"Chu Zhen!!!" Turning around, Chu Feng spotted a familiar figure among the Azure Dragon Sect's contingent — it was none other than Chu Zhen.
"Chu Feng, is that you?!!" The sight of Chu Feng made Chu Zhen's body shudder. Then, an ecstatic grin spread across his face as he strode quickly over, looking Chu Feng up and down with careful scrutiny.
"My heavens, it really is you, kid! When did you get back? Have you been doing well all these years?" Chu Zhen was overjoyed to see Chu Feng, practically brimming with excitement.
"I just got back. I came here first to pay my respects to Grandfather and the others," Chu Feng replied with a faint smile. "But what are you doing here?"
"After all, this is our Chu Family's burial ground. The Azure Dragon Sect sent people to stand guard, but we still weren't at ease, so the remaining brothers and sisters from our family have been taking turns keeping watch here. This month happens to be my turn," Chu Zhen explained with a casual smile.
"Lord Chu Zhen, this gentleman… could he be?" The other members of the Azure Dragon Sect had gathered over with curious looks, sizing up Chu Feng with gazes filled with reverence and a touch of trepidation.
"This is none other than the legendary Chu Feng, who once shook the Azure Dragon Sect to its core. What are you all standing there dazing for? Pay your respects at once!" Chu Zhen said with a grin.
"We pay our respects to Lord Chu Feng." Upon confirming Chu Feng's identity, the entire group of Azure Dragon Sect cultivators dropped to their knees in unison, offering him a full kowtow.
Chu Feng's reputation was far too towering. Not only in Qingzhou — across the entire Nine Provinces Continent and the whole Eastern Sea Region, his name rang like thunder. The two characters "Chu Feng" had long since become a legend of the Eastern Sea. Though many had never laid eyes on him in person, they idolized him all the same. He was the hero in countless people's hearts.
"Rise." Chu Feng swept his arm gently, and the group was lifted to their feet. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, a cascade of Martial Beads landed in each of their hands.
"By the heavens — Lord Chu Feng, what are these? They contain such dense energy of heaven and earth!"
Clutching the Martial Beads, their eyes lit up instantly. They were considered fairly capable cultivators within the Azure Dragon Sect, all at the Xuan Wu Realm, and they had seen their share of rare treasures — but beads like these were something they had never encountered before.
"They're called Martial Beads. Consider them a welcoming gift," Chu Feng said.
"Thank you, Lord Chu Feng! Thank you, Lord Chu Feng!!!"
At these words, the Azure Dragon Sect members bowed once more in gratitude. Even just by looking at them, they could tell the beads were worth a fortune, and Chu Feng had given each of them a hundred — how could they not be thrilled? They felt that with these Martial Beads alone, they had struck it rich.
"Brother Chu Feng, you've gotten even more generous, haven't you? Giving away such precious things just like that?" Chu Zhen remarked from the side, though his words carried a hint of envy — as if to say, if you're handing out that many to outsiders, the least you could do is give me a share too.
"Chu Zhen, I've had your gift ready for a long time." As he spoke, Chu Feng produced a Universe Bag and pressed it into Chu Zhen's hand.
Chu Zhen accepted the Universe Bag and opened it. The moment he peered inside, his expression changed dramatically. Pure elation flooded his face — he looked as though he were dreaming. Inside the bag, there were several hundred thousand Martial Beads alone, and on top of that, all manner of other treasures he had never laid eyes on before.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, you really have become something else entirely. To produce such valuable items so effortlessly — the gap between us just keeps growing wider." Chu Zhen carefully stowed the Universe Bag away, then looked at Chu Feng with undisguised admiration.
Back in the day, he and Chu Feng had both been disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect. He used to make things difficult for Chu Feng on a regular basis, looking down on him without restraint. And now? The difference between their strength was night and day. Even though so many years had passed, whenever he thought back on his old behavior, he felt a deep sense of shame.
"We're family — don't be so formal with me," Chu Feng said with a light smile, then asked, "How are things at the Azure Dragon Sect these days?"