Chapter 1097: Ran Away?

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of the wind gradually dissipated.

The sea of clouds left behind a deep trench, and the elders and thousands of disciples were still in a daze.

A faint murmur of disbelief could be heard.

"Ran... ran away?"

The soft voice, like the tolling of a morning bell, snapped the thousands of people out of their stupor.

The bewildered elder suddenly widened his eyes, and a look of shock spread across his face!

In just a few moments.

Several elders were trembling in fear, and the thousands of disciples were as if struck by lightning, exclaiming in unison!

"What a terrifying sword strike!"

"To defeat a Heaven-ranked expert with just a wave of the hand, the Chief is truly remarkable!"

"That sword strike... even the Palace Master might struggle to handle it, right...?"

"Senior Sister Zhongli is too strong!"

"Senior Sister Zhongli is amazing!!!"

Suddenly, cheers erupted, and the elders and disciples excitedly crowded around to offer their congratulations.

"The Chief's cultivation is unparalleled. We were worried for nothing, truly ashamed."

"Senior Sister, when did you break through to the Heaven Rank? And when did you comprehend such a terrifying sword intent?"

"Senior Sister is incredible! That Lu Caiwei couldn't even withstand a single move from you!"

"Senior Sister is my idol! Truly worthy of being the Chief of our Heavenly Palace!"

The group chattered with pride and excitement, almost completely surrounding Zhongli Meng.

That terrifying move earlier had let everyone vent their frustration.

At this moment, even though Zhongli Meng had not yet taken control of the Heavenly Palace, her prestige had reached an unprecedented height. Both the disciples and the elders present wore expressions of pride and awe.

But Zhongli Meng was still in a daze. She hadn't even processed what had happened yet, and she instinctively denied the praise being heaped upon her.

"Why are you all saying this?"

"I haven't broken through to the Heaven Rank yet..."

Her murmurs echoed, and the surroundings suddenly fell silent.

The elders looked at her with disbelief!

"You haven't broken through to the Heaven Rank?"

"Chief Zhongli can actually overpower someone of a higher rank? Such talent is truly rare in a thousand years!"

"No, no. Talents who can fight across ranks do exist in the world, but to cross a major realm and completely overpower someone to that extent... I've never heard of such a thing! Chief Zhongli's talent is unparalleled in history!"

"Sss..."

The repeated fervent remarks finally brought Zhongli Meng back to her senses.

She knew very well.

That sword strike earlier contained an unparalleled sword intent, something she was definitely incapable of producing.

But clearly, it was her who had subconsciously swung her sword to block.

Lost in thought, Zhongli Meng looked down at the sword in her hand.

The sword was simple and unadorned, much like its owner, Yi Feng, who was unassuming and approachable. It looked like an ordinary sword, yet after the intense battle earlier, the blade showed no signs of damage.

Its calm appearance made it seem as if nothing had happened.

Even her and her fellow disciples' Saint-ranked swords had been shattered by Lu Caiwei's strike, yet this sword had not only cut through Lu Caiwei's sword but remained completely unscathed!

This was too unbelievable...

Gradually recovering from her daze, Zhongli Meng stared at the sword in her hand, and suddenly, her eyes darkened as she fully regained her senses.

"My victory was entirely due to this sword!"

Instantly!

The thousands of people around her were stunned, all turning their gazes to the sword!

"All because of the sword?"

"Now that you mention it, this sword did cut through Lu Caiwei's sword. It must be of a high rank!"

"This sword is at least Heaven Rank, second grade!"

"I think it's even higher!"

The crowd, reminded by the words, instantly erupted into heated discussion, their eyes filled with both awe and fear.

The elders could hardly hide their shock and cautiously asked,

"Chief, where did this sword come from? Was that terrifying sword strike earlier entirely due to the sword itself?"

"Yes, if it was purely the sword's power, then that terrifying sword energy must have come from the sword as well!"

"If that's the case, the rank of this sword is truly terrifying!"

Before Zhongli Meng could respond, several junior brothers stared at the sword with wide eyes.

"This sword..."

"Isn't this the sword left behind by Young Master Yi?!"

"Holy crap!"

"So this sword is so powerful!"

"A Heaven-ranked sword left as a gift... Young Master Yi isn't just generous, his actions are downright terrifying!"

"No, no! With such a gesture, he can't just be a Saint-ranked cultivator!"

"No wonder he was so calm and unharmed. I was worried for nothing!"

"Perhaps... perhaps Senior Yi is a low-key expert?"

Just a few words of speculation, and the surrounding disciples and elders were completely shocked!

Although they hadn't witnessed it firsthand, from the descriptions, they could imagine that there was an incredibly powerful expert who had once crossed paths with Senior Sister Zhongli and gifted her this sword upon parting!

A Heaven Rank, second-grade or higher sword, casually given away?

What kind of background and cultivation level would one need to have such generosity and courage!

Just hearing about it, the thousands of people were left speechless!

Who exactly is this Young Master Yi?!

Not to mention the people of the Cangyun Heavenly Palace, even Zhongli Meng and the others who had experienced it firsthand were completely shaken by this revelation. The image of the mysterious Young Master Yi loomed large in their minds like a colossal shadow!

The Cloud Star...

Is far more powerful than anyone could have imagined!

After the great war a hundred thousand years ago, its strength might have only increased!

In the midst of the stunned silence.

Various speculations and thoughts swirled in their minds. Those who had been fortunate enough to meet Yi Feng were filled with fear.

Zhongli Meng carefully held the sword, feeling the weight of the pressure, but also feeling immensely grateful for the fortunate encounter she had had.

The people of the Cangyun Heavenly Palace were now deeply cautious, not daring to ask further about the sword. As for that Senior Yi, they didn't dare to mention him at all.

In an instant, the respect in the eyes of the elders and disciples increased a hundredfold.

Zhongli Meng, holding the sword and standing between two seas of clouds, seemed to embody their hopes. With the support of Elder Wei's faction and the guidance of such a terrifying expert, her future was now unimaginable.

The Cangyun Heavenly Palace had encountered a once-in-a-million-years opportunity!

...

Tens of thousands of miles away.

In an icy cave.

Lu Caiwei, on the verge of death, struggled to crawl toward the entrance of the cave.

At this moment, her clothes were tattered, her face filled with shame and anger, alternating between fear and hatred. She looked like a stray dog, a far cry from her former proud self.

Even though her figure was faintly visible through the tattered clothes, her state was so pitiful that even if someone were present, they wouldn't have any inappropriate thoughts.

Finally, she crawled into the cave, half of her body hidden in the darkness.

Lu Caiwei leaned against the icy wall, letting out a long sigh.

"Huu..."

Even though she was tens of thousands of miles away, in an icy cave where no one could find her, she couldn't hide the fear and shame in her eyes. Her delicate face twisted into a grimace!

"Why..."

"Why does that bitch Zhongli Meng also have a protective treasure?!"

As she cursed through gritted teeth, a voice of doubt echoed in her mind.

"Hmm?"

"Why have you returned to the demon's lair? You..."

Before the voice could finish its question, it suddenly turned to one of shock!

"How did you end up like this? Why is the demon sword also broken?!"

Lu Caiwei, already filled with shame and anger, felt her pain intensify at the question. Her veins bulged on her forehead as she exploded in rage.

"Hah!"

"This is all thanks to you! What kind of demonic inheritance is this? You couldn't even defeat two bitches! You've deceived me so badly!"

Seeing Lu Caiwei's bloodshot eyes and her furious curses, the voice fell silent.