"Oh, so it's Elder Chen. Junior Brother Ding has violated the sect rules for no reason. What's wrong with me teaching him a lesson? Elder Chen has just reached the Nascent Soul stage. Instead of secluding yourself to consolidate your cultivation, you seem rather idle!" Although Zhang Li's words were still arrogant, he bowed with clasped hands as a salute.
"Hehe, what a joke. Ding Hao has disturbed the tranquility of the sect? You, Elder Chen's disciple, taught him a lesson, causing such intense fighting sounds in the Wuji Demon Sect. I was in seclusion and was woken up by you. I wonder if you also count as disturbing the sect's tranquility? The three of you fought against him alone, and moreover, your cultivation level is one realm higher than his. Isn't this bullying the weak with the strong and ganging up on the few? Why don't you explain this to me? Should I also teach you a lesson?" Chen Ling's eyes had turned a ghostly emerald green again.
Being stared at by those ghostly eyes, Zhang Li felt a chill rising from the bottom of his heart, and his whole body felt uncomfortable. Chen Ling had never taken an apprentice and had always been extremely ruthless in his actions. However, he had never had any conflicts with him, so he hadn't had much contact. Now that he had beaten Ding Hao, he hadn't expected this person to arrive so quickly. It was really a surprise. But surprise aside, Zhang Li, relying on his grandfather's favor, wasn't really afraid of what he could do. However, Chen Ling was a disciple of Ma Feng and wouldn't give too much face to Zhang Heng. He wouldn't dare to take his life, but he was sure to lose face!
"Elder Chen, we did have some improper actions. But Dai Zhenjun has already been seriously injured. It seems that his injuries are not much lighter than Ding Hao's. Your disciple was really vicious. He and I are both third - generation disciples. When I fought with him, it can't be considered bullying the junior. If Elder Chen wants to teach me a lesson, it will really be bullying the weak." Zhang Li stated in an orderly manner.
Seeing that Chen Ling's anger had somewhat subsided, and looking at Ding Hao who was sitting cross - legged and regulating his breath, he continued, "In that case, I have a medium - grade spirit stone here to give to Junior Brother Ding as an apology to Elder Chen. What do you think?"
Chen Ling's expression was uncertain. Originally, based on his character, he wouldn't have offended Zhang Heng for an apprentice. After all, Zhang Heng was the one with the highest cultivation level besides the sect leader. Even Ma Feng, who was also an elder, was not as powerful. Although he had Ma Feng's protection, considering how much Zhang Heng doted on Zhang Li, if he angered Zhang Heng, I'm afraid even Ma Feng couldn't protect him.
However, Ding Hao had swallowed the thousand - year - old inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python. After so many days, it should have been digested. Recently, he had stopped cultivating just waiting for him to finish digesting it so that he could forcibly take over his body. In this way, his cultivation would surely improve further. After taking over his body, he could also raise the small eight - winged purple python together. The benefits to himself were unimaginable!
Now that Ding Hao had finally digested the inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python, he could soon possess such a powerful body. Just thinking about it made him excited. But now, he was seriously injured by these three people. Even if he took over his body now, his cultivation method would be greatly weakened. Only when he completely recovered would it be okay. How could this not make him angry?
However, looking at Zhang Li's actions, they were somewhat acceptable. He couldn't push him too hard either. Otherwise, if he angered Zhang Heng, it would be more than he could bear.
"In that case, I'll give Elder Zhang some face. Just give me the jade stone directly. I won't hold you accountable for this matter anymore. Take Dai Zhenjun and go down to recuperate quickly!" Secretly, he praised Ding Hao for his good performance. With a cultivation level at the middle stage of the Bigu period, he had actually managed to injure Dai Zhenjun like this. It was beyond his expectation. Chen Ling secretly attributed this miracle to the magic of the inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python. In his heart, he couldn't help but look forward to taking over Ding Hao's body as soon as possible!
After Zhang Li and the other two left, Chen Ling put the jade stone into his storage bag as if it was meant for him. He walked up to Ding Hao and said, "Boy, stop pretending in front of me. I can see that you have already absorbed the thousand - year - old inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python completely. I also saw the palm strike that Chen Li gave you. With your current body, how could you be unable to even stand up? The movement technique and power you used don't seem to come from cultivating the Wuji Demon Art. What's going on? Tell me the truth, or don't blame me for cleaning up the sect right now!" Looking at Ding Hao, Chen Ling said in a sinister voice.
Ding Hao secretly groaned in his heart. Although he knew that Chen Ling might be looking for him, he hadn't expected that he had been hiding and watching during the fight. The difference in their realms was too great, and they couldn't detect him at all. Zhang Li and the other two didn't know the cultivation method he used and thought it was taught by Chen Ling. But how could Chen Ling not know what cultivation method he had taught?
