Half an hour later...

After everything was settled, the carriage procession moved forward once more. This time, a group of high-ranking, highly skilled masters from the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan guarded the procession. The journey took half an hour.

The Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan was located in a vast valley surrounded by towering mountains, comparable in height to Zheng-Fu's mountain. The valley was expansive, filled with buildings and structures constructed from top-notch materials. At the center of the valley stood a massive heavenly waterfall foundation, which served as the clan's main source of revenue.

In addition to its stunning architecture, the valley was surrounded by numerous high peaks. Each peak housed the residences of the clan's main elders, including former clan leaders and elders.

In a large hall within the main manor of the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan...

"Everyone, please take a seat."

"Thank you, Clan Leader."

"Today is a good day for the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan. We successfully won the Heavenly Level Weapon auction, and we have the honor of hosting comrades like Master Pao-Da and Master Chou-Bing. I, Lan-Fu-Jin, as the Clan Leader, would like to thank all of you and treat everyone to delicious food and liquor!"

"Great!"

"Ha ha ha! Earlier, I said I wouldn't accept anything in return, but I'll take that back now and gladly enjoy some fine liquor from Clan Leader Fu-Jin as thanks!" Master Pao-Da laughed, recalling his earlier statement about refusing any reward, but now, he had to change his words because of the liquor.

Ha ha ha!

"Master Pao-Da, when it comes to liquor, you're always like this!" Chou-Bing laughed too, knowing well Pao-Da's fondness for drinking.

"All right! Boys, bring the finest liquor in our clan for Master Pao-Da and Master Chou-Bing immediately! And order the chef to prepare the most exquisite dishes. Tonight, we celebrate!" Lan-Fu-Jin said, feeling pleased to see the two grandmasters laughing happily and exchanging friendly looks with him.

"Yes, sir, Clan Leader!"

"Father, why didn't you mention Younger Brother Zheng-Fu? You only thanked Master Pao-Da and Master Chou-Bing. Don't you think you should also thank Younger Brother Zheng-Fu? If it weren't for him lending us crystals, we wouldn't have been able to acquire the Heavenly Level Weapon," Ye-Liu said in a displeased tone, noticing that his father had failed to acknowledge Zheng-Fu's contribution.

"Ye-Liu, how could you speak to Father like that? It's right for him to thank the two Elders first. Without their help in dealing with those black-robed bandits, would we even be alive? As for that madman, he only lent us a few thousand crystals—it's not comparable!" Qing-Qi scolded Ye-Liu, defending their father's actions and belittling Zheng-Fu's contribution.

"Elder Sister, you're only saying this because you're prejudiced against Younger Brother Zheng-Fu. Yes, he only lent crystals, but wasn't it because of him that we were able to…"

"It's all right, Brother Ye-Liu. I don't mind! Don't hold any grudges against your father. And your sister is right; I only lent you a few thousand crystals. It's nothing compared to what the two Elders have done. So it's only fitting that Clan Leader Lan-Fu-Jin thanked them first," Zheng-Fu interrupted, trying to ease the tension and prevent Ye-Liu from quarreling with his family.

Flap!

"I'm just an ordinary youth. If I disrupted the atmosphere, I apologize. As for the crystals I lent, I don't want them back—consider it a gift to Elder Brother Ye-Liu in the spirit of our comradely relationship. That said, I must take my leave now." Zheng-Fu was neither offended nor dissatisfied. His departure had always been part of his plan, as he intended to return to the mountain with his little sister.

"Younger Brother Zheng-Fu!"

"Little Comrade!"

"Little Comrade!"

"Little Comrade!"

Ye-Liu, Pao-Da, Chou-Bing, and Ze-Ke all called out to Zheng-Fu simultaneously.

"If Little Comrade wants to leave, I'll take my leave as well. I'll return to drink with you another time!" Pao-Da said first. Seeing Zheng-Fu's determination, he did not hesitate to bid his own farewell. After all, his visit here had primarily been because of Zheng-Fu.

"Me too! Since Little Comrade wishes to leave, I'll excuse myself as well. Besides, I'd like to walk him to his carriage," Chou-Bing added, taking the opportunity to speak with Zheng-Fu about the cauldron Zheng-Fu had won in the auction.

Ah!

