Hong Yi felt a little embarrassed by Bai Yunfei's humility and chuckled. "Yunfei, there's no need for such formality. I was just speaking casually. Your caution is understandable. If someone helped me out of the blue like that, I'd be suspicious too."
Bai Yunfei gave a slight nod. "Mm, I'm truly glad to have met someone like you, Brother Hong Yi. If there's ever anything I can assist you with in the future, I will spare no effort!"
"Haha, we can discuss that another time." Hong Yi waved his hand dismissively, then seemed to recall something. "By the way, how are your injuries progressing?"
"They've improved significantly. I believe I'll be fully recovered in another two days."
"That's good news." Hong Yi's expression turned serious. "If you encounter any difficulties during your healing, do inform me. Given your current level of strength, there might be complications you cannot perceive..."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Hong Yi. I'll keep that in mind." Bai Yunfei smiled. "Incidentally, Brother Hong Yi, did you come specifically to see me? Or...?"
"In a way, yes." Hong Yi gestured towards a room nearby. "I just visited Sect Master Mu and intended to stop by yours. Oh, and I'm actually lodging right next door to you."
Bai Yunfei looked momentarily surprised, then slightly abashed. "Oh, I see. I was also intending to pay my respects and express my gratitude to Sect Master Mu. However, I'm not entirely confident about finding my way... Would it be too much trouble to ask you to guide me there again?"
"Of course not." Hong Yi agreed readily. "Sect Master Mu is currently in the Flying Leaf Pavilion to the north. Come, I'll take you." He turned and walked out, motioning for Bai Yunfei to follow.
After formally expressing his thanks to Mu Wanqing and exchanging greetings with Qiu Lüliu and Chu Yuhe, Bai Yunfei returned to the western courtyard with Hong Yi. Retreating to his room, he once again focused on healing his injuries.
Night had fallen over Emerald Willow City. In the northeastern district, within an exceptionally vast estate mansion, the main hall blazed with lantern light, bright as day, a stark contrast to the ink-black sky outside.
This was the residence of the Long Family, one of the prominent clans within the city.
Currently, Long Bai, the Patriarch of the Long Family, sat respectfully in a lower seat on the left side of the hall. Opposite him sat none other than Yu Fei, the Sect Master of the Frost Ice Sect, accompanied by Liu Cheng and Zhang Zhenshan.
The place of honor at the head of the hall was occupied by two individuals seated side-by-side. The man on the right appeared to be in his forties, tall and lean. He stroked his goatee absently, his expression radiating arrogance. The figure on the left was completely shrouded in a black robe, obscuring their features, though their build suggested they were male. He sat utterly still, emanating an unsettling aura of unreality; if one didn't consciously focus on him, it was almost as if he wasn't there at all.
"Sect Master Yu Fei expressed his gratitude towards the goateed man, Yang Lin. "We of the Frost Ice Sect are deeply grateful for your intervention this time, Senior Yang Lin. That Emerald Willow Sect, relying on their home ground advantage, dares to harbor the murderer of our outstanding disciple! It's utterly despicable. With your esteemed assistance, we will surely obtain justice!"
Yang Lin dismissed the thanks with a casual wave. "The Emerald Willow Sect is insignificant. While your two sects might have been comparable in strength previously, now that the Frost Ice Sect has pledged allegiance to my Beast Taming Sect, you needn't tread so carefully around them in the future." His tone carried a hint of command. "If you can consolidate control over the various sects, large and small, in the northern part of Qingyun Province, it would prove somewhat useful to my sect."
Hearing the words 'consolidate control' spoken so casually, Yu Fei's eyes gleamed with excitement, though he quickly suppressed it, bowing respectfully. "If the Frost Ice Sect prospers and grows in the future, it will be entirely due to the Beast Taming Sect's patronage. From this day forth, the Frost Ice Sect is at your command. We would traverse fire and boiling water without hesitation to obey!"
His words were impassioned, but Yang Lin barely reacted, merely giving a faint nod. "When we require service from you in the future, you will be informed."
At that moment, a small, sparrow-sized grey bird flitted in from outside. Yang Lin's eyebrow arched slightly. He caught the bird effortlessly, then flicked his wrist—the bird vanished. He glanced towards Long Bai. "Patriarch Long, my junior martial brother has arrived. Instruct your servants to bring him in."
Long Bai dared not delay, readily agreeing and personally rising to go and greet the newcomer.
Shortly after, Long Bai returned escorting a youth dressed in black. The young man's face crumpled with grievance the moment he saw Yang Lin. He hurried forward, his voice thick with unshed tears. "Martial Uncle! You've finally returned! You must avenge me!!"
This was Li Long, the Beast Taming Sect disciple who had clashed with Bai Yunfei in the tavern days earlier and had been thoroughly humiliated by the unexpected arrival of Hong Yi.
"Hmm?" Yang Lin was taken aback by the outburst. He frowned. "What happened to you? Wait... What's wrong with your arm?"
Li Long held out his left arm, which hung unnaturally. His expression was wretched. "It was broken. By someone. It won't heal properly for a fortnight or more. And... and..." His voice choked. "That person... he stole my Thunder Wolf!"
"What?!" Yang Lin's eyes snapped wide open. An oppressive aura instantly filled the space around him, making it hard for Li Long to breathe.
"Martial Uncle, I... I couldn't help it!" Li Long stumbled back a couple of steps, voice rising in desperate defense. "That man was incredibly strong! I stood no chance against him!"
