Chapter 136: Tearing Off the Mask

"What is a Heavenly Divine Wood?" Chen Yuyi couldn't help but ask.

The Flood Dragon King did not answer him, but instead murmured, "No wonder this place is so rich in spiritual energy; it is because of the existence of this Divine Wood. Chen Yuyi, you have truly struck it rich this time! Keep this piece of Divine Wood safe; it will be of great importance in the future!"

Although the Flood Dragon King did not explain exactly what the wood was, Chen Yuyi didn't need to think twice to know that anything the Flood Dragon King called a "Divine Wood" must be a supreme treasure.

He immediately stroked the head of the black fire cat a few times and tucked the Divine Wood away.

"Very well, this place has been completely picked clean; there is no need to stay any longer." Chen Yuyi was becoming concerned about the situation outside. He had spent a long time in this subterranean world, and he could not be certain of what was happening above. In any case, since everything here had been looted, the place held no further significance for him.

The Flood Dragon King flew out at that moment. "In that case, let me serve as your mount for once and fly you out!"

Chen Yuyi held the black fire cat in his arms. "Can I not fly myself?"

"You? You are still far from it. What you did before can hardly be called flying. Let me show you what real flight is!"

Chen Yuyi smiled faintly. His own method, indeed, could not be called true flight; it was at most a form of hovering in the air. Without further hesitation, he leapt onto the back of the Flood Dragon King.

"Hold on tight!" the Flood Dragon King bellowed, and instantly, all Chen Yuyi could hear was the roar of the wind.

***

Inside the main hall of the Medicine King Sect, Ye Mei watched Yao Wuji and the members of the sect with cold, indifferent eyes, though her brows were slightly furrowed.

It turned out that because Chen Yuyi had not emerged after half a month, and no sound had come from the valley, the sect members began to suspect that he might never return. Consequently, they were growing restless and had begun to harbor intentions of a coup. After all, the Medicine King Sect possessed a legacy spanning hundreds of years, and they were unwilling to see it fall into the hands of an outsider.

Initially, Yao Wuji had been apprehensive, but since Chen Yuyi had originally claimed he would only be inside for a few days, and more than ten had passed, Yao Wuji began to wonder if the Immortal Master Chen had truly perished within that secret vault. While he didn't dare to act on his own, the high-ranking elders had been whispering in his ear. Furthermore, because Ye Mei was merely a woman with limited cultivation, they felt deep resentment toward her authority, and these sentiments naturally began to influence him.

Today, the elders had invited him to a secret meeting where they argued that he was the rightful Young Sect Master, and if the Immortal Master was dead, they should reclaim the sect. Unable to withstand their instigation—and having grown accustomed to his status as the Young Sect Master—he felt no desire to remain subservient to others.

"Miss Ye, the Immortal Master has been inside for more than half a month now. I fear there is little chance he will survive and return. You are not a member of our Medicine King Sect; you do not know how perilous that vault truly is!"

A senior elder spoke up. To them, the secret vault was no longer a secret, and this elder knew its dangers better than anyone, having once accompanied the former Sect Master and been attacked by the savage beasts within. He assumed that the Immortal Master, relying on his own prowess, had likely become arrogant and been devoured. Though his conjecture didn't receive immediate support, as the days wore on, the others began to share his view. Deep down, they harbored great hatred for the Immortal Master, and their thoughts naturally leaned toward the worst-case scenario.

They began to crave the reclamation of the sect, though they still lacked the courage to act. Yao Wuji, still feeling a lingering fear of Chen Yuyi, found that fear beginning to erode as the days passed. Thus, the gathering in the main hall took place.

"Do you people really think the Immortal Master will be satisfied only when he turns you all into corpses?" Ye Mei was worried, but she trusted Chen Yuyi would return safely. However, the situation was turning against her. The members of the Medicine King Sect in the hall were all stronger than she was; her own cultivation was only at a rudimentary level, and she would be powerless to defend herself if they attacked.

"Miss Ye, the Immortal Master has been in there so long without a sound. We are concerned for him. Why don't you go in and check? Perhaps he is still inside!" Another senior member suggested with a hidden, sinister smile. His intentions were malicious: if Ye Mei entered the vault and died, it would be no concern of theirs. Even if Chen Yuyi returned later, they could shift the blame onto Ye Mei, claiming she had entered out of concern for him. His suggestion was immediately met with silent, approving gestures from the others.

"Indeed, Miss Ye, we are only worried about the Immortal Master. I see you are worried too—why don't we send two people with you to the vault to look for him?" another person chimed in.

Yao Wuji remained silent, merely watching Ye Mei’s reaction.

"The Immortal Master possesses power beyond human capability. I am worried, but I trust him more. He might just walk out today!" Ye Mei said coldly. She saw through their schemes clearly.

Seeing that she had not taken the bait, the members of the Medicine King Sect exchanged glances, and their eyes began to gleam with malice.

"Miss Ye, forgive my bluntness, but our sect's heritage of hundreds of years is not something for an outsider to control. If the Immortal Master has not returned, you should either go to the vault to look for him or find a place to rest. We won't make things difficult for you, but it is best you stop interfering in the affairs of the Medicine King Sect!" the senior elder said, no longer bothering with pleasantries. In his mind, Chen Yuyi was as good as dead.

"Have you all forgotten how you knelt before the Immortal Master?" Ye Mei countered, her gaze icy.

"If the Immortal Master were to reappear, I would naturally kneel before him again, but I fear he cannot come out now!" the elder said, brushing his sleeve.

"Besides, our Young Sect Master is still here. This legacy cannot fall into the hands of an outsider for no reason!" another elder added, dropping all pretenses.

Yao Wuji stepped forward. "Regardless of whether the Immortal Master is alive or dead, Miss Ye, do you truly have the capability to manage our sect?"

Ye Mei glanced at him and let out a light laugh. "You, a cripple, think you can manage the Medicine King Sect?"

Yao Wuji’s face darkened, and he glared at her. "How dare you be so insolent in front of me!" Emboldened by the elders' posturing, his courage had returned.

The senior elder stepped forward. "The Medicine King Sect is not some secular business. What qualifications do you have to govern it?"

As they moved, the members of the sect completely dropped their masks. In their eyes, Ye Mei was defenseless, and they had no reason to fear her. Combined with their assumption that Chen Yuyi had perished, they felt emboldened.

Ye Mei stepped back. "Are you truly not afraid of the Immortal Master returning?"

"If he could come out, he would have done so long ago!"

The members of the Medicine King Sect closed in on Ye Mei. She retreated until she reached a wall, with nowhere left to go.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the hall.

"You all certainly have a lot of nerve!"

The members of the Medicine King Sect were startled and turned around in shock.

There, standing atop a massive flood dragon and holding a small black cat, was a figure descending like a god, looking down at them with an indifferent expression.

Who else could it be but the Immortal Master Chen?

Instantly, their hearts nearly leaped out of their chests. Their legs went weak, and they collapsed to the floor, unable to climb back up...