"Whose disciple is he doesn't matter, does it? After all, we are all working for the future of Huanfu. On this foundation, a good teacher is naturally required," the Palace Master said with a sanctimonious air.

Cao Guofeng was struck dumb.

This was precisely what he had intended to say, but the other had preempted him.

"Palace Master... he has already formally accepted me as his master. You... you... you can't just seize him like this, this... this is improper," Cao Guofeng was so agitated he nearly stomped his feet and beat his chest.

"What does that matter? Once his injuries have healed, you can simply expel him from your tutelage. That is absolutely not a problem; I won't mind it at all," the Palace Master declared cheerfully.

Huh? You won't mind? Of course, you won't mind, but I will mind, and we seven brothers will mind very much...

Bai Qifeng stepped forward and stated heavily, "Palace Master, allow me to elaborate. To bring back this youth possessing the Ethereal Body, Brother Cao risked falling out with the Three Great Sacred Lands, argued extensively with Zhan Mubai, and even fought fierce battles against He Zhiqiu and Hui Wuya. Furthermore... halfway here, we were ambushed by those scoundrels from the Three Great Sacred Lands. If it hadn't been for Brother Cao holding the line and everyone fighting for their lives, we would have been completely wiped out. And that's not all—before the ambush, this Ethereal Body youth was grievously wounded by the villains, his life hanging by a thread. If Brother Cao hadn't risked himself, expending his own lifespan to use the Reversion Technique to save him, he would have perished long ago!"

As Bai Qifeng spoke, his agitation grew: "And what's more, just a short while ago, as we approached Huanfu, we were subjected to a fatal ambush by the Fourteenth Young Master of the Nine Netherworld. If that harbinger of death hadn't suddenly been called away in haste, all of us would have died violently! Palace Master, the sacrifices Brother Cao has made for this youth are too numerous to count, and moreover, this is the only disciple Brother Cao has deemed worthy in hundreds of years!"

He did not say the rest aloud, but the last sentence carried immense weight, clearly implying: You cannot take him from him! No one can snatch him away! Even you, the Palace Master, are no exception! Bai Qifeng's lean face was etched with intense indignation, his gaze burning so fiercely it was almost impossible to look at!

Seeing Bai Qifeng's furious state, it was clear that if the Palace Master insisted on claiming the youth, Bai Qifeng might genuinely erupt in curses, perhaps even resorting to physical violence.

The assembly fell into a momentary silence; they truly had not realized the extent of Cao Guofeng's sacrifices for this Ethereal Body. The grand hall instantly became heavy with tension. After a brief pause, a sharp voice suddenly cut through the air: "Bai Qifeng! How dare you speak like that? Mind your attitude! Are you addressing the Palace Master? This is utterly putting the inferior above the superior—is there no longer any sense of hierarchy!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Qifeng became even more enraged and wheeled around, about to shout down the speaker.

The Palace Master simply raised a hand and smiled lightly: "The words of Saint Emperor Bai possess their own logic. Since Saint Emperor Cao has paid such a heavy price for this child, indeed, this seat should not steal another's glory! Very well, this child shall remain under the tutelage of Saint Emperor Cao. Furthermore, although Saint Emperor Bai’s words just now were slightly rash, they stemmed from genuine concern for his sworn brother, a pure sincerity that should not be blamed. For Huanfu to possess individuals of such pure-hearted dedication, we should reward them, not hold grudges."

"Yes, the Palace Master is magnanimous. Our hearts are truly swayed," everyone bowed in unison.

The Palace Master took a couple of steps and smiled again: "Swayed by what? Weren't you just coveting another's fine disciple moments ago?! In retrospect, wasn't this merely a reflection of your own insufficient cultivation? In truth, regardless of whose lineage he follows, is he not still the common wealth of Huanfu? The very reason Saint Emperor Cao braved life and death for this child, even expending his vital energy for the Reversion Technique, was it only for himself? Everything was done for the greater structure of Huanfu. It is Saint Emperor Cao's magnanimity that truly deserves our awe!"

Cao Guofeng said with a wry smile, "The Palace Master overpraises me."

The arduousness of this journey, recalled now in a brief moment, was already soul-stirring. In all the hundreds of years he had lived, no experience, no moment of shocking danger or brush with death, compared to this single expedition!

The Palace Master chuckled: "Since everyone's starting point is for the sake of Huanfu, why should we continue to argue? How about this... this child's primary master will be Saint Emperor Cao, considered Cao Saint Emperor's direct successor. However, while Cao Saint Emperor teaches him the Profound Arts, if any of you possess unique secret skills, please do not be stingy; pass them on when time permits. A heaven-sent talent with an Ethereal Body like this—the sooner he grows, the sooner our Huanfu, despite its internal strife, will grow stronger. What do you all think?"

