"Chun Wu, what did you just say? You said Chu Feng is back?" Upon hearing those words, Huangfu Haoyue's face changed dramatically. In his excitement, he actually grabbed Chun Wu by the arm, making her wince in pain.
"Haoyue, I almost forgot to tell you — Chu Feng really has returned. He came back today," Qiushui Fuyan said with a smile.
"That's wonderful! Where is Chu Feng? I want to see him." Upon confirming Chu Feng's return, Huangfu Haoyue's face was alight with wild joy. He looked more elated than if he had just broken through in his cultivation.
"Young friend Chu Feng has already learned about Ya Fei and the others. He's entered the Immortal Path now, searching for clues about them," Qiushui Fuyan said.
"So that's how it is. No wonder." Upon learning this, the smile on Huangfu Haoyue's face froze instantly. Not only did the joy vanish, but a trace of worry crept in as well. "If it turns out that Ya Fei and the other two are truly gone, young friend Chu Feng will be devastated."
Hearing these words, many who were present fell silent. They all knew about the special relationship between Chu Feng and the three women, and they could all sense that Chu Feng carried guilt toward them.
"Haoyue, as it happens, the banquet we prepared for Chu Feng's return is still set up. Let's continue the celebration — to congratulate you on breaking through and becoming a Martial Emperor," Qiu Canfeng said. At the same time, the others nearby all voiced their agreement.
For them, today truly was a occasion for double celebration. To not drink to their hearts' content would be a real damper.
"Everyone, Haoyue has just broken through. Although his cultivation has grown tremendously, if what Xue Xi says is true — that the Blood Qilin clan leader has long since broken through to Martial Emperor as well — then considering the timeline, they could arrive at the foot of our Piaomiao Peak at any moment."
"If we are all drunk when that happens, I'm afraid it would be unwise," the Piaomiao Fairy said.
"Mother speaks wisely. Besides, Haoyue has just broken through and needs proper rest," Qiushui Fuyan added.
"That's true. Once we've dealt with the Blood Qilin, there will still be plenty of time to celebrate," Qiu Canfeng and the others nodded in agreement.
And so, the group dispersed. Though they scattered, many — Qiu Canfeng among them — did not truly leave. Instead, they kept watch outside the Immortal Path.
They all had much they wanted to say to Chu Feng, and they were worried both about his safety and his emotional state. Not wanting to go inside and disturb him, they could only stand guard outside and wait for him to emerge.
Huangfu Haoyue had originally wanted to wait there as well, but seeing so many people already stationed, and with Qiushui Fuyan having told him to rest, he had no choice but to return first to their shared quarters with her.
"Haoyue, even though you've become a Martial Emperor, I still can't help worrying if you face the Blood Qilin clan leader in battle." At this moment, Qiushui Fuyan had shed her usual commanding demeanor, lying obediently in Huangfu Haoyue's arms.
Though she was the current master of Piaomiao Peak, a woman who commanded respect and struck fear into all, before Huangfu Haoyue she was simply a wife — a wife consumed with concern for her husband.
"To be honest, if the Blood Qilin clan leader has truly also broken through to Martial Emperor, the outcome of a fight between us would be anyone's guess. After all, every time we've clashed before, I never managed to gain the slightest advantage. But at this point, we have no other option. We can only fight with everything we have," Huangfu Haoyue said.