Chapter 118: Huangfu Xiu Recovers

Three days had passed, and Huangfu Xiu felt that his new Golden Core was running without any obstruction. Zhou Qi then retracted the Primordial Protection spell. Thanks to the replenishment of vitality from the Dragon Pearl, Huangfu Xiu had returned to his handsome, dashing self, with an air of dragon energy emanating from his every gesture.

He had always been handsome, but now that handsomeness carried a sense of regal authority, elevating his charm to a new level. Zhou Qi couldn't help but think to himself that this might invite divine retribution; if Huangfu Xiu continued to pry into the inner thoughts of beautiful women as he once did, he wondered if the karma would fall upon him as well.

What miraculous uses the new Golden Core possessed remained for Huangfu Xiu to discover during his own seclusion. Zhou Qi mentioned that he had sealed a portion of the Dragon Pearl’s cultivation; once Huangfu Xiu reached a sufficient realm, he would be able to break through naturally, without the need for the tedious, static meditation to absorb spiritual energy required by ordinary Golden Core cultivators.

"Brother, my life is yours from now on," Huangfu Xiu said simply. No words could repay the grace of this rebirth.

Zhou Qi did not need any thanks; he only hoped that Huangfu Xiu would pry into the inner thoughts of women less often in the future.

"Alas, I’m afraid the women will be the ones actively pouring their hearts out to me! Ha ha..." Huangfu Xiu laughed, narcissistic and flamboyant.

"Is it my turn yet?" Huang Qianqian interjected from the side, feeling awkward watching the two men exchange meaningful glances.

"What?" Zhou Qi asked, confused.

"That fire."

Zhou Qi finally remembered. So, the only reason she had been so obedient and offered help was that she had her eyes on his Zhou Qi Fire; he had mistakenly thought it was her way of making amends for calling him a human pet.

He had overthought it. Naturally, he couldn't give her the flame. "Senior, that is my natal divine fire. If I gave it to you, my life would be at stake."

"The human race also has the concept of a natal divine fire?" Huang Qianqian asked, suspicious.

"Yes. My fate was tumultuous in my youth, and my soul was unstable. To keep me alive, my sect’s elders helped me refine a natal divine fire, which is the only reason I survived. If it weren't tied to my life, you wouldn't even need to ask, Senior; I would have offered it with both hands," Zhou Qi sighed.

"I see." Huang Qianqian felt too embarrassed to ask again.

"Qiqi, I promise you, I will cultivate diligently to rescue you from that little bird and return your freedom," Huangfu Xiu declared, remembering the matter of Zhou Qi being a human pet.

Zhou Qi and Huang Qianqian: "..."

***

With the matter of Huangfu Xiu resolved, Zhou Qi decided not to linger. Finding a place for seclusion was his top priority; cultivation was the most important thing at all times. He bid farewell to Huangfu Xiu, who also claimed he needed to go into seclusion and that they would catch up properly once he emerged.

As they retracted the isolation array, they found a dense crowd of people standing outside, all cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage, dressed in the attire of the Huangfu family. Zhou Qi was startled. Had his identity been exposed?

The leader was an old man, likely at the Nascent Soul stage. Seeing Zhou Qi and the others emerge, he hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, young fellow, for your life-saving grace. Congratulations to Xiu for surviving his death tribulation."

After the old man spoke, the group of cultivators all bowed in salute. Zhou Qi was stunned. What was happening?

"Uncle, since I was expelled from Shattered Leaf City, I have considered myself to have no further ties to the Huangfu family. What is the meaning of this? If you intend any harm to Zhou Qi, you will have to step over my corpse first," Huangfu Xiu said, equally confused, stepping forward with his spiritual weapon already in hand.

"Xiu, you misunderstand. The Huangfu family never abandoned you. Your status as a young master was always retained. In truth, the Third Ancestor divined that you would face this tribulation, and that being expelled from Shattered Leaf City would allow you to break out of your cocoon and become a butterfly, rising to a higher level. That is why we were forbidden from intervening. Otherwise, with you in such great danger, do you think your parents would ignore you? Would I?"

