Hmph. Zhang Zhiliang, sooner or later, I will settle this debt with you. A flash of anger and apprehension crossed Ye Feipeng’s eyes.
This life has many more variables; it may differ somewhat from my past life's experience.
But I'm certain Zhang Zhiliang would never pass up the chance to hunt a Soul Arbiter of heaven and earth.
After reaching the Spirit Transformation Realm and gaining the strength to truly join the hunt, his desire for the Dao Unity Realm should be even more intense.
The little fatty analyzed silently.
If in my past life, he only provided assistance through his arrays, then in this life, Zhang Zhiliang has become a main combatant in the hunt.
Hmm... Let me think. If possible, he might even hide his true strength.
First, he'd watch as the Spirit Transformation cultivators clash with Crimson Flame.
Then, when both sides are wounded, he would strike and reap the rewards, playing the fisherman who benefits from the struggle.
He might even reserve some strength to deal with me...
Ye Feipeng's expression shifted between gloom and uncertainty.
To be honest, he still hesitated over whether to involve himself in the Crimson Flame Sea-Scorching event.
After all, he had now awakened the Kun-Peng bloodline and possessed the dual Dao Foundations of the Deepsea Pearl and Azure Wind True Intent.
He was far stronger than the vast majority of cultivators, and wouldn't be much weaker than some so-called prodigies.
Even if he gave up on using Crimson Flame to achieve Dao Unity, he might still be able to reach the Nascent Soul and Spirit Transformation Realms just by cultivating on his own.
Stealing prey from a group of Spirit Transformation cultivators was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth. Why take such a huge risk?
If he succeeded, all would be well; if not...
Ye Feipeng's face twitched.
But... that is the Dao Unity realm, after all.
If I miss it, I might never get another opportunity like this again.
The scene of Zhang Haobo advancing to the Dao Unity Realm, dominating the sea, and looking down upon all living beings, surfaced in his mind.
Ye Feipeng found himself inevitably tempted once more.
The Deepsea Pearl...
Subconsciously touching his stomach, the fatty's face was a mask of conflict.
Let's wait and see for now.
First, I'll return to the desolate island and check on how Xiao Heng and the others are doing.
Retracting the wings on his back, Ye Feipeng quietly returned to the group of survivors from the Li World.
Xiao Heng and the others were naturally overjoyed to see the fatty again after he had gone missing for six years.
They quickly questioned him about where he had gone. Upon learning that it was indeed the Myriad Immortals Alliance's doing, everyone cursed them vehemently.
However, Su Changyu frowned and asked, "Feipeng, did you expose that you’re part of the Immortal Avengers? Otherwise, why would they trouble a lone rogue cultivator like you for no reason?"
Ye Feipeng froze briefly, then immediately complained, "It's all because that array master from the Myriad Immortals Alliance is too domineering! I just glanced at the scene of his advancement from afar, and he tried to kill me right away.
“If I hadn't run fast, you'd never have seen me again."
Su Changyu gave the fatty a once-over, nodded, and said nothing more.
"It seems Senior Skull was right. The Myriad Immortals Alliance truly is arrogant and overbearing. They won't even tolerate someone watching from a distance." This account from the fatty perfectly matched Xiao Heng's impression of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, and he believed Ye Feipeng's words.
Su Xiaomei, who had little affection for Ye Feipeng, giggled and said, "Don't worry, fatty. As long as you call me 'big sister' obediently, I'll get revenge for you later!
"You've been unconscious for so long, you probably don't know yet. I'm already at the final-stage Foundation Establishment realm. I’ll be forming my core any moment now."
Su Xiaomei planted her hands on her hips and looked up at Ye Feipeng, brimming with pride.
The sisters, Yin Yueting and Yin Yuzhen, stood behind her and nodded incessantly, looking every bit like her devoted followers.
As for Zhang Haobo, he stood off to the side, silently watching the group without saying a word.
"Big sister?" Ye Feipeng scoffed. "Su Xiaomei, you don't actually think you're the only one who's made progress, do you? How about a spar to see who has improved more?”
Su Xiaomei, with her fiery temper, was instantly provoked by his dismissive tone.
"A spar it is! Who's afraid of you!"
Her words still hung in the air as her small but explosive fist shot toward Ye Feipeng's face.
Thud!
To everyone's surprise, Ye Feipeng didn't dodge. He calmly raised his left hand and caught the punch, steady as a rock.
The onlookers gasped in shock.
Their impression of Ye Feipeng was that he was someone who relied on speed and constant movement to win. In just a few short years, he'd grown strong enough to meet Su Xiaomei head-on?
Having her attack so easily blocked sent Su Xiaomei into a rage. Her fists and feet became a blur, a whirlwind of strikes aimed at Ye Feipeng.
Fueled by her innate talent, the power behind each blow swelled with her mounting fury. Yet, strangely, her face remained as calm as still water.
Ye Feipeng, locked in combat with her, found flashes of past humiliations surfacing in his mind. A sudden, violent anger rose within him. He knew this was the effect of Su Xiaomei's technique, Formless Hex of the Six Desires, but at this moment, he didn't care. He intended to teach this little brat a proper lesson.
Amidst the shocked cries of the others, Ye Feipeng activated his Startling Peng Transformation. Two brown wings burst from his back, and his body instantly swelled in size. His speed and strength nearly doubled.
Caught off guard, Su Xiaomei was sent flying with a single punch, crashing hard into the sea.
"Xiaomei!" Xiao Heng cried out.
But before he could dive in after her, a crimson blaze of fire parted the waters. In the next instant, it slammed into Ye Feipeng. An eruption of scorching energy followed, so intense it made the very air warp and waver.
The group instinctively stepped back.
"Xiaomei's even brought out her Foundation Establishment Curio, the Spirit Raging Fire," Yin Yuzhen whispered, sticking out her tongue. "She's really angry now."
Within the flames that filled the sky, explosions rang out endlessly. The onlookers could just make out faint threads of azure light holding the crimson fire at bay.
Their battle raged for the better part of a day.
Their cultivation was evenly matched.
One was a prodigy that grew stronger with anger, capable of unleashing eightfold power at her peak, and overwhelmingly fierce.
The other had encountered numerous fortuitous events, possessing the dual Dao Foundations of Azure Wind and Deepsea. Moreover, he bore the bloodline inheritance of the Kun-Peng. When his secret arts erupted, his speed and strength were not inferior to Su Xiaomei's.
For a time, they were locked in a stalemate, neither able to gain the upper hand.
Night fell, and still, there was no clear victor. It was only after the others persuaded them to stop that they finally ended their battle.
Both unsatisfied, they agreed to settle the score another day.
Xiao Heng now pushed his way forward, his face full of curiosity as he asked Ye Feipeng what was going on and how he had suddenly become so strong.
Surrounded by the crowd, their gazes a mix of astonishment and envy, Ye Feipeng couldn't help but feel a swell of pride.
Truly, what is the point of wealth and honor if one does not return home to show it off? He thought to himself.
The manifestation of his bloodline power was so obvious anyway; there was little point in hiding it. So he promptly explained that he had inherited and awakened the essence blood of the Kun-Peng.