Ever since leaving the Black-Raven Secret Realm, Lan Feier had been unable to eat well, sleep well, or muster any enthusiasm for anything these past few days. She was on the verge of a breakdown, deeply worried that the incident might become public knowledge. She desperately wanted to find that fellow and give him a good thrashing to vent her frustrations.
Alas, she did not dare.
She knew she was no match for him. More importantly, she didn't know how to face it—or more precisely, she felt utterly humiliated and deeply wounded in her pride.
Especially when she recalled how, unable to bear it any longer that day, she had actively thrown herself into his embrace, only to be rejected.
Every time she remembered this, Lan Feier felt an urge to end her own life.
It was too humiliating, too damaging to her self-esteem!
"Feier, you... is something troubling you?"
Perhaps noticing Lan Feier's low spirits, Zhuo Feng asked with concern.
"Troubling me? No."
Lan Feier shook her head slightly and continued walking forward.
"Hehe... This is the Heart-Locking Azure Flame Array..." Zhuo Feng began showcasing his knowledge of formations again, which greatly annoyed Kang Zhengqi, who had been following beside Lan Feier.
He also admired Lan Feier. Although he had been rejected before, that didn't mean he had given up. Watching Zhuo Feng incessantly flaunt his formation expertise without any sign of stopping, Kang Zhengqi could no longer stand it. He smiled with ill intent.
"I heard that Young Lord Zhuo Feng not only had his sarira snatched away in the Black-Raven Secret Realm but was also beaten until he was covered in blood... So? Have you found that person yet? Do you need our Fengyun Branch Hall to help you look?"
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."
Zhuo Feng responded with a faint smile, "Moreover, I've said it more than once already—I was not injured by anyone. I was merely wounded by the Buddha Aura while contending for the sarira. That person simply took advantage of the situation during our struggle, reaping the benefits like a fisherman."
As the leader of the Nine Young Masters of the Fire Cloud Branch Hall, having his sarira stolen was already a great loss of face.
If it were also known that he had been beaten until covered in blood, that would be even more humiliating.
If people learned he had been injured by the spiritual power of someone with mere Purple Palace cultivation, it wouldn't just be a matter of losing face—he might never be able to hold his head up again. Therefore, he had long ago agreed with Ye Rou of the Fenghui Sect on a unified story: they were injured by the sarira's Buddha Aura. At least that could preserve some dignity.
"Hehe... Injured by the sarira's Buddha Aura? You certainly know how to find an excuse."
Kang Zhengqi sneered, "Do you think I wasn't inside when the Black-Raven Secret Realm underwent its transformation? Let me tell you, I was there. Not only was I there, but I can also tell you that at that time, each of the eight ancient pagodas in the Black-Raven Secret Realm contained a sarira. Hehe..."
"Oh?" Zhuo Feng truly hadn't expected this.
"Ha! As it happens, I was also in another ancient pagoda at the time and personally witnessed a sarira. The sarira indeed contains Buddha Aura, and the Buddha Aura is indeed powerful. But it's only powerful—it possesses no offensive capability whatsoever. It merely inspires awe in one's heart and causes no actual harm to the physical body!"
Seeing Zhuo Feng fall silent, Kang Zhengqi became even more convinced his guess was correct and mocked triumphantly, "If you got beaten, you got beaten. Why be so hypocritical about it?"
Zhuo Feng's expression remained unchanged, his breathing steady as he calmly replied, "I said I was injured by the Buddha Aura. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."
"Still stubborn even now..." Kang Zhengqi wanted to expose Zhuo Feng's hypocritical facade in front of Lan Feier, but the other Fire Cloud Young Masters were displeased. They stepped forward one after another to support Zhuo Feng. The first to step out was Jingtao, who said, "Kang Zhengqi, my elder brother has always been an upright and honorable person. If he says he was injured by the Buddha Aura, then he was injured by the Buddha Aura. Don't measure the heart of a gentleman with your own petty standards."
As soon as the words fell, Kang Zhengqi glared furiously at Jingtao and rebuked, "Jingtao, what are you, to think you're worthy of speaking to me? Zhuo Feng got beaten and dares not admit it, and what about you? I heard that at the Bingxuan Sect, you were struck down by that nouveau riche surnamed Gu with a single move, unable to even stand up. If you Fire Cloud Branch Hall don't find that shameful, we of the Fengyun Branch Hall feel ashamed for you!"
