"Senior Qiushui, you..."
After a brief moment of surprise, Chu Feng's expression brightened and he bowed in congratulation. "Congratulations, Senior Qiushui."
Because at this moment, the person walking toward the palace was no stranger—it was Qiushui Fuyan.
But the Qiushui Fuyan of this moment was not only radiant with rosy cheeks and a warm smile; her aura had grown several times more powerful. She had broken through—successfully advancing to the second rank of Martial King.
"Congratulations on your successful breakthrough, Senior Qiushui!" At the same time, Zi Ling and the others hurriedly offered their congratulations. Though their perception wasn't as keen as Chu Feng's, they could tell from his reaction that Qiushui Fuyan had indeed succeeded.
"After so many attempts, it was about time I succeeded. Otherwise, I would have failed to live up to the title of Holy Maiden of the Sacred Celestial Fire Sect." Qiushui Fuyan smiled gracefully, utterly captivating. It was clear that her successful breakthrough had put her in high spirits.
"But Chu Feng, I've already heard your conversation just now. Really, you should have told me about Qiu Canfeng earlier. With the relationship between us, would I not have helped you?"
"You didn't need to go through all that trouble searching for Fu Liansheng. I could have helped you rescue Senior Qiu Canfeng myself. Even setting aside you entirely, I share a bond with Senior Qiu Canfeng as well. With him in peril, I would never stand by idly." Qiushui Fuyan said.
Hearing these words, Chu Feng's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but turn his gaze toward Zi Ling.
Earlier, when Zi Ling and the others had been talking, they had mentioned Qiu Canfeng, but he had never said anything about seeking Fu Liansheng to rescue him.
Chu Feng had only shared the full story with Zi Ling alone, and now Qiushui Fuyan clearly knew everything. This couldn't have been from her overhearing their conversation just now—she had known beforehand.
This immediately told Chu Feng what had happened. Clearly, Zi Ling had coordinated with Qiushui Fuyan in advance. Their arrivals today were no coincidence—they had planned this together, coming to persuade Chu Feng as a united front.
"Brother Chu Feng, don't blame me. I just didn't want you to keep taking risks. Besides, Senior Qiushui has been so kind to us—we shouldn't have kept things from her." Seeing that Chu Feng had seen through her little scheme, Zi Ling hurriedly confessed honestly.
"Chu Feng, this was my idea—I was the one who asked Zi Ling. Don't blame her."
"And really, you shouldn't have kept this from me. It's just rescuing Qiu Canfeng, isn't it? Rather than going to all this risk, mingling with the Dark Night Demon Sect just to get close to Fu Liansheng, wouldn't it have been simpler to just come to me for help? Do you not trust me?" Qiushui Fuyan added.
"Senior Qiushui, it's not that this junior doesn't trust you. It's just that you've already helped me so much—I truly didn't want to trouble you again. Besides, this matter is genuinely quite complicated."
"First, my Master Qiu Canfeng specifically named Fu Liansheng as the one to rescue him and forbade me from telling anyone else. Ultimately, this is an internal matter of the Dark Night Demon Sect—outsiders shouldn't be involved, and I should have respected his wishes."
"Second, the place where my Master is imprisoned is an Imperial Burial. I've experienced its dangers firsthand. To be honest, even Senior Huangfu, formidable as she is, was shaken within the Imperial Burial. So... I truly didn't want you to risk your life for my sake." Chu Feng said with a face full of apology.
"What does it matter how dangerous it is? Even if I myself cannot rescue Qiu Canfeng, surely the Ethereal Fairy can. Is the Ethereal Fairy lesser than some Fu Liansheng?" Qiushui Fuyan said, sounding somewhat displeased.
"Senior Qiushui, what do you mean?" At these words, Chu Feng's heart surged with excitement—he had caught the implication in her words.
"When the Ethereal Fairy emerges from her seclusion, I will speak to her about this. It's just rescuing Qiu Canfeng—for the Ethereal Fairy, that's a trivial matter. You really didn't need to go to such lengths, cozying up to the Dark Night Demon Sect." Qiushui Fuyan said.
"Senior Qiushui, this... how can I ever thank you enough." After hearing Qiushui Fuyan say this, Chu Feng's heart was truly moved to the extreme. In truth, had he not also wished for the Ethereal Fairy to be the one to rescue Qiu Canfeng?