Sect Leader Hong was stunned.
"What did you say? Liu Fang? That outer sect steward?"
"Hmph, if not her, then who else? This scoundrel just arrived at my place, wanting to..."
As Zhang Zhicong recounted the entire incident, Sect Leader Hong gasped.
His racing heart gradually calmed down.
Then, gritting his teeth, he said, "Good, it's good that you killed her. If this scoundrel hadn't been killed, who knows what else she would have caused!"
Zhang Zhicong shook his head, "The person is dead, and the matter is temporarily under control. However, an outer sect steward isn't someone you can just kill. The higher-ups will definitely investigate!"
"I will handle this matter. It's not difficult to re-establish an outer sect steward in the outer sect!"
Sect Leader Hong said coldly.
Although Ling Feng and the other would enter the inner sect in a few days, they still had to ensure Ling Feng and the other's safety before that.
During this period, it was best to find someone reliable to manage the outer sect.
"There's also another matter. Master needs a炼丹炉 (dan refining furnace), and it needs to be of a higher grade. Do you have any in stock?"
Zhang Zhicong changed the subject.
Sect Leader Hong frowned slightly, "A dan refining furnace? I do have a few, but their grades aren't very good!"
"Hmph, I knew you were stingy. I have a seventh-grade dan refining furnace, but I obtained it by chance. It looks a bit damaged, and I haven't used it yet. I don't know if Master will mind!"
As Zhang Zhicong spoke, he took out a dan refining furnace.
It was an ancient red dan refining furnace, shimmering with an ancient radiance. There were some obvious cracks and missing parts.
However, overall, the item was still usable.
"This thing looks extraordinary. Even damaged, it can reach seventh grade. If it were complete, it might even reach the level of an eighth-grade magical treasure. It should meet Master's requirements!"
Sect Leader Hong's eyes lit up. He clearly hadn't expected Zhang Zhicong to have such a treasure.
Zhang Zhicong nodded slightly upon hearing this, feeling much more at ease.
He was worried that the item he brought out might not be to Ling Feng's liking.
That wouldn't just be a failed attempt to curry favor; it would also anger Ling Feng.
"Then, should I deliver this myself, or will you accompany me to see Master?"
Zhang Zhicong raised an eyebrow and looked at Sect Leader Hong.
Sect Leader Hong's mouth twitched. Every time they went to see Ling Feng, it was an extremely nerve-wracking affair.
But for today's matter, Sect Leader Hong hadn't really achieved anything. If he didn't show his face when going to see Ling Feng, it would be truly inexcusable.
"Alright, we'll go together!"
Sect Leader Hong gritted his teeth and gave a positive reply!
Soon, there was a knock on the door of Ling Feng's residence.
Before the two girls could go to see who it was, Ling Feng appeared.
With a greeting, he let the two of them in.
Beside them, Qing'er and the other were startled to see Sect Leader Hong and Zhang Zhicong enter, freezing on the spot and not daring to move.
Zhang Zhicong and the other followed Ling Feng obediently, their posture clearly that of mere followers.
When the two saw Qing'er and the other, they were also stunned!
What was going on?
Why did Ling Feng have women with him?
But it was only a moment of stunned silence before they quickly smiled and nodded at Qing'er and the other, behaving very politely.
Qing'er and the other were even more bewildered.
Before they could recover, Ling Feng had already led the two into the room.
"Hey, what a rare guest! Why have you two come together!"
Lin Shuanan's interest was piqued upon seeing the newcomers.
The two were not aware of Lin Shuanan's identity, but they politely cupped their fists at him.
Ling Feng sat down directly, gesturing for the two to sit beside him.
The two were still somewhat uneasy.
"What is it?"
Ling Feng asked indifferently.
Zhang Zhicong tensed up and quickly recounted everything that had happened with Liu Fang.
Ling Feng's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes.
Upon hearing that Zhang Zhicong had already killed the person, Ling Feng nodded slightly, "Hmm, this was my oversight. Perhaps the pressure I put on this person was too great. I never intended to spare her life. This person never treated these outer sect disciples as humans in the outer sect. She deserved to die!"
Zhang Zhicong nodded repeatedly.
As long as Ling Feng said that his killing was not wrong, it was a good thing.
Although he knew the possibility was slim, if Liu Fang had been useful to Ling Feng, Zhang Zhicong would have displeasured Ling Feng by killing her on his own initiative.
"Also, I learned that Master needs a dan refining furnace, so I prepared one. My pockets are truly shallow, so I can only offer this item!"
Zhang Zhicong still presented the dan refining furnace.
Ancient red spiritual light flickered.
Lin Shuanan's eyes immediately lit up, and he snatched the item.
"Hey, this is good stuff! The quality is excellent, and it looks quite old. It's just a bit battered."
As Lin Shuanan's evaluation emerged, Zhang Zhicong could only smile bitterly and shake his head.
Ling Feng also took a closer look at the dan refining furnace. It was a seventh-grade dan refining furnace. Although it was somewhat damaged, it was still usable. If it were properly refined, it could even reach the eighth grade.
Such a good item would be a treasure in the entire Myriad Sword Sect.
It was definitely Zhang Zhicong's most prized possession.
It was truly not easy for Zhang Zhicong to offer it.
"Yes, I can use this item, so I will accept it. Also, you two handle the matter of Liu Fang. In a few days, we will enter the inner sect. Once we are in the inner sect, we can begin our actions. You two prepare yourselves!"
Ling Feng said casually.
"Yes!" Zhang Zhicong and the other stood up simultaneously, bowing to Ling Feng.
Ling Feng nodded and waved them away.
However, after the two left Ling Feng's residence, they began to feel uneasy.
"Do you think he can really control the entire Myriad Sword Sect?"
Zhang Zhicong couldn't help but ask, his voice trembling.
Sect Leader Hong shook his head helplessly, "Who knows? But seeing how confident he is, he must have some confidence. I heard he was the strongest general in the mortal world, so he should be very skilled in military strategy. Perhaps he has a chance to win against superior forces!"
"Alas, that's just mortal warfare, not us cultivators..."
Zhang Zhicong shook his head. He clearly lacked confidence in Ling Feng, but for now, they could only take things one step at a time.
Meanwhile, Ling Feng had already suppressed his earlier excitement.
"Brother, I've looked at this thing. It's indeed quite severely damaged. Can you repair it? I'm good at refining pills, but I'm terrible at refining artifacts!"
Ling Feng took the item and examined it carefully before nodding slightly and saying.
"It is indeed a good item, and there are some dan refining incantations within it, techniques for condensing pills. You can only see them by probing with your divine sense. That Zhang Zhicong really left behind a treasure!"
"What? There's this thing too? Let me see..."
Lin Shuanan instinctively reached out to take it, but quickly remembered that his cultivation was nowhere near the Nascent Soul stage.
Without a divine sense, what could he possibly probe!