Zhou Tao, clad in opulent robes, was clearly a man who reveled in showing off.
He merely stood at the doorway, yet a flying sword hovered above his head.
The sword's aura pulsed continuously.
It was an obvious display of power directed at Ling Feng.
His purpose for coming today was straightforward: to spar with Ling Feng!
Or, more accurately, to teach Ling Feng a lesson.
Ling Feng observed Zhou Tao's appearance. His face, shaped like a donkey's hoof, featured sharp, triangular eyes that, when narrowed, were filled with killing intent.
As Ling Feng sized up Zhou Tao,
Zhou Tao was also scrutinizing Ling Feng from head to toe.
Then, a look of disdain appeared in both their eyes.
Of course, Ling Feng's disdain stemmed from the fact that he shouldn't have come out, allowing this fellow to act so arrogantly before him. It was, in a way, granting the boy some face.
And this so-called eldest disciple of Elder Qi seemed rather unimpressive.
Eldest disciple was likely just an empty title, not necessarily commanding the same respect as a senior disciple.
Otherwise, such an idiot wouldn't have chosen this moment to trouble Ling Feng.
This wasn't simply about teaching Ling Feng a lesson.
It showed a complete disregard for Zhang Zhicong. On that point alone, it was evident that this Zhou Tao was an imbecile.
However, Zhou Tao's disdain was born of jealousy.
He had heard of Ling Feng's exceptional talent, and to his surprise, Ling Feng was also quite handsome.
Seeing such a handsome Ling Feng, Zhou Tao was undoubtedly consumed by envy, wishing he could eliminate Ling Feng immediately!
What Zhou Tao hadn't anticipated was that Ling Feng not only dared to meet him but also displayed such a contemptuous demeanor.
What?
Did this brat not even regard him, Zhou Tao, as someone important?
"Heh, you are Ling Feng?"
"Do you need something from me?"
Ling Feng asked indifferently, his tone laced with impatience.
Zhou Tao's brow twitched. "Heh, indeed, seeing you is better than hearing about you. Junior Brother Ling Feng, you truly have a lot of nerve. To remain unfazed under my pressure, I'm impressed!"
"If you're here to spout such nonsense, then hurry back. I have no time to waste on you."
Ling Feng replied coolly.
With that, Ling Feng turned to head back to his residence.
This caused Zhou Tao's eyes to widen, his entire being about to explode with anger.
"Brat, stop right there!"
"Speak quickly if you have something to say."
Ling Feng indeed turned back, staring at Zhou Tao with contempt, his expression clearly showing extreme impatience.
Zhou Tao, however, glanced around, his gaze betraying a hint of caution and nervousness.
Ling Feng was even more disdainful. So, this guy was afraid after all.
His demeanor clearly indicated he was worried about being discovered by the disciples here. If Zhang Zhicong were to be called, this fellow would be in deep trouble!
"Hmph, if you have the guts, follow me to the back mountain!"
Zhou Tao snorted coldly, his words extremely provocative.
Ling Feng looked at Zhou Tao with a hint of interest. "Follow you to the back mountain?"
"What do you say? Do you dare?"
Zhou Tao's stance was even more provocative.
"What am I afraid of? Many people should know you came to find me today. If anything happens to me in your back mountain, you, Zhou Tao, will surely be in trouble!"
Ling Feng stated bluntly, then adopted an attitude as if he were ready to follow Zhou Tao to the back mountain.
Zhou Tao's mouth twitched. Ling Feng's words had struck a nerve.
Previously, Zhou Tao had appeared eager to abduct Ling Feng and teach him a severe lesson. But now, he was awkwardly frozen in place. As Ling Feng approached, he even felt an urge to retreat.
"Master, are you really going to the back mountain with him?"
Zhang Zhicong's telepathic message came through. Clearly, although Zhang Zhicong didn't dare to appear, he had been observing everything from nearby.
Upon hearing that Ling Feng was about to follow Zhou Tao to the back mountain, Zhang Zhicong naturally couldn't sit still.
If they truly went to the back mountain, then everything would no longer be under Ling Feng's control.
If something were to happen, even if Zhang Zhicong arrived in time, Ling Feng would likely have to pay a price.
However, Ling Feng's response enlightened Zhang Zhicong.
"I said before that I was going to the back mountain to find that Elder Qi. I had planned to infiltrate, but now that there's such a legitimate opportunity, why would I miss it! You stay here!"
Zhang Zhicong was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality. A wry smile appeared on his lips, but he then responded with a nod, concealed his form, and didn't emerge again.
"Brat, stop trying to scare me. After all, I am your senior brother. I'm just taking you to the back mountain to give you some guidance!"
Zhou Tao began to bolster his own courage.
As long as he could get Ling Feng to the back mountain, whatever Zhou Tao intended to do to Ling Feng afterward would no longer be up to Ling Feng.
Even if Ling Feng angered Zhang Zhicong, so what?
As long as he avenged his master, Elder Qi would surely protect him.
Perhaps this would even present him with a good opportunity for promotion. If Elder Qi was pleased, he might even pass down some powerful techniques.
Fortune favors the bold.
At the thought of the potential rewards, Zhou Tao couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
Ling Feng calmly agreed and walked forward.
Zhou Tao's mouth twitched. "Alright, you brat, you've got guts. Let's go!"
With that, Zhou Tao flew ahead on his sword, looking back at Ling Feng with a playful smirk.
A disciple who had just been promoted from the outer sect, even if he could fly on a sword, would do so unsteadily. Following behind him, this brat was bound to make a fool of himself.
However, after Zhou Tao turned his head, his eyes suddenly widened.
He saw that Ling Feng, at some unknown time, had already caught up to him.
Ling Feng also had a flying sword beneath his feet, and it was an ancient-looking one, with no visible aura.
Yet, Ling Feng stood on it with his hands behind his back, appearing so relaxed and at ease, keeping pace with Zhou Tao.
Zhou Tao's mouth twitched. "Junior Brother Ling Feng, your sword-flying technique is quite good. It seems you completed your Foundation Establishment in the outer sect already?"
"You don't even know my cultivation level, and you dare to guide me?"
Ling Feng retorted playfully.
Zhou Tao's eyes bulged with anger. What was this Ling Feng's background? Why was it that every time he spoke, he managed to push people to the brink of exploding?
"Heh, very good. I hope you can still be this arrogant when we reach the back mountain!"
Zhou Tao sneered, forcefully suppressing his rage, yet still feeling a sense of triumph in his heart.
This wasn't him forcing Ling Feng to go with him. He was in front, and Ling Feng was behind.
Ling Feng had voluntarily followed him.
If anything were to happen to this brat later, Zhou Tao would have a valid defense.
Subsequently, Zhou Tao increased the speed of his sword flight.
In an instant, Ling Feng was left behind by over a hundred meters.
Zhou Tao thought smugly, "Heh, let's see how deep your cultivation runs after you've shown off..."
Just as Zhou Tao gleefully turned to look back.
He saw a streak of sword light flash past him. Ling Feng, who had been left behind, had now moved ahead of him.
And in the blink of an eye, he had already landed towards the back mountain.
When Zhou Tao finally came to his senses, Ling Feng was nowhere to be seen!
"This scoundrel... he actually hid his cultivation. Impossible! Could it be that his cultivation is even higher than mine? Impossible, how could his cultivation have reached the Nascent Soul stage? How could a Nascent Soul expert hide in the outer sect?"