"The Palace Master is wise; this proposal is perfectly suited. We agree," everyone bowed deeply.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached from afar. The sound indicated they were hundreds of zhang away moments before, yet in the next instant, they were inside the grand hall. Clearly, the people sent to retrieve the Seven-Colored Sacred Fruit had returned.

Simultaneously, with whistling sounds of air displacement, several figures shot into the hall. An aged voice asked impatiently, "Did I hear correctly that the manor has found a youth possessing the Ethereal Body?"

Then followed a cacophony of seven or eight voices questioning him, the noise filled with anxiety and disbelief. After all, this news had arrived too suddenly!

The speakers were about to appear before them, and even these hermits possessing centuries or millennia of profound cultivation could barely suppress their excitement! In the next moment, seven or eight aged faces hovered above Jun Moxie’s body, scrutinizing him like the most exquisite work of art, gazing at him with extreme adoration, as if examining the most magnificent treasure. Following that, seven or eight hands reached out, touching him from head to toe, thoroughly examining every part...

Jun Moxie nearly sprang up. Heavens above, Earth below, I’ve just been groped by a pack of old men! Damn it all... "Why do I suddenly feel like one of those Japanese AV actresses?"

"It is indeed... it is truly the legendary Ethereal Body..." The old men murmured woodenly, speaking in dreamlike tones. The legend had truly appeared before their eyes, and amidst their excitement, the assembled masters offered endless admiration.

"Such miraculous natural talent is indeed beyond the comparison of mortals. My Dao is not without successors!" Then, one old man hopped about in fury, scratching his head and beard in desperation: "This genius is already so grievously injured, why hasn't he been healed yet? What if he dies unfortunately?"

Everyone present had dark lines on their faces. If it weren't for these old fellows showing up, they would have first confirmed whether this boy was truly the Ethereal Body before deciding—to avoid wasting the manor's most precious spirit fruit. By now, the Seven-Colored Sacred Fruit would have already been consumed, and he would have been revived and largely healed.

And now they were blaming others...! The Palace Master coughed lightly: "Martial Uncle... no need to rush; this youth is temporarily not in mortal danger."

"Why is he not in mortal danger? What kind of sight do you possess? This old man sees grave danger! Look... everything here is turning black, even his tongue is stiffening; he could become a corpse of the Ethereal Body at any moment! And you still say there's no rush! Has your brain filled with water!" The old man jumped up, spittle flying, clearly genuinely alarmed. Otherwise, despite his esteemed status and seniority above the Palace Master, he would never speak so rudely to a regional leader.

The Palace Master repeatedly coughed and immediately gave orders: "Bring the Sacred Fruit!"

He resolved to ignore these old men further; if he continued arguing with them, the Ethereal Body would surely expire before they finished.

Snap, a light sound, seemingly the unsealing of something, released a strange, transcendent fragrance. Instantly, the entire grand hall was filled with aromas like orchid and musk, wave after wave of ethereal scent, making anyone who smelled it feel a surge of comfort and a refreshing jolt to the spirit.

The Palace Master personally took the Sacred Fruit, walked to Jun Moxie’s side, and gently peeled open a fissure in the rind with his finger. The ripe pulp instantly transformed into a stream of spiritual liquid.

Next, Jun Moxie felt something gently pressed against his chin, his mouth slightly opened, and a cool liquid dripped into his mouth. It slid down his throat and esophagus—sweet, intensely sweet, delicious without being cloying, absolutely wonderful...

Young Master Jun was savoring the taste, mouth slightly agape, waiting for the next drop. A fruit this delicious, he wouldn't mind eating one or eight hundred a day...

Another fragrance wafted over, followed by another cool liquid drop. Jun Moxie blissfully awaited enjoyment, but this time, an overwhelmingly bitter taste assaulted his taste buds.

He almost immediately gagged, but Young Master Jun remembered his status; a severely injured body supposedly shouldn't move. He endured it stiffly...

Is this the Seven-Colored Sacred Fruit or Coptis root? Damn, how can it be this bitter? It seems even Coptis root isn't this harsh?!

While he was lost in thought, another liquid entered his mouth—this time, it was spicy! If Young Master Jun hadn't possessed the Primal Creation Divine Art, allowing him to control his body's reactions freely, he might have broken out in a sweat from the spiciness. Before the lingering heat of the spice faded, sourness followed immediately. Young Master Jun felt as if he had been submerged in a pickling vat—it was too sour, truly too sour!

Before he could contemplate it further, saltiness arrived next...

After consuming all seven Sacred Fruits in sequence, Jun Moxie suddenly felt a burst of flame erupting from his Dantian. In an instant, it burned through his limbs and bones. Seven streams of immense power coursed through his body before converging into an even mightier torrent in the Dantian area.

Then, with an exceptionally gentle and steady pace, slowly yet firmly, it began to advance into the meridians!