"Really?" After hearing Liu Chengkun's words, Chu Feng was overjoyed.
The reason for his joy was naturally the opportunity to become an Immortal-Robed Spirit World Master — but it wasn't the prospect of becoming one himself that had him so thrilled.
Rather, it was because once he became an Immortal-Robed Spirit World Master, he would be able to treat Liu Chengkun's condition. In that way, a burden in Chu Feng's heart could finally be lifted.
"Of course it's real. Tomorrow, I will invite you to the hall together, and the Association Master will announce this matter publicly," Liu Chengkun said.
"Thank you, Senior." Chu Feng was deeply grateful. Though he didn't know the specifics of how it had come about, he could guess that this slot had not come easily. Liu Chengkun must have put in a great deal of effort to secure it for Chu Feng.
After all… he was not a member of the Red Butterfly Association.
However, what Chu Feng didn't know was that Liu Chengkun had not actually helped him secure this slot at all.
"There's no need to be so polite with me. Get some rest, and I'll come to fetch you personally tomorrow," Liu Chengkun said, then took his leave.
"Old man Liu really treats you well. Why don't you just join the Red Butterfly Association while you're at it?" At this moment, even Eggy spoke up.
"Liu Senior does treat me well. But Eggy, you know why I don't plan to join any faction," Chu Feng said.
"So I'm just saying, just joking — don't take it seriously," Eggy said with a giggle.
Yet, at this moment, Chu Feng actually felt even more conflicted. The better Liu Chengkun treated him, the more guilt he felt — guilt over having to refuse the old man.
Meanwhile, in another part of the Red Butterfly Association, an entirely different scene was unfolding.
Zhao Ruofan was in his own palace, and he was not alone — his son Zhao Xuan and his grandson Zhao Xiao were there as well.
"Grandfather, you truly are amazing. The Association Master had just locked us up, and you already got us out!" Zhao Xiao said with a grin. His face practically had three big characters stamped on it: brown-nosing.
"What of the Association Master? Even he has to consider our Zhao family's status."
"After all, we still have that backer at Luoxia Valley."
"If not for my distant cousin there, Luoxia Valley would have long since helped the Luyang Pavilion wipe out our Red Butterfly Association," Zhao Ruofan said smugly.
"Naturally." Zhao Xiao and his father nodded repeatedly. At the mention of that person in Luoxia Valley, both wore the same expression of pride.
"Father, I've heard that the Association Master spent a great deal of money to purchase two invitation tokens for Cloud Crane Mountain."
"Is she going with you?" Zhao Xiao's father asked.
"To be honest with you, that girl Liu Xiaoli mentioned this to me some time ago, and the announcement will be made tomorrow," Zhao Ruofan said proudly.
"Father, you are truly mighty!"
"Congratulations, Grandfather!"
Zhao Xiao and his father continued their flattery.
And Zhao Ruofan's smile grew ever more triumphant. At the same time, within his aged eyes, a hidden ambition flickered — one that no one else could see.
But just as this trio of grandfather and grandsons revelled in their smugness, a massive crisis was quietly descending.
Right now, along the route from the Luyang Pavilion to the Red Butterfly Association's headquarters, several warships — like an army of thousands upon thousands — were concealed within the void, advancing swiftly toward the Red Butterfly Association's headquarters.
Inside the most resplendent of those warships, within that same palace, the Master of the Luyang Pavilion sat within.
Only now, the beauties that once surrounded him were gone. He didn't even dare sit in the seat of honor.
Because at this moment, inside that palace, there were dozens of figures. They did not wear the attire of the Luyang Pavilion. Instead, they wore robes the color of an evening sunset — a deep, blazing red.
And at each of their waists hung a token. Upon that token were written three large characters: Luoxia Valley.