"Hmph!" Yang Lin snorted, his expression a mixture of anger and disappointment at his junior's failure. He withdrew the suffocating pressure, his brow furrowed deeply. "Speak. What exactly happened? Detail everything!"
Li Long didn't dare omit anything and recounted the events in the tavern meticulously. The others listened with keen interest, except for Liu Cheng. As Li Long described the incident, a flicker of something unreadable passed through Liu Cheng's eyes, though he remained silent.
Once Li Long finished, he begged, "Martial Uncle, you must help me get the Thunder Wolf back! If my father finds out..."
Yang Lin lowered his head in prolonged silence, eventually letting out a soft, somewhat resigned sigh. He looked up at Yu Fei. "Sect Master Yu, it seems our plan to demand that person from the Emerald Willow Sect will need to be delayed. I must first investigate whether the individual Li Long described is still within the city. If he is, we handle this matter first before proceeding to the Emerald Willow Sect. Agreed?"
Yu Fei nodded immediately. "Of course, Senior. That's not a problem. We can enlist the Long Family's assistance in the search. They wield considerable influence within the city; it will expedite the process."
He shot a meaningful glance towards Long Bai. Understanding the cue, Long Bai smiled broadly. "Indeed, Senior! I shall issue orders immediately! Every resource we have will be dedicated to finding the person described by this young master!"
Later that night, within a guest room at the Long estate, Yu Fei, Zhang Zhenshan, and Liu Cheng gathered, speaking in hushed tones.
"Sect Master... exactly what is happening?" Liu Cheng asked, unable to contain himself any longer. "Our sect has pledged allegiance to the Beast Taming Sect? Was this the reason for your delayed arrival?"
Yu Fei nodded gravely. "Correct. This transpired only a few days ago. Those two arrived unannounced, stating that the Beast Taming Sect wished to take us under their wing and offered support for our development."
Liu Cheng frowned, suspicion evident. "Such good fortune? The Beast Taming Sect is one of the Ten Great Sects under heaven! While the Frost Ice Sect holds some renown within Qingyun, on a broader scale, we are insignificant. Gaining the protection of a major sect is usually incredibly difficult. For this to fall into our laps... Could it be...?"
"I know what you imply," Yu Fei interrupted. "However, I can confirm his identity is genuine. I witnessed him personally controlling three soul beasts simultaneously. Such mastery belongs solely to the Beast Taming Sect."
"Mm?" Liu Cheng's suspicion lessened slightly. "In that case, there shouldn't be any mistake. Has fortune truly smiled upon the Frost Ice Sect? A heaven-sent opportunity?" He paused, his voice lowering further. "And the other one... the black-robed man?"
"That man remains shrouded in mystery," Yu Fei admitted, his expression troubled. "I cannot even be certain he belongs to the Beast Taming Sect. He arrived with Yang Lin but has scarcely spoken a word and hasn't revealed his strength. Yet, I detected it... Yang Lin treats him with profound respect, even deference. It's as if he defers to him."
"What?!" Liu Cheng couldn't hide his shock. "That Yang Lin must be at least at the late-stage Soul Ancestor realm! If that man is stronger... then..." His breath hitched. "A Soul Venerable?!"
Yu Fei gave a slow, cautious nod. "It is distinctly possible. Regardless, aligning ourselves with the Beast Taming Sect will undoubtedly be a tremendous boon for our future development. Moreover," he added, a calculating gleam in his eye, "we can leverage their strength right now to demand that person from the Emerald Willow Sect."
Liu Cheng fell silent for a moment, then sighed heavily. "Sect Master, I must apologize. This whole affair... I handled it poorly. Now, we risk a major conflict with the Emerald Willow Sect because of it. It's truly..."
Yu Fei raised a hand to stop him, offering a slight smile. "Elder Liu, there's no need for self-reproach. During our journey here, we encountered Meng'er. She recounted the general situation. The truth is, unforeseen variables arose one after another. The blame cannot rest solely on your shoulders."
"You met Meng'er?" Liu Cheng looked momentarily surprised.
"Yes," Yu Fei confirmed. "She said her tasks here were finished and she wished to return to her mother." He paused, observing Liu Cheng carefully. "She seemed... subdued. Is something amiss?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Liu Cheng replied quickly, clearly unwilling to discuss Liu Meng further. He changed the subject. "Sect Master, regarding Bai Yunfei... you haven't divulged anything about him to the Beast Taming Sect members, have you?"
"Of course not," Yu Fei assured him. "I merely stated that we seek him for seeking vengeance for Elder Zhang's murdered son."
"Good," Liu Cheng nodded, relief washing over his features. "That matter... it's best kept confined for now. Even though we are now under the Beast Taming Sect's banner, knowledge of it would only invite complications for the Frost Ice Sect..."
"For now," Yu Fei concluded, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "we wait until it's time to demand that person from the Emerald Willow Sect..."
Back within the Emerald Willow Sect compound, Bai Yunfei sat cross-legged on the bed. Spread before him was an assortment of weapons, jewelry, and various trinkets. He was meticulously applying his Artifact Enhancement technique to each item one by one. Feeling secure within the sect's walls, he planned to deplete his soul force through enhancement. This method served a dual purpose: accelerating his cultivation progress and simultaneously aiding his recovery.
His resolve was firm: heal as swiftly as possible and depart directly for North Rock Province. He harbored no wish to burden the Emerald Willow Sect further. His hope was to leave before the Frost Ice Sect tracked him down, thus sparing the sect any difficult choices.
He remained blissfully unaware, however, that danger was closing in rapidly. The enemy was already converging, poised to arrive at the gates long before he could make his escape...