Chapter 1009: Damn it, this old man has gone crazy

Yi Feng wore an expression of utter despair, his eyes dull like a dead fish’s.

Sheathing his forty-meter-long cleaver, he wordlessly stepped forward and pulled Fu Nantian out from the pile of rubble. Even as they stood face to face, Fu Nantian couldn’t process what had just happened.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Wasn’t Yi Feng supposed to be in peril, allowing him to swoop in and save the day? Instead, the tables had turned—he was the one who nearly got wrecked, while this kid seized the moment and stole the spotlight!

Damn it all!

Looking down at his dust-covered robes, Fu Nantian’s face flushed red with embarrassment. He hurriedly tried to explain.

“Ahem…!”

“Kid! Don’t—don’t get the wrong idea! This old man’s cultivation is peerless! I was just caught off guard, never expecting such divine techniques to exist in this world. That’s why I got pinned under the boulders, letting that remnant soul get the upper hand by sheer luck!”

“In terms of true strength and cultivation, he’s no match for me!”

“You just happened to show up at the right time and got lucky. If I hadn’t already fought him and exhausted ninety-nine percent of my spiritual energy, your measly cultivation wouldn’t even scratch his skin!”

Despite his disheveled appearance, his words were as stubborn as ever.

If sheer audacity determined one’s cultivation, he’d undoubtedly be crowned the Supreme King.

But Yi Feng was too dejected to bother with the old man’s boasting. Seeing that Fu Nantian was fine—back straight as a steel rod—he just gave a half-hearted response.

“Mm.”

The utter indifference in his tone made it clear he didn’t believe a word of it.

Fu Nantian’s beard bristled in frustration, but he had no way to refute it. Call it bad luck or an accident—either way, he’d made a fool of himself in front of the kid, completely botching his grand performance.

Gritting his teeth against the pain from his injured soul, Fu Nantian realized he couldn’t keep up the act.

This Ancient Corridor was far too bizarre today. If they pressed on and ran into a few more powerful entities, he’d be done for.

Having witnessed the might of ancient cultivators firsthand, he no longer dared to underestimate the dangers.

After a moment of silent deliberation, he turned back with a stern warning, clinging to his sage-like aura.

“Kid, let’s call it a day. Another time, I’ll bring you back to broaden your horizons—show you the true terror of ancient cultivators and give you a proper demonstration of my abilities!”

His forceful tone was the last shred of his dignity.

After such a harrowing ordeal, most cultivators would have their Dao hearts shaken, never daring to return. But for the sake of taking on a disciple, he had no choice but to keep up the bravado.

Suppressing his injuries, he tried to maintain his image as a master.

But Yi Feng was in no mood for it. With a sigh, he replied in a tone dripping with disappointment.

“Eh… let’s just forget it.”

Fu Nantian turned with a haughty glare, ready to lecture his future disciple on his lack of fighting spirit—and perhaps flaunt his own unshakable Dao heart.

But before he could speak, Yi Feng beat him to it with a blunt remark.

“This place isn’t all that. I’ve been back and forth a few times, and besides the nice scenery, there’s nothing special. Pretty underwhelming, honestly.”

Not all that?

Back and forth a few times?!

What kind of nonsense was this?!

Fu Nantian’s eyes bulged, a mouthful of blood nearly shooting up his throat.

He’d been cautious every step of the way, barely making it a short distance before encountering that terrifying remnant soul—almost losing his life in the process.

And now, not only had this kid stolen his thunder, but he even had the gall to dismiss the Ancient Corridor as some sightseeing spot?!

The sheer indignity!

Fu Nantian had never felt so humiliated in all his years of fame.

While he’d been fighting for his life, this kid had been strolling around like it was nothing—and worse, he genuinely seemed bored, with no desire to return.

Why was the gap in luck between people so damn wide?!

They’d both entered the same ancient secret realm—one nearly died and lost all face, while the other walked away unscathed, spouting words that could make a man choke on his own rage!

And he couldn’t even blame the kid. This whole trip had been his own idea.

