Stranger Danger

"Hahaha... This is a matter of mutual consent, isn't it? If the girl isn't willing, then that is her choice. Who are you pulling the long face for?"

Old Man Profound Firmament laughed. "Also, you are wrong about one thing, Danxia."

"What do you mean?" Danxia Zi looked puzzled.

Old Man Profound Firmament beamed at him. "You think you deserve to be her master, but you cannot be any more mistaken."

Danxia Zi's face darkened once more. It was obvious he was unhappy with the judgment.

"Haha! Angry, are you? I can't help you though. After all, it's the truth."

Old Man Profound Firmament did not restrain himself despite Danxia Zi's displeasure, "You only saw her full energies, flawless consciousness, and pure mind, but failed to realize that she has already built her divine bridge. She could have overcome the wall and crossed over the threshold at any time she wanted. In other words, she is already a Sage, she just hasn't broken through yet."

"If both of you are Sages, then what makes you think you have the right to teach her?"

"You flatter me, senior Profound Firmament. Qingyou is most ashamed," Feng Qingyou replied modestly and saluted Old Man Profound Firmament.

She never denied his declaration though, and that was basically an admission.

Jin Manshan, Ming Yueying and the others weren't surprised. If anything, they thought it was perfectly logical for Feng Qingyou to be a Sage. After all, they already knew that Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were strong enough to arm wrestle Sages. Even if they weren't technically a Sage yet, they might as well be one.

They also finally realized that there existed gulfs that could never be surmounted between Half-Sages as well. Seriously, just how was the gap so big?

Feng Qingyou was a Half-Sage because she wasn't willing to become a Sage yet. They were Half-Sages because they could not climb any higher. Such a simple yet profound difference.

A few breaths later, Danxia Zi saluted Feng Qingyou, "I apologize for my reckless behavior, Miss Feng. I beg for your forgiveness." Feng Qingyou returned the salute and offered him an out. "You are too harsh on yourself, senior. What you offered me cannot be anything but kindness. It is this one who is too unlucky to receive it."

The cloudiness on Danxia Zi's face receded a little. "Is Warrior Ye inside? Please ask him to step out so we may discuss the matter regarding the demonic fire!"

"I beg your understanding, seniors." Feng Qingyou apologized, "Joyles is currently at a critical moment of his cultivation. He cannot yet greet you all in person. Why don't you catch some rest while Joyless wraps up his practice? We promise to visit the two of you in person once he is ready!"

Danxia Zi narrowed his eyes again. He seemed to be displeased as he said, "Countless lives are at stake here. How can we afford to dilly dally?"

"I still think it's better to inform Warrior Ye, Miss Feng?"

"I am not making excuses for Joyless, senior. He really is at a critical moment of his cultivation. I ask that you offer him some understanding and compromise," Feng Qingyou replied.

Danxia Zi fell silent for a moment before saying, "Is Warrior Ye truly in secluded cultivation, or is he avoiding us, Miss Feng?" Feng Qingyou asked, "What are you trying to say, senior?"

Dan Xiazi said coldly, "You knew we were coming, and yet you choose now to enter secluded cultivation? I cannot help but wonder if your invitation contains ulterior motives."

"Ulterior motives?" Feng Qingyou asked playfully, "Tell me then. What do you think our ulterior motives are, senior?"

Danxia Zi retorted unkindly, "You should be telling me that. Answer now, or face the consequences?"

"Calm down, Celestial Danxia. Warrior Ye and Miss Feng are not who you think they are. You—"

Realizing that the situation was going awry, Jin Manshan hurriedly stepped up to clear up the matter. However, Danxia Zi waved his sleeve and shut him up before he could begin.

Sweat poured down Jin Manshan's head as he tried to speak. However, he couldn't. So, he looked at Old Man Profound Firmament hoping that he would speak up and deescalate the situation.

Old Man Profound Firmament was all smiles, however. He looked like he couldn't wait to enjoy the upcoming show.

"Face the consequences, you say?" Danxia Zi's forcefulness and threat bounce off Feng Qingyou's back like water. There was just a hint of ridicule in her voice as she replied, "So, you're going to punish us for helping the Profound Alliance out of kindness?"

"Is this how the Profound Alliance treats their benefactors?"

"The Profound Alliance views gratitudes and grudges with clear distinction. We always repay those who do us favors."

Eyes sharp, Danxia Zi took a step forward. "On the other hand, we always pay back those who sought to use us or do us harm as well."

As soon as he finished, his foot landed squarely on the ground, and endless rays of colorful light burst out from the bottom.

The light looked wispy, beautiful, and colorful. It also contained immeasurable power.

Feng Qingoyu's response was also to take a step forward. But instead of light, ripples emerged from the sole of her foot and vibrated the surrounding space until it looked like water.

Every time the rays of light made contact with a ripple, it would grow a tad paler and weaker. By the time the light reached Feng Qingyou, it had become no more harmful than a gust of wind.

"Mastery over space... I can see where your confidence comes from."

Danxia Zi was surprised, but he asked again, "I will give you another chance. Tell me why you have brought us here?" Feng Qingyou answered indifferently, "Don't you already know? To resolve the demonic fire, of course!"

"Hmph! Stubborn villain!" Seemingly losing the final shred of his patience, Danxia Zi slowly raised his hand and spread his fingers wide.

When Danxia Zi raised his hand, rainbow clouds floated in from the west.

When Danxia Zi spread his fingers wide, rainbow light descended from the heavens.

It made sense why people ascribed him to a celestial.

As the clouds and light were descending, profound light burst out of the Arts Tower.

The profound light was vast and infinite. It shot straight into the sky like laser beams.

The next moment, the rainbow light was scattered, and the clouds were pierced.

However, the light did not fade. The cloud remained intact as well.

Rainbow light clashed against profound light, and rainbow clouds interweaved with profound light. Space distorted, and the world warped strangely around them. An invisible, terrible power was permeating the air as well.

At that moment, the seawater within fifty kilometers of Gold Island shot into the sky.

Jin Manshan, Ming Yueying, Yue Ling, everyone on Gold Island felt as if they were facing the abyss or a god demon. Their hearts were thudding inside their chest, and their faces were as white as sheets.

They did not doubt for a second that the power would annihilate Gold Island in an instant should it break out. Not one person on the island would survive.

There was nothing they could do about it though.

After all, they were but ants before that power.

How could ants hope to scale the sky?

Celestials fight, and mortals suffer. They were living that saying right now! Fuck!

"Gentlemen fight with their mouths, not their hands. Don't actually fight and ruin the talk!"

Old Man Profound Firmament was content to be a spectator right until the moment the duo actually started fighting. He raised a wizened hand and waved like he was chasing away a mosquito.

It was such a harmless gesture, and yet the anomalies in the sky slowly disappeared, and the shockwave of power gradually subsided.

Soon, the world had returned to normal. It was as if nothing had ever happened.