A glint of light flashed in Chu Yunfei's eyes.
"Have we finally arrived?"
With a slight thought, his soul instantly withdrew from the Divine Cauldron Space and returned to his physical body.
Pushing open the stone door to the secret chamber, Chu Yunfei stepped onto the deck of the flying boat.
Hearing footsteps behind them, Wen Jiao, Wen Buqi, and Uncle Yao, who were standing at the bow of the boat, all turned around.
The moment Wen Jiao's gaze fell on Chu Yunfei, her beautiful eyes lit up slightly.
Although only a little over a day has passed, the man before me seems to have undergone a complete transformation in his demeanor.
His previously sharp and assertive aura completely subsided, and he stood there like an unfathomable ancient well, making it impossible for anyone to discern his true nature.
Wen Jiao quickly stepped forward, her beautiful eyes scanning him up and down, and asked softly, "Husband... you've broken through to the Divine Sea Realm?"
Chu Yunfei smiled slightly and reached out to grasp her soft, boneless hand. "Just lucky, you were fortunate."
Although he already knew the result, Wen Buqi's lips still twitched violently when he heard Chu Yunfei admit it.
"Crossing the Heavenly Origin Divine Sea... Even I was stuck for five whole years back then."
Wen Buqi shook his head with a wry smile, his heart filled with overwhelming shock. "If word got out that young friend Chu's breakthrough speed was this fast, those so-called geniuses from prestigious families in the Eastern Continent would probably be so ashamed they'd want to crawl into a hole in the ground."
Chu Yunfei calmly cupped his hands in greeting. " Elder Wen, you flatter me."
At this moment, Uncle Yao, who was standing in front, raised his hand and pointed to the rolling sea of clouds that was rapidly breaking apart below.
"Miss, Young Master Chu."
"The imperial city... we've arrived."
Chu Yunfei looked up in the direction Uncle Yao had pointed.
At the far end of the horizon, the majestic, dark city, resembling an ancient behemoth, once again came into view.
The city walls, tens of meters high, stretched for thousands of miles, and the pale golden halo of the defensive array shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
The Great Qian Imperial City.
After many days, he narrowly escaped death.
Chu Yunfei, in the end, did return.
This time, however, he was no longer the nobody who needed the princess's name to protect him.
Wen Jiao walked to his side, looking at the faint undercurrents flowing above the city, and whispered a reminder:
"The situation in the capital is extremely unclear right now. Ling Zhantian is lurking in the shadows, and the major sects are also eyeing him covetously."
"Entering the city with such fanfare is too conspicuous. How about we change our clothes and enter discreetly, heading directly to the Pill Pavilion Headquarters?"
Chu Yunfei withdrew his gaze and nodded. "As Jiao'er says."
A moment later, the azure-colored flying boat landed in a secluded mountain forest dozens of miles outside the city.
The four of them changed into ordinary blue robes like those worn by ordinary cultivators, and wore bamboo hats to conceal their divine senses. They mingled with the bustling crowds entering the city and discreetly stepped into the imperial city through a side gate.
As soon as you enter the city gate, the deafening noise hits you.
The streets were lined with cultivators, their colorful sect robes shimmering in the air. Heavenly Origin Realm warriors were everywhere, and one could even sense the faint divine senses of the Divine Sea Realm experts sweeping through the air from time to time.
Only seven days remain until the Seven Sects Grand Competition.
The entire imperial city was several times more bustling than usual, with everyone discussing the upcoming grand event.
"I heard that Qin Hao, the Holy Son of the Cangyun Sect, has lost an arm. I wonder if he will still be able to take the stage in this competition?"
"It's not just Qin Hao; the Puppet Sect, Yue Chenzhou, was also reportedly beaten and severely injured in public."
"Where on earth has Chu Yunfei gone? The royal family has publicly denied that he is the prince consort, and the Puppet Sect and the Cangyun Sect are secretly offering a bounty on his head..."
Hearing the whispers around him, Chu Yunfei remained calm, a hint of coldness even appearing at the corner of his mouth beneath his bamboo hat.
Want his head?
Let's see if this group of people has the guts to back them up.
The four did not linger in the market. After passing through several main roads, they arrived directly in front of a magnificent nine-story pavilion covering hundreds of acres.
The main building of the Eastern Continent Pill Pavilion Headquarters.
The four guards standing at the entrance were all elites at the Heavenly Origin Realm Ninth Layer.
Wen Jiao removed a corner of her bamboo hat, revealing a golden token hidden in her bosom.
The captain of the guards' pupils contracted, and he was so frightened that he immediately bowed and knelt down. "Your subordinate greets the young master."
"No need to make a fuss, just take us to see the Grand Master."
Wen Jiao's tone was cold and authoritative, regaining her usual dignified and noble demeanor as the heir of the Pill Pavilion.
"Yes!"
The captain of the guard quickly led the way.
The group passed through the heavily guarded front courtyard and entered the main hall of the cabinet.
"Young Miss?!"
A gentle yet surprised female voice rang out.
A woman dressed in blue with a wooden hairpin in her hair hurried forward, her eyes filled with disbelief and excitement.
It was none other than Vice Pavilion Master Liu of the Imperial City Pill Pavilion.
"Aunt Liu."
Wen Jiao composed herself and revealed a gentle smile.
Vice Pavilion Master Liu looked Wen Jiao up and down, sensing the vibrant, unhindered energy within her, and his eyes welled with tears of emotion.
"Great... that's wonderful! After half a year, not only has Miss returned safely, but she also looks better than ever before."
Immediately, Vice Pavilion Master Liu's gaze fell on Chu Yunfei beside Wen Jiao. He paused slightly, then cupped his hands and said:
"Young Master Chu, we meet again."
" Vice Pavilion Master Liu, how have you been?" Chu Yunfei nodded politely.
Vice Pavilion Master Liu's expression turned solemn, and he lowered his voice, saying:
"The Grand Master is currently in the backyard, and has been waiting for quite some time."
"Quick, come with me."
Led by Vice Pavilion Master Liu, the group passed through layers of restrictions and arrived at a quiet and secluded ancient courtyard.
A middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe with cloud patterns was sitting in the courtyard.
The man had a refined appearance, deep, unfathomable eyes, and an air of composure that suggested he was in charge of a large business guild.
It was none other than Wen Daoyuan, the Pill Pavilion Headquarters the Eastern Continent Pill Pavilion.
"Father!"
Wen Jiao could no longer suppress her longing and quickly stepped forward to call out.
Wen Daoyuan suddenly stood up, grabbed his daughter's shoulder, and looked her up and down carefully, his eyes filled with tenderness.
When he sensed that the Yin Baleful Intent Qi that had raged within Wen Jiao's body for many years had completely vanished, and that her cultivation had even broken through to the Divine Sea Realm Third Level, the eyes of this tyrant who had ruled the Pill Pavilion for a hundred years turned slightly red.
"Good, good boy."
Wen Daoyuan praised repeatedly, then turned around and his gaze fell intently on Chu Yunfei.
Their gazes met in the void.
Chu Yunfei was neither humble nor arrogant, his back straight as a spear, his eyes deep and calm.
Wen Daoyuan took a deep breath, his expression solemn, and in front of everyone in the courtyard, he clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Chu Yunfei:
"Young friend Chu, on behalf of the entire Wen Family, I thank you for saving my life."
" Jiao'er's Heavenly Yin Baleful Intent Physique tormented her for twenty years. If it weren't for your miraculous healing skills, young friend, I, Wen Daoyuan, would have had to bury my child."
This bow carries immense weight.
Chu Yunfei stepped aside to avoid the half-bow, raised his hand in a gesture of support, and smiled calmly:
"You flatter me, Chief Secretary Wen."
" My Jiao'er and I have long entrusted our lives to each other; saving her is my duty."
"Moreover... back at the Jade Firmament Sect, if it weren't for Elder Wen's all-out efforts, Pill Pavilion even going so far as to exchange 30% of its profits from the past century for a divine pill to save me, I probably wouldn't have survived until later."
Upon hearing the phrase "entrusting each other with life and death," Wen Daoyuan's gaze shifted slightly, and he subconsciously glanced at Wen Jiao, who was standing beside Chu Yunfei with a slightly flushed face.
As a father, how could he not see that his daughter's heart was already completely devoted to this son?
A hint of satisfaction and appreciation flashed in Wen Daoyuan's eyes, and he laughed heartily:
"Young friend, you are a man of great loyalty and kindness. Please have a seat."
Everyone took their seats as instructed, and a maidservant served them the finest spiritual tea.
Wen Buqi picked up his teacup, took only a sip, then put it down and asked:
"Sect Master, what is the current situation in the Imperial City? I've felt something strange about this whole journey. Why was the Seven Sects Grand Competition suddenly moved up to seven days later?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Daoyuan's smile gradually faded.
He did not answer immediately.
He gently placed the teacup on the table, making a crisp sound.
The wind whistled past outside the courtyard.
For a moment, the courtyard was so quiet it felt somewhat oppressive.
Wen Daoyuan's gaze swept over Wen Jiao and Chu Yunfei, finally landing on Wen Buqi's face.
"Second Uncle, the reason why the Seven Sects Grand Competition was brought forward is still unknown, but there is some news that you probably don't know yet."
Wen Jiao frowned and pressed on:
"What news?"
Wen Daoyuan remained silent for a moment, then raised his head.
" The Jade Firmament Sect... was wiped out just last night."