"Senior."
Upon seeing the old ape, Chu Feng was filled with excitement. Even now, the old ape remained as unfathomable as a deep well before him — Chu Feng simply could not see through his cultivation.
"Chu Feng, you've come."
The old ape rose to his feet when he saw Chu Feng. The corners of his mouth curved upward slightly, revealing a faint smile.
This was a complete departure from the past. Back then, the old ape had regarded Chu Feng with eyes full of severity and a fierce demeanor.
Now, however, his gaze was brimming with warmth — as though he, too, had been eagerly anticipating Chu Feng's arrival.
"Your servant greets the Master." Upon seeing the old ape, the blind elder hastily dropped into a deep bow.
Whoosh—
However, before the blind elder could actually kneel, the old ape swept his sleeve and lifted the blind elder upright.
"There is no need for such formality. Go inside with Chu Feng quickly," the old ape said. His gaze, however, drifted to the Four Sacred Beasts as he added, "But these four are of lowly status. They may not enter the Chu Family's forbidden ground."
With that, the old ape settled back into a cross-legged position and resumed his vigil over that peculiar bonfire.
Under normal circumstances, anyone who dared speak to them in such a manner would have long since earned the wrath of the Four Sacred Beasts. Yet when these words came from the old ape's mouth, the four did not dare flinch. Instead, they sat themselves down properly and obediently.
After all, this was an existence that even the blind elder could not begin to compare with. What level of strength the old ape actually possessed — that was something probably only he himself knew.
But one thing was beyond doubt: regardless of his true level, if he wished to annihilate them, a single flick of spit would more than suffice.
The Four Sacred Beasts were no fools. How could they dare act rashly before such an existence?
On the contrary, they now believed even more firmly in Chu Feng's noble identity, and they looked forward all the more eagerly to the journey beyond the heavens.
As for Chu Feng, he advanced alongside the blind elder. Before long, the two arrived at the place where Chu Feng's gravestone stood.
That grave had been built for Chu Feng to deceive the members of the Chu Family.
It had been destroyed in the past by that fellow named Chu Kongtong, but judging by the look of things now, it had clearly been restored.
And upon seeing that gravestone again, Chu Feng's heart surged with elation.
Not because of the gravestone itself, but because of the person beside it. There stood a graceful figure.
Her beauty was like that of an earthly sprite, her bearing like that of a celestial maiden — it was Zi Ling.
Zi Ling was not only fully unharmed, but her aura had improved greatly compared to the past. She was now a first-grade Martial Emperor.
Though such cultivation was far beneath Chu Feng's current level, it was nonetheless an enormous improvement from where Zi Ling had been before.
"Zi Ling." Upon seeing her, Chu Feng hurried forward in several swift strides, grasped her delicate shoulders with both hands, and looked her over. "Let me take a good look at my silly girl. You're not hurt anywhere, are you?"
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine," Zi Ling replied with a sweet smile. She then turned to the blind elder and said, "Master, please rest assured as well. I have fully recovered."
"That's good to hear, that's good to hear." The blind elder nodded repeatedly, his face breaking into a broad smile.
He was not a heartless man. After all, he had once served as Zi Ling's teacher, and his bond with her and the others ran deep.
"However, Miss Zi Ling, your servant has already reunited with the Master. Please do not call this old servant 'Master' any longer — it is not something this old servant can presume to accept," the blind elder said.
Hearing this, Zi Ling seemed about to say something, but she appeared to think better of it and ultimately said nothing.
Instead, she looked at Chu Feng and said, "Chu Feng, go on in. Your father is waiting for you."
At those words, Chu Feng's heart lurched.
"Zi Ling — my father is willing to see me?" Chu Feng could hardly believe his ears. To him, this was far too important.
"Don't be silly. Go on in. He is your father, after all," Zi Ling said with a smile.