Chapter 1070: Times Have Changed

At the crossroads of Bloody Hills.

Beside the tent, Zhongli Meng anxiously looked around, waiting.

Finally, Song Xugu appeared, but there was still no sign of Yi Feng. She hurriedly approached to inquire.

"Uncle Song, have you seen Young Master Yi?"

Song Xugu slowly shook his head, his expression grave.

"I couldn't find him. Perhaps..."

Before he could finish, both of them understood. Yi Feng had been missing for days, and on the demon-infested planet of Shui Han, it was likely that he had met his demise.

Zhongli Meng, however, remained resolute, interrupting the grim speculation.

"Uncle Song, no matter what, I will wait for Young Master Yi to return."

Seeing his niece's unwavering determination, Song Xugu could only sigh quietly.

He knew Zhongli Meng's character well. Despite being a woman, she possessed extraordinary righteousness and always acted with a clear sense of justice. How could someone like her abandon Yi Feng?

The two waited for a long time, and gradually, the other disciples returned.

Almost all of them wore somber expressions, their spirits low.

No matter how many times Zhongli Meng asked, the answers were all similar.

"Senior Sister, I searched the western river valley for a thousand miles, but I never saw any trace of Young Master Yi."

"I looked for him in the southern ice plains for several days, but he wasn't there."

"Same here."

"I couldn't find him either."

"Senior Sister, we've searched everywhere for Young Master Yi. If he's still alive, he might have gotten lost, perhaps even ventured deep into Shui Han."

"Brother Liu is right. We've searched for half a month with all our might, but we still can't find Young Master Yi. If he hasn't gotten lost, then he's probably..."

The euphemistic words cast a pall over the group, the atmosphere heavy with gloom.

Even though they had only met briefly, Yi Feng's kindness and chivalry had left a deep impression on them. Even though he was missing, they couldn't bring themselves to give up the search.

After half a month of searching, they had a bad feeling.

In the center of the group, Zhongli Meng's brows were tightly knit, as if she still refused to give up, her lips sealed in determination.

Seeing her like this, Song Xugu, as her elder, felt compelled to remind her.

"Niece, we've been here for half a month. The chaotic energy and demonic aura of Shui Han are too strong. If we stay any longer, we'll be corrupted by the demonic energy. We've made some gains from this demon hunt. It's time to return."

His heavy words hung in the air. Zhongli Meng bit her lip lightly, but in the end, she had no choice but to agree.

"It seems we have no other choice."

"Let's return to the Heavenly Palace first and remember this debt of gratitude. When we have time, we'll go to Yunxing to find Yi Feng's friends and family, and do our best to repay and comfort them..."

The group nodded, engraving the image of that humble and modest young man in their hearts, their eyes filled with regret.

In the blink of an eye, the tents were gone, and the campfire was extinguished.

The flying ship set sail, streaking across the sky like a beam of light.

Far in the distance.

Wei Zhenfang rushed over, his severed arm bandaged and hanging in front of him, his eyes filled with anxiety, muttering to himself.

"Why can't I find her..."

"No matter what, I must find Zhongli Meng and befriend her! If I fail in this, and the senior holds me accountable, the consequences will be unimaginable..."

"Zhongli Meng must not lose. This is the senior's will, and no one can defy it!"

He sped up again, his anxiety mounting.

For days, he hadn't even had time to hunt a single demon, spending all his time searching for Zhongli Meng's trail. But no matter how hard he looked, he never encountered her group.

After much thought, he concluded that the group must have split up!

Zhongli Meng had dared to divide her forces on Shui Han, sending her people to hunt demons separately. Such boldness was something even men would admire.

No wonder the senior had taken an interest in her. She was truly extraordinary.

After witnessing Yi Feng's terrifying cultivation, any outlandish speculation about Zhongli Meng seemed reasonable to Wei Zhenfang. He no longer dared to underestimate her.

Even though half a month had passed without finding her, his desire to befriend her only grew stronger.

Just as he was about to speed off again, a beam of light rose into the sky, disappearing into the vast expanse of stars!

"Whoosh!"

Wei Zhenfang stopped in his tracks, looking up at the light.

After a closer look, regret and urgency filled his eyes.

"Is that... the flying ship of the Cangyun Heavenly Palace?"

"Oh no, Miss Zhongli and her group have already left. What should I do now!"

His heart was in turmoil, and he was so anxious that he almost wanted to chase after them.

But the flying ship belonged to the Cangyun Heavenly Palace, no ordinary vessel. Once it left Shui Han, it could enter the void and return. Even if he pushed himself to the limit, there was no way he could catch up.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Wei Zhenfang was on the verge of shouting out loud!

Just then, a gentle voice transmitted into his mind.

"Everyone, please return to the flying ship. It's time to head back to the Cangyun Heavenly Palace!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Wei Zhenfang had no choice but to bite his lip and look away.

Fu Haotian's voice was the final call to depart. Without the flying ship, given his severely injured body, there was no way he could leave this place.

If he were to be further corrupted by the demonic energy and spatial turbulence, he would likely perish here!

Reluctantly, Wei Zhenfang turned and sped towards the rendezvous point.

After what felt like an eternity.

On the frozen coast tens of thousands of miles away, a group of over twenty people stood waiting, engaged in heated discussion.

Most of them were elderly, exuding terrifying auras, their demeanor and speech extraordinary. Beside them lay over a thousand demon corpses, enough to make anyone's jaw drop.

In the center of the group.

Fu Haotian, dressed in luxurious robes, stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable, patiently waiting.

Suddenly.

A beam of light streaked down from the sky, and a bald old man stepped forward.

Seeing Wei Zhenfang appear, the group turned their attention to him. When they noticed his severed arm, their eyes met subtly, and complex emotions began to flicker in their gazes.

