《My Daily Cultivation Life with a Clumsy Female Disciple》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    "Qin nephew? Qin nephew?!"


    In the main hall of the Dao Sword Sect, Qin Ran, who was standing at the end of the line, snapped back to attention when he realized that the Sect Master was calling him. He quickly walked out of the queue and bowed towards the seat, saying, "Sect Master!"


    The Sect Master of the Dao Sword Sect on the seat asked, "Did you hear what was just said?"


    "Um..." Qin Ran pretended to ponder, clearly indicating that he hadn''t heard clearly.


    Because he had been distracted, his mind was actually upied with thoughts of the twelve forms for breaking through the Golden Core stage.


    This was the scene of the Dao Questioning Grand Ceremony, which took ce once every fifty years. It was essentially a ceremony for epting disciples, and at this moment, the high-ranking members of the Dao Sword Sect were conducting the final test for the qualified individuals.


    Hmm, epting disciples and injecting fresh blood into the sect was important, but...


    What did it have to do with him, an orphan from the Dan Peak?


    Just by looking at the name of this sect, Dao Sword Sect, one could tell that alchemy had no status within this sect. As for epting disciples, it was not Dan Peak''s turn to do so.


    Therefore, Qin Ran had only brought someone along to make up the numbers, intending to just go with the flow and not think about epting disciples here.


    Seeing his expression, the Sect Master offered guidance, "This young girl wants to join your sect and learn the art of alchemy. Are you willing to ept her?"


    "Um!" Qin Ran instinctively nodded in agreement, but he quickly reacted and couldn''t help but raise his voice in question, "Huh?"


    The Sect Master gestured towards the center of the grand hall, where a figure in a bright yellow robe stood in line with the rest of the boys and girls.


    Qin Ran followed the direction and saw the silhouette of a girl.


    So, he realized that someone was asking him to be her master, and she was a girl!


    This feeling was like being hit by a big prize. Thest time he felt this way was when he transmigrated to this cultivation world.


    "I will follow the Sect Master''s arrangements..." he quickly agreed, "I''m willing."


    "Hey, hey... hey..." At this moment, someone in the adjacent queue suddenly whispered to him. Qin Ran turned his head to look and saw Liu Boxian, the head of Sword Peak. This person appeared to be around thirty years old and was also dressed in a ck robe. When he saw Qin Ran looking over, he raised his eyebrows and cursed, "You''re willing, my ass... A top-grade Golden Spirit Root wants to learn alchemy from you, kid?!"


    "Top-grade Golden Spirit Root?" Qin Ran was stunned. The girl was actually a top-grade Golden Spirit Root? If that were the case, she was indeed unsuitable for alchemy, and he couldn''t help but hesitate.


    On one hand, a Golden Spirit Root was not suitable for alchemy, and on the other hand, if she learned swordsmanship, she would be an extraordinary figure.


    However, he had considered this aspect, and it was evident that the Sect Master had as well. During his previous daze, there had been multiple discussions in the hall. And now, even though he confirmed his willingness to ept disciples, the Sect Master still felt it was a pity and asked the yellow-robed girl once again, "Do you really want to learn alchemy?"


    "I came here specifically for alchemy," the girl in the yellow robe replied.


    Her voice was a bit cold, and her conversation with the Sect Master carried a touch of arrogance. She was probably the kind of person with a cold personality, difficult to get along with. Qin Ran became more hesitant.


    "You possess the Golden Spirit Root, which is even more suited for the Way of the Sword. You could even be a Qi Cultivator. If you choose to cultivate the Way of Alchemy, your talent will be of no use and considered a waste," the Sect Master persuaded once again.


    "I understand," replied the girl in a yellow dress.


    "Sigh..." The Sect Master sighed. "Very well."


    "What a pity!" Liu Boxian, the head of the Sword Peak, shook his head inwardly. Such a promising sword disciple was going to be wasted on the Alchemy Peak, truly a loss of a rare talent.


    As Qin Ran watched the slender figure of the girl and listened to her firm response, he felt a strange sensation... Perhaps it was because someone had made such a decisive choice to be with him. He had intended to say something, to convince the girl to choose another peak, but in the end, he remained silent.


    "You shall be assigned to the Alchemy Peak as an Inner Sect disciple. Well, let''s make you a Direct Disciple!" The Sect Master circted his true qi, wrote an identity token for the girl in a yellow dress, and then used a technique to send the identity token to her, saying, "Hurry and join the ranks of the Alchemy Peak."


    Li Shiyin reached out and received her identity token. She looked at the name written on it¡ªLi Shiyin. Although she was determined to learn alchemy, when it became official, she felt lost. After pausing for a moment, she remembered her deceased grandfather and finally made up her mind not to let her parents suffer from illness. She turned and looked at the queue behind her.


    With just one nce, Li Shiyin spotted the person she was looking for, the master she had just bowed to. After all, there was only one person standing outside the queue in the grand hall.


    But...


    Li Shiyin hesitated. Was there something wrong?


    Was that young man, who was smiling foolishly, her master?!


    She scanned the hall, making sure no one else was there to receive her, and then looked back at the young man. He was indeed wearing the ck robe of a head disciple.


    Well, maybe this master just looked young but was actually very old and had a high cultivation level. Li Shiyin could only console herself in her heart.


    She didn''t mean to discriminate against appearance. After all, appearances in the cultivation world had no reference value. However, if he looked a little older and had a more mature and steady temperament, it would indeed make people feel more secure.


    And this young man in front of her...


    "Sigh!" Just as she had made up her mind, Li Shiyin wanted to change her mind. She turned to look at the Sect Master, intending to ask if she could switch to another sect, but the Sect Master had already inquired multiple times before, and in the end, she didn''t speak up.


    "Is there anything else?" However, seeing her like this, the Sect Master understood her thoughts as clear as a mirror and asked aloud.


    "No!" she replied coldly.


    "Very well..." The Sect Master smiled. "I hope you will perform well when you knock on the door before the Dao three years from now."


    Knocking on the door before the Dao meant inspecting the cultivation progress of newly admitted disciples, checking if they had beenzy and whether they were suitable for cultivation. In other words, it was the Sect''s Grand Competition, followed by the allocation of resources.


    The Sect Master deliberately emphasized this, somewhat mocking Li Shiyin for not knowing her ce and wanting to see her make a fool of herself.


    Li Shiyin could sense it, but she pretended not to and nodded with a cold face, saying, "Very well!"


    She was confident in her talent and temperament for cultivation, knowing that she would definitely go far...right?


    She turned around and saw her newly epted master.


    "I can only take it step by step," Li Shiyin sighed inwardly, walking slowly towards Qin Ran with a hint of reluctance.


    When the girl in the yellow dress turned around, Qin Ran couldn''t help but pause for a moment. It wasn''t because of anything else, but because she was incredibly beautiful. Ahem...no, it was because she was rtively older in terms of age.


    It didn''t mean that the girl was old; she appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen, the most youthful and energetic age. It''s just that her age for starting cultivation as a disciple was considered rtively old among the dozen or so disciples in the Dao Questioning Grand Hall.


    Although it''s not that younger is always better, but at fifteen or sixteen, she had clearly missed the best time for foundation building. If it weren''t for her top-grade Golden Spirit Root and the fact that Dao Sword Sect was a small sect, she probably wouldn''t have been epted.


    Of course, setting aside all that, she was really good-looking.


    Her lovely almond-shaped eyes carried a hint of feigned maturity, and her baby-fat cheeks had a touch of forced coldness. There was a contrast between her temperament and appearance, with her sharp and steep bridge-like nose, thin lips condensed like a de edge, thick eyebrows exuding a heroic spirit, and jet-ck hair that moved hearts.


    Although she was a girl who hadn''t fully matured yet, she already possessed a bit of sharpness like a sword.


    "Truly worthy of the Golden Spirit Root," Qin Ran thought to himself.


    When he thought about living, eating, and cultivating together with such a beautiful girl in the future, Qin Ran couldn''t help but feel a bit excited...ah no, he wasn''t excited at all. He reminded himself not to think about dirty and vulgar things like the rtionship between master and disciple.


    Quietly watching the conversation between the Sect Master and the girl, Qin Ran didn''t say anything. He looked at the girl hesitantly walking towards him and just smiled, nodding at her, indicating that she should go back to the queue with him.


    Dao Sword Sect wasn''t a major sect, so there weren''t that many peopleing here to be disciples. Once every fifty years, there was an opportunity to be a disciple, and there were only over a thousand people who came to the mountain gate. After various assessments, there were only about a hundred or so left, and after the elimination of menial tasks and outer disciples, there were only a dozen or so left in the Dao Questioning Grand Hall.


    This year''s performance was considered normal. There were sixteen people in the Dao Questioning Grand Hall. Without exception, all of them possessed extraordinary talents and were the kind of people who would be formidable Nascent Soul experts with just a little bit of resources.


    When Li Shiyin followed Qin Ran into the queue for the Dan Peak, there were still seven disciples standing there. Among these seven disciples, four were epted into the Sword Peak and three into the Qi Peak.


    Adding those who had already been assigned to their peaks before Li Shiyin, the distribution of inner disciples for this Dao Questioning Grand Ceremony was as follows:


    Master Peak received five disciples; Sword Peak received six disciples; Qi Peak received four disciples; Dan Peak received one disciple.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    After the Grand Dao Convention ended, each of the peaks and veins went about arranging themselves. The three veins of Sword Peak, Qi Peak, and Master Peak had over a dozen new disciples plus the attending chief elders and elders from each vein, and they came and went noisily.


    In fact, this was also Qin Ran''s first time attending the Grand Dao Convention, and he didn''t really know the process. At least he didn''t understand whether they were supposed to leave directly or follow a procedure after the Sect Leader announced the end of the convention. So as he hesitated, the various peaks and veins either unleashed flying techniques, or flying magical artifacts, and swiftly left the Dao Questioning Grand Hall. In the blink of an eye, in the spacious grand hall, only he and his new little disciple behind him remained. Only then did he react - oh, they just leave directly.


    He looked back at the little disciple. The new little disciple stood behind him expressionlessly, as if shrouded in an icy domain. This was also his first time, and he didn''t know how to handle this kind of situation. He could only clear his throat, squeeze out what he felt was a friendly smile, and ask, "What''s your name?"


    Yes, it was only now that he asked for the other''s name...and he felt a humble sense of wanting to ask a girl for her WeChat.


    "Li Shiyin," Li Shiyin said coldly. She waspletely disappointed with this master, with Dan Peak.


    Why? Why could he be so shabby?! Forget about elders or senior brothers or anything, why didn''t he even have a single servant?!


    "Oh! Li Shiyin," Qin Ran nodded. Li Shiyin''s appearance made him feel like he should say something, like emphasizing how powerful he actually was, or how freeing it was to have fewer people, at least to ease the atmosphere. But he really didn''t know what to say. After hesitating a moment, he still said, "Let''s go."


    After speaking, he headed towards the grand hall exit.


    "Go...go?!" Li Shiyin was unable to react. She was stunned. "We''re walking?"


    Looking out from the grand hall entrance, one could still see the new disciples of Sword Peak sitting happily on their cloud boats.


    "This master..." she muttered under her breath, extremely reluctant as she followed along.


    The Dao Sword Sect was a small sect, with very littlend area. Compared to those major sects that had small worlds within the sect, the Dao Sword Sect with its five or six mountain peaks was truly the stinky little brother among stinky little brothers.


    But for some cultivators who couldn''t fly, traversing between these five or six mountain peaks was still enough to give them a headache.


    Like a certain Dan Peak chief who refused to reveal his name.


    The Dao Questioning Grand Hall where the Grand Dao Convention was held was at Master Peak, while Dan Peak''s location was to the left of Master Peak. That meant if they were walking, they would first need to go down the left side of Master Peak, then climb up Dan Peak from the right side. Ah, it wasn''t very far, just calcting the time to go down this side, about two hours or so.


    In front of the grand hall was a huge square used for gatherings. Because the Grand Dao Convention was being held today, the square was empty of people.


    When Li Shiyin came out from the grand hall, she looked up and saw her master''s lonesome figure walking across the massive square. He was neither handsome nor tall, giving her neither aesthetic appreciation nor a sense of security. On this enormous square, that lonesome figure didn''t seem like a lively, handsome immortal cultivator, only like a shabby, impoverished old Daoist.


    In the short few moments after taking him as master, all of her romantic imagination about cultivating immortality was thoroughly shattered. At this time, she once again had the thought of asking for a refund: "Why not just slip away? My brother is right outside anyway."


    "Come quickly," but just then, seemingly noticing she had fallen too far behind, her master turned back and urged her. His delicate face carried a smile, and his voice was also very gentle.


    "At least he''s a good person," she sighed to herself, and still followed along. This was probably the silver lining to her misfortune.


    The cultivation levels of most inner sect disciples was quite low, so there were even more people who didn''t know flying techniques. Thus, the paths within the sect made for walking were built very smoothly. Not like those huge sects where people were always zipping around flying; inside their sects were like primal jungles, where people even had to speak while floating in the air during normal times.


    From the bottom of Master Peak to the top of Dan Peak, there were neat stone roads the entire way, making the walking not as ufortable...if the sun today wasn''t so blistering hot.


    Halfway down Master Peak, Li Shiyin really couldn''t take the heat anymore. She looked at the steady, old dog-like figure walking ahead, and finally couldn''t help asking, "Master, what is your cultivation level?"


    "Foundation Establishmentte stage. If all goes smoothly, I''ll be able to form a dan within fifty," Qin Ran replied. He turned back to look at this pretty little disciple and saw her blushing red from the heat, her entire face drenched in sweat. Only then did he react that his disciple was a girl, an ordinary person whose physical endurance might not be that good, so he kindly asked, "Would you like to rest for a bit?"


    "No need." Li Shiyin declined. She silently calcted in her heart - forming a dan within fifty, it seemed this master''s aptitude was still decent, it was just that his cultivation was too low... No, she suddenly realized, fifty years old? Could he really be that young?


    "Master, how old are you?" She couldn''t help asking.


    Qin Ran felt the disdain in his disciple''s tone. His face flushed slightly and he cleared his throat. Turning his body away, he lowered his voice and answered, "This seat is only twenty-five years old!"


    "Twenty-five?!!!" Li Shiyin was shocked. He really was that young?


    A chief at twenty-five with such low cultivation. What about the rest of Dan Peak? Where were the others?


    "Dan Peak?" she hesitantly asked. "There''s no one else left?"


    At these words, her master who had been walking steadily and answering every question suddenly stopped and fell silent for a while. He sighed, "Ever since my master failed his tribtion five years ago, I''ve been the only one left at Dan Peak."


    He paused, then smiled and said, "Today there''s you too."


    "A single person managing an entire peak?" Li Shiyin despaired. This was probably the worst peak in the world, wasn''t it? For a time, she felt the road ahead was dark.


    "My condolences, Master!" She hurried to offer her sympathies, not knowing if it was tofort the master or herself.


    "It''s nothing!" Qin Ranughed and shook his head. "Although my master died under the lightning of the tribtion, you needn''t worry. I''ve done a lot of research on the heavenly tribtion. You have good aptitude; in the future you can casually increase your cultivation. I guarantee I can get you through the tribtion easily."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin responded indifferently. She didn''t believe him one bit.


    After walking a while longer, she suddenly recalled the question she had wanted to ask initially, and hurriedly asked again, "Master, don''t you know techniques for riding clouds?"


    "Ah?" This question seemed to touch a sore spot for Qin Ran. He was clearly somewhat flustered, forcibly calming himself and answering, "Of course I do! How could I not..."


    "Then why don''t we ride a cloud back?" Li Shiyin coldly cut in.


    "Ah, well..." Qin Ran didn''t know how to bluff his way through...ah no, exin this. All kinds of strange words swirled in his mouth, saying things like "walking is good exercise for the body and mind", "zipping around damages our image", "the high altitude is too dangerous, what if we fall", and so on. In short, he evaded the question of "why don''t we ride a cloud back?"


    As Li Shiyin listened, intelligent as she was, she picked up on the key words "the high altitude is too dangerous, what if we fall?" She looked at the young master in front of her with a strange expression. As a cultivator, could he really be afraid of heights?


    Her disciple''s gaze made Qin Ran extremely ufortable. He lowered his head and repeatedly said, "Let''s hurry, let''s hurry. It''s gettingte, there are still things to do when we get back!"


    Li Shiyin lifted her head to look at the sun still high in the sky, feeling this master was adorably strange for some reason... No, this master was a bit special.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Around 5 o''clock in the afternoon, Qin Ran finally brought his new disciple back to Dan Peak where he lived.


    After walking for a while on the stone path in the quiet forest, suddenly there was light ahead. Li Shiyin''s spirit was aroused and she quickened her pace to move forward, arriving at the exit of the forest. Looking ahead, it suddenly opened up!


    The vast grasnd, the vast sky, and the gentle breeze lightly stroking the green grass. In the bright sunshine, the green grass seemed to reflect light. To the left front was a cliff, with a small waterfall flowing down the cliff, the sshing waterfall spraying pearl-like water drops, with a small rainbow in mid-air. A small river meandered through the grasnd, disappearing into the forest on the right.


    By the cliff, next to the river, there were two buildings, one a two-story wooden structure, the other a five-story brick and stone structure.


    Li Shiyin panted for breath, standing at the exit of the forest looking at this ce, couldn''t help but be stunned. This was a world of paintings, a dreamlike scene!


    "Let''s go!" Qin Ran said, and continued walking forward, into this painting-like world.


    Li Shiyin watched from behind as Master''s thin figure entered this fairnd-like world, and finally looked harmonious...


    She followed forward along the path towards the houses. They arrived in front of the two-story wooden house.


    This wooden house had a tiled roof structure. Although the structure still had a mundane feel, the materials used were extraordinary. The roof tiles were translucent, the eaves were flying, and there was a mysterious and ethereal aura.


    The material was probably some kind of spiritual wood, Li Shiyin secretly guessed. Looking at it brought pleasure, and faintly smelled a delicate fragrance, with a hint of aura swirling about, it was indeed like a blessednd of paradise.


    On the left was a tall tree, right next to the house, with dense branches swaying in the wind, covering half of the roof. To the right was open space, with only a few nts nted on the riverbank. The nts were short, with lush green leaves and branches, but Li Shiyin had never seen them before.


    On the other side of the riverbank was a five-story tall strange building, forming a right angle with the house in front. That building, made of a material like stone, had square rooms like boxes, giving a strange aesthetic feel. Li Shiyin had never seen that kind of architectural structure before.


    Seeing Li Shiyin looking at the building across the way, Qin Ran spoke up to introduce it: "That is the research building, hmm, the alchemy chamber. Alchemy practice will take ce over there in the future. This in front is called the living quarters, where eating, sleeping, and entertainment are done daily. This tree is a sophora tree. It looks ordinary, but is actually a spiritual tree. It is said to be nted by an ancestor of Dan Peak, and must be thousands of years old."


    After a simple introduction, he motioned for Li Shiyin to go inside, "Here in front is the living room, well, not really a living room since there are rarely guests, just a ce to spend time daily. To the left is the kitchen, to the right is the storage room where ordinary garbage is ced. Upstairs there are bedrooms, a study, and an exercise room that we''ll look atter."


    Li Shiyin followed Qin Ran into the living room. She saw it was spotless and extremely tidy. Against the left wall was a row of soft, fluffy-looking seats, in front of which was a table with some food on it. The right wall was very clean with nothing on it.


    Theyout of this living room was also very strange to her, she had never seen anything like it before.


    "Make yourself at home," Qin Ran casually took off his ck robe, only wearing a white undershirt. He hung the robe on a rack by the door, indicating for Li Shiyin to rx, while he himself went through the living room into the so-called kitchen.


    Li Shiyin did not sit down. She walked around the living room, touching here and looking there. Everything made her feel novelty. But this novelty was not an ethereal feeling towards immortals, it was a kind of, hmm, very strange novelty that she could not describe.


    She came to the window and looked outside through the transparent ss. Outside was arge and spacious grasnd, with green grass swaying in the wind. Surrounding the grasnd was a very tall and lush forest, and the golden sunshine prated through the forest. They had just passed through that forest to get here.


    "Is this fairnd?" she marveled to herself, then smiled, for wasn''t this exactly fairnd! This was a utopia, a paradise, this was where she would live from now on.


    "Anyway, the scenery here is quite nice, right?" Master''s voice came from behind. She turned to see Master holding two transparent cups, with some kind of strange ck-brown liquid inside. Master handed her one cup, smiling, "Try it, it''s very delicious."


    She took it. The cup felt ice-cold, the liquid inside was bubbling, looking rather toxic, so she didn''t dare drink it at first.


    Seeing his disciple''s manner, Qin Ran smiled and took a sip from his own cup, saying, "There''s no soda in this world, this took me several years to formte. This is the only ce you can get it, nowhere else!"


    Li Shiyin thought about it. If he had any malicious intentions after building his foundation, Master Qin Ran would not resort to such vulgar tricks either. So she raised the cup and took a light sip.


    The ice-cold sweet liquid flowed into her mouth, and countless bubbles instantly burst on her tongue. This feeling... she instantly widened her eyes, how could it feel sofortable?!


    She couldn''t help taking a big gulp from the cup. Then the icy liquid passed down her throat into her stomach, the bubbles exploding in her stomach, instantly making her feel refreshed throughout her body, almost making her unable to keep from moaning...


    But she endured it. Very soon, a burst of air surged up from her stomach, and she, she seemed about to burp!


    She quickly covered her mouth, forcibly suppressing it. The air did note out of her mouth, but from her nose instead.


    "Hahaha..." Li Shiyin''s actions made Qin Ranugh. He took a big gulp from his cup, came to the window, looked at the beautiful scenery outside, and let out a loud belch that ruined the atmosphere,ughing again, "Refreshing!"


    "What...what is this?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran nced at Li Shiyin and smiled, "Let''s call it soda for now."


    "Soda?" Li Shiyin smacked her lips and couldn''t help drinking another sip.


    "I''ll teach you how to make itter," Qin Ran said to Li Shiyin while drinking soda, "Actually, this ce used to be arge forest too. I cleared those trees earlier this year...and made this clearing. In the future we can grow some things, grains, herbs and the like."


    He pointed back and continued, "Actually, the caves of Dan Peak are generally on the cliffs in the back. But I don''t like living in caves, so I built houses here. Yeah, I built both of these. If you prefer caves, you can also live in the backter. All the same."


    Li Shiyin did not respond. She slowly drank the soda. She had some expectations about the life of cultivation, good and bad, strange encounters, survival of the fittest, she had thought of them all. But...so far, this was not what she had imagined. It was not the same as what she had thought.


    After drinking the soda and quietly looking at the scenery for a while, Qin Ran said to Li Shiyin, "Keep sitting for a while, or look around. I''ll go make dinner."


    "Do immortals need to eat too?" Li Shiyin finally asked.


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran felt this question was quite serious. He pondered for a while before replying, "Cultivation, is actually a process of improving oneself. From my research, essentially the foundation building stage is a process of enhancing one''s physical fitness, to enable the body to withstand the golden core. And the golden core, essentially is an egg that incubates the infant spirit, the infant spirit is..."


    As he spoke, he suddenly saw the confused look in Li Shiyin''s eyes and quickly stopped, smiling, "So, the foundation building stage is a process of enhancing physical fitness, and the best way to enhance physical fitness is to eat well."


    Li Shiyin did not understand, and did not dare to ask further. She just nodded nkly.


    "I''ll go make dinner," Qin Ran said, leaving her with that, and turned to go into the kitchen. Soon, cooking smoke rose from the kitchen.


    Li Shiyin walked out from the living room and stood at the door. She looked at thewn in front of her, the nearby forest, and the setting sun in the distance. A light evening breeze blew by, gently swaying the grass and leaves. The golden sunlight danced in the rising cooking smoke. She spread her arms and looked up to the sky, taking a deep breath. The air was fresh and moist, the sky a bright, vivid blue. She suddenly felt this was what her cultivation life should be like. She looked forward to the future again.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    After eating a rather sumptuous dinner, at least the dishes were styles Li Shiyin had never seen before.


    Qin Ran cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, then went back to the living room to see Li Shiyin sitting on the sofa contemting life.


    This young girl had a cold face and profound eyes, looking quite crafty. As Qin Ran looked at her, his mind was in a mess.


    It had been five years since his master passed away. He had lived alone on Dan Peak, not to say carefree and happy, but indeed free andfortable. And now suddenly there was an extra person, who looked quite crafty...


    He was not good at dealing with such unexpected changes. Fortunately she was a pretty girl, so he could tolerate her more.


    Hmm? No, not a girl, a disciple, a female disciple.


    A female disciple?


    Qin Ran started to feel troubled again. A disciple meant he had to teach her cultivation, but he himself was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, so how could he teach others cultivation?


    Oh well...he could only take it one step at a time.


    "It''s gettingte, go take a bath and rest!" He walked over and said to Li Shiyin, "We''ll talk about cultivation tomorrow."


    Li Shiyin looked over to him and nodded with a cold face.


    Looking at her cold face, Qin Ran sighed in his heart again. With such a cold and crafty female disciple, how should he handle his life from now on?


    "Come, upstairs." He beckoned Li Shiyin and walked towards the stairs, "The bedroom is upstairs."


    The stairs leading upstairs were in front of the living room on the left, next to the door to the kitchen. The stairs turned twice, with a wooden shoe rack on thending of the first flight, with various styles of shoes on it.


    Qin Ran walked in front, when he reached the bottom of the stairs, the light in the stairwell automatically turned on. He saw the shoe rack and went to grab a pair of slippers.


    Li Shiyin followed behind him. When she stepped into the stairwell, the lights in the living room suddenly went out, giving her a shock. She turned back alertly.


    Qin Ran got up with the slippers, looked back and saw her reaction, and exined, "Don''t be afraid, that''s a motion sensor light."


    "Motion sensor light?" Li Shiyin frowned, a strange term she had never heard before.


    "Yes, a motion sensor light. It''s actually a kind of motion detection magic array. When it detects someone, the light turns on," Qin Ran exined, "It''s a magic array."


    Magic array? This Li Shiyin could understand. Although she didn''t know magic arrays, she knew cultivators had such magical abilities.


    "In my opinion, circuit diagrams are very simr to magic array diagrams..." Qin Ran paused. He remembered there were no circuits in this world. The world with electricity was too far away. He smiled and said, "Never mind, forget what I just said."


    At the top of the stairs was a narrow hallway. Directly facing the stairs was a transparent door. The room inside was opposite the living room. Through the door one could see it had arge space, furnished with all kinds of strange things.


    Walking left along the hallway led to the upstairs stairs, to the rooftop it seemed, since the house had no third floor.


    Walking right along the hallway led to Qin Ran''s study and bathroom, opposite the downstairs kitchen. The study door was at the end of the hallway, and the bathroom door was on the right.


    Qin Ran took Li Shiyin towards the bathroom. Lights automatically turned on along the way.


    "You must have noticed the upstairs space is muchrger than downstairs." Qin Ran had a hint of pride on his face as he smiled and spoke to Li Shiyin.


    "Oh? Is it?" Li Shiyin asked in her mind, as she hadn''t paid much attention, but didn''t ask out loud.


    "This is a Heaven and Earth magic array." Qin Ran exined on his own, "Actually there''s also one downstairs, but that one I set up when I first learned, so the expanded space is very small and not obvious. The one upstairs is more noticeable."


    The Heaven and Earth array involved space maniption, very difficult toprehend and set up, definitely not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could do. That was why Qin Ran was proud.


    Though... he was winking at a blind person here. Li Shiyin didn''t understand any of this.


    "This is the clothes dryer...abination of heating and wind arrays... " The clothes dryer was on a waist-high tform outside the bathroom. All the way, Qin Ran had been exining everything in detail to Li Shiyin. Entering the bathroom, he said, "Touch here with your hand for hot water, touch there for cold water. The boxes here contain shampoo, shower gel andundry detergent. Just press to dispense."


    "What arrays are these?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "These aren''t arrays, they are...some physics basics, atmospheric pressure and such..." Qin Ran said. "Try them yourself. I''ll go get you a change of clothes."


    He turned and left the bathroom, walked along the hallway, and entered the strangely furnished room.


    Watching her master''s departing back, Li Shiyin felt it was all so magical... Were all masters this amazing and incredible, or was it just hers?


    Curiously she fiddled with the various designs in the bathroom, touching here, pressing there. The shower head alternated between hot and cold water. Her hands were soon covered in slippery gel.


    When Qin Ran returned with the clothes, he happened to see the stony-faced Li Shiyin messing around wet and sticky in the bathroom like a naughty child.


    Hmm...he suddenly felt perhaps her stony face was not cold, but nk, wooden, dumb...silly.


    "There haven''t been female disciples at Dan Peak for many years, no disciples at all. No women''s clothes, so just make do with mine for now, we''ll figure it outter." He shook his head and said as he walked over, "If you can sew, we can just buy some fabric. If not, we''ll go to the Butler Hall to order custom-made clothes."


    Hearing Qin Ran''s voice, Li Shiyin hurriedly stopped and turned around. Seeing Qin Ran walk over with clothes, she quickly hid her hands behind her back, just like a little girl caught doing something wrong.


    Qin Ran didn''t scold her, but went straight to put the clothes in theundry basket, then turned to leave. Halfway out, he added, "Wash up first... Oh, lock the door like this, you can lock it from the inside... After your bath, best to wash your clothes too, and put them in the dryer. They''ll be dry by tomorrow morning."


    After these instructions, he entered the study and closed the door.


    Li Shiyin''s face flushed ever so slightly in the bathroom. She quickly shut the bathroom door, fiddled around for a good while longer to satisfy her curiosity, before finally starting her bath.


    She bathed, then as Qin Ran had told her, washed her clothes and put them in the dryer. Seeing the dryer automatically heating up and blowing air, she marveled again at how magical it was. She walked forward, turned and pushed open the study door, and saw her new incredible master hunched over the desk by the window, writing and drawing.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    The window of the study was opposite the door. By now, the night had already fallen dark, and themplight from the study shone out through the window. Outside, one could see the tall Ling Schr tree;


    Directly below the window was a desk, on which were scattered thread-bound books, paper, writing brushes, and the like;


    To the left of the window on the wall was a small bookshelf, on which books and bamboo and jade slips were neatly arranged;


    To the right of the window was arge bookshelf, which also had books on top and cabs below.


    At this time, Qin Ran was sitting in a chair made of woven bamboo strips, with a thick, soft cushion underneath him, lying stomach-down on the desk writing something.


    Li Shiyin opened the door and walked over, wanting to see what Qin Ran was writing.


    The sound of her opening the door made Qin Ran turn around. Seeing her approach in a white changshan, he felt a bit awkward inside. The clothes were his, but when worn by Li Shiyin, they only looked loose while still fitting her.


    "Ah-hem!" He gave a light cough and spoke up, "I''m thinking about how to teach you cultivation."


    Li Shiyin was puzzled. Cultivation, wasn''t it just being given a cultivation method, then following the instructions to practice? But she didn''t respond, only looking at Qin Ran to see what he would say.


    "My cultivation level is only at thete Foundation Establishment stage. Although I believe my understanding of cultivation is still thorough, but..." Qin Ran turned in his chair to face her as Li Shiyin walked over to the tableside. He continued, "My cultivation is still too low. I still don''t know if my understanding is right or not. So I still feel confused about how exactly I should teach you.


    "Generally speaking, the higher one''s cultivation level, the more thorough their understanding of cultivation, especially regarding lower realms. Therefore, it''s best to take a master whose cultivation level is definitively high. Looking down from the high vantage point, he can guide the disciple to walk each step perfectly.


    "In my personal opinion, a good master is more important than good cultivation resources.


    "Yet my cultivation is only at Foundation Establishment. To teach you the foundations, this is really..."


    He shook his head.


    Beside him, Li Shiyin lowered her head.


    "My cultivation isn''t high, my experience isn''t broad. My understanding of cultivation may be mistaken, which could affect your future development," Qin Ran went on. "So I have to be extremely prudent."


    "Master..." The head-lowered Li Shiyin suddenly spoke up.


    "Hm?" Qin Ran raised his head to look at her. He saw determination surface on her cold, no, he was certain, nk face.


    "I trust you," she said.


    "Thank you," Qin Ran felt a current of warmth sweep through his heart. Nothing was more touching than trust. He smiled and no longer agonized over the matter. Instead, he moved on, "Then, regarding your cultivation, I''ve decided to first test your alchemy talents. Since the Golden Spirit Root isn''t traditionally considered suitable for alchemy. If you don''t have talent in alchemy..."


    He didn''t get to finish as Li Shiyin interrupted, "Master, I must learn alchemy."


    Qin Ran wasn''t angry. He looked at Li Shiyin and saw the young girl gritting her teeth, set on learning alchemy no matter what. He knew she had toe to Dan Peak and learn alchemy no matter what, surely for reasons of her own which he didn''t ask about. He only nodded.


    He took a book off the table and handed it to Li Shiyin, saying, "This is a foundational cultivation method that only teaches you how to sense qi. You can cultivate with it, but progress will be very slow. It has one advantage, which is that the cultivated qi has no attribute, making it suitable for switching cultivation methodster."


    "Master, I..." Li Shiyin wanted to refuse. She wanted to directly learn the alchemy cultivation method. Young people always have some inexplicable confidence in themselves.


    "Take it first," Qin Ran said.


    Although his tone was gentle, it made Li Shiyin not dare to refuse. She reached out and took the book.


    Seeing that she had taken the book, Qin Ran suddenly recalled an important matter. He asked, "Do you know how to read?"


    "Mn," Li Shiyin nodded. "Although family teachings weren''t strict, I did learn poetry, books, rituals, and music."


    Qin Ran nodded, relieved. As long as she could read, that was good. Otherwise he''d have to teach her how to read, which would be too terrifying.


    "Many who aren''t sure of their cultivation path start with this method. The major sects are also like this. So this method has a name, called Foundational Cultivation Method," he said with augh as he stood up and walked outside.


    "I''ll give you the method first for you to take a look, consider it...preview. I''ll exin and teach you how to cultivate, how to sense qiter. But that''s it for today. You must be tired too. Rest first. Anything else we''ll talk tomorrow."


    Holding the book, Li Shiyin pursed her lips, evidently reluctant to practice this Foundational Cultivation Method. But she kept her head lowered and didn''t object, following Qin Ran out of the study.


    Qin Ran led Li Shiyin through the corridor and opened the transparent door, introducing, "This is the exercise room, self-exnatory, a room for exercise. The essence of cultivating immortality is making oneself stronger, so necessary training is indispensable."


    Following behind, Li Shiyin nced around. From the outside, she had felt the room was a bit big, buting inside now, she felt it was extremely spacious. She privately measured and guessed one could even ride a horse in here without issue.


    The room held many apparatuses she didn''t recognize. Some looked like torture devices, some she recognized, like the weapons rack, the circr tes for building arm strength.


    The two passed through the exercise room and exited from the other door,ing to the ce opposite the storage room downstairs. Arranged in a row here were two rooms.


    "This room is my bedroom..." Qin Ran pointed to the one nearer the exercise room, then pointed to the room at the end of the corridor, "And the one opposite, originally belonged to my master. But Master didn''t like living upstairs and barely stayed here a few times. After he ascended, it was converted into a guest room, but Dan Peak has had no guests needing lodging."


    He brought Li Shiyin to the end of the corridor and opened the door. The lights inside automatically turned on. The not-veryrge room held a bed, a table, and a cab, nothing else.


    "It''s yours from now on," he told Li Shiyin.


    Due to the dust-repelling array, the four-piece bedding set on the bed remained spotless. The blue covers looked clean.


    "The bedding is all new, actually no one has used them," he added. "Change them if you don''t like them."


    After Li Shiyin entered the room, he turned to leave, saying, "That''s it. It''ste, rest early. I''m right next door. If you need anything..."


    As he spoke, he felt he didn''t seem like a master, but more like an innkeeper, or a parental figure. So he didn''t continue admonishing. After all, there was no danger at Dan Peak.


    He waved his hand, bid goodnight, then turned and left.


    After Qin Ran departed, Li Shiyin looked around the room. She went and put down the Foundational Cultivation Method on the table, then sat at the bedside and gazed up out the window at the nightscape, spacing out.


    Since arriving at Dan Peak, everything had been better than imagined. Aside from fewer people, Dan Peak had no other shorings. Aside from lower cultivation, her master had no other ws.


    It was just, her master was too good, too gentle,pletely unlike the immortal grace and bones she had imagined,pletely the opposite of the harsh cruelty she envisioned. He didn''t even seem like a master, more like the gentle older brother next door, like family.


    If her subsequent cultivation could continue so smoothly, then her start in cultivating immortality was simply perfectly ideal,pletely unlike the dangerous cultivating world described by others.


    She drew her gaze back from the window and lowered her head, suddenly feeling bashful seeing that she still wore her master''s clothes.


    In the bedroom next door, Qin Rany in bed looking out the window, a pillow under his head. His feeling was a bit numb, a bit...unreal!


    He had been leisurely cultivating here, not bothering anyone, how could he suddenly, "pah", gain a disciple?


    For a shut-in in his twenties, wasn''t this a tremendous psychological damage!?


    His small world had been abruptly shattered by an external object. This feeling of insecurity...was truly too horrifying. The freedom and ease of being alone was gone, changed to being two people. And not only that, he even had to teach his disciple to cultivate...


    "Ahhhhh..." Qin Ran suddenly copsed at the snapping heartstrings after holding up all day. His heart was a tangled mess.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    The next morning, Qin Ran woke up with a start from his sleep and sat up abruptly in bed. He was confused for a good while before remembering why he had to get up early.


    He seemed to have epted a disciple and was going to teach her cultivation today.


    Last night before bed, he reminded himself that he had to set a good example and...get up early.


    "Ah!!!" Realizing this point, Qin Ran couldn''t help but wail and cover his face. What sin had hemitted to end up in this situation?!


    "Mom, I don''t want to go to school..."


    "Get a grip on yourself, you''re the teacher!!"


    In the end, he still got out of bed.


    Qin Ran put on a white singlet and opened the bedroom door to the corridor. The cool, moist morning breeze blew in from the forest, carrying the fresh scent of grass and soil, instantly awakening him.


    He looked up at the vast sky. Only a few wisps of clouds driftedzily by. Golden light shone behind the forest - the sun was rising.


    It was going to be another sunny day!


    Qin Ran stretchedzily.


    Looking back, he nced at the bedroom door next to his and hesitated for a moment before deciding not to knock.


    "Let her sleep a while longer," he murmured with a sigh.


    She was so young, having traveled thousands of miles from home to cultivate here. It must have been difficult for her. It reminded him of his own inexplicable transmigration to this world.


    Qin Ran slowly went downstairs to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of pure white milk. He took a pack of bean-like things that looked like candy from the fridge and sat down at the dining table.


    Creating things simr to those on Earth was the onlyfort in this otherworldly traveler''s heart.


    The fridge was made using formations - it wasn''t too difficult to replicate the principles of a fridge using formations. The exterior looked just like fridges on Earth.


    The candy beans were a breakfast he had refined using the pill refining methods for the Grain Pill but with different ingredients, adding some vors he liked. They were nutritious and tasty.


    As for the milk, it was bought from the market. It was also cow''s milk, but not from ordinary cows. Rather, it was milk from a species called Three-Horned Crimson Aurochs.


    This world didn''t have dedicated dairy suppliers, but all kinds of beast milk could be bought at cultivator markets. Some of these milks had been tried by predecessors and were known to not only taste good but also benefit cultivation, like this Three-Horned Crimson Aurochs milk. Some were new finds by cultivators and no one knew if they were drinkable or not.


    After a mouthful of milk, Qin Ran picked up a book about rare treasures and exotic beasts from a nearby shelf to read while eating. It was quite a leisurely and carefree scene.


    Just then, the living room door suddenly opened and Li Shiyin in a bright yellow mandarin cor dress walked in from outside.


    Li Shiyin''s gaze passed through the living room and saw Qin Ran in the kitchen. She then headed over.


    "You..." Weren''t you still sleeping? Qin Ran said hesitantly. "Where did you go?"


    "I walked around outside, looking everywhere." Li Shiyin replied.


    "Oh!" As expected, he was thezy dog. Qin Ran nodded with a straight face. "That''s pretty early."


    "I''m used to it. It was like this at home too." Li Shiyin said.


    "Always like this? What does your family do?" Qin Ran stood up to pour a cup of cow''s milk for Li Shiyin and said, "Sit and have some breakfast."


    "Breakfast?" Li Shiyin was puzzled. Her master''s words were quite strange sometimes. Although understandable, the wording was a little odd.


    "Breakfast, meal and fast, they''re simr." Qin Ran said casually, cing the cup in front of Li Shiyin on the table. "This is Three-Horned Crimson Aurochs milk. It''s good for the body, but you can''t drink too much."


    Li Shiyin sat down and said, "My father is the Grand General of the North Chu Country. He was very strict with us since we were young."


    The North Chu Country? Geographically speaking, it was not far from the Dao Sword Sect. In fact, it could be said that the Dao Sword Sect was within the North Chu Country''s territory. However, there was no substantial hierarchical rtionship between the North Chu Country and the Dao Sword Sect.


    As for Qin Ran who had transmigrated over, he could be considered half a person of the North Chu Country.


    "A prominent military family huh?" Qin Ran smiled.


    No wonder thisss could hike up a mountain with him all day yesterday and still wake up so early today. He had thought the average person in this world also had such great physical fitness!


    He pushed the breakfast candy beans to Li Shiyin and said, "These are made using the methods for refining Grain Pills, but catered to my personal taste. Later I''ll teach you how to refine them, and you can make them to your own taste."


    With so many odd things, Li Shiyin felt she was almost immune to surprises now. She popped two candy beans into her mouth. They melted upon entering, sweet and delicious, transforming into a warm stream down her throat.


    She nced at Qin Ran. So her master liked sweet food.


    After chatting for a while in the kitchen and eating breakfast, Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin across the river to the brick and stone building.


    Qin Ran pushed open therge door and said to Li Shiyin, "Cultivation and pill refining are usually done here, but living is separate from that. Still have to keep them apart."


    "??" Li Shiyin was puzzled directly, not really understanding Qin Ran''s train of thought. Weren''t cultivation and pill refining a cultivator''s whole life? But she didn''t dare ask.


    "The first floor is for pill refining. There are pill furnaces, earth fire, Profound Condensation water, centrifuges...oh, the Centrifugal Formation." As they walked into the corridor, Qin Ran briefly introduced each room to Li Shiyin. "The first floor is basically for pill refining."


    "Then the second floor stores medicinal ingredients, and the third floor stores pills..."


    As he spoke, he brought Li Shiyin upstairs to the second floor and casually pushed open a room. The interior was arranged like a Chinese medicine shop, with rows of brown drawers containing medicinal ingredients.


    "The first step in pill refining is to recognize medicinal ingredients..." There was a table and chairs in the middle of the room. Qin Ran had Li Shiyin sit down while he himself pulled out arge bundle of herbs from a small drawer. "This is the main material for refining Origin Recovery Pills - Origin Guiding Grass."


    Li Shiyin sat there watching her master take herbs out of the small drawer, knowing there must be some magical array formation inside.


    Qin Ran spoke while taking out more than a dozen ingredients of various shapes from other drawers, introducing them one by one to Li Shiyin until her head buzzed noisily.


    "These are all the medicinal ingredients for refining Origin Recovery Pills. Origin Recovery Pills are a very basic medicinal pill, usually used by Foundation Establishment stage cultivators to quickly recover spiritual power. If spiritual power runs out during battles, Origin Recovery Pills can replenish it."


    Qin Ran took out a portion of each medicinal ingredient and arranged them on the table in front of Li Shiyin. He also took out a book from the purse-like cosmos bag at his waist and handed it to Li Shiyin.


    "Your task today is to remember what these original medicinal ingredients look like - their appearance, collection methods, processing methods, appearance after processing, effects, quantities used in refining, and processing methods during refining..."


    As he spoke, he suddenly noticed Li Shiyin''s confused gaze and stopped, simply saying in the end, "Forget it, just remember their original appearance and effects, as well as their appearance after processing."


    Looking at the medicinal ingredients before her and listening to her master''s ceaseless chatter, Li Shiyin had long been confused. She finally found a hint of a master''s temperament in him, and it was even more terrifying than the old tutors in the family school. She could only nod nkly.


    "That''s it then..." Qin Ran finished his instructions, gathered up the ingredients and walked out. "I''ll be refining pills downstairs. Come find me around noon to test you."


    Watching Qin Ran''s retreating back, Li Shiyin slowly came back to her senses. She held the book in her hands and reluctantly turned her head towards it. The pages had illustrations and text. The illustrations were colorful and lifelike while the text was...densely packed and very detailed.


    She took a look...


    "Ah..." and let out a big yawn. She further grumbled to herself, "Did I get up too early today? Feeling a little sleepy..."


    Although Dan Peak had declined and was virtually defunct, it was still Dan Peak after all. It had to do what it was supposed to.


    And what was Dan Peak supposed to do? Of course, pill refining! To provide Dao Sword Sect with a basic medicinal pill supply.


    Of course, for Qin Ran to supply the entire sect with all its pills, he would have to work himself to death. But providing some basic, necessary pills within his capabilities was still possible.


    Like the Grain Pill, Origin Recovery Pill, Foundation Establishing Pill and other essential medicinal pills he could refine.


    Qin Ran was preparing to refine Origin Recovery Pills today.


    Origin Recovery Pills, a basic medicinal pill, can quickly restore spiritual power. They are needed by all cultivators in the immortal cultivation world, from low-level cultivators to top-level masters. Well, low-level cultivators need low-grade Origin Recovery Pills, while high-level cultivators need high-grade ones.


    So how was Qin Ran''s pill refining skills? Can''t say it''s good or bad. It''s just different from others.


    Because he had a scientific research mindset, his skills can''t bepared to other pill refiners in the cultivation world.


    The most obvious trait is that his pill refining speed is much faster than ordinary pill refiners. Once heprehends a pill form, his refining methods arepletely different.


    In just a morning, while other pill refiners could open one furnace at most, without guaranteed sess, even if it seeded, a furnace yielded only seven or eight pills. But Qin Ran could open two or three furnaces, all sessful, with at least ten pills per furnace.


    After easilypleting today''s tasks, Qin Ran took three or four porcin bottles upstairs, humming a tune, ready to check on Li Shiyin to see if she remembered the medicinal materials.


    But when he opened the door, he saw Li Shiyin''s drool nearly flooding the table...

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    The room was crammed with cabs full of medicinal materials, leaving little empty space. A table was also squeezed in, so the lighting wasn¡¯t very bright either.


    It was narrow, dim and...perfect for sleeping. Especially with the faint herbal fragrance in the room, it made people even drowsier.


    Qin Ran pushed open the door and saw Li Shiyin sleeping soundly face down on the table. The book on medicinal materials was pressed under her face, and her originally chubby cheeks looked even rounder.


    It was an exaggeration to say the table was flooded, but the book was indeed drenched. The pages had be damp. Qin Ran could only sigh that he didn¡¯t have a cellphone with him after transmigrating, otherwise he could have taken a picture of this scene and yed it on loop around the world after Li Shiyin became a powerful figure...


    Thinking this, he looked from the backlit doorway at the sleeping girl¡¯s blurred features.


    The girl had fair and delicate skin, contrasting with the dark yellow book pages. Her brush-like eyshes had their own allure. Her pouty lips...with glistening drool dripping from the corners, seemed even more rosy.


    ¡°She does look good...No! Her face must be stained ck by the ink.¡± Qin Ran suppressed the strange things arising in his heart, and pretended to shake his head with a sigh, ming the girl for not learning properly.


    After standing at the door for a while, he walked in lightly, found a chair, and sat down opposite the table. He took out a book from his cosmic bag, and quietly started reading.


    Li Shiyin didn¡¯t wake up until sunlight shone in through the window behind her. Still groggy, she opened her eyes and saw the sunlight reflecting off the book pages. She noticed the pool of drool on the page mixed with the words.


    She was stunned for a moment, vaguely thinking she had fallen asleep again in ss, and hurriedly sat up to look ahead. But instead of seeing the white-bearded old teacher, there was a handsome young man.


    This young man was reading a book while leaning against the chair back, a picture of leisure. The sunlight shone in through the window behind him, bathing him in its glow, making him seem to radiate light.


    ¡°Did the old teacher be younger?¡±


    This was Li Shiyin¡¯s first reaction. She was about to apologize, but suddenly realized the old teacher would never be so gentle, and should have caned her already. This couldn¡¯t be the old teacher. She then remembered this was the master she had just taken on as a disciple yesterday.


    As her mind slowly shook off its grogginess, she finally recalled her master had asked her to recite information about medicinal materials...


    ¡°Awake?¡± Qin Ran closed his book over his chest. Squinting in the sunlight, he looked at Li Shiyin.


    ¡°Awake...I¡¯m awake...¡± Li Shiyin mumbled in reply. At this moment, the shame of being caught cking off and the embarrassment of drooling in her sleep exploded in her mind simultaneously, making her want to find a hole to hide in. But her master¡¯s gentle tone finally enabled her to speak.


    Although she kept her head lowered like a child admitting wrongdoing, with her face flushed red from embarrassment.


    ¡°How much did you remember?¡± Qin Ran asked. His gaze shifted down to the book page that had been dirtied into an illegible mess by her drool. As expected, it was still the first page.


    Li Shiyin also looked at the book, and saw the damp stains on it. Flustered, she hurriedly closed the book, trying to cover up her misdeed.


    ¡°Oh dear...¡± Qin Ran sighed with faux maturity, shaking his head as if ming her inability to meet expectations. He closed his own book, stood up, and said, ¡°Perhaps because you just arrived and didn¡¯t rest wellst night, or the spiritual energy in the milk this morning was too much for your body. Anyway, rest first. We¡¯ll talk again after lunch.¡±


    Li Shiyin thought for a bit. Recalling her performance in school, she wanted to say it wasn¡¯t due to objective reasons. But in the end she just nodded and said, ¡°It was the milk this morning, it made me sleepy.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Without another word, Qin Ran waved his hand to summon Li Shiyin¡¯s book back to him.


    ¡°Master...¡± Li Shiyin felt awful. She reached out to snatch the book back, because the evidence of her misdeed was still on it.


    But Qin Ran ignored her, turning to walk out with his inner force evaporating the drool on the book. With a flip of his hand, the book went into his cosmos bag.


    Li Shiyin had no choice. Face red, head lowered, she followed Qin Ran out of the medicine room.


    Stepping outside, Li Shiyin realized the sun had already moved west. It must be afternoon now. When she had entered this medicine room earlier, it was not even eight o¡¯clock. She was supposed to be studying, but had slept until now instead.


    Qin Ran walked ahead, sneaking a nce back at Li Shiyin. Seeing her hanging her head, looking as if regretting her actions, it reminded him of his university days, when ssmates had the same expression after leaving the self-study hall.


    He suddenly felt nostalgic, and said with augh, ¡°Was it morefortable sleeping here than in bed?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Li Shiyin didn¡¯t react at first, unsure if this was casual chatting, or mocking. But from understanding her master over the past day, she felt he was sincerely asking her opinion. She thought about it, and honestly replied, ¡°Yes...it really was.¡±


    Qin Ran shook his head and continued, ¡°It¡¯d definitely be even morefortable if I was lecturing you.¡±


    ¡°Mm...¡± Li Shiyin actually agreed with this very much, because she always felt especially sleepy whenever the old teacher gave lectures. But she sensed unknown danger, and didn¡¯t respond, only giving an ambiguous murmur.


    ¡°In the past...¡± Qin Ran¡¯s tone was rather nostalgic, ¡°A long, long time ago, a ssmate used our math teacher¡¯s lecture audio as a luby at night, with great results.¡±


    Li Shiyin raised her head to look at Qin Ran¡¯s back, sensing a loneliness in him.


    Master has an interesting past! She thought, and kept staring. But as she looked on, Master suddenly turned his head. Caught off guard, their gazes met directly, and she panicked for some reason, lowering her head.


    Qin Ran also panicked, hurriedly turning his head back, and continued speaking, ¡°In the future...if you can¡¯t sleep, you can also listen to my lecture audio...¡±


    It was just normal joking around, but the guilty-minded found something off about his words, and trailed off, voice getting smaller and smaller until it couldn''t be heard.


    Li Shiyin was flustered, but suddenly noticed something strange in Master''s voice...


    As they walked downstairs and out the front door, onto the grass by the creek, she listened to the waterfall in the distance, and realized Master seemed embarrassed, even more than her.


    Sensing this, she didn''t feel as embarrassed anymore. Raising her head, she stared straight at Qin Ran''s back.


    She was the esteemed young miss of the great North Chu Li family. Her writing could stabilize the realm (¡Á), her martial arts could mount a horse to establish the universe. How could she put on such a petty act?


    The Qin Ran ahead waspletely unaware that just casual chatting for a few sentences had already ruined his master image. As he walked ahead, his heart pitter-pattered chaotically...


    It wasn''t that he had any strange thoughts about his disciple. She seemed underage still, so it''d be a crime, although North Chu girls could marry at fourteen. He truly didn''t have any indecent ideas, she was his disciple after all, although so pretty and foolishly cute. No no no, he was a righteous gentleman, he absolutely wouldn''tmit such beastly acts, even if he shut himself in for twenty more years. He wouldn''t randomly fall for a girl.


    "I must maintain the prestigious image of a master!" He warned himself, and secretly took a deep breath, straightening his back and lifting his head to appear taller and grander.


    One was forcibly maintaining his already copsed master image there, strangling the strange sprouts arising in his heart. The other was secretly toppling her master''s image in her mind, and nting an unseen seed in the ruins.


    They left the research building, crossed the creek, and entered the living room of the residential building. Still, Qin Ran ducked into the kitchen to cook while Li Shiyin sat in the living room, cupping her scalding hot face, pondering unknown thoughts.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    After lunch, Qin Ran subconsciously wanted to go lie on the sofa. In the past, he would lie down for at least half an hour after eating, but today, he had only taken two steps before stopping. Because he suddenly realized that those days might be gone forever, he could not help sighing, turned around and went out.


    Seeing Master shaking his head and sighing again and again, Li Shiyin did not know what was going on with Master who had just eaten.


    She followed Qin Ran to the door.


    Master walked onto thewn, to the riverbank, lowered his head looking at the river. At this time, the scenery was like a painting, he was like a painted figure... A pensive painted figure.


    Li Shiyin thought for a while, then followed along to the riverbank. Lowering her head, she looked at the clear water below, where there were also fish and shrimp swimming along the current.


    Sensing that Li Shiyin had followed along, Qin Ran nced at her, then turned his head back to look at the water under his feet. Suddenly he said:


    "The Master said on the riverbank, the departed are thus gone, they no longer tarry day or night.


    "The original meaning of cultivation was actually to fight against time and seek immortality. It''s just that on the path of cultivation, people discovered that cultivation would obtain very powerful abilities, so some began to cultivate for power. "


    He sighed, "Then immortality and power became the two paths of cultivation."


    "The sword is the path of power, alchemy is the path of immortality." He turned his head and looked at Li Shiyin, asking, "Do you want to pursue alchemy or swordsmanship?"


    Li Shiyin did not know who "Master" was, nor did she understand what Master meant by those words. But she did want to pursue alchemy, so she immediately answered, "Alche..."


    Qin Ran raised his hand to stop her from continuing, saying,


    "You''re giving up your promising future in swordsmanship, just toe to Dan Peak. I know you must have a reason you must learn alchemy. But I still hope you''ll reconsider carefully. You don''t have to answer me now, think it over and then let me know."


    Li Shiyin fell silent.


    "Alchemy requires memorizing many medicinal materials, memorizing many pill forms, knowing how to turn medicinal materials into pills and elixirs. It''s not just cultivating an alchemy technique, knowing a certain pill form, and then you can start alchemy..."


    Qin Ran raised his head and looked towards the distant forest, "But swordsmanship doesn''t require memorizing much, just cultivating one martial art, learning one sword technique, and nurturing a fated sword is enough."


    He asked again, "Do you think you are more suited for alchemy or swordsmanship?"


    Li Shiyin was born in a sect family, although her father had tried his best, giving her the name Shiyin, letting her learn poetry, etiquette and propriety, hoping she could be gentler, more cultured and well-read.


    But the influence of family tradition was too great, she did not be a youngdy in the end...


    Whether she was more suited for swordsmanship or alchemy, she was actually clearer than anyone else.


    "There is no hierarchy between professions, but generally speaking, sword cultivators are more popr in the cultivation world. Everyone knows wet nurses are important, but who doesn''t want to be the sword immortal who can take heads from a thousand miles away with a flying sword?" Qin Ran said with a smile, "Youngdy, you should still pursue swordsmanship!"


    Li Shiyin pursed her lips, watching the fish in the river without speaking.


    "Swordsmanship is fast, alchemy is slow. Make your decision soon!" Qin Ran said finally, "But today, I will still teach you the basics of cultivation."


    After watching the fish for a while, the two crossed the river and returned to the research building. Qin Ran told Li Shiyin to wait in the morning''s pharmacy, while he went upstairs to get a human anatomy model.


    "Before starting cultivation, you must first understand the various meridians and acupoints of the human body. Otherwise, once you have Qi perception, you won''t know how to circte Qi," Qin Ran said, cing the anatomy model on the table. Li Shiyin sat behind the table as he looked at her and said,


    "This model was what I used when I was learning martial arts techniques back then. Now I''m demonstrating it to you."


    "Models? Does the cultivation world have such things?" Li Shiyin sat up straight, but her lively eyes betrayed her. Master was truly strange, his style never made sense.


    "Look, the acupoints from top to bottom, this is Baihui Point, connecting to Heaven and Earth. When the Primordial Spirit forms, it emerges from here... This is Yintang Point, also the location of the Sea of Wisdom. What is called the Upper Elixir Field, once you form your Divine Soul, it will reside here..."


    Qin Ran pointed at the anatomy model, exining in detail from top to bottom for Li Shiyin,


    "This is Dazhong Point, also the Middle Elixir Field, where the Primordial Spirit will resideter... This is Qihai Point, also the Lower Elixir Field, where the Qi Swirl and Golden Core are located.


    "Cultivation will start from the Lower Elixir Field. Once you have Qi perception, coalesce the Qi Swirl at the Lower Elixir Field, then as your cultivation level increases, the Qi Swirl growsrger, coagting into a Golden Core, then the Golden Core incubates and the Primordial Spirit emerges shattering the Core..."


    Qin Ran spoke fluently, exining ce by ce in great detail, taking care not to make mistakes, while also expressing his own insights into cultivation inyman''s terms, subtly indicating that he had learned something.


    But Li Shiyin, who was sitting behind the table listening... her eyes went from lively, to fixed, then dull, then closed.


    By the time he got from Baihui Point to Qihai Point, Li Shiyin was already ying tug-of-war with Lord Zhou, and by the time he got from Foundation Establishment to Divine Ascension, Li Shiyin had given up and was chatting merrily with Lord Zhou.


    Qin Ran spoke enthusiastically, then suddenly turned back and found Li Shiyin was already half asleep. He was stunned for a moment, suddenly realizing how the teachers in high school must have felt when they saw the whole ssroom full of students dozing off, and how disappointed they must have been.


    Was his lecture really that soporific? He couldn''t help but feel doubtful.


    But either way, he had to stop.


    If cultivation could be divided into theoretical and practical factions, then Qin Ran was a diehard theorist. If he didn''t fully understand the function of each acupoint, the specific path of each cultivation technique, he couldn''t advance his cultivation. At this time, he had little experience and assumed everyone was like him, unable to learn a technique properly without thorough preparation in advance. So when he saw Li Shiyin''s performance in ss, he was quite doubtful:


    Is this really top-tier Spirit Root?!


    Qin Ran sat down and looked at Li Shiyin with her mouth pouting, nodding off uncontrobly. He started thinking, should he still talk about the meridianster? Without knowing the acupoints and meridians clearly, how could one cultivate?


    But looking at Li Shiyin''s current state... a headache, ah what a headache!


    Qin Ran gently tapped the table, and Li Shiyin stopped nodding, but still didn''t wake up. Qin Ran hesitated, wondering if he was disturbing her rest, but still tapped the table again. Finally Li Shiyin woke up.


    Li Shiyin opened her eyes blurrily, seeing Master''s helpless expression before her, a sense of guilt welled up in her heart. She quickly lowered her head apologetically, saying "Sorry, Master, sorry, I...couldn''t...resist..."


    "How much did you hear of what I just exined?" Seeing his young disciple''s silly and cute appearance, Qin Ran struggled with hisst ounce of hope.


    "Baihui Point, something about connecting with Heaven and Earth, something about Divine Soul, something about Primordial Spirit..." Li Shiyin tried hard to recall what Qin Ran had just exined, saying everything she heard, "Egg breaks, babyes out, Qi bes a sea..."


    Qin Ran raised his hand to stop Li Shiyin''s nonsense. Finally he asked, "Do you know what any of this is?"


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin shook her head nkly.


    "s!" Qin Ran let out a sigh, standing up. At this time he really wanted to say, you can''t carve wood that''s rotten!


    But he didn''t say it after all.


    Turning around and walking out, he reached into his Cosmic Bag as he got to the door, took out a book, turned back and ced it on the table, saying "This is an illustrated guide to the human meridians. I''ve annotated all the meridians involved in Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, noting what attributes are associated with each meridian, you go ahead and read it yourself!"


    Having said that, he turned around and left.


    Watching Master''s departing back, Li Shiyin felt very guilty. She also didn''t know why she always felt drowsy!


    Letting out a helpless sigh, Li Shiyin picked up the book on the table and flipped it open. Like the materia medica book from the morning, the images were in color, with anatomy models clearly and vividly depicted, and the printed words were also densely packed, exining things in great detail, with Master''s handwritten notes in the margins.


    In short, with one nce, she felt the whole world was made of words, and her head started pounding.


    She hurriedly tossed the book back onto the table, as if it had bitten her.


    Li Shiyin leaned back against the chair in despair, raising her head to look at the ceiling.


    "How can I cultivate like this?" shemented, "Looking at books makes me sleepy, how will I ever concoct pills?"


    She was lost in thought when she suddenly realized something. "Master is only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, so how could he say he has marked all the meridians mentioned in this book for the Foundation Establishment Stage? Could it be that Master has read all the cultivation methods for the Foundation Establishment Stage?!"


    She was startled by her own thoughts. It''s unbelievable that someone could read so many books!


    "As expected of Master, he is indeed terrifying!"

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    When Li Shiyin came out from the research building, she saw Qin Ran holding a hoe, digging the ground by the riverbank, right next to that patch of lush unrecognizable grass.


    She walked over and asked from across the river, "Master, what are you nting?"


    "nting some Crane Crown Immortal Grass..." Qin Ran replied briefly, put down the hoe, took out a porcin bottle from his Universe Bag, shook it and poured out a few milky white seeds with ck dots. He spread them out to show Li Shiyin and exined, "These are Crane Crown Immortal Grass seeds. They are expensive. Just this one bottle has less than fifty seeds but costs ten low-grade Spirit Stones."


    Li Shiyin knew Spirit Stones were precious. They were basically impossible to find in the mortal world. The fact that just a few seeds cost ten Spirit Stones surprised her. She asked again, "What is this Crane Crown Immortal Grass used for? Is it very valuable?"


    "Crane Crown Immortal Grass. When mature, the tips of the grass bend down and turn white, looking like a crane''s head, very beautiful," Qin Ran answered. "It is one of the three main ingredients for refining Foundation Establishing Pill, so naturally very precious."


    "Foundation Establishing Pill?"


    "Some cultivators are not talented and may be unable to build their foundations. Foundation Establishing Pill greatly increases their chances of doing so." Qin Ran patiently exined.


    Li Shiyin nodded. She pointed at the lush grass next to Qin Ran and asked, "What immortal grass is this then?"


    Qin Ran''s expression changed almost imperceptibly as he nced over. He replied, "This is Awaken Spirit Grass."


    "What is Awaken Spirit Grass used for?"


    "Awaken Spirit Grass..." Awaken Spirit Grass was used to refine Soul Fusion Pill, but Qin Ran didn''t say that. He only said, "Awaken Spirit Grass is very good for one''s soul."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin didn''t notice Qin Ran''s strange behavior. She smiled and said, "So immortal grass is nted like this too. My father nts flowers the same way at home."


    "Don''t think too highly of immortal grass. For example, Awaken Spirit Grass doesn''t have high requirements for the environment and can indeed be nted like this," Qin Ran casually exined. He squatted down, nted a Crane Crown Immortal Grass seed in the hole he just dug, and further exined to Li Shiyin, "This is something I made specially, let''s just call it Spirit Water for now. I extracted nutrients that nts need into the water along with Spirit Stones."


    After putting away the "Spirit Water", he smiled and said, "I''m just experimenting to see if I can grow immortal grass with just Spirit Water and without Spirit Soil.


    Master is so knowledgeable! So amazing! So incredible! Li Shiyin yelled in admiration in her heart once again.


    "Right..." Qin Ran stood up, lightly covered the seed with soil using the hoe, and asked Li Shiyin as he did so, "How much have you read of the book I gave you yesterday?"


    Li Shiyin''s admiration immediately disappeared. She looked away awkwardly.


    Seeing her reaction, Qin Ran naturally understood. He didn''t pursue the issue further. After covering the seed with soil, he stuck the hoe into the ground nearby and went to the river to wash his hands.


    "If you don''t understand meridian pathways, acupoint locations, naturally you won''t be able to cultivate..." He soaked his hands in the cool river water and said, "I mean you won''t be able to cultivate, not that you can''t concoct pills. Do you understand what I mean?"


    "Can''t concoct pills? Can''t cultivate?" Li Shiyin didn''t understand and shook her head.


    Qin Ran sighed inwardly, thinking he had epted an idiot apprentice. Why did he feel like she was a aloof goddess yesterday? After just one day, her stupidity was making him copse.


    He patiently exined, "If you can''t cultivate, perhaps you can sense the qi in your body, the spiritual qi between heaven and earth, but you won''t be able to mobilize them! You don''t understand any of this?"


    "But Master..." Looking at Qin Ran''s expression of copse and speechlessness, Li Shiyin didn''t dare speak loudly. She said softly, "I can already mobilize the innate qi in my body."


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was surprised, thinking he had misheard. He then felt Li Shiyin was lying to him and really got angry. "Tell me, how do you mobilize the qi between heaven and earth?"


    "Just...like the book said, take the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, press the tongue to the pte, close the eyes, direct your consciousness from the space between the eyebrows to the body and limbs, imagine you can feel qi flowing, just like that..." Li Shiyin weakly replied. She closed her eyes as if mobilizing the innate qi in her body, "There really is a stream of qi flowing in my body, starting from, Master said, the qi sea, to here..." She pointed at her left ribs, "to Tanzhong acupoint, then to my left hand..."


    She pointed out for Qin Ran one by one, entering from the left hand, exiting from the left hand, entering from the right hand, exiting from the right hand, and finally returning to the qi sea, a perfect cycle.


    Seeing Li Shiyin''s manner, Qin Ran realized she was probably not lying and had indeed started cultivating. He immediately crossed the river to her side and unceremoniously grabbed her wrist to carefully examine. He discovered there really was a flow of qi moving in her body ording to the basic cultivation technique''s flow path.


    He opened his eyes wide in disbelief and asked, "You... Have you cultivated before or..."


    "Master, didn''t you give me the Basic Cultivation Techniquest night?" Looking at her wrist grabbed by Qin Ran, Li Shiyin didn''t know what she was thinking. She said, "I couldn''t sleepst night, so I practiced following the book. Then I had that qi sensation and guided it to flow in my body, just like the diagrams in the book, very simple. Master, you said I wouldn''t be able to cultivate without knowing about meridians and acupoints, so I was a little scared... Did I practice wrongly and would deviate?"


    "No...no..." Qin Ran let go of Li Shiyin''s hand, starting to doubt life. "You didn''t practice wrongly. You did very well. After you open the Ren and Du Channels and sense the spiritual qi between heaven and earth, you can condense qi cyclones and start building your foundation."


    Li Shiyin clearly knew nothing about meridians and acupoints. How could she so smoothly gain a qi sensation and mobilize the qi flow so correctly? He didn''t really understand. Could it be that this apprentice was pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger, appearing to be silly but actually very crafty?


    "Master..." Just as he was doubting life and doubting Li Shiyin, she suddenly called him again.


    He looked over expressionlessly.


    Li Shiyin lowered her head and softly asked, "Master, can you concoct pills to prolong life and increase longevity?"


    "I haven''t concocted any before," Qin Ran truthfully replied. The materials for such longevity pills were generally very expensive. He couldn''t afford them.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin sounded a little disappointed.


    Seeing her reaction, Qin Ran inexplicably added, "But I have studied them before. If I have a pill form and materials, I believe I can also concoct them."


    "Really?" Li Shiyin instantly became happy again.


    "Really."


    "Then..." Taking advantage of her courage, Li Shiyin continued asking, "If I practice the sword, do I have to go to Sword Peak?"


    Qin Ran''s heart stirred upon hearing this. He looked at Li Shiyin and saw her pair of bright eyes staring expectantly at him.


    "If..." But he still replied, "If you want to achieve more in the sword, it''s best to go to Sword Peak. I cultivate pill dao after all."


    "Oh..."

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    That night, Qin Ran was in his study. The room was filled with soft light, while outside was the dark of night. The desk was covered with books, all open, and a gentle night breeze blew in through the window, lightly fluttering the pages.


    He was hunched over the desk, drawing and scribbling. He was sketching the cirction routes of his cultivation techniques, and writing...the Golden Series Alchemy Method.


    What is the essence of alchemy? Ten thousand alchemists would give ten thousand answers. But for Qin Ran, the essence was to organicallybine the medicinalponents with effects from the ingredients, in order to achieve the desired results.


    To some extent, as long as you have the pill form and ingredients, you just need to extract the medicinal parts from the ingredients, andbine them in the amounts required by the form, and you can refine the medicinal pill.


    So what is the key? The key is how to extract the parts with medicinal effects.


    And the quality of a medicinal pill is judged precisely by this - the purer the part with medicinal effects, the higher the quality of the pill.


    Simrly, impurities, or dregs, are judged by how much is left over - the more dregs left, the lower the quality of the pill. When the dregs reach a certain level, the pill loses its effectiveness and is considered a waste pill.


    Therefore, the most basic skill of an alchemist is the ability to purify ingredients.


    Fire spirit root cultivators practice fire elemental techniques, using fire to burn away the dregs (impurities) from the ingredients - this is fire refinement. Water spirit root cultivators practice water elemental techniques, using water to rinse and soak, extracting the medicinal essence - this is water refinement.


    Qin Ran was water spirit rooted, so he used thetter purification method, water refinement.


    As for whether there were cultivators of other spirit roots who created other refinement methods in this world, such as lightning, wind, earth, etc., one could only say it was possible. He didn''t dare say absolutely not, after all the world was so vast.


    But in this little corner where Qin Ran was, he had never heard of any.


    It was still that reasoning - everyone knew wet nurses were important, but who didn''t want to be that awesome warrior at the front? Able to fight and take hits.


    If you had a gold spirit root, why not go practice the sword?


    Probably only a silly girl like Li Shiyin would take a top gold spirit root and go learn alchemy.


    The disciple was silly, it couldn''t be helped. Taking on a disciple like this, the master could only try to remedy things.


    No Golden Refinement Method? Then create one.


    Fire refinement used fire to burn away impurities. Water refinement used water to extract essence. Then how should Golden Refinement work?


    Perhaps Golden Refinement could take a middle path - grind metals into a liquid state, then use fire refinement to remove impurities.


    Qin Ran thought and wrote, feeling this method could work.


    If Li Shiyin practiced a golden elemental object control technique, using that to control metal powder, using the metal powder to grind away impurities and obtain the medicinal essence...


    The idea and framework were there, next he needed to design the cultivation route map.


    Gold elemental techniques didn''t have the effect of grinding and purifying ingredients. To make it have this effect, he could make it follow the cultivation route of a fire refinement technique.


    That was to say, one could cultivate two techniques. First guide the heaven and earth spiritual energy ording to the gold elemental technique, turning it into personal golden elemental power. Then guide that golden elemental power ording to a fire elemental technique, obtaining a fire-natured golden elemental power.


    But doing this would bring about many, many problems. First was the issue of requiring two spirit roots to cultivate two techniques, while Li Shiyin only had the gold spirit root. Next was the issue of cultivation efficiency and technique conflict that needed attention.


    After scribbling half the night, these problems were still not thoroughly solved. Even the spirit root issue was still minor. Technique conflict was the big unsolvable problem. In the end, Qin Ran only obtained a preliminary idea.


    He put away his brush. On the paper was a sketch of controlling golden sand. On the desk were technique references, mostly sword control techniques. He raised his head and looked out the window. The night was very deep now. In the distance, the sounds of birds and beasts could be heard from the forest.


    He narrowed his eyes, considering other ns. Even under him, Li Shiyin could still learn the sword. Maybe better than Sword Peak, because Sword Peak had too many people, resources were limited.


    It was just that Qin Ran was still hesitating, mainly over whether it was worthwhile, after all he had only taken this disciple for two days.


    The next two days, Qin Ran didn''t make Li Shiyin recite ingredients anymore, but gave her a basic sword technique to practice on her own. Because he saw that this was a failing student - one look at books and she''d fall asleep.


    And unsurprisingly, she really was silly. Have her read and she''d fall asleep in three minutes. Have her practice the sword, and she''d be excited, even forgetting to eat. With just two days of practice on a basic sword technique, she could already perform it properly.


    If not for the short time, without condensed qi cyclones, Qin Ran felt she could''ve condensed sword qi in two days.


    That morning at breakfast, Qin Ran nced up to see Li Shiyin happily popping sugar beans into her mouth,pletelycent. He was a bit speechless. This girl had cried and screamed toe learn alchemy, but now she was here practicing sword every day, extremely happily.


    Hmm, so it was still that question, why did he think she was a cool beauty?


    "I''m going to the Master Peak today. Write down anything you need on a paper and I''ll bring it back for you," he said. "Oh right, can you sew clothes?"


    Li Shiyin stirred her cup with a spoon, mumbling shyly, "Father made me learn before."


    From her manner, it meant she couldn''t. Qin Ran expressionlessly said, "Write down your measurements. I''ll have someone custom make them."


    "Okay!" Li Shiyin agreed very readily, then asked, "Master, can I go with you?"


    "You''re too slow. Coming and going would waste too much time," Qin Ran replied.


    "You''re walking there too, aren''t you?" Li Shiyin questioned. "I can keep up."


    Qin Ran''s eyebrow twitched slightly. Could it be she had exposed his fear of heights? But he was the master after all. His expression didn''t change as he rumbled, "I''m using the Divine Walk technique. My speed will be very fast."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded disappointedly.


    "When you condense your qi vortex, you can start learning techniques. At that time if you learn a flight technique or divine walk technique, you''ll be able to freelye and go between Dan Peak and Master Peak," Qin Ran said.


    Li Shiyin was unhappy and slumped over the table, feeding herself sugar beans.


    "Since you''re home alone today, I''ll arrange a task for you," seeing her manner, Qin Ran spoke up.


    "What is it?" Li Shiyin didn''t seem very interested.


    After breakfast, Qin Ran brought her outside. Following along the creek, they walked to the middle of the frontwn. He pointed around them and said to Li Shiyin, "I want to build an artificialke here. I could do it myself with techniques, but to temper you, you will dig thiske."


    "You want to build an artificialke here?" Li Shiyin was shocked. What''s more, did she mishear - she had to dig it alone!?


    "I told you, cultivation is a process of bing stronger. Why is the foundation establishment stage called foundation establishment? It''s a stage ofying foundations. During foundation establishment, the more spiritual power you umte, and the purer, the better the gold core formed. The stronger your physique, the faster you can gather spiritual power, purifying it more, and the easier it is to break through boundaries, greatly benefiting your future cultivation," Qin Ran said expressionlessly. He definitely didn''t have any intention of retaliation.


    "So you will dig thiske, of course you can use techniques and empower yourself with spiritual power, but you cannot use tools or pills."


    Master seemed serious...


    "Master?" Li Shiyin spoke pitifully.


    It had only been a few days and she was already acting cute and fawning! This evil unorthodox influence must be stopped!


    Qin Ran''s heart was like iron stone,pletely ignoring the pitiful act of Li Shiyin. He raised his hand pointing to the storage room, and coldly said, "Tools are inside the storage room. Start now!"


    Having said that, he silently activated the Divine Walk technique and swiftly disappeared into the forest path, not giving himself a chance to change his mind.


    Li Shiyin sighed up at the sky, then resigned herself to her fate.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    After Qin Ran left, Li Shiyin reluctantly went to the storage room.


    Storage rooms require a lot of space, so naturally they also have spacious arrays set up. The inside space was muchrger than it looked from the outside, almost catching up to the ratio of change between the inside and outside of the training hall.


    This was Li Shiyin''s first time entering the storage room. As soon as she entered, she was stunned by the dense and chaotic objects inside. At a nce, it seemed like everything was there, both recognizable and unrecognizable.


    There were tools - hoes, shovels, sickles, baskets, everything needed. There were also unfinished or failed leftovers from the masters, broken tables, chairs, damaged array temtes, broken railings, and so on.


    Wait, railings?


    Li Shiyin was holding a hoe and shovel. She suddenly noticed something strange about the railing.


    She looked closely and found it increasingly bizarre, so she went over carrying the hoe and shovel and set the railing upright.


    This railing... hmm, very strange.


    It was surrounded by a circle of metal railings, about five feet tall. The base was a metal object, about ten feet long and three feet wide, with some strange patterns on it, probably some kind of array lines.


    What made this thing so weird was that the metal object at the base looked a bit like a sword.


    Li Shiyin stroked her chin and circled around it a few times. She suddenly recalled that the master seemed to be afraid of heights, which gave her a bold guess.


    Although it seemed far-fetched, but... this was probably, most likely, possibly, the master''s flying sword!


    Qin Ran, who was rushing down the mountain, suddenly shuddered and nearly lost his footing, almost tumbling down the mountainside. He quickly stopped and felt a chill down his back, as if he had forgotten something important.


    But he couldn''t remember what it was for the moment, so he had no choice but to continue on his way.


    As he ran, when he arrived at the main peak''s Assembly Square, he suddenly recalled that he hadn''t put away his epic invention - the railing flying sword!


    "She just went in to get a hoe, she probably won''t find it!" he reassured himself. "What are the odds of that happening?"


    But he still felt uneasy, distracted and unsettled. A famousw circled around his head - Murphy''s Law.


    The Assembly Square was especially lively today, even more so than usual... mainly because there were more vendors setting up stalls.


    The reason was that the Dao Sword Sect''s Questioning the Dao Grand Meet had just concluded, and many new disciples had been recruited into the sect. Now was a good time to give them their first lesson on the cultivation world, as it was well known that new disciples were the easiest to cheat.


    Not all the cultivators selling wares at the Dao Sword Sect were from the sect itself. There were also some from other sects and independent cultivators wandering around.


    Qin Ran came today for two reasons. First, he wanted to buy some daily necessities for Li Shiyin. The poor girl had been wearing the same yellow clothes for days. He had to get her some changes.


