Chapter 145: Fairy Sister

Seeing this, Qin Feng felt a jolt of alarm. He understood the relationship between Lin Xiaobao and Chen Zhong far better than Wei Zhiye did, and he was equally familiar with Wei Zhiye’s temperament. Frowning, he said, "Uncle Master, please calm your anger. It is precisely because I do not wish to tarnish the reputation of the Alchemy Hall that I am willing to serve as Brother Lin’s medicine boy. I am a man of my word; I accept the loss."

"This is no place for you to speak!" Wei Zhiye was incensed by Qin Feng’s lack of backbone. "I will settle your negligence later. For now, I must have him rescind that wager!"

As he spoke, his cold gaze swept toward Lin Xiaobao, clearly awaiting a response.

Qin Feng stood to the side, his expression anxious and conflicted. Serving as Lin Xiaobao’s medicine boy was indeed a blow to his status, but that was before he had witnessed Lin Xiaobao’s alchemy skills. Now, he harbored no doubt that if Lin Xiaobao’s cultivation were to reach the level of Long Xinghe, the title of the greatest Alchemist King on the Longxiang Continent would surely shift to him.

Although Wei Zhiye kept his aura restrained, Lin Xiaobao could still sense its destructive potential. He did not doubt for a moment that if a fight broke out, he would not be able to withstand a single blow, let alone offer any resistance. In the past, Lin Xiaobao would have chosen to yield to avoid immediate harm, but Elder Wu’s silence had dealt him a crushing blow, causing a fundamental shift in his inner world.

"What if I refuse?" Lin Xiaobao said, enunciating each word clearly.

"Then I shall have to kill you. Dead men have no need for medicine boys," Wei Zhiye replied without hesitation.

"Elder Wei, what a murderous aura you have!" At that moment, a middle-aged woman approached, accompanied by a young girl.

"Gu Yixiang?" Wei Zhiye frowned slightly. "The Alchemy Hall and the Green Feather Pavilion have always kept to their own paths. What is the meaning of this?"

"Don't..." Gu Yixiang looked at Wei Zhiye and said, "You, Elder Wei, may represent the Alchemy Hall, but I, Gu Yixiang, cannot speak for the entire Green Feather Pavilion. I represent only myself; I simply found it distasteful to watch someone bullying a junior."

Lin Xiaobao was no stranger to the Green Feather Pavilion. Having lived in Bloodwind City for so long, he had gained some understanding of the major powers of this world, especially the renowned Green Feather Pavilion.

On the Longxiang Continent, there were four great empires. The Xuanyang Palace, protector of the Blood-Sovereign Empire, ranked second among the mysterious sects, while the Green Feather Pavilion was the fourth-ranked protector of the Fengqing Empire. Despite this ranking, the Green Feather Pavilion was highly regarded within the cultivation world because it was composed entirely of female disciples. While practitioners sought the Heavenly Dao, some who felt progress was beyond their reach turned to human affairs, and many cultivators hoped to find suitable cultivation partners, naturally setting their sights on the Green Feather Pavilion. The Pavilion did not reject such unions; as long as the suitor was not a heinous villain, they did not overly interfere in the emotional lives of their disciples.

Consequently, although the Green Feather Pavilion ranked only fourth in raw strength, it possessed immense external influence. Naturally, because the Pavilion consisted solely of women, the Fengqing Empire was a matriarchal nation; from the Empress to the high-ranking officials, every position was held by a woman.

Beyond this, there was the Xuanhao Empire, whose protector was the Alchemy Hall, ranked third. The first-ranked sect was the Pure Yang Sword Sect, protector of the Red Dragon Empire. Of course, these rankings referred to the overall strength of the four great sects. As for individual power, Chen Zhong was universally acknowledged as the strongest in the cultivation world. While experts from the other three sects might harbor some resentment, no one had yet proven their confidence to be well-founded with facts.

Sensing the mockery in Gu Yixiang’s tone, Wei Zhiye frowned. "This is a private matter for the Alchemy Hall; I ask that you do not interfere!"

After all, this was Xuanyang Palace territory. If he were to deal with Lin Xiaobao, he was confident he could finish it in an instant. However, against Gu Yixiang, who possessed cultivation at the mid-stage of the Dao-Fusion realm just like himself, he lacked such certainty. If the situation escalated and Xuanyang Palace intervened, he would have a difficult time explaining himself. Thus, he had to try to intimidate Gu Yixiang with the weight of his sect.

"A private matter for the Alchemy Hall? Isn't it just that Qin Feng lost a bet?" Gu Yixiang showed a trace of disdain. "Does the Alchemy Hall not know how to lose with grace?"

Though the four great sects maintained a facade of harmony, they were secretly wary of one another. The events at the Long family estate might not be known to minor sects, but the high-level members of the four great sects were certainly aware of them—especially since they involved a figure of such weight as Chen Zhong.

"Are you determined to meddle in this?" Wei Zhiye’s words carried a note of threat.

"When the road is uneven, someone will pave it; when there is injustice, someone will intervene!" Gu Yixiang said with a hint of anger. "Even if Master Long himself were here, I would maintain this same stance!"

"In that case, I shall wait until we are on the mountain and let the Sect Leader Long speak with you!" Sensing others approaching, Wei Zhiye was unwilling to linger. After casting a harsh warning, he vanished along with Han Deyi.

"My thanks to you, Fairy, for upholding justice. However, I have friends waiting for me further ahead, so I must take my leave!" Lin Xiaobao cupped his hands in a salute and turned to depart.

Lin Xiaobao had heard of the Green Feather Pavilion, but he did not know this Gu Yixiang. He did not believe she had risked offending an elder of the Alchemy Hall just because he was handsome. Though he did not know her true motives, he had no intention of finding out. Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away was the best one!

Seeing Lin Xiaobao’s attitude, Gu Yixiang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "Chen Zhong is a simple and steady man; how did he come to be sworn brothers with a little rascal like you?"

Just as Lin Xiaobao was about to leave, he realized from Gu Yixiang’s words that her help seemed to be related to Chen Zhong. He probed, "Actually, my relationship with Brother Chen isn't as close as you might imagine. He is simply a kind-hearted man who looks after his juniors!"

"Is that so?" Gu Yixiang looked at Lin Xiaobao. "I heard that you helped Chen Zhong refine two Yin Pills, which allowed He Xinran to successfully transcend her tribulation. That is why he is so grateful to you, isn't it?"

Lin Xiaobao detected a hint of bitterness when she mentioned He Xinran and finally understood why she had helped him. Feeling somewhat reassured, he did not want to dwell on the topic. "You are too kind, Fairy!"

With that, Lin Xiaobao looked up at the sky. "Fairy, the hour is growing late. We should head up the mountain quickly; if we are too late, all the good treasures will be traded away!"

Gu Yixiang was not offended by Lin Xiaobao’s repeated use of the title "Fairy"; in fact, she found herself rather fond of him. However, Ding Mengqiu, who stood behind her, said with some displeasure, "How impolite!"

Seeing Ding Mengqiu’s pouting lips, Lin Xiaobao couldn't resist teasing her. "When one's elder is speaking, interrupting is indeed rather impolite!"

"Who are you talking about?" Ding Mengqiu was already dissatisfied with Lin Xiaobao, and seeing him target her, she immediately unleashed her aura, pressing down toward him.