As Chu Feng emerged, countless complex gazes fell upon him, accompanied by a flood of secret transmissions echoing in his ears.
They were all voices of flattery, trying to curry favor with him.
But Chu Feng ignored them entirely. These same people had been clamoring to denounce him earlier, yet now they groveled. He had no patience for such opportunistic snakes.
Tantai Xing’er seemed to sense his reluctance to engage with the crowd. Making an excuse, she quickly led Chu Feng and the others away.
Naturally, this meant parting ways with Gong Qing.
After all, Chu Feng and Wuma Shengjie were to follow Tantai Xing’er to meet Wuming Xingyun, and Gong Qing couldn’t tag along.
Knowing Chu Feng’s urgency to see Wuming Xingyun, Tantai Xing’er took him directly to the man’s current residence.
Though Wuming Xingyun was an honored guest, he hadn’t indulged in much hospitality since arriving. Instead, he’d secluded himself here to help Bai Liluo break her seal.
To Chu Feng’s delight, when they arrived, Wuming Xingyun was already waiting for him.
“Senior, has my sister’s seal been lifted?” Chu Feng asked, his voice brimming with joy after hearing Wuming Xingyun’s words.
“Not only is it lifted, she’s recovering quite well,” Wuming Xingyun replied with a faint smile, a trace of pride slipping through his expression.
Breaking Bai Liluo’s reverse seal wasn’t easy. Successfully aiding Chu Feng in this task subtly showcased his own prowess.
“Thank you, Senior! I’ll never forget this kindness. If you ever need anything—even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire—I’ll be there without hesitation,” Chu Feng said, clasping his fists.
“Really?” Wuming Xingyun asked.
“Absolutely,” Chu Feng affirmed with conviction.
“No need for mountains of blades or seas of fire. Just become my disciple,” Wuming Xingyun said casually.
“This…” His words stunned not only Chu Feng but also Wuma Shengjie and Tantai Xing’er.
“Haha, just kidding, young friend Chu Feng. Don’t take it seriously,” Wuming Xingyun laughed. “Truth be told, I’ve never had a habit of taking disciples. I prefer my freedom.”
He wasn’t lying—he’d never taken a disciple. Even when people from the Starfield Master Realm sought his guidance in boundary techniques, he’d only offer pointers to those he liked, never formally accepting anyone.
Yet he’d never joked like this before either.
So Chu Feng, Wuma Shengjie, and Tantai Xing’er all understood: Wuming Xingyun genuinely wanted Chu Feng as a disciple. With Chu Feng’s talent, what master wouldn’t want such a successor?
But he’d also seen that Chu Feng had no interest, so he’d brushed it off with a jest to save face.
“By the way, young friend, I heard you turned down Grandmaster Liangqiu and Grandmaster Longxuan. Is that true?” Wuming Xingyun suddenly asked.
At this, Tantai Xing’er’s gaze turned curious too.
They all wanted to know if Chu Feng had truly rejected the offers from Grandmaster Liangqiu and Grandmaster Longxuan to take him as a disciple.
“I don’t have any plans to take a master,” Chu Feng replied.
Wuming Xingyun took it in stride, but Tantai Xing’er’s eyes flashed with astonishment.
Grandmaster Longxuan was one thing, but Grandmaster Liangqiu was widely regarded as the strongest boundary master in the Ancestral Martial Starfield.
Now a Dragon Mark Saint-cloak Boundary Master, he was just a step away from the legendary God-cloak rank.
To Tantai Xing’er, rejecting someone like him meant Chu Feng harbored immense ambition.
Her view of him shifted again—beyond amazement, there was a new glint in her eyes.
“It seems young friend Chu Feng has his sights set far and wide. Good—I admire that spirit,” Wuming Xingyun remarked, echoing Tantai Xing’er’s thoughts.
It wasn’t their fault for assuming so—most would think the same.
Only Chu Feng knew the truth: he’d sworn an oath not to take a master. Otherwise, someone like Grandmaster Liangqiu would’ve been a connection worth pursuing.
He wasn’t blind to the benefits. If he became Liangqiu’s disciple, would the Li Clan dare challenge the Chu Clan?
Chu Feng understood the stakes perfectly.
But an oath was an oath—he wouldn’t break it.
“Young friend Chu Feng, let’s go see your sister,” Wuming Xingyun said.
“Senior, can we come along?” Tantai Xing’er asked. She’d only heard that Chu Feng’s friend was ill and needed Wuming Xingyun’s help—she’d never met this person and was curious.
“That’s up to young friend Chu Feng,” Wuming Xingyun said, turning to him.
“Let’s all go,” Chu Feng replied.
Wuming Xingyun then led them to his secluded retreat.
It was a highly concealed place with a single entrance, guarded by a boundary he’d set up.
Even the Tantai Clan couldn’t easily access it.
But when they entered, Chu Feng and the others were puzzled.
The space was empty—no sign of Bai Liluo.
“Senior, did my sister go somewhere else?” Chu Feng asked.
“No, she wouldn’t leave. My boundary is intact—she hasn’t stepped out,” Wuming Xingyun said. Unlike the others, his face now showed a hint of tension.
“What?” Hearing this and seeing Wuming Xingyun’s expression, Chu Feng’s heart stirred.
He’d assumed Bai Liluo had simply left, but Wuming Xingyun’s reaction suggested otherwise.
Something might have gone wrong.
Chu Feng quickly scanned the area and spotted something on the bed—a strand of black fur.
It was long, fine, and glossy, emitting a faint stench. At a glance, it was impossible to tell what creature it belonged to.
“Senior, is this yours?” Chu Feng asked.
“No,” Wuming Xingyun shook his head.
“Oh no—that’s the Black Haired Phantom!” Tantai Xing’er suddenly shrieked!!!
Seeing her reaction, Chu Feng’s chest tightened. This wasn’t good.
Because in Tantai Xing’er’s eyes, he saw fear.
Deep, overwhelming fear!!!