    Secondly, he wanted to find some sword cultivation techniques, including sword techniques, body techniques, concealment techniques, and battle techniques. He needed all of these.


    If Li Shiyin wanted to pursue the path of the sword in the future, he had to prepare these things for her.


    Qin Ran wasn''t anyone famous. Plus, he was only in his early twenties. Without wearing his peak master''s robes, walking down the street, no one recognized him. He was far less conspicuous than the newly recruited disciples. In his in blue clothes, he crossed the square where disciples were training, and arrived at the marketce without anyone greeting him.


    That''s right, in addition to the vendors, there were many disciples practicing martial arts in the square. After all, that was the original purpose of the Assembly Square, for disciples to train.


    Arriving at the small market, Qin Ran started from one end and slowly browsed through the stalls, stopping to examine anything interesting. If the price was right, he would take out spirit stones and buy it.


    However, after going through over a dozen stalls, he had bought many strange herbs but still couldn''t find any interesting techniques.


    There weren''t many stalls left. If he still couldn''t find suitable techniques, would he have to go ask at the Hall of Inherited Skills? But the Dao Sword Sect wasn''t a major sect after all, and the publicly avable techniques weren''t up to Qin Ran''s standards. Or should he really have Li Shiyin be a disciple at Sword Peak to learn their secret techniques?


    Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly discovered an interesting technique at a small stall.


    It was an ordinary little stall, with a cloth matid out and assorted books and jade slips ced on it. The stall owner also looked in and ordinary.


    But in the cultivation world, appearance and age were never the point.


    The technique was called Tai Xuan Sword Codex, recorded on a cracked, yellowed jade slip. The damage to the jade slip was so severe that when Qin Ran extended his consciousness into it, he only sensed ruin and chaos.


    "What''s going on with this?" Qin Ran asked the owner.


    "I don''t know," the owner replied. "It''s been passed down in my family. I found it in a box like this, it''s just too old right?"


    Passed down in his family? Qin Ran sneered inwardly, no doubt it was stolen from some ancient tomb. Were all these secret techniques and manuals family heirlooms?


    But he only disdained it in his heart, and didn''t show anything on his face. This was how ces like this worked. Cultivators set up stalls to sell things, some real and some fake. You could buy or not buy as you wished, but never ask about the origin of the items.


    Even if it was the Dao Sword Sect, they only provided the space for stalls and never interfered with transactions. If you got cheated here and bought fakes, don''t make a fuss or cause trouble, because no one would side with you, onlyugh at you.


    Of course, if you had the ability to seek redress afterwards, no one would stop you either...


    "How much for this?" Qin Ran asked indifferently.


    "One thousand low-grade spirit stones," the owner quoted.


    Qin Ran was silent. He held the jade slip to his forehead and examined the contents with his spiritual sense again, then asked, "Is there an unsealing verse?"


    The unsealing verse was needed to decrypt the contents of the jade slip, like the passcode to unlock a phone. Without it, the actual contents could not be read.


    "There is a verse," the owner replied.


    "Ten low-grade spirit stones," Qin Ran offered.


    "Get lost if you''re not buying!" the owner yelled angrily.


    Qin Ran still had no change in expression. He squatted and rummaged through the stall some more, then picked up a movement technique called Fierce Tiger Triple Leap, and a sword technique called Brush Clouds Sword Decision. He indicated them to the owner and said, "Ten low-grade spirit stones plus these two techniques, will you sell them?"


    Seeing that Qin Ran waspletely shameless, not only refusing to raise his offer but asking for more items, the owner''s expression changed dramatically from anger to... obsequiousness. He was afraid Qin Ran would change his mind, and quickly said, "Deal!"


    "Damn, got ripped off again!" Qin Ran cursed inwardly, as he took out ten spirit stones from his Cosmic Bag and exchanged for the unsealing verses from the owner.


    The owner whispered the verses for unsealing the two jade slips into Qin Ran''s ear.


    Qin Ran nodded, put all three techniques into his Cosmic Bag, and continued walking forward.


    Just then, a young disciple who had been waiting for a while sidled up and called out, "Peak Master Qin, please hold on."


    Someone calling for him? Qin Ran frowned and looked back to see a handsome youth in ck robes that he didn''t recognize. "What is it?" he asked.


    "This junior is Huang Feiyu of Sword Peak. I''d like to ask senior a favor," Huang Feiyu bowed respectfully to Qin Ran and said.


    Although Qin Ran was young and not very powerful, he was still the legitimate Peak Master of Dan Peak. Hearing that this person was a disciple of the Dao Sword Sect, he epted the bow frankly.


    "This junior wishes to buy some Frost Condensation Pills, but I''m afraid I don''t know much about pills..." Huang Feiyu saw that although Qin Ran didn''t reply, he also didn''t walk away, and was delighted inwardly. He hurriedly continued, "I wonder if senior has time to help out this junior."

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    There are indeed genuine items at informal markets like this. And if you have a good enough eye, you can get amazing bargains. But there are even more fakes here.


    Especially when ites to elixirs!


    An average person who takes out a finished elixir wouldn''t be able to tell if it''s a quality elixir or not, let alone if it''s a waste pill or even worse, a poison pill, or if it''s the elixir he wants.


    Don''t expect professional elixir-selling sects like Zhican Valley to have integrity either. In fact, elixirs that these major sects bring to ces like this to secretly sell are obviously of questionable origin... Maybe it''s a pill that was wasted by some inner sect disciple, or one that some elder casually refined. Anyway, elixirs from major sects may be even more unreliable.


    It''s best to go through official channels and trade between sects for elixirs.


    If you must buy privately for whatever reason, you''d better know a thing or two about elixirs yourself. If not, find someone trustworthy who does. By all means do not blindly buy like a clueless kid, or you''re guaranteed to get ripped off.


    Huang Feiyu was clearly no clueless kid. He didn''t know elixirs himself, but he knew to ask Qin Ran for help.


    "What do you need Ice Condensation Pill for?" Qin Ran asked.


    "This junior is practicing an ice-type sword art, and needs Ice Condensation Pill to assist cultivation," Huang Feiyu quickly exined.


    Practicing an ice-type sword art means he has a water spirit root. Qin Ran pondered briefly and said, "Although I''ve done some research on Ice Condensation Pills, I haven''t personally refined one before. I can''t say for sure how much I can help you."


    Just from his words, you could tell he was being coy. He didn''t directly agree to help, but his willingness was obvious.


    Huang Feiyu understood this. He bowed again and said, "Elder martial brother is indeed profoundly learned, even studying obscure elixirs like Ice Condensation Pill. With elder brother''s help, we''re sure to obtain a top-quality Ice Condensation Pill."


    Qin Ran knew he was just buttering him up. That was a ssic maneuver in the cultivation world - praise first regardless of the situation. If things don''t work out and they end up with a low-quality pill, they would certainly hold it against himter. Qin Ran saw right through this, but he didn''t respond. He just maintained the bearing of the Peak Master of Dan Peak.


    After agreeing with Qin Ran, Huang Feiyu didn''t immediately take him to buy elixirs. Instead, he turned around and pulled over a pretty young girl, bringing her before Qin Ran and introduced, "This is my junior martial sister, Tian Wenjin. She wants to buy some Gathering Spirit Pills. I hope elder brother can also look out for her."


    Qin Ran looked at Tian Wenjin and sized her up. He saw she was a fifteen or sixteen year old girl, very beautiful with an aloof fox-like face. She possessed an explosive kind of beauty that drew eyes. She wasparable to Li Shiyin.


    And from her expression, she still carried an air of the mundane world. Clearly she had not yet absorbed the spiritual qi of heaven and earth, meaning she had not started cultivating yet. She must be a new disciple who just joined Dao Sword Sect at the previous Questioning Dao Conference.


    Upon closer examination, Qin Ran noticed currents of qi flowing inside her body. So she already had qi perception. To develop qi perception in less than five days after the Questioning Dao Conference, it seems her talent is also considerable.


    Adding to her looks, Qin Ran''s thoughts wandered. If Li Shiyin had also joined Sword Peak that day, the two of them would surely be the next generation of peerless beauties at Sword Peak.


    "This is the Peak Master of Sword Peak. Call him Elder Martial Brother Qin," Huang Feiyu said to Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin nodded, but brazenly looked Qin Ran up and down, saying, "I know, saw him at the Questioning Dao Conference... That Li Shiyin with the top-tier gold spirit root went with him to refine pills."


    Goodness, although Qin Ran looked young, he was still in the elder generation. Yet she eyed him like that, trulycking manners.


    Qin Ran saw this and knew this girl must be quite arrogant thanks to her talent, not taking anyone seriously despite her young age.


    This arrogance was different from Li Shiyin''s clueless, silly arrogance.


    He shook his head to himself and privately judged - this kind of person won''t live long in the cultivation world if she doesn''t correct her mentality in time.


    Because the cultivation world has no shortage of geniuses.


    Huang Feiyu was clearly trying to pursue Tian Wenjin. Seeing her attitude, he quickly tried to smooth things over, smiling at Qin Ran, "Elder brother, this way please. I saw Ice Condensation Pills at a stall run by a Zhican Valley disciple."


    Qin Ran nced at Huang Feiyu but didn''t say anything more. It wasn''t that he was magnanimous, just toozy to nitpick. That said, he really should have spoken up to discipline her, since Tian Wenjin''s personality was prone to getting into trouble...and prone to dying.


    Huang Feiyu led the way up front. Soon, the three arrived at the stall selling Ice Condensation Pills.


    As a sect focused on pill refining, Zhican Valley produced thousands of pills every day, just like Dao Sword Sect. It was one of the five great sects of North Chu Country.


    Behind those thousands of qualified pills produced in pill refining sects like Zhican Valley each day, there were even more subpar pills.


    For example, waste pills produced by disciples learning pill refining, poison pills from experimental new pills, and so on. Naturally, other sects wouldn''t want these pills. The better ones would be consumed internally, and those that really no one wanted, they would try to sell off to other sects in North Chu Country.


    The youth at this stall was selling such pills.


    With one nce, Qin Ran could see the quality of the pills at this stall was terrible. There were even a small amount of waste and poison pills.


    Since there were basically no pill refiners left in Dao Sword Sect, with Qin Ran being the only one, the Zhican Valley disciples selling pills to Dao Sword Sect were naturally even more brazen. They dared to pass off waste pills as top-grade pills, and inferior pills as high-grade ones.


    "How much for your Ice Condensation Pills?" Huang Feiyu casually browsed for a while, then randomly picked up a bottle of Ice Condensation Pill and asked.


    "500 low-grade spirit stones a bottle, no bargaining," the vendorzily replied.


    Ice Condensation Pill was an auxiliary pill, very simple to refine. Frankly, it was just a lump of ice that could disperse into ice qi. Even 500 spirit stones was exorbitant for such a pill, let alone 5 spirit stones.


    Moreover...


    He also crouched down and took over the porcin bottle in Huang Feiyu''s hand. Casually breaking the seal, he peered inside.


    "Hey, don''t open it! You''ll be responsible if it affects the quality!" Seeing Qin Ran''s actions, the vendor shouted and tried to snatch back the bottle.


    Qin Ran dodged his hand and resealed the bottle.


    "Are you an outer sect disciple or apprentice?" Qin Ran asked, still holding the pill bottle. Only disciples of those levels would be made to peddle subpar pills.


    "What''s it to you?" Zhican Valley disciples had always been arrogant. Even if he was an outer sect disciple, he dared to re at Qin Ran.


    "If you can approve this sale...I''ll give you one spirit stone for this bottle," Qin Ran said, tossing the bottle casually.


    What crazy bargaining was this? The spectating Tian Wenjin frowned in confusion. She was just arrogant, not stupid, so she didn''t make some thoughtless remark.


    Huang Feiyu also couldn''t help but nce at Qin Ran. He knew the nature of these ces. Half price bargaining was normal, but...bargaining like Qin Ran''s, this was the first time he''d seen it.


    Hearing those words, the vendor knew the man before him was knowledgeable about pills. He sized Qin Ran up a couple times, then hesitated slightly. "Two spirit stones. My master said it has to sell for at least one spirit stone. I want one stone as hardship pay."


    "One spirit stone..." Qin Ran didn''t back down at all. "I don''t believe any pill refiner would refine Ice Condensation Pill to this quality and still daringly sell it."


    The vendor fell silent. This was indeed a pill discarded as waste that he had picked up.


    "One...one spirit stone then." He replied.


    "Tsk!" Qin Ran shook his head in disdain and walked away.

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    ¡°Dan medicine can be bought like this?¡± Huang Feiyu was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. As expected, one still needs to be an alchemist!


    Seeing Qin Ran walking away, he quickly threw out a spirit stone on the stall, then picked up the Ice Condensation Pellet and called out to Tian Wenjin to chase after him.


    ¡°Uncle Master, please wait.¡± Huang Feiyu caught up to Qin Ran and said, ¡°If I were to buy this Ice Condensation Pellet myself, I''m afraid I would really have to spend five hundred spirit stones. Uncle Master is indeed amazing to have easily obtained it with just a few words.¡±


    He reached into his Cosmic Bag and took out a cloth bag, handing it to Qin Ran, ¡°Here are three hundred spirit stones, thank you Uncle Master for broadening my horizons.¡±


    Qin Ran nced obliquely at the cloth bag. The bag was bulging, making him itch with desire. He thought to himself that disciples nowadays are really fucking rich. But he maintained the image of an uncle master and did not reach out to take it. He only asked, ¡°What sword art are you practicing?¡±


    ¡°Frost Sword Art,¡± Huang Feiyu replied. Seeing that Qin Ran did not take the spirit stones, he also did not insist. His hand shrank back, clutching the spirit stones in his hand instead of putting them directly into the Cosmic Bag.


    ¡°Frost Sword Art...¡± Qin Ran recalled it for a moment, remembering the special training requirements for practicing this sword art. He said, ¡°If you are practicing the Frost Sword Art, I''m afraid the quality of this Ice Condensation Pellet is not enough.¡±


    ¡°What does Uncle Master think?¡± Huang Feiyu asked in a timely manner.


    ¡°This Ice Condensation Pellet cannot even be considered a low-grade pill. The duration of each pellet''s effects will be very short, and the quality of the emitted cold chi will also be very low,¡± Qin Ran gave his own advice. ¡°If you want to learn this sword art to a certain level, I suggest you find someone to specially refine Ice Condensation Pellets for you. You won''t be able to buy suitable pills outside.¡±


    Huang Feiyu was indeed not stupid. As soon as he heard this, he understood. Moreover, he had intended to get acquainted with Qin Ran from the beginning. He hurriedly climbed the pole and respectfully said, ¡°I wonder if Uncle Master has time to help this junior with this favor?¡±


    This person is sensible and tactful, Qin Ran praised inwardly. He spoke up, ¡°I can take time to refine it for you, but you¡¯ll have to find the raw materials yourself. Also, although refining this pill is simple, after all I have never refined it before, so I cannot guarantee a 100% sess rate.¡±


    Huang Feiyu understood that this was telling him to prepare more raw materials. He also agreed.


    The three of them walked out of the market. Qin Ran looked back at Tian Wenjin and saw that the little girl still had an arrogant expression on her face. He thought for a moment and felt that he should give her some pointers. He asked, ¡°Are you buying the Spirit Gathering Pellet for yourself or someone else to use?¡±


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s for myself to use,¡± Tian Wenjin replied.


    ¡°Do you know what the Spirit Gathering Pellet is for?¡± Qin Ran asked again.


    ¡°To improve the cultivation level during Foundation Establishment,¡± Tian Wenjin wanted to roll her eyes. Did this person think she was an idiot in cultivation? Who doesn¡¯t know that Spirit Gathering Pellets are used to improve cultivation?


    ¡°What is the quality of your spiritual root?¡± Qin Ran was not bothered and continued to ask.


    ¡°...Top-grade Thunder Spirit Root,¡± Tian Wenjin answered.


    Sure enough, she is a peerless beauty, Qin Ran thought to himself. He said, ¡°If you have a top-grade spirit root, then I suggest you do not use the Spirit Gathering Pellet.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Tian Wenjin asked. Spirit Gathering Pellets can improve cultivation! Why not use them? Everyone is using them!


    ¡°It¡¯s not worth it...¡± Qin Ran felt that he was really patient and exined, ¡°Or rather, pill toxins.¡±


    Pill toxins? This was the first time Tian Wenjin had heard of this statement. She was suspicious that the pills Qin Ran refined were of poor quality, which was why they were toxic. But she did not refute Qin Ran''s words, just felt indignant.


    After walking along the market for a while, Qin Ran suddenly looked back again and sized up Tian Wenjin. He asked aloud, "Do you know how to make clothes?"


    This so-called Dan Peak chief had looked back at her several times already. And now he was extremely disgustingly sizing her up. Tian Wenjin only felt the anger in her heart bubbling up. Hearing his vulgar chat-up line, she impatiently replied, "What girl doesn''t know how to make clothes?"


    Hmm, Qin Ran murmured, well, there was a girl at his home who didn''t know how to make clothes.


    "Then can you do me a favor and make two sets of clothes for me?" he requested, "I see your clothes are made very beautifully. Just use your style and make two sets for me."


    Tian Wenjin was wearing a light blue gauze outer shirt, pure white silk lining, short sleeves withce edges, and the skirt just short of her ankles. When the wind blew, the light blue outer shirt was like a blue butterfly fluttering and dancing, making her look youthful and vigorous, yet coldly enchanting.


    Although she was beautiful herself, the bonus from the clothes was still objectively there.


    "You want me to make clothes for you?" Tian Wenjin twisted her lips. She thought to herself, "How is that possible!"


    But before she could open her mouth to refuse, Huang Feiyu next to her took the lead and agreed. He said repeatedly, "Okay, sure. I¡¯ve heard that Sister Tian is extremely skilled in needlework, the clothes she makes are very beautiful, and will definitely not disappoint Uncle Master."


    Tian Wenjin nced at Huang Feiyu. This senior brother was the direct disciple of Sword Peak Chief Liu Boxian. The man was handsome, had a good personality, high cultivation, and was clearly interested in her. She thought about it and still did not speak out to contradict him.


    "I don''t know if Uncle Master wants it for himself or someone else?" Huang Feiyu asked again.


    Qin Ran did not answer him, but looked at Tian Wenjin and asked, "Will you do it?"


    Tian Wenjin did not want to do it, but Huang Feiyu secretly pulled her clothes again. She nodded.


    "Okay..." Qin Ran took out a piece of paper from his Cosmic Bag and handed it to Tian Wenjin, "Just make it ording to these measurements."


    Tian Wenjin took it and saw that the body measurements were simr to hers, clearly clothes for a girl. She immediately understood that this was to make clothes for Li Shiyin.


    She stealthily nced at Qin Ran. Suddenly, a strange smell surfaced in her heart. When she carefully tasted it, it turned out to be sour.


    So this is someone else''s master?


    Qin Ran rummaged in his Cosmic Bag and took out a thumb-sized porcin bottle, which he also handed to Tian Wenjin. He said, "There are two Spirit Gathering Pellets in here, both above mid-grade quality. Consider it my payment to you, no need to buy them anymore."


    Tian Wenjin took the porcin bottle, pried open the jade seal and smelled it. The aroma of the pills was strong. The smell was pure and fragrant.


    "It¡¯s hard to buy Spirit Gathering Pellets of this quality on the market," seeing Tian Wenjin sniff the Spirit Gathering Pellets, Qin Ran advised once more, "Although I gave you Spirit Gathering Pellets, I still suggest you do not take them. It''s not just during Foundation Establishment that you shouldn''t take them, but rather, don''t casually take any pills that increase cultivation unless absolutely necessary."


    At this point, Qin Ran''s words suddenly gained some credibility for some reason. Tian Wenjin silently nodded.


    "Alright," Qin Ran finally said, "I just casually suggested it, you can just casually listen. Let''s go buy some cloth now..."


    Although the market was chaotic and small, it had everything. Good fabrics were also avable.


    After buying the cloth and some other things, Qin Ran wrote down the pill form for the Ice Condensation Pellets and gave it to Huang Feiyu, asking him to prepare the medicinal materials himself. Then the three parted ways.


    After parting, Qin Ran wandered around the market alone for a while longer, buying quite a few more things.


    Finally, he also went to the Merit Transfer Hall to take a look.


    It wasn''t until the sun approached the western hills that he tidied up and hurried back to Dan Peak.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    On the way back to Danfeng, Qin Ran felt a strange feeling in his heart. It was probably because there was someone waiting for him toe home, and it was a woman...a girl. This feeling was really wonderful. It even made his footsteps lighter as he walked on the stone road in the Danfeng Forest. In his heart, he unexpectedly felt a longing for home...something he had not felt for many years.


    But when he walked out of the forest and stood at the edge, looking at the muddy figure in the middle of thewn ahead, his excitement instantly calmed down.


    Li Shiyin was very well-behaved and obedient. As soon as she received the order, she would not ck off. In just one day, she had dug a veryrge pit out of thin air. And she did not dig in the wrong ce either. After all, she had only been digging for one day, so even if she was off, it would not be by much.


    However...


    Qin Ran sat on the grass at the edge of the pit, looking at the lifeless muddy figure next to him. He thought of the coldly beautiful Tian Wenjin. Why did he think this silly, dirty girl could form a peerless double beauty with her?!!!


    "Have you eaten lunch?" he asked.


    Li Shiyin''s whole body ached. She felt like she couldn''t even lift a finger and weakly replied, "Master, you weren''t here, so where could I go eat?"


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran only felt his blood pressure rising.


    So this silly girl didn''t even know how to cook. There were so many things in the fridge in the kitchen, all kinds of mountain delicacies, seafood, exotic beasts and the like, yet she didn''t know how to cook and had not eaten lunch!


    Heavens!


    It was settled then, he should send her away. Otherwise, sooner orter she would anger him to death.


    Jianfeng Sect? No no no, she was too silly, unworthy of learning the sword. It would be better to find a physique cultivation sect, that would suit her well.


    "There is a story from my hometown..." Qin Ran alsoy down, looking at the clouds in the sky, and slowly said,


    "A family had a silly son. Once, when the parents had to go away on a long trip, worried that their silly son would starve to death at home without food, they made him a veryrge pancake and hung it around his neck, so that as long as he lowered his head, he could eat the pancake and not go hungry. But when they returned after their trip, they found that their son had still starved to death. Do you know why?"


    Li Shiyin thought about it carefully, and asked, "Was it because the pancake wasn''t enough to eat?"


    "Sigh..." Qin Ran lightly exhaled, trying hard to keep his blood pressure down, and said, "It was because he was a fool who only knew to eat the front and did not know to eat the back."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin tilted her head and suddenly understood, "Oh oh... I see, Master, you''re saying I''m silly! There''s food in the kitchen but I don''t know how to cook."


    Qin Ran was silent, because he didn''t know what to say. Should he praise her for being smart?


    The master and discipley stretched out on the grass for a good while. Suddenly, Li Shiyin''s stomach let out a "gulu gulu" sound. She was actually a little embarrassed and weakly said, "Mas...Master...I''m hungry..."


    Qin Ran closed his eyes, and finally got up to head towards the residence. He said to Li Shiyin, "I''ll go cook, you go take a bath."


    Li Shiyin obeyed and scrambled up to follow behind Qin Ran.


    After dinner, Qin Ran went to the storage room and rummaged around, taking out arge wooden bucket, the kind used for soaking baths.


    Before the bathtub was built in the bathroom, he liked to use this bucket to soak in. Now he took it out to prepare for Li Shiyin to use.


    Carrying the bucket, he went out to the riverbank to rinse it with river water.


    Seeing this, Li Shiyin ran over curiously, "Master, why are you washing this?"


    "For you to soak in and bathe," Qin Ran replied casually while controlling the water flow.


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin didn''t quite understand. "Isn''t there a bathtub in the bathroom?"


    "Medicated bath," Qin Ran exined.


    "Oh!" Now Li Shiyin understood a bit. She had dug a wholeke yesterday and her whole body now ached. No wonder the master, as a proper alchemist, would use medicines to aid in cultivation. It made perfect sense.


    She watched as Qin Ran controlled the water flow, washing the inside and outside of the wooden bucket clean. Suddenly, she remembered something and looked towards the storage room, asking, "Master, is that a flying sword in the storage room?"


    "Which one?" Qin Ran was so startled he almost dropped the bucket into the river.


    "That big iron sword with guard rails." Li Shiyin gestured as she spoke.


    "What guard rail big iron sword, and flying sword..." Qin Ran pretended to stay calm. "You''re so young but your eyes are already no good, you''re seeing things!"


    "No..." Li Shiyin argued and ran into the storage room to look, but after circling around, she couldn''t find the big flying sword with guard rails she had seen during the day. She ran out again, scratching her head in confusion, "Howe it''s gone?"


    Qin Ran heaved half a sigh of relief and said, "Didn''t I say you saw wrong?"


    He rinsed the bucket clean, then carried it to Li Shiyin''s room, moving the table to the window and cing the bucket in the middle of the room.


    "Why put it right in the middle?" Seeing Qin Ran carefully measuring the position, Li Shiyin curiously asked again.


    Really, this girl with learning disabilities asked too many questions. Li Shiyin''s ten thousand whys.


    Qin Ran kept a wooden face and replied, "Although it''s useless now, when your foundation is built and your cultivation level is higher, medicated baths will need to be used together with spell formations to be effective."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded. The master was thinking so far ahead.


    "Alright,e with me..." Qin Ran put the bucket in ce and secured it, calling Li Shiyin to go with him.


    Going downstairs, Qin Ran fitted Li Shiyin with a pair of water shoulder poles, then led her towards the research building.


    He had Li Shiyin wait downstairs in the pill refining room while he went upstairs to gather medicines. Soon he came down holding piles of medicinal ingredients.


    There was a pill furnace in the pill refining room with earth fire burning beneath. Although Qin Ran mostly used water refining methods, fire refining pills was more orthodox and he naturally also studied it.


    Moreover, pill furnaces were mostly used for fire refining pills, as fire refining allowed for more versatility in techniques.


    As Qin Ran refined pills, he also taught Li Shiyin, exining to her what each medicinal ingredient was called and what effects it had, when to put it in the furnace, when to use water refining, and when to use fire refining. He exined everything to her in detail.


    Clearly though, it was in one ear and out the other for Li Shiyin. In just over ten minutes refining a bath of medicinal liquids, she nearly fell asleep listening.


    After refining the medicine, it was all poured into the bucket. Li Shiyin carried it herself from the research building back to the residence.


    "Soak yourself..." Qin Ran poured the medicine into the wooden bucket, adding in a few more supplemental medicines that didn''t need refining. He said to Li Shiyin, "Soak for as long as you feel necessary. Note that first, don''t drown..."


    "How could I drown from taking a bath?" Li Shiyinughed.


    "I''m telling you to listen, interrupting someone is very rude." Qin Ran red at her and continued, "During a medicated bath, as the medicine takes effect and repairs your body, it''s easy to fall asleep. Falling asleep means it''s easy to drown."


    Li Shiyin thought about it carefully, and it did seem to make sense. But drowning while bathing was rather ridiculous. She held in herugh and nodded.


    "Second, if you feel ufortable anywhere, get out immediately, don''t soak anymore. Go rinse off thoroughly with clean water in the shower. Then tell me carefully tomorrow and I''ll adjust the prescription," Qin Ran exhorted.


    "Okay."


    "Third, pay attention not to catch a cold." Qin Ran said, "Soaking too long when the water gets cold can easily cause a cold. Pay attention yourself."


    After exining everything, he turned to leave, but still worried about his silly disciple, said before closing the door, "If anything really feels off, you can call me. I''ll be in the study."


    "Got it!" Li Shiyin replied loudly, feeling that the master nagged even more than her own mother.


    Qin Ran left and went straight to the study.


    Li Shiyin closed the door and windows. She sniffed next to the tub, there was a bit of an unpleasant smell, but she was not fussy and took off her clothes to get in.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    The soft light in the study was on. Qin Ran sat at the desk, taking out all the cultivation techniques he had bought during the day from his Universe Bag and neatly arranging them on the desk.


    He picked up a pen and paper, prepared himself, then took a jade slip and ced it on his forehead. With the unsealing incantation, he opened it and carefully read the cultivation technique within.


    These cultivation techniques were bought cheaply and of uneven quality. Or rather, there were useful techniques among them, but it took a discerning eye to find them.


    As a poor cultivator, Qin Ran had to have such an eye. He had to sort through these techniques and find the useful ones - just like a trash collector.


    Most of these techniques were garbage, too low in quality to be worth the effort.


    After discarding the true trash, what was left most were iplete techniques, or rather, potentially useful iplete ones.


    This ipleteness was not just missing the first orst parts. No, the pages were eaten by bugs, chewed up in tatters. Forget the text, even the sentences were unreadable.


    Next were the fakes. Some idle cultivators would carve gibberish on jade slips and pass them off as top-tier techniques to sell to ignorant, low-level cultivators. And so on.


    Then there were jade slips without incantations. These were like blind boxes - if you were skilled in arrays and managed to open them, you might find an ancient master''s secret manual inside. Of course, more often after all that effort, you''d get a fake.


    Finally, there were the weird techniques with extremely high cultivation requirements. Rarely anyone would need these, so they were hard to sell.


    In short, he had to pick out treasures from the trash heap.


    Ideally, he wanted to find very powerful techniques without follow-up parts. Qin Ran wanted such techniques to give Li Shiyin a solid foundation.


    He was already skilled at this task. In small sects, you had to be familiar with finding good techniques.


    He moved swiftly, first skimming through each technique, then sorting them into categories based on the above five types.


    After organizing them, he evaluated each technique one by one.


    Those too iplete to salvage were decisively discarded.


    Confirmed fakes were of course also discarded.


    Jade slips without incantations were kept forter attempts to open them when he had time.


    Techniques with cultivation requirements too high to be useful were discarded.


    There was another type to discard - very good techniques but withpletely unattainable follow-up parts. These had to be discarded as well.


    After a whole night of writing and sorting, Qin Ran finally finished organizing all the techniques. The useful ones were kept, the useless discarded.


    By now the moon hung over the western mountains, its soft light shining down on the forest treetops outside. Qin Ran stretched and a breeze blew in through the window, fluttering the papers on the desk.


    Those papers were full of writing, categorizing:


    Techniques without follow-ups:


    1. Dayan Sword Canon, first two levels, able to reach Core Formation, but missing follow-up parts after Core Formation. Top priority. Contains Dayan Sword Technique, three moves.


    2. Green Cloud Sword Art, first five levels, able to reach Infant Transformation, but only foundation techniques without skills or divine abilities. Secondary priority.


    Techniques with requirements too high:


    1. Underworld Spirit Immortal Art,plete edition, cultivatable to Unity Realm. Requires Underworld Spirit physique. Excellent skills and divine abilities, can try extracting partster when have time.


    2. Control Spirit Beast Magic Book, first half. Cultivation technique for beast masters to control beasts, but requires blood of intended spirit beast. Somewhat niche, keep as backup.


    3. Divine Demon Nine Transformations, first seven transformations. Movement technique, requires several dozen top-tier pills like Divine Demon Pill, Bloodthirst Pill, Immortal Connecting Pill etc. Extremely painful to cultivate, but excellent effects, keep for now.


    Techniques needing restoration:


    1. Refine Spirit Eight Stages, soul technique. Extremely difficult to restore but still a soul technique, keep for now.


    2. Spirit Gold Ten Thousand Refining Art, only first two levels and heavily damaged, but resonates very well with Metal spirit root. Try to restore as much as possible.


    3. Gale Nine Transformations, moderately damaged, resonates with existing Gale Steps movement technique, can try restoring.


    4. Geng Metal Flying Sword Art, Metal attribute skill.


    And some other jade slips without incantations.


    After stretching, Qin Ran pressed down the fluttering papers and put a book over them. Though this was proper immortal cultivation, his pre-rebirth habits still lingered, so he decided to rest for now and deal with things tomorrow.


    He got up, closed the window, stretched again and walked out the door, directly passing through the exercise room and into the corridor outside. ncing around, he noticed a shadow down the corridor leaning over the railing looking towards the study.


    Following the line of sight back to the study, he saw the light was still on instead of automatically turning off when he left.


    Looks like something''s wrong with the sensing array in the study, he thought. As a diligent all-nighter cultivator, he loved working at night the most.


    The study lights saw the most use and were prone to problems. He would have to find time to adjust the sensing array soon.


    But first things first, he had to scold that silly disciple. "You''re not asleep yet?!" It was almost dawn.


    The shadow at the railing watching the study was of course his silly disciple Li Shiyin. During her medicinal bath earlier she had dozed off, only to be woken by the cold, and had hurriedly gotten out. Looking out the window then, it was already midnight.


    Just as she was about to go to bed, she noticed the study light was still on.


    Master must still be busy, she thought, and came out to lean on the railing watching the study, lost in thought.


    So engrossed she didn''t notice her master''s approach until he spoke up, startling her.


    "Master, what are you doing here?!" she cried in shock.


    "What are you doing here?" Qin Ran discretely looked Li Shiyin up and down. His disciple was still wearing his clothes, hanging loosely on her body with a different allure, and temptation.


    "I was here after my bath!" Flustered like she''d been caught red-handed, Li Shiyin hurriedly exined, "I came out for some fresh air!"


    Qin Ran nced at her. "Seems like today''s training wasn''t enough..." With that, he entered his room.


    "No no, Master! It was enough! More than enough!" Li Shiyin quickly called out, but Qin Ran ignored her and closed his door, leaving her in the corridor.


    She pouted resentfully. "Stinky Master!"


    Speaking of stinky, she sniffed herself again and frowned at the medicinal smell. What kind of aroma was that for a girl?


    ...She didn''t know what kind of image she presented earlier, motionless as a statue.


    But her master had already gone in, so she was toozy to care and returned to her own room.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Qin Ran found a reclining chair in the storage room, which was his master''s favorite before he passed away. His master liked to lie under the old locust tree for a whole day. After his master''s ascension, he stayed at home all day, mostly lying on the sofa, rarely using this chair, so he discarded it in the storage room.


    Today he deliberately took it out because it became useful again.


    He took it to the riverside to wash it clean, then moved the chair to thewn next to the pit Li Shiyin had dug. He then let the chair bask in the sun while he went back into the house, poured a ss of iced soda, and slowly walked back with the iced soda in hand.


    Hey on the dried chair, looking at his silly apprentice busily working in the pit, feeling a strange sense offort...


    Hmm, at this moment, he felt that he should be hung on a streemp.


    Fortunately there were no streemps in this world, he took a deep breath of soda.


    Li Shiyin in the pit had be dirty and ck, her whole body covered in mud, and the exposed skin was also tanned by the sun.


    Recalling when she first joined Dao Sword Sect and attended the Trial Assembly, she was still a clean little girl, and someone was even shocked by her beauty... At that time, she was indeed a beauty with skin like creamy jade.


    But after worshipping Dan Peak for just a few days, she had been tortured into this state, and it was not necessary to point out who the culprit was.


    At this time, Li Shiyin was dressed in casual clothes, short sleeves, and a skirt to her knees. It was really difficult for Qin Ran to dig out these shabby clothes in the immortal sect. Her long hair was tied in a single ponytail behind her head. Covered in mud and sweat, no one would think she was an immortal cultivator who had joined the immortal sect, only seeing her as a country farm girl.


    The medicinal bath Qin Ran made could relieve physical fatigue and enhance physique, but it could not improve skin quality. It was unknown whether he did it on purpose, causing Li Shiyin to be like this.


    Li Shiyin dug the mud earnestly. After digging for a while, arge pile of soil umted. She then stopped, took a dustpan from the side, shoveled the mud into the dustpan with a shovel. After filling a dustpan, she strenuously lifted it up to dump the soil out. It was at this moment that she saw Qin Ran lying on the reclining chair drinking soda above.


    "Master!!!!" She instantly broke down and shouted, spilling the mud in her hands, dirtying her clothes even more, "What are you doing!?"


    It seemed Qin Ran had juste back to his senses. He opened his eyes to look at Li Shiyin, but felt the sunlight was ring, so he squinted.


    He needed to get a pair of sunsses, he thought.


    "I''m supervising you!" He pretended to be nonchnt, taking a sip of soda, and said, "To prevent you from cking off..."


    "Ah?!" Li Shiyin couldn''t stand it anymore. She bent down, grabbed a handful of mud, and threw it at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran was unhurried. With a movement of his consciousness, the soda in the cup flew out and spread into a thin film, wrapping all the flying mud in it. Then he squeezed it into a mud ball. With a point of his finger, the mud ball flew back and hit Li Shiyin''s forehead.


    "Disrespectful to your master. You should be punished!" He said, his tone extremely annoying, "Also, this cup of soda was wasted because of you, so you should be fined another cup of soda."


    Li Shiyin winced in pain, rubbing her forehead with both hands. It must have turned red, she thought. She clenched her fists angrily, gritting her teeth and secretly vowing that one day she would get back at him.


    When she learned how to make soda, she would not let him drink it! Hmph!!


    She red fiercely at Qin Ran, then snorted again, but was helpless and could only pick up the shovel and shovel the fallen mud back.


    "Stinky master!" She shoveled a shovel of mud, cursing softly, treating Qin Ran like mud and sand, "Bad master!"


    The silly apprentice''s daring to be angry but not daring to speak look was really cute. Qin Ran chuckled to himself, but did not show any expression on his face.


    "What are you saying?" He asked deliberately.


    "Nothing!" Li Shiyin quickly shut her mouth, then cursed secretly in her heart.


    After tidying up the spilled mud, she lifted it up again to dump it onto thewn outside the pit.


    Watching her stand at the bottom of the pit and dump mud upwards, Qin Ran started to direct: "This is ake. You have to dig very deep and big. I suggest you make a staircase on the side, otherwise it will be difficult to dump the mudter."


    "Got it!" Li Shiyin replied.


    "As for the dug out mud," Qin Ran continued directing, "You have to find a way to dispose of it. Piling it here is definitely not going to work. First, it''s unsightly, and second, it will affectter construction. I suggest you learn how to make bricks. Burn these soils, it will be usefulter when building pavilions and constructing theke heart pavilion..."


    With so many demands, why don''t youe do it yourself!


    Li Shiyin threw away the dustpan, put her hands on her hips, and red at Qin Ran. But soon, she lowered her head, and ultimately still endured it, after all, one had to lower one''s head under the eaves.


    "A good director is worth a thousand troops." As Li Shiyin continued digging, Qin Ran kept chattering, "Do you understand this principle? I''m directing here, and it will save you a lot of effort..."


    "Master!" Li Shiyin raised her hand, "Wouldn''t the efficiency be even higher if both of us directed?"


    Qin Ran red at her, "Adults are talking, children shouldn''t interrupt!"


    Finally, she still listened to Qin Ran''s advice. While digging, Li Shiyin also dug steps at the edge of the pit for getting up and down.


    After chattering for a while, Qin Ran also felt tired. He took out a jade slip from the Universe Bag and analyzed its array structure, trying to figure out how to crack it.


    In fact, teasing Li Shiyin was a spur of the moment impulse. Cracking these jade slips without incantations was the real n.


    Under the scorching sun, the masterzily cracked jade slips on thewn recliner while the apprentice diligently worked in the muddy pit below.


    Suddenly at one point, Li Shiyin in the pit excitedly shouted, "Master! Master! Look what I dug up! Quick, look!"


    "What is it?" Qin Ran asked uninterestedly, ncing into the pit. He saw Li Shiyin holding up a long ck object triumphantly with both hands.


    "A flying sword, it''s a flying sword!" Li Shiyin jumped for joy, "I dug up a flying sword used by senior Dan Peak."


    Qin Ran''s spirit shook. Did this silly apprentice dig up a treasure? He looked closely, then lost interest. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a stream of water to rinse away the mud on the sword, revealing the de inside.


    "Master!" The water mixed with mud sshed Li Shiyin. Annoyed, she put the sword away, no longer wanting Qin Ran to see it. But when she looked at it again herself, she realized she was holding a rusty broken sword.


    "You dug up a discarded useless sword and treated it like a treasure..." Qin Ran helplessly shook his head and sighed, "Can you have some backbone?!"


    Li Shiyin ignored her wet hair. Looking at the shabby sword in her hand, her hopes were shattered. She pouted, on the verge of tears.


    Qin Ran nced at her without responding, theny back down with the jade slip.


    After thinking sadly for a while, Li Shiyin still threw the broken sword aside, though reluctantly.


    "Pick it up. What if you get cut by itter unintentionally?" The viinous master spoke again seeing her throw away the sword.


    She waved her fist, but still replied, "I''ll put it awayter!"

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    It was another sunny day. In the morning, Qin Ran was refining pills while Li Shiyin was practicing swords. After lunch and a short rest, Li Shiyin continued to dig theke.


    This big project of building an artificialke had been going on for five or six days. On the grassy bank of the river, Li Shiyin had dug a ratherrge pit, about ten meters wide and nearly two meters deep. As expected, this foolish apprentice didn''t shirk at all.


    After cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks, Qin Ran went out for a walk, and ended up at the edge of the mud pit to supervise. Compared to the first day of supervision, he now had a sunshade, a small table, and sunsses, all prepared by him over the past few days.


    Sitting under the sunshade with his sunsses on, hey in a deck chair, sipping iced soda through a long straw on the small table, his resentment meter filling up. The despicable behavior of the master had been going on for several days. Li Shiyin was gradually getting used to it - she worked with her back facing him, pretending he didn''t exist when she couldn''t see him.


    It was in this situation that two figures appeared in the distant sky, zigzagging crookedly towards Dan Peak. They weren''t moving fast, looking like two drifting clouds from afar, taking quite a while to get closer and swooping over the treetops beforending on the grass.


    Qin Ran was focused on deciphering the jade tablet and didn''t notice their arrival. It was Li Shiyin who spotted the two first.


    She stood up straight in the mud pit, craning her neck to look at the two people not far away. One was handsome and gant, the other graceful and beautiful, their clothes billowing elegantly like a fairy couple.


    Li Shiyin didn''t recognize the man, but the woman looked vaguely familiar. At the questioning convention, this woman''s performance wasparable to hers. If she remembered correctly, her name was Tian Wenjin.


    And if her eyes weren''t deceiving her, Tian Wenjin had just flown over on her sword.


    Tian Wenjin and Huang Feiyunded on the grass and walked over, stopping a few meters in front of Qin Ran and bowing, "Greetings, Uncle Qin!"


    "Mm," By now Qin Ran had of course noticed them already. He sat up from the deck chair, took off his sunsses, and waved his hand to indicate they needn''t be so courteous.


    "Did you gather all the medicinal ingredients?" He looked towards Huang Feiyu.


    "This junior went to great efforts and finally gathered all the ingredients." Huang Feiyu took out a temporary storage pouch from his waistband, stepped forward and handed it to Qin Ran.


    A so-called temporary storage pouch was made with cloth that couldn''t withstand the spatial distortions of the storage formation, copsing after one or two uses, thus ''temporary''. These pouches were inexpensive andmonly seen in the cultivation world.


    Qin Ran epted the pouch, probing inside with his consciousness to examine the medicinal ingredients. He found the quality and quantities were quite sufficient - Huang Feiyu was indeed capable.


    "The Ice Condensation Pill is rtively simple to refine, it won''t take too long. But I''m quite busy these couple of days,e collect it the day after tomorrow." Qin Ran said, looking up at Huang Feiyu.


    "Yes, Uncle." Huang Feiyu nodded, then smiled, "Please be attentive, Uncle. My martial brother and I have an agreement to go hunt the Furious me Lion, we''re only waiting for me to cultivate this Frost Sword technique."


    "Furious me Lion?" Qin Ran was a little surprised. The Furious me Lion was a level four Greater Beast,parable to ate Golden Core cultivator. Huang Feiyu was actually going to hunt such a beast? It seemed this disciple''s cultivation was higher than he imagined. He nodded, "Mm, I see."


    Huang Feiyu took out another pouch to give Qin Ran, saying "This is 100 spirit stones, the fee for Uncle''s pill refining."


    An inferior quality Ice Condensation Pill cost 500 spirit stones to buy. With Qin Ran''s help getting a lower price, the gratitude gift was usually 300 spirit stones. Why was he only giving 100 spirit stones now to specially request Qin Ran to refine pills?


    This demonstrated Huang Feiyu''s intelligence. Ostensibly only 100 spirit stones, but in truth it was over ten times more.


    Firstly, all medicinal ingredients were prepared by himself, Qin Ran only needed to refine them. Secondly, the quantities he provided were very sufficient, enough for three batches, while he only needed one batch. Thirdly, this was just the fee, not the gratitude gift...


    As an elder, Qin Ran couldn''t ept too much payment from a junior. Huang Feiyu intentionally dispersed thepensation, hoping Qin Ran would take more money.


    He deliberately curried favor this way. With such high emotional intelligence and skill in handling matters, in Qin Ran''s two lifetimes of experience, he hadn''t seen many people like this. But in the cultivation world, it was precisely such talents that went far.


    Qin Ran silently approved of Huang Feiyu and raised his hand to ept the spirit stones, saying "I''ll do my best to increase the quality."


    "Many thanks, Uncle." Huang Feiyu bowed again.


    While the two of them were conspiring, Tian Wenjin beside them was looking at Li Shiyin down in the mud pit.


    The two peaks of Sword Sect, peerless beauties in Qin Ran''s heart, now one was on the grass with the blue sky and white clouds behind her, dressed splendidly with fairy-like bearings and looks - the true peerless beauty; the other was below the mud pit, feet in the muck and rubble, dressed simply in coarse clothes, hair a mess, face smeared - a true vige woman.


    Tian Wenjin looked down on Li Shiyin from her lofty position. She thought to herself, life was just like this. Once you chose the wrong path, you were finished for eternity. She had already built her foundation and taken the first steps on the path of cultivation, while this person she once viewed as a rival...


    How pitiful! She must have made some foolish mistake to receive such punishment.


    Li Shiyin looked up at Tian Wenjin from the bottom of the pit. Life was just like this - noparisons, no harm. If she didn''t know Tian Wenjin had already built her foundation, could already fly everywhere wielding techniques, her heart wouldn''t feel so unbnced. She would still be happily digging herke, deceiving herself it was a special cultivation method.


    But the reality was her rival was standing there looking down on her.


    A thought shed through her mind in that moment - her master really was just a trivial Foundation Establishment cultivator, with lowly cultivation and mediocre aptitude, unqualified to be her master. For the sake of her future, perhaps she should go to Sword Sect.


    The two girls looked at each other without speaking, but the disparity in their bearings was clear to see.


    Having finished his business, Huang Feiyu saw Li Shiyin at the bottom of the pit and said, "You must be Junior Sister Li Shiyin, I''ve heard of you. You really are exceptionally outstanding."


    He introduced himself, "I am Huang Feiyu, a Sword Sect disciple."


    Li Shiyin nced at him but didn''t speak.


    Huang Feiyu took a look at the mud pit Li Shiyin was in, immediately understanding what Qin Ran was doing. He praised, "Junior Sister has a solid foundation, your future cultivation level will be very stable."


    Of the three people present, Tian Wenjin thought he was just being politely chatty, Li Shiyin thought he was ridiculing her, only Qin Ran understood his meaning, but didn''t respond.


    Qin Ran nced at Li Shiyin''s wooden expression and aloof aura down in the pit, not bothering with her. Instead he turned to Tian Wenjin and asked, "Are the clothes done?"


    "Two sets." Tian Wenjin returned to herself, bowed, and took out a package from her pouch to give Qin Ran.


    "Mm." Qin Ran ced the package on the table and nodded.


    The atmosphere suddenly turned a little cold. Still, Huang Feiyu hastily bid farewell, "Uncle, if there''s nothing else, this junior will take his leave."


    "I won''t keep you. Come collect the Ice Condensation Pill in two days." Qin Ran said.


    Huang Feiyu bowed with Tian Wenjin before retreating. At the edge of the forest they finally took to the air, flying towards Sword Sect.


    Watching them leave, Li Shiyin mbered out of the pit and came to Qin Ran''s side, ring at him.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    "What do you want to say?" Qin Ran nced at Li Shiyin, took a sip from the iced soda on the table, and calmly asked.


    "Tian Wenjin has established a foundation," Li Shiyin said.


    "So what?"


    "What am I doing?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "You want to refine pills," Qin Ran gave her the answer. "You joined Dan Peak to learn pill refining, but you have no talent for it. Others know from the beginning that they want to practice swordsmanship."


    Li Shiyin fell silent for a moment and then asked, "What I''m doing now, is it for the purpose of refining pills?"


    In fact, she knew that refining pills didn''t require daily sword practice, body strengthening by diggingkes, or bathing in medicinal baths to enhance physical strength.


    "No," Qin Ran truthfully answered her.


    The things she was asked to do were not for her to be able to refine pills, but to learn swordsmanship.


    "I came to Dan Peak to learn pill refining," Li Shiyin said, "If I want to learn swordsmanship, I should go to Sword Peak."


    A foolish disciple will always be a foolish disciple. With her words, Qin Ran could easily send her to Sword Peak without taking any responsibility, and then he could return to his carefree cultivation life.


    However... Qin Ran remained silent and didn''t speak. He was struggling, examining his own heart. He had finished drinking the water in his cup and was still sucking on the straw.


    The air froze for a while, and suddenly he understood. His struggle was futile. A forced melon would never be sweet. How others should walk their path, it was still up to the person themselves to choose.


    He took out four books from his Universe Bag and ced them one by one on the table in front of Li Shiyin.


    "These are four fundamental cultivation techniques. The first book is a gold attribute pill refining technique..." He tried to keep his tone t, without any fluctuation. "The second book is called ''Dayan Sword Art,'' a very good sword technique, but it''s only the first two levels. The third book is called ''Geng Metal Flying Sword Art,'' specializing in flying swords. The fourth book is called ''Heavenly Sword.''"


    "One pill refining technique and three sword cultivation techniques. You can choose one to keep, or..."


    He looked at the mud pit Li Shiyin had dug in front of her and said, "I''ll send you to Sword Peak."


    Li Shiyin lowered her eyes, reached out and flipped through the pages of the book. The handwriting on the pages was fresh, as if it had just been written...


    No, not as if. She suddenly remembered that her master would stay upte every night. Perhaps he had really just written it.


    "The gold attribute pill refining technique..." The first technique had no name, and she asked aloud, "What is this book called?"


    "It hasn''t been named yet."


    Her hand flipping through the pages paused, and she looked up at Qin Ran. But Qin Ran was looking at the mud pit, pretending not to know.


    "Did Master create a new technique for me?" She looked at Qin Ran, her pupils trembling slightly.


    After a while, she closed the pages and said, "I won''t go to Sword Peak."


    Qin Ran turned around to look at her.


    "I am willing to follow Master''s arrangements." Qin Ran didn''t speak, so she continued, "As for the technique, I still need to consider if I want to refine pills or practice swordsmanship..."


    Qin Ran reached out and pressed on the clothes wrapped on the table, looking at Li Shiyin, pondering. After a while, he suddenly asked, "Do you remember what I told you before, the purpose of cultivation?"


    "Master said that some people cultivate for immortality, while others cultivate for power."


    "Yes." Qin Ran felt a slight sense of satisfaction. Despite being a foolish disciple, he was d that his words had been taken to heart. He asked again, "Do you know the essence of cultivation?"


    "Master hasn''t mentioned it."


    Indeed, his disciple was still naive. Qin Ran thought for a moment and exined, "The essence of cultivation is to absorb the spiritual energy floating in the heavens and earth for oneself. Spiritual energy is a kind of ephemeral energy. Cultivators use cultivation techniques to seize this energy from the heavens and earth, thus bing stronger."


    Li Shiyin listened quietly.


    "If I were to tell you that cultivation is the reversal of entropy, where energy is forced to flow from lower to higher states, but therger the energy of an object, the more unstable it bes, you probably wouldn''t understand," Qin Ran continued. "However, if I were to tell you that one''s state of mind muste before their cultivation realm, you might grasp it."


    "Cultivation can transform an ordinary person into someone with boundless power. In other words, an ordinary person can suddenly possess immense strength. What would happen then?"


    Li Shiyin began to understand why Tian Wenjin had achieved Foundation Establishment while she hadn''t.


    "There''s a saying in my hometown: ''If one possesses a lethal weapon, murderous intent will arise.'' Therefore, in the process of cultivating immortality, cultivating the mind is even more important than cultivating the self. If one''s state of mind fails to keep up with their cultivation, excessively great power can easily lead them astray."


    Where is my master from? How can his hometown have so many profound words? Li Shiyin wondered.


    "From this perspective, the better one''s talent, the faster their cultivation progresses, and the easier it is for them to go astray," Qin Ran said, looking at Li Shiyin. "Simrly, using elixirs to enhance cultivation also increases the risk of going astray."


    "After saying so much..." Qin Ran concluded, "I just want to tell you that cultivation requires patience."


    Li Shiyin understood.


    She nodded and asked, "Then how did Tian Wenjin achieve Foundation Establishment so quickly? Didn''t her master exin this to her?"


    "Their cultivation philosophies differ. Sword cultivators have always believed in forging ahead fearlessly and being confident in mastering power," Qin Ran exined. "Moreover, she consumed elixirs."


    At this point, he sighed, "I warned her before not to take elixirs, but she still did."


    "Once people can obtain benefits through simpler means, they are no longer willing to pursue harder paths. This is another danger of elixirs, and it is even more detrimental than the previous one. It can be considered poisoning."


    Li Shiyin had long since adopted a foolish expression and obediently nodded.


    With that, Qin Ran took out two porcin bottles from his Universe Bag and ced them on the table. He looked at the pills and said, "These two bottles contain Foundation Establishing Pills and Spirit Gathering Pills, both of excellent quality. The Foundation Establishing Pill greatly enhances the sess rate of Foundation Establishment, while the Spirit Gathering Pill rapidly increases cultivation. If you want to establish your foundation earlier, you can take the pills now. However..."


    He raised his head and looked into Li Shiyin''s eyes, fixing his gaze on her. "If you decide to take them, then take these two bottles of pills with you when you leave the mountain."


    Li Shiyin lowered her head, thinking to herself, "Master seems to be quite wealthy, being able to create his own cultivation technique. He''s talented and wealthy, such a master..."


    She bit her lip.


    Seeing her expression, Qin Ran took a deep breath and didn''t retrieve the two bottles of top-grade pills, leaving them there. Then he suddenly scolded, "What are you waiting for? Why aren''t you continuing to dig theke? Do you intend to take forever?"


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded, turned around, and jumped out of the mud pit, making a loud thud.


    While Qin Ran and Li Shiyin confronted each other, Huang Feiyu nced at the contemtive Tian Wenjin and roughly guessed what she was thinking. He asked, "What do you think of Li Shiyin?"


    "It''s a pity," Tian Wenjin replied.


    "Why do you say that?" Huang Feiyu knew Tian Wenjin''s thoughts but still asked.


    "She''s too foolish, wasting her talent," Tian Wenjin shook her head and said, "With her exceptional Golden Spirit Root, she insists on learning alchemy. It not only attracts unwanted attention but also hinders her own progress. She could have been a formidable opponent, but she gave up on herself too early."


    "Is that what you think?" Huang Feiyu inquired further.


    "That''s what I think," Tian Wenjin confirmed.


    "But I don''t agree," Huang Feiyu said.


    Tian Wenjin looked at him, wanting to know his thoughts.


    "I believe she will definitely be your strongest opponent," Huang Feiyu said.


    "On the path of cultivation, it''s apetition of foundations. One step ahead means being ahead at every step. I have alreadyid the foundation, while she''s still far from establishing hers," Tian Wenjin replied. "I don''t believe it."


    "The foundation is the most important in cultivation," Huang Feiyu said, "How about we make a bet..."


    "Top-tier spiritual roots are more important than any foundation!" Tian Wenjin was quite confident, although she clearly didn''t understand what Huang Feiyu meant by foundation. She asked, "Tell me, what''s the bet?"


    "At the Enlightenment Grand Meeting three years from now, Li Shiyin''s ranking will definitely be higher than yours," Huang Feiyu said.


    "And what''s the wager?"


    "If you win, I will give you the Qingming Sword," Huang Feiyu said. The Qingming Sword was a treasure he had obtained after countless efforts. The disciples of Sword Peak all knew that it was the lifebound sword of a nascent soul stage cultivator, a top-grade spiritual weapon.


    "And if I lose?"


    "From then on, you can no longer consume pills that aid in cultivation progress!" Huang Feiyu dered.


    Tian Wenjin looked at Huang Feiyu, and the two locked eyes in mid-air. Then she nodded firmly, "Deal!"

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    It had been sunny for a long time. On this night, the weather suddenly changed. Dark clouds gathered inrge patches and finally it was going to rain.


    Li Shiyin was soaking in the bathtub. Outside was the rumbling of thunder, but she was soaking in a warm andfortable herbal bath, feeling utterly rxed. She leaned backfortably with her toes spread out, listening to the thunder as if it were a wonderful piece of music, and hummed along softly.


    The herbal soup no longer had a pungent medicinal smell. When making it, Master had added some fragrant herbs, and now the bath gave off a pleasant aroma. After soaking in it, her body would also be fragrant.


    The bathtub had been modified by Master to have a hollow to rest her head and a soft cushion to support her back and waist, allowing her to sleep while bathing without worrying about slipping into the water and drowning.


    The room was also fitted with a warming spell formation, so the water wouldn''t cool over time. Soaking in this herbal bath was like soaking in a hot spring.


    In short, bathing in this herbal soup was pure enjoyment for her.


    The heat carried the effects of the medicine into her body, massaging her muscles and soothing the soreness from digging theke during the day. At the same time, the medicinal essence was absorbed by her muscles, strengthening her body.


    For a bucket of herbal soup like this, Li Shiyin would sometimes contemte how much it cost, but she couldn''t even remember or understand how many types of medicine Master Qin Ran used, let alone know the value of the prescription. But she could be certain of one thing - this herbal bath was expensive.


    She could only say, her Master really doted on his dumb disciple.


    The thunder outside gradually diminished, and rain began to fall. The rain came from very far away. At first it was just a few drops - drip, drip, drip. After a moment, it became a pouring rain.


    The sound of rain came in through the window. Soaking in the steaming hot herbal bath, Li Shiyin soon fell into a doze.


    But just as she began to fall asleep...


    Boom! A huge thunderp suddenly woke her up.


    She opened her eyes and looked outside, just in time to see a bolt of lightning split the sky, followed by a loud crack. The intense sh of light pierced the closed window, leaving her momentarily blinded, as if the lightning was right before her eyes.


    "Phew..." She let out a breath, patting her chest to calm herself from the shock.


    "Roar!"


    Suddenly another roar rang out, this time the roar of a tiger.


    The roar that prated the soul frightened her all over again. It took her some time to recover herposure.


    Heavy rain,te night, thunder, tiger''s roar...


    Li Shiyin frowned. It seemed something was happening outside.


    Thinking this, she got out of the tub, dried herself off, wrapped up in a robe and went out to the porch.


    The night was very dark, and the rain was heavy. The darkness oppressed the light, which barely illuminated the wooden house''s porch. But farther out, nothing could be seen.


    Against this backdrop, Li Shiyin looked up into the distance, peering below the cloudyer. Lightning split the darkness, illuminating two enormous shadows facing off against each other.


    One shadow was in the shape of an ox, with a single horn on its head containing divine thunder. Its four hooves stood upon the lightning. The other was a tiger-shaped shadow, standing amidst the darkness, head raised and roaring - one could imagine the tiger''s roar from before came from it.


    "This is..." Li Shiyin''s eyes widened, "A battle between Demon Kings?!"


    "That ox is called the Thunder Unicorn Ox, and that tiger should be the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger," Master Qin Ran''s gentle voice suddenly sounded from the side. Li Shiyin looked over to see Master leaning against the door frame of his room, arms crossed, also watching that direction. "The heavy rain tonight was brought by the two of them."


    Master really does know everything! Li Shiyin thought to herself in admiration. She then asked, "Why are they fighting?"


    "Tiger and ox, why do you think they would fight?" Qin Ran nced at his disciple, seeing her wearing just a thin robe barely concealing her body, and quickly looked away toward the distant battle. "Predator and prey... For them to fight all the way to the front door of a human sect, it really is rare. Both are demonic beasts above the Yuan Ying stage, they should know to avoid human power."


    "Is the tiger trying to eat the ox?" Li Shiyin''s focus was different however. Pointing at the rtive positions of the two demon kings, she said, "But why does it seem the tiger can''t beat the ox? Is it on the defensive?"


    "Who said the tiger can definitely beat the ox? The rtionship between hunter and hunted is never absolute," Qin Ran said. "Also, the Thunder Unicorn Ox feeds on lightning and thunder, it can control lightning and summon lightning. See how its four hooves stand on lightning? And its horn can also shoot divine thunder. In what way is it weaker than the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger?"


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded.


    As they were speaking, the battle between the Thunder Unicorn Ox and the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger began again beneath the clouds. Roars and bellows continuously sounded as the vague shape of the huge tiger writhed amongst the chaotic shes of lightning...


    This scene was truly frightening. Li Shiyin subconsciously raised her hand to shield herself, but still felt it was useless. So she edged closer to Qin Ran and couldn''t help asking, "They won''t fight their way here, will they Master?!"


    "No!" Seeing Li Shiyin move closer, along with her feminine fragrance, Qin Ran''s entire body tensed up ufortably. He kept his eyes fixed on the distant battle and shook his head reassuringly, "It looks close, but actually they are very far away. Besides, the Elder Taishangs of Dao Sword Sect must be watching them, as well as the mountain protecting grand formation..."


    "Damn it!" However, before he could even finish speaking, a piercing sh of lightning suddenly lit up over there as the Thunder Unicorn Ox unleashed its divine thunder through its horn.


    Then the shadow of the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger suddenly vanished, immediately followed by the roar of the tiger and agonized cry of the ox sounding out together.


    At the same time, a thin bolt of lightning shot out from that direction toward them.


    From the Thunder Unicorn Ox attacking, to the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger disappearing, to the ox''s miserable scream, to the bolt of lightning shooting their way, it all happened in a sh, almost simultaneously.


    Before Qin Ran could even finish his sentence, the divine thunder was right before their eyes. He couldn''t help but curse, "Fuck!"


    At the same time his hands formed seals, summoning out a water shield technique. A membrane of water spread out, protecting himself and his foolish disciple beside him.


    The water membrane had just finished forming when, with a crack, the lightning bolt struck it. The water shield then shattered into a mist, dispersing the lightning.


    This water shield technique was truly miraculous.


    Qin Ran cultivated the alchemy path, determined to pursue immortality to the end. His mastery of concealment arts and shielding arts was extremely high, possibly even better than his alchemy skills.


    An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator really might not have blocked that bit of divine lightning...


    Alright, Qin Ran actually hadn''tpletely blocked it either, and some of the lightning still leaked through and struck him.


    This sudden shock left him dazed for quite a while.


    "Master? Master!" Li Shiyin called out worriedly. She reached out to support Qin Ran, but was immediately zapped by the residual divine lightning on him, forcing her to pull back her hand. She didn''t dare try to touch him again, only standing by anxiously shouting.


    Qin Ran slowly regained his senses, still frightened. "I... I''m fine..." he said breathlessly.


    He then reached into his robe and pulled out a charred talisman.


    His lifesaving ace, used up. One less left.


    "What a disaster out of nowhere!" He couldn''t help but curse. "Just my luck!"


    "Mas... Master!" At this moment, Li Shiyin next to him suddenly spoke up. "It also seems... notpletely out of nowhere..."


    Qin Ran nced over, wondering what nonsense his foolish disciple was spewing now. He followed her pointing finger, looking over to a spot on the ground below. There, something was glowing faintly.


    Taking a closer look, he saw it was a small cat-sized... tiger cub!


    "A Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger... cub?!"

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    "That bolt of divine lightning was actually chasing after this Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub!"


    Qin Ran suddenly realized, and also understood why the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger could chase the Thunder Unicorn Ox to the front of the human sect - "This is a nursing Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub..."


    The so-called power of a mother''s love.


    "Master, what should we do?" Li Shiyin pointed at the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub shivering in the rainwater.


    Qin Ran looked up and saw the two Yuan Ying stage demon kings battling further and further away in the night sky, gradually disappearing into the darkness.


    "Why would the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger send her child here?" He thought about this question, and quickly had the answer, "She was injured... Or rather, she realized she was going to die soon."


    In the darkness, five rays of light suddenly rose from the peak where the Dao Sword Sect''s sect master was, four of which chased after the two demon kings who had left, while one came towards Dan Peak.


    The Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub had been discovered... Qin Ran suddenly realized there would be no chance left if he didn''t make a decision now. He urgently shouted at Li Shiyin, "Quick, go pick it up!"


    Then he summoned the wind and flew up to meet the ray of lighting towards Dan Peak.


    "I didn''t know you could fly, Master!" Li Shiyin said in surprise.


    She leaned on the railing, pushed off, somersaulted over it with a "ssh", andnded on the ground.


    She had been worshipping under Dan Peak for over ten days now. Fellow disciples like Tian Wenjin had already built their foundations and could fly all over the world, while Li Shiyin, with the help of Qin Ran''s expensive medicinal baths, although she had not built her foundation yet, was actually not inferior to others.


    Her physical strength had long surpassed that of mortals, and the flow of energy in her body had also reached considerable quality... What shecked was merely connecting with heaven and earth and condensing cyclone.


    The rain was still heavy. She was already soaked the instant shended on the ground. Using the dim light shining from the corridor, she went to the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub and crouched down beside it.


    This little demon beast was curled up under the weak light with its eyes closed, looking just like a sleeping tabby cat. The light stretched out, protecting it, preventing any rain from getting in.


    Li Shiyin reached out to touch it. Her hand passed through the light and made contact with the furry, warm Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub. The protective light did not react at all, nor did the cub.


    She squinted and looked up again. In the curtain of rain, her master had collided with the ray of light in midair. The person in the light was looking down at them. She quickly ducked her head, scooped up the kitten, and rushed into the living room.


    "Elder Brother Sect Master!" Qin Ran stopped the ray of light and greeted respectfully in midair.


    He had forcibly flown up and did not know yet how to keep out the rain, so his whole body was drenched and he looked rather miserable.


    The person in the ray of light was none other than the Dao Sword Sect''s sect master. Seeing that the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger had left something at Dan Peak before leaving, he hade specifically to investigate. Now that Qin Ran was blocking his way, he also stopped. Although he was the sect master, and Qin Ran only had ate Foundation Establishment cultivation base, still he stopped.


    ...There was no other choice, he was the Dao Sword Sect''sst pill alchemist, some face had to be given.


    "It''s sote and the rain is so heavy. Does Elder Brother Sect Master have some urgent matter,ing to Dan Peak so suddenly?" Qin Ran wiped the rainwater off his face and asked with a smile.


    The Dao Sword Sect''s sect master asked in return, "Did you see the great battle between demon kings outside the mountain gate earlier?"


    "A battle between demon beasts? I did not know about it," Qin Ran feigned ignorance. "I was woken up by the thunder, got up urgently to pee, and was peeing halfway when I happened to see Elder Brother Sect Master."


    "A Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger chasing a Thunder Unicorn Ox, chased it to the front of the mountain gate, and they battled fiercely!" Whether Qin Ran saw it or not, the sect master did not care. He said, "Before they left, the Thunder Unicorn Ox fired a bolt of divine lightning at Dan Peak. I was worried something might have happened, so I came to take a look."


    "I see!" Qin Ran nodded and wiped more rainwater off his face. "No major incident. I''ve troubled Sect Master to show concern."


    The sect master sized up Qin Ran and saw the remnants of divine lightning on him, secretly nodding to himself, not bad skills.


    He already knew what the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger had left behind - he had seen Li Shiyin take it into the house just now, clear as day. But he did not care, whoever raised it made no difference. They were all part of the Dao Sword Sect.


    With many thoughts turning in his mind, he gave Qin Ran a meaningful look and smiled, "Then I can rest assured."


    At this moment, his sound transmission jade talisman rang. He focused his will into it, and his expression subtly changed. He quickly said to Qin Ran, "Nephew, if you have anything, please feel free to discuss with me. Your uncle will do my best to help you resolve it. I have something to deal with now, so I''ll take my leave first."


    Qin Ran hurriedly saw him off with a bow, "I''ve troubled you, Sect Master. Please go slowly."


    The sect master took onest deep look at Qin Ran, then turned into a ray of light and headed out of the sect.


    "Did the Sect Master notice or not?" Qin Ran watched the sect master''s departing ray of light, still uncertain.


    He was also wondering whether it was worth it for the sake of a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub.


    Just as he was thinking this, a sudden vast darkness rose up beneath him. In an instant the world spun and it was the same scene as when he had crossed over here. He immediately felt dizzy and nauseous.


    He quickly lifted his head to look at the sky instead of down below, which made him feel slightly better. Maintaining this posture, soaked in rain and treading on the wind, he slowly descended.


    It seemed to take a very, very long time before Qin Ran felt his feet touch the ground, his face numb from the raindrops.


    Gasping for breath and massaging his face with both hands, he shook his head. "Really not worth it!"


    "Master, you''re really afraid of heights!" The voice of that shameless disrespectful disciple suddenly sounded from the side, giving him a shock.


    He hurriedly turned back to see Li Shiyin standing on the corridor, wearing one of his robes that was still loose on her, and holding a small...cat in her arms.


    Only then did he realize that what his feet hadnded on was not the ground, but the eaves of the first floor.


    "Afraid of heights?" He forced out augh. "How could I be afraid of heights?!"


    "Master, look over there!!" Li Shiyin suddenly shouted, pointing towards the forest.


    Qin Ran was shocked again, suspecting the sect master had swung back to ambush them. He hurriedly turned back to look. Then his foot slipped off the eaves and he fell down.


    "Hahahaha..." The heartless disrespectful discipleughed loudly from the second floor corridor.


    Qin Ran fell into the mud. His face ck, he stomped up to the bathroom, leaving a footprint with every step. Poor cleaning formations in the room had just cleared Li Shiyin''s footprints and now had to clear Qin Ran''s.


    Downstairs in the living room, lights were bright. Freshly bathed, Qin Ran sat on the sofa while Li Shiyin crouched at the coffee table. The Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub was sprawled on the table,pping up milk from a bowl.


    "Master, shall we raise it?" Li Shiyin asked. "You sacrificed so much..." She looked at Qin Ran, now clean and calm again.


    "This is a seventh rank demon king''s bloodline..." Qin Ran looked at the cub on the table, no bigger than a kitten, and said, "If raised properly, it would reach the Yuan Ying stage."


    As he spoke, he suddenly noticed the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub''s eyes were still blue, with blue membranes present. Recalling something, he asked, "Were its eyes already open when you picked it up, or did they open afterwards?"


    "They were closed when I picked it up..." Li Shiyin looked at the cub. "Oh! Its eyes are open now?!"


    This fool, Qin Ran was speechless. He shook his head, vaguely recalling that the imprinting phenomenon was not so severe in felines...no major issue.


    The two watched the little tigerp up milk. Li Shiyin suddenly remembered something, ran upstairs and back down again, holding a ck horn in her hand.


    "I found this next to it when picking it up just now." Li Shiyin said.


    Qin Ran took it and saw that it was a Thunder Unicorn Ox''s horn.


    He looked at the little Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger and sighed, "This is the Thunder Unicorn Ox''s horn..."


    "Why would that demon king''s horn be here?" Li Shiyin did not understand.


    "That Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger must have been injured. She knew she was sure to die soon. Perhaps this was a gift to thank whoever adopted her cub. Or perhaps it was an exchange for her cub, so whoever found it would not harm it." Qin Ran spoke his guesses.


    "When she realized she had chased her prey to the front of the human sect, she must have known she could not possibly live. Those rays of light earlier were the sect''s Elder Taishang, all Yuan Ying old monsters. Plus the Sect Master...


    "By now, she has likely died already."


    This is the most primal motherly love. As Li Shiyin listened, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She gently stroked the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    The tiny Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger seemed to sense something as well. It stopped eating, lifted its head towards the window and let out a "roar, roar, roar", with tears streaming from its deep blue eyes.


    "No matter how big, a cat is still a cat..." said Qin Ran. "Let''s give it a name and keep it as a pet."


    "Then let''s call it Chasing the Wind!"

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    The summer rain was a downpour after all, not to mentionst night''s rain was brought by two demon kings. When Qin Ran woke up in the morning, the rain had already stopped.


    The rainwater cleansed the air and the world was refreshed. Over in the forest, little birds were hopping on the branches, while in front of the house, a young girl was practicing her swordy on thewn.


    She was indeed a young girl, with a soft and slender body that was budding into womanhood. Her light green clothes fluttered in the wind as she moved gracefully, but her sword stances were anything but delicate - each move was powerful and forceful, with the swooshing sound of her sword cutting through the air ringing out from time to time.


    Qin Ran sat under the eaves reading a book on the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger. Next to his chair was curled up a calico cat...or rather, a cub of the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    The swooshing sounds of the sword kepting. He looked over at Li Shiyin''s agile and nimble figure, and her fierce and swift sword techniques, and couldn''t help but admire the power contained within that slender female body.


    This silly apprentice was born to practice swordsmanship. She was only cultivating the most basic skills and practicing the most basic sword forms, yet each move already contained extraordinary might. Qin Ran thought to himself that even if Tian Wenjin didn''t y dirty by flying into the air, it would be hard to say who would win in a fair fight against Li Shiyin on the ground.


    After watching his apprentice practice sword for a while, Qin Ran went back to reading his book, studying how to raise this Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger cub.


    Legend says the first Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger was born in the darkness, bathed in darkness, and innately grasped thews of darkness, bing the king of the dark. It fed on darkness and drew power from darkness.


    It was said that with each swallow of darkness, another ck stripe would appear on its body, and its abilities would rise another level, until its whole body was covered in ck stripes and it could then fly up and devour the sun.


    Looking at the book and then at Chasing the Wind curled up next to him, covered in ck stripes even circling around his tail, Qin Ran suddenly felt that the records in this book were probably not very reliable.


    "What legend, what it was said...could I be reading some cultivator world marketing ount?" He closed the book to look at the cover, Divine Beast Encyclopedia, "Maybe the author has never seen a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger."


    Having thought this, he tossed the book aside,nding it on Chasing the Wind''s face.


    Chasing the Wind, who had been sleeping soundly, was suddenly hit by the book and jerked awake, his bright blue eyes seeing the pages of the book fluttering open like they were treasure. He pounced towards it.


    But he didn''t catch the book. His head collided with the book''s spine, knocking it off into the grass outside. He himself crashed down where he was.


    Seeing the king of darkness looking so silly, Qin Ranughed.


    Chasing the Wind got up again, cocking his head at Qin Ran, not understanding what this two-legged beast wasughing at. He didn''t dwell on it, pouncing forward again onto the book in the grass.


    Before long, the book was shredded to pieces.


    Qin Ran watched Chasing the Wind tear up the book, silently apologizing to it.


    "Master!" Li Shiyin''s voice suddenly called out.


    He looked over to see Li Shiyin was no longer practicing her sword. At some point she had gone to the riverbank and was now squatting by the Awaken Spirit Grass, waving to call him over.


    "Master, it''s sprouting!" Li Shiyin said happily.


    "Sprouting?" Qin Ran''s heart stirred and he hurriedly got up and went over.


    Next to the exuberantly lush Awaken Spirit Grass was a plot of freshly turned soil, and poking out from the soil were some green shoots capped with little ck hats, full of life.


    These were the Crane Crown Immortal Grass he had nted as an experiment some days ago. Qin Ran couldn''t afford spirit soil so he just tried nting some normal ones...he didn''t expect they would actually sprout, and there were four seedlings!


    Qin Ran was quite pleasantly surprised. He elbowed Li Shiyin aside and squatted down to examine them closely.


    Compared to normal Crane Crown Immortal Grass, these new sprouts seemed a bit more slender. Also, normal Crane Crown Immortal Grass, even when just sprouting, should have a shimmering aura of spiritual energy, like a cultivator circting spiritual energy. But these sprouts didn''t have any aura.


    "They''ve sprouted, but they''re malnourished," he murmured softly.


    Then he fell into thought, "I nted them several days ago, why did they only sprout today? Was it because of the rain? Or rted to the Thunder Unicorn Oxst night?"


    "Mas...Master..." Just as he was pondering this, Li Shiyin''s voice sounded out again.


    "What''s wrong?"


    He turned to look and saw something was off with Li Shiyin. She seemed drunk, unsteady on her feet, with a flushed red face, and wisps of steam rising from her head. On closer look, the steaming off her head wasn''t steam, but faint strands of spiritual energy.


    At this moment, she also emanated a kind of special allure, pulling the surrounding spiritual energy towards her. Before long, her entire person was shrouded in mist.


    "Master...what''s happening to me?" Li Shiyin asked hazily, a little panicked since she didn''t know what was going on.


    But Qin Ran understood instantly. Heughed, "It''s time to build your foundation."


    The gathering of heaven and earth''s spiritual energy meant that the inner and outer worlds within Li Shiyin''s body were connecting. To put it mystically, this was the unity of heaven and man; to exin it simply, it meant she could now start building her foundation.


    On the 11th day after this silly apprentice started learning from him, she could finally build her foundation.


    Building one''s foundation was the beginning of cultivating the immortal path. The foundation building stage was the first realm in cultivation.


    Building a foundation required condensing a vortex of energy, and to condense an energy vortex required drawing in heaven and earth''s spiritual energy into the body, which in turn required spirit roots - an innate gift to activate to be able to draw in the spiritual energy.


    To have spirit roots activated required having inner energy. To have inner energy required sensing energy.


    So sensing energy was the beginning.


    First, having the ability to sense energy, then using one''s inner energy to connect with outer energy, then using spirit roots to draw heaven and earth''s spiritual energy into the body, condensing an energy vortex in the lower elixir field...


    Therefore, as long as one could sense energy and connect with heaven and earth, one could start building their foundation.


    Li Shiyin had gained the ability to sense energy from the first day, so why was she only building her foundation now?


    This was Qin Ran''s deliberate doing...


    Because even at the foundation building stage, there were differences in strength. Even energy vortexes had good and bad distinctions.


    He intentionally had Li Shiyin use the most basic techniques to refine her inner energy, while also strengthening her physical body.


    With her exceptionally pure energy and extremely strong physique, once she condensed an energy vortex, it could not possibly be an ordinary one.


    As it was now, before she had even started condensing her vortex, there were already heavenly signs and wonders.


    The spiritual energy of heaven and earth in this region was gathering and forming mist around her, hazy and indistinct, real yet illusory. This was a sight like flowers in the mirror and moon reflected on the water.


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin didn''t know English.


    "Build your foundation! Quick, sit down cross-legged!" Qin Ran urged, "Circte the Basic Skills, focus your mind on Baihui Point, use your inner energy to guide in the spiritual energy."


    "Build my foundation..." Li Shiyin understood now. She sat down cross-legged as instructed, closed her eyes, and started circting her inner energy. But she soon opened her eyes again and looked at Qin Ran, asking, "Master, where is Baihui Point?"


    Qin Ran nearly suffocated from exasperation. He raised his hand to smack her, but ended up smacking himself instead. Then he raised his hand again, pressing down on the Baihui Point on the crown of Li Shiyin''s head, saying, "Here!"


