Zhan Yunfei! . . .
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but ponder the mysteries surrounding Grand Elder Xuan Bing. His mind raced with questions as he considered the unprecedented events that had unfolded in this unfamiliar world. It seemed as though the world he had left behind less than two years ago had transformed beyond recognition.
"She shouldn't be this strong," remarked Xiao Mufei, his brow furrowing in deep thought.
Cha Eun Xiao contemplated the matter and replied, "Elder Xiao, you mentioned that she wasn't missing but was instead cultivating secretly all this time. Is it reasonable to assume that her strength should have increased during this period? Why do you believe she shouldn't?"
Xiao Mufei considered this line of reasoning. "You make a valid point. It's possible that even though she was already formidable in the past, her secret cultivation shouldn't have resulted in such an overwhelming improvement. She shouldn't have become powerful enough to defeat all the other great forces simultaneously."
"Indeed," Cha Eun Xiao concurred. "Could it be that this Grand Elder received some special inspiration or consumed an extraordinary substance that greatly enhanced her strength? I'm relatively new to this realm and unaware of its natural rules. In my previous world, there were countless treasures and materials that could boost one's cultivation. Perhaps she came across something unique."
Xiao Mufei shook his head in response. "Cha Eun Xiao, you're right about treasures benefiting those in lower stages, but beyond Dao Origin Stage, the only path to improvement is through years of dedicated cultivation. Each gain in power at this level is a gift from the heavens. Treasures become inconsequential. Xuan Bing holds the position of Grand Elder at Misty Cloud Palace and has been one of the most formidable figures in Qing-Yun Realm for years. Do you genuinely believe that there are treasures in the world capable of propelling her to such heights in such a brief period?"
This puzzling situation left both Cha Eun Xiao and Xiao Mufei baffled. Regardless of the cause, the undeniable fact was that the legendary Elder Xuan Bing had once again astounded the world with her extraordinary might.
Xuan Bing had treated different sects in varying ways. She selectively targeted specific sects and demonstrated her strength, leaving a trail of astonishment in her wake. Cold Moon Palace, despite sustaining injuries to three elders, still felt fortunate in comparison to the other two sects, Saint Sunlight Sect and Saint Starlight Sect. Elder Xuan Bing had taken a particular interest in these two sects.
Saint Sunlight Sect had borne the brunt of her wrath. Every cultivator above the eighth level of Dao Origin Stage had been attacked, with two individuals left disabled and incapacitated. Those who were not yet strong enough to challenge Xuan Bing were also subject to her overwhelming power. The humiliation had been harsh and relentless, leaving countless Dao Origin Stage cultivators in Saint Sunlight Sect wounded and reeling.
Saint Starlight Sect faced a similar fate. Cultivators above the eighth level of Dao Origin Stage were left injured, and one was disabled. Even those who were not directly harmed felt the impact of her power, as they were metaphorically slapped in the face by her might.
Despite the apparent similarity in events, the two sects' experiences had been different. While Xuan Bing had created disturbances in the other five sects, the treatment of Saint Sunlight Sect and Saint Starlight Sect had been markedly more severe. These two sects were perplexed and embittered by the disparity in her actions.
[We didn't intentionally harm Misty Cloud Palace...]
[When the two great halls and the other two palaces targeted you, we were not involved...]
[Why did you single us out for the worst treatment?]
The desire to seek retribution against the great halls and palaces had certainly lingered among the three factions. After the exhausting war with Xiao Monarch, however, the three factions had been hesitant to launch an attack on Misty Cloud Palace. Despite the absence of Xuan Bing, Misty Cloud Palace remained a formidable force in its own right, casting doubt on the three factions' chances of victory.
In an attempt to keep the peace, the three factions had refrained from initiating hostilities, at least for over a year. But peace was an illusion that swiftly crumbled as Xuan Bing unleashed her wrath.
According to Xiao Mufei, Saint Sunlight Sect and Saint Starlight Sect had reasons to be grateful for Xuan Bing's leniency. While she had slapped their disciples with great force, she hadn't caused fatal injuries. She could have killed them with only a twenty percent increase in the strength of her blows. In essence, she had spared their lives.
Xiao Mufei's disciples held a sense of relief and scorned the other two factions for their ill fortune. News of these events spread like wildfire throughout the world, making the situation the talk of the town. Despite their relief, Cold Moon Palace couldn't escape humiliation since Xuan Bing had also targeted their sect, injuring three of their elders.
For Cha Eun Xiao, the unfolding events filled him with excitement and admiration. He couldn't help but admire Xuan Bing's incredible power.
[That's a true peerless cultivator!]
[She's astonishing!]
[In my previous life, I may have been famous, but I was nowhere near as powerful as Xuan Bing.]
[Even though I perished at the hands of the three factions without them sending their best, Xuan Bing confronted and defeated them all!]
[If I could sweep the world like that, it would be truly amazing!]
The buzz in the martial world was a question that many pondered as well: Why hadn't Xuan Bing gone after Wu Fa? If she had, the outcome would undoubtedly be a fierce battle. Wu Fa remained elusive and mysterious, escaping her grasp. If she ever found him, a battle was inevitable.
Xuan Bing's fame was rapidly approaching that of Wu Fa, and it was conceivable that she could become the world's foremost cultivator.
"Misty Cloud Palace is on the rise," Xiao Mufei cautioned. "We must exercise caution and avoid provoking their disciples. Offending them could be life-threatening. If they reach our sect, they will undoubtedly demonstrate their might to the world by trampling on the ruins of our sect. That would be disastrous."
Misty Cloud Palace was suddenly a sect with the most prestige in the martial world.
When Cold Moon Palace received the message from Xiao Mufei, it sent help immediately. Cha Eun Xiao and the others had traveled about seven hundred miles further when they noticed lightning crackling across the sky. Seven male figures descended rapidly, each a formidable Dao Origin Stage cultivator.
The leader among them, with his hawk-like nose, possessed an aura of grace and power. He was clad in a long white robe, standing tall and impressive. His name was Zhan Yunfei, known as the Rainbow Wing of the Dual Wings of Moon in Cold Moon Palace. As a level eight Dao Origin Stage cultivator, he was one of the top twenty powerful figures in Cold Moon Palace among a multitude of disciples.
Zhan Yunfei's soul beast was a Spread Vulture, which, in his company, allowed him to challenge a level nine Dao Origin Stage cultivator. He had been part of the battle against Xiao Monarch, and it was he who had fiercely attacked Cha Eun Xiao's right leg with a sword. Despite his involvement, he hadn't fared much better in that battle, as Cha Eun Xiao had delivered a powerful palm strike to his chest, causing him to cough up blood. If it weren't for his vulture's interference, Zhan Yunfei might have met his end then. His recovery was ongoing, with traces of his previous injuries still evident in his pale complexion.