Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

In the Imperial Capital, the Celestial Emperor's true self felt a stir in his Heart Spirit and immediately located Shangguan Wan'Er.

He then guided Shangguan Wan'Er into the Imperial Palace.

...

At Celestial River Academy, the Celestial Emperor's Dharma Aspect also understood everything.

"Fellow Daoist, it was indeed my oversight that placed your son in such a difficult position. To make amends, I have specially prepared wine in the Imperial Capital to apologize to you. I wonder if you would do me the honor?" the Celestial Emperor's Dharma Aspect said. His attitude had undergone a monumental shift; he no longer referred to himself with the royal 'we,' but with a simple 'I.'

He was lowering his stance, not daring to act presumptuously.

"Since the matter is settled, this old man has nothing more to say. As for making amends, let's just forget it," Elder Ling said faintly. "After all these years, this old man has grown accustomed to peace and quiet."

"Since it is inconvenient for you, Fellow Daoist, we shall meet again if fate allows." The Celestial Emperor did not insist. In his view, for a powerful expert of such stature to hide away in a small town of the Empire, he must have his own difficulties. That being the case, it was not good to force the issue, or things would only become tense. That was not an outcome he wished to see.

Elder Ling waved his hand and said no more.

"Farewell," the Celestial Emperor said. Then, his Dharma Aspect dissipated, and the Celestial Might in the Void vanished along with it.

The people of Celestial River Academy finally breathed a sigh of relief.

'Did the Celestial Emperor just compromise?' After breathing a sigh of relief, the tens of thousands of students at Celestial River Academy all wore looks of disbelief.

They had all thought the Celestial Emperor would come to blows with Elder Ling.

But who would have thought that in an instant, the tense, sword-drawn atmosphere would dissipate, and the Celestial Emperor would even offer to make amends over wine?

In the Empire, who could make the Celestial Emperor apologize?

In the past, this was an unimaginable event, yet now, it had nearly happened.

Just how much face did that Elder Ling have?

'At the very least, he must be an expert on the same level as the Celestial Emperor!'

'Ling Fei actually has such a terrifyingly powerful adoptive father?' In their shock, everyone's gaze fell upon Ling Fei.

"No wonder his talent is so astonishing," many people realized.

'With such a formidable adoptive father, how could he himself be lacking?'

"If only I had such a powerful father!" many students thought, their eyes filled with envy.

Now, when the crowd looked at Ling Fei, there was no longer any trace of pity in their eyes, only deep envy.

'Judging by Ling Fei's status now, even the current Princes are nothing special in comparison!'

After all, his adoptive father was willing to risk his life to fight for him!

Such deep affection was not something an ordinary father could provide.

'The matter has finally subsided.' Han Beihai sighed in relief inwardly.

The Elders in the academy were also filled with joy.

This outcome was exactly what they had hoped to see.

PTUI!

Just then, in the Void, the expression of the proudly standing Elder Ling changed. A moment ago his aura had been imposing, but now his face was pale. He seemed to age ten years in an instant. His body trembled as he suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood. He swayed, looking as if he were about to fall.

"Elder Ling!" Shangguan Hong's face was filled with alarm as he hurriedly supported Elder Ling.

"Adoptive Father!" Xue Xi also rushed to help hold up Elder Ling.

However, Elder Ling was on the verge of collapsing, and since they could not fly, they also lost their balance.

"Adoptive Father!" Seeing this, Ling Fei frowned and cried out in alarm, his heart burning with anxiety.

"Fellow Daoist!" Han Beihai's eyes flashed. He quickly transformed into a streak of light and flew into the Void. With a wave of his large hand, he used his Essence Qi to support Elder Ling.

Then, they all slowly floated down onto the tournament stage.

"Adoptive Father!" Ling Fei rushed over as soon as they landed.

Looking at his adoptive father, whose face had suddenly turned pale, tears welled up in Ling Fei's eyes.

His adoptive father was already severely injured. Now, by forcing himself to act, he had surely aggravated his wounds, causing him to vomit blood again.

This made Ling Fei feel incredibly guilty.

'If it weren't for me, Adoptive Father wouldn't be in this state.'

"I'm fine." Seeing everyone's worried expressions, Elder Ling waved his hand and gave a faint smile.

