Ding Hao and Chen Ling arrived at the Wuji Hall, only to find that there were already around twenty people inside. Spotting Ma Feng among them, Chen Ling led Ding Hao forward to pay their respects.
Ma Feng was sitting on a chair with his eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting. Only when he heard Chen Ling's greeting did he take a closer look at him. "Not bad. In just a few years, you've reached the mid - Nascent Soul stage. It seems you've been working hard in your cultivation during these years. It's not in vain that I've trained you."
"Disciple thanks Master for your kindness. Without the crystal stones and cultivation methods you bestowed, how could I progress so rapidly? I'll never forget your nurturing grace, Master." Chen Ling was extremely respectful towards Ma Feng.
"Good. Master knows you're filial. The item you presented to Master last time was also extremely precious. Keep up the good work, lest others look down upon me, Ma Feng." His cold eyes swept around randomly.
Ding Hao, who had been standing behind Chen Ling, stepped forward to pay his respects to Ma Feng. Ma Feng hadn't noticed Ding Hao at first, but when he saw Ding Hao bowing, his eyes shot out sharp rays.
Looking at Ding Hao as if he were a rare treasure, Ma Feng exclaimed "good" three times in a row and then said, "I never expected that in just a few years, you could reach such a high level. Although you have good aptitude, old man, I never thought you could progress so fast. Among the third - generation disciples, no one can be your match anymore. I've also heard about what happened between you and Zhang Li and the other two last time. Well done. If Zhang Li dares to trouble you again in the future, don't be afraid of him. I'll back you up. I don't believe Zhang Heng can do anything to you." Then he turned to Chen Ling and repeatedly praised him for his far - sightedness and excellent teaching. Ding Hao and Chen Ling were already feeling guilty, and they repeatedly said they didn't deserve the praise.
Ma Feng's voice was so loud as if he was afraid that others wouldn't hear. At first, everyone didn't pay much attention, but with his shout, everyone's attention was drawn to Ding Hao and his master.
Although Ding Hao and his master were the focus of everyone's attention, they didn't feel uncomfortable at all and continued to bow to Ma Feng. Ma Feng immediately felt in a great mood, feeling that his purpose seemed to have been achieved. So he asked them to stand behind him and wait for the Sect Master's arrival.
At this time, the people behind Ma Feng also congratulated the two of them. Chen Ling led Ding Hao to pay respects to everyone one by one. Several of them were disciples of Ma Feng, and the conversation was quite harmonious. Yang Lin and Li Chun, who were second - generation disciples like Chen Ling, praised Ding Hao repeatedly. Ding Hao said it was all Chen Ling's credit, while Chen Ling said it was the result of Ding Hao's hard work. The two of them kept questioning Chen Ling, determined to figure out why Ding Hao had made such great progress. Chen Ling just kept making up things like Ding Hao having good bones and high comprehension.
There were two disciples beside each of them. Judging from their cultivation levels, they were only at the mid - Bigu stage. They were wearing black - blue Taoist robes and holding a low - grade flying sword in their hands, just like the one in Ding Hao's hand. Of course, Ding Hao wouldn't be so stupid as to expose precious items like the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword and the storage ring in front of others. The two of them stared coldly at Ding Hao, as if blaming him for stealing their limelight.
Ding Hao didn't care about their gazes at all. In his eyes, the cultivation level of the mid - Bigu stage was like an ant. Even if he devoured them, it wouldn't have much effect. At this time, a group of people walking in from the outside caught Ding Hao's attention, mainly because Zhang Li and the other two were among them. It seemed that this should be the group led by Zhang Heng, the Grand Elder.
The person walking in the front was surely Zhang Heng. Just by his imposing manner, one could tell. This man had a short nose that was somewhat upturned. On his large face, the proportion of his eyes was a bit off. The distance between his eyebrows was too wide, and his prominent upper cheekbones and cheeks made his whole face look like a spindle. This man was really ugly. There were about a dozen people including Zhang Heng. Compared with Ma Feng's group, their strength was indeed much stronger.
Zhang Li was actually surprised to see Ding Hao and nodded slightly at him. Ding Hao was greatly astonished and quickly returned the greeting. This man had already reached the late - Kaiming stage.
After that, all the members of the Wuji Demon Sect gradually arrived. Ding Hao also got a general understanding of the various strengths of the Wuji Demon Sect.
The most powerful one was of course the Sect Master, Li Nantian. Li Nantian had five disciples, all at the late - Nascent Soul stage. Coupled with his own cultivation level, he was really strong within the Wuji Demon Sect. After that was Grand Elder Zhang Heng. He had six disciples, but only three of them had reached the late - Nascent Soul stage, and the other three were at the mid - stage. The strengths of Elder Li Zhengfei and Elder Wang Quande were not much different. Each of them had two late - Nascent Soul disciples. Ma Feng was the weakest. Yang Lin was at the late - Nascent Soul stage, while Li Chun and Chen Ling were only at the mid - stage.
However, among the third - generation disciples, except for Zhang Li, only Ding Hao had reached the late - Kaiming stage. No wonder Ma Feng had shouted so loudly just now.