"Master, the cultivation method I used was originally written in the Wuji Demon Art. But when I was digesting the inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python, there might have been some mutation with it, resulting in this strange and unorthodox cultivation method. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, Master." Ding Hao immediately made up his mind to firmly deny it. In order to take over his body with the greatest effect, Chen Ling definitely wouldn't make a move immediately.
"Oh? I've never heard that the Wuji Demon Art can mutate with other things. You discovered this first. Even so, how do you explain the ghostly movement technique you used just now?" Chen Ling said coldly.
"Ghostly? Master, you're really joking. It's just that after absorbing the inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python, my body strength has improved a bit and my speed has increased a little. How can it be called ghostly? Master should know more about the effects of the inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python than I do. You should know that what your disciple said is true!" Ding Hao quickly added.
Chen Ling didn't believe his nonsense at all. From the first time they met, he knew that Ding Hao was definitely not an honest person. Seeing that he really couldn't get any useful information and that he couldn't kill and search him immediately, he told him to heal his wounds quickly and come to his residence to see him after he recovered. He said that he would teach him some other cultivation methods.
Of course, Ding Hao didn't believe that he had such good intentions. He didn't argue with him either. At present, nothing was more important than healing his wounds. When he recovered, he would have some leverage no matter what happened!
After seeing Chen Ling leave, Ding Hao began to heal his wounds. Just as Chen Ling said, Ding Hao's injuries were not as serious as they seemed. Ding Hao was physically strong, and his body was even tougher after being forged by the Wuji Demon Art. Although Zhang Li's strike had injured him internally, it didn't make him lose the chance to fight back. However, knowing that the difference in their realms was too great, fighting back would be in vain. So he pretended to be seriously injured. And precisely because of Zhang Li's confidence, he didn't pursue the victory, so Ding Hao's injuries didn't get worse.
When Chen Ling and Zhang Li were arguing, Ding Hao had already used the Demon Art to heal his wounds. By the time they finished arguing, Ding Hao's injuries had actually healed for the most part. He was just afraid that Chen Ling would make another murderous move, so he pretended to be weak!
After a night of meditation, his injuries had completely healed, and his power even showed signs of breaking through the middle stage of the Bigu period. Perhaps it was because the fight yesterday had consumed too much of his Demon Art, which completely activated the medicinal power of the eight - winged purple python that had been precipitated in his body. It seemed that fighting was also an effective way to improve cultivation!
Chen Ling must have been impatient for a long time. Looking at himself, his eyes were like those looking at an inner elixir, with greedy and blatant gazes!
Relying on the speed of the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword, he wasn't afraid of him. But this matter had to be resolved as soon as possible. Although he had something in Chen Ling's hands, Chen Ling also had the eye - corners and scales of the eight - winged purple python. These three things were excellent materials for refining weapons. If he revealed this, with his cultivation level, it would be impossible for him to keep these things on the Soul - Severing Mountain. First of all, Ma Feng wouldn't let him go. Hehe... In that case, it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to him!
After thinking this through, Ding Hao checked his equipment and then walked towards Chen Ling's residence.
"Master, your disciple Ding Hao has come to pay his respects!" Ding Hao said at Chen Ling's door.
"Come in. The eight - winged purple python is really amazing. Looking at your expression, your injuries have healed overnight. In that case, follow me to the back mountain. I will teach you some demonic sect secret methods!" Chen Ling's expression seemed as if he couldn't wait a moment longer.
"Your disciple thanks you, Master!" Ding Hao followed Chen Ling to the entrance of a secret cave in the back mountain but didn't go in.
"Why don't you go in? Do you think I will harm you?"
Ding Hao burst out laughing. It seemed that greed really clouded one's mind. Even someone as cunning as Chen Ling had made such an obvious and low - level mistake because of it. Didn't his words amount to self - incrimination? Looking at his appearance, Ding Hao didn't want to continue beating around the bush with him anymore!
"Yes, Ding Hao is just afraid that Master will harm me. It's already very quiet here. Master can teach me the skills right now if you want. It's dark inside the cave. On the contrary, your disciple is afraid that he won't be able to see clearly and will 辜负 Master's good intentions!" Ding Hao said unhurriedly.
Chen Ling laughed instead of getting angry, but his laughter was like the howl of a wolf and the wail of a ghost. "Good, good. You're so cautious at such a young age. It's rare. It's just that have you ever thought that with your cultivation level in the Bigu period, you can escape from my grasp even here? It's ridiculous. Today, I will send you on your way. Haha. I have given you great benefits, and today I will take them all back!"
