sect leader... that would be exhausting."
Ling Feng sighed, feeling reluctant.