Chen Xuan calmly descended from the sky amidst the stunned gazes of disciples and Elders alike.

His robes were spotless, and he appeared completely unharmed despite the earlier battle.

Without saying a word, he waved his hand, wrapping Huo Ling’er and Su Ying in his Spiritual Energy before returning to the Spirit Stone mine.

Only after several seconds did the disciples dare breathe again.

"Peak Master Chen is mighty! He alone forced the Bloodforge Sect to retreat!"

"Idiot! Didn’t you hear Peak Master Duan’s words?" a nearby disciple snapped, smacking the speaker on the back of the head.

"That woman was a member of the Myriad Souls Sect! That’s a sect on the same level as our Jade Pure Sect! What is a mere Bloodforge Sect in the eyes of Peak Master Chen?!"

The disciples’ voices were loud, though it was unclear whether they were simply enthusiastic or hoped for their praise to reach Chen Xuan’s ears.

Watching their frivolous behavior, Duan Feng grumbled.

Recalling his own "accomplishment" of being chased across the sky, his expression darkened.

"Enough!" he shouted, "Don’t you have anything better to do? Everyone, return to your posts!"

His voice was icy.

Sensing his anger and terrifying gaze, the disciples shrank back and scrambled to flee.

However, some harbored rebellious thoughts in their minds.

’Hmph! Do you think we didn’t see you being chased all over the place?’

’You would have been dead if it weren’t for Peak Master Chen. How can you be so arrogant now?’

Such thoughts surfaced in the minds of most Yin Yang Peak disciples. But more strangely, they began to take root in the minds of some Alchemy Peak disciples as well.

--

Back at his residence, Chen Xuan settled the pale Huo Ling’er on one side of the bed and Su Ying on the other.

A look of disgust crossed his face as he scanned the two women.

"You two are women after all. You should be more cautious in the future," he said, waving his hand dismissively, "How can you become so bloody in just a small skirmish? Are you members of the Jade Pure Sect or demonic cultivators?"

Glancing at the two blood-covered women, Chen Xuan was momentarily speechless.

Especially when he saw enemy blood dripping from his disciple’s "petite" fists.

Su Ying was one thing. He had long grown accustomed to her brutish fighting methods.

But how had Huo Ling’er turned out like this?

Instead of utilizing her Holy Body, the Nirvana Phoenix Art, and her Vision to fight like a fairy, this girl had chosen to smash her enemies’ heads open with her bare fists.

’No! This cannot go on. Having one Su Ying is enough! Huo Ling’er must become like her Master!’ he thought.

Deciding he must teach her a lesson, Chen Xuan’s divine sense poured out.

It wrapped around Huo Ling’er’s body and, with a faint click, activated her magic weapon.

A fluffy, round costume instantly appeared, enveloping her figure.

Huo Ling’er transformed into a cute panda, as the suit rapidly absorbed her injuries.

Chen Xuan nodded secretly, satisfied with her new appearance. Naturally, none of this showed on his face.

"Since you plan to focus on close-quarters combat, you should make better use of this panda costume. In my opinion, it would be best if you kept this magic weapon activated at all times."

"If I see you fighting like a savage in the future, I’ll ask Peak Master Tang to modify it accordingly," he stated.

Huo Ling’er’s face flushed a deep red. Glancing at Su Ying on the side, who was struggling to stifle her laughter, her embarrassment only deepened.

’Hmph! I want to see if you will dare to fight like a barbarian in the future.’ Chen Xuan thought.

But just as a smug smile was about to appear, his expression darkened again.

He recalled the earlier fight and suddenly had the urge to pry open Huo Ling’er’s skull to see what exactly was going on inside.

"What were you thinking, revealing your Vision?" he scolded, "Are you worried the demonic faction won’t target you?"

"Brilliant! Now, even if news of your Vision hadn’t spread before, everyone will soon know!"

Chen Xuan felt a massive headache coming on.

Huo Ling’er’s ability to cause trouble was perhaps only matched by Xiao Huo.

Now, in the conflicts to come, she would surely become a prime target. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators might personally move to assassinate her.

’Is this how talented cultivators are? Will I have to deal with this kind of nonsense if I take in a couple more disciples?’

’No! My next disciple must be a pacifist! It would be best if they stayed in their cave all day!’

Countless thoughts raced through Chen Xuan’s mind while the two women remained silent.

Huo Ling’er was too ashamed to speak, while Su Ying seemed to enjoy the spectacle.

Just as Chen Xuan noticed her smirk and prepared to scold her as well, his expression suddenly shifted.

A small mirror emerged from his spatial ring, reflecting the outline of a heroic woman.

Chen Xuan stared at it for a few seconds, and various contradictory emotions flickered on his face.

His gaze sharpened, and a terrifying pressure erupted from his body. His sudden surge of momentum stunned both Huo Ling’er and Su Ying, locking them in place.

Before the two could question what happened, Chen Xuan had vanished. The two could only speculate.

But judging from the seriousness in Chen Xuan’s expression, it was obvious that whatever had occurred was far from good.

--

While Huo Ling’er and Su Ying remained confused, Chen Xuan had long left the Spirit Stone mine behind him.

He still gripped the mirror tightly with his hand as Qian Lingxue’s voice echoed in his mind.

"Junior Brother, we’ve investigated the attack you previously reported. The spies at the border have discovered the true purpose behind the Bloodforge Sect’s raid."

’It appears the attack on the Spirit Stone mine was merely a diversion. Or rather, one of many targeted strikes," she said, her voice growing increasingly solemn.

"While the Bloodforge Sect was attacking the mine, several medium-tier demonic forces entered our territory. In a very short time, the cities along the borderlands have suffered heavy casualties."

Listening to her report, Chen Xuan’s face grew grim.

Ignoring the consumption of his Spiritual Energy, he urged his Nascent Soul and accelerated even further.