Chapter 78: The Raging Tide

“Senior brother, do you think they’ll hand him over?”
In a certain group, a young disciple, still not fully grown, raised his head and looked up at the senior brother beside him, who was two heads taller, asking anxiously.
“No, they won’t,” the senior brother replied, shaking his head.
“Why are you so sure?” The young disciple’s eyes were full of confusion. He blinked and pressed on.
“Anyone with sense knows what choice to make at a time like this. The disciples of Cangyun Sect aren’t foolish enough to make such a mistake.”
“Oh…” The young disciple nodded, half understanding.
…
“I don’t agree to handing over Senior Brother Feng.”
“Nor do I.”
“That’s right, we can’t give him to you!”
The disciples of Bamboo Peak quickly showed their stance after Ling Xiao and the others spoke. The circumstances had changed, and naturally, so did their decisions. No one would choose a path that cut off their retreat; no one here was an idiot.
Watching the Bamboo Peak disciples declare their positions one after another, the members of the Feng family grew visibly more sullen. Outside, the Feng family had always been the premier clan, and facing other clans, they naturally felt superior.
Yet before entering Ghost Valley, the patriarch had instructed them to restrain their usual arrogant demeanor.
“You can see for yourselves. Asking us to hand over someone is impossible,” Shen Qingyun said, satisfied with their response, a faint smile on his lips.
“All for one person, you want to oppose my Feng family?”
Hearing this, Shen Qingyun raised his brows, saying nothing, merely watching him quietly.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen such reckless clan disciples,” someone in the neighboring group remarked. The sects and the clans were of different leagues; if a sect wanted to destroy a clan, it only took a flick of the finger. There had been those who dared to provoke the sects—once, a clan disciple harassed a sect’s female disciple.
He boasted the sect wouldn’t target him for a mere disciple. But the next day, his clan dragged him to kneel at the sect’s gate.
His so-called backing abandoned him the moment he caused trouble.
Now, someone was repeating the same foolish mistake.
“Can you even represent the Feng family?”
Ling Xiao said, mocking.
“I cannot,” the Feng family member replied, looking at him. “But Senior Brother is already chosen as the successor. He can represent the Feng family. Now that he’s been injured by your Bamboo Peak, what’s wrong with saying you’re opposing my clan?”
He paused, then retorted, “And who among you can represent the vast Cangyun Sect?”
Ling Xiao was silent, glancing at Shen Qingyun. He certainly couldn’t represent the whole sect, not even Bamboo Peak.
But Shen Qingyun could.
Shen Qingyun looked at the Feng family and began, “None of us here can represent the sect, but invoking your clan is just as useless. We will not hand him over. Even if your patriarch were here, the answer would still be no.”
The Feng family members’ expressions stiffened, inwardly furious. Shen Qingyun dared to claim even the patriarch would get the same answer—how arrogant! Even as chief disciple, could he stand equal to a clan patriarch?
Those in the safe zone were startled as well. Even if the clans were weaker, a patriarch was not someone a disciple could rival.
At the same time, they watched the Feng family, eager for drama. Today, the clan’s pride might truly be left behind here.
“Is our clan’s pride truly going to be lost here today?” someone from the Feng family gritted his teeth, hating Shen Qingyun. If not for him, none of this would have happened. Moreover, the Bamboo Peak disciple seemed to have some deep animosity with the Feng family—if that was true, all the more reason not to let him go.
“Today, even if we have to take him by force, we will!”
His voice was low and grim.

