Gratitude and Grudges

Guo Jiannan heard the voice and cupped his fists, stepping forward slowly to take a seat.

"Thank you, Brother Yi."

After sitting down, this brother's expression was somewhat grave, his movements also restrained. He did not pick up the tea cup, nor did he offer any casual greetings, seeming to be preoccupied with heavy thoughts.

Seeing this, Yi Feng asked curiously.

"Brother Guo, what's the matter with you?"

"I heard the Blizzard Island was sending people to hunt you down. You don't seem injured, so it shouldn't be anything serious, right?"

Hearing this, Guo Jiannan quickly cupped his fists and raised his eyes with difficulty.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Yi."

"The situation between me and Blizzard Island has reached this point of mutual annihilation, which truly pains my heart. While I am unharmed, this matter will absolutely not be left to rest!"

Listening to the severe words, Yi Feng slightly furrowed his brows and spoke.

"Mutual annihilation?"

"Brother, you founded Blizzard Island with your own hands. How did it come to this? What exactly is the reason behind it?"

Logically speaking.

Guo Jiannan was the founder, at the very least the original chairman. Even if he later lost power, he should still have some reputation and prestige, not ending up in such a state.

Now, after finally seeing the light of day again, he is being hunted by the very force he created. This is truly lamentable.

Seeing Yi Feng's concerned gaze, Guo Jiannan quickly cupped his fists.

A look of reminiscence appeared in his eyes as he let out a long sigh.

"Ah..."

"Brother Yi, you'll laugh at me. It's a long story."

"Tens of thousands of years ago, my good friend Luo Tianbei and I, having achieved some cultivation success, founded Blizzard Island to resist the Demon Clan. Our original intention was to nurture elite younger generations. Who could have imagined that as time passed, our aspirations diverged greatly, finally leading to an irreparable conflict. Luo Tianbei poisoned me at a banquet and sealed me within the Prison of Demonic Suppression."

"The enmity between him and me can only be settled by life or death!"

Hearing this, Yi Feng also felt quite indignant.

"That Luo Tianbei actually poisoned a friend? How despicable and vile! No wonder he previously slandered you for colluding with demons and monsters. I think he's the real monster!"

Guo Jiannan was taken aback upon hearing this, then laughed.

"Oh, hahaha..."

"Clearly distinguishing gratitude from grievance, Brother Yi is truly a man of true character!"

After smiling and praising, Guo Jiannan's eyes were filled with emotion.

"Ah, although I have a life-and-death feud with Luo Tianbei, he hasn't sunk to the level of a demon or monster. Our conflict reaching this point is merely due to differing stances."

"To be frank, the reason we two founded Blizzard Island back then was because the Demon Clan was too powerful. We deeply understood that our own strength was far from sufficient to resist them, which is why we gathered like-minded comrades and placed our hopes on future generations. We were willing to devote resources and effort to nurture prodigies, hoping that one day we might be fortunate enough to cultivate a peerless figure."

"Unfortunately, Luo Tianbei is too stubborn. He always believed that only our human cultivators could be trusted, that the Beast Clan and Sea Clan, being of different races, must harbor ulterior motives. In his eyes, these foreign races were equivalent to demonic creatures and must be clearly demarcated and exterminated!"

Hearing this, Yi Feng frowned in bewilderment.

"Foreign races aren't necessarily all bad either. How can you condemn them all with a single stroke?"

Although Yi Feng hadn't seen much of the world, he had encountered some foreign races, such as a righteous friend like Gui Wanhai. Even though he was from the Sea Clan, his character was beyond reproach. How could they all be bad?

The idea of one's own race being supreme is far too narrow-minded.

These simple, easy-to-understand words immediately elicited an approving fist cupping from Guo Jiannan.

"What Brother Yi says is absolutely right!"

"For you to have such insight, it seems we are truly kindred spirits!"

"That's exactly what I thought back then. Whether from hearsay or from interactions, there were many righteous individuals among foreign races resisting demons. In my humble opinion, the Demon Clan is extremely powerful. Only by uniting all forces to resist them is the best strategy!"

"If the various races fight endlessly for selfish interests, in the long run, it will give the Demon Clan opportunities. What if in the future we are defeated one by one? Wouldn't that be a case of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?"

Yi Feng nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval.

