The reason was simple: once the Spring Rejuvenation Art was deployed, regardless of whether the afflicted person could ultimately be saved, the caster was inevitably going to expend a great deal of their life essence, possibly even dying on the spot from utter depletion!

Cao Guofeng smiled faintly. "This old man has lived for over a thousand years, and yet I still haven't lived enough. However, I absolutely cannot stand by and watch such an unparalleled genius be destroyed before my eyes! The Three Great Holy Lands may envy talent and plot against it, striking preemptively, but this old man will never commit such an act! Those who cling to life are not necessarily afraid of death!"

With that, he seized the wrist of the youth in his embrace, channeling his supremely pure Profound Qi inexorably and unreservedly into the boy...

This dying youth, possessing the 'Ethereal Physique,' was naturally the young master Jun Moxie. At this moment, a torrent of emotion surged through Young Master Jun. Cao Guofeng’s complete and selfless care filled Jun Moxie with profound shame.

Because Cao Guofeng was so genuinely invested in his life and death, yet Jun Moxie was using that very sincerity to deceive him. Although Cao Guofeng's ultimate goal still concerned the Misty Illusionary Manor, Jun Moxie felt his own actions were deeply despicable.

As Cao Guofeng enacted the Spring Rejuvenation Art, Jun Moxie distinctly felt the rapid drain on Cao Guofeng’s own vitality. He sighed inwardly and subtly reversed the Creation of Heaven and Earth Skill, routing the life essence Cao Guofeng was expending back into him through a peculiar form of air reflux.

This method first forced the energy into the surrounding air, and then, enveloped by the Creation Skill, it seeped back into Cao Guofeng’s body. While the speed was slower, unable to match Cao Guofeng’s output rate, it possessed the advantage of stability, making it unlikely to be detected.

Furthermore, the life source energy, having been processed by the Creation Skill, actually became more resilient. Consequently, Cao Guofeng, who had recklessly unleashed a forbidden technique, ended up benefiting, his lifespan seeing a considerable extension.

Jun Moxie felt a slight easing of the pressure in his own heart: "At least this way, I have somewhat compensated you. I haven't let you suffer a complete loss..."

As for whether they would be allies or enemies in the future, that could wait. I will try my best not to harm you, he told himself silently, his eyes closed.

For the sake of Dugu Xiaoyi and Guan Qinghan, I had no choice.

Because if I had asked directly, you certainly would not have given it. What I need is not a small sum...

Please allow me this one selfish act!

I am sorry!

Jun Moxie had always been self-centered before, having committed countless selfish acts, but this time, witnessing Cao Guofeng unhesitatingly use his own life force to extend his, he felt a genuine, deep tremor.

If he had killed Cao Guofeng in a face-to-face battle, Jun Moxie would not have felt a shred of guilt; even if Cao Guofeng were a Sage, it wouldn't matter... Taking it a step further, if he were truly gravely injured, there would be extenuating circumstances, but now... he wasn't injured...

"A person's conscience, ah, what a strange thing. Even a cold-blooded man like myself can generate such complex emotions..."

Jun Moxie gave a wry smile to himself and said nothing more.

Watching Cao Guofeng ceaselessly outputting his Profound Qi, with wisps of pale smoke continually rising above his head, Bai Qifeng frowned. "Big Brother, this matter perhaps requires further deliberation. While a suitable successor with the Ethereal Physique is exceedingly rare, look at the state the boy is in now. Is it truly worth us risking so much for him? Since the enemy brought him back half-dead, there might be some larger scheme at play! Setting aside other concerns, what if this child's consciousness was already destroyed by that other person? Even if his body is saved by our Manor's ultimate treasure, his mind might not be recoverable! If we save a simpleton, what good is his Ethereal Physique? This aspect must be guarded against; it must be guarded against."

The young master, only pretending to be severely injured, cursed inwardly, Bastard, you’re the simpleton! Your whole family are simpletons! When this young master has the energy, I’ll turn you into a fool, daring to speak ill of your young master!

Cao Guofeng merely smiled, shaking his head faintly, uttering no sound.

"Big Brother, setting aside that possibility, just consider the heavy drain on our Profound Qi just to sustain this child... If the enemy has laid an ambush further along our path, not only will this child perish, but it’s highly likely that all seven of us brothers... could meet our ends midway. Isn't this wager too high?"

Seeing he couldn't sway him, Bai Qifeng grew more anxious.

There were simply too many suspicious aspects to this sudden turn of events, which naturally made Bai Qifeng overthink. Consider it: the Ethereal Physique is rarely seen since antiquity, how incredibly precious! Yet the enemy could bear to mutilate it to this extent before sending it back... If there wasn't a significant scheme involved, why do this?

What if this is a trap... the consequences then are truly unimaginable!

"What you say is absolutely correct!"

