Far beyond Maplewood City.
Jueya and Gujiu, along with a group of disciples from the Four Symbols Sect, fled for over a hundred miles before finally stopping.
A disciple of the Four Symbols Sect asked, confused, "Esteemed stewards, is that young man named Ling Fan so terrifying that you two are so wary of him?"
"We didn't receive the tribute from Maplewood City this time, and we've lost so many spirit herbs. How will we explain ourselves to the Sect Master and the elders?"
Many disciples said dejectedly.
"You know nothing! We're fortunate to have saved our lives!"
Jueya said, still shaken.
The disciples of the Four Symbols Sect were greatly alarmed.
They never expected Jueya to be so afraid of Ling Fan.
"Is that person's strength truly that formidable!"
"Unfathomable! The strength of his physical body is the greatest I've ever seen, not inferior to a Martial King of the Giant Spirit Realm, perhaps even surpassing it."
Jueya exhaled deeply.
"With Gujiu and I working together, even if we can't defeat a Martial King, we are confident in escaping alive. But before this person, I don't have the courage to even try!"
Upon hearing Jueya's words, everyone from the Four Symbols Sect fell into a deep silence.
Gujiu said with a grim expression, "That brat planted demonic fire within our bodies. I tried to expel it earlier, but it was useless! Whether it's Qi or spiritual power, the moment it touches this flame, it's instantly incinerated..."
Jueya said, "We can only return and ask the elders, or even the Sect Master, to help us find a solution. Perhaps their spiritual power can resolve it..."
"Hmph! This matter cannot be let go just like this. Otherwise, where will the Four Symbols Sect's face be? Maplewood City dares not pay tribute, isn't that rebellion? If other cities follow suit, how can we manage the situation? This precedent absolutely cannot be set. And that Ling Fan must die!"
Gujiu thought about it and felt increasingly humiliated.
He said fiercely.
...
Early morning.
Morning dew still hung on the blades of grass.
Four Symbols Sect.
In the Sect Master's Grand Hall.
The daily morning meeting of the Four Symbols Sect was underway.
This was a rule set by the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect.
He said it was for everyone to listen to his teachings on martial arts and the Dao.
In reality, it was for him to brag.
All the strong individuals of the Four Symbols Sect, from stewards and above, were gathered here.
This included the eight elders of the Four Symbols Sect.
Everyone, though trying to appear energetic, still looked listless.
Only at the front of the hall, the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, Wu Zhi, fanned himself with a feather fan, speaking volubly and eloquently.
Judging by his enthusiasm, he likely wouldn't stop until the sun was high in the sky.
"Speaking of the perilous situation at that time, I believe it was unprecedented since the creation of the Upper Azure Realm! The terror of that demon far exceeded imagination!"
"The two Martial Kings of the Giant Spirit Realm responsible for guarding the Suspended Gate, Zhang Shun and Li Quan, did not even last a single move against that demon. The demon summoned a ten-thousand-zhang demonic god, which, with a single gulp, was about to refine Zhang and Li."
"I happened to be near the Suspended Gate at the time. Seeing this, I immediately moved to assist."
"Unfortunately, I was still a step too late. Pitiable, the two of them, in the Giant Spirit Realm, were thus devoured alive by that demon."
"That demon, still in a killing frenzy, intended to break into the Upper Azure Realm and wreak havoc. Upon seeing me, it immediately locked its target onto me."
"As the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, a paramount figure of the Upper Azure Realm, how could I allow him to be so presumptuous! Thus, I immediately engaged him in a desperate battle. This fight nearly shattered the Upper Azure Realm and the Suspended Gate."
Wu Zhi said with deep emotion.
An elder asked, "Sect Master, what happened afterwards? Did this demon break into the Upper Azure Realm?"
Wu Zhi looked at the speaker with great pleasure.
He cast an encouraging glance at him.
"Don't be anxious, listen to me tell it slowly!"
"I battled this demon in front of the Suspended Gate for three thousand rounds. The fight was so fierce, it was truly chaotic, with the sun and moon darkened, the heavens and earth obscured, ghosts wailing and gods crying, and blood raining from the sky..."
"Guess what!"
"This demon was repelled by me!"
The Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect said proudly.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze distant, exuding an air of a master burdened by loneliness.
