"Chu Feng, did your tempering succeed?"
Tu Yuanyuan asked Chu Feng.
"Silly, do you even need to ask?"
Chu Feng didn't answer directly. Instead, he smiled confidently.
And that confident smile of his was already an answer for Tu Yuanyuan.
"Wow, we both succeeded! That's just wonderful!"
Tu Yuanyuan was overjoyed.
But the other disciples wore complicated expressions.
They had witnessed with their own eyes as Chu Feng was swallowed by the black water.
They had all assumed Chu Feng was dead.
Who could have imagined that not only had Chu Feng survived, he had even succeeded in his tempering? It truly exceeded all their expectations.
Though Chu Feng had not broken Lord Dugu Lingtian's record, today's experience was nothing short of legendary. In short, it was completely beyond the realm of what was considered normal.
"Guardian, thank you for your care."
"Rest well and don't push yourself too hard. Be sure to cherish the present, because no one knows which will come first—tomorrow or the unexpected."
Chu Feng looked at the Guardian with a beaming smile.
"Chu Feng, what is the meaning of this? Are you cursing me?"
The Guardian's sword-like brows shot upward, and he spoke in a grave tone.
"No, no, how could I possibly curse you? Guardian, please don't misunderstand my intentions. I meant well."
"Besides, the Guardian cares so much about us."
"Even if I had cursed you—and even if my words were somehow inappropriate—the Guardian wouldn't hold it against a mere disciple, would he?"
"Now that cultivation is finished, I'll take my leave."
With those words, Chu Feng turned and walked away.
"Hmph…"
"Enjoy it while it lasts."
The Guardian stared at Chu Feng's departing figure, arrogance radiating from every step, and the fury inside him was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
He had originally only taken on this task against Chu Feng as a favor to someone else.
But now, even without anyone directing him, he would absolutely not let Chu Feng off the hook.
He could not tolerate a disciple being this insolent right in front of him.
…
After leaving the Blackwater Six Finger Pool, Chu Feng returned directly to his residence.
Upon learning of Chu Feng's return—and especially after hearing about his experience—the Head of the Northern Mystery Academy held a banquet at his estate specifically to celebrate Chu Feng.
Of course, this celebration was a small affair.
Besides the Head Elder, there was only Enforcement Elder Li Boyi and Elder Dao Qinian.
Apart from Chu Feng, Song Xi was also present.
Song Xi's invitation to the banquet was really thanks to Chu Feng. The Head had deliberately invited people who were on good terms with Chu Feng.
He had even tried to invite Chu Feng's senior brother, Duan Liufeng.
But Duan Liufeng had refused on the grounds of seclusion, seeing no one—and he turned down even the Head's invitation.
"That Duan Liufeng really is an odd one. Does he not realize that without Chu Feng, he wouldn't have had any right to enter the Northern Mystery Academy in the first place?"
"Chu Feng just went through such an ordeal, and he can't even be bothered to come check on him?"
Elder Li Boyi muttered in displeasure.
"Elder Li, if Brother Duan says he's in seclusion, then he certainly is."
Chu Feng spoke up on his behalf.
And seeing Chu Feng say so, Elder Li Boyi naturally dropped the matter.
After all, he had only been voicing his grievance on Chu Feng's behalf.
"Chu Feng, I heard that when you were trapped in the seventh Blackwater Pool, it was Guardian Qi who harmed you."
"Why do you think he did that? Did you actually discover something?"
The moment the Head said this, everyone at the table set down their cups and turned their gaze toward Chu Feng.
This matter was of great importance.
After all, the Guardian Qi the Head had referred to was none other than the Guardian who had been assigned to oversee the Blackwater Six Finger Pool.
"It was him. I could have cultivated normally, but..."