The pressure Xiang Feng felt in the face of Zhao Xiuqi was indescribable.

Upon hearing Zhao Xiuqi speak, Xiang Feng quickly replied:

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, I have come regarding the matter of leading the team across the Endless Sand Sea last time."

Xiang Feng suppressed his nervousness and tried his best to make his tone sound natural.

Zhao Xiuqi nodded and said to Xiang Feng:

"Elder Xiang, you mentioned last time that the Hua sisters were killed by the Huang brothers. After I sent people to investigate, I found that a fierce fight did indeed take place there. But I want to ask you, what were you doing at the time?"

The location Xiang Feng told Zhao Xiuqi was the place where the spatial immortal artifact shattered that day. It was no surprise that a strike from a Celestial Lord level could leave a mark in the endless sea of ​​sand.

Regarding Zhao Xiuqi's question, Xiang Feng had already discussed a solution with Chen Tianwen, so he spoke up:

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, that night, I was Huang Wu, the second of the Huang brothers, on night watch. Because I had gained new insights from fighting the ferocious beasts in the Endless Sand Sea, I set up an array in my room that night and focused all my efforts on breaking through. I only learned about what happened outside the next day."

Clearly, Xiang Feng's explanation did not satisfy Zhao Xiuqi. Although Xiang Feng had indeed broken through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal Perfection Realm, there were many doubts in Xiang Feng's report.

Zhao Xiuqi had been reading Xiang Feng's reports for the past few days, so he continued to ask:

"Elder Xiang, I saw in your report that Miao Chan was killed by Yu Rong using the art of sexual cultivation, Huang Wu had designs on the Hua sisters and was killed by Hua Meng using a secret method, and then Huang Wen avenged his brother by killing the Hua sisters!"

Zhao Xiuqi paused for a moment, then continued:

"Elder Xiang, could you explain why everything was fine along the way, but when we reached the core of the Endless Sand Sea, Yu Rong suddenly developed murderous intent towards his fellow disciple and cultivation partner? And Huang Wu was well-behaved the whole way, so why did he suddenly become lustful when we reached the most dangerous core area?"

Zhao Xiuqi's barrage of questions was intended to catch Xiang Feng off guard.

As long as Xiang Feng reveals even the slightest flaw, Zhao Xiuqi is confident that it will not escape his notice.

Fortunately, Chen Tianwen had already instructed Xiang Feng on how to answer these questions, so Xiang Feng answered without hesitation:

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, the matter begins with another person in the team. It's that young man at the Golden Immortal stage who joined the team as an alchemist!"

Initially, Xiang Feng deliberately concealed Chen Tianwen's situation to avoid causing him trouble, but now he revealed everything to Zhao Xiuqi:

"This kid seems to have helped Yu Rong refine some kind of elixir to enhance his cultivation technique, which is why Yu Rong's strength has increased. And since dual cultivation emphasizes the balance of yin and yang, that Miao Chan was used as a furnace!"

Zhao Xiuqi nodded, signaling Xiang Feng to continue.

Xiang Feng paused for a moment, then continued:

"The Grand Elder should know that this elixir, which can enhance the art of sexual intercourse, must have aphrodisiac effects. Presumably, that kid first refined the elixir for Yu Rong, and then happened to refine the elixir for Huang Wu. This caused Huang Wu to be burdened by aphrodisiacs. However, Huang Wu was afraid of Yu Rong's sexual intercourse techniques, so he had no choice but to set his sights on the Hua sisters."

Zhao Xiuqi stared at Xiang Feng, who, though inwardly anxious, maintained a calm demeanor.

After a while, Zhao Xiuqi spoke:

"Then, Elder Xiang, how did Huang Wen and Yu Rong die? And what happened to that alchemist in the end?"

Xiang Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Zhao Xiuqi had largely believed his earlier explanation. Xiang Feng was also prepared for Zhao Xiuqi's current question and answered him:

"Elder, the endless desert is fraught with danger. It's not unusual for a young Golden Immortal to be killed by a ferocious beast, is it?"

Zhao Xiuqi didn't speak, he just nodded. He didn't pay much attention to a Golden Immortal level alchemist, so after Xiang Feng explained, Zhao Xiuqi directly signaled Xiang Feng to continue.

Xiang Feng continued:

"When Huang Wen and Yu Rong were about to leave the Endless Sand Sea, we encountered a group of rogue cultivators. The leader of the rogue cultivators was named Ma Changming. He coveted Yu Rong's beauty, so he attacked our group."

"Fortunately, my strength had reached the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, which allowed me to barely escape this calamity. However, Huang Wen and Yu Rong did not survive!"

Zhao Xiuqi nodded and said:

"Ma Changming? I've heard of him. You're right, they did indeed enter the Endless Sand Sea. Judging by the timeline, you should be able to run into him!"

Xiang Feng breathed a sigh of relief. This explanation, which was seven parts true and three parts false, had finally fooled Zhao Xiuqi.

Just as Xiang Feng breathed a sigh of relief, Zhao Xiuqi's expression suddenly changed. His already cold demeanor became even more chilling as he stared directly at Xiang Feng and asked:

"Then, Elder Xiang! Why is what you say today so different from what you reported when you returned?"

Xiang Feng was startled by Zhao Xiuqi's sudden change in demeanor, thinking to himself that Zhao Xiuqi was indeed not easy to fool. Fortunately, Chen Tianwen had anticipated Zhao Xiuqi's question. After a brief moment of surprise, Xiang Feng put on an embarrassed expression and said:

"Elder, as you know, at my age, I have no hope for the future. So I wanted to save up more immortal crystals to live a stable life in the future. That's why I lied to try and get the guild to reduce the amount of immortal crystals I was fined. But I didn't expect the Elder to see through my lie so easily. That's why I dare not lie to the Elder again."

Xiang Feng's words were half frank and half flattering, which made Zhao Xiuqi show a look of disdain, but at the same time he was very pleased.

At this point, Zhao Xiuqi was almost convinced, and his attitude towards Xiang Feng softened somewhat. He then spoke:

"So Elder Xiang came here just to explain this matter?"

Xiang Feng shook his head and said to Zhao Xiuqi:

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, yesterday I suddenly received a message from that alchemy lad. He's not dead, but trapped in the Endless Sand Sea. So I would like to ask the Grand Elder for mercy. If I rescue him, could you reduce my commission?"

Zhao Xiuqi suddenly burst into laughter, pointing at Xiang Feng and saying:

"You! You're supposed to be a Grand Luo Golden Immortal at the peak of his cultivation, yet all you think about are immortal crystals. Fine, I won't punish you this time. Give me that kid's coordinates, and I'll go rescue him myself!"

Xiang Feng quickly thanked him and handed a jade slip to Zhao Xiuqi.