After a filling meal in the space, everyone finally felt alive. It had only been a few days since they last returned to the space, yet it felt like they had been away for ages, like wanderers returning home. Unbeknownst to them, the space had become everyone's home. Being back felt relaxing and comfortable!
They were all sitting in the tea room, drinking tea, when Chao Yangzi began recounting what happened after Ju Xuan entered the secret realm. Knowing that Tian Ji and Chong Zhong Lao Ren had already rushed to Xiandu City, everyone unanimously decided to depart immediately. Except for the Dragon God and the slumbering Xiao Bai, everyone else left the space and boarded the Purple Bamboo Boat.
It was already dark outside, so they set off that very night. The Purple Bamboo Boat’s formation had been upgraded, so they didn’t need to worry about getting lost in the dark.
They encountered no further trouble on their journey. After flying for an entire night, dawn broke to reveal an unknown mountain range. Xiandu City was still three cities away. They planned to rest on the spot. Ayou and Xiao Wangyou were already up and busy in the kitchen.
This time, when Ju Xuan and the others left Dushan, only Qu Biyao and Tu Yue knew. No one else was aware of their movements. The Purple Bamboo Boat was traveling at its highest speed; they had already been delayed for too long, having spent nearly a year in the secret realm and more than two months in the outside world. Ju Xuan and Feng Chu had compressed their cultivation realms. Otherwise, they would have faced tribulations and ascended on the spot!
Upon emerging, Chao Yangzi immediately sent a message to An Shi, instructing him to continue monitoring the Assassin Hall. The previous time, the Assassin Hall had deliberately spread rumors that Zun Shang and the others had entered Dushan and obtained treasures. If their current whereabouts were leaked, they would attract ill-intentioned individuals all along the way. As the saying goes, "Possession breeds jealousy." One should not underestimate any force, as some would go mad for the sake of so-called great treasures!
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Feng Chu asked, shaking his jade fan as he noticed Chao Yangzi’s somber expression.
“Did you all raid an Assassin Hall branch last time?” Chao Yangzi replied with a question instead of an answer.
“How did you know about that?” Feng Chu asked in surprise.
“The Assassin Hall found out it was you. After you entered Dushan, they frantically searched for your whereabouts. Upon learning you had entered Dushan, they used a borrowed knife to kill, spreading rumors that you found the Dushan secret realm and obtained treasures that would allow for ascension,” Chao Yangzi explained without concealment.
“How dare they scheme against us!” Feng Chu was furious upon hearing this. It seemed that raiding just one branch hadn't taught them a lesson!
“Don’t worry! I have a plan!” Ju Xuan happened to be looking for them and overheard the entire conversation.
“Zun Shang, what is the method to hide our journey?” Feng Chu eagerly pressed.
“Qingyang, do your people know where the Assassin Hall has other branches?” Ju Xuan asked Chao Yangzi instead.
“There’s an Assassin Hall branch in Wuxie City, three thousand li from here. However, the hall master there is said to be skilled in setting up formations and illusions! Eliminating him will be a bit troublesome.” The Chaotian Immortal Sect’s ability to stand tall for ten thousand years was directly related to its timely grasp of the distribution of major forces. The relationships between various sects were intricate, and they cast covetous eyes on the resources of the Chaotian Immortal Sect for their own cultivation resources. As the young sect master, how could he not understand the rising forces on the Tianchen Continent?
“No, we won’t eliminate him; we’ll give him a gift! A grand gift!” Ju Xuan’s lips curved into a smile, as if he were casually sending a gift to a good friend.
“Why? Not eliminating him and even giving him a gift? Are we that cowardly?” Feng Chu was perplexed.
“Let’s go, it’s time to eat. I came to find you for a meal,” Ju Xuan said with a meaningful smile.
“Go back and read more books. Don’t think you’re learned just because you carry a fan!” Chao Yangzi appraised Feng Chu, his tone nonchalant. With that, he followed Ju Xuan away.
Feng Chu was left alone, bewildered. A moment later, Feng Chu roared and chased after them. What was that look in that dog’s eyes! Come and fight!
