Although Yi Feng paid no mind to the incident, the other members of the Sky Yin Sect were enraged. Shaken from their stupor, they began hurling furious curses.
"You—you insolent brat!"
"Daring to ambush one of our Sky Yin Sect elders—your crimes are unforgivable!"
"You pretty-faced fool, you have no idea what death awaits you!"
"Don’t think that just because you’ve reached the Half-Saint realm, you can look down on everyone! You clearly don’t know your place!"
A few of the effeminate elders trembled with rage, their fingers curled in delicate gestures as they spat threats.
Yi Feng merely frowned and glanced their way, and the sight alone drained the color from their faces. Fear flickered unmistakably in their eyes as they secretly cast a few defensive spells before scrambling away in panic.
"Just you wait! We’ll be back!"
"The Sky Yin Sect will not let this go unpunished!"
Watching them flee in disarray, Yi Feng remained expressionless."Good. I’ll be waiting."
He was confident he could slaughter these pests on the spot, but he decided to bide his time—better to wipe out the entire Sky Yin Sect in one fell swoop. Otherwise, Song Village might suffer the consequences later.
His fearless words, however, sent another wave of panic through Song Decai.
"Young Master Yi, you should leave at once. The Sky Yin Sect has overwhelming numbers—even as a Half-Saint, you stand no chance against them!"
Song Yuting also pleaded anxiously.
"Young Master Yi, you—"
Before father and daughter could finish, Yi Feng cut in firmly, "I take full responsibility for my actions. There’s no need to say more."
Yi Feng never considered himself a true master.
Even so, the Sky Yin Sect was nothing more than a ragtag mob in his eyes. Moreover, having witnessed these effeminate elders wreaking havoc and having eaten Song Village’s hospitality, he had no intention of backing down—both for principle and personal reasons.
At the very least, he estimated his cultivation to be at the peak of the Saint realm.
Why fear a bunch of old queens?
Seeing Yi Feng’s unwavering resolve, the Song family fell silent, deeply moved by his unshakable sense of duty. They immediately began quietly preparing the village for battle.
Song Yuting, in particular, was struck by the realization that beneath Yi Feng’s refined exterior lay the fiery spirit and courage of a true hero. Her eyes gleamed with admiration, and her expression gradually hardened with determination.
Within moments, Song Village was filled with an air of grim resolve.
If an outsider like Yi Feng was willing to risk his life for them, how could they cower in fear?
---
Not far away, in a valley.
Flowers bloomed in abundance, their vibrant colors competing for attention. Amid the lush spring scenery stood grand halls and courtyards, exuding the majesty of a major sect. From afar, it resembled a legendary paradise of immortal maidens, radiating an aura of delicate charm.
In reality, however.
The great hall was filled with male cultivators. Though advanced in years, their skin was smooth and beardless, as if preserved by some secret art of eternal youth.
This was the main hall of the Sky Yin Sect, and those seated were none other than its elders.
They had been waiting in silence when an announcement echoed through the chamber.
"Remain loyal to the sect, and you’ll never be left wanting!"
With their Sect Master—now sporting actual facial hair—vouching for this vision, the motivational speech hit like a shot of adrenaline.
Instantly.
The elders rose, faces flushed with fervor, and saluted with renewed vigor, as though rediscovering a shred of their long-lost masculinity.
"We pledge our lives to the sect!"
Just as the hall buzzed with fervent energy—
Suddenly!
A group of panicked figures stumbled in, collapsing to their knees with dramatic wails.
"Sect Master! Sect Master!"
"Disaster has struck! Song Village has enlisted a powerful ally! Fifth Elder was ambushed and killed! You must avenge him!"
Luo Buqun’s eyes turned icy.
"Outrageous!"
"How dare Song Village defy the Sky Yin Sect? Who have they hired to dare assassinate one of our elders?!"
The other elders also seethed, their gazes sharpening.
