Chapter 201: The Path of Cultivation

Including Chen Fei, everyone was gathered together in a tight circle.

Soon, Miao Yue, accompanied by Ziyang and the others, took out a golden orb and tossed it into the air.

“Don’t panic. This is a magic artifact used to detect demonic aura. When bathed in its golden light, all you need to do is relax your mind,” Miao Yue’s voice echoed calmly in everyone’s ears.

The orb slowly rotated, casting gentle golden rays down upon the group.

Chen Fei, curious, even reached out to touch the light. The moment the light touched his hand, a warm sensation spread through him.

Seeing Chen Fei’s curiosity, Miao Yue explained further, “This light is highly sensitive to demonic energy. If any is present, it will trigger a strong reaction!”

No sooner had she spoken than a cold and eerie aura suddenly rose from the crowd.

Everyone instinctively turned to look.

A disciple stood frozen in place, eyes filled with panic, unable to move even an inch.

“I… I didn’t do anything! What is going on?!”

Everyone immediately distanced themselves from him. In the current climate, the Tianqing Holy Land was extremely sensitive to demonic cultivators. Feeling the demonic fluctuations, Mu Yun Su had quickly returned.

“Possession? How dare you act so recklessly in my Tianqing Holy Land!” Mu Yun Su’s voice rang out with fury.

Tianqing Holy Land—so revered and sacred—was now seemingly riddled with infiltration. She would leave no stone unturned this time in cleansing the sect from within!

Mu Yun Su raised her hand, and a cold force locked the disciple in place.

“Must you be so angry, Sect Master Mu? I’m merely a messenger—not worth your personal attention,” a cold, eerie voice suddenly replaced the disciple’s own.

Chen Fei glanced at him, unimpressed.

This guy’s got guts… Daring to provoke a Heavenly Dao cultivator to her face—and calling her old on top of it? Guess your ancestors haven’t been disturbed enough lately, huh?

Just as Chen Fei was looking at him like he was already dead, the possessed disciple turned to him.

“Chen Fei, right? My young sect master sends his regards. He says… what happened that day will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!”

Chen Fei chuckled coldly. “Then make sure your young master brings enough treasures next time. If he can’t even afford his own life, don’t blame me.”

At his words, the expressions of those in the Holy Land finally softened.

The humiliation of being provoked at their doorstep had left everyone bitter. But Chen Fei’s response stomped the enemy underfoot. Many formal disciples glanced at Chen Fei with surprise.

So this personal disciple isn’t as useless as the rumors said. Low cultivation? So what? Haven’t we all been there? With this kind of resolve, give him time, and who can say he won’t surpass us?

Even Mu Yun Su let a faint smile show on her stern face. “Since Chen Fei has said so, I’ll spare you—for now. Go tell the Blood Cloud Sect’s master, I’ll come find him myself soon.”

Without giving the enemy a chance to respond, Mu Yun Su pressed her hand down. An immense pressure bore down on the possessed disciple.

With a scream, blood flowed from his seven orifices and he collapsed to the ground.

“Take him to the medical ward!” Mu Yun Su commanded, then turned to Chen Fei. “The Patriarch wants to see you. Come with me.”

Everyone turned instinctively to look at Chen Fei.

Gong Tianshou and Dong Feng exchanged glances, grinning.

It was obvious now—after this encounter, Chen Fei’s status among the outer disciples was solidified. While outer disciples had little authority now, many future formal disciples would rise from their ranks.

And with all the treasures they collected in the secret realm—even though few survived—those who did would certainly have enough to qualify for advancement!

Chen Fei didn’t seem surprised.

He hadn’t seen the Tianqing Patriarch during his initial entry. Now, it seemed, he finally had a chance to meet the one said to be the strongest being in the Xuanhuang Continent.

Mu Yun Su’s attitude toward Chen Fei had clearly shifted. “Your performance in the Xianle Secret Realm was commendable. If not for you, the outer disciples might’ve been wiped out.”

Just as Chen Fei was about to humbly decline, Mu Yun Su delivered her reward.

“Register at the Treasury later. You’ve earned 10,000 merit points.”

Ten thousand merit points?

Chen Fei didn’t even hesitate for a second. Any delay would be a disservice to the points!

“Thank you for the generous reward, Sect Master!” He accepted it promptly—taking the benefits first was the smart move.

Mu Yun Su looked at him approvingly.

This kind of mindset wouldn’t suffer in this world. And for him to be chosen as that person’s future husband, he clearly wasn’t ordinary.

They arrived at the secluded cultivation site of the Tianqing Patriarch.

Mu Yun Su nodded at him. “Go in.”

Chen Fei stepped into the mountain cave.

The cave was barren, lacking any sign of habitation. If Mu Yun Su hadn’t brought him, he might’ve suspected this was a trick.

But at a turn in the passage, a grand palace suddenly appeared before him.

Built entirely within the cave, this majestic hall had a plaque hanging over it that read Cloudtop Heavenly Palace.

“A bit overwhelming, huh?” The Patriarch of Tianqing Holy Land had somehow appeared beside Chen Fei without a sound.

Chen Fei nodded instinctively. “It really is. But why build the Cloudtop Heavenly Palace here?”

“I don’t know,” the Patriarch replied, shaking his head.

Chen Fei turned toward him, confused.

The Patriarch smiled. “Do you know the origins of the Tianqing Holy Land?”

Chen Fei’s eyes lit up. “Are you saying… this Cloudtop Palace is a relic of ancient immortals?”

“Yes… and no.” The Patriarch nodded. “From what I can tell, it’s a replica—built by someone imitating an immortal.”

Chen Fei looked on with growing interest.

“The heavens didn’t shut down overnight. Something must have gone wrong. The original Cloudtop Palace was likely destroyed. The surviving immortals might’ve rebuilt it here,” the Patriarch said, leading Chen Fei to a large plaza ahead.

Though unsure why the Patriarch was sharing this with him, Chen Fei was eager to listen and followed curiously.

“To this day, reaching the peak of cultivation means achieving the Heavenly Dao realm. But I believe—there is something beyond even that,” the Patriarch said solemnly.

Chen Fei pondered. “The Immortal Realm?”

“I don’t know. Maybe one day, someone will find the answer.” The Patriarch stopped walking. “The reason I called you here—and told you all this—is to make one thing clear: the path of cultivation is full of hardships. For most, seeing the road ahead is a burden.”

“But perhaps you’re the exception.” The Patriarch looked at Chen Fei. “I don’t know what agreement you have with her… but if you truly want to pursue it, know that the road ahead will be hard. Whether or not you walk it—that is for you to decide.”

Chen Fei’s expression shifted ever so slightly.

Su Ran… Has she already gone that far ahead of me?