As Cao Yun went to Mei Hua, Director Hua Fenfei and Xiao Xuefeng were still thinking about many matters.
"Then, it is decided?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Sister, I value you, but this situation is... My hands are tied though. I sincerely hope your judgment is as good as it used to be. I'll talk with this boy myself, but you can prepare our Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute."
"Thank you, Sister. Make no mistake, if I didn't think it was for the greater good of our Institute, I would never have asked you anything. In fact, I actually was ready to cut ties with the Institute and even you."
"So you trust that boy to that high a degree?"
Director Hua looked at many documents in front of her, then at a compass. It was much more sophisticated than even Cao Yun's 'Ancient Veins in the Void'. However, it was only used within the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. Indeed, it had been crafted by Sun Liao himself to monitor all of the array formations within the Institute. With that compass, Hua Fenfei could understand everything that was happening inside her Institute even without spreading her spiritual senses. In other words, there was no secrets at all from her prying eyes. As it turned out, she had looked at Cao Yun just as he had been lying with her most prized disciple. There was a subtle frown on her face.
Xiao Xuefeng knew what it meant. More than anger, it really was just stress and a tinge of fear. At that moment, Hua Fenfei could physically feel her Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute crumble in her hands. That day's decision would decide the fate of the Institute and everyone in it. Sadly, she had made her decision already. Now, she could only hope it was the right one since she would not go back on her word given to her sister.
Thankfully, the compass allowed one to divine what was going on in the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute, it wasn't actually like spiritual senses. In other words, it was almost like reading a report from a spy, not seeing it with one's own eyes. As such, Hua Fenfei knew everything that had happened in her disciple's chambers but had not actually seen it herself. Anyway, she was old enough that there was not even an ounce of embarrassment. Looking at the compass again, Hua Fenfei finally saw that Cao Yun had left.
"Ying Luofan, call Chen Guo in."
Director Hua stopped the array formations isolating her and her sister. As her voice resounded, a bald old man with very thick eyebrows stood up. Although he looked like a ninety-year-old mortal, this man had an incredible aura. Through his robe, one could only imagine his muscles. From that imagination, one would think that Ying Luofan was in fact a bull in human form. However, his face was peaceful as he almost always looked like he was sleeping, because of his white eyebrows casting shadows over his eyes. In an instant, the old man disappeared.
The very next moment, Cao Yun felt an intense pressure around him. Thankfully, he could easily tell that there was no killing intent, no ill intent of any kind in fact. That pressure was entirely made of spiritual senses. From those, a message emerged in the young man's sea of consciousness.
"Director Hua demands Young Master Chen Guo's presence."
"This one understands. Please, tell Director Hua that Chen Guo will come to see her immediately."
Cao Yun didn't wait for a reply. Moreover, there was no reply. Once the message was delivered and acknowledged, Ying Luofan simply disappeared. Of course, Cao Yun could have traced his presence, but he had no reason to do so. The Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute was an ally of his. Thus, he wouldn't be suspicious of them, unless he had any reason to do so. Besides, his sworn sister, his Dao companion, and probably the woman he trusted the most, Xiao Xuefeng, were all important members of the Institute. Cao Yun was already tightly connected to them. It would be very difficult for them to reject him, especially as the young master of the Wubei Sect.
Although he had received the message, Cao Yun didn't fly toward Director Hua. He followed proper decorum and walked toward her pavilion. Beforehand, he got a servant and asked her to send a message to his sworn sister Mei Hua. Now that he had seen her back in such an embarrassing manner, he had to talk to her properly. They had so many things to talk about. After telling the whole truth to his brother, he had to do the same to Mei Hua. Honestly, Cao Yun wondered whether he should tell everything to Mei Hua and Feng Yingyue at the same time. But somehow, it felt wrong. This was a very personal matter, he should really tell it to one person at a time. Moreover, he wanted to be the one to tell them the entire story. He wouldn't ask Xiao Xuefeng to do so in his stead. In fact, he had politely asked her not to.
At last, Cao Yun reached the main pavilion of the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. This was the Golden Peach Tree pavilion. As the name would suggest, it was a very large pavilion surrounding a massive Heavenly Golden Peach Tree. The entire tree looked like it was made of pure gold. Many branches were coiled around each other and spread horizontally, forming a kind of roof above the pavilion. However, there was no peach, no fruit at all, only golden leaves. Cao Yun even wondered whether the tree was real or just a golden sculpture. That being said, Cao Yun could feel the intense vitality emanating from the Heavenly Golden Peach Tree.
In the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute, two trees were essential, they were the absolute core of the Institute, the Heavenly Silver Peach Tree and the Heavenly Golden Peach Tree. When they had attacked, the demonic cultivators had taken a fruit from the Heavenly Silver Peach Tree. Although it was extremely important to the Institute, the Heavenly Silver Peach Tree could produce another one. Thankfully, no tree had been damaged. From what Cao Yun knew, the sap of the Heavenly Golden Peach Tree was also incredibly precious to the Institute. But he didn't know how it was being used exactly.
Cao Yun bowed slightly at the entrance of the pavilion. Then, with a normal voice, without shouting or screaming, as though he was talking to someone just in front of him, he spoke.
"This one is seeking the esteemed Director Hua Fenfei."
"Young Sect Master, it is a pleasure to welcome you to my humble Golden Peach Tree pavilion."
"Thank you, Director."