The words had barely settled when the Feng family members drew their spiritual weapons once more, their aura rising.
Witnessing this, Shen Qingyun’s expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, “It seems your Feng family plans to end your journey in Ghost Valley here.”
Behind him, without needing a word, Bamboo Peak’s disciples had already drawn their own spiritual weapons, staring solemnly at the Feng family, tension thick in the air.
“Cough, cough, Shaodong, don’t be rash!”
From within the Feng family, an extremely weak voice sounded. Instantly, the tense members restrained their aura and turned to look at Feng Xingzi.
“Senior Brother, your body is frail—don’t speak!”
Feng Shaodong looked at him with concern, speaking softly.
“If I don’t speak, are you going to push our clan into the fire pit?”
Feng Xingzi managed a feeble smile, addressing Feng Shaodong, “Help me over.”
“But…”
“Do as I say!”
Feng Xingzi barked, and Feng Shaodong obediently helped him forward to stand opposite Shen Qingyun.
He shot a cold, complicated glance at the unconscious Feng Chuxun, then turned to Shen Qingyun, his face showing no anger at being outmaneuvered—on the contrary, it was calm as the clouds.
“Chief Shen, in the end, your strategy wins,” said Feng Xingzi. “Did you already know about his connection to the Feng family?”
“No.”
Surprisingly, Shen Qingyun shook his head. “I had no idea about your relationship, it was purely a whim.”
“I see,” Feng Xingzi mused, then said, “This person has deep ties to the Feng family. If you hand him over, my clan would be deeply grateful.”
No one was fooled; with words like that, anyone could sense their connection.
“I won’t hand him over. If you truly want him, you’re welcome to try and take him.”
Feng Xingzi gazed deeply at Shen Qingyun. His calm face suddenly broke into a warm smile. “Understood. When the trial ends, I’ll report his survival to the patriarch. When the patriarch comes to claim him in person, I trust Cangyun Sect will show some courtesy.”
“You’re too confident,” Shen Qingyun replied.
“Confidence is a virtue, isn’t it?” Feng Xingzi smiled.
“Only yours is excessive,” Shen Qingyun thought silently. Feng Xingzi was indeed outstanding, but as Shen Qingyun observed, his confidence was a bit much.
“We should go.” With that, Feng Xingzi let Feng Shaodong help him leave the safe zone and move toward the next area.
After all that had happened, lingering here would only attract attention. Better to leave early—perhaps they’d encounter healing spiritual herbs and recover faster.
Everyone watched as they departed. The backs of the Feng family members would be etched not only in their memories but also as an indelible mark in the history of the clan.
And the one who caused all this, without lifting a finger, was Shen Qingyun…
“Senior Brother Shen, won’t the Feng family bear a grudge against you for this?”
Su Ye walked over to Shen Qingyun, watching the silhouettes fade into the darkness, speaking in a low voice.
“So what if they hold a grudge?”
Shen Qingyun turned, smiling calmly. “If trouble comes, let it come. I, Shen Qingyun, have never feared!”
His words were composed, but carried an undeniable air of authority.
“So what do we do now…” someone asked.
“What do we do?”

Someone rolled his eyes. “We set out, of course!”
The Feng family had already moved on; if they rested any longer, they would hand over the initiative. One step ahead, always ahead. When it ended, the Feng family would be the first out, stealing the spotlight and overshadowing the five major sects.
No one wanted to see such a scene. So, in this first safe zone, the same drama unfolded again.
Crowds surged toward the exit, a wave of people flooding out until only Shen Qingyun’s group remained.
Seeing so many teams depart for the next area, the Bamboo Peak disciples grew anxious; everyone knew that falling behind now meant always being behind.
Yet Shen Qingyun acted as though he hadn’t noticed, showing not a trace of urgency, instead sitting cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes as if resting.
“This…”
The Bamboo Peak disciples glanced at one another, shrugged, and sat down to rest as well. If he wasn’t worried, what was the point of fussing?
Meanwhile, at the other side of the safe zone, another group sat quietly in repose.
Clad uniformly in white dao robes, it was obvious they belonged to Cangyun Sect.
This group was, of course, Xing Wuque’s team, whose mood now matched Shen Qingyun’s.
Everyone in the group seemed to trust Xing Wuque deeply; he said nothing, and no one moved—not even a stray glance.
…
Feng Chuxun lay unconscious, yet his awareness felt as if he were a small boat adrift, aimlessly floating, ready to be overturned by the slightest ripple.
Suddenly, ahead of him appeared a glimmer of light. The light pulled him forward, drawing him irresistibly toward its source.
“What…”
Feng Chuxun stared in astonishment—it was a broken sword that emitted the glow. But why was there a broken sword here?
Just as he reached to grasp it, a fierce aura exploded from the sword. Instantly, he felt as if thousands of swords were slicing his flesh, agony sweeping over him like being executed by a thousand cuts.
Feng Chuxun jerked awake, staring into the dark sky, confusion and bewilderment in his eyes.
“Where am I…?”
“You’re awake?”
A face suddenly appeared before him, startling him.
Su Ye had been tending to Feng Chuxun and was overjoyed to see him wake. She turned to Shen Qingyun and called, “Senior Brother Shen, Senior Brother Feng is awake!”
“Am I still in Ghost Valley?”
As clarity returned, Feng Chuxun murmured.
“Of course you’re still in Ghost Valley,” Shen Qingyun said, looming over him.
“So that was a dream? But the broken sword, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by sword intent, it all felt so real.”
Feng Chuxun’s voice grew softer, but Shen Qingyun still caught every word. Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyun’s eyes flickered with rare emotion. He looked at Feng Chuxun and asked, “What did you say?”
Feng Chuxun sat up, rubbing his forehead and shaking his head. “It’s nothing, probably just a dream.”
Shen Qingyun gazed long at him. “Since you’re awake, let’s get moving. Because of you, we’ve already lost plenty of time!”