Lian Yueting stared at the returning disciples, utterly dumbfounded.
"Sect Leader."
A group of disciples knelt on the ground, tears of joy streaming down their faces, having not seen her for years.
Disciples who had initially been reluctant to return no longer thought of leaving, as the Moon Lotus Sect was their root.
"Get up, everyone, get up quickly." Lian Yueting hurriedly called for the kneeling disciples to rise. Then, she bowed respectfully to Xia Feng, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, Young Master Xia, for your assistance. You are a great benefactor to our Moon Lotus Sect."
Lian Yueting wanted to ask but dared not. She wanted to know what exactly had happened.
Hadn't they all heard that the female disciples were captured by the Li Mo, and fed sausages daily?
And after the sausages, they ate meat? How were they all unharmed?
It was because of such rumors that the Li Mo had a terrible reputation. Some disobedient children were even threatened with the Li Mo's name and would cry in fear.
Such a demon was truly an enemy to all.
Seeing the unharmed disciples, Lian Yueting was uncertain. While she was happy, her heart was naturally filled with confusion.
Xia Feng looked at the bowing Lian Yueting and smiled. "Sect Leader Lian, it was all a misunderstanding. The Li Mo captured human disciples simply to provide them with a better cultivation environment. They were not harmed in the slightest. I have brought everyone back to you now. There are also some who do not belong to your sect; please trouble yourself to send them back."
"Let this matter end here. It will never happen again. The Li Mo has become my servant and will leave with me, so please rest assured, Sect Leader Lian."
Xia Feng casually provided an explanation, not wanting to reveal that the Li Mo had done this intentionally to find him.
There was no need to disclose such matters. It would only lead to disbelief, and a simple excuse was more convenient.
Although Lian Yueting was somewhat confused by Xia Feng's words, seeing that her disciples were all safe and sound, she decided not to dwell on it.
Regarding Xia Feng's request, she nodded. "Young Master Xia, please rest assured, I will arrange for them to be sent back."
"Good, then we shall take our leave. From now on, you need not live in fear." Xia Feng said, preparing to depart.
He had many vexing matters on his mind and did not wish to remain in the Immortal Realm. He longed to return to Earth to enjoy a few days of comfortable life.
Perhaps it was a form of avoidance, perhaps he didn't want to know about his past life.
In any case, Xia Feng's heart was filled with a myriad of emotions, a deep sense of weariness.
He teleported directly back to Taiji City from the Moon Lotus Sect. He had initially intended to find Haoting in the North Xuan Continent for a check-up, but Xia Feng now had no inclination for such matters. Knowing that the Holy Realm existed and that someone had been monitoring him, he had instantly lost the desire to inquire.
"Brother, I'm leaving them in your care. I need to leave the God Realm and return to Earth for some business. Next time I visit, I'll bring you some Maotai wine to try."
Upon arriving at the Taiji Sect, Xia Feng called Zhang Sanfeng aside and spoke to him.
"Alright." Zhang Sanfeng nodded.
He never questioned Xia Feng's affairs, as he believed Xia Feng's arrangements always had their reasons.
"It's a pity that I have been recognized by the Heavenly Dao. Otherwise, I would truly like to follow you back to Earth to take a look." Zhang Sanfeng sighed, a hint of nostalgia for his hometown, Earth.
Earth was where he was born and raised. Anyone would want to return to see it. Zhang Sanfeng, being sentimental, especially wished to revisit.
Xia Feng could do nothing about this matter.
Although he could take them into the Eastern Emperor Bell, as soon as they left the God Realm, they would be annihilated by the Heavenly Dao.
"You will return sooner or later. I have the confidence to bring you back." Xia Feng affirmed.
"Good, I believe you. To be able to return and see it once is enough." Zhang Sanfeng nodded earnestly.
"Haha... Don't be so sentimental. In the future, you can return whenever you wish, and stay wherever you please." Xia Feng chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
Zhang Sanfeng then recalled Xia Feng's mention of Maotai wine, his eyes lighting up. He asked, "The Maotai wine you mentioned, is it a fine vintage from Earth? It must taste wonderful!"
"Don't worry, it's absolutely potent and guaranteed to satisfy you." Xia Feng nodded with a smile.
"Haha, that's great then. I'll be waiting for you to bring me good wine next time." Zhang Sanfeng laughed heartily, a touch of excitement in his voice.
After chatting for a while, Xia Feng called in Wan Ming Zhi Zhu and Li Mo. He instructed them to wait for him at the Taiji Sect and informed them that he would be leaving for a while.
Looking at the two before him, he commanded, "You will temporarily stay at the Taiji Sect. I have matters to attend to and will be away for some time."
"Yes, Master." Both replied in unison.
Xia Feng then gave some simple instructions, essentially telling them to obey Zhang Sanfeng's arrangements during his absence.
After all, they were guests residing there, and he couldn't let them act like overlords just because he was at the peak of the God Sovereign realm.
Xia Feng knew that these two would not behave that way, but he still felt it necessary to make things clear.
Next, Laotian Gou and Pubu Qi entered. Looking at the two before him, Xia Feng asked seriously, "Do you know of the Holy Lord?"
The two were taken aback by the question and quickly shook their heads. "Master, we have never heard of him."
These two were his servants, and they would not lie to him. Perhaps they were merely pawns, incapable of playing any significant role, and thus would not know of the Holy Lord's existence.
"Good, you may leave now." Xia Feng waved his hand.
"Yes, Master." Laotian Gou and Pubu Qi left with puzzled expressions.
Who this Holy Lord was, they truly did not know, but judging by Xia Feng's demeanor, it seemed to be quite important.
The last person to enter was Mu Yun Chen. Looking at the beautiful woman before him, who still considered him her husband, Xia Feng's tone softened considerably. "I will be leaving for a while, not for too long. You will stay at the Taiji Sect temporarily. I have already mentioned this to True Master Zhang."
"Husband, I will wait for you here to return." Mu Yun Chen nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on Xia Feng.
"Mm, during this time, you can seek guidance on cultivation from True Master Zhang and the other three God Sovereigns. They will teach you diligently." Xia Feng reminded her.
"Alright." Mu Yun Chen nodded.
Then, as if summoning great courage, she lifted her head and looked at Xia Feng earnestly, saying, "Husband, may I have a hug?"
"Mm, you may."
Xia Feng pondered for a moment before finally agreeing.
He did not dislike Mu Yun Chen, and she had indeed chosen him by catching the embroidered ball. He would consider it fate.
At the very least, when they were in the desolate void, she, a delicate woman, was willing to die for him, which showed genuine sincerity. Xia Feng did not want to fail her. For now, he would take things one step at a time and find a place to settle her the next time he visited.
Upon receiving Xia Feng's consent, she rushed into his embrace, her soft body sinking into his arms. Mu Yun Chen wrapped her arms around Xia Feng's waist, her cheek pressed tightly against his shoulder.
Xia Feng's hands were unsure where to rest. In the end, he simply placed them on Mu Yun Chen's shoulders.