Xiao Fei, along with Zhu Yu and Huang Feifei, was treating cultivators parasitized by demonic seeds here. Although they operated discreetly, word eventually got out.
Upon hearing the news, Ancestor Shangguan first went to the nameless mountain peak shrouded by the grand formation to investigate. He discovered that the cultivators Xiao Fei had previously cleared had all survived.
He had been heartbroken by the loss of nearly a tenth of the sect's strength, but now seeing everyone intact and the demonic seeds gone from their bodies, he was filled with a mix of emotions.
This outcome both angered, pleased, and astonished Ancestor Shangguan. He was angry that Xiao Fei dared to keep this from him, even that honest child Zhu Yu had learned to be mischievous.
He was pleased that Xiao Fei had managed to overcome the threat of the demonic seeds, an achievement that could potentially alter the landscape of the cultivation world.
He was astonished, however, that Xiao Fei's ability could very well bring about immense disaster. Once discovered by the powerful figures of the cultivation world, it was inevitable that envy would arise. Even if they couldn't replicate his divine ability, they could at least capture and control Xiao Fei, turning him into a tool.
Besides cultivators, many hidden demonic beings were already active in the cultivation world, and these demons would undoubtedly view Xiao Fei as a thorn in their side.
"What you did was too reckless. With your current methods of concealment, you'll eventually be found by demons or evil cultivators. Fortunately, I learned of it in time and rushed here."
Ancestor Shangguan's words were scolding, but his tone sounded more like praise, making Zhu Yu feel a pang of worry that he might be losing favor.
"May I ask, Ancestor, what should I do next? Please guide me."
"From now on, continue as usual. You can even make a bigger spectacle of it."
Ancestor Shangguan smiled, as if everything was under his control.
"Your research into eliminating demonic seeds is a great contribution to the entire cultivation world. We elders will naturally ensure your safety."
Hearing this, Xiao Fei felt a sense of relief, though he didn't yet understand the full extent of the hidden circumstances. At least with Ancestor Shangguan's promise, he felt more secure than before. In fact, he had recently been planning to quietly relocate and change his operational base.
Furthermore, he had recruited the cultivators he had healed to serve as his guards for his own safety.
In the following days, Ancestor Shangguan also took up residence next door to the small shop, keeping to himself and rarely appearing in public.
Concurrently, another ancestor of the Danxin Sect, Ancestor Peng, was constantly traveling between the other two sects, acting very mysteriously, and no one knew what he was busy with.
The news of Xiao Fei's ability to cure cultivators infected with demonic seeds spread further and further, attracting cultivators from countries neighboring the Lu Kingdom to Star Moon City to become Xiao Fei's patients.
As his fame grew, so did the number of cultivators who harbored ill intentions towards him. The more gentle approach involved offering benefits to win him over, using flattery and even seduction with endless variations and tricks. Sometimes, these tactics even made Xiao Fei feel a flicker of temptation, but he remained rational and was not swayed by these external temptations.
The more foolish ones tried to lure him out of the city, inviting him on treasure hunts. At such times, even if immortal elixirs were piled up like mountains and divine martial arts manuals were packed in baskets, he would refuse.
Seeing his unwavering resolve, many cultivators gradually lost patience and resorted to force. However, these cultivators never imagined that Xiao Fei had hidden dozens of guards within this small shop. Under the siege of these guards, the attackers gained no advantage and instead lost several lives.
From beginning to end, Xiao Fei and his two companions didn't even get a chance to make a move. After several failed attempts, things had finally quieted down in the past few days, as if they had given up.
On this particular day, after Xiao Fei treated a Golden Core cultivator, a gaunt man suddenly broke in. A loyal guard stepped forward to block him but was instantly swallowed by a phantom serpent that emerged from behind the intruder.
"Not good!"
"It's a Nascent Soul expert!"
"Halt!"
At this, the usually diligent guards all cowered. Despite their loud shouts, none dared to step forward. They were acting as guards merely to repay debts, and being cowardly now would at most result in a month or a year's deduction in wages. If they had charged forward, they would have lost their lives. Clearly, among the guards present, there were no cultivators who were fond of courting death.
Xiao Fei shook his head inwardly. These guards, forcibly recruited, were fine against evenly matched opponents, but when it came to life-or-death situations, they were not as reliable as his ants and zombies.
With a flick of his sleeve, Xiao Fei unleashed countless Iron Fire Ants, a dense swarm that surged towards the gaunt cultivator. As the Iron Fire Ants reached him, the black serpent phantom reappeared behind the gaunt cultivator, opening its maw and devouring the swarm.
Seeing this, Xiao Fei felt no pain for the loss of the Iron Fire Ants. Instead, he continued to release more of the Iron Fire Ant army, creating a barrier between himself and the gaunt cultivator. The black serpent kept swallowing, and Xiao Fei kept releasing them; he wanted to see who would last longer.
The Iron Fire Ants swallowed by the black serpent did not die immediately. Instead, they began to gnaw relentlessly within the serpent's body. Soon, the entire phantom body of the black serpent was crawling with Iron Fire Ants, and their constant biting created numerous holes within the serpent's form.
"Little fellow, you're quite capable, with some skill. However, it's still not enough. In the face of a Nascent Soul expert, it's still useless. If you're wise, come with me. As long as you obey, I won't make things difficult for you."
As the gaunt cultivator spoke, a ball of green flame appeared before him. The Iron Fire Ants, upon contact with the flame, immediately fell to the ground, dying silently. Xiao Fei summoned his Five-Colored Divine Light, shining it onto the flame, but it only weakened the flame slightly, unable to fully restrain it. Although his divine ability could counter all five elements, it was useless when the power difference was too great.
Just as the gaunt cultivator was using the flame to burn away the obstructing Iron Fire Ants and reached out a claw to abduct Xiao Fei, a figure suddenly appeared, standing in front of Xiao Fei and effortlessly blocking the claw.
"Old Ghost Serpent Shadow, it's rather undignified to bully a junior Golden Core cultivator like this!"
Ancestor Shangguan suddenly appeared, blocking the gaunt cultivator's attack, and then mocked him.
Simultaneously, two more powerful figures appeared behind Old Ghost Serpent Shadow. Three powerful Nascent Soul cultivators from the Lu Kingdom formed a triangular formation, surrounding the invading evil cultivator.
After learning of Xiao Fei's situation, Ancestor Shangguan had predicted that, given the character and methods of evil cultivators, they would surely come to seize Xiao Fei and turn him into an obedient tool. Therefore, he had played along with their plan, hiding there in advance to await the arrival of the powerful evil cultivator. The cultivators who had attacked and ambushed them a few days prior were merely scouts sent to probe.