Chapter 417

At that moment, Hua Yunfei's expression was serene as he plucked the strings of his zither, and immediately, ethereal immortal music flowed forth, like a gentle spring trickling through, gradually calming the thoughts of all present.

Dressed in blue, Hua Yunfei's fingers moved, the strings rippling like water; when the piece ended, he rose, radiating a uniquely nimble aura, raising his cup: "All of you are heroes—your names will surely resound across the land in the years to come. We dwell together in the Southern Domain of the Eastern Wilderness; I hope we never become enemies."

Everyone raised their cups, though all knew eternal peace was impossible—between sects, competition for growth would inevitably bring friction, and their respective sects' prodigies would inevitably clash.

Yet the atmosphere had now grown harmonious; they raised cups, conversed merrily, spoke much of cultivation, and touched upon several secrets.

"Time's power is most merciless; even the most astonishingly gifted cultivators will one day perish in its flow. My Ji family had three great figures who lived in the same era as the Mad Old Man—they were renowned throughout the land back then, yet even all three together could not defeat him. Now the Mad Old Man still lives, while my Ji family's three great figures have already entered nirvana—four thousand years ago."

Ji Haoyue sat in one corner, speaking of the Mad Old Man.

The Mad Old Man appeared in the Tai Xuan generation, though he later departed, leaving behind many topics of discussion.

"That Mad Old Man was truly peerless in might, dominating all rivals. Once, one of my Yaoguang's Holy Masters fought him—and was utterly defeated. Six thousand years have passed; the former Holy Master has turned to dust, yet this one from Tianxuan Sacred Ground still lives—truly unbelievable."

The Holy Maiden of Yaoguang Sacred Ground also spoke.

Their words did not make Ji family or Yaoguang Sacred Ground seem weak; losing to the Mad Old Man was not shameful—it instead revealed the depth of their heritage.

"The Mad Old Man's strength is unfathomable; I fear even our human elder Nangong Zheng could not match him."

Hua Yunfei spoke now. "He left Dao patterns within Tai Xuan Men, crossing the void—those patterns are profoundly obscure; we have studied them meticulously, yet still cannot comprehend them."

Fang Yu, listening to Hua Yunfei's words, smiled faintly.

Was Hua Yunfei being modest—or truly unable to understand?

He himself understood perfectly—it was another way to open the Yu Sect.

Yet he said nothing to boast, merely listened as these divine sons and daughters, holy sons and daughters, debated.

The group then spoke of the Ancient Forbidden Zone; half a year ago, Ji family, Yaoguang Sacred Ground, Jiang family, and others joined forces to enter the Ancient Forbidden Zone to seize divine herbs, for several elder patriarchs among the sacred sects and noble clans were nearing the end of their lifespans and no longer cared for consequences.

But after they breached it, they were annihilated.

A forbidden zone remains a forbidden zone—not anyone can enter.

Mentioning the Ancient Forbidden Zone inevitably led to talk of the Tai Chu Ancient Mine, another forbidden zone, located in the Northern Domain of the Eastern Wilderness.

Its name, Tai Chu, alone speaks to its ancient history.

In ages past, the Tai Chu Ancient Mine was the most famed 'Yuan' mine in the Eastern Wilderness; later, they unearthed something inauspicious, and it became one of the Seven Life Forbidden Zones.

"Rumors say the Tai Chu Ancient Mine holds not only Yuan, but Divine Yuan; within it are sealed powerful, ferocious creatures that, if released, would slaughter across the land."

"It is said the formation of 'Yuan' requires unimaginably long time—stretching back to ancient eras, even to the Minggu era—truly inconceivable."

These young disciples gathered together, speaking only of secrets and past events.

"It is said the Northern Domain has recently been unsettled—last month, someone saw countless beams of moonlight flowing into the Tai Chu Ancient Mine."

"Others claim they saw inauspicious creatures above the Tai Chu Ancient Mine—hideous in form, not humanoid, summoning winds and rain, blotting out sun and stars, dimming the heavens."

"The Tai Chu Ancient Mine—one of the Life Forbidden Zones—holds many legends, yet entering it brings grave peril; none may approach it lightly."

As they spoke of the Tai Chu Ancient Mine, they soon turned to the topic of body types; years ago, rumors spread across the Eastern Wilderness that Divine Bodies would appear—and not just one.

All eyes in the room turned to Ji Haoyue; some also glanced at Fang Yu, who had defeated the "Moon Rises Over the Sea" phenomenon with the Five Emperors' Noble Canopy—likely a Divine Body.

"The Jiang family has one Divine Body."

Ji Haoyue replied. "As for others, I do not know."

The Ancient Forbidden Jiang family also has a Divine Body?

For some present, this was their first hearing; yet Jiang family was famed, dwelling beside Jiang River, renowned across the Eastern Wilderness, standing unshaken for ages, its power immense.

If they possessed a Divine Body, it would be entirely natural.

"Brother Fang, are you also a Divine Body?"

Li Youyou of Xiaoyao Sect walked up to Fang Yu and asked softly.

"Whether I am or am not doesn't matter much—my strength now does not depend on any body type."

Fang Yu spoke calmly.

At these words, all fell silent, then wore expressions of eager amusement.

Everyone knew that in recent days, the Ancient Forbidden Ji family had been boasting of their own Divine Body—yet Fang Yu had defeated Ji family's Divine Body, and now claimed his strength needed no body type.

