On the quiet slopes of Lingyun Mountain, a gentle breeze whispered through the trees. The late afternoon sunlight bathed Li Feng, who stood frozen in front of a bush, while an old man, covered in wounds, crawled out. The atmosphere was silent, broken only by Li Feng's absurd singing and the old man's weak gasps.
"Hey, kid... would you be willing to help this old man get to the top?" the old man groaned, breathing heavily.
"No, no. I'm just here to sell. Cheap products, only ten spirit stones," Li Feng replied nonchalantly as he rummaged through his storage system.
"I only have one spirit stone left... but I'll pay more once we get to the top," the old man said, hopeful.
Li Feng sighed. "Alright, alright. Special deal today. Just one spirit stone."
Reluctantly, he handed over a package of food and a bottle of drink, then turned to head home. From a distance, he waved at the old man.
"Old man, eat and drink that. You look pathetic and poor. Don't wander around the mountain, there are wild beasts," he shouted as he walked away.
However, as Li Feng pulled out his items, Old Meng Ling froze. He stood motionless, unable to speak. The world seemed to halt—the wind stopped blowing, the leaves stopped rustling.
Before him, an object emitted a radiant glow... the glow of Immortal-grade treasure.
Sacred treasures were divided into several tiers:
1. Common Level
2. Gold Level
3. Emperor Level
4. Heavenly Level
5. Immortal Level
Immortal-grade treasures were the rarest. Even across the entire Qinfeng Continent, few possessed such items. The Lingyun Sect only had one Emperor-grade treasure, and it was worshiped like a god.
Old Meng Ling's body gradually felt lighter. His eyes sparkled. He stared at the items with awe.
Packaged drinking water? Wrong! That was a Thousand-Year Sacred Water! Packaged bread? Far from it! That was an Ancient Body Enhancement Pill!
With burning enthusiasm, Old Meng Ling devoured them without hesitation. Instantly, his body lit up! His wounds healed, and his aura surged! He broke through two cultivation stages, reaching the level of a Sect Master!
"Oh no... that young man... he's actually a great expert!" Old Meng Ling murmured, tears welling up in his eyes.
His hand reached for the small wooden dragon carving Li Feng had given him.
"This... this also radiates the aura of an Immortal treasure!? I... I must return to the sect! Lingyun Sect will rise and conquer those damn demon beasts!!"
With newfound vigor, Old Meng Ling leaped into the sky, leaving a trail of holy light. His gaze was fixed on the horizon.
Meanwhile, back at the Lingyun Sect, everyone was in a panic, chaos everywhere.
"Oh no, my Lingyun Sect is doomed," Master Da Lin said, his face dark.
"Calm down, Sect Leader. I think Elder Meng Ling is just out for a walk," one of the top disciples tried to reassure him. This disciple was Yue Lingfei, a genius of the Lingyun Sect, not only renowned for her intelligence but also her beauty and charm.
"We can't defeat the demon beasts of Dongfu Forest, Yue," said Master Da Lin.
"Let's wait for Elder Meng Ling to return, and we must calm down first," Yue Lingfei replied.
Suddenly, the sky above Lingyun Sect changed color. Clouds swirled, forming an enormous vortex of spiritual energy. All eyes turned upward as golden light illuminated the evening sky.
Someone shouted, "That's... that's Elder Meng Ling's aura!"
Instantly, Elder Meng Ling's figure appeared from the sky, his robes fluttering like a dragon in flight. He landed right in the sect's main courtyard with a force that shook the ground, yet not a single foundation stone was harmed.
"I'M BACK!!" he roared, his voice echoing through the entire mountain.
The elders and disciples immediately knelt.
"Elder Meng Ling... you— you broke through two levels? How is that possible?!" one elder exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Meng Ling stood tall, his face radiant, his eyes filled with fiery determination.
"I met a young expert... the owner of an Immortal treasure!" he said, holding up the small dragon carving. "This item... has the power to revive our sect from the brink of destruction!"
Yue Lingfei stepped forward, her face serious. "Who is this person, Elder? Are they... friend or foe?"
"He's not an ordinary person... he—he's more than that," Meng Ling replied, staring into the distance. "He may not even realize his own power... but I'm certain, the fate of Lingyun Sect is now tied to him!"
Master Da Lin stood, gripping his staff tightly.
"If that's the case, we must find him. Experts like him... could either save or bring disaster to the entire continent. But first, we must subdue the Dongfu Forest so it doesn't disturb the peaceful life of an expert!"
All the disciples shouted in unison, "Lingyun Sect will rise again!!"
However, far at the foot of the mountain, Li Feng was leisurely eating a sandwich and sipping a soft drink.
"Damn it, the system fooled me again. I thought I was going to get a huge reward, but I only got one spirit stone," Li Feng muttered angrily.