    "Don''t move your hand, Master." Li Shiyin said, then closed her eyes again.


    She circted her inner energy, her minding to the spot where Qin Ran''s hand was pressed. She visualized massive waves and fierce gales there, with the spiritual energy too abundant and turbulent.


    With her solid fundamentals, the amount of heaven and earth''s spiritual energy she could draw in was too much.


    Li Shiyin took a deep breath to calm herself, recalling Qin Ran''s instructions on building one''s foundation...


    She circted her inner energy to Baihui Point, then carefully drew in a wisp of spiritual energy from the turbulent winds and waves, swiftly bringing it along her inner cirction path down to the Qihai Point...into the lower elixir field.


    In her mind''s eye, the lower elixir field had originally been pitch ck, but now lit up with the entry of this strand of spiritual energy. As she circted her inner energy, this strand of spiritual energy spun within the elixir field, elongating into a vortex...


    With this, her first energy vortex could be said to have seeded.


    Li Shiyin remainedposed. Her mind returned to Baihui Point, then fully released her control, drawing in heaven and earth''s spiritual energy into her body!

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    The first strand of vortex condensed whenying the foundation is called the foundation vortex, which can also be referred to as the vortex seed, and it is the center of the subsequent vortices and golden core.


    Generally speaking, the vortex seed of a cultivator is formed by thebination of the qi within the cultivator''s body and the first strand of Heaven and Earth spiritual qi drawn into the body. Its quality depends entirely on the qi within the body and the Heaven and Earth spiritual qi absorbed.


    The standard for qi within the body is mass, and the standard for Heaven and Earth spiritual qi is purity.


    It goes without saying that the quality of Li Shiyin''s qi was high, and the spiritual qi of Dan Peak was also extremely pure. Therefore, the vortex seed condensed by Li Shiyin was not an ordinary one to begin with. It was the most fundamental, most ssic and bnced vortex seed.


    Of course, there are also some special vortex seeds during cultivation, such as when a high-level cultivator transforms his own magic power into a vortex seed and imnts it into a cultivator who needs toy a foundation, in order to condense the foundation vortex; or special cultivation techniques; or special talents and treasurednds.


    These vortex seeds are indeed beneficial to cultivation, but they actually belong to the improper way, and there will definitely be many problems. Let''s not go into details for now until we encounter themter.


    For now, after Li Shiyin had nted a high-quality ssic vortex seed, she no longer had to worry too much and directly opened all her acupoints, drawing in Heaven and Earth spiritual qi into her body.


    Her physical strength was high enough that she didn''t need to restrict herself, allowing the Heaven and Earth spiritual qi to swarm in unrestrained, even forming a small funnel at the top of her head.


    Qin Ran withdrew his hand and looked at the spiritual qi funnel above Li Shiyin¡¯s head, quite worried. Although he hadid a solid enough foundation for Li Shiyin, he was not sure whether he could allow Li Shiyin to absorb spiritual qi in such a crude way.


    As the Heaven and Earth spiritual qi entered her body, Li Shiyin remained calm and unhurried. She guided it into her meridians with her cultivation technique. The spiritual qi was indeed a bit too much, and her meridians bulged slightly in pain, but she had confidence that her meridians were tough enough. Gritting her teeth, she recklessly led the spiritual qi to circte within her body.


    Li Shiyin''s meridians were indeed resilient. The rampaging spiritual qi within her body was endured.


    Moreover, her violent absorption of Heaven and Earth spiritual qi caused the spiritual qi in the vicinity to frantically gather here, then the spiritual qi drove the qi flow, the qi flow generated wind, and the wind led to changes in the clouds!


    In an instant, winds rose and clouds surged on Dan Peak, creating a bizarre spectacle.


    Li Shiyin was so reckless that Qin Ran was worried sick. He pinched hand seals, ready to rescue his silly disciple at any time.


    Naturally, the high-level cultivators of the other three peaks also noticed this spectacle on Dan Peak. They sent their divine sense over and realized it was caused by a discipleying their foundation. They couldn¡¯t help but secretly praise that a formidable disciple had emerged from Dan Peak.


    In particr, Liu Boxian, the head of Sword Peak, and the Sect Leader above Master Peak felt this way.


    Liu Boxian knitted his brows in regret. Since Li Shiyin could cause such a spectacle whenying her foundation, her talent was probably better than he had imagined. Why didn''t he persevere a little more back then?


    As for the Sect Leader, he secretly assessed that this girl was formidable, and he might be in for an embarrassment.


    The sky darkened, the wind grew stronger, and Chasing the Wind who was napping on the ground was roused awake. It crawled up to find a ce to take shelter from the wind, but was careless for a moment and got swept up by the wind.


    It yowled in panic until Qin Ran timely reached out and saved it.


    In front of the log cabin on the grass, Qin Ran held the cat while pinching hand seals, his robes pping in the wind. Li Shiyin sat cross-legged on the ground, a spiritual qi funnel above her head, wind swirling the clouds.


    The spiritual qi funnel grew bigger and bigger, and the clouds overhead grew thicker and thicker. Suddenly, there was a sh of lightning in the clouds. Qin Ran was shocked and hurriedly looked up. Don''t tell him there would be tribtion lightning during foundation establishment!


    Li Shiyin was still madly absorbing spiritual qi. He anxiously considered in his mind, sending his divine sense into the Universe Bag to look for appropriate tools to cross tribtion while establishing foundation.


    At this moment, Li Shiyin suddenly opened her eyes and urgently asked, "Master, Master! The vortex has sessfully condensed, but the spiritual qi is still endlessly gushing in. What should I do?"


    "The foundation is established?" Qin Ran was puzzled. He looked at the sky again and the lightning in the clouds had disappeared. It seemed there was no tribtion. He let out a sigh of relief.


    But this silly disciple had actually forgotten the path to guide the spiritual qi out of her body.


    He patted his forehead helplessly and said, "Spiritual qi enters through the Baihui acupoint and exits through the Surging Spring acupoint!"


    Li Shiyin probably didn''t know where the Surging Spring acupoint was. Not bothering with so much, she faced the strong wind and squatted down. He reached out and pointed at the sole of Li Shiyin''s foot, yelling loudly, "This is the Surging Spring acupoint!"


    "Oh oh!" Li Shiyin nodded in realization. "So that''s why I couldn''t apply half of the cultivation technique. It turns out it''s for guiding the spiritual qi out of the body."


    Qin Ran was quite speechless.


    Li Shiyin hurriedly closed her eyes again to operate her cultivation technique, guiding the overflowing spiritual qi within her body toward the Surging Spring acupoint. At the same time, she also guided the spiritual qi still entering from the Baihui acupoint through two semi-circuits of the Heavenly Cycle to exit from the Surging Spring acupoint,pleting a perfect full Heavenly Cycle.


    The spiritual qi entered through Baihui, traveled through the upper half of the Heavenly Cycle into the Qi Sea, then exited through the lower half of the Heavenly Cycle via Surging Spring. In the process, part of the spiritual qi nourished the body, while another part turned into magic power to expand the vortex.


    Connecting the upper and lower half of the Heavenly Cycle formed aplete cultivation Great Heavenly Cycle.


    Li Shiyin was indeed silly when it came to reading and studying, but she was a true genius at cultivation and martial arts. In no time at all, she went from an ignorant girl who didn''t know where the Surging Spring acupoint was to a genius who had grasped a perfect Great Heavenly Cycle.


    There are these kinds of people in the world. She looked at the cultivation technique and didn''t know which meridian was which or which acupoint was which, but when she officially started cultivating, she was able to correctly guide spiritual qi and magic power to circte within her body. She knew which meridian to travel through but didn''t know its name, and knew which acupoint to pass through but not its name. She had an intuition and just knew where to pass through.


    This is what a genius is, never exining itself to others.


    Isn''t it very familiar? The study god in ss doesn''t go to sses or read books, and is clueless about theoretical definitions. But when ites to proper exams, they can get extremely high scores. If you ask them why they solved a question that way, they''ll say it was just intuition.


    Qin Ran watched from the side, worried his silly disciple would make a mistake, while also worried tribtion lightning would descend. Fortunately, everything went smoothly until the end. The berserk spiritual qi calmed down, the violent wind subsided, the clouds scattered, and no idents happened.


    Li Shiyin opened her eyes and excitedly jumped up, pouncing over to hug him. She shouted, "Master, I seeded inying my foundation!"


    Li Shiyin wasn''t much shorter than Qin Ran. In this world without precise metric rulers, Qin Ran guessed his own height was a little over 1.75 meters. Then if he was 1.75 meters, Li Shiyin should be around 1.72 meters.


    So when Li Shiyin clung onto Qin Ran, it still felt a little awkward. Luckily she still had a young girl''s figure that wasn''t fully developed, rtively slender. And although she was tall and looked slender, she felt very light when hugged...


    Qin Ran was stunned silly by Li Shiyin tree-hugging him. Adding up his previous and present lives, this was still the first time he was hugged like this by a girl. He instantly blushed, waving his hands about at a loss, not knowing where to put them. After being stunned for a while longer, he awkwardly patted Li Shiyin''s back to show encouragement.


    A young girl''s back didn''t have much flesh, but the lightweight bones and skin actually felt fine to touch... So he didn''t dare continue touching, only gently patted a few times before hurriedly withdrawing his hands.


    Li Shiyin took the chance to keep hugging Qin Ran for a good while. When she sensed the atmosphere was gradually bing awkward, she promptly detached from Qin Ran. Grinning, she looked at Qin Ran and said, "Master, I''vepleted the early stages ofying my foundation perfectly!"


    From this, it can be seen that although she was always called a silly disciple, in reality, apart from reading, she was not silly at all the rest of the time. Judging by how she liked to pretend being silly, the silly disciple was actually very crafty.


    Qin Ran felt his cheeks burn and knew his face must be red. To maintain his master''s dignity, he hurriedly turned around, leaving Li Shiyin with an awkward view of his back. He incoherently replied, "Mm,ying your foundation is a good thing. It represents the official start of your cultivation journey. You must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and diligently cultivate from now on."


    Li Shiyin looked at her master''s shy behavior and smiled even more happily. There was a hint of flirtatiousness in her bright eyes, looking just like a little fox. This was no foolish disciple, but rather a man-eating demon. Even the Xuanming Spirit Tiger cub beside her shivered in fear,menting its own inferiority.


    "Yes, Master!" She nodded.

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    The silly apprentice gave Li Shiyin such a big hug that he almost squeezed the soul out of her. He should have taken this chance to get Li Shiyin to decide on a cultivation technique, but he hemmed and hawed for a long time and just could not get the words out. He had no choice but to hurriedly take his leave...flee the scene.


    For the entire afternoon after that, he did not show up again. He shut himself in the research building, doing who knows what.


    It was not until after dinner, when he had cleared up the bowls and chopsticks and came out of the kitchen, that he finally remembered the important matter when he saw the girl ying with a cat on the sofa.


    She had already built her foundation, so choosing a cultivation technique could be dyed no further.


    He gave a little cough to get Li Shiyin''s attention. When the girl picked up the cat and looked over, he gazed out the window and began to speak:


    "Before you built your foundation, in order to give you more options and nt better karmic seeds, I had you cultivate the most basic Foundation Technique, to give you enough time to consider whether you wanted to practice the sword or alchemy.


    "Now that you have built your foundation, continuing to use the Foundation Technique to cultivate will greatly hinder your progress. So you must make a final decision now."


    "I..." Li Shiyin nced at Qin Ran, then lowered her head to look at the Mystic Underworld Spirit Tiger in her arms, hesitating for a long time before finally responding, "I don''t know."


    Qin Ran withdrew his gaze from the window and looked at Li Shiyin. The silly apprentice was obviously a rash and reckless straightforward fellow, otherwise he would not have stubbornly taken him as master. But now, she was hesitating, unable to determine her path of cultivation.


    He gave a sigh, and gently asked, "Why did you want to concoct pills?"


    "At the beginning of the year..." Li Shiyin''s hand stroked the furry body of the cat as she softly replied, "Grandpa passed away."


    She did not directly answer why she insisted on alchemy, but the reason for her desire to concoct pills was very clear. Qin Ran''s expression also softened as he looked at her without saying anything.


    "Grandpa was the founding general of the North Chu Country. He led the North Chu''s southern and northern expeditions, expanding its territory, and established magnificent military achievements. He was the great hero that everyone looked up to." Li Shiyin, usually so brash and carefree, suddenly spoke gently as she reminisced,


    "Grandpa was very tall and powerful, his arms were thicker than my waist. Last year he killed an assassin who came to our house with one punch. He had a very handsome horsence. During the first snowfall of winter, he twirled hisnce in the snow. He said that when the weather warmed up in the new year, he would go back to the battlefield."


    As she spoke, tears began to uncontrobly flow down her face. She wiped away some tears, nced at Qin Ran with a smile, and continued, "Teacher, you must think Grandpa was fierce, but he wasn''t. Grandpa was very gentle, he treated me very well. When he returned from court, he would buy me candied haws. At home, he would make toys for me, carving me wooden swords, and he would protect me from being bullied by my older brother..."


    "But...but..." she sobbed, "after spinning hisnce that time, Grandpa said his knees hurt..."


    She became increasingly distressed, sobbing so much that she could not continue.


    Qin Ran walked over and grabbed some tissues from the table, handing them to her.


    "I thought Grandpa was invincible in the world. I never thought Grandpa was immortal, but I never imagined Grandpa would get old, be haggard, and whither into skin and bones. I thought Grandpa''s white hair was natural white hair, and Grandpa''s wrinkles were natural wrinkles..." Li Shiyin cried for a while, then wiped her tears and continued,


    "But Grandpa did die, suddenly dead. In the blink of an eye, it was as if Li Konghe had never existed in this world."


    She looked at Qin Ran with red eyes, pitifully, "So I started to be afraid - afraid my brother would suddenly die, father would suddenly die, mother would suddenly die. No, not afraid. Whenever I think about how people will inevitably die, I know they will definitely die..."


    Qin Ran looked at her calmly.


    "But I don''t want them to die. The older they get, the more panicked I feel..." said Li Shiyin, "I know that people inevitably die, but immortal cultivators exist in this world, along with elixirs of immortality that preserve youth and prolong life..."


    "Teacher..." She suddenly became resolute, saying to Qin Ran, "I want to concoct pills!"


    "What a silly apprentice...she ispletely oblivious to what embarking on the path of cultivation truly means," Qin Ran sighed inwardly. He raised his head and gazed into the darkness in the distance through the window. "Cultivation means loneliness, just like when Sun Wukong put on the golden headband. Although the cultivation world and mortal world exist in the same ne, they are like two parallel timelines."


    But he did not intend to lecture at this time. He thought for a moment, then said, "Have you ever considered that immortality pills and potions don''t necessarily need to be personally concocted..."


    Li Shiyin was taken aback, then realized what he meant. Her eyes slowly lit up as she stared at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran then said, "You can improve your cultivation by robbing others...thew of the jungle rules the cultivation world anyway."


    The light in Li Shiyin''s eyes instantly disappeared. She shook her head, "Rob others? Forget about it!"


    "You can also ask others to concoct them for you..." Qin Ran withdrew his gaze with augh, no longer teasing her, "Since you have taken me as your master, whatever pills you want, I can help you concoct them."


    Li Shiyin had been waiting to hear these words for a long time. She looked at Qin Ran, "Teacher, you really mean it?"


    "I do." Qin Ran nodded.


    Li Shiyin immediately cheered up and bounced to her feet. The dazed Chase Feng she had been holding was suddenly flung into the air. He quickly transformed tond safely on the ground. Li Shiyin continued bounding forward, wanting to hug Qin Ran again.


    Fortunately, Qin Ran noticed her intentions early and timely stretched out his hand, pressing it on her forehead to stop her "rude behavior".


    "So, alchemy or the sword?" Qin Ran asked, his hand still on Li Shiyin''s head.


    "The sword!" Li Shiyin said definitively. She was a tigress born to a military family, naturally suited for martial pursuits. Having her engage in literary pursuits would truly be asking too much.


    "Then choose a cultivation technique!" Qin Ran gave Li Shiyin a push, then waved his hand. Five books appeared - he had unlocked another jade slip these past few days, obtaining a new basic sword technique. "Great Evolution Sword Scripture, Heavenly Sword, Blue Cloud Sword Art, Metal Element Flying Sword Skill, and Nine Revolutions Star Sword."


    "Which one do you think suits me, Teacher?" Li Shiyin did not choose, asking Qin Ran''s opinion first.


    "Metal Element Flying Sword Skill..." Qin Ran tossed the Metal Element Flying Sword Skill to her, exining, "This is not only a sword technique, but also a metal-element skill."


    Li Shiyin flipped through the pages, looking at the recorded techniques, and grumbled, "Flying swords?"


    She sounded rather dissatisfied. Qin Ran frowned, "What''s wrong with flying swords?"


    "Flying swords are boring..." said Li Shiyin.


    "How are flying swords boring?" Qin Ran did not understand.


    Li Shiyin did not exin. She thought for a moment, looked at the other techniques, and asked again, "These are all the techniques for me to choose from?"


    "That''s right."


    "Then give them all to me!" Li Shiyin reached out her hand.


    "You want to practice them all?" Qin Ran was displeased.


    "No..." Li Shiyin shook her head, "I''ll take a look at all of them first before deciding which one to practice."


    Qin Ran thought that made sense. He handed over the other four techniques as well, but warned again, "Don''t bite off more than you can chew. You''re only allowed to choose one! Understand?"


    Li Shiyin nodded repeatedly, looking at the techniques and absent-mindedly said, "I know, I know."


    Seeing her attitude, Qin Ran was even more worried. He added, "It''s best to only practice one foundational technique to keep your power pure. If you cultivate too many, your power will be muddled and easily conflict."


    "I know!" Li Shiyin sat back down on the sofa, looking at the Great Evolution Sword Scripture without even lifting her head, clearly somewhat impatient now.


    Qin Ran shook his head and said no more, turning around and heading upstairs.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    "The Nine Turns Starry Sky Sword Technique," Li Shiyin said, putting several martial arts manuals on the table the next morning and looking at Qin Ran.


    "You want to practice this martial art?" Qin Ran frowned and shook his head. "This martial art is not good."


    The martial art itself was good, otherwise he wouldn''t have specifically chosen it. But...it wasn''t very suitable for girls. Because the Nine Turns Starry Sky Sword Technique was less of a sword technique and more of a body tempering technique.


    "What''s not good about it?" Li Shiyin was very confused. "I think it''s great!"


    This sword technique was both fierce and bold, and each move contained extraordinary power. Drawing in starlight to refine sword chi and temper the physique, in Li Shiyin''s eyes, this was simply perfect, a sword technique that seemed tailored for her!


    Qin Ran didn''t answer at first, silently ncing over Li Shiyin.


    Although his stupid disciple was stupid, her figure was still very good, tall and slender, with the soft beauty of a young girl. It could be imagined that after two more years of development, she would have the so-called voluptuous figure ofrge breasts and hips.


    If she practiced body tempering techniques... Qin Ran shook his head repeatedly, the image of a muscr Barbie doll floating in his mind.


    But such lecherous thoughts could not be spoken aloud. He pondered for a moment before saying, "The Soaring Golden Sword Technique is pretty good, why did you switch?"


    "I don''t like flying swords," Li Shiyin shook her head.


    "Swords that can fly a thousand miles to behead enemies..." Qin Ran indirectly advised, still struggling, "A sword immortal''s basic image is flying swords, isn''t it?"


    "Flying swords? That''s a coward''s trick." Li Shiyin scoffed. "Real men should go head-on and hard!"


    Li Shiyin''s words left Qin Ran speechless. He thought he already understood his stupid disciple well enough, but now it seemed he still underestimated how silly this girl was.


    He was greatly shocked, but said nothing, picking up his cup and taking a sip of milk to calm himself.


    Perhaps...


    As he drank his milk, a thought turned in his mind. If his stupid disciple practiced into a muscr Barbie doll, perhaps that might be a good thing after all.


    It''s not that he had so many weird thoughts in his heart...but if his disciple was less alluring, it seemed it could nip some licentious ideas in the bud from the root.


    "Cough..." Thinking this, he gave a dry cough, set down his cup, and nodded. "Alright...as long as you like it yourself. The path of cultivation is lonely and difficult to endure. It''s rare to like something, so it''s better to walk the path you like."


    Since the master approved of her choice, Li Shiyin was extremely happy, excitedly saying, "Then I''ll practice the Nine Turns Starry Sky Sword Technique?!"


    "Mm," Qin Ran nodded.


    His fingers tapped on the table as he calcted in his heart. Since he had chosen this martial art, it naturally had its extraordinary aspects. Li Shiyin practicing it would not shortchange her.


    He calcted and said, "This martial art is extremely good, drawing on the power of stars to temper sword chi and the physique. After mastering it, closebat is very fierce. But there''s one problem..."


    He slowly raised his head to look at Li Shiyin, "This martial art is iplete, only having the first three levels. The so-called Nine Turns Starry Sky naturally has nine levels.


    "Also, these first three levels are what I''ve restored, still unknown how much they differ from the original. This kind of martial art must have flowed out from a major sect, the original martial art is certainly more exquisite, and the subsequent techniques even harder to obtain."


    "So..." His expression was solemn as he asked onest time, "You still want to practice this martial art?"


    However, while Qin Ran had many considerations, his silly disciple hadn''t thought that much. What she thought was that this martial art was actually restored by her master himself, her master really was amazing!


    So she nodded again and said, "I''ll practice this martial art!"


    "Alright then..." Qin Ran picked out the Nine Turns Starry Sky Sword Technique from the table and threw it to Li Shiyin, saying, "No digging the pond today, first thoroughly research this martial art before anything else."


    No need to dig the pond? Li Shiyin was so happy she almost jumped for joy. She excitedly said, "I will study diligently!"


    Seeing her like this, Qin Ran was very uneasy and reminded, "You have to research the martial art first before practicing it, so you won''t make mistakes. Don''t start practicing right away. If you''re unclear about anything while researching, you cane ask me."


    "Mm-hmm!" Li Shiyin nodded perfunctorily. Hugging the book, she sat down, grabbed a handful of sugared beans for breakfast, and opened the book to start researching the martial art.


    Qin Ran wanted to say more but held back, only feeling tired at heart.


    After eating breakfast, he left Li Shiyin alone here to look at martial arts while he slowly walked to the research building himself.


    His silly disciple had a very good foundation, the Cyclonic Seed she had nted was at least at the level of inner sect disciples of major sects. What she urgently needed now was to convert the power of her foundational techniques into the power of advanced techniques, which was to master the Nine Turns Starry Sky Sword Technique.


    As for Qin Ran himself, this poor guy, in order to build as good a foundation as possible for his silly disciple, gave her medicinal baths every day until his small treasury was depleted. Now he had to research how to earn some side ie, and also research...


    Longevity extending pills.


    Earning side ie was a small matter. After all, how could an alchemist not know how to earn money? It was nothing more than concocting some pills to sell. And in the world of cultivation, pills had always been hard currency. As long as there were pills, there would be nock of ces to sell them.


    As long as they didn''t die from idents, alchemists were always very wealthy. Qin Ran didn''t have money not because his alchemy skills werecking, but because he waszy.


    But longevity extending pills were a tricky matter.


    He needed to specially set up a new research project on pills for longevity.


    The previous research project he set up was on transcending tribtion; the one before that was on flying swords with railings...


    To say this matter was tricky, it wasn''t that in the vast cultivation world there were no longevity extending pills, but...


    Lifespan was not only seductive to mortals, but also to cultivators.


    The original reason to start cultivating was to seek longevity.


    Therefore, in the cultivation world, all means rted to prolonging life were treated like forbidden arts.


    Techniques, formations, ingredients, pills - anything involving prolonging life was taboo.


    If anyone obtained some method that could prolong life, they had to hide it secretly, absolutely not letting anyone know, otherwise they wouldn''t even know how they died...this was not a metaphor in the cultivation world.


    To give an idea how taboo this was...


    As the sole heir to Danfeng Sect, Qin Ran didn''t have a single pill form for longevity.


    Although he kept saying the Sword Way Sect was a tiny sect, that was inparison to truly major sects. In fact, as one of the top five sects in Northern Chu, the Sword Way Sect was not so weak.


    Yet even a sect like this could not produce a pill form that could prolong life, which was proof of what a taboo topic longevity was.


    However, since his silly disciple wanted pills to prolong her life, Qin Ran could only grit his teeth and get started.


    So what if there were no longevity pill forms? He would just research and make one himself! What''s the big deal?


    Thus, he began to research what exactly death was. Only by understanding death could one grasp how to live.


    Death...


    That day, Qin Ran sat in the office on the fifth floor of the research building and began researching death.


    Death of the flesh, death of the soul, dissipation of consciousness, social death...

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    At noon, Huang Feiyu rode his sword alone to Dan Peak.


    As he swept his eyes down while in midair, he saw below him a vast stretch of grasnd without anyone, just the mud pit in the center that had grown a little bigger.


    It seemed Li Shiyin had endured hardship these past two days, he thought to himself, though he did not know why she was not training her body today.


    He went straight to the log house and knocked on the door, calling out, "Is Master Qin inside?"


    After a while, there were sounds of movement upstairs on the corridor, and a wheat-skinned girl poked her head out from the railing, coldly saying, "Master is in the research building."


    Hearing the noise, Huang Feiyu retreated two steps back and looked up to see that the girl who had poked her head out was Li Shiyin. He smiled, about to greet her, but he inadvertently took a close look and suddenly his smile froze and his pupils contracted, interrupting his own words.


    "Foundation Establishment beginning stage...great perfection!?"


    When!?


    If he remembered correctly, at noon two days ago, this junior apprentice sister called Li Shiyin had not yet established her foundation.


    In just two days, what had happened? She had not only sessfully established her foundation, but was about to break through to the mid Foundation Establishment stage! Although he knew Li Shiyin had a solid foundation, but...


    Huang Feiyu still could not understand.


    "Junior apprentice sister Li!" But after all he was Huang Feiyu, and he quickly adjusted his state of mind, smiling at Li Shiyin, "I''vee to collect the Ice Condensation Pills from Master Qin, and hope I have not disturbed you."


    "You haven''t." Li Shiyin looked down at him from above, nced towards the research building across the river, and said, "Master is in that building over there, you can go find him there...


    She paused, then added, "You can alsoe inside and wait for him for a bit."


    Huang Feiyu thought for a moment, then replied, "I imagine Master has important matters, so as not to disturb him, I''ll just wait for a while!"


    Li Shiyin nodded, and her figure disappeared from the corridor, then footsteps moved leftwards. Huang Feiyu knew she was probably going downstairs.


    He waited for a while longer, then the door in front of him opened, revealing Li Shiyin''s tall figure.


    He looked her over carefully, thinking to himself: "If her skin was fair enough, Junior Apprentice Sister Li''s appearance could probably rival Tian Wenjin''s."


    "Please enter," Li Shiyin stepped aside, signaling for him to enter.


    "Thank you, junior apprentice sister," Huang Feiyu nodded and followed her inside, also thinking to himself, this junior apprentice sister really was as frosty as winter, her voice as cold as ice, fully exhibiting the arrogance of the heavens.


    "Have a seat first, master should be over soon," Li Shiyin pointed to the sofa, then asked again, "Drink? Tea? Soda? in water?"


    "Junior apprentice sister need not go to the trouble," Huang Feiyu replied, also wondering, what was soda? He really wanted to try it.


    He looked around the living room,plimenting, "Master has arranged this reception room with unique taste."


    "Mm," Li Shiyin nodded, she also thought so.


    So Huang Feiyu walked towards the sofa, keeping far from the other end where the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger Zhui Feng was napping, spirit tigers were frightening demonic beasts, and he had some unpleasant memories.


    Therefore a spirit tiger cub was much better, and he organized his words to continue probing, "That is...is that a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger?"


    "Yes," Li Shiyin casually replied.


    "Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger!" Huang Feiyu was shocked inside, though his expression swiftly changed, finally forcing a smile as he tentatively asked, "I wonder if junior apprentice sister knows, the night beforest a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger passed by the gate of our sect, chasing after lightning..."


    "I rested early and did not notice," Li Shiyin did not want to talk, so gave this perfunctory response.


    Huang Feiyu secretly observed Li Shiyin, thinking what deep schemes she had.


    He sat down on the side of the sofa far from Zhui Feng; spirit tigers were frightening demonic beasts, and he had some unpleasant memories.


    Therefore the spirit tiger cub was very good, and he continued probing while organizing his words, "Profound Underworld Spirit Tigers can emit darkness, extremely frightening; that night it chased after the Thunder Unicorn Ox..."


    "Pa!"


    He was still speaking when the door was suddenly pushed open, and Qin Ran walked in with a gloomy expression on his face.


    Huang Feiyu''s heart jumped, and he quickly stopped speaking and stood up, bowing to Qin Ran, "Master."


    After researching death all morning, Qin Ran''s psychological state was somewhat problematic, and seeing Huang Feiyu when he opened the door instantly made him unhappy. He looked back at the expansive grasnds and thought to himself: "I should set up a mountain-protecting formation, otherwise my Dan Peak has be a public restroom,ing and going as they please."


    As he thought this, he nced at Huang Feiyu and said, "You''ve arrived?"


    "Just got here..." Although Huang Feiyu had high cultivation, he maintained a very low profile, thinking to himself that the master and disciple''s faces were colder than each other.


    Qin Ran knew why Huang Feiyu hade. Impatiently taking out a porcin bottle, he tossed it through the air to him, saying, "Twenty pills, medium quality."


    These Ice Condensation Pills were something he had taken time yesterday afternoon to refine.


    Huang Feiyu caught the bottle, wiped off the jade seal and looked inside, the pills within were all ice-blue, emitting cold air, not something that could bepared to the waste pills he had bought at a roadside stall in Zhican Valley. His heart was overjoyed, Master Qin''s pill refining skills were higher than he had imagined.


    He hurriedly expressed his thanks, "Thank you, Master."


    "Mm," Qin Ran nodded, looking at him and waiting for something.


    Huang Feiyu understood, hurriedly taking out a bag of spirit stones and respectfully presenting it with both hands, saying, "This is the fee for refining the pills, please ept it, Master."


    Qin Ran was currentlycking in spirit stones, and took the bag over, testing its weight - there were probably about three hundred spirit stones inside. Along with Huang Feiyu''s earlier deposit, just on spirit stones alone he had earned four hundred this pill refining session.


    Whether to say it or not, pill refining was an extremely lucrative profession. To say it again, pill refiners aren''t poor, except for Qin Ran - he was a shut-in.


    For special pills like Ice Condensation Pills, twenty lower quality pills could sell for five hundred spirit stones; with good skills, twenty medium quality pills could sell for at least one thousand spirit stones. Yet the raw materials might have just cost a dozen or so spirit stones.


    This was called robbery, moreover it was pill refiners being begged by others to rob them.


    For this pill refining session, the raw materials were Huang Feiyu''s, Qin Ran was only responsible for refining them, yet just the processing fee was four hundred spirit stones...and Huang Feiyu still owed him a favor, because Huang Feiyu knew this was a discounted price given their friendship.


    As for any unused raw materials...that demonstrated the pill refiner''s skills, and was their deserved profit.


    Although he was in a bad mood, having just taken on a silly apprentice that desperately needed spirit stones, Qin Ran still said, "If you need pill refining in the future, you can stille to me. I won''t charge if you have the recipe."


    "Yes!" This was exactly what Huang Feiyu was waiting to hear, and he hurriedly agreed with a smile.


    Holding the Ice Condensation Pills, he was rather impatient, and added, "Master, now that I have the pills, I justck the Frost Sword technique. My senior martial brothers are waiting for me, so I must be going first."


    "Since you''re pressed for time, go ahead as you please," Qin Ran moved aside to open the way for Huang Feiyu to leave.


    Huang Feiyu went out the door, summoned his flying sword, stepped on it, and flew halfway up before suddenly stopping and turning back around to call out, "Master..."


    Qin Ran came out the door and looked up at him, asking, "What is it?"


    "How did you obtain that Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger?" Huang Feiyu asked.


    Qin Ran was silent and did not answer.


    Huang Feiyu continued saying, "The night beforest, a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger that was chasing a Thunder Unicorn Ox passed by the gate of our sect, does Master know of this?"


    "Mm," Qin Ran nodded.


    "Then does Master know why?"


    Why? Qin Ran had wondered, but had not figured it out. That Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger was a level seven demon king, an existenceparable to the Yuan Ying stage, how could it possibly chase prey like amon tiger all the way to human territory? That was unreasonable.


    But he was toozy, toozy to think so much, toozy to investigate so much.


    Now that Huang Feiyu had asked this, it meant he must know the inside story, so Qin Ran just waited for him to answer.


    "There are strange urrences deep within the Hengduan Mountains," Huang Feiyu told him.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    The Hengduan Mountains range is located in the southwest direction of the North Chu Country, or it can be said that it borders the southwest of North Chu Country. After all, it¡¯s not certain which is bigger between Hengduan Mountains range and North Chu Country whenparing them.


    Judging only from the name "Hengduan Mountains", it feels ordinary and mundane, just amon mountain range in the mortal world. But if you mention its other name, then the status suddenly arises.


    The Hengduan Mountains range, also known as the Land of Immortal Legacy, is one of the two forbidden areas of North Chu Country.


    Compared to the other forbidden area of North Chu Country, the Yunmeng Marsh located in the north of North Chu Country, the Hengduan Mountains range seems much simpler, with danger mainlying from demonic beasts.


    Yunmeng Marsh is a weird and entrd of miracles, while the Hengduan Mountains is a paradise for demonic beasts.


    The location of the Dao Sword Sect is in the middle of the Hengduan Mountains range. More urately, it is on the outermost north side of the Hengduan Mountains range, at the border between North Chu Country and Hengduan Mountains range.


    Building the sect in this ce was not a coincidence. Generally speaking, the cultivation emphasizes a suitable location and resources. This ce in the Hengduan Mountains has sparse poption, abundant spiritual energy, rich resources, which solves the problems of location and resources. It is really a blessednd for cultivation.


    Although demonic beasts are dangerous, they also mean resources.


    Let alone the far ones, just the Dark Inferno Tiger cub that Qin Ran picked up, as long as it can be sessfully nurtured into a spirit beast, it will be an invaluable resource when grown up.


    Resources and dangers always coexist.


    "Deep inside the Hengduan Mountains range, there are anomalies?" Qin Ran stood under the eaves, watching Huang Feiyu go away. His eyes flickered uncertainly. "What kind of anomalies could make demon kings like the Dark Inferno Tiger run to the outskirts of the mountain range?"


    Although Huang Feiyu''s seniority is one generation lower than Qin Ran, his age and cultivation are higher than Qin Ran¡¯s. His cultivation is at least at the early Golden Core stage.


    And for someone with his personality, he must have more information than Qin Ran, although...Qin Ran is the chief elder of Danfeng, with quite a high status in Dao Sword Sect. He must know some information that Qin Ran doesn''t know.


    "Maybe it''s time to form the core," Qin Ran thought to himself.


    When he was six years old, his master Gu Zhengyi took him to Danfeng and helped him build his foundation at the most suitable age. He then spent many years refining his foundation. He dared to say that in the entire cultivation world, only a few could surpass him during the Foundation Establishment stage.


    He was nning to refine himself for a few more years, perfecting the qi spiral in his body, making all preparations to have at least a 99% chance of sessfully oveing the tribtion, before forming the core.


    But now, it seems he can''t wait any longer.


    "Master, what are you thinking about?" Li Shiyin''s voice came over.


    Qin Ran retracted his gaze and looked at Li Shiyin. It was because of this silly girl that all his ns were disrupted...


    Wait!


    "What''s going on with your qi spiral?" He suddenly became serious, his empty eyes asking as a man with spiritual sense, he could see at a nce that Li Shiyin''s qi spiral was no longer pure, and had starry speckles.


    Because of the morning''s study on death, Qin Ran''s momentum was particrly frightening at this moment. Li Shiyin scratched the back of her head and turned her head aside.


    "Didn''t I tell you not to practice randomly?" Qin Ran looked a bit fierce. "Why don''t you listen again?"


    "I didn''t practice either..." Li Shiyin mumbled, "I was looking at the exercises, and as I read, the qi in my body started circting automatically. It was the qi spiral cultivating itself, it had nothing to do with me."


    "The qi spiral rotated by itself? Do you take me for a fool?!" A surge of tyranny rose in Qin Ran''s heart. He raised his hand and pointed at Li Shiyin, with transparent magic power lingering around his fingertips.


    But just as the technique was about toe out, he stopped in time, realizing he was affected by death, and quickly withdrew his hand.


    He was silent for a moment before saying, "The Nine Revolutions Ster Sword Art can draw the power of the stars to temper sword qi and physique. Do you know when is the most suitable time to cultivate the power of the stars? At night!"


    "Although the stars are still in the sky during the day, at this time the power of the stars is suppressed by the power of the sun. The power of the stars drawn is less and messy, far from meeting the criteria for converting the qi spiral!"


    He took a deep breath and stared at Li Shiyin. "If there is a next time..."


    Li Shiyin didn''t know what was wrong with Master today, but she could clearly feel that the Master today was different from before, very frightening.


    Moreover, when the qi spiral rotated, she knew very well that she was not unaware...


    She secretly looked at the master, and suddenly saw the angry father. For the first time, she realized this was the master. She lowered her head and hurriedly said, "I...I was wrong."


    Qin Ran stared fiercely at Li Shiyin for quite some time before finally walking over.


    He raised his hand and pointed at Li Shiyin''s qi sea acupoint, guiding his magic power over, straight into Li Shiyin''s dantian,pletely wrapping her qi spiral, then extracting all the power of the stars from her qi spiral like refining medicine materials.


    This was the first time Li Shiyin saw Qin Ran get angry, and it was also the first time she witnessed Qin Ran''s formidable ability.


    Previously, in her impression, Qin Ran was a weak schr who could concoct pills, set up formations, and had knowledge, but had low cultivation and was afraid of heights.


    But at this moment, as she felt the master''s vast magic power like the sea in her dantian, the seemingly endless magic power was easily controlled by the master, gently and effortlessly surrounding her qi spiral, orderly extracting the power of the stars inside.


    "Is this still Foundation Establishment stage?"


    Whether it was the amount of magic power or the control over magic power, it exceeded Li Shiyin''s cognition.


    She finally realized that the gap between the same stage could be greater than the gap between crossing stages.


    The top gold spirit root, sensing qi overnight and building the foundation ispletely perfect early Foundation Establishment. It¡¯s only one step away from mid Foundation Establishment, and she had only cultivated for a few days. She really is a peerless genius.


    As for the master... The master said he would form the core before the age of fifty. Fifty years old, heh, she must form the core faster than the master.


    It''s not that she, Li Shiyin, is ungrateful and doesn''t respect the master. It''s just that is the master''sprehension of cultivation really correct? Or in other words, is theprehension of an ordinary mortal like the master suitable for a peerless genius like her?


    She had thought so before...


    Until this moment, she knew she was wrong, very wrong.


    The master is the master!


    The master''s vast yet gentle water-attributed magic power slowly exited. Li Shiyin opened her eyes and looked at Qin Ran, saying again, "Master, I was wrong."


    Qin Ran nced at her without saying anything.


    Li Shiyin was very beautiful, fifteen or sixteen years old. The age gap of less than ten years between them could be ignored in the cultivation world. Qin Ran secretly fancied that she could be his daopanion.


    But more often, he felt tired. This disciple was too silly, like raising a daughter.


    After lunch, Qin Ran took some things out of the storage room and began measuring and cing them in the open space in front of the house, while looking up at the sky from time to time.


    Seeing this from inside the house, Li Shiyin ran out and asked, "Master, what are you doing?"


    After all, she was a silly disciple, thick-skinned, like a Samoyed, and had already forgotten the scolding in the morning.


    "Finding the orientation, setting up formations..." Qin Ran nced at her and exined, "Although the ster power at night is very rich, the moon tonight is very round, and the interference of moonlight will be severe. Setting up a formation in advance to draw in ster power while purifying it will make it more convenient for you to convert your qi spiral."


    Li Shiyin nodded. In her mind, she began to calcte that the master was an alchemy master with extremely high alchemy skills. The master could also set up formations, spatial formations, induction formations, etc. His attainment in formations was obviously very high. In addition, the master''s cultivation was also extremely vigorous. And finally, the master was still very young.


    The master seemed to be much more powerful than she had imagined... No, the master was really too powerful.


    Compared to the master, what kind of genius was she?

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    Qin Ran, after all, was not a proper array master. He did not cultivate any techniques rted to array methods. For arranging formations, he could only rely on his understanding of array methods.


    As a result, even for an array to channel the power of the stars, it took him a whole afternoon until stars twinkled in the sky to barely set it up.


    He breathed heavily, straightened his sore waist, looked at the array in front of him, took out a spirit stone, and said to Li Shiyin, "The array has been set up. You can go in while I ce the spirit stone at the eye of the array to activate it."


    After saying that, he waited for Li Shiyin to enter the array, so he could activate it. But after waiting for a while, he realized there was no movement. When he looked back, Li Shiyin was nowhere to be found.


    "Where did that silly apprentice go? She was just behind me a moment ago?"


    Qin Ran frowned, put the spirit stone back into his bosom, and shouted, "Li Shiyin? Li Shiyin!"


    "Master!"


    Li Shiyin''s voice came from the room. It sounded very far away, as if it was in...the kitchen?


    "The kitchen?" Qin Ran realized. He had been busy setting up the array and did not have time to cook. Now that night had fallen, Li Shiyin must have been starving.


    As for himself, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he did not have such a high demand for food. His eating was mostly to satisfy his taste buds.


    But...what was Li Shiyin doing in the kitchen? Could she cook?


    "What are you doing?" He shouted, walking towards the room.


    Li Shiyin did not reply.


    But she noticed Qin Raning in. There was a series of nging and banging noises from the kitchen. When Qin Ran entered the room, she walked out from the kitchen.


    Qin Ran came in through the front door in the living room while Li Shiyin came out from the kitchen door in the living room. Looking over, Qin Ran saw that Li Shiyin was a mess, with ash on her face, oil stains on her body, and her hair...her hair seemed to be burnt, disheveled and curly.


    This image, as if she had juste back from a battlefield, made Qin Ran freeze on the spot. Looking further into the kitchen, there was thick smoke and flickering mes, like the fiery magic cast by a necromancer.


    "What...are you doing?"


    Qin Ran was uncertain.


    "Cooking..." Li Shiyin said coyly, looking very embarrassed.


    "I thought you were researching ck magic..."


    The fire in the kitchen was spreading. Qin Ran hurried over and summoned water streams that swirled into the kitchen, twisting and turning to put out the mes and carry away the thick smoke.


    After putting out the fire, the kitchen was still a mess. Qin Ran sighed, "Not even Nobel experimenting with explosives created such a scene."


    "What is ck magic?" Li Shiyin was eager to learn. "Who is Nobel?"


    Qin Ran nced at her indifferently, toozy to answer. He pulled her aside and walked into the kitchen to take a closer look.


    The scene in the kitchen was like something out of a horror story: there was a bloody piece of raw meat on the chopping board, some unidentifiable liquid in the pot, half of the stove was burnt ck, and dark fluids were strewn across the floor...


    "Is the Purification Array damaged?" He asked, scratching his head, very puzzled, "How exactly did you aplish this?"


    Li Shiyin also did not know. She simply replied, "It was fine at the beginning, butter I don''t know why it stopped working."


    "s!" Qin Ran sighed. He looked around on the walls and floor for damage to the array patterns imprinted on them.


    "Those who know you were cooking will know what happened, those who don''t will think you were fighting in the kitchen." He was at a loss for words.


    Li Shiyin stood obediently at the kitchen door, not daring to speak.


    "So..." Qin Ran stood up. Seeing Li Shiyin''s appearance, he still asked, "After wrecking the kitchen, what did you cook?"


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin actuallyughed smugly. She trotted in and sorted through the "battlefield ruins", arranging three dishes and bringing them to the dining table.


    Qin Ran came over to take a look. The appearance of the three dishes was somewhat frightening. One was pitch ck, charcoal? One was a bloody piece of meat. One was a strange soup?


    "What are these dishes?" He asked.


    Li Shiyin served a bowl of rice and handed it to Qin Ran, introducing:


    "This is stir-fried green beans..." pointing to the charred bowl.


    "This is Li Zhuang''s pork belly..." pointing to the bowl with the bloody meat slices.


    "This is egg drop soup..." pointing to the bowl with an ominous color containing eggshells, charred green beans, and soup.


    "Quite good, with meat and vegetables, dishes and soup." Qin Ran praised. He lowered his head to look at the bowl of rice, each grain was distinct, shimmering with a raw luster.


    "Master,e, try it!" Li Shiyin handed over the chopsticks, with some anticipation in her eyes.


    Qin Ran took the chopsticks and twirled them, calcting in his heart. He wondered if his Foundation Establishment cultivation could withstand these dishes.


    He hesitated for a long time, still unable to decide. But he really did not want to disappoint Li Shiyin''s good intentions either, so he picked up a piece of charred green bean in the bowl and asked at the same time, "How did you stir fry these beans? I remember we didn''t have any beans left?"


    "There are! Still a lot." Li Shiyin showed him a handful of beans.


    Qin Ran took one look and was speechless.


    Many vegetables from his previous life did not exist in this world. So he was trying to cultivate them himself...for example, the beans Li Shiyin was holding were seeds he was using to grow peas.


    "Where are they from?" He remembered hiding them very well.


    "The fridge!" Li Shiyin replied.


    Oh right, he remembered putting them in the freezer to preserve them, nning to cultivate them after the artificialke was dug.


    Yes, this was his own fault, he consoled himself internally.


    "What about the meat?" He asked again. Although the meat was bloody, the meat quality was translucent and full of spiritual energy.


    "Didn''t you stew some meat yesterday? I used the leftover meat from yesterday." Li Shiyin replied.


    Yesterday''s meat was from a spirit beast specially used to nurture the body. It was specially prepared to enhance Li Shiyin''s physique...


    Most importantly, that meat was expensive, equivalent to about ten spirit stones per catty.


    Looking at the meat on the te, Qin Ran felt the blood dripping from it came from his heart.


    "What about the soup?" He asked finally. "Where did the eggse from?"


    But as he was asking, he remembered the twenty spirit stone apiece spirit beast eggs he had left, so he quickly raised his hand to stop Li Shiyin from answering.


    Qin Ran silently put down his bowl and chopsticks. He raised his head forty-five degrees to gaze at the ceiling, not letting his tears fall, then stood up and walked out one step at a time.


    "Master, won''t you try it?" Li Shiyin asked from behind.


    Qin Ran pretended not to hear, but quietly quickened his pace.


    Once outside, Qin Ran brought a chair to lie down and looked up at the stars in the sky. His heart felt chilled to the bone at the thought of his wasted ingredients...


    Soon there was a shriek from inside the house, followed by the sound of Li Shiyin running out.


    "Master..." She plopped down on the grass beside him and said regretfully, "It''s so awful!"


    Qin Ran was tearful yet unable to cry. Still, heforted her, "Give it to Chasing the Wind to eat! Maybe Chasing the Wind will like it."


    The white Chasing the Wind with ck patterns was quite intelligent. Hearing there was food for it, it stopped tormenting the grass and bounced over, affectionately rubbing against Qin Ran''s pants.


    Poor Chasing the Wind still did not know what it was about to face.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    Qin Ran was quite irresponsible. He fed Chasing the Wind Li Shiyin''s food, causing the poor little cat to vomit uncontrobly by the river for over half an hour. It was a pitiful sight.


    "Really? Is it that scary?" Li Shiyin looked at him uncertainly and asked.


    Qin Ran nced at her without answering, hoping she would have some idea herself.


    As the night grewter, the bright moon hung in the sky and the stars shone brightly, dotting the entire night sky.


    Qin Ran checked the time and said, "Let''s start."


    Following his words, Li Shiyin walked into the spell formation and sat down cross-legged.


    "The moon is so round tonight, its glow like water, so the timing isn''t ideal," said Qin Ran, taking out a spirit stone and walking to the edge of the eye of the formation. "If you''re a little more patient and wait for the next few days to pass, the power of the stars will be much richer then, and it will be somewhat easier to transform the energy vortex."


    As he spoke, he ced the spirit stone in the eye of the formation. In a sh, clear light began to flow, rising from the ground and forming a thin film, enclosing Li Shiyin like a tent, with specks of light gathering in the air, like fireflies, crashing into the clear light.


    "The concentration of the ster power isn''t too bad, but you''ll still need to absorb it slowly. Too fast, and idents could happen," he cautioned. "You absolutely must not break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. The ster power will temper your spiritual power vortex, so after sessfully converting the vortex, it''s best if your cultivation level drops a bit.


    "Also, the ster power is just an aid in the end. Cultivating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is the proper path."


    Speaking thus, he watched the spell formation slowly retreat, falling back to sit in a chair.


    Exhausted from vomiting, Chasing the Wind stumbled over, wing up his pant leg to curl up in hisp, shifting around to find afortable spot.


    Qin Ran lifted Chasing the Wind''s paws and yed with them in his hands. Despite being cat-sized, Chasing the Wind was a Profound Nether Spirit Tiger, so his paws were over twice as thick as a regr cat''s, pleasantly plump to y with. He spread Chasing the Wind''s paw pads, and the sharp ws popped out. Reaching out to test the ws, they were exceptionally keen, radiating a threatening edge. When Chasing the Wind had climbed up earlier, those ws had pierced through his pants and stabbed his calves painfully. He pondered whether he should trim Chasing the Wind''s ws.


    Inside the formation, Li Shiyin sat cross-legged, eyes closed, circting her cultivation technique to guide the ster power into her body.


    The scattered ster power felt icy cold at first. But as more ster power gathered, it would slowly heat up, eventually bing scorching, seemingly carrying the power of the sun.


    The ster power was like fire, steaming her inner spiritual power. The ster power was like sand, grinding her dantian''s energy vortex. The ster power flowed like water, strengthening her bones and flesh.


    Circting the spiritual power mixed with ster power felt very rough, hot, and ufortable. To Li Shiyin, it felt like she had been thrown into a desert, tormented by scorching heat and sandy gusts.


    She didn''t know how much time passed before the stars fully settled in her dantian, and her vortex became like a neb, dotted with ster power like the stars in a neb.


    At this point, her spiritual power, nowpletely fused with ster power, felt mildly cool when circting in her body. The ster power no longer wore down her physique, instead nourishing her physique.


    Li Shiyin discovered that as her master said, her cultivation level had indeed dropped. She had previously been a step away from mid-Foundation Establishment, but now there was quite some distance again.


    However, she could clearly sense that her spiritual power was more refined now, and more... resilient? Her muscles also felt somewhat stronger.


    Her cultivation had fallen, but her actual strength had grown.


    The full sky of stars was like a river, the bright moon like a boat, and the wispy clouds were like the silk scarves of maidens frolicking in the starry river. The scarves waved at the people below. In front of a wooden house, on a broadwn, two people sat facing each other, one leaning back in a chair, a cat in his arms, the other sitting cross-legged on the grass, a wisp of clear light drawing down the starry river.


    The darkness was like ady''s thin, gauzy skirt, veiling the eyes, obscuring sight. In the distant forest, night owls shrieked as they hunted, while in the nearby bushes, crickets chirped their courtship songs. The night was noisy, the night was quiet.


    The night wind was damp and cool, while the cat in his arms was warm. Qin Ran held the cat, watching a tributary split off from the river of stars overhead, cascading down like a waterfall, from the starry sky to the grass. It was an awe-inspiring yet heartwarming scene.


    Summer nights were actually cool. Watching the moon gradually approach the western mountains, the stars blinking out one by one, the sunlight stabbing through in the east heralding the sun''s descent, in that span of time, whatever emotions and insights Qin Ran gained were limited to himself.


    The starry river overhead faded away, and the stabilized inner cultivation opened Li Shiyin''s eyes. Through the hazy formation, she saw the first ray of dawn fall on her master''s face. Foolish master didn''t shy away, allowing the sunlight to blind him.


    She got to her feet, leaping out of the formation in one step. Under the morning light, she raised her fists, which shone with ster radiance, and shouted loudly, "Master! I seeded!"


    Li Shiyin''s figure blocked the sunlight. Qin Ran''s squinting eyes opened a sliver to look over, as if seeing Garz sama flexing under the first ray of dawn. Facing the sun with glowing fists raised, thatss was a bona fide viin with consummate devilish arts.


    "Why shout? I''m not deaf! If you seeded, go take a bath. You reek." Qin Ran spoke tly, heartlessly damping the silly disciple''s excitement.


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin froze, lowering her head for a sniff. She did indeed reek, as if not having bathed for years. On closer look, her clothes had some grey and ck stains.


    "The ster power refines the physique, expelling the impurities from the body. That''s why," Qin Ran exined evenly. "Although you''ve soaked in many medicinal baths, making your body very tough already, this upgrade is still quite significant."


    Li Shiyin came to her senses, understanding why. The rough tomboy also had a sense of propriety, blushing as she dashed into the house and straight for the bathroom.


    "Your strength has risen tremendously. Pay attention to control, don''t break anything..." Qin Ran''s voice chased Li Shiyin into the house, but before he could finish, Li Shiyin''s shriek came from inside, having clearly already broken something.


    Qin Ran''s face darkened with anger, securing the cat before striding into the house. He discovered the stairs had one broken step from Li Shiyin stomping up them.


    Chasing up the stairs, more screams came from the bathroom. Clearly she had wrecked some of its facilities. Leaning against the hallway wall with a ck face, he coldly called towards the bathroom, "That''s because your strength rose too fast. Keep digging the pond today! If you can''t control your power well, don''t stop."


    "Noooo Master..." came Li Shiyin''s miserable wail from the bathroom.


    Qin Ran ignored it and continued, "I''m going to catch up on sleep. Make your own lunch too today!"


    "Master..."

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    Qin Ran woke up and found that the sun had retreated to the windowsill. It was probably already past noon. He was about to get up when he suddenly noticed something pressing on his chest. Looking down, it was a furball.


    "So this is why I''m suffering the same fate as the Great Sage! It was you, you little rascal!"


    He had just dreamed that he was pinned under the Five Finger Mountain by Miaozu the Cat Ancestor.


    He poked the cat''s head, but seeing that it had withstood Li Shiyin''s food attacks on his behalf, Qin Ran didn''t hold it against the cat. He gently picked it up and put it on the bed before getting up himself.


    However, Chasing the Wind had also woken up. Good cats never sleep in. It got up, shook itself, stretchedzily, then jumped off the bed after its master.


    Seeing the little guy so energetic and lively, Qin Ran couldn''t help but sigh. As expected of a seventh-level demon beast, its recovery abilities were too strong.


    Opening the door, Qin Ran looked out at the open terrain in front. He instantly felt refreshed and carefree - the forest, the grasnds, the gentle breeze.


    In the middle of the grasnds was the mud pit, now very visible. It seemed his foolish apprentice hadn''t beenzy today - the mud pit was clearly bigger.


    Looking closely, he could see mud flying out continuously from the pit. As he watched, Qin Ran''s eyebrows gradually furrowed. What kind of pit was Li Shiyin digging?


    "Li Shiyin!" he called out loudly.


    After a while, a mud figure jumped out of the pit and shouted back: "Master... you''re awake?!"


    "What are you doing with that digging?" Qin Ran asked.


    "What?" Li Shiyin pretended not to hear. "Master, what did you say? I can''t hear you."


    Qin Ran''s expression darkened. Li Shiyin''s body had been enhanced many times, far surpassing ordinary people. She was probably better than most Foundation Establishment cultivators. With that physical ability, how could she not hear him clearly from this distance?


    He flipped over the railing and used his divine walking technique to appear before Li Shiyin in two quick steps.


    "What are you doing with that digging?" he asked again.


    "I was just..." Li Shiyin was startled, quickly lowering her head like a child caught misbehaving. She mimed a digging motion. "Digging like this."


    Qin Ran looked down into the mud pit. Sure enough, there were several broken iron shovels and spades lying about haphazardly.


    His foolish apprentice hadn''t been working at all. She was just fooling around like an over-energetic golden retriever, ying recklessly without restraint.


    "How did the shovels break?"


    Li Shiyin didn''t answer.


    "Didn''t I tell you to control your strength?" Qin Ran''s brows furrowed. "Was I telling you to y around like this?"


    Still no answer from Li Shiyin.


    Qin Ran was furious. He red at her. "The tools are all broken. Let''s see how you dig now!"


    "Then I just won''t dig anymore," Li Shiyin mumbled softly.


    "Keep digging with your hands!" Qin Ran scolded.


    He turned and walked back to the house, but after a couple steps he turned back and asked: "What did you eat for lunch?"


    "Haven''t eaten lunch yet," Li Shiyin replied.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath and shook his head. "I really owe you one!"


    He still cooked a meal. His foolish apprentice ate three big bowls as if nothing had happened, foolishlyughing: "Didn''t eatst night, was starving to death."


    "Who was the one who cookedst night?" Qin Ran couldn''t even look at her.


    After the meal, Li Shiyin continued digging the pit. To prevent further antics, Qin Ran supervised from the side.


    As he watched over her, he used a small knife to slice bamboo sticks in preparation for weaving cages.


    There were still two surviving stalks of Crane Crown Immortal Grass. Originally there had been four sprouts, but he had been too busy with Li Shiyin''s Foundation Establishment these past few days to pay much attention. Two stalks had died from the sun.


    He was going to weave a bamboo cage to provide some shade and block the sunlight a little.


    Having prepared the bamboo strips, he started weaving the cage. The long strips folded and turned, catching Chasing the Wind''s attention. It came over to bat and pounce at the strips, utterly delighted.


    Qin Ran didn''t notice at first, until the bamboo strips shortened and Chasing the Wind''s y interfered with his weaving. Only then did he realize the little demon beast was treating the bamboo like a cat toy.


    But Chasing the Wind was inherently a feline demon beast, so it was normal for it to like moving objects. At first Qin Ran didn''t think much of it, and even intentionally teased Chasing the Wind with the bamboo.


    But as they yed, he gradually felt something was off.


    After some time, he finally realized - Chasing the Wind was not a cat! It was a seventh-level demon beast! The Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger!


    "Hey! Wake up, you''re the Demon King!" Qin Ran pressed down on Chasing Wind''s head to stop its yful behavior.


    "Mm...roar!"


    Thinking Qin Ran was ying with it, Chasing Wind bared its fangs and scratched and bit at his hand.


    Seeing the silly Chasing Wind acting like this, Qin Ran fell into contemtion... No, he couldn''t let such a powerful demon beast degenerate into just a cute pet that only knew how to act cutesy.


    What was the difference between humans and animals? He started thinking about this question.


    There were many answers - wisdom, tools, benevolence and righteousness. But Qin Ran recalled a viewpoint raised by psychologists on Earth:nguage was the biggest difference between humans and animals.


    It was because humans hadnguage that they developed thought and civilization. Humans first hadnguage, then thenguage centers of the brain. When a baby was born from the womb, its brain was not fully developed yet. It would grow as the child aged, until 11 or 12 years old. And thenguage centers would develop during this time together with the child''s firstnguage, its mother tongue.


    Language was the fundamental difference between humans and other creatures.


    Especially in this world, demon beasts here could be very powerful, moving mountains and diverting rivers. But demon beasts had no civilization... Or rather, demon beasts had no civilization of their own. Demon beast civilization was established through humannguage.


    Demon beasts could be very strong, but no matter how powerful, a demon beast''s best ce was still to be the mighty mount of a human master.


    Qin Ran held up the cute little Chasing Wind as he had a bold idea.


    After all, demon beasts were smarter than ordinary beasts... What would happen if he taught this little guy to speak?


    Usually demon beasts needed cultivation, taking human form, immersing themselves in the human world to learnnguage before they could speak.


    What would happen if he directly taught a beast-form demon beast to speak?


    Qin Ran thought it would be very interesting.


    He quickly ced Chasing Wind on the chair he was sitting on, signaling it not to move.


    But Chasing Wind, like an ordinary cat, still thought they were ying. It kept chasing and pouncing on his hand.


    After several failed attempts, Qin Ran realized this wouldn''t work. He first had to make Chasing Wind understand what he wanted before teaching it.


    But the cat and dog training methods on Earth were fundamentally the same as Pavlov''s dog training, utilizing conditioned reflexes. Cats and dogs didn''t actually understand human meaning. They only knew doing so would earn rewards and make their owner happy, nothing more.


    Qin Ran didn''t want to train Chasing Wind this way. A seventh-level demon beast was smart enough that he should teach it to speak the human way.


    As he pondered this, he suddenly realized he was in a cultivation world. There were some unorthodox methods avable.


    Such as, divine sense!


    Master Danding had an amazing technique that gave even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators like him divine sense.


    Thinking of this, he quickly extended his divine sense and entered Chasing Wind''s Sea of Wisdom, telling it through divine sense what he wanted it to do.


    "Ah... Ah..."


    Li Shiyin was still arduously digging away in the mud pit when she suddenly heard her master''s voice crying "Ah ah ah!" from above.


    "What''s Master doing?"


    She was very confused. Exerting strength, she jumped onto the pit edge and climbed out.


    Then...


    She saw Chasing Wind sitting properly on a chair with Master half-kneeling before it, mouth wide open, making sounds. Then he would asionally close his mouth and vocalize:


    "Ah... Ah... Ma... Ma..."


    This scene was far too bizarre. Li Shiyin stood there gaping for a good while.


    "Mas... Master... what... what are you doing?" This had shocked the foolish apprentice for fifteen years!


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was startled by the sudden voice. Looking back, he saw Li Shiyin and replied: "I''m teaching Chasing Wind to speak."


    But seeing her expression, he followed her gaze back to himself and gradually realized something was off, his own expression bing colorful.


    "Wait, listen to my exnation!"

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    For ordinary disciples of Dao Sword Sect, the monthly allowance was one hundred low-grade spirit stones, ten Returning Primal Pills, and one Spirit Gathering Pill. For inner sect disciples, it was three hundred low-grade spirit stones, twenty Returning Primal Pills, and two Spirit Gathering Pills. For personally taught disciples, it was five hundred low-grade spirit stones, fifty Returning Primal Pills, and ten Spirit Gathering Pills.


    The spirit stones came from Dao Sword Sect''s own spiritual veins, while the pills had two sources...


    Most of the pills were purchased from Zhican Valley, and a small portion was provided by Dan Peak. The ones from Dan Peak were refined by Qin Ran.


    The monthly allowance was distributed at the beginning of each month, while the preparation for the distribution was done in the middle of the previous month.


    That is to say, on the fifteenth of every month, Butler Hall would send someone to Qin Ran for the pills needed for next month.


    Jian Yuanjie, the chief butler of Butler Hall, was in charge of pill-rted matters within the sect. He was usually the one to receive the pills from Qin Ran.


    Today, he climbed up Dan Peak, walked through the secluded ancient forest path, and arrived at the grasnd Qin Ran had opened up.


    He was already very familiar with Dan Peak, and had witnessed Qin Ran''s transformations of Dan Peak bit by bit. However, looking in now, he realized Dan Peak looked a little different again.


    For example, why was there suddenly a huge pit in the middle of the painstakingly cleared grasnd? How unsightly, what was the meaning of this?


    Jian Yuanjie was puzzled. He walked over and saw a muddy figure digging at the bottom of the pit. He asked, "What are you doing?"


    The muddy figure in the pit looked up, revealing a pair of particrly bright eyes. She nced at him and replied, "Digging ake."


    Digging ake? Jian Yuanjie did not quite understand.


    It was a girl''s voice, not Qin Ran''s. He asked again, "Where''s Master Qin?"


    The girl pointed to the building called the Research Tower and said nothing.


    "Alright!" Jian Yuanjie nodded. This girl did not speak much, appearing rather aloof.


    He did not ask any more questions and walked towards the Research Tower. After taking two steps, he suddenly recalled the rumors that Qin Ran had epted an extremely talented disciple at the Questioning Dao Convention. That girl in the pit must be her.


    He quickly turned back, intending to chat more with the girl and give her a greeting gift, as he believed he had a decent rtionship with Qin Ran.


    But as soon as he turned back, there was movement from the chair by the mud pit. He looked over to see a white cat with ck circr patterns, though on closer look it might not be a cat.


    The cat jumped onto the chair, adjusted its position, sat down, looked up and opened its mouth, making a "Awooo... Awooo..." sound.


    The scene was somewhat bizarre. Jian Yuanjie scratched his head, confused about what was going on. Just as he was about to call out and ask, the cat rhythmically closed its mouth again and made a "Meow... Awooo... Meow... Awooo..." sound.


    "What''s this?" Jian Yuanjie felt as if the cat was talking to him, giving him an eerie feeling down his spine.


    He no longer wanted to ask questions, and had no intention of giving a greeting gift anymore. He ran straight for the Research Tower...


    What on earth happened to Dan Peak in just one month!?


    Already familiar with the ce, Jian Yuanjie arrived under the Research Tower panting heavily. He tried calling out, "Junior Brother Qin! Junior Brother Qin!" While praying in his heart, please don''t let any other weird things happen.


    His prayers seemed to work. Qin Ran''s figure soon emerged on the second floor and leaned over the balcony railing to yell at him, "Senior Brother Jian."


    Seeing Qin Ran, Jian Yuanjie finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Finally found you."


    "Is it time to collect pills again?" Qin Ran did not know about Jian Yuanjie''s earlier experience and simply said, "I didn''t notice. I''ve been busy with other things these past two days, but I have refined the pills, just haven''t packaged them up yet."


    Jian Yuanjie leapt from the ground directly onto the second floor,ing to Qin Ran''s side. He said, "Forget about the pills for now, first tell me what''s going on with that cat?"


    "Cat?" Qin Ran''s expression changed. He quickly dodged the question and looked elsewhere, saying, "That''s not a cat, it''s a Primordial Shadow Spirit Tiger."


    "Primordial Shadow Spirit Tiger?" Jian Yuanjie recalled the Primordial Shadow Spirit Tiger from a few days ago and asked again, "Primordial Shadow Spirit Tiger? It... it seems to be learning to speak..."


    Qin Ran had aplicated expression. He was silent for a long while before sighing, "Do you think I''m hiding here for no reason?!"


    After being discovered kneeling before Chasing the Wind calling it "mommy" by his silly disciple a few days ago, Qin Ran felt he had lost all face to meet the elders of the east rivers. He had been hiding in the Research Tower for two days.


    "Why?" Seeing Qin Ran''splex expression, Jian Yuanjie felt even more uneasy and pressed on, "Why?"


    Qin Ran remained silent and did not answer. After a long while, he finally said, "The pills are not packaged yet. Come with me, we''ll package them together."


    Although he knew something must have happened, since Qin Ran avoided the topic, Jian Yuanjie did not ask further.


    Carrying the storage bag, he followed Qin Ran to the third floor where the pills were kept to package the pills.


    Qin Ran was at the Foundation Establishment stage, and was only responsible for three types of pills - Spirit Gathering Pills to improve Foundation Establishment cultivation, Returning Primal Pills for quick recovery of spiritual power, and Fasting Pills for fasting and abstinence. There were three hundred pills of each type.


    "Junior Brother, you''ve been stuck at thete Foundation Establishment stage for many years. Have you recently found a way to form your core?" Jian Yuanjie asked.


    Qin Ran shook his head and said, "My talent isn''t good enough, it''s not surprising that I can''t form my core."


    "Your talent is good enough, you have a mid-grade water spirit root..." Jian Yuanjie sighed as he inspected the pills, "It seems you still can''t get over the shadow cast by Uncle Wang''s failure to ovee the tribtion. In fact, there''s nothing to fear about the Heavenly Tribtion. With your aptitude, it would be at most three nine-minor-bolts tribtions, very easy to get through."


    Hearing Jian Yuanjie''s words, and recalling his master''s primordial spirit scattering under the lightning tribtion, Qin Ran remained silent and had nothing to say.


    The two of them packaged the pills quickly. Before long, they were done. Jian Yuanjie tied the storage bag around his waist and said to Qin Ran,


    "I''ve always said that the pills you refine are better than Zhican Valley''s. I''m not ttering you, it''s the truth. I sincerely hope you can form your core soon, so that you can refine pills for the Golden Core stage. I really can''t stand Zhican Valley''s substandard products anymore."


    "I''ll try my best," Qin Ran nodded in reply.


    The two chatted as Qin Ran saw Jian Yuanjie out of the Research Tower and headed outside.


    In the grasnd, Li Shiyin was still digging the pit, while Chasing the Wind was no longer howling. It was curled up asleep on the chair.


    "What''s the purpose of digging this pit?" Jian Yuanjie asked.


    "To dig an artificialke," Qin Ran exined. "It''s also to let my disciple consolidate her cultivation."


    Only then did Jian Yuanjie understand. He said, "But she''s a girl..."


    Qin Ran remained silent.


    The two walked across the grasnd. Qin Ran sent Jian Yuanjie all the way to the edge of the forest, watching as he left.


    Compared to Huang Feiyu, Jian Yuanjie was more polite and did not arrogantly fly straight to Dan Peak on a cloud.


    However, watching Jian Yuanjie''s departing figure, Qin Ran''s eyes wereplicated.


    The first rule of the cultivation world was to never trust anyone.


    Jian Yuanjie believed he had a good rtionship with him, but ultimately it was just mutual benefit... because of the pills.


    Jian Yuanjie was not a friend. Qin Ran had never told him that he was exploring the limits of the Foundation Establishment stage - the quality and quantity of spiritual power, the degree of control over spiritual power, the toughness of the physical body...


    It wasn''t that he couldn''t form his core, it was that he didn''t want to.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    Every dad has to call his kid "dad" a few times before hearing his child call him dad.


    Qin Ran knew this logic. He bent down to pick up Chasing the Wind, held the cat''s front paws in front of him, and showed a twisted smile on his face, saying, "Call me again..."


    Chasing the Wind''s two big ck eyes looked at Qin Ran nkly, not knowing what cat disease this bipedal beast had caught. He tilted his head and said, "Meow?"


    "Yeah, meow..." Qin Ran looked even stranger.


    Chasing the Wind meowed again: "Meow?"


    "Meow..."


    "Meow?"


    One man and one cat, meowing back and forth, came to the chair next to the mud pit.


    The mud doll Li Shiyin jumped out of the pit bottom, saw her master meowing back and forth with Chasing the Wind, was puzzled, scratched her head, smiled and asked, "Master, have youe out of seclusion?"


    Qin Ran pretended to be calm, sat down on the chair holding the cat, and said, "Your master has read some books these days, looking for clues about elixirs for longevity and feeding spiritual beasts."


    When Li Shiyin heard this, her eyes lit up. She hurried over and eagerly asked, "Did you find it?"


    "No..." Qin Ran shook his head.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin sighed.


    Qin Ran said, "If the Dao Sword Sect has elixirs to prolong the lives of mortals, it would at least be the number one sect in North Chu Country. But nowadays in North Chu Country, the most famous among themon people is still Zhican Valley..."


    Having said that, he suddenly realized something and asked Li Shiyin, "When people in North Chu Country ask for immortality and medicine, they all go to Zhican Valley. Why did you want to learn alchemy and ran to the Dao Sword Sect instead?"


    When this question came out, Li Shiyin was a little embarrassed. She lowered her head, mumbled and said, "My brother is stationed outside the Hengduan Mountains to prevent beasts from harassing people. I used the excuse of going to see him to sneak into the Hengduan Mountains, then apprenticed at the Dao Sword Sect.


    "At that time I thought that the Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley were both sects of immortals, there shouldn''t be much difference, and the knights at home were all down-the-mountain disciples of the Dao Sword Sect, and they were all very powerful. So I didn''t think much about it."


    Hmm, that''s just like you. After hearing Li Shiyin''s words, Qin Ran''s heart didn''t stir up waves. He just felt that this was her normal operation.


    "So you still ran away secretly?" He asked again, "Without telling your family?"


    "Yeah..." Li Shiyin responded weakly, and peeked at Qin Ran, weakly saying, "Master... you won''t send me back, will you?!"


    "Do I look that free?" Qin Ran retorted.


    ording to Li Shiyin''s observation, she nodded affirmatively: "Yes!"


    Chasing the Wind was so small and furry, so cute that Qin Ran originally didn''t want to teach him to speak because of the social death incident of calling Chasing the Wind "mom". But... Chasing the Wind actually meowed at him!


    So he continued to study how to teach Chasing the Wind to speak.


    On Earth, all civilizednguages ??have their unique points, but there is one thing inmon, that is, "mom" is called "mom" or something like "ma". This is not a coincidence, but because the pronunciation of the word "ma" is the simplest sound that humans can make. The breath goes out, the mouth opens and closes, and the sound thates out is the "ma" sound.


    Newborns don''t know how to speak at first. One day, their mouths open and close to make a "ma" sound. Then the mom who takes care of him every day will naturally think this is the child calling her...


    Simrly, Chasing the Wind is a feline animal. When his mouth opens and closes, the sound thates out is "meow", which is also very reasonable. Don''t look at tigers being the king of beasts, roaring in the mountains and forests. When they open their mouths, their loud voices make all the beasts shiver. But when they were young, they still had to meow.


    Chasing the Wind is a feline animal, but he is not an ordinary feline animal. His mother is a level seven demon beast, a demon king, so he is different from birth... Although there are currently no signs of anything special about him, at least it can be seen that this little guy is very smart.


    Let''s not talk about how big this little guy is. Just say that after being picked up by Li Shiyin, the first thing he did was adapt to the environment andpletely forgot about his old mother. The second thing he knew was who was the boss here and how he could survive.


    He may not know what ¡°meow¡± and ¡°mom¡± mean, but he knows Qin Ran wants him to say this word...


    Qin Ran sat on the chair with Chasing the Wind lying in his arms. The wind blew by, ruffling Chasing the Wind''s fine fur. His thoughts returned, and he lowered his head to look at Chasing the Wind, reaching out to smooth the fur messed up by the wind.


    He looked at Chasing the Wind, and started thinking again:


    The boundary between humans and animals is rtively clear, but the boundary between humans and demon beasts doesn''t seem so clear.


    If a demon beast can speak, is it human? If a demon beast has a civilization, is it human? Even if a demon beast bes stronger than humans, is it human? If a demon beast transforms into a human, is it human?


    He didn''t know, it seems to have be a philosophical question.


    "Perhaps music is the difference between humans and demon beasts," he thought.


    He remembered that someone in the previous life said that no matter the nobles in the pce or the vigers, they would listen to music, be it the Yangchun Baixue or the Xiali Ba People, but pigs, chickens, sheep and other beasts would not listen to music. Confucius also believed that rites and music were the foundations of human civilization. He once heard the music of Shaoyue and didn''t taste meat for three months.


    So humans listen to songs while beasts don''t...


    Qin Ran came to this conclusion.


    He was eager to prove that he was human. At that moment, he went to the back mountain to chop a bamboo stick, and made it into a flute ording to memory.


    That night, Qin Ran moved a stool in front of the house, sat down, took out the flute, licked the blowhole, took a deep breath, and blew lightly, making a mournful, ugly sound of "woo woo sob sob".


    Then the sobbing sounds echoed around the Danfeng Mountains...


    At first, Chasing the Wind was still diligently sitting in his arms, but after a while, Chasing the Wind jumped down, squatted next to him licking his fur. After another while, Chasing the Wind ran into the house andy on the sofa. After a while, Chasing the Wind burrowed under the sofa cushion.


    Li Shiyin also heard her master making "retching mocking" sounds outside. She ran out and saw Qin Ran ying the flute. Sheughed and asked, "Master, you can y the flute too?"


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran stopped the grating sound, frowned and said, "What? There are flutes in North Chu too?"


    "Yes!" Li Shiyin nodded and replied, "There is a famous musician named Gao Yuanshan in Danyang City who is well known precisely because he ys the flute very nicely. My brother doesn''t get along with him and would go find trouble every time he performs."


    Qin Ran listened, silently put down the bamboo flute in his hand, and inexplicably imagined in his mind the scene of Li Shiyin¡¯s brother seeing him y the flute and then rushing over to beat him up.


    "My brother always said it was because Gao Yuanshan looked too effeminate, and he was worried it would corrupt the morals of North Chu... But I think my brother is just jealous that others look more handsome than him," Li Shiyin continued.


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, something''s not right with you.

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    After building her foundation, Li Shiyin''s physique greatly improved. With magic power, her speed of digging theke was much faster than before. The amount she could dig in one day now equaled four or five days of progress in the past. Moreover, this speed continued to quicken along with Li Shiyin''s cultivation progress, an elerating process of increasing eleration.


    However, after only five days of building her foundation, the mud pit in the middle of thewn had already expanded several rings. Now it had achieved considerable scale, looking like the makings of an artificialke.


    At this time, with the sun overhead, Li Shiyin toiled away at the bottom of the mud pit.


    The unscrupulous master, Qin Ran, sat under a sunshade at the edge of the pit, holding a green bamboo flute in his hand, ying a discordant "woo woo yaya" tune.


    The ying was very unpleasant to the ear, but if one listened carefully, some semnce of a melody could still be heard. For example:


    "The sparrow outside the window


    Chatters noisily on the utility pole


    You say this sentence


    ......"


    The melody was quite forced. With the melody wavering in and out, long and short, and the horrendous tuning of the bamboo flute, no matter whether one could make out the melody or not, it made people very ufortable.


    Poor Li Shiyin not only had toboriously dig theke, but also had to endure the torture of her master''s cacophonous sounds.


    It was at this time that a hero made his entrance. From the edge of the forest suddenly came a loud, masculine voice. The voice asked, "May I ask if this is Dan Peak?"


    Thus the flute music, which could fairly be described as mental torture, came to a stop. Qin Ran put down his flute and looked over. At the entranceing out of the forest stood an imposing man.


    This man wore a ck mandarin cor long robe, had his hair in a topknot, ck hair and ck crown. Hisplexion was bronze, his stature sturdy. Conservatively estimated, he was half a head taller than Qin Ran.


    This fellow looked ferocious, clearly not a good person. Qin Ran frowned and asked, "Who are you?"


    "This humble one is Li Shiwen..." Li Shiwen cupped his fists towards Qin Ran in greeting and walked over, "Greetings to the chief of Dan Peak."


    Li Shiwen? Qin Ran looked the neer up and down. This person did indeed bear some resemnce to Li Shiyin. He was likely Li Shiyin''s general older brother stationed at the Hengduan Mountains.


    For the siblings of this military family, one named Shiyin, one named Shiwen, on one hand their father''s earnest intentions could be appreciated, on the other hand it could be seen that they had disappointed their father.


    Qin Ran sat calmly, silently watching as Li Shiwen walked over. Although this guy seemed very polite, his overbearing aura clearly meant ill intent.


    When Li Shiwen drew near, Qin Ran extended his hand and a stream of water came out, lifting up a chair to Li Shiwen''s front, saying "Please sit."


    Qin Ran''s gesture did not awe Li Shiwen at all. He pressed down on the back of the chair, showing no intention of sitting. His sharp gaze fixed on Qin Ran as he said, "I''vee to fetch my younger sister. I''d trouble the chief to oblige."


    This fellow had definitely killed before, and killed a lot at that. His baleful aura was overwhelming. Qin Ran judged internally.


    He pretended not to know and asked, "Who is your younger sister?"


    "My younger sister''s name is Li Shiyin..." Li Shiwen also did not get angry, patiently exining, "Half a month ago she attended your sect''s convocation, as far as I know, she became an inner sect disciple under your tutge."


    "Is that so?" Qin Ran nodded calmly, "I have been cultivating alone for a long time and am not familiar with any Li Shiyin. You must havee to the wrong ce..."


    "Brother!"


    Before Qin Ran had even finished speaking, a ck shadow suddenly shot out from the pit beside them. It turned out to be Li Shiyin in the pit, having heard the voices she leapt out. Li Shiyin stared fixedly at Li Shiwen from the edge of the pit, looking him over several times, afraid she had misheard or misseen. After confirming it was him, not caring about the mud on her body, she rushed over in a sh andtched onto Li Shiwen with a "bang".


    Li Shiwen had not even reacted yet. By the time the smelly figuretched onto him in a familiar posture, he slowly realized that this was none other than his silly younger sister.


    However, how did this foolish child get so strong?


    Fortunately his build was sturdy enough, otherwise it would have been hard to withstand Li Shiyin''s excited pounce.


    After Li Shiyin''s excitement passed, Li Shiwen uncertainly lowered his head. With the smell of Li Shiyin''s body odor in his nose, he held up Li Shiyin''s head and carefully examined her.


    Although dirty and ckened, this was indeed his sister''s appearance. He looked at her tenderly, rubbing her little face with his fingers, wiping away the mud and dust. His heart ached, just what had his sister gone through to end up in this state?


    As he looked and smelled and thought, fury rose in his heart, growing ever stronger. Then he lifted up Li Shiyin''s bottom and set her to the side before reaching behind his back...


    "Brother, how did you know I was here?" Li Shiyin stood firmly and wiped away tears while asking.


    Li Shiwen took out a disassembled three-section staff and one spearhead from his back. Gloomily he silently assembled them.


    Hearing the "click click" sounds of the staff sections locking together, Li Shiyin did not understand and asked in puzzlement, "Brother, what are you doing?"


    "Wait a moment, brother will take you home..." Li Shiwen said. Then when he finished assembling the steel spear, he signaled for Li Shiyin to stand to the side. His eyes brimming with killing intent stared towards Qin Ran.


    Although instantly disproven, Qin Ran remained as steady as an old dog, sitting there looking calmly andposedly at Li Shiwen.


    With the cacophony gone, Chasewind ran over again and climbed onto his knee,zily yawning before starting to wash his face.


    "Humph!" Li Shiwen suddenly shouted explosively, "Watch the spear!!"


    He was warning Qin Ran, indicating he would notunch a sneak attack. Only then did he thrust over with the spear... After all he was a learned man.


    And he was worthy of being a fierce tiger of the military n. At least in the area ofbat power he had not embarrassed himself. In a sh, the spear point arrived at Qin Ran''s brow, poised to pierce through Qin Ran''s brain!


    However...


    Qin Ran regarded the mortal danger before him as nothing, tilting his head to take the fruit juice on the table.


    His attitude made Li Shiwen frown deeply. Seeing the spear point about to touch his brow, Li Shiwen thought to himself: after all this was the sect his sister had entered. As an reasonable man, teaching her a lesson was within reason, but taking a life went too far no matter how you looked at it. Thinking this, he moved to withdraw his power and strike with the spear shaft instead.


    But right at this time he suddenly discovered that the spear shaft in his hands wouldn''t budge. Exerting his strength to pull back also didn''t work.


    Puzzled, he heard Li Shiyin''s voice: "Brother, why are you trying to hit my master?!"


    Li Shiwen looked back to find Li Shiyin holding his spear shaft with one hand behind him, stopping him from advancing or retreating.


    "Ah?!" Li Shiwen was instantly dumbfounded.


    He, Li Shiwen, was no weak schr. The power behind that spear thrust was at least five hundred jin. Yet it had actually been stopped single-handedly by his own weak and delicate little sister?


    He froze up, but Li Shiyin did not. Li Shiyin exerted her strength again, pulling him and his spear back. Her bright apricot eyes red at him reproachfully, "I''m asking you a question!"


    No more calling him brother either.


    Li Shiwen tried to struggle free but found Li Shiyin''s strength too great. He could only let Li Shiyin take his spear while he turned back to face her. Staring grimly at Li Shiyin, he asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    "Are you bing stupid too, brother?" Li Shiyin frowned, and then hurriedly spat twice, saying "What ''too''? I''m Shiyin!"


    Li Shiwen looked Li Shiyin up and down carefully again. Although her face was dirty, the foolish and cute silly energy was ingrained in her bones, and he recognized it at a nce... she was indeed his silly younger sister.


    "Shi...Shiyin?" Li Shiwen said uncertainly, "Since when did you be so strong?"


    "Humph humph!"


    Li Shiyin revealed a smug little expression, swinging Li Shiwen''s steel spear in her hand.


    This steel spear was Li Shiwen''s treasured possession that he brought with him wherever he went and never let go. She had never gotten to y with it before... probably because the spear was so heavy, over 60 kilograms, that she couldn''t swing it previously. But no matter, today she had easily snatched it from Li Shiwen''s hands.


    "I''m a cultivator now!" Holding the spear, she stuck out her waist and raised her chin at Li Shiwen arrogantly, "You mere mortal, bow down to this great immortal!"


    And so Li Shiwen gave a knock on Li the Great Immortal''s head to bring her back to reality.


    From the time Li Shiyin disappeared from his station to now, it hadn''t even been twenty days. To have this level of strength, it seemed she had undergone proper cultivation training. But... as Li Shiwen looked up and down at Li Shiyin''s dirty state, where was the look of someone cultivating?


    "Some great immortal!" Heughed and said, "Even great immortals have toe home with me."


    "I''m not going home..." Li Shiyin stabbed the spear firmly into the ground and leaned against it, crossing her arms, "I have a top-grade Spirit Root. I was born to cultivate immortality and seek the Dao... Soon I will be a Sword Immortal. Our Li family will also produce an immortal!"


    "You want to be a Sword Immortal that badly?" Li Shiwen stared at Li Shiyin, "Do you know, immortals and mortals are two different worlds. If you want to be an immortal, you have to sever ties with the mortal world. You won''t want me as your brother anymore, or Father and Mother either?"


    "It''s just cultivation! Who said you must sever ties with the mortal world? Once I learn how to fly on swords, I''lle home every day to annoy you to death." Li Shiyin said with her hands on her belly. "Anyway, I must be a Sword Immortal. I''m going to the Underworld to bring Grandpa''s soul back. I will definitely find the elixir of immortality to let Father and Mother live forever!"


    This silly naive sister!


    Li Shiwen was both moved and angry, but today he had to wake her up. He raised his voice and shouted, "The Underworld, Underworld! Let me tell you, there is no Underworld! There is no elixir of immortality! Grandpa is gone! Grandpa is dead and will nevere back!


    "You''re already sixteen, be sensible, will you!"


    Li Shiyin lowered her head and said softly, "Grandpa Dong said when people die they be ghosts and enter the Underworld to live in Fengdu and await reincarnation. Grandpa Dong said ghosts can also cultivate and be immortals... I want to go to Fengdu and bring Grandpa back to teach him ghost cultivation methods!"


    Grandpa Dong was evidently a figure like a guest elder in the Li family.


    Li Shiwen shook his head and said, "Grandpa Dong lied to you."


    Little girls always believe in fairy tales, but today Li Shiwen tore apart this fairy tale. Leaning on the spear, Li Shiyin''s figure clearly froze as big teardrops fell to the ground, sshing up mud.


    Li Shiwen went forward and gently embraced Li Shiyin.


    Qin Ran still sat there drinking fruit juice. The juice was sweet and sour, so sour his eyes watered...


    There were tens of thousands of reasons for cultivation in this world. Controlling one''s fate was the mostmon; for the longevity of one''s parents was the most naively romantic and pitiful.


    After hugging Li Shiyin for a while, Li Shiwen pulled her over to sit in chairs in front of Qin Ran and asked, "What is Shiyin doing here?"


    "Digging ake..." Qin Ran said. Before Li Shiwen''s expression could turn fierce, he continued, "To train her body and control over her body."


    Li Shiwen thought carefully and was able to understand. He nodded and looked towards the huge pit, not daring to believe it. He said hesitantly, "She dug all this herself?"


    "Yes." Qin Ran replied.


    Li Shiwen was silent as he looked at Li Shiyin, feeling very distressed. Foolish girl, when had she ever endured such hardship? But it seemed she had endured it when Father had disciplined them, maybe no less than this.


    Sure enough, Li Shiyin spoke up, "Brother, actually this is pretty fun. Digging out the mud and separating the rocks and mud to stack over there, the mud can be molded into figurines, the rocks are fun for throwing and hitting birds... Also a lot of interesting treasures get dug up. I previously dug up a flying sword, but unfortunately it was rusted..."


    A simple-minded person''s sadnesses and goes quickly. At this time Li Shiyin was already able to chatter excitedly with red-rimmed eyes. Qin Ran looked over ¨C the intensity was still too low, evidently she had just been ying around.


    Feeling her master''s terrifying gaze, Li Shiyin hurriedly stopped and switched topics, "Also, no need to worry about muscle soreness or anything like that. Master makes medicinal baths for me every day, and medicinal baths are sofortable... Brother, you should try it."


    "Medicinal baths?" Hearing this, Li Shiwen knew exactly how Qin Ran was treating Li Shiyin.


    Unlike Li Shiyin, he understood the value of medicinal baths. If ordinary people''s medicinal baths used money, then cultivators'' medicinal baths used spirit stones. Spirit stones - an ordinary person would treasure even one as a family heirloom to pass down.


    And Qin Ran made them daily for Li Shiyin...


    He looked at Qin Ran with a respectful expression, carefully choosing his words. "I happen to know a bit about the Dao Sword Sect as well. I have heard that the four mountain ranges of the Dao Sword Sect cultivate different Daoist methods, among them Dan Peak cultivates alchemy. So you must be the legendary alchemist."


    Qin Ran stroked the cat and remained silent.


    "Then..." Li Shiwen asked, "Why does Shiyin practice the body and the sword, walking the path of the Sword?"


    "She has a Gold Spirit Root, naturally she should cultivate the sword. As for her personality... you know your own sister..." Qin Ran exined.


    Li Shiyin was silent. This silly girl Li Shiyin had a simple mind and nerves of steel, lively and bouncing around - cultivating the sword was indeed a good choice for her.


    "If you''re asking why she became a disciple of Dan Peak to cultivate the sword..." Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin and smiled, "At first she wanted to learn alchemy and concoct the elixir of immortality herself. I was the one who had her cultivate the sword, and promised to help her find longevity-increasing elixir."


    Li Shiwen nced at Li Shiyin, and Li Shiyin grinned at him. He turned to Qin Ran and cupped his fists respectfully, lowering his head to say, "I apologize for my rude behavior earlier!"


    "To not know is no crime." Qin Ran said, "As for Shiyin, she is my own disciple whom I love, so I will naturally help her."


    Having said this, Li Shiwen understood the details of Li Shiyin''s situation at Dan Peak, and then he spoke:


    "This sister of mine has a simple heart and bold nature, also blessed by fool''s luck to take you as her master and set foot in the blessednd of Dan Peak. However, she still has to return home.


    "Firstly, our parents are at home, and children should not leave home to cultivate immortality while their parents are living. Father sends a letter every day urging Shiyin to return home..."


    The map of Yan Country is too small! Already at its edge? This Li Shiwen is not a good person after all. Qin Ran looked indifferently at the fellow - talking for so long and still wanting to take Shiyin home.


    However, his first reason makes some sense. Qin Ran remembers that Daoism on Earth had rted rules - only children cannot join to cultivate if they still have elders at home, so he will not argue this point.


    But just then Li Shiyin secretly pouted and huffed in contempt, clearly harboring some other resentment.


    "Secondly, Shiyin is already eighteen this year, time for marriage... My Li family has always been on good terms with the Cheng family of Danyang. Shiyin was betrothed to the Cheng family''s young master early on..." Li Shiwen continued.


    Well now! Could this be a "Don''t Bully the Poor" story? Shocking! The foolish disciple turns out to be Nn Xinyu!


    "Finally..." Li Shiwen''s expression became solemn. He looked at Qin Ran and said in a deep voice, "The reason why I have onlye to visit you now is because recently there have been many incidents of demonic beasts injuring people in the Hengduan Mountains. I have a premonition that something big is going to happen in the Hengduan Mountains. I want to take this opportunity to send Li Shiyin back, away from this dangerous ce."


    The Hengduan Mountains? Qin Ran''s eyes zed over slightly. The Hengduan Mountains again!

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    "May I have your permission to take Shiyin away?" After exining his reasons, Li Shiwen asked atst.


    "Ha ha..." Qin Ranughed and looked at Li Shiwen, shaking his head, "If the Mountain Range is really going to have something big happen, then nowhere in the North Chu Kingdom would be safer than the Sword Sect. So where are you going to take Shiyin?"


    Li Shiwen lowered his head without trying to hide it from Qin Ran.


    "As for the first and second reasons, it is not my ce to interfere..." Li Shiwen wanted to take Li Shiyin somewhere safe, but Qin Ran was toozy to care. Stroking the cat, heughed, "So whether Shiyin stays or leaves, you¡¯ll have to ask her yourself."


    "Ask Shiyin herself?" Li Shiwenughed. He saw how much effort Qin Ran had spent on Shiyin and thought that Qin Ran would definitely not allow him to take Shiyin away. But unexpectedly, Qin Ran was so easy to talk to.


    From his perspective, Li Shiyin was his younger sister, very young and simple-minded, unable to discern pros and cons, and could not decide such a big matter for herself. For Qin Ran to say this, it was almost telling him that he could take Shiyin away.


    So Li Shiwen stood up. Without asking Li Shiyin, he saluted Qin Ran and said with a smile, "Then thank you for taking care of Shiyin these days. You can make a list of expenses for Shiyin and send it to the garrison of the Heavenly Strategy Army outside the Mountain Range. I will providepensation."


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran was puzzled in his heart. Why didn''t this guy even ask her? But his face still had a faint smile, as if he had everything under control.


    Li Shiwen nodded to him, pulled Li Shiyin up and said, "Shiyin, let''s go home now..."


    He pulled Li Shiyin along but couldn''t move her. He pulled harder but Li Shiyin didn''t budge at all. He looked back at Li Shiyin, helplessly said, "Shiyin, be obedient."


    Li Shiyin looked at him and shook her head. "Brother, I''m not going back!"


    "What are you talking about?" Li Shiwen said with a smile. "Don''t be unreasonable. Mother misses you very much..."


    "I will go back, but not now." Li Shiyin replied.


    To say that Li Shiyin was stupid was only because she was simple, not because she really had problems with her brain. She was not only smart, but also inherited the fine qualities of their Li family, tough and unyielding... In short, she would not easily change her mind about something once she decided on it.


    Li Shiwen knew his sister well. Hearing Li Shiyin say this, the smile on his face disappeared little by little. He looked at Li Shiyin and asked solemnly, "You really won''t go back?"


    "I won''t go back!" Li Shiyin answered very decisively.


    Li Shiwen looked up and pondered for a moment, but he didn''t have any good solutions.


    Finally, with his tiger eyes fixed on Li Shiyin, he said, "Fine... You are so persistent in cultivating and have made some progress. Let''s fight as usual. If you can beat me, I will agree to let you stay here and continue cultivating."


    Growing up together as siblings, it was normal for them to fight. And because they were siblings, how could the younger sister ever beat her older brother? Ever since they were little, Li Shiyin had always been beaten up by Li Shiwen. She had long wanted to turn the tables, but as they grew older, Li Shiwen became more and more formidable, and it seemed that she would never have a chance...


    Now, Li Shiwen himself proposed this requirement.


    Li Shiyin was itching for a fight, eager to spar!


    "Really?" She quickly confirmed, afraid that Li Shiwen would change his mind.


    Having already tried Li Shiyin''s strength before, and seeing her expression now, Li Shiwen was a little nervous. But after careful consideration, with his twenty years of cultivation, how could she catch up after just over ten days?


    Strength was strength, kung fu was kung fu.


    He had no reason to fear his younger sister.


    "Really." He nodded to guarantee.


    "Master, you be the witness!" Li Shiyin was so happy that she jumped up and raised her hand to ask Qin Ran to guarantee it.


    "Okay." Qin Ran enjoyed watching the show and agreed.


    Then without another word, Li Shiyin turned around and threw a punch at Li Shiwen with her raised hand.


    Li Shiwen knew Li Shiyin too well. When Li Shiyin raised her hand, he already knew what this seemingly simple but actually crafty younger sister was going to do. When Li Shiyin punched at him, he had already dodged in advance.


    "I knew it!" He shook his head.


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin chuckled foolishly and exerted force into her feet to chase after him.


    Having grown up together since childhood, training under the same master''s stick tricks, they knew each other''s moves inside out.


    Originally, Li Shiwen, being a man, was much taller and stronger. His martial arts skills were indeed more refined than Li Shiyin''s. He had always let Li Shiyin hit him. But...times had changed. Although Li Shiyin had not yet learned any mystic arts, her physical fitness was no longer on the same level as Li Shiwen''s.


    After exchanging moves twice, they finally collided fists.


    Li Shiyin rushed forward with a punch, throwing a fist at Li Shiwen''s face. Li Shiwen did not dodge. He put both hands forward to block Li Shiyin''s punch, nning to grab her after blocking this punch. This move worked very well on the reckless and impulsive Li Shiyin.


    Unexpectedly, when Li Shiyin''s punch came...


    "Bang!"


    Li Shiwen only felt as if he had been hit by a bull,pletely failing to block it. He staggered back several steps with his chest wide open!


    "Hahaha, brother, you''re finished!" Li Shiyinughed gleefully. She clenched her little fists and rushed forward, ramming into Li Shiwen''s arms. Then fists rained down as she vented all the pent-up frustration from being beaten up by Li Shiwen over the past decade, not caring whether it was the nose, eyes, chest or ribs.


    She only stopped when she felt she had enough and stood up arrogantly looking down at Li Shiwen''s bruised and swollen face. Of course she didn''t go all out since he was her brother after all, but it was enough to make Li Shiwen suffer for several days.


    Seeing they had finished fighting, Qin Ran walked over, took out a porcin bottle from his cosmic bag, squatted down and handed it to Li Shiwen, saying, "Blood Invigorating Muscle Pills, treats physical injuries. One pill is enough. This bottle is a gift for you."


    Lying on the ground, Li Shiwen''s hands trembled as he took the bottle. He clumsily shook out a pill and barely managed to put it in his mouth.


    He looked so pathetic, but Qin Ran and Li Shiyin just watched without intention of helping him.


    The efficacy of the pill was extremely fast. Li Shiwen''s injuries healed almost visibly. But such rapid recovery was also apanied by terrible pain. Even the iron-tough Li Shiwen couldn''t help groaning.


    "Although these ordinary pills are simple to make, a pill can still sell for two spirit stones. This bottle contains ten pills. As a gift upon our first meeting, it doesn''t degrade you. In the mortal world, you know better than me the value of miraculous medicine and stones."


    "Before building her foundation, Shiyin''s medicinal baths cost about three hundred spirit stones each time, and she soaked for ten consecutive days; after building her foundation, each bath is nine hundred spirit stones, and she has already soaked for five days. This doesn''t even include the cost of prescriptions and effort for making the medicinal bath."


    He looked at Li Shiwen on the ground and shook his head with augh, "Don''t feel bad about losing to Shiyin''s punch worth over ten thousand spirit stones."


    As Li Shiwen''s injuries gradually healed, he silently looked up at Qin Ran and suddenly understood - his sister''s master had a wicked heart, inside and out...


    He was just a small general of the mortal world. He was no match for their cultivators. He might as well leave early.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    Li Shiwen returned alone.


    He came and went in haste, taking nothing with him except a beating... Oh no, he also took a bottle of Live Blood Flesh Mending Pill, which he didn''t really want but the effects were too tempting to resist.


    But he had been here, he had existed, and so he left some impact behind. Especially for Li Shiyin, because after his arrival she lost the heart to keep digging theke.


    Li Shiyin went back to her room, took a bath, changed into a nice dress, then climbed onto the eaves of the second floor and sat there gazing into the distance.


    From here, looking out along the little river next to the house, she could see grassy banks on both sides, and in the middle of the grass a deep pit suddenly came into view...she had gradually dug out this pit with her own hands. Further out was the forest, where the little river disappeared into the lush shadows of the trees. Beyond the vast forest, in the very far distance, mountain peaks intersected...Qin Ran''s station of the Heaven Strategy Army was among those mountains.


    She didn''t know when, but Qin Ran came up and sat down next to Li Shiyin, holding Pursuit of the Wind. He looked out towards the distant horizon, following her gaze.


    Pursuit of the Wind jumped out of his arms and stepped around on the tiles, happily fooling around like a cat.


    "Master, is my brother''s stationed troops over there?" Li Shiyin asked Qin Ran without turning her head.


    "Probably around there, but I''ve never been so I''m not very clear on the specifics." Qin Ran always answered Li Shiyin''s questions.


    "Master, is it really necessary to sever ties with the mortal world when cultivating?" She asked again.


    Qin Ran sighed before replying:


    "If cultivation does not involve self-cultivation, then cultivators are no different from ordinary people with powerful abilities. You don''t know about people from your homnd, but you should understand clearly that if an ordinary person gains great power it bes extremely dangerous. You can imagine his desires will be countless times greater than his abilities."


    "A powerful cultivator is too dangerous in the mortal world. It''s not just dangerous for himself, but even more dangerous for ordinary people, especially his loved ones."


    "Why would I ever harm my own parents?" Li Shiyin didn''t understand. "Even in the mortal world, I make efforts to cultivate my heart. Is that not eptable?"


    "A cultivator''s enemies can only be other cultivators..." Qin Ran said. "You won''t harm your loved ones, but your enemies will. At that time, your loved ones will be your greatest weakness. You will only hurt others and yourself."


    "Then what if I don''t reveal my abilities?"


    "That involves the stories of a crane standing among chickens and a needle hidden in a pocket," Qin Ran replied. "A crane standing among chickens will be spotted at a nce. And a needle hidden in a pocket will quickly poke through the fabric and reveal itself."


    Qin Ran exined it simply and understandably. Li Shiyin understood his point. She drew her legs in and hugged her knees, resting her chin on them.


    "Master, have you severed your own worldly ties?" She suddenly asked. "Master, you''re only 24 years old. Your parents must still be young too."


    This question made Qin Ran sigh. His parents in this world were naturally still alive. However, he was a lonely wild ghost from another world. He had left home to cultivate at the age of five, so his parents meant far less to him than his deceased master from five years ago.


    Of course he had severed worldly ties...


    "Mm," he murmured in reply.


    Li Shiyin nced at him and shook her head. "I don''t believe you."


    Qin Ran didn''t try to defend himself.


    "Master, where are you from?"


    "The North Chu Country."


    "Master, you''re from North Chu too?!" Li Shiyin became interested. "Where exactly? Is it far from Danyang?"


    "Very far from Danyang..." Qin Ran said. "Not too far from the Hengduan Mountains Range though."


    Li Shiyin''s mncholy came and went quickly, effortlessly led astray by Qin Ran towards Yunmeng Marsh.


    They sat on the eaves for a long time, watching the sun set behind the mountains.


    The orange glow filled the sky, coloring the ground, the grass, the tiles, and their own bodies red, as if sshed with red ink. Qin Ran''s hair turned red, and Li Shiyin''s dress turned red.


    It was about time to make dinner.


    Qin Ran patted his bottom and stood up, preparing to go downstairs, but before descending he suddenly remembered something and turned back to Li Shiyin to say: "I saw how smoothly you controlled your strength when hitting your brother earlier..."


    He stopped mid-sentence, for some reason. Li Shiyin was curious and raised her head to look at him, just in time to see him turn his head awkwardly.


    "Hm? What happened?" She looked left and right, only seeing Pursuit of the Wind rolling around in the sunset glow.


    The thought shed through Qin Ran''s mind that his disciple had grown up. She hadn''t transformed into the muscr Barbiedoll he was expecting, but instead the parts that should be developing had rapidly developed...her figure was much more shapely than when he first saw her in the Hall of Questioning Dao.


    "Ahem!" He hurriedly rid himself of those dirty thoughts and continued, "Your level of attainment should be quite stabilized now. You can start practicing mystic arts."


    "Can I learn to fly on a sword now?"


    Li Shiyin didn''t realize that squatting there with her clothes bunched up, when Qin Ran turned around he could see a sh of white down her front. She was just happy she could start learning mystic arts.


    "Mm, yes, flying sword is a must..." Qin Ran nodded with his back to Li Shiyin. "The world of cultivation is too dangerous. Escape techniques must take first priority."


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin was puzzled. She thought flying sword was abat technique.


    "So you should learn Concealment Arts first. Since you like Flying Sword Arts, you can start with that first. Then you still need onebat mystic art, so you should also practice a sword technique at the same time." Qin Ran said. "A person''s energy is limited, and our time is limited. You can''t be greedy."


    Li Shiyin understood the limit on energy, but she didn''t know why their time was also limited. Puzzled, she nodded her little head nkly.


    "Okay, that''s it." Having exined, Qin Ran leapt up and jumped down from the roof.


    But halfway down he seemed to recall something. He quickly flew back up to the tiles and stared at Li Shiyin pensively without speaking.


    "Master, what''s wrong?" Li Shiyin didn''t understand. She stood up and walked over, intending to check Qin Ran''s temperature to see if he was sick.


    Qin Ran shook his head. Having finally made up his mind, he said, "Since this is the case, I will pass this mantra on to you."


    "What mantra?"


    Qin Ran didn''t reply. He raised his hand and tapped Li Shiyin''s forehead, imprinting with his divine sense and transmitting a mantra into her sea of consciousness.


    Li Shiyin suddenly froze. Closing her eyes, she saw some golden words before her:


    When chaos was first differentiated, the universe was vast and endless. Heaven and earth evolved, sun, moon and stars were born. All thingse to life, the body is like the universe. When chaos was first differentiated...


    "Master, what is this?"


    "The method of refining the soul..." Qin Ran said. "Dan Peak''s inherited method of refining the soul."


    This was why Qin Ran already had a soul consciousness in the Foundation Establishment stage.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    Outside the house, the rain was dripping gently. There was no need to dig theke today.


    Li Shiyin curled up on the sofa, leaning against the cushions, using a small bamboo stick to y with Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind was growing very fast, almost changing every day. When he was picked up in the rainy night, he was as small as a kitten, but now after less than a week, he was already as big as a grown cat, and a very sturdy grown cat at that.


    He chased after the bamboo stick in Li Shiyin''s hand, running from the sofa to the floor, then jumping from the floor onto the tea table. His fierce appearance was as if he had some grudge against the bamboo stick.


    Li Shiyin waved the bamboo stick around, and Chasing the Wind chased after it everywhere. The two were having great fun.


    "Bang!"


    Suddenly, the door to the living room was pushed open from outside. Wet wind blew in from outside, and Li Shiyin looked over to see Qin Ran walk in dripping wet, holding a sword.


    "Master, where did you go?" Li Shiyin asked.


    Her hand paused. She quickly looked back, only to find that the bamboo stick had been caught by Chasing the Wind. Chasing the Wind pped it strongly with his two thick paws and bit down with a "crack", breaking off a section of the bamboo.


    Such a fierce little thing, she thought to herself, and simply threw the whole bamboo stick to Chasing the Wind.


    "Out back..." Qin Ran replied.


    He folded up his umbre, shook off the rainwater outside the door, then brought it inside and left it by the door. He also utilized his cultivation to draw all the rainwater out of his clothes, gathering it into a ball in his hand, and threw that outside as well.


    Li Shiyin watched admiringly as her master demonstrated his control over his cultivation power.


    "Out back?" she asked.


    "The grotto, beside the waterfall..." Qin Ran pointed towards the back of the house, "Danfeng''s former grottoes are all over there. There are still some things left in them."


    Li Shiyin had seen the grottoes behind the mountain from afar, but had not been there yet. She nodded, seeing the sword in Qin Ran''s hand, and said, "This is the sword left behind by the previous seniors?"


    "Mm," Qin Ran walked over and casually threw the sword to her, saying, "There weren''t many sword users in Danfeng. I tried to find a lower quality spirit weapon that would suit you to practice sensing objects. You can use this sword to practice."


    Li Shiyin raised her hand to catch the sword. The scabbard was pitch ck with a heavy feel to it, weighing about seven or eight pounds. Drawing out half the de, the edge was icy cold, with gray speckles on the de like stars in the night sky.


    It was a good sword, but...


    "It''s so delicate!" she said. The sword was too narrow for her liking.


    Closing the sword, she saw the name engraved on the hilt - Qingxing. She asked, "This was some female senior''s sword, right?"


    "I''m not sure either," Qin Ran came out of the kitchen with a cup of hot water and stood in front of the sofa, facing Li Shiyin. "You can practice sword techniques with any sword, but flying sword techniques require sensing the object first, so you can''t just casually develop feelings with a sword, it would be strange. "


    Li Shiyin secretly sized up her master. His views on romance seemed so innocent.


    She looked back at the Qingxing sword. This sword was not just delicate in appearance, it was also very light...although it already weighed seven or eight pounds.


    She shook her head. "I don''t like this sword."


    "Whether you like it or not, you''ll have to bear with it for now. Focus your mind, and once you''ve learned bothbat skills and flying sword techniques, we''ll go find someone to forge your personal sword. " Qin Ran said as he sipped his water, "At that time, your personal sword will be forged ording to the requirements of the Nine Revolving Celestial Sword Technique."


    Since it was just temporary use, Li Shiyin could ept it. Pouting, she said, "Go find someone specifically to forge it? Then I hope my personal sword can be heavier, grander."


    "Alright, however you like," Qin Ran finished his water, then asked again, "Which cultivation method did you choose?"


    "Drawing Starlight Art," Li Shiyin replied.


    Qin Ran nodded. This was not beyond his expectations.


    The Drawing Starlight Art was not exactly a sword technique. Rather, it was more like an destructive amplifying art.


    As the name suggested, Drawing Starlight involved drawing in starlight onto the sword, thereby obtaining greaterbat power. It belonged to the category of closebat methods.


    This kind of aggressive closebat method suited Li Shiyin''s personality very well.


    Whether it was close quarters meleebat or throwing spells from afar, that was just individual personality, there was no good or bad. He made no judgement on it.


    "Since you''ve decided, then hurry up and practice..." Qin Ran said. "Once you''ve practiced it well, we''ll go down the mountain."


    "Huh? Go down the mountain!?" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up. She suddenly realized that needing to find someone to forge a sword meant leaving the mountain.


    Leaving the mountain, didn''t that mean she could go look for her silly brother? She could go home?!


    "Yes, going down the mountain, but not to y around. It''s to find someone to forge your personal sword." Qin Ran mercilessly doused Li Shiyin''s fantasies.


    Li Shiyin instantly deted. "Oh!" she responded.


    "Since it''s raining today and there''s no need to dig theke, it''s best to practice sensing objects. Don''t dy any more time," Qin Ran sat down on the tea table facing Li Shiyin, and pointed at the sword in her hand, "Let''s start now!"


    "Alright!" Li Shiyin sighed, drawing out the Qingxing sword and asked, "How do I sense the object?"


    "Sensing an object is the same as sensing qi," Qin Ran exined to Li Shiyin.


    "Sensing qi is inside the body, feeling that strand of qi within the body, then ording to certain principles, guiding that qi to start cultivating.


    "Sensing an object is perceiving the internal structure of the object, allowing cultivation power to be infused into the object. The cultivation power circtes within the object, and the person thereby controls the object..."


    Qin Ran was speaking when Chasing the Wind, who was madly shredding the bamboo stick, chased the stick over to this side.


    One end of the stick hit the leg of the tea table, while the other end was still being bitten by Chasing the Wind. He seemed oblivious to everything as he continued biting the stick and moving forward, causing the stick to bend andpress, then...


    "Crack!"


    Chasing the Wind opened his mouth and released the bamboo stick, which snapped back and struck Qin Ran''s calf.


    "Ow!" Qin Ran painfully sucked in a breath, hurriedly looking down to check. He saw Chasing the Wind, as if nothing had happened, chasing after the bamboo stick as he crawled under the tea table and away.


    "Hey there, you little rascal!" Qin Ran angrily grabbed Chasing the Wind and gave his innocent little face a gentle p, then ced him on the tea table next to himself and pointed at him, "Sit still!"


    Only now did Chasing the Wind seem to realize he had done something wrong, sitting there aggrieved.


    Qin Ran picked up the yful bamboo stick and held it like a sword, horizontally in front of Li Shiyin''s eyes.


    "Use your mind to find the internal principles of the object, then ording to those principles, infuse cultivation power into it..." As he spoke, his cultivation power flowed from his hand into the bamboo stick. He let go, and the bamboo stick floated motionless in midair. "This is controlling an object!"


    Li Shiyin understood. She nodded, holding the Qingxing sword to her forehead and closing her eyes to search for the principles within the sword.


    "Do you know what those principles are?" Qin Ran went on.


    "They are actually formations! All things have their principles, and those principles are formations. The extraordinary meridians and coterals in the human body, the five viscera and six bowels, the organs, limbs - theiryout is a formation. The pathways of cultivation techniques are formation diagrams. The cirction of cultivation power within the body follows certain formation principles, and the cirction of cultivation power within a sword also follows certain formations... A flying sword, the forger must have set formations within it!"


    Li Shiyin''s internal cultivation power emerged from her dantian out to the Qingxing sword.


    After a while, she let go, and the Qingxing sword floated motionless.


    She had seeded in sensing the object!


    "This is simply natural talent!" Qin Ran shook his head and sighed admiringly. It was undeniable.


    He had given Li Shiyin a profound yet easy to understand exnation of the deepest theory behind flying sword techniques, but he dared to guarantee that Li Shiyin definitely didn''t understand it. Yet...


    She could just do it, and aplish it very simply and easily. This was called natural talent.


    He looked down to see Chasing the Wind crouched beside him, watching the flying sword floating in front of Li Shiyin''s forehead with rapt attention.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Tian Wenjin couldplete condensing his Qi vortex and sword flight within two days; Li Shiyin could find her Qi perception overnight, and find her object perception in the blink of an eye.


    This is called talent.


    Qin Ran spent a month thoroughly reading various ssics andprehending Qi perception, then spent a week finding his Qi perception, and then spent half a year condensing his Qi vortex. As for object perception, it was much faster than finding Qi perception - he spent ten days reading various ssics, and only needed three days to find his object perception.


    This is called being stupid.


    Sometimes the difference between people can be greater than the difference between humans and dogs.


    At this moment, as Qin Ran watched a certain thieving little cat, sensing the chaotic Qi within the cat''s body, he had to admit that his talent was far inferior to this cat''s.


    Ah, no, it''s not a cat, it''s a seventh-level demon king Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    Li Shiyin opened her eyes, looking at the sword floating in front of her, and circted her magic power, clumsily controlling its rotations.


    Dream-like purple starlight magic power flowed out from between her eyebrows, pulling out long purple ribbons in the air, connecting to the Leaning Star Sword. The Leaning Star Sword slowly went from clumsy rotations to gently waving, and gradually pulled away.


    Before long, after all it was the first time summoning an object, the Leaning Star Sword went too far from her and Li Shiyin finally lost control. After struggling in midair, it fell onto the floor.


    She got up, went over and picked up the sword, danced a standard sword maneuver, turned back and struck a cool pose, smiling at Qin Ran and asking: "Master, don''t you think I''m awesome?!"


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin. The cold lighting from the rainy sky outside shone on her face, but couldn''t hide her sunny smile. Her lips were red and teeth were white, and her smile was particrly bright and charming.


    "Bang!" He realized his heart had forcefully thumped against his chest.


    He quickly turned his head away, not looking at her, and said: "There''s nothing to be arrogant about. Last night when I passed on the mnemonics to you, they were about nurturing your consciousness, and consciousness is very helpful for controlling swords with your magic power."


    "Hmph, boring!" Li Shiyin dropped her pose and sat back down on the sofa.


    Qin Ran continued: "That unnamed mnemonic is like the ultimate secret art of our Danfeng Sect. It''s always only been passed down to the sect leader..."


    "Only passed down to the sect leader?" Li Shiyin seized on the key point. "So that means I''m the next generation sect leader of Danfeng?!"


    "I''m not dead yet!" Qin Ran nced at her, signaling her not to interrupt him. "This mnemonic is extremely extraordinary, because it allows low level cultivators to directly condense consciousness.


    "What is consciousness? It''s the perception that emerges after the primordial spirit transforms from the infant spirit. It''s a kind of sixth sense that''s higher than the human five senses, or perhaps it''s the vision of the soul."


    Qin Ran spoke with admiration: "The person who created this cultivation method was truly a heaven-born genius, with an inconceivable understanding of the soul, perception, and consciousness.


    "I truly have no idea what the underlying principles are... As for what this cultivation method is called, how Danfeng obtained it, the follow up, I don''t know any of it. If there is follow up, perhaps I could understand the inherent principles."


    Li Shiyin didn''t understand, but could sense it was very powerful. She said: "Then Master, in the future I''ll help you obtain the follow up."


    Qin Ran ignored her and continued the lesson: "A low level cultivator''s spiritual awareness can only circte within the body. Only when it bes consciousness can it leave the body. And when inner spiritual awareness transforms into consciousness, it''s a qualitative change. The world you see will no longer be the same... Refining pills, practicing swords, refining tools, carving formations, will all have qualitative changes..."


    "But Master, I don''t feel like the world is different..." Li Shiyin asked doubtfully.


    This oblivious disciple had no self-awareness. Qin Ran was toozy to scold her, only saying: "Aside from invisible enhancements to perception, consciousness can also directly manipte objects... You can try using your consciousness to control the sword."


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran. She didn''t act up again, but closed her eyes, found the tiny bit of consciousness in her consciousness sea, drew it out from between her eyebrows, slipped it into the Leaning Star Sword, followed the sword''s formations with her magic power to control the flying sword.


    But the flying sword had just risen up when it heavily dropped down!


    "Ow..." The consciousness snapped back into her consciousness sea like a pulled rubber band. Li Shiyin cried out in pain, clutching her forehead and shouting: "Master, master, too heavy, can''t hold it!"


    "Can''t hold it?"


    Why?


    When Qin Ran had initially gained consciousness, the things he manipted weighed far more than seven or eight pounds.


    With Li Shiyin''s talent far exceeding his, why couldn''t she even lift this sword?


    "Could my talent in this area be higher than my silly disciple''s?" Qin Ran shook his head. He vaguely had a guess, but wasn''t certain.


    "If you can''t control the sword with your consciousness, then forget it. Wait until your consciousness is stronger." He consoled out loud: "Anyway, enhancing your perception will also greatly help you control swords with your magic power."


    After hurting for a while, Li Shiyin''s head didn''t hurt anymore. She patted her forehead, shook her head again. The feeling just now was really unpleasant.


    When the Leaning Star Sword had fallen, it was tip down, stabbing slightly into the floor and standing there.


    Qin Ran went over and pulled it out, handing it back to Li Shiyin. Looking at the sword pit in the wooden floor, he felt some distress, but only said:


    "Now that you have object perception, you can practice flying with the sword. It''s simr to riding a skateboard, just keep practicing and you''ll get it."


    "Skateboard?" Li Shiyin took the sword and looked outside. Pouting, she said: "Master, it''s raining!"


    "You can practice on the second floor." Qin Ran said.


    "Oh right!" Li Shiyin nodded, hugging the Leaning Star Sword and running up to the second floor exercise room.


    Watching Li Shiyin disappear behind the stairs, Qin Ran sat down on the sofa. He looked at Chasing the Wind sitting gracefully on the tea table, and gestured for him toe over.


    Chasing the Wind licked his paws, but still jumped onto Qin Ran''sp.


    "I''m not surprised you can cultivate..." Qin Ran''s hand stroked Chasing the Wind''s fur as he spoke to him: "But what cultivation method will you practice?


    "So what attribute are you? Dark attribute? But I''ve never even heard of dark spiritual roots. And your meridians are different from humans'', can you cultivate human methods?"


    "Meow~" Chasing the Wind cried out.


    Qin Ran lowered his head to look at him. Chasing the Wind looked up at him. They gazed at each other, and Qin Ran knew Chasing the Wind wanted to say something, but he couldn''t understand it.


    "Bro, it''d be great if you could speak Chinese!" Qin Ran held up Chasing the Wind,ughing. "So, I still have to teach you how to speak."


    "Meow meow!" Chasing the Wind yowled twice.


    Qin Ran understood these words. It was a student''s instinctive rejection towards lessons. Chasing the Wind was definitely saying "No".


    "Hehehe..." So Qin Ran startedughing creepily. He rubbed his face against Chasing the Wind''s furry neck, forcefully sniffing twice, saying: "Little kitty, the more you resist, the more excited I get! I''m definitely going to teach you to speak, I''m even going to teach you Chinese!"


    "Meow meow meow..." Feline profanities.


    Just as Qin Ran was sniffing the cat and Chasing the Wind was desperately struggling, there were sudden crashing sounds from the second floor, followed by Li Shiyin''s screams:


    "Master... Save me..."


    The sound of shattering ss, Li Shiyin''s screams grew closer then farther away.


    "Crap, my silly disciple flew away!" Qin Ran was shocked and hurriedly tossed aside Chasing the Wind. He pushed open the window, looked up and saw Li Shiyin drifting farther into the distant sky through the rain, swaying unsteadily like a cut kite string.


    The situation was critical. Qin Ran didn''t have time to think more, activated his movement technique and chased after her.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    Li Shiyin had alwayscked confidence in reading and writing, but was quite confident in fighting and sports.


    The first time she stood on a flying sword, she felt she was born to ride swords.


    Indeed, after circling around the gym on the Qingxing Sword a couple times, she had basically mastered the sword riding skills and could go up and down with ease.


    Then, she wanted to go faster. She increased the output of her mystical powers, then she lost control, then she crashed through the window and flew out...


    The Qingxing Sword under her feet kept swaying irregrly. Li Shiyin couldn''t stand firmly and felt she could fall off at any moment. The direction of the flying sword was already beyond her control.


    The speed was very fast, the wind was strong, and the raindrops hitting her face were painful. The height was so high that the mud pit she had dug in thewn looked very small.


    She was so scared...


    But she didn''t dare stop. If she stopped circting her powers, she would fall directly. She was already at an altitude of 10,000 meters.


    She could only keep flying forward. Overhead were gloomy clouds, seemingly exerting a force of millions of pounds, suffocating her until she couldn''t breathe.


    "Master, save me!" She kept calling out. Only her master could save her now.


    As he had always taught Li Shiyin, protecting one''s life was the first priority in cultivating immortality. Qin Ran naturally led by example.


    Aside frombat, Qin Ran''s speed and concealment techniques, his ability to flee, were definitely top notch.


    He estimated that even if he encountered a normal Yuan Ying stage cultivator, he would have a chance to escape.


    Although the price would be, in directbat, he probably couldn''t even beat a normal Foundation Establishment stage cultivator...


    Cough! This is unimportant. What''s important is that Qin Ran''s escape techniques were really amazing.


    Even though Li Shiyin had a solid foundation and was using all her power to ride the sword, and had already flown quite a distance, he was still able to catch up very quickly.


    However, although he was close, he didn''t dare rescue her recklessly.


    It was like rescuing a drowning person - you had to be extremely careful, otherwise you could easily be dragged down by the drowning person... Don''t underestimate the power of the survival instinct.


    So you also had to be very careful when rescuing someone mid-air.


    "Stay calm!" Qin Ran sent a voice transmission to Li Shiyin, "Don''t panic!"


    Staying calm was the best response when faced with an unexpected situation. Calmness was the only solution.


    The master had arrived, but he didn''te to rescue her. Li Shiyin looked back and saw her master right behind her. She didn''t understand why.


    It was only after a while that she heard her master''s gentle voice in her ears...


    "Stay calm?"


    Ah, the big raindrops kept hitting her face...


    "I will definitely save you!"


    Her master kept talking to her without stopping for a moment.


    Her panicked heart gradually calmed down. Her master was right behind her. Her master had great mystical powers. She didn''t doubt at all that her master would save her.


    "Trust me!" her master said, "Do as I say."


    She looked back again. Her master was right behind her. The wind and rain were pulling at him, but her master''s slender figure didn''t sway at all.


    "Pay attention to your mystical power control!"


    Her master''s voice became clearer and clearer, and the roaring wind around her ears couldn''t blow it away.


    She took a deep breath. The air carrying water vapor rushed into her lungs. Her tender spiritual sense moved, surveying the inside of her body.


    The mystical powers in her dantian were gushing out uncontrobly, all flowing into the flying sword under her feet.


    "Control of mystical powers..." She remembered her master''s control over his mystical powers, basically achieving mastery over them like an extra limb. If it was her master, he definitely wouldn''t have lost control over his powers.


    She circted her cultivation technique, trying to control her powers.


    "Slow down!" her master was teaching her.


    She controlled her powers and her speed slowly decreased bit by bit.


    "You can go slow, but don''t stop!" her master''s voice continued.


    She knew what to do now.


    "Treat the flying sword as part of your cultivation path!"


    Following his words, she circted her cultivation technique, treating the flying sword as an extension of her meridians. Her powers flowed from her dantian to the flying sword, then back to her dantian.


    The flying sword seemed to be a part of her. She tried changing the direction of the sword, and it turned...


    "Yes!" She yelled excitedly, "Master! I did it!!"


    Li Shiyin looked back and saw that Qin Ran was still not far behind her.


    Just as she had been so scared before, now she was equally excited. She suddenly sped up, drew an arc in front of her and flew back to Qin Ran''s side, flying abreast with him.


    "Master, look, I can do it now!!" Sheughed loudly, "Hahaha..."


    Qin Ran looked over and knew Li Shiyin had grasped the sword riding skills. It was needless to say that his foolish disciple was talented. Actually, as long as he could calm her down, there was no problem.


    He rxed, only then noticing that it was still pouring rain, and realized...


    Damn, how high up were they?!


    Must be tens of thousands of meters...


    He felt dizzy and nauseous!


    His eyes blurred and his body stiffened. The smoothly circting mystical powers in his body suddenly stopped, and he fell straight down...


    "Ah!"


    Suddenly, a miserable cry came from the master beside her. Li Shiyin, caught up in excitement, suddenly remembered that important matter... her master was afraid of heights!


    She looked over. Where was Qin Ran''s figure? She hurriedly looked down. Qin Ran had already fallen several hundred meters!


    "Master!" She shouted loudly. Her mystical powers circted rapidly as she pressed down the sword tip and rushed towards Qin Ran.


    Since she elerated on her own initiative, she was naturally much faster than Qin Ran''s free fall. In no time, she was at Qin Ran''s side.


    She called out to Qin Ran: "Master, I''m here to save you!"


    "Don''t..." Although dizzy and nauseated, Qin Ran still remembered to warn Li Shiyin not to casually reach out to catch him...


    But her hands were faster than her mind. Before he finished speaking, she had already reached out.


    Then, as expected, she hadn''t controlled their rtive speed properly. In the instant they made contact, Li Shiyin dislocated her arm.


    "Ah!" She couldn''t help crying out in pain, but still tried to grab Qin Ran with her other hand.


    In his dazed state, seeing this scene, Qin Ran''s worry for his foolish disciple finally made his internal powers start circting again. He subconsciously used his movement technique, and his body suddenly felt light.


    Li Shiyin grabbed and caught Qin Ran''s cor, finally lifting him up.


    Her strength was enough to lift up Qin Ran single-handedly, but her mystical powers were insufficient to support her carrying someone while riding the sword... She had consumed too much power when she lost control earlier.


    So before they could descend many meters, she could no longer support them. In the rain mid-air, they swayed back and forth unsteadily, like a dpidated small boat in a storm, in danger of capsizing at any moment.


    Although not fully unconscious, in his dazed state Qin Ran consciously tried to reduce Li Shiyin''s burden.


    Even so, Li Shiyin still couldn''t do it. When your internal powers are empty, they''re just empty, not a single drop left.


    At a certain moment, master and disciple plummeted straight from mid-air!


    The dense foliage of the primal forest reduced their momentum considerably. After breaking many branches, they crashed to the ground with a "thud".


    Qin Ran rolled several times on the thick rotting leaves before he could no longer hold on, and vomited loudly.


    After vomiting for a while, he felt much better.


    "Where exactly are we?"


    He raised his head. The surrounding trees were tall and huge, with dense branches and leaves. Raindrops kept falling with a "pat pat" sound, hitting the ground and rotting leaves, making strange "gu gu" sounds.


    No one answered him. He hurriedly shouted loudly, "Shiyin!"


    "Mas...ter..." Li Shiyin''s voice sounded weakly from the bushes nearby.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    When Qin Ran reached the ground, he had already vomited and had slowly regained his senses as his IQ reimed its high ground.


    He had flown after Li Shiyin for so long and under these environmental circumstances...they had probably truly arrived deep within the Hengduan Mountains.


    "Damn!" Qin Ran couldn''t help but curse in his heart.


    He had lingered at the Dao Sword Sect for twenty years. The Dao Sword Sect was situated within the Hengduan Mountains. He had never taken a single step deeper into the Hengduan Mountains. As a modern man at the beginning stage of scientific civilization, he held immense reverence towards the immortal cultivation world. He had never thought of probing the dangers of this world.


    Yet unexpectedly...


    He had arrived deep within the Hengduan Mountains in this manner.


    "Master..." Just as he was filled with shock and rm, Li Shiyin called out to him from the bushes. He looked over to see his silly disciple''s face as pale as a sheet, leaning against the branches and leaves, weakly saying to him, "Master, my hand hurts."


    Just now, to save him, Li Shiyin had urgently and directly used her hand to catch him. That impact had probably fractured her bones.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was the master and suppressed the turmoil and fear in his heart. Then he walked towards Li Shiyin,forting her, "It''s fine, it just dislocated...Master is here."


    The dried branches and withered leaves that he stepped on had umted for who knows how many years,yer uponyer, of unknown depth. Stepping down, his knees disappeared from sight.


    On a rainy day like this, water had gathered in this pile of dried branches and rotting leaves, bing like a swamp.


    "Huff...huff..." Qin Ran constantly adjusted his breathing, reminding himself that he was still a cultivator, circting his magic power, forcefully pulling his foot out, then hurriedly summoning water to wash away the filth on his feet. The decaying leaves had been buried for endless years so no one knew what was inside.


    Gathering water under his feet to form a protectiveyer, he stepped on the surface of the leaves, walking to Li Shiyin''s side with a water-gliding technique.


    It was hard to say that the silly disciple was leaning against the bushes. It was more like she had crashed down and ended up in this position. She could no longer move at all. Her entire body was drenched now. Her usually flyaway bangs were now stered wetly against her forehead. Her face was devoid of color, extremely frail.


    Qin Ran first took out a Great Returning Pellet from his Universe Bag and fed her one, saying, "For healing external injuries."


    With great difficulty, Li Shiyin swallowed the medicinal pill.


    They had fallen from the sky. Although Qin Ran''s body was already quite strong, he still ached all over now and didn''t know if he had any internal injuries. Li Shiyin''s physique was even weaker than his. Aside from her arm, he didn''t know the extent of her other injuries. Worried that her bones and meridians were disced, Qin Ran didn''t dare move Li Shiyin randomly.


    Brushing aside Li Shiyin''s bangs, Qin Ran tested her forehead temperature. It was very high. Looks like it wasn''t just external injuries, she had also contracted an illness from the wind and rain. Drenched in the rain, frightened, and injured, it was normal that the silly disciple couldn''t withstand it.


    "Does it hurt?" he asked gently.


    Li Shiyin nodded.


    So he fed her a Warming Pellet, saying, "For pain relief."


    Then formless and invisible magic power emerged from his palm, gathering up the water on their clothes and hair into arge water sphere. The water sphere opened up again, enclosing them like a bubble to prevent continued drenching from the rain.


    "Can you circte your magic power?" Qin Ran asked Li Shiyin again.


    Li Shiyin shook her head. "I don''t have any magic power left."


    Then he fed her a top grade Returning Yuan Pellet.


    The Returning Yuan Pellet entering her body brought extremely refined magic power. The pellet''s medicinal efficacy automatically circted, guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to enter her body. Li Shiyin''s depleted dantian slowly regained magic power.


    "How about now?"


    Li Shiyin tried circting it but her entire body hurt as soon as she moved her magic power so she hurriedly stopped.


    "It hurts everywhere on my body," she said.


    Although the Great Returning Pellet Qin Ran had fed Li Shiyin was top notch, Li Shiyin''s physique was not an ordinary one. Her physical constitution had long surpassed that of mortals. It was precisely because of this that after being injured, her recovery speed was very slow.


    Qin Ran furrowed his brows, raising his head to look at the sky. It would be dark soon. Due to the gloomy rainy day, the light was fading extremely quickly.


    "We can''t keep staying here, it''s too dangerous," he said. At night, ordinary forests belonged to the beasts while the forests of the Hengduan Mountains were a paradise for demonic beasts. They had to hurry and find a ce to hide. He asked again, "Can you walk?"


    Li Shiyin tried moving but couldn''t get up at all.


    Qin Ran deeply inhaled, turned around, and squatted down in front of Li Shiyin, saying, "Let me set your bones first. It''ll hurt a lot."


    "Mm," Li Shiyin wasn''t an ordinary girl and wasn''t afraid of pain either.


    Qin Ran closed his eyes, his divine sense drilling out from between his brows, entering Li Shiyin''s arm to observe the state of her muscles and bones in preparation to set them.


    Although it was his first time setting bones, his divine sense assisted him after all so there were no issues. With a "pop", he neatly set the bone back in ce.


    Opening his eyes, he saw Li Shiyin frowning and asked, "Done?"


    Li Shiyin moved her hand a little and nodded.


    "Alright...let''s find a ce to hide first and talk tomorrow," Qin Ran said.


    "I...I still can''t move," Li Shiyin said.


    Qin Ran deeply inhaled again, turned around, and squatted down in front of Li Shiyin, saying, "Come, I''ll carry you."


    Li Shiyin''s face that had gradually regained color clearly turned red. She appeared shy. Then she got up and draped herself over Qin Ran''s back.


    Qin Ran reached back to grasp Li Shiyin''s legs, lightly and easily carrying the silly disciple on his back... Very unexpectedly, the already tall silly disciple with a increasingly full figure was actually very light.


    It reminded him of a joke: A 100 jin (60 kg) brick might be too heavy to lift but a 100 jin maiden can be carried while running; 100 jin of gold can be lifted and flown away...


    Sheltered by the bubble, Qin Ran carried the Falling Star Sword and Li Shiyin as he tread on the surface of the leaves, travelling between the tall trees.


    He felt something was off.


    For example, the silly disciple had clearly suffered heavy injuries and couldn''t move or walk, so how could she have climbed onto his back so quickly; for example, the silly disciple should have been entirely weak, so how could she prop herself up on his back, mindful of a maiden''s modesty?


    But he didn''t want to think too deeply about it. Sinceing to this dangerous and cruel immortal cultivation world, he had understood many things. So for some matters, it was better to not think too thoroughly.


    In life, ignorance can be bliss. What''s wrong with ying dumb?


    Actually, the paths in the primitive forest weren''t that hard to traverse, if one could tread on the surface of the fallen leaves. Topete for sunlight, the massive trees grew very thick and tall, branches flourishing and leaves abundant, theyers of leavespletely covering the area under the trees, only asionally missing a bit of light here and there...


    Thus, between the thick trees, there would only asionally be a clump of bushes or wild grass. Most of the way was surprisingly clean.


    After walking for quite a while, the sky had already darkened but Qin Ran still hadn''t found any caves orndforms that could provide shelter from wind and rain.


    After walking a bit more, he suddenly realized, looking towards a thick nearby tree trunk.


    The trees in the primordial forest grew extremely tall, several tens of meters, even a hundred meters tall, and also extremely thick, with diameters of several meters or over ten meters. If it was possible to...


    Qin Ran carefully set Li Shiyin down, picked up the Falling Star Sword, and chopped at the tree trunk in front of him that was like a wall.


    "Ding!"


    It was as if this sword strike hit an iron rock.


    Qin Ran deeply inhaled, circting his magic power, and struck again...


    "Puff!"


    Finally it moved.


    He quicklybined his sword techniques and magic arts, carving out a hole around two meters wide before the skypletely darkened.


    It was a tight squeeze for two adults but the sky had already darkened and there was no time left...


    "Hurry!"


    As night descended, bringing horror with it, continuous blood-curdling beast roars rang out. Qin Ran hurriedly embraced Li Shiyin and jumped into the hole in the tree, then raised his hand to gather the water droplets in the forest, forming a water membrane to seal the hollow.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    Rainy Night, Forest, Demon Beasts...


    Fear!


    The dense canopy caught every raindrop, not letting a single drop fall directly to the ground, until they could hold no more. The excess raindrop coalesced into fat droplets that fell with loud sts below the trees. Thus, the sound of rain in this forest was a constant pitter-patter ofrge droplets falling.


    The thickyer of rotting leaves on the ground had already absorbed much water, bing marshy. When the fat droplets sshed into it, strange ¡°plop plop¡± sounds were made.


    ¡°Plop plop plop¡±, the strange sounds kept urring, near and far, where the eye could not see. Mixed with the constant birdsong and beasts'' cries, it resembled an eerie nocturnal concerto of horror.


    Master and disciple sat side by side in a tree hollow, backs against its wooden wall, looking out into the darkness through a transparent watery film over the hollow''s entrance.


    In truth they could see nothing, but neither knew what else to do.


    Suddenly at some point, the faintest footsteps climbed up the tree trunk below them. Based on the sound of padded paws and ws against bark, it was likely a feline or leopard-like beast.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin whispered, fear in her voice.


    "Shh!" Qin Ran immediately hushed her.


    The big cat climbed up the tree and was gone, but soon the sound of snake-like slithering could be heard. Judging by the sounds of its movement along the ground, this was a sizable snake. It slid through the marsh, climbed the tree, passed by the hollow, then...stopped.


    For an instant, both Li Shiyin and Qin Ran stopped breathing.


    The giant snake hovered outside the hollow, flicking its tongue, striking the watery film over and over with faint "pop pop pop" sounds.


    The rhythmic, terrifying sounds continued.


    Though protected by formations, Qin Ran quietly prepared a hand seal,pressing energy in his dantian, ready to face the snake should it enter.


    "Awooo..."


    Suddenly the big cat in the tree let out a cry. The snake''s "pop pop" strikes ceased, and frightful silence descended outside the hollow for several seconds before the snake''s slithering resumed. The giant serpent moved on, continuing up the tree.


    Quiet persisted in the hollow until the horrifying sounds fadedpletely. Only then came the soft exhale from Li Shiyin, and after a longer pause, the heavy breath from Qin Ran.


    "Master, why did the snake listen to the tiger?" Li Shiyin whispered.


    "That was no tiger, likely some type of leopard," Qin Ran replied in a hushed voice. "Their rtionship is unclear. Not necessarily subordinate..."


    The two were squeezed together in the tiny hollow, sitting pressed against one another. After the tense moment, the mood settled and they noticed the warmer temperature inside.


    Qin Ran felt himself sweating, something he hadn''t done for many years since beginning cultivation. But he was sweating now. He knew why.


    In this enclosed space he seemed to smell a gentle, warm, faintly sweet scent...


    "Qin Ran, this is beastly instinct, hormones, biochemical reactions." Qin Ran scolded himself internally.


    "You are a cultivator, beyond worldly desires. You seek the dao, how can you be disturbed by such base impulses! You are human, you are immortal, not a beast!"


    "Master, which is more powerful, the snake or the leopard?" Li Shiyin asked again.


    She seemed to have shifted closer. Her warm, sweet breath brushed his skin as she spoke.


    "It''s an illusion, a delusion, a heart devil!" Qin Ran struggled internally.


    "Judging by their energy," he replied evenly, "the snake is stronger." In the dark hollow, none could see the struggle on his face.


    "The snake is stronger?" Li Shiyin sounded surprised. "What kind of snake is it? What level?"


    "I don''t know the species, but based on its energy, it isparable to Golden Core, quite powerful at that stage," Qin Ran answered.


    "Laozi, Queen Mother of the West, Buddha, Confucius, Yan Hui..." In his mind he recalled noble exemrs of virtue. "Chaste Liu Xiahui..."


    "Liu Xiahui?" Li Shiyin asked. "Who is that?"


    "Ah?!" Qin Ran was startled, identally voicing his thoughts aloud.


    "Liu Xiahui, um..." Qin Ran''s voice finally betrayed panic. "An ancient gentleman of high moral character."


    "What does ''chaste'' mean then?"


    "Ah!!!" Qin Ran lost hisposure, to have blurted even this out?


    "It means, er..." He stammered, unable to find the words.


    Just then a loud "bang" sound came from outside the hollow, pulling their attention outward.


    "Roar!!!"


    An enormous roar followed, likely from the leopard.


    After roaring, a bright beam of light appeared. Peering at it, Qin Ran made out a golden cloud leopard, fully grown, ox-sized. Likely also Golden Core level. Now it stood on the ground, breathing upwards at the tree.


    The column of light brightened and dimmed. With a heavy "thud", something mmed down from the tree into the dead branches and rotting leaves below, sshing water high in all directions. Numerous droplets struck the watery film over the hollow''s entrance.


    Clearly the giant snake had been mmed down. It quickly slithered into a coiled, upright defensive posture, head raised...


    So the snake and leopard were not subordinate, nor even friendly, but adversaries!


    The snake had stealthily followed the leopard up the tree to ambush it!


    But now the snake coiled defensively while the leopard remained aggressive. That was surely because the leopard was injured.


    In the sh of light earlier, Qin Ran had clearly seen two dark puncture wounds on its neck - the snake''s bite marks. The snake waited now for its venom to take effect.


    Unwilling to surrender, the leopard growled warnings, pacing around the coiled serpent, seeking an opportunity to attack.


    After prolonged stalemate, the leopard seemed to realize it must act now or lose its chance. It halted its prowling and lunged, leading with its ws, fangs to follow, trying to pin the giant snake before delivering a killing bite.


    But the leopard had misjudged - from the moment it realized it mightck the chance to act, it already had no chance left. The snake''s venom was already acting. Slowed reflexes meant death. Sensing opportunity, the snake sprang its tensed body forth like a released spring to meet the leopard''s exposed neck in a lightning strike.


    The leopard failed to evade. Bitten again in the neck, it thrashed futilely with its paws. But the snake gave no quarter, rapidly coiling around the leopard''s torso, constricting tightly.


    Sounds of struggle outside the hollow grew fainter as the leopard weakened until finally ceasing altogether.


    The snake loosened its coils and slithered away, carrying the leopard in its jaws toward the forest depths.


    Listening to the fading sounds, Qin Ran frowned. "It''s not eating the leopard directly?"


    Rather than consuming it immediately, where was it taking the body? Did snakes behave this way? He was unsure.


    "Is the snake gone?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Mm," Qin Ran nodded. Though puzzled, he had no intention to investigate...that would be a death wish.


    With the snake and leopard quieted, stillness suddenly reigned in the hollow, veering toward awkwardness. The sounds of the night forest resumed around them.


    Qin Ran was not one for small talk. He pondered a bit but found nothing to say, so feigned sleep.


    After futilely hailing her master several times, Li Shiyin alsoy down, pillowing her head on Qin Ran''s shoulder with a soft sigh.


    At first both pretended to sleep, but true slumber overtook them before long after the day''s exhaustion set in.


    Until suddenly, in the dead of night, the ground began to shake...


    Qin Ran startled awake!

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    Qin Ran slept, but notpletely. After all, he had ten thousand parts respect for the Hengduan Mountains, so how could he dare to sleep unguardedly in the wilderness? At the first sign of movement on the ground, he noticed something was wrong and woke up.


    "What''s going on?" The tree hollow was still shaking continuously, and Qin Ran was a little panicked, "Is it an earthquake?"


    But he didn''t have to struggle for long before the clear sounds of a beast herd trampling the ground gave him the answer.


    "Boom boom..."


    It was very obvious that arge group of demonic beasts had run past the huge tree where they were, heading towards somewhere in the forest.


    The beast herd didn''t seem to notice this tree hollow. Qin Ran''s panicked heart gradually calmed down. Only then did he start paying attention to the causes and consequences of the beast herd''s actions. He listened carefully - the direction the beast herd was heading seemed to be... precisely the direction where the snake had bitten the leopard and left.


    Qin Ran couldn''t see clearly what kind of demonic beasts were in the herd, as there wasn''t a ray of light in the darkness. But he always felt something was wrong. His keen perception brought by his spiritual sense told him the state of this group of demonic beasts was not right, somewhat frenzied.


    Of course, although he felt something was wrong, Qin Ran still had no intention of going to investigate. Walking in the pitch darkness of the primeval forest was no different from seeking death.


    Soon, the beast herd hadpletely passed by. The rumbling sound of the stampeding herd faded into the distance. The darkness suddenly became silent. The original noisy sounds of the forest had also disappeared because of the beast herd. In the darkness, there was only the sound of Li Shiyin''s breathing, as if the beast herd had nevere.


    The night in the primeval forest should not be so quiet. There was definitely something wrong with the Hengduan Mountains... Qin Ran didn''t dare sleep anymore. He stared wide-eyed into the darkness outside, but could see nothing but darkness.


    "Maybe I should cultivate an eye technique," he thought to himself.


    The tree hollow was very cramped. Sitting and sleeping with bent legs, Li Shiyin was sleeping very ufortably. She suddenly twisted her body and fidgeted for a good while before finally finding afortable position. She smacked her lips and her breathing gradually became steady.


    After Li Shiyin settled down, Qin Ran continued to vigntly watch the outside. This girl really knew how to find a good position. Her upper body was lying in his arms with her head resting on his thigh. She curled up and, although not asfortable as a bed, she had actually managed to lie down and sleep in this tree hollow.


    The scent of the young girl''s body filled the entire tree hollow, the smell warm, sweet and fragrant, very pleasant to the nose. Qin Ran sniffed lightly as he felt the softness of the girl''s body on his thigh. Strangely, in the darkness of this primeval forest, he felt a trace of tranquility... a feeling of home.


    Although they were in the primeval forest, with darkness, demonic beasts and danger outside the tree hollow, Qin Ran had an inexplicable feeling of snugfort, like listening to the sound of rain on a rainy night while nestled under the quilt.


    "Is it because of her?" he asked himself inwardly.


    No one answered him, but he started to enjoy the fragrance, gently caressing Li Shiyin''s hair with his left hand, and cing his right hand on her back. He gently hugged the young girl''s soft body to let her sleep morefortably.


    Qin Ran looked out again into the darkness outside. Suddenly he no longer felt the danger within.


    He started thinking that before Li Shiyin came, his life was dull and boring. Although he had made ns for each of his future steps that would allow him to safely form his core from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation, such a life was really too boring. It was because he was too afraid of this world, and had made ns to escape.


    After Li Shiyin came, although everything was disrupted, and his life hadpletely centered around Li Shiyin, little by little, his future was no longer clear, but... he felt hopeful.


    "Is this raising a daughter or a wife?" he jokingly asked himself inwardly, "It''s taking on a disciple..."


    Qin Ran''s mind began to recall the plot of "The Return of the Condor Heroes". Hmm, is this a gender-swapped version? In that case, wouldn''t he be... by a certain female demon...


    Ah!


    Suddenly, there was a light in the darkness outside. The light was piercing. Qin Ran instinctively closed his eyes, then squinted to see. Under that giant tree, something was glowing, blurry in shape, looking like lingzhi mushroom or ginseng.


    "Life prolonging medicine?" Although he had never seen it, that was what Qin Ran''s mind told him. He felt surprised and delighted - he, Qin, actually had a chance to pick up a windfall treasure!


    He hurriedly got up, wanting to go pick it up, but the next moment he sat back down with a thud...


    Not because of anything else, only because his thighs had gone numb from Li Shiyin pressing on them.


    But with this sitting down, it cleared his mind. Forget that it couldn''t possibly be any life prolonging medicine. Even if it really was, given his personality, he would never just go and pick it up, at least not without making several ns first.


    That was definitely no immortal medicine. He realized it and knew for sure it was a trap. Just now he had been bewitched in his mind unconsciously.


    "Phew..." Qin Ran breathed lightly, silently activating the nameless mantra from Dan Peak to steady his mind.


    Soon, more lights representing other medicinal materials emerged from that bright light, but Qin Ran was unmoved. After a while, it showed swords and medicine cauldrons, but Qin Ran remained unmoved. After another while, the light and shadows gradually converged.


    An enchanting and beautiful woman emerged, absorbing the light. She was wearing only a few scraps of clothing, revealing snow white skin, a perfect face, plump breasts, captivating waist, perky buttocks, slender legs - every inch of her body was perfect.


    As the light and shadows converged towards her, she turned her body to the side, like a peacock spreading its tail, once again revealing her graceful and alluring figure, bewitching and soul-stealing.


    Qin Ran no longer silently recited the mantra, but read it aloud: "The universe is mine, chaos bes clear. As I am the cosmos..."


    Despite this, he was unable to stop his brother from rebelling - his pants stood at attention. Before long, he felt his nose go hot as blood started to flow out.


    He wanted to get up again to spend a passionate night with the woman under the tree, but with hands propped on the hollow entrance, he still did not get up.


    The woman stood under the tree for a good while. Seeing that Qin Ran showed no intention ofing out, the lightpletely receded and a bewitching, charming voice spoke disdainfully from the darkness:


    "A coward with desire but no guts."


    Before the light and shadows faded awaypletely, Qin Ran saw the woman turn around - several fluffy tails had grown from her buttocks. Her upper body then leaned forward as fur grew over her body, transforming into a fox shape. She leapt into the depths of the darkness.


    "So it was just a fox demon!" He breathed a sigh of relief, "She already has five tails."


    A five tailed fox demon had at least the strength of early Core Formation.


    As for why the fox demon didn''t simply break through the barrier and enter the tree hollow... Qin Ran didn''t really understand either.


    Asked whether Qin Ran had resisted the fox demon''s seductions, the answer was no.


    Then why could he restrain himself from going out? Because he was afraid.


    This was why the fox demon had called him a "coward with desire but no guts". Her bewitching techniques had already taken effect, but he just didn''t go out, which was why she directly left instead of wasting more effort.


    After the fox demon left, the danger was eliminated, but...


    Some of the danger remained.


    His brother still seemed very spirited, stubbornly refusing to calm down. Qin Ran kept taking deep breaths, even reciting "the mind like still water, unmoved by the copse of heaven", but nothing worked. The scent of the young girl that had previously seemed warm and fragrant now turned into a fatal poison.


    Until...


    Li Shiyin turned over and struck down with her elbow.


    "Ah!"


    Qin Ran cried out in pain, and then the whole world settled down.


    It was a long night full of twists and turns, and extreme danger. Qin Ran waited for a very long time for daylight, remaining tense the whole time, eyes wide open and vignt.


    Much, muchter, the darkness in the forest gradually became visible. The world slowly became clearer, covered by ayer of gray. Then, light began to emerge.


    Day had finally broken.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    Li Shiyin made a ¡°wu wu¡± sound and groped around with her paws to find her face. It looked like she was about to wake up. Qin Ran hurriedly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.


    Although he did not know what he was feeling guilty about, he instinctively did this.


    Soon after, Li Shiyin woke up and suddenly realized that she had actually fallen asleep in someone''s arms. Her heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly sat up...


    Then her head bumped into the top of the tree hollow.


    "Ouch!" she cried out in pain and turned around to see who the man under her was. Oh, it was Master. She immediately rxed.


    Then she rubbed her head and looked around at her surroundings - the tree hollow, the forest...


    The memories of yesterday came flooding back into her mind.


    "The tree hollow. So Master and I spent the night safely in the primitive forest."


    Wait a minute?! She and Master spent the night together in this small tree hollow??


    Li Shiyin still had a young maiden''s shyness at heart. Her heart suddenly became chaotic. She hurriedly nced at Qin Ran and found that Qin Ran was still asleep. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.


    "Master, Master?" she called out tentatively.


    At this time, Qin Ran finally pretended to wake up groggily.


    "Is it morning?" he asked with a yawn.


    "Yes," Li Shiyin replied.


    Okay, it¡¯s not a big deal. She twisted her waist andzily stretched.


    "Since it''s morning, let''s go back," Qin Ran said, raising his hand to collect the water membrane that sealed the hollow. He was eager to leave this ce.


    When collecting the water membrane, Qin Ran found some strange things on it...


    That seemed to be willow catkins? Strands of them were stuck to the water membrane.


    He frowned, blew the willow catkins away, and did not dare to get contaminated.


    Qin Ran jumped out of the tree hollow first. He maneuvered his body skills and floated without directly stepping on the ground.


    He looked around and saw Li Shiyin was alsoing out, so he took out the Qingxing Sword and threw it to her, saying, "Don''t step on the ground."


    Li Shiyin took the sword and clumsily established a connection with the Qingxing Sword. Then she stepped on the Qingxing Sword and swayed unsteadily out of the tree hollow.


    "Is your injury not healed yet?" Seeing her like this, Qin Ran asked.


    Li Shiyin stopped to feel it carefully and shook her head, "It''s healed. Master, your elixir is really effective."


    "Then you haven''t mastered the sword controlling technique yet?" Qin Ran asked again.


    "Well..." Li Shiyin circled Qin Ran on the flying sword. She was already very agile.


    Okay, he didn¡¯t understand the world of geniuses as an ordinary person. Something that would be unimaginable for ordinary people like mastering the sword controlling technique in one day now seemed matter of fact to him. He had started to doubt why others were not proficient.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin called out.


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran looked at her and saw that she was staring at his face. He frowned and asked, "Is there a problem?"


    "Didn''t Master sleep wellst night?" Li Shiyin asked. "Such dark eye circles!"


    Qin Ran rolled his eyes at her. Of course he couldn''t sleep well!


    He shook his head and ignored Li Shiyin, focusing on observing the surroundings. The marshynd beneath their feet had be a mess after being ravaged by the beast hordest night. All kinds of footprints were faintly visible in it.


    And floating above these beast footprints were strands of white willow catkins, which looked very out of ce.


    "Willow catkins again?" Qin Ran thought, looking up. Some wispy white willow catkins were floating in the air, and under the trees on the opposite side, there were no willow catkins at all. "Fox demon, willow catkins?"


    "Come closer," he said to Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin stopped flying randomly and came to Qin Ran''s side on the flying sword, asking, "What''s wrong?"


    "Something''s not right..." Qin Ran waved his hand to bring out a transparent bubble to envelop them. He pointed to the willow catkins in the air and said, "Look at those willow catkins."


    Li Shiyin looked over but did not notice anything unusual.


    "This is the primitive forest. Willow trees should not be the native nts here," Qin Ran exined. "And there are no willow trees around here...


    "Forget it," he sighed. "Let''s hurry up and leave."


    After being reminded by Qin Ran, Li Shiyin vaguely sensed the danger. She asked, "How do we leave?"


    "Fly back!" Qin Ran red at her impatiently.


    "But Master, aren''t you..." Li Shiyin said. "Afraid of... heights?"


    Qin Ran paused. He coughed drily and pretended to be calm. He took out a strip of cloth from the Universe Bag and said, "It''s fine if I close my eyes. You can carry me and flyter."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin responded with a pout, blinking her big eyes.


    That scene looked so strange. Just thinking about it made her want tough.


    Qin Ran also didn''t look at Li Shiyin, who was pouting and holding back herugh. He took an empty porcin bottle from the Universe Bag on his own, operated his spiritual power, and drew in a few strands of willow catkins into the bottle. He was going to take them back for research.


    "Okay..." After collecting the willow catkins, he threw one end of the cloth strip to Li Shiyin and said, "Let''s go back now."


    Li Shiyin caught the cloth strip, flew to the front, and puffed up her cheeks with her big eyes smiling into crescents.


    The two of them flew out of the primitive forest and came to midair. Qin Ran determined the direction, raised his hand, and pointed to Li Shiyin, "Fly that way."


    Then he closed his eyes and let Li Shiyin carry him to fly.


    With his eyes closed, Qin Ran didn''t know how far they flew. He just felt like they flew for a long time but still hadn''t arrived. So he began to doubt whether Li Shiyin was reliable and whether she could be trusted.


    The longer the time, the more he doubted Li Shiyin had malicious intent, and the more he doubted, the longer the time felt.


    Time became extremely long, and every second was hard to endure. He didn''t know how long they flew. Just as Qin Ran was about to lose patience and open his eyes, Li Shiyin''s voice finally came: "Master, we''re home!"


    Qin Ran opened his eyes. In front was the tall Sword Peak piercing the clouds, and below was Dan Peak.


    This was indeed Dan Peak, but...


    They were still in midair!


    Qin Ran only felt dizzy and hurriedly closed his eyes again.


    Seeing his appearance, Li Shiyin let out her maiden-like, smugughter.


    Qin Ran strongly suspected she did it on purpose... She did harbor malicious intent!


    After a while more, his feet touched the ground and Qin Ran was sure they were really home now. He opened his eyes. In front of him was the familiar one acre and three fen field.


    The riverside hut, the old locust tree in front of the house, the grass under the tree, the mud pit in the middle of the grass... It really felt intimate!


    "Master, we''re home..." Li Shiyin called out again. "I didn''t lie to you!"


    Qin Ran gave her a sidelong nce. He collected the protective water bubble and didn''t really want to respond to her.


    "Hehehe..." Li Shiyin giggled foolishly as she held the Qingxing Sword and hopped forward.


    The clouds cleared and a few wisps of white clouds were in the blue sky after the dark clouds.


    The sword-holding maiden ran on the grasnd along the river back home. A big white cat leapt out of the door by the riverside hut and ran to meet her.


    "Chasing the Wind..." the maiden called out happily, her clear and pleasant voice carried very far.


    Qin Ran followed slowly behind Li Shiyin, looking at the girl then the cat. It really was tranquil...


    Wait a minute!


    The aura in Chasing the Wind was no longer chaotic!

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    Qin Ran sat on the sofa while Chasing the Wind sat on the tea table. Qin Ran stared at Chasing the Wind as he licked his fur.


    "What''s going on?!" Qin Ran asked Chasing the Wind.


    "Meow..." Chasing the Wind took a break from grooming himself and let out a soft, tender meow in response.


    Li Shiyin came out from the kitchen, carrying three cups of milk. She handed one to Qin Ran, put one next to Chasing the Wind, and held one for herself as she stood by the sofa.


    After taking a big gulp of milk, she asked Qin Ran, "What''s up with Chasing the Wind? Did he do something bad?"


    Qin Ran took the milk and nced at Li Shiyin. He noticed a ring of "white beard" around her upper lip where the white milk had stuck, looking rather amusing. Heughed inwardly but didn''t n on pointing it out to her.


    Holding back hisughter, he said, "Chasing the Wind has started cultivating."


    "Huh? Master, when did you teach him cultivation?" Li Shiyin was puzzled. "How did I not know about this?"


