Bai Feng shook his head and sighed, "Sigh, it’s just that the formation is really too expensive, especially for some processed materials, which cost several times more than the raw ones. So I was thinking of learning some fire control techniques to buy raw materials and process them myself, which would save a bit."

"Bai brother, you, the young master of the Bai family, are quite frugal," Lin Yan teased with a smile. "But it’s a coincidence you mentioned that; I just happened to acquire a complete set of fire control techniques. Consider it a gift."

"Thank you."

Before Bai Feng could finish his thanks, Lin Yan pulled out a small jar from his storage bag and pushed it toward Bai Feng. "You probably still need usable spirit fire, right? I got this from exploring the secret realm, and since I have no use for it, it’s yours."

Bai Feng: "…Huh?"

Is this lucky son of destiny being a bit too generous?

"Lin brother, this is too precious."

Bai Feng quickly waved his hands, reminiscent of a cat he once saw online, which, as its food increased, went from happy to retreating in fear.

This gift was a bit over the top; he even worried that Lin Yan had ulterior motives.

"Don’t worry about it, Bai brother. I actually want to ask you for a favor," Lin Yan said, his smile fading and seriousness creeping onto his face.

"What is it?"

"I obtained an alchemy furnace in the secret realm, but with my current strength, I can hardly operate it. So I’d like you to help me set up a formation," Lin Yan said, taking out the furnace and placing it on the ground with a tremor. "This is it. I need a formation that can control the firepower, gather spiritual energy, and also…"

Bai Feng nodded, jotting down Lin Yan's requirements. "Sure, no problem. Just give me a few days to come up with a design."

"Thank you, Bai brother."

…

The last day in the secret realm passed without incident, and soon Bai Feng left with the other disciples.

However, unlike the disciples of the Tianjian Sect, the Fengling Sect seemed to be in a dire state, with most of their members sporting injuries.

It was obvious who was responsible; after all, the Tianjian Sect had been targeted from the start!

Just as they were about to leave, the Fengling Sect's senior brother, Yu Ping'an, suddenly approached.

"Sister Su, long time no see." He walked directly to a spot two meters in front of Su Lanqian. "I was worried about you in the secret realm, but now that I see you safe, I’m relieved."

Su Lanqian frowned slightly. "Who are you?"

Yu Ping'an's smile faltered, but he forced himself to say, "It’s normal for you not to remember, sister. I was just an ordinary disciple before, but thanks to your guidance, I became the senior brother of the Fengling Sect."

"Oh."

Su Lanqian showed no interest. When she visited the Fengling Sect with her master, the old geezers there often brought their disciples to challenge her formations, and she would take the opportunity to bully those so-called geniuses. Looking back, she found her past behavior quite childish.

Feeling that it was rude to remain silent, she added, "If there’s nothing else, please leave. I’m heading back to the Tianjian Sect."

Chapter 75: "If you don’t like it, I can change."

Yu Ping'an's expression was barely holding together. He could only manage a strained smile. "Sister, wait! If you’re uncomfortable at the Tianjian Sect, especially if someone is bullying you, you can come to the Fengling Sect. I can step down from my position as senior brother."

Seeing him block her repeatedly, Su Lanqian's face grew more annoyed. "No thanks, I’m not interested."

"Sister, if someone is threatening you, I can help—"

This time, Yu Ping'an was cut off by Su Lanqian, who glared at him and spat out a single word: "Scram!"

Instantly, the last trace of a smile vanished from Yu Ping'an's face.

When Su Lanqian saw he still wouldn’t leave, she simply walked around him and quickly caught up with Bai Feng, who was waiting nearby.

She quietly glanced up at Bai Feng, seemingly noticing the strange expression on his face, and whispered, "Don’t blame me; he’s just too annoying."

Then, feeling that this might leave Bai Feng with a spoiled impression of her, she quickly added, "If you don’t like it, I can change."

Bai Feng: "…?"

What are you going to change? Don’t say things that can be misunderstood! Can’t you see Yu Ping'an’s eyes are practically on fire?