Cao Guofeng finally spoke slowly. "Everything before us is clearly a trap! This old man already grasped that fact earlier. But this trap is also one we are forced to leap into! Even knowing that jumping in means nine deaths out of ten, or even certain death, we must jump!"

He smiled thinly. "For the thousands of years the Misty Illusionary Manor has stood, we have gathered talent aplenty, producing endless streams of genius cultivators. But a possessor of the Ethereal Physique like this has never before appeared in our history. This limitation imposes a massive ceiling on our Manor's development... especially now, when, by a stroke of fate, an Evil Monarch, Jun Moxie, has emerged in the outside world! Qifeng, though we of this generation still harbor ambition, it cannot mask the reality that we are growing old. Where else can greater hope lie? But the Manor must endure, and it must endure for 'a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations,' eternally!"

When Cao Guofeng finished speaking, Bai Qifeng, who had been about to offer further counsel, finally refrained, merely letting out a long sigh and lowering his head.

"And this youth before us is the very focus of our Manor's future hope! The terrifying potential of the Ethereal Physique is inherently unparalleled. I strongly believe this youth must have encountered some other miraculous fortune previously, one that allowed him to maintain the Ethereal Physique—which normally vanishes if a master is not found in youth—all the way until now! Furthermore, he must have established an exceptionally solid foundation of Profound Qi. You and I both understand exactly what these things signify! The future development of this youth, favored by great destiny, is absolutely limitless! Perhaps not inferior to that Jun Moxie!"

Cao Guofeng once again increased the speed at which he infused his Profound Qi and looked up. "We are currently at a delicate juncture, beset by both internal strife and external enemies. Since we have been granted such a monumental opportunity again, how could we possibly abandon it lightly? Even if the seven of us were all to perish here this time, we absolutely cannot give up! Even if there is only a thread of hope, we must safely escort this youth with the Ethereal Physique back to the Manor! We cannot avoid this risk!"

"If we abandon this youth today for the sake of our own safety, then should the Manor ever face disaster and ruin in the future, all blame will stem from us! We would be the eternal sinners who caused the downfall of the Misty Illusionary Manor!"

Cao Guofeng stated heavily.

"Big Brother’s sagacity and foresight are impeccable; what you said is absolutely correct. I was indeed too shortsighted just now."

A flash of shame crossed Bai Qifeng’s face. "The Manor’s kindness to me, Bai, is as great as a mountain. Since things have reached this point, I will use this life of mine, Bai Qifeng’s life, to ensure this child is sent back safely!"

The other five men looked solemn, nodding gravely, their expressions full of resolved determination!

Cao Guofeng smiled with satisfaction. "Since that is settled, let us depart quickly! This old man concedes his power is superior, so I shall take full responsibility for guarding during this first stretch, until my strength flags. Then, you will proceed in turn, following my method. It is imperative that he feels not the slightest jolt, avoiding any unforeseen changes!"

Saying this, Bai Qifeng agreed and darted forward, preempting Cao Guofeng. "I will clear the path."

Cao Guofeng, clutching Young Master Jun’s body that was "gravely injured," followed closely behind Bai Qifeng. The remaining five men circled Cao Guofeng tightly, and the seven of them formed what looked like the most impenetrable circular formation, charging forward at high speed!

Seven figures moved with lightning speed. Despite traversing dense forest, they made not a sound! Clearly, these masters of the Saint Emperor level were all men whose reputations were well-earned.

Yet, at this moment, all seven experts were on high alert, spreading their Divine Sense out across the land like a vast net, with the surrounding dozens of li falling within their detection range.

As they traveled, they neared the exit of the mountain range, and the terrifying opposition they expected had remained utterly silent.

When things are abnormally quiet, there must be trouble. These seven were all veterans of complex situations; far from relaxing their vigilance, they heightened their guard!

Since the enemy has set up such an obvious trap, how could they expect us to escape so easily?

This same thought was held in the hearts of all seven.

After covering some distance, Cao Guofeng suddenly felt an anomaly within his own body: although his Profound Power was indeed supreme among them, he had just performed the life-essence draining Spring Rejuvenation Art. Rationally, his physical condition should be far weaker than usual. Yet, his body showed absolutely no abnormality, and in channeling his Profound Qi on such a grand scale, he felt no sign of exhaustion; in fact, his spirit seemed to be growing even stronger.

This peculiar phenomenon was utterly different from the common 'last burst of energy before death,' and it filled Cao Guofeng with delight: Could it be that my luck has exploded today? After expending massive life essence and using a secret art, I’m actually in peak condition? Truly bizarre!

But whatever the cause, this situation developing before him was a good thing, not a bad one! As long as he conserved his strength, even if they encountered the enemy, the danger might not be immense! Even if this state is merely a 'last burst,' as long as he can hold out until they return to the Manor, even if it costs his life, it will absolutely be worth it! (To be continued, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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