As Expected

Several days had passed in the blink of an eye.

During these days, Blizzard Island mobilized all its elites and deployed every hidden asset to once again wage a bloody battle against the Invincible Sword Venerable, Guo Jiannan.

This battle shook heaven and earth.

Experts from the Desolate Realm emerged one after another, reclusive old monsters showed themselves in succession, and the power of the Great Dao raged across tens of thousands of miles, churning even the Vast Sea north of Blizzard Island into turmoil.

Facing the profound depth of Blizzard Island, Guo Jiannan and his allies were ultimately outnumbered.

The legendary Invincible Sword Venerable was narrowly defeated and forced to flee!

The sudden reappearance of this once-renowned senior was enough to shock various powers. Now, his defeat at the hands of Blizzard Island, an organization he himself had founded, sent even greater tremors through the surrounding regions.

Even though Yuan Star was but a subsidiary star, Guo Jiannan was quite famous. This battle spread far and wide, astonishing billions of cultivators!

After the battle,

Blizzard Island, though narrowly victorious, was severely weakened. Even capturing a Demon Venerable was of little use, hardly making up for the loss in combat strength. They had no choice but to recuperate, and it was feared they would not return to their peak for ten thousand years.

Apart from issuing a Demon-Slaying Order to hunt down Guo Jiannan, they took no further action.

This response sparked endless speculation among various factions. Blizzard Island, originally established to eradicate demons, saw its reputation grow even more notorious for a time.

While rumors ran rampant outside, within the island, a heavy silence fell.

Such a far-reaching, monumental battle was beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even the cannon fodder who perished that day were existences at the Venerable level. Mere outer sect disciples naturally had no qualification to learn too many inside details.

In a region dotted with immortal islands, Sunset Heaven Mansion remained as tranquil as ever.

Yi Feng lay leisurely on his recliner, his usual calm expression unchanged. Gazing at the mist-shrouded mountains and rivers beyond the courtyard, his eyes betrayed a loneliness as profound as snow, tinged with helplessness.

"Waiting for several days now, and I haven't heard any commotion. Has the grudge between Blizzard Island and Brother Guo reached a dead end? If I keep waiting like this, when will I ever get a chance to have a good fight?"

For several days in a row,

Yi Feng enjoyed the leisurely, cushy life of a landlord, waited on by the old auntie. His days were comfortable and nourishing, but he was bored out of his mind, to the point that even food was losing its taste for him.

As he muttered to himself, the sound of soft footsteps approached.

Wearing an elegant long dress, Yu Wen Qianyue walked over carrying a fruit platter. She placed it steadily on the stone table, then performed a graceful bow and reported with a nod.

"These are today's spirit fruits. Please enjoy them, my lord."

This old auntie had become much more compliant, seemingly showing some remorse.

Yi Feng nodded magnanimously in acknowledgment.

"Hmm, not bad."

"These fruits look very fresh. You're becoming more and more professional as a maid. Later, sweep the courtyard and wipe down the tables and chairs, then you can rest for a while."

He really was treating her like a maid.

This brat had some nerve putting on such airs!

Yu Wen Qianyue listened, her jade-like fingers clenching tightly within her sleeves, yet a docile smile appeared on her face.

"Yes."

She was no pushover and naturally understood the principle of having to lower one's head under another's roof. No matter how humiliating it was, enduring for a time meant the ultimate victor would surely be herself.

When that time came, she could wash away her shame and might even earn the appreciation of the Island Lord!

For the sake of her grand scheme,

Yu Wen Qianyue endured hardship and humiliation. Even though she felt utterly disgraced at this moment, she hadn't forgotten to probe for information.

Seizing the opportunity as she nodded in acknowledgment, she casually tested the waters.

"My lord, you repay hatred with virtue. I am utterly ashamed."

"Such grace as yours is not something an ordinary person could possess. I have heard that you and Elder Guo both emerged from the Demon-Suppressing Prison. You must have quite a connection with him, surely not just a chance encounter?"

Her flattery was delivered extremely naturally, the mark of a true smooth operator.

Yi Feng didn't think much of it and replied offhandedly.