"Brother, you are indeed wise. Facing an unbeatable powerful enemy, only by setting aside personal grievances and uniting can we coexist and prosper together. Such breadth of mind and foresight is truly admirable."

Guo Jiannan, flattered by the praise, wore a look of trepidation and repeatedly cupped his fists.

"You overpraise me, Brother Yi, you overpraise me."

"Actually, I haven't accomplished any great deeds. Back then, I just had some ideas, which is why I joined forces with a few old friends like Tree Venerable to discuss plans for resisting the demons, hoping to select talented youngsters with superior aptitude to nurture within Blizzard Island."

"I never could have imagined that Luo Tianbei's narrow-mindedness had reached a fanatical level. Claiming to be a righteous man, he took advantage of a banquet to poison us and seal us within the Prison of Demonic Suppression."

"That dark realm, meant to imprison demonic creatures, became the final resting place for us, the righteous demon-resisters. Meanwhile, Luo Tianbei, who constantly preached about upholding justice, secluded himself in Blizzard Island to cultivate in seclusion. For tens of thousands of years, no other demonic creatures were sealed into the Prison of Demonic Suppression, as if we were the only demons. The irony of it all is truly bitter!"

Hearing this, Yi Feng finally understood everything.

A close friend who passionately resisted demons actually secretly plotted to frame him. No one would expect such a thing. Truly, one can know a person's face but not their heart! To dedicate one's life to the human race, only to end up labeled as a so-called demonic creature oneself—this injustice cannot be tolerated!

Yi Feng grew angry upon hearing this and immediately nodded solemnly.

"This feud indeed calls for mutual annihilation. You should seek justice from Luo Tianbei."

"Brother Guo, I heard earlier that Blizzard Island was gathering forces to hunt you down. Seeing you are largely unharmed now puts my mind at ease somewhat. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, please tell me truthfully. No matter how dangerous, I will step forward and support you!"

These words were spoken with great sincerity.

Yi Feng was thoroughly disgusted by Luo Tianbei's shamelessness, his anger flaring up instantly. If his brother was in trouble, he would definitely do his utmost to help. It would be even better if he could encounter some danger along the way.

As the words fell.

Guo Jiannan listened, visibly moved, but his expression became conflicted.

He hesitated for a few breaths before slowly rising to his feet, lowering his head with difficulty in a bow.

"Brother Yi, Brother Yi..."

"Your righteous words, I am truly endlessly grateful!"

"It is shameful to say, in the previous battle, although I fought with all my might and killed several of Blizzard Island's Pavilion Elders, Tree Venerable, in order to protect me, exhausted his strength to withstand their formation and was unfortunately sealed away again!"

Yi Feng's eyes widened upon hearing this.

"What?"

"Brother Tree was captured by them?"

Guo Jiannan bowed even lower, his face full of shame!

"Exactly..."

"Tree Venerable was sealed by Blizzard Island's Ten-Man Formation. I also sustained some injuries. Even though I absorbed a considerable amount of Qi, Blood, and Dao Power, I haven't fully refined it yet. My strength hasn't completely recovered, so wanting to save him is beyond my capability."

"Originally, this feud was our private matter. Even if I died, I wouldn't dare to trouble you, Brother Yi. But with Tree Venerable now in their hands, I am truly at my wit's end..."

As he spoke, Guo Jiannan thudded to his knees on the ground, tightly clasping his fists!

"Brother Yi!"

"I shamelessly and boldly beg you, you must save Tree Venerable! If you can rescue him, I will repay you as an ox or a horse, whatever it takes!"

The difficult, anxious tone shocked Yi Feng, filling his heart with a mix of emotions.

At the same time.

Yuwen Qianyue, who had just returned with spirit beasts, also stood frozen at the doorway.

"Brother Yi?"

"Tree Venerable?"

She gazed in quiet confusion into the courtyard, and saw an old man kneeling on his side. An ancient ebony cane lay on the ground beside him, and his entire body radiated an utterly terrifying aura!

Instantly.

Yuwen Qianyue's heart trembled, and her very breath caught in her throat.

That bearing and appearance were undoubtedly Guo Jiannan!

What was even more terrifying...

The Invincible Sword Venerable was actually kneeling before Yi Feng, and even addressing him as 'Brother Yi'?!

This!

How could this be possible!

Yuwen Qianyue was so shocked she froze on the spot, petrified like a stone statue!