Xiao Fei dressed himself up vibrantly and actively pursued female cultivators from the Joyous Union Sect.
However, this doll-faced female cultivator, having seen countless men, discerned Xiao Fei's intentions and deliberately toyed with him, leaving Xiao Fei scratching his ears and cheeks in frustration.
He harbored great resentment, thinking that female cultivators nowadays had no taste at all.
Why was it that something anyone could do was impossible for him? This was blatant discrimination.
Xiao Fei showed no dissatisfaction on his face and took out a delicate jade box from his embrace.
"A while ago, I was fortunate enough to obtain a Youth Preserving Pill. However, I am too crude in appearance, and taking it would be a waste of a precious elixir.
Only someone as beautiful as a flower, like a fairy, is suited to consume this pill."
"Hee hee hee! You little zombie have quite a silver tongue!"
The doll-faced female cultivator giggled, her body shaking with laughter, her flesh jiggling with each movement.
"Fine! Fine! Sister will let you experience earthly bliss today."
As the doll-faced female cultivator spoke, she pulled Xiao Fei's arm and quickly darted into the small grove.
Other cultivators nearby cast disdainful glances.
"Pah!"
"Shameless!"
"A pair of adulterers!"
A hint of triumph flickered in Xiao Fei's eyes. It was finally his turn. He wondered how he would torment her later.
The doll-faced female cultivator pulled Xiao Fei into the woods and plucked a crooked strand of hair from him.
"Little brother, you are my 35,689th man. I'll keep a strand of your hair as a memento."
The doll-faced female cultivator stored the hair in a large wooden chest.
Xiao Fei marveled inwardly! The term "battle-hardened" was insufficient to describe this woman; she likely knew everything.
"Originally, zombies like you are of no use for our cultivation techniques. But since you're obedient and sweet-mouthed, Sister will give you a chance."
The doll-faced cultivator loosened her already scant clothing…
Various peculiar actions of the two are omitted for now.
Meanwhile, those resting at the temporary camp heard strange noises emanating from the small grove.
"I didn't expect this zombie to be so energetic. It's been half the day, and he hasn't stopped."
Several rogue cultivators sat by the campfire, jesting.
"Heh heh heh… Look at Old Ghost Xishan's face turning green. The last time I went with him, I personally witnessed him tremble all over and give up after only three breaths. He was still shaking when he walked the next day."
"I reckon this kid will have to be carried away tomorrow."
The strange noises from the small grove continued for the entire day.
It wasn't until dusk, as everyone prepared to move on, that they discovered the doll-faced female cultivator had been placed under a restriction, bound tightly, her body contorted into a peculiar shape.
It turned out that all the sounds throughout the day were made by the doll-faced female cultivator struggling alone, and everyone had conjured many strange scenarios in their minds, misunderstanding the situation!
"Where is that zombie?"
"That coward! Before I even started, he said he couldn't do it and then ran off!"
The doll-faced female cultivator's face was slightly flushed as she moved her somewhat numb limbs. The sensation was quite novel.
The crowd pursued Xiao Fei's escape route for over ten miles, but a considerable amount of time had passed, and Xiao Fei had long since vanished.
"What a coward!"
Having one person flee midway, the others didn't dwell on it too much.
These wandering cultivators were forced to come here in the first place, so escaping midway wasn't unusual.
Perhaps they were genuinely scared off by the female cultivators of the Joyous Union Sect. These women were professionals in certain aspects; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they devoured people without spitting out bones.
Therefore, never challenge someone's professional expertise with your amateur hobbies.
As for the possibility of the escapee leaking information, the arrow was already nocked and fired; they couldn't afford to worry about it now.
Moreover, what could the Danxin Sect do even if they knew? They would reach the Cuihua Mountain Range in just one day. It was too late to seek help from the front lines at this point.
…
On the other side, Xiao Fei concealed his entire corpse aura, changed into a Daoist robe, and rode a flying fish rapidly towards the Cuihua Mountain Range.
The flying fish's flight speed was fast, much faster than his artifact riding, and it also conserved his spiritual energy.
He had participated in battles at Black Wind Cliff over the years and had some understanding of the information regarding the Lu Kingdom.
