"Get up, let me get a good look at you." Qiu Canfeng hurriedly helped Chu Feng to his feet, and a look of tenderheartedness actually surfaced on his face — it was clear just from this how deeply he doted on Chu Feng.
Though Qiu Canfeng hadn't broken into tears the way Qiushui Fuyan had, Chu Feng could see that as the old man studied him, those aged eyes had grown somewhat red.
Qiu Canfeng — once one of the Four Great Protectors of the Darknight Demon Sect, now its acting sect master. Who could ever make him cry? When had he ever shed a single tear?
Yet now, tears glistened in his eyes simply because he had seen Chu Feng. That alone spoke volumes about how important Chu Feng truly was in Qiu Canfeng's heart.
"See, Old Qiu, I didn't lie to you." At that moment, Taikou had returned as well.
"Taikou, the promise I made you will be kept — you'll get your reward."
"But right now, I need to catch up with my disciple first." Qiu Canfeng gripped Chu Feng's hand and refused to let go no matter what.
"Come on now, Senior Qiu Canfeng, stop being so sentimental," Qiushui Fuyan said with a laugh from the side. "Chu Feng's return isn't easy to come by — we should all be happy."
"Right, right, right! Someone, pass down the order — throw a grand banquet to celebrate Chu Feng's return!" Taikou bellowed loudly.
Nowadays, thanks to the Ethereal Heavenly Nymph, Taikou held considerable authority within the Ethereal Heavenly Peak. Almost no one dared disobey his commands.
"Senior Taikou, there's no need for anything extravagant — just invite a few people we know well," Chu Feng said.
Over so many years, he had seen more than his fill of grand celebrations and lavish spectacles. He had grown weary of them all. Now that he had returned, all he wanted was to catch up with the people who mattered most to him.
"Relax — only people you know will be invited. Anyone who isn't your acquaintance won't be allowed near the table," Taikou said with a smile, then headed out, apparently intending to personally oversee the preparations for the banquet. Qiushui Fuyan followed him out as well.
That alone showed just how much they valued Chu Feng — even the banquet preparations required the father and daughter to personally see to it.
"Oh, Chu Feng, there's something I should tell you," the Ethereal Heavenly Nymph said. "Your family, along with people from the Azure Dragon Sect and the Jiang Dynasty — they've all returned to the Nine Provinces Continent."
"Why did they leave?" Chu Feng asked.
"They said the Nine Provinces Continent is their homeland. If they didn't go back, they would feel they had failed their ancestors."
"In my view, they may have simply felt it was awkward to keep staying with us indefinitely, so they found a reason to depart."
"But don't worry — we've kept in touch, and they're all doing well on the Nine Provinces Continent." The Ethereal Heavenly Nymph seemed concerned that Chu Feng might worry, so she added that reassurance.
"It's fine. I'll be heading back to the Nine Provinces Continent myself eventually — I can visit them when I return." Learning that his family was safe, Chu Feng naturally felt at ease.
After that, the banquet was set up. Everyone at the Ethereal Heavenly Peak and the Darknight Demon Sect who knew Chu Feng took their seats.
Xue Xiyue, the First Immortal, and many other familiar faces all appeared within Chu Feng's view.
Everyone's reaction was more or less the same — they were all delighted to see Chu Feng. Unlike the people of the Martial Holy Land, these familiar faces felt not a shred of distance toward him. They hadn't grown reverent or awestruck simply because his strength had increased. Instead, they remained as warm and affectionate as ever — like family. True family.