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"Hū..."
As Fan Xinglou walked out of the Yellow Dragon Temple, a collective sigh of relief escaped the lips of several people.
Only then did Fan Xinglou's disciples slowly rise and turn their attention to Fang Li.
"Junior Brother Fang," Zhao Hufeng said, a reproachful look on his face. "You were too reckless."
"I have to agree with Hufeng this time," Cecily added, unusually animated as she addressed Fang Li. "What just happened could have led to a serious situation; even I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for you."
With both Zhao Hufeng and Cecily feeling this way, Li Shenyun and Li Shenhua looked even more shaken, still unable to find their voices.
Only Wu Xiaofei turned his gaze to Fang Li and spoke with a certain seriousness.
"You're getting stronger."
"Strong enough to make even the Master unable to suppress her desire for battle."
Wu Xiaofei's words suddenly awakened everyone else.
Indeed.
The recent developments could be traced back to this point.
In other words, after nearly a year away from Jie Long, Fang Li had become incredibly strong due to some unknown circumstances.
Strong enough that even Fan Xinglou couldn't control her desire for battle.
"Junior Brother..." Zhao Hufeng hesitated before asking, "What exactly have you experienced in the past year?"
"I'm curious too," Cecily chimed in, her tone light but her eyes burning with interest. "Also, I'm really curious about how strong you've gotten to the point that even the Master reacted that way; it's truly surprising."
As she spoke, both Cecily and Zhao Hufeng's eyes sparkled with fighting spirit.
This was a manifestation of their unwillingness to admit defeat.
After almost a year, both Cecily and Zhao Hufeng had made some progress, more or less.
So, in their view, even if Fang Li had gotten stronger, he was probably still around the same level as they were.
After all, before leaving, Fang Li's strength was not much different from theirs; they were almost on par with each other.
Now, returning after a year, Fang Li was surprisingly strong enough to make Fan Xinglou lose control, making it hard for Cecily and Zhao Hufeng not to be suspicious.
Both Cecily and Zhao Hufeng were typical warriors with a strong desire to improve.
Given their innate talents, the fact that Fan Xinglou had taken them on as disciples was proof of their high caliber.
Therefore, it was only natural that neither Cecily nor Zhao Hufeng would easily admit to being inferior to anyone.
Moreover, this person was their Junior Brother.
Being surpassed by their Junior Brother was certainly not something to be proud of.
Of course, neither of them felt any envy; it was purely a sense of defiance.
As a result, even Wu Xiaofei couldn't help but speak to Fang Li.
"I also want to know how strong you are now."
This surprised Fang Li a bit.
He hadn't expected his First Senior Brother, who was obsessively focused on fulfilling their Master's wishes and seemingly indifferent to everything else, to react to this matter.
However, while Fang Li was thinking this, he also realized something.
"First Senior Brother," Fang Li said with a smile, looking at Wu Xiaofei, "haven't you changed a lot too?"
This was no flattery.
Wu Xiaofei's changes were indeed significant.
If one paid close attention, it would become evident.
In the past, Wu Xiaofei was obsessed with satisfying Fan Xinglou, constantly improving himself but only managing to mindlessly replicate everything about her—there was no self, only an elusive aura.
However, the current Wu Xiaofei, in Fang Li's eyes, radiated an incredible vitality.
That feeling was as if he had truly come alive.
Wu Xiaofei seemed to sense this as well and quietly said, "After that, I asked the Master to help me train again."
In other words, Wu Xiaofei had overcome his past shortcomings and had a sudden awakening.
"This is what they call 'a scholar who has been away for three days must be looked at with new eyes,' right?" Fang Li nodded and said, "If it were the current First Senior Brother, the me from a year ago would have absolutely no chance of winning."
This was not flattery.
At least, in Fang Li's view, the current Wu Xiaofei was likely close to the limit of the Fourth Rank, standing on the threshold of reaching the Third Rank.
If calculated purely by rank, Wu Xiaofei and Fang Li were at a similar level, both just a little short of reaching the limit of the Fourth Rank, after which they could prepare to enter the Third Rank.
Of course, in terms of combat power, things were different.
After all, Fang Li had equipment bonuses, class bonuses, and title bonuses; in terms of attributes, he could already rival the third rank.
This was the advantage of being a Divine Envoy.
Wu Xiaofei, who didn't know this, stubbornly spoke up.
"But the Master isn't satisfied with me."
This statement was immediately countered by Zhao Hufeng.
"That's not true," Zhao Hufeng said. "Ever since the First Senior Brother began to turn over a new leaf, the Master has been very pleased, claiming that you will eventually reach her level."
"...But that isn't the case right now," Wu Xiaofei replied succinctly. "I'm still not able to satisfy the Master."
"You're wasting time on an insignificant problem, First Senior Brother," Cecily interjected. "You are the one making the fastest progress among us apprentice brothers. If even you aren't satisfied with your current self, how can we continue to improve?"
"This is also a test for us," Zhao Hufeng sighed and then raised his head, speaking very seriously. "Perhaps this 'Gryphon Festa' is also a good opportunity for us to train."
Zhao Hufeng's words stirred something in everyone's hearts.
"'Gryphon Festa'?" Fang Li raised an eyebrow and smiled. "So that's why everyone has gathered here?"
"Junior Brother, what are your plans?" Cecily asked Fang Li. "Are you going to participate in the 'Gryphon Festa'?"
Hearing this, Fang Li shook his head and replied directly, "I'm not interested in the 'Gryphon Festa'; I've only come back to rest."
"Rest?" The whole group of Wu Xiaofei suddenly froze.
This elicited a playful smile from Fang Li, who added, "After all, I need to spend some quality time with my moody girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?!" The entire group of Wu Xiaofei was immediately startled.
"Girlfriend...?!" Zhao Hufeng exclaimed, a hint of panic in his voice. "Master... Junior Brother, you have a girlfriend now?"
Seeing Zhao Hufeng's reaction, Fang Li quickly closed his mouth.
He almost forgot that Sylvie was Senior Brother Zhao's idol.
If Senior Brother Zhao found out that Sylvie was his girlfriend, he would probably come after him with a vengeance.
(End Of The Chapter)