Decades ago, the previous Sect Master of the Danxin Sect had rebelled, and now a new Sect Master managed the sect's affairs.
Xiao Fei flew directly to the foot of Condensing Emerald Peak, where he was stopped by a patrol of cultivators.
"I am Xiao Fei, a disciple of True Person Guangling. I have an urgent matter to report. I wonder if my master is currently in the sect!"
Xiao Fei presented his sect token from back then.
The token still contained tens of thousands of contribution points; he wasn't sure if they had expired.
"So it's Senior Brother Xiao who has returned!"
"This junior, Xi Wenshi, greets Senior Brother Xiao!"
The patrol captain, Xi Wenshi, was a newcomer who had recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage. When Xiao Fei had advanced to Foundation Establishment with his reputation as a alchemy prodigy, Xi Wenshi had just joined the sect.
Although he hadn't had the chance to meet Xiao Fei, he had heard his legends. Xiao Fei had once been an object of envy and admiration for many disciples.
Upon seeing the once prominent figure, Xi Wenshi quickly cupped his hands in greeting.
Since the Sect Master's rogue cultivator identity was exposed, the warrant for Xiao Fei's arrest had long been revoked, but Xiao Fei himself was trapped in a canyon and didn't know about it.
"True Person Guangling is not on the front lines; he is responsible for guarding the sect."
"Thank you!"
Xiao Fei expressed his gratitude and rode his flying fish towards the peak where True Person Guangling resided.
"Senior Brother Xi, is this also a cultivator of our Danxin Sect? His mount is so strange!"
"This person was a prominent figure back then, an alchemy prodigy who consecutively won first place in the alchemy rankings twice. He is True Person Guangling's personal disciple…"
…
After more than 50 years, Xiao Fei finally saw his master, True Person Guangling, again, and he was somewhat emotional.
"Disciple Xiao Fei pays his respects to Master!"
"Hahaha… It's good that you're still alive!"
Seeing his disciple return safely, True Person Guangling was in a good mood, his beard on his chin trembling with laughter.
"Junior Brother, you're back! I thought I'd never see you again!"
At this moment, a woman walked out from the back of the main hall.
She had a graceful and slender figure, willow-leaf eyebrows, a cherry-like small mouth, and skin like jade and bone, almost perfect enough to be broken by a gentle touch.
"Fifth Senior Sister!"
When Xiao Fei left, this senior sister hadn't fully developed yet; she was just a little kid and had a good relationship with Xiao Fei.
Although a woman changes greatly with age, he only had two senior sisters. One was the cold and aloof Fourth Senior Sister Ao Lingxue, and the other was his master's daughter, Fifth Senior Sister Huangfu Xuan.
Considering it now, Huangfu Xuan was also over sixty years old. It was likely due to her early Foundation Establishment and some of the beauty-preserving techniques in the cultivation world that her appearance remained like that of a young girl.
"It's great that you're not dead! Where have you been all these years? You didn't even come back to visit.
You've been out of sight and presumed dead all these years, and everyone has been inquiring about you.
We've searched the entire Lu Kingdom looking for you."
Huangfu Xuan said with a hint of complaint, but her eyes were slightly reddened.
At this moment, Xiao Fei's other senior brothers and sisters also rushed over upon hearing the news. They were all very happy to see Xiao Fei return safely.
At this moment, a trace of warmth arose in Xiao Fei's heart. It seemed there were still people in this world who remembered him.
Although the world of righteous sects was also perilous and cruel, and people's hearts were equally wicked, most people retained at least a shred of humanity, possessing familial and friendly affection.
This was different from the cold, numb world of rogue cultivators in the Eagle Mountain Kingdom, where people devoured each other.
In the world of rogue cultivators, never harbor illusions about familial or friendly affection, or you would die miserably.
Xiao Fei briefly recounted his experiences. Although he had omitted much, it still made everyone sigh with emotion.
"Master, this disciple has returned with an important matter to report. The rogue cultivators have organized over 150 Foundation Establishment cultivators, and several Golden Core cultivators, and are already heading towards the Cuihua Mountain Range…"