"Brother Zai, is there something wrong?" A tender feminine voice said beside Yan Zaizen. Yan Zaizen was brought back from his shock as he turned to his side to see Xing Xuehan. This woman was quite interesting. It's been several weeks since their joined travel, and at every opportunity, she'd try to establish closer relations with Yan Zaizen. She even looked prettier than she did before, she obviously didn't care about her appearance, but now she did.
The gestures she made displayed her feminine side, and her willingness was subtle yet enough for Yan Zaizen to know of her intentions. He could be absolutely certain at this point that this woman here didn't even care if he decided to take her forcibly tomorrow and if anything, she would probably wish for it to get closer to him. Her actions were quite refreshing to Yan Zaizen. He couldn't help but wish that Ya Qinqan was so enamored with him like this Xing Xuehan.
"Nothing. Just saw someone from my past." He replied, his eyes turning back to a group of individuals outside of the gate. They seemed to be waiting for something before going out to venture outside. The group had three females and about ten males. Despite them each having different forms of attire, they all had in common a symbol of a white shadow silhouette of a fiend. One of the females was exceptionally cold and exuding an aura of indifference. It was as if the world itself didn't matter to her, and the only thing that could even catch a glimpse of her interest was only the heavens itself.
Xing Xuehan, in her curiousness of Yan Zaizen's affairs, followed his eyes and saw the group. She thought for a second and spoke, "Those are members of the Vanishing Fiend Sect." Her words gave Yan Zaizen a start.
The Vanishing Fiend Sect was one of the top five sects of Presba, but it was considered the weakest out of the five. Due to a massive civil war that took place between two internal factions, it had immense changes. Despite all of that, it still holds the title of one of the top five sects, and barely anyone would argue on this. That was because, in comparison to those second-rate sects, those at the top could send one member of their upper-echelon and flatten all life in those sects. The difference was that great.
"Why is Lin Feilin a part of the Vanishing Fiend Sect?" He muttered to himself. This icy-cold Senior Sister of his abandoned him within a poisonous forest and left to handle her own business. It seems that business related to joining the Vanishing Fiend Sect.
However, when he thought about it, it made sense. From what he recalled, the Vanishing Fiend Sect was allied loosely with the Earthly Titan Sect, but they weren't in direct opposition to the Soaring Cloud Sect. Staying inside the Vanishing Fiend Sect for cultivation would be far easier than dealing with the constant pressure of war inside the Earthly Titan Sect.
But one question still remained, how did she join so quickly?
He had no doubt that Lin Feilin was an exceptionally powerful cultivator, but its only been a few weeks, nearly a month since they departed from each other. Looking at it simply, he was a day behind her in his journey to Xuanwu City, but she seemed to already be established and ready to continue her cultivation path. Could it be that Han Genji left a backup plan for the Vanishing Fiend Sect like the Earthly Titan Sect, but only for Lin Feilin, or did she have a connection with them originally? Thinking up to here, he realized he still knew nothing about his two fellow disciples. Not only that, he was the Ninth Disciple of Han Genji, so where were the other Disciples?
His questions never ceased, and he felt almost frustrated at it all. From the moment he was taken by Han Genji, he had questions. When they were transported to this place so suddenly, he had questions. Now, he sees Lin Feilin, and he still had questions.
He decided to get some answers!
"I'm going to go over to greet a friend. I'll be back." He said, his steps already taking him forward. The others were shocked, especially Xing Xuehan, but hearing his serious tone, she decided to stay back with her group as to not be too noisy and annoying Yan Zaizen.
As he approached, Lin Feilin sensed something and turned in his direction. Her originally icy-cold eyes lit up in surprise. Those males who were paying close attention to Lin Feilin's every action noted this and turned their attention towards Yan Zaizen. Seeing this initial-Qi Revolving Realm cultivator walk towards them, they were slightly surprised.
As he approached, a tall, pale-looking, and robust male of about 23-24 years of age walked outwards and held his hand out. "Halt!" His words contained an authority that could not be defied. Yan Zaizen was startled and stopped subconsciously. This man had muscles that seemed like it was forged from metal, and his stature was incredible. Even Yan Zaizen could only reach his shoulders in height. His cultivation was extraordinary as well, possessing the strength of at the peak mid-Essence Formation. However, his more interesting point was the vital energies emitted from those robust muscles. Yan Zaizen assumed that his body was weaker than his by a considerable amount, but still stronger than the majority of people he's come across since now - even in his own clan.
"Do you even have the qualifications to approach?" He inquired domineering. The others beside him, including the women, sneered at Yan Zaizen. He had a weak, shaky Qi Foundation, and his attire was without symbol or mark. They couldn't tell the strength of his physical body, cause a Herculean Physique wasn't something they can hope to comprehend, but they felt it wasn't worth anything, only being around the strength of the peak-Qi Revolving Realm.
If Yan Zaizen knew their thoughts, he would be absolutely surprised. The main reason was that the Immortal Herculean Method stated that his vital energies would be at that level. Body cultivation is determined by one's vital energy emission, typically, the stronger it is, the stronger the body. However, Yan Zaizen's body was, unknowingly, tempered by a trace of Heavenly Annihilation Light absorbed by that mysterious black light, and therefore was far stronger due to its refining. Therefore, his vital energies were in the peak-Qi Revolving Realm, but his actual physical body was nearing the Qi Unification Realm in terms of strength.
It was this very reason that Su Shinyan was skeptical about Yan Zaizen's threat potential, and even Su Fengyan wasn't sure but was unwilling to gamble with her life.
Looking towards Lin Feilin, he thought for a second. With a cautious tone, "I want to thank this sister here for her help earlier, it helped me greatly." His words were accompanied by a smile. He thought about his words cause he didn't know if Lin Feilin was willing to let her identity be exposed, and he didn't want to expose his own.
Seeing this, Lin Feilin's eyes lit up. The others drew their gazes towards Lin Feilin, assuming she aided him in the Basilisk Forest. However, Lin Feilin didn't care for their assumptions or gazes. She calmly said, "Come. I have something I want to speak to you about." Her icy-cold voice held a similar authority to the robust man from earlier.
Yan Zaizen simply nodded in response. This is what he wanted.
Hearing her words, some wanted to say something, but the gazes of the men who originally paid close attention to Lin Feilin revealed sharp gazes as if wanting to see if anyone would dare to object her desires. This caused the others in the group to swallow their words.
Lin Feilin walked off towards the distance, and Yan Zaizen followed under the multitude of gazes. He wasn't particularly perturbed. These types of gazes were far less disturbing than the ones he suffered in his own clan.
After several minutes of walking, Lin Feilin stopped at a remote corner of the forest. She turned to see Yan Zaizen quietly following her. Waving her hand, a barrier of Qi erected preventing any form of sound from escaping their upcoming conversation.
"You survived." Her icy-tone still ever prevalent in her voice, one couldn't know if she was happy or sad about that fact. However, Yan Zaizen knew this icy-cold yet beautiful Senior Sister of his was far kinder than one may think. He still remembered her words and actions from before.
"Yeah, with some struggles. Haha." He chuckled casually.
"What do you want?" She got straight to the point.
Hearing this, Yan Zaizen's expression turned solemn. "I have some questions I hope Sixth Sister can answer."
"Oh? Then ask."