Chapter 30: The Mu Family’s Alchemy Hall is under the jurisdiction of my Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

In an instant, everyone looked up in unison.

A figure was seen slowly stepping through the main gate, walking toward the crowd. The man carried himself with a lofty, imposing air, his presence sharp and fierce. A trace of indifference and coldness clung to him, sending a chill down the spines of those who beheld him.

The moment they saw him, the entire Xiao family felt as if they had been plunged into an icy abyss.

"Mu Feng!"

"Mu Feng, you've returned." Xiao Yutong did not show much surprise upon seeing him; she simply spoke with a faint, weary smile.

Mu Feng stepped forward and gently helped Xiao Yutong to her feet. Looking at her gaunt face, his heart ached with profound sorrow. "You fool, how could you torture yourself like this? You must be famished. What would you like to eat?"

"I want some osmanthus cake."

"Jia Zhuangxian, go to the Treasure Pavilion and buy some osmanthus cake for the Young Mistress!" Mu Feng ordered immediately. He then gave Xiao Yu a look, and she nodded obediently, supporting Xiao Yutong as they left.

Seeing this, a sinister smile curled the corners of Mu Feng’s mouth. He turned to face the crowd that was currently staring at him. "Patriarch Xiao, you must be very disappointed that I didn't die."

Now that the facade had been torn away, Mu Feng had no more concerns.

Xiao Jue’s expression shifted violently. "Impossible! The Great Elder is a master of the Xuanhuang realm; how could you possibly have survived? Unless there was someone of the Heaven and Earth realm..."

Recalling the reports that had been sent back, Xiao Jue’s face paled further. His subordinates had previously reported the presence of a Heaven and Earth realm warrior near the Mu family’s alchemy hall, and that Mu Feng had learned the art of refining flawless pills. All of this pointed to a terrifying alchemist standing behind Mu Feng. Because Mu Feng had been missing for so long, Xiao Jue had forgotten these crucial details, but now that they came rushing back, he broke into a cold sweat.

The Great Elder might already be dead!

If Mu Feng were to establish a firm footing, Xiao Ruoxin’s path in the Sword Sect would certainly be unstable. No matter what, he had to eliminate Mu Feng today!

With that thought, Xiao Jue shouted, "You rebellious son, Mu Feng! As a son-in-law of the Xiao family, to dare harm a senior of the house is a crime punishable by death! Today, I shall execute you on the spot to restore order!"

With those words, Xiao Jue charged out with such speed that even Mu Qingcheng could not react. No one had expected Xiao Jue to dare attack Mu Feng in full view of everyone.

"Xuan Yuan Heaven-Shaking Strike!"

A magnificent palm force gathered—the power of a Xuanhuang realm strike was truly terrifying. Even the surrounding airflow was inverted, causing the entire hall to tremble violently.

"Sword One!"

The pendant at his ear fell; eight powerful sword auras converged onto his blade, striking out against the devastating palm force. The blood within his body surged like the roar of a tiger or the cry of an elephant, shaking the surroundings.

Boom!

The two extreme forces collided, and Mu Feng’s expression changed instantly. Facing the assault of a Xuanhuang master again, even with mental preparation, he had not expected Xiao Jue to be this powerful. Under the immense impact, both sides retreated. Mu Feng was forced back more than a dozen steps, while Xiao Jue steadied himself after only three. The difference in strength was clear.

Before Mu Feng could stabilize, a sharp sword technique followed. Xiao Ruoxin lunged at him, her eyes filled with murderous intent, her sharp blade slashing toward the top of his head.

In a flash, Mu Feng suddenly spun, executing the Spinning Sword Technique.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The swords clashed, sending brilliant sparks flying.

Bang!

The next moment, Mu Feng recoiled, gasping for air, his right hand trembling slightly. He had already exhausted himself blocking Xiao Jue’s strike, and forcing the Spinning Sword Technique had left his spiritual energy in disarray, making it difficult to channel.

