Once the reward had been bestowed, Su Qingyu, perhaps out of consideration for the immense energy Zou Feng had expended detoxifying Bai Chen, suggested that he withdraw and get some proper rest.

Although a great deal of residual poison remained in Bai Chen’s body, he had at least passed the most dangerous stage.

However, no one could say for sure exactly how long it would take for him to make a full recovery.

As he left the side hall, supported by Teng County, he saw several maids not far from the door, cleaning up a large puddle of water on the floor.

Clearly, this was the spot where Yin Suhong had turned into a human fountain.

Seeing this, both Zou Feng and Teng County gave the area a wide berth, their faces filled with disgust.

However, Zou Feng glanced at the sheer volume of water in the puddle...

’Was she some kind of water serpent?’

After a few more steps, Su Qingyu’s furious shout suddenly echoed from the side hall behind them. "That Hundred-legged Ancestor is getting more and more outrageous!"

When the Celestial Essence Sword Sect attacked, the Hundred-legged Ancestor should have been one of Biyou Palace’s most critical combatants.

It would have been one thing if it hadn’t fought directly. After all, the Hundred-legged Ancestor’s primary role was to provide the disciples of Hundred-legged Ridge with the freshest miasma.

But instead, the giant centipede had scented danger ahead of time and bolted without a moment’s hesitation.

If Zou Feng hadn’t, by a strange twist of fate, tried to latch onto a pillar of support only to become that pillar himself...

...then the disciples of Hundred-legged Ridge, even if not completely wiped out, would have undoubtedly suffered the most devastating casualties of any hall.

"Palace Master, please quell your anger. The Ancestor... he’s just getting on in years..."

This was Zhong Zhe, the Mountain Lord of Hundred-legged Ridge, pleading on the creature’s behalf.

"Have him come see me at once!"

’The Hundred-legged Ancestor is in for it now...’

But Zou Feng had no intention of pleading on its behalf. The beast had slipped away without a word and nearly gotten him screwed over in the process!

’The sensible thing to do is get away from this mess as fast as possible.’

’To be honest, while the way Su Qingyu just rewarded me was a little absurd...’

’...it wasn’t what I’d call truly unhinged.’

’But when she deals with the Hundred-legged Ancestor for running away, her truly unhinged side is likely to come out.’

’It wouldn’t be out of the question for her to have the Hundred-legged Ancestor charcoal-grilled on the spot...’

On the way down the mountain, Teng County couldn’t help but ask, "Brother Feng, you saw the Palace Master’s jade foot. Why didn’t you partake?"

Zou Feng put a hand to his forehead. "I’m... not into that."

Teng County then recalled that Zou Feng had always loved to stare at hands. It seemed he really wasn’t into that sort of thing...

’It has to be "hands" to hold any real appeal for him.’

Teng County had seen Zou Feng fight before.

His "Shaking Flower Hand" had left a deep impression on her.

’So, he incorporated his fetish into his Martial Dao?’

’No wonder he’s so obsessed with hands.’

At this thought, Teng County secretly made a decision.

Ever since their trip to the forbidden land, Teng County had fallen for Zou Feng. The problem was, she had a lingering trauma and was terrified of intimacy.

’But if I can’t be intimate, how can I ever stay by his side in the future?’

’I’ll just have to find another way...’

"By the way, I need to head back to Qingchuan City for a bit," Zou Feng said, changing the subject.

Zou Feng returning to Qingchuan City from time to time was perfectly normal.

But Teng County couldn’t understand why he was in such a hurry to go now.

"Brother Feng, you haven’t even recovered from your injuries!"

"Besides, what if there are still people from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect lingering nearby? Wouldn’t you be walking right into a trap?" Teng County urged.

Seeing that they were now a considerable distance from the Five Poison Hall, Zou Feng couldn’t be bothered to maintain his exaggerated act any longer.

In an instant, Zou Feng’s entire demeanor snapped back to normal.

Teng County froze, instantly realizing that Zou Feng had been putting on an act.

But even if his injuries weren’t severe, she still felt there was no need for him to rush back just yet.

Zou Feng gave a faint smile. "If I don’t go back now, how can I give them their chance?"

Seeing that Zou Feng was obviously planning something, Teng County asked no more questions.

"In that case, Brother Feng, be careful and come back soon!"

"Right. Keep my departure a secret. Just tell everyone I’m still in Silk Cave recovering from my injuries."

After Teng County gave a solemn nod, Zou Feng delayed no longer. In a flash, he was gone, taking a small path to begin his journey.

A short while later, he had left Cloud Mist Mountain behind.

The moment he stepped out of Cloud Mist Mountain, Zou Feng opened the List of Gods to check it.

An ’I knew it’ expression appeared on his face.

’Well then, it’s time to settle this.’

If circumstances had allowed, Zou Feng would have preferred to drag this out a little longer.

The problem was that he had publicly killed a Third Grade master from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect, along with quite a few other Sword Cultivators.

Once word of this got out, his situation would become even more precarious than before.

Even if he decided to play the part of a timid Poison Cultivator and hide away in Biyou Palace, refusing to ever step out, he still wouldn’t be safe.

After all, the Celestial Essence Sword Sect had dared to attack Biyou Palace directly. Where was there any safety to be found?

This time, the Celestial Essence Sword Sect’s main goal had been to force Su Qingyu’s return; they hadn’t truly intended a fight to the death.

’But what about next time?’

’When they decide to truly annihilate Biyou Palace, will the Celestial Essence Sword Sect join forces with the Xuanhuang Sect and other Righteous Sects to attack again?’

Of course, Biyou Palace had other Evil Sect allies in the Southern Border, but Zou Feng didn’t dare bet on such variables.

’In short, I must advance to the True Qi Realm. Immediately. Right now.’

’As long as I reach Third Grade, my situation will be completely different.’

Musing on these matters, Zou Feng hurried along.

In a mountain pass a few miles from Qingchuan City, Zou Feng, feeling a bit weary from his rapid journey, stopped to rest.

He had been meditating with his eyes closed for about half an hour when the sound of hurried footsteps came from nearby.

A moment later, an extremely disheveled figure burst out from the bushes.