Huang Mi's Resentment

As soon as the old bird in the sky made its call, before Sect Leader Kang Da could even show any joy, Preceptor Huang Mi suddenly trembled his fingers and his eyes filled with terror.

"I thought that Fei Donggu's arrival meant the Fei Household valued him, but... why is this old bird here? Didn't Kang Dabao say that Xiang Tianxing, the head of the upper sect's general affairs, had been keeping an eye on his movements?"

He was filled with fear and uncertainty, but disregarding any fear of backlash, he immediately extinguished the raging flames and obediently bowed:

"Under the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion, Huang Miboren, the Lord of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall and the one ordered to oversee the thirteen Golden Core sects in the northern border of Huangpi Circuit, pays his respects to Huang Mi Boren Marquis of Fengcheng."

The towering figure in the air slowly shrank and fell. Even though Preceptor Huang Mi's salutation reached his ears, it didn't make the old bird glance at him twice. On the contrary, Kang Dabao, who calmly uttered the four words "Greetings, Ancestor," caught Fei Tianqin's eye.

"Young Kang, where is Daoist Peng?"

The Sect Leader Kang Da, honestly replied, "They went Mountain South from Chenjiang County in Si Prefecture, but their destination is unknown."

Fei Tianqin nodded for a moment, then murmured, "That Daoist priest has some skill. It's not bad that you were able to injure him with your meager abilities. It's just a pity that you didn't achieve complete success; there might be future troubles."

Kang Dabao said politely, "This kid is useless."

Fei Tianqin clearly agreed with Sect Leader Kang Da's statement, not refuting it to his face but simply nodding in agreement, and later added:

"It's alright. Just bring Jiang boy to my door often to receive my instruction. As for that Daoist Peng, I'll find him myself; you don't need to worry about him."

After the old bird finished speaking, he turned his sharp eyes to Preceptor Huang Mi.

You should know that the latter was a late-stage gacha master who had been famous for hundreds of years, yet he was chilled to the bone by this old bird's slight glance. The hair on his body immediately stood on end, which was not the usual reaction of someone of the same level.

The shamans and warrior monks of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall were not only highly skilled, but also quick-witted. Without needing instructions from the Golden Core cultivators engaged in fierce battle in the air, they gradually withdrew from the fighting with the Kang clan soldiers and waited for the old bird in the air to speak.

Fifth Palace Master Qiao Xiuniang and Tenth Palace Master Feng Yifan also tacitly abandoned their opponents and retreated to Preceptor Huang Mi's side.

The two men couldn't help but marvel at how imposing this old bird was. Even though it hadn't yet taken Golden Core form, seeing it was almost as if they had met True Person in person.

This old bird remained silent for a long time, only staring coldly, which made the three hall masters of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall feel their scalps tingle. In the end, it was Preceptor Huang Mi who forced himself to speak:

"Marquis of Fengcheng, Marquis of Martial Peace has invaded our territory without cause, killing five or six of my sect leaders and countless disciples. My sect has only come to seek justice for our fellow disciples, and has no intention of making things difficult for you, Marquis of Fengcheng."

Fei Tianqin listened attentively, offering neither explanation nor rebuttal, but merely scoffing under his breath. "Trying to make things difficult for me? You think you're worthy?!"

Kang Dabao could see Preceptor Huang Mi's face changing from purple to black after being so humiliated, but the latter remained clear-headed. He simply bowed deeply and said, "This junior was just indignant for a moment. If my words were disrespectful before, I hope Marquis of Fengcheng will forgive me."

"Ha, so you can speak human language after all."

Fei Tianqin's loud laughter was extremely grating to the ears of the hundreds of cultivators in the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall. Countless resentful gazes fell upon him, yet even so, it did not soften his tone.

"Forget about unprovoked incursions and the killing of disciples. This time, I'll give you, the Palace Master of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, face. Let's make peace and call it a day. Neither of us should hold a grudge. Let's just let this matter drop."

These words left Preceptor Huang Mi speechless with anger. The other two temple masters, their faces flushed with rage, dared not speak, and could only watch as the former bowed again and spoke once more, "Marquis of Fengcheng, I am the Venerable Yunze Shaman."

But before he could finish speaking, the old bird interrupted him coldly, "What, do you think I don't know how your Huangpi Circuit behaves? You can bully other families, but you can't bully your own family's son-in-law?"

Upon hearing the words, Preceptor Huang Mi was about to softly chant a Buddhist mantra to prevent his anger from exploding in his chest, but just as he was about to speak, Fei Tianqin's sharp gaze pierced him, rendering him speechless. He could only hear it chanting in a deep voice:

"Do you think I'm trying to reason with you? What is your family anyway, that you dare to talk to me about reason?! If you think you have these two battalions of soldiers to rely on, then you can try to fight me with your fists."