This seemed to slap Ji family's face.

Ji Haoyue's expression darkened, his brows knitting.

Yet Hua Yunfei stepped in to defuse the tension: "I shall play another piece to entertain you all."

The zither's melody curled through the air, like high mountains and flowing streams, like an immortal tune from the Cold Palace, intoxicating all who heard.

Hua Yunfei's music was truly unparalleled; beneath his fingers, each plucked string produced wondrous tones, painting a landscape of mountains and paintings.

The sound was like a clear spring in the deep mountains, like a slender stream beneath pine roots, flowing like clouds and water, soothing the heart and mind.

When the piece ended, all hearts grew calm.

Everyone clapped in admiration.

"It is time to depart—next time we meet, who knows what will happen!"

With the piece finished, Ji Haoyue rose, casting a cold glance at Fang Yu—as if imprinting his face in memory—then strode off swiftly, like a divine king.

"Brother Fang, we too must leave. If one day you visit Xiaoyao Sect, we shall sweep our beds and await you!"

Li Youyou of Xiaoyao Sect rose and bowed to Fang Yu.

Her eyes held deep goodwill; after witnessing this battle, she knew that if she ever truly faced Fang Yu in mortal combat, her chances of survival were slim.

She must draw closer.

If relations improved, perhaps they would never clash—even if they did, perhaps he might spare her life.

"Of course, of course."

Fang Yu smiled.

"Brother Fang, I too must depart. Yaoguang Sacred Ground eagerly awaits your arrival."

The Yaoguang Holy Maiden rose like a divine lotus blooming, her skin luminous, her form exquisite; she too left Xing Peak.

One by one, the young elites left Star Peak, leaving only Fang Yu and Hua Hua Yunfei behind; their eyes met, and Hua Hua Yunfei smiled: "Today's gathering has made Brother Fang renowned throughout the Eastern Wilderness."

"It's a good thing, but not necessarily a good thing. Someone might take notice of you—but I don't care."

Fang Yu also rose, taking a single step back to Zhuofeng.

Today he stole the spotlight, overpowering all rivals; if Weitaixuan Sect learned of this achievement, there would surely be many rewards.

He still had a few things to do before he could leave Weitaixuan Sect to wander the world.

There was nothing left of opportunity within Weitaixuan Sect.

As Fang Yu pondered, the battle on Star Peak reached the ears of the Xuanmenzhang Sect.

"Yunfei, you say my Xuan Sect's Holy Son Fang Yu actually defeated the divine body of the Ji family?"

The Xuanmenzhang Sect's face was filled with shock—he nearly thought he had misheard.

"Yes, Sect Master. I witnessed it myself. Fang Yu stepped forward and unleashed a legendary phenomenon—the Five Emperors' Noble Canopy—which instantly suppressed Ji Haoyue's phenomenon."

Standing before the Xuanmenzhang Sect was none other than Hua Hua Yunfei; though he was the Sect Master's youngest grandson, he still addressed him as "Sect Master," not by familial terms.

"Good, very good, excellent. My Xuan Sect's Holy Son is this powerful? This is truly a blessing for Weitaixuan Sect. I must reward him well—if such a genius is not nurtured or rewarded, how can Weitaixuan Sect have a future? Yunfei, you must also grow closer to Fang Yu; perhaps you will gain something."

The Xuanmenzhang Sect thought for a moment, then spoke at once.

"Yes, Sect Master. I also feel this Holy Son, Brother Fang, has many mysterious aspects worth my learning."

Hua Hua Yunfei nodded.

"The emergence of a genius like Fang Yu in Weitaixuan Sect is indeed a great joy, but his defeat of the Ji family's divine body will surely draw attention. We must protect the Holy Son—he must not be ambushed."

The Xuanmenzhang Sect gestured, summoning a disciple to deliver the rewards, then fell into thought.

"A tree that towers above the forest invites the wind's destruction—but I believe Brother Fang has his own ways to handle it. Moreover, if Brother Fang cultivates within Weitaixuan Sect, no one can harm him."

Hua Hua Yunfei said.

"These are turbulent times. The demonic clan's elder, Kong Quewang, has battled our human elder Nangong Zheng for hours without victory. I hear the Ji family patriarch and the Saint Master of Yaoguang Sacred Ground have also emerged from seclusion, determined to exterminate Kong Quewang. They may use some pretext to ask us to join in exterminating the demonic clan—and then, an ambush would not be impossible."

The Xuanmenzhang Sect said.

"Then what should we do? Should I go personally, while Fang Yu stays behind?"

"He must remain cautious and vigilant. It is not easy for Weitaixuan Sect to produce talent. Those great clans and sacred grounds may appear friendly, but when they strike, they show no mercy."

The Xuanmenzhang Sect said. "But we must reward him with vast quantities of Source to aid his cultivation base."

"Yes."

…

Fang Yu waited on Zhuofeng for the Xuanmenzhang Sect's reward.

This time, as Weitaixuan Sect's Holy Son, Fang Yu had first defeated the Divine Daughter of Xiaoyao Sect, then a young expert from Xuantian Sect, and finally the divine body of the ancient Ji family—his fame had exploded.

When the Sect Master's reward arrived at Zhuofeng, the entire peak erupted in bustle.

Utterly bustling.