Chapter 1208: Yu Fei'er's Persistence and Pride

Whoosh!

The third bolt of lightning vanished, and the dark clouds in the sky, as if having completed their task, slowly dispersed. The Gold Origin Cauldron seemed to heave a sigh of relief, collapsing limply to the ground like a puddle of mud.

Having reached the Out-of-Body realm, it was no longer as before, with its legs unable to move. Now, like a human, it could perform simple actions, even walk.

Stepping forward, Zhang Xuan reached out and touched it, then let out a sigh of relief.

This fellow had endured three lightning tribulations in a row. Though utterly exhausted, its spirituality had not suffered much damage. With quiet recuperation, it should fully recover in about three months.

Of course, using special treasures to restore spirituality could speed up the recovery considerably.

“You go back to the Thousand Ant Hive and cultivate under the Bodhi tree…”

Zhang Xuan instructed.

Inside the Thousand Ant Hive, he had planted a Sacred Domain Bodhi tree, which was extremely beneficial to the soul. The Gold Origin Cauldron's spirituality was damaged; letting it receive help from the tree was the right remedy.

“Yes!” Knowing his own condition, the Gold Origin Cauldron said no more, shook its body, and vanished before everyone's eyes.

After putting it away, Zhang Xuan turned and looked at Chu Xiang beside him. “Thank you, Brother Chu, for helping me temper it. These ores are your reward…”

He had obtained quite a few ores from Emperor Chu Tianxing earlier. Although he had used many, including the Gold Crystal Mysterious Stone, during the forging of the Gold Origin Cauldron, a large portion remained. Since the other party had helped him, he had to show his gratitude.

“No need… Through this forging session, I have gained new insights into artifact forging, and I am already deeply grateful…”

Chu Xiang quickly waved his hand.

This opportunity to forge was a great tempering for him. This benefit alone was more direct than ores or treasures.

“Alright!”

Seeing the other party insist on refusing, Zhang Xuan did not bother to persist.

This fellow could take out a top-grade spirit stone just by watching someone dance, which showed he was from a wealthy background. Some ores might indeed be unimportant to him.

“This… President Qin, I'm sorry for making a mess of the Artifact Forging Guild…”

After dealing with Chu Xiang, he came before President Qin.

The big explosion was something he had not anticipated. The other party had lent him the place out of kindness, and now the entire guild was reduced to ruins. He felt truly sorry.

Fortunately, there were no casualties; otherwise, he would never be able to atone for it even in death.

“How about this: I'll have people from the Master Teacher Hall come to help you rebuild…”

He said, full of embarrassment.

“Then I'll trouble you, Master Zhang…”

President Qin breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Master Teacher Hall stepped in, these collapsed buildings should be restored to their original state within a day, or even better. In that case, it would be a blessing in disguise.

“Mm!” Zhang Xuan nodded and sent a message to Master Wu about this, asking him to send people over. Then he turned to Master Lin Jie again. “Sorry for interrupting your lecture, Master. Please continue… I'll take my leave now!”

“…”

Master Lin Jie's mouth twitched.

All the artifact forgers had run away. 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 should have known better than to agree to give a lecture… With such a great figure in the Master Teacher Hall, they insisted on having him come… Just thinking about it was disheartening.

Ignoring the two disheartened individuals, Zhang Xuan took his leave from the Artifact Forging Guild and did not return directly to the Master Teacher Hall. Instead, he flew out of Qingyuan City and arrived at the wooden hut where Qingtian Emperor had once captured his witch soul.

This place was very quiet and remote, perfect for dealing with the problem of the Savage.

Whoosh!

He pointed forward, and the Book of Heaven's Path appeared before him. Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan grabbed with his hand.

Swish!

The heart and finger imprinted on it slowly floated up.

Previously, his strength was insufficient, so he had kept this fellow suppressed in the Book of Heaven's Path, never releasing him. Now he planned to let it break free and undergo the lightning tribulation.

After all, the other party had already performed a soul sacrifice, so there was no fear of betrayal.

Zzzz!

Breaking free from the Book of Heaven's Path, as if released from shackles, the heart and finger immediately emitted a dense killing aura. The entire wooden hut was instantly filled like seawater, with power radiating and an astonishing aura.

“Alright, hurry up and refine Qingtian Emperor's witch soul to increase your strength. Otherwise, when we meet the Savage in the North Ji Swamp, I'm afraid you'll be the one to die!”

Seeing that this fellow was still showing off, Zhang Xuan snorted.

“Yes!”

The Savage did not dare to waste words and continued devouring Qingtian Emperor's witch soul.

Inside the Book of Heaven's Path, it had been suppressed, so the devouring speed was slow. Now, with its power unleashed to the limit, it wasn't long before the screams grew fainter, and Qingtian Emperor was devoured completely, vanishing without a trace.

Rumble!

As the witch soul was devoured cleanly, a mass of dark clouds appeared in the sky again.

It too had attracted the Out-of-Body Tribulation.

Unlike the Gold Origin Cauldron, even if the Savage had lost its memory, it was still an old monster that had lived for who knows how many years. Although the Out-of-Body Tribulation was fearsome, it was not difficult for it to endure.

