Seeing Elder Qi's breathing grow steadier and his pulse calm considerably, it was evident that the toxins within his body were being further controlled.
"Truly miraculous!" Sect Leader Zhou couldn't help but exclaim.
He then recalled his previous attitude and felt even more ashamed. Fortunately, the young man before him didn't hold it against him, otherwise, he would have truly harmed Elder Qi. However, since it was his mistake, he wouldn't evade it.
Sect Leader Zhou then walked directly in front of Ye Fei, his face filled with admiration, and apologized.
"Young man, it was my mistake just now!"
"I shouldn't have doubted you like that!"
"But I've learned my lesson!"
"Indeed, when I was your age, I was far from as capable as you are!"
"I see you wearing a jade token from the Martial Sect. Are you a disciple of the Martial Sect?"
Ye Fei readily accepted his apology and replied.
"You are correct, I am indeed a disciple of the Martial Sect."
"This time, it's because I won first place in the joint competition, which is why I've come to your Artifact Sect for exchange and learning."
Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Zhou was stunned. He never expected this young man to achieve first place with a cultivation base at the middle stage of Qi Condensation level five. After a moment of stunned silence, he quickly reacted and said loudly,
"Good, very good!"
"I admire young people like you!"
"I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I am Zhou Botong, the Sect Leader of the Artifact Sect."
"Young man, I admire you. If you encounter any difficulties in the Artifact Sect, feel free to come find me." Sect Leader Zhou said jovially.
"Thank you!"
"However, I can resolve my own problems." Ye Fei smiled.
Then, Ye Fei brought up the third step, which was the Nine Yang Grass needed for refining the Rejuvenation Pill. Hearing this, even Sect Leader Zhou couldn't help but frown and say,
"This Nine Yang Grass is indeed very rare."
"I've heard that its trace has only been seen on the giant peak mountains to the north."
"However, I will definitely use all my connections to find it."
"You don't have to worry."
In terms of connections and relationships, Sect Leader Zhou naturally had the advantage, so Ye Fei didn't argue with him and instead nodded along with his intentions.
Meanwhile, Qi Xinlian had already instructed someone to clean up the messy room. With this, the matter seemed to have come to a close. Originally, Qi Xinlian had been a little worried that Ye Fei would be troubled by Uncle Zhou, but she never expected the two to get along so well, almost becoming friends despite the age difference. Especially when he heard Ye Fei's insights on artifact refining, Sect Leader Zhou nodded repeatedly in approval.
Just as the two were about to continue their conversation and go for a drink, footsteps were suddenly heard at the entrance.
"Junior Sister, what exactly happened to Master?" Bai Feng, who was leading the group, asked.
"Senior Brother, my father is not in any serious danger."
"Please keep your voices down, so as not to disturb my father."
Qi Xinlian did not want so many people to know about her father's condition, so she chose to conceal it. More importantly, the mastermind behind it had not yet been caught, and she wanted to spread false information to lure out the culprit. Ye Fei understood Qi Xinlian's intention immediately. As for Sect Leader Zhou, he stood calmly by the side, saying nothing.
Then, Bai Feng turned his head and saw Ye Fei standing there. Recalling how Ye Fei had intercepted the Guanghan iron ore he had painstakingly found, all his previous grievances and recent grudges surged up, and he gritted his teeth.
"Ye Fei, why are you here too?"
"If you have the guts, come up to the dueling platform and fight me!"
"If you don't, you're a coward!" Bai Feng said angrily.
But Ye Fei didn't have that much time to bother with him and flatly refused.
"No!"
"I don't have the time to play house with you!"
"Go play by yourself!"
If Ye Fei had agreed, it would have satisfied Bai Feng's temper, but it was precisely this attitude that made Bai Feng fixate on Ye Fei, wanting to humiliate him in front of everyone.
"You coward!"
"Don't you even have the courage to agree?" Bai Feng roared in anger.
But no matter how much Bai Feng shouted and roared, Ye Fei remained indifferent, not even blinking. Instead, he acted as if he were watching a play, pouring himself and Sect Leader Zhou beside him a cup of hot tea.
"Brat, you better think carefully. Offending Young Master Bai will bring you no good..."
"You still have to study at our Artifact Sect for three months. You might not be afraid, but what about your fellow disciples?"
"Think about it yourself!" The short, stout man said threateningly, his eyes darting around.
"Enough!"
"What kind of conduct is this!"
"Are these the kind of disciples our Artifact Sect cultivates?"
"You have all greatly disappointed me!" Sect Leader Zhou suddenly slammed the cup on the table, drawing the attention of Bai Feng and the others.
Since Sect Leader Zhou had his back to them earlier, they hadn't recognized him. However, when he turned around, Bai Feng and the short, stout man were so frightened they almost fell over. Especially the extremely grim expression on Sect Leader Zhou's face. The room instantly fell silent.
Bai Feng broke out in a cold sweat, his mind in turmoil as he recalled his earlier words. Many unpleasant outcomes flashed through his mind. After a brief silence, Sect Leader Zhou finally spoke.
"You all consider yourselves proud talents, but it seems you've lived too good a life and have become arrogant. From today onwards, all of you will go out on missions. You are not allowed to return until you complete ten missions!"
"Furthermore, apologize to Ye Fei immediately!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they weren't expelled, everything else was manageable. Although Bai Feng was unconvinced, he had no choice but to lower his head and apologize to Ye Fei.
"I'm sorry!"
"I was wrong!"
"Please forgive me." The short, stout man and the others immediately followed Bai Feng, also apologizing.
Seeing them bow their heads, Ye Fei had no intention of dwelling on the matter further and said casually,
"Alright, I accept."
"As long as you avoid me when you see me in the future, I will be content."
Seeing this, Sect Leader Zhou waved Bai Feng and the others away.
"Xiao Fei, I am truly sorry!"
"For letting you suffer these grievances!" Sect Leader Zhou was extremely enthusiastic, and at the same time, very envious of Sect Leader Song of the Martial Sect. He couldn't help but wonder, if only this were his own disciple.