C11 Depart

Upon returning to the Cloud Soaring Sect, Xiao Feng made his way to the grand hall atop the main peak in silence. Thanks to Xiao Feng's supply of premium Spirit Stones and Dragon Crystals, Qing Yutang had fully recovered from his injuries. Yet, Qing Yutang was still reeling from the shock that Xiao Feng had been taken under the wing of Lau Ruyan!

Among the Mountain Sea Sect's elders, Lau Ruyan was unrivaled in strength. Not even the Sect Master could confidently claim victory over her.

Initially, Xiao Feng felt disappointed after being turned down by Li Yan, but now, as Lau Ruyan's disciple, it seemed his misfortune had turned into a stroke of luck.

"Are you leaving tomorrow?" Qing Yutang asked his disciple, his heart heavy with reluctance.

Xiao Feng simply nodded, "Yes."

"Then go. A talent like yours shouldn't be confined to the modest Cloud Soaring Sect for life. You're meant for greater things!"

Xiao Feng had spent his entire life at the Cloud Soaring Sect, where he had grown fond of every blade of grass and tree. The Sect Master, in particular, had become like family to him.

"Sect Master, the Cloud Soaring Sect will always be my home. I promise to visit often!"

He then produced another Storage Ring, "This is filled with numerous premium Spirit Stones and Dragon Crystals. Should you find a disciple of high talent and character, please give them this ring."

Qing Yutang shook his head, declining the offer, "No, you're about to join the Mountain Sea Sect. You'll need these resources more than we will. Keep them for yourself."

Xiao Feng knew the Sect Master was concerned about him facing hardships there. He shook his head, "Sect Master, you've forgotten that I'm now Lau Ruyan's disciple. How could I possibly be in want of resources? Please, accept these."

Despite Qing Yutang's repeated refusals, he ultimately conceded to Xiao Feng's insistence.

The following morning, Xiao Feng departed from the Cloud Soaring Sect, striding forward without a backward glance.

As he set out for the Mountain Sea Sect, he knew he had to grow stronger to protect everything he held dear.

Shortly after Xiao Feng departed from the Cloud Soaring Sect, Gongye Zhen made his way into the grand hall to say his goodbyes. He had been in deep meditation for several days, so he was somewhat out of touch with recent events.

"Zheng'er, your level of cultivation?" Qing Yutang was astonished to discover that his disciple's cultivation had not only surpassed Xiao Feng's but had also advanced to the Eon Realm!

Gongye Zhen nodded, "Master, I had a stroke of luck. My seclusion was to fully assimilate the windfall that chance had bestowed upon me."

Qing Yutang felt a surge of pride. Both his disciples were destined for greatness.

"Master, I wish to venture out and further my training..." Gongye Zhen expressed his desire.

"Go ahead! You've both grown too much to be confined to our modest Cloud Soaring Sect. Take this with you; it's something Xiao Feng left for you," Qing Yutang said as he handed over a Storage Ring to Gongye Zhen. "Don't decline it. You'll surely need these resources on your journey."

Unable to persuade his master otherwise, Gongye Zhen accepted the ring. Once outside the sect, he inquired, "Senior, where shall we head?"

A voice echoed in his mind, "Gongye Zhen, as a Sword Cultivator, the world is your oyster."

"Ha! Well said, Senior! Let's go!" Gongye Zhen soared into the sky, heading in the opposite direction of the Mountain Sea Sect. If his junior brother was there, he would explore elsewhere.

Aboard Lau Ruyan's flying boat, the distance to the Mountain Sea Sect was considerable. Xiao Feng and Xianyu lacked the Spiritual Force to make the journey on their own, which is why Lau Ruyan had brought the flying boat.

"Xiao Feng, once we arrive at the Mountain Sea Sect, I want you to conceal your true power. Do not reveal the full extent of your abilities," Lau Ruyan cautioned him.

She expects me to unleash a surprise during the Great Competition? Is that really necessary?

Xiao Feng didn't quite grasp Lau Ruyan's reasoning but decided not to dwell on it. He nodded in agreement, "Understood. I'll keep as low a profile as possible."

"What happens if someone provokes us?" Xiao Feng's response was icy, "Then I'll kill them."

Lau Ruyan was speechless. I knew it; this kid is nothing but trouble. With him and that kid from the Sea Clan together, Xiao Feng is bound to stir up trouble at the Mountain Sea Sect.

Lau Ruyan frowned and massaged her temples, dreading the potential future conflicts. "Just a heads up, the Mountain Clan might not cause you problems since they've been in decline for years. But the Sea Clan is a different story. Hai Li's brother is one of the Mountain Sea Sect's top Prodigies."

"I'm going to pilot the flying boat. You two can hang out here for a while."

Xiao Feng and Hai Li exchanged a knowing smile. Uncertain of what lay ahead, they found solace in each other's company.

As night fell, Xianyu leaned on the flying boat's railing and asked, "Xiao Feng."

"Mhm?"

"What do you think lies beyond the Mountain Sea Sect and the Eastern Divine Region?"

Xiao Feng gazed at the stars, pondering a question he too had considered. He replied softly, "Why speculate about the unknown? Once we're strong enough, we can see it for ourselves!"

With that, Xiao Feng glanced at the night sky and said, "Hold on a second, Xianyu!" He then tossed several top-grade Spirit Stones into the air, followed by his Overlord Spear.

The spear danced through the air, its spear wind fiercely shattering the Spirit Stones. As the fragments fell like stars, dispersing with the immense Spiritual Force, Xiao Feng commanded, "Gather!"

The pieces obeyed, swirling under his Spiritual Force to form a radiant ring, a galaxy in its own right.

"One day, I'll take you to explore the vast cosmos, to every corner of the universe," he promised.

Xianyu was awestruck, captivated by the spectacle and Xiao Feng's words.

"Hmph, our Young Master Xiao certainly has a flair for the dramatic, using top-grade Spirit Stones to impress a girl."

The armor was incredibly frustrated. Why on earth had he chosen such a thing? It was nothing but a pile of dog food!

Lau Ruyan sighed as she watched the scene unfold from the control room of the flying boat. It seemed Xianyu was well and truly caught in the young man's grasp.

"Senior, please don't speak like that. We still have tens of thousands of top-grade Spirit Stones. Let's not make a habit of it!"

Xiao Feng, gazing at the stars fading in the sky, suddenly spoke up.

"Senior, the Mountain Sea Sect is already vast. Are there sects even larger than ours? Are there other sects out there in the universe?"

The armor remained silent for a long while before responding. "Yes, there are. But that's not something you need to concern yourself with at the moment."

"I may not understand why you chose me, Senior, but I can assure you that I won't disappoint you with the spear in my hand. I'll use it to protect those close to me!"

"Ah, your words bring someone to mind."

"Is it 'him'?" Xiao Feng ventured, probing gently. The man in question was always a topic the armor avoided.

The armor hummed in affirmation, then offered, "Xiao Feng, what do you say I teach you a spear technique?"