Chapter 1227: Jade Feier's Persistence and Pride

The third bolt of lightning vanished, and the dark clouds in the sky slowly dissipated as if their task was complete. The Golden Origin Cauldron also seemed to let out a sigh of relief, slumping to the ground like a puddle of mud.

Having reached the Aperture Acuity realm, it was no longer immobile like before, with its legs unable to move. It could now perform simple activities, even walk, just like a person.

Zhang Xuan took a few steps forward, touched its body with his palm, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

This fellow had endured three consecutive lightning tribulations. Although it was exhausted, its spirituality hadn't suffered significant damage. As long as it rested quietly, it should fully recover within three months.

Of course, using special treasures that restore spirituality could significantly speed up the recovery process.

"Go back to the Myriad Ant Hive first and cultivate under the Bodhi Tree…" Zhang Xuan instructed.

Inside the Myriad Ant Hive, he had planted a Saint Realm Bodhi Tree, which had a great effect on the soul. Since the Golden Origin Cauldron's spirituality was damaged, having it cultivate there was a targeted remedy.

"Yes!" Knowing its own condition, the Golden Origin Cauldron said no more and vanished from everyone's sight with a flicker of its body.

After storing it away, Zhang Xuan turned to Chu Xiang, who was standing nearby. "Thank you, Brother Chu, for helping me with the forging. These ores are your reward…"

He had obtained many ores from Emperor Chu Tianxing earlier. While forging the Golden Origin Cauldron, despite using a considerable amount, excluding the Golden Crystal Profound Stone, a large portion still remained. Since Chu Xiang had helped him, he felt he should offer something in return.

"No need… After this forging session, I've gained new insights into artifact forging. I'm already deeply grateful…" Chu Xiang quickly waved his hand.

This opportunity to forge artifacts was a great learning experience for him. This benefit alone was more direct than any ores or treasures.

"Alright then!" Seeing that the other party insisted on not taking them, Zhang Xuan didn't press the issue.

This person could produce a high-grade Spirit Stone of Essence just by watching someone dance, indicating a distinguished background. So, a few ores might indeed not be very important to him.

"Well… President Qin, I'm sorry for leaving the Blacksmith Guild in such a state…" After finishing with Chu Xiang, he approached President Qin.

The large explosion was unexpected even for him. The guild had kindly lent him the space for forging, and now the entire guild was in ruins. He felt truly apologetic.

Fortunately, there were no casualties; otherwise, he would be gravely culpable.

"How about this: I'll have the Master Teacher Pavilion send people over to help you rebuild…" he said, full of embarrassment.

"Then I'll trouble Master Teacher Zhang," President Qin sighed in relief.

If the Master Teacher Pavilion took action, these collapsed buildings could be restored to their original state, or even better, in less than a day. In that sense, it was a blessing in disguise.

"Mhm!" Zhang Xuan nodded, sent a message to Master Wu about the matter, asking him to send people over, then turned to Master Lin Jie again. "I apologize for interrupting your lecture, Master. Please continue… I'll take my leave now!"

Master Lin Jie's lips twitched.

All the blacksmiths had run off, so who was he supposed to lecture?

Besides… after seeing such exquisite forging techniques from you, if I were to explain some low-level techniques… even if others didn't despise me, I'd be too ashamed to speak!

He regretted agreeing to give the lecture… With such a powerful figure in the Master Teacher Pavilion, they still made him come over… The thought alone was disheartening.

Ignoring the two disheartened individuals, Zhang Xuan bid farewell to the people of the Blacksmith Guild. He didn't return directly to the Master Teacher Pavilion but instead flew out of Qingyuan City to the wooden hut where Emperor Qingtian had previously captured his soul.

The place was very quiet and rarely visited, perfect for dealing with the Fiendish Fey.

Stepping forward slightly, the Tome of Heaven's Path appeared before him. Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan grabbed with his palm.

*Whoosh!* The heart and finger imprinted on it slowly floated up.

Previously, his strength had been insufficient, so he had kept this fellow suppressed within the Tome of Heaven's Path, never releasing it. Now, he intended to let it out to undergo a lightning tribulation.

Since the other party had already sacrificed its soul, there was no fear of it rebelling.

*Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!* Upon breaking free from the Tome of Heaven's Path, as if shedding shackles, the heart and finger immediately released an intense aura of slaughter. The entire wooden hut instantly felt as if it were filled with surging seawater, radiating immense power and an astonishing presence.

"Alright, hurry up and refine Emperor Qingtian's witch soul to enhance your strength. Otherwise, when you meet the Fiendish Fey of Jibei Marsh, I fear it will be you who dies!" Zhang Xuan snorted, seeing that the fellow still had time to show off.

"Yes!" The Fiendish Fey dared not waste words and continued to devour Emperor Qingtian's witch soul.

While inside the Tome of Heaven's Path, it had been suppressed, and its devouring speed was slow. Now, with its power unleashed to the limit, it wasn't long before the miserable cries grew fainter and fainter until Emperor Qingtian was completely devoured and vanished.

*Boom!* As the witch soul was completely devoured, a mass of dark clouds reappeared in the sky.

It too had drawn its Aperture Acuity Tribulation.

Unlike the Golden Origin Cauldron, even with its memories lost, the Fiendish Fey was an old monster that had lived for countless years. Although the Aperture Acuity Tribulation was terrifying, it wasn't difficult for it to overcome.

