Chapter 328: In the Future, Best Avoid the Prodigies of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute
"Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Chu for showing mercy. This old one shall take his leave."
With those words, Ancestor Qinglin turned and departed without so much as a backward glance. His opponent had already spared him—if he lingered any longer, it would be courting death. This much, he understood well.
The gathered cultivators watched the azure light vanish into the sea, then turned their gazes toward Chu Feng, their eyes filled with awe.
Even Great Sage Jiaoyang stood dumbfounded, her small mouth forming an O.
Seeing this, Great Sage Jinchi could not help but tease, "Stunned, aren't you? My Brother Feng could step into the Saint Realm at any time. If not for his desire to complete that achievement, he'd already be a Saint."
At these words, both Great Sage Jiaoyang and Great Sage Yishan were left speechless.
After a long silence, Jiaoyang finally asked, "Could it be that Senior Brother Chu intends to wait until fully comprehending the Half-Saint Dao Truth before breaking through?"
"Exactly."
Great Sage Jinchi answered without hesitation, then turned his gaze toward Chu Feng.
Chu Feng, meanwhile, walked over to the still-dazed Xu Caichen. "Caichen, what are you standing around for? Hurry and find that Qingjin brat to settle this matter."
Only then did Xu Caichen remember their purpose for coming today.
He clasped his hands respectfully. "Understood."
He turned and slowly walked toward Qingjin Jiao. With each step he took, the sea clan by Qingjin Jiao's side retreated a step, even the two uncles who had stood by him moments ago abandoning him.
Who would dare help him now? Qingjin Jiao couldn't win in single combat, nor could he rely on his clan's backing.
Looking at Xu Caichen drawing closer, Qingjin Jiao blurted instinctively, "Don't come any closer!"
???
Xu Caichen blinked, then after a moment burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Qingjin, I'm not going to eat you. I don't know what you're afraid of. Or is it that you don't wish to honor our previous agreement?"
Qingjin Jiao froze, standing alone, unable to speak for a long time.
Seeing his silence, Xu Caichen pressed on with a smile. "What is it then, Fellow Daoist Qingjin—do you mean to fight to the bitter end?"
"N-no, no."
Qingjin Jiao shook his head like a rattle drum. Was he mad? Even his clan's ancestor had backed down. If he kept fighting, it would only be throwing his life away.
"I just…"
He wanted to explain, but no words came.
"You just didn't expect me to spare your life?"
Xu Caichen asked pointedly.
Qingjin Jiao lowered his head and nodded silently.
"I already said, I came only to resolve the matter of Suxin. You turned it into such a spectacle. Hand over the marriage contract."
Xu Caichen's words were measured and faultless, leaving no ground for dispute.
Even Qingjin Jiao himself began to doubt—was it truly his fault?
"Fine."
This time, Qingjin Jiao didn't hesitate. He produced the marriage contract with Bai Suxin.
"What betrothal gifts did you offer before? I'll return them all."
Xu Caichen continued.
"It doesn't matter. Those are unimportant."
Qingjin Jiao now wanted nothing more than to send these calamities away. He never wished to cross paths with Wendao Academy's prodigies again. As for any so-called vengeance, he cast it entirely aside.
After all, he was but a prodigy of the Flood Dragon clan. Even if he were a prodigy of the Dragon Palace, it was impossible to incite war between the Dragon Palace and Wendao Academy.
"You make it sound like I'm trying to take advantage of you. Am I that sort of man?"
Xu Caichen wore a look of displeasure, as though he would not leave unless the betrothal gifts were accepted back.
"Son-in-law, let Little Jiao handle the matter of returning the gifts."
The voice of Blackflame Jiao suddenly rang out, dissolving the awkward tension.
Qingjin Jiao quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, I'll handle it with Uncle Blackflame."
He cast a complicated look at Blackflame Jiao. If he could, he truly wished to cut down this culprit with a single strike.