"Ah, so powerful!"
"Powerful, powerful, powerful."
A group of strong individuals from the Four Symbols Sect applauded perfunctorily.
"Heh heh, if it weren't for my hesitation at the time, fearing I would damage the Suspended Gate, I would have already suppressed and killed this demon. How could I have let him escape."
The Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, Wu Zhi, said with great regret.
Just as he was about to continue his bragging.
Suddenly.
Jueya and Gujiu entered the Grand Hall.
"Sect Master! Something terrible has happened!"
Jueya prostrated himself and said.
"Ai ya, can't you see I'm conducting the morning meeting for everyone? What urgent matter could possibly interrupt this Sect Master at such a crucial juncture!"
Wu Zhi said with displeasure. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Jueya said, "Sect Master, please forgive me, but this matter is indeed urgent. I implore the Sect Master to hear me out!"
"Speak, speak! Get to the point! I dislike people being long-winded the most."
"Yes!"
Jueya quickly recounted his experience of going to Maplewood City to collect tribute, encountering Ling Fan, and finally being defeated by Ling Fan.
"What!"
"Maplewood City, relying on this person's backing, dares not pay tribute! I think the people of Maplewood City want me to bloodbath this city!"
Wu Zhi was furious.
"Sect Master, this scoundrel is truly detestable! Please take action to suppress and kill this scoundrel to eliminate future troubles!"
Jueya and Gujiu said with resentment.
"Sect Master, there's another matter. Before we left, that brat planted a wisp of flame within our bodies. We implore you to help us dissolve this fire first, otherwise, Gujiu and I will not be able to eat or sleep peacefully, and might be reduced to ashes by this fire at any moment."
"There's also this?"
Wu Zhi walked to Jueya's front, and a powerful wisp of spiritual energy emanated from him, entering Jueya's body.
Soon.
Wu Zhi's expression changed slightly.
He decisively cut off that wisp of spiritual energy, and a terrifying flame spread out from Jueya's body along with that spiritual energy.
If Wu Zhi hadn't cut it off in time, the flame would have spread to him.
"Such a terrifying spiritual fire!"
Wu Zhi said with a solemn expression.
The other powerful individuals of the Four Symbols Sect in the hall also looked shocked.
"You two just said you were merely defeated by this person. Is that true or false? Don't you two trick this Sect Master!"
Wu Zhi suddenly asked.
Jueya quickly said, "Sect Master, please rest assured, what Jueya says is absolutely true. This person's strength has not yet reached the Giant Spirit Realm, but relying on his extremely robust physical body, that's why we two were unable to defeat him."
"Hmm, this person possesses such a remarkable spiritual fire. If coupled with a strong physical body, it's understandable that you two were defeated."
Wu Zhi was relieved upon hearing that the person was not a Martial King of the Giant Spirit Realm.
If that person's strength was too terrifying.
He wouldn't dare to take such a risk.
"With your strength, Sect Master, even looking across the entire Upper Azure Realm, you are one of the few paramount figures. As soon as you make a move, no matter how ferocious this brat is, he will be easily captured!"
Jueya quickly flattered him.
Wu Zhi nodded proudly.
"Then let's go to Maplewood City. It's also been a while since this Sect Master has made a move, my hands have become a bit rusty."
In fact, even without Jueya's incident,
Wu Zhi also wanted to leave the Four Symbols Sect and venture out for a change of scenery.
The scene he witnessed before the Suspended Gate some time ago had left him with psychological trauma!
The situation that day was completely different from what he had boasted to everyone in the morning meeting.
He was friends with Zhang Shun and Li Quan, who guarded the Suspended Gate, and was on his way to visit them.
However, he saw from afar the terrifying black demonic god summoned by a young figure devouring Zhang Shun and Li Quan.
He was so scared that he turned and fled.
He didn't dare to make a move!
To this day.
That figure remained deeply etched in his mind like a brand. He wouldn't forget it even if it turned to ashes.
"I hope that demon doesn't come to the territory of my Four Symbols Sect. It's best if it goes to cause trouble for other sects, let it clash with the Heavenly Azure Sect, the Crimson Dragon Hall, and the Snow King Palace, the three major sects. May they fight to the death!"