99: active

As the Qi Refining Early Stage group concluded, the Mid-stage Qi Refining and Late Stage groups also determined their final victors.

However, Zhou Leren and Zhou Leyi did not recognize anyone in these two groups, and their cultivation levels differed significantly, so they merely watched the excitement.

After the Grand Competition, the top three in each group could go to the Heavenly Star Sect Treasury to claim a corresponding prize, but this had nothing to do with Zhou Kaiding and the others.

Inviting them to attend the ceremony was both to increase communication with the various Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the vicinity and to indirectly showcase the Sect's strength.

With so many Disciples of high talent and considerable strength, the Heavenly Star Sect would not fall into a state of decline and weakness.

At this time, Zhou Leren and Zhou Leyi had followed Zhou Kaiding back to the Myriad Manifestations Hall. Previously, it was for the Dao discussion; now that the Grand Competition was over, it was the Heavenly Star Sect's turn to host a banquet for all those invited to witness the event.

In the Myriad Manifestations Hall, a Middle-aged Cultivator was already waiting when everyone arrived.

Seeing him, Ji Changyue and the other four cupped their hands in greeting:

"Sect Head Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, everyone was slightly surprised. Feeling the faint yet powerful aura emanating from the Middle-aged Cultivator, they thought that the rumors were true; this Heavenly Star Sect Sect Head had indeed advanced to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Heavenly Star Sect's Xin Wuyai greets all Fellow Daoists."

After the Heavenly Star Sect Sect Head and Ji Changyue's four returned the greeting, he turned around and spoke to everyone in the hall.

"Greetings, Sect Head Xin."

Everyone spoke in unison.

"Please be seated!"

On the meditation cushions, everyone sat down cross-legged in order. Various spiritual items had already been placed on the Dao platforms in front of them, causing Zhou Kaiding to sigh inwardly. This Heavenly Star Sect truly was wealthy and powerful.

Zhou Leyi's eyes lit up. Seeing Zhou Leren eat so much earlier had made him terribly hungry. Now, in the proper setting, he could finally enjoy a good meal himself.

The banquet was like a homecoming, with lively conversation and laughter.

After the event, the invited Foundation Establishment Cultivators departed in order.

Outside the Heavenly Star Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Ji, farewell."

Zhou Kaiding cupped his hands towards Ji Changyue, speaking softly to bid him farewell.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, take care."

Zhou Kaiding tossed his hand, and the green wind boat quickly grew larger, floating in the air.

Under Ji Changyue's gaze, the cyan spirit boat shimmered with light and flew towards the outside of Tianxing Mountain.

"Grandpa, this Heavenly Star Sect is truly prosperous, with many talented Disciples."

On the green wind boat, Zhou Leyi spoke with emotion.

Zhou Kaiding nodded, also feeling a bit emotional. With the current strength of the Zhou Family, apart from Mo Xuan, they were practically vulnerable before the Heavenly Star Sect. In terms of foundation, they were even more incomparable.

However, the Zhou Family had only developed for a few decades to reach its current state, which was quite remarkable.

Immediately, Zhou Kaiding dispelled the slight melancholy in his heart.

The green wind boat's speed was not slow. If a Mortal were to see it, they would only see a cyan streak of light, streaking across the sky... "Hmm?"

Zhou Kaiding let out a light exclamation, channeling his magic power to stop the green wind boat, hovering in mid-air.

After sensing for a moment, the green wind boat slightly changed direction and swooped down.

Below, in a Mortal city, screams were constant, pedestrians scattered, and panic spread.

Several blood-colored figures moved through the city. Along their path, wherever they passed, Mortals turned into mummified corpses, and blood gathered in the hands of those blood-colored figures.

"Evil Cultivators..."

"Hmph!"

Zhou Kaiding felt a slight anger in his heart and let out a cold snort.

The green wind boat stopped above the city. He flew out, his Divine Sense spread, locking onto the three blood-colored figures.