    Qin Ran nced at her. What a silly disciple.


    "I didn''t teach him," he replied.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded, then realized the gravity of the situation. Her eyes widened in surprise as she eximed, "Can Chasing the Wind cultivate on his own? Did you awaken your bloodline inheritance, Chasing the Wind?"


    "Meow meow..." Chasing the Wind meowed helplessly twice. He didn''t want to bother with these two boring people. He started washing his face with his paws.


    The techniques of demonic beasts could be passed down through their bloodline, simr to how human civilization was passed down through writing. As long as one possessed the bloodline of a demonic beast capable of passing down techniques, they could awaken their ancestral memories and obtain cultivation methods or mystic arts upon meeting certain conditions.


    Chasing the Wind was a Xuanming Spirit Tiger, a level 7 demonic beast, and was qualified to inherit techniques through his bloodline. So if he had awakened his ancestral bloodline, it would make sense that he could cultivate.


    But...


    The problem was, Chasing the Wind had not awakened his ancestral bloodline. He was still too young and did not yet qualify. He may awaken his bloodline inheritance in the future, but not now.


    Qin Ran shook his head. "No, he has not awakened his ancestral bloodline inheritance yet."


    He looked at Chasing the Wind and said word for word, "So someone must have taught him how to cultivate."


    Li Shiyin was shocked. "Who?"


    "It wasn''t me. And if it wasn''t you either, then..." Qin Ran''s expression became grave.


    Following his train of thought, Li Shiyin also fell silent in contemtion. She took another sip of milk and analyzed, "Someone who is not from Danfeng but coulde to Danfeng."


    Seeing the master and disciple duo putting on an act, looking utterly serious as they analyzed this issue, Chasing the Wind finished grooming himself, washed his face, nced disdainfully at Qin Ran, then went over to his milk. He hugged the cup with his two burly front paws and gulped it all down in one go.


    He let out a satisfied burp, licked his lips, jumped off the tea table, and stumbled outside... The milk had made him a little drunk.


    "Did he just roll his eyes at me?" Qin Ran asked Li Shiyin, pointing at Chasing the Wind walking away.


    "Yeah, I saw it very clearly. Scornfully too," Li Shiyin nodded.


    "I was looked down on by a cat?" Qin Ran couldn''t believe it.


    Li Shiyin corrected, "A Xuanming Spirit Tiger."


    After having some breakfast, the master and disciple duo discussed their ns for the day.


    What? How could Chasing the Wind cultivate?


    Well...it could only be said that someone at Danfeng had very poor innate talent for cultivation. He couldn''t stand seeing others, especially other creatures, naturally gifted and able to easily embark on the path of cultivation. He wanted to find fault. I won''t say who it is, but I hope he watches himself.


    As for how Chasing the Wind could cultivate, the reason was that he was the child of a level 7 demonic beast and was extraordinary by bloodline. Even if he grew up freely in the wild, it wouldn''t take him long to be able to absorb the essence of the sun and moon and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to start on the path of cultivation, let alone growing up at Danfeng where Qin Ran had intentionally exined things in more detail for him when lecturing Li Shiyin...


    So Qin Ran was very clear why Chasing the Wind could cultivate. He was just putting on a show!


    "It''s sunny today. You can continue digging theke," Qin Ran said, looking out the window at the weather before speaking to Li Shiyin.


    "Master~" Li Shiyin drew out the word cutely, "Can''t we rest for a day?"


    Her coy act made Qin Ran''s scalp tingle. He responded coldly, "If you rest today and rest tomorrow, when do you n on finishing digging theke?"


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin sighed and walked outside with a pout. "No rest today, bad master! Stinky master!"


    Qin Ran headed for the stairs, nning to go upstairs.


    "Are you going to sleep, Master?" Seeing him go upstairs, Li Shiyin called from the doorway, "Unfair! Unfair! I have to work while you sleep. I want to sleep too, no... I want to y!"


    "Sleep?!" Qin Ran responded impatiently, "When do I have time to sleep?!"


    Ignoring her, Qin Ran went straight upstairs to the study.


    He took out the porcin bottle containing the willow catkins, unsealed the jade stopper, and examined the catkins'' appearance before cing the bottle on the desk.


    "Willow tree, Hengduan Mountains, primordial forest, berserk spiritual energy..." he murmured as he searched through the bookshelf. Soon he found a thick tome recording the special nts of the Hengduan Mountains.


    There weren''t many willow trees that could survive in the primordial forest, let alone thrive arrogantly. He quickly identified the true identity of the willow catkins.


    Comparing the drawing of the catkins in the book to those in the porcin bottle, he easily confirmed their identity:


    Devouring Demon Willow!


    A legendary being...


    ording to the records in the book, deep within the Hengduan Mountains there was a willow tree that was at least a level 9 demonic beast. Every thousand years, the Hengduan Mountains would have a massive bloom of willow catkins that drove all the demonic beasts in the mountain range berserk. Rumor had it that the first massive bloom was nine thousand years ago.


    Closing the book, Qin Ran felt a chill down his spine. A demonic beast this dangerous actually existed deep within the Hengduan Mountains... Not only that, he happened to run into it during its blooming period.


    Moreover, the book only recorded rumors of such a willow tree, meaning no cultivator had actually seen the tree before. How incredibly powerful must this willow tree be?


    Qin Ran couldn''t help but think of Chasing the Wind''s mother chasing the Lightning Unicorn to Daojian Sect and the Golden Cloud Leopard being hunted by the giant snake in the darkness. It was very likely they had been affected by the willow catkins.


    "Should I consider running away?" Qin Ran had to contemte this idea.


    He had originally thought the demonic beast frenzy was a small-scale event and nned to have Li Shiyin hurry up and practice her swordwork and techniques to gain experience in the demonic beast hordes. But it seemed the problem was much bigger now!


    Qin Ran put the book back on the shelf. Suddenly he heard Li Shiyin giggling loudly outside. He frowned. What was his silly disciple up to now?


    He quickly walked to the corridor and strained to see what Li Shiyin was doing. He discovered she was wielding a sword, hacking and shing in the mud pit.


    She was practicing her swordsmanship while also digging theke, ying joyfully.


    "Li..." Qin Ran was about to call out and stop her, but on second thought, didn''t.


    After watching Li Shiyin practice for a while, he eventually returned to the study.


    "Running away is thest resort," he thought.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    The sky had cleared for a spell during the day, but by evening the dark clouds had scurried back in and, as night fell, a steady, drizzling rain began to fall again.


    After Qin Ran had prepared a medicinal bath for Li Shiyin, he emerged from her bedroom and turned to enter his own.


    Before long, he had changed into jet ck nightwalker¡¯s garb and donned a ck cloak. With a wave of his hand before his face, he conjured a mirror out of water. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, then wiped a hand across his face, transforming his delicate features into a fierce countenance.


    Disguise techniques - an essential skill for every cultivator traveling the jianghu.


    ¡°I¡¯m Batman!¡± he said in a low voice, listening to the timbre. Just the right vor.


    After double checking his temporary storage bag to make sure nothing was missing, he fastened his cloak hood and walked out the door.


    Arriving in the hallway, he took one more look at Li Shiyin¡¯s bedroom to make sure nothing seemed amiss, then shut her door behind him before leaping into the rain and disappearing into the downpour.


    Shrinking technique, like fleeting years. Qin Ran practiced the most profound shrinking technique recorded in the foundational manual he cultivated¡ªthe Water Blossom Heart Sutra.


    This shrinking technique wasn¡¯t very fast, about the speed of an average one, but Qin Ran favored it uniquely because encountering water allowed it to dissolve into water, instantly maximizing its concealment.


    It could be said that Qin Ran chose this foundational manual solely for the sake of this shrinking technique.


    Merging into the rain, Qin Ran flew rapidly along until before long, he had descended Dan Peak and arrived in a remote corner. Checking his surroundings warily again to make sure no one else was around, he used his identity medallion to open the protective grand formation guarding the Dao Sword Sect¡¯s mountain gate.


    Flickering fleetingly visible before the mountain gate, after getting his bearings he dissolved back into the rainwater and vanished once more.


    Linxian City, a city situated at the junction between North Chu Country and the Hengduan Mountains.


    Like the Dao Sword Sect, it also upied the border region where North Chu Country met the Hengduan Mountains, but oney within the Hengduan Mountains while the other existed outside of them.


    The reason the city was called Linxian or ¡®Overlooking Immortality¡¯ City was because it overlooked Immortal Fate...


    Overlooked what immortal fate?


    The Hengduan Mountains themselves implied immortal fate.


    Commoners of North Chu Country recognized a simple understanding that immortals dwelled in the Hengduan Mountains.


    Within the Hengduan Mountainsy the Dao Sword Sect, the Boundless Sword Sect¡ªboth ranked among North Chu Country¡¯s Five Great Immortal Sects. Even Zhican Valley, first of the Five Greats, wasn¡¯t located too far from the Hengduan Mountains. Not to mention the Hengduan Mountains were also home to fierce beasts and heavenly treasures...


    upying such a position and bearing such a name was quite reasonable and true to its nature.


    In fact, the atmosphere of cultivating immortality within Linxian City was even richer than that inside the Dao Sword Sect, let alone a certain peak.


    On a rainy night like this, cultivators zipping about atop clouds and swords were still not few in number within the city. The shouting voices hawking cultivation methods, magic treasures, talismans, and array diagrams in the streets remained morous as ever. Walking a bit further, one might see people kneeling in muddy puddles begging wandering cultivators to take them as disciples; peerless beauties dancing in the rain, voluntarily offering themselves as furnace cauldrons...


    Enveloped inside his cloak, head lowered, steps swift, Qin Ran threaded through the crowds with a clear destination in mind as he headed towards a certain teahouse in the city center, not daring to nce at the surrounding chaos.


    Before long, he arrived outside that teahouse called Yuai or Destiny Teahouse. It had an ordinary name and ordinary decor, seemingly far removed from seeking immortality.


    But Qin Ran didn¡¯t hesitate, directly striding inside to the front counter where he took out a medallion and exchanged nces with the shopkeeper, speaking in a low, hoarse voice: ¡°Batman.¡±


    The shopkeeper didn¡¯t understand what ¡°Batman¡± meant, but he recognized it as the secret passphrase belonging exclusively to the alchemist master before him. He looked Qin Ran over, confirmed it matched his appearance, then bowed and addressed him: ¡°Master You Shi.¡±


    Next, he took out a mask from under the counter and handed it to Qin Ran. Without another word, the shopkeeper then led the way, bringing Qin Ran through the teahouse¡¯s main hall and into the rear courtyard. After opening up an array formation, they journeyed along the passageway within for some time until finally stopping before thest stone door.


    ¡°Master You, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± the shopkeeper said.


    Qin Ran nodded, tossing the shopkeeper an elixir pill and raspily murmuring, ¡°Many thanks.¡±


    Then he personally pushed the door open and entered.


    Inside was a small auction house setup¡ªa podium up front where a man stood holding up a sword soliciting bids, and seven or eight rows of seating below, around fifty or sixty seats, of which only a dozen or so were sporadically upied, all by people wearing masks identical to Qin Ran¡¯s.


    When Qin Ran entered, some people looked his way, but no one paid him much mind.


    He found an inconspicuous spot and quietly sat down to wait.


    This was clearly a private, small-scale auction frequented exclusively by cultivators, and even calling it an auction was somewhat inurate¡ªit was more akin to a cultivation exchange club. The people gathered here either possessed formidable strength, abundant financial resources, or special abilities. Qin Ran, for example, was an alchemist.


    Linxian City outwardly appeared to be a city steeped in a rich immortal cultivation atmosphere, but at the same time, it was also a mortal city. It contained many cultivators, but even more mortals; there was an immortal cultivation culture, but even more mortal culture.


    Indeed,rger ces selling cultivation-rted goods existed within the city, along with huge auction houses, but those venues were impure¡ªtoo many people, tooplex.


    Thus, many private, cultivator-exclusive auctions like this one could be found throughout the city...not too different from exclusive circles in modern society.


    This particr auction house was one Qin Ran had joined during a previous trip selling elixir pills. After attending a few times and finding the atmosphere agreeable, he naturally gave priority toing here when a need arose.


    On stage, the sword sold for 100 low-grade spirit stones. Next, someone selling a magic treasure came up, and an upper-grade treasure fetched a price of 300 medium-grade spirit stones.


    Just then, a medium-sized fellow took the stage holding a jar. In a deep voice, he dered, ¡°Honey produced by Silver-winged Long-tailed Honeybees. I want a Gold phase foundation establishment stage cultivation method aligned with the metal element.¡±


    Silver-winged Long-tailed Honeybees were level four demonic beasts residing in the Hengduan Mountains whose honey was toxic, but could greatly enhance the physique after detoxification.


    ¡°Geng Metal Flying Sword Art, coincidentally also Gold phase foundation establishment,¡± Qin Ran called out, thinking to win it for Li Shiyin¡¯s use.


    ¡°A sword technique?¡± The man on stage murmured, unmoved.


    Qin Ran didn¡¯t raise his bid again. He had researched water-type spirit root techniques and gold-type sword techniques¡ªif this guy didn¡¯t want a sword technique, then he was at a loss.


    This kind of physique-boosting substance was hard toe by. After several more rounds of bidding below that failed to satisfy the man on stage, a figure in red robes raised his hand. ¡°Jinyuan Body Refining Technique, all the way until YuanYing stage.¡±


    Wearing red robes? Qin Ran examined him more closely. At ces like this, most people wore inconspicuous ck clothing, so someone bold enough to wear red really stood out.


    ¡°A body refining technique?¡± The delight on the man on stage¡¯s face was evident. ¡°Deal!¡±


    So he cultivated body refinement techniques¡ªQin Ran understood.


    After those two made the exchange with the teahouse, the next person on stage was a woman dering her urgent need for information about Silver-backed Demon Monkeys, with the price negotiable.


    Qin Ran¡¯s heart stirred slightly. The beast pack fromst night seemed to contain Silver-backed Demon Monkeys, but after a moment¡¯s hesitation he still didn¡¯t call out a bid.


    After that woman left the stage, several more people went up. Qin Ran also calmly ascended, taking out three porcin bottles from his temporary storage bag. In his muffled voice he announced:


    ¡°Upper grade Returning Origin Pill, upper grade Gathering Spirit Pill, and middle grade Foundation Establishment Pill...¡±


    Elixir pills and alchemists were always hard currency in the immortal cultivation world. As soon as he finished speaking, a stir rose from below.


    ¡°I recognize him¡ªhe¡¯s that You-surnamed alchemist who exclusively sells pills,¡± someone suddenly whispered below.


    Qin Ran¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his gaze concentrating as it shifted to the red-robed man who had spoken. At ces like this where everyone understood identities must be concealed, his actions were undoubtedly deliberate!


    Moreover, how did he know Qin Ran¡¯s surname was You...


    Qin Ran¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver in the slightest as he continued repressing his voice. ¡°What I want¡ªstarry stones, body movement techniques for the sword path, gold-type sword techniques¡ªanything works.¡±


    Elixir pills and alchemists were truly the hardest currency in the immortal cultivation world. He had just finished speaking when a scrawny fellow below raised his hand. ¡°You want starry stones? Your things aren¡¯t enough.¡±


    Starry stones were meant to forge Li Shiyin¡¯s personal flying sword following the Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique. Securing starry stones was the entire purpose of Qin Ran¡¯s trip tonight, and his most important objective.


    Upon hearing this, Qin Ran took out a porcin bottle from his temporary magical storage bag and put it on the auction stage, saying: "A mid-grade Break Barrier Pill."


    Immediately, there was an uproar below. Break Barrier Pills increase the chance of forming a golden core, and even these pills were being auctioned?


    "Sold." The man below quickly said.


    Qin Ran then handed over the pill to the auction house staff waiting at the side, toplete the transaction through them.


    "Illusory Butterfly Dance Steps, a body technique of the Golden Core stage," the man in red below raised his hand and said, "I bid ten Gathering Spirit Pills."


    Before Qin Ran could speak, another person asked: "How many Gathering Spirit Pills do you have?"


    "How many do you need?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Fifty."


    "Martial technique?"


    "Star Shadow Sword Technique, created by a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage."


    "Okay."


    Qin Ran took the Star Shadow Sword Technique instead of the Illusory Butterfly Dance Steps.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    As long as one meets the qualifications of this auction, one can join the auction at any time. For example, after Qin Ran entered, there were also other cultivators who entered, and simrly, one could also leave at any time.


    Qin Ran had already bought the Starlight Stone and the Star Shadow Sword Technique, so he was nning to leave. He exchanged all the elixirs he had taken out for disy for spirit stones, and after leaving the stage, he directly went out the door.


    He pushed the door and left. The waiting attendant led the way and took him to trade the things he had bought at auction. Then, without any hesitation, he directly left through a certain secret door from the teahouse.


    Exiting through the secret door, the outside was a certain remote alley. Qin Ran tightened his cloak, discerned the direction, and walked towards the street outside. There were many people on the street, which made it easier to confuse people''s eyes and ears and hide more easily.


    Not long after Qin Ran came out from the secret door, two people followed him out, one after the other. The one walking in front wore red robes, and the one walking behind had a thin build.


    They stood at the door. The thin man sensed for a moment, discerned the direction, and pointed at the street outside, "That way."


    Then following that direction, they chased to the outside street. The street was bustling with peopleing and going. The eyes of the Man in Red Robe narrowed as he looked left and right, and he quickly spotted that patch of ck shadow in the crowd, and hurriedly led the Thin Man to chase after him.


    But unfortunately, by the time they chased here, that ck shadow had already disappeared without a trace.


    "He''s be wary," the Man in Red Robe said. "And is quite cautious as well."


    The Thin Man let out a coldugh and said, "Useless."


    He closed his eyes to sense, once again judging the direction: "That way!"


    Bringing along the Man in Red Robe, the two chased continuously, chasing into midair, chasing above the city wall.


    On the city wall, the two of them stood still. The Man in Red Robe looked ahead, but saw Master You''s figure blur for a moment, splitting into two, one to the left and one to the right, flying out in two directions. The one on the right flew out several dozen meters before turning into a puddle of water falling down, while the one on the left maintained human form and kept flying straight, eventually disappearing into the darkness.


    "Which one?" His eyes couldn''t discern the real from the fake, so he turned to ask the Thin Man.


    "Hmph! Childish trick!" The Thin Man sneered disdainfully, raising his hand to point at where the puddle of water had disappeared. "That one."


    "Such great concealment arts!" the Man in Red Robe eximed, then shed his body technique and chased in that direction.


    "Still can''t shake them off?" Qin Ran frowned, looking back to see the two unhesitatinglying after him. "They didn''t even hesitate."


    "Something''s wrong with the item!" He realized, hurriedly probing into his storage bag with his divine sense, "Elixir jade slips? Spirit stones? Starlight Stone?"


    Very quickly, he found the problematic item.


    The Starlight Stone! A trace of markings was hidden within the Starlight Stone, almost assimted into it.


    Fortunately it was his divine sense, otherwise it would have been very difficult to detect that trace of markings assimted into stardust.


    "The Starlight Stone was tampered with... How did they know I would buy the Starlight Stone? Did Li Shiyin betray me?" Shiyunianhua was not fast. With the two people flying quickly closer behind him, Qin Ran adjusted his breathing and calmly analyzed, "No, impossible..."


    He suddenly recalled how the Man in Red Robe had seen through his disguised identity at the auction hall, and he realized something terrifying, "It was premeditated! The teahouse sold me out! No matter when I came or what I bought, I would encounter an ambush. With such means, it''s not personal, but some organization that has had its eye on me for a while now!"


    At this time, he had arrived above a small hill. He adjusted his mentality, revealing his figure from the rain, standing on the treetop of a big tree at the top of the hill, waiting for those two people flying quickly closer.


    Those two approached, stopping a short distance away warily. Qin Ran said hoarsely, "Starting from Linxiang City, you two have been following me the whole time. May I ask what business you have?"


    The Man in Red Robe nced at the Thin Man. The Thin Man nodded at him, indicating that the person before them was the real body. The Man in Red Robe thenughed loudly, "I have long heard of Master You''s great name, but have never had the chance to meet you before. Now that we''ve met, I must get acquainted."


    Long heard my ass, he didn''t even recognize Qin Ran at all.


    "Who are you?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Who I am is not important. What''s important is..." The Man in Red Robe said with a smile. "I have always respected Master You, and know that Master You is an alchemist. So I''d like to ask Master You for a favor."


    Alchemist? The key point was he''s an alchemist! Qin Ran understood. The trait of his that attracted attention was this alchemist identity. Even though he had been prudent enough, selling elixirs over and over had finally attracted people''s attention.


    "What favor?" He found that Batman''s voice was really useful.


    "Nothing but pill refining!" the Man in Red Robe said. "It''s very difficult for cultivators to obtain elixirs of the quality that Master You has. We hope that Master You can help refine a few high quality Break Barrier Pills. There will be nock of spirit stones if it seeds."


    This Man in Red Robe spoke in a proper negotiating tone, with a good attitude and gentle voice, easily lowering people''s guard. However...


    While he was speaking, the Thin Man had already quietly approached from the front right. They had no intention of asking Qin Ran to refine pills at all. Their target was Qin Ran himself!


    Qin Ran was not to be trifled with. From the very start he had not trusted them at all, remaining fully vignt. The Thin Man''s little movementpletely failed to escape his wary eyes.


    "Break Barrier Pill?" Qin Ran deliberately put on an appearance of bargaining, and said, "Break Barrier Pills are very difficult, my cultivation base..."


    But he stopped mid-sentence, suddenly erupting, caught thempletely off guard...


    And turned to flee.


    Yes, fighting was out of the question. Only escape could maintain his livelihood.


    Qin Ran knew his own strengths and weaknesses. His frontalbat ability was trash. If they got close, it would be instant defeat.


    So the question was, if he was going to run anyway, why did he wait here for them?


    Because...


    "Boom!"


    Qin Ran''s sudden escape took the two by surprise, but they didn''t think too much of it and directly gave chase. But just as they had chased right above the small hill where Qin Ran was before, the small hill below them suddenly exploded.


    In an instant, the terrifying shockwave carried countless rock fragments and iron nails shooting at the two like bullets, and mixed within these projectiles were some invisible sword qi as well.


    "It''s a formation! A killing formation!" The Man in Red Robe quickly deployed a defensive barrier, recognizing what it was, and hurriedly warned the Thin Man, "He set up a formation in advance."


    The Thin Man''s reaction was not as fast as the Man in Red Robe. After several holes were punctured in his body by the iron nails, he finally deployed a defensive barrier, but even so, he was still cut by the chaotic sword qi several times.


    "Damn bastard!" He was furious beyond measure, the spiritual power within his body exploded, and an invisible shockwave spread out from him as the center, directly blowing away the iron nails and sword qi shot out by the formation.


    He went to pursue that Master You, and only saw the figure in the ck cloak shake once in the darkness, splitting into one on the left and one on the right, one flying out a hundred and eighty meters to the left before turning into a stream of water blending into the rain, while the one on the right maintained human form as it flew straight, eventually disappearing into the distant darkness.


    "Clown tricks!" the Thin Man sneered disdainfully. "Truly brainless."


    He had already seen through it the first time, yet this guy still dared to pull the same trick again.


    He sensed slightly, and the markings on the Starlight Stone were on that stream of water to the left.


    He let out a coldugh, gathering the blood that had flowed out of him to form a clump in the rainwater, then exploded it. He passed through the exploded bloody mist, his speed sharply rising, catching up to that stream of water to the left in just a few blinks.


    "Go die for me!" He punched out, punching through the human silhouette hidden within the rain.


    That transparent human silhouette struggled on his fist to reveal itself, changing into the ck-cloaked figure, looking at him in terror, mouth opening and closing, but seemingly unable to speak like a fish onnd struggling in its death throes.


    "Hmph! Coward!" The Thin Man withdrew his fist, pinching Master You by the neck like carrying a little chick, his face twisted viciously, "Let''s see where you can run this time!"


    At this time the Man in Red Robe flew over to catch up. From a distance away, he suddenly saw the terror disappear from Master You''s face. His mouth moved, a mocking expression on his face, seeming to be saying something. The Thin Man leaned in closer.


    The Man in Red Robe realized something and shouted in terror: "Run!"


    The Thin Man nced back at him, not quite understanding. Looking back at Master You in his hand, he saw that Master You in his grip had suddenly turned into a puddle of water, flowing through his hand and falling from midair.


    "Fake?" The Thin Man was quite unhappy, angry at being tricked.


    He looked forward again and saw that where Master You had disappeared, he had left behind a temporary Universe Bag, hovering in midair.


    Only then did he finally realize what was happening...


    In the next moment, the temporary Universe Bag exploded with a deafening boom!


    A bolt of heavenly tribtion lightning lit up the darkness, piercing heaven and earth.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46


    The reaction of the man in the red robe was already swift enough. When he reminded the thin man, he had already turned around and started to flee. However, he couldn''t escape and was caught in the tribtion lightning.


    If given another chance to escape, he would surely run faster because this time he didn''t perform to his full potential.


    "Why can a Foundation Establishment Stage alchemist cause such amotion?! Tribtion lightning!?"


    While half of his body was charred and the tribtion lightning ran rampant within him, he couldn''tprehend it.


    He fell from the sky and crashed into a damp grassy thicket, with fine rain pouring down on the man in the red robe. But he couldn''t feel it anymore. He stared at the fading remnants of lightning in the darkness and questioned his life, murmuring, "Tribtion thunder of the Golden Core to Nascent Soul transformation?"


    "Quite knowledgeable, not bad," a deep, hoarse voice sounded nearby. Struggling to look in that direction, the man in the red robe saw a ck figure emerging from the rain. The figure was shrouded in darkness.


    They were so close...


    This made him realize something. After the explosion, both left and right were fake. The true master, You Dashifu, had long hidden in the rain and taken cover on the ground.


    No matter how they chose, they were wrong. Two Golden Core Stage cultivators were yed with by a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator. They were like two clowns!


    "Ah..." the man in the red robe shouted in confusion, perhaps due to the intense pain.


    "What''s your name, what organization do you belong to, and what is your purpose in capturing me?" Qin Ran approached, raising a bubble with his hand, enveloping the man in the red robe. He held a sword and asked repeatedly.


    The man in the red robe stopped shouting, looking at the bubbles around him and then at the sword in You Dashifu''s hand, feeling even more desperate.


    As Qin Ran got closer, he suddenly noticed that half of the man in the red robe''s body was charred by the tribtion lightning while the other half remained rtively intact... This appearance was like that of Two-Face.


    I created a Batman-like image for myself, but ended up with a Two-Face. What a coincidence!


    After pondering for a moment and seeing the man in the red robe remaining silent, Qin Ran put away his sword and took out a red pill and a blue pill from his Universe Bag, indicating to the man in the red robe, "One is a high-grade Great Redemption Pill that can repair your physical body as much as possible, giving you a glimmer of hope. The other is a Murdering Pill that leads to death. I''m giving you a chance to choose."


    He seemed to have be Two-Face.


    The man in the red robe looked at the pills in Qin Ran''s hand. He didn''t understand pills, but based on his experience, the red one should be the Murdering Pill. However, he couldn''t fathom why this person, whose scheming ran so deep, would be so kind?


    "Do you really want to die? After experiencing countless dangers to form your Golden Core, you want to die like this?" Qin Ran suddenly began to persuade.


    At this moment, a lightning bolt struck down from the sky...


    The man in the red robe was startled and trembled all over. He looked up at the sky and realized it was just an ordinary thunderbolt.


    Taking advantage of the lightning''s illumination, he looked at You Dashifu in front of him and saw that his face was divided into two halves by the lightning... Like a devil.


    He instinctively felt afraid, as if he were back in his childhood, abandoned in the rainy night. But soon, he felt deste. He remembered that he was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, while the person in front of him was merely a small Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.


    "What... do you want?" he asked bitterly.


    "What organization wants to capture me?" Qin Ran asked directly.


    "Fate," the man in the red robe replied.


    Fate? Fate Tea House? Qin Ran remembered the name from the auction.


    "Why are you capturing me?"


    "Because you are an alchemist who can refine pills."


    That was the reason. Control the alchemists, refine the pills, and then sell them through the organization.


    "Split!" Another bolt of lightning struck, leaving Qin Ran''s facepletely ckened.


    "Make your choice!" He didn''t want to ask any more questions and said in a deep voice.


    Although he felt that the blue pill was the Great Redemption Pill, the man in the red robe hesitated before saying, "Blue."


    Qin Ran let go, and the blue pill was wrapped in bubbles and flew into the man in the red robe''s mouth.


    As soon as the pill entered his mouth, it quickly dissolved, and the medicinal power spread throughout his body. Feeling the situation inside his body, the man in the red robe squinted his eyes¡ªit was indeed the real Great Redemption Pill!


    He looked at the Master You in front of him, who hadn''t even tried to escape, and couldn''t help but smile. "Master, do you want to serve the organization?"


    "After refining the pills, how will the distribution be?" Qin Ran asked.


    Still thinking about distribution? The man in the red robe sneered inwardly, but still answered, "Fifty-fifty."


    Qin Ran nodded and asked again, "Besides you, are there othersing to pursue me?"


    "Aren''t two Golden Core Stage cultivators enough?" the man in the red robe replied with a question.


    Indeed, he was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and two Golden Core Stage cultivatorsing was already giving him face. Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "How many people are there in this organization called Fate?"


    The man in the red robe wasn''t stupid. It was just that he had lost hisposure amidst the constant shifts between life and death. But when he saw that Master You had clearly rxed, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.


    He remembered the two figures that had appeared after the second dispersal. Both of them were fake. So, these two pills...


    By now, the medicinal power that had been absorbed by his body began to take effect, but...


    Instead of repairing his body, the medicinal power began to devour it!


    That wasn''t the Great Redemption Pill; it was the Murdering Pill!


    The man in the red robe''s expression changed to one of horror...


    "Split!"


    Qin Ran looked calmly at him.


    The two pills were indeed one Great Redemption Pill and one Murdering Pill, but the Great Redemption Pill was a failed refinement, a Murdering Pill with impurities and no medicinal power.


    The Murdering Pill, formed ording to the rules of pill refinement, possessed not the ability to save lives but the power to snatch souls!


    As the body was destroyed by the Murdering Pill, the Tribtion Lightning was no longer restricted. It eroded the body along the damaged areas, a process that tore and burned the flesh into fine particles.


    "Ah!" The man in the red robe couldn''t bear it any longer and let out a miserable scream.


    This was a kind of torment! No matter which pill he chose, whether it was the Murdering Pill or the Great Redemption Pill, it was torture.


    He was too naive. How could Qin Ran let him live?


    On this rainy night, the man''s agonizing screams echoed for a long time, until they eventually weakened and were drowned out by the sound of rain.


    Another seeker of immortality ascended.


    The man in the red robe''s body waspletely charred by the Tribtion Lightning. Qin Ran confirmed that he was dead and took out his specially prepared corpse-dissolving powder, sprinkling it on the body to ensure that it would dpose into air particles without damaging anything else.


    He carefully probed with his divine sense to ensure that no remnants of souls or the like remained,pletely dissipating them.


    In short, he exerted his utmost power to leave no future troubles.


    He then dealt with the emaciated man who had died directly under the tribtion lightning. Qin Ran took the Universe Bag belonging to the two individuals and thoroughly searched it, leaving only spirit stones that couldn''t be tampered with, while noting down a few useful alchemy recipes. As for the rest, such as magical tools, treasures, and cultivation techniques, he didn''t dare take a single one.


    He packed their belongings into the Universe Bag and manipted the bag''s spatial formation, causing the interior space of the bag to distort. Eventually, the distorted space ground the bag and its contents into powder.


    After dealing with those items, Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief. He took the two identity tokens that would surely have tracking marks and headed straight to the riverside.


    He took a final look at the tokens. Both tokens had the same external design, with one side imprinted with the character "Fate" and the other side with the character "Dao." He randomly chose one, enveloped it in water flow, and threw it into the river, allowing it to float downstream.


    Before long, arge fish swallowed the token in one gulp, and he paid no further attention. Then, he caught arge waterbird by the riverbank, tied the other token to it, and fed it a berserk pill, causing it to fly aimlessly in all directions.


    After dealing with the tokens, Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief.


    He watched as the bird disappeared into the night sky and the fish vanished downstream, silently praying that there would be no further consequences.


    Then, Qin Ran plunged into the river, utilizing the Flowing Water Technique, and swam upstream, embarking on his journey back home.


    At a certain location upstream, he took off his cloak and wrapped it in water flow, allowing the cloak to continue upstream while he went ashore. Activating his Shadow Steps, he dashed into the depths of the mountains, running all the way into the Hengduan Mountains.


    Upon entering the Hengduan Mountains, his figure flickered, splitting into three individuals with different appearances, each running in a different direction. Among them, his true body meandered through the forest for a long time, arriving at another formation he had set up in advance, and then he plunged into it.


    He waited within the formation until daybreak, and no one came chasing after him. Qin Ran stealthily used the Flowing Water Technique from a certain location, concealing himself from the formation and emerging. Then, he proceeded towards the Daojian Sect.


    It wasn''t until the sky brightened, the clouds dispersed, and the sun emerged from behind the eastern mountain that Qin Ran stumbled back to the Dan Peak.


    Li Shiyin was in the living room eating, teasing the cat with some breakfast candy. "One for you..." she tossed it forward, and Chasing the Wind leaped to catch it. "One for me..." she popped it into her own mouth. Both the human and the cat were happily amused.


    Seeing Qin Ran push open the door and enter from outside, Li Shiyin eximed, "Master, you''re up so early today?" Then she noticed Qin Ran in his night-travel attire and remarked, "Master, your outfit is quite stylish!"


    Qin Ran shot her a nce, panting heavily, and directly took off his ck coat, throwing it on the floor. He only wore an undershirt as he ascended the stairs, instructing, "Help me wash the clothes. I''ll take a shower and rest for a while."


    This world is indeed dangerous. It''s safer to stay in one''s own nest. If possible, one should avoid going out. It''s too terrifying. Qin Ran thought as hey in his own bed.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47


    Qin Ran was woken up by the ¡°hee hee ha ha¡± sounds of Li Shiyin¡¯s voice. He crawled out of bed and went out to the hallway, and as expected, Li Shiyin was sword dancing in the mud pit again.


    It was around five o¡¯clock in the afternoon now. The sunlight was starting to soften, but the sun had not set yet. Today was sunny again after the rain, and the whole world was clean, fresh, gentle and beautiful.


    It was as ifst night¡¯s rainy escape was just something from a dream.


    The silly apprentice was making a ruckus over there, and he should have stopped her, but right now he didn¡¯t want to stop her. He just felt it was very beautiful.


    He went downstairs and poured himself a ss of boiled water, then slowly stepped to the edge of the mud pit, cup in hand.


    When he arrived here, he realized there was not only Li Shiyin at the bottom of the pit, but Chasing the Wind was there too. This cat, originally ck and white, was now waving its paws vigorously, wing at the mud. It was also meowing, kicking up mud and dirt, turning itself into an all ck cat.


    Li Shiyin had been digging this pit for almost twenty days now. It had reached a considerable size. As she danced her sword within it, twisting and turning, she was no longer affected by the terrain.


    The silly apprentice''s talent for martial arts was no joke. Qin Ran watched for a while and realized the silly apprentice''s sword already vaguely contained sword energy.


    Once sword energy appeared, it signified formally entering into the path of the sword. As for Qin Ran himself, he looked like a blind man swinging around antern when holding a sword.


    "It''s just that her alertness is too low," Qin Ran shook his head. He had been standing here for quite a while already, yet the silly apprentice had not noticed him at all. If she went out adventuring like this, she''d likely be dead before even reaching Linxian City.


    "Looks like I''ll have to strengthen education in this area from now on..." he thought.


    Just then, Li Shiyin shouted lightly: "Master, watch my sword!"


    "Hmm?"


    Qin Ran looked closely. Li Shiyin in the pit was already facing towards him. She ced the tips of her feet on the ground, borrowed a bit of force, and her whole body sprang up into the air as she thrusted a sword strike at him.


    Good heavens, he had just been dissatisfied with the silly apprentice''s alertness, and the next second he was about to be backstabbed by the silly apprentice. Fortunately his skin was thick enough.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran moved his right hand fingers, guiding the boiled water in his left hand cup to fly out in a strip, swirling forward to wrap around the silly apprentice''s sword. With a tug to the side, her strike deviated to the side.


    "Go pour the water!"


    Qin Ran threw the cup to Li Shiyin and went to sit in the chair at the edge of the pit.


    "Aw!" Li Shiyin sighed regretfully, caught the cup, and trotted off to the cabin with a "du du du".


    Chasing the Wind, who had been working hard at the bottom of the pit, also noticed Qin Ran at this time. With a "meow", it became excited. It leapt from the over three meter deep pit in one go,nded right on the edge, then pounced towards Qin Ran''s embrace.


    Qin Ran had just sat down and was caught unprepared. Chasing the Wind crashed into his arms, knocking over his recliner and forcing the air out of his chest.


    Even after knocking him down, Chasing the Wind was still excited. The ten-plus kilo body stomped around on his chest, letting him experience the unbearable weight of love.


    Covered in mud, Qin Ran gasped for air, beginning to worry. Chasing the Wind was not a cat but a tiger. If it never figured out its size as it grew up and kept pouncing on him like this, it could kill someone.


    He reached out to hug Chasing the Wind, intending to teach it a lesson, but at that moment, he suddenly heard Chasing the Wind make a sound: "Hug... dad... dad... bow..."


    "Hmm?" He froze in shock, looking at Chasing the Wind in disbelief. "You, what are you saying?"


    Chasing the Wind opened its cute three-lobed mouth, revealing two adorable sharp fangs, and clearly shouted: "Dad...dad..."


    "I...I...damn!" Qin Ran blurted out a curse,pletely dumbfounded, unable to move for half the day.


    Li Shiyin came running over with the water. Chasing the Wind tilted its head towards her and shouted: "Mom... mom... moo..."


    "Hey hey hey! Stop! Don''t make random sounds!" Qin Ran woke up with a jolt and sat up, hurriedly holding Chasing the Wind down to stop it from shouting randomly.


    "What''s wrong with Chasing the Wind?" Li Shiyin handed the water to Qin Ran. "Haha, Master, Chasing the Wind is so dirty, and got you dirty too!"


    "Cough..." Qin Ran didn''t dare look at Li Shiyin. He felt guilty for some reason, and took the water from the side, replying: "No... nothing!"


    "I feel like I heard Chasing the Wind talking!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Oh? Really?" Only then did Qin Ran react, recalling that he had forgotten to show off. He said to Chasing the Wind: "Come, Chasing the Wind, Chasing the Wind,e, call me!"


    "Dad..." Chasing the Wind mumbled.


    "Wow!" Li Shiyin was shocked. "Chasing the Wind can really talk now?!" Although unclear.


    Amazing. She hugged Chasing the Wind and happily spun circles. After a while, she put Chasing the Wind down and said to it: "Chasing the Wind, call me!"


    Chasing the Wind was still dizzy from the spinning. It blinked its cute big eyes and blurted out: "Mom mu~!"


    "Pfft!" Qin Ran spit out a mouthful of boiled water, his hair standing on end in fright.


    "No, no, call me big sister!" Fortunately the silly apprentice didn''t notice anything wrong. She kept correcting Chasing the Wind.


    "Meow meow?" Chasing the Wind was puzzled.


    "No, big sister!" Li Shiyin persisted.


    "Eld... er..." Chasing the Wind was confused.


    "Hehe..." Qin Ran calmly drank his water at the side and chuckled: "Teaching Chasing the Wind to speak, is that something normal people can do?"


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin sighed. "Chasing the Wind is just too stupid!"


    Qin Ran''s gaze nted at her over his cup. He didn''t know who was more stupid.


    "Master... what does dad mean?" Li Shiyin asked again. "Chasing the Wind calls you dad?"


    "It means father, dad, that kind of meaning." Qin Ran''s tone carried no small amount of pride.


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin nodded, then quietly mumbled: "Then calling me big sister is no good."


    "What?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Nothing!" Li Shiyin hurriedly replied, then hastily changed the topic: "Master, where did you go this morning? Why did youe back like that? And slept the whole day too."


    Qin Ran nced at her. "Adult matters, children shouldn''t ask!"


    "I''m not a child!" Li Shiyin pouted.


    "How is your Guiding Starlight Art practiceing along?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Mas...ter..." Li Shiyin dragged out, helplessly saying: "You''re getting muddled. I haven''t even started practicing yet! How could I practice these days? It was rainingst night, let''s see if it rains again today. I can''t practice tonight if it does."


    That was right, Qin Ran nodded. The night beforest night they were at the Hengduan Mountains range. It rainedst night too. The Guiding Starlight Art guided starlight. It was the same as when building the foundation. For the first practice, it was best at night when the power of the stars was most abundant.


    But he would not admit his mistake, only saying: "Then practice tonight."


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin sighed. "Why the hurry, Master?"


    "When I tell you to practice, you should obediently practice. Why so much talking?" Qin Ran said.


    He didn''t know when the demon beasts would officially revolt. If he didn''t finish the lifebound sword before the revolt, there would be many variables afterwards.


    But once the lifebound sword was done, there would be many more options...

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48


    After dinner, Qin Ran jumped upstairs and took out the homemade flute he made, blowing into it with a "woo woo woo" sound.


    The flute was something he had randomly put together himself, so the pitch was very inurate. He didn''t actually know how to y the flute either, just blowing randomly into it. After blowing into it for so many days, he had finally managed to get some semnce of a tune out of it.


    Li Shiyin finished her meal, then took her sword out for a stroll, circling around Dan Peak beforeing back with the dusk. Seeing Qin Ran blowing his flute on the roof, she flew right up.


    "Master, your flute is out of tune," said Li Shiyin. She put away her sword and sat down next to Qin Ran, hugging the scabbard.


    Qin Ran nced at her, not wanting to pay her any mind. That his flute sounded out of tune was something he knew perfectly well himself!


    She had no eye for subtlety!


    As the song came to an end, he held the flute in his hand and said slowly to Li Shiyin, "I think you should really learn how to cook... I''m always the one cooking meals and washing dishes. How does that look? It''s like I''m serving you. Who''s the master and who''s the disciple here?"


    "Mas...Master, it''s not that bad!" Li Shiyin said somewhat embarrassedly, "It doesn''t feel right to always have you cook, esteemed elder. But I...you saw what happenedst time."


    "Sigh..." Qin Ran sighed as he recalled the disastrous state of the kitchen that time, then picked up his flute to y again.


    At that moment, imbued with emotion, although it was still not in tune, the sound of the flute at least carried a mncholy, sorrowful vor.


    Chasing the Wind had spent the entire day with Li Shiyin digging a pond, gettingpletely covered in mud and filth. When he had time, Qin Ran gave him a bath. The cat was washed clean, but his fur was all fluffed up. Now he was squatting nearby, diligently licking himself clean.


    Seeing this, Li Shiyin ced her sword horizontally across herp and pulled Chasing the Wind over into her arms, rubbing his head. Then she cleared her throat and started singing to the dusk falling over Dan Peak:


    "Of what splendid grace is his remarkable form, standing alone above the world in his elegance;


    His beauty could topple cities, his virtues be known through word of mouth.


    Jade pendants adorn his cor in a disy of purity, vying in fragrance with secluded orchids;


    Gently nurturing his affections away from worldly vulgarity, upholding noble aspirations towards the high clouds..."


    Her voice was like a clear spring flowing by, her mood distant and lingering. As it rang out in the dusk, it weed the impending night.


    Qin Ran''s blurting and ring on the flute stopped unconsciously. Outside the hut, on the grass, in the woods, on Dan Peak, only Li Shiyin''s clear and captivating singing voice echoed back.


    She sang for quite a while until the dusk had deepened into night, with the skies sprinkling down starlight before she finally stopped.


    The air was still for a good while. Li Shiyin giggled and turned to look at Qin Ran, asking, "Master, how was my singing?"


    He hadn''t expected his foolish disciple to be so talented. Qin Ran was silent for a while, but really couldn''t bring himself to go against his conscience and say she sang poorly. He nodded. "It sounded nice."


    "Hmph, no one in Danyang City canpare to my singing," Li Shiyin said proudly as she raised her chin.


    This, Qin Ran didn''t believe. He retorted, "Anyone who sings better than you got beaten up by you, right?"


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin lowered her head, embarrassed.


    "Hm?" Qin Ran was surprised. Was that really what happened?


    "How do you know how to sing?" he asked Li Shiyin.


    "My name is Li Shiyin. Shiyin, shiyin! Of course I''d know how to sing!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Can you write poetry then?"


    "No!"


    Qin Ran rolled his eyes. Yet she was still so brazen about it.


    "What song was that you sang?" he continued asking.


    "''Chu Songs''!" Li Shiyin replied. "What North Chu person doesn''t know how to sing the ''Chu Songs''?"


    Qin Ran looked at her without saying anything more... There was a North Chu person right here who didn''t know how to sing them.


    "So..." He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you know how to y the flute then?"


    "No," Li Shiyin shook her head.


    Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief. At least that wasn''t too embarrassing.


    "But I can y the guzheng!" Li Shiyin said with augh.


    Qin Ran fell silent again. It didn''t seem much better.


    "Don''t feel ashamed, Master. When you first start learning an instrument, it always sounds bad. My guzheng ying wasn''t good at first either," Li Shiyin consoled. "Besides, your flute is out of tune. Can''t me you. I''ll find timeter to bring Gao Yunshan here. He can make you a flute and teach you how to y."


    That was actually quite consoling...


    Qin Ran''s heart was pockmarked into little pieces. Finally, struggling, he asked, "So when did you start learning the guzheng?"


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin thought back for a moment. "Five years old I think! I can''t remember if it was five or six."


    Qin Ran sighed. It didn''t seem it could get much better.


    Abruptly shifting the topic, he scolded, "Look howte it is already. Why haven''t you started cultivation yet?!"


    But Li Shiyin was already long used to his empty yelling. She wasn''t afraid of him anymore. Facing his scolding, she just stuck her tongue out at him.


    The stars had indeed already carpeted the night sky. The starry sky above the mountain peak in summer felt especially close, as if you could reach out and touch them.


    Li Shiyin sat down cross-legged on the rooftop, the starry sky right above her head. She didn''t need to set up a formation like when she was building her foundation. Her affinity with the ster forces was already high enough now that she could directly draw them down.


    In particr, her divine sense had taken shape.


    Li Shiyin closed her eyes. In the vast sea of perception, an image of herself appeared - the embodied form of her soul.


    This embodied soul raised its hand, stirring the sole drop of "seawater" in the sea of perception - her divine sense - making it flow and disappear from the void, reappearing in physical space.


    The embodied soul standing in the sea of perception looked up to see the stars in the sky raining down dots of light - the ster forces. She made the "seawater" rise up to gather all the falling specks of light, then brought them back and instilled them into her body.


    The ster forces circting within her body began absorbing these dots of light.


    With this primer, a strange attracting force emanated from Li Shiyin''s body, gathering all the specks of light falling from the starry sky.


    Using her mystical powers, she levitated the Qingxing Sword in front of her and slowly found its bnce point, channeling in the ster forces.


    Qin Ran stood watch nearby. From his perspective as an onlooker, Li Shiyin''s entire body was covered in specks of light, as if there were many fireflies lighting up her clothes. She was shining as the Qingxing Sword floated before her, with a band of ster light connecting her palm to the sword. The originally pitch-ck sword, from hilt to tip, was being eroded by the light bit by bit until the entire de was illuminated.


    With the ster forcespletely instilled into the Qingxing Sword, Li Shiyin opened her eyes. Still speckled with light, she stood up and grasped the hilt of the sword before her, unsheathing it and somersaulting down from the rooftop.


    Her swordy began.


    Empowered by the ster forces, each of Li Shiyin''s moves felt exceptionally mighty. After a few sets of moves, she took a step forward, gathering all the ster light on the Qingxing Sword towards its tip, concentrating it into a single beam that shot out towards the grasnds ahead, sting out a small crater.


    "A inferior substitution for sword qi..." Qin Ran evaluated with a shake of his head, dissatisfied.


    This move expended all the ster light on the sword, yet only caused minimal damage. It would be fine if she hadn''tprehended sword qi yet, but once she did, this move would bepletely useless. And with Li Shiyin''s talent for the sword, her sword qi was nearly ready to emerge.


    "What a mediocre move," he concluded.


    Li Shiyin channeled ster forces back into the Qingxing Sword as Qin Ran roughly estimated - there was a half-minute gap after firing off all the starlight before she could recharge it.


    "Try the attack range," he called out to Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin obeyed, firing off the ster forces she had just gathered towards the furthest point she could aim at.


    In the end, Qin Ran approximated about 50 meters at most, the same as the effective range of a handgun.


    "Slightly longer attack range than sword qi...not too mediocre," he reconsidered.


    Li Shiyin brandished her sword for a while more before jumping back onto the rooftop.


    "What are the specifics of the boosts it provides?" Qin Ran asked. That was the main effect of this move.


    "A bit faster speed, a bit less power," Li Shiyin recalled. "About four or five times my usual speed, and around double my usual power."


    "Does it only consume ster forces? Or does it damage the body too?" Qin Ran continued asking.


    "Just consumes ster forces..." Li Shiyin replied. "Also, once I activate the Ster Convergence skill, it forms a connection to the ster forces between heaven and earth. At night when ster forces are abundant, the consumption bnces out with what I absorb, so I can keep it up indefinitely. But ster forces are sparse during the day so I''d have to supplement it with my own mystic power, and can''t maintain it for long."


    "Hmm!" Qin Ran nodded. As long as he was certain this move would not harm himself, he felt at ease. He gave his final evaluation, "It seems this move is pretty good. Next, practice well and try to get it to where you can use it freely."


    "Yes, Master!" Li Shiyin obediently responded.

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49


    After practicing the Guide the Starlight Technique for a while, it was gettingte, so Li Shiyin went back to her room to take her medicinal bath... No matter how powerful the techniques, they were still no match for her own cultivation level.


    After Qin Ran had prepared the medicinal bath for her, he went straight to the study.


    This time he carefully closed the doors and windows of the study, then went to the desk, took off his Universe Bag that was like a sachet, and ced it on the desk.


    He was going to tidy up the gains and losses fromst night''s outing.


    First he sat down, took paper and pen, and transcribed the pill forms he had memorized.


    The pill forms were from the storage bags of those two men. Qin Ran had forcibly and quickly memorized the four most useful pill forms from those pill forms, relying on his memory and understanding of pills.


    They were the Spirit Wind Pill that could make spiritual power go berserk, the Dragon Elephant Pill that could make qi and blood go berserk, the Ice Heart Pill that could protect the mind, and the Feed Beast Pill used to feed spirit beasts.


    Of these pill forms, the most useful was undoubtedly the Feed Beast Pill.


    Ever since Chasing the Wind was picked up, he had been fed with spirit beast milk and meat, no different than what people ate. This was barely enough to keep him from starving and let him grow up, but it didn''t help his growth and cultivation at all.


    The appearance of the Feed Beast Pill could be said to make Chasing the Wind the biggest winner of Qin Ran''s trip this time.


    After writing down the pill forms, Qin Ran began taking things out of his Universe Bag,


    The first thing taken out, taking up most of the space in the Universe Bag, were spirit stones.


    The spirit stones of those two men, and the spirit stones Qin Ran got from selling pills in the end.


    Qin Ran examined the spirit stones carefully once more with his spiritual sense, and after making sure there were no problems, he opened the drawer under the desk and put these spirit stones in... A total of four thousand five hundred and twenty-one low-grade spirit stones, three hundred and two mid-grade spirit stones, and one high-grade spirit stone.


    The spirit stones in the drawer were almost depleted originally. Now that these spirit stones were put in, the drawer, which had a space formation, almost overflowed.


    Next taken out was the most important target of this trip, the Starlight Stone!


    The spirit mineral that would be used as the core of the Lifebound Flying Sword he would forge for Li Shiyin.


    Although the Starlight Stone was imprinted with a tracking mark by that emaciated man, the Starlight Stone itself had no problems.


    Last night, after Qin Ran discovered the mark on the Starlight Stone, he did not rashly act, but instead turned the tables and transferred the tracking mark on the Starlight Stone to his clone with his spiritual sense...


    This was why that emaciated man unhesitatingly chased after that clone.


    Holding the Starlight Stone, Qin Ran examined it carefully once more, and found no more anomalies before putting it aside.


    What was taken out next was the sword manual¡ªGuide of the Shadow Sword¡ªthat he had bought at the auction, also prepared for Li Shiyin.


    Actually those two men had some other techniques on them, but Qin Ran didn''t dare take them, worried that there might be problems with the techniques themselves, and worried that practicing their techniques would make it easy for people from the "Karmic Organization" to recognize him.


    After examining the sword manual as well and making sure there were no issues, Qin Ran finally took out the Tribtion Thunder Pill, the greatest consumable of this trip.


    The pills for trading, the materials for the formations, all added up, were still not as expensive as the one Tribtion Thunder Pill that was detonatedst night.


    First, what was the Tribtion Thunder Pill?


    Simply put, it was a crude pill created by sealing tribtion lightning with a certain pill concoction method, to be released against enemies when needed.


    Second, how could there be such a bizarre thing as the Tribtion Thunder Pill?


    The idea was provided by Qin Ran, and the method was perfected by his master, Wang Yuanyi.


    Finally, how was the Tribtion Thunder Pill refined?


    Obviously, Qin Ran couldn''t refine it, only Wang Yuanyi could.


    During Wang Yuanyi''s final tribtion, he left three Tribtion Thunder Pills for Qin Ran.


    The main job of pill masters was to refine pills, and pill refining had an extremely weak boost tobat power. Therefore, pill masters themselves had outstanding weakness in terms of strength andbat power.


    Although due to the bizarre changes in the martial world, pill masters and cultivators of other upations had run into each other in reality, and who would win was still a matter of probability, when it came to crossing tribtions, where one had to face the lightning tribtion head-on, the shorings of pill masters were exposed too obviously.


    This was also an important reason why few people wanted to learn pill refining.


    Pills were very important, and pill masters were highly respected, but... pill masters were very likely unable to withstand even the lightning tribtion at the Foundation Establishment stage.


    Crossing tribtions was the cmity that pill masters could never escape, the curse of pill masters.


    Eighty percent of pill masters died under the lightning tribtion, another 19.9% would rather die of old age than be struck to death by tribtion lightning, and only a very tiny 0.1% would die due to other circumstances.


    Wang Yuanyi was a pill master, so he couldn''t escape this cmity.


    His chances of sessfully crossing the tribtion were low to begin with, and he went to cross it pushing his limit. So before he even started crossing, he already knew that he would certainly die.


    It didn''t matter if he couldn''t form his Nascent Soul, it was just hard on Qin Ran, his disciple. After his death, there would be no one to teach Qin Ran pill refining, no one to protect Qin Ran, and no one to keep this Foundation Establishment stage cultivatorpany in this dangerous world of cultivation.


    In the end, under the heavenly tribtion, he refined three Tribtion Thunder Pills for Qin Ran.


    The Tribtion Thunder Pill, the lightning tribtion at the Golden Core stage, was currently Qin Ran''s strongest trump card. Used well, it was enough to kill Nascent Soul stage cultivators whose cultivation was unstable.


    Looking at the Tribtion Thunder Pill in his hand, memories slowly came back to Qin Ran. After a long time, he let out a sigh, held back the tears at the corners of his eyes, and put away the remaining two Tribtion Thunder Pills properly.


    Spending one Tribtion Thunder Pill to exchange for these things, Qin Ran truly felt it wasn''t worth it.


    After putting everything away properly, he opened the window and sat in the study for half the night. He looked at the Spiritual Pagoda Tree outside the window, and thought to himself, this was probably the passing down of knowledge and inheritance of the master''s enterprise to the disciple!


    Only that, if judged by the standards of the Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety, he, Qin Ran, would belong to the unfilial category...


    After practicing sword flying for another two days, Li Shiyin could basically control the Guide the Starlight Technique freely. Plus she had been diligently practicing flying on her sword these past two days, and was very proficient at it now.


    Thus, Qin Ran nned to go down the mountain to forge a sword.


    On the morning before leaving, Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin to the study.


    "After going down the mountain, the treacherous and dangerous rivers andkes outside the sect gate are prone to idents. Every time you go out, you need to be fully prepared," Qin Ran said to Li Shiyin.


    He took out a red embroidered brocade bag and handed it to Li Shiyin, saying, "This is a Universe Bag, refined by myself, there will be no problems. The inner space is about the size of this study, you can use it first."


    Li Shiyin took it and couldn''t help butin, "It''s so ugly!"


    Qin Ran looked at her silently.


    He also took out some porcin bottles and ced them on the table, introducing them one by one to Li Shiyin: "This is a top-grade Origin Recovery Pill that restores spiritual power. This is a top-grade Great Redemption Pill that treats external injuries. This is a Grain Pill that replenishes strength. This is a Spirit Wind Pill that makes spiritual power go berserk, temporarily gaining formidablebat power. This is a Bloodthirsty Pill that drives the mind berserk..."


    To prevent his silly disciple from forgetting or mixing them up, he had also pastedbels on the outside.


    After Li Shiyin had put away all the pills, Qin Ran took out some more strange pills and said to Li Shiyin, "These are pills to be used when confronting enemies. This Murdering Pill will confuse the mind and make one go into devil cultivation. This Earth me Pill has sealed earth fire within, its power is enormous. This Clear Water Pill contains heavy water..."


    "Keep them all away, I''ll teach you the unsealing methodter."


    Li Shiyin put them all away. Qin Ran also gave her some talismans: "This is a Divine Travel Talisman, for moving quickly. This is a Divine Thunder Talisman..."


    He admonished, "Use talismans prudently, as their quality can''t be guaranteed since they were bought. If in danger, prioritize using the confrontation pills, the pills were refined by myself."


    After some hesitation, Qin Ran took out a pill and handed it to Li Shiyin, solemnly saying, "This is a Tribtion Thunder Pill, the only one in the world. Its power is enormous, try not to use it... If you must use it, also use it from a safe distance."


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran, feeling her master was too exaggerated, but still put away the Tribtion Thunder Pill.


    "Master, we''re just going out for a bit, is there a need for this?" she asked.


    Qin Ran''s expression became serious as he admonished,


    "I have emphasized to you many times that there are extreme differences in strength within the cultivation world. Powerful cultivators can make the entire North Chu Country disappear with a snap of their fingers, while weak cultivators may not even be able to defeat ordinary martial artists. In such a chaotic world with fickle hearts, it is extremely dangerous. You must maintain an attitude of treading on thin ice and walking along the edge of an abyss at all times..."

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50


    Qin Ran and his disciple went out,ing to the grassy area outside, and only then suddenly realized a very important problem...


    "Master, as we go to forge a sword, should we fly there or walk there?" Li Shiyin asked.


    This question stumped Qin Ran immediately, and he stood still, not knowing how to answer.


    In order to forge a good enough sword of mastery for Li Shiyin, he had made many ns, but... he seemed to have not thought about this matter yet.


    He was afraid of heights, did not dare to fly too high, and preferred to use the godly steps to run on the ground, but his silly disciple did not know the godly steps yet, she could only fly.


    Imagining that scene, he running on the ground, the silly disciple flying in the sky, he was like a sheep, the silly disciple was the sheepdog, heavens, that scene would be too beautiful.


    After thinking about it for a while, although he felt embarrassed, Qin Ran still said: "Let''s go down the mountain first, at the mountain gate there are people selling immortal spirit horses, we can ride horses there."


    "Okay!" Li Shiyin nodded, and asked again, "Then how do we get down the mountain?"


    Qin Ran opened his mouth and said, "I will use the godly steps, you can fly down with your sword."


    Thus, Li Shiyin summoned the Qingxing Sword and nimbly jumped on it, circting inner power within her body.


    Standing on the sword, she turned back and smiled at Qin Ran, "Master, then I''ll go first! Wait for you at the mountain gate..."


    After saying that, without waiting for Qin Ran to respond, she yelled "Wuhu!", flew up into the sky, the light of ster power around her body shed brightly, she drew an arc, like a shooting star flying down the mountain.


    "Be caref..." The word "ful" had not left Qin Ran''s mouth when Li Shiyin had already disappeared from sight. He sighed, such a wild child, his heart felt so tired.


    He turned back and called into the house: "Chasing the Wind, watch the house, we''ll be back in a few days."


    He didn''t know why, but Chasing the Wind didn''t evene out to see them off. Now that Qin Ran had called out, Chasing the Wind only responded with a "Meow", the voice vague, as if its mouth was full of something.


    Another one hard to watch over, Qin Ran was suspicious, for this family, might the most dangerous one be Chasing the Wind...


    But now leaving, he didn''t want to go back and check again.


    "My heart is tired!!"


    Qin Ran looked up to the sky and sighed deeply, then immediately used the godly steps, going down the mountain along the stone path.


    The Dao Sword Sect had five mountain peaks, all surrounded by a great protective array. In front of these five mountain peaks, the protective array revealed a small hole as the gate of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Although for high level cultivators, the mountain gate was just a formality, they liked flying high up and down, always entering and exiting from some ce in the sky using their identity tokens, or some people like Qin Ran who sneakily entered and exited from some unnoticed ce. It seemed the gate of the immortal sect was like pants for farting, not very necessary, but in fact, high level cultivators and sneaky people were very few in number. For arge sect like the Dao Sword Sect, most were ordinary disciples, entering and exiting through the mountain gate was the daily routine.


    The Dao Sword Sect''s mountain gate always had peopleing in and out at all times, with many people gathered and lingering inside and outside the mountain gate.


    Disciples might be chatting together leisurely, or hurrying back and forth, or arguing over grudges and grievances, or going in and out the mountain gate. Anyway, inside and outside the mountain gate was a lively scene.


    Outer disciple Wang Ren had just gone through the trialsst month and was epted into the Dao Sword Sect, fortunate to be able to embark on the immortal path.


    At this time, he was discussing with his fellow disciples about how to get around that damned bird and steal that spiritual medicine nt. As he spoke, he happened to nce up and suddenly saw a stream of light flying swiftly from inside the mountain gate towards this direction.


    "Flying on a sword! Inner disciple senior brother?" Wang Ren''s eyes were quite envious.


    To be able to fly on a sword required cultivation level, skills, and a treasure sword,cking any one of them would not work.


    He, Wang Ren, had joined the Dao Sword Sect for over a month now, and had not even found his qi sensation... This trip to gather medicine was to ingratiate himself with his master, so that his master could teach him more of the dao, and allow him to find his qi sensation sooner.


    As for flying on a sword, when could he aplish that?


    "It would probably take decades of time..." Wang Ren thought, "That sword flying person is just someone who joined the sect decades earlier than me."


    The light in the distant sky drew an arc andnded on the nearby ground. The dreamy ster power dispersed, revealing the tall figure of a woman.


    The woman had long white hair, a tall and graceful figure, a cold temperament like a lotus, standing on the stars, backed by the Milky Way, truly a fairy-like beauty.


    She raised her hand and the long sword flew back into her hand like a fish. With the sword returned to its sheath, she stood still, like a lonely green lotus, waiting for something.


    What was she waiting for? Wang Ren wondered, subconsciously feeling that there was probably nothing in this world that was worth her waiting for.


    He secretly sized up her face:


    That cold and charming face...


    Wait!


    Wang Ren was suddenly stunned. Looking closely at that face again, he felt it was familiar. That... that was, that seemed to be, that was Li Shiyin who attended the disciple eptance ceremony with himst month!


    "Ah... ya!" He let out a meaningless moan, his gaze retracted as if pricked by a needle.


    He recalled that at the disciple eptance ceremony, when he was certain he had been epted by the Dao Sword Sect, he thought his future would be bright, and he would soon be immortal and attain the dao.


    Among those who came to apprentice at the same time, Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin were the most beautiful. He had thought about whether to take Li Shiyin or Tian Wenjin as his daopanion, or perhaps, if they begged him, he could reluctantly ept both.


    But now...


    "What''s wrong with you?" His senior fellow disciple asked him.


    "Nothing." He shook his head.


    "Do you know that inner disciple senior sister?"


    "Don''t know her!"


    "I see..." his senior disciple said, "How could you possibly know such a figure, she''s probably not an inner disciple, but a direct disciple."


    "Direct disciple?" Wang Ren waspletely stunned.


    Li Shiyinnded, put away her sword, swept her eyes through the passing crowd, didn''t recognize anyone, felt bored, and sighed inwardly: "Master is too slow!"


    Her master was clearly very strong, yet couldn''t fly. She had to think of a way to cure his fear of heights.


    She was scheming inwardly when Qin Ran finally ran over. She waved eagerly to indicate her position and called out: "Master!"


    Qin Ran slowly walked towards her.


    "Master, you''re so slow!" Sheined.


    Qin Ran gave her a look, but did not answer.


    Wang Ren was not far away, still secretly paying attention to Li Shiyin. When he saw Li Shiyin''s cold image instantly turn eager, and looked at Qin Ran''s youthful appearance, he couldn''t help but curse inwardly: "No wonder able to fly the sword so quickly, turns out to be a cheap tterer fawning over inner disciple senior brother! Disgusting!!"


    However, no one in the crowd noticed him.


    Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin through the crowd, out of the mountain gate, and bought two immortal spirit horses at the small market outside the mountain gate.


    Where there were people, there was the jianghu. Where there was demand, there was supply. Where there was trade, there was exploitation.


    ces like outside the mountain gate, with many peopleing and going, there would be specialized vendors selling travel tools, pills, artifacts, talismans and such that people needed when going out.


    When people came back, there would be specialized buyers purchasing demon beast cores, refining materials, skills, herbs and more that people wanted to sell.


    Some sects cared about face and kept such ces far away, some sects didn''t care and had such ces right at the mountain gate. But there would always be such ces.


    The two immortal spirit horses cost over a hundred spirit stones. Qin Ran and Li Shiyin each led one horse, passed through the market, and came onto the main road outside, where Li Shiyin stroked the snowy white fur of the immortal spirit horse andughed: "So pretty!"


    As she spoke andughed, she nimbly leapt onto the horse.


    Seeing Li Shiyin get on her horse, Qin Ran suddenly realized something else, and casually asked Li Shiyin: "Do you know how to ride a horse?"


    "Hehe! Master, I grew up on horseback, adept in archery and horsemanship..." Li Shiyin was rather proud, "Just in horsemanship, even Li Shiwen may not be as good as me!"


    Of course the young miss of a prominent n would know how to ride a horse! Qin Ran was panicking a bit immediately.


    After Li Shiyin finished speaking, she also reacted. She looked at Qin Ran and her big eyes curved into crescent moons as sheughed and asked: "Master, could it be you don''t know how to ride a horse?!"


    "Cough!" Qin Ran didn''t answer, imitating Li Shiyin''s posture earlier to nimbly leap onto the horse. He thought to himself, with his physical fitness, a small immortal spirit horse would be easy to control. How could riding a horse possibly be difficult for him!


    He steadied himself and said: "What''s so hard about riding a horse? How could I not know how?"


    "Master, there are many techniques to riding a horse..." Li Shiyin blinked her big eyes, kindly reminding him. However, with her look, it seemed anything but well-intentioned, and more mischievous.


    "Hmph!" Qin Ran scoffed coldly.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin skillfully rode her horse around Qin Ran in circles, seemingly showing off. She grinned wickedly, "Do you want me to teach you?"


    "Hmph! No need!"


    I, Qin Ran, have dignity. Even if I never learn to ride a horse in my life, fall off and die in the wilderness, I don''t need my apprentice to teach me how to ride a horse...

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51


    The Immortal Spirit Horse was originally a kind of docile mystical beast of the second rank that was captured and bred by beast trainers to serve as a higher grade recement for horses in the mortal realm. Its experiences were also quite simr to those of horses.


    Many cultivators who did not know how to fly or needed to travel far away used the Immortal Spirit Horse to get around...or entrics like Qin Ran who were afraid of heights...


    If an Immortal Spirit Horse was raised well and its quality rose to third rank, it would awaken its bloodline talent and be able to ride upon the clouds and fly.


    Ordinary Immortal Spirit Horses could not fly, but they were extremely fast and could traverse all kinds of terrain, already disying the precursors to riding upon clouds.


    If one were to boast that the Immortal Spirit Horse could travel a thousand miles a day, it would have to go find a b of tofu to smash its head upon and die.


    Therefore, although the Immortal Spirit Horse was very docile, because of its great speed, it also had tremendous danger.


    For example, after travelling just a few hundred miles, it left a certain person surnamed Qin with a battered and swollen face.


    Fortunately, he had a strong body and clear mind. After falling off several times, under the guidance of the horse riding grandmaster Li Shiyin, he finally learned how to ride a horse.


    "Master..." The two rode their horses, galloping along the road out of the Hengduan Mountains. Li Shiyin nced at Qin Ran''s swollen face and asked with a suppressedugh, "We''re going to be travelling for many days. Will Windchaser starve to death?"


    Although his body ached all over and his face was swollen, Qin Ran still replied with utmost seriousness:


    "I concocted some beast nurturing pills that are very beneficial for him, and left them all for him. There''s also still a lot of mystical beast milk and meat in the kitchen refrigerator. Windchaser is not an ordinary animal, he''s very clever and won''t starve to death."


    "But..." Li Shiyin judged others by her own standards, "Won''t Windchaser lose control of himself and eat everything up in the past few days, leaving nothing to eat in theter days?"


    This situation seemed very likely. Qin Ran couldn''t help but fall silent, it seemed he had miscalcted again.


    Why were there so many miscalctions today? With so many mishaps urring as they set out on this trip, could something be about to happen? He felt somewhat uneasy.


    As the Immortal Spirit Horses picked up speed, galloping faster and faster, they had exited the Hengduan Mountains before noon, arriving at the ins outside. They went from the narrow forest trails to the grasnds of the nds.


    At this time, Li Shiyin finally remembered that she still didn''t know their destination, so she asked, "Master, where does that artisan cksmith live?"


    "Xuanqin Country," Qin Ran replied. After galloping half a day, he had basically learned to ride a horse. Sitting atop the horse now felt rxed.


    "Xuanqin?" Li Shiyin eximed in surprise, "We still have to go to Xuanqin?!"


    "It''s not far. That artisan cksmith also lives outside the Hengduan Mountains, just happening to be within Xuanqin Country," Qin Ran said. "We''ll head west, following along the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains. With the speed of the Immortal Spirit Horses, we shouldn''t need more than two days."


    "Outside the Hengduan Mountains, could it be Anlu City?" Li Shiyin suddenly asked.


    "?" Qin Ran was somewhat puzzled. "Why ask that?"


    "Li Shiwen is stationed outside the Hengduan Mountains, partly to prevent mystical beasts from harming people, and partly to deter Xuanqin," Li Shiyin said. Ever since she had given Li Shiwen a brutal beatingst time, she no longer called him brother, but addressed him directly by name, and was increasingly brazen about it. "I used to go there to y with Li Shiwen, and he would bring me to fight with Xuanqin troops."


    As expected of you! Qin Ran silently ridiculed to himself. He said, "It''s not in Anlu City, but outside Anlu City. There''s a small town near Anlu bordering the Hengduan Mountains called Sword Forging Town."


    "What a pity!" Li Shiyinmented. "In the past when fighting, I would always lose. It would''ve been great if we went to Anlu, then we could take the opportunity to beat them up."


    Qin Ran ignored her words as if he hadn''t heard them.


    Although the Immortal Spirit Horses could not fly, they could basically traverse mountains as if they were t ground. With a skilled rider, they could even glide across water. Therefore, although the terrain outside the Hengduan Mountains was mostly untamed with winding mountain paths, it did not impede the master and disciple''s journey at all.


    After travelling through the forest for some time, the view suddenly opened up ahead of them. They emerged from the woods into a t area. Further ahead, there was a vige.


    "Wow...Master, there are houses over there!" Li Shiyin excitedly pointed and shouted, "Let''s go over and find some food!"


    Qin Ran shook his head. "We can''t."


    "Why not?" Li Shiyin asked, puzzled.


    "Where is this ce?" Qin Ran questioned.


    "The Hengduan Mountains!" Li Shiyin replied.


    "That''s right, the Hengduan Mountains!" Qin Ran said. "This area lies at the borders between North Chu Country, Xuanqin Country and the Hengduan Mountains. How could ordinary viges possibly exist in such disputed territories? We cannot enter the vige, and must be extremely cautious!"


    Li Shiyin sighed. How could there be any danger? But the Master had spoken, so she could only obey.


    Not only did Qin Ran not enter the vige, he slowed down and kept his distance, bypassing the vige from afar, fearing the vigers would discover them.


    But while the vigers could not detect them, their keen senses allowed them to clearly hear themotioning from the vige as they circumvented it. They could hear the vigers shouting:


    "Block that side, don''t let the beast escape!"


    "Watch out for the children...keep the kids back!"


    "Where are the knives? Those with knivese surround it!"


    "The children, watch the children!"


    "Heavens..."


    "Dear heavens!"


    Something seemed to have happened in the vige, and it sounded like children had been harmed. Qin Ran''s nose twitched as he faintly smelled traces of devilish qi.


    "Hurry up..." He urgently called for Li Shiyin. With a demon beast harming people, they had to run!


    But when he looked back, he only saw Li Shiyin jerk the reins, pulling Windchaser''s head aside as she charged straight for the vige!


    "Shiyin!" Qin Ran angrily shouted. "Stop!"


    But Li Shiyin did not listen to him. She rushed to the edge of the houses in the vige, unsheathed her Qixing Sword hanging by her white horse, gripped the sword and leapt forward.


    "Damnit!" Qin Ran cursed and clumsily pulled on the reins to follow after her.


    In the open space amongst the scattered houses of the vige, over a dozen brawny men wielding an assortment of weapons like spears, sabres, hoes and sickles had surrounded a gigantic snake, forming arge circle.


    In the middle of this circle was an enormous serpent...


    Its body was as thick as a water barrel, approximately thirteen to fourteen meters long. It had a dark red body covered in fine scales, a rounded head, and a blood-red forked tongue flicking out. Its golden vertical pupils stared straight at the vigers around it.


    Its eyes contained some strange colors, vaguely conveying its emotions, telling the vigers that this was no ordinary snake, but a demonic beast.


    In its coiled body it had trapped two unconscious children, a boy and a girl.


    The giant serpent flicked its tongue, tightening and loosening its body. When the vigers approached, it would tighten its coils, and when they retreated, it would loosen up - clearly adopting a threatening posture!


    The men surrounding it did not dare to move recklessly, neither daring to approach nor let the snake leave. They could only stand frozen in ce. The cries of the women at the periphery also gradually died down, and for a moment an eerie silence descended upon the vige.


    It was precisely at this time that a clear and melodious shout rang out:


    "Vile beast, release the children!"


    The vigers looked towards the voice to see a female sword immortal astride a white horse and wielding a sword galloping forth.


    She stopped her white horse at the edge of the crowd, then leapt up into the air, flying over the crowd. Her sword shot out a ray of sword qi straight towards the giant serpent''s head.


    "Watch out for the children!" The vigers shouted in chaos as they scattered.


    This was no ordinary snake. It knew enough to evade the perilous sword light headed for it.


    The female sword immortal closed in with her sword, shing horizontally to cleave its body in two...


    "Getting close to a demonic beast?" The giant serpent sneered coldly in its heart. Ignoring the sword swipe, itshed its tail towards her.


    Its tail was even bigger than the swordswoman''s body. With this tail whip, the victor was decided!


    But just as it began to whip its tail, in the next moment its eyes widened and its mouth gaped - it hurt!


    The hard scales on its upper body had been sliced open by the sword!


    It had no time to think further. The serpent swiftly lowered its head to bite, fast as lightning!


    Then...


    It staggered, having bitten empty air! Its tail had been grabbed!


    The female sword immortal held her sword in her right hand while her left hand had mped onto its tail. She turned and fled, dragging its massive body out of the vige!!


    "Such monstrous strength?!" The giant serpent was dumbfounded.


    Qin Ran rode over on his horse to see Li Shiyin madly running while dragging the giant serpent whose coiled body still held the two children.


    "Reckless!"


    He quickly stretched out his hand, sending forth a watery hand-shaped projection that pulled the children from the serpent''s coils and delivered them safely into the vigers'' midst.


    And after Li Shiyin''s child was saved by Qin Ran, she became even more uninhibited. She dragged the snake out of the crowd, out of the vige, to an open space outside the vige, threw aside the Qixing Sword, grabbed the giant snake''s tail with both hands, and swung the giant snake around!


    This was no female sword immortal, this was clearly a female deity of great strength!

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52


    Li Shiyin hugged the tail of the giant snake, swung the ten-meter long giant snake in the air for a few circles, then smashed it on the ground a few times. Feeling the struggling strength of the giant snake weakening, she then stopped and smashed the giant snake on the ground again with force.


    After calling for the Qingxing Sword, she panted and flew onto the sword, heading towards the snake head''s location to check on the situation of the giant snake.


    Qin Ran flew over in a timely manner and stopped the silly goose-like Li Shiyin. He raised his hand and flew out a bubble, enveloping the entire giant snake in it.


    "In this kind of situation, because the specific status of the enemy is uncertain, it is best to directly deliver the finishing blow. If you don''t want to do that, then don''t get too close to the enemy casually either, otherwise you are very likely to be ambushed by the enemy. This is still a snake. The speed of the snake head is extremely fast. If you just go and take a look like this, does it seem like you have lived far too long?" he admonished.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin panted and stuck out her tongue.


    Qin Ran red at her.


    "I''ve seen the immortal!"


    At this time, a group of vigers surrounded them. Among them, two couples each hugged their children and knelt down in front of Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, kowtowing,


    "Thank you, immortal!"


    "No need, no need..." Li Shiyin said, "It was just a small matter!"


    A small matter - hugging a ten-meter long giant snake and ying with it like a toy.


    The two couples knelt on the ground, looked up at Li Shiyin, with some fear in their eyes. The scene of Li Shiyin''s wild abuse of the giant snake just now was really frightening. They actually felt that Qin Ran, whoter saved the children, was more approachable and had the vor of an immortal.


    One of the husbands looked at Qin Ran and said, "Immortal, you subdued the evil monster and saved my son. I really don''t know how to thank you..."


    Before he finished speaking, Qin Ran raised his hand to stop him from continuing, and replied, "My disciple and I passed by here and helped incidentally. There is no need for thanks."


    Qin Ran knew what was on the minds of these two couples who came over hugging their children. They just wanted him to save their children.


    He didn''t say much more,nded in front of them, squatted down, took the boy''s wrist, and took his pulse. He found that the child''s bones had be deformed, and his five viscera and six bowels were also squeezed to some extent. He frowned, also touched the girl''s pulse, and found that the situation was not much better.


    The power of the giant snake was not something children could withstand, not even a tiny bit. With the condition of these two children, if he didn''t make a move, they probably wouldn''t survive.


    "Immortal, how is my child?" a woman asked. She was still kneeling on the ground.


    "You get up first." Qin Ran said. "The child''s problem is serious..."


    Hearing his words, the two couples kowtowed again, anxiously saying, "The immortal is extremelypassionate and benevolent, righteous and kind. I beg you to save my child."


    "Get up first." Qin Ran said. "The child''s problem is serious, but it''s not hopeless."


    Only then did the two couples stop kowtowing, but they still did not stand up.


    Qin Ran took out a Blood Activating Muscle Pill from the Universe Bag. He said to the vigers next to him, "Go and get a bowl of water."


    Soon a viger brought water over.


    Qin Ran put the Blood Activating Muscle Pill into the water and waited for it to dissolve. He squatted down and pressed his hand on the boy''s chest, saying to the couple, "His bones and internal organs were all squeezed. I''ll reshape his bones first."


    "Immortal, do as you wish."


    Qin Ran sent his divine sense into the boy''s brain to hypnotize him, and slowly transferred power into the boy''s limbs and bones. With his control over his power and the gentleness of his water-attributed power, he reshaped the boy''s bones.


    Then he fed the boy half of the water containing the dissolved Blood Activating Muscle Pill to help his injuries recover quickly.


    After healing the boy, Qin Ran was about to reshape the bones for the girl, but at this time Li Shiyin suddenly walked over. She said to Qin Ran, "Master, for the girl, let me do it."


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran looked at her doubtfully, then realized it would be inappropriate for him to do it for the girl. So he asked Li Shiyin, "Can you do it?"


    "Master, please teach me."


    "Immortal..." But the girl''s parents did not trust Li Shiyin.


    "Don''t worry, she is also very capable." Qin Ran said.


    "But..."


    As the girl''s parents hesitated, Li Shiyin pouted unhappily, squatted down, and pressed her hand on the girl''s chest.


    "Your power is too aggressive, so be more careful." Qin Ran nodded at the girl''s parents and said to Li Shiyin, "Let your power slowly enter her body, protect her internal organs first..."


    Li Shiyin did as instructed, but her power was not as gentle as Qin Ran''s. Her control over her power was also far from Qin Ran''s level. As soon as her power entered the body, the pain woke the girl up.


    Qin Ran quickly sent out his divine sense to soothe the girl and put her back to sleep.


    "Then reshape her bones, don''t use too much force..."


    Under Qin Ran''s guidance, Li Shiyin also step-by-step reshaped the girl''s bones. Qin Ran looked at her. His silly disciple''s control over power was already quite skilled.


    He handed Li Shiyin the remaining half bowl of Blood Activating Muscle Pill water and said, "Let her drink the water."


    The treatment was sessful. Li Shiyin was quite happy. She stood up and grinned at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran didn''t really want to pay attention to her. He took out another book and handed it to one of the men, saying,


    "The children''s bones and five viscera were injured. Although we did our best, it was still artificial treatment after all, I dare not guarantee absolutely no problems. This is a practice method for nourishing the body. Teach them to practice diligently, it will benefit their bodies."


    "Yes, immortal!" The man bowed to ept the practice method.


    After handling this side, Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin to the giant snake and considered how to deal with it.


    "We can''t let it go, can''t guarantee it won''te back for revenge; We also can''t take it with us, we don''t have the free time to look after it. So..." Qin Ran said, "Although a bit heartless, there is only killing it."


    "Shiyin!" He gestured at Li Shiyin, "Use you Starlight Beam move to practice your skills."


    "Master..." Li Shiyin grasped the hilt, but did not draw the sword for a long time, "Isn''t it too cruel?"


    "You were the one who made the first move, so you should also finish it. Take responsibility for your actions!" Qin Ran said expressionlessly. "Shiyin, remember, this is the immortal cultivation world. There is no room for the slightest soft-heartedness!"


    Li Shiyin fell silent and said nothing. After a while, the Qingxing Sword was unsheathed, and starlight was umted...


    Just as the starlight was about to shoot out, the giant snake''s body inside the bubble suddenly started flickering, making her stop.


    The huge body in the bubble shook a few times, and slowly shrank visibly. In a short while, it shrank from a gigantic state to the size of an ordinary person. It squirmed once more and became even smaller. Then it stretched out its hands, feet and head.


    With another flicker, it turned into a five or six year old little girl, using snake skin to wrap her body. She tumbled and knelt inside the bubble, pitifully pleading, "I beg the immortal to spare my life. Consider this is my first offense, and I have not harmed anyone yet. Please spare me from death!"


    "What''s this?" Li Shiyin stopped, frowning.


    "A demon?" Qin Ran was shocked, and a Earth Fire Pellet appeared in his palm.


    "Who are you?" he asked the little girl.


    "Replying to the immortal, little demon Long Qi Qi, the demon of the Hengduan Mountains here." The little girl replied.


    "Snake demon Long Qi Qi?" Qin Ran felt strange.


    "You heard our predicament earlier, this won''t change just because you transformed." He said solemnly. "On the contrary, because you transformed, I must kill you even more."


    "Immortal, I guarantee I won''t offend again. I''ll go back to the Hengduan Mountains immediately and nevere out again forever." Long Qi Qi kowtowed desperately.


    "You guarantee?" Qin Ran shook his head. "It''s useless."


    Actually Long Qi Qi didn''t want to go back to the Hengduan Mountains either. She finally got out, how could she want to go back? Going back to the Hengduan Mountains now was the next worst option besides death.


    Hearing Qin Ran''s words, she immediately changed her tune: "Then the immortal can bring the little demon with you to supervise me at all times! The little demon can serve tea and water, wait on people, and doesn''t eat much either. As long as you spare me from death."


    "It would be inconvenient for us..." The strong will to survive made Qin Ran hesitate, but he still wanted to kill the snake demon and be done with it.


    "Mas...Master, she''s also a child." Li Shiyin suddenly whispered.


    Qin Ran coldly looked at her with a frown on his face. His silly apprentice had many qualities of a general''s manor, but this soft heart of kindness did not match a general at all.


    Could this snake demon also be considered a child? She had already taken human form, her age could be older than her grandfather... No, she could be older than the Northern Chu Kingdom itself.


    But in the end, they did not kill this snake demon. Instead, they took her away with them.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53


    "What is the difference between demons and demonic beasts?"


    Qin Ran pondered for a moment, then exined to Li Shiyin, who had posed the question, "Let''s take Chasing the Wind as an example. If Chasing the Wind grows normally, from a first-level demonic beast to a second-level demonic beast, all the way up to a seventh-level demonic beast, and maintains the appearance of a demonic beast throughout, then it is considered a demonic beast.


    "But if one day, he sacrifices his demonic core and reshapes his physical body, transforming it into a human form, then he bes a demon.


    "Or... if he consumes a transformation pill."


    "A transformation pill?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "It''s an advanced pill that can only be refined by cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage. It can seize the heavens'' and earth''s essence, directly transforming animals and birds into human form."


    "Then, which is more powerful, demons or demonic beasts?" Li Shiyin asked again.


    "This is actually difficult to determine because the situation is tooplex. Even if we were to establish a separate discipline, it would still fall short," Qin Ran said.


    "However, there is a simple way to judge. Generally speaking, the nobler the bloodline of a demonic beast, the stronger it will be. But demonic creatures with inferior bloodlines may have a chance to counterattack.


    "When a demonic beast transforms into a demon, it gains a human form and can cultivate human arts, integrating into human society. However, the top-tier demonic arts are not inferior to the highest-level human arts. So those ancient great demons, divine birds, and sacred beasts disdain transforming into humans."


    Li Shiyin nodded, finally gaining an understanding of demons and demonic beasts. She then pointed to Long Qiqi, the snake demon who was sitting in Qin Ran''s arms, and asked, "What about her? What''s her situation?"


    Long Qiqi was now dressed in clothes that fit her well, which were obtained from a nearby vige.


    "I cannot determine whether her bloodline is high or low," Qin Ran''s expression became somewhat strange as he looked down at the little girl in his arms.


    "But at present, she has no cultivation and all her demonic power has transformed into this body. Based on this, her bloodline shouldn''t be very high. She belongs to the kind of demonic beast that takes a desperate gamble, attempting to defy fate by transforming into a human."


    Realizing that Qin Ran was looking at her, Long Qiqi quickly lifted her head and grinned at him.


    However, because Li Shiyin was always seeing Long Qiqi''s silly grin, Qin Ran was well aware that her smile wasn''t genuine. It was a calcted smile.


    Li Shiyin didn''t appreciate seeing Long Qiqi, especially when she saw Long Qiqi smiling at her master. She red at Long Qiqi and gritted her teeth as she asked Qin Ran, "She doesn''t even have any cultivation! So why don''t you let her apany me?!"


    Qin Ran had Long Qiqi ride with him not because he was truly a perverted weirdo, but because he was wary of Long Qiqi. After all, having Li Shiyin stay with this cunning snake demon...


    Well, Qin Ran couldn''t say for sure.


    "Even if she has no cultivation, she is still a highly venomous snake!" he exined to Li Shiyin like this, then turned to Long Qiqi and asked, "What kind of snake are you?"


    Long Qiqi secretly pursed her lips and replied, "ording to the ssification of you humans, I should be an Infernal Shadow Climber Snake."


    An Infernal Shadow Climber Snake?!


    As soon as Long Qiqi uttered these words, Qin Ran was startled. His knowledge of snakes was limited to books, and he had never encountered one in person. So he had no idea that the snake he had been fighting with for most of the day was actually a Yinsha Taipan Snake!


    What is a Yinsha Taipan Snake? It is a snake that is born with a Yinsha constitution, nurtured in a Yinsha-infested ce. It naturally possesses Yinsha poison, which is potent enough to kill a Golden Core cultivator.


    An ordinary Taipan Snake is already highly venomous, but the Yinsha Taipan Snake is a fourth-level demonic beast. So, how terrifying would a transformed Yinsha Taipan Snake be?


    Leaving aside itsbat power, let''s just talk about its poison...


    Without much thought, Qin Ran quickly sealed the vital acupoints on Long Qiqi''s body with lightning speed, rendering herpletely immobilized. Fortunately, his foolish disciple hadn''t been bitten during their fight. Qin Ran felt a shiver of fear.


    Taking on human form was necessary to cultivate human cultivation techniques. To practice these techniques, one must have human meridians and acupoints. However, by acquiring human meridians and acupoints, one also inherits human weaknesses.


    This is the nature of gain and loss.


    Long Qiqi had transformed into human form, and Qin Ran sealed her using human methods. She had anticipated this situation and only responded with a mocking smile, choosing not to speak.


    Seeing how nervous her master was, Li Shiyin realized that this Yinsha Taipan Snake must be formidable. But after ncing at Long Qiqi, who was now a defeated subordinate, she sneered and said, "ording to human standards?"


    How dare a defeated subordinate speak so arrogantly?


    Long Qiqi''s mouth was not sealed, allowing her to speak. She coldly chuckled and replied, "In this world, you humans are the dominant species, and you humans are the ones who define the ssifications of other beings. But I don''t acknowledge your ssifications. I cannot create a new ssification system for different species, but I can choose not to abide by your human ssification.


    "You call me a snake, a Taipan Snake, but I don''t acknowledge it. I say I am a dragon, a Red Dragon without scales or horns. I''m not called Qiqi the Snake, I''m called Qiqi the Dragon."


    Oh? Qin Ran became slightly interested after hearing Long Qiqi''s words. She was indeed a fascinating snake.


    "Such deceptive words!" Li Shiyin coldly snorted.


    "I am not a demon. Demons are also defined by you humans..." Long Qiqi continued, "One day, when I be an Immortal Deity, I will transform the entire Lingnan Region into my world. Then, humans won''t be called humans, but pigs; snakes won''t be called snakes, but dragons; immortals won''t be called immortals, but maggots..."


    She was a snake with lofty ideals.


    Listening to Long Qiqi, Qin Ran couldn''t help but tease, "But even Immortal Deities are defined by humans, and the Lingnan Region is also named by humans. Human, pig, snake, dragon, immortal¡ªthey are all defined by humans."


    "Ah?" Long Qiqi was speechless.


    Qin Ran continued, "Thenguage you are using right now to speak is thenguage of humans."


    "Hmph!" Long Qiqi''s cute face turned fierce. Her ck pupils turned golden with vertical slits. Defiantly, she said, "Then I will create anguage specifically for the demonic race!"


    "Go for it!" Qin Ran clenched his fist.


    Seeing Long Qiqi''s defeat at the hands of her master, Li Shiyin became even more pleased. She hummed a tune, pulled the reins, and moved ahead.


    Today, they were already unable to reach Anlu City, and they ended up wasting time on the road, failing to even reach the border of Xuanqin Country.


    There was still some distance to the border, and it was getting dark. Once it was dark, they couldn''t continue their journey.


    Although Qin Ran and Li Shiyin had good eyesight, they hadn''t studied any eye techniques, so they couldn''t see inpletely dark environments. They had no choice but to stop and rest.


    They stopped in the wilderness.


    Not to mention finding a ce like Anlu or Xuanqin, they couldn''t even find an inn. In the end, they had to spend the night in the wilderness, which was the worst-case scenario.


    "Studying an eye technique is an urgent matter," Qin Ran said while helping Li Shiyin set up the tent. He sighed, "It seems like nothing is going smoothly. I hope things will get better in the future."


    Soon, two tents were set up in the open field. A young couple and a chubby little girl sat in front of a campfire, talking and roasting spirit beast meat.


    The crackling sound of the campfire, the cool breeze blowing through the mountains, the grass swaying¡ªtheir two white horses were tied nearby, lowering their heads to eat grass.


    Qin Ran sprinkled seasoning and honey on the roasted meat. He had anticipated the worst-case scenario of camping in the mountains and made ample preparations.


    The aroma of the roasted meat filled the air. The chubby snake demon girl, Long Qiqi, hugged her legs and stared at the meat on the fire, salivating.


    "Do you want some meat?" Qin Ran deliberately asked when he saw her.


    "Meat! Meat!!" Long Qiqi eximed eagerly, with her drool spilling all over the ground.


    Only then did Qin Ran cut a piece of meat for her.


    Although the snake demon appeared young, her appetite was not small. As for Li Shiyin, she had a hearty appetite and was always the first one to eat.


    So, this meal was quite a busy one for Qin Ran, and he only got to eat some meat at the end.


    They roasted meat, stewed soup, and had vegetables and fruits. In this regard, Qin Ran had truly inherited the teachings of Confucius. He savored every bite and was meticulous in his eating. Even though they were in the wilderness, he managed to treat Li Shiyin to a delicious outdoor barbecue.


    After eating their fill and feeding some Beast-feeding Pills to their celestial spirit horses, the two of them, along with the demon disciple,y on the grass, enjoying the night breeze and gazing at the starry sky.


    Despite the distant cries of ghosts and howls of wolves, there were also chirping crickets nearby.


    The foolish disciple, who was full and content, happily spoke simple-minded words by the side. Qin Ran thought that asionally going camping was still quite enjoyable.

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54


    Originally, it was supposed to be a nice camping trip, until Qin Ran was suddenly awakened in the middle of the night.


    The campfire outside the tent was still burning vigorously, casting flickering light into the tent that illuminated the furtive snake-like body.


    Qin Ran sat up and saw Long Qiqi with her back facing him, sneaking out like a thief.


    "Where are you going?" he asked aloud.


    "Ah!" Long Qiqi did not notice the movement behind her and was startled by the sudden voice. She turned around, saw Qin Ran staring at her, and smiled ingratiatingly, "Oh, uh, I need to pee urgently so I''m going to the toilet!"


    Qin Ran ignored her, got up and went over to Long Qiqi, touching her he found that the sealed acupoints had been opened.


    After all Long Qiqi was a demon beast, although she had transformed into a human, the locations of her acupoints and meridian pathways still had subtle differencespared to humans.


    Normal methods really could not seal her for too long.


    Qin Ran looked at her for a moment, then sealed her acupoints again... Unfortunately he had not learned how to dislocate bones, otherwise taking apart her bones would be even better.


    "Hey! You can''t seal me here at this time!" Long Qiqi became anxious and said, "People will die!"


    "You forgot, you''re not human," Qin Ran retorted, and no longer bothered with her as he walked straight out of the tent.


    The tents were pitched on a vast wilderness, and standing there one could see very far into the distance.


    Qin Ran stood in front of the tent, gazing into the darkness in the distance, where there were torches, one after another, several hundred of them, connected into arge area.


    There were also sounds of people shouting, horses neighing, and the clip-clop of hooves approaching.


    The ground was shaking.


    An army wasing, cavalry at that!


    Qin Ran was shocked awake, not only because Long Qiqi wanted to escape, but also because he could feel the ground shaking from the cavalry trampling the earth.


    "Shiyin!!"


    He rushed to Li Shiyin''s tent and yelled repeatedly.


    The cavalry were pressing in, the "boom boom" of hooves bing clearer, but there was no movement from inside the tent.


    Qin Ran shouted again: "Shiyin, Shiyin!!"


    Li Shiyin still did not respond.


    Qin Ran became anxious, disregarding everything, ripped open the tent and rushed inside, only to see Li Shiyin sleeping spread-eagled inside, very sweetly asleep!


    "Ah! You really make me give up!" Qin Ran suddenly felt despair.


    Hurriedly he went over to pick up Li Shiyin and found a coat to wrap her in.


    But before he had finished dressing Li Shiyin, the boom of hooves was already approaching. Then, someone outside the tent shouted: "Who''s in the tent,e out quickly!"


    Qin Ran continued dressing Li Shiyin.


    Seeing no movement from the tent, someone outside drew a bow and shot a few arrows into the tent.


    "Come out, or die!"


    Qin Ran sighed, carried Li Shiyin who was only half dressed, and walked out of the tent.


    Sure enough they were surrounded, looking out he could see over a thousand cavalry halted outside, a huge ck mass, and another dozen or so had circled to the back, cutting off retreat from the tent.


    The torches roared noisily in the wind, clear clinking sounds of armor colliding, horses milling around, the din from the army formation, the hypersensitive but socially anxious Qin Ran felt dizzy for a moment.


    He was stunned for a bit beforeing to his senses, then heard someone shouting at him:


    "Hey! Hey!"


    He looked up to see a soldier in ck armor on horseback stopped in front of him, a saber pointed at him as the soldier barked: "Hey! Speak, who are you?"


    "Qin Ran of the Dao Sword Sect," he replied.


    "Dao Sword Sect?" The soldier sized up Qin Ran for a moment, "A cultivator?"


    Then he shouted again: "What are you doing here?"


    "Passing by, resting," Qin Ran said.


    "Who''s the one you''re carrying?"


    "My disciple."


    "Your disciple?" The soldier seemed to think of something dirty andughed.


    Afterughing for a while, he said, "Your disciple is like this?"


    He was about to ask more when someone suddenly yelled from the side: "What did he say his name was?"


    This voice sounded familiar to Qin Ran.


    "Qin Ran!" the soldier shouted back loudly, "He''s a cultivator."


    Then someone rode over from that side, arriving beside Qin Ran, the horse circling around him, looking down and scrutinizing him.


    Qin Ran looked up nkly at the horseman, this person was also wearing the same ck armor, but he had a bright silver spear, and his face looked somewhat familiar...


    He quickly recognized him, this was Li Shiwen!


    "How about it? Recognize me now?" Li Shiwen asked coldly.


    For some reason, Qin Ran suddenly felt guilty, as if in an instant he had be much shorter than Li Shiwen. He subconsciously lowered his head, not daring to look at Li Shiwen.


    Why was this?


    ...Because he was holding the other''s half naked sister!!!


    "I didn''t expect you to be such a beast!" Li Shiwen''s eyes were shooting fire as he ground his teeth, seeming ready to devour someone.


    As he spoke, he stabbed over with his spear.


    Qin Ran freed a hand to grab Li Shiwen''s steel spear, hesitated for a moment, then exined: "It''s not what you think... This is an ident!"


    "Then what the hell is it?!" Li Shiwen yelled explosively, jerking his spear but unable to pull it free, then said, "To think I thought you were a gentleman!"


    His familiar explosive yelling finally woke up Li Shiyin.


    In her groggy state, Li Shiyin heard her brother''s voice and opened her eyes to look for him. Indeed there he was beside her.


    Hmm? Warhorse, ck armor, spear, torches, big wind, is this a battle? She must be dreaming right!?


    Just as she was thinking this, Li Shiwen roared again: "Tear him apart for me!"


    It really was her brother?!


    Li Shiyin confirmed it and was very happy, yelling loudly: "Brother!"


    Then she turned and jumped directly from Qin Ran''s arms onto Li Shiwen''s horse. Her tender white hand pressed on Li Shiwen''s armor as she smiled and asked: "How did you get into my dream? This armor feels quite real."


    Li Shiwen was taken aback, a question mark on his face.


    "Did youe to fight me?" Li Shiyin was delighted, standing on the horse with hands on hips, taunting: "This time I''ll let you use only one hand..."


    "Shiyin..." Qin Ran called from the ground.


    Li Shiyin looked back and saw Qin Ran on the ground, even more surprised: "Eh? Master!! You''re in my dream too?"


    Qin Ran pped his forehead and pointed around them.


    Li Shiyin followed his gesture and took a look around - the wilderness, tents, campfire - her mind gradually returned and it seemed...this was not a dream!


    She lowered her head to look at Li Shiwen on the horse, very puzzled: "How did you get here?"


    Li Shiwen''s face was ck as he asked back: "How did you get here?!"


    "I went with Master to XuanQin to forge swords!" Li Shiyin replied.


    "If you''re forging swords then forge swords, what are you doing here? And...clothes in disarray, what''s with that?!" Li Shiwen scolded.


    Only then did Li Shiyin examine herself and find that her coat was only halfway on, the other half dangling crookedly.


    "Eh? Who dressed me?" She couldn''t remember.


    "Ah!!" Li Shiwen and Qin Ran both looked up at the sky.


    Li Shiwen suddenly realized he had made the same gesture as Qin Ran, and understood him in an instant - the misunderstanding was resolved...


    Just then, there was amotion in the distant formation, a soldier shouted towards them: "Demon beast!"


    Li Shiwen immediately became serious. Soon a scout rode over and whispered in his ear: "General, wolf pack to the southeast!"


    He nodded, then asked Qin Ran: "That white horse is yours?"


    "Yes."


    "Come with us!" said Li Shiwen.


    Finally he withdrew his spear, raised it, and yelled loudly: "Everyone prepare to move out!"


    Then he pulled the reins and headed southeast.


    Li Shiyin jumped down from Li Shiwen''s horse and put on her clothes properly on the ground. She asked Qin Ran: "Master, should we go with them?"


    Qin Ran nced at her and said: "Let''s go!"


    He went into the tent to drag out Long Qiqi, then rode out with Li Shiyin on their horses to follow the main force.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55


    Li Shiwen discovered Qin Ran and his apprentice, this was no coincidence.


    Recently there have been frequent incidents of demon beasts going berserk and injuring people. He had a premonition that something was going on deep within the Hengduan Mountains. So these days, he had been patrolling the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains.


    Firstly to drive away the frenzied demon beasts, secondly to warn the foolish hunters and cultivators who did not know life from death, and thirdly to investigate the reason why the demon beasts were going berserk.


    Tonight as he was patrolling this area, he saw a bonfire on the barrennd from afar, and immediately brought his troops over to check exactly who was being so foolish as to not know life from death.


    But as soon as he looked, he saw that it was actually his younger sister together with her master over there and...


    "And what?" Li Shiyin''s big eyes were a little confused as she asked Li Shiwen.


    Li Shiwen did not know how to exin, so he rode forward on his horse.


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran doubtfully again. Qin Ran shook his head, also not knowing how to exin, and hurriedly rode forward to catch up with Li Shiwen.


    Li Shiwen led the patrol troops, about all elites, wearing armor and carrying bows, spears and sabers, well-equipped for both close and long rangebat.


    Their armor was painted ck, almost the same color as the darkness, like extinguished torches, they would blend into the darkness and be the grim reapers in the dark.


    As they came and went, they moved uniformly and swiftly like gale force winds and lightning.


    If Qin Ran had not been riding an Immortal Spirit Horse, he would not have even seen the tail end of this cavalry unit.


    He rode a white horse, hugging the littlemia Long Qiqi, galloping to the front of the troop to catch up with Li Shiwen, and avoiding the confused Li Shiyin.


    "Who is she?" Li Shiwen gestured at Long Qiqi in Qin Ran''s arms and asked.


    "Demon beast!" Qin Ran answered concisely.


    "Demon beast?!"


    Qin Ran hmmed and did not exin further.


    Li Shiyin who was in the midst of asking the troops for bows, arrows and spears, nced over and saw Li Shiwen''s ignorant appearance. She curled her lips slightly with some contempt.


    "Your general really has no experience. He has never even seen a demon beast snake before." She said to the soldier beside her.


    "Ah yes yes yes." The soldiers nodded.


    And seeing Qin Ran''s expression, Li Shiwen knew he had overreacted. After all, this was an immortal expert, what was a small demon beast snake?


    So he gave a little cough by himself and stopped talking, so as to avoid further exposing his ownck of knowledge.


    The cavalry moved extremely fast, and in no time at all, they arrived at the ce where the scout had reported seeing the demon beasts.


    Qin Ran had good eyesight. Looking from afar, he could see amidst the darkness, pairs upon pairs of blood red eyes, and with the help of the torchlight from this side, he could also vaguely make out the sharp ears and long snouts in the dark undergrowth.


    ¡°Ready your bows!¡±


    They were still quite a distance away that even Qin Ran could barely make out the details. Li Shiwen definitely could not see the specific situation over there, but without further thought, Li Shiwen already fired a rain of arrows over.


    "Ao~~~~"


    These wolf demon beasts were not very high level. This wave of arrows caused them heavy casualties. There was chaos amongst the wolf pack with intermittent howls here and there.


    But the wolf pack was huge. Despite being injured, they did not flee, instead they charged towards them.


    Qin Ran took another look. Amidst the darkness were countless pairs of bloodshot eyes, like a sea of blood, covering the entire mountain... this wolf pack had thousands of them!


    As the cavalry charged and the wolf pack rushed over, the distance between them shortened rapidly. At that moment, Qin Ran could feel his own blood boiling as he drew out his sword.


    But just then, Li Shiwen shouted, "Right turn!"


    The entire cavalry unit turned neatly to the right in unison.


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was dumbfounded and got thrown out of the formation. He looked left and saw the wolves right next to him. The stench overwhelmed him as the wolves brushed past the buttocks of his horse. He hurriedly spurred his Immortal Spirit Horse to catch up with higher performance.


    Li Shiwen did not give him a heads up, he must have done that on purpose! Qin Ran gnashed his teeth.


    Following behind the troop, Qin Ran could clearly see that with the cavalry''s right turn, they had neatly avoided the wolf pack''s charge. As the wolf pack rushed at them, the cavalry slid smoothly along the curve of their attack.


    But Li Shiwen clearly could not see the details of the wolves'' movements! How did he manage to do that?


    Qin Ran suddenly recalled his silly apprentice''s intuition during cultivation...


    Li Shiwen led the cavalry to the side of the wolf pack, continuously firing arrows to whittle down their numbers.


    They were like sheepdogs herding the wolves as sheep, keeping them in this grasnd pasture.


    Li Shiwen controlled the distance, encircling the wolf pack with attacks using only bows and arrows, avoiding closebat as much as possible. When wolves drew near, he would pull back. And when the wolf pack tried to flee, they would chase up to them.


    A ssic cavalry tactic of kiting.


    However, Li Shiwen still could not see the details clearly. There were times he misjudged the distance and got into close quarter fights with the wolf pack, resulting in cavalry casualties.


    "Level one demon beast, Dark Night Forest Wolf Pack." Qin Ran identified the specific type of wolf pack.


    Seeing the fallen soldiers amidst the darkness, he sighed and took out some medicinal pills from his cosmic bag, conveying to Li Shiwen with sound transmission, "I''ll throw, you shoot!"


    Li Shiwen did not understand his intention but Qin Ran did not exin much. He directly threw a pill into the air and Li Shiwen frowned before drawing his bow to shoot an arrow urately at the pill in midair.


    In the next moment, the pill exploded with an eye piercing light in the air. Every single grain of the exploded pill lit up, dispelling the darkness in this area.


    "There''s actually something like this?" Li Shiwen was dazzled by the light and eximed joyfully.


    Qin Ran threw a few more pills into the air and Li Shiwen shot them down one by one with his arrows. In a short while, it was as bright as daytime, with everything in clear sight.


    With that, there would no longer be cases of Li Shiwen misjudging distances when leading the cavalry to kite.


    The cavalry advanced bit by bit, pushing the wolf pack back towards the forest. The wolf pack retreated slowly, watching intently for any chance to counter attack. Both sides seemed highly organized.


    It could be seen that Li Shiwen was no stranger to leading troops to drive away packs of demon beasts. It was also evident that the wolf king of this pack was not simple at all.


    Qin Ran rode hard to keep up with the advancing and retreating tempo of the cavalry on his Immortal Spirit Horse.


    While keeping up, he sent out his divine sense to search for something amongst the wolf pack until finally, after much effort, at a certain moment he found his target on that slightly bigger wolf hiding amongst the pack...


    The Wolf King!


    "Shiyin..." He called out urgently.


    Unlike Qin Ran, Li Shiyin had grown up on horseback since young. Riding and shooting arrows was like eating and drinking to her. She had also experienced cavalry offense and defense before. At that moment, she was happily going with the flow of Li Shiwen''s tempo.


    Hearing Qin Ran calling for her, she took the chance to ask during the brief respite, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°The Wolf King!¡±


    Qin Ran shared his line of sight via his divine sense to Li Shiyin, allowing her to also see the hiding Wolf King. She instantly became excited, spurring her horse out of formation to rush next to Li Shiwen and snatching his steel spear.


    She stood up on her white horse, took a step forward to nt a foot on the horse''s head and shouted, "From now on, I''m the older sister, Li Shiwen!"


    The spear shot through the air in a parabolic trajectory. Its tip glinted in the bright light before urately piercing the Wolf King''s torso, nailing it directly to the ground.


    It was as if there was some strange effect at y. The moment the Wolf King died, the wolf pack instantly lost all fighting spirit and began to scatter loosely.


    The cavalry drew their bows and volleys of arrows rained down. The dead wolves died and the scattered ones fled. The pack quickly disappeared into the forest.


    "Awesome..."


    The cavalry cheered and their horses neighed along.


    Suddenly someone shouted, "Shiyin". Qin Ran could clearly hear it was Li Shiwen shouting. Then some others followed shouting, they were trusted aides of the Li family.


    Then wave after wave of cheers rang out:


    "Shiyin!"


    "Shiyin!"


    "Shiyin..."


    Li Shiyin stood on the horse''s head with both hands raised, basking in the cheers, looking every bit like a...


    Viinous demon lord!


    As Qin Ran watched on, he felt that the cheers were a perfect match for his silly apprentice''s performance. She was born to stand in the center of the stage, destined to be the brightest star in the night sky.


    His heart suddenly felt itchy.


    "What do you think?" Li Shiwen''s voice suddenly sounded next to his ear and Qin Ran saw him riding over while watching Shiyin and asking him.


    "Think of what?" Qin Ran did not know what Li Shiwen wanted to ask.


    "What do you think of my sister?"


    "Shiyin is great!" Qin Ran replied.


    "Do you like her then?"

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56


    Li Shiwen''s words heavily knocked at Qin Ran''s heart. He understood very clearly what Li Shiwen was asking, but he couldn''t think of how to respond to Li Shiwen''s direct question, so he was stunned and felt nervous and afraid...


    "Shiyin is very cute and I quite like her..." he ambiguously replied, "She''s my only disciple after all!"


    "Humph!" Li Shiwen let out a coldugh.


    As a man, as a brother, he had long felt that this master-disciple rtionship was not quite that of a normal master and disciple. And now, seeing Qin Ran''s manner, it further confirmed his suspicion.


    He rode over to pull out the steel spear that Li Shiyin had thrown out, the spear still hanging with the Wolf King impaled on it. Holding up the Wolf King, he pointed it at Qin Ran and said word for word, "You better be careful!"


    The threatening implication was undoubtedly revealed!


    For other matters, other people, at other times, with Qin Ran''s cowardly personality, he wouldn''t even think of reasoning and would just look for an opportunity to secretly fix the person. But facing Li Shiwen''s warning, he had no way to retaliate.


    Because he had a guilty conscience.


    At Dao Questioning Grand Hall, when he first saw Li Shiyin, what he thought of was the matter of daopanions instead of disciples. Afterwards, when he brought Li Shiyin back to Dan Peak, he had been repressing his own emotions every day.


    Often, he wasn''t even clear what he was thinking - whether he had brought a daopanion home or taken a disciple home.


    But it was precisely because he was unclear, so it could be determined that his heart had never been clean.


    He liked Li Shiyin, no matter what kind of like it was, he liked this simple, silly girl, otherwise he wouldn''t have paid so much for her...


    "What are you talking about?" But facing Li Shiwen, he could only pretend to be stupid, "I don''t really understand..."


    "What are you guys talking about?" At this moment, Li Shiyin flew over on her sword.


    "Nothing!" The two men turned to Li Shiyin with a smile.


    Li Shiyin looked at them suspiciously for a moment, knowing they were hiding something from her. But she was toozy to care. She snatched the steel spear from Li Shiwen''s hand, held up the Wolf King and flew back, circling around in the air to show off her battle achievements to the cavalry.


    After a while, they went to clean up the battlefield.


    They recovered all the arrows, and the wolf corpses that were intact were also collected up. This cavalry was well-trained, and they were very skilled in this kind of thing which they did often, so it didn''t take them long to clean up the battlefield spotless.


    Li Shiwen regrouped the troops and continued patrolling.


    "Which direction are you guys going?" Qin Ran asked Li Shiwen.


    "We have to patrol the entire outskirts of Hengduan Mountains," Li Shiwen said.


    "We''re going to Xuanqin..." Qin Ran said.


    Li Shiwen recalled Li Shiyin saying they were going to Xuanqin to forge swords, so he asked Qin Ran, "What are you guys going to Xuanqin for?"


    "To find Xu Zhiye to forge swords..." Qin Ran said, "Shiyin practices the dao of the sword, she needs a sword destined for her."


    Oh, it was to forge swords for Shiyin. Li Shiwen then turned his horse around, leading his soldiers to take the master and disciple to the border.


    Over a thousand cavalry marched towards the Xuanqin border. On the way, they drove away some scattered demonic beasts. By the time the sky was getting bright, they arrived at the border.


    Qin Ran held Long Qiqi and walked at the very front with Li Shiwen. When they arrived at the border and looked over, they discovered a cavalry stationed not far away silently on the other side.


    Over a thousand cavalry on this side, and over a thousand cavalry on the other side too. Morning light shot over from the horizon, the orange-red light caused the battle armors over there to vaguely glint.


    "What''s this?" Qin Ran asked Li Shiwen in puzzlement.


    "I''m sending you guys over, the idiot over there was worried I would make trouble, so he''s guarding against me!" Li Shiwenughed and said, "A small problem, no bother."


    Qin Ran nodded and called Li Shiyin over.


    "General!" The Xuanqin soldiers asked their general, "What is Li Shiwen trying to do again this time?"


    This general saw from afar that Li Shiwen was talking with Li Shiyin from a distance. He had interacted with Li Shiyin before so he recognized her. Seeing this situation, he vaguely guessed, "Don''t tell me Li Shiwen is mobilizing the army to send his sister off!?"


    "Truly extravagant!" He spat out a mouthful of saliva and scolded again, "At such a critical moment, why do these dainty young masters anddies stille to Hengduan Mountains?"


    After the siblings talked for a bit and bade farewell reluctantly, Qin Ran finally said to Li Shiwen, "The demonic beast riot this time is no small matter, it involves high-order demonic beasts, not something ordinary people can interfere with. You need to prepare to evacuate early."


    "High-order demonic beasts? What exactly caused it?" Li Shiwen directly ignored Qin Ran''s advice.


    Qin Ran looked at him, shook his head, but considering Li Shiyin, he stretched out his hand to pull over the Wolf King from his horse.


    "The ninth-order great demonic beast in the depths of Hengduan Mountains..." he said as he found a willowy catkin stabbed into the Wolf King''s flesh and blood on top of its head. The catkin was no longer white, but blood red. He pulled it out and wrapped it in an air bubble to show Li Shiwen, "Do you see this willowy catkin? This is the root cause that led to the demonic beasts rioting."


    "Willowy catkin? Ninth order demonic beast?" Li Shiwen found it hard to understand.


    "This is a Demonic Weeping Willow that exists in the depths of the Hengduan Mountains. It erupts once every thousand years. If you look through the literature from previous dynasties, you may find some rted information."


    Qin Ran continued exining, "And this time''s Demonic Weeping Willow eruption is just the prelude now. The realrge-scale bursting of the catkins hasn''t started yet."


    Li Shiwen received the catkin with an uncertain expression. He replied, "I''ll look into it and verify."


    "Verification is one thing, evacuating early is the key point. There are quite a lot of people near Hengduan Mountains." In Qin Ran''s perspective, fleeing, safety, evacuation had always been the most important n. He advised Li Shiwen,


    "You haven''t seen the effects of the catkins on humans yet, but it can almost be determined that there will be effects. After all, humans don''t have anything special about them. Of course, even if the catkins have no effects on humans, the true demonic beast riot is still not something an ordinary human army can stop.


    "So...evacuate themon people near Hengduan Mountains as soon as possible."


    Qin Ran had advised so much, but in the end, Li Shiwen still only said, "I have my own considerations about this matter."


    "Alright, however you want to deal with it specifically, I can''t control that. I''m just making the situation clear to you," Qin Ran shook his head and turned his horse around to walk towards the border with Li Shiyin. He left Li Shiwen with one final piece of advice, "When you see the catkins, stay far away from them. The current catkins are still only at the initial stage. There will definitely be changes afterwards."


    Li Shiwen held the air bubble containing the blood-colored catkin in his hand, watching the disappearing backs of Qin Ran and Li Shiyin. He suddenly shouted loudly, "Treat my sister well!"


    Qin Ran feltplicated inside but waved his hand back with his back facing Li Shiwen.


    "What were you guys talking about?" Li Shiyin asked Qin Ran with wide eyes, "Catkins, riot, demonic beasts and stuff."


    There''s a fool, Qin Ran didn''t want to say who.


    He looked at Li Shiyin helplessly. Her mother, Chase Wind, had hunted prey to the gates of Daosword Sect. When Li Shiwen came to Dan Peak he mentioned the demonic beast riot. Huang Feiyu had warned them. They as master and disciple had seen it with their own eyes when they took shelter in the depths of the rainforest. The riot of the wolf packst night. All these were things they as master and disciple experienced together. But...


    "Sigh!" He shook his head.


    Long Qiqi looked at Li Shiyin. Her eyeballs rolled around. A human who was so silly and naive was just waiting for Long Qiqi to trick her right?


    "Did you say you came out from Hengduan Mountains?" Qin Ran suddenly asked Long Qiqi.


    "Hmm?" Long Qiqi came back to her senses, "Oh, yes!"


    "Then do you know about the Devouring Demonic Willow?"


    "No, I don''t know!" Long Qiqi shook her head again and again.


    Qin Ran frowned and looked down to ask her, "Really?"


    "I also don''t recognize the terms you humans use..." Long Qiqi said, "How would I know anything about some kind of Devouring Demonic Willow?"


    Qin Ran''s eyes narrowed. This snake was lying to him...

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57


    After crossing the border of Xuanqin Country, the closer they got to where Xu Zhiye was located, the higher the temperature rose. By the time the two riders and one person arrived at the nned inn, the air temperature had already soared to over fifty degrees.


    The inn was called Sword Coming Inn, located in a small town called Sword Forging Town, less than ten li from the volcano outside of the Hengduan Mountains. The volcano was called Li Ben Mountain, an active volcano. Living on Li Ben Mountain was a master swordsmith named Xu Zhiye.


    Why was the temperature getting higher and higher? Because Qin Ran and the others were heading towards the volcano.


    Master and disciple dismounted in front of Sword Coming Inn. Qin Ran held the snake demon Long Qiqi while Li Shiyin followed him into the inn.


    They went to the front desk where there was a sixty-something-year-old innkeeper. Qin Ran said, "Two upper rooms."


    Li Shiyin looked at Long Qiqi in Qin Ran''s arms and quickly objected: "Three rooms."


    Qin Ran red at her but said nothing.


    The old innkeeper took out the ledger and flipped through it, replying, "Whether it''s three rooms or two, there are no more upper rooms left. There are only two lower grade rooms, do you want them?"


    Were there really that many guests staying at the inn? Qin Ran looked back at the lobby and indeed saw quite a few people, most of whom were cultivators with not low cultivation bases. He pondered for a moment before saying to the innkeeper, "That''s fine, two lower rooms."


    "How long will you be staying?" asked the old innkeeper.


    Qin Ran handed over two spirit stones.


    The old innkeeper understood.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin expressed her dissatisfaction in a low voice.


    Qin Ran red at her again, toozy to even respond to her.


    The innkeeper took the spirit stones, recorded it in the ledger, and called a handyman to lead their horses away.


    "The horses are celestial horses, so take good care of them," Qin Ran reminded.


    The old innkeeper took out keys from under the counter andughed. "What''s so great about celestial horses? Everyone whoes here wants Master Xu to forge them swords. Which one of them doesn''t have immortal beasts as their mounts? Celestial horses?"


    He shook his head and led the way.


    Qin Ran exined, "Celestial horses have a gentle temperament, be careful not to let other spirit beasts bully them."


    The innkeeper led the way, making several twists and turns before arriving at a door which he unlocked. He motioned for Qin Ran to go in and inspect, saying,


    "As I said earlier, everyone whoes here is a cultivator looking to have Master Xu forge them swords. So I want to emphasize one thing - fighting is strictly prohibited in this inn. If you vite this rule, you will bear the consequences!"


    Qin Ran inspected the room. It was small and simple, but it was clean. He nodded and said, "We are proper cultivators and do not like fighting. Please rest assured, innkeeper."


    "I certainly hope so," the innkeeper replied.


    He then opened the door to the next room and let Qin Ran inspect it as well. After he was done, the innkeeper said, "Friends who have travelled far must be tired. I have shown you the rooms, if you find them satisfactory, then please rest here. I will not disturb you further. If you need anything, you can find me at the front desk."


    "Please go about your business, innkeeper!" Qin Ran responded.


    As the innkeeper''s figure disappeared from sight, Qin Ran looked at him withplex emotions.


    "What''s wrong, Master?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "The innkeeper called us ''dao friends'' ..." said Qin Ran.


    "So what?" Li Shiyin did not understand.


    "The innkeeper is also a cultivator with profound cultivation base that I cannot see through," Qin Ran replied.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded. "So that old man is also a cultivator."


    Since there was still plenty of time in the day, after inspecting both rooms, Qin Ran left Long Qiqi in the room and took Li Shiyin out the door, heading straight for Li Ben Mountain to meet the swordsmith master Xu Zhiye.


    Xu Zhiye lived on the volcano in order to extract the earth''s core fire from Li Ben Mountain to forge swords. But one could well imagine the environment on the volcano. Those who came here seeking swords were either in possession of treasures that could dispel heat or were themselves powerful cultivators who did not fear the scorching heat of the volcano.


    With his low cultivation base, Qin Ran naturally belonged to the former category. As for treasures and the like, Qin Ran had made preparations well in advance. What he was worried about was another matter...


    He had a water spirit root!


    In this kind of environment, he would be lucky if he could exert half of his usual strength.


    After handing a Fire Dispelling Bead to Li Shiyin, he emphasized to her, "Shiyin, this trip is extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and my strength has been greatly suppressed by the volcano...so...you have to be extremely vignt and prepare yourself to fight or escape at any time."


    Seeing her master''s solemn expression, Li Shiyin also became serious. She nodded and said, "Don''t worry, Master. I will definitely protect you well."


    Although Li Shiyin had be serious, Qin Ran still felt it was not enough.


    Apart from him being more of a coward, there was another reason - thest time he came to see Xu Zhiye, it was his master Wang Yuan who had brought him here to forge his Natal Magic Weapon. He was the one being protected then, but this time, it was his responsibility to protect his disciple.


    He felt that Li Shiyin still did not understand the gravity of the situation, so he went on to say, "Shiyin, when bad people in the mortal worldmit crimes, there arews, institutions, morality and so on to punish them. But in the world of cultivation...


    "Cultivators possess tremendous power and long lifespans. No one will abide byws, institutions or moral principles. The world of cultivation is a world where one can act in whatever way one desires. It is an extremely chaotic world, a world of survival of the fittest! Therefore, evil people in the cultivation world...no, when people in the cultivation worldmit crimes, no one will punish them.


    "If a powerful Nascent Soul or Unity stage cultivator were to kill us now, they would not suffer any consequences at all, and we would just die. That is the kind of world the cultivation world is. Do you truly understand?"


    "Huh? Is that so?" When she first became a disciple, Li Shiyin had wondered if she would face the kind of world Qin Ran described. But her master was Qin Ran, and he had treated her so well. After a month of cultivating, she thought the world of cultivation was beautiful and full of spiritual energy.


    Now that Qin Ran had exined it to her in detail, her perceptions changed along with it. She nodded heavily and replied, "I understand now, Master."


    Seeing that Li Shiyin finally had this awareness, Qin Ran felt slightly more at ease.


    As for whether the cultivation world was actually as dangerous as Qin Ran imed?


    It was true to some extent, Qin Ran had just exaggerated a little. What he exaggerated was not the viciousness of cultivators themselves, but the level of danger, because higher level cultivators were too few in number. Without sufficient benefits, they were toozy to kill people.


    After leaving the small town and about eight kilometers from the volcano, Qin Ran spotted an area with loose rocks by the roadside with no one around. He took out his array disk and swiftly set up an array.


    "Master, what are you doing?" Li Shiyin asked curiously as she followed along.


    "Setting up an array," Qin Ran replied.


    "What kind of array is it?"


    Qin Ran thought for a moment before answering, "If we really get chased here by enemies, it means we are helpless against them and can only escape. So this is a teleportation array that will randomly teleport us 100 kilometers away after activation."


    "It teleports in a random direction?"


    "A random direction..." said Qin Ran. "If we are being chased by enemies, of course we have to take a path that even we don''t know."


    As they continued towards the volcano, Qin Ran would set up an array every two kilometers. Each time he set one up, he would exin to Li Shiyin - "This is a ughtering Array, this is a Shapeshifting Array, this is an Illusory Array, this is a Poison Killing Array..."


    After setting up the Poison Killing Array at the foot of the mountain, it was time to prepare for ascending. Looking at Li Shiyin''s flushed red face, Qin Ran said, "We''re about to climb the mountain. Take onest check of the pills, talismans, etc in your Cosmos Pouch to make sure they are intact. Also check the state of your body, magic power and the Heavenly Star Sword... "


    Once Li Shiyin was done with her checks, Qin Ran gave her another pill and asked her to consume it. "This is a Hundred Poisons Pill I developed based on various poisons'' mechanisms of action. It can resolve most poisons."


    Only then did they begin climbing the volcano, with Li Shiyin behind Qin Ran. As she gazed at her master''s back, she clicked her tongue in admiration -


    "Master is too exaggerated!"

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58


    Xu Zhiye, an artifact refiner in the Immortal Cultivation world, was skilled at forging swords. Some were good at forging knives, some at refining spatial magical artifacts, some at making flying props, in short, every master had his own expertise.


    Xu Zhiye was skilled at forging swords. His swords were very famous. Not to mention the entire Lingnan Region, even in the surrounding countries, if he said his swords were just average, hardly anyone would dare say their swords were very good.


    From the fact that he lived on a volcano but still had many peopleing to seek swords from him every year, one could see just how good his sword forging skills were.


    And recently there was an anomaly deep within the Hengduan Mountains range. The cultivators nearby sensed an impending storm, so even more people came to Xu Zhiye for swords, even filling up Joyous Guest Inn.


    When Qin Ran arrived at Xu Zhiye''s residence to pay his respects, Xu Zhiye was receiving another person who hade to seek a sword.


    Xu Zhiye''s daoist attendant, a burly man wearing only pants, received Qin Ran and his apprentice Li Shiyin. This so-called attendant was at least two meters tall. When Qin Ran looked up at his face, he had to crane his neck back.


    "Master has no time. May I ask if you two have any tokens?" The attendant asked from inside the door.


    Of course one couldn''t be a cat or a dog toe looking for Xu Zhiye to forge swords. One had to have a token, have an identity.


    So Qin Ran took out a sword-shaped token from his Cosmic Bag and handed it to the attendant. The attendant took it and checked it, nodding his head. He pulled open the wicker gate and motioned for Qin Ran and apprentice to enter the side yard to wait.


    The token was left by Qin Ran''s master, Wang Yuanyi. Wang Yuanyi was a Gold Core stage alchemist, a formitable figure whose status was no less than Xu Zhiye''s.


    Wang Yuanyi had once concocted pills for Xu Zhiye. To show his gratitude, Xu Zhiye gifted him this sword-shaped token, saying that as long as one brought this token to seek him, he would never decline.


    The side yard was an extremely ordinary small courtyard. The courtyard wall was made of wicker fence. The house walls were stered with mud and the roof was thatched grass, with only three or four rooms, extremely simple. It was like an extreme ascetic''s residence.


    Qin Ran sat down with Li Shiyin on a stone bench in the side yard. The attendant came over and poured tea, but Qin Ran held it without drinking it, despite his unbearable thirst.


    He smiled and asked the attendant, "May I ask who is inside?"


    The attendant nced at him but did not reply.


    How could client information be revealed so casually... In such a broken-down yard, with high level cultivators inside, everything outside could be heard clear as day. Who would dare speak carelessly?


    "Master, it''s so hot!" Li Shiyin drank the tea and fanned herself with her hand,ining of difort.


    Despite wearing a Fire Repelling Pearl, this was still a volcano. Further up would be a proper volcanic crater, although it was sealed by Xu Zhiye.


    Li Shiyin''s mouth and nose were full of the smell of sulfur. Her body and cheeks felt like mes were constantly scorching them.


    However, although Li Shiyin felt ufortable, she did not know Qin Ran felt even more so. As he had a water spirit root, he was constantly being suppressed by the environment. This was not just about the heat.


    Under such an environment, every second was torment. But master and apprentice waited quite a while before the room door finally opened.


    Two women and one man walked out from inside. The two women were in front, one matronly, the other maidenly. The matron was charming and alluring while the maiden was nobly elegant. Both had unsightlyplexions. Behind them was a man with a wide open, short-sleeved shirt, of rough appearance and irritable temperament, with a head of ming red, short and stiff hair.


    As the matron and maiden walked out, the matron hesitated and turned back to speak to the man, "Master Xu, why not reconsider a little? We can negotiate thepensation again."


    "Go, go, go..." That red-haired rough man was obviously Xu Zhiye. Hearing the matron''s words, he was extremely impatient, waving his hand to drive them away.


    Clearly, the matron and maiden had failed to get him to forge swords for them.


    "s..." The matron gave a helpless sigh.


    Yet the maiden consoled her, "Let''s go find someone else then..."


    "Someone else?" The matron shook her head. It was not easy to find an artifact refiner who specialized in forging swords.


    "Who''s that over there?" Xu Zhiye paid them no more heed. He stood at the doorway and shouted towards where Qin Ran and apprentice were.


    So Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin over and gave his greetings, "Junior Qin Ran of the Daoyuan Sword Sect, my master Wang Yuanyi, apprentice Li Shiyin, pays respect to Master Xu."


    "Li Shiyin?" It was the maiden seeking swords earlier. Upon hearing this name, she had stopped and turned back to size up Li Shiyin carefully.


    "Wang Yuanyi, was it?" Xu Zhiye nodded, also appraising Li Shiyin. Smiling, he seemed quite amiable as he praised, "Not bad foundation. Is this sword for her?"


    "Yes." Qin Ran nodded. "I ask that Master help us out."


    "I refuse!" Xu Zhiye''s smiling expression instantly vanished as he turned irritable again, bluntly rejecting them.


    "?" Li Shiyin was shocked. This old man''s change of expression was so fast!


    "Master..." Qin Ran had anticipated this temperamental and entric artifact refiner''s rejection. He quickly took out his master''s sword token and showed it to Xu Zhiye, saying, "My master said that with this token, one may seek one matter from Master that you will surely not decline."


    "Token?" Xu Zhiye gave a coldugh. "I hand out hundreds of those every year. If everyone came seeking favors, wouldn''t I be worked to death?"


    "Furthermore..." He disdained, "Wang Yuanyi died a few years ago. This token is useless now! Scram... Get the hell out of here!"


    Qin Ran took back the token, his expression fluctuating but quickly suppressed by him.


    In fact, this situation was still within Qin Ran''s expectations. He had not controlled his change in expression well, one because Xu Zhiye''s attitude change was too irritable, two because he was a shut-in who was not good at interacting with others.


    Qin Ran silently adjusted his state of mind, appraising Xu Zhiye. Then he smiled and said, "In that case, we shall not disturb the Master''s rest."


    As he spoke, he took out a porcin bottle from his Cosmic Bag and handed it to Xu Zhiye, "Having met Master Xu is junior''s honor already. A small token, inadequate as a sign of respect, but I believe Master Xu will have need of it."


    "Whoa... Master''s change of expression is so fast too!" Li Shiyin eximed in admiration.


    Seeing the bottle in Qin Ran''s hand, Xu Zhiye suddenly recalled that Qin Ran had mentioned his master was an alchemist Wang Yuanyi. Since Wang Yuanyi was an alchemist, then... He looked at Qin Ran again. Could this solidly cultivated junior also be an alchemist?


    Suppressing the fiery energy churning inside him, he red at Qin Ran as he took over the pill medicine. Opening the jade seal, a burst of cold air floated out. Peering inside, it was a top grade Ice Condensation Pill!


    "What cultivation method?" Xu Zhiye poured out an Ice Condensation Pill and directly swallowed it. Then he asked Qin Ran.


    Xu Zhiye''s attitude changed again, but Qin Ran was no longer surprised. He calmly took out a stack of design drawings from his Cosmic Bag and handed them to Xu Zhiye, saying, "Starry Sky Sword, Palm Sword, body technique."


    Casually ncing at the design drawings in Qin Ran''s hands, Xu Zhiye''s gaze suddenly condensed. A look of astonishment appeared in his eyes. He looked at Qin Ran, then took the drawings for closer examination.


    The first drawing was an illustration of the sword''s attributes, with data on the sword''s dimensions, appearance. The sword was 3.4 chi long, 3 fingers wide, ck base with purple starry glow on the de. Flipping down, the second drawing showed the internal structure of the sword. Further down were arrays...


    Xu Zhiye quickly skimmed through the drawings and looked up at Qin Ran, eyes now holding some earnestness. He asked, "You designed this yourself?"


    "Mm." Qin Ran nodded.


    "The arrays too?"


    "Yes."


    "Interesting..." Xu Zhiye''s interest was piqued. He flipped through the drawings again, especially the arrays. The conceptualization and construction were very interesting. He suddenly asked Qin Ran, "Have any interest in bing my disciple?"


    "I have a water spirit root." Qin Ran tactfully declined.


    "What a pity." Xu Zhiye sighed.


    "However, I can concoct pills..." Qin Ran said. "I see that master has been afflicted by fire poison from long years of sword forging. Perhaps I may be of help."


    Hearing this, Xu Zhiye''s eyes instantly lit up. He grabbed Qin Ran''s scrawny shoulder and barked, "Are your words genuine?!"


    Qin Ran remainedposed as he took out another sheet of paper from his Cosmic Bag and handed it to Xu Zhiye, saying, "This is the pill form I envisioned. Please take a look, Sir."


    Xu Zhiye snatched over the pill form and scrutinized it closely. The more he read, the more delighted he became. By the end, heughed wildly.


    "Good, goodd! I''ll forge this sword!"

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59


    Xu Zhiye''s mercurial and entric temperament was closely rted to his long-term dwelling inside a volcano. The fire-poison umted inside his body, lingering in every corner, tormenting him ceaselessly. Yet to cultivate and forge swords, he couldn''t leave the volcano.


    Now, Qin Ran had offered a solution to eliminate the fire-poison for him and free him from the agony. So not only would Xu Zhiye be willing to help forge the sword, given his personality, he would even call Qin Ran his godfather.


    Seeing Xu Zhiye agree, Qin Ran took out the Star Brilliance Stone he had auctioned and handed it to Xu Zhiye, saying, "This is the main material. As for the other ingredients, I''ll have to trouble you to prepare them."


    "Star Brilliance Stone..." Xu Zhiye weighed the stone and looked at Li Shiyin, "You really cherish your disciple and are willing to spend money to use such a precious material."


    "Humph, fine. Since you have shown sincerity, I shall forge an unparalleled excellent sword for you!" Xu Zhiyeughed.


    "Many thanks, Master Xu..." Qin Ran expressed his gratitude and asked further, "Please gather all the medicinal ingredients listed in the pill recipe. I can concoct the pill at the same time while you forge the sword so as not to waste any time."


    "Sure!" Xu Zhiye replied and called over his tall, burly attendant, handing over the recipe, "Go to the cer and gather the medicinal ingredients listed here for this young man."


    "Yes!" The attendant acknowledged the order and left.


    With the deal settled, Xu Zhiye would forge a sword for Li Shiyin while Qin Ran would concoct a detox pill for Xu Zhiye.


    "How long will it take to forge the sword?" Qin Ran asked. "We''lle to collect it when it''s done and deliver the pill at the same time."


    This implied a simultaneous exchange - the sword for the pill. After all, Xu Zhiye''s reputation was hard to trust.


    And Xu Zhiye was well aware of his own notoriety. He gazed deeply at Qin Ran - this young man was adapting so quickly despite his mercurial changes in mood.


    Xu Zhiye answered, "This Star Brilliance Stone isn''t easy to melt. It will take two days just to heat up the furnace, not to mention inscribing the spell arrays...at least five days..."


    "Five days?" Qin Ran nodded. "That''s about how long it will take me to concoct the pill too."


    "Hahaha..." Xu Zhiyeughed loudly for a while before his expression turned serious. He flew straight up the mountain, leaving behind a message, "In that case, I shall start firing up the furnace now. Please make yourself at home."


    The evolving rtionship between Qin Ran and Xu Zhiye had transformed from an initial junior and senior one to Xu Zhiye directly addressing him as "Sir" within a short span of less than ten minutes.


    This change stemmed from Qin Ran''s capabilities.


    Li Shiyin still hadn''t adapted to the elder''s mercurial temper swings. They were chatting harmoniously just a second ago. How could he have vanished the next second?


    But Qin Ran was used to it, mainly because he was constantly thinking ahead while keeping his external emotions in check.


    Seeing Xu Zhiye disappear into the distance, Qin Ran turned around to face the two women still standing in the courtyard and asked, "Why have both of you been staring at us since just now? May I ask what''s the reason?"


    These two women weren''t the shy type. Even when caught tantly ogling, they showed no hint of awkwardness. The youngdy smiled politely at Qin Ran and curtsied in greeting, "Greetings, Senior."


    Qin Ran nodded back politely but didn''t speak, waiting for her to exin herself.


    "This junior is Zhao Yaqing from the Xuanqin Zhao Family. I''m acquainted with Senior''s female disciple, Li Shiyin. We are old friends." The youngdy continued smiling profoundly.


    The Xuanqin Zhao Family? Qin Ran didn''t recognize that name but could tell from thisdy''sposure and astuteness that she was no ordinary figure.


    As for knowing Li Shiyin...


    He tilted his head to nce at Li Shiyin, only to see her blinking confusedly at Miss Zhao Yaqing, clearly not recognizing her or rather, not recalling who this person was.


    He turned back towards Zhao Yaqing.


    "Miss Li has met too many people to remember clearly..." Zhao Yaqing still kept smiling as she exined, "Three years ago, during General Li Konghe''s eightieth birthday celebration, I had apanied my father there and had a delightful chat with Miss Li."


    Li Shiyin stared hard at Zhao Yaqing, gradually recalling bits and pieces.


    "Oh, I remember now! You were that snobbish youngdy. You had a crush on my brother, and I beat you up because I didn''t permit it."


    "?" A question mark popped up in Qin Ran''s mind. Something felt off but also vaguely fine at the same time.


    "I''m sorry, I was young and foolish then..." Li Shiyin swiftly apologized to Zhao Yaqing.


    "It''s nothing. It was many years ago already. I''ve long forgotten about fighting with Miss Li. I only remember us chatting merrily." Zhao Yaqing was still smiling, but profoundly so.


    This woman seemed a little terrifying. As Qin Ran observed Zhao Yaqing, she definitely hadn''t forgotten. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have remembered Li Shiyin or the birthday celebration visit. Yet she acted so nonchnt about it...


    "Miss Zhao..." Still unable to recall her full name, Li Shiyin nevertheless deftly changed topics. "Why have youe here? Are you also forging your Natal Sword? Oh, so you''ve embarked on the path of cultivation too? Which sect have you joined? What''s your current cultivation level...?"


    Li Shiyin unleashed a barrage of questions. Zhao Yaqing patiently waited for her to finish before answering each query: "I joined the Cloud Heaven Sectst year to walk the path of the sword. My current cultivation base is at the Foundation Establishment middle stage. Indeed, I came here in search of Master Xu Zhiye, hoping to forge a suitable Natal Sword. Unfortunately, Master Xu turned down my request..."


    She paused here and congratted Li Shiyin, "Congrattions on getting Master Xu Zhiye to agree to forge a sword for you!"


    "Oh, it''s nothing much, just a sword!" Li Shiyin consoled, "If Master Xu refuses, you can always find someone else to do the job..."


    Zhao Yaqing hid her emotions masterfully. She continued chatting idly with Li Shiyin for quite a while until the attendant brought over the ingredients and passed Qin Ran the Cosmic Bag. Qin Ran and his disciple then bade farewell and descended the mountain.


    As Zhao Yaqing and her Guardian walked out of the side chamber, watching Qin Ran and Li Shiyin''s retreating figures along the path, she felt the old wounds from three years ago throbbing once more. Her eyes narrowed malevolently.


    "Star Brilliance Stone..." Her smile seemed rather creepy. "It will make an excellent sword!"


    "Mydy, do you mean..."


    "This will be at least a top-grade Natal Sword. Although not exactlypatible with my attributes, I can make do..." said Zhao Yaqing. As she recalled the refined-looking youth taking out item after item from his Cosmic Bag, sessfully persuading Xu Zhiye to forge a sword for Li Shiyin, the jealousy she forcefully suppressed still seeped out eventually. She asked, "What''s that dummy''s Master''s cultivation level?"


    "Looks to be at the Foundation Establishment Stage. However, his vital energy seems abundant, so he likely knows some methods to conceal his actual cultivation. Probably at the Golden Core Stage."


    "Golden Core..." Zhao Yaqing murmured in contemtion briefly before continuing, "No matter. As long as he isn''t at the Primordial Infant Stage, there''s no issue. If the two of us join hands, it will be an even one-versus-one match. I can easily capture Li Shiyin while you can certainly gain an advantage over her Master. With some cunning schemes, victory will be ours."


    "Understood." Her Guardian acknowledged with a nod.


    When the road ends and waters run dry, another vigees into view.


    "Hmph!" Zhao Yaqing sneered coldly. "What fools to deliver a sword right to us!"

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60


    Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin down the mountain. Halfway down, he asked Li Shiyin, "Who is Zhao Yaqing?"


    "She is the legitimate daughter of the Zhao family in Xuanqin," Li Shiyin replied.


    "And what is the Zhao family in Xuanqin?"


    "Zhao Yaqing''s grandfather..." Li Shiyin thought carefully. She wasn''t very sure about this. "I think her grandfather was the Prime Minister of Xuanqin... or was it the Imperial Tutor? I can''t remember clearly."


    "The Imperial Tutor..." Qin Ran understood. He fell silent in thought for a moment. Zhao Yaqing was the legitimate daughter of an official family, an inner disciple of the Cloud Heaven Sect, with a guardian by her side. On top of that, she was very scheming. No matter how you looked at it, she did not seem like the kind of person who would reminisce with the silly Li Shiyin for no reason.


    Well, actually, if you look at Li Shiyin''s background, she''s not worse off than Zhao Yaqing.


    The daughter of a prestigious family, personal disciple of the Dao Sword Sect, master an alchemist... Her resume wasn''t any worse than Zhao Yaqing''s.


    Without saying anything more, Qin Ran felt wary and vignt in his heart about Zhao Yaqing''s ulterior motives.


    Having finalized the sword forging arrangements, the main purpose of this trip was already half aplished. As long as he could exchange the medicinal pills for the treasured sword in five days, the trip would be perfectly sessful.


    So Qin Ran rxed a little and took Li Shiyin to appreciate some of the unique natural scenery around the volcano and experience the peculiar culture of the sword forging town for a bit.


    The sky here was red, thend was ck-brownva, and the air was scorching hot currents.


    Yet the flora here was as lush as a primeval forest, mostly shrubs, with the asional coniferous or leafless tree...though none grew very tall. The fauna was mostly insects, with the asional small mammals like foxes and rats.


    Master and disciple walked slowly, chatting about random things. Li Shiyin picked flowers, chased snakes, and picked up one oddly shaped piece ofva rock after another.


    After they returned to the sword forging town, they wandered around taking in the sights.


    The unique naturalndscape here existed because of the volcano, while the strange culture of the town relied on Xu Zhiye.


    It was because many people came looking for Xu Zhiye to forge swords that this town appeared at all.


    The "sword forging" in the name referred to the sword forging of master Xu Zhiye.


    The sword and forging cultures were very prosperous in the town, with sword emblems and weapon shops everywhere, whether or not they had anything to do with Xu Zhiye. But they all used Xu Zhiye''s name. There were also shops selling sword techniques and forging methods. In short, it was a lively ce.


    In particr, there were no locals here. Everyone hade from all over, each speaking in their own ent, which was quite amusing.


    As master and disciple walked along eating, when it was evening and time to return to the inn, they didn''t need to eat at the inn anymore and went straight back to their rooms.


    Qin Ran went to check Li Shiyin''s room again to make sure there were no strange magic arrays, tools, or medicines that had mysteriously appeared. Confirming there was nothing suspicious, he returned to his room to fetch Long Qiqi and brought her to Li Shiyin, telling her, "Starting tonight, I will be refining pills, so the less time spent on that, the more preparation I can make. It will probably take me three days. During this time, keep an eye on Long Qiqi... No, keep an eye on your own safety. Don''t get into any trouble!"


    Li Shiyin looked at Long Qiqi. She didn''t like Long Qiqi, so she was very reluctant, but still replied, "Yes, Master!"


    "Remember what I said. The immortal cultivation world is dangerous and unpredictable. No one can be trusted. When you''re outside, always be extremely cautious!" Qin Ran gave Li Shiyin a final meaningful look and exhorted, "Protect yourself!!"


    "I will," Li Shiyin nodded.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath, seeming to want to say more, but in the end said nothing. He turned and walked straight out the door. He lingered for a moment outside before leaving without going back in.


    These three days would be a test for Li Shiyin. In fact, the purpose of this trip to forge a sword was to forge Li Shiyin''s personal sword, and at the same time, forge her heart sword!


    The immortal cultivation world was never short of geniuses, even top talents like Li Shiyin. But there were few geniuses who could survive and reach the peak.


    As Li Shiyin watched Qin Ran walk out the door, she could sense the deeper meaning behind her master''s words, but...


    "Master is too cautious. He lives too prudently. That''s not good," she thought, shaking her head slightly. "He''s overly cautious."


    Qin Ran had left Long Qiqi sitting limply in a chair, still unable to move her whole body, only her facial features.


    This snake demon was no ordinary snake demon. Putting everything else aside, just her depth of mind already set her apart. At least she was on apletely different level from Li Shiyin.


    Seeing the casual look on Li Shiyin''s face, her long, thin snake eyes immediately lit up. She knew this was a chance for revenge...for escape!


    Well, it wasn''t that she didn''t want revenge, just that this silly girl...


    She would probably never forget in her whole life the experience of being held by the tail and spun around wildly by Li Shiyin in a frenzy.


    But why not try other methods, since she clearly couldn''t win in a test of strength?


    After all, raw power was never what her snake n prided themselves on!


    "People often talk about snakes and scorpions, speaking of their extreme venom..." she opened her mouth to speak. "But from my understanding, neither snakes nor scorpions are poisonous. Only the human heart is the true poison."


    Li Shiyin was sitting on the bed fiddling with the clothes she had bought today when she heard Long Qiqi''s words. She gave a mockingugh. "You, a mere snake spirit,menting on humans?"


    "You humans, precisely because you are human, do not understand humans. That is called not seeing the forest for the trees. It is exactly because I am a snake that I understand humans more clearly," Long Qiqi retorted.


    "Humans don''t understand humans, but snakes understand humans?" Li Shiyin curled her lip disdainfully. "What kind of nonsense logic is that?"


    "I am a snake, but now I am a demon¡ªdemons take human form. So although I was once a snake, now I am human. Having been both snake and human, I understand humans well enough," Long Qiqi exined smoothly.


    "What? What are you talking about?" Long Qiqi''s rhetorical twist left Li Shiyin confused. She suddenly felt Long Qiqi''s words made some sense.


    "Humans are the most poisonous creatures in the world!" Long Qiqi stated her thesis again. "Even more poisonous than I am!"


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin frowned in thought. She didn''t know where she had lost the thread, but they had ended up here somehow.


    She put the clothes down and stood up, wanting to refute Long Qiqi but not knowing how. She looked at Long Qiqi, then realized¡ªthis was just the defeated captive talking!


    "So what if humans are the most poisonous?" she asked coldly with a mocking smile.


    "Oh, nothing much..." Long Qiqi also smiled. "I just hope you bear in mind what your master said¡ªto be careful and stay safe!"

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61


    Li Shiyin furrowed her brows as she looked at Long Qiqi, suddenly feeling something amiss.


    If Long Qiqi hadn''t advised her about the cruel nature of people and the dangers of the world, she might have thought that Qin Ran was being overly cautious. But now, with Long Qiqi''s persuasion, she felt that not defying her master meant she was agreeing with both her master and Long Qiqi.


    Li Shiyin was no fool. Her original n was to stay in seclusion while her master focused on alchemy for a few days. Regardless of whether the outside world was dangerous or not, she would simply stay indoors. But now...


    She had the sense that Long Qiqi was mocking her and implying that she was cowardly, which made her ufortable.


    Furthermore, Li Shiyin had an impulsive nature and couldn''t sit still. Forcing her to stay in the room was like imprisoning her.


    So, she endured for a day or two, but on the third day, she couldn''t take it anymore.


    Since her master had said it would take three days to refine the elixir, she reasoned that going out to have some fun wouldn''t have a significant impact. With that thought in mind, she got up and pushed open the door.


    "Are you going out to y?" Long Qiqi asked excitedly, having waited for three days for this moment.


    Li Shiyin turned around and saw Long Qiqi curled up on a makeshift bed made of two chairs, poking her head out from under a nket. Li Shiyin had obtained the chairs from the innkeeper and the nket was a gift from him.


    "y?" Li Shiyin''s big eyes rolled and she smiled, saying, "I''m not ying. I''m going out to investigate the local customs and gather information."


    Gather information? Long Qiqi couldn''t help but want tough, but she held it back because she made a request instead. "Can Ie with you? I can help you gather information."


    "Help me gather information?" Li Shiyin hesitated because she had no intention of gathering information. She just wanted to go out and have fun. "No need, I can handle it on my own." She smiled and refused.


    As she said that, she stepped out of the door.


    Seeing Li Shiyin about to leave, Long Qiqi panicked. This was herst chance to escape, so she quickly threatened, "Then I''ll tell your master that you sneaked out to y!"


    Li Shiyin retracted her foot as she stepped out of the door. She turned back to Long Qiqi and said, "You... Don''t falsely use a good person. I''m not going out to y. I''m going out to do something serious!"


    But even as she said those words, she didn''t believe them herself. She retracted her foot again and looked at the vast, free sky outside and the repulsive figure of Long Qiqi inside, feeling conflicted.


    "If you take me with you, then we''ll be in the same boat. I definitely won''t report you," Long Qiqi said, delighted that Li Shiyin had stepped back, seizing the opportunity to continue coaxing her.


    Unfortunately, Li Shiyin was no fool. It didn''t take her long to catch on.


    She smiled, snorted at Long Qiqi, and said, "My master never said I couldn''t go out and have fun." There was a hint of smugness in her tone.


    With that, she ignored Long Qiqi and happily bounced out of the door.


    "Ah! No~" Long Qiqi stared at the closed door and felt that the brightness outside that door was the brightness of her life. From then on, her life became dark.


    Escaping from the cunning and treacherous hands of Qin Ran was even harder than reaching the heavens.


    "Oh Heavens! Oh Earth! What sins have I, Long Qiqi,mitted? I wandered in ignorance for thousands of years, and when I finally awakened, I resolutely changed my form in pursuit of the righteous path of immortality. I have lived my life without doing evil, so why is this happening to me?"


    Long Qiqi gazed at the faint light seeping through the crack in the door as tears streamed down her face, pouring out her grievances.


    Suddenly, the door was opened from the outside, and the figure in the light was clearly Li Shiyin. She walked straight over, lifted Long Qiqi in her arms, and said with a pretended sigh, "Let''s go together, poor thing."


    "Huh?" Long Qiqi, halfway through her tears, stopped and pondered.


    Li Shiyin carried Long Qiqi through the bustling streets, her steps filled with joy.


    "Why did youe back again?" Long Qiqi still couldn''t understand.


    Seeing someone selling sword models nearby, Li Shiyin ran over, picked up arge sword and yed with it in her hand, smiling. "I''vee out to have fun. How can I leave you alone in the house? It''s terrifying to be in that room all by yourself. Just thinking about it gives me chills."


    She swung the big sword yfully a couple of times and continued, "That room is small and dark, so ufortable."


    Long Qiqi''s heart was filled withplexity. She had intended to deceive this naive girl, but this naive girl was now thinking from her perspective...


    "She''s truly too gentle. It makes me want to cry."


    So she said, "It''s inconvenient for you to carry me while ying. It''s better to put me down."


    Li Shiyin looked at Long Qiqi, furrowed her brows, and said, "But your meridians are sealed by your master. You can''t stand."


    Long Qiqi blinked her eyes, pretending to be cute and shy, and said, "You can help me unseal the meridians on my legs... just the legs will do. I can walk, I won''t run away."


    But Li Shiyin didn''t take her for a fool. She immediately saw through Long Qiqi''s scheme. The snake demon was trying to deceive her into unsealing the meridians so she could escape.


    "Heh!" Li Shiyin sneered, "Don''t y those tricks with me. I won''t help you remove the seals."


    "Ah!" Long Qiqi sighed. This girl seemed to be not so easily fooled.


    After ying for a while in the marketce, Li Shiyin still wasn''t satisfied. Upon careful thought, she realized it was because she was carrying a child. So she brought Long Qiqi to the side of the road and put her down, saying, "I''ll only help you unseal the meridians on your legs! I won''t unseal the rest."


    "Alright!" Long Qiqi nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself, "What a naive girl. Once one seal is broken, the whole seal will be destroyed, and then I can handle the rest."


    Li Shiyin reached out and channeled her energy, cing her hand on Long Qiqi''s leg, then paused...


    She looked up at Long Qiqi, innocently blinked her big eyes, and said, "I... I don''t know how to remove them."


    "Ah?!!!" Long Qiqi was dumbfounded. She had nned and schemed for several days, expended countless efforts, and sess was within her grasp. Who would have thought that this girl would actually not know how to remove the seals?


    "Didn''t your master teach you?" she couldn''t help but ask.


    "Cough... My master did teach me... I vaguely remember receiving some instruction, but I can''t recall it clearly," Li Shiyin said apologetically. "The main issue is that I can''t distinguish the meridians in my legs. I''m not very familiar with them."


    "What about the meridians in other parts of the body?" Long Qiqi struggled to speak, his life slipping away.


    "I''m not familiar with those either," Li Shiyin whispered.


    "Ah..." Long Qiqi despaired. "I''ve truly lost to you!"


    "I... I..." Li Shiyin stammered, apologizing. "I''m sorry, I really am!"


    Long Qiqi shook his head, looking at Li Shiyin with disdain, too exhausted to utter a word.


    Li Shiyin lifted Long Qiqi and continued walking forward, but after a while, she stopped. Determination flickered in her eyes as she ced Long Qiqi by the roadside.


    "I... I, Li Shiyin, am not a fool. What''s with that disdainful look in your eyes?" she gritted her teeth. "Humph, my master is an alchemist. How could I not understand meridians?"


    With these thoughts in mind, she said to Long Qiqi, "Don''t worry, I am actually familiar with the acupoints of the meridians. I just can''t distinguish them clearly. I still have my divine sense, which is enough to unseal you!"


    Long Qiqi, with his slender serpent-like pupils, stared at Li Shiyin. The adorable face of the little girl was filled with disbelief.


    "I... I''ll prove it to you!"


    As Li Shiyin spoke, her divine sense detached from her body and reached out towards Long Qiqi, while her hand pressed against his body.

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62


    "Spiritual Consciousness!!"


    Zhang Shan was just randomly strolling down the street when he suddenly caught these words. He hurriedly looked around, and then saw those two beauties, one big and one small, at the side of the street.


    The bigger beauty was squatting in front of the little beauty with her eyes closed, seeming to be groping for something on the little beauty''s body.


    "Being able to see external objects with eyes closed, isn''t that spiritual consciousness! Having spiritual consciousness at such a low level of cultivation!" He sensed the bigger beauty''s level of cultivation, which was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.


    "Hey!" He pulled his friend Wang Wu over and gestured towards the two beauties on the side of the street.


    Wang Wu looked over and saw the bigger beauty. He almost started drooling as he nodded repeatedly: "Not bad with your taste this time, great choice of target!"


    "All you think about is nasty stuff..." Zhang Shan scolded him, then exined to Wang Wu in detail.


    "She must have a secret manual..."


    Li Shiyin sent her spiritual consciousness into Long Qiqi''s thigh, then controlled it to enter the muscles and find the meridian structure inside. Then...


    She was confused by the crisscrossing mesh of meridians in the thigh.


    Seeing Li Shiyin''s dazed expression, Long Qiqi didn''t have much hope. She could only beg heaven that Li Shiyin wouldn''t ruin the physical body she had finally sculpted.


    Li Shiyin went from the thigh to the arm, from the lower dantian to the upper dantian. She realized she could understand the overall meridian structure of the whole body, which was simr to the cirction path of cultivation techniques. But when it came to a specific part, she didn''t understand how the meridians were distributed.


    She withdrew her spiritual consciousness from Long Qiqi''s body and fell into contemtion.


    This silly girl obviously wasn''t reliable. Don''t let her get herself killed. Long Qiqi was very worried and suggested, "If it really doesn''t work then just forget it. If it affects your sightseeing, you can just send me back."


    "It''s not entirely hopeless..." Li Shiyin said thoughtfully, "I don''t understand the specifics, but I do have some ideas on unblocking the whole body''s meridians."


    When Li Shiyin said she could unblock the whole body''s meridians, Long Qiqi didn''t feel happy at all. Because the way Li Shiyin phrased it sounded unreliable - not understanding the details but understanding the whole, this could probably kill someone.


    She became scared instead and hurriedly said, "No...no need. Just send me back! I don''t want to y anymore!"