However, Xiao Ruoxin and Xiao Jue were now in a state of shock. Xiao Jue squinted, his eyes full of wariness. He was a master of the third level of the Xuanhuang realm, yet a single palm strike had failed to kill Mu Feng. This was simply absurd. Xiao Ruoxin was even more alarmed; she had struck with her full strength, yet Mu Feng had blocked it so easily. What on earth had happened during the time he was missing?

A deep sense of frustration welled up in her. She had been cultivating for twenty years and was now at the tenth level of the Spirit Entry realm, just a step away from the Xuanhuang realm. Yet, facing Mu Feng, she felt only fear. She realized that it wouldn't be long before that disheveled figure would completely surpass her.

"Men! Surround them!"

At the command, countless Mu family soldiers stepped forward, encircling the Xiao family. Having failed to defeat Mu Feng in one blow, the Xiao family was now at a disadvantage. Mu Qingcheng would not let them leave so easily. If the Xiao family could not bring in reinforcements, they would likely not walk out of this alchemy hall in one piece.

Just then, two young men in white robes walked slowly into the hall with their hands behind their backs, walking straight into the Mu family’s encirclement as if ignoring everyone present.

"How spectacular. I never expected to see such a fine show in a small place like Yuanzhou City. It was truly the right decision for our Senior Brother to send us out." The leader spoke with a mocking tone, scanning the crowd.

"Who are you?" Mu Qingcheng asked, his expression immediately turning guarded. The strength of these two was at the Xuanhuang realm, and their spiritual energy was overflowing; they were clearly equipped with powerful weapons.

"We are outer disciples of the Sword Sect. Today, we are here on the orders of our Senior Brother to protect our sister-in-law," the man said, his face turning grim. "What do you think you are doing, treating a member of our Sword Sect this way? Are you trying to start a rebellion?"

Mu Qingcheng’s expression changed sharply. This was supposed to be a perfect opportunity to wipe out the Xiao family, but he hadn't anticipated such a backup.

A Mu family disciple shouted in anger, "They were the ones who attacked our Young Master first, we—"

"Insolent! Is this a place for you to speak?" A surging wave of force erupted, accompanied by a terrifying pressure that blanketed the entire hall. The man looked around and locked his gaze on Mu Feng. "Sister Ruoxin is a disciple of our Sword Sect, and your Mu family has been so disrespectful. It seems the Mu family has no need to exist any longer!"

As he finished speaking, a dozen more Sword Sect disciples converged, sealing off the alchemy hall completely. The situation had reversed so quickly that no one was prepared. Mu Qingcheng looked grave. "Xiao Feng, I will hold them off. Take Yutong and leave. A battle today is unavoidable!"

Facing the Mu family’s strategy, the Sword Sect disciple laughed dismissively. "Run? Where do you think you can run to?"

"My, what a lively scene." Suddenly, a graceful figure walked in. Yu Linglong stepped forward with a captivating gait, coming to a stop beside Mu Feng.

Seeing this, the Sword Sect disciples narrowed their eyes in confusion. "Treasure Pavilion? Do you intend to get involved in this affair today? Are you aware that the Treasure Pavilion has a rule of neutrality and never interferes in conflicts? Are you planning to break that rule?"

Yu Linglong smiled faintly. "Who said I was getting involved? I simply feel that you of the Sword Sect are being quite rude, threatening to kill people inside my Treasure Pavilion. Furthermore, you are threatening a guest of my pavilion. That seems a bit unreasonable, wouldn't you say?"

"Inside the Treasure Pavilion?" The lead Sword Sect disciple couldn't help but laugh. "Ha! Isn't this the Mu family’s alchemy hall? Since when did it become your Treasure Pavilion’s territory?"

"Is that so?" Yu Linglong blinked playfully and produced a document from her sleeve. "You might not know this, but Young Master Mu has already transferred the Mu family’s alchemy hall to me. From today on, this place is an independent alchemy shop owned by the Treasure Pavilion. In other words, Young Master Mu is not just a guest of the Treasure Pavilion, he is also an employee of mine."

She held up the paper. "This is the deed for the Mu family’s alchemy hall. Beyond this location, twenty-one other alchemy halls throughout Yuanzhou City are now under the jurisdiction of the Treasure Pavilion!"