Chapter 297: Bloodthirst

“A secret realm?!”

Eight Ghosts and the others instantly turned to look in the direction where clouds surged and energy roiled, shock flashing across their eyes.

Wang Fang’s teeth nearly cracked from how hard he was clenching them—his heart filled with frustration and dread.

If the Blood Blossom Underground Palace hadn’t opened just now, Peach Blossom Fairy might’ve still been able to hold those people back.

But now that the entrance was wide open, no one could stop them—not even her.

“Young Sect Master!”

A Blood Cloud Sect elder stepped to Wang Fang’s side, eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

Wang Fang took a deep breath. At this point, there were only two choices:

Kill Peach Blossom Fairy and her group instantly, or
Let them into the secret realm.

There was no third option.

Wang Fang hesitated—but White Lotus and the others didn’t.

“It’s Chen Fei! He slipped into the secret realm during the chaos!”

“Stop him! We can’t let him get away!”

With shouts echoing between them, White Lotus and her group darted toward the entrance without a second thought.

Chen Fei stared dumbfounded.

Since when did I become so famous that people are faking being me?!

Peach Blossom Fairy was stunned as well.

To keep Wang Fang calm, she had remained at his side and had no idea whether what the others said was true or not.

“Young Sect Master…” she said awkwardly.

But suddenly, Wang Fang’s stiff face bloomed into a smile.

“Since the secret realm opened at this moment, it must be fate. Chen Fei is a grave threat to the Sacred Gate—he must be eliminated. I wouldn’t want to sour relations with you all over something like this!”

Looking at his obviously fake smile, Peach Blossom Fairy could only nod and say:

“This is a matter of importance. Rest assured, I will report everything as it happened.”

“Many thanks, Fairy Peach Blossom,” Wang Fang said with a cupped-fist salute.

No longer wasting time, Peach Blossom Fairy rushed toward the Blood Blossom Underground Palace.

“Young Sect Master…” The elders of Blood Cloud Sect looked visibly anxious.

They had spent so long locating this underground palace. They had even avoided using spiritual energy, opting to dig slowly with manpower to prevent discovery—only for others to swoop in and steal the prize.

Who wouldn’t be furious?

Wang Fang raised his hand to silence them.

“No need to speak further. If we act outside and they escape, the Sacred Gate will be furious.

But inside the underground palace… anything can happen.”

He sneered, voice cold.

“Once you’re inside—if you run into them and get the chance—kill them.”

“Understood!”

The Blood Cloud Sect elders were brimming with bloodlust.

Though they might not be stronger than Peach Blossom Fairy’s group, if they dared to reach for fruit that wasn’t theirs—they’d better be ready to lose a hand.

Chen Fei, meanwhile, didn’t hesitate.

By now, if he wanted to slip away unnoticed, he probably could.

But that wasn’t his goal at all.

He hadn’t lingered so long in Tianshui City just to recruit Sun Wangchun. His real target was Peach Blossom Fairy’s group.

He had been waiting for a fight to break out between them and Wang Fang—so he could profit as the fisherman in a dogfight.

But he hadn’t expected things to spiral so far beyond his predictions.

Wang Fang might seem weak, but that guy could definitely put on a show.

This secret realm… was going to get wild.

Chen Fei squinted at Wang Fang like he was eyeing a fat pig.

I wonder what you’ll offer this time to stay alive, hmm?

Sensing someone staring at him, Wang Fang turned sharply.

But Chen Fei had already slipped into the underground palace with the crowd—nothing looked unusual.

Outside, one of the guards lifted his head and smirked.

“The Blood Blossom Palace, huh? Heh… after all these years, I’ve found it again. What a delightful twist of fate…”

Blending into chaos was something he was also very skilled at.

And he could already sense the presence of the person who had swallowed his finger—they were inside the palace.

—

Inside the Blood Blossom Underground Palace, Chen Fei took in his surroundings.

There were many other demonic cultivators near him, none too different in strength or appearance—so he didn’t attract attention.

“Listen up!”

A Blood Cloud Sect elder’s bark rang out.

“Search the secret realm thoroughly! Don’t worry about who gets what—everything will be collected and distributed later. Got it?!”

Chen Fei raised an eyebrow.

Huh, so they’re that well-organized? That’s going to make sneaking around a bit harder…

Still, most of the surrounding demonic cultivators were only at the early Origin Realm—evading their detection wouldn’t be hard.

“Got it!”

Everyone responded in unison and moved into preassigned areas.

Groups of three or five began searching methodically, like a grid sweep.

Chen Fei sighed. He had envisioned many ways he might get exposed, but this?

He hadn’t seen it coming.

“You! What are you standing there for?”

A Blood Cloud Sect elder glared at him.

Chen Fei sighed and spread his hands.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

“You don’t kn—wait a second. Who are you?!”

The elder finally realized something was off. His eyes went wide with horror.

“You’re Chen Fei!”

Chen Fei grinned.

“Correct! Want a prize? Here—have a sword!”

With a flash, his massive, blunt-edged greatsword appeared out of thin air and swung down at the elder’s head with a burst of howling wind.

“You dare?!”

The elder panicked. He could feel the terrifying sword intent radiating from the weapon—he didn’t dare be careless.

After all, even their Young Sect Master had suffered at this man’s hands multiple times.

He instantly summoned a blood-red armor to cover his body, while a swirling strand of blood energy coiled in his hand like liquid, shooting out to intercept the greatsword.

But he underestimated its power.

The sword cleaved through the blood energy like wet paper, and in the next moment—

BOOM!

The greatsword slammed into his skull.

“Careful!” the elder shouted, just as he noticed the entrance glow with light—Wang Fang was arriving!

Wang Fang had zero preparation. As soon as he entered, a sharp pressure surged toward him.

“Impudent!”

Wang Fang barked and flipped his hand, summoning a blood orb.

“Filthy Divine Blood!”

A torrent of blood light burst forth, dispersing the sword intent.

Only then did he take in the scene before him.

“Chen Fei!!”

Wang Fang’s eyes burned with hatred. In front of him, the Blood Cloud Sect elder had just been bisected by Chen Fei’s sword.

Chen Fei raised his head and smiled at Wang Fang.

“Wang Fang, we meet again. So… are you ready to pay for your life this time?”

Wang Fang’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles cracked.

“Chen Fei! I swear, I’ll kill you today!”