My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

In the courtyard, the leaves of the jujube tree were still swaying gently.

A teapot and teacups were placed on the stone table, and steam was still rising from the spout of the teapot.

The clan elder stood there, with his son Zhao Dazhu standing beside him.

She was a little puzzled as to why the elders were here, but she couldn't think about it too much at the moment.

Ye Qingfeng sat in the rocking chair with his eyes closed, as if he were taking a nap.

Sitting in the tree chair that grew out of the ground next to her was an old man with white hair and a white beard, whom she did not recognize.

But she didn't care who the old man was; she just wanted to tell the Taoist priest that there was a bear demon at the entrance of the village.

"Immortal Master!" Her voice was urgent and trembling. "A bear demon has arrived at the village gate, as tall as a three-story building! The guards can't stop it!"

Ye Qingfeng opened his eyes, glanced at her, and smiled slightly, but said nothing.

The elder turned around, saw A'Luo, and quickly waved, "A'Luo, come and see quickly."

A'Luo was a little confused, but she still walked over anxiously and followed the elder's gaze to the top of the stone table.

There, a mass of water floated, forming a mirror, its surface trembling slightly as if a breeze were blowing.

Inside the water sphere were images—she saw the village gate, and the cracked door panel.

They saw the huge black bear outside the door, the wounded guards, and Lu Yang, who had previously gone missing.

Lu Yang stood before the bear demon, sword in hand.

Aro's mouth opened and she couldn't close it.

She watched the scene in the water sphere, watching Lü Yang fight with the bear demon, watching his sword grow faster and faster, and watching the bear demon become more and more frenzied.

Her hands clenched the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white.

Then she saw Lü Yang close his eyes, saw the bear demon rush towards him, and saw his fingers lightly brush the blade of his sword.

I saw the sword strike, and I saw the bear demon's body split in two.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"We...we won?" she murmured.

The elder's eyes reddened, and he nodded.

Zhao Dazhu stood to the side without saying a word, but let out a long sigh of relief.

A Luo turned around and looked at Ye Qingfeng.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say thank you, but her throat felt like it was blocked by something, and she couldn't speak.

She bent her knees, wanting to kneel down.

She didn't know how to thank the Taoist priest; she only knew that this was the greatest respect she could offer.

A hand supported her arm.

It wasn't heavy, but she couldn't bend her knees.

She looked up and saw that Ye Qingfeng had already sat up and was looking at her.

"There's no need for that." His voice was neither loud nor soft. "The matter isn't resolved yet."

Aro was stunned.

The clan elder was also stunned.

Zhao Dazhu was stunned.

Even Yun Songzi paused for a moment while holding the teacup.

The elder took two steps forward, but his smile froze before it could fully bloom: "Daoist Master, wasn't the bear demon already dead? Why... hasn't it been dealt with yet?"

Ye Qingfeng didn't look at him; his gaze was fixed on the water mirror.

The scene has changed; it's no longer a village gate, but a forest.

A figure was walking down the mountain path, running very fast. Despite the rugged and uneven road surface, the person seemed to be walking on flat ground.

Each step could cover hundreds of meters, as if he were running away from something. The figure was very strong, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, and his running posture carried an indescribable arrogance.

Ye Qingfeng glanced at the figure, then looked away, picked up his teacup, and slowly took a sip.

The clan elder stared at the figure in the water mirror, his face gradually turning pale.

He didn't know the person, but he recognized the clothes.

The people of Black Wind Village wear this kind of clothing—black, without any markings—but everyone in the Ten Thousand Mountains knows that those who wear this kind of clothing are not to be trifled with.

His heart sank.

Yun Songzi put down his teacup, looked at the figure, and his gaze became serious.

He recognized the man—the second-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold, a peak-level Blood Transformation cultivator.

On the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Mountains, the peak of Blood Exchange wasn't the most outstanding, but behind him stood a person he didn't want to provoke—Xiong Lie, the Martial Saint.

The leader of Black Wind Stronghold, a true martial saint.

If this person gets involved, things will get complicated.

He disliked encountering these martial artists. Those below the Martial Saint realm were alright, as they could be easily toyed with by these Refining Gods.

However, once they reach the Martial Saint realm, their martial intent will protect their soul, making it difficult for them to easily deceive their opponents.

Their greatest advantage is gone, and their physical condition is their greatest weakness; any martial artist could easily kill them once they get close.

Although his current cultivation level is enough to barely control the other party, it's only for a moment. Killing the other party is still a very tricky matter.

Ye Qingfeng seemed oblivious to the tension on the faces of those around him, and instead closed his eyes briefly.

He felt a slight increase within his body—not much, but definitely there.

He sensed it when Lü Yang killed the bear demon.

Those who looked at Lü Yang, those reverent gazes, those whispers, those addresses of him as "Young Master Lü."

They believed that Lü Yang was capable, and that he had taught Lü Yang those skills; this belief would eventually flow to him.

Not many, but very pure.

Unlike previous acts of trust, this one is indirect and cumulative.

He lets his disciple handle the problem, and the disciple solves it. Then those people will think that their master is more powerful.

This is much more effective than him taking direct action himself.

Ye Qingfeng opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He felt that sometimes, not taking action is more useful than taking action.

A Luo stood to the side, looking at Ye Qingfeng, wondering what he was thinking.

She felt that when the Taoist priest smiled, it was as if he knew something that others did not.

She didn't dare ask, and just stood there quietly.

The clan elder stood there, watching the receding figure in the water mirror, his heart filled with anxiety.

He didn't know what the second-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold was up to, but he knew that the presence of Black Wind Stronghold members here was definitely not a good thing.

It's even possible that the bear demon at the entrance of the stronghold was the work of the other side.

He turned his head to look at Ye Qingfeng, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to say it.

Ye Qingfeng did not look at him.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the courtyard gate.

There was nothing there, only the wind blowing through the alley, swirling up a few fallen leaves.

But he looked at it very intently, as if he were looking at a very, very far place.

He spoke, his voice not loud, but it carried clearly.

The sound traveled through the courtyard, through the alley, and all the way to the village gate, reaching Lü Yang's ears.

"The matter is not yet resolved. Head southeast and pursue them."

As Lü Yang stood at the entrance of the village, feeling the gazes of those around him, several children ran over and gave him a fresh flower they had picked.

Some of the children, however, were quite expectant.

"Fairy brother, can we be this amazing someday?"