It also endured three waves of tribulation clouds and, like the Gold Origin Cauldron, reached the late stage of the Out-of-Body realm before stopping.

Qingtian Emperor's witch soul was only at the initial stage of the Out-of-Body realm. Although it provided considerable energy, the Savage reaching the late stage was already its limit.

“Mm, rest well. I'll take you to the North Ji Swamp in the next couple of days to try to devour the other one…”

Seeing it succeed, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

With two late-stage Out-of-Body realm protectors, he would certainly be much safer. Moreover, his own strength had also advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching the peak of the Saint realm third level, Fetal Infant realm. As long as the Savage in the North Ji Swamp did not exceed the Out-of-Body realm, the danger should be minimal.

“Back to the War Master Hall…”

Putting the Savage back into the Book of Heaven's Path, Zhang Xuan flew back to the War Master Hall.

In the round trip, although only three or four hours had passed, both his combat power and survival ability had increased several times over.

At this time, the members of the War Master Halls from the three empires who had come for the exchange had already had in-depth discussions with the Xuan Xuan Society, and both sides had reached friendly agreements on future development.

Zhang Xuan paid no attention to these matters. He was about to find Hall Master Xing to discuss the trip to the North Ji Swamp when Yu Fei'er came up to him.

“Master Zhang, Luo Qiqi has left…”

“Left?” Zhang Xuan was startled. “Where did she go?”

This morning, she had asked him to accompany her for a day and taught her alchemy for an hour… How could she leave in the blink of an eye?

“I don't know either!”

Yu Fei'er shook her head.

“Did she say anything?” Zhang Xuan found it strange. Even if she had been rejected, she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye, would she? Had something happened?

“She said there were some matters at home and she needed to leave for a while…” Yu Fei'er nodded.

“Matters at home?”

“Mm. When she first came to the Master Teacher Academy, I saw her letter of introduction. She was recommended by the Baiyuan Empire and should be a princess of that empire. A few days ago, I heard that the Baiyuan Empire was in turmoil, with many casualties in the royal family. She probably went back to resolve the issue!”

Yu Fei'er speculated.

“Baiyuan Empire…” Zhang Xuan nodded.

When he first met Luo Qiqi, he had heard someone introduce her as a princess of some empire, but he hadn't expected it to be the Baiyuan Empire.

It was a first-class empire, somewhat stronger than the Hongyuan Empire, but far inferior to the Qingyuan Empire.

“Baiyuan is only a first-class empire, with its strongest being only at the peak of Saint realm first level. Qiqi is a second-level expert, and her combat power at the same level is unmatched… She should be able to solve the problem quickly!”

Seeing his concern, Yu Fei'er said.

“Mm!”

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Luo Qiqi's strength had recently skyrocketed. Dealing with a change in an empire should be a piece of cake for her.

Still, having his students leave one after another made him feel a bit disappointed.

“Master Zhang, actually… I'm also planning to return to the Hongyuan Empire!” After a pause, Yu Fei'er looked at him.

“You're leaving too?”

Zhang Xuan frowned.

“Yes. I've been thinking for a few hours, and I've come to understand. You are a dragon of the nine heavens, impossible to stay in such a small place. Only the little princess of the Luo family can match you. I… am just a minor princess of a first-class empire. There's no need for wishful thinking. Instead of following behind you, constantly entangled, it's better to go back and cultivate quietly. Perhaps one day, I'll reach a level where you'll deign to look at me…”

Yu Fei'er said.

She was decisive by nature. Since she had made up her mind, there was nothing to agonize over, and she said it directly.

She had known this Zhang Xuan for only a little over half a year, but she had seen his talent.

Originally, he was lower than her, but now he was already far above. As time went on, the gap would only grow larger.

Rather than following behind every day, unable to cut off her thoughts, it was better to leave first and calm down for a while.

“This…”

He hadn't expected her to come to terms so quickly. Zhang Xuan couldn't help but admire her a little and nodded. “Take care!”

Even with his state of mind, he couldn't resolve the word 'love.' He had to work hard to be with Luo Ruoxin. For her to think of this in just a few hours and cut off her feelings… This mental fortitude was extremely strong.

As long as no accidents happened, she would surely reach a level that her father, Yu Shenqing, could never attain.

“Mm… Master Zhang, farewell!”

With a light smile, Yu Fei'er turned and walked out.

She came gracefully and left just as neatly.

It seemed she had also seen his determination, that his heart only held the little princess of the Luo family. Rather than continue to pester and invite disgust, it was better to step back and leave a good impression.

“I know Qiqi thinks the same as me. Handling family matters is only one reason; the most important thing is that after being rejected… she can't face it. Since she has left to cultivate on her own, I must also speed up and not fall behind her!”

Leaving the War Master Hall, she turned to look at the magnificent hall, clenching her fists.

Both she and Luo Qiqi were extremely proud people. Having finally fallen for someone, only to be rejected together, they were certainly holding back a breath.

Indeed, we are not worthy of you now, but… we will work even harder, striving one day to reach a level where you will look at us as equals!

This is Yu Fei'er's persistence, and also my pride!

And if I keep following behind, accepting guidance and gifts, even if my strength increases, I'm afraid I'll never dare to have any other thoughts again.