Making an Issue of It

Upon learning that she could restore her right arm after reaching Foundation Establishment, Yun Li's dim eyes finally lit up.

She suddenly remembered what Ye Qingyu had asked her to convey before he left the mystic realm. Turning to Nangong Tang, she said, "Fellow Daoist Nangong, Junior Brother Ye asked me to tell you that he'll take on a long-term sect mission after reaching Foundation Establishment. He'll wait for you at the usual place."

"Who wants to meet him at the usual place?!"

The worry vanished from Nangong Tang's face, replaced by a smug look. "Hmph, I've already reached Foundation Establishment. If anyone's waiting, it should be me waiting for him!"

"Since there's nothing left for me to do here, Fellow Daoist Feng, I'll leave the mystic realm first!"

Feng Zhuo's eyes held a smile. "There's no rush. These fellow daoists from the Purple Yang Pill Sect..."

"I don't want anything to do with them!"

Nangong Tang pursed her lips, but when she saw Feng Zhuo's increasingly "amiable" smile, she shrank back. "All right, all right. Who made us partners? I'll help you take them out."

Yun Li stepped forward at the right moment. "Leave the Supreme One Divine Sect's disciples to me."

"Sorry for the trouble, Junior Sister."

Feng Zhuo nodded in satisfaction. "I intend to leave the mystic realm first and meet Chu Yunfei. Wait until the very last moment before it closes, then bring them out."

He knew full well that, given Su Ruanruan's nature, she would surely have arranged for someone outside the mystic realm to tip Chu Yunfei off in addition to these fifty disciples.

Therefore, these fifty people must not leave the mystic realm before Feng Zhuo.

Otherwise, when the time came, Feng Zhuo would have to fight them as well as deal with Chu Yunfei.

The two had nothing to say against Feng Zhuo's decision.

Only at the last moment before he left the mystic realm...

"Senior Brother Feng..."

Yun Li called out to Feng Zhuo. "May everything go smoothly."

Nangong Tang also cupped her hands in farewell.

At that moment, outside the mystic realm.

Yushang's face was livid. "Senior Brother Chu, that's just one disciple's account. How can you believe it?!"

"Junior Sister Yushang,"

Chu Yunfei said with a gentle smile, "you don't know Junior Sister Ruanruan well, so it's natural for you to have doubts. But I've worked with her for over half a year and have long known her character. She would never make a claim without grounds.

"Besides..."

His tone changed. "Although Junior Sister Ruanruan hasn't formally become Master's disciple, the fact remains that he has taught her swordsmanship. Even if you don't believe me, Junior Sister, are you questioning Master's judgment too?"

Who would dare publicly question the Supreme One Divine Sect's master?

Yushang's expression grew uglier, and her fingertips dug into her palm without her noticing.

"Damn it..."

She gritted her teeth inwardly. The communication talisman she had just sent was the highest-grade one she had, yet it would still take six hours to reach Carefree Peak.

Add to that the time it would take for reinforcements to arrive...

By then, it would be too late for everything!

For now, her only option was to stall.

She could only hope that Junior Brother Feng would discover Su Ruanruan's scheme inside the mystic realm and come out as late as possible.

Chu Yunfei watched coldly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Although he was only at the Golden Core Early Stage, he believed suppressing Yushang, who was at the Foundation Establishment Realm Peak, would be more than easy enough.

As for that communication talisman?

So what if he let Yushang send it?

The mystic realm would close in five hours, leaving just one hour after that. What waves could Feng Zhuo, a mere Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator, possibly stir up in his hands?

Before Feng Zhuo appeared, Su Ruanruan was just as confident as Chu Yunfei.

She was certain Feng Zhuo would not make it out of the mystic realm under attack by fifty people.

Thus, only one person had come out to deliver the message: a personal disciple from a branch peak who looked up to Chu Yunfei as a role model.

After hearing on Heaven-Soaring Peak that Feng Zhuo had used his status to pressure Chu Yunfei into handing over the Dark Nether Sword Token, a sword Dao treasure, the disciple had immediately come to hate Feng Zhuo.

As soon as Su Ruanruan asked for someone to go out and deliver a message, this disciple volunteered.

As a result, most of the disciples who had now left the mystic realm belonged to the neutral faction, while a few sided with Feng Zhuo.

They were all sensible enough to stay behind closed doors, terrified of being caught up in the storm.

Things were entirely different on the Purple Yang Pill Sect's side. They did not believe Shen Mingxiao's words.

Or rather, even if they did believe him, they could not possibly be as stupid as Shen Mingxiao, daring to openly surround and attack the Poison Barrier Forest master's only personal disciple, who was also his granddaughter.

The Purple Yang Pill Sect had two peaks and one forest, the three standing in balance like the legs of a tripod.

Medicine King Peak excelled at pill refinement, while Hundred Herbs Peak specialized in Spirit Plants.

The Poison Barrier Forest alone specialized in poison techniques and could be considered the sect's foremost fighting force. On certain occasions, its standing even surpassed that of Medicine King Peak.

Moreover, the current master of the Poison Barrier Forest was a complete madman!

Thinking of some of the rumors about him, Chu Hongxiao felt a flicker of fear in her heart.

Only Shen Mingxiao was stupid enough. When he was young, he had insisted that Nangong Tang become his dao companion. When she refused, he had actually turned against her instead. Did he think the Purple Yang Pill Sect was his imperial palace in the mortal world, where he could do as he pleased?

Just then, ripples of spiritual power suddenly spread across the mystic realm's exit.

A figure in red floated out. It was none other than-

"Feng Zhuo?!"

Chu Hongxiao's pupils contracted sharply. "He's alone?!"

Against fifty opponents, he had actually escaped unscathed?

How had he done it?!

The disciples aboard the flying boat who had not taken part in the attack secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, they had not provoked such a monstrous talent!

Chu Hongxiao composed herself and noticed that Feng Zhuo had broken through to Foundation Establishment. Then she thought of Nangong Tang's talent for poison techniques, which was even more frightening than her grandfather's, and understood.

-Wait.

Why was he at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage?!

Chu Yunfei was equally shocked. Why was he at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage?!!

Suppressing his jealousy, he forced a smile. "Junior Brother Feng, your cultivation has advanced so quickly. You should be careful your foundation isn't unstable."

Feng Zhuo's tone was calm. "You worry too much, Senior Brother Chu. I'm only at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage at thirteen, and there are nine years left before the Sword Tomb opens. I don't know whether I can form a Golden Core by then. By that reckoning, I probably can't compare to you, Senior Brother, who reached Golden Core at twenty."

Chu Yunfei's expression soured. "Sharp-tongued!"

Others might not understand the meaning of those "nine years," but he knew full well.

Feng Zhuo was clearly mocking him for declaring that there was absolutely no chance of Feng Zhuo and Cang Wuya forming their cores within ten years!

Though outsiders did not understand what he meant, they could hear the mockery in it.

The atmosphere abruptly froze.

Only then did someone belatedly realize that there were still four hours before the mystic realm closed. Why had Feng Zhuo come out now?!

He was being so reckless. Could he think that, after breaking through successive realms in just a few months inside the mystic realm and reaching the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, he could stand up to Chu Yunfei at the Golden Core Early Stage?

Anyone with eyes could see that Chu Yunfei was clearly on Su Ruanruan's side.

Many people had also heard the rumor that Feng Zhuo had snatched Chu Yunfei's Dark Nether Sword Token. Though they did not entirely believe it, they more or less suspected there was enmity between Chu Yunfei and Feng Zhuo.

But now...

Some immediately began to pity Feng Zhuo, especially several female disciples, whose eyes filled with sympathy. Such a beautiful young man, and at such a young age he was already going to...?

Ah-!

He was far too arrogant!

Chu Hongxiao likewise did not think Feng Zhuo stood a chance.

Breaking through two realms in just a few months made him seem extraordinarily gifted, but in reality, his foundation was bound to be unstable.

Just as Chu Yunfei had said, with such eagerness for quick results, his future accomplishments were destined to be limited!

Little did she know that Feng Zhuo had already reached the Golden Core Realm in his previous life. His understanding of Foundation Establishment had long since reached perfection, and the spiritual power in his body was now condensed as solidly as mercury. How could he have an unstable foundation?

Yushang stamped her feet in anxiety.

Why had Junior Brother Feng been so unable to hold back, coming out of the mystic realm now!

Although she did not think Feng Zhuo would act so rashly as to ruin his foundation without regard for his Dao Path, the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage against the Golden Core Early Stage...

Was that a gap talent could bridge?

"Junior Brother Feng!"

Chu Yunfei had no desire to waste any more words on Feng Zhuo. "In the mystic realm, you colluded with a poison cultivator from the Purple Yang Pill Sect to poison Junior Sister Ruanruan and forcibly seize ten-thousand-year-old Spirit-Cleansing Grass. What punishment do you deserve?!"

The longsword in his hand was about to leave its sheath; he was clearly prepared to make an issue of it.