"Kang Zhengqi! What did you say?!"
The incident at the Bingxuan Sect was a scar in Jingtao's heart that was difficult to soothe. He was originally one of the lofty Fire Cloud Nine Young Masters, but ever since being defeated by Gu Qingfeng with a single move at the Bingxuan Sect, his reputation had plummeted. Whenever outsiders discussed Gu Qingfeng, they would mention how he was beaten. His rivals especially used this incident to mock him relentlessly.
Now Kang Zhengqi had brought it up again. How could Jingtao not be furious?
Kang Zhengqi continued his mockery, "Is what I said wrong? You Fire Cloud Branch Hall are all a bunch of overrated turtles hiding in their shells. Beaten half to death in front of so many people, and then you don't even dare to utter a peep afterward. And with that, you still dare to call yourselves the Fire Cloud Nine Young Masters? Truly a disgraceful spectacle! You've brought shame upon all of us in the Red Gang!"
Whoosh!
The Fire Cloud Nine Young Masters were instantly enraged, their spiritual power beginning to circulate. Opposite them, the Fengyun Branch Hall's Nine Spirits showed no fear, each summoning their spiritual power as well.
Both sides were at a standoff, ready for conflict.
Seeing this scene, Lan Feier immediately intervened.
Bystanders nearby stopped to watch the commotion. After all, one side was the Fengyun Branch Hall's Nine Spirits, the other the Fire Cloud Branch Hall's Nine Young Masters—both were outstanding talents among the younger generation of the Four Great Regions.
"This is Liuren Mountain, the site of the banquet hosted by Elder Shi Tong. What are you doing? Planning to start a fight here?" Lan Feier frowned sternly, "With so many people watching, aren't you ashamed?"
"Feier, you saw it yourself just now. It was Kang Zhengqi who insulted our Fire Cloud Branch Hall first."
"I was merely stating facts."
Kang Zhengqi didn't hold Zhuo Feng in any regard at all, saying, "That's just you Fire Cloud Branch Hall. If that nouveau riche surnamed Gu dared to lay a hand on anyone from our Fengyun Branch Hall, I, Kang Zhengqi, wouldn't care who he is—I would definitely kill him!"
"I was in seclusion before and only learned of Jingtao's beating after emerging. Our Fire Cloud Branch Hall hasn't taken action not because we fear anything, but only because he has a personal connection with Old Sen of Crimson-Letter Manor. However..." Zhuo Feng's tone shifted, and he declared arrogantly, "However, once I'm done with my current matters, I will personally seek out that nouveau riche surnamed Gu to settle accounts. And... today I can also make this clear to you: when the time comes, I will definitely make that nouveau riche surnamed Gu kneel and kowtow to Jingtao in apology. Moreover, however he injured Jingtao, I will exact tenfold repayment upon his body!"
Hearing Zhuo Feng say these words, Lan Feier's expression became very complicated because she knew Zhuo Feng was no match for Gu Qingfeng at all. She advised, "Zhuo Feng, the seniors of the Fire Cloud Branch Hall must have their reasons for not stepping forward all this time. Don't act impulsively, and certainly don't seek revenge on him privately. You simply..." Worried about hurting Zhuo Feng's pride, Lan Feier couldn't bring herself to directly say he was no match for Gu Qingfeng.
However, her persuasion, when it reached Zhuo Feng's ears, was interpreted as concern that he might kill Gu Qingfeng.
"Feier, rest assured, I know my limits. That nouveau riche surnamed Gu has a personal connection with Old Sen, so I won't kill him. However, this matter concerns the reputation of our Fire Cloud Branch Hall. I must make him understand the dignified authority of the three words 'Red Gang'."
"Hmph! Don't just talk big."
Kang Zhengqi said with a smirk, "I heard that Elder Shi Tong also invited that nouveau riche surnamed Gu today. If he shows up later, would you dare to make him kneel?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Beside them, upon hearing that Gu Qingfeng was also coming, Lan Feier's expression instantly changed, becoming somewhat flustered. She asked, "Zhengqi, what did you say? Elder Shi Tong also invited... Gu... Gu... Gu Qingfeng?"