"I underestimated this fellow."
"Brother, stay back. With me here… she can't hurt you."
After Duan Liufeng said this to Chu Feng, an even more powerful aura erupted from within him.
His stance made it clear he was going to teach the Head of the Crouching Dragon a harsh lesson.
But the Head of the Crouching Dragon refused to be outdone. Killing intent even surged in her eyes.
"Stop!!!"
But at that moment, a voice suddenly boomed through the air.
Looking toward the source, the fierce Head of the Crouching Dragon didn't just become meek — she looked positively aggrieved.
Because the one who spoke was the Sect Master herself.
The Sect Master was awake, standing not far away, gazing at Duan Liufeng and the Head of the Crouching Dragon.
And she appeared to be in very good condition.
Only… she still bore the appearance of an old woman and had not recovered her previous youthful beauty.
"Master, Elder Duan has been bullying this disciple."
Seeing that the Sect Master was unharmed, the Head of the Crouching Dragon hurriedly ran to her side, eager to play the victim first.
"You still dare to put on an act in front of me?"
But when the Sect Master looked at the Head of the Crouching Dragon, her gaze was filled with piercing severity.
"Master, this disciple knows her mistake."
Seeing that look, the Head of the Crouching Dragon was badly frightened. The defiant, untamable girl immediately knelt before the Sect Master.
Her appearance was completely different from before. Previously, she had seemed fearless of heaven or earth. But now, she looked like a child afraid of punishment after doing something wrong.
"Sect Master, you're alright."
At this moment, Duan Liufeng and Chu Feng also approached the Sect Master.
Seeing that the Sect Master was in good condition, they were greatly relieved.
As for the matter of the Head of the Crouching Dragon, with the Sect Master present, they naturally had nothing to worry about.
"My body is fine. No need to worry."
"Chu Feng, what exactly happened just now? Tell me everything in detail."
The Sect Master asked Chu Feng.
And Chu Feng recounted the entire sequence of events, leaving nothing out.
"Wen Xue, tell me the truth — what exactly was it that you abandoned inside Chu Feng's body?"
"Don't try to hide it from me. If you do, I'll lock you up again."
The Sect Master fixed her gaze on the Head of the Crouching Dragon.
Though her stare fell only on the Head of the Crouching Dragon, Chu Feng and Duan Liufeng standing nearby could all feel the weight of that pressure.
"Master, it was this disciple's Life Soul."
"I was afraid that if Chu Feng learned it was my Life Soul, he would refuse to return it, so I didn't tell him directly."
"I was only trying to take back my Life Soul just now. I wouldn't have harmed him."
The Head of the Crouching Dragon said.
"Your Life Soul was inside Chu Feng — why didn't you tell me?"
The Sect Master asked.
"This disciple… didn't want Master to know what this disciple had done to Chu Feng."
"I was afraid Master would blame me."
The Head of the Crouching Dragon said.
"So you do know what you did was wrong?"
The Sect Master asked.
"Master, that was before this disciple met you."
"This disciple has already changed her ways and won't do evil anymore."
The Head of the Crouching Dragon hurriedly explained.
"Wrongdoings must bear consequences."
"Her Life Soul is now inside Chu Feng's body. Whether it should be returned to you is for Chu Feng to decide."
After saying this, the Sect Master turned to Chu Feng.
"Chu Feng, whether you return it or not is up to you."
These words were spoken aloud in front of everyone. But immediately after, a private voice transmission entered Chu Feng's ears.
"Chu Feng, her Life Soul is in your hands. If you die, her life won't be spared either."
"As long as you hold onto her Life Soul, she has absolutely no way of taking it by force. Her attack just now was simply an attempt to catch you off guard."
Chu Feng understood the Sect Master's meaning — she did not want him to return the Life Soul.
"Sect Master, wouldn't it be better if I handed her Life Soul over to you?"
Chu Feng asked through private transmission as well.
"That won't do. You know her background — she's not so simple."
"She can sense where her Life Soul is at all times. If you give it to me, she'll constantly badger me to return it, and that would be quite troublesome for me."
"Better to keep it with you for now."