By Accident . . .
If Cha Eun Xiao had been privy to the situation, he would have remained as Cha Eun Xiao. Even though he was attractive and elegant, he knew that these men would not have paid him any mind.
Unaware of this, he opted to maintain his guise as Feng Zhiling, believing it to be the safer choice.
The men were drawing closer, and Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. They seemed formidable, yet their demeanor was casual, lacking the fierce aura that typically accompanied those on a mission.
His thoughts raced as he considered the possibilities.
"If they were coming for me, why would they not exude murderous intent?"
"They must be here for leisure or simply passing by."
As destiny would have it, the men had no hostile intentions. Had they displayed even a hint of hostility, Cha Eun Xiao would have detected the danger and swiftly retreated with Bing-Er.
The purpose of their visit was simply to admire the ice mountain. As Cha Eun Xiao prepared to greet them, a sudden sense of breakthrough emanated from the mountain. It was growing increasingly potent.
Bing-Er was breaking through at this very moment, adding yet another layer of serendipity to the situation. The surging qi rippled outwards, alerting the experienced cultivators among the approaching men.
"Wait. Someone is breaking through in this mountain? What a coincidence..."
"Indeed. Although it's just a low-level breakthrough, the power it's emitting is remarkable. The individual advancing must be practicing a legendary martial art, unique to this lower realm."
"Agreed. It's probably superior to the martial arts we've imparted to our disciples in this realm. Shall we go have a look?"
"Why not? It's on our way. Those we observe should consider themselves fortunate."
The men bantered and laughed, continuing toward the source of the breakthrough. Four individuals lagged behind the group. All were Sky Origin Stage cultivators, renowned within their sects and considered guides among the masters from Qing-Yun Realm. Yet, they were growing increasingly uneasy.
"Aren't they here to eliminate Feng Zhiling?"
"Even if Feng Zhiling isn't present, shouldn't they be actively searching for him?"
"They've done nothing aside from surveilling the Ling-Bao Hall. There are many people in there. Why haven't they apprehended Wan Zhenghao to lure Feng Zhiling out? They claim that Wan Zhenghao has a unique background and they can't capture him. Therefore, they've waited for Feng Zhiling to appear at the Ling-Bao Hall. All they seem to be doing is loitering, indulging in drink and games. It doesn't appear to be a serious mission."
But they dared not voice these thoughts. Instead, they continued to follow and cater to their superiors' desires, telling them where to find entertainment and leading them there.
"We even have to pay for their debauchery... and offer tips... This is just unbelievable..."
But they had no choice. They simply followed along, unable to comprehend the bizarre preference of their superiors for such extravagant revelry.
"These grandmasters merely... indulge in carnal activities daily, and it takes them an entire day to complete the act."
"The women are left battered. I don't understand how they maintain such vigor..."
"Look at them. They no longer seem concerned about Feng Monarch. They've ventured into the city for a tour."
The four followers could only sigh.
"What a calamity for our sects..."
"These men are like untamed beasts. They don't appear to be on a serious mission!"
"They have no intention of returning."
The situation had left them exasperated.
They couldn't help but sigh. Despite their misgivings, they knew they had to continue following their superiors.
Unbeknownst to them, these "grandmasters" held such status only within the Land of Han-Yang. In the greater Qing-Yun Realm, they were simply ordinary disciples of their respective sects. This expedition had disrupted their plans, but it had bolstered their self-esteem. They relished the rare sense of superiority that this foreign land offered. They yearned to prolong their stay on this mission because once it concluded, they would return to the Qing-Yun Realm as low-ranking disciples.
The reason they had refrained from confronting Wan Zhenghao was simple. The people in the Land of Han-Yang might be unaware that Gu Jinlong owned Ling-Bao Hall, but the esteemed Saint Sunlight Sect in the Qing-Yun Realm certainly knew. Gu Jinlong held the esteemed position of a superior cultivator in the Dao Origin Stage within their sect.
One of them suggested that they should simply eliminate Feng Zhiling and spare Wan Zhenghao. After all, he was the representative of Breezing Sword, ranked No. 9 among their top 10 powerful disciples. In essence, Ling-Bao Hall belonged to Gu Jinlong. It would be unwise to provoke Wan Zhenghao and create trouble at Ling-Bao Hall.
"Gu Jinlong is already at level 3 of the Dao Origin Stage. He is currently in seclusion, enhancing his cultivation. If we cause trouble at his establishment and harm his disciple, he will not let it slide," they all agreed. Gu Jinlong's seemingly benevolent exterior concealed a ruthless and merciless disposition.
While they believed they could handle Feng Zhiling, they dared not harm Wan Zhenghao or Ling-Bao Hall.
The group of men, when they noticed someone undergoing a breakthrough, decided to investigate when they were near the mountain. Though they hadn't intended to explore the mountain, the curious presence of the cultivator drew their attention.
From a distance, they observed a figure standing atop the ice mountain, hands clasped behind their back, exuding an air of arrogance and vigor. This individual looked down upon the world, akin to a king or conqueror surveying their dominion.
The four men who trailed the group couldn't believe their eyes.
"Is it really a coincidence?"
"Could it be... Feng Monarch from Ling-Bao Hall?"
"Sometimes, you search far and wide without success, only to stumble upon the very thing you sought without even looking."
"We came for a leisurely tour, and yet we've chanced upon the person we've been ardently searching for!"
The eight men from the Qing-Yun Realm ascended the mountain, eventually standing before Feng Monarch. To their surprise, they greeted him warmly.
"My friend, you stand alone at the peak, surveying the mountains and rivers. What a profound aesthetic contemplation!"