After that, he ignored the dissatisfied Elder Ye and Elder Gui and left with the other Adepts. As they departed, he kept explaining himself to the two old men. He spoke of their lack of unity, the difficulty of dealing with Devil Lord Azure Yang, the limited value of Surging Lake, and the better opportunities elsewhere in the mountain range. The others did not know what had happened in that brief clash between him and Luo Chen, so they did not entirely believe his words. But the two old men knew their young master well and could only sigh. Sometimes, taking a step back did not lead to open skies but to endless ruin. Had their master truly realized the gravity of the situation?

When they reached the lakeside, Zhang Jiadi brought his people forward and returned the cloud vessel, along with the hundred Initiates suppressed by the formation. They were all unharmed. After that, Huangfu Song's group left Surging Lake in a dejected manner.

The spectators also felt extremely dissatisfied. Where was the great battle they had expected? Where was the life-and-death fight? The show had ended before it even started! As for Luo Chen, he simply watched Huangfu Song and the others leave with a cold gaze.

Once they were out of sight, Heavenjade could not help but ask, "Master, they were so disrespectful... are we really just letting them walk away?"

What she truly meant was that Luo Chen had always been decisive and ruthless. How could he tolerate such provocation? This did not match her impression of him. Luo Chen merely lifted his gaze slightly. "Here, in the Society... there are some people to whom we need to show some respect."

He looked toward the sky, as if his gaze could pierce through the drifting clouds and see someone there staring back at him. With his warning, Heavenjade also quickly understood who Luo Chen was wary of. She was aware that although Luo Chen had been extremely forceful today, he had actually been holding back the entire time. By his usual style, he would have never tolerated such provocation. Yet she still felt uneasy. On the surface, he had forced Huangfu Song and his group to retreat before everyone, and his prestige had only grown. But to let a late-stage Adept walk away just like that...

"But what if they come back for revenge? Huangfu Song is a seventh-stage Adept, after all!"

"Chehhhh..."

The sneer was undisguised. Even Duan Li, who had remained silent, found it hard to believe. Since when had grand cultivators been treated with such disregard?

Luo Chen waved it off. "Please, don't make me laugh. Huangfu Song is a grand cultivator in name only. In reality, he's just a grand clown."

A clown? Duan Li was baffled. The man's cultivation was genuine, and that streak of purple sword energy had nearly taken his life. By all accounts, he was not to be looked down upon. So how was he described as a clown?

Seeing their confusion, Luo Chen sighed. "I've only met him once, but I don't need a second time. The man's foundation is shallow, and you can see right through him. He looks fierce, but he's timid at heart. He loves scheming and he can't make a firm decision. When it comes to big matters, he clings to his life, only to end up risking it for petty gains. Someone like that... how could he ever be a real threat to me?"

Luo Chen truly did not think this matter would result in any significant trouble, and he had good reason for it. The way he seized spirit land in the Flying Swallow Archipelago was the best comparison. For the low-grade third-tier spirit vein on Moon-Inviting Island, he had planned thoroughly and struck decisively, giving Yan Nantian no way out. At the time, his foundation was unstable, and his cultivation was likely not higher than Yan Nantian's, yet he had carried out his plan with unshakable determination.

But what about Huangfu Song? Clearly, both his strength and the number of experts under him far surpassed Luo Chen and his side. Yet he still chose to act with courtesy first, trying to reason with Luo Chen and tempt him with benefits. When that failed, he resorted to small tricks to turn the situation around. If not for Luo Chen's concern over the eight-star demon hunter behind him, he would have killed him on the spot. As for whatever his Sage ancestor had given him, that was a non-issue. Somewhere at Surging Lake, there was an actual Sage. Han Zhan's soul had been nourished by the Soul-Nurturing Wood over the years and had grown much more stable; he had likely recovered a portion of his strength. If pressed, Han Zhan would act on his behalf.

"Well, that's that." Luo Chen turned and looked at Duan Li. "By the way, thanks for stepping in just now. I'll remember this."

Duan Li quickly waved it off. "It's nothing, really. If anything, I just caused you more trouble."

He had understood. With Luo Chen's methods, those enemies were nothing in his eyes. By stepping in, he had forced him to act and perhaps even disrupted his plans.

But Luo Chen truly did not mind. "I genuinely appreciate the gesture. But now's not a good time to talk, I still have a guest to attend to. Let's catch up in a couple of days."

Duan Li was stunned and swept his gaze around. Another guest? There's more coming to visit?

"The Angler's here," came the explanation through divine consciousness transmission.

"Heavenjade, see Fellow Daoist Duan out."

"Yes, Master!"

Once Heavenjade escorted Duan Li away, Luo Chen drifted back to Surging Island. Before long, a streak of light descended beside him.

"You've given us quite the show today."

Luo Chen shook his head. "Nothing more than a farce."

A farce? Not necessarily. The Angler curled his lips. "I did not expect the famed Devil Lord Azure Yang to also be a skilled artisan."

Luo Chen was not surprised that the Angler had discovered his alias. He had intended for this to happen; by now, many people were probably aware. And after this incident, those who coveted Surging Lake would likely abandon their thoughts. At the very least, they would look into the battle at Coldlight Island and the record of Devil Lord Azure Yang before doing anything. He had slain several peers and managed to kill one of the two late-stage Adepts that jointly attacked him, while forcing the other to retreat. A figure like that was rarely matched, even at the level of Holy Land True Inheritors, let alone among a bunch of rogues. Aside from the three eight-star demon hunters, perhaps only a dozen or so seven-star demon hunters could stand on equal footing.

"Artifact creation is just a small pastime, nothing too serious." Luo Chen brushed it off, then asked carefully, "What about her? How did she react?"

The Angler knew exactly who he meant and answered plainly, "Not satisfied... but also satisfied."

Luo Chen was taken aback. "Oh?"

The Angler laughed. "Relax. What she's unhappy about is Huangfu Song's attitude. What she approves of is how you handled things. Don't overthink it. She may have some ties with him, but after all these years as a rogue cultivator, that bond has long since faded. Right now, she's focused on reaching Perfected Mastery and breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Why would she stir up trouble over some junior from the past?"

Though brief, his words carried much information—especially the last part, which reassured Luo Chen. Cultivators at the late stage of any realm were generally unwilling to act rashly. Unless they had no other choice, they very much preferred seclusion. Luo Chen himself, after reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment, had rarely ventured out. Aside from matters of revenge and gathering resources, he spent most of his time in seclusion on Tianlan Peak. Only after advancing to the Golden Core Realm did he begin to travel again. Forming a Nascent Soul was even more complicated and dangerous than forming a core; naturally, those at that level would not act lightly.

"Looks like I struck the right balance today." Luo Chen let out a light chuckle, and there was a hint of relief in his tone. He cupped his fist toward the Angler. "Of course, Senior, I should thank you as well for stepping in."

The Angler waved it off. "No need to be so formal. Just call me Fellow Daoist."

What was a fellow Daoist? One who walked the same path as a peer, a companion on the way to the peak! The Angler would obviously not speak such words lightly, and his purpose was clear: He was here for Luo Chen's guidance in physique cultivation.

Luo Chen understood and extended an inviting gesture. "Well, I remember we talked last time about finding some time to exchange a few pointers. Since you're here, how about we do it today?"

The Angler broke into a smile. "I'd be glad to."

The two exchanged meaningful smiles and stepped into the palace on Surging Island.