I'm Really Not Sick

Tens of thousands of miles away.

Peach Blossom Village.

The courtyard was filled with the sound of bickering.

"Senior Brother! I really did see Senior Yi Feng! Why won’t you believe me?"

"I’m telling you, I’ve seen him more than once! Last time, I even had a peach as proof—it’s not just nonsense!"

……

Zui Wuya watched his junior brother ramble on without saying a word.

The longer he listened, the darker his expression grew, his eyes clouded with complexity.

"Senior Brother! Let’s go wait in Fu Nantian’s courtyard today—we’ll definitely catch Senior Yi Feng!"

At those delirious words, Zui Wuya finally sighed.

"Ah, come in, all of you."

As soon as he spoke, the six other Sages stepped into the small house.

Led by Luo Hongfei, they stood frozen in silence.

Though this was a reunion after days apart, the six old men showed no joy, no relief at their cultivation breakthroughs—only helplessness and pity.

Their strange gazes locked onto Wei Donghai, who frowned in suspicion.

"Huh? When did you all get back? Why are you looking at me like that? I haven’t done anything wrong! I—"

Before he could finish, the seven Sages struck simultaneously.

A terrifying surge of Dao power swept through the room like a gale, sealing every corner. Zui Wuya was immobilized, barely able to lift his head under the pressure!

"What are you doing?! What’s the meaning of this?!"

His shouts, first frantic and furious, soon turned into hoarse roars!

But no one answered.

The seven Sages wore pained expressions, their eyes filled with regret.

Even his closest senior brother could only sigh in resignation.

"Ah!"

"Junior Brother, don’t blame us. This is for your own good. Ever since returning from the Ancient Corridor, your condition has worsened!"

"If I’m not mistaken, you’ve been corrupted by the sinister Dao power of the heretical path. Your mind is in chaos—you must rest and recover."

"I don’t want to do this, but there’s no other way!"

With that, Zui Wuya turned his face away and closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Wei Donghai’s expression darkened.

Glancing at his old friends, all wearing grave faces, he suddenly sensed danger and hurried to explain.

"Hey! Brothers, I’m not sick!"

"Senior Brother, I’m really fine! Look at me properly! I’m not lying to you!"

But the more frantically Wei Donghai protested, the more convinced the Sages became.

Zui Wuya steeled himself and nodded sternly.

"Yeah, yeah, you’re not sick."

He didn’t bother arguing. With a glance, the others moved in, binding Wei Donghai with enchanted ropes and locking him in a secluded chamber.

Their once-dear friend now sat tied up in the dim room, looking utterly disheveled. The sight gave the Sages pause.

Before leaving, Luo Hongfei turned to the others with a heavy voice.

"Friends, isn’t this too harsh? Even if Brother Wei is delusional, perhaps there’s a gentler way."

Before anyone could respond, Zui Wuya cut in firmly.

"This is the best way."

"His delusions grow worse by the day. Restraining him now can stabilize his condition. If it worsens, even medicine may be useless."

"Lately, his fantasies have become absurd—using a peach as proof! The evil energy from the Ancient Corridor is no joke. We can’t afford to be soft-hearted!"

The Sages nodded solemnly, the atmosphere thick with tension.

But as they left the chamber and prepared to return to their homes—

Yi Feng, long absent, strolled leisurely into the village.

Shocked and overjoyed, they rushed to greet him.

"Young Friend Yi, you’re back?!"

Surrounded by eager old men, Yi Feng couldn’t help but smile, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Everything’s settled. I just returned."

Even Yi Feng said he’d just returned?

So it was all in Wei Donghai’s head after all.

Exchanging glances, the Sages had no further doubts about his madness.

Seeing Yi Feng return so soon, Luo Hongfei stepped forward to ask,

"Young Friend Yi, how was your journey with those three distinguished guests? Did all go well?"

The question made Yi Feng grimace.

"Ugh, don’t even ask."

That offhand remark sent a jolt through the seven Sages.

"What happened?!"

"Don’t tell me—?!"

Yi Feng sighed, looking utterly drained.

"They said I’d be their guide, but before I could do much guiding, they turned back. I didn’t even catch a glimpse of those powerful demons—just ran into a bunch of bloated weaklings along the way."

The Sages stared blankly.

The legendary demonic calamity… was over just like that? Those three star travelers had already left? It ended far too simply.

Luo Hongfei pressed further, unable to hide his disbelief.

"Young Friend Yi, is this true?"

"Those three guests really departed? And the demons—no further movements?"

Yi Feng clicked his tongue impatiently.

"Why would I lie?"

"They left days ago! The demons scattered, and that so-called Stargate? The woman sliced it apart with one swing of her sword. If you don’t believe me, go see for yourselves."

This trip had been a letdown for Yi Feng—barely any experience gained, just a wasted effort. He had no energy to discuss details.

The only silver lining? Making friends with those star travelers, at least giving him something to look forward to.

After a few words, Yi Feng lost interest.

But to the six Sages, his words were earth-shattering!

The mighty demons, routed without a trace. The Stargate, obliterated in a single strike. The power of those star travelers was beyond comprehension!

Even hearing it secondhand, the old men were awestruck, struggling to process such staggering claims.

Only Zui Wuya’s eyes shone with awe and realization.

Noticing Yi Feng’s pristine robes, he seemed to glimpse a fragment of the truth.

"Young Friend Yi, your efforts are greatly appreciated. We shall reward you richly for your service!"

It took a long while for the others to recover, thanking Yi Feng profusely. They also rejoiced that the demonic threat to their world had been resolved so effortlessly.

Yi Feng waved off their gratitude.

"No need for rewards. I barely did anything."

Then he noticed someone missing.

"Wait, where’s Brother Wei? Not in the village?"

The mood instantly soured.

Zui Wuya answered quietly,

"He’s… unwell. We’ve confined him for now. He needs rest."

Subtly, he tapped his temple.

Yi Feng’s eyes widened in understanding.

"To think it came to this… He was fine just days ago."

In such a short time, an elder he’d known had succumbed to dementia. Even Sages weren’t immune to nature’s laws. Remembering their journey through the Ancient Corridor, Yi Feng felt a pang of sorrow.

After a few more hollow pleasantries, the group dispersed in low spirits.

Back in his courtyard, Yi Feng sat on a stone stool, lost in thought.

This trip had been another disappointment, though meeting those star travelers did open new possibilities.

But even with a new direction, he couldn’t head to Lan Star immediately.

Yet waiting idly for doom was no solution, especially when Yi Feng thought of the apocalyptic catastrophe looming decades ahead. The urgency of time weighed heavily on him.

"Seems like I’ll have to venture out and hunt monsters from now on—leveling up while courting death. Wouldn’t want to end up empty-handed on both fronts!"

The night passed without incident.

Morning sunlight spilled generously over the courtyard.

Fu Nantian, ever the early riser, had already prepared breakfast and hurried out.

Yi Feng couldn’t be bothered to mind him.

He cooked himself a hearty meal—noodles made from dragon-whisker herbs paired with a small jug of wine.

A bowl of noodles later, he was brimming with energy!

Knowing time was of the essence, Yi Feng summoned Manman as soon as he finished eating.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he gave the order:

"Let’s move out—back to the Star Gate!"