"You're finally here!"
The moment they reached the summit, the world opened up before them—clouds spread beneath their feet like a sea of mist. Wang Dong'er's cheerful voice rang in their ears.
Looking up, they saw her standing proudly before a grand fortress, waving enthusiastically. What puzzled Chen Junting and the others, however, was the complete absence of Wu Feng.
But their attention was quickly captured by something else—the overwhelming concentration of heaven-and-earth spiritual energy saturating the air. It was even denser than around the Golden Ancient Tree on Sea God Island!
Chen Junting extended his right hand, feeling the moisture in the air.
Only when his palm grew damp did he realize—this wasn't ordinary vapor. It was heaven-and-earth spiritual energy on the verge of liquefaction.
Faced with such extravagance, Chen Junting couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Truly… the difference between one ancestor and another is staggering.
Just then, Ning Tian—who had been studying the Hao Tian Fortress plaque—turned away with a half-joking remark: "No wonder it was the number-one sect ten thousand years ago. Even in seclusion, its strength is this overwhelming. If it ever reemerged, it would strip the Body Sect of its so-called 'unofficial' top title without breaking a sweat."
"You bet!" Wang Dong'er declared, hands on her hips, beaming with pride. "Next time the Body Sect dares bully you, Senior Sister Xiao Tian, I'll personally flatten those jerks in my name as Junior Sect Master!"
"Oh? Is that so?" A hearty, amused voice suddenly cut in. "Then how come your First Dad didn't know our little Dong'er possessed such formidable power—and such boldness?"
The group chuckled at Wang Dong'er's antics—except Huo Yuhao, whose expression tightened ever so slightly.
But Chen Junting understood why.
Just before the voice sounded, Electrolux had already warned him: a figure of immense cultivation was approaching—one whose presence, in Chen Junting's own perception, was even more terrifying than Tai Tan's by a full threefold.
He instantly knew who it was.
Da Ming, the Sky Azure Divine Dragon—now known as Niu Tian.
(T/N: Evolved from Sky Azure Bull Python)
A towering man with flowing azure hair stepped out from the castle gates. Though he lacked the fierce aura Tai Tan had shown at their first meeting, his very presence exuded unshakable authority—calm, yet commanding.
"So… you must be the rest of Xiao Dong's friends," Niu Tian said, his gaze sweeping over Chen Junting, Huo Yuhao, and Ning Tian, lingering slightly longer on each.
They all held their breath, not daring to move.
Then, as quickly as it had appeared, that stern aura vanished—replaced by genuine appreciation.
His eyes softened, as if a proud father seeing his daughter's friends were all outstanding scholars. Of course, the "boy who stole his cabbage"—Huo Yuhao—was notably excluded from that approving gaze.
Accustomed to such scrutiny by now—having endured countless "father inspections" before—Huo Yuhao inwardly shrugged.
I'm used to it.
"First Dad, why did you come out too?" Wang Dong'er asked, slightly annoyed by his look—but wisely refrained from acting out in front of Niu Tian. Instead, she deftly changed the subject.
"Just wanted to take a look," Niu Tian replied plainly. After briefly introducing himself, he added, "Alright, Xiao Dong—don't keep your friends standing outside. Bring them in. Let them rest."
With that, he turned and walked back inside.
The moment he left, the atmosphere relaxed instantly.
"Dong'er… your First Dad feels so… intense," Huo Yuhao exhaled, voicing what everyone felt—and earning nods of agreement.
"Tell me about it," Wang Dong'er whispered, glancing back to make sure Niu Tian was far enough away before continuing, "Both Second Dad and I are actually really scared of First Dad. Weird, right? He's never even yelled at us…"
"Pfft—"
Ning Tian couldn't hold back a laugh at Wang Dong'er's sneaky, furtive manner—which immediately earned her a mock protest.
"Aiya—Senior Sister Xiao Tian, what are you doing?!"
"Sorry, Dong'er," Ning Tian apologized with a warm smile, then asked, "But… have you seen Wu Feng?"
"Oh, right!" Wang Dong'er brightened. "Since I thought your enlightenment would take a while, I already had 'Big-Chest Girl' settled into the bed I prepared for her."
"I'll give you all a tour too!" she declared, gesturing grandly with her right hand. "I've assigned each of you rooms tailored to your needs. That girl? She was thrilled!"
She led the way forward.
Chen Junting took Ning Tian's hand and followed closely behind.
Having remained in seclusion for millennia, Hao Tian Fortress was built by warriors, not artisans—ornamentation was nonexistent. The interior featured only gray and black stone walls and staircases, occasionally streaked with traces of weathered green.
The structure was simple: just three floors.
Two stairwells flanked either side, leading upward—nothing more.
From Wang Dong'er's explanations, they soon learned the layout: the first floor housed sect disciples; the second, guests and elders; and the third, the two sect masters—and Wang Dong'er's private quarters.
Now, Wang Dong'er led them to the second floor—and stopped before a particular door.
With a mischievous grin, she threw it open.
The sight inside instantly turned their confusion into laughter.
There, on the bed, was Wu Feng—rolling around blissfully, her face alight with utter contentment.
It was the epitome of social mortification.
Before Wu Feng could even react—BAM!
Wang Dong'er slammed the door shut, wearing a triumphant smirk.
"Hehe—Alright! Now, let me show you to your own rooms—the ones I carefully picked out for you. You're going to love them!"
She marched ahead.
As they followed, still chuckling, Ning Tian suddenly murmured, recalling the vivid red bed beneath Wu Feng:
"Was that… Crimson Flame Spirit Jade?"
Though similar in name to Crimson Spirit Warm Jade, the two were as different as Ten-Thousand-Year Mystic Ice was from ordinary ice.
For fire-attribute soul masters, Crimson Flame Spirit Jade was an unparalleled treasure—especially a slab that size. It was utterly priceless.
Next, Wang Dong'er escorted everyone to their assigned chambers: Huo Yuhao received a room lined with Cold Jade; Gu Tianchen got his own suite—and so on.
Until only two remained unassigned:
Chen Junting and Ning Tian.
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