Director Hua's voice was sent into Cao Yun's mind through her spiritual senses. Then, he walked toward her personal wing of the pavilion. Many guards were standing around the courtroom, protecting the Heavenly Golden Peach Tree. Cao Yun could imagine that the security was tighter, especially after their Heavenly Silver Peach Tree had been approached. In the courtroom alone, there were twenty guards, all of them were Spirit Warriors. They were standing absolutely immobile, like statues. With their helmets on, they could truly be mistaken for statues. Spirit Warriors could stand guard for days without moving, sleeping, or even drinking. Their very breathing was so slow that it was difficult to perceive it. All of their strength and attention were focused on their spiritual senses. Even as Cao Yun simply acknowledged their existence, he felt that they were ready to strike at a moment's notice, no matter what his status could be.
Of course, if he really wanted to kill them, those twenty guards wouldn't stand a chance against him. But he also had no reason to fight the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. The sole reason why he was studying them was because Cao Yun wanted to know the actual strength of his ally. The more information he had, the easier things would be in the future. Information was just as important as his actual strength.
Finally, he got to Director Hua's quarters. He cupped his fists and bowed down, just enough to show his respect, but not so low as to keep the honor of the Wubei Sect. Without anyone touching them, the doors opened and Cao Yun only saw and sensed an ocean of darkness. Without any hesitation, Cao Yun walked in. The next instant, he was in a grandiose palace with thousands of giant cauldrons all over the place. The ground itself was the bottom of a cauldron. This cauldron was so gigantic that it was almost impossible to see the walls or even the top of it. However, it was apparently open as light from the Sun was getting in.
This palace was also covered in a very subtle mist. On his face, the young man could feel a sweet nectar. This mist was full of medicinal essence. In fact, Cao Yun felt as though he had literally walked into a cauldron. There was no way anyone from the outside could feel anything at all. That being said, Cao Yun also felt as though he had no way of exiting this massive cauldron. If suddenly someone were to close this cauldron and start a furnace under it, Cao Yun might be cooked alive in it before he could break free. Most likely, this wasn't a mere array formation, there was also some great artifact behind it all.
Obviously, Cao Yun was right. This was the Eight-Heavens Seizing Cauldron, an actual 4-star Spirit artifact. Within Cao Yun's sea of consciousness, Dian Mo could tell that there was still a thin shred of a spirit within the cauldron. The fact that the spirit was so damaged proved that it had either been damaged in battle or that it was millions of years old. Artifact and array formation spirits weren't completely immortal. Without any sustenance or over incredibly long periods without any repair, they could wither and die. Honestly, the most likely explanation was that this Eight-Heavens Seizing Cauldron had indeed been damaged. Since Dian Mo had never heard of it, it had probably happened during the Legendary Era, even before Demon God Da Mo attacked the Piaolu planet.
"No need for formality, Young Sect Master. My sister has talked about you in great detail. Clearly, you have a talent for charming people, and not just women. After all, you've also charmed Sect Leader Xuan. From what I've heard, you even got Matriarch Huang's vote of confidence as well. Already, you have more influence over the Hongchen Kingdom than anyone else other than Emperor Weide. In fact, I wonder whether he has as much influence as you, or slightly less... This is a formidable feat indeed. However, you haven't gained my confidence yet. My sister recounted most of your life to me."
"Director Hua, I know the responsibility that befalls you. I would never ask anything of your Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute if I wasn't confident in the results."
"Confident... But are you certain?"
"Unfortunately, there is no such thing. Only a fool can be certain of any matter. There is always a possibility for defeat."
Hearing his words, Director Hua's tone shifted a little, she became more amiable. In fact, she actually appeared before Cao Yun. The woman was simply sublime. Cao Yun remembered her from Yinmen City. But she seemed even more beautiful. Although she did not appear to have aged a single day, she seemed much more mature. Her light hair was tied behind her but it radiated a golden light as a large halo behind and around her. Cao Yun had to admit that her forms could have been more generous, but they were more than enough. All about her exuded a form of grandeur. Maybe it was also the effect of the Eight-Heavens Seizing Cauldron. Indeed, she seemed to be in harmony with the place.
"Cao Yun, I am sorry about what happened to the Cao family. I came to Yinmen City some time after the tragedy... Had I known back then who you were, I would have helped you much more. But, of course, I perfectly understand why you hid, and you made the right choice. If Emperor Weide had learned about your survival, you clearly wouldn't have grown so much. Not even twenty years, and you're already one of the most powerful cultivators of the Hongchen Kingdom. Besides, look who's around you! The heavens must be trying to wipe out their guilt by giving you so much. But the heavens can be cruel, twisted, and jealous. They give and take on a whim. You're right to be careful. As cultivators, we can't just accept what fate gives us, we have to fight for what we desire."
"I will remember your words, Director."
"Good. My sister and I have talked a lot. Honestly, if you had not had such deep ties with my Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute, and my direct disciple, I might have taken a different approach. But I am ready to tie the fate of my entire Institute, and all the souls within it, to your own. Young man, I want to listen to your plans. Only then will my decision be final. I won't play games with you, though. If I don't like what I hear, I will deliver you to Emperor Weide myself. Even if my sister and my disciple hate me, even if they try to assassinate me, and even if they succeed, I won't change my mind. The previous director asked me to protect our Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. And I will do so to my dying breath, even when the entire world insults me, if need be."
All around him, Cao Yun suddenly felt a powerful killing intent. There was absolutely no doubt. Director Hua was ready to slay him. In fact, she was not underestimating him at all. That day, she was ready to die with Cao Yun if need be. To be fair, she had heard that he had slaughtered the 5th Imperial Brocade Guards alone. She simply couldn't measure this young man. However, this wasn't enough to face Emperor Weide.
In her eyes, Cao Yun could tell that she didn't want to slay him. But she had to defend those who relied on her, they were like her family in a sense. The young man could understand that, and he respected it wholeheartedly.