427 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

### Chapter 427: Feng Li's Journey to the Upper Immortal Realm The bound person was covered in wounds so deep that bones were visible. Without any treatment, he had become a figure drenched in blood. The most horrific were the scars on his face; almost half of it was a mutilated mess, unrecognizable as if it had been burnt, leaving only a glimpse of what his features might have been. Identifying him was possible only by the relatively intact portions of his face. Yuan Qingfeng gazed at the man who lay on the ground like a dying dog, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Master Huo, I've heard so much about you. I never imagined we'd meet under such circumstances," Yuan Qingfeng said, revealing the man's identity. It was none other than the person everyone believed to be dead—the head of the Huo family, Huo Qianxiong. At this moment, Huo Qianxiong was in utter despair. Overnight, he had plummeted from the highest cloud to the lowest ground, where anyone could trample on him. His eyes were devoid of life, and he didn't even glance at Yuan Qingfeng. "Are you the head of the Huo family?" Feng Li suddenly interjected, for a moment failing to recognize the wretched figure as the once-powerful family leader. "Where is Ye Linglong? What happened after we left that night?" Feng Li demanded with urgency in his eyes. Zou Guanqing and Master Hai stood up, their faces filled with concern as a puppet draped in black stood loyally behind them. The night Feng Li and his companions left the old Huo residence, they were intercepted by members of the Tongtian Merchant Guild and taken to safety. However, they later discovered that nearly all of the Huo family's experts had perished, and Ye Linglong was missing. Feng Li and Ye Linglong were bound by a contract, and he had tried to contact her through the contract’s power, but it was like casting a stone into the sea—no response. Zou Guanqing and Master Hai were worried sick, fearing something terrible had befallen her. The only person who might know what happened that night was the living Huo Qianxiong. Mentioning Ye Linglong finally prompted a reaction from Huo Qianxiong. He slowly lifted his head, his horrifying face turning toward Feng Li, eyes filled with crazed hatred and a hint of satisfaction. "Ha ha ha, I recognize you. You’re with Ye Linglong. I can't believe you escaped that night, but..." He paused, eyes gleaming with excitement, "But Ye Linglong is likely no better off than me. Ha ha ha, she was taken by that esteemed personage to the Upper Immortal Realm. She’s probably been reduced to nothing by now! Ha ha ha!" Huo Qianxiong began to laugh manically, blood oozing from the wounds on his face as he laughed without a care. His eyes bulged, bloodshot, as he screamed, "She knows the secret techniques of the Bai Li family! Bai Liran will never let her go! That madman has endless methods of torture. She’s probably worse off than me now." Imagining Ye Linglong's miserable condition seemed to fuel Huo Qianxiong's escalating madness. His laughter crescendoed into insanity until it abruptly ceased with a burst of blood from his mouth, along with a severed tongue. Feng Li, having retracted his strike, coldly said, “If your mouth can't speak the truth, it should remain silent. Ye Linglong will not be harmed.” He knew Ye Linglong possessed spatial abilities, granting him some peace of mind, assuring himself she would be safe. Despite this, he couldn't shake an unsettling feeling. Three days later, at the port leading to the Upper Immortal Realm: "The Upper Immortal Realm isn't like the Middle Immortal Realm. It's expansive, its power dynamics complex, with a Celestial Emperor presiding. Even if you reach the Upper Immortal Realm, finding Ye Linglong won't be easy," Yuan Qingfeng cautioned diplomatically, conveying the almost hopeless task. Feng Li nodded, "Thank you, but no matter how slim the hope, I must try." He then turned to Master Hai and Zou Guanqing, saying, "I entrust you with much care." Yuan Qingfeng nodded in agreement. Feng Li simply replied, "Thank you," before turning away to board the nearby ship. With the puppet's protection, he wasn't worried about their safety. The puppet, an entity close to the might of a Celestial Emperor, was invincible within the Middle Immortal Realm. Aboard the ship, Feng Li found his room—tiny, just enough space for meditation despite its high price. Unbothered by this, he sat cross-legged to cultivate, knowing the journey to the Upper Immortal Realm would take time. Every moment was precious, as his cultivation, though swift, still left him feeling insufficiently powerful. Meanwhile, at the Bai Li family estate: "Have you heard? Bai Liran seems to have brought back a family bloodline that had been lost. It supposedly has a high concentration," one side branch disciple gossiped enthusiastically. "I heard that too. Who knows which child, raised outside, managed to learn to integrate formations into their body!" another added. “Seriously? That's not something just anyone can learn unless they are of the main family line!” someone exclaimed in disbelief. "It's true! Not only that, but she possesses the Bai Li family's Formation Eye, and at a high level. Otherwise, how would someone outside manage to learn such a thing?" the discussion spiraled, with none noticing the figure standing behind them. "You all seem to have plenty of free time. If so, copy the formation diagrams—a thousand times!" a soft voice echoed, sending a shiver through the group as they awkwardly turned. Behind them stood a strikingly beautiful man in a peach-pink robe—so beautiful in fact, it was often said he was more stunning than many women. It was Bai Li Feng, the famous libertine of the Bai Li family's main line, whose romantic escapades spanned the entire Upper Immortal Realm. Adored and loathed by countless celestial maidens alike, much of the Bai Li family speculated the person Bai Liran brought back might be an illegitimate child of Bai Li Feng. Attempting to appease him with forced smiles, the group pleaded for leniency. Bai Li Feng, not one to fuss over trivial matters, dismissed them with a wave of his hand, allowing them to scatter with relief. Alone, Bai Li Feng stood pondering, muttering to himself, “Illegitimate child, Bai Li bloodline, main line, owns a Formation Eye... Could it really be my child?” "No! I must see for myself!" Currently, Ye Linglong was confined in a courtyard under Bai Liran’s control, surrounded by restrictive formations to prevent escape. Guards constantly watched over her. Though not free, Bai Liran ensured she had ample sustenance and healing elixirs, appearing eager for her recovery. Ye Linglong remained suspicious of his intentions and, despite her wounds healing considerably, feigned continued weakness to discern Bai Liran's true motives. While engrossed in a disguised formation book in the courtyard, the gate suddenly creaked open.