The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 791: Unworthy of Mentioning?

Unworthy of Mentioning? . . .

Upon seeing Zhan Yunfei and the other six cultivators, Cha Eun Xiao experienced a sense of relief and exhaled a long breath. They were still over a thousand miles away from their sect, but with Zhan Yunfei's presence, safety seemed within reach. He held absolute confidence that Zhan Yunfei could ensure their safe return to the sect, even if the sky itself were to fall.

Despite losing his soul beast during the battle with Xiao Monarch and not having fully recuperated yet, Zhan Yunfei's status as a level eight Dao Origin Stage cultivator made him more than capable of providing protection.

Zhan Yunfei approached Xiao Mufei with swift strides, his keen, hawk-like eyes scrutinizing him. He inquired, "Mufei, did something happen in the Polar Ice River? Have you encountered a formidable adversary?"

The other six cultivators regarded him with a mixture of astonishment and frustration. They couldn't believe the devastating losses that Cold Moon Palace had suffered, with over three hundred disciples perishing out of the three hundred and sixty who had ventured there.

"That's correct. There was an incident," Xiao Mufei began. He gestured to Cha Eun Xiao and offered a brief explanation in hushed tones. "... And so, we've faced numerous trials to arrive here. Each step could have cost us our lives."

Zhan Yunfei's brows furrowed. He didn't look at Cha Eun Xiao, choosing to focus on Xiao Mufei instead. He placed a hand on Xiao Mufei's arm and allowed his spiritual energy to flow into Xiao Mufei's Jing and Mai. To his alarm, he detected traces of the Nine Destinations Dark Poison.

With his martial art in full operation, a radiant circle of moonlight appeared above his head as his spiritual power coursed through Xiao Mufei's body. As a result, Xiao Mufei expelled a dark mouthful of blood and felt a renewed sense of vigor.

"Alright," Zhan Yunfei said, releasing his grip on Xiao Mufei's arm. He wore a smile as he remarked, "You're fortunate that most of the poison has been removed. Otherwise, my help would have been in vain."

"Thank you, Master Zhan," Xiao Mufei expressed his gratitude with a respectful bow.

"No need to thank me," Zhan Yunfei replied. "There's only a small amount of poison left in your system. With your cultivation abilities, you'll recover fully in about a month of rest. I merely expedited the process for you."

Xiao Mufei smiled wryly and confessed, "Master, your assistance means much more than you realize. Lately, I've been drained in every way possible, and combating this poison has become increasingly arduous. If it weren't for your help, it might have taken me over three years to fully recover."

"You address me as master, and I cannot allow you to suffer needlessly," Zhan Yunfei stated. "But about that Nine Destinations Dark Poison... How did you manage to rid yourself of most of it? It's a deadly poison that can kill anyone below the Dao Origin Stage. Although you are a Dao Origin Stage cultivator, you are still too feeble to expel the poison from your body. How did you accomplish this?"

Xiao Mufei proceeded to explain the circumstances that had led to Cha Eun Xiao's intervention, concluding with a lowered voice, "Chongxiao ate the fish with a stroke of luck. He's a skilled dan-maker from a sect renowned for its supreme dan beads. I should have perished when I was afflicted by the poison, but..."

Finally, Zhan Yunfei surveyed the surroundings and directed his gaze towards Cha Eun Xiao. He wore a smile and asked, "Young man, your name is Chongxiao?"

Despite Zhan Yunfei's amicable tone, his demeanor conveyed his authority and high status. Cha Eun Xiao was fully prepared for this encounter.

Zhan Yunfei, a figure above tens of thousands of others within the sect, naturally carried an air of superiority when addressing a new disciple.

"Yes," Cha Eun Xiao responded, striking a balance between humility, as befitting a new sect member, and pride, given his status as the most formidable individual from his native realm.

Zhan Yunfei smiled, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping over Cha Eun Xiao. He then questioned Xiao Mufei, "You mentioned that despite his apparent weakness, he demonstrates an astonishing rate of improvement. However, I don't perceive his exceptional qualities. He appears to be an ordinary man."

Xiao Mufei responded with a smile, "That's precisely why I mentioned his extraordinary talent. He ingested the inner core of the Golden-scaled Dragon Fish, which possesses the unique ability to conceal its energy. Cha Eun Xiao is akin to that fish, naturally shielding himself from detection. Anyone with less than ten thousand years of cultivation will find it impossible to discern his true potential."

This revelation piqued Zhan Yunfei's interest, who then murmured, "Golden-scaled Dragon Fish… Ten thousand years of cultivation… A dan-maker..."

Abruptly, he inhaled sharply and directed his gaze at Cha Eun Xiao as though he were a rare and priceless treasure coveted by all.

In the following moment, he grasped Cha Eun Xiao's hand, allowing a potent surge of spiritual energy to flow into Cha Eun Xiao's Jing and Mai, coursing throughout his body.

"Spirit Origin Stage. Level four... hiss..." Zhan Yunfei's voice held a hint of amazement. "He has just arrived in this world, yet he is already at level four? His rapid progress... That's..."

He raised his head to peer into Xiao Mufei's eyes, finding an enigmatic expression there.

Zhan Yunfei reached an understanding. There was no need to lavish excessive praise upon this young man. Cha Eun Xiao already possessed a considerable degree of pride. Hence, he reframed his words, stating, "Well... In terms of your cultivation level... It's certainly exceptional for someone newly arrived in this world. However, within the Qing-Yun Realm, especially among our sect's disciples, you are insignificant, not even worthy of discussion."

Xiao Mufei coughed uncomfortably, averting his gaze to the floor.

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but feel astonished. The man he had previously held disdain for exhibited an unexpectedly peculiar personality. [I've only recently ascended to this world. Why are you comparing me to cultivators within the Qing-Yun Realm, particularly sect disciples? Is this some kind of jest?]

[Why not compare me to Wu Fa or Xuan Bing? That would certainly place me in a lesser light, wouldn't it?]