The Zhong Family residence.
"My lord... I saw Xiang Dahu again today. The man has no respect for you at all."
Peng Yidao stood before a young lord in snow-white robes, speaking so fiercely that he seemed even angrier than the young lord himself.
"Hmph, Xiang Dahu... a man from the Azure Sea Sect. I truly don't know why my clan uncle insists on using these surrendered enemies. Fang Qing is one thing—at least he's an alchemist. Bei Lingshu is pretty and skilled at tending spirit plants. Yet he chooses to favor Xiang Dahu."
The Zhong Family's young lord had reached the peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer. "But... Fang Qing has come out of seclusion? Good. Send someone to tell him to refine a few more Foundation Establishment Pills for me."
He already had a Foundation Establishment Pill bestowed by Zhong Lingxiu, but his aptitude was poor. A few more would give him a better chance.
Whoosh!
A cold wind suddenly swept through the hall, making the young lord shiver.
"Ah? Clan Uncle?"
At the sight of Zhong Lingxiu, he immediately bowed.
"Mm."
Zhong Lingxiu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable. He merely instructed Peng Yidao, "The Azure Sea Sect front is short of hands. Go there."
"Ah?"
Peng Yidao froze. But he knew he could not defy the will of a Core Formation ancestor, so he gritted his teeth. "As you command..."
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had joined them midway and once been a Cultivator Bandit, he had long since been subjected to Zhong Lingxiu's measures. Fleeing en route was impossible. He could only groan inwardly:
*What rotten luck... I thought currying favor with a direct descendant of the Zhong Family would keep me out of danger. How did I suddenly get