The surrounding space began to transform rapidly. The world was collapsing, and Yunxiao knew it was because he had taken the Phoenix True Flame, and the remnant of the fire phoenix’s consciousness had vanished completely.

　　Anyway, with the soul power of a third-tier alchemist, he would be safe amidst the collapse. So, he just stood there, unmoving, and watched quietly as the world around him broke apart. Soon, everything in the surroundings floated and drifted away in streams of light, and he was back on Mount Phoenix in the next instant.

　　He looked over his shoulder at the cliff wall. It was now as smooth as jade, and the ancient formation was gone. He then spread out his divine sense, which was at least several times stronger than before. In just a moment, the whole mountain was under his watch, the trees, plants, animals, and anything that moved.

　　“Do you think you can hurt me when you are so seriously injured?” Yunxiao suddenly sneered and looked up.

　　A shadow blocked the sunlight. Covered in blood, Qi Zhenzi was floating in mid-air with his right hand lifted. Streams of Primordial Qi gathered from all directions in his palm, but they were as thin as threads, and it took a very long time for them to form a small ball.

　　“Well, if you insist on trying, I won’t stop you!” With a sneer, Yunxiao took out the sword of Springwater. The blade flashed coldly as it darted up into the air.

　　Qi Zhenzi’s pupils constricted, and an unconvinced look mixed with despair could be clearly seen in them. “You have become a three-stars Martial Master!” he screamed in a hoarse voice. “I can’t accept this! This is impossible!” As soon as he saw Yunxiao swing out the sword, he knew he could not win with a body that would collapse at any time.

　　He never dreamed that as a Martial Grandmaster, he would be schemed by a boy warrior and fall into such a miserable state.

　　“Just you wait, boy! When I recover, I will find you and kill you, no matter where you hide!”

　　After bellowing once, he finally gave up the idea of killing Yunxiao and dragged his injured body, flying into the distance.

　　Meanwihle, three figures darted out of three different places on the mountain and left after him. They were none other than Yi Xiaoshan, Song Chengtian, and Huyan Ming. They, too, were almost killed by the attack, and they were at the end of their tethers now. They knew they would certainly be killed if they stayed, so when they saw their Uncle-Master had left, they quickly fled the mountain as well.

　　As the weakest among them, Sun Xiumei had been blown to pieces in the space of consciousness, vanishing together with the world.

　　“Wait until you have recovered? Hah! We will know who is the one to get killed then!”

　　Yunxiao’s eyes flashed cruelly. Their injuries were too grave, and it would take them at least a year to recover. Such a time was more than enough for him to cultivate to a level where he could kill them easily, now that both his soul and fleshly body had reincarnated.

　　Suddenly, his eyebrows frowned, then a hint of a smile emerged on his face as he felt a warmth in his heart. In his divine sense, he saw four figures running up the mountaintop: Xiao Qingwang, Luo Yunshang, and Chen Dasheng, led by Darkthunder.

　　“Young Master Yun!” Xiao Qingwang and Darkthunder arrived first. The man glanced around suspiciously and found nothing unusual, but the beast was staring at Yunxiao with curiosity, as if it had sensed some changes in him. Carefully, it came to him and rubbed its head against his arm.

　　“Yunxiao!” Luo Yunshang came next. She looked him up and down nervously and asked, “Are you alright?”

　　“I’m fine. What could happen to me?” Yunxiao answered with a smile.

　　“Where are the enemies, kiddo?” Chen Dasheng was the last to arrive. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Yunxiao was fine.

　　Yunxiao chuckled. “I’ll tell you what happened when we return. I estimate Baizhan’s army will retreat within the next few days.”

　　Chen Dasheng was taken aback, then he suddenly cried out in shock, “You…you have become a Martial Master? A three-stars Martial Master!”

　　The other two were stunned at the same time, and they felt great storms raging in their hearts. It was not long ago that Yunxiao parted with them, and now he had broken through another three levels, not to mention that he had stepped into the next realm, from a warrior to a Martial Master!

　　There were beads of cold sweat on Xiao Qingwang’s forehead as he smiled wryly and said in an incredulous voice, “Before the army set out, you were just an eight-stars warrior. It has only been half a month, and you are already a three-stars Martial Master…Are you trying to shame us to death?”

　　In addition to being shocked, Yunshang was even more sure that Yunxiao was Gu Feiyang’s disciple. ‘Apart from that man, who in this world can cultivate such an extraordinary disciple?’

　　“I’m just lucky, that’s all,” Yunxiao smiled. “Let’s talk again after we have left the mountain.”

　　“Lucky…” Everyone was speechless, and even Darkthunder gave him a scornful snort.

　　Soon, they returned to Anyong. With Huyan Ming gone, the formation that enveloped the three towns disappeared as well. Under Chen Dasheng’s command, the army of eight hundred thousand soldiers marched straight toward Kunjin.