Ding Hao noticed Hu Shuo standing alone beside Li Zhengfei. Perhaps because his master was dead and his own strength was weak, even his own people didn't pay much attention to him. No wonder he was assigned the hard job of guarding the library!
The Sect Master, Li Nantian, was extremely handsome and extraordinary. He looked no more than forty years old. Standing among so many ugly men, he was even more elegant and had an air of an immortal.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Li Nantian stood up from his chair and waved his hand to indicate that he had something to say. Everyone quieted down.
"Today, I summoned you all here because I'm really in a difficult situation. The once - in - a - hundred - year tribute is coming again. The last tribute has already depleted our sect's materials and jade crystals accumulated over the years. This time, I really don't know how to get through this. You all know the current strength of our sect. If we can't overcome this difficulty, at best, we'll be driven out of the Duanhun Mountain, and at worst, our sect might be wiped out. Do you have any good suggestions for me to overcome this difficulty?" Li Nantian said slowly. Although everyone knew the truth, they still found it hard to accept and fell silent.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Nantian turned to Zhang Heng and asked, "Elder Zhang has contributed a lot to our sect over the years and is highly respected. I wonder if Elder Zhang has any good ideas?"
Zhang Heng cursed inwardly. Usually, you don't respect me much. Now you think of me. Cursing aside, since Li Nantian had asked, he must answer.
"Sect Master, don't beat around the bush. In the past hundred years, our sect's disciples have been bullied and humiliated all the time. We seldom go out, and there's no chance to look for crystal stones and materials. Even if we take out all our possessions, they might not be looked upon favorably by others. Why not explain this situation to the Hell Demon Sect and ask them to be lenient and waive this tribute?"
When Zhang Heng said this, everyone immediately agreed, as if this was the best solution at present.
After hearing this, Li Nantian's face was clouded. After a while, he sighed and said, "I know everyone's difficulties. Our Wuji Demon Sect's cultivation speed of the Wuji Demon Skill is slow compared with other sects. Over the years, many of our sect's disciples have died or been injured. I know you all have nothing. Every time I think of this, I feel sorry for you all. But even if our sect swallows our pride and begs the Hell Demon Sect, with their style, they won't let us off."
When these words came out, everyone's faces became even more embarrassed. They might really have remembered the style of the Hell Demon Sect, and their faces became even gloomier.
"I originally wanted to lead you all to leave the Duanhun Mountain and find another place. But without the protection of the Duanhun Mountain, with our sect's strength, it will be even more difficult to survive outside. The cultivators of the Daoist sects will surely show no mercy when they see our Demon Sect disciples. Even the people of the Demon Sect will take advantage of our situation when they see us leave the Duanhun Mountain. Fortunately, I obtained a cultivation method and have achieved some success in cultivating it. I originally wanted to share it with you all for discussion. I believe that if we cultivate with this method, it will surely change the slow cultivation speed of our sect. But unfortunately, if we can't overcome this difficulty, everything will be meaningless." This man shook his head and sighed repeatedly.
When Li Nantian said this, the originally quiet hall became noisy again.
At this time, Elder Li Zhengfei stood up and said to Li Nantian, "I wonder what kind of miraculous cultivation method the Sect Master has obtained? Can you tell us to boost everyone's morale?"
"To be honest, our Wuji Demon Sect's Wuji Demon Skill only has the cultivation formula up to the early - Divided Spirit stage. Therefore, our sect has been looking for other cultivation methods for many years. I spent many years and fortunately obtained a cultivation method called the Green Fiend Art. It's very powerful. It's with the help of this cultivation method that I can reach the early - Divided Spirit stage. Now I'm willing to share this cultivation method with you all. I just hope that everyone can brainstorm and overcome this difficulty."
Every word Li Nantian said made everyone feel excited. It also made everyone regain hope for the sect. However, thinking of the current difficulty, their faces darkened again.
At this time, Ma Feng stepped forward and said to Li Nantian, "I recently happened to obtain a few scales of the eight - winged purple python. I originally planned to use them to refine a heart - protecting armor. But since the sect's survival is at stake, I'm willing to present them to the Sect Master for this difficult time."
Li Nantian's face showed a hint of joy, and he repeatedly said "good". After that, the others also successively presented some items to Li Nantian. After a while, Li Nantian looked at the items presented by everyone and said, "I'm very grateful to you all for your love for the sect. I will definitely distribute the Green Fiend Art to the elders later. However, although this is the case, the tribute items are still not enough. I also know this is everyone's limit, and I won't force you anymore. I just hope that you can go out to look for some in the next two years. Although I know it's difficult for you all, for the sake of the sect's survival, I hope you can understand. I know you're all busy, so this meeting is adjourned. Two years later, I hope you can gather here again and make up for the shortage!" After saying this, Li Nantian led his disciples and left first.
Ding Hao followed Chen Ling out of the door. Just in time, he saw Hu Shuo and walked towards him. Chen Ling was about to catch up with Ding Hao, but was stopped by Ma Feng. Ma Feng took Chen Ling away, and no one knew where they went.