    In fact, with Qin Ran''s constant influence, Li Shiyin wasn''tpletely ignorant about meridians. Looking at the whole body, she was about 30-40% confident. But she was more concerned about another issue - that after unsealing Long Qiqi, would she run away or attack her?


    Then she heard Long Qiqi say that, seemingly looking down on her...


    Hey! With Li Shiyin''s explosive temper, who was a hand-down to look down on her!?


    Her big eyes red at Long Qiqi as she said, "What''s the big deal, it''s just unsealing the whole body''s meridians! Watch me!"


    As she said that, not giving Long Qiqi a chance to resist...though Long Qiqi had no ability to resist anyway, she could only watch in horror as Li Shiyin pressed her hand on her dantian, channeled her spiritual consciousness and power over, then violently surged along the cultivation path, from inside out...


    "Boom!" It was as if Long Qiqi heard this sound. She felt like she had exploded.


    "Ah...I''m dying, I''m dying..." She cried, rather pitiful and heartbroken.


    "Stop crying, sess!"


    Long Qiqi was crying, her face covered in snot and tears. She was wiping her tears with her hand when she heard this voice...it was Li Shiyin''s voice.


    "Hmm?" Hearing Li Shiyin''s voice, she wasn''t dead? Long Qiqi''s crying paused as she opened her tear-blurred eyes to see Li Shiyin''s proud smile, "Sess?"


    She clenched her fist!


    "Eh?" Long Qiqi realized she could move her hand. She wiped her tears and stood up, jumping around. Other than her qi and blood being somewhat stagnant from stiffness, all the acupoints on her body were indeed unsealed.


    "Yay!" She jumped up happily, truly like a little girl.


    "What do you think? Aren''t I awesome?" Li Shiyin looked at her with a proud grin, waiting for her praise.


    "Pfft..." Long Qiqi snorted disdainfully, "Awesome my ass!"


    As she said that, she walked towards the front.


    "Hey! Don''t even think about running away!!" Li Shiyin hurriedly chased after her.


    The big and little girls wandered the streets, eating, shopping, and ying all along the way. It really felt like they were out sightseeing.


    After going halfway through the street, they stopped to rest under a roadside tree, entering halftime.


    Long Qiqi hugged a pretty bowl of shaved ice, happily eating it. She used to be a snake so she didn''t have a sense of taste and didn''t have so many delicious things to eat. Moreover, it was scorching hot here, so nothing was more suitable than a bowl of ice-cold sweet shaved ice.


    While she ate shaved ice, Li Shiyin fiddled with the little trinkets they had bought on the side. She picked up a jade flute and showed it to Long Qiqi, asking, "Doesn''t it look nice?"


    "What is this?" Long Qiqi asked. Can it be eaten?


    "This is a flute..." Li Shiyin said. "It''s a musical instrument."


    "Boring!" Long Qiqi shook her head and scooped another spoonful of shaved ice into her mouth.


    Wait a minute!


    Long Qiqi suddenly froze. She bit the spoon as she seemed to forget something extremely important...


    Wasn''t she trying to think of a way to escape?


    So what was she doing now?


    Long Qiqi secretly nced at the giggling silly Li Shiyin, then looked at the bowl of shaved ice in her hands.


    "Fine..." She came up with an excuse for herself, "It''s alright to eat well before leaving. After all, it was them who captured me, so punishing them by making them treat me to nice food is reasonable!"


    "Hmph!" She nodded, affirming her own excuse.


    "Alright!" Li Shiyin finished organizing everything and put them into her cosmic bag as she asked Long Qiqi, "Have you rested? Let''s continue...once master exits seclusion, we won''t be able to y anymore."


    "Hmm...okay!" Long Qiqi nodded.


    So the two set off again, walking towards the second half of the street.


    "What''s the n for escape?" Long Qiqi started thinking, "Any ideas?"


    "Your ice is melting, hurry and eat it!" Li Shiyin urged.


    Long Qiqi looked down and scooped up a spoonful of shaved ice. Suddenly she saw two people following quite close behind them. Her eyes nced around as she abruptly had an idea.


    "When are you guys going to retrieve the sword?" She raised her volume so her voice could be heard by the two people behind them amidst the noisy street market.


    "The day after tomorrow probably! Tomorrow or the day after...Li Shiyin calcted the time,"Master Xu said it would take five days."


    "Master Xu Zhiye''s sword. Long Qiqi sighed in admiration, "How amazing."


    "You know about it too?" Li Shiyin asked curiously. Xu Zhiye has that kind of renown even among monsters?


    "Yup yup!" Long Qiqi nodded. She didn''t actually know shit. She had heard it from conversations between Qin Ran and Li Shiyin.


    So, Long Qiqi thought, this should get the attention of the two people behind them right?


    "I want that..."


    She then started bringing Li Shiyin towards more secluded ces.


    "That''s delicious..."


    As expected, the two men followed them.


    "Let''s go look at that..."


    When it was just about right, Long Qiqi looked at the location and pointed at an extremely secluded alley, saying "My stomach hurts, I want to go pee there."


    Li Shiyin indulged her and brought her over like bringing a kid.


    "I''ll go in alone, wait for me out here..." Long Qiqi said.


    "Still shy." Li Shiyin shook her head. "Fine, be quick."


    So Long Qiqi went into the alley and didn''te out for a long time. Li Shiyin felt something was off and rushed in to check, but how could she still find Long Qiqi''s shadow?


    "Ah! Got tricked!" Li Shiyin was furious and punched the wall, leaving a deep hole.


    She turned back, intending to go out and look around for Long Qiqi. But just then, two vicious-looking men walked into the alley entrance...


    At certain corner of the street, Long Qiqi watched those two men enter the alley as expected. She was a little worried inside: "She''s so powerful, there shouldn''t be any danger right?" Li Shiyin was a bit silly but still treated her very well.


    "Sigh..." But humans and demons walk different paths, they''ll always be strangers to each other. She sighed and left.


    But as soon as she turned around, she bumped right into a man.

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63


    Unwee guests!


    Li Shiyin''s face turned cold. Her naturally heroic face instantly took on the air of a lone woman warrior as she asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"


    The visitors were none other than Zhang Shan and Wang Wu. They had followed Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi all the way here, overhearing along the way that Li Shiyin hadmissioned a sword from Xu Zhiye. Now they were being led to this remote ce.


    That meant there was not only a beauty and mystic martial arts techniques here, but also a sword forged by Xu Zhiye and the assistance of fate itself. Their luck had arrived in full force, preventing any obstacles.


    Today, they would attack two of the Five Immortals, robbing them of valuables while sparing their lives. They still wanted that sword, and they wanted... to rob some beauty!


    Seeing the cold, aloof face of the fairy maiden before him, Zhang Shan''s lecherous desires rose to his face. As a professional, how could he bother to answer? Drawing the sword off his back, he strode towards the fairy maiden.


    In the narrow alley, faced with these vicious ruffians, the fairy maiden retreated...


    "What are you trying to do?"


    Li Shiyin could not help but retreat.


    "Stop!"


    She shouted again.


    As they drew closer to the fairy maiden, seemingly able to smell her fragrance, Zhang Shan and Wang Wu grew even more excited. They picked up speed, one in front and one behind, sword and de flying swiftly towards Li Shiyin.


    Seeing the two men refusing to listen, Li Shiyin no longer retreated. Her left hand stroked the embroidered silk pouch at her waist, and an ebony sword scabbard and sword appeared in her left hand. Grasping the hilt with her right hand, her apricot eyes hardened as she looked ahead, and a sh of cold light swept across Zhang Shan and Wang Wu.


    She, Li Shiyin...


    Was no weak woman!


    It was always her bullying others, so who dared bully her?


    "Shing!"


    The Starfall Sword left its scabbard!


    Since there were those courting death, why not send them on their way?


    She did not wait for Zhang Shan to cross the final distance and attack. Instead, she took the initiative and rushed at them with her sword.


    In her dictionary, in the conduct of her Li family, there had never been such a thing as passively taking a beating. There was only...


    Attack!


    Frenzied attack!


    Bing the sharpest spear, attacking relentlessly without stopping, until thest enemy was hacked to pieces!


    Li Shiyin attacked, her sword swinging wide and free, not gently or ambiguously like a traditional youngdy, but explosively and tempestuously, like a typhoon bursting a riverbank!


    The master had spent endless spirit stones and elixirs, exhausting his heart and mind to forge her physique - far stronger than an ordinary cultivator''s. This granted her endless strength and speed.


    "ng!"


    Her sword met Zhang Shan''s parrying de, stopping his charge in its tracks and forcing him back several steps.


    "What?" Zhang Shan was shocked, his sword-wielding hand trembling uncontrobly.


    Li Shiyin would not give him an answer. No, she had already given him a chance to flee, but sadly he had not grasped it. That nging sound was the first gunshot triggering an avnche, followed closely by...


    "ng ng ng!"


    It was as if a grand musical performance was unfolding in this little alley, with countless frantic sounds ringing out rhythmically.


    Under Li Shiyin¡¯s frenzied swordy, Zhang Shan could only desperately defend. He was like a small wooden boat in the storm, ready to capsize at any moment.


    "How is this possible?" Wang Wu watched Zhang Shan''s battle from not far behind, unwilling to believe it.


    Zhang Shan was ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. This woman was just in the Foundation Establishment stage! How could she dominate him like this? Zhang Shan couldn''t even get an opportunity to utilize any abilities.


    Since the alley was too narrow for them to surround her, Wang Wu had stopped in his tracks earlier on, letting only Zhang Shan charge forward to secure space for their battle.


    It didn''t seem like the woman was using any special arts either. She was just using mundane human sword techniques, so how could she have such power?


    It felt as if... a powerful cultivator was being hammered by a mighty warrior.


    "No no no..." Wang Wu shook his head repeatedly. How could he have such an impression? She just had a better foundation and slightly stronger physique than them... probably...?


    Wait a moment!


    A better foundation?


    Wang Wu suddenly understood. She must be from an orthodox sect, and quite a major one at that, holding a position of some status, otherwise she wouldn''t be so powerful.


    No wonder she had mystic martial arts techniques and could get Xu the Weirdo to forge a sword for her...


    "What should we do now?" Wang Wu felt uneasy. Offending disciples from major sects was bad news... No, the main issue was still that they couldn''t beat her...


    "No no no..." He quickly reacted. "Since we''ve offended her already, whether we can beat her or not, we still have to go all out..."


    As Wang Wu looked ahead, although Li Shiyin was using ordinary sword techniques, her moves were precise and skilled. Clearly she practiced extensively ¨C she was a sword cultivator.


    "A sword cultivator, is it?" He had an idea. Reaching into his cosmos pouch, he took out a shuttle-shaped object and gripped it in his hand. Bit by bit, he channeled spiritual power into the shuttle.


    "Chua..."


    Li Shiyin thrusted out her sword, flicking it back up Zhang Shan''s chest. Zhang Shan hastily parried with his own sword across his chest, but his arm was numb and he missed by a bit ¨C Li Shiyin''s sword still left a bloody gash. Zhang Shan grimaced in pain and retreated further. Sensing an opening, Li Shiyin immediately pressed forward, waiting for the right moment to utilize Rabit Kicks Eagle ¨C her legs shot out horizontally, kicking Zhang Shan squarely in the chest.


    Now that des were drawn, Li Shiyin did not know how to hold back. Using her full strength, the kick sent Zhang Shan flying like a burst sack, crashing horizontally out of the alley.


    Wang Wu hurriedly dodged aside, not even trying to catch Zhang Shan. Gripping the shuttle-shaped artifact, he turned back to see Li Shiyin nimblynding after kicking Zhang Shan away...


    Now was his chance!


    "Whoosh!"


    He opened his palm. The shuttle-shaped artifact instantly disappeared, transforming into a silver shadow shooting towards Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin never underestimated her foes or rxed her guard on the battlefield, which would give the enemy opportunities. Although she had justnded and not yet steadied herself, she still reacted quickly enough when the shuttle came at her.


    In a lightning-quick reflex, she exerted force in her rear arm, making the Starfall Sword shudder like electricity...


    "ng!"


    She steadily deflected the shuttle.


    "Sneak attack?" She smiled coldly at Wang Wu, taking a step towards him while drawing her sword back...


    "Hmm? What''s going on?" Li Shiyin suddenly felt the Starfall Sword grow heavier. Hurriedly ncing at the de, she discovered that the shuttle had not been batted away. Instead, it was stuck fast to the sword!


    It seemed to weigh at least several hundred pounds, and was still increasing in weight...


    "What is this thing?" She stared icily at Wang Wu.


    Wang Wu grinned obsequiously, gloating, "It''s a little toy, specially targeting sword cultivators like you..."


    "Without your swords, you sword cultivators are just toothless tigers." He shed his de horizontally. Faint mes flickered along its edge. "You''re...mbs to the ughter!"


    "Toothless tiger?" The thought of Chasefeng inexplicably popped into Li Shiyin''s mind. Even without his ws, he didn''t seem much weaker, remaining just as fierce every day.


    As the shuttle continued gaining weight, she thrust the Starfall Sword into the wall beside her, empty-handed now. Clenching her fists, she asked:


    "Are you sure about that?"

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64


    "I''m very sure!"


    Wang Wu shed with his sword. There was a faint roar of a fierce lion, and a me burst out from the sword, hacking directly at Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin shed sideways to avoid the mes. She looked up to see Wang Wu rushing at her. She squeezed both her fists hard and shouted lightly:


    "Stars, sh bang them!"


    Then tiny specks of starlight lit up on her fists, and a faint, flickering starry thread connected behind her.


    Wang Wu came up and shed straight down with his sword. Li Shiyin dodged again, even more effortlessly than before.


    "What''s going on?" Wang Wu realized something was wrong. "She seems to be a bit more powerful than before?"


    A sword cultivator lost her sword, and then became stronger?


    Hmm?


    But before he could question any further, the now much stronger Li Shiyin, who had increased her power exponentially, was already engaged in closebat. She punched him squarely in the face, knocking his center of gravity askew. As he staggered to the side, she nimbly blocked his sword with her elbow, moved in close, and drove her elbow into his ribs. Without pausing, she followed up with two or three punches to his abdomen and another two or three at his dantian. She finished him off with a knee to the inside of his thigh.


    After taking this vicious beating, Wang Wu still had ample magic power to cast all kinds of spells, but...


    his body could no longer allow it.


    Li Shiyin didn''t need to lift another finger before he lost control of his body and copsed.


    "Is this what a sword cultivator is like?" He couldn''t figure out what had gone wrong. "This is clearly a body refinement cultivator!"


    In the alley entrance, Zhang Shan was covered in sword wounds and bleeding profusely, also losing his fighting capability. Li Shiyin went to drag him over next to Wang Wu.


    "Put away your shuttle," she said to Wang Wu.


    "Hmm?" Wang Wu was startled. Did she mean she wasn''t nning on killing them?


    Because if he died, he would lose control of the shuttle and it would deactivate itself.


    But while he was distracted by his thoughts, Li Shiyin suddenly kicked at his face. "I told you to put away the shuttle, didn''t you hear me?!"


    Wang Wu''s heart shook with fear. He hastily withdrew the shuttle, having keenly perceived after spending many years in the loose cultivator world that this girl cultivator with her explosivebat power was likely a neer. Having slipped up today, they would probably just get beaten up instead of killed, and still had a chance to live.


    "Blind fools..." Li Shiyin pulled the Qingxing Sword from the wall and carefully inspected it. Not finding any nicks, she sheathed it again. Then she gave Wang Wu and Zhang Shan another kick each. "Trying to make trouble for me?!"


    Having said that, she turned and left, sword in hand.


    "She''s just going to leave like that?" Wang Wu wondered to himself. Not only did she not kill them, she didn''t even disable them or torture them a little?


    He had just thought this when Li Shiyin, who had walked to the alley entrance, paused and turned toe back.


    "I knew it wouldn''t be so simple..." Seeing Li Shiyin return, Wang Wu was actually relieved instead. If she had left just like that, he would have seriously doubted there was some horrifying plot.


    "Uh..." Li Shiyin returned to stand in front of Wang Wu and Zhang Shan. She took out a porcin bottle from her Universe Bag, poured out tworge Redemption Pills and handed one to each of them. "My master refined these Great Redemption Pills. The quality is very good. Your injuries will heal shortly."


    "Although I beat you up, it was because you deserved it..." She hesitated, feeling a little embarrassed. "Don''t take it to heart."


    Wang Wu was stunned. This wasn''t a neer at all. She was practically an angel, a saint, the Virgin Mary... Hmm? Who was the Virgin Mary?


    Li Shiyin scratched her head, wanting to say something more tofort them, but was too embarrassed. She simply left.


    The Li family creed was to annihte enemies ruthlessly, but to treat prisoners well, because prisoners belonged to the weak...


    Hmm, Li Shiyin seemed to somehow have a wrong understanding of their family creed... If you annihted all enemies, where did the prisonerse from?


    Clutching her sword, Li Shiyin walked out of the alley and headed in the direction of Yui Inn, but after two steps she stopped. She reacted that she seemed to have glimpsed a familiar figure just now?


    She quickly turned to look. On the other side of the alley entrance was a thin, dark figure.


    That figure was gazing into the distance, not knowing what he was looking at.


    But Li Shiyin clearly recognized it was her master, Qin Ran!


    "Master?" she tried calling out.


    "Hmm?" The figure responded.


    It really was Master!


    Flustered, she asked, "Master, what are you doing here?"


    Qin Ran turned to face her, looking at Li Shiyin''s nervous appearance, and asked back, "Why can''t I be here?"


    "Aren''t you refining pills?"


    "The pills are done!"


    "Then..." Li Shiyin lowered her head. "Did you see?"


    "I saw everything."


    "Master..." Li Shiyin drew out the word pleadingly, trying to curry favor. "They provoked me first. I didn''t actively attack anyone."


    Qin Ran''s expression instantly darkened.


    Li Shiyin panicked even more and hastily exined, "Really, they attacked first. Long Qiqi and I came here to rest, then Long Qiqi ran inside and didn''te out. So I went in to look for her..."


    As she spoke, she recalled again that she had lost Long Qiqi, and couldn''t continue.


    "Sigh..." Qin Ran let out a sigh. He looked towards the alley at the two people whose injuries were rapidly healing thanks to the pills. He shook his head. "You don''t know where you went wrong."


    His hand stirred the Rise and Fall of the Water Realm, but ultimately he did not make a move.


    "...You should have killed them as quickly as possible, then destroyed the corpses and evidence, left the scene, without leaving a single trace." Gazing as Zhang Shan and Wang Wu fled swiftly from the other end of the alley, he said softly.


    "I should have killed them?" Li Shiyin was surprised. Was her master criticizing this?


    "There''s no need..."


    "They haven''t gone far..." Qin Ran closed his eyes, sensing Zhang Shan and Wang Wu''s location. "You still have a chance."


    Li Shiyin didn''t object to killing people, but she felt one shouldn''t indiscriminately ughter the innocent. She shook her head. "No need, Master."


    Qin Ran opened his eyes and looked deeply at Li Shiyin. After a long while, he said, "Let''s go back then."


    "But..." Li Shiyin said. "Long Qiqi ran away."


    "If she ran, then she ran." Qin Ran walked on ahead. "Just a snake demon."


    Tofort his silly disciple after her dangerous battle, Qin Ran brought her out to y and eat for a while before returning to Yui Inn when it was about time.


    And the instant they pushed open the door to Yui Inn, Qin Ran halted in his tracks. He looked towards a certain spot in the lobby.


    Following right behind Qin Ran, Li Shiyin hadn''t expected him to suddenly stop. Engrossed in eating her skewers, she bumped straight into his back. Then she looked curiously along her master''s line of sight into the inn. At that spot, five people were heatedly discussing something.


    Zhang Shan and Wang Wu were conspicuously among them!


    "Master?" she whispered.


    Qin Ran didn''t reply. His expression was tranquil as he walked forward.


    Uneasy, Li Shiyin followed alongside Qin Ran.


    She was worried Zhang Shan''s group would make a move, but they didn''t do anything even as she and Qin Ran walked past the lobby, only greedily sizing them up with their eyes.


    "Divine Consciousness Secret Book ... Life Treasure Sword ..."

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65


    May 29th, sunny weather.


    The temperature...scorching hot!


    Qin Ran made preparations and left Yue Lai Inn with Li Shiyin to go to Li Ben Mountain to retrieve a sword.


    It was unclear whether it was due to the weather, Xu Zhiye using a volcano to forge swords, or simply psychological issues, but master and disciple felt particrly hot today. Though they both brought smoke-dispelling beads, they still felt as if they were in a sea of mes.


    At the foot of Li Ben Mountain, Qin Ran looked up the mountain and saw the clouds above had been roasted red, fiery red, blood-like, condensed in a clump at the peak.


    This was not a good omen, like the great misfortune foretold by diviners, and Qin Ran''s heart grew heavy as the mountain before him weighed down his heart.


    ¡°Check the equipment,¡± he said to his silly female disciple.


    Li Shiyin checked her universe pouch and all items were present.


    ¡°No issues,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Today...¡± Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin solemnly and said, ¡°There will be battle, after battle. Are you ready?¡±


    How could Li Shiyin fear battle? Her eyes burned with ming desire forbat and she eximed, ¡°Let theme!¡±


    ¡°Alright...¡± Qin Ran suddenlyughed and said, ¡°You should say you''re always ready.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Li Shiyin was puzzled.


    To lighten the mood, Qin Ran shook his head without exining. ¡°Let¡¯s ascend the mountain!¡± he said.


    Li Ben Mountain was an active volcano whose surface was covered in magma rock,pletely bare and rocky without anything else. But ever since Xu Zhiye moved here, he had sealed off the crater, turning the entire volcano into his smelting furnace, preventing magma from spewing out again.


    Over time, with the rich nutrients in the magma rock, some vegetation had surprisingly grown on Li Ben Mountain. The nts were not lush or tall, but they covered the brownish red magma rock, giving Li Ben Mountain a somewhat verdant appearance.


    When master and disciple reached midway up the mountain, Qin Ran suddenly sensed something and gestured for Li Shiyin behind him to stop.


    Li Shiyin halted in ce as a hot wind blew over, originating from higher ground, sweeping over their faces, scalding hot, blowing past the short bushes at the wayside down the mountain.


    Then, the ground started shaking, faintly at first with sand and debris dancing gently, but the tremors rapidly intensified, with loose rocks tumbling down from above. The vibrations grew stronger and stronger until it seemed the entire mountain was bouncing.


    Qin Ran grabbed Li Shiyin and encased them in an air bubble, then broke contact with the ground and floated up slowly.


    Below, the whole mountain was shaking, apanied by a loud rumbling noise.


    Suspended midair, Qin Ran watched the mountain bushes sway violently as if they were frenzied youths at a dance club.


    At one point, the ground could take no more and split open with a crack, then more and more fissures opened up as if on cue, the whole mountain surface shattering like dry y under immense heat.


    Hot air erupted from the gaps and the surface vegetation swiftly withered then turned yellow and brittle...


    The rumbling sounds continued, but at one point, they were pierced by the cry of a sword.


    Then...a tremendous boom that shook heaven and earth resounded, with shockwaves rippling outward like substantial waves.


    Qin Ran peered solemnly in the direction of the loud eruption, which was the mountain peak...


    The top of Li Ben Mountain had exploded, spewing smoke and debris, but the situation remained unclear.


    ¡°Don''t tell me the sword furnace blew up?¡± Qin Ran worried internally. ¡°The sword forging failed?¡±


    Just as he was thinking this, the wind and clouds underwent drastic change. The red clouds in the sky rapidly converged, seemingly absorbing the billowing smoke from the mountaintop, swiftly turning ck, as more clouds gathered to blot out the sun, oppressively darkening the sky, whipped into a frenzy by violent winds...


    ¡°Heavenly tribtion?¡± Qin Ran''s heart quivered as an unthinkable guess formed.


    Between breaths, daylight turned to midnight, with stars emerging and converging beams of starlight piercing through the darkness, striking the smoke at the peak.


    ¡°Rumble...¡± Electric snakes writhed within the amassed ck clouds as peals of thunder rumbled between heaven and earth.


    At this time, Xu Zhiye¡¯s voice rang out from the mountaintop, ¡°Name?!¡±


    Li Shiyin knew he was asking for the sword¡¯s name. She stepped forward, cing her palm on the resilient air bubble membrane and looked back at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran returned her gaze but said nothing. Naturally, only the sword''s master could name his or her own lifebound weapon.


    Li Shiyin peered at the mountaintop again. She hesitated briefly before calling out loudly, ¡°Mu Ran!¡±


    ¡°Mu Ran?¡± Xu Zhiye echoed. ¡°Night has fallen, not bad!¡±


    Li Shiyin opened her mouth, wanting to correct him that it wasn¡¯t that ¡°mu ran¡±, but ultimatelycked the courage.


    Only...listening in, Qin Ran understood her meaning. Complex emotions surged forth, brimming his eyes as he watched the girl¡¯s back with an extremelyplicated expression.


    ¡°Crack boom!¡±


    A bolt of heavenly tribtion lightning split down from the clouds into the volcanic smoke.


    The smoke was partially dispersed, vaguely revealing a glowing sword suspended within.


    ¡°Crack boom!¡±


    Another lightning bolt struck down, blowing away more smoke. A glittering sword hovered in the darkness.


    ¡°Crack boom!¡±


    A final lightning bolt crashed down from the clouds onto the sword, the electricity absorbed by the de with purple currents continuously flickering along its length.


    After the tribtion passed, the clouds gradually thinned, and day returned between breaths, with clearing skies and fading stars. Aside from the sword still swirling with lightning midair and the countless cracks splitting the ground, it was as if everything had reverted to normal.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath, trying his best to calm his emotions. He manipted the air bubble to fly straight from halfway up the mountain to the peak, stopping before Xu Zhiye¡¯s residence.


    Xu Zhiye was in a separate courtyard, covered in dirt and grime, clearly weary.


    He nced at Qin Ran and said, ¡°Don¡¯t do that again...¡±


    Meaning not to directly fly over anymore.


    Qin Ran nodded.


    Xu Zhiye flung out a hand and the sword darting with electricity was drawn over into his palm. Gripping the de, he looked at Qin Ran and said, ¡°The quality of this sword has at least reached low-grade spirit weapon level. You know the limits of a Star Luminescence Stone, so the difference in value is what you owe me.¡±


    A Star Luminescence Stone could at best reach top-grade magic treasure level, never spirit weapon.


    Qin Ran took out a porcin bottle from his universe pouch and tossed it over. ¡°Inside are nine medicinal pills called Fire-Banishing Pills. One pellet can eliminate all the fire toxicity within you. Nine pellets willst you many years.¡±


    Xu Zhiye caught it and cracked open the jade seal to inspect the contents, nodding in satisfaction. He popped one pill into his mouth.


    Qin Ran fished out Xu Zhiye¡¯s sword-shaped token from his pouch, imprinting it with his spiritual sense before flinging it over as well. ¡°At any time, you can bring this token to request me to concoct pills. As long as it¡¯s within my ability, I¡¯ll refine whatever you need free of charge.¡±


    Not everyone was as unprincipled as himself. Xu Zhiye understood this clearly. He epted the token and probed the spiritual sense mark left by Qin Ran... Indeed, the fusion of this entric¡¯s token and Qin Ran¡¯s spiritual imprint was one-of-a-kind.


    But he replied, ¡°You¡¯re only at Foundation Establishment realm right now though.¡±


    What useful pills could someone at Foundation Establishment even produce? Was it worth a low-grade spirit weapon?


    ¡°I can advance to Core Formation whenever I wish,¡± Qin Ran retorted confidently.


    Xu Zhiye¡¯s eyes shed sharply. This arrogant and confident youth! But he wasn¡¯t referring to Qin Ran¡¯s assurance that he could advance his cultivation realm anytime. Rather, it was his understanding towards cultivation, control over his boundaries, and confidence in his own potential.


    Xu Zhiye stared at Qin Ran for a while beforeughing loudly and flinging the sword to Li Shiyin. ¡°Alright!¡±


    Li Shiyin caught the de. The electricity had vanished and what remained was an unearthly gorgeous sword. It appeared to be a frozen slice of the gxy condensed into sword form, exquisite, dream-like, seemingly a work of art.


    This was her sword. Examining the hilt, she saw the name engraved upon it. Mu Ran. Mu Ran Sword. She sighed softly to herself.


    "This sword can be considered the representative work of my career..." Xu Zhiye said, "But precisely because of this, refining it will be even more difficult. Little girl, although it was forged for you and is now in your hands, whether or not it can be your personal sword is still uncertain. There is still a long way for you two to go."

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66


    Xu Zhiye had an entric personality, while Qin Ran was not good at socializing, so after the handover, the two did not have much to say to each other.


    Qin Ran bid farewell to Xu Zhiye soon, without even exchanging pleasantries, and went straight down the mountain with Li Shiyin.


    Because of the name of the sword, the atmosphere between master and disciple was a little awkward, especially for Li Shiyin, who was even more unhappy because the sword was named incorrectly. The two did not speak all the way, remaining silent until they walked down the mountain and at the foot of the mountain, they saw Zhang Shan, Wang Wu and their goodpanions.


    There were five of them total, four men and one woman, blocking the road ahead. They called themselves...


    The Five de Killing Immortals!


    There was Zhang Shan with the Golden Curse Sword, Wang Wu the Wild me Immortal wielding the Lion Heart Wild me de, the demon-ying immortal Liu Er, the Thousand Swords Immortal Ma Ze who used a flying sword, and the Lotus Fairy Wu Qing who cultivated wood attribute techniques.


    Qin Ran...did not recognize any of these five people! But he had done his homework these past two days.


    Ever since Li Shiyin had let Zhang Shan and Wang Wu get away, Qin Ran had been on alert. He left a mark on Zhang Shan and Wang Wu, and when he encountered them again at the inn, Qin Ran marked them as enemies to be wary of.


    It was very obvious now that these five people were here for them...


    As for the Five de Killing Immortals, it was just a group made up of five scattered immortals...


    The world of cultivation was extremely dangerous, so banding together provided warmth and also allowed them to...seize firewood from others. So using the term "gang" to describe them was quite apt.


    "All five havee..." Qin Ran said to Li Shiyin, "It seems we have attracted their attention."


    Li Shiyin also looked at the other side, focusing on Zhang Shan and Wang Wu, whom she had let go with her own hands. She was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I''m sorry, Master."


    If she hadn''t let Zhang Shan and Wang Wu go, this would not be happening now.


    "After all, they are just five Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. No major impact," said Qin Ran, looking at Li Shiyin. "Consider it a lesson for the future."


    At this moment, Wu Qing, the only female member of the Five de Killing Immortals, stepped forward with a smile. "Fellow cultivators, wee seeking only fortune, not harming lives."


    This was the standard rhetoric of bandits. Li Shiyin and Qin Ran did not speak, only watching her.


    "We want that sword..." Wu Qing pointed at the dream-like sword in Li Shiyin''s hand and continued, "...as well as cultivation methods rted to divine sense."


    Divine sense? Only then did Qin Ran realize why Zhang Shan and Wang Wu had been following Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi the other day. He had assumed it was because of Li Shiyin''s outstanding appearance.


    After Wu Qing spoke, Ma Ze, the leader of the Five de Killing Immortals, suddenly pulled her back, hinting there was another demand. Only then did she remember to ask Qin Ran, "Are you an alchemist?"


    Qin Ran nodded.


    "Then we also want five Breakthrough Pills," said Wu Qing.


    Qin Ran bowed politely and asked, "May I ask if there are any other demands?"


    Wu Qing looked back at her fourpanions. Zhang Shan thought for a moment, then raised his hand and said, "More spirit stones would also be good..."


    Before he could finish, Ma Ze pped the back of his head and scolded, "Stupid pig, he''s mocking us!"


    Zhang Shan rubbed his head that Ma Ze had hit silly, carefully contemted, then finally understood. He became angry, drew his sword from his back, and cursed, "Dare to mock us?!"


    Ma Ze pushed him aside and walked to the front alongside Wu Qing. He said to Qin Ran, "Damn it, we offered you wine first. Since you don''t drink, you''ll take the punishment wine!"


    With that, he held up his middle and index fingers on his right hand, flicked them forward, and the sword on his back flew out to hover in the air, pointing at the master and disciple. He continued, "Now, leave behind the sword and the universe bag. You may leave with your lives."


    "When encountering this kind of situation, never be naive," Qin Ran took the chance to teach Li Shiyin. "They will not let us leave alive. In the world of cultivation, the motto is to eliminate the roots to avoid future troubles. Otherwise, how would we take revenge afterwards? How would our sect take revenge? Therefore, in situations like this, putting down your weapon means certain death."


    He pointed at Ma Ze''s flying sword hovering over his head, "That is the Flying Sword technique, the so-called Flying Sword technique that can take a person''s head from thousands of miles away. I had wanted you to learn this originally.


    "Now facing the enemy, what we should consider are the weaknesses of the Flying Sword technique. So what are the weaknesses? Closebat ability. Flying Sword cultivators focus on spiritual power cultivation, soul, divine sense, consciousness and mind cultivation, while neglecting fleshly body cultivation. Once they get into closebat, it''s the path of death."


    Seeing that the master and disciple were ignoring him and chatting away, using his group as teaching material, Ma Ze''s expression became extremely ugly. He signaled to hispanions, "Just kill them directly! With five of us and two of them, why the hell are we still going through these motions?!"


    "I''ve been saying that all along!" Liu Er tore off his clothes, revealing rock-solid muscles, cursing, "It was you guys who insisted on all this fancy bullshit!"


    "This is a body refining cultivator. His closebat ability and defense are very formidable. I don''t know what his ranged means are. He will be your nemesis. I''ll restrain himter. For now, the killing order is: the fire-attributed Wang Wu (because he restricts my power), the wood-attributed Wu Qing (their support), the flying sword user Ma Ze (afraid of closebat), the sword-wielding Zhang Shan, and finally Liu Er!" Qin Ran spoke rapidly as final instructions to Li Shiyin.


    "Got it!" Li Shiyin put the Muran Sword into the Universe Bag and took out the Qingxing Sword. Gripping it tightly as she walked towards Zhang Shan, Wang Wu and Liu Er, the Qingxing Sword left its sheath and starlight sparkled on her body.


    Behind her, Qin Ran raised his hand and a bubble shot out, enveloping Liu Er and carrying him into the air.


    The bubble was extremely tough. Liu Er punched and kicked, deforming but not bursting it.


    With one man isted before the fight even began, Ma Ze''s expression was ugly. Chanting sword incantations, the flying sword above his head shot towards the bubble.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran''s figure blurred. A watery humanoid leapt out from his body and flew to meet Ma Ze''s sword.


    The sword stabbed straight in but the watery man did not dodge, letting it pierce his body. Then he reacted swiftly, clenching his hand to trap the flying sword within himself.


    Now it was not just one man isted, but one isted and one disarmed.


    Li Shiyin nced skyward. Her master had done his part, now it was up to her...


    Watching Zhang Shane at her with his sword and the fiery Wang Wu, the war blood of the Li family boiled within her. Fighting spirit ignited in her eyes!

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67


    Last time I was careless and did not cast any techniques beforehand, resulting in beingpletely overwhelmed by Li Shiyin''s fierce barrage of heavy attacks from the very start without any room to fight back. But it won''t happen again this time...


    Zhang Shan''s sword-wielding hand faintly gleamed like metal. He had already activated some kind of technique, integrating himself with the sword to form a whole entity, allowing him to wield the sword like an arm extension while amplifying his strength, making him stronger than before!


    "Die!" He let out a roar as his sword shed with Li Shiyin''s.


    However...


    Despite having casted a technique and undergoing a tremendous boost in his battle prowess, the oue was still the same asst time.


    An extremely terrifying force was transmitted through his sword. He was unable to resist it as the sword pulled his hand, his hand pulled his body, and his body lost bnce...


    It was even worse thanst time. Last time, he had exchanged dozens of moves with his opponent before being defeated. But this time, he did not even manage toplete a single exchange.


    "Why?" He was very puzzled. His techniques, swordsmanship and strength had all improved, so why was it still inferiorpared tost time?


    He was unaware that in terms of pure physical prowess, rogue cultivators like him would still fall far short of Li Shiyin''s Foundation Establishment Stage physique even after cultivating for another hundred years.


    It was an issue of resources. They would not have ess to as many spiritual medicines to consume, an alchemist specially refining body-enhancing medicinal baths for them, or someone finding top-tier cultivation methods for them. Coupled with inferior talent, they werepletely outmatched in all aspects.


    Moreover, not only had he utilized a technique during this sh, Li Shiyin had also activated her own technique. And Li Shiyin''s Starlight Technique she used was more powerful than his...


    So how could he possibly win?


    With a sword strike that disrupted Zhang Shan''s center of gravity, Li Shiyin remembered her master''s teachings to kill Wang Wu first instead of Zhang Shan. She then turned around and delivered a high kick, capitalizing on Zhang Shan''s unsteady footing tond a kick squarely on his face that sent him flying out of the battlefield. Her attention shifted forward as she now faced Wang Wu directly.


    "Zhang Shan didn''t evenst a move?" Wang Wu''s heart skipped a beat.


    But he would not retreat. He quickly stimted his magic power, igniting mes on his huge de as he charged at Li Shiyin. The two closed in on each other, but he suddenly opened his mouth wide at Li Shiyin instead.


    "Roar!!"


    At that instant, his head seemed to transform into a lion''s as he let out a lion''s roar!


    Caught off guard by this sudden lion''s roar, Li Shiyin failed to evade it and was instantly dazed by the shockwave.


    "Hmph!" Wang Wu let out a cold humph. Gripping his de with both hands, he pounced forward with his entire body cloaked in mes, making him resemble a ming lion. This pounce was the lion''s ferocious pounce!


    "It''s over!" He roared.


    "No, it''s still far from over." Qin Ran sighed inwardly. His divine sense shot out from his body, heavily mming Wang Wu.


    "Ah!"


    So somehow, while he was about to hack down on Li Shiyin, Wang Wu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head. His pouncing body froze in mid-air,pletely losing control before crashing heavily into the ground.


    Only then did Li Shiyine to her senses. She saw Wang Wu copsed on the ground not far ahead and felt cold sweat trickling within. She turned to check on her master and saw him staring intently into the sky, fully focused on Ma Ze''s flying sword and Liu Er as sweat continuously flowed down his cheeks. Perhaps her master was pushed to the limit by trying to help her.


    She looked up at the sky again and saw the water-bound sword still trembling violently on the verge of breaking free, while Liu Er thrashed furiously inside the bubble... Her master was already doing his utmost to restrict those two. Yet she still relied on her master for help...


    Li Shiyin clenched her teeth as the starlight around her grew brighter. Her sword pierced toward Wang Wu who was lying prone.


    Having just regained consciousness in the nick of time, Wang Wu barely dodged the tip of her sword and counterattacked by swinging his de at Li Shiyin''s head. Li Shiyin could only retreat while Wang Wu got back on his feet.


    Still enveloped in mes, he saw another sword shing from Li Shiyin. Having learned from Zhang Shan''s mistake, he did not dare to sh directly and quickly evaded. He was determined to entangle and outmaneuver her instead.


    Wang Wu was cunning. He also noticed the circumstances on the battlefield. That man was single-handedly keeping both his boss and body cultivator Liu Er upied and seemed to be barely hanging on. If he couldn''t quickly defeat this girl and Zhang Shan, then... ultimate victory would be theirs instead!


    Hence, in the following battle, the heavy and forceful Li Shiyin aggressively pressed on with fierce attacks while Wang Wu nimbly retreated with quick steps. Wang Wu gave ground wherever possible and skillfully deflected or mitigated Li Shiyin¡¯s strikes whenever retreat was not an option, never opting for head-on shes.


    As Li Shiyin was still young and inexperienced, she soon fell into his trap and got increasingly frustrated and disarrayed the more they fought. In particr, when she noticed her master¡¯s body starting to tremble at one point, apse in attention allowed Wang Wu to kick her.


    Her offensive momentum began faltering after that as the formerly weaker and slower Wang Wu started seizing the initiative to attack.


    The sound of intersecting des grew louder and more frequent. Li Shiyin¡¯s mind was thrown into turmoil.


    So when she stepped onto some wild shrubs on the ground, she failed to realize they were unusual.


    These shrubs sprang to life swiftly, coiling around to tightly bind the foot that had stepped on them, immobilizing her in ce!


    ¡°What!¡± Li Shiyin froze up in frightened surprise. What was happening?


    She immediately looked to the enemy and saw Wu Qing standing next to Ma Ze. The woman she had always dismissed as negligible! The supposed feminine essory!


    Wood attribute techniques. She recalled her master¡¯s words that this woman possessed a Wood Spirit Root and could control nts...


    She further noticed some creeping vines on the ground also beginning to stir as though they were snakes, slithering towards her.


    Wang Wu¡¯s attacks still maintained relentless pressure...


    And the Zhang Shan who was previously sted away by her had already been treated and fully healed by Wu Qing, now standing by Wu Qing¡¯s side.


    Li Shiyin felt her heart sink bit by bit.


    "It''s over..." she thought.


    Looking at his silly disciple up ahead, Qin Ran let his trembling act drop and stopped squeezing out sweat forcibly. There seemed to be traces of anxiety in his eyes. Wasn''t the pressure he created for his disciple a bit too much for her first venture down the mountain? His body flickered as he was about to summon another water clone to help...


    But it was right at this moment!


    A loud "swish" rang out.


    With all her strength behind it, Li Shiyin forced Wang Wu back with a heavy sword swing. Aiming her glowing sword tip squarely at the stationary Wu Qing from afar...


    A beam of starlight fired off at lightning speed before Wang Wu and Zhang Shan could react, hitting Wu Qing right in her chest to puncture a bowl-sized, blood-spurting hole!


    "Wu Qing!" Zhang Shan shrieked in rm as he rushed to support Wu Qing.


    As Wu Qing cultivated wood attribute techniques, her vitality was tenacious. Even with a hole punctured through her chest, she was not dead yet. Instead, the blood flow quickly stopped as new flesh sprouted, already working to mend the wound.


    "No..." she wheezed out, "...Don''t mind me, go help Wang Wu!"


    Zhang Shan looked back to see Wang Wu screaming out an "Ah!" as the tip of a sword withdrew from his turned back, leaving a bleeding stab wound.


    "Wang Wu is injured?" His heart convulsed in horror. Weren''t Wang Wu and that girl still exchanging moves just now with Wang Wu having the upper hand?


    In the next moment, chaotic shes of starlight and a flurry of swords...


    "Shua...Shua...Shua..."


    Blood sprayed everywhere!


    In but an instant, countless additional sword wounds appeared on Wang Wu''s body.


    "Wang Wu!" His anguished cries rang out as he rushed back desperately.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68


    At the beginning, Wang Wu knew that his actualbat power was inferior to Li Shiyin''s, so he decisively used the tactic of dragging the battle, just entangling Li Shiyin without directly confronting her head-on, like a quagmire, trapping Li Shiyin and buying time while waiting for her to make a mistake.


    His strategy worked very well. Seeing that Qin Ran could not hold on any longer, Li Shiyin did be anxious and started to make mistakes...


    But he did not take into ount that some people copse under pressure, while others gradually be stronger as the pressure mounts. Brought back from the brink of death, when the pressure reaches a certain level, they have an awakening.


    Li Shiyin was this kind of person.


    Some people copse under pressure, their bodies smashed to pieces beyond recovery. Others tear through the pressure, rising up to meet the challenge, breaking out of their cocoon like a butterfly!


    Under the tremendous pressure, Li Shiyin instead found a way to break the deadlock. With great courage, she used her ownbat power to take out the opponent''s support.


    One must understand, she was still fighting with Wang Wu. Recklessly shooting out Starlight Beam greatly weakened her ownbat power. It was an extremely dangerous maneuver. The slightest mistake would give Wang Wu a chance to seize the opportunity and take her life.


    Yet she did it anyway!


    And she seeded!


    Then Wu Qing was heavily injured and fell to the ground, fate unknown. Wang Wu lost his cool!


    He even took the initiative to attack several times, forgetting that his actualbat power was far fromparable to Li Shiyin''s. Even without the boost from Calling Starlight now, he was still no match for her. He forgot about that and attacked on his own initiative.


    But what about Li Shiyin?


    When she noticed Wang Wu was losing hisposure, she actually started pretending to be weak on purpose, continuing to lure Wang Wu to attack.


    Wang Wu attacked frantically. The angry roars of the Lionheart me Beast, the fiery rage of his great de shing out, he forced Li Shiyin back with sh after sh. The more she retreated, the more he advanced, believing he had the advantage and was suppressing Li Shiyin. The more he advanced, the more he felt that victory was imminent...He must avenge Wu Qing; he must distinguish himself!


    And so...


    He made a fatal mistake. Li Shiyin caught a huge opening and ran him through with her sword!


    Then it was a downpour of des, a wild storm. Seeing Li Shiyin''s face like frost, devoid of mercy, he no longer had the strength to lift his de. Covered in blood, his de dropped to the ground as he...


    Died!


    Li Shiyin sent Wang Wu on his way, as her master had instructed!


    On the gravel wastnd beneath the volcano, Wang Wu''s corpsey among the hardy weeds, soaked in blood. The fierce winds blew as the blood-soaked Li Shiyin appeared before Zhang Shan.


    Zhang Shan looked at the girl in front of him. The scorching winds of Li Ben Mountain made him feel cold. He realized this girl was different than the innocent and easily fooled girl from two days ago.


    Gripping his sword, he unconsciously took a step back.


    Two days ago, she was a naive and romantic genius from a great sect. Now, she was a berserk reaper emerged from hell itself!


    What had happened to her these past two days?


    She had forged a sword in that time.


    Time passed, the starlight returned, and the blood-soaked Li Shiyin, bathed in starlight, went on the attack against Zhang Shan once more. Zhang Shan had already been scared out of his wits. Unable to withstand two exchanges of blows, he was again bisected by Li Shiyin''s sword, bringing her face to face with Wu Qing and Ma Ze.


    "Wu Qing uses the wood element..."


    She remembered her master''s words, took out an Earth me Pill from her Universe Bag, stirred her mystic power, and activated the unseal rune. The Earth me Pill shot out and exploded between Wu Qing and Ma Ze. In an instant, scorching mes sted forth, an astonishing fiery storm surged out.


    Seeing that his foolish disciple finally used an external object, Qin Ran felt very gratified. Then...


    He rxed his control of the Air Water Man, allowing Ma Ze to retrieve his sword.


    In the next moment, the scorched Ma Ze, still ame, flew out from the fire. Riding his sword, he rose into the air, one foot on the sword, another sword floating above his head. Though burned, the rage still zed in his eyes, now bloodshot, an extremely terrifying sight.


    Seeing Ma Ze like this, Qin Ran nodded to himself, "It seems Wu Qing is already dead."


    "I will take you with me!" Ma Ze roared furiously. Grasping his twin swords, he activated the floating sword above his head, "Ten Thousand Swords Spell!"


    In a sh, the sword above his head quivered and shook out illusory shadows. Lose focus for a second, and a myriad of swords would hover in the air, some real, some false, some solid, some ephemeral. Dizzying to behold, it was as if ten thousand sword shadows filled the sky.


    "Ten Thousand Swords Spell?" Qin Ran thought to himself, "No wonder he is called the Thousand Swords Immortal."


    He looked again towards Li Shiyin, wanting to see how this foolish disciple would break this deadlock.


    He saw that the Li Shiyin on the ground looked up at the dense expanse of swords in the sky, all pointed towards her, preternaturally sharp, as if they were made of sword energy. She watched them for a few seconds, then the corners of her mouth curled up mockingly.


    "Master always said I was a fool, but it looks to me like the one in the sky is the real fool..." she thought. "Clearly only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet still trying to pull off ten thousand sword energies. Worried that others don''t know his sword energies are fake."


    Thinking this, the starlight around her body grew more concentrated. She rotated her sword-wielding wrist, then abruptly turned back, putting her full strength behind throwing her Qingxing Sword directly at Ma Ze''s face.


    Seeing that the woman on the ground was not only unafraid of his sword formation, but instead threw her own sword to attack him, Ma Ze let out a coldugh. "Then go to your death!"


    He focused all of his swords together and collided with the oing Qingxing Sword.


    But unfortunately, as Li Shiyin had assessed, he really was a fool. Not only did he fail to fool anyone else, but he had fooled himself.


    When you fool enough people, you start to believe your own swords are real sword energies. He forgot that due to his iplete mastery of sword techniques, the dispersed swords were actually ny percent illusory swords.


    So when the Qingxing Sword collided with the Ten Thousand Swords, it was as if they collided with thin air. Without slowing in the slightest, only at the very end, right as it reached Ma Ze''s face, was there a hint of resistance. But how could Ma Ze resist Li Shiyin''s monstrous strength?


    The Qingxing Sword plunged through Ma Ze''s abdomen, leaving only the hilt protruding.


    Qin Ran watched as Ma Ze fell from the sky and recalled that night when amidst the wolf pack, Li Shiyin precisely shot the wolf king. So it was no fluke, but another example of his foolish disciple''s skill.


    His foolish disciple had taken out another one. Qin Ran said nothing, circting his mystic power to weaken the defensive bubble in the air. Liu Er tore through the bubble and plummeted from midair,nding right in front of Li Shiyin.


    "And another one..." Li Shiyin sighed.


    One after another, one after another, each one stronger than thest...


    Moreover, carefully thinking back, she had always fought them one-on-one.


    Li Shiyin was no fool. Staring at the man before her, his expression grieved and enraged as if he would swallow her alive, she finally understood everything was unfolding ording to her master''s n.


    The entire situation was under her master''s control. In fact, her master had at least nine methods to deal with these five people, not even counting the poison arrays beneath Li Ben Mountain that hadn''t even been activated yet.


    This was her master deliberately controlling things, using these five people as experience treasures for her.


    "Is it also part of master''s n that I now have to fight this physique cultivator Liu Er barehanded without my sword?" Li Shiyin had to wonder.


    "Furious Immortal Demon Fist!!"


    The Liu Er before her roared to the heavens. Jet ck skin covered his bulging muscles and protruding veins, filling his whole body with berserk power. His figure flickered as he shot straight at Li Shiyin.


    "Starlight..." Li Shiyin softly exhaled, no longer thinking about anything else. The flickering starlight around her body intensified, as if starfire had ignited. Striding to meet Liu Er''s fist head-on, her own fist smashed out!


    Bang!


    Like metal on stone, a muffled thud rang out across the wilderness...

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69


    The battle between people...or rather battles between intelligent creatures, thebat power and apparent strength is just one of the factors that determine victory and defeat. Responding in real-time, environmental factors, wisdom and strategy, these are even more important than purebat power.


    Cultivators are also people, intelligent creatures. Their battles also follow these principles.


    It''s not that a Foundation Establishment cultivator who encounters a Golden Core cultivator is certainly doomed to die. It''s just that the Golden Core cultivator has a greater chance of winning. However, chances going backwards from the result don''t mean anything.


    Among the Five de Killing Immortals, the one with the greatest apparent strength was naturally Ma Ze, otherwise he wouldn''t have been the boss. But unfortunately, he flew up into the air as a target and was shot dead by Li Shiyin¡¯s flying sword. Next was Wang Wu, but he lost hisposure and was actually the first to die. Only then was it Liu Er...


    Liu Er practiced Body Cultivation, strengthening his physical body. To put it rudely, he was just a big dumb brute, a living target and punching bag that could only take hits...


    No matter how great your skills, you still fear the kitchen knife. No matter how strong your body, you will still eventually be prated by sword arts.


    Yet among these five people, only Liu Er could fight Li Shiyin head-on, battling for the longest time and most intensely. The two exchanged moves blow for blow, identally going on for over a hundred moves.


    It wasn¡¯t that Liu Er was as strong as Li Shiyin. It was that after Li Shiyin lost her sword, she couldn¡¯t break through Liu Er¡¯s defense. Her fists and feet allnded solidly on Liu Er, but he just wasn¡¯t injured...


    Qin Ran watched from the side. Seeing that Li Shiyin always failed to prate the defense, he pointed out strategically:


    ¡°Shiyin, the amount of harm caused by using a stick, hammer, or spear with the same strength is different. Likewise, ramming with your body, punching with your hand, and focusing all strength into your fist when punching causes different degrees of harm.¡±


    Both sides of the battle could hear Qin Ran¡¯s words, but Liu Er could only wonder in his head: ¡°What the hell is he talking about?¡± Whereas Li Shiyin could gain some insight.


    ¡°Normally when you use strength, it¡¯s in your body, legs, waist, hands. But if you can gather all strength into one point, focus it into your fist, and explode all your power when punching with your fist...¡± What Qin Ran talked about was modern boxing theory, but he was just parroting others¡¯ words. He didn¡¯t actually know how. ¡°Punching with your fist always hurts more than pping with your palm.¡±


    Qin Ran knew what it was about, but couldn¡¯t do it himself. Liu Er could tell it was important stuff, but didn¡¯t understand. Only Li Shiyin understood as she often listened to Qin Ran¡¯s lessons. Gaining insight...


    She drew back her fist with starlight gathering onto it, her fist glowing like the sun. She punched out, the starlight exploding as it hit Liu Er...


    Bang!


    Liu Er was sted flying as blood sprayed wildly. The ce where Li Shiyin¡¯s fist hit obviously caved in.


    He crashed onto the ground, still not understanding what profound truths were in Qin Ran¡¯s words.


    Li Shiyin chased over and flew up, kicking and breaking his neck.


    At this point, apart from Zhang Shan, four of the Five de Killing Immortals were dead, all killed by Li Shiyin.


    After killing Liu Er, Li Shiyin stood in ce as her surging blood gradually calmed and her wildly beating heart slowly settled. Her cruel mind slowly cleared. She looked down at Liu Er, thinking: ¡°I killed another person. I killed four people in one breath.¡±


    Qin Ran walked over. Looking at Li Shiyin, he was silent for a while withoutforting her. Instead, devoid of emotion, he ordered: ¡°Go take your sword and finish them off, make sure they¡¯re really dead.¡±


    Li Shiyin looked back at him, her face icy cold, while Qin Ran was impassive.


    After a long while, Li Shiyin calmed her emotions. She went to find Ma Ze, drew out her sword, then carried Ma Ze in one hand and the Qingxing Sword in the other towards Qin Ran.


    Without speaking, she silently sliced Ma Ze¡¯s neck and threw him next to Liu Er. Then she shed Liu Er¡¯s neck with her sword.


    ¡°There are still two left,¡± said Qin Ran.


    So Li Shiyin retrieved Wu Qing and Wang Wu, giving them each an extra sword strike. Wu Qing had already been burned into charcoal by the Earth Core me beyond recognition, but she still brought him before Qin Ran and stabbed him once with her sword.


    Seeing Li Shiyin finish, Qin Ran raised his hand again, enveloping the pretending-to-be-dead Zhang Shan in an air bubble and bringing him before Li Shiyin, saying: ¡°Kill him too.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Zhang Shan immediately woke up in fright. He flipped over and kneeled down weeping. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me, please spare me!!¡±


    ¡°Master!¡± Li Shiyin shouted angrily at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran was calmly silent.


    At first, Li Shiyin felt Qin Ran was like a nice neighborly big brother, very gentle and considerate. Gradually, she discovered this big brother had a somewhat sinister side, but he was also very knowledgeable, gentle and refined. Later, she found he was very cautious with a deeply hidden terror in his heart, evokingpassion.


    Now she felt her Master was terrifying.


    Master always said the cultivation world was dangerous, sinister and terrifying, but perhaps what was terrifying wasn¡¯t the cultivation world itself, but Master! This mentally twisted to the point of abnormality, pathologically cautious Master!


    Her sword thrusted forward, piercing through the air bubble membrane and Zhang Shan¡¯s heart. Zhang Shan¡¯s weeping pleas instantly stopped.


    ¡°You¡¯re a devil!¡± she said.


    She withdrew the Qingxing Sword into its sheath and walked away.


    ¡°Stop!¡± Qin Ran shouted from behind.


    She stopped in her tracks.


    Qin Ran took out corpse-erasing powder from his Universe Bag and held it out to Li Shiyin, saying: ¡°Destroy the corpses, eliminate all traces.¡±


    Li Shiyin took a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she looked up to the blood-red clouds in the sky.


    She turned back, stepped forward and forcefully snatched the corpse-erasing powder from Qin Ran, scattering it onto the corpses.


    She watched as the powder corroded the bodies, as if an invisible monster in space was gnawing away at them. The corpses disappeared bit by bit until only a pile of clothes remained.


    ¡°Burn the clothes,¡± said Qin Ran. ¡°Give me your Universe Bag.¡±


    So Li Shiyin burned all the clothes, gathering up everything into the Universe Bag and flinging it at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran modified the Universe Bag¡¯s space formations, annihting it with spatial forces.


    ¡°This is what must be done after killing. All remnants like the corpses and belongings must bepletely destroyed. Don¡¯t be greedy for the treasures inside the Universe Bag,¡± lectured Qin Ran. ¡°Don¡¯t leave any clues.¡±


    Li Shiyin watched the burning clothes without saying a word, an icy expression on her face.


    ¡°After battle, a sufficiently safe location must be quickly found to adjust your condition until the next battle that could happen anytime!¡± Qin Ran continued.


    The mes reflecting in Li Shiyin¡¯s eyes, she still didn¡¯t speak.


    Qin Ran pitied and sighed inwardly, but outwardly he summoned a ball of water pouring down on Li Shiyin¡¯s head, coldly saying: ¡°At the same time, cleanse yourself of foreign objects like bloodstains, wounds, markings etc.¡±


    Li Shiyin was drenched, her smooth long hair stered wetly to her face and back. She didn¡¯t circte her arts to dry herself either, just standing there silently.


    ¡°The cultivation world is like this. Either don¡¯t attack, or do things decisively,¡± Qin Ran finally sighed. ¡°You don¡¯t want to kill people, but you have to protect yourself well.¡±


    At this point, he also fell silent.


    Master and disciple, Li Shiyin broodingly watching the fire while Qin Ran silently watched Li Shiyin. Neither spoke, the atmosphere silent yet terrifying.


    Until the clothes finished burning and the fire disappeared, Qin Ran sensed something and looked up into the distant sky.


    Two ck dots appeared in the sky. Someone was flying over.


    He hastily took out Great Redemption Pills and Origin Recovery Pills from his Universe Bag, holding them out to Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin didn¡¯t take the pills, also looking over.


    Two people flew over there, two women - one girl and one mature woman. The girl was nobly beautiful while the woman was gracefully alluring. Flying slowly from the distant sky, they gradually became clear, like heavenly fairies, charming and graceful.


    ¡°Take the pills...¡± said Qin Ran. ¡°Prepare for the next battle.¡±


    ¡°An even more difficult battle!¡±

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70


    Zhao Yaqing and her daoist protector flew over and stopped in mid-air in front of Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, with no intention ofnding on the ground.


    "Miss Shiyin..." Zhao Yaqing looked down condescendingly at Li Shiyin from mid-air, carrying some noble temperament. She smiled and her tone was very mild, but because of the rtive positions of the two, she could not give people any affinity at all. She said to Li Shiyin,


    "Just now I saw an anomaly from afar in this direction, Miss Shiyin''s innate sword must havee out of the furnace. To tell you the truth, although I entered the world of cultivating immortals a few years earlier than Miss Shiyin, I have not yet seen an innate sword that needed to cross the celestial tribtion. Could Miss Shiyin lend me the sword to take a look?"


    However, Li Shiyin was no fool. She could tell at a nce that although this person was disguised, she had alsoe to rob the sword. That is to say, when Zhao Yaqing greeted her the other day, it was in preparation to rob the sword today.


    She replied coldly, "I won''t lend it!"


    "Sister Shiyin, we have been good friends for many years. It''s just to take a look at the innate sword. Why does sister Shiyin have to be so wary?" Zhao Yaqing said.


    "Who is good friends with you?" Li Shiyin sneered. She extremely disliked this kind of hypocritical person with a belly full of evil intentions, just like her master.


    She disdainfully said, "Calling so affectionately, in fact you just came to rob the sword, right? If you want to rob it, thene down and fight me for it! If you win, you can take it. Acting so high and mighty and saying so much nonsense!"


    Zhao Yaqing dide to rob the sword, and she came at just the right time. She had been watching from afar and hurried over after seeing Wu Li Xian''s failure, at just the time when Li Shiyin and her apprentice had finished a battle and did not have time to catch their breath. But she was a noble person with good manners, so how could she keep words like robbery and killing in her mouth all the time?


    Even for robbery, some justification had to be found, some elegance maintained, some reasonableness kept.


    Hearing Li Shiyin say such words, she immediately looked down on her in her heart and mocked her, as expected of a general''s descendant, so vulgar and low.


    "Sister Shiyin really, wants to get violent with others again..." She had really forgotten that she was beaten by Li Shiyin three years ago. Sheughed and said, "Still as heroic as ever."


    "Are youing down or not?" Li Shiyin said impatiently. "If not, we''re leaving."


    "Ha ha ha..." Zhao Yaqingughed elegantly, nced at her protector on the left, nced down at Qin Ran below, and maintained her graceful demeanor. She said, "It seems sister Shiyin really wants to discuss andpete in the dao with me. It just so happens that in the past three years I have also been concentrating on cultivating, and learned some exquisite techniques. So let me cross hands with sister Shiyin to exchange pointers."


    She took out a magnificently styled sword from her Universe Bag and said to Li Shiyin, "This is a magic weapon grade treasure sword, named..." She seemed to have forgotten, nced at the hilt of the sword, and continued, "named Snow Pear Flower."


    A magic weapon grade treasure sword? Li Shiyin took a close look at the sword, rolled her eyes, a low grade magic weapon is a low grade magic weapon, and she calls it a magic weapon grade treasure sword.


    She raised up her Qingxing Sword but did not say anything.


    "This move is called Colorful Clouds Chasing the Sun!" Zhao Yaqing seemed to have great martial prowess. She danced a beautiful sword maneuver elegantly in midair, called out the name of the move to warn Li Shiyin, then sent a sword flying over from midair.


    Wearing a light blue long skirt, with her sash fluttering, when this sword came, clouds arose and mist came with it, following behind her, making her seem like a heavenly fairy. This sword was also like clouds and fog, unfathomable, making it difficult for people to respond.


    Since Zhao Yaqing wanted toe down to engage in frontalbat with Li Shiyin, Qin Ran took out a Thunder Tribtion Pill from his Universe Bag and held it in his hand to be prepared. He looked up at the protector in midair. At this time, the protector had also drawn out his sword and was vignt towards him. Qin Ran smiled and tossed the Thunder Tribtion Pill at the protector, then retreated some distance to make space for Li Shiyin and Zhao Yaqing.


    Qin Ran and the protector''s intentions were very clear. Zhao Yaqing and Li Shiyin were juniors, and their contention would stop between them.


    And they both had great confidence in their own disciple.


    Needless to say, Zhao Yaqing''s cultivation was higher than Li Shiyin''s, she had mastered more techniques than Li Shiyin, and she had cultivated longer than Li Shiyin. No matter how you looked at it, she could not lose.


    While in Qin Ran''s eyes, although Zhao Yaqing''s cultivation was high and her techniques exquisite, from this move Colorful Clouds Chasing the Sun, it could be seen that her cultivation was actually superficial. And this little girl Li Shiyin''s talent forbat was probably something Zhao Yaqing could not catch up to even on horseback.


    If it was apetition in poetry or literary grace, he would have to worry for Li Shiyin, but in fighting...


    Zhao Yaqing had pulled herself into Li Shiyin''s domain topete with her.


    This sword came from the sky, erratic and unpredictable. Li Shiyin could not find the real thing, knowing that she could not take this sword. So she raised her sword, only pretending to meet the move, then shed her body to dodge when the sword arrived.


    "Shhh..."


    This sword shed into the ground. The sound of the sword edge shing the ground was like the sound of slicing through the air.


    Li Shiyin looked back and saw a long gash and a ten-zhang sized dent on the brown magma ground. The gash was cut out by the sword, and the dent was smashed out by the cloud.


    Seeing this scene, Li Shiyin looked back at Zhao Yaqing and saw a smug look of satisfaction on Zhao Yaqing''s face. She knew Zhao Yaqing was very pleased with the might of this move. Li Shiyin thought disdainfully to herself that the arrogant girl''s control of power was so poor that she would punish her to dig ake for a month.


    Zhao Yaqing pursued with her sword, carrying an arrogant smile. This sword could be sensed, and as Li Shiyin turned around to block it, she warded off this sword.


    It seemed that kind of erratic moves could not be used casually. Li Shiyin knew the depth of it in her heart, so she attacked with her sword.


    The two beautiful girls fought beautifully in long skirts and swords. There were constant pleasant shouts and the crisp sound of shing treasure swords. It was actually an artistic scene.


    In midair, as Zhao Yaqing''s protector watched the two women fighting, she gradually frowned. She saw clearly that Zhao Yaqing was at a disadvantage! Zhao Yaqing was superior in cultivation and strength and speed to Li Shiyin, but herbat skills were far toockingpared to Li Shiyin...


    Compared to Li Shiyin, Zhao Yaqing simply did not know how to fight!


    As the battle progressed, Li Shiyin also gradually figured out Zhao Yaqing''s depth. This young miss is just a young miss, gentle and delicate. Where would she know how to fight? Gradually, she began to take the initiative and control the situation. Her sword moves were aggressive and her offensive was sharp.


    It was very strange. Although her own cultivation was higher and her sword techniques more exquisite, Zhao Yaqing found that she was actually at a disadvantage, and was gradually being led by Li Shiyin''s rhythm.


    This would not do... Zhao Yaqing''s eyebrows wrinkled. She disyed her movement techniques, making her form erratic and unpredictable.


    "I have cultivated for several more years after all. My metaphysical arts surpass yours!" Sheughed and said, "Little sister, how do you like my Wandering Cloud Dance Steps?"


    Zhao Yaqing''s figure became unpredictable again. Li Shiyin attacked several times but all hit empty air. This gave Li Shiyin the feeling of punching cotton¡ªvery ufortable.


    "Not bad, being able to run is also an advantage," she replied.


    Li Shiyin had not learned body movement techniques yet so she could not catch up to Zhao Yaqing and could not hit her. She gradually lost her advantage and fell into a disadvantage.


    "Humph!" She told herself to keep calm. Master had said that only by keeping calm can one find the way to break out of a situation.


    Since she could not catch up, then don''t chase. She soon thought of meeting the ever-changing with the unchanging. No matter how Zhao Yaqing ran, she still had to attack to beat her in the end.


    She unfolded her Starlight Guidance Technique and started defending.


    Then Zhao Yaqing was able to fully disy her movement techniques, unleashing moves as she pleased around Li Shiyin.


    But after more than a dozen moves, Zhao Yaqing found the problem¡ªshe could attack freely and held the initiative, but it seemed Li Shiyin had activated some technique. Her strength and speed had greatly increased. Every time she attacked, she would be blocked by Li Shiyin, and then their swords shed...


    Zhao Yaqing found her own hand going numb!


    "Such brute force from a fool..." She cursed inwardly, but still had to pull away to activate new techniques again.


    "Sword Moving Clouds and Rain!" She shouted lightly, dancing her sword. Wind rose, blowing at her sword. The swaying sword gathered clouds. She pointed forward and the wind blew the clouds above Li Shiyin''s head, and it started raining...


    But it was not rain, but sword after sword!


    "Can''t win so you cheat?" Li Shiyin scolded. She quickly spurred her magic power to flee, and swung her Qingxing Sword to block away all the swords falling from the clouds.


    But the cloud had locked onto her and chased along with her.


    "Trying to cheat, are we?" She was furious in her heart, "I can also attack from afar!"


    Thinking thus, starlight began to coalesce on her sword...


    "Foolish child, are you going to shoot out the starlight so quickly?" Qin Ran frowned.


    But he saw Li Shiyin wave her sword and p it on a drop of rain sword, dispersing that rain sword. It did notpletely disperse, instead all flying towards Zhao Yaqing. Every droplet of the dispersing rain sword elongated into a sword.


    "It''s not the power of stars..." Qin Ran was dumbfounded, murmuring, "It''s Sword Qi!"

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71


    "No!" Zhao Yaqing''s guardian''s mind was greatly shaken as she looked at the droplets flying towards Zhao Yaqing and urgently shouted, "Be careful, that''s sword qi!"


    "Sword qi?" Upon hearing about sword qi, Zhao Yaqing was stunned for a moment. Two junior cultivators at the foundation building stage fighting, how could something like sword qi appear?!


    But when the sword qi approached, its sharpness pressing against her skin, she knew this really was sword qi. She hurriedly used a technique: "Layer Cloud Protects Body!"


    Layers of pure white clouds emerged from her body, protecting her.


    The water droplets carrying Li Shiyin''s initiallyprehended sword qi dripped and smashed into the white clouds, punching hole after hole in the cloudyers around Zhao Yaqing. After a few breaths, the cloudyers copsed and dissipated.


    The iing sword qi had also been exhausted. She had managed to defend against it after all.


    Zhao Yaqing couldn''t believe it. Breathing heavily, she shouted at Li Shiyin, "Sword qi! How could you possibly haveprehended sword qi?!"


    "Sword qi?" Li Shiyin was puzzled. Her master had told her long ago that she wouldprehend sword qi. Was this thing that rare?


    "You mean this?" she asked. Then she dashed out, once again avoiding the sword rain above her head, and ran towards Zhao Yaqing.


    Previously, the two had exchanged moves within two to three meters of each other, but this time, when she was still seven to eight meters away from Zhao Yaqing, she raised the Qingxing Sword and thrusted straight forward...


    Purple star power circted on the Qingxing Sword. As the Qingxing Sword thrusted forward, the purple aura extended beyond the sword tip, seemingly pulling the sword longer, extending seven to eight meters as it stabbed towards Zhao Yaqing.


    "It really is sword qi!" Zhao Yaqing confirmed and couldn''t help but be shocked. She could only use the Wandering Cloud Dance Steps to dodge.


    With a spit and draw of sword qi, after Zhao Yaqing dodged, Li Shiyin swiftly pulled it back, and the Qingxing Sword instantly reverted to its original form.


    "You..." Zhao Yaqing steadied herself, still frightened. She asked Li Shiyin, "Sword qi, how could a dummy like you possiblyprehend sword qi?"


    Li Shiyin nced at her disdainfully without answering. She flipped the Qingxing Sword backwards towards the sky, and purple sword qi sprayed out, bisecting the clouds in the sky, dispersing them.


    "This definitely isn''t sword qi!" Zhao Yaqing said again. She didn''t believe it, so she used her movement technique to charge at Li Shiyin as before.


    Only now the situation was different from before. With sword qi, Li Shiyin''s sword could be long or short, making it unpredictable. Zhao Yaqing was already no match in directbat. Now it was even more hopeless as she didn''t even have the power to fight back.


    Unable to endure after a few exchanges, Zhao Yaqing had no choice but to retreat.


    However...


    She might have retreated, but Li Shiyin had no intention of letting her get away.


    On the battlefield, one must use thunderous means topletely eradicate the enemy. This was something Li Shiyin had heard since she was little. This was also why Li Shiyin, although not understanding, still listened to Qin Ran and killed ughtering Five Immortals.


    She chased after Zhao Yaqing with sword in hand, wanting to kill her.


    With the support of sword qi, the length of Li Shiyin''s sword was erratic. Zhao Yaqing was already no match, now even less able to adapt. After a few moves she was already injured, her clothes torn.


    "If this continues, I may die..." This thought suddenly shed through Zhao Yaqing''s mind. She took out a bead from her Universe Bag, squeezed it hard, shattering it. Ayer of white radiance enveloped her, shielding her to withstand Li Shiyin¡¯s hits for a few breaths, managing to open up some distance.


    "So many treasures!"


    Li Shiyin halted, watching Zhao Yaqing retreat several times, pulling apart the distance between them. She raised the Qingxing Sword, aimed at where Zhao Yaqing would retreat to, and shouted loudly, "No amount of treasures will help you!"


    Then a fantastical streak of dark purple sword qi arced out...


    Zhao Yaqing had already lost the will to fight, only wanting to retreat and widen the distance. She didn''t notice Li Shiyin predicted her retreat spot with this strike. As she took another step back...


    Suddenly rm bells rang loudly in her mind. She looked up to see a descending streak of purple sword qi slicing down towards her¡ªright where she was going to end up.


    As if she had just crashed into it head first.


    "Yaqing!" her guardian cried out, using a movement technique to rush over in their direction.


    The purple streak sliced open Zhao Yaqing''s protective glow and directly struck her, bisecting Zhao Yaqing with one sword strike.


    Her guardian rushed over just in time to catch her.


    Zhao Yaqing''s clothes were alreadypletely shredded, revealing soft armor inside, also marked with shes¡ªLi Shiyin''s handiwork. The deepest gash ran from her left shoulder to her right chest, prating the soft armor a few millimeters deep. The armor was basically ruined.


    Even with doubleyers of protection, Zhao Yaqing was still injured. Lying in her guardian''s arms, blood kept gushing from her throat...


    The guardian was furious. She red at Li Shiyin, pped upwards with one palm. Gusts of wind gathered into an enormous palm imprint that pressed down towards Li Shiyin.


    Before the palm imprint even arrived, Li Shiyin was already overwhelmed by the mighty aura of a high level cultivator, frozen stiff and unable to move for a moment. Coming back to her senses with the palm imprint right at her face, a thought shed through her mind¡ª¡°I¡¯m done for!¡±¡ªwhen a warm hand slid around her waist and pulled her aside.


    The gigantic palm imprint barely grazed past their bodies, mming into the deste Li Ben Mountain behind them and leaving another huge palm print in the dried up mountainside.


    Li Shiyin turned to see it was her master who had saved her.


    "Sore loser?" Qin Ran smiled and asked the guardian.


    "Vile little creature, how dare injure with intent to kill!" The guardian cursed viciously.


    "This battle..." Qin Ran taunted her deliberately, "My disciple Shiyin won!"


    "Won?" The guardian let out a coldugh. "Then let me see who will win in the end!"


    She raised her hand again. Instantly, the winds raged furiously as if the end of the world had arrived.


    "Impressive!" Qin Ran praised, but he shook his head. "Unfortunately, my disciple and I will not keep youpany in this game!"


    As he spoke, he hugged Li Shiyin and used the divine walking step to blink backwards several times upslope, vanishing abruptly.


    "Hm?" The guardian frowned. "What kind of technique was that?!"


    "Since running away, it means their strength isn''t up to par..." she thought. Hugging the poisoned Zhao Yaqing, she flew swiftly to where Qin Ran and Li Shiyin had disappeared.


    With a flicker, she discovered herself transported to apletely different world.


    This world was fantastical and colorful. Flying snakes soared in the sky. Running mushrooms dashed on the ground. In the distance, a toad leaped with all its might, mping onto a swan¡¯s neck as they disappeared far away together.


    "What is this ce?" The guardian was dumbfounded.


    Soon, she noticed something wrong. Her skin felt itchy and her head a little dizzy. ncing down, she saw pustules sprouting all over her fair skin.


    Her state was already like this. Needless to say, Zhao Yaqing, in just a few breaths, had turned deathly pale with putrid pus all over as a nauseating stench started emanating out.


    "Poison!!" The guardian was horrified. With a sweep, she cried out, "A poison formation?!"


    She hurriedly circted her magic power and used arts. Abruptly, the winds shifted as a furious gale erupted out from them, lifting up the formation. A clear sky emerged in the next moment as the winds blew away the poison bugs and ingredients used as the foundation, scattering them across the whole sky.


    As a Golden Core cultivator, the guardian directly expelled the poison from her body. Looking ahead, she saw the despicable little bastard hugging his disciple, flying away frantically not too far away...


    "Hand over the antidote!!" She thundered furiously. Gusts swirled and she vanished from there, instantly reappearing behind the sinister little rascal. She pped out with her palm, directly striking his back...


    Then the sinister fellow transformed into a pool of clean water dropping to the ground. A side nce showed the female disciple had also turned into water.


    "Come out!" She quivered with rage, searching all around for any trace of the pair.


    Soon, she spotted the master and disciple duo in the distance.


    Qin Ran stood outside the perimeter of the lethal formation. He turned back and smiled at the guardian, "Come on, the antidote is right here."


    Having said that, he hugged Li Shiyin and slipped back inside the formation.


    "You vermins!" The guardian''s face contorted in anger, yet she could only bring the heavily poisoned Zhao Yaqing to chase after them inside.

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72


    Qin Ran gave Li Shiyin the Hundred Poisons Pill ahead of time. Actually, only a very small part of the reason was that he was worried about her being poisoned, because in the Cultivation World, there weren''t many people who would use poison. More than that, he wanted to ensure that she wouldn''t be poisoned when he took her into the poison formation.


    How many types of poisons are there?


    ssified by poison targets, there is poison targeting the blood, poison targeting the muscles, poison targeting the nerves, and poison targeting the bones. In other words, any physiological structure that a living being has, there is a corresponding poison for it, some of which naturally exist between heaven and earth, while some are... created by humans.


    These poisons are originally meant for mortals.


    Because cultivators transcend mortals, it''s very difficult for them to be poisoned...


    However, many low-level cultivators, although they already have super powerfulbat ability initially, their bodies are still not very different from mortal bodies in essence, so many extremely toxic poisons targeting mortals also have miraculous effects on low-level cultivators.


    When can cultivatorspletely not be the same concept as mortals?


    Golden Core!


    It is said that once a Golden Core is swallowed into the stomach, my life is up to me, not up to heaven. The Golden Core path, after the Golden Core Transformation, cultivators havepletely be a life form superior to mortals.


    Of course, it doesn''t mean that high-level cultivators after the Golden Core stage willpletely not be poisoned. As there is yin, there must be yang in the mysterious principles between heaven and earth. As there are high-level cultivators, there are also poisons specially targeting high-level cultivators.


    For example, poisons targeting spiritual power, aura, divine sense, soul, the Way, and so on.


    But in conclusion, whether they are mortals or cultivators, those who use poison are always the minority. Qin Ran, this shameless bastard, has always been an outlier.


    Seeing that Protector chasing over, Qin Ran hurriedly took Li Shiyin into the Killing Formation.


    The formation was set up by him. He took Li Shiyin along to find their position and came to the exit of the formation to wait, waiting for the Protector to enter the formation, then they would exit the formation.


    From the moment he rescued Li Shiyin to urgently escaping and now waiting here, Qin Ran finally had a moment to rx. Although he made a lot of ns, actually implementing them gave apletely different feeling from nning... In the end, he was only suitable for making ns instead of participating in the ns himself...


    So Qin Ran found that he was still holding Li Shiyin by the waist. The softness and warmth conveyed by his fingertips caused him to unconsciously swallow.


    But he couldn''t let go of Li Shiyin either, first because suddenly letting go would be too abrupt and increase the awkwardness; second, he still had to take Li Shiyin to escape...


    So he asked, "You aren''t poisoned, right?" His voice somewhat hoarse.


    "No..." Li Shiyin shook her head.


    Li Shiyin''s mind was chaotic. She was thinking, but had not yet realized her master was hugging her. She was silent for a while, then suddenly asked Qin Ran, "Master, will Zhao Yaqing and the others kill us?"


