"Here they come!"
As the voices around them rose in unison, Lin Shuainan inexplicably found himself growing nervous, instinctively moving closer to Ling Feng.
"Big brother, this thing won't harm my body, will it? Won't there be any radiation?"
Ling Feng's lips twitched. Lin Shuainan truly had a knack for telling jokes. The sword light emanating from the flying sword carried no killing intent and was clearly not aggressive. Radiation? Ling Feng had no way to explain the principle behind this to Lin Shuainan.
So, he simply cautioned Lin Shuainan, "Don't mind these things. Remember, control your aura. This thing will stir your spiritual root's aura to spread!"
"Oh, okay!" Lin Shuainan responded, simultaneously noticing Sect Leader Hong and the other person glance their way. Although it was just a glance, the meaning behind their eyes was perfectly clear to both of them.
Everything was ready.
*Buzz!*
The sound of the sword's hum emerged. With just the first note, the spiritual light on the outer disciples' bodies had already dissipated by a tenth. One could imagine how poor their talent was. In reality, this was the normal phenomenon. If these people had good talent, they would have already been accepted into the inner sect, so why would they remain buried in the outer sect? Therefore, these disciples who could elicit the first sword's hum were already considered to have decent aptitude. For the Myriad Sword Sect, they were individuals worth investing some sect resources in.
But soon, half of the spiritual light on these people also dissipated!
*Buzz!*
The second sword's hum sounded. At this point, many streaks of escaping light appeared in the sky. These streaks of light quickly arrived among the outer disciples, clearly having set their sights on some of them. As long as these disciples met the requirements, they would directly take them away. If some disciples had excellent talent, they would act even faster, snatching them directly!
*Buzz!*
The third sword's hum sounded, and fewer than forty people remained at the scene. Instantly, various inner sect deacons and similar figures had chosen their targets. Even three to five inner sect experts appeared beside Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan. Without asking for their names, they spoke directly.
"You're coming with me, right?"
"Kid, are you willing to take me as your master?"
"You two kids know each other? Come with me now, and I can help you raise your cultivation to the Golden Core stage within a hundred years!"
Some had already offered conditions. Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan exchanged a glance, neither responding, merely lowering their heads. This display led everyone to assume they were too nervous to speak casually in the face of these individuals.
*Buzz buzz!*
As the fourth sword's hum sounded, the light on both of them dimmed slightly but remained lit. Only less than ten disciples were left around them! Instantly, those who had been posturing in front of Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan became desperate.
"Kids, your talent is good, you..."
But before they could finish speaking, Sect Leader Hong and Zhang Zhicong landed, simultaneously beginning to vie for them. As agreed, the two were acting in coordination. After a brief struggle, Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan both chose Zhang Zhicong. Everything proceeded according to the script.
When the fifth sword's hum sounded, the light on both of them disappeared. Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan had both chosen Zhang Zhicong. Zhang Zhicong let out a burst of laughter, earning envious glances from many. Sect Leader Hong, however, appeared somewhat exasperated.
But just as the outcome was decided, a white-haired old man landed. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, instantly locking onto Ling Feng among the two.
"Zhang Zhicong, taking two disciples with good talent at once, you're being a bit too overbearing!"
As the old man spoke, the expressions of Zhang Zhicong and Sect Leader Hong changed. Many people nearby turned and walked away. Clearly, they could no longer compete for disciples here, and the spectacle unfolding was not something they could afford to watch.
As these people quickly dispersed, Zhang Zhicong cupped his hands towards the newcomer, "Elder Qi, I sincerely apologize. These two disciples have a connection with me, and they chose to join my sect themselves. You can't blame anyone else for this!"
At the same time, Sect Leader Hong secretly transmitted a message to Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan. "This old fellow is one of the sect's Grand Elders. There were two who achieved five sword hums this year, and he probably didn't get anyone, which is why he's here to snatch these two. This might cause some trouble, but becoming this person's disciple isn't without its benefits!"
Clearly, Sect Leader Hong's tone was one of considerable helplessness. If Elder Qi really intended to snatch them, they wouldn't be able to stop him.
Ling Feng's heart skipped a beat. He could tell from the way the elder looked at him that he had taken a liking to him. As for Lin Shuainan, he likely had no interest. This meant Ling Feng and Lin Shuainan might be separated. This was absolutely disadvantageous to Ling Feng. According to Ling Feng's plan, his actions would begin after entering the inner sect, and a rapid rise was inevitable. He could also openly use some of the Myriad Sword Sect's cultivation resources because Sect Leader Hong and the other would be backing him. However, if he joined this elder's tutelage, all his plans might have to change.
With this thought, Ling Feng began to walk towards Zhang Zhicong beside him! Although it was just a simple movement of his feet, it was highly indicative. Ling Feng wanted to follow Zhang Zhicong and not anyone else. Lin Shuainan, who usually seemed a bit scatterbrained, was now very clear about Ling Feng's intentions and also moved closer to Zhang Zhicong.
Seeing this, Elder Qi let out a cold snort, "Hmph, what do you two mean? Does joining this elder's tutelage somehow wrong you? Kid, what's your name?"
"Ling Feng!" Ling Feng directly stated his name, which was the identity arranged for him by Sect Leader Hong.
Elder Qi heard this and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Your talent is good, and I find you pleasing to the eye. Are you willing to become my disciple? In the future, I will consider making you my personal disciple!" Clearly, this was a very good offer. Many people present let out gasps of surprise. Many inner sect experts looked at Ling Feng with envy. Apart from the two geniuses who could elicit five sword hums, Ling Feng was clearly the luckiest individual present!
At this moment, only Sect Leader Hong and the other were extremely tense. What would Ling Feng choose? They both hoped Ling Feng would agree now, and they could deal with future matters later. If he refused now, he might be targeted from this moment on, and even after entering the inner sect, the situation would become rather dire. But Ling Feng's personality...
As expected, before the two's anxious hearts could turn to desperation, Ling Feng responded, "This disciple has already agreed to become a disciple under Sect Leader Zhang and will not pledge allegiance to another!"
*Whoosh!*
Instantly, the scene erupted in uproar. Many people looked at Ling Feng as if they had seen a ghost. Was this kid's head malfunctioning? He actually refused Elder Qi on the spot. Didn't he know that Elder Qi's status was much higher than Zhang Zhicong's? Even Zhang Zhicong dared not speak casually, yet this kid refused?