Xu Wen frowned. "What exactly did I lie to you about?"
Zhao Fei, now fully dressed and still wearing an expression of deep grievance, retorted, "You could've just told me you were already in Heng City! Instead, you fed me some nonsense about being back in Northern Drylands!"
"I wasn't lying," Xu Wen replied flatly. "I really did just come from Mount Wanjué, in the Northern Drylands."
"Oh sure, keep spinning your tales," Zhao Fei scoffed, arms crossed.
"If you don't believe me, ask the Sect Master of Mistveil Sect," Xu Wen said, pointing to Gu Chenyuan.
Gu Chenyuan nodded immediately. "We only departed from Mount Wanjué after speaking with you earlier today."
The rest of the group chimed in with affirming nods.
Zhao Fei gave them a betrayed look. "Sect Master Gu, you're in on Xu Wen's foolish games too?"
Instead of arguing, Xu Wen produced a strange-looking talisman and thrust it in front of Zhao Fei's face.
"W-What is that?" Zhao Fei stammered, immediately sensing the intense pressure radiating from the charm.
Even with his experience, he had never encountered a talisman that exuded such immense energy. At a glance, it had to be at least Tier Eight—far superior to the Tier Six ones he'd seen before.
"This is a blink sigil," Xu Wen said proudly. "One thought, and it teleports you anywhere in the Wilds."
"Lies! Total fabrication!" Zhao Fei shot back instinctively, though his voice wavered.
"Just because you've never seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist," Xu Wen replied, eyes twinkling. "You really are like a frog in a well."
Zhao Fei's eyes widened. "Did you just insult me?!"
Xu Wen ignored the protest. "Look, I came here with great fortune to offer. If you want in, speak up. If not—"
"I do! I do!" Zhao Fei blurted out, trying to maintain some pride. "But first, I demand an apology! I may be a man of principle, but I'm also practical."
Yu Ruyi quietly massaged her temple at the hypocrisy, while Xu Wen looked completely unfazed.
"I've already recommended you as a chef to the Starfall Sect in the Northern Drylands," Xu Wen added.
"You what?!" Zhao Fei nearly exploded. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Yes, he enjoyed cooking, but only for himself and a few friends. Cooking for others? That wasn't a job—it was a punishment!
"And what is this 'Starfall Sect'? Never heard of it."
"Zhao," Gu Chenyuan interrupted, "if you knew what kind of place the Starfall Sect is, you'd probably be on your knees thanking Elder Xu right now."
Li Changtian scoffed. "Let's be honest, if you didn't have your cooking skills, you wouldn't even be worth the conversation."
"Exactly," Lin Danhua added. "Don't be blind to your blessings."
"Zhao, we've known each other since childhood," Xu Wen said. "Would I ever set you up for failure?"
He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Our Sect Leader, Tara York, once repelled a heavenly tribulation with nothing but a shout. When she travels, phoenixes and dragons pull her chariot. She hands out Tier Eight and Nine treasures like candy."
"She transformed Mount Wanjué—the deadliest region in the north—into a paradise with a wave of her hand."
"And that blink sigil? A personal gift from her yesterday."
"If you earn her favor, becoming an immortal will be the minimum of what you achieve."
Zhao Fei's jaw practically hit the floor. "Seriously?!"
"You'll see for yourself soon enough," Xu Wen said. "Once I activate the blink sigil again, we'll be back at Mount Wanjué in moments. Pack your things."
"'We'?" Zhao Fei blinked.
"It can take up to twenty people in one jump," Xu Wen said proudly.
Zhao Fei hesitated, then offered, "You know I have two disciples… We've been through thick and thin together—"
"Bring them," Xu Wen interrupted. "But whether they're accepted by the Sect Master is up to their own merit."
"Of course, of course," Zhao Fei nodded quickly, then hesitated again, glancing at Gu Chenyuan. "Wait... Xu Wen, didn't you serve as an elder in Mistveil Sect?"
"I resigned," Xu Wen said with no small amount of pride. "I'm now an outer elder of the Starfall Sect."
Zhao Fei held his breath, turning to Gu Chenyuan in panic, worried the Mistveil Sect's master might take offense.
But Gu Chenyuan just looked… envious?
"Our Mistveil Sect is now a subordinate force of the Starfall Sect," Gu said calmly. "We're planning to apply for outer elder positions as well."
Zhao Fei was stunned. Had the entire Drylands transformed in the few days since he left?
"I'll fill you in later," Xu Wen said. "Call your disciples—we're heading to Starfall right away."
"On it." Zhao Fei activated his messaging stone to summon them. They'd gone out to buy spiritual vegetables and beast meat and were due back any moment.
Before the message went through, a loud voice echoed from outside the room:
"Who are you people?! My master's still sleeping!"
Zhao Fei's disciples—nicknamed Big Fat and Little Fat—were both tall and rotund, living up to their names.
"If you try to barge into my master's room, don't blame me if this cleaver flies where it shouldn't!" bellowed Little Fat in a rough, gravelly voice.
"I am Cai Quan, Captain of the Third Squad, Lunar House Guard, under the Celestial One Sect!" a haughty voice declared. "We have honored guests today, and the Lunar House requests your master to prepare the feast personally."
"If he pleases our guests, he shall be handsomely rewarded."
Though he used the word "request," Cai Quan's tone made it clear he was used to commands being obeyed.
"My master's no cook," Big Fat replied coldly. "Go hire one from an inn."
"Two days ago, your master displayed exceptional culinary talent at the Blossom Pavilion. Our house lord was most impressed," Cai Quan insisted. "He sent me personally to extend this invitation."
"I said he's not a cook!" Big Fat snapped.
"The Lunar House always offers courtesy before force. But if you refuse…" Cai Quan let his cultivation pressure explode outward—early Core Condensation Realm—instantly forcing the two disciples to their knees.
Back in the room, Xu Wen casually raised a hand.
Cai Quan was immediately flung back, smashing into a wall. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crumpled to the floor.
His subordinates stared in terror.
"Who dares?!" Cai Quan croaked, clutching his chest and glaring at the room.
That old man had only revealed the aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator…
But that attack just now—was anything but ordinary.