Huangcheng East Street.
The crowds were dense, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.
Chu Yunfei, dressed in black with the Abyss-Devouring Sword at his waist, walked leisurely through the crowd. His relaxed demeanor made it seem as if he had just finished eating and was out for a stroll, showing no sign that he was being watched by several auras.
But from the moment he left the palace, those who were following him could not escape his senses.
Cangyun Sect.
Puppet Sect.
There were two more deeply hidden auras, always hundreds of feet away, hanging at a distance that was neither too close nor too far behind him. They were clearly only responsible for confirming his whereabouts and did not intend to take action immediately.
"That's quite cautious."
Chu Yunfei's lips curled into a slight smile.
Instead of shaking off his spies, he deliberately slowed down and headed east along the widest street, as if afraid they would lose him.
Within his sea of consciousness, Xiaoxiao Dragon spoke lazily.
"You brat, you're walking so slowly, are you planning to show them all around the capital?"
"You still can't bear to part with Ling Xueyao, and you're planning to wait for her to chase after you?"
Chu Yunfei remained calm.
"If she really chases after us, it will only cause trouble."
"As for those people behind us, since they're willing to follow, let them follow clearly."
Xiaoxiao Dragon immediately became interested. "You brat, you're not up to something again, are you?"
Since she existed within Chu Yunfei's sea of consciousness, she could naturally sense the gradually rising killing intent in his heart.
That wasn't anger from being followed.
More like a hunter, waiting for its prey to take the bait.
Chu Yunfei didn't explain, but instead asked, " Xiaoxiao Dragon, do you think the Origin Divine Liquid condensed from the corpse of a Divine Sea Realm martial artist after being refined by the Divine Cauldron of Heavenly Mandate would be enough for me to break through to the next level?"
Xiaoxiao Dragon was silent for a moment.
Then, she chuckled softly.
"I see."
"I thought you were up to something, but I never imagined you were trying to use these spies to lure out the Divine Sea Realm behind you."
Chu Yunfei did not deny it.
He has now reached the Sixth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm.
Even with the Divine Cauldron of Heavenly Mandate's tenfold time flow speed, it would still take at least half a month to break through to the next level.
This speed was clearly not satisfactory to him.
He hadn't forgotten that the Divine Cauldron of Heavenly Mandate, besides accelerating cultivation, also possessed the ability to refine all things.
The remains of a cultivator from the Divine Sea Realm are just right.
Xiaoxiao Dragon put away his smile and said seriously, "A martial artist in the Divine Sea Realm has a spiritual pool in their dantian that has transformed into a Heavenly Origin Realm cultivator. If you can completely refine a Divine Sea Realm corpse, I have a 70% chance of helping you break through to the Seventh Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm."
"If the opponent is at the Divine Sea Realm Middle Stage, the chances of success will be even greater."
She paused slightly, a hint of warning in her voice.
"However, don't let your guard down."
"There are significant differences between each level of the Divine Sea Realm. Even with your trump card, the Great Heaven-Burning Art, you might not be able to easily kill someone in the Divine Sea Realm Middle Stage. Moreover, if the Cangyun Sect and the Puppet Sect make a move, they might send more than one person."
Chu Yunfei did not stop walking.
"I have nothing to fear as long as they are not at the Late Divine Sea Realm."
"You're quite confident."
Xiaoxiao Dragon gave a soft snort, but did not continue to try to dissuade him.
She knew very well that since Chu Yunfei dared to use himself as bait, he could never act on mere enthusiasm.
Chu Yunfei looked up at the sky, a cold glint in his eyes.
The Blood Baleful Intent Tower viewed him as a pawn; this score could be settled later.
Ling Zhantian's betrayal only made him somewhat unhappy.
After all, he never truly cared about the identity of being a prince consort.
This title can indeed intimidate some people, but it also acts as a shackle, forcing him to consider the royal family's stance when taking action.
Now that the two sides have completely severed ties, he is no longer bound by any constraints.
Whoever wants to kill him from now on.
He'll kill whoever he wants!
As for the Cangyun Sect and the Puppet Sect behind them...
They followed closely the moment Chu Yunfei stepped out of the palace gates, clearly regarding him as prey that had escaped protection and could be easily manipulated.
The peaceful days in the palace are over.
Chu Yunfei thought to himself calmly, "Then let a massacre show them that I, Chu Yunfei, have never relied on the Great Qian Imperial Family to get to where I am today."
Xiaoxiao Dragon smiled.
"That sounds alright, though."
"In that case, I'll see how many big fish you can catch this time."
Chu Yunfei remained silent.
He walked straight through the east gate, and his figure quickly disappeared outside the city.
Shortly after he left, several subtle auras quietly separated.
Two of them continued their pursuit.
The other two returned to the capital as quickly as possible.
The temporary headquarters of the Cangyun Sect in the imperial city.
The room was filled with the rich aroma of medicine.
Qin Hao lay on the bed, his face pale.
The newly reattached right arm was wrapped in thick bandages, and the array patterns on the shoulder kept flashing, as the medicinal power of a sixth-grade elixir was repairing the broken meridians.
Physical injuries can heal gradually.
But that sense of shame did not fade in the slightest.
Every time Qin Hao closes his eyes, that scene in the Jingyuan Hall reappears.
The severed arm fell to the ground.
The longsword slipped from his hand.
Chu Yunfei, carrying the Abyss-Devouring Sword, walked towards him step by step.
The fear of brushing past death had become a persistent inner demon in his mind.
" Chu Yunfei..."
Qin Hao clenched his fists, and the bedding tore open on the spot.
Chen Xuanhai sat on the edge of the bed, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Is the Holy Son still thinking about his affairs?"
Qin Hao suddenly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse. "To have one's arm cut off in public, the humiliation is more painful than the loss of the arm itself!"
"Now the entire imperial city knows that Yue Chenzhou and I joined forces, yet we were defeated by a Heavenly Origin Realm outcast."
"If I don't avenge this, my conscience will never be at peace!"
Chen Xuanhai's eyes also held a cold glint.
That day, as a guardian elder, he could only watch as Qin Hao's right arm was severed by Chu Yunfei.
Upon returning to their base, although the sect's higher-ups did not directly reprimand them, their dissatisfaction was quite evident in their words.
"The sect leader has already sent word that this matter will not be dropped."
Chen Xuanhai slowly said, "However, Chu Yunfei has been staying in the palace, protected by Ling Xueyao and Shen Qianyue. The royal family also has Dao Mysterious Realm expert in charge, so it's not advisable for the sect to take direct action right now."
Qin Hao's eyes darkened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "This Holy Son doesn't believe he can hide in the palace like a coward forever. He'll have to show himself sooner or later after the Seven Sects Grand Competition begins. When that happens, I will personally repay the humiliation I suffered a hundredfold!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the communication jade talisman in Chen Xuanhai's arms suddenly vibrated violently.
He frowned, took out the jade talisman, and probed it with his divine sense.
In just a few breaths, the caution on Chen Xuanhai's face transformed into a chilling killing intent.
"It seems even Heaven doesn't intend for him to live any longer."
Qin Hao suddenly propped himself up, which aggravated the wound on his shoulder, and blood quickly seeped out from under the bandage.
Ignoring his pain, he asked urgently, "Elder Chen, has Chu Yunfei made a move?"
Chen Xuanhai put away the jade talisman and stood up to look out the window.
"The informant just sent back a message."
" Chu Yunfei left the palace alone and has now walked out of the east gate. It seems he is preparing to leave the capital."
A twisted, wild joy immediately welled up in Qin Hao's eyes.
Is the news true?
"Could it be a trap? Isn't that old dog Shen Qianyue secretly following us?"
Chen Xuanhai confirmed the message in the jade talisman once again.
Our people have confirmed it several times.
He was alone.
There was no aura of the Divine Sea Realm expert nearby, nor were there any royal retainers accompanying them.
He gave a cold laugh as he said this.
"Most likely, this kid showed off in the Jingyuan Hall and really thinks that even Divine Sea Realm expert can't do anything to him."
"Young people are ultimately impatient; once they have a little bit of ability, they become arrogant and overconfident."
Qin Hao threw back the covers and turned to get out of bed.
"I, the Holy Son, will go with you!"
"I want to see him kneel on the ground and avenge his lost arm!"
Chen Xuanhai pressed him back onto the bed with one hand, his tone turning serious.
"The Holy Son has just consumed a sixth-grade elixir, and this is a crucial time for him to refine its medicinal power and break through to the Divine Sea Realm. If he were to act forcefully now, his right arm would be difficult to save, and his cultivation level might also be affected."
He let go of her hand, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the window.
A Divine Sea Realm Sixth Layer flashed through his body.
In an instant, the aroma of medicine in the quiet room seemed to freeze.
"Focus on recovering."
Chen Xuanhai spoke in a flat tone.
"Leave this matter to me, Elder."
"No matter how capable Chu Yunfei is of fighting beyond his level, he is ultimately only at the Heavenly Origin Realm. Facing this elder, he doesn't even have the right to flee."
Qin Hao remained silent for a few moments, finally suppressing the urge to go himself.
He knew that Chen Xuanhai was right.
The Divine Sea Realm is a true insurmountable barrier.
After the dantian and spiritual pool transform into a sea, both spiritual power and the soul undergo a qualitative change.
Chu Yunfei may be able to sweep through the Heavenly Origin Realm, but he might not be able to withstand a single palm strike from Divine Sea Realm Sixth Layer.
"Elder Chen, don't let him die too easily. First, sever his limbs, then destroy his dantian, leaving him with a breath to bring him back."
Qin Hao clenched his teeth, his face contorted with hatred.
I'll make him wish he were dead!
Chen Xuanhai nodded calmly.
"Rest assured."
"This elder will definitely bring him back safe and sound."
As soon as he finished speaking, the window opened silently.
Chen Xuanhai transformed into a pale blue afterimage and disappeared into the sky above the courtyard.
Qin Hao leaned back against the headboard, his chest heaving violently. He stared at the empty window, a sinister smile gradually creeping onto his lips.
Chu Yunfei.
"This time, without Shen Qianyue's protection, let's see who can save you!"