"Chu Feng, the Nine Soul Sacred Clan — you've heard of them, right?"
"They're the rulers of the Nine Soul Heavenly River."
"And the Nine Soul Heavenly River is far more powerful than our Holy Light Heavenly River."
"So the strength of the Nine Soul Sacred Clan is also far greater than that of our Holy Light Heavenly River's ruling family, the Holy Light Clan."
As if afraid Chu Feng didn't understand, Song Xi added, "They're on a completely different level from us."
"I know of the Nine Soul Sacred Clan. What I want to ask is — that mysterious organization you mentioned, are they merely under the Nine Soul Sacred Clan's banner?"
"Or is everything they've done directed by the Nine Soul Sacred Clan?"
Chu Feng wanted to clarify this point.
Because if that mysterious organization had been acting on its own, committing atrocities without the Nine Soul Sacred Clan's knowledge, then the Sacred Clan itself wouldn't bear much responsibility.
That would make things far easier to deal with.
But if everything they'd done had been on the Nine Soul Sacred Clan's orders, then the implications would be entirely different.
Dealing with that would be exponentially harder.
"Brother, of course it's the Nine Soul Sacred Clan's will."
"That organization has no name, but its entire existence is to handle the dirty work for the Nine Soul Sacred Clan."
"So, brother — I've never even entertained thoughts of revenge."
"Don't even think about it, because this grudge can never be repaid."
Song Xi smiled, and he seemed to have made peace with it long ago.
Song Xi might have accepted his fate, but looking at his current appearance, Chu Feng still felt a deep ache in his heart.
He had already observed closely — Song Xi's appearance was ruined beyond recognition, far worse than the disfigurement he'd suffered before.
Forget Chu Feng being unable to restore him; even someone of Grandmother Yuanshen's caliber would probably be powerless to help.
"Chu Feng, we've already entered the Wolong Martial Sect. Once you're in the Wolong Martial Sect, leaving is extremely difficult."
"Besides, we don't really need to leave — the Wolong Martial Sect is great, especially with me here. Our days can be very comfortable."
"Back in the Great Thousand Upper Realm, you once protected me."
"Now… it's my turn to protect you."
"Rest assured — wherever there's meat for me, Song Xi, there'll be more than soup for you."
"As it happens, in three days there's a training expedition representing the Northern Xuan Court."
"Come along with me."
"This time, there are only twenty slots."
"The slots were already decided, but I still have the ear of the elders right now. Changing a name on the list is a small matter."
Song Xi wore an undisguised look of pride as he said all this to Chu Feng.
"Since the slots are already decided, I'd rather not go," Chu Feng said.
"No, no, no — you absolutely must go."
"Don't worry about anything else. When I, Song Xi, speak up, nobody dares to object."
"This is settled — you have to go."
"Besides, I've saved a slot for you. Even if you don't go, I won't give it to anyone else."
Song Xi insisted.
"So… what kind of training is this?"
"Will the other three courts be participating?" Chu Feng asked.
"Of course it's beneficial — you'll see when the time comes."
"The other three courts will indeed join, but each court handles its own training separately. There won't be any entanglement with them."
"Rest easy. I, Song Xi, have built up quite a reputation here in the Wolong Martial Sect."
"Setting aside the fact that we have no ties to the other three courts—"
"Even if we did, they wouldn't dare do anything to us."
Song Xi thumped his chest in assurance.
"Mm." Chu Feng nodded.
He was mainly interested in learning more about this training expedition.
He wasn't worried about the other three courts.
() However, through their brief conversation, Chu Feng had noticed something.
Song Xi's personality had changed noticeably compared to the past.
Simply put, Song Xi seemed somewhat overconfident now.
But Chu Feng could understand why.