When Chao Yangzi and the other three met up with Xue Shouwang and Ju Yin's group, a scene unfolded outside the Phoenix Pavilion on the open ground: Long Hu Hu was locked in combat with a woman.
The Phoenix Pavilion was an establishment of the Phoenix clan, initially specializing in the attire for female immortals in the Heavenly Realm. As the Phoenix clan members were inherently beautiful and loved adornment, favoring opulent clothing, they once set the fashion trends in the Heavenly Realm. Consequently, the garments sold at the Phoenix Pavilion were not only custom-made according to client requests but also incorporated defensive capabilities as enchanted robes. They were deeply favored by female immortals, and eventually, even male immortals who paid attention to their appearance began frequenting the Phoenix Pavilion.
Legend had it that the Celestial Gauze Flowing Robe was crafted by an ancient ancestor millions of years ago as a gift for a dear friend.
Today, Xuan Ji had intended to visit the Phoenix Pavilion to collect her custom-made enchanted robe and, at the same time, gather information on the whereabouts of Immortal Venerable Feng Chu. Unexpectedly, she encountered a beautiful woman emerging from the adjacent tea house. As the immortal turned, the robe she wore suddenly radiated with a brilliant aura. Xuan Ji immediately recognized it as the Celestial Gauze Flowing Robe. She was astonished that Treasure Pavilion dared to defy her orders. When she had received the news, she had instructed Treasure Pavilion to withhold the Celestial Gauze Flowing Robe from the auction, promising to purchase it at its appraised value. However, her demonic poison had flared up, causing her to forget about it during her seclusion, and this woman had managed to acquire it.
"Esteemed immortal, I advise you to remove that precious robe. As the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden, I might spare your life," Xuan Ji said, her voice laced with a threat. She noticed the growing crowd of onlookers and feared being recognized, which would damage her reputation. As their whips became entangled, she issued the warning.
"Hmph! You are the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden? Xuan Ji?" Long Hu Hu was surprised that Xuan Ji did not recognize her. Yet, seeing her current appearance, she understood. Millions of years ago, she had not inherited her father's legacy and grew slowly, her appearance resembling that of a pubescent girl. It was no wonder Xuan Ji didn't recognize her now.
"This Celestial Gauze Flowing Robe has already recognized its master; it belongs to me. Selling it is out of the question," Long Hu Hu retorted, opening her mouth to unleash hundreds of Ice Soul Cold Needles directly towards Xuan Ji's face.
Ju Yin and Hua Xun, trailing a few steps behind, hadn't anticipated Hu Hu getting into a fight outside. Upon seeing familiar faces, both spontaneously altered their appearances. At the very least, they didn't wish for Xuan Ji to recognize them at this moment.
Feng Chu and Qing Yang, among others, would not have recognized the spectators on the periphery as their Venerable Master and Hua Xun if Xi Mo hadn't been familiar with his master's aura. At this moment, Ye Ting and Ye Jue were also absent from the scene; only Immortal Emperor Chen Xi watched anxiously from the side as Long Hu Hu engaged in combat in the center.
"Wow, isn't that Xuan Ji? Why is she fighting with Hu Hu?" Feng Chu asked, bewildered. The moment Feng Chu spoke, Chao Yangzi and Chao Xiangzi waved their hands, donned masks, and simultaneously distanced themselves a few steps from Feng Chu.
Feng Chu...
"Don't expose our identities!" Chao Xiangzi, seeing Feng Chu stunned, good-naturedly transmitted the message to him. Did this fellow not see that their Venerable Master had concealed his identity?
Xuan Ji pulled back her whip, elegantly dodging Long Hu Hu's hair-thin ice needles. Upon hearing Feng Chu's voice, she rejoiced and quickly exclaimed,
"Third Young Master Feng, this immortal is bullying me!" Xuan Ji lunged forward, tears welling up in her eyes, appearing on the verge of weeping.
"Hey, stand back," Feng Chu immediately shifted aside, causing Xuan Ji to lunge in vain.
"Oh, you have a paramour!" Long Hu Hu glared and warned Feng Chu. Feng Chu inwardly regretted his actions. He wasn't foolish; it was clear Xuan Ji was acting strangely. Otherwise, why would their Venerable Master, upon seeing his former acquaintance, remain indifferent and not acknowledge her?
