Chapter 327: Dark Gate Mission

Chen Fei was well aware that this kind of drama—no matter how big—would only last a couple more rounds at most.

Fortunately, that unlucky fool who jumped out at the end had let him vent his frustrations and helped him earn a total of 100,000 merit points in a single day!

A hundred thousand merit points!

That was enough to elevate a small clan into a top-tier family, able to nurture a slew of Dao Realm experts—maybe even produce a few in the Origin Realm!

But for Chen Fei, those merit points were nothing more than numbers.

After all, he had to return them all to the sect…

Just as he was passing by Lesser Emerald Mountain, Chen Fei stopped in his tracks.

A familiar figure stood before him.

“Zhan… Senior Brother Zhan Yuan?”

Chen Fei was surprised.

Zhan Yuan forced a smile onto his pale face.

“Junior Brother Chen Fei, forgive me for showing up uninvited. Cough, cough…”

No sooner had he spoken than he began to cough violently.

Chen Fei rushed forward, and only then noticed: Zhan Yuan’s chest was sunken in, the shape clearly from a fist-sized blow.

“Senior Brother Zhan Yuan! You…!”

Chen Fei was shocked.

Though Zhan Yuan had never made a move back at the Celestial Book Academy, Chen Fei could tell he was no ordinary cultivator.

Yet now, he was this gravely injured!

An ordinary cultivator would’ve collapsed long ago.

Still, Zhan Yuan managed a faint smile.

“Junior Brother, your actions at the academy helped awaken my heart. I came today to express my gratitude.”

Chen Fei was moved by his sincerity and hurriedly took out a healing pill.

“No talking, just take this!”

Without waiting for permission, Chen Fei shoved the pill into Zhan Yuan’s mouth.

It was one of Chen Fei’s own concoctions—

Because he was too poor to afford top-quality elixirs, he had to rely on self-sufficiency.

Though he didn’t have much experience in pill refining, with the aid of the Void Heaven Cauldron and the Ziqing Palace, his success rate was quite high, and the pills were very effective.

Sure enough, Zhan Yuan’s complexion visibly improved.

“Seems I owe you yet another debt.”

Zhan Yuan chuckled, unfazed.

After leaving the academy, the first thing Zhan Yuan did was challenge Duo Zhanzi—

then immediately came to Lesser Emerald Mountain to wait for Chen Fei.

It sounded unbelievable, but it was true—

Zhan Yuan had been trapped in the Celestial Book Academy for ten years, so broke he couldn’t even afford basic medicine.

Originally, he had planned to endure the pain and complete sect missions while seriously injured.

After all, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse.

Ironically, it was this very mindset that was truly terrifying.

“Senior Brother Zhan Yuan, you’re too polite.”

Chen Fei forced a smile.

“It was nothing.”

Zhan Yuan exhaled slowly.

“Junior Brother, I know you have an extraordinary heart. The battle for the Saint Heir has already begun—watch out for Duo Zhanzi.”

With that, he cupped his hands and said:

“I’ve awakened, but there are still things I can’t let go of. I’ll head down the mountain first. We’ll share a drink when I return!”

“You’re still injured! Why not wait a while longer?”

Chen Fei tried to stop him, but Zhan Yuan just waved his hand.

“No worries! When I return—we drink!”

With that, his figure vanished from sight.

Judging by his movement, the healing pill really had worked—he didn’t seem impaired at all.

Chen Fei sighed deeply.

Back at the Celestial Book Academy, they’d only exchanged a few words, yet his actions had awakened Zhan Yuan.

That alone was something worth celebrating.

Still, what exactly had Zhan Yuan gone through?

Chen Fei made a mental note to investigate one day.

Ever since Mu Yunshu’s outburst, the number of disciples in Heaven’s Apex Sacred Land had obviously decreased.

Chen Fei understood—after this incident, his reputation had skyrocketed, and who knew how many were plotting against him in the shadows.

So, he decided to go into closed-door cultivation.

His power had grown too quickly recently.

This was the perfect opportunity to stabilize his foundation.

One month later — Lesser Emerald Mountain.

Chen Fei slowly opened his eyes.

Now he understood why they say time disappears in the mountains.

Though only a month had passed, it felt like a blink.

He had not only consolidated his new cultivation realm, but also made major breakthroughs in breaking down the Ten Thousand Daos Scripture.

He’d gained a lot.

And he hadn’t even reached his limits yet.

Had it not been for the Dark Gate token activating, Chen Fei might’ve stayed immersed in training for much longer.

He read the message, then immediately left his residence for the Dark Gate.

On the way, he felt a distinct sense of desolation.

The once-busy plaza was now nearly deserted.

Thanks to his token, he soon reached Zhenwei Hall, the Dark Gate’s command post.

“You came?”

A familiar voice called out.

It was the Brute.

“You too?”

Chen Fei was a little surprised to see him.

The Brute jumped out of his seat casually.

None of the others in the hall seemed surprised—they merely turned to study Chen Fei with inquisitive eyes.

Chen Fei raised an eyebrow but remained calm, then looked toward the Brute again.

The Brute casually slung his sword over his shoulder and walked over like an old friend.

His relaxed manner caused a few people to shift their attitudes, glancing thoughtfully at Chen Fei.

“What happened? The plaza was empty, and the vibe here’s pretty heavy…”

Chen Fei asked curiously.

“So that’s why you’ve been quiet lately,” the Brute said with a strange look.

“Yeah, things blew up. The Eastern Pavilion Kingdom rebelled.

The Fire Gate Sect Master was ambushed by evil cultivators—he’s dead.”

“What?!”

Chen Fei’s pupils shrank.

The Fire Gate Master…

He was a bona fide Heaven Dao Realm expert—not your average powerhouse.

And now? Even someone at that level had fallen in battle?

Even a fool could understand what that meant.

The others in the hall had also heard the news, but none had dared say it aloud.

Fire Gate’s Sect Master was a pillar of Heaven’s Apex Sacred Land.

His loss was a massive blow to the sect’s power.

It was no surprise they avoided the topic.

Only the Brute would blurt it out so casually.

Chen Fei was deeply shaken.

Heaven Dao Realm cultivators were falling now…

Everyone had underestimated the evil cultivators.

He wanted to ask more, but just then, Wang Situ entered the hall with a grim expression.

Everyone immediately rose to their feet.

Wang Situ’s eyes swept over them.

Anyone caught in his gaze instinctively stood taller.

“You all know the situation,” Wang Situ said, voice heavy.

“The royal family of the Eastern Pavilion Kingdom has colluded with evil cultivators and killed the Fire Gate Sect Master.

There’s only one thing we need to do—eradicate them.

Burn the roots. Leave nothing behind.”

Truly worthy of the Dark Gate—

they didn’t waste time with speeches or emotions.

Just cold, clean orders.

“Avenge the fallen! Exterminate the Eastern Pavilion royal family!”

Everyone in the hall stood tall and spoke in unison.