"Hmm, we do have some connection."

Yu Wen Qianyue's heart sank upon hearing this, thinking to herself that it was indeed as she suspected.

This brat was definitely a junior of Guo Jiannan's!

A shrewd light flashed in her eyes, and she quickly covered it up with more fawning words.

"My lord, your origins are extraordinary. It was my blindness not to recognize Mount Tai. I hope you will be magnanimous regarding my previous offenses."

Her heart cursed incessantly, but her words remained utterly docile.

Seeing this old auntie's oily and worldly demeanor, Yi Feng remembered that she held some status after all. She was a Venerable, big or small, so she should know some inside information.

Thinking of this, Yi Feng also seized the chance to inquire.

"Do you know about the grudge between Blizzard Island and Elder Guo... Guo? What's the current situation?"

This question truly touched a sore spot for her.

Originally, she should have become a member of the upper echelons, involved in the major task of dealing with Guo Jiannan, using this opportunity to achieve merits and rise rapidly.

Who could have guessed she would carelessly kick an iron plate, capsize in a ditch, and now end up as a mere maid!

If this got out, how could she ever establish herself in Blizzard Island again?

This brat had clearly crippled her cultivation, leaving her unable to even send messages now. How could she possibly know any news?

Wasn't this rubbing salt in the wound by asking the obvious?

Bastard!

Yu Wen Qianyue wore an awkward expression, and the smile she forced out lost its previous naturalness.

"This..."

"My lord, please forgive me. My position is lowly and my words carry little weight. I truly do not know of such major events. I have been cleaning within the mansion these past few days, how would I know any inside information?"

Hearing this, Yi Feng waved his hand in disappointment.

"Tch, you're not doing so well either."

"Forget it, forget it. I won't make things difficult for you. You're only suited for cleaning and such. Asking about these major events is a waste of breath. In a while, go outside and get some game. I want to change my palate tonight."

"Catching some game, you should be able to manage that, right?"

Listening to this, the veins on Yu Wen Qianyue's forehead nearly popped!

She, a dignified Venerable, a proud talent with the potential to ascend to supreme heights in the future, was told she only had the makings of a maid, and was repeatedly looked down upon. This was truly a tremendous humiliation!

If this grudge went unavenged, she vowed she was not human!

However, given the circumstances, she could only grit her teeth, nod, and withdraw.

"Yes..."

"My lord, please wait a moment. I will do my best!"

Quietly exiting the cave mansion's main gate,

Yu Wen Qianyue's teeth were nearly ground to dust, veins bulging on her face. She was so angered she seemed to age several years in an instant, her features turning somewhat ferocious!

Detestable!

Utterly detestable!

This brat, insulting her again and again! This enmity was irreconcilable!

He merely relied on Guo Jiannan's protection, possessing some cultivation and prestige, yet dared to insult her like this! Once Guo Jiannan is defeated in the future, I will definitely make you die without a burial place!

This kind of second-generation brat would absolutely accomplish nothing great!

Once this person loses all his backing, he will surely fade into obscurity. There are far too many so-called geniuses like that who suddenly fall.

After viciously gritting her teeth and clenching her fists for several breaths,

Yu Wen Qianyue finally regained some composure. Remembering she had to go catch spirit beasts, her cultivation completely gone, her eyes filled with resentment. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and walk towards the mountain forest outside the gate.

At the same time,

A ripple of spatial distortion suddenly wavered in the courtyard.

Yi Feng sat up, puzzled, and muttered in surprise.

"Back so soon?"

"It seems this auntie does have some use after all..."

But as the figure stepped out from the ripple, revealing an old man's face, Yi Feng's eyes widened, and he stood up in delight.

"Brother Guo?"

"I was just thinking about you, and then you show up. What a coincidence."

The newcomer was indeed Guo Jiannan.

Even though he looked somewhat weary, the deep grooves on his face had lessened somewhat, as if he had grown a bit younger. Yi Feng recognized this old brother at a glance and hurriedly poured tea to invite him in.

"Brother, take a seat quickly, and try the clear tea I've brewed!"