The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 826: Chief Steward

"Sect Leader, I’m back!"

Just as Ling Feng was contemplating his plans for the month ahead, Su Hongxiu strode into the courtyard with a bright smile, clearly in high spirits.

Ling Feng raised a sword-shaped brow. Judging by her mood, she’d likely just finished exchanging the betting slips. At that moment, she was carrying tens of millions in elemental crystals—undeniably a freshly minted rich woman.

"Looks like everything went smoothly on your end," Ling Feng remarked with a faint smile.

"Mhm! Mhm!" Su Hongxiu nodded enthusiastically. "Sect Leader, you're truly a master strategist! Oh—by the way, the casinos didn’t have enough elemental crystals on hand, so most of the payout came in promissory notes from the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce..."

"No problem." Ling Feng waved it off casually. "The Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce has a solid reputation. Their notes are as good as crystals."

What truly pleased him wasn’t the money—it was the satisfaction of having reclaimed it from the Empress Dowager. That feeling was beyond words.

That old woman was nothing but a liar. Since she’d been so willing to wield her status against him, why should he show her any courtesy—be it for Grandpa’s sake or even Elder Yan’s?

“Sect Leader, all the elemental crystals and promissory notes are in this storage spirit ring.”

Su Hongxiu handed the ring over, but Ling Feng didn’t take it. Instead, he said, “Keep it with you. Consider it the accumulated funds of our Divine Ling Sect.”

“Huh?” Su Hongxiu blinked in surprise, then quickly waved her hands in protest. “But there’s so much here, I...”

“It’s fine. I trust you.” Ling Feng gave her shoulder a light pat. Although he was the sect leader of the Divine Ling Sect, he couldn’t possibly be around all the time. He needed reliable people to help manage things.

Su Hongxiu had been by his side for quite some time and could be considered half his disciple. She was someone he could count on.

“Oh.” Su Hongxiu nodded, though she couldn’t shake the nervousness of carrying so many elemental crystals.

“In the future, when the Divine Ling Sect grows stronger, you’ll be the chief steward—handling everything from money to provisions! Haha...”

Ling Feng let out a hearty laugh, his spirits high after today’s decisive victory.

Later that day, the Despicable Donkey swaggered back, looking smug. The guy had looted everything of value from Yan Shuying, then gone off for a massive feast. Only after fully satisfying himself did he return, completely pleased.

...

The next day, as planned, Ling Feng returned to the East Court Sword Team’s training grounds.

Though they had triumphed in the Four Major Academies’ Sword Team Grand Tournament, the hardest and most crucial challenge was just beginning.

The Royal Sword Team.

The mere mention of those four words weighed heavily on every team member’s mind, like towering mountains casting long shadows.

Even with Mu Qianxue as their secret weapon, defeating the legendary Royal Sword Team still seemed almost impossible under their current circumstances.

There was no need to even mention Yan Jinghong, the youngest genius in the Empire, revered as the Empire’s living legend. And Liu Fanyu, who had once lost to Tuoba Yan, was no mere opponent either.

At Ling Feng’s current level of strength, even if he gave his all, the best he could hope for was a draw against Liu Fanyu.

In the Royal Sword Team’s challenge match, Tuoba Yan would not be allowed to participate. Without the trump card that was the Tiance Mirror, Ling Feng’s overall power would take a noticeable hit.

And Liu Fanyu was only of middling strength within the Royal Sword Team!

To overcome the Royal Sword Team, it wasn’t just Ling Feng who needed to improve—every member of the team had to make significant breakthroughs.

“Ling Feng, I already exchanged for a number of heavenly treasures to aid in breakthroughs from the student vault yesterday. For the next month, I’ll enter seclusion and focus entirely on cultivating the Wuji Sword Dao teachings you gave me. This tournament concerns your life. I hope we all give it our all!”

Gu Tengfeng looked at Ling Feng seriously, his voice steady and resolute.

“Captain.” Ling Feng took a deep breath and slowly said, “I actually have three hundred points of military honor. I want to take two teammates with me into the Ancient Tower Grove to comprehend the Three Thousand Great Daos.”

“Mm-hmm, I get what you’re saying.” Gu Tengfeng nodded. “I won’t go. Even though I’m the captain, my talent doesn’t compare to Xiaofan and the others. Let them go.”

“Heh, someone like me who usually rides the bench won’t butt in either. Bufan, Xiaofan, and Junior Sister Mu are the key.”

Yu Sixian chuckled. “But what a shame, even if the captain doesn’t go, we’re still short one spot.”

“Big Brother, I... I won’t go either.” Jiang Xiaofan scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. “You know me—I’m not as smart as Big Brother Li or Junior Sister Mu. I probably wouldn’t comprehend much even if I went in, so I’ll just stay back and cultivate. The Giant Spirit War-God Bone you gave me is more than enough anyway.”

“Xiaofan, you...” Li Bufan furrowed his brows. “There’s no need to sell yourself short.”

“Sell? Myself? Short?” Jiang Xiaofan blinked. “Big Brother Li, what does that even mean?”

“....” Li Bufan’s mouth twitched slightly. This guy...

To be honest, although Jiang Xiaofan had studied at the Tianwei Academy for almost a year and could recognize most characters, he was still a rough sort. The type who’d get dizzy just looking at books.

The stone inscriptions in the Ancient Tower Grove likely wouldn’t mean much to him anyway.

“All right, that settles it.”

Ling Feng shook his head with a chuckle. “Bufan and Qianxue, you’ll come with me to the Ancient Tower Grove.”

Suddenly, Ling Feng remembered Tuoba Yan and couldn’t help glancing toward her. That woman was going to be a bit of trouble.

“You don’t need to worry,” Tuoba Yan said quietly using Covert Sound Transmission. “The Heart-Devouring Red-Dust Gu poison in my body has mostly been purged. I can stay farther away from you now without triggering it. As long as it’s not too long, it should be fine.”

“Really?” Ling Feng’s eyelid twitched, clearly surprised.

“I wouldn’t joke with my own life,” Tuoba Yan snapped.

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier...” Ling Feng couldn’t help but roll his eyes and mutter under his breath.

“You...” Tuoba Yan bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. She glared at Ling Feng with ruthless eyes. “You didn’t ask either!”

“Hehe...”

Ling Feng scratched his head and laughed. In that case, he could just bring Tuoba Yan to the Northwest Garrison and have her wait outside the Ancient Tower Grove. That should be manageable.

“Well then, no time to waste.”

Gu Tengfeng spoke in a bright voice. “There’s no direct teleportation array to the Northwest Garrison. You’ll have to teleport to the nearest city—Luohe City—then make your way to the Qingtian Fortress. Once there, meet the commander-in-chief and identify yourselves. You should then be allowed to enter the Ancient Tower Grove to comprehend the Three Thousand Great Daos. I wish you all success in gaining enlightenment!”

“Oh, right. Here’s a detailed map. Take it.” Gu Tengfeng had clearly prepared in advance and handed over a detailed map.

“Much appreciated.”

Ling Feng smiled with ease. His heart was already stirring with anticipation. Just what kind of place would that Qingtian Fortress and the Northwest Garrison turn out to be?