With a hideous laugh, Chen Ling finally tore off the pretense. His eyes shot out green rays, and he pounced on Ding Hao like an evil spirit.
Ding Hao had been prepared. He had already grasped the pitch - black Heaven - Defying Demon Sword in his hand. Almost at the same time as Chen Ling pounced, he soared into the air on the sword. Before Chen Ling reached Ding Hao, Ding Hao had already disappeared. His voice came from afar.
"Hehe, what Master can think of, your disciple has also thought of. Recently, your disciple was lucky enough to obtain a sword. Although your disciple hasn't reached the Nascent Soul period, he can already fly on the sword. The speed is surprisingly fast. I wonder if Master, with your Nascent Soul - stage cultivation, can catch up with your disciple when flying with a sword. Your disciple is very curious. Well, Master, can you be a bit faster... This speed isn't the limit of this sword yet..."
Ding Hao's teasing words came from time to time, but even though Chen Ling was going all out, he still couldn't catch up. On the contrary, he was so angry that he almost fell off his sword!
"Good for you. How dare you treat your master like this? Even if I can't catch up with you, I will tell all the demonic cultivation sects on the Soul - Severing Mountain about your having the eight - winged purple python at the cost of giving up the benefits of the eight - winged purple python's inner elixir. I will make sure you are doomed, with your soul scattered and no place to bury your body!" Chen Ling was so angry that his five spirits were on the verge of collapsing. In a fit of rage, he had lost his reason.
"Master, why be like this? After all, we are master and disciple. Acting like this will really make Ding Hao sad. Well... If your disciple is too scared and tells everyone that you have the eye - corners and scales of the eight - winged purple python, I think everyone will be very interested. Looking at the expression of Master Ma Feng when he saw the scales that day, your disciple is even worried about your safety, Master! In this way, both master and disciple will die, and others will benefit. Isn't that making others happy?" Ding Hao remained calm.
Chen Ling finally fell from the air in anger. After calming his mind, he said slowly, "Good disciple. My vision was really good. I'm lucky to have taken you as an apprentice, such a vicious and cunning disciple. It's really a surprise for me. Well, in that case, stop. Let's have a good talk as master and disciple!" Since he knew that he couldn't do anything to Ding Hao, Chen Ling had no choice but to compromise!
"Yes, Master. Just stand there. Don't get too close. I can hear you clearly when you speak!" Ding Hao quickly said when he saw Chen Ling approaching. Looking at how cautious Ding Hao was, Chen Ling felt a sense of helplessness. He had completely lost the initiative!
Seeing that Chen Ling stopped approaching, Ding Hao said in a serious tone for the first time, "Master, you took Ding Hao as an apprentice, brought Ding Hao into the cultivation world, and even taught Ding Hao the Wuji Demon Art to resist the flare - up of the inner elixir of the eight - winged purple python. Although I know you have ill intentions, Ding Hao is still extremely grateful. Although Ding Hao has an adventure that he can't disclose to you, Ding Hao guarantees that he will never short - change you of your benefits. Here are a few top - grade crystals that Ding Hao accidentally obtained, and there is also a half - volume of a very powerful demonic cultivation method formula. Ding Hao offers these to you as a token of respect. Although Ding Hao respects you, if you dare to harm me again, Ding Hao will fight to the death and make sure that you will be completely destroyed!" By the end of his words, Ding Hao's expression had turned cold, and he slowly backed away.
Chen Ling picked up the crystals and the demonic cultivation method formula that Ding Hao had placed on the ground. After a while, an expression of ecstasy filled his entire face, and his voice trembled as he said, "I really didn't take you as an apprentice in vain. Although I knew long ago that you were no ordinary person, your good luck still amazes me. With these two things, it won't be long before my cultivation method improves greatly. In that case, I promise that I will never take the opportunity to harm you again. I will also cultivate you well. I will also give you my many years of cultivation insights to show my sincerity. Although they are not as miraculous as this cultivation method, they are some small techniques that you can use now. I hope you will cultivate well. I know you don't trust me. I'll leave the cultivation method here. I'm going to seclude myself now. Take care of yourself!" Chen Ling's expression was filled with great joy. He rose into the air on his flying sword, even a little faster than when he was chasing Ding Hao!
Only now did Ding Hao completely relax. Although he didn't know whether what Chen Ling said was true or false, for the time being, the current biggest crisis seemed to have been resolved. He picked up the jade slip cultivation method left by Chen Ling and immersed his mind in it. The expression of ecstasy that had been on Chen Ling's face also appeared on Ding Hao's face!