Chapter 268: Rumors of the Sea Demon
Midnight. The night banquet had ended.
At the rear courtyard of Welcoming Peak.
Cao Youqian sat imposingly in a grand armchair, sword across his lap. Fang Mu was seated beside him, while Song Zhaoyi and Fang Linglong stood respectively behind them.
Song Zhaoyuan, Song Zhaoxue, Elder Fang, and several others stood before them, anxious and restless.
The Yunlan night wasn't cold, but at this moment, those few were trembling all over, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads.
Cao Youqian turned to Fang Mu and said, "Junior Brother, since these people have offended you, I'll leave it to you to handle them as you see fit."
At those words, Song Zhaoyuan and the others felt a sudden jolt in their hearts—this time, they were in real trouble.
Elder Fang, being experienced and flexible, immediately stepped forward to plead, "Lord Mu, this old man was blind earlier and offended you. Please be merciful and spare me just this once. I'm willing to compensate you."
Fang Mu narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Fine. I'll give you this chance."
Hearing this, Song Zhaoyuan and Song Zhaoxue quickly added, "We're also willing to compensate Senior Brother Mu. We ask Senior Brother Mu to be lenient—"
"No need."
Fang Mu interrupted them, "There's no need for apologies or compensation. You only need to fulfill the terms of our wager."
At this, both Song Zhaoyuan and Song Zhaoxue's faces darkened instantly.
In the past, they would've immediately beaten this brat up and scolded him loudly: "You insolent fool, know your place!"
But now, the situation was stronger than they were. Though both were filled with resentment, they didn't dare speak a word.
Before the banquet ended, the Song family elders had specifically instructed them to stay behind and apologize.
Their only remaining hope now lay in Song Zhaoyi, standing not far away. The two of them cast pleading glances at her, but she turned a blind eye.
"Senior Brother Mu, must you really make it so humiliating?" Song Zhaoyuan couldn't help but protest.
He was, after all, a direct descendant of the Song family and held considerable status in Yunlan Sect. If he really had to roll out of Welcoming Peak, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
"You weren't like this when you were so aggressive earlier. I actually preferred that arrogant version of you," Fang Mu said with a playful look at Song Zhaoyuan.
"Fine!"
Clenching his back teeth, Song Zhaoyuan rolled out of Welcoming Peak before everyone. Seeing this, Song Zhaoxue shot Fang Mu a venomous glare, then followed her cousin out the same way.
Naturally, this scene did not escape the eyes of the Song family's higher-ups. But the one in charge of the Song family showed no intention of blaming Cao Youqian or Fang Mu.
He murmured, "These past years, the Song family disciples have lived too comfortably and become arrogant. Suffering a bit now may be a good thing. Better this than disaster later."
Inside the courtyard, now that all the troublesome people were gone, Cao Youqian turned and smiled at Fang Mu.
"Junior Brother Fang, did that get the resentment out of your heart?"
Fang Mu stood and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for stepping in."
Cao Youqian waved his hand. "It's nothing. But remember—today, you relied on my reputation and Master's prestige to make those who looked down on you bow their heads. But neither Master nor I can protect you forever. Only by becoming strong yourself can you command the respect of the world."
Fang Mu said respectfully, "I will remember Senior Brother's words. I will cultivate diligently and not bring shame to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."
"Good!"
Cao Youqian gave him a thumbs-up. "No wonder Master values you. That attitude alone is commendable. I'll give you three days to wrap up your affairs in Yunlan Sect. After that, we head together to Wendao Academy."
"Yes!"
...
Wangyu Island—an intermediary stop in the Endless Sea, located in the Eastern Sea.
Ships arriving from the Southern Sea would always stop at this island to rest and resupply. Chu Feng and his group also disembarked with the sailors.
Unlike the sailors who came to rest and replenish, Chu Feng's purpose was more to experience the local customs and culture.
Around midday, the group arrived at a tavern, ordered a few cups of cloudy wine and some small dishes, and sat near a window, listening to gossip from the passing travelers.
After a while, one piece of news caught their attention.
"Have you heard? A terrifying sea demon has emerged in the extreme northern sea. Any ship that encounters it has no survivors. Now, most of the Eastern Sea has become a forbidden zone."
"Not only have I heard of it, I've even seen that sea demon from afar. Not even a Path Union cultivator could stand against it."
Hiss…
Gasps sounded all around.
Someone said, "If that's the case, won't our shipping routes be seriously affected?"
"You can take your chances—see if you can avoid the sea demon. With some luck, you might still reach your destination safely."
"Don't the sects of the Thousand Island Sea Region or cultivators from Xuanzhou do anything about the sea demon?"
"It's not that they don't—it's that they can't. Even Nirvana-level experts from both the Thousand Island Sea and Xuanzhou have gone out to hunt it. But the sea demon appears and vanishes at will. None of the experts have been able to do anything. In the end, they issued a Demon-Slaying Decree. Whoever can subdue the sea demon will receive a generous reward."
Upon hearing this, the Golden-Winged Great Sage turned his gaze toward Chu Feng.
"Brother, should we go look for that sea demon? Not for the reward—just to broaden our horizons."
"No problem."
Chu Feng didn't even hesitate before agreeing.
The next day, the group boarded a ship and continued north along the Eastern Sea.
At first, the shipmaster refused. But once Elder Bing revealed his Nirvana-level cultivation, the shipmaster immediately waved his hand and ordered the ship to proceed.
After all, an easy and risk-free job like this was something everyone welcomed.
After several days of sailing—
The shipmaster approached Chu Feng, who was fishing at the bow, and said, "Young Master Chu, ahead lies the sea where the sea demon stirs up waves. Shall we increase speed?"
"No need. Just continue at our usual pace."
Chu Feng replied indifferently.
"Yes, sir."
The shipmaster responded and turned back toward the cabin.
Just then, a sudden change swept across the sea. On the previously calm waters, enormous waves surged out of nowhere.
Before these towering waves, the treasure ship was like a fallen leaf—completely at the mercy of the sea.
Seeing this, Chu Feng casually waved his hand. Instantly, the wind and waves subsided, as though nothing had ever happened. The shipmaster, who had just been about to activate the defense array, was overjoyed: another batch of spirit stones saved. He couldn't understand why people this powerful still bothered to travel by boat.
The Golden-Winged Great Sage stepped onto the deck and said to Chu Feng, "Brother, I sensed two little fellows fighting about a hundred miles ahead. One of the auras is very likely the sea demon from the north."
Chu Feng said, "Go tell the shipmaster to head in that direction and pick up speed. Let's join the fun."
"Got it!"
With a flash, the Golden-Winged Great Sage vanished. Before long, the treasure ship began to accelerate…
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