"Fellow Daoist, you are injured. I wonder, what kind of Elixir do you require?" Han Beihai asked.

"This injury of mine is many years old; no ordinary medicine can cure it. I just need to calm my heart and regulate my breathing," Elder Ling said with a smile, tactfully declining Elder Dean Han's kind offer.

"In that case, Fellow Daoist, please come to our academy's guest suite to regulate your breathing," Han Beihai said.

"Alright!" Elder Ling did not stand on ceremony.

Then, with a wave of his hand, Han Beihai wrapped Elder Ling and Ling Fei in Essence Qi and flew with them toward the inner part of the academy.

The other Elders followed.

Leaving only Vice Dean Zhou and the others to handle the aftermath.

"It seems Ling Fei's adoptive father is injured!"

"Look at him. It seems to be a very serious old injury. He looks like an oil lamp about to burn out!" As Han Beihai led Elder Ling and the others away, an uproar immediately swept through the academy. Elder Ling's current state was like that of a completely different person compared to when he had confronted the Celestial Emperor, leaving people in disbelief.

It was hard to imagine that this fading old man could unleash such terrifying power.

'It would be great if that old ghost died,' some of the disciples from the great clans thought to themselves.

Like the Wang Clan and the Liu Clan.

Many of their members were still present, including quite a few Divine Guards.

If Elder Ling's old injuries relapsed and he died, they could finally take their revenge on Ling Fei.

"Elder Ling isn't really in trouble, is he?" Wu Dapang said, his face full of worry.

...

In a guest building at Celestial River Academy, Elder Ling was regulating his breathing in an inner chamber.

Ling Fei was in the outer living room, reunited with Xue Xi.

"Brother, I'm so glad you're okay. Otherwise, I... Xue Xi really wouldn't have known what to do." Xue Xi knew a little about what had happened to Ling Fei over the past month. The little girl's face was full of heartache as she spoke with a sob in her voice. Although she hadn't seen Ling Fei's experiences firsthand, she could guess how many crises her brother had faced and what kind of desperate situations he must have been in.

"Silly girl, it's all in the past now. Don't cry." Ling Fei smiled and wiped the tears from the corners of Xue Xi's eyes.

"Mhm." Xue Xi nodded. Then the little girl looked up, gazing at Ling Fei with a determined expression, and said, "Brother, from now on, I will definitely cultivate hard and become a powerful expert like Adoptive Father. Then, no one will be able to bully you anymore." At that moment, the heart of a powerhouse was born within her.

'If I'm not strong enough, I'll only be able to watch helplessly as others bully my brother in the future.'

"Silly girl, didn't we agree that your big brother would be the one protecting you?" Ling Fei said, patting Xue Xi's head.

Seeing her like this warmed his heart.

Ever since they were little, this girl had always been so sensible.

At the same time, Ling Fei felt immensely guilty. As her older brother, he should have been the one to bear all of this.

But now, not only had he caused his adoptive father's injuries to relapse, he had also made his little sister worry.

And all of this was because he wasn't strong enough.

'I must become a powerhouse.' Ling Fei thought to himself, the desire to grow stronger intensifying in his heart.

"No, I'm going to become a powerhouse too! I want to protect you, Brother! Of course," Xue Xi said, her expression stubborn at first, then breaking into a playful smile, "if you become a powerhouse, it wouldn't be so bad to let you protect Xue Xi every once in a while." As a girl, she naturally longed for the feeling of being protected.

But she now realized that she couldn't just do that.

"Alright!" Seeing Xue Xi like this, Ling Fei smiled as well.

Shangguan Qingmu and the others standing nearby also smiled faintly.

The young brother and sister were so sensible, which made them feel an involuntary fondness.

At the same time, they were incredibly curious about Ling Fei's and Elder Ling's identities.

However, everyone knew it was not appropriate to ask too many questions, so they remained silent.

An hour later, Elder Ling finished regulating his breathing and walked out of the inner chamber.

His aura had clearly improved, but he still looked somewhat haggard.

But no one dared to underestimate him.

Immediately, everyone stood up, their faces filled with reverence as they looked at Elder Ling.

"Everyone, there is no need to be so formal." Elder Ling waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit.