169: Chapter 169: Secret Guards' Recent Situation

A moment later.

Led by An Erqi, Ling Feng, Ling Di, and others quickly arrived at the entrance of the Shadow Guards's council hall.

Unlike the Main Peak's hall in the Family, the Shadow Guards's council hall was built halfway up Hidden Peak and was entirely dark, giving off an extremely terrifying and oppressive aura.

"Patriarch, we should rest for a moment inside the council hall. When we entered, your subordinate already sent a message to Commander Ling Ying, and he should arrive soon."

Seeing Ling Feng and Ling Di pause to observe the council hall, An Erqi, who was guiding them, offered the suggestion.

"Alright!"

Hearing An Erqi's suggestion, Ling Feng nodded and replied with a smile.

He then waved his hand, signaling An Erqi to lead the way.

"Patriarch, please!"

Seeing Ling Feng agree, An Erqi immediately stepped aside and said respectfully.

Ling Feng nodded to himself and was about to step into the council hall.

"Swish, swish... Swish, swish..."

"Swish, swish..."

Just then, a sound of rushing air rang out, and immediately after, a black figure appeared before Ling Feng and the others.

After clearly seeing the newcomer, An Erqi, who was beside him, was the first to react, immediately kneeling on one knee, holding his saber, and respectfully bowing to the newcomer.

"Your subordinate, An Erqi, greets the Commander!"

Indeed, this sudden black figure was none other than Ling Ying, the Commander of the Shadow Guards.

"Rise."

Looking at An Erqi, Ling Ying immediately waved his hand and ordered.

He then walked a few steps forward and respectfully bowed to Ling Feng.

"Your subordinate, Ling Ying, greets the Patriarch!"

Seeing this, Ling Feng couldn't help but smile helplessly. He then stepped forward, helped Ling Ying up, and slowly said,

"Uncle Ying, how many times have I told you, there's no need for such formality."

Hearing this, Ling Ying did not respond, only smiled at Ling Feng.

Then, Ling Ying no longer dwelled on the matter and changed the subject.

"Patriarch, let's not stand here at the door chatting. Whatever it is, let's go inside and sit down to talk."

"Good."

Ling Feng immediately agreed.

Ling Ying instructed An Erqi, who was beside him,

"Go prepare some spiritual tea and spiritual fruits and bring them over."

After speaking, without waiting for An Erqi's response, he immediately led Ling Feng and Ling Di into the council hall... After a short while.

They arrived inside the hall, and Ling Feng went directly to the main seat and sat down.

As soon as he sat down, he saw An Erqi leading several Shadow Guards members carrying spiritual tea and spiritual fruits entering.

Soon, An Erqi and the others quickly put down the items in their hands and then swiftly departed... After An Erqi and the others' figures completely disappeared from everyone's sight, Ling Ying, who was seated below Ling Feng, couldn't help but ask,

"Patriarch, may I ask what brings you here this time?"

Hearing Ling Ying's question, Ling Feng did not directly respond to Ling Ying. Instead, he looked at Ling Ying below and counter-questioned,

"Uncle Ying, it's been a while since I paid attention to the Shadow Guards's development. To what extent has the Shadow Guards developed now?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Ying immediately understood, instantly grasping Ling Feng's general intention for coming this time.

Ling Ying did not hesitate and reported the situation of the Shadow Guards to Ling Feng, who was seated on the main seat, without reservation.

"Reporting to the Patriarch, after this period of secretly dispatching personnel to continuously collect talented orphans from outside and bring them back to the Family for training, and with the investment of massive resources for development, the Shadow Guards currently has one thousand members. Among them, there are two hundred Body Tempering Realm Martial Artists, three hundred Yellow Martial Realm Martial Artists, three hundred and fifty Profound Martial Realm Martial Artists, one hundred Earth Martial Realm Martial Artists, thirty Heaven Martial Realm Martial Artists, and twenty King Warrior Realm Martial Artists. As for Imperial Martial Realm Martial Artists or even higher, the Shadow Guards does not have any yet."

"Hmm."

"Not bad!"

"In just a few months, for the Shadow Guards to develop to this extent is already quite impressive."

After listening to Ling Ying's introduction to the Shadow Guards's development, Ling Feng first praised him, then couldn't help but ask again,

"The Shadow Guards is still too weak and doesn't need to do anything for the Family yet. Its primary purpose now is to continuously develop and strengthen itself. Only when the Shadow Guards becomes stronger can it better protect the Family in the shadows in the future."

"Are there any situations where resources are insufficient during the Shadow Guards's development?"

Hearing Ling Feng's praise, Ling Ying's stern face immediately showed a hint of joy. Then, when he heard the repeated question,

"Reporting to the Patriarch, there has been no shortage of Cultivation resources. Every half month, the Grand Elder prepares all the Cultivation resources used by the Shadow Guards, and your subordinate directly collects them. The Shadow Guards's current scale would not be possible without the Grand Elder's help in this regard."

"However, there is indeed one matter that is very important for the Shadow Guards members' development, which requires your help, Patriarch."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that it concerned the Shadow Guards's development, Ling Feng's eyes lit up, and he immediately became interested, asking right away,

"What matter requires my help?"

"Reporting to the Patriarch, the Cultivation Technique currently practiced by the Shadow Guards members is still a Heaven-Grade Cultivation Technique that your subordinate selected from the Inheritance Pavilion, as well as several Heaven-Grade Martial Skills suitable for Shadow Guards members to Cultivate. The Heaven-Grade Martial Skills are indeed sufficient for the current Shadow Guards members, but in terms of Cultivation Techniques, it severely restricts the development of the Shadow Guards members."

After hearing Ling Ying's explanation, Ling Feng immediately slapped his forehead. How could he have forgotten this matter?

The Family Legacy Cultivation Technique—the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Void Art—is only provided for Ling Family disciples to Cultivate, and its characteristics are not entirely suitable for Shadow Guards members to Cultivate.

"I am aware of this matter. In a few days, I will have someone send you the Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills suitable for the Shadow Guardss to Cultivate."

"Yes, Patriarch."

Seeing that Ling Feng had already agreed to resolve the matter, Ling Ying was immediately overjoyed.

"Is there anything else that requires my help? If so, state it all at once, and I will resolve it for you."

Looking at the overjoyed Ling Ying below, Ling Feng immediately spoke again.

"Reporting to the Patriarch, besides the matter of Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills that your subordinate just brought up, there are no other requests."

Hearing Ling Ying's answer, Ling Feng couldn't help but nod to himself.

"Since your matters have been resolved, I do have something that requires your attention now."

Upon hearing that there was something for him to do, Ling Ying immediately stood up and respectfully bowed to Ling Feng, responding,

"Patriarch, please command!"

...