"We respectfully welcome the Ancestor!"
Several elderly and excited respectful voices were heard.
Outside the palace of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
The chief, Xiao Hanfeng, immediately appeared, his old face full of excitement and enthusiasm. He respectfully clasped his hands and said, "We respectfully welcome Young Master Feng!"
Xiao Hanfengās respect was practically boundless.
To keep Gu Chenfengās identity a secret, Xiao Hanfeng could only refer to him as Young Master Feng.
Seeing Xiao Hanfeng so respectful, Gu Chenfeng chuckled softly, "It seems Chief Xiao is aware of my identity."
Xiao Hanfeng respectfully replied, "I was unaware of Young Master Fengās identity earlier, and I hope Young Master Feng will not hold it against me."
Xiao Hanfeng was now very certain that the person standing before them, Gu Chenfeng, was the Ancestor of the Medicine God Hall.
"Young Master Feng?"
"Chief Xiao... Elder Xiao actually came out to greet him personally, and there is such a celestial beauty beside him. Who is that young man?"
"No way? Elder Xiao is so respectful to a mere youth; what is the background of that young man?"
The crowd, utterly shocked, all turned their eyes towards Gu Chenfeng.
Never mind a mere youth, even a strong figure from a powerful faction wouldnāt necessarily receive such a respectful reception from Xiao Hanfeng.
"Itās him! Do you remember the battle between the Su Family and the Shenxiao Pavilion? He is the one who, with one sword slash, killed a Nascent Soul Stage in the Golden Core Stage," a man suddenly exclaimed, his eyes wide with recognition.
"Indeed! Itās him!" Another person exclaimed, "I remember heās called Gu Chenfeng! His power is terrifying; with a Golden Core Stage cultivation, he can kill a Nascent Soul Stage!"
"Yes, yes, yes! I remember it now too! Heās called Gu Chenfeng!" Another person said in shock, "With Elder Xiao being so respectful towards him, he must have an extraordinary background."
Upon hearing the exclamations of a few, all the cultivators outside the Artifact Refining Pavilion were petrified.
"Young Master Feng, please follow me." Xiao Hanfeng respectfully said, personally leading Gu Chenfeng into the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
Those outside remained in a state of shock.
Once inside the Artifact Refining Pavilion, Xiao Hanfeng respectfully said, "Ancestor, the Pavilion Master and Elders are in the rear hall. They have been back for some time, just awaiting Ancestorās arrival."
"Have their injuries not fully healed yet?" Gu Chenfeng pondered quietly, having already sensed the aura of the Pavilion Master and Elders of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
A moment later.
Xiao Hanfeng led Gu Chenfeng and the Ice Phoenix to the rear hall.
Xiao Hanfeng respectfully said, "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, Ancestor..."
Before Xiao Hanfeng finished speaking, five elders suddenly appeared.
"Greetings to the Ancestor!" The Pavilion Master and four Elders of the Artifact Refining Pavilion bowed respectfully, tears of excitement rolling down their cheeks.
Although Gu Chenfengās appearance and cultivation had changed, they had already been informed by Xiao Hanfeng, so they werenāt overly shocked by Gu Chenfengās appearance.
They only needed to know that the young man before them was the Ancestor of the Medicine God Hall.
Suddenly.
The five elders had just begun to bow when they were stopped by an unseen force.
"Thereās no need for such formality." Looking at the familiar faces, Gu Chenfeng smiled gently, "I was already aware of the matters of that battle years ago, my thanks to you all."
In the past, when the Soul-Devouring Sect retaliated and sought revenge, the Artifact Refining Pavilion suffered heavy casualties, and both the Pavilion Master and Elders were grievously injured, nearly losing their lives.
Even after so many years, their injuries had yet to fully heal.
Gu Chenfengās words overwhelmed the five elders with gratitude and surprise.
The Pavilion Master, Mu Qingchen, quickly and respectfully said, "Ancestor, your words are too kind. The teachings and guidance youāve provided us are as significant as a mountain. For the Artifact Refining Pavilion to assist the Medicine God Hall is only appropriate."