　　The operation immediately threw Baizhan’s army into confusion. With both ends under attack, it routed and retreated into Baizhan’s territory, but not before suffering heavy casualties.

　　Finally, the army marched into the city and joined those inside.

　　Yunxiao was a little nervous when he was about to see Li Changfeng. The major part of his soul and memory was Gu Feiyang, but for the last fifteen years, he was also the eldest grandson of the Li Family and Li Changfeng’s son.

　　The man was a middle-aged general. Although he had an extraordinary appearance, Yunxiao still felt a little embarrassed to call him father.

　　“Why are you so quiet when you see your father!”

　　Li Changfeng swung down from his horse, then walked over and threw his palm at Yunxiao’s face.

　　With a wry smile, Yunxiao caught the slap with a hand, and then was surprised to find that it did not carry much strength at all. He felt a warmth in his heart as he moved his lips, “Dad!”

　　The father pulled back his hand angrily and snapped, “How dare you block my slap! I’ll teach you a lesson when we are back home!” Despite that, Yunxiao could see a hint of happiness flashing in his eyes.

　　“You got yourself a good son, boy!” said Chen Dasheng grudgingly with a look of envy in his eyes.

　　That gave Li Changfeng a pause. “Did this kiddo cause troubles along the way, Uncle Chen? Don’t worry, I’ll beat him to death later!”

　　Chen Lin gave him a punch on the chest and said angrily, “Will you stop pretending?”

　　“Pretending?” Li Changfeng did not understand. “Pretending what?”

　　“I say he’s not pretending, just playing dumb!” Han Qianfang joined them. “I can’t believe you have hidden such an amazing son for so many years! Fu*k! We thought you were our brother!”

　　“I get frustrated whenever I see my good-for-nothing son, but the thought of your Yunxiao would always balance me out,” Chen Lin added. “How am I going to balance myself now? Fu*k!”

　　“What are you talking about?”

　　Han Qianfang snapped, “We are not brothers anymore if you keep playing dumb like this! Can’t you see your Yunxiao is already a three-stars Martial Master?”

　　Chen Lin was fuming as well, “Can’t you see your Yunxiao is already a second-tier alchemist?”

　　A three-stars Martial Master? A second-tier alchemist?

　　‘I thought this kiddo’s aptitude is so bad that he can’t cultivate at all?’

　　Both men’s words struck into Li Changfeng’s head like thunder. He turned and looked at Yunxiao. As a Martial Lord, he could tell that Yunxiao was indeed a three-stars Martial Master with a glance. It was just that he did not want to probe his son with divine sense; therefore, he did not find that out as soon as they met.

　　“You…You really have become a three-stars Martial Master?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“And you…are also a second-tier alchemist?”

　　“Ugh…I was.”

　　“Why did you hide that from me?”

　　Li Changfeng’s eyes turned red in an instant, and he was shaking from head to toe. Holding back the tears in his eyes, he ran over and kicked Yunxiao hard, knocking his son flying away.

　　After staying in Kunjin for three days, the army set out again, returning to the capital. Using the excuse that he was sick and wanted to recuperate in the capital, Li Changfeng threw the command of the city to his few deputies and joined Chen Dasheng’s army. He even took the same chariot as Yunxiao.

　　Yunxiao did not have the mood to pay him any mind. Every day, he monitored Ji Meng’s situation closely, and his face grew heavier as days passed by.

　　Ji Meng had been in a coma since he returned from Mount Phoenix. Jia Rong had fed him some medicinal pills, but those only stopped his condition from becoming worse. His vitality was getting weaker. However, as long as he was still alive, Yunxiao was confident that he could save him, although it might be a little troublesome.

　　Chen Dasheng had purposely chosen the longest route for the return journey, one that would make the army visit the most cities. As a result, it added nearly twenty days to the trip, and when they finally arrived in the capital, it was already a month later.

　　But, none of the officers or soldiers had any complaints about the long journey. They were all beaming with joy and excitement, and if they had any complaints, it would be about not having enough cities visited.

　　The victorious return of the army shook the entire court. The result of the largest military operation against Baizhan over the last five years was exceedingly well, and the court was shrouded in a nervous atmosphere.

　　After all, everyone knew that the return of the army was not the end of the episode, but the arrival of the final moment that would decide the fate of the two princes who fought each other for the throne.

　　A greater storm was about to envelop the capital of Tianshui, and everyone was busy choosing sides. It would be too late if they chose their sides after the situation was clear. Adding icing on the cake was easy, but only by offering timely assistance could one step into the inner circle.

　　Qin Yang was reading the reports brought to him with a gloomy face in his mansion, his eyes filled with venomous hatred. “I knew those fools from Baizhan were unreliable! Fortunately, that matter has been a success, and I’ve also received a piece of unexpectedly great news!”

　　He rose to his feet and stood in the empty great hall while speaking coldly, “Qin Yue, Li Yunxiao, Xiao Qingwang, I’ll be waiting for you here, and I’ll watch how you all fall to pieces from your high position!”