Fu Haotian, however, remained calm and immediately stepped forward to greet him with a clasped fist.

"Old Wei, we've been waiting for you for a long time."

He didn't ask about the results of the demon hunt, instead starting with a warm greeting.

Then, with a look of surprise, he asked with concern.

"Old Wei, how did you end up so severely injured? I feel ashamed. For the sake of a momentary dispute, you've suffered such grave injuries. I truly feel uneasy!"

"Here are two Heaven-grade healing pills. Please, Old Wei, do not refuse them!"

As he spoke, a luxurious storage ring flashed, and a small brocade box was presented with both hands.

His words and actions were impeccable, the very image of a righteous young master.

The experts present looked on with admiration.

Their eyes swept over the brocade box, and a hint of greed flickered in their gazes.

Before Wei Zhenfang could respond, the experts began to speak up one after another.

"Young Master Fu's magnanimity is truly admirable. It is our great honor to have been able to serve you!"

"Young Master, your benevolence makes you the perfect candidate to lead the Heavenly Palace!"

"Young Master, there's no need to feel guilty. We agreed to come and assist, and we were prepared for casualties. We came willingly!"

"These two Heaven-grade pills should be enough to heal Brother Wei."

"Haha, Heaven-grade pills are so precious. Brother Wei, you've really turned misfortune into fortune. But I wonder, did you fulfill your duty to assist? How many demons did you slay?"

Amidst the praise, there were also veiled jabs. The experts' attitudes were extremely pragmatic.

Though they usually called each other brothers, faced with the temptation of Heaven-grade pills, their greed surfaced, and many were quick to kick a man while he was down.

Fu Haotian pretended to be displeased and glanced at the crowd, but he didn't voice his disapproval.

Instead, he turned back to Wei Zhenfang and spoke with deep concern.

"Old Wei, please don't take it to heart. The seniors are just concerned and mean no harm. The demon hunt is of little importance. As long as you return safely, nothing else matters!"

Fu Haotian's words elicited even more admiration from the crowd, but they also cast subtle, appraising glances at Wei Zhenfang. Their faces wore restrained smiles, but their expressions were much colder, as if they were looking at a useless person.

The group was utterly hypocritical.

In the past, Wei Zhenfang had been no stranger to such an atmosphere. The strong ruled, and the weak were only fit to be mocked and looked down upon.

But now that it was happening to him, he felt it deeply.

Damn it, what a bunch of petty people!

Not only were they insincere, but they also looked down on others!

If this had happened in the past, he would have flown into a rage on the spot. But after witnessing the true demeanor of a senior expert, Wei Zhenfang's mindset had undergone a profound change.

In his eyes, these so-called friends were no longer worth his time. Even the much-praised Fu Haotian now seemed nothing more than a hypocrite.

Compared to the senior, these people's cultivation and demeanor were worlds apart!

Times had changed.

Wei Zhenfang no longer wished to associate with such people. His horizons had broadened immensely.

Remembering that he still needed to board the flying ship, he forced a smile and spoke.

"Haha, I was severely injured because I ventured deep into the frozen forest and encountered a Heaven-grade demon! After a long battle, I barely managed to win."

"Young Master Fu's mission is something I take more seriously than anyone else!"

His words caused the crowd's expressions to shift.

Fu Haotian was also taken aback, suddenly unsure how to respond.

Wei Zhenfang had dared to enter the frozen forest?

That was the heart of Shui Han. With Wei Zhenfang's cultivation level, how could he have survived?

The other experts were also stunned, and the scene fell into silence.

With just one sentence, Wei Zhenfang had silenced everyone. He deeply felt the gap in their perspectives. To these petty people, Heaven-grade was the pinnacle of power.

But he knew that the senior's cultivation far surpassed Heaven-grade!

Seeing the crowd's shock and awe, Wei Zhenfang's old face didn't even redden.

He continued confidently, standing tall.

"Hmph. I ventured deep into the frozen forest for Young Master Fu and fought eight Heaven-grade first-tier bird demons. Even though I lost, I believe I am still worthy of these two pills, right?"

"If you don't believe me, you can go and check. You might still find the bloodstains and craters."

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd, and everyone's faces were filled with astonishment.

His words were firm and left no room for doubt.

Seeing Wei Zhenfang's severed arm, even if there were still doubts, the crowd was already eighty percent convinced. At the same time, they were deeply impressed by Wei Zhenfang's hidden strength.

Who would have thought that Old Wei could fight eight Heaven-grade bird demons?

Losing an arm but surviving was enough to make him stand above the rest!

This man's cultivation must be above Heaven-grade first-tier!

Fu Haotian immediately presented the pills, his smile becoming several times warmer.

"Old Wei, why would you say such a thing? You returned injured, and it's only right that I offer you these pills!"

The others also chimed in, their eyes now filled with a hint of respect.

Amidst the flattery, Wei Zhenfang strode proudly onto the flying ship. No matter how friendly others were, he remained aloof, exuding the demeanor of a true expert.

Just hearing that he had fought Heaven-grade first-tier bird demons was enough to change their attitudes.

Damn it, what a bunch of trash!

If they had seen the senior's demeanor, they would have been scared out of their wits, licking the soles of his shoes clean!

How could such people even think of competing with Miss Zhongli, who had the senior's support?

Hmph.

Amidst the crowd's awe and envy, Wei Zhenfang naturally took the pills, his eyes already beginning to show disdain.

The others also found it perfectly reasonable.

It was as if they were witnessing a master revealing his true power.

Even though Wei Zhenfang hadn't produced any demon corpses, Fu Haotian, the leader, remained respectful, even more so than before. He now regarded Wei Zhenfang as one of the major gains of this expedition.

Amidst the laughter and flattery, the flying ship disappeared into the sea of stars.