Chapter 214: News of Qin Shuang

“Young master, there’s no need to worry too much,” Miao Yue said softly. “Although Huangwu City has fallen, most of its people were taken by Guan Tong to the area that used to be the Qinling region. However…” She hesitated noticeably at this point.

“What is it?” Chen Fei frowned.

“It’s Li Zhong… His whereabouts are currently unknown. According to Guan Tong’s report, a group of black-clad men appeared during their retreat and captured him!” Miao Yue sighed.

Chen Fei couldn’t help but recall the time when Qin Shuang, that venomous woman, gouged out his eyes and hung him at the city gate. It was Li Zhong who had risked his life to rescue him!

More than that, Li Zhong also knew some secrets about his past.

Originally, Chen Fei had planned to visit him after advancing to the Yuan Realm to ask about his origins, but things had changed drastically. With evil cultivators running rampant and Li Zhong missing, the opportunity seemed to be slipping away.

As Chen Fei fell into thought, frowning, Miao Yue hesitated a little more before continuing, “Also, someone claims to have seen Qin Shuang.”

“Qin Shuang?” Chen Fei instantly raised his head, a surge of searing hatred bursting forth. The pain of betrayal by the one he trusted most wasn’t something that could be easily erased.

Seeing his intense reaction, Miao Yue quickly added, “Young master!”

Chen Fei’s emotions came quickly but also faded fast. He took a deep breath and waved his hand. “I’m fine. Go on.”

Miao Yue’s expression turned grave. “Based on the information I have, Qin Shuang has at least reached the Yuan Realm. With her Three-Eyed Spirit Technique, she’s made quite a name for herself. If you encounter her… you must be very careful!”

“Yuan Realm?” Chen Fei was visibly surprised.

He hadn’t expected Qin Shuang to improve so quickly. He himself had the Void Heaven Cauldron and countless rare herbs to support his cultivation, and even then his progress had only just reached this point. Qin Shuang was progressing faster than him—how could that not shock him?

But shock aside, no one understood the power of the Three-Eyed Spirit Technique better than he did.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Fei made a decision. “Miao Yue, I’m going down the mountain.”

Since she chose to tell him all this, Miao Yue clearly knew what decision Chen Fei would make upon hearing it.

“Young master, you understand this well—retreating into seclusion isn’t the true path of cultivation. If we want to keep up with the young miss’s pace, we’ll need to carve a bloody path of our own.” She turned to him. “I have an important mission myself and may not be able to accompany you. Take this spirit sword I refined. If you’re in a dire situation, it can unleash my full strength once.”

Chen Fei didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted the sword. “You be careful too.”

“Thank you for your concern, young master. I believe we’ll see the young miss again!” Miao Yue smiled, then looked at him deeply. “I hope the next time we meet, you’ll be even more surprising.”

“I will,” Chen Fei nodded.

Without another word, Miao Yue turned and left. She had originally returned to the Sacred Sky Holy Land to compete for the position of the direct successor saintess. But with evil cultivators in chaos, the selection had been postponed.

This delay was her opportunity—and also the last chance for the other three saintess candidates. If they didn’t break through to the Human Dao Realm in time, then that title would undoubtedly go to Miao Yue alone.

“Qin Shuang…” After Miao Yue left, Chen Fei clenched his fists, his voice full of hatred.

But beyond that hatred was a thread of worry. Qin Shuang’s cultivation was progressing at a terrifying speed. What about their child…?

He didn’t know, but one thing was certain—he would find Qin Shuang and ask her face-to-face!

And then, he would rescue Li Zhong.

“It’s time to leave,” Chen Fei sighed. Though his time in Sacred Sky Holy Land had been short, his strength had grown rapidly.

But now, he had no choice but to leave.

His first stop was the Treasure Pavilion. While he still had merit points, they were just numbers until spent.

To prepare for unexpected challenges after descending the mountain, he began a frenzied spree.

“Void Heart Crystal? Not bad! This would be rare outside!”

“Nine-Turn Spirit Essence? Made from the Nine-Turn Cat Demon’s essence? Excellent. Taking it!”

It had to be said, spending merit points like water was enjoyable—but short-lived.

He’d only had about ninety thousand points. After giving twenty thousand to Gong Tianshou, the remaining seventy thousand vanished in no time.

“Shame I ran out! These sixth-tier elixirs are mouth-watering…” he muttered, staring at the expensive items in the exchange catalog.

Any one of these elixirs could cause a massive stir outside, though the price was enough to make anyone flinch.

With his loot secured, Chen Fei left the Treasure Pavilion.

“No wonder he’s the patriarch’s personal disciple. They say he even defeated Yuan Realm expert Liu Shan head-on—and held his ground under Dean Li’s gaze. Not something just anyone can do!”

“Yeah. Looks like he’s heading down the mountain. Next time we see him, he might already be a Yuan Realm cultivator!”

“With all those resources? He might become a high-tier Yuan Realm expert!”

This time, none of the disciples underestimated Chen Fei. They might dismiss his current level, but they couldn’t dismiss Liu Shan’s power. In front of Liu Shan, even surviving three moves would be a fantasy for most of them.

When faced with absolute power, cultivation level didn’t mean much.

Chen Fei didn’t leave immediately. He still remembered Li Hong’s punishment.

Since he had some free time, he decided to visit the Heavenly Book Courtyard.

Unlike other places, one word described the Heavenly Book Courtyard: silence.

So silent that anyone entering instinctively slowed their steps, trying not to make a sound.

“Creak…” The gate opened, breaking the stillness.

“You must be Chen Fei? We’ve received the notice from the Inspection Court. I’m Xuan Yuan, a disciple of the Heavenly Book Courtyard. Greetings, Junior Brother Chen.” The bald-headed Xuan Yuan wore Daoist robes, giving him an odd but oddly likable appearance.

He was friendly toward Chen Fei, clearly not difficult to get along with.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Xuan Yuan,” Chen Fei replied, following him inside.

The scene was different from what he expected. A clean courtyard filled with rows of stone steles, each engraved with dense characters.

Those characters seemed to possess some strange power. The moment Chen Fei laid eyes on them, his mind was drawn in completely, as if he couldn’t escape.

Xuan Yuan didn’t urge him. Instead, he smiled and waited patiently.

In Chen Fei’s mind, a cacophony of voices began to surface. The sounds were chaotic but seemed to contain hidden truths. He tried to listen, but the noise overwhelmed any meaning.

At first, it felt intriguing, but as the voices intensified, his head began to throb.

Then, the Void Heaven Cauldron suddenly vibrated.

“Dong!”

In an instant—silence.