This incident caused the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan Leader's expression to pale instantly. He hadn't realized the young man who lent them the crystals was such an important person. But by the time he understood, it was too late. Zheng-Fu never stopped walking or turned around.

"What the hell is going on? Who is that young man? Why is he so important to Master Pao-Da and Master Chou-Bing? Wasn't he just the one who lent the crystals?!" Grand Elder asked in confusion, seeing Pao-Da and Chou-Bing hurriedly leave with Zheng-Fu.

"You should already know if he's important or not, Big Uncle! If Younger Brother Zheng-Fu weren't important, do you think Master Elder Pao-Da and Master Elder Chou-Bing would leave with him?" Ye-Liu answered his Big Uncle with a dissatisfied expression.

"You!"

"Enough! It's my fault for not paying attention to him. But I still don't understand one thing—why do both Master Pao-Da and Master Chou-Bing value him so much?!" Lan-Fu-Jin raised his hand to calm everyone and took the blame before expressing his confusion aloud.

"Let me explain this, Big Brother and Second Brother. Starting with Master Chou-Bing: he values Little Comrade Zheng-Fu because Zheng-Fu helped him win the tenth-level pill at a secret auction, making him his benefactor. As for Master Pao-Da, if I'm not mistaken, it's because Zheng-Fu helped him break through to the eighth level of the Deity Soul stage!" Ze-Ke explained based on his understanding. He believed that Pao-Da's breakthrough must have had something to do with Zheng-Fu.

Huh!?

"What did you say, Third Brother!? Are you saying Master Pao-Da was able to level up because of that young man? Are you crazy or delusional?!" Grand Elder couldn't believe Ze-Ke's words, finding it impossible that someone like Zheng-Fu could achieve such a feat.

"That's right, Third Brother! How could it be? What does Master Pao-Da's breakthrough have to do with that young man? Or are you saying that you became stronger while fighting those bandits because of him too?" Lan-Fu-Jin was equally skeptical but knew his third younger brother well. Ze-Ke was not someone who lied, which was why he trusted him to manage their gambling tables.

"About… about… that, I can't say more. I'm sorry, Second Brother!" Ze-Ke wanted to confirm that his brother's suspicions were correct but had promised Zheng-Fu not to talk about it to anyone.

"Hmm! If you don't want to say it, forget it. For now, we should think about how to mend our relationship with that young man. Ye-Liu, you seem close to him, so I'm entrusting this duty to you. If you fail, I'll withhold your salary for two months!"

Lan-Fu-Jin, seeing his third brother's discomfort, decided not to press further. Instead, he focused on rebuilding their relationship with Zheng-Fu and assigned the task to Ye-Liu, who appeared closest to him.

"Father!"

Ye-Liu's face turned pale at the order. Since he didn't even know where Zheng-Fu was staying, how could he visit and talk to him? However, he couldn't defy his father's command, so he reluctantly bowed and accepted the task.

"Because of you alone, Elder Sister! If you hadn't been sarcastic toward Brother Zheng-Fu, none of this would have happened. Now, you'll have to help me with this mission. If you don't, I'll tell Father that you sneak into his room to find—"

Oops!

"Shut your mouth right now! You'll get me into trouble, you know? Besides, this matter has nothing to do with me. I was just telling the truth…"

"I don't care! If you don't help me, then let's see if what I said will come true!" Ye-Liu snapped, refusing to back down. He insisted that Qing-Qi help him, no matter what she thought.

"You!"

"Qing-Qi, you should help Ye-Liu. Because you spoke disrespectfully to Little Comrade Zheng-Fu, things have turned out like this. If you have any conscience, you should apologize to him too. Maybe his good feelings will return!" Ze-Ke supported Ye-Liu, agreeing that Qing-Qi should make amends.

"Third Uncle! Are you siding with Ye-Liu? What did I do wrong? Or did that perverted bastard bribe you? Or did he really help you grow stronger, as Father said?" Qing-Qi was still stubborn and refused to apologize. She couldn't understand why both her uncle and Ye-Liu held Zheng-Fu in such high regard.

"That's not something you need to know! What you should know is that you need to apologize to him. Otherwise, I won't help you with anything ever again!" Ze-Ke stood firm, refusing to explain further but insisting that she apologize to Zheng-Fu.

"Third Uncle!"

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