[Beep, detected that the host used Su Lanqian to deliver a crushing blow to Yu Ping'an’s arrogance, rewarding 150 luck points, and increasing spiritual power absorption speed by 15.]

Ha, I knew it.

Bai Feng had sensed the moment Yu Ping'an approached that the system wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

He had been forced into various situations by the system before and was starting to get used to it.

Just as he was complaining about the system, he suddenly noticed that the rejected son of destiny was glaring at him with a furious expression.

This made him feel like he had stolen someone’s thunder.

But the problem was, Su Lanqian didn’t even know you! This is purely unrequited love! What does it have to do with me?!

The system forcing me to "take the blame" was one thing, but now he was hostile toward me!

"Bai Feng," Yu Ping'an suddenly shouted at him, "If I find out that Sister Su has been wronged, I won’t let you off! Just wait! I will definitely defeat you!"

With that, he turned and rejoined the Fengling Sect’s group, leaving Bai Feng standing there, utterly bewildered.

Damn! Am I dealing with a lovesick puppy of a son of destiny?

"Um, did I get you into trouble?" Su Lanqian asked, her head down, her body slightly trembling, looking a bit scared.

"No, it’s just him being delusional," Bai Feng replied flatly. "Let’s go back."

As for the challenge from the son of destiny, what could he do? He couldn’t just shut the guy up, could he?

Fortunately, since Yu Ping'an was from the Fengling Sect, he didn’t have to worry about immediate retaliation.

Once they returned, he would find someone to help gather detailed information on Yu Ping'an to figure out how to deal with him.

Although the system had a query function, the information it provided was too vague. For someone like Yu Ping'an, it was better to gather information the traditional way.

…

After leaving the secret realm, the group didn’t return to their sect immediately.

Due to the involvement of the Central Plains’ demonic path, particularly one of the most troublesome demonic organizations, all sects were on high alert.

At the same time, the appearance of the Hundred Faces Saintess prompted each sect to investigate their own disciples to prevent any demoness from infiltrating.

"Xiao Feng, can you tell me what happened?"

In a solid, comfortable room, a middle-aged man with a short, stiff beard, who had a kind expression, asked Bai Feng.

He was an elder of the Tianjian Peak and the strongest among the elders leading this expedition, also a brother to the sect leader.

"The senior sister has already written up the report, hasn’t she?" Bai Feng replied, a hint of confusion on his face. Then, as if recalling something, he asked the elder, "Are you referring to Ye Tang’s incident?"

The elder nodded. "Yes, after all, Ye Tang was once the senior brother of the Tianjian Sect. We can’t just pretend we didn’t see this incident, but the report didn’t provide much detail, so I wanted to ask you what happened before Ye Tang died."

Bai Feng wasn’t surprised; after all, Ye Tang had been the senior brother of the Tianjian Sect, and it was strange for the sect not to inquire about his death in the secret realm.

"Actually, the Fengling Sect knows more about this than I do," he pondered for a few seconds. "What I know is limited; I only found out that Ye Tang was collaborating with the Fengling Sect against us. When I learned about this, I tried to rescue Sister Yu Yao and the others, and I discovered that Ye Tang was indeed working with the Fengling Sect and had controlled a Yuanying-level demon beast to attack Sister Yu Yao and her group. You should know what happened next."

"Yes, I’ll ask them about it later."

The elder nodded. With witnesses and evidence, he wouldn’t randomly suspect others without reason. However, this matter was quite serious, which was why he asked a few more questions.

Seemingly worried that Bai Feng might overthink, he added, "You should go back and rest. Don’t worry; in battle, blades and swords are blind, and it’s normal for someone at the early Golden Core stage like you to lose control. The sect won’t punish a disciple who cares for their fellow members without distinguishing right from wrong."

Then he took out a bottle of pills from his storage bag and handed it to Bai Feng. "I heard you were injured in the secret realm. Here’s a bottle of healing pills for you. Take care of your injuries; the rest isn’t something you should interfere with."

"Thank you, elder."

After Bai Feng accepted the pills and left, the elder stood still, deep in thought.