"Qiqi, do you believe them?" Huangfu Xiu turned to ask Zhou Qi.

Zhou Qi remained silent. This was a family matter, and it was not his place to comment.

Seeing Huangfu Xiu’s skepticism, the old man added, "The Third Ancestor’s divination was indeed correct. He ordered us to wait here today to explain the situation to you. You remain a young master of the Huangfu family and will receive the family's full cultivation resources. As for your Golden Core being crippled, the family will also demand justice for you."

To have such divine foresight was shocking. Zhou Qi couldn't help but feel a chill; did that not mean his own background had been calculated clearly by the other party?

Huangfu Xiu hesitated. The explanation was logical, but the misery of his expulsion was still fresh in his mind; it wasn't something that could be resolved with a few words.

"Go back, Xiu. What they say is likely true," Zhou Qi said after thinking it over. The treatment received by a useful Huangfu Xiu and a useless one would certainly be different. Regardless of whether they were sincere or feigning, returning would inevitably restore Huangfu Xiu’s status in the family.

Huangfu Xiu had grown up under the protection of his noble family and didn't know the hardships of a rogue cultivator. If he acted out of pride, he would likely be the one to suffer for it.

"Alright." Seeing Zhou Qi’s stance, Huangfu Xiu agreed readily, though what he truly thought remained a mystery.

"Young fellow Zhou Qi, the Third Ancestor has expressed a desire to meet you. He also wants you to rest assured that there will be no harm done; in fact, he has a stroke of fortune to bestow upon you," the old man continued, seeing that Huangfu Xiu had agreed.

"I saved him only because he is my friend, not for your rewards. Thank you!" Zhou Qi cupped his hands. If this Third Ancestor was so formidable in his calculations, then standing before him would leave Zhou Qi with no secrets at all. He would rather do without this "fortune."

***

"But..." The old man wanted to continue, but Zhou Qi waved his hand, bid farewell to Huangfu Xiu, and prepared to leave with Huang Qianqian.

Huangfu Xiu did not extend an invitation; since Zhou Qi was unwilling, he let it be. Moreover, after his own ordeal, he could no longer fathom the family’s true intentions.

Leaving the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhou Qi did not tarry and quickly took to his sword.

Zhou Qi could now soar directly into the high skies on his sword, moving at great speed. Seeing his urgency, Huang Qianqian asked curiously, "Why did you flee in such a hurry after saving that person?"

"I have already been exposed before the Third Ancestor of the Huangfu family. I do not know his attitude. If he were to divine your identity as a phoenix, I fear he might attempt to capture you. For your safety, the further we go, the better," Zhou Qi lied casually, taking the opportunity to earn some credit.

Huang Qianqian was deeply moved and reminded him, "There are a few cultivators following you. They appear to be from the Huangfu family. The leader seems to be at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment."

Zhou Qi was alarmed. Looking back, he indeed saw three cultivators trailing them from a distance. The leader looked familiar—the old man he had crossed paths with at the Westwind Pavilion auction? The other two were at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, the same ones who had helped the old man besiege him.

He had already changed his appearance, so how did the old man recognize him? Zhou Qi was puzzled, but he felt no fear. With Huang Qianqian, who possessed strength comparable to the early Golden Core stage, his safety was guaranteed. Furthermore, the fourth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator within the Medicine Immortal’s Sacred Mansion should be waking up soon.

He sank his consciousness into the Medicine Immortal’s Sacred Mansion. The fourth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator was still sleeping, his injuries fully healed. Zhou Qi thought for a moment and dripped a drop of dragon blood into the man's mouth. The essence of the dragon blood dissipated within the cultivator's body, and shortly after, he awoke to find Zhou Qi standing before him.

"Boss, I didn't die?" The cultivator’s mind was still stuck at the moment before he fought the fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"With me here, you won't die. I need you to fight now. What is your name?"

"This humble one is Ye Jinglun," the cultivator replied respectfully. Although it was only a drop of dragon blood, he clearly felt his physical body had been strengthened.

"Very well, Little Ye, let us head out now." As soon as Zhou Qi finished speaking, Ye Jinglun appeared outside.