The two immediately started fighting, flying out of the boat and exchanging fierce blows. Feng Chu’s attacks missed several times, and in his frustration, he focused on Chao Yangzi’s lower body. Chao Yangzi was caught off guard by his sneaky, low-blow tactics and almost got hit. Enraged, he lost his composure and cursed loudly:
“Feng Chu, you scoundrel, since when did you become so vulgar? You really haven’t read enough books!”
“You’re the scoundrel! When dealing with someone as foul-mouthed as you, what does it matter what moves I use, as long as it’s effective?” Feng Chu had long disliked him and was using this opportunity to vent his pent-up anger through a fight.
“What’s going on? Why did they suddenly start fighting?” Ji Chenmu came out with his rice bowl.
Ju Xuan rubbed his forehead. These two were still the same as ever; they couldn’t go a moment without bickering. She couldn’t be bothered with them. Eating was more important.
Ji Wuye was sitting at the table, slowly eating his breakfast. Seeing Ju Xuan enter, he picked up a steamed bun and placed it in her bowl.
“Thank you, Brother!” Ju Xuan said gratefully, taking a bite of the steamed bun.
“What’s there to be polite about? Eat quickly, it’ll get cold,” Ji Wuye continued to place other dishes into Ju Xuan’s bowl.
“Brother, don’t push yourself too hard lately. Cultivation is not achieved overnight,” Ju Xuan knew that her brother had been cultivating day and night to improve his cultivation. If she hadn’t insisted he come out for breakfast, he would still be in seclusion.
“Brother knows,” Ji Wuye replied verbally, but he continued to push himself in his heart. He thought about how his cultivation was low in the secret realm and how his sister had to charge ahead to protect him. He felt useless.
“Alright, I know! Aren’t you going to manage those two outside?” Ji Wuye changed the subject.
“I won’t. It would be abnormal if those two weren’t fighting,” Ju Xuan picked up her bowl and drank some spirit rice porridge.
Chao Xiangzi was not at the dining table; he was still in seclusion. Qi Mo ate with his head down. This was when the food tasted the best. Since those two weren’t eating, he could eat more. After all, as a divine beast, this amount of food was nothing to him. The Water Spider couple were in seclusion in the space and were not on the boat. Ayou and Xiao Wangyou had recently stopped eating at the table, having already eaten their fill in the kitchen. Steward Zhu had also finished eating and had sent a message to Tian Ji. He was also responsible for piloting the Purple Bamboo Boat. He was more familiar with the outside routes than Ju Xuan, so it was more convenient for him to be in charge.
“Haha, that was brilliant! Young Master Feng, keep it up! Yes, attack his left side,” Ji Chenmu’s excited voice could be heard. He was more familiar with Feng Chu, so he naturally sided with him.
“Brother, Brother Chenmu, you’re enjoying the show so much. Do you think you’ll get beaten later?” Ju Xuan knew that Chao Yangzi was a very petty person ever since she regained her memories. In modern terms, he was a dark-bellied, white-skinned person with a sesame filling, and his show wouldn't be enjoyable.
“He deserves a lesson. His cultivation is still lower than Xiao Wangyou’s. Letting Young Master Chao discipline him will help increase his cultivation. It’s a good thing!” Ji Wuye didn’t pay attention, only continuing to put food in Ju Xuan’s bowl.
“Heh heh!” Ju Xuan found her brother’s words amusing. This was a plastic brotherhood!
“Ah! You beast, how dare you hit my face! I won’t forgive you!” Feng Chu suddenly yelled. Chao Yangzi had landed a punch on his eye socket, and there was no doubt it would be bruised. His face, which he was most proud of, had been targeted by that scoundrel Qingyang out of jealousy for being handsomer than him, which was why he always went for his face.
“Phoenix Tail Swing, go!”
“Gentle Breeze Ten Styles, Break!”
As they fought outside, techniques suddenly began to fly. Ji Chenmu was so frightened that he immediately ran into the hall. Oh my, it was too brutal…