"Good. Then I won't say more."
Xu Caichen tore the marriage contract to shreds, then returned to Chu Feng and bowed deeply. "This disciple thanks Master for intervening."
Chu Feng smiled. "You are my disciple. If I don't shield you, then who will?"
Xu Caichen's heart warmed at these words. The cultivators around them, watching this scene, silently took note: in the future, one must never offend Wendao Academy's prodigies—no, to be precise, never offend the prodigies of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
Half-Saint Chu was one who fiercely protected his disciples.
Chu Feng said calmly, "Enough. Since the matter is settled, let us return."
"Yes!"
The cultivators watched as the Black Jiao Water Mansion's entourage departed, then slowly dispersed as well.
This day's battle left every witness deeply shaken.
Many had heard of Chu Feng's renown, but only today did they truly grasp his terrifying power.
A human Great Sage could not help but sigh. "That Half-Saint Chu must be the foremost beneath the Saints!"
At once, those nearby voiced their agreement.
"Indeed. Even if all of us attacked together, we would not withstand a single exchange against him."
"In the future, if we encounter the prodigies of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, best to avoid them."
"Well said."
…
Within the Blackflame Water Mansion.
Blackflame Jiao dropped to his knees before Chu Feng with a thud. "Senior, this junior was discourteous earlier. I beg for forgiveness."
Chu Feng waved his feather fan with a faint smile. "Merely discourteous?"
Blackflame Jiao's heart trembled. It was over—his little schemes could never escape the eyes of this man.
He hurriedly pleaded. "Spare me, Senior, spare me. This junior was left with no choice. Little Jiao must live under the rule of the Azure Flood Dragon Palace, so I erred. Please, Senior, grant me mercy this once."
Chu Feng paid him no heed, turning instead toward Xu Caichen and Bai Suxin. "This is your family matter. I will not interfere. Resolve it yourselves."
"Yes."
Xu Caichen responded at once.
Without another word, Chu Feng turned with his people and departed, unwilling to involve himself further in such mundane affairs.
An hour later, Xu Caichen returned with Bai Suxin to stand before Chu Feng.
"Master, this disciple has already settled the matters of the Blackflame Mansion. We may return to the Xuantian Continent at any time."
Chu Feng said, "Since nothing remains, we shall return to the Wu Kingdom now."
"Yes."
After gathering their things, the group departed, Blackflame Jiao personally sending them off with forced cheer.
Old White Turtle, watching their figures vanish, muttered, "General, was this fortune or calamity for us?"
Blackflame Jiao shook his head. "I do not know. But at the very least, the surrounding powers will now fear my son-in-law. Who would have thought that the frail scholar from that day would become the personal disciple of an invincible Half-Saint?"
By that evening, Chu Feng's group had returned to the Xu Residence.
Xu Hanlin, seeing his mother, immediately flung himself into Bai Suxin's arms.
"Mother, Hanlin missed you so much!"
Bai Suxin held her son tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Hanlin, never again will Mother leave you."
"Really?"
Xu Hanlin looked up at her with eager eyes.
Bai Suxin choked out, "Really. Of course it's true. When has Mother ever lied to you?"
Chu Feng and the others, seeing this warm scene, quietly withdrew without disturbing them.
Three days later, Xu Caichen left behind a written talisman for his elder sister and brother-in-law, instructing them that should trouble come, a drop of blood would activate it, preserving the Xu Family once.
But it could only be used three times. After that, it would become nothing but an ordinary sheet of paper, not to be wasted unless absolutely necessary.
Hearing this, his sister and her husband immediately understood—they would likely never see their younger brother again.
Though unwilling, they could only send him off with reluctant hearts.
Chu Feng's party did not make a grand departure by flight, but left the Wu Kingdom's capital by carriage.
Xu Caichen gazed at the receding Lin'an City, his heart filled with countless emotions…
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 2 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 32 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise