Chapter 443 Senior Brother Arrives

The Heaven Silkworm Gu was undoubtedly Chen Fei’s most pressing problem at the moment. If he couldn’t resolve it, surviving the strange and dangerous events unfolding in Zhenbei City would become increasingly difficult.

Though the Zhenbei Army’s attitude was confusing, as long as he possessed enough strength, any conspiracy would be little more than an illusion before absolute power.

“This is what Fellow Daoist Chen requested.” Jin Buhuan handed over a storage ring to Chen Fei.

Chen Fei accepted it casually. “Refining a Heaven Hydrogen Pill is complex—it will take at least half a month.”

“There’s no rush,” Jin Buhuan said calmly. “But the materials for the Heaven Hydrogen Pill are extremely rare. I’ve only managed to prepare three full sets. I know that won’t be enough, so I’ve already arranged for additional supplies to be brought in from outside. I’ll personally deliver them when they arrive.”

Chen Fei didn’t refuse. The Heaven Hydrogen Pill was far more difficult to refine than a top-grade Great Returning Pill. Even with the Purple Purity Palace and Void Heaven Cauldron supporting him, there was no telling how many attempts he would need to succeed.

After receiving the materials, Chen Fei had no interest in lingering. He returned directly to his residence.

“This is the Black Phoenix Fruit you wanted. I’ll be entering closed-door cultivation—don’t disturb me,” he told Ji Wugou as he tossed the fruit to her.

“Hmph! As if I wanted to bother you in the first place!” she retorted, cheeks slightly flushed.

Pouting, Ji Wugou grabbed the fruit and returned to her room, while Chen Fei focused on something else entirely.

He wondered: If I enter the Purple Purity Palace, will the Heaven Silkworm Gu still summon Ji Wugou to my side?

With this question in mind, he returned to his room and entered the Purple Purity Palace—both to refine pills and to test if the Gu could still draw Ji Wugou to him.

Once inside, he began pill refinement.

Time passed quietly. Since Chen Fei had entered Zhenbei City, he’d kept a low profile. This gradually diverted the attention of the various powers within the city.

Especially during the final day of the Muhan Festival, when a fierce snowstorm struck and turned the once-bustling city into a ghost town. Everyone shut themselves indoors, afraid to step outside.

The eerie stillness made the citizens increasingly uneasy.

By the time Chen Fei emerged from the Purple Purity Palace, half a month had passed. Ji Wugou had not appeared beside him, confirming his suspicion that the Heaven Silkworm Gu couldn’t pull her into the palace.

He had also completed his alchemy.

The pill he crafted was of his own design—he temporarily named it Qi Vitality Pill. Its sole purpose: to provide abundant Qi.

As the Qi surged within him, the Heaven Silkworm Gu’s influence on Chen Fei grew weaker. His cultivation had now solidly advanced into the Human Path Realm.

If he could refine even stronger versions of the Qi Vitality Pill, he was confident he could ascend to the Earth Path Realm.

Half a month of closed-door alchemy had left him mentally exhausted. After cleaning up and checking the time, he collapsed onto his bed and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, that familiar feeling of something wrapping around him returned.

Ji Wugou, flushed red and wearing only undergarments, was coiled around him like an octopus.

Though she was flat-chested, she still made it work.

Clearly, after not being mysteriously teleported to Chen Fei’s bed for half a month, Ji Wugou had relaxed her guard—sleeping in clothes was uncomfortable, after all.

Sleepily, she mumbled, “So warm…”

Then her eyes shot wide open in disbelief.

Still, this wasn’t the first time. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Chen Fei simply pulled the blanket over her and asked, “Has anyone come looking for me recently?”

“No,” she said, clearly hesitating but ultimately answering honestly.

Chen Fei nodded. “I’m going out for a bit.”

Sensing that something outside had changed, he stepped into the courtyard and looked up at the darkened sky.

Though seemingly empty, it felt like something—or someone—was watching him.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, followed by knocking at the door.

“Come in,” Chen Fei called, flicking his wrist.

The door opened, revealing Xu Zhenyuan, who quickly approached. “Fellow Daoist Chen, your friend has returned and is requesting your presence.”

Chen Fei narrowed his eyes.

So they were finally revealing their cards? Good. At least this way, he wouldn’t feel constantly on edge while living here.

“Wait a moment.” Chen Fei returned to his room and placed two bottles on the table.

“This red one—when Jin Buhuan arrives, give it to him. As for the blue one, drink it. It should stabilize your condition and restore your Human Path cultivation.”

Ji Wugou was taken aback by the seriousness in his tone. “What are you planning to do?”

“I still have things to take care of. If I don’t return, head straight to the Goldgather Pavilion. That fat man likely already guessed your identity,” Chen Fei said with a smile.

Her eyes widened with panic. “Tch! I’ll go where I want! In fact, I’m going with you!”

“Don’t be childish,” he said firmly.

That immediately shut her up. Pouting, she muttered, “Things in Zhenbei City are too strange right now. You focus on getting stronger. Don’t worry—I’m not dumb enough to jump into a firepit knowingly.”

Satisfied she’d stay safe, Chen Fei returned to the courtyard and faced Xu Zhenyuan with a cold expression. “Lead the way.”

Xu Zhenyuan dared not delay and brought Chen Fei to the Zhenbei Army’s main camp. However, as soon as they entered the base, he led Chen Fei into a side tent rather than the central one.

Chen Fei followed silently, staying on alert the entire time.

Finally, after passing through several rows of tents, Xu Zhenyuan stopped.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, your friend is inside. I won’t disturb you further,” he said with a bow before departing.

Chen Fei raised an eyebrow.

A friend of his? One who could command the Zhenbei Army to give Chen Fei VIP treatment upon entering the city?

He racked his brain but couldn’t think of anyone with such influence.

Still, no need to guess. He would know soon enough.

Lifting the flap, Chen Fei stepped inside and immediately spotted a familiar figure. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Senior Brother Mingyuan? What are you doing here!?”

“Cough, cough…” Mingyuan was wracked with violent coughs. His face was pale, and blood still oozed from a nasty wound on his chest.

“Junior Brother Chen Fei,” he said weakly, “I’m sorry for dragging you into this. But the matter at hand is too grave—I can’t handle it alone. Perhaps, with your help, we can prevent this disaster from unfolding.”

Though Chen Fei hadn’t spent much time with Mingyuan, he had always felt that Mingyuan had a sincere and righteous heart.

He quickly stepped forward and checked his senior brother’s injury—it was serious.

“How did you get out of Mutuo back then?” Chen Fei asked. It was the question that had been weighing on his mind.

Mingyuan looked up, his eyes still pure and determined.

“That… is exactly what I need to tell you.”