Chapter 173: All Are GeniusesJealousy breeds anger.

Although Gong Qianshan was only an official disciple, far below the rank of a core disciple like Miao Yue, he never thought himself inferior to anyone. Now that he had reached the mid-stage of the Mysterious Realm and was vaguely on the verge of breaking into the late stage, he should’ve been proud.

But instead, he felt troubled.

The gap between his cultivation and Chen Fei’s was too great. Seeking personal revenge now was clearly unrealistic.

Even more frustrating was the fact that finding another opponent at Chen Fei’s level—half-step Unity Realm—was even harder!

“Senior Brother Gong, I just sent someone to gather intel. It seems that Chen Fei attended the banquet held by Saintess Miao,” said a lean man seated beside Gong Qianshan, smiling as he spoke.

“Hmm.” Gong Qianshan nodded, not surprised by the news.

However, the thought of Chen Fei sitting side-by-side with Miao Yue made him increasingly bitter.

Xu Haisheng noticed his expression and smiled subtly. “Senior Brother Gong, let me introduce someone to you. Come in!”

Gong Qianshan looked at Xu Haisheng in confusion.

Soon, a lean young man entered the room. Upon sensing the man’s cultivation, Gong Qianshan frowned. “Who is this?”

“You’ve been troubled by that direct disciple of the ancestor, haven’t you? This young man is Hu Sha, peak ninth-grade Unity Realm. But he possesses a very unique talent,” Xu Haisheng said, giving Hu Sha a glance.

Without hesitation, Hu Sha crossed his arms in front of his chest, and behind him appeared a massive white tiger.

“A bloodline talent? And quite a pure one at that!” Gong Qianshan’s eyes lit up, and a pleased smile formed on his face. He instantly understood Xu Haisheng’s intention.

“Haisheng, you always know how to ease my worries!” Gong Qianshan said, visibly satisfied. He looked toward Hu Sha and said, “Not bad. From now on, follow me. Don’t worry—you’ll get all the resources you need.”

That casual remark was enough to make Hu Sha visibly emotional.

Out in the world, he was a rising prodigy—awakened a bloodline, reached the peak of Unity Realm in just three years. Each achievement was astounding on its own. But within the Holy Land, such accomplishments meant little.

Now, having an official disciple as his backer drastically changed his prospects.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Gong! Thank you, Senior Brother Xu!” Hu Sha immediately clasped his fists. “I’ll repay your kindness with my life. I swear loyalty unto death!”

“Good, good!” Gong Qianshan chuckled and waved. “Come tonight and see the world with me. But remember—do not look where you shouldn’t. If you offend the wrong person, even I won’t be able to protect you!”

He clapped his hands and led Xu Haisheng and the others toward Miao Yue’s banquet.

A banquet hosted by a Saintess naturally required no explanation regarding its grandeur. Even though Miao Yue had not shown herself for years, no one dared be negligent.

Yet, tonight’s atmosphere was oddly tense.

Every official disciple who came to the banquet had brought along Unity Realm disciples…

As if acting with tacit understanding, everyone noticed these disciples and exchanged knowing smiles.

“Husband, looks like you’re in trouble,” Miao Yue said gleefully beside him.

“You’re still teasing me? I’ve clearly underestimated your charm. Judging by the looks in their eyes, there are quite a few here who wouldn’t mind killing me and taking my place,” Chen Fei quipped.

Miao Yue’s face flushed slightly as she recalled the scene in the bridal chamber. Back then, under the influence of her young lady’s secret art, she was unable to sense anything and had acted foolishly.

But she admitted calmly, “They’re just wishful thinkers. Husband, be careful later. These Unity Realm disciples might not appear here during normal days, but in the outside world, they’re all considered top-tier geniuses.”

“They’re geniuses? You think your husband isn’t one?” Chen Fei replied proudly.

Miao Yue glanced at Chen Fei and realized—he had changed.

With the deep bond between the young lady and Chen Fei, she had expected him to spiral into despair after her departure, realizing how far apart their worlds were.

But that never happened.

In fact, ever since he learned the young lady had left, Chen Fei hadn’t shown a trace of despair. On the contrary, he had become even more driven!

“Miao Yue, I didn’t expect you to step into the Human Unity Realm ahead of me!” came a cold voice, followed by a woman exuding an icy aura.

Her body was surrounded by shimmering ice crystals, her hair a brilliant silver, giving off an incredibly frosty presence.

“Just some fortuitous encounter while training outside. Senior Sister Leng Yue, long time no see,” Miao Yue said calmly, stepping forward.

Chen Fei instinctively glanced at Leng Yue, only to feel a piercing chill surge toward him.

“So overpowering!” Chen Fei’s heart tightened, but he didn’t retreat.

His body began trembling slightly, and inside him, the Void Heaven Cauldron suddenly vibrated, trapping the cold energy. Then his sea of consciousness shook violently, and the virtual image of the Void Heaven Cauldron started spinning rapidly.

Even then, it took three full breaths to absorb the chill.

Such pure power caused a faint rune shadow to appear in Chen Fei’s sea of consciousness—dim and unstable, as if it could disappear at any moment.

“Senior Sister Leng Yue, are you provoking me?” Miao Yue said coldly, noticing Chen Fei’s stiff body and the frost forming on his brow.

She raised her hand, aiming it at Leng Yue.

But Leng Yue remained unfazed. The ice crystals around her body danced fiercely.

“I’m fine,” Chen Fei suddenly said.

Miao Yue turned her head sharply, only to see Chen Fei shaking his head with a calm smile.

There could only be one Sect Master. Miao Yue, having vanished for years and returning now at the Human Unity Realm, had clearly overshadowed the other three Saintesses. It would’ve been strange if she weren’t targeted.

Leng Yue was slightly surprised, then said indifferently, “In the Holy Land, strength is everything. All other identities are just decoration.”

This was directed not only at Chen Fei, but at Miao Yue as well.

“Miao Yue, you should know her temper well by now. It’s been years, but you’ve grown even more beautiful,” a flirtatious voice said as a curvaceous woman in a violet robe sauntered in. Her body exuded a seductive aura.

Miao Yue immediately stood in front of Chen Fei and sent him a voice transmission:

“Husband, be careful. Don’t let that vixen trick you!”

To think that even a Saintess of the Holy Land would call someone a “vixen”—Chen Fei almost burst into laughter.

But clearly, Miao Yue was wary of this woman.

“Miao Yue, is this the ancestor’s direct disciple? Zi Yang greets you, Senior Brother,” Zi Yang smiled at Chen Fei, completely ignoring Miao Yue’s guarded posture.

Chen Fei instantly understood why Miao Yue had used that term.

The moment Zi Yang looked at him, a tightening pressure enveloped his body—especially her eyes, which felt like they could suck his very soul.

Indeed, these Saintesses were no ordinary people.

But right at the critical moment, the Void Heaven Cauldron inside Chen Fei shook violently, snapping him back to clarity.