"Senior Ma, is there something else?" Chu Feng turned around and asked.
"I almost forgot this." Old Village Chief Ma smiled warmly, walked up to Chu Feng, and handed him the Azure Qilin Ruyi. "This belongs to Young Friend Chu Feng now."
Looking at the Azure Qilin Ruyi and recalling how Old Village Chief Ma had wielded its power earlier that day — using barrier techniques in his fierce battle against Sun Feiyang — Chu Feng felt it would be more fitting for the Azure Qilin Ruyi to remain with Old Village Chief Ma. So he generously said:
"The Azure Qilin Ruyi is far too valuable. Keeping it on me wouldn't be safe. Why don't you keep it for me, Old Village Chief Ma?"
Chu Feng's words were quite clever — he wanted to return the Azure Qilin Ruyi to Old Village Chief Ma, but without being too direct about it.
In theory, the Azure Qilin Ruyi still belonged to Chu Feng, and he could take it back whenever he needed it. In practice, however, he had no intention of doing so. Despite how precious the Azure Qilin Ruyi was, Chu Feng valued people over treasures.
Clearly, when it came to choosing between Old Village Chief Ma and the Azure Qilin Ruyi, Chu Feng cared more about the old village chief. Though Ma had wronged him before, by now Chu Feng held not a shred of resentment toward him — on the contrary, he deeply admired and was grateful to the old man.
And thinking about how the Azure Qilin Ruyi was a supreme treasure that Old Village Chief Ma had obtained at the cost of sacrificing his own future — holding special significance for him — Chu Feng felt it was only right to leave it by the old man's side.
"You obtaining it proves you were fated to have it. Moreover, I trust that Young Friend Chu Feng can protect the Azure Qilin Ruyi well. So, take it with you." As if sensing Chu Feng's intentions, Old Village Chief Ma shook his head with a smile, insisting on returning the Azure Qilin Ruyi to Chu Feng.
"Young Friend Chu Feng, since Village Chief Ma has put it this way, just take it. Protecting a supreme treasure may be dangerous, but sometimes it's a good thing that aids growth."
"Protecting a supreme treasure is no different from protecting your loved ones. Given Young Friend Chu Feng's character, the meaning of family must surely far outweigh any treasure."
"But if you can't even protect a treasure, how could you protect your loved ones?" Just then, Miao Renlong chimed in with a smile.
Hearing the words of both, Chu Feng understood their intentions. Miao Renlong's analogy was apt, and Old Village Chief Ma was determined to entrust the Azure Qilin Ruyi to him. There was no point saying more, so Chu Feng simply placed the Azure Qilin Ruyi into his robe.
After that, Chu Feng and Miao Renlong set off for the Spirit World Master Alliance. Chu Feng was quite looking forward to this trip.
If they could truly confirm that Han Helai was the one who had stolen the Sealed Ice, then not only would there be a chance to reclaim it and seal away the celestial wonder of the Falling Leaves Bamboo Forest — dramatically boosting his cultivation — but he could also avenge Sima Ying. It would be killing two birds with one stone, and just thinking about it was deeply satisfying.
Miao Renlong seemed quite curious about Chu Feng's background, chatting with him throughout the journey. Chu Feng didn't hold back, telling Miao Renlong the full story of how he had traveled from the Eastern Sea to the Martial Sacred Continent.
Upon learning of Chu Feng's experiences, Miao Renlong admired him even more. He felt that compared to the other geniuses of the Martial Sacred Continent, Chu Feng had endured far greater hardships and that his journey had been far more difficult.
However, along the way, Chu Feng also witnessed the full extent of Miao Renlong's power. His speed was simply extraordinary. Though the Sealed Village and the Spirit World Master Alliance were both located in the central region of the Alliance territory, the distance between them was considerable.
In theory, they should have used an Ancient Teleportation Array to travel. But Miao Renlong chose to go on foot.
Yet, under Miao Renlong's guidance, in just a few short days, Chu Feng arrived at the Spirit World Master Alliance.
This pace of travel was no slower than using an Ancient Teleportation Array, truly beyond belief. It made Chu Feng wonder: if a Peak Half-emperor was already this fast, what would the speed of a Martial Emperor be? Wouldn't they be able to traverse the entirety of the Martial Sacred Continent at will?
And upon actually arriving at the Spirit World Master Alliance, despite having seen his fair share of wonders, Chu Feng was still amazed by its ingenious design.
The Spirit World Master Alliance was built deep underground. Chu Feng had expected it to be a vast subterranean palace, but now he realized he had still underestimated it.
This place was an independent world unto itself — blue skies and white clouds, vast expanses of earth, rivers and mountains, everything one could wish for.
Here, there were even many plants Chu Feng had never seen before, and animals he had never encountered.
To be precise, every plant here possessed medicinal properties, and every animal had a special purpose — some could be used for refining medicines, others for forging weapons. They were far more than mere ornaments.
Back in the Nine Provinces Continent, within Qingzhou, spirit medicines, yuan medicines, and even mystic medicines were treated as supreme treasures. Here, they grew across the mountains and rivers like ordinary wildflowers.
This meant that this independent space, this self-contained world, not only brimmed with Spiritual Energy — it was far more abundant than in the outside world. It was truly a sanctuary for cultivation and refinement.
The architecture here was also unique — uniformly white bricks and white tiles. Regardless of the structure's form, white was the dominant color.
The colorful scenery paired with the pristine white buildings created a uniquely beautiful aesthetic.
"It's beautiful. This is absolutely the most beautiful place I've ever seen." Standing atop a palace pavilion, Chu Feng gazed at the surrounding splendor and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Chu Feng." Just then, a sweet voice came from behind him.
Hearing that voice, Chu Feng's heart skipped with delight, because it belonged to none other than Sima Ying.
He turned around, and sure enough, Sima Ying was standing right behind him. She wore a Spirit World Golden Robe, her red hair tied in a long ponytail that fell behind her, looking absolutely charming.
"Wow, you're already a 6th-grade Martial King! You've improved so quickly — it looks like you'll surpass me before long." Sima Ying walked up to Chu Feng, her face a mixture of surprise and genuine happiness.
"I thought I'd caught up to you, but I realize now that I was wrong." Chu Feng smiled faintly, because he noticed that Sima Ying's cultivation had also advanced — she was no longer a 6th-grade Martial King, but had become a 7th-grade Martial King.
Even though Chu Feng was already a 6th-grade Martial King, Sima Ying still stood a full grade above him.
And at such a young age, with such a rapid rate of breakthroughs, her talent was something that even Chu Feng had to bow to.
"Heh, it's not just my cultivation that's improved — it's my Spirit World techniques as well. If you and I were to compete in Spirit World arts again, I might not lose to you this time." Sima Ying narrowed her eyes, which curved into two sweet crescent moons, while a confident smile played at the corners of her lips.