The cheng fa sword appeared in his hand. Infusing it with magic power, he casually swung it, and three sword lights shot straight towards the blood-colored figures.

"Damn it!"

"Where did this Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator come from..."

The faces of the three blood-colored figures changed drastically, and they no longer cared about slaughtering Mortals or collecting blood.

Their eyes revealed a hysterical look, and they squeezed out all their magic power, attempting to resist the incoming sword lights.

"Crack!"

The sword lights struck them. The three were only Mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivators; how could they block an attack from a Foundation Establishment Stage Zhou Kaiding wielding the cheng fa sword?

Despair spread in their hearts. Struck by the sword lights, their defenses shattered inch by inch, their bodies were pierced by the sword lights, and then they turned into a cloud of blood mist.

Seeing the three dead, Zhou Kaiding spread his Divine Sense to confirm there were no escaped Cultivators.

Looking at the half-city of Mortals who had already turned into mummified corpses, he felt a bit of anger in his heart, but there was nothing he could do.

He put away the cheng fa sword and flew back onto the green wind boat.

Zhou Leyi looked at the scene below, his face filled with unbearable sadness. He was only twelve years old and it was his first time witnessing such a tragic sight. However, the many years of teaching from the Zhou Family prevented him from losing composure.

Although Zhou Leren appeared calm, subtle fluctuations could still be seen in his eyes.

"Let's go."

Zhou Kaiding saw their state and said nothing. Life was so fragile; not to mention Mortals, even Cultivators were the same.

The green wind boat no longer lingered and once again transformed into a stream of light, flying towards the sky.

"Thank you, Immortal..."

"Thank you, Immortal, for saving our lives..."

"..."

After the three blood-colored figures were reduced to blood mist, some sharp-eyed individuals saw Zhou Kaiding and the cyan spirit boat in the air. They quickly knelt on the ground, constantly expressing their gratitude, their panic gradually subsiding.

However, at this time, Zhou Kaiding had already controlled the green wind boat to leave the area.

"Strange..."

On the green wind boat, Zhou Kaiding pondered. Ever since Liu Wenyan, these Blood Sea Sect evil Cultivators seemed to have become much more active.

Although the Xuanqing Sect had called upon various families to combat these Blood Sea Sect remnants, after such a long time, they still hadn't found the Blood Sea Sect's base, making it impossible to eradicate them.

Now that these evil Cultivators were gradually becoming active again, he wondered if there were any changes behind it.

After a moment of thought, Zhou Kaiding came to no conclusion and stopped bothering. In any case, with the Xuanqing Sect taking the lead, there shouldn't be any major problems.

At this time, Zhou Leyi's expression had also returned to normal. Besides a bit of anger, his heart also held a lot of relief.

If he hadn't been born into the Zhou Family, he would probably just be another Mortal whose life and death were not his own.

Time flowed, the flying boat traveled, and everything on the ground was like a scroll, with mountains, rivers, and dense forests.

Although he had seen it once on the way there, Zhou Leyi's heart was still full of curiosity, and he greedily looked at everything.

Outside Jade Moon Peak in Qingyuan Town, the cyan spirit boat appeared, then shrank to about a foot long, and fell into a Storage Pouch.

Zhou Kaiding waved his hand, the Formation opened, and he flew in with the two of them.

At the Zhou Family, Zhou Leyi was full of excitement and had already gone to find his younger siblings to share his experiences from this trip.

As for Zhou Leren, after paying his respects to the elders, he returned to his Cultivation secret room and began to meditate.

This trip to the Heavenly Star Sect, he not only heard the Dao discussion of more than ten Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators but also saw geniuses like Lian Yu.

Coupled with the significant progress made by Jing Luobai, whom he had easily defeated back then, he felt a bit of pressure in his heart. Therefore, as soon as he returned home, he couldn't wait to digest the gains and insights from this trip.

As for Zhou Kaiding, after greeting Lin Muwan, he also went to the peak's secret room to enter seclusion and digest what he had gained from this trip.