It also endured three tribulation clouds, reaching the late-stage Aperture Acuity realm, just like the Golden Origin Cauldron, before stopping.

Emperor Qingtian was only an early-stage Aperture Acuity witch soul. Although it provided a good amount of energy, reaching the late stage was the limit for the Fiendish Fey.

"Alright, recuperate well. I'll take you to Jibei Marsh in the next couple of days, and we'll try to devour the other party…" Seeing its success, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

With two late-stage Aperture Acuity realm protectors, he would certainly be much safer. Additionally, his own strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching the pinnacle of Saint 3-dan Embryonic Soul realm. As long as the Fiendish Fey in Jibei Marsh wasn't above the Aperture Acuity realm, the danger should be minimal.

"Back to the Combat Master Hall…" Storing the Fiendish Fey back into the Tome of Heaven's Path, Zhang Xuan flew back to the Combat Master Hall.

Although only three to four hours had passed since he left, both his combat strength and life-preservation abilities had increased severalfold.

At this time, the Combat Master Hall members from the three major empires who had come for exchange had already engaged in in-depth discussions with the Xuanxuan Society, and both sides had reached friendly agreements regarding future development.

Zhang Xuan paid no mind to these matters. He was about to find Hall Master Xing to discuss going to Jibei Marsh when Yu Feier approached him.

"Master Teacher Zhang, Luo Qiqi has left…"

"Left?" Zhang Xuan was startled. "Where did she go?"

Just this morning, she asked him to spend the day with her and taught him alchemy for an hour… How could she be gone in the blink of an eye?

"I don't know either!" Yu Feier shook her head.

"Did she say anything?" Zhang Xuan found it strange. Even if he had rejected her, she wouldn't just leave without a word, would she? Had something happened?

"She said she had some family matters to attend to and needed to leave for a while…" Yu Feier nodded.

"Family matters?"

"Yes. When she first arrived at the Master Teacher Academy, I saw her letter of introduction. She was introduced by the Baiyuan Empire, so she should be a princess of that empire. A few days ago, I heard that turmoil had broken out in the Baiyuan Empire, and many members of the royal family were killed or injured. She's probably gone back to resolve the issues!" Yu Feier speculated.

"The Baiyuan Empire…" Zhang Xuan nodded.

When he first met Luo Qiqi, he did hear someone mention that she was a princess from some empire, but he hadn't expected it to be the Baiyuan Empire.

It was a first-tier empire, somewhat stronger than the Hongyuan Empire, but significantly weaker compared to the Qingyuan Empire.

"Baiyuan is only a first-tier empire, and its strongest cultivators are only at the pinnacle of Saint 1-dan. Qiqi is a Saint 2-dan expert, and her combat prowess at the same level is unmatched… She should be able to resolve the issues quickly!" Yu Feier said, seeing his slight concern.

"Mhm!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Luo Qiqi's strength had recently surged, so dealing with an imperial upheaval should be effortless for her; it was nothing significant.

However, his students leaving one after another still made him feel a bit disheartened.

"Master Teacher Zhang, actually… I also plan to return to the Hongyuan Empire!" Yu Feier paused, then looked at him.

"You're leaving too?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Yes. I've been thinking for a few hours and have come to a realization. You are a dragon of the nine heavens; it's impossible for you to remain in such a small place. Only the little princess of the Luo Clan can be worthy of you. I… am just a minor princess of a first-tier empire; there's no need for me to harbor wishful thinking. Instead of following behind you and constantly being troubled, it's better for me to go back and cultivate diligently. Perhaps one day, I can reach a level where you will spare me a glance…" Yu Feier said.

She was decisive by nature. Since she had made a decision, there was nothing to deliberate over, so she stated it directly.

Although she had only known Zhang Xuan for a little over half a year, she had witnessed his talent firsthand.

He was initially weaker than her, but now he was immeasurably stronger. If this continued, the gap would only widen.

Instead of following him daily and being unable to sever her feelings, it was better to leave first and calm down for a while.

"This…" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but admire her for realizing this so quickly. He nodded, "Then, take care!"

Even with his own state of mind, he couldn't easily resolve the word "love." He had desperately striven to be with Luo Ruoxi, yet she could grasp these thoughts and sever her emotions within a few hours… Such a temperament was truly formidable.

As long as nothing unexpected happened, she would undoubtedly reach a level that her father, Yu Shenqing, could never attain.

"Mhm, Master Teacher Zhang… Farewell!" With a faint smile, Yu Feier turned and walked out.

She had arrived with grace and departed with equal swiftness.

It seemed she had also perceived his resolve that his heart belonged only to the Luo Clan's little princess. Rather than continuing to cling and become a nuisance, it was better to withdraw and leave a good impression.

"I know Qiqi's thoughts are similar to mine. Dealing with family matters is just one reason; the most important thing is being rejected… and not daring to face it. Since she has left and is trying to cultivate on her own, I must also speed up and never be inferior to her!" Leaving the Combat Master Hall, Yu Feier turned to glance at the magnificent hall, clenching her fists.

Both she and Luo Qiqi were extremely proud individuals. After finally falling for someone, they were both rejected, which surely left them with a feeling of stifled frustration.

Indeed, we might not be worthy of you now. So… we will strive even harder, dedicating ourselves to reach a level where you can look at us as equals one day! This is Yu Feier's persistence, and it is also my pride!

If they continued to follow him, accepting guidance and gifts, over time, even if their strength increased, they probably wouldn't dare to harbor any other thoughts.