"Junior Brother Wu Qi, of all our fellow disciples, Master has always favored you most. Your cultivation is also the highest among us. Master has placed great hopes in you. How could you willingly sink so low? Hurry and sever all ties with that evil spirit cultivator! Master might yet rescind his decree."
Yu Peng spoke, anguish written across his face.
Wu Qi, however, burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... Master, Senior Brother, and all my junior brothers and sisters, you have all treated me very well. But my rapid progress came from my outstanding talent, not Master's guidance. On the contrary, the Embracing Simplicity Sect lies in a remote region, with scant spiritual energy and meager resources. Master could not provide enough resources for my cultivation either, greatly delaying my progress. Without Lord Shibi's help, how could I have entered Void Refinement so quickly, with my cultivation drawing close to Master's?"
"You... you unfilial disciple!" Daoist Huai'gu's eyes nearly split with rage.
The eyes of Yu Peng and the other Embracing Simplicity Sect disciples also burned with fury.
Aboard the flying ship.
Chen Yi stood close beside Song Wen and spoke in a low voice.
"For his own selfish interests, this Wu Qi not only betrayed his sect but slandered his master as well. These evil spirit cultivators really are no good."
"Different standpoints, different choices, that's all," Song Wen said flatly. "What distinction is there between good people and bad people in this world?"
Chen Yi gave Song Wen a startled look, seemingly never having expected such "outrageous" words from him.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Qu Feng and the black-robed man remained at a standoff, neither in any hurry to attack.
After hearing Wu Qi's words, Qu Feng asked,
"Are you Shibi?"
"Indeed, I am," the black-robed man