What a profound and painful realization.

At this moment, the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect reacted in completely different ways.

“Heavens above, is our sect leader being… by a beast?”

“What’s going on here? Why doesn’t the sect leader resist when faced with such a thing? Is he enjoying it?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve heard the quirks of important figures are always rather peculiar.”

Some disciples were fearful, others furious, some stunned and disappointed; it could be said that those present experienced a torrent of emotions upon witnessing this scene—a true spectacle that rendered men silent and women in tears.

The female disciples all covered their faces, unable to bear the sight. Even those with more courage didn’t dare look directly, peeking only through their fingers.

The Golden Dragon was completely shattered, letting out piercing howls that shook the heavens—everyone heard him, but the beast was too powerful; who would dare rush forward to their deaths?

In a corner, Old Yu’s face was ashen. Witnessing this scene, his mind was so shocked it buzzed. He never imagined the effects of Spring Breeze Eighteen Degrees would be so potent. No wonder he never failed when collecting flowers in the past.

It turned out it wasn’t his agility that ensured success, but the power of Spring Breeze Eighteen Degrees!

Clutching the doorpost, the unforgettable scene made Old Yu unknowingly leave ten deep claw marks upon it.

What was most tragic was that the Golden Dragon remained entirely lucid, meaning he felt everything he ought to feel. The twin agony of mind and body made him wish for death.

It was like a nightmare—if only he could wake from it. His hands were poisoned, and the toxin from the venomous wyrm could not be cured in a short time!

“Xie Wujie!” The Golden Dragon called out hoarsely, shouting toward Xie Wujie.

His shout drew every gaze to Xie Wujie.

Xie Wujie quickly pieced together the truth: the Golden Dragon had plotted against him, and the armored sleeves had been tampered with. Had he stepped out of the alley earlier than that burly man, he would be the one crushed beneath the beast, suffering as the Golden Dragon now did.

Thinking of this, anger surged in his heart—how despicable, cunning, and shameless the Golden Dragon was! Dreading Xie Wujie’s status, he dared not attack openly, so he resorted to such underhanded tricks.

Now, Xie Wujie found himself the target of everyone’s hostility.

Yuan Xiao, seeing the Golden Dragon tormented and hearing his cry for Xie Wujie, was overwhelmed by rage. He bellowed, charging straight at Xie Wujie like a man ablaze.

Most other disciples were dumbfounded, too terrified to approach the Golden Dragon—even though he was their master.

But Yuan Xiao cared nothing for that; in his eyes, Xie Wujie was the culprit. Not only had he killed Yuan Xiao’s brother, but now he sought the death of his foster father. Driven by vengeance, Yuan Xiao risked everything to kill Xie Wujie.

Yuan Xiao’s mind held no such complexity as the Golden Dragon; he pursued straightforward justice and vengeance. Now, he believed Xie Wujie was guilty—he must die, he was evil, a criminal beyond redemption.

Seeing Yuan Xiao’s rage, Xie Wujie’s heart trembled. He thought to himself: this man’s cultivation was already higher than his own, and now, inflamed by wrath, his speed and strength would be further amplified.

He was difficult enough to deal with on a normal day, but a furious Yuan Xiao was nothing but trouble.

Without hesitation, Xie Wujie melted into the crowd, using them as cover. Yuan Xiao failed to find him immediately.

Because the One-Horned Azure Wolf was so large, the effects of Spring Breeze Sixteen Degrees lasted only three hours. After that, under Zhang Dayan’s efforts, the beast eventually left the Azure Cloud Sect.

Yet the entire sect was thrown into chaos. The Golden Dragon was carried to a guest room, and the finest physician in Qingpi County was summoned.

He was an elder with an air of immortal wisdom, wearing a cloth cap and long robes—clearly a man of distinction. He said, “Master, your injuries are grave indeed…”

“Doctor, will I recover?” asked the Golden Dragon.

The elder sighed, and from a corner took up a wooden plug the size of a watermelon. “From now on, when you relieve yourself, you must use this.”

“Is it because he can’t squat?” the Golden Dragon’s wife came forward. She had only recently recovered from illness and was looking better, but hearing of her husband’s calamity, she disregarded her own condition and hurried over.

The doctor replied, “No, I mean that unless the master is using the latrine, he must keep this plug in place to close… that area. When he needs to relieve himself, he removes it. I have never seen such a case, not even in childbirth are the wounds so severe. If it were anyone else, they would not have survived, but the master’s was merely enlarged, not fatally injured. Though his organs were compressed, his cultivation made them far more resilient than ordinary folk; only time is needed for recovery.”

“Childbirth?!” Lady Huang’s expression darkened.

The Golden Dragon endured the pain and asked, “How long before I return to normal size?”

“At least three years—optimistically. In a year, the opening should shrink to the size of a bowl, after two years to a teacup, and after three years to that of a sugarcane… But careful recuperation is needed, or even after three years, it might not heal,” the doctor replied.

“Xie! You and I are mortal enemies!” the Golden Dragon howled.

The doctor quickly added, “Actually, I know a bit about this Xie Wujie…”

“What?!” The Golden Dragon seemed to grasp at a lifeline. “Please, sir, tell me everything—I shall reward you generously!”

“Recently, I visited Ma Family Village. I heard that among the eighteen villages, there’s one called Savage Village, where the Song family resides. Xie Wujie is Song’s nephew; he’s come here seeking refuge. Sharp-tongued and clever, he advised Ma Family Village, leading them to a new path of prosperity with just a few words,” the doctor explained, recounting the details.

Being one of the top physicians in Qingpi County, his connections were vast; he’d heard of even minor figures.

Upon learning this, the Golden Dragon nearly fainted from anger. He realized he’d been treating a country bumpkin with such courtesy these days, believing Xie Wujie was connected to the capital and thus refraining from acting directly.

But now, knowing Xie Wujie was nothing but a nobody, a mere rustic, he suffocated with rage and passed out.

No one knew how long he remained unconscious. When the Golden Dragon awoke, Old Yu was already at his bedside. Old Yu said, “Master, we’ve searched every corner of the sect, but Xie Wujie is nowhere to be found. It’s as if he vanished into thin air!”

“You provided the pills and everything else. Now, thanks to your rotten scheme, how am I to continue as sect leader here?” the Golden Dragon roared.

Though bedridden, his presence still intimidated Old Yu.

Old Yu knew much about the Golden Dragon—if he angered him, his life would be forfeit.

“I couldn’t help it, but the pills are fine. The problem lies with Zhang Dayan, who fled upon learning what happened. We know which way he escaped, and our men are already pursuing him,” Old Yu said.

“And you?” the Golden Dragon asked coldly. “Actions must have consequences; someone must bear responsibility.”

Old Yu trembled, stepping back. “Master, you don’t mean to… don’t do this! I’ve served you faithfully for thirty years, never once betraying you!”

The doctor, realizing trouble was brewing, quickly rose and said, “Since the sect leader has matters to attend to, I shall take my leave. If there’s any discomfort later, have someone fetch me—I will come at once.”

With that, the old doctor departed, closing the door behind him. Just then, Yuan Xiao arrived, hesitant to disturb his foster father. He asked, “Doctor, how is my father?”

“It’s only external injury, but the trauma of the heart is not so easily healed…” the old physician replied, shaking his head.

Suddenly, a furious voice erupted from within, “Master, you cannot treat me this way! Had I not brought the child of the Yuan family back, would he be such a loyal dog today?”