"What exactly happened? How did you escape? Are you injured?"
Although Immortal Venerable Yu Heng was pleasantly surprised, his expression remained unchanged as his gaze locked onto the two, seemingly trying to discern something.
Li Taiqing and Su Ming exchanged a glance, and Li Taiqing spoke up, his voice clear:
"Reporting to the Peak Master, I indeed had some conflicts with the Golden Crow Clan Cultivators. Senior Brother Su was also implicated because of me and encountered danger, but... fortunately, we received secret help from an expert and turned peril into safety. The specific details involve that Senior's privacy, so it is inconvenient to elaborate."
His tone was flat as he briefly described the matter.
Li Taiqing's voice fell.
Su Ming also chimed in:
"It was a private decision made by the two of us. If the Sect decides to assign blame, we are willing to bear the consequences."
They had already coordinated before coming, so naturally, they wouldn't reveal any secrets.
Upon hearing this.
Several Peak Masters fell silent. If other Disciples had spoken to them in such a tone, they would have long since been enraged.
But these two were different.
The news of Li Taiqing alone slaying seven Taiyi Golden Immortals of the Golden Crow Clan had already spread throughout the world. Although the insider details were unknown, there was no doubt that his strength was definitely at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, and no one could underestimate him.
"It is good that you two are fine. The Golden Crow Clan's actions have already openly torn up the treaty, and the Human Race powerhouses have already gone to demand accountability. You are heroes of the Sect, so how can there be any talk of guilt?"
Immortal Venerable Yu Xuan also immediately began to comfort the two.
While Immortal Venerable Chang Geng kept repeating this phrase:
"It's good that you're okay..."
What kind of figures were these Peak Masters? Naturally, they couldn't do anything absurd.
Setting aside the fact that the two hadn't done anything wrong, even if they had, Lingxu Heavenly Palace couldn't possibly abandon two prodigies who might achieve the Daluo rank in the future. This was the true Foundation of the Sect.
In a time of peace, it might be one thing, but now that the two races were at war, what did it matter if a Taiyi Golden Immortal died?
In a war between two races, if Daluo or even Hunyuan-level experts fought over the death of a single Taiyi Golden Immortal, it would only allow other forces to take advantage of the situation.
However, the Peak Masters were also secretly shocked. To easily rescue someone from the hands of a Golden Crow Clan Daluo Immortal King and make the entire Golden Crow Clan seemingly afraid to speak out about it...
What kind of existence must that be?
The few of them were also tactful and didn't continue to press for answers, instead letting the two go rest, while they still needed to communicate with the Old Ancestors of Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
Seeing that the Sect didn't delve further, Su Ming and Li Taiqing also breathed a sigh of relief.
The two looked at each other, smiled, and returned to the Myriad Phenomena Garden together.
"This time was truly perilous. If it weren't for Master, I'm afraid I wouldn't have escaped this calamity,"
Li Taiqing sighed.
Su Ming also nodded and said:
"Let's hurry back and let them know we're safe."
When Li Taiqing and Su Ming entered the Myriad Phenomena Garden, a familiar and peaceful aura washed over them, and their long-tensed heartstrings finally relaxed completely.
To the two of them, the Myriad Phenomena Garden was no different from home.
"Eldest Senior Brother! Senior Brother Su! You're finally back!"
A shout like muffled thunder exploded.
Lin Potian, whose physique was as robust as a small mountain, rushed over like a cannonball. His fan-like large hand grabbed Li Taiqing's shoulder with such force that even Li Taiqing swayed slightly:
"You're finally back!
These past few days, I couldn't even settle down to Cultivate! I heard you were besieged by those old birds of the Golden Crow Clan? Are you hurt anywhere?"
As he spoke, he looked the two up and down.
"We're fine. The Golden Crow Clan is just a bunch of rabble,"
Su Ming replied with a laugh, completely omitting the fact that he had been captured.
Immediately after, Xiao Bai jumped down from a tree, its words somewhat biting:
"Hmph! I knew you'd go out and cause trouble!"
"If it weren't for the Lin kid and me going to beg Master, I'd like to see how you'd have come back!"
Despite its words, the slight trembling of its tail tip betrayed its true emotions.
Han You stood quietly to the side. Although he didn't speak, a rare human-like worry appeared in his eyes.
Even he had felt a hint of loneliness during these days.
Seeing the concern and worry of their juniors, a warm current flowed through Li Taiqing and Su Ming's hearts, and at the same time, a trace of guilt arose.
Their unauthorized actions had indeed caused these people who cared about them to live in fear.
"It's fine, Potian, aren't we doing just fine?"
Li Taiqing patted Lin Potian's solid arm, his tone gentle.
"We've made everyone worry; it's our fault."
Su Ming leaned down and rubbed Xiao Bai's head vigorously, then expressed his apologies to Han You.
However, this warm scene of reunion was interrupted by an abrupt voice.
"It seems you still know how to come back."
The voice came from the direction of the dragon blood profound yellow tree. It wasn't loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears, making the air in the garden seem to freeze for a moment.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Han Xuanji standing under the tree at some point with his hands behind his back. His green robe fluttered slightly, and his face was still shrouded in a faint dao-rhythm glow, making his specific expression unreadable.
But that deep aura he naturally radiated, which seemed to harmonize with the myriad Daos of heaven and earth, made everyone feel an invisible pressure.
Li Taiqing and Su Ming's expressions changed slightly. They could feel that Han Xuanji's tone was different from his usual otherworldly indifference. Beneath the calm, there seemed to be a very faint... anger?
"Master."
"Senior Brother."
The two hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.
Han Xuanji's gaze slowly swept over them, his voice flat, but every word made their hearts cold:
"The two of you are quite bold. Especially you, as the Eldest Senior Brother, going off to seek revenge without a word. You're quite confident in your meager strength, aren't you?"
Although he was very clear about Li Taiqing's movements and had turned a blind eye, it didn't mean that as their Master, he couldn't teach these two a lesson.
In the Immortal Realm, there were countless people with great Luck and People of Tribulation, yet they too would fall.
These flat words made Li Taiqing and Su Ming's hearts tighten and their faces burn more than any harsh reprimand.
"Disciple... admits his mistake!"
With a thud, Li Taiqing knelt on both knees without hesitation, his head bowed low.
He knew that Master wasn't against him seeking revenge, but was dissatisfied with his seemingly free-spirited but actually irresponsible behavior.
"I also admit my mistake. I made Senior Brother worry and the Sect concerned. I am willing to accept punishment!"
Su Ming followed suit, kneeling beside Li Taiqing. His face no longer held the coldness of his usual role as Peak Master, only humility remained.
Lin Potian, Xiao Bai, Han You, and the others were stunned. They subconsciously wanted to speak up to plead for the two, but seeing Han Xuanji angry for the first time, they all closed their mouths in unison and could only watch tensely.