The Grand Elder, Mo Qianjun, respectfully said, "If not for Ancestorās assistance back then, we wouldnāt have the cultivation we do today. Ancestorās great kindness and virtue, we shall never forget."
Mu Qingchen continued, "During that battle, our cultivation was too weak and we couldnāt offer much help. In the end, it was the timely arrival of the Ice Phoenix that secured the Medicine God Hall."
The Ice Phoenix coldly remarked, "So many years have passed, the cultivation of that old creature has likely reached the pinnacle of the Mahayana Stage, or even more. If the master does not quickly enhance his cultivation, we may not be able to match him."
"Donāt worry," Gu Chenfeng replied with a faint smile, showing not an ounce of fear or worry.
Mu Qingchen suddenly realized something and urgently said, "Ancestor, this isnāt the place for discussions. Please, Ancestor, come inside."
"Yes, yes, yes, Ancestor, please come in," Mu Qingchen swiftly gestured respectfully.
Inside the great hall.
Xiao Hanfeng respectfully served tea to Gu Chenfeng and the Ice Phoenix.
Taking a gentle sip of tea, the Ice Phoenix spoke, "The wicked spirit of that old creature from the Soul-Devouring Sect is truly formidable. Even after all these years, with even the Ancient Fire of the Demon God Race aiding, you all still struggle to fully recover."
"His wicked spirit is indeed terrifying," Mu Qingchen nodded and said, "We are grateful for the Ancient Fire of the Demon God Race; otherwise, we wouldāve likely perished long ago."
The Grand Elder, Mo Qianjun, smiled, "To have recovered to this extent, we are already content. At least we can see Ancestorās return in our lifetime."
"Indeed! I thought weād never have the chance to see Ancestor in this lifetime," the Second Elder happily laughed, his voice slightly choked.
"Itās merely a wicked spirit," Gu Chenfeng grinned, then fully activated his Devouring Power.
"Late Stage of Nascent Soul!" Mu Qingchen and the Elders exclaimed in shock.
Xiao Hanfeng said Gu Chenfeng was only at the Golden Core Stage?
Since when did he become Late Stage of Nascent Soul?
"Late Stage of Nascent Soul? This..." Xiao Hanfengās old eyes nearly flew out, his heart was a tempestuous sea of emotions.
Xiao Hanfeng could hardly believe that Gu Chenfeng managed to break through from the Golden Core Stage to Late Stage of Nascent Soul in such a short time.
What a terrifying speed of cultivation!
In the blink of an eye.
A dominant and formidable Devouring Power swept through the entire hall.
"What kind of power is this?" Mu Qingchen and the Elders were once again in shock.
As they were curious and amazed.
Gu Chenfeng extended his hand and grasped through the air, using the domineering Devouring Power to forcibly engulf the remaining wicked spirit within Mu Qingchen and the others.
"Such overwhelming Devouring Power! The wicked spirit is being forcibly devoured," the group of Mu Qingchen widened their eyes.
In just under ten seconds.
Gu Chenfeng withdrew his Devouring Power and smiled mildly, "Alright, Iāve devoured all the remnants of the wicked spirit in your bodies, you should recover in no time."
"The pain of erosion has disappeared! The wicked spirit has truly been entirely devoured by the Ancestor, thank you, Ancestor!" Mu Qingchen exclaimed in astonishment and joy.
"The wicked spirit in me is gone too! The Ancestorās devouring spiritual power is terrifying!" Mo Qianjun was both astonished and exhilarated.
"Weāve been at the Demon God Race for so many years, the Ancient Fire couldnāt fully devour the wicked spirit, yet the Ancestor did it in an instant," the Second Elder and the others were equally shocked and overjoyed.
With the wicked spirit completely devoured, their injuries could fully heal, and their cultivation could return to its peak.
Gu Chenfeng then smiled and said, "I came today for two things, the first of which is to teach you how to refine Immortal Artifacts once youāve recovered, as the Medicine God Hall has already begun collecting materials for it."
"The second thing..."
Before Gu Chenfeng could finish, a voice echoed in the hall, "I beseech the Ice Phoenix to save my little daughter!"