    "Yes!" There was the smell of blood and sweat and fragrance on Li Shiyin''s body. Qin Ran felt somewhat confused smelling it. He looked at the opposite side of the formation and replied, "Snatching someone''s Lifebound Sword is already a huge vengeance to begin with. After snatching the sword, killing someone is just a matter of convenience. Lives aren''t valuable in the Cultivation World..."


    When he said that, the Protector had already taken Zhao Yaqing into the formation. Seeing them, he stopped talking and turned around, taking Li Shiyin out of the formation.


    Although Qin Ran was somewhat aplished with formations, he was still an amateur after all. The formation he set up had many ws,


    Such as the speed of deployment where it could only be set up in advance, such asrge formations relying on formation disks, and the foundations being shallow, and so on.


    The main reason why the previous Poison Formation could poison the Protector and Zhao Yaqing was because it caught them unprepared. But it was still easily broken through by the Protector, and it was broken through by force. Thus, the current Killing Formation could not trap the Protector for too long.


    Not long after Qin Ran escaped, the Protector took Zhao Yaqing out of the formation. She shouted from behind,


    "Brat, can you only do these petty tricks?"


    Qin Ran''s scalp tingled. He panicked a little. This Protector really deserved to be a Golden Core from a major sect. Her strength was much stronger than what he expected.


    To add fuel to the fire, suddenly there were loud noises from ahead. Qin Ran hurriedly looked forward and saw arge group of cultivators noisily and chaotically flying over, talking about a treasured sword being forged...


    These were also peopleing to snatch the sword!


    "Stop him, the sword is on him!" Seeing therge group of cultivators, the Protector hurriedly shouted loudly.


    "Damn!" Qin Ran swore inwardly and quickly elerated, rushing into the formation in front.


    And this formation...


    was the Transforming Formation.


    Upon hearing there was a treasured sword on Qin Ran, the group of cultivators were immediately excited and charged into the formation regardless.


    The effect of the Transforming Formation was to transform appearances. It wasn''t a powerful formation. With so many people charging in, it soon copsed under the heavy load. The formation exploded, but a group of women and children appeared out of thin air on t ground...


    Everyone had their appearances changed...


    Thus, the crowd suddenly exploded.


    At a certain moment, a pair of men and women flew out of the crowd, flying far away into the distant sky. Someone shouted loudly, "It''s them, the sword is on them!"


    The crowd noisily chased after them.


    After the crowd left, a youth and an old woman remained behind. That youth breathed a sigh of relief and took the old woman flying in another direction.


    Theseters didn''t know of Qin Ran''s sinister deceitfulness, but the Protector knew. She kept a thread of caution and didn''t rashly chase over either. After the crowd dispersed, leaving behind the youth and old woman, she immediately knew in her heart. She hurriedly chased over.


    "Indeed still here!" Qin Ran looked back. The Protector was still chasing behind them.


    But the next formation was the Invisibility Formation. Qin Ran and the old woman, Li Shiyin, went inside. After the Protector broke the formation, theypletely disappeared without a trace.


    The Protector stood on the bare red earth holding Zhao Yaqing in her arms, her face gloomy as she looked around...


    Qin Ran and Li Shiyin came to the Teleportation Formation. He looked at Li Shiyin and suddenly asked, "Leave them the antidote?"


    Li Shiyin and Qin Ran looked at each other. She hesitated.


    "The Protector certainly won''t have an issue, but Zhao Yaqing might not necessarily..." Qin Ran said, "After experiencing so much today, do you still want to leave them the antidote?"


    Li Shiyin lowered her head, but still said, "I have no enmity or grudge against her. Just leave the antidote!"


    At this time, through the rtive positions of the previous four formations, the Protector discerned the direction of thisst formation and had caught up again. Still far away, she shouted, "Brat, stop right there!"


    Qin Ran ignored her. He just looked at Li Shiyin shaking his head and sighed, "Alright."


    Then he threw out a porcin bottle right where they stood.


    "Give me your hand..." he said. "Skin contact can prevent us from teleporting to different ces."


    Li Shiyin gave him her hand.


    Qin Ran held Li Shiyin by the waist with one hand and held her hand with the other. He quickly took her into thest formation, the Teleportation Formation.


    "Don''t go!!"


    The Protector sensed spatial turbulence and knew this formation was likely a teleportation formation. She was shocked. Without thinking too much, she raised her palm and stirred up a dragon tornado from t ground!


    Qin Ran took Li Shiyin into the formation and activated it. Their bodies became light and they uncontrobly fell backwards, like stepping full force on a car''s gas pedal.


    The next moment, the scenery changed and they teleported towards unknown ces...


    But at this moment, the changing scenery suddenly stopped, forcefully halting them. The duo were squeezed out from the extreme speeds into a sudden stop by space. They fell down from midair.


    The extreme velocity to a sudden stop plus spatialpression were too much for Qin Ran and Li Shiyin. Both of them were heavily injured, covered in blood, and crashed to the ground without any strength to move for the time being.


    "Did the teleportation fail, Master?" Li Shiyin''s hand was still in Qin Ran''s palm. Seeing the crimson sky, she asked.


    Qin Ran didn''t reply. He inspected the surrounding environment. They were still surrounded by the harsh environment with volcanoes nearby, red clouds, dark red earth. There was a volcano behind them and the small town could still be faintly seen ahead... They had just teleported and hadn''t even traveled a kilometer of distance.


    "It seems to have failed." He replied.


    "Will we die, Master?" Li Shiyin arduously turned her head to look at Qin Ran''s side profile.


    Qin Ran turned his head back. Seeing Li Shiyin''s pitiful gaze, his heart ached. He suddenly winked at her and whispered, "No."


    "Hm?" Li Shiyin was astonished.


    "Still want to run away?" The Protector came close and looked down condescendingly at Qin Ran, saying, "An ant-like character!" She shouted, "Keep running away!"


    "Hehe..." Qin Ran forced out augh and asked, "How about we call it even?"


    "What do you think?" The Daoist protector walked over, stepping on Qin Ran with one foot, and asked, "Where''s the antidote?!"


    "Hahaha..." Qin Ran suddenlyughed and said, "Do you know? I put the antidote in front of the Teleportation Formation."


    "What!!" The Daoist protector was horrified. She squatted down and grabbed Qin Ran''s neck with one hand. "Say that again..."


    "I said..." Qin Ran was stillughing. "I put the antidote pills in front of the Teleportation Formation, including the detoxification pills for the Yin Evil Poison."


    "What?" The Daoist protector felt something was wrong. Where did this Yin Evil Poisone from?


    "I said...Yin Evil Poison!" Qin Ran said.


    Qin Ran had just finished speaking when the Daoist protector felt her calf go numb. She hurriedly looked down to see a red poisonous snake, the same color as the ground, loosen its bite on her leg and swiftly slither away.


    "What was that?" she asked.


    "Yin Shadowy snakes!" Qin Ran said. "Born in thend of Yin evil, with neurotoxins and blood clotting toxins in its body...Yin Evil Poison..."


    "Do you know Yin Evil Poison?" he continued. "The poison is in one''s spirit, will, and consciousness! The cold and evil Qi makes one suffer from frost, drives one crazy, makes one go berserk!"


    As Qin Ran spoke, the Daoist protector felt her body grow cold, her consciousness starting to blur, showing signs of losing herself.


    "It was you who blew the antidote away yourself, so go find it yourself!" Qin Ran said. "Hurry, the Yin Evil Poison is profound and takes effect very quickly..."


    Before he could finish, the Daoist protector released her grip on him and flew away.


    "Phew..." Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin asked, "Was that Long Qiqi?"


    "Yes!" Qin Ran nodded.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73


    Time rewound back three days ago. Long Qiqi had just tricked Li Shiyin and was about to escape when she bumped into a man after turning around.


    She looked up and was shocked to see that it was Qin Ran. "What are you doing here?" she eximed.


    Instead of answering, Qin Ran asked back, "Where are you going?"


    "I...," Long Qiqi quickly regained herposure. She scratched her head and smiled, "Just taking a look around."


    "I''m asking where you were nning to go after escaping from here," Qin Ran didn''t want to beat around the bush and asked directly.


    "Hmm?" Long Qiqi thought seriously for a while before replying, "The world is so big, I can go anywhere - to experience the human world, find a small sect to learn cultivation, or upy a mountain top to be a mountain king. Anything is possible."


    "Although you''ve transformed into a human, you''re not truly a human after all," Qin Ran shook his head. "The mortal world is dangerous, with immortals and powerful experts in hiding. As a demon, how long do you think you can survive among humans?"


    Long Qiqi dismissed his concerns. "The world is vast and boundless. I''ll just live as an ordinary person, do honest work, and focus on survival and self-cultivation. Why would I be so unlucky?"


    "Live honestly?" Qin Ranughed. Wasn''t the reason they captured Long Qiqi because she was preying on young boys and girls? If Li Shiyin hadn''t been there, Qin Ran would have taken action and Long Qiqi would have been long dead without a trace.


    He said, "You call eating humans being honest? "


    Long Qiqi struggled to exin, "That was when I first took human form after escaping from the Hengduan Mountains. I got too cocky and wasn''t being careful enough. I''ll pay more attention next time."


    "Even if you don''t eat humans anymore in the future...," Qin Ran stared at Long Qiqi, "Do you think no one will recognize you?" With the demonic energy you give off, you stand out to cultivators like a firefly in the dark night!"


    "I''ll conceal my demonic energy very quickly...," Long Qiqi replied.


    "Within that time frame, you would have died ten thousand times over," Qin Ran stated.


    Long Qiqi was silent for a while before looking up at Qin Ran and asking, "Then what exactly is the implication behind all that you just said?"


    "Since you''ve turned into a human, you''ll inevitably have to live among humans. Why note with us?" Qin Ran suggested.


    "Come with you?" Long Qiqi frowned.


    "As someone from an orthodox sect, an alchemist of high status and abundant resources, there is no better ce for you given your situation," Qin Ran borated.


    Long Qiqi was very tempted but knowing Qin Ran, she didn''t believe an old fox like him would be so kindhearted to make such a losing deal. So she asked again, "Then what''s the catch?"


    "As you know, I''m an alchemist interested in anything that can be used as ingredient for pills. I''m very intrigued by your viper venom infused with gloomy energy. I''d like to study the fusion," Qin Ran revealed his motive. "It goes well with your original snake venom."


    "So you want to lock me up for my venom without all the extra talk?" Long Qiqi still doubted him.


    "I''m someone who wishes for peace...," Qin Ran smiled gently. "I don''t want any killing or vengeance on Dan Peak. With so few people, I also hope for more liveliness and excitement. Lastly, I''d like to ask for a tiny favor from you..."


    Long Qiqi didn''t believe for one second that Qin Ran wished for peace. That left only thest reason. She hugged her petite body nervously and eximed, "You don''t want me to bear your child, do you?!"


    "I''m no uncultured brute!" Qin Ran gave her a p on the head. Where did such a young child learn this stuff from!


    "So...," after hearing Long Qiqi''s story, Li Shiyin turned to ask Qin Ran who was beside her, "This was also part of your n?"


    After taking some pills to help their injuries, they brought the transformed Long Qiqi with them towards Sword Forging Town.


    "Even if we hadn''t run into Zhao Yaqing on that day, I would still have made preparations in case we encountered high level cultivators... At least with preparations, we had a chance to escape alive if we did run into trouble. So I made some arrangements ordingly," Qin Ran exined.


    "I willfully disrupted the teleportation array. The location we fell to was also pre-nned with Long Qiqi. If anyone tried to destroy the array, that would be one of the contingency ns," Qin Ran borated.


    "One of the contingency ns?!" Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi eximed together.


    Qin Ran just smiled mysteriously without another word.


    The group of three continued slowly towards Sword Forging Town - old, weak, sick and disabled. Both Qin Ran and Li Shiyin were injured so they were the sick and disabled. Long Qiqi had the form of a young girl but the heart of an old demon so she was the old and weak.


    Cultivators flying by frequently could be seen overhead, still searching for the legendary sword. Some even stopped to question the group of three but no one paid them much attention as they were just a harmless band of three rather than a suspicious couple.


    "They are all looking for that sword...," Qin Ran sighed. "The phenomena when that sword appeared was clearly visible from this side. Cultivators are still human. The more powerful they be, the more greedy they are. Without proper arrangements, I would have died very quickly."


    Li Shiyin looked up at the cultivators flying by as bursts of curses could be heard from above. She remained silent at her master''s words. This was the immortal cultivation world after all. Her master was right.


    After walking for about two li, the band of old, weak, sick and disabled finally reached Yue Lai Inn after an hour.


    Qin Ran''s face was ghastly pale. He limped into the inn and weakly told the owner, "We''d like to check out."


    Seeing the miserable state of the master and disciple pair, the owner couldn''t help but ask, "What happened?"


    "A peerless divine sword just appeared from Li Ben Mountain earlier today after transcending tribtion. It was a once in a lifetime sight. I brought them along to join in the excitement and broaden their horizons. Who knew those sword grabbers were aggressive towards everyone there. We got beaten up for no reason at all," Qin Ran shook his head withment.


    "What a ruthless world... To think that Master Xu''s sword forging ended up with him being assaulted instead... *sigh*...," Qin Ran sighed regretfully.


    The owner leaned over the counter to take a look at Long Qiqi. He could discern her true identity as a demon but did not care. Taking out the ledger, he mocked, "Watching excitement? Hmpf..."


    It was apparent that he saw through them - just some nobodies trying to seize an opportunity, only to fail miserably instead.


    Qin Ran pathetically forced out augh.


    Standing at the side, Li Shiyin secretly rolled her eyes. Her master sure put on quite a show.


    After checking out, a spiritual horse was brought over for their ride back up the mountain. Master and disciple quickly packed up what little they had, for appearance''s sake more than anything. It was not like they had nned to return given the situation. Then they departed from the inn on the spiritual horse, heading straight north into North Chu instead.


    Right outside Sword Forging Town, Qin Ran noticed scouts lurking nearby. The closer they got to the North Chu border, the more scouts there were. By the time they neared the border, a cavalry unit was in hot pursuit behind them.


    It was the same Xuanqin cavalry involved in the earlier standoff against Li Shiwen. Even themanding general remained unchanged.


    "Faster!" Qin Ran urged Li Shiyin.


    It wasn''t that he feared the mortal troops. He just didn''t wish to kill so many people.


    "Halt!" The trailing cavalry ordered them to stop.


    Master and disciple picked up their speed. Soon arrows were shot at their direction.


    The spiritual horses were no ordinary breeds. With Qin Ran''s polished riding skills, there was no struggle for them to outpace the cavalry. They effortlessly crossed over into North Chu territory.


    Only to be greeted by yet another heavily armored cavalry unit from the North Chu side as they looked ahead past the border. It was an impressive scene of deterrence, seemingly waiting for the Xuanqin cavalry.


    And leading the unit was none other than Li Shiwen.


    Seeing Qin Ran and Li Shiyin cross over, he rode over to Li Shiyin''s side. After examining her blood-stained appearance, his face darkened. He threw an icy re at Qin Ran before positioning himself at the border to face the iing Xuanqin cavalry alone.


    The Xuanqin cavalry ultimately did not dare to trespass. They halted as their general walked out to exchange silent gazes with Li Shiwen, before shouting over at Qin Ran, "The antidote!"

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74


    Qin Ran rode forward on his white horse, facing over a thousand ferocious Xuan Qin cavalrymen, and asked the Xuan Qin general: "What did you say?"


    "The an...antidote." Qin Ran''s expression was very calm, his tone was also very t, but the Xuan Qin general felt an invisible pressure, and was unable to speak.


    "There is no antidote. Go back and tell them, just say I won''t give it." Qin Ran said.


    "You..." The Xuan Qin general was angry. He suddenly raised his hand, and the thousand Xuan Qin cavalrymen behind him drew their bows and arrows, aiming at this side.


    Li Shiwen''s Tian Ce cavalrymen reacted swiftly, and they hastily readied their arrows as well.


    This was the so-called drawn swords and bent bows. At this moment, one careless move could start a war between the two countries.


    Qin Ran looked back and forth. He spread his hands out in front, and a small bubble floated up from his palm. Then the bubble swelled as it met the wind. In the blink of an eye, it was over a hundred and thirty yards wide, bing a huge transparent film over the heads of the Xuan Qin cavalrymen.


    "General, think thrice before you act." Qin Ran persuaded.


    The Xuan Qin general looked up at the transparent film over his head with changing expressions. But eventually he steeled his resolve and left with his Xuan Qin cavalrymen.


    After all, he was just an ordinary mortal general. How could he deal with cultivators? The matters between cultivators should be handled by the cultivators themselves!


    "Very impressive..." Li Shiwen said with a smile. He turned his horse around and asked Qin Ran, "What did you guys do to get chased here by cavalry?"


    "It''s not what we did, it''s what they did." Qin Ran corrected. "The eldest daughter of the Zhao family in Xuan Qin, who is also a cultivator, wanted to steal Shiyin''s lifebound sword, but failed and was inflicted with a severe poison instead. They probably chased us to get the antidote."


    "That Zhao eldest daughter is called Zhao Yaqing. Shiyin said she is the daughter of Xuan Qin''s Grand Tutor and went to the Xuan Qin Cloud Heaven Sect to cultivate."


    "Steal swords? There''s even this kind of thing? Is your cultivator world really so chaotic?" Li Shiwen asked. At the same time, he gestured for the army to regroup and return to camp. "So you guys seeded at forging the sword?"


    "We seeded." Qin Ran followed Li Shiwen and asked, "How did you know to wait for us here?"


    "When the opposing army has pulled its forces to the national border, how could I not know about it?" Li Shiwenughed. "Should I have waited until they invaded before finding out?"


    "You have a point..." Qin Ran nodded.


    Li Shiwen was stationed here to guard the national border after all. So of course he would know about any movements from the enemy camp.


    Otherwise, he might have woken up one day with the enemy at his camp gates.


    As they headed towards the camp with his master and disciple, Li Shiwen noticed something seemed to be wrong with his sister. Not only was she not giggling foolishly or running around happily, she just kept her head lowered and walked beside him, with a long face and a gloomy aura around her.


    Didn''t they go to forge a sword? She had gotten a lifebound sword, gained a new treasure, she should be happy instead. So why was she like this?


    "What''s wrong?" He asked Li Shiyin gently.


    Li Shiyin did not answer. She just lifted her head to nce at Qin Ran.


    So he looked towards Qin Ran as well.


    "It''splicated, hard to exin clearly in a few words." Qin Ran said.


    "It''s fine, I have plenty of time. Take it slow." His sister''s affairs were important. Li Shiwen was very patient about this.


    "To put it simply, I made her kill someone." Qin Ran said.


    "No..." Li Shiwen shook his head. Li Shiyin had been on the battlefield before. She would not be like this just because of killing someone. Enemies die when you kill them, what''s there to be depressed about?


    Qin Ran thought for a moment, then said, "The rules in the cultivator world are different from the mortal realm. I let her experience some of it, she probably just can''t adapt yet."


    What kind of obscure exnation was this? Who could understand it? Li Shiwen''s expression turned unpleasant then. "Can you speak properly?"


    "Master tricked me!" Li Shiyin suddenly said.


    "What?" Both Qin Ran and Li Shiwen did not understand what she meant.


    "We could have just left directly without killing anyone, but you insisted that I kill..." Li Shiyin said.


    On the way back to camp, the master and disciple took turns speaking incoherently, messily exining what happened to Li Shiwen... No one cared if Li Shiwen actually understood most of it. But at least the master and disciple had talked it out.


    After the atmosphere lightened up, Li Shiwen said to Li Shiyin: "Let me take a look at that lifebound sword of yours. It''s a treasure of the immortals, I want to broaden my horizons too."


    Li Shiyin took Muran out from her interspatial pouch and passed it to Li Shiwen to look at.


    "It looks this beautiful?" Li Shiwen received the sword and praised it.


    But when he examined the sword further, he discovered that while it was beautiful, the entire sword emanated a muddy feeling and barely had any sharp edge to it. It was as if it had not been unsealed.


    "What''s going on?" He looked to Qin Ran for an exnation.


    He knew better than to ask Li Shiyin for answers.


    "This is a lifebound sword. It needs to be nurtured in the dantian Qi sea before it can be used." Qin Ran exined. "Right now, it''s not even as good as the military saber in your hands."


    "ce it into the Qi sea?" Li Shiwen knew what the Qi sea was. So he did not understand. "This sword is so huge. How are you going to fit it into the Qi sea?"


    "There are profound mysteries to it..." Qin Ran said. "Firstly the Formations of Qian Kun, secondly the nurturing method. The Formations of Qian Kun can freely change its size. After nurturing it, it fuses together with its master. In the future when Shiyin refines it, it will essentially be a part of Shiyin''s body. Finally it will be nurtured in the dantian Qi sea, above the vortex of Qi, growing along with the increase of Shiyin''s cultivation level."


    These were concrete theories of cultivation. Even Li Shiyin could not understand it, let alone Li Shiwen. He only vaguely grasped, "So this sword needs to be refined before it bes powerful?"


    As he examined the sword closely, he suddenly noticed two words on the sword hilt - "Muran". His expression changed as he asked, "What''s the name of this sword?"


    Qin Ran avoided the question and kept his mouth shut.


    Upon hearing this, Li Shiyin hurriedly stretched out her hand to smack away his hand and snatched the sword back, huffing angrily, "None of your business!"


    Seeing Li Shiyin''s shy reaction, Li Shiwen felt his heart sinking little by little. Oh no! His sister had grown up, he could not control her anymore. She already belonged to someone else!


    As night fell, the master and disciple were in no hurry to return to the Dao Sword Sect. They apanied Li Shiwen to his military camp instead.


    Li Shiwen''s camp was situated next to the Hengduan Mountains. It was a very huge encampment, housing tens of thousands of officers and soldiers. In a few more years, this ce might transform into a settlement.


    After eating some army rations, Qin Ran returned to his room to rest and contemte life. Suddenly, there was a knock on his door, and Li Shiwen''s voice floated in. "Brother Qin, would you be interested in having a drink?"


    Brother Qin? Qin Ran mulled over Li Shiwen''s form of address as he got up to put on his clothes and opened the door. He saw Li Shiwen dressed in casual garb, holding a jug of wine in one hand and a paper bag in the other.


    "Not going on patrol tonight?" He asked.


    "My subordinates have gone..." Li Shiwen said. "It''s not necessary for me to be there every time."


    The two of them found a quiet spot and sat down on the grass.


    Li Shiwen opened the paper bag. Inside was a roasted chicken. He asked Qin Ran, "Speaking of which, we''ve known each other for so long, yet I still don''t know clearly - how old are you Brother Qin, where are you from, are you married...I''m still ignorant about all these things."


    "Twenty-five..." Qin Ran roughly knew what Li Shiwen was here for tonight. He smiled and answered, "I''m from Qingyuan. I entered the mountains to cultivate since I was young and have no marriage partner yet."


    "That works out perfectly then..." Li Shiwen also smiled. With no prior marriagemitments and not some monster who was several hundred years old, and his age was even close to Shiyin''s - this was simply the best possible oue. As he popped open the wine jug, he said, "Qingyuan is not far from here. I go there quite often."


    He took a swig from the wine jug and joked, "Can''t tell Brother Qin is only twenty-five with how mature and steady you are. A young man with the heart of an elder!"


    "I''m just more of an introvert." Qin Ran replied.


    Li Shiwen tore off a chicken leg and threw it to Qin Ran, while he bit into one himself. "I''m a straight-talking man. I don''t like beating around the bush. I''ll tell you directly what I intend to say, so you have to answer me frankly too.


    I know you like my sister, and she seems somewhat interested in you too. So, what do you n to do about it in the future?"


    "As cultivators, we let matters take their own course, following the Way like water...taking no unnatural action." Qin Ran said.


    "I told you to speak straight!" Li Shiwen scolded. "Can you talk normally?"


    It looked like while Shiyin understood musical rhythm, her brother Shiwen didn''t necessarily understand literarypositions.


    "I am a cultivator who has been prepared to pursue the Great Dao alone from the very beginning. Having apanion is fine, and having nopanion is also fine. I actually do not care too much," Qin Ran exined in detail. "For me and Shi Yin, it all depends on what Shi Yin likes. If Shi Yin is interested, I can apany her for a lifetime. If Shi Yin has no interest, then I will just be her master."


    "A cultivator..." Li Shiwen shook his head and smiled.


    "Oh, let me remind you that the young man engaged to Shi Yin has also recently joined a sect to cultivate. That sect is called something Heaven something Cloud Sect..." he said. "I heard he has great natural talents, so take note."


    "Mm," Qin Ran nodded and took a mouthful from the wine jar. Hisplexion was somewhat strange. Cultivation? Cloud What Sect? Could it really be some Xiao Yan, some Nn Yanran? So who is he? Is he the Medicine Patriarch or Yun Yun?


    Night, starry sky, grasnd, gentle breeze, strong liquor, two men drinking and chatting, their words inevitably wandering towards women, and then became indescribable.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75


    After resting overnight in the military camp, early next morning, Qin Ran brought Long Qiqi and Li Shiyin back to the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Where is my brother?" Seeing that Li Shiwen did note to send her off, Li Shiyin could not help asking.


    "He got drunk." Qin Ran said.


    "So you guys drank alcohol behind my backst night?" Li Shiyin said in surprise. How could these two get together?


    Qin Ran red at her. What does she mean by "behind her back"? Her choice of words was very strange...


    The immortal spirit horses were extremely fast. They set off from the military camp in the morning and arrived at the Dao Sword Sect by nightfall.


    As they got closer and closer to the Dao Sword Sect, Li Shiyin''s sullen face gradually rxed. When they saw from afar the misty peaks standing tall within the Dao Sword Sect, she excitedly pointed at the slightly shorter and fatter mountain peak and shouted at Qin Ran:


    "Master...that''s Dan Peak!"


    Qin Ran was also very happy. They were finally home.


    The air at Li Ben Mountain was stuffy and murky. Every breath was filled with the smell of sulfur. The temperature remained sauna-like at all times. Was that really a ce for people to live? How could that be a blessednd for cultivators?


    When they were at the Dao Sword Sect, they thought this and that was not good enough about the sect. And Dan Peak was so deste and poor. But after actually going out into the wider world and thening back, they finally realized that Dan Peak was actually an immortal''s blessednd.


    "Yes!" He eximed. Even a silly disciple could recognize Dan Peak.


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran and giggled, "Then Master...I''m going ahead first!"


    "What?" At first Qin Ran could not understand what she meant.


    Then he saw Li Shiyin take out her Cherished Sword, activate it to float in front of her. She leapt onto it from the horse and flew straight towards Dan Peak.


    "Master, help me lead my horse back too!" Were her parting words before she flew towards Dan Peak.


    "Hey! Be careful!" Seeing her in such a hurry, Qin Ran hurriedly called out to warn her.


    But it was toote. Li Shiyin was traveling too quickly and crashed straight into the protective sword formation around the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Oh..." Qin Ran pped his forehead. He was right not to expect much from his silly disciple.


    Having hit her head dizzy, Li Shiyin covered her head in embarrassment. She quickly looked left and right. Seeing no one around, she hurriedly flew inside again...


    "Bang!" And so she crashed into the protective sword formation again.


    Her head was hurting. Li Shiyin cradled her head in her hands and gently massaged it. She happened to lower her head and saw many people at the sect entrance below craning their necks looking at her,ughing and pointing. She felt rather awkward and quickly flew forwards again...


    "Bang..."


    She crashed into the protective sword formation yet again.


    "Who goes there intruding on the formation?!" Suddenly heavy voices rang out from within the protective formation. The elders guarding the sect entrance were alerted by Li Shiyin.


    "Identity token..." The onlooking Qin Ran had no choice but to yell out loudly to remind her.


    "Oh right!" Only then did Li Shiyin hurriedly take out her identity token. She channeled spiritual energy into the token. The token shot out a beam of light which opened up a gap in the protective sword formation.


    "No intrusion, no intrusion!" She yelled twice in session. Riding her sword she flew through the opened gap into the sect entrance.


    "Oh..." Qin Ran and Long Qiqi shook their heads in unison.


    "Is this your disciple?" Long Qiqi asked. "How could a sly old fox like you end up with such a rash and silly disciple?"


    "Now I will teach you your first lesson in humanity..." Qin Ran said to Long Qiqi. "People always yearn for what they do not possess themselves. They always seek what theyck, and like those whoplement their deficiencies."


    Long Qiqi nodded thoughtfully.


    Qin Ran looked down at her and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"


    "No..." What nonsense. She was previously a snake, a demonic beast. When had she the chance to learn horse riding in the primal forests?


    "Come, I''ll teach you." Qin Ran said, pointing to the white horse Li Shiyin had left behind. He had the air of a grandmaster of horsemanship.


    Long Qiqi had no choice but to show him her little arms and legs, staring at him with snake eyes, "Do I look like I can ride a horse?"


    "Cough! No...can''t you?" Qin Ran coughed drily. "You''re a demon. You''re not an ordinary person."


    Long Qiqi liked these fawning words. She jumped out from Qin Ran''s embrace and came to the immortal spirit horse.


    Her short legs could not reach the stirrups. Her short arms could not grab the reins. After hugging the horse''s neck to pull the reins to her, the immortal spirit horse panicked due to her snake demon aura. So holding onto the reins, she also panicked. Her panic made the immortal spirit horse even more skittish.


    "How...how to ride?" She asked, already so nervous she was stuttering.


    "Just like..."


    Before Qin Ran could finish speaking, the panicked immortal spirit horse charged forward.


    "...this."


    Qin Ran finished his sentence watching the immortal spirit horse gallop away. He quickly spurred his own horse to give chase.


    "Ahhh...save...me!" Long Qiqi''s cries for help could be heard from very far away.


    Chasing the night, Qin Ran brought the bruised and battered Long Qiqi through the forest path outside Dan Peak residence. They arrived at the meadow, in front of the wooden house, by the stream.


    He took a deep breath of the fresh air at home. This was still the best. He could not help making a rhyming couplet in his heart: "I''d rather die than ever go out again! This f**king world is too f**king dangerous!"


    Before he could finish feeling indignant, voices came from the other side. It was his silly disciple''s voice. She whimpered, "Master...go take a look at what Chasing the Wind did in the house!"


    Why did her ent sound so strange? Qin Ran wondered. Looking over, he saw his silly disciple leaning back in the rocking chair in front of the house. She was nibbling on a big juicy pear, her cheeks bulging. She looked at him gloatingly and spoke.


    "What happened to Chasing the Wind?" Qin Ran suddenly had a bad premonition.


    "Go see for yourself inside the house..." Li Shiyin rocked back and forth on the rocking chair, pointing behind her.


    "Who is Chasing the Wind?" Long Qiqi asked.


    Qin Ran felt an enormous crisis looming. He did not answer her but immediately jumped down from his horse and rushed into the house.


    Long Qiqi carefully limped towards Li Shiyin. She smelled danger in the air and asked again, "Who is Chasing the Wind?"


    "A silly cat." Li Shiyin replied. She looked Long Qiqi up and down and noticed she was full of injuries, her nose swollen and face bruised.


    When she had left earlier Long Qiqi was perfectly fine. How did she be like this now? Frowning, she asked, "How did you end up like this?"


    "Cat?" Long Qiqi was not interested in answering her question. She was more concerned about the dangerous aura in the air that made her extremely uneasy. "Is it a demon too?!"


    "Not a demon...just a cat, big cat." Li Shiyin gesticted the size with her big pear. Looking at the horse Long Qiqi had ridden, she guessed what happened and asked maliciously with a grin, "Did you fall off riding the horse?"


    Long Qiqi pretended not to hear her and asked again, "It''s not just some ordinary cat right?!"


    "It really is just a silly cat..." Li Shiyin said.


    At this time, there was finally some movement from the house. Qin Ran''s anguished and hoarse yell could be heard. He roared loudly, "Chasing the Wind!!!"


    His voice shattered the night curtain and battered the starry sky!


    Li Shiyin heaved a sigh of relief and patted her chest. As long as he could still yell, things should be fine. She had been worried her master would be angered to death and stop breathing.

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76


    When Chasing the Wind was just picked up, he was about the normal size of a kitten, had grown teeth, and could eat meat, approximately one month old.


    Qin Ran and Li Shiyin raised him with Spirit Beast Milk and Spirit Beast Meat, never limiting his food intake, so he grew very quickly. In just over twenty days, he was already bigger than arge cat, and couldpete with a marmde cat in size.


    And a two-month-old tiger, in terms of human age, is about the same as a four or five-year-old human cub! What is a four or five-year-old human cub like? Annoying!


    Plus Chasing the Wind is not an ordinary tiger, he is a Level 7 Demon King Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger. When he starts acting up...


    Qin Ran had just stepped out of the door and was still discussing with Li Shiyin on the grass outside whether to take the aerial route ornd route, when Chasing the Wind inside the house had already started showing off his feed bowl full of Feeding Beast Pills.


    Feeding Beast Pills are a universal elixir specially formted by Spirit Beast Masters for demon beasts, with a range of effects including opening spirit wisdom, increasing cultivation level, and strengthening physique. Qin Ran had specially adjusted the pill form and vor for Chasing the Wind... in short, it was a taste that Chasing the Wind really liked.


    Initially, the feed bowl was on the ground, and Chasing the Wind ate happily with big bites, munching merrily. But soon, Chasing the Wind was not satisfied with this way of eating, it was not addictive enough. He used his two front paws to hug the feed bowl and poured it directly into his mouth. Then, after finishing the bowl, feeling still not full, Chasing the Wind found the bag Qin Ran had left for him, which was full of these tasty round things. He bit the bag and poured himself another bowlful. After finishing one bowl, Chasing the Wind felt hungrier the more he ate, and also felt eating bowl by bowl was not addictive enough, so he burrowed into the bag...


    Eating normally, this one bag of Feeding Beast Pills was enough for a demon beast Chasing the Wind¡¯s size tost over a month, which was why Qin Ran was not worried that Chasing the Wind would go hungry. They definitely wouldn¡¯t be away for a month.


    But Chasing the Wind gorged in the bag for three days and finished all the pills.


    On this day after he finished thest Feeding Beast Pill, he staggered out of the bag, feeling he had inexhaustible strength throughout his body.


    ...He ought to have inexhaustible strength!


    Ifparing horizontally with the elixirs used by cultivators, the Feeding Beast Pills contained at least Foundation Establishing Pill, Origin Recovery Pill, Grain Pill, Great redemption pill, Quenching Body Pill and several other kinds of pills. Binge eating them like he did, if it was a person, they would have already exploded from the medicinal power, fortunately he was a level 7 demon beast, but there was still an unknown amount of medicinal power and spiritual energy in his body.


    Chasing the Wind stood in the living room, extended his ws, and swiped at the sofa, easily tearing open a neat slit.


    Wow, so sharp!


    He swiped again, creating another slit.


    How interesting!


    Before he knew it, the sofa waspletely shredded by him. Then feeling an itch in his teeth, he pounced forward tearing and biting, reducing the sofapletely into strips and shreds.


    My ws are so sharp?


    Chasing the Wind became interested, after dismantling the sofa, he tried the coffee table, dismantled the coffee table, tried the wall, tore down one wall, tried the dining table, dismantled the dining table...


    He was hungry.


    The Feeding Beast Pills were finished, Chasing the Wind had to pry open the refrigerator and dig out the Spirit Beast Meat inside. But after two bites of the Spirit Beast Meat, he still felt out of sorts, it wasn¡¯t as delicious as the Feeding Beast Pills. He reluctantly drank two more mouthfuls of milk to fill his stomach.


    Chasing the Wind walked out of the room, stood at the door licking his paws, and started thinking:


    When dad made those tasty things, it seemed to be in that house over there. Could there be extra tasty round things over there that weren¡¯t brought over?


    Thinking of this, his eyes lit up. In his somewhat drunk state, he staggered tipsily towards the research building. While crossing the bridge, he identally fell into the creek, but that couldn¡¯t extinguish his enthusiasm for food.


    Chasing the Wind arrived at the first floor of the research building. There was nothing good to see on the first floor, just some weird stuff, nothing edible. He went to the second floor, rummaged here and there, they were medicinal ingredients, didn¡¯t taste good. He went to the third floor. Ah, this was the right ce, round stuff was stored here, but he didn¡¯t know which kind of round stuff tasted good, so he tried them all, eventually finding a few vors that he liked. He bit open the bags and mixed himself a bag.


    When Chasing the Wind was dragging the bag back to the log cabin, he walked proudly with head held high. He thought, he had taken such good care of himself, dad would definitely praise him when he came back.


    Dad and mom were away from home for:


    The first day: Showing off food


    The second day: Lying in feed bag showing off food


    The third day: Feed bag food finished showing off, wrecking house


    The fourth day: Wrecking house


    The fifth day: Wrecking research building


    The sixth day: Showing off food


    That afternoon, Li Shiyin flew back to Dan Peak first. Still midair, she excitedly called out, ¡°Chasing the Wind, Chasing the Wind...¡±


    Hearing her voice, Chasing the Wind dazedly crawled out of the feed bag and staggered out to wee mom.


    Li Shiyin hadn¡¯tnded yet when she saw a big white blob run out of the log cabin...


    Fortunately her eyesight was good, and as a young person her receptivity was also good. She squinted hard and recognized that the big white blob had some ck stripes on its body, seeming to have four limbs and a head, probably resembling their Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    She cautiouslynded, Chasing the Wind yelling ¡°mom¡± rushed over and crashed into Li Shiyin¡¯s calf, originally wanting to pounce into her arms but he hadn¡¯t jumped high enough.


    Li Shiyin¡¯s face crumpled into a ball. She bent down to forcibly hug this blob creature and tried asking, ¡°Chasing the Wind?¡±


    ¡°Meow meow meow...¡± Chasing the Wind meowed excitedly.


    It really was Chasing the Wind?!


    ¡°How did you be like this?¡± Li Shiyin asked, ¡°Who bullied you?!¡±


    Chasing the Wind shook his head and continued meowing.


    So Li Shiyin put Chasing the Wind down. As a fellow foodie and confused person, she had some conjecture about Chasing the Wind¡¯s state. She carefully walked towards the log cabin, afraid it would be the scene she was imagining inside, she pushed open the living room door...


    ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± she sighed, ¡°Chasing the Wind, you better make a run for it, I¡¯ll try to block master for you.¡±


    Chasing the Wind was puzzled.


    ¡°I cherish our rtionship built up over the past month, but...¡± Li Shiyin looked back at Chasing the Wind who could no longer run, and affirmed, ¡°If you don¡¯t escape, master will y you alive!¡±


    Chasing the Wind didn¡¯t understand what Li Shiyin was saying, but he could sense the emotions in her words, so he vaguely felt something was off. Since Li Shiyin was chasing him away, he obediently left, randomly choosing a direction and burrowing into the woods.


    After driving Chasing the Wind away, Li Shiyin entered the living room and kitchen resembling a battlefield. In the wrecked refrigerator she found a pear that was still intact, took it out with her.


    She came to the patio rocking chair, eating the pear while thinking how to tell master without angering him to death.


    Finally, she felt that with master¡¯s insidious temperament and cunning, there probably wouldn¡¯t be a big issue.


    Qin Ran dismounted and entered the log cabin, seeing the messy interior, w marks all over the four walls, the partition wall between living room and kitchen already wed apart, the sofa, TV wall, coffee table, refrigerator, dining table, none survived, all his memories regarding modernity torn into fragments.


    The modern lifestyle he had painstakingly restored over many years waspletely shredded, w marks everywhere... his heart was also wed.


    The pills scattered all over the floor, Feeding Beast Pills, Origin Recovery Pills, Foundation Establishing Pills, Break Barrier Pills, Gathering Original Pills... These things that were supposed to be in the research building, so he had the worst guesses in his heart.


    Qin Ran was stunned!


    Then fury ignited from his angry heart...


    ¡°Chasing the Wind!!!¡± He despairingly roared.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77


    Chasing the Wind''s bloated body was not fat, but rather filled with the spiritual energy and medicinal power he had painstakingly ingested over the past few days. He couldn''t absorb it fast enough, so the medicine seeped into his muscles, causing his body to swell.


    Of course, whether it was fat or swollen, Chasing the Wind couldn''t run very well.


    He was like a snow-white ball, and when he ran he looked like a ball rolling on the ground. He struggled to roll, rolling and rolling until he rolled straight into the forest, rolled around in there for a while, and then really couldn''t run anymore.


    "Dad probably won''t chase me anymore, right?" he thought. He felt like he had already run very, very far, nearly running himself to death. "Eating too much really isn''t good. I can''t run."


    Chasing the Wind leaned against a big tree, sitting with his legs crossed like a human, sticking out a big, round little belly. His originally strong paws had be short like a dinosaur''s front limbs, clutching his belly.


    Panting with his tongue hanging out, he thought: "Why would Dad want to kill me?" He didn''t really understand.


    Just then...


    "Chasing the Wind!!" Qin Ran''s sad cry pierced through the grass, across the river, through the forest, and into his ears.


    He was so frightened he jumped, and the meat on his body shook like white jelly.


    "Dad really will kill me!"


    He didn''t dare rest anymore. Exerting his strength, he rolled forward, got his limbs on the ground, shook off some dust, and continued running deep into the forest.


    When Chasing the Wind escaped from the house, the sky had just darkened. By the time he stopped running in the forest, it waspletely ck out.


    After running for a while longer, he couldn''t see five fingers in front of him in the forest. Of course, this didn''t impact him at all, because as a feline beast, and a legendary ferocious beast nurtured by darkness, he saw the dark as clear as day. For him, the darkness was like water to a fish.


    In fact, he could see things in the dark even more clearly than in the light.


    "Huff Huff..." Chasing the Wind panted heavily as he rolled under a tree, shaking all the meat on his body to help prop himself against the trunk. "Can''t run anymore, really can''t run anymore."


    If Dad really wanted to eat him, then let him! He couldn''t run anymore anyway.


    Chasing the Wind leaned against the tree trunk, panting nonstop. His originally round eyes had been squeezed into slits in all the fat. He strained to look ahead. The forest was lively; there were birds and snakes in the trees, and pigs and bears on the ground. Further away, he could also see wolves, leopards, martens and more.


    "Meow Meow..." Chasing the Wind called out happily to those animals. They were all friendly, looking at him - they must be weing him!


    When Chasing the Wind meowed, although it sounded like a meow, those animals were still frightened and turned away. The timider wolves and snakes even took two steps back before regaining their senses. The tempting beast in front of them was just a little tiger, without sharp ws or fangs, posing no danger. So they turned back towards Chasing the Wind and stepped even closer, with the bolder martens and pigs approaching.


    Seeing the animals seem to wee him, Chasing the Wind was delighted. He wanted to y with them but when he tried moving his limbs, he still couldn''t get them off the ground and had to give up. So he continued "Meow Meow Meow"-ing at them to express his joy.


    This silly tiger had eaten itself as fat as a pig and couldn''t move at all - it was practically asking to die... The smell emanating from its body was too tempting. The marten couldn''t stand it anymore and made the first move, pouncing at Chasing the Wind.


    But this was no ordinary marten, it was a Purple Electricity Long-tailed Weasel, a first grade demonic beast!


    When it pounced, fast as lightning, it was at Chasing the Wind''s side in an instant, biting at his neck.


    The round Chasing the Wind couldn''t react at all. He was stunned and his neck was bitten.


    "Meow O..." Chasing the Wind yowled in pain. He looked at the Purple Electricity Long-tailed Weasel, not understanding why it bit him when they were already friends!


    Luckily there was ample meat around his neck and it was just one bite, leaving some tooth marks and drawing a bit of blood, nothing major...


    Blood!


    As soon as Chasing the Wind''s blood flowed, it was like a woman wearing only a thin veil had removed the veil, emanating endless temptation. The animals across from him were instantly roused.


    As if they had seen some wondrous treasure, they couldn''t hold back anymore. The pig and bear charged forward.


    The pig was a Sword-toothed Boar; the bear was a Crossing ck Bear. Although not demon beasts, they already understood swallowing moon and sun essences, and natural spiritual energy. They were only a few steps away from bing demon beasts.


    They stared fixedly at Chasing the Wind, rumbling as they charged over.


    Not as fast as the Purple Electricity Long-tailed Weasel, Chasing the Wind didn''t have time to react. Alerted early on by their loud approach and sensing the danger...


    Ah!... Gonna die! Gonna die!


    He was frightened into action, mustering his strength to roll over to the side... Barely dodging the Sword-toothed Boar and Crossing ck Bear''s charge.


    The Sword-toothed Boar''s tusks smashed into the tree with a "Puh!", plunging deep into the trunk. The Crossing ck Bear followed, crashing into the tree with a "Pa!". The tree groaned and toppled over with a loud rustling sound that mored clearly though the lively deep forest night.


    Amidst the noise, Chasing the Wind watched the animals warily. Only now did he realize they hadn''te to wee him - they wanted to eat him!


    Every pair of eyes radiated stark bloodlust and desire. They all wanted to consume him.


    "Why?" Chasing the Wind didn''t understand, but he was very afraid. He unconsciously retreated backwards.


    With every step back Chasing the Wind took, the animals pressed closer. Every step back, the animals came nearer...


    Chasing the Wind''s entire body of fat meat trembled in fear. He felt like he was going to die, to be eaten.


    At one point, overwhelmed by terror, something in his heart snapped. He let out a "Rargh!" and turned to run!


    The herd of animals chased closely after him.


    Leading the pack in front was the Purple Electricity Long-tailed Weasel. With its immense speed, it raced alongside Chasing the Wind, taking bites whenever there was an opening. It wasn''t long before Chasing the Wind''s body was covered in a dense mass of bite marks...


    Fortunately the weasel wasn''t venomous.


    Behind were the birds in the air - two Green-tailed Dragon Sparrows and a Silver-winged Owl. The Dragon Sparrows would swoop down asionally, trying to seize Chasing the Wind in their iron hook-like talons but couldn''t manage with how fat he was. Each swoop only left several scratch marks. The Silver-winged Owl spread its silver wings, flying dangerously close and trying to slice Chasing the Wind apart, but had no sess thus far.


    Farther back were the rumbling Sword-toothed Boar and Crossing ck Bear. Their roars added psychological pressure but they couldn''t cause any substantial harm.


    Even farther back were some other animals.


    Chasing the Wind was scared out of his wits and just kept running forward without heed, not even realizing his body was injured from the bites and pecks, and that he was exhausted and his paw pads couldn''t handle the running anymore.


    He only kept running...


    Yet as he ran and ran, he started running lightly as if the wind hade along to support him.


    At some unknown point, themotion from the bear and boar disappeared, leaving only the three birds and one weasel still harassing him.


    During a moment when the Purple Electricity Long-tailed Weasel pounced again, Chasing the Wind took offense. Aided by the wind, he dodged to the side, evading the weasel''s attack for the first time.


    But this leap in his obese state was uncontrolled. As a bird of prey, the Silver-winged Owl wouldn''t miss any opportunity. Seeing the foolish tiger lose his bnce, it spread its wings like arge silver de and swooped down to cut Chasing the Wind in half at the waist.


    Chasing the Wind looked back just in time to see this scene unfold. Shocked and terrified, he desperately leaped again...


    But failed to jump away!


    Severed in half by the Silver-winged Owl''s strike!


    "Chasing the Wind!!"


    Turning his upper body, Chasing the Wind saw his mother crying as she flew towards him.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78


    Qin Ran rushed out to look for Chasing the Wind first thing. He was both angry and annoyed, only wanting to catch this cub Chasing the Wind and give him a good beating. But when he went out into the forest, night had fallen and the forest was pitch ck. He started worrying that this silly cub might get into trouble.


    When a child makes a mistake and is afraid of being punished by his parents, he runs away from home. The parents desperately look for him everywhere, angry yet also worried... This was how Qin Ran felt at the moment.


    "Was it you who made Chasing the Wind run away?" He asked Li Shiyin, the other genius of Dan Peak.


    "If he didn''t run, wouldn''t he be beaten to death by you?" Li Shiyin reasoned.


    "I..." Qin Ran really wanted to punch Li Shiyin first before saying anything else. He scolded her, "Chasing the Wind is still so young. Going into the forest alone makes him a walking piece of meat... And after eating so many pills thoughtlessly, he''s now a Monkey King''s meat, any demon would want to eat him once he runs into the wilderness, it''s just looking to die!"


    "What is Monkey King''s meat?" Li Shiyin was totally indifferent. What wilderness, it was still within Dan Peak, what danger could there possibly be in Dan Peak?


    Luckily Chasing the Wind was fat and couldn''t run very fast. Qin Ran and Li Shiyin soon found him, catching sight of him when he first got up from resting under a tree.


    "Master, shouldn''t we go down and catch him?" Li Shiyin whispered.


    "Shh..." Qin Ran motioned for Li Shiyin to keep quiet. Chasing the Wind was a tiger, his hearing was extremely good, it would be very easy for him to overhear them. He said, "Wait, let him experience the dangers of the world."


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran. He had used the same approach on her during this sword forging... Very well, he was going to put Chasing the Wind through the same thing too.


    Master and disciple followed behind Chasing the Wind, watching ferocious birds of prey and beasts attracted by his scent gradually surround him while he remained obliviously happy.


    "Chasing the Wind..." Li Shiyin softly called out his name, breaking out in cold sweat for him.


    The fat tiger finally noticed those vicious birds and beasts. He grinned foolishly at them in a friendly manner.


    "Ah, he''s so stupid!" Li Shiyin silently cursed.


    Qin Ran couldn''t help but nce at her.


    The silly tiger was pounced on and bitten by a purple electric tailed weasel...


    "Go hit him!" Li Shiyin anxiously murmured.


    Chasing the Wind''s blood dispersed into the air, provoking those animals...


    "Quick... Run quickly!" Li Shiyin shouted softly.


    Such strong empathy, even Qin Ran next to her grew tense.


    Chasing the Wind finally reacted to flee, madly absorbing the efficacies of pills and spiritual energy to elerate...


    "Well done, Chasing the Wind!" Li Shiyin cheered.


    But before she could praise him further after he sessfully evaded the purple electric tailed weasel for the first time, she saw the silver-winged owl swoop down...


    "Ah! Chasing the Wind!" She was badly frightened, crying out as she sliced the silver-winged owl with one sword strike, then swiftly rushed towards Chasing the Wind.


    Landing on the ground and arriving before him, she kept her sword and knelt down to slowly lift up Chasing the Wind''s upper body. Her heart shattered into pieces...


    Wait no, it hadn''t shattered yet!


    "Hmm?" Li Shiyin suddenly realized something was off. Why was the bisected upper body of Chasing the Wind still so heavy?


    Looking closely, she discovered that Chasing the Wind was still in one piece with his lower body. It was just that his lower half had turned ck and blended into the darkness.


    "Meow¨C Meow¨C" Chasing the Wind in Li Shiyin''s arms kept rubbing his head against her hand as he meowed incessantly, recounting his immense fear.


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin looked back at Qin Ran who had caught up and asked in puzzlement, "Master, what exactly happened here?"


    Qin Ran also squatted down to check on Chasing the Wind''s state before understanding what transpired. He exined, "Chasing the Wind''s innate talent has awakened. Profound Underworld Spirit Tigers can manipte darkness and blend themselves into it. This is very normal."


    "Phew..." Li Shiyin heaved a sigh of relief as she picked Chasing the Wind up, using his fur to wipe her tears. "Scared me to death."


    "That''s what you get with your harebrained ideas." Qin Ran said unpleasantly, "Luckily nothing happened, if Chasing the Wind died, he would go down in history as the first 7th-tier Demon King to be bitten to death by wild beasts. That would be quite an achievement."


    His head really hurt. Every single one of them was a damned brat giving him nonstop headaches.


    Carrying Chasing the Wind, the two people and one cat quickly returned before the log cabin using their movement techniques. The first floor had already been wrecked by Chasing the Wind, the lighting spell array was busted, leaving the interior and exterior of the cabin pitch-ck.


    Arriving before the cabin, a voice sounded from the rocking chair Li Shiyin was lying in earlier, "Found him?" It was Long Qiqi''s voice.


    Li Shiyin was badly startled, scolding, "Can''t you make some sound before speaking?"


    "But I''m a snake..." Long Qiqi was utterly shameless about it.


    Qin Ran went to turn on the lights along the second-floor corridor, illuminating the outside of the cabin. He brought over two chairs for him and Li Shiyin to sit down in before tossing Chasing the Wind to the opposite side.


    The two people and one snake sat to one side while the tiger crouched opposite them. The first ever Dan Peak trial meeting began on the grass field outside the wooden cabin of Dan Peak.


    "That''s the cat?" Long Qiqi sat up and scrutinized the fat and silly-looking Chasing the Wind in suspicion. Was this the esteemed and mighty creature that had made her feel immense dread?


    After running half the night depleting much of his pill efficacies and spiritual energy, Chasing the Wind was no longer a furball at the moment. He was just a tremendously fat, fat tiger, an eptable degree of fat.


    "It''s Chasing the Wind indeed." Li Shiyin said.


    "What is his bloodline?" Long Qiqi asked again.


    "Master said a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger."


    "Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger?!" Long Qiqi was shocked. "Demon King! He''s the 7th tier Demon King of the Land of Immortal Legacy?!"


    This chubby, silly, harmless, extremely docile big cat was actually a Demon King? Long Qiqi found it somewhat unbelievable.


    "Chasing the Wind!" Qin Ran loudly shouted Chasing the Wind''s name, frightening him into hopping up to a sitting position. He hung his head low, looking even more aggrieved as he waited there. "Do you know your wrongdoings?!"


    Chasing the Wind nkly lifted his head, his eyes rounding up once more to gaze at Qin Ran in confusion. He didn''t know what wrongs he hadmitted at all.


    Seeing Chasing the Wind''s appearance caused the anger Qin Ran had barely suppressed to rapidly boil up again.


    He pointed at Chasing the Wind, about to enumerate his ten greatest evil deeds, "You¨C"


    "Master..." Li Shiyin promptly spoke up, "Master, please rein in your anger and let me talk to him instead."


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin. Although he felt Li Shiyin was unreliable too, he still thought he ought to calm down. So he kept silent.


    "Chasing the Wind..." Li Shiyin said,


    "Here are the heinous crimes you havemitted:


    "Firstly, you wrecked the room, the walls, arrays, everything is damaged. Secondly, you destroyed furniture including the sofa, coffee table, dining table, refrigerator. Thirdly, you wasted the ingredients in the refrigerator. Fourthly, you wasted precious pills. Fifthly, you ruined countless medicinal nts in the research building. Sixthly, you ruined countless pills in the research building..."


    Chasing the Wind blinked nkly, not understanding how those were considered mistakes at all.


    Qin Ran gazed at Chasing the Wind, falling into deep thought. He was a demonic beast, his worldview and perspective werepletely different from humans. It looked to be a difficult and lengthy process to enlighten him on the civilized path.


    But there was one slightly consoling point - his ck technology pills and poison pills were stored on the higher levels of the building. Otherwise,ing back would surely mean seeing only a cat corpse...


    Thinking of this, Qin Ran felt furious again!


    He abruptly stood up, startling the three people and one cat before him. But he didn''t take any further action or say anything else. After ring at Chasing the Wind, he turned and went into the cabin.


    Like hell they were going to hold any damned trial!


    "Directbor reform, sentence him to indefinite hardbor!" He left behind this one line before vanishing into the pitch darkness of the log cabin, "He''ll be serving his sentence in Dan Peak forever!"


    Li Shiyin stood up and pointed at Chasing the Wind,ughing. "Chasing the Wind, sucks to be you from now on!"


    Chasing the Wind raised his paw to lick it, feeling his ws itch slightly again.


    "So..." Seeing Qin Ran and Li Shiyin had both gone back to their rooms, Long Qiqi asked doubtfully, "Where do I sleep?"

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79


    The next day, early in the morning, Chasing the Wind, who was sleeping curled up on the grass below, was mercilessly awakened by Qin Ran to start his journey of reform throughbor.


    Chasing the Wind shook off the dew on his body, and the clumps of fat meat shook with him. He looked at Qin Ran innocently with his little eyes, trying to act cute.


    Qin Ran ignored him and went to the storage room to find some wooden boards. He pounded and nailed them into arge wooden frame, then installed four wheels to make a simple cart.


    He found a rope and tied the wooden cart to Chasing the Wind.


    Although Chasing the Wind was already two months old, he was only the size of a big cat or a young dog. Qin Ran deliberately nailed the wooden box veryrge. So after tying the cart and box together,pared to the box, Chasing the Wind looked extremely small and pitiful.


    When Chasing the Wind was dragging the wooden box with great effort, he was seen by Li Shiyin, who felt quite sympathetic. She asked Qin Ran, "Master, isn''t this too much?"


    Qin Ran was dismantling the floorboards in the room. Hearing this, he nced at Li Shiyin, and the killing intent in his eyes made Li Shiyin hurriedly shut up and not dare to speak again.


    Dan Peak was very lively now, and there was a lot to be done. Li Shiyin also had her own things to do. She went to the storage room to get her tools for digging theke, changed into simple work clothes, and continued her journey of digging theke.


    There were paw prints from Chasing the Wind all over the house, on the walls and floor. Nothing could be done about the walls upstairs, after all, there was still a floor above, and the walls could not be dismantled. But the floorboards downstairs could be reced.


    Qin Ran nned to dismantle the flooring and rey it. When rying the floorboards, he could also rearrange the various formations in the room.


    The formations on the first floor were arranged when he first started studying formations, very simple and crude. This was a good opportunity to rearrange them.


    After spending some time, Qin Ran had dismantled all the floorboards. He then sorted them out, put them in the wooden frame, and had Chasing the Wind drag them away and pile them up on the grass outside.


    At first, Chasing the Wind felt it was difficult to just drag the wooden box. But as the medicine power and spiritual energy in his body were absorbed, the weight of the garbage he dragged became heavier and heavier. By now, he could already pull a whole cart of wood.


    After dealing with the items inside the house, whether useful or useless, piles were stacked on the grasnd outside. Qin Ran then used magic topletely clean out the interior of the house.


    Looking at the empty room, Qin Ran''s heart also became empty, but strangely, he did not feel so sad.


    "Sigh..." He let out a sigh, turned around and went out the door, saying to Chasing the Wind, "Let''s go get some more boards."


    At this time, Long Qiqi walked over. She wasn''t very sure when she asked Qin Ran, "Is this how you cultivate?"


    "The house was torn down by a silly dog, I had no choice." Qin Ran nced obliquely at Chasing the Wind. Chasing the Wind bowed his head aggrievedly and licked his fur. Seeing Long Qiqi, Qin Ran suddenly remembered something and asked, "Where did you restst night?"


    Last night he was so angry he had forgotten to arrange for her amodation.


    "I''m a snake. Where can''t I sleep?" Long Qiqi replied.


    "That makes sense..." Qin Ran nodded, but he pointed at Chasing the Wind and said to Long Qiqi, "Remember his bitter lesson. Don''t mess with the stuff in the research building over there. He only ate useful pills. There are still many poisonous and waste pills over there..."


    "I''m not stupid..." Long Qiqi looked at Chasing the Wind andmented so.


    She had wandered around in the morning and found that everyone was quite busy. It seemed that only she, a snake, was free. She felt it was not good, as if she was an outsider. So she asked, "Can I help with what you guys are doing?"


    "You can if you want." Qin Ran held a knife in his hand, looking like a farmer. As he gestured with his finger, he said to Long Qiqi:


    "You can dig theke with Shiyin, or you can dig the foundation here. I n to build two rooms for you two beside this. You can also go and tidy up the mud Shiyin piled over there and clean out the garbage, rocks and other debris inside, I n to fire bricks and stones from the mud to build dams and pavilions."


    Long Qiqi thought for a while and said, "Then I''ll go sort the stones."


    "Okay, up to you," Qin Ran nodded. Only then did he say, "As the saying goes, everything you do while walking, sitting or lying down is cultivation. Just now you asked if this was cultivation. Now I''m telling you, this is cultivation."


    Long Qiqi nodded thoughtfully.


    If the four different creatures at Dan Peak were regarded as a family of four, then the mother and younger brother would be the same kind of muscr silly ones, while the father and sister would be equally cunning. Long Qiqi''s temperament was simr to Qin Ran''s, smart enough. With Qin Ran''s simple exnation, she immediately understood.


    After Qin Ran left with Chasing the Wind, she immediately revealed her original shape and went to the edge of the mud pit to carefully sort out the soil and stones with her snake tail.


    Qin Ran chopped down some suitable trees to make floorboards for the room formations, removed the branches and leaves on site, made them into boards, and then used magic to quickly dry the boards. After they were shaped, he had Chasing the Wind drag them back.


    With magic and cultivation level, doing these things was very fast. He finished dismantling the flooring in the morning and now had the floorboards ready before noon even arrived.


    After a simple meal, Qin Ran went upstairs in the research building to prepare materials for the formations. Chasing the Wind was dragged away by Li Shiyin to help transport mud and sand.


    Arranging formations was a huge job that required a lot of time and effort. In the whole afternoon, Qin Ran only managed to prepare all the materials for the formations.


    In the evening, just after sunset, the exhausted people of Dan Peak sat on the grass outside eating hot pot.


    Qin Ran took some ingredients from the refrigerator that were not yet spoiled, prepared seasonings, sliced meat, and separated vegetable leaves to make an entire hot pot from another world.


    The three humanoid creatures sat around it. Chasing the Wind, who didn''t like hot pot, carried his own food bowl over and ced it in front of Qin Ran, indicating he wanted his feed pills.


    Qin Ran threw slices of meat into the hot pot and when he lowered his head and saw Chasing the Wind''s expectant look, his face remained cold as he said, "No!"


    Chasing the Wind then fawned around Qin Ran''s calves, while meowing "meow meow".


    After another day ofbor reform, Chasing the Wind had absorbed most of the medicinal power and could no longer be called a fat tiger. He should be called a strong tiger now. In fact, he had clearly grown visibly bigger.


    Seeing Chasing the Wind''s pitiful state, Li Shiyin pleaded for him, "Chasing the Wind worked very hard today, Master, please stop teasing him."


    "I think he did try his best." Long Qiqi also helped to speak nice things about him, trying to get closer to Chasing the Wind through this.


    Only then did Qin Ran take out some feed pills from the Universe Bag and put half a bowl for Chasing the Wind.


    "Do you eat feed pills?" Qin Ran asked Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqi held her chopsticks and stared at the meat in the pot. She replied, "I''m human, not your spirit beast."


    "The feed pills are very good for demonic beasts," Qin Ran added another sentence, but did not try to persuade her further.


    Long Qiqi secretly nced at the pills in Chasing the Wind''s food bowl, somewhat tempted, but still turned her attention to the pot.


    There were no chili peppers in this world. The chili peppers for the hot pot were cultivated by Qin Ran himself, who found suitable nts, selected and improved them over generations. Recently, the chili peppers grown were finally considered edible, but still very spicy.


    For Long Qiqi and Li Shiyin, this hot pot could be considered a blessing, as it was probably the first hot pot in this world.


    The three people eating hot pot were tortured by the overly spicy chili peppers and kept panting. Chasing the Wind, who was bloated with pills,pleted his task in just a few seconds. Feeling that he had only padded his stomach a little, he circled around Qin Ran''s legs whimpering, begging for more. Qin Ran was unable to resist and gave him a few extremely spicy slices of meat from the hot pot. After eating them, Chasing the Wind also started panting.


    Time entered the summer. In the evening sky there were wisps of grayish-blue clouds. On the edge of the forest, people sat on the grass eating hot pot. A cool breeze was blowing, gently swaying the shallow grass.


    They talked, theyughed, they were noisy, they dripped sweat as they rxed, spending an ordinary day-to-day moment in this dangerous cultivation world.


    "Awoo..." The spicy peppers tortured Chasing the Wind so much he ran around wildly before "ssh" jumping into the river.


    "Chasing the Wind, say something!" Long Qiqi had heard that Chasing the Wind could speak without transforming, and she was very curious.


    "Master, this piece of meat is mine..." Li Shiyin was fighting with Qin Ran over some meat to eat.


    Qin Ran?


    Qin Ran had a new family.

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80


    Every month at the beginning, Dao Sword Sect would distribute monthly supplies including spirit stones and elixirs to the inner sect disciples in the Butler Hall at Master Peak for the disciples'' daily cultivation.


    On the first day of June in the morning, it was noisy and bustling in the small square in front of Butler Hall with over a hundred people gathered there. They were all Dao Sword Sect disciples, including ordinary disciples, inner sect disciples and personally taught disciples. They stood in groups of three to five, either chatting andughing, discussing scriptures and daoism, gossiping, exchanging information, and so on.


    For example, someone here brought up, "Do you know there are four cultivation methods for the Sky Fire Art? If not,e over and I will exin them in detail to you..."


    Hispanion immediately retorted, "It''s just a fire spurting technique, what''s there to study about it?"


    "Oh! You don''t understand. If you cultivate using different types of mes, you will get different effects..."


    Over there someone was asking, "Are the Silver-backed Demon Monkeys at Eagle Howl Ravine still around there? Their monkey liquor is quite good. My cultivation level has been rising too fast recently and my mind and spirit are a little unstable. I''m thinking of getting some monkey liquor to rx my mind."


    Hispanion reminded, "Then you have to be careful. I heard a few days ago some rogue cultivator went there to provoke those monkeys. It seems he has stolen a baby monkey and now the whole troop of Silver-backed Demon Monkeys have gone mad at Eagle Howl Ravine!"


    "Then forget it, I''ll just spend some spirit stones to buy some elixirs..."


    Someone was worried and said, "Do you know about the uprising of demonic beasts at the Hengduan Mountains?"


    "Demonic beast uprising?" Hispanion nodded in deep agreement, "No wonder thest Green Robe Sparrow was so irritable."


    "Not just that..." He said, "It is said that this uprising involves ancient secrets."


    Someone else asked around, "Didn''t Huang Feiyu take some people to hunt the Lionheart Raging me Beast? It has been so long, what were the results?"


    "Still unknown. Anyway they haven''t returned yet..." Hispanion replied, "The Lionheart Raging me Beast''s whole body is treasured. If the hunt is sessful, they would profit tremendously."


    "If they still haven''t returned until now... then things don''t look good. The Lionheart Raging me Beast is too fierce. I would call it the most powerful fourth level demonic beast." Anotherpanion said.


    Someone was fanning himself and saidughingly to hispanion, "Do you know which of the newly admitted female disciples are the most beautiful?"


    Apanion said, "I heard Sword Peak''s Tian Wenjin and Qi Peak''s Liu Piaoxu are peerless beauties out of thousands."


    "Oh, that news is outdated, outdated!" He closed his fan and tapped hispanion, "Let me tell you all, among this batch of disciples, there are the five greatest beauties. Sword Peak''s Tian Wenjin and Qi Peak''s Liu Piaoxu are naturally among them that everyone knows. But what you all don''t know is that on our Master Peak, there is a pair of twin peerless beauties who look exactly the same and are equally beautiful..."


    "Howe there are only five greatest beauties? During our time there used to be the ten greatest beauties!" Anotherpanion interrupted andmented howter generations cannotpare to earlier ones, but he immediately asked, "Who''s thest one?"


    "There is a peerless beauty at Dan Peak..." He confidently smiled, "You guys definitely won''t know about this news."


    "Dan Peak?" The fewpanions all shook their heads, "There''s barely anyone at Dan Peak left and only a Foundation Establishment junior cultivator there guarding the mountain gate. How can there possibly be any peerless beauty?"


    "Dan Peak really has..."


    Before he could finish speaking, suddenly a streak of flowing light flew over from the distant sky, attracting the gazes of the men as it drew near. He also looked over and interrupted his own words.


    That flowing light approached, riding on a sword - it was sword flight. The person was a sword cultivator.


    On the sword was a woman dressed in light green separate cor blouse and long skirt, adorned with butterfly patterns at the bottom. At her slender waist that one could epass with a hand was tied a pale white sash imprinted with a peony flower pattern.


    She had an enchanting fox-like face with peach blossom eyes, naturally exuding charm and beauty that plucked at one''s heartstrings. That was mixed with a cultivator''s clear, cold aura, plus her aloof and arrogant personality, making herplex with bewilderingyers of beauty.


    It was an interweaving of different types of beauty.


    Even though the men still couldn''t see her facial features clearly from afar, they had already been drawn to look at her. As she drew near and her looks could be seen clearly, they couldn''t take their eyes off her.


    Shended in front of Butler Hall, returned her sword to its sheath and strode into the hall with a sword cultivator''s free and otherworldly air.


    "That''s Sword Peak''s Tian Wenjin." The fan-holding man praised, "Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she is also quite talented. She has just joined the sect for over a month and has already reached the mid Foundation Establishment stage. You can tell from her adept sword flight that she is exceptionally gifted. I heard Sword Peak''s Sword Master Elder is already considering taking her as a personal disciple. I wonder if that is true or false."


    "She really is like a fairy..." Apanion said, "Too bad Huang Feiyu alreadyid im on her first. That guy really is shameless making his move so quickly."


    "Hmph, even if Huang Feiyu didn''t make a move, could a beauty like this possibly be tainted by the likes of you?" The fan-holding man shook his head, mercilessly exposing the naked truth, "Moreover, Huang Feiyu is the Sword Peak Master''s personal disciple. He is already at the Golden Core stage. Where is hecking?"


    "What a pity..." Somepanions sighed.


    At this moment, suddenly another streak of flowing light flew over from the distant sky. It was another sword cultivator. Those with good vision looked over and saw the person on the sword. They couldn''t help but cry out in praise, "So handsome. Truly a peerless beauty in the mortal realm!"


    Only then did everyone else look towards the new arrival. As she drew near, immediately amotion broke out in the square. Many female cultivators even couldn''t help letting out screams, "So handsome!"


    On the sword was a female cultivator dressed entirely in white with pitch ck, smooth, long hair fluttering freely in the wind. She had heroic thick eyebrows and cold thin lips with slightly concentrated almond eyes, carrying a sharp edge. Her delicate, fair face exhibited a sword cultivator''s clean and neat temperament.


    She gave off an aloof aura yet was brimming with sharpness, like a darket or a de amidst ice and snow.


    The gentle beauty of ady and the cold edge of a sword cultivator were perfectly blended within her.


    Not only were men drawn to her, even women were infatuated by her.


    Shended gracefully in front of Butler Hall. Her treasured sword slid into its sheath like a fish in water. Her actions were carefree with an air of elegance.


    "Ah... I''m fainting!" A female cultivator was so excited she really fainted while supported by herpanion.


    As they watched the woman enter the hall, the fan-holding man''spanion eagerly asked him, "Who is she?"


    What an aura of grace!


    The fan-holding man reluctantly retracted his gaze and said with an admiring sigh, "That is the peerless beauty from Dan Peak, Li Shiyin."


    "Dan Peak really has such a peerless beauty?" Hispanions found it unbelievable and all voiced out it was impossible. But then doubt arose, "Dan Peak? Isn''t she a sword cultivator?!"


    "How would I know clearly?" The fan-holding man shook his head, "But interestingly, from my observation, Li Shiyin seems to have even better mastery of spiritual power than Tian Wenjin."


    "Tian Wenjin already has unmatched talent. Li Shiyin''s talent exceeds even Tian Wenjin?"


    "I don''t know, don''t know!" The fan-holding man shook his head, "The Dao Sword Sect is thriving huh!"

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81


    This was Li Shiyin''s first timeing to collect the monthly allowance, but it was the Dao Sword Sect''s second time distributing the monthly allowance to this batch of disciples.


    Why?


    Because there was already a monthly allowancest month, but Qin Ran didn''t know and thought there was no monthly allowance for new disciples, so he didn''t bring Li Shiyin to collect it.


    "Stinky Master, you''re always scolding me for being stupid, but you''re clearly the stupid one!" Li Shiyin scolded Qin Ran in her heart, but didn''t show it on her face, still appearing aloof. "Losing a whole month of allowance, that''s a lot of spirit stones gone to waste! Hmph! Damn it..."


    She walked into the Butler Hall, peeking inside at the entrance. It wasn''t very big inside, just over a hundred square meters. Directly opposite the entrance were three windows, where inner sect disciples could collect their monthly allowance.


    There were three windows - one for ordinary disciples, one for inner sect disciples, and one for personal disciples.


    A green-clothed woman was at the inner sect disciple window collecting her allowance. She turned around to leave and her alluring beauty made Li Shiyin look twice. She then realized this woman looked very familiar - it was Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin collected her allowance and turned to leave, but felt someone staring at her.


    What kind of rogue would stare at someone so rudely?


    She was very unhappy and looked back at the entrance...


    "Hmm?" She frowned, this person looked a little familiar.


    "Fellow disciple Tian," Li Shiyin smiled and nodded at Tian Wenjin.


    Then she shouted in her heart: "I''m done for! After spending so much time with Master I''ve be sly and deceitful too. Oh Li Shiyin, how could you be like this?"


    Because what she really wanted was to fight Tian Wenjin and see who was stronger, but what she showed on the outside was a smile and greeting.


    Only then did Tian Wenjin remember, this was Li Shiyin!


    The white-clothed beauty before her holding a sword was Li Shiyin!!


    She was that dirty girl covered in mud at the bottom of the pit on Dan Peak that day, Li Shiyin!!!


    What had happened these past days?


    Tian Wenjin was a little confused, finding it hard to ept.


    Not until Li Shiyin saw she wasn''t replying and walked past did she absentmindedly return the greeting: "Hello..."


    Li Shiyin stood in front of the personal disciple allowance window and looked back at Tian Wenjin''splex expression. Her thin lips curled into a meaningful smile, but she didn''t say anything more.


    She handed in her identity token and said, "Li Shiyin of Dan Peak."


    "Dan Peak?" The pretty female servant disciple inside the window asked doubtfully, "Your first time collecting the monthly allowance after just bing a Dao Sword Sect disciple?"


    She had never seen anyone from Dan Peak collect an allowance before.


    "Yes," Li Shiyin nodded.


    The female disciple then handed her a square object with a groove and said, "Drip a drop of blood into the groove to confirm your identity."


    Li Shiyin pricked her finger, circted her spiritual power, and squeezed out a drop of blood...


    Tian Wenjin stood at the entrance to the Butler Hall, looking back to see Li Shiyin standing at the personal disciple allowance window. Her mood wasplex - she was just an inner sect disciple yet the other was a personal disciple.


    She tried sensing Li Shiyin''s cultivation level again, wanting to know how itpared to her own. But she vaguely felt Li Shiyin''s energy was more refined.


    "Perhaps I''m mistaken," she thought to herself. She couldn''t ept the possibility that Li Shiyin''s cultivation level might be higher than her own.


    Li Shiyin collected her allowance and counted the spirit stones - a full five hundred. She was reminded that she hadn''t collectedst month''s allowance.


    "Damn you Master!" She cursed again in her heart.


    She put the spirit stones into her cosmos pouch then nced at the pills. She casually took out a Gathering Spirit Pellet to smell it - the medicinal fragrance didn''t seem very pure. She threw one into her mouth and the medicinal power spread with her spiritual power... She shook her head, the effect was alsocking.


    Could this be Master''s doing? She wondered, but still kept the pills. At some point Tian Wenjin had left without her noticing. Li Shiyin didn''t care and strode straight out of the Butler Hall.


    Li Shiyin came out of the Butler Hall to see everyone outside looking towards the distant sky.


    "What''s happening?" She was rather curious and also looked over.


    A beautiful young woman was riding a cloud over. Li Shiyin also recognized her - she seemed to be called Liu Piaoxu. They entered the sect together. The young woman was very pretty, her looksparable to Tian Wenjin''s. But her natural endowment and talent were only ordinary so Li Shiyin didn''t pay her much attention, only having some impression of her.


    Liu Piaoxunded unsteadily in front of the Butler Hall. Li Shiyin went up to support her and Liu Piaoxu gently thanked her.


    She was a gentle woman who could steal men''s hearts. Her beauty matched Tian Wenjin''s - they were both of the bewitching type. But while Tian Wenjin was unattainably noble, Liu Piaoxu was approachable. That meant she was a bewitching beauty that made men feel they had a chance, thus moving men''s hearts even more than Tian Wenjin.


    Men looking at her felt an itch in their hearts that made them want to protect and cherish her.


    "Nothing," Li Shiyin nodded at her then moved aside for Liu Piaoxu to enter the Butler Hall.


    After watching Liu Piaoxu go in, Li Shiyin called out her Cherished Star Sword, lightly leapt onto it, and flew away from the Butler Hall.


    "That''s Liu Piaoxu?" The fan-wielding man''spanion said excitedly, "I''m telling you, I''ve decided on this woman. Don''tpete with me!"


    The fan-wielding man shook his fan andughed. "You''re thinking too much. What does it have to do with you?"


    "Didn''t you see? She just smiled at me. That gentle and delicate manner means she wants my protection!" This young man had clearly lost control of his mind andposure. "It''s obvious I''m her destined true love who will protect her, cherish her, and hold her in my palms."


    "Don''t spout nonsense here!" The fan-wielding man hit him with his fan to wake him up.


    "Aren''t there five great peerless beauties?" The young man came to his senses and licked his lips, still not satisfied. He had seen three of the five great beauties, what about the other two?


    He asked, "Where are the twins from Master Peak?"


    Just the appearance of these three peerless beauties individually already had this effect. If identical twins appeared together, wouldn''t that blow people''s minds?


    "There theye, right on cue..." The fan-wielding man pointed to the sky to get hispanion to look. The twins had arrived.


    The young man excitedly looked over, only to see a cloud vessel slowly approaching from the distance. Two exquisite jade sisters could be seen on the cloud vessel.


    But...


    When the cloud vessel drew near and the men below could clearly see the beauties on it, they were greatly disappointed. Neat sighs could be hearding from the crowd.


    They really were girls, and they really were pretty. The only problem was they looked eight or nine years old!


    The twins from Master Peak were little girls!!!


    "How is this..." The young man was confused. "Are they peerless beauties too?"


    "You can call them seeds of future peerless beauties!" The fan-wielding man guffawed. "When they grow up won''t they be peerless beauties? Let me tell you, this is your chance - you need to make your move early..."


    The young man looked thoughtful: "You have a point."


    The fan-wielding manughed and scolded: "You beast!!!"


    "Sister, what are they sighing about?" The cute Jiang Ran asked on the cloud vessel.


    "Firstly, I''m the older sister!" The adorable Jiang Qin said in a mature tone. "Secondly, those are vulgar people not worth paying attention to or wondering what they are sighing about."

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82


    Li Shiyin flew away from the Butler Hall, circled around the main peak once, and arrived in front of the Butler Hall again.


    Seeing Qin Ran standing at the door of the Butler Hall in midair, shended directly behind Qin Ran and hopped over.


    "Master, are you waiting for me?" she asked with a smile.


    Hearing this, Qin Ran looked back and saw Li Shiyin. He didn''t admit that he was afraid she couldn''t find anyone and deliberately came to the door to wait for her. He just said, "I just got here. They are still preparing medicinal materials."


    On the fifteenth day of each month, the Dao Sword Sect would collect a certain amount of elixir from Dan Peak, and at the beginning of each month, it would provide Dan Peak with medicinal materials for refining elixir.


    Li Shiyin came to pick up the monthly supply today, so Qin Ran followed along to get the medicinal materials as well.


    "You''