Han Fei had originally wanted to borrow the power of the Ancient Gods in the group, but Daoist Sanyuan was already rapidly closing in. To avoid exposing too many secrets, Han Fei could only watch the man in black leave. However, he had memorized all of the man's distinguishing features.
The man in black was certainly a disciple of the Tianyuan Divine Sect. Sooner or later, Han Fei would encounter him again.
Daoist Sanyuan landed beside Han Fei and asked with concern, "Han Fei, are you all right?"
Han Fei shook his head. "I'm fine, Master. Why are you here?"
Daoist Sanyuan sighed. "The Dark Guards said you had left Taihe Peak again. I was worried, so I followed you out. I sensed a spiritual energy explosion here and guessed you must be here. Who was that man in black who just escaped?"
Han Fei shook his head. "His cultivation should be below the Innate Realm, and judging by his build, he was quite young. He could freely enter and leave Taihe Peak, and Taihe Peak's restrictions were as good as useless against him. Either he was familiar with this place, or he had someone inside Taihe Peak."
Daoist Sanyuan's face darkened. "Forget it. As long as you're fine, that's what matters. We can slowly investigate his identity. Those Dark Guards of Taihe Peak truly don't know what they're good for. By the way, why did you come here? Did he arrange to meet you?"
Han Fei's mood immediately sank. He turned to glance at the lava fissure and told Daoist Sanyuan everything that had happened.
Daoist Sanyuan did not feel much over Dong Jie's death. After all, Taihe Peak had several hundred people, Dong Jie's talent was not particularly outstanding, and Han Fei had brought her in. Naturally, she had never drawn Daoist Sanyuan's attention.
However, Daoist Sanyuan understood what Dong Jie meant to Han Fei. He had seen how meticulously Dong Jie had cared for Han Fei over the past few years.
There was not much he could say at this moment, so he merely offered Han Fei some comfort.
The two returned to Taihe Peak, but by sheer coincidence, Han Fei saw Wang Rui as soon as they entered the summit.
Han Fei paid no attention to Daoist Sanyuan beside him and immediately strode toward Wang Rui.
Wang Rui was standing outside his own Side Hall. He had just finished saluting Daoist Sanyuan when he saw Han Fei marching toward him in fury.
Wang Rui frowned and said somewhat guiltily, "Junior Brother Nine is truly filial. Instead of sleeping in the middle of the night, you actually accompanied Master on a walk."
Han Fei nodded. "Yes. Senior Brother, you're quite leisurely too. You're not resting in the middle of the night either. Waiting here for news?"
As he spoke, Han Fei had already stepped right up to Wang Rui. Wang Rui asked in confusion, "Waiting for what news? What are you talking about?"
Han Fei leaped up in rage and punched Wang Rui in the cheek. Completely unprepared, Wang Rui staggered backward from Han Fei's blow.
"You're still pretending? Was it you who tipped off the disciples from the outer peaks? Don't tell me it wasn't. I could tolerate whatever you did to me. For the sake of our fellow discipleship, I couldn't even be bothered to pursue it. But you actually set your sights on someone close to me. Looking for death? I'll grant your wish."
Wang Rui was equally enraged. "Han Fei, you really are insane. Master is right here, yet you still dare to act so outrageously."
As he spoke, Wang Rui charged at Han Fei as well.
Han Fei also swung his fist and exchanged a blow with Wang Rui.
However, it was not a direct clash. Both of their fists struck the other's chest.
Bang! A wave of force erupted. Han Fei's feet scraped across the ground as he slid back several meters, while Wang Rui was sent flying nearly ten meters before crashing to the ground and spraying out a mist of blood.
Han Fei panted heavily, forcefully suppressing his churning blood and qi. Wang Rui was, after all, at the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm. That strike had injured Han Fei, and Han Fei had likewise injured Wang Rui.
However, Han Fei's physical body was stronger than Wang Rui's, so his injuries were lighter.
Bang! The marble slabs beneath Han Fei's feet shattered as he forcibly stabilized himself.
Daoist Sanyuan snorted coldly. "Do you two have any respect for me at all? Han Fei, hurry back and treat your injuries. The Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is less than two days away. Whatever the matter is, wait until after the tournament is over."
Han Fei took a deep breath and pointed at Wang Rui. "Don't let me find out that you had anything to do with this. Otherwise, I guarantee you'll die horribly."
With that, Han Fei crossed the vast plaza and headed toward his Side Hall. When he passed Dong Jie's pavilion, his steps paused, and his mood sank even further.
Wang Rui slowly got to his feet. Daoist Sanyuan asked in a low voice, "Did this matter have anything to do with you?"
Wang Rui looked baffled. "Master, I don't even know what happened. How could I know whether it had anything to do with me?"
