The women were all puzzled about why Chu Linfeng suddenly changed his mind and looked at him with confusion, hoping he’d explain. He Juan was particularly at a loss as to why the Sect Leader wasn’t going to check it out. With his current power, wiping out the Dark Forces should be quite easy.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? Not going means not going. Xiao Qiang is a formidable expert at the Fourth Level of Venerable Martial Realm. With just a casual move, he could obliterate the entire Green Frost Sect. Having him there is enough; I don’t have time to watch him kill people. Everyone, go back and prepare. We’ll set off first thing in the morning," Chu Linfeng said.

The women remained silent, knowing that once Chu Linfeng set his mind to something, he wouldn’t change it. They obediently headed back, while Chu Linfeng went with He Juan to the Holy Sword Sect. Although he trusted Xiao Qiang, the Dark Forces were established by the Lonely Demon Venerable. If they ran into the Lonely Demon Venerable, he would need to ensure Xiao Qiang left quickly.

Currently, Xiao Qiang’s position in the Holy Sword Sect was akin to that of a Supreme Emperor. Even the Sect Master of the Holy Sword Sect needed to show deference to him. Both his identity and his strength won the entire sect’s admiration, and a private courtyard became Xiao Qiang’s sole residence, where not even a single servant was allowed.

Chu Linfeng and He Juan headed straight to his courtyard. Due to Chu Linfeng’s special status, no one in the Holy Sword Sect dared to stop them, despite Xiao Qiang’s rule that no one could disturb him without permission. But Chu Linfeng was an exception.

"Xiao Qiang, you brat, living so leisurely here, you’re even making me come in person. Don’t you know I’m busy? Next time, watch out or I’ll give you a beating," Chu Linfeng said as soon as he entered the courtyard, not even having seen where Xiao Qiang was.

Following behind Chu Linfeng, He Juan didn’t speak. Xiao Qiang’s voice then came from inside the house: "I just wanted you to come for a drink. And you can’t say that; the wine these guys found is really not bad. Of course, you were the first person I thought of. Isn’t that considerate? But you haven’t even arrived yet and already plan on beating me up. That’s not very considerate of you, is it?"

Xiao Qiang emerged from the house holding a wine jug, taking large swigs with a satisfied expression on his face. Chu Linfeng’s face turned dark as he angrily said, "I don’t have time to drink with you. Didn’t we discover traces of the Dark Forces? I’m here for that."

"I knew you came for that reason. Since you’re here, let me tell you the truth: we haven’t found any sign of the Dark Forces. I just wanted you to come and drink with me. This wine is much better than what you find in the Netherworld. Why don’t you try it?" Xiao Qiang said with a smile.

"Damn it! My time is valuable, you brat. You’re really asking for a beating, Xiao Qiang. I came here to tell you this: The Dark Forces were established by the Lonely Demon Venerable. If you encounter them and need to eliminate them, be cautious. The Lonely Demon Venerable’s power might even be too much for me to handle. If things look bad, you should know what to do.

I have to return to the Celestial Dragon Empire. Once detected, it’s best to hold your troops until I get back. Don’t underestimate this as it might anger the Lonely Demon Venerable, who could wipe out all the sects in Canglan Ancient Land," Chu Linfeng said seriously.

Xiao Qiang frowned slightly, glanced at He Juan behind Chu Linfeng, and asked, "Is he telling the truth? Is the Lonely Demon Venerable really that powerful?"

He Juan merely nodded, and Chu Linfeng turned to leave. As he departed, he said, "Believe it or not, but just don’t let yourself get killed by the Lonely Demon Venerable before I return from the Celestial Dragon Empire."

After Chu Linfeng left, Xiao Qiang chuckled, saying, "Did you really think I’m an idiot? If he’s that powerful, why would I provoke him? Here, every day has wine and meat—what’s the point of fighting and killing? I’m a good man!" With that, he continued drinking wine and slowly went back into the house.

Chu Linfeng returned and briefly told the women about the Dark Forces to prevent them from worrying. Learning that Xiao Qiang deceived Chu Linfeng into coming made them speechless, but He Juan said that discovering the Dark Forces was true; their location should be near Yunding Mountain. But Yunding Mountain is so mysterious, many who entered never returned, so no one dared to approach recklessly.

"Oh, I see. After I leave, you’ll handle the sect’s affairs fully. As for the Dark Forces, I think it’s best not to get involved for now; wait for my return before making any decisions," Chu Linfeng told He Juan.

With everything arranged, the time for their departure had come. The next morning, Chu Linfeng got up early. Having not truly felt the change from day to night for over two years, it felt uniquely slow. Soon, the women also came out, all dressed beautifully, causing Chu Linfeng’s eyes to brighten.

"Are you going on blind dates? Why are you all so pretty? Afraid others won’t know you’re my women?" Chu Linfeng joked.

"Stop the nonsense. Let’s go! I want to see what your other women look like, to make you think about them so much," Ye Suping said. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Has the Teleportation Array in Celestial Fragrance Pavilion been destroyed?" Chu Linfeng asked.

"There’s a Teleportation Array established by special request at the corner of the Green Frost Sect’s Martial Arts Training Ground that goes directly to Celestial Ape’s West King Hall in Magic Beast Forest," Ye Suping said.

"Then let’s go see how this Teleportation Array works," Chu Linfeng smiled as he and the women approached the Teleportation Array.

Glancing at the Teleportation Array, Chu Linfeng said, "This array can transport over ten people at a time; not bad. Everyone, step in!"

In just a few breaths, the group appeared at the entrance of the Teleportation Array in West King Hall. The Magical Beasts guarding the array surrounded it upon sensing energy fluctuations, their faces filled with surprise when they saw Chu Linfeng and his company emerge.

Many in West King Hall knew Chu Linfeng, for previously, someone who didn’t recognize him was beaten half to death. Later, Celestial Ape came up with a solution to have Chu Linfeng’s portrait drawn, so all the Magical Beasts would remember him and avoid mistakes in the future.

One Magical Beast quickly dashed off toward West King Hall, clearly to report the news. The others respectfully said to Chu Linfeng, "Greetings, Young Master Chu!"

Feeling a bit awkward, Chu Linfeng waved them off, saying, "You can all withdraw. I’ll walk around on my own. The way Celestial Ape manages West King Hall’s defense is quite impressive."

Chu Linfeng and the women leisurely walked toward West King Hall and soon saw a group racing toward them, reaching them in the blink of an eye.

Among the newcomers were naturally Celestial Ape and the Elder Guardians of West King Hall, but Chu Linfeng also spotted the Barbaric Earth Dragon and the Golden Demon Vulture. Upon seeing Chu Linfeng, the two immediately shouted, "Boss!"