Outside the grand hall, the disciples were already abuzz. They were all speculating about the identity of the mysterious direct disciple inside.

"Could it be Senior Sister An Yuyi? After all, she is the Grand Elder's niece and has dual spiritual roots. The techniques she has mastered are said to perfectly align with her spiritual roots!"

"It's possible, but have you noticed Han Li isn't here either? Junior Brother Han's talent seems average, but he's always so secretive; I'm sure he's hiding something."

"Senior Brother Wang Lin, who once injured Brother Shi in the direct disciple competition, isn't here either. Ever since his family was massacred by rogue cultivators, his cultivation has skyrocketed…"

"It might also be Junior Brother Xiao…"

Everyone was guessing.

However, the most accepted speculation was still An Yuyi. It was widely believed that she had gradually amassed power and was truly showcasing her strength at this moment.

And since Senior Sister An Yuyi wasn't fond of Li Feng, as everyone knew, if the mysterious direct disciple inside was indeed her, then allowing Li Feng inside might very well be a strategy to suppress him.

Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli also felt this was the most likely scenario. However, just then, several figures approached the main peak. Not only did they include the direct disciples that everyone was discussing, but leading them was An Yuyi herself.

This truly baffled everyone. An Yuyi was outside as well? Then who was the mysterious direct disciple inside the hall? Was there really a hidden monster among their Divine Will Sect's direct disciples? And nobody knew about it?

This was utterly preposterous! An Yuyi slightly frowned as she saw the crowd that had already gathered atop the main peak. On her way here, a distress signal was sent out by a disciple being chased by a late-stage Foundation Establishment demonic beast, possibly facing death, and she had gone to the rescue, killing the beast but wasting time. Otherwise, she wouldn't have arrived so late.

However, when An Yuyi saw Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli sitting outside the hall, still somewhat pale, she was slightly surprised. These two were her main competitors for the phoenix blood. Why hadn't they gone in?

"Why haven't the two senior brothers entered?" An Yuyi asked.

Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli, though surprised that the person inside wasn't An Yuyi, sighed and responded, "We can't get in!"

Neither of them wanted to admit they'd been blasted out of the hall so many times they hadn't even caught a glimpse of the mysterious figure inside. Still, An Yuyi pieced together what was happening from the other core disciples' whispers. A secretive core disciple was holding court in the grand hall. Even Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli, working together, couldn't break through and had been sent flying multiple times. Yet, Li Feng had made it inside.

Li Feng!

The name made An Yuyi's eyes narrow. She'd never liked Li Feng. Part of it was the threat Li Feng posed to her status, but more than that, it was because Ye Chen seemed to have a soft spot for her. He'd even given Li Feng a core disciple slot. When Ye Chen returned to Shenyicheng, he treated An Yuyi and Li Feng differently, which was clearly his mistake. If he liked her, he should've kept his distance from other women. But Li Feng? She was just insufferable.

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Glancing at the hall, An Yuyi started walking toward it. Qiao Ciguang quickly spoke up, "Junior Sister An, the mysterious disciple in there is incredibly strong. You might want to wait."

Shi Wanli nodded in agreement.

But An Yuyi didn't slow down. If Li Feng can get in, so can I, she thought. Otherwise, wouldn't that mean I'm inferior to her? That was something she couldn't accept.

Seeing her ignore their advice, Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli shook their heads.

She'll understand when she gets blasted out.

As An Yuyi disappeared into the hall, the two silently counted down, expecting her to be sent flying any moment. But dozens of breaths passed, and nothing happened. No commotion, no sign of An Yuyi being ejected.

The crowd outside fell silent, their gazes shifting to the two senior disciples. Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli, who'd been wary of the mysterious figure, now looked stunned.

What's going on? Has a full-on battle broken out inside? Is the mysterious disciple too busy to deal with outsiders?

Exchanging a glance, they shot toward the hall once more, determined to see who was playing the pig to eat the tiger, pulling off such a shocking move at the last moment.

But the next instant, they were sent flying again, crashing into the ground and leaving even deeper craters. This time, they didn't even bother climbing out. Sprawled in their pits, they stared at the sky, questioning their entire existence.

What is going on?

Li Feng got in. An Yuyi got in. But the two of them couldn't? They were ready to lose their minds. If there was a direct disciple they couldn't beat, fine—they could accept that. The cultivation world was vast, with countless years of history; someone could've stumbled onto a rare opportunity. But for others to waltz in while they were kept out? That felt like a personal insult.

The atmosphere outside the grand hall was tense, and the expressions of the direct disciples were somewhat strange. Phoenix blood could solidify a nine-grade Golden Core, and with such a treasure available only once every century, all top direct disciples were expected to reveal their true power without holding back. The notion that the two previously considered the strongest could actually be the weakest was unsettling to everyone.

The crowd's stares only deepened the gloom of the two still lying in their craters. This trip to the Divine Will Cave Heaven was turning out to be nothing like they'd imagined.

...

Inside the grand hall, An Yuyi, somewhat puzzled about her easy entry, was startled to see Ye Chen and immediately asked, "Ye Chen, how are you here?"

Ye Chen, having effortlessly repelled those who attempted to re-enter, repeated his earlier explanation. Understanding the situation, An Yuyi's face lit up with a smile. She had been upset with Ye Chen for his previous cold demeanor towards her.

Now, it seemed, Ye Chen had truly been preoccupied. After all, the Divine Will Cave Heaven had opened shortly after. Ye Chen must have seen that she was ready to advance to the Golden Core stage and thus chose to open the domain early to help her acquire the phoenix blood.

Thinking this, An Yuyi's gaze softened considerably. She had misunderstood Ye Chen again. Still, she thought, Ye Chen should have communicated more clearly. Once they were together, she'd have to make sure he dropped this bad habit of his. Despite her joy, her mood soured upon seeing Li Feng.

"Ye Chen, why is she here? Why not blast her out too?" An Yuyi asked unhappily.

Hearing this, Li Feng scoffed, looking down disdainfully, "Blast me out? Fellow Daoist Ye opened the Divine Will Cave Heaven early so I could acquire the phoenix blood and advance to the Golden Core stage sooner. If you keep talking nonsense, I might just blast you out myself."

Li Feng was confident. Ye Chen had given her the direct disciple spot and the Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold, both of inestimable value and also very useful to Ye Chen himself. Yet, he had unhesitatingly given them to her. Of course, the phoenix blood was meant for her.

An Yuyi, now genuinely amused, retorted, "Ye Chen opened the Divine Will Cave Heaven for you? Can you go look in the mirror? Ye Chen once faced a Golden Core demonic beast head-on to protect me, risking his life without stepping back! And the Divine Will Pool spot, precious to any Foundation Establishment cultivator, was given to me without hesitation by Ye Chen. There are countless other instances of his thoughtfulness. Are you delusional to make such foolish claims?"

Li Feng was taken aback by this revelation. So Ye Chen had these past connections with An Yuyi? It seemed Ye Chen had once been devoted to An Yuyi. But that was all in the past...

After seeing her true face and revealing her Fire Phoenix Spiritual Body, and her explosive declaration of identity, Ye Chen had been completely won over by her. Poor An Yuyi, she thought, still utterly oblivious.

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