Seeing that Wang Rui did not seem to be lying, Daoist Sanyuan sighed softly and turned toward Taihe Hall.
Inside the Side Hall, Han Fei sat on a meditation cushion, unable to enter a cultivation state no matter what he did.
Yellow Emperor said, "Sigh, how can you cultivate wholeheartedly when something weighs on your mind? On the path of cultivation, life and death are separated by only a single thought. There is no need to mourn excessively."
Han Fei said, "But Dong Jie died because of me."
Chiyou said, "Brother Pangu died for countless people too. Who shed even a single tear for him?"
Pangu said, "...Can you not use me as an example?"
Yellow Emperor said, "Didn't you want to learn the Dragon Slaying Sword Art? I'll teach you now."
For an entire day and two nights, Han Fei never stepped out of the Side Hall. No one knew what he was doing, not even Daoist Sanyuan.
Of course, as long as Han Fei did not run into any accidents and could participate in the Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament on time, that was enough. To Daoist Sanyuan, ranking was above all else. Judging from Han Fei's exchange with Wang Rui, Han Fei's combat strength was already nearly on par with the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm.
With that, Han Fei truly had a chance at obtaining a respectable ranking. Daoist Sanyuan did not ask for much. As long as Han Fei could crush more than half of the disciples from the Thirty-Three Peaks, he would be satisfied.
Of course, he did not expect Han Fei to win the championship, because he knew that three people on Tongtian Peak, the main peak, had broken through to the Spirit Gathering Realm.
Two of them were even Sect Master Qi Xiaotian's final disciple and daughter. Leaving aside their cultivation, their combat strength alone was certainly terrifying beyond measure. As the Sect Master's successors, they would never lack resources, and even their weapons were surely the finest.
Aside from Tongtian Peak, several other main peaks also had outstanding disciples. There were even quite a few at the Ninth and Tenth Levels of the Innate Realm.
"Han Fei, Han Fei... if you can rank among the top twenty, Taihe Peak will finally wash away its shame."
At dawn, the stone door of Han Fei's Side Hall slowly opened, and Han Fei emerged with a cold expression.
Outside the Side Hall was a vast bluestone plaza. At its center was the path leading upward to Taihe Hall, while ten Side Halls surrounded the plaza. Han Fei's Side Hall was one of them.
At this moment, the plaza was filled with Taihe Peak disciples.
When Han Fei emerged, nearly every disciple turned to look at him.
Daoist Sanyuan waved a hand, signaling Han Fei to take his place.
After Han Fei stood in line, Daoist Sanyuan said, "The Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is imminent. Lu Zhong's whereabouts are unknown, so Wei Ying will take his place."
Wei Ying was stunned. She was also Daoist Sanyuan's disciple and ranked fifth. During the competition for the spots, she had lost to Lu Zhong by only one move.
That was why Daoist Sanyuan had chosen her to replace Lu Zhong.
"Yes, this disciple obeys."
Daoist Sanyuan continued, "The tournament will be held on Tongtian Peak, the main peak. Disciples who wish to watch may go on their own, but the number cannot exceed one hundred. Eighth will be responsible for registering the numbers."
Han Fei's Eighth Senior Brother, Ba Tu, cupped his fists and accepted the order.
Then Daoist Sanyuan flicked his sleeve, and Han Fei and the other five immediately felt a buoyant force beneath their feet as they slowly rose into the air.
The six of them swiftly flew toward Tongtian Peak.
All the Taihe Peak disciples below immediately shouted, "May all our senior brothers return in triumph..."
Within the crowd, Wang Rui clenched his fists. This task should have been handled by him, the eldest senior brother, yet Daoist Sanyuan had given it to Ba Tu instead.
This undoubtedly deepened Wang Rui's hatred for Han Fei.
Wang Rui muttered, "Keep being smug. You provoked someone you shouldn't have. Let's see whether you can make it down Tongtian Peak in one piece this time."
High in the sky, Han Fei could not help but gasp in amazement at the scenery of the Tianyuan Divine Sect.
Of course, he was not the only one. The other senior brothers were much the same.
One towering peak after another pierced the clouds. These were the other main peaks. Every peak was like their Taihe Peak, motionless under ordinary circumstances. Yet now, flying through the gaps between them offered a completely different kind of charm.
Daoist Sanyuan reminded them, "Although Taihe Peak ranks at the bottom, we cannot disgrace Taihe Peak. No matter what, we are still part of the Tianyuan Divine Sect."
"Of course, rankings are important, but your safety comes first. If you cannot win, surrender in time. There is no need to risk your lives by stubbornly enduring. Do you understand?"
The five answered in unison, "Yes, Master..."
Before you continue