A middle-aged man emerged slowly from the secret chamber at Lan Lingxi's call.
The man stood tall and straight, his gaze sharp. His cold, stern face carried immense authority, and his black robe was embroidered with a pattern of Embroidered Rivers and Mountains, giving him the bearing of a king.
The man walked straight up before the group. Merely standing there, he exuded immense pressure, like a towering city wall rising before them, impossible to scale and awe-inspiring to behold.
They could feel the terrifying aura faintly emanating from the middle-aged man.
Lan Lingxi's eyes lit up with delight. "Master, you broke through the bottleneck of the Infernal Fire Nine Tribulations Art?"
Azure Wood Staff and Purple Gold Hook stepped forward together and cupped their hands. "Congratulations, Chief, on taking your strength another step further."
The middle-aged man smiled majestically and waved a hand with a touch of modesty. "This breakthrough was thanks to Old Zhu finding, within the ancient texts, the wondrous aid the Blazing Heart Vermilion Fruit offers in cultivating the Infernal Fire Nine Tribulations Art. Otherwise, I fear I would have remained shackled by this bottleneck for many more years."
Azure Wood Staff hurriedly cupped his hands, looking deeply flattered by the praise.
"Master~" Seeing that she had been somewhat neglected, Lan Lingxi pouted and stepped forward, whining pitifully, "Ling Er has run into trouble~"
The middle-aged man affectionately pinched Lan Lingxi's cheek and said lovingly, "Who has the nerve to make our little flower fox unhappy?"
As he spoke, his gaze swept around before settling on Azure Wood Staff and Purple Gold Hook.
The two hurriedly bowed, unable to suppress the flash of panic across their faces.
"It wasn't Grandfather Zhu and the others," Lan Lingxi quickly explained. "It was two pigs Ling Er encountered recently.