“Is everything you told the truth? You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Chen Changfeng looked at the trio with a dumbfounded expression.
Mu Chen answered, “Of course.”
Chen Changfeng’s heart shook again.
He had spent merely ten days in that dangerous place, but it seemed like an epic had been enacted outside.
Moreover, that little bastard, Chen Fan, survived a disaster and benefited from it, becoming a Qi Grandmaster. If it were just that, he could have accepted it somehow, but Chen Fan could actually kill Yuanfu realm experts with mere Qi Grandmaster cultivation.
How could Chen Changfeng accept or even believe that?
After becoming a Yuanfu realm expert, he had realized the might of this realm. Even if ten Qi Grandmasters surrounded him, he could easily kill them all.
However, Chen Fan had defied all common sense by killing Yuanfu realm experts as a Qi Grandmaster.
Chen Changfeng’s heart squeezed violently.
To think he was about to find trouble with Chen Fan, thinking he could kill him as easily as killing a chicken.
Who was the chicken here?
Despite being shaken by the news of Chen Fan’s terrifying strength, a cold light flashed in Chen Changfeng’s eyes. He said coldly, “You’re sure Chen Fan is heavily injured?”
Mu Chen said, “We’re not sure of the specifics; these are reports we gathered from elsewhere. Allegedly, a fight occurred between Chen Fan and Wang Fuchen. And although he defeated Wang Fuchen, he sustained injuries in the process.
“Afterwards, he ran into Zhong Li at the edge of the desert and received an attack through space from Senior Brother Duan Jingtian. Although he managed to negate the attack, he suffered heavy injuries in doing so. Then, he was threatened by Xuan Feixue and Chu Qing, further receiving an attack from both of them.”
“In any case, he received blow after blow, exacerbating his injuries. He can’t be fine even if he is made of steel.”
“Is that so...” Chen Changfeng nodded, realizing the severity of Chen Fan's injuries.
Recovering in three days seemed implausible, offering Chen Changfeng a potential advantage. With this in mind, he coldly smiled and took a seat, patiently waiting.
The trio observed Chen Changfeng's move and diverted their attention, engaging in a hushed discussion.
“I wonder what Chen Fan’s situation is like now?”
“He must not be doing well! He suffered severe injuries from Senior Brother Duan Jingtian's attack, followed by direct attacks from Xuan Feixue and Chu Qing. He should thank the heavens that he's still alive and should remain in hiding to recuperate.”
“It’s such a pity. If Senior Brother Duan Jingtian hadn't intervened, Chen Fan wouldn't have been ambushed by Xuan Feixue and Chu Qing and lost the Ice Jade Snow Lotus. Our sect could have had the first place.”
“Senior Brother Duan Jingtian’s arrival on Dragon Mountain Peak itself is too unexpected if you ask me. Say, do you think Senior Brother Duan Jingtian would make a move against Chen Fan after we leave the blessed land?”
“I think so, yes... Chen Fan crippled Zhong Li and the others’ cultivations. This is a provocation against Heaven’s Alliance, which means it’s a provocation against Senior Brother Duan Jingtian. There’s no way this matter will end just like that.”
“Eh, it seems Chen Fan is dead for sure, then. What a pity, he’s such a monstrous genius.”
A sudden uproar caught the group's attention four hours later, prompting them to gaze toward the distance.
“That is... Someone is riding the wind—a Yuanfu realm expert’s technique. I wonder if it’s Xuan Feixue or Chu Qing," Mu Chen's group of three remarked, squinting as they observed a distant black dot flying toward them.
“We’re here, Xiaofan. Put me down,” Qin Yao, in Chen Fan's arms, requested with flushed cheeks.
"Alright." Chen Fan descended rapidly and gently placed Qin Yao on the ground.
Mu Chen and the others finally identified the newcomer, their mouths agape in disbelief. What astonished them further was the Ice Jade Snow Lotus in Chen Fan's hand.
“You’re all here.” Chen Fan greeted the trio with a smile, as they had no animosity. His gaze then shifted to Chen Changfeng, who stood nearby, eliciting a momentary surprise.
Like many others, he hadn’t seen Chen Changfeng since they entered the blessed land. No one knew where he had been.
Now, finally encountering him, Chen Fan realized that Chen Changfeng had become a Yuanfu realm expert, suggesting several fortuitous encounters on his part.
Chen Changfeng naturally saw Chen Fan, too. He realized Chen Fan didn’t appear injured and quickly concealed the cold killing intent in his eyes.
The trio approached Chen Fan and looked up and down at him curiously. “Chen Fan, didn’t Xuan Feixue and Chu Qing worsen your injuries? Why are you... and the Ice Jade Snow Lotus. Didn’t Xuan Feixue take it away?”
They had numerous questions and were uncertain about where to start.
Chen Fan smiled and said, “It’s nothing. I brought a top-grade recovery pill, so my injuries have fully healed. As for Xuan Feixue, he's no more; I killed him, and the Ice Jade Snow Lotus is back where it belongs.”
Mu Chen and the others immediately sucked in a breath of cold air.
He spoke of killing a Yuanfu realm expert so casually, as if it were as simple as crushing an ant.
“You... are really amazing," Mu Chen and the others managed to utter after a while.
Chen Fan’s gaze shifted toward Chen Changfeng and said with a sly smile, “Yo, Chen Changfeng, you’ve finally appeared. How unexpected. It seems you've had a pleasant time in the blessed land, achieving a breakthrough. I am jealous.”
“Hmph, my affairs are none of your concern, Chen Fan," Chen Changfeng retorted coldly.
“Of course, it doesn’t have anything to do with me. I was only envious of your ‘good luck,’” Chen Fan said with a cold smile.
Chen Changfeng glared at Chen Fan coldly before turning his head away, ignoring him. He had intended to confront and possibly kill Chen Fan if his injuries hadn’t healed. However, the Chen Fan before him looked far from injured.
He wasn't foolish; provoking Chen Fan now would be suicidal. After all, Chen Fan had even killed Wang Fuchen.
Despite this, Chen Changfeng felt resentment. Who could have anticipated that Chen Fan carried a top-grade recovery pill?
That damned little bastard! Chen Changfeng cursed in his heart.
Another group soon came to Scarlet Cliff. It was the Mountain River Sect disciples.
When these people saw Chen Fan, their reactions resembled rats encountering a cat, maintaining a safe distance and avoiding direct confrontation.
Their Senior Brother, a Yuanfu realm expert, Xuan Feixue, was killed in front of their eyes by Chen Fan with ease.
That scene was etched in their minds. To them, Chen Fan was the devil.
Chen Fan ignored them, as indiscriminate killing wasn't his style.
Another two hours later, Chu Qing and seven Burning Incense Valley disciples arrived at Scarlet Cliff.
He froze when he saw Chen Fan at the top of Scarlet Cliff.
The sight of the Ice Jade Snow Lotus in Chen Fan's possession and the absence of Xuan Feixue among the Mountain River Sect's group sent shockwaves through Chu Qing.
There was no denying the situation—Xuan Feixue was dead, and the Ice Jade Snow Lotus was evidence of Chen Fan's involvement. Moreover, Chen Fan's injuries had miraculously healed.
Chu Qing wanted to turn around and run almost instantly.
“If you run, I’ll kill everyone from Burning Incense Valley!”
Instantly, Chu Qing became rigid, realizing escape was not an option.