"Immortal, please do not insult me. I and Xuan Ji are merely old acquaintances and have no improper relationship," Feng Chu cast a veiled glance at Ju Yin and glared at Long Hu Hu, warning her not to speak carelessly.
"Hu Hu, how are you? Are you injured?" At this moment, Chen Xi also stepped forward, asking Long Hu Hu with concern.
"I'm fine, but that lowly woman who tried to steal clothes is in for it," Long Hu Hu felt pleased, thinking, "Doesn't it hurt? How can she endure so much?"
"Hmph! How can a few ice needles harm me?" As soon as Xuan Ji finished speaking, she felt a dull ache in her abdomen.
"What did you do?" Xuan Ji's face changed drastically. The suppressed demonic poison had flared up. If it were to be exposed in the Immortal Realm, she would become a target of universal condemnation. Demonic realm inhabitants were known for their wickedness, often ambushing lone lesser immortals to consume their spiritual energy and flesh.
"I didn't do anything. If you want to fight, I'll beat you fair and square!" Long Hu Hu was highly sensitive to the tainted demonic energy and sensed something was amiss with Xuan Ji. She had used the cold needles to stimulate the demonic energy within her.
Xuan Ji could no longer afford to deliberate. Before the demonic energy could leak from her body, she swiftly vanished. As she departed, she cast a wistful glance at Feng Chu.
Feng Chu was startled by her gaze and suddenly understood. So, this woman was infatuated with him. How vexing!
He couldn't comprehend how the shy and bashful young girl of the past had transformed into this.
Feng Chu was unaware that Xuan Ji was no longer the same young immortal of yesteryear. Her status as the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden had instilled in her a sense of pride, believing herself worthy of the Phoenix clan's Third Young Master.
"Welcome, Young Master!" The Pavilion Master of Phoenix Pavilion, along with his retinue, knelt before Feng Chu. They had finally welcomed their Young Master back.
"Rise, let's talk inside." Feng Chu observed the increasing crowd and realized this was not a suitable place for conversation.
"Oh, so it's the Third Young Master of the Phoenix clan. No wonder he is so exceptionally handsome," one female immortal remarked, her eyes sparkling.
"I heard he went missing for millions of years, and legend had it his soul returned to chaos. It seems the rumors have misled me!"
"Are you blind? Even if you die, Third Young Master Feng is alive and well," another female immortal, who had previously admired Feng Chu, rebuked the man angrily.
"You, you, you... Truly, women and petty men are difficult to deal with!" The male immortal, who cultivated the path of scholarship, turned a deep red.
"What? You dare call me a petty man? Take this!"
"Ah, murder!" The male immortal immediately conceded and fled with remarkable speed! He cultivated the scholarly path, his magical arts were rudimentary, but fortunately, his evasion techniques allowed him to outpace all the immortals.
The female immortal chased after him, hurling abuses.
The surrounding onlookers burst into laughter. As Feng Chu and his entourage entered the Phoenix Pavilion, the crowd gradually dispersed. However, the news of Third Young Master Feng's return instantly spread throughout the Heavenly Realm.
"Uncle Yao, I sent you a message. Why didn't you come to my aid?" Feng Chu asked as soon as he sat down, recalling his calls for help that had vanished into the sea.
"Please forgive me, Young Master. Upon receiving your message, I immediately gathered our forces. However, we were blocked by the city lord upon exiting the city. The city was under strict lockdown that day, with no entry or exit, and the city's protective formations were activated," Uncle Yao confessed immediately.
"It seems the blockade was aimed at me!"
Bai Hong suddenly interjected. Bai Qi knew he had some influence in Ice Moon City and had instructed the city lord to seal the city, effectively cutting off rescue efforts. However, he had miscalculated. The subordinates in Ice Moon City were responsible for the transfer of the mother beast and her young; they had already escorted them away. This was thanks to an anonymous secret letter, otherwise, it would have been a catastrophe for the entire clan! But he never imagined that he only managed to do this before being betrayed by Bai Qi. He had never suspected Bai Qi and had only assumed it was an external invasion.
"Uncle Yao, it's not your fault." Feng Chu, understanding the reason, helped Uncle Yao, who was kneeling on one knee, to rise.
Hua Xun and Ju Yin also entered at this moment, with Long Hu Hu and others following behind. To avoid attracting attention, they had not followed Feng Chu together.
Ju Yin removed her disguise, and Bai Hong stood up in shock:
"Venerable Master!"