Mist swirled around towering palaces, and the Moon God Pavilion flourished more than ever before. New disciples had been admitted in great numbers, and visitors came in an endless stream. Powerful cultivators could be seen everywhere, their numbers beyond count.
The disciples moving about within the sect carried themselves with newfound confidence, their vigor and youthful energy making the place all the more alluring.
Between the inner and outer sect divisions, a secluded alchemy courtyard originally designated for outer sect use was now unusually crowded. Over a hundred people waited quietly outside its gatesâmany of them Moon God Pavilion disciplesâmaking it as bustling as the residence of an inner sect elder.
Despite the closed gate and a sign that read, "No visitors unless urgent matters require," the crowd showed no signs of dispersing.
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The reason? This courtyard belonged to Alchemy Elder Feng Tianquan.
Gazing at the lively scene outside from the teahouse window of the pavilion, Hu Weifang chuckled lightly.
"Elder Feng, your reputation and prestige truly know no bounds."
The moment the words left his mouth, the old man beside him shot him a glare.
"Still cracking jokes, brat?"
"Youâre not much better yourself. If not, you wouldnât be hiding in this old manâs courtyard. Fame is a double-edged sword, after all."
Hearing this, Hu Weifang could only offer a helpless, bitter smile.
"Ah."
"Who wouldâve thought? We merely accompanied the Holy Maiden to Cloud Star once, and she, not forgetting our minor contributions, promoted us to the inner court."
"Now, with her status soaring and her cultivation breaking through, weâve somehow risen along with her, swarmed by visitors seeking favors⌠Itâs exhausting."
"Yet, our cultivation is weak, and we have no special talents to assist her. We fear we might fail to live up to her high expectations."
Though gratitude shone in their eyes, a trace of worry lingered beneath.
They had once been an ordinary elder and disciple, but in the blink of an eye, they had been elevated to great honor and status, forging an unlikely friendship in the process.
What had been a trivial gesture for Yin Xianyun was a life-changing opportunity for them. Yet, they had no way to repay her kindness, leaving them burdened with guilt and a sense of unworthiness.
Thus, though they now belonged to the inner sect, they chose to remain in the outer sect, avoiding gossip that might tarnish the Holy Maidenâs reputation.
As they chatted lightly, a sect disciple outside the courtyard announced a visitor.
Hearing the message, Feng Tianquanâs eyes flickered with surprise.
Noticing his reaction, Hu Weifang asked curiously,
"Elder Feng, is something troubling you? If thereâs any difficulty, Iâll do my best to help. And if I canât, the Holy Maiden surely wonât stand by idly."
Feng Tianquan nodded gratefully, waving a hand dismissively.
"Itâs nothing serious. We mustnât disturb the Holy Maiden."
"An old friendâs son has come to see me. I never had much interaction with him, so I suspect heâs heard the rumors and is here to seek help."
His aged face clouded with reminiscence as he sighed.
"His name is Luo Buqun. Iâve heard heâs been idle and unambitious since childhood. But his father was once close to me and entrusted me with his care before passing. I suppose I must meet him, though I donât know if itâll be for better or worse."
Understanding the delicacy of the matter, Hu Weifang simply nodded.
Before long, Luo Buqun was escorted into the Moon God Pavilion by a sect disciple. The sight of the crowd gathered outside the courtyard sent his heart racingâhis initial excitement turning to sheer astonishment.
What an unexpected windfall!
He had assumed Feng Tianquan was just an outer sect elder with little influence, so he hadnât held much hope for this visit.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined this!
The line of people seeking an audience with Feng Tianquan stretched like a dragon, numbering well over a hundred at a glance.
As he walked forward, overwhelming auras brushed past himâSaint-level experts were everywhere!
For Feng Tianquan to have so many powerful figures seeking his favor⌠his influence must be unimaginable!
Good heavens, had he just stumbled upon a colossal backer?!
Walking between the crowd, Luo Buqun trembled under the pressure of their auras, yet he couldnât suppress his rising euphoria.
Especially when he noticed the envious and curious glances cast his way by the gathered elites.
He was just the leader of a minor sectâwhat right did he have to be envied by so many experts?
At this moment, Luo Buqun felt as if he had reached the pinnacle of his life. Without anyone telling him, he knewâhe had stumbled upon a heaven-defying opportunity!
Even his wildest dreams paled in comparison!
With each step, his confidence swelled, his demeanor transforming.
From a nervous, cowering figure, he straightened his back and strode proudly into the courtyard in mere moments, his entire bearing elevated.
Only once inside did he rein in his excitement, adopting a humble expression once more.
Ascending the pavilion, he saw the white-haired elder he hadnât met in years and immediately prostrated himself, his voice choked with emotion.
"Uncle Feng! You must stand up for your nephew!"
Starting with a plea for help wasnât unexpected, but the overly familiar tone and exaggerated grief made Feng Tianquanâa seasoned and steady alchemy elderâinstantly suspicious.
His voice turned grave as he fixed Luo Buqun with a piercing gaze.
"What exactly happened? Why are you in such distress?"
Luo Buqunâs acting skills erupted on cue, tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Uncle Feng!"
"Your nephew is useless, with no talent to speak of! Iâve shamed my fatherâs name!"
Opening with a sob story while cleverly invoking his fatherâs memory struck a chord in Feng Tianquan. Even Hu Weifang watched with growing curiosity.
Luo Buqunâs face was deathly pale, his expression a mix of humiliation and grief.
"Uncle Feng, you must understand!"
"With my meager cultivation, I dared not vie for spirit-rich lands, so I founded a small sect in Falling Petal Valley just to survive. But then a tyrant appeared, colluding with local aristocratic families to oppress us with overwhelming power, even threatening to wipe out my sect!"
"Several elders have already died, our treasures plundered! Iâm powerless to resist, but I canât bear to let their deaths go unavenged! Thatâs why Iâve swallowed my pride to beg for your help, Uncle Feng! You must uphold justice for me!"
His words were flawless, his tone and expression perfectly crafted.
To sell the act further, he even forced blood to trickle from the corner of his mouth.
Hearing that his old friendâs son had lived humbly only to be bullied to this extentâwho wouldnât feel rage and guilt?
Feng Tianquanâs voice sharpened.
"Who dares act with such savagery?!"
Sensing the fury in his tone, Luo Buqun rejoiced inwardly but maintained his grief-stricken facade. With a flick of his fingers, he conjured an image in the air.
"Itâs this man! Flaunting his Saint-level cultivation, he kills, steals, and humiliates me at every turn!"
As the rippling image gradually stabilized, Feng Tianquanâs burning anger began to fadeâŚ
By the time the vision cleared completely, revealing a young, refined faceâ
In an instant!
Feng Tianquanâs aged eyes widened in shock, and Hu Weifang leapt from his chair in disbelief. Both men stared at the unforgettable visage, their pupils trembling violently.
Thisâ
This was none other than Yi Feng, the senior they had met back in Cloud Star!