Under the weight of their collective glare, the messenger trembled, his body stiff as if crushed by a mountain.
"R-reporting to the Sect Master!"
"Song Village has enlisted a Half-Saint expert! Fifth Elder, recognizing him as a Pure Yang vessel, extended a friendly invitation—only for the bastard to harbor murderous intent! He struck when Fifth Elder least expected it!"
As he spoke, the messenger wiped away theatrical tears and conjured an image with a delicate flick of his fingers.
A strikingly handsome face materialized in the air.
Bright eyes, flawless jade-like features—truly the epitome of youthful beauty. And those clear, piercing eyes were unforgettable.
The moment Yi Feng’s visage shimmered into view, Luo Buqun’s heart raced. The elders, too, were visibly affected, their anger momentarily eclipsed by… other reactions.
After a pause, Luo Buqun leaned forward eagerly.
"This man… is the Half-Saint? And confirmed to be a Pure Yang vessel?"
The messenger blinked, then nodded frantically.
"Yes, Sect Master! He admitted his cultivation himself, and given how easily he killed Fifth Elder, there’s no doubt!"
Tsk, tsk, tsk…
Luo Buqun licked his lips, practically salivating.
A Half-Saint Pure Yang vessel—and such a pretty one at that.
A treasure.
An absolute treasure for cultivation!
Normally, if an enemy had killed one of their elders, he’d have been furious—but at most, he’d dispatch a Saint-realm elder to handle it, both to assert the sect’s dominance and placate the ranks. After all, one elder’s death paled in comparison to the hunt for Pure Yang vessels.
But now, with Yi Feng in the picture, Luo Buqun’s fingers itched with anticipation.
Putting on a show of righteous fury, he slammed his palm down.
"Ahem!"
"Such bloodshed cannot go unanswered!"
"First Elder, Second Elder—you two will go personally. Capture him alive and bring him to me. I’ll ensure Fifth Elder’s vengeance is served!"
The elders' eyes widened in shock, and they immediately bowed with reverence.
"As you command!"
Seeing the entire assembly paying respects, Luo Buqun's gaze exuded authority.
Retracting the portrait incantation from midair, he stepped forward to examine it closely for a few breaths, his eyes flashing with a trace of suspicion.
Such a handsome young man, possessing Half-Saint cultivation—with Song Family Village's limited resources, they would hardly have anything that could tempt someone of his caliber.
Unless... the Song family offered their young mistress in marriage.
Suddenly, Luo Buqun sensed something amiss.
Though he had no personal interest in Song Yuting, he couldn't deny that she was indeed a rare beauty, bearing the grace of a noble lady. If the Half-Saint had come for her sake... he might no longer be a Pure Yang Physique!
At this thought, Luo Buqun's authoritative gaze sharpened once more.
"Hold."
After weaving several intricate incantations, a wisp of his divine consciousness flew toward the Grand Elder.
"For caution's sake, I shall dispatch a strand of my divine consciousness to accompany you. This matter concerns not only the prestige of our Tianyin Sect but also the blood debt of the Fifth Elder. You two must not let your guard down!"
Stroking his stubble, Luo Buqun's aura seemed to grow even more imposing.
Instantly, the elders and the messenger disciple were filled with awe.
To deal with just a Half-Saint, the sect master had deployed two Saint-realm elders and even personally lent his divine consciousness as reinforcement—such extreme measures spoke volumes of his fury!
Even the spirit of the deceased Fifth Elder could rest in peace knowing this!
The two Saint-realm elders brimmed with confidence, their eyes gleaming with the certainty of success.
"Fear not, Sect Master. We shall capture that Half-Saint with our own hands!"
With a solemn bow, the two formidable Saint-realm elders soared into the distance. Through his divine consciousness, Luo Buqun monitored everything, his eyes betraying a faint, inscrutable anticipation.
Soon, they arrived at Song Family Village, bathed in the glow of dusk.