The more Fu Nantian thought about it, the angrier he got. It was like he’d picked up a rock just to drop it on his own foot. He stared in silence, unable to muster a retort.

Taking a deep breath, he forced down his frustration.

“Well… in that case, let’s head back.”

Then, as if struck by a thought, his expression brightened slightly.

“Ahem.”

“Kid, not to alarm you, but this Ancient Corridor is genuinely perilous. Even Saints would struggle to make it out alive. As for the exit—only those with vast knowledge can find it. One must master the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, and—”

He launched into an elaborate explanation, strategically exaggerating the dangers to salvage some dignity.

Though his grand plan had fallen short, he could still preserve his image as a master—so long as he led the kid out safely. It’d make for a fine tale in the future…

Just as Fu Nantian’s expression began to relax, a glimmer of pride returning to his eyes—

Yi Feng lifted his dead-fish gaze and casually dropped a bombshell.

“I know the way out.”

Fu Nantian’s words caught in his throat, his smile freezing mid-sentence.

“You… know?”

His face darkened as he stared Yi Feng down.

“How could you possibly know?!”

“This is a matter of life and death—no room for reckless claims! The exit of the Ancient Corridor is shrouded in profound mysteries. Only those versed in Yin-Yang and the Five Elements could—”

Yi Feng wasn’t in the mood for his rambling. With a flat tone, he replied,

“I’ve walked it a few times already. Found the exit no problem.”

Walked… a few times?!

Fu Nantian stiffened as if struck by lightning.

Staring at Yi Feng—completely unharmed—he blurted out in disbelief,

“You’re serious?!”

Yi Feng shrugged, annoyed. “What’s the big deal? It’s just one straight path. I’ve gone back and forth at least five or six times by now. How could I not find the exit?”

Gulp.

Fu Nantian wanted to say something, but only a dry swallow came out.

Looking at the young man before him, he felt like he was facing a monster. Never in his life had he heard of someone casually strolling through the Ancient Corridor multiple times!

What in the heavens?!

This was an ancient secret realm—a battlefield where countless experts had fallen!

And this kid had just… wandered through it unscathed, even memorizing the exit like it was a walk in the park?!

Just how absurdly lucky was he?!

If Fu Nantian had felt humiliated before, now he just wanted to scream.

Could the gap between people be any wider?! Even if someone had to be this disgustingly fortunate, did it have to be this kid?!

Suddenly, Fu Nantian’s stomach churned with frustration, his face turning green.

If he’d known it’d turn out like this, he never would’ve concocted this ridiculous “reveal-the-truth” plan. Now, not only had his reputation taken a hit, but his would-be disciple had stolen every ounce of glory—leaving him, the master, covered in dust and looking like a fool.

Who was supposed to be taking whom as a disciple here?!

What a damn joke!

Forget about impressing him—this whole thing was a disaster!

Fu Nantian's lips twitched for a long while, but not a single word managed to escape his mouth.

Yi Feng, thinking the old man didn’t believe him, offered a sincere reassurance.

"Old man, the exit is over in the passage on my side. I haven’t checked yours yet—want me to take a look so we can pick the closer one?"

Hiss!

Fu Nantian gritted his teeth in fury at those words.

A secret realm that had trapped countless prodigies for eternity, and in your eyes, it’s just a damned stroll through the gardens? Not only did you find one exit, but now you’re planning to pick the most convenient one?

Heh…

Fu Nantian glared coldly at Yi Feng, his mind flooded with ten thousand bizarre thoughts. Regret churned in his gut until, with a sudden flare of resolve in his eyes, he did the unthinkable.

He grabbed himself and slapped his own face—twice!

The sharp pah-pah rang out, leaving Yi Feng utterly dumbstruck.

Oh hell, the old man’s lost it!

Not daring to linger another second, he hauled Fu Nantian straight toward the right-hand passage.

Moving with practiced ease, he navigated the path effortlessly, calling out warnings about every twist and turn along the way. Finally, he led the ashen-faced Fu Nantian out of the so-called "Corridor of Returning Antiquity."