I may not have the ability to wipe out your entire family, but today I will absolutely not let you live! After I take your soul and body, I will still go and eradicate your family's lineage!

Preceptor Huang Mi was filled with rage and fear, the words stuck in his throat, unable to find the right words, and he was caught in a dilemma. It took several breaths for his mind to calm down, and at that moment, the old monk had no choice but to resort to his last resort:

"Marquis of Fengcheng, my family is still under the jurisdiction of the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion."

Though brief, the meaning was perfectly clear. Fei Tianqin understood, but it remained unperturbed, merely scrutinizing Preceptor Huang Mi for a moment longer before its sneer persisted.

"Heh, otherwise, do you think you'd still be alive to speak with your ancestor like this?!"

"The Marquis of Fengcheng is my family."

"Roll!"

Preceptor Huang Mi felt that the old bird's fierce shout was even more chilling than the gale on the Sacred Mountain of the Snow Region, and he immediately felt a chill in his heart.

He could clearly see that even when Fei Tianqin mentioned the Star-Picking Pavilion earlier, the fierce glint in his eyes had not faded. He knew that if this old bird got angry, he might really take his life.

Logically speaking, it's obvious which is more important: the sect's prestige, the hall master's reputation, or one's own life. However, with nearly a thousand disciples following him, how could Preceptor Huang Mi simply turn around and leave after being verbally abused by the bird?!

His situation suddenly became even more difficult.

Fifth Palace Master Qiao Xiuniang and Tenth Palace Master Feng Yifan could see this clearly, but they still shared the same thoughts.

Although they were both Rogue Cultivator, they had been taken in and cared for by the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall for many years. It would be an exaggeration to say that they had no feelings for each other. However, if Preceptor Huang Mi really wanted to overestimate his abilities and fight this old bird from the Fei Household to the death, he would have better run away.

However, no sooner had the two of them conceived the idea than someone else appeared in the arena.

Preceptor Huang Mi's eyes lit up with astonishment at the sight of that streak of light, and he almost shed tears. He saw Xiang Tianxing, clad in a brocade robe, gracefully descending on a jeweled halberd:

"The Marquis of Fengcheng remains as elegant and his Daoist arts are profound; why should he make things difficult for these lowly subordinates?!"

"You little brat, you stole my people and you still dare to show yourself?!"

Fei Tianqin's words were half sarcastic and half angry. Before Xiang Tianxing coldly added:

"Where did Daoist Peng go? Where did you take him? Why did you suddenly untie him and let him out?! Tell me about this, but I don't believe that your Star-Picking Pavilion would be so careless as to not have any tricks up your sleeves for him."

Xiang Tianxing stood holding his halberd, offering no reply, but speaking in a low voice:

"This time, it was Marquis of Martial Peace intruded upon our territory without cause, stealing treasures and killing people, which aroused dissatisfaction among the people of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, leading to their self-defense. Marquis of Fengcheng, as an elder of the Immortal Dynasty and a senior cultivator, is showing favoritism towards his own family, which is also unsightly."

Kang Dabao's eyes darkened, and he was about to step forward to answer, but Fei Tianqin did not give him the chance and immediately replied:

"You're being unreasonable! Where in this world is there any logic in helping those who are right and not your own family?!"

These arrogant words, though spoken so naturally, seemed perfectly natural to the cultivators. But it wasn't finished; after a cold snort, it pointed its halberd at Preceptor Huang Mi and the other two, saying in a chilling voice:

"You mean Kang Dabao harmed five Golden Core cultivators from the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall? Didn't I return three to you today? Seriously though, this kid who cultivates the Snow Mountain Buddhist method is actually worth much more. In the end, your Star-Picking Pavilion still came out on top!"

Xiang Tianxing was not a good-tempered man. Even if this old bird was truly difficult to defeat, there were still three hall masters and nearly a thousand soldiers from the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall present. They might not be without the power to fight this old bird.

He raised an eyebrow and revealed the tip of his halberd. When the Sect Leader Kang Da saw the Law Treasure, he was as eager as if he had seen a peerless beauty who was completely naked.

However, after taking another interesting look at Xiang Tianxing Fei Tianqin, Fei Tianqin changed his tune:

"Enough, enough. If I were to take your life today, it would be difficult for Bai Canhong to bear it. How about this, I'll give you Daoist Peng. I won't be able to find him again. Let's leave it at that. Chongming Sect and Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall reconcile and become sworn brothers. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

It was rare for this usually arrogant old bird to speak so softly. Xiang Tianxing was already lacking in confidence, and he was also worried about the Daoist Peng had fled elsewhere, so he didn't have much energy to deal with Fei Tianqin.

Once he had made up his mind, he didn't consult with Preceptor Huang Mi. He simply nodded and replied, "Tianxing doesn't want to start a major conflict either, so we'll do as Marquis of Fengcheng says."

