When Tao Xiangyu learned of this, she was absolutely livid. Leading the members of the Taoxian Department, she began searching everywhere for Sima Ying — and quickly found her.
If Sima Ying had returned to the Refinement Department, that would have been one thing. After all, the Refinement Department was Qingmu Mountain's most important territory, and no matter how powerful Tao Xiangyu was, she wouldn't dare cause trouble there.
But Sima Ying hadn't returned to the Refinement Department. Not only that — she had gone to the most crowded place of all: the Mission Plaza.
And using the power of her formations, she had written several large characters on the ground:
"Waiting for mad dogs to come bite! Bring as many as you like — I'll take you all on!!!"
These words were an unmistakable provocation — a blatant challenge that showed utter contempt and amounted to a direct insult against the entire Taoxian Department.
Tao Xiangyu, already seething with rage, nearly lost her mind upon reading them. Without a second thought, she launched a savage attack on Sima Ying.
Sima Ying refused to back down and fought Tao Xiangyu right there in front of everyone.
Though Sima Ying's barrier techniques were formidable and she was widely recognized as a barrier prodigy, how could her combat strength possibly compare to that of Tao Xiangyu, who possessed a Heaven-Gifted Divine Body?
She was at a disadvantage from the very first exchange and was quickly defeated — utterly and completely.
Sima Ying was stubborn and refused to admit defeat, let alone apologize. Tao Xiangyu was even more domineering — not only did she humiliate Sima Ying publicly, she beat her in front of the entire crowd.
In no time, the news spread like wildfire. And since Tao Xiangyu's reputation was enormous, everyone who heard she was involved came to watch the spectacle. Even many of Qingmu Mountain's truly important figures showed up.
With things having escalated to such a degree, the Asura Department naturally received word quickly. The others could have tolerated it, but when the news reached Bai Ruochen, she couldn't sit still any longer.
Without overthinking it, Bai Ruochen left a single instruction for Wang Wei and the others: "If Chu Feng comes out of seclusion, let him know. But until he does, no one in the Asura Department is to make a move."
With that, Bai Ruochen soared into the air and shot toward the Mission Plaza.
Seeing this, everyone understood that Bai Ruochen had rushed ahead first.
Though the other Asura Department members didn't know whether Bai Ruochen actually knew Sima Ying, the anxious look on her face was enough for them to guess that Sima Ying must have some significant connection to both her and Chu Feng.
And just thinking about the fact that Bai Ruochen was going to help Sima Ying put the entire Asura Department on edge — after all, the opponent this time was no minor figure. This was Tao Xiangyu, who possessed a Heaven-Gifted Divine Body.
So the Asura Department members didn't dare act rashly, nor did they dare disturb Chu Feng. All they could do was gather quietly and wait for him to emerge from seclusion so they could follow his lead.
"You're asking for death."
Upon learning the full account, Chu Feng was instantly consumed by fury. He gritted his teeth so hard that veins bulged across his face.
Sima Ying had no parents — only a grandfather who had raised her with his own hands. Now even he was dead, having sacrificed his life to save her. This was the moment when she was most heartbroken, most anguished, most consumed by grief.
A Sima Ying in such a state should have been treated with tender care and comfort. Yet upon coming to Qingmu Mountain, instead of receiving any of that, she had been publicly humiliated. How could Chu Feng possibly tolerate that?
Regardless of whatever past grievances he had with Sima Ying, he could not stand by and do nothing now.
With that thought, Chu Feng's footwork shifted. His body transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
He didn't wait for Wang Wei or any of the other Asura Department members — he was the first to rush toward the Mission Plaza.
The Mission Plaza was now a sea of people. Not only had a massive number of disciples gathered, but quite a few elders had come as well.
What had drawn everyone's attention was a group of strikingly beautiful female disciples.