Preceptor Huang Mi was dissatisfied but powerless. After hearing the man and bird agree on the terms, he could only ask in a muffled voice, "But I don't know how this 'godfather-godfriend' relationship will be established?!"

Fei Tianqin seemed to be in a good mood, even having the mind to joke around. It pointed a feather at Preceptor Huang Mi's side, specifically at the rather beautiful Qiao Xiuniang, and said with a grin:

"That's easy! Aren't all your palace masters sisters? You marry this little girl to my son-in-law as a concubine, and then our two families become sworn relatives!"

Sect Leader Kang Da gave a wry smile upon hearing this, and Preceptor Huang Mi was even more speechless.

Qiao Xiuniang, who was beside the latter, was a person who had achieved the Dao for two or three hundred years. She was not angered by such a joke and simply replied in a crisp voice, "Please don't joke, Lord Marquis."

Xiang Tianxing didn't want to pay attention to the old bird's nonsense, but calmly urged, "Now that this matter has been settled, I ask that Your Excellency lead your troops out of the country. If it is not necessary, do not come to Huangpi Circuit again."

The latter was somewhat annoyed by Xiang Tianxing's serious tone, but he only muttered in dissatisfaction, "This guy really thinks he's Bai Canhong, daring to show off his power to me, the patriarch."

Despite his dissatisfaction, Fei Tianqin found the outcome acceptable. As for Daoist Peng's whereabouts, it wasn't something that could be easily dismissed; it was simply a matter of giving Xiang Tianxing, a younger man who valued face, a way out.

However, it is true that it is difficult to find Daoist Peng in the short term. This Evil Cultivator does have some skills after all. Fei Tianqin will probably need to find a group of spiritually knowledgeable people, such as Fearless Tower, to conduct a thorough search before it can be of any use.

However, this old bird still needs to stay in Phoenix Cry Prefecture and do many things for the two True Person that are inconvenient for him to do in person.

This trip was specifically to vent its anger over Xiang Tianxing; otherwise, given its nature, it would have suppressed Xiang Tianxing and taken the lives of two Golden Core cultivators before returning home.

Thoughts raced through his mind, one after another. Growing weary of it all, the old bird simply gave up and urged Sect Leader Kang Da to speak:

"Let's go, come back with me, your ancestor, and find that brat Gu Rong to make you an offensive Law Treasure. Look at your shabby appearance; if others didn't know better, they would think that the Ying Prefecture Fei Household only mistreats its son-in-law."

The latter paid no heed to Fei Tianqin's sarcastic remarks, but quickly approached and whispered, "Ancestor, I previously shattered a high-grade Third-Tier Upper-Grade bronze corpse in the cave abode, which may be related to Daoist Peng. I still have the corpse core in my hands, and I don't know if it will be of any use to you in searching for that wicked cultivator."

"Third-Tier Upper-Grade bronze corpse. Corpse core." Fei Tianqin's eyes showed a hint of surprise as he thought to himself:

"This kid seems to have more than just the ability to attack from the shadows. In terms of actual combat skills, Nanying may no longer be able to match him. My younger brother truly has discerning eyes; how can ordinary people compare?! What a pity."

"Well, we'll discuss it in detail when we get back."

Fei Tianqin and his Sect Leader Kang Da left without mentioning that Preceptor Huang Mi was filled with sorrow and wanted to go to Xiang Tianxing's side for some comfort, but was interrupted by the latter, "The sect leader is currently planning something important and rarely has time to spare, so you may have to suffer some grievances, Palace Master."

As the original poster mentioned before, although Kang Dabao's cultivation level is low, his identity is also sensitive. It seems that he has also cultivated Pure Spirit Golden Core True Body, which is why even Emperor of Wei appreciates and values him. It is really not easy to act rashly.

However, I, Xiang, can vouch for this: once this great undertaking is accomplished, the Lord will surely avenge the Lord of today's grievances."

Xiang Tianxing was still concerned about Daoist Peng's whereabouts, so he had no time to talk to Preceptor Huang Mi. He didn't even look at the demoralized shaman soldiers and warrior monks. He just gave a brief explanation to the three palace masters and then rode away on his halberd.

Preceptor Huang Mi was so angry that his heart bled. Now that the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall had lost a life and its prestige had been tarnished, there would likely be many loose ends to deal with in the northern border of Huangpi Circuit. How could they possibly control the thirteen Golden Core cultivators?!

He wasn't blinded by resentment; he simply pondered Xiang Tianxing's excuse before Xiang Tianxing for a while longer, and soon his eyes lit up:

"Xiang Tianxing previously said that the man surnamed Kang seems to be a Pure Spirit Golden Core cultivator. If that's true, then his essence, Essence Blood, and spiritual energy are certainly not comparable to ordinary people. I remember that old ghost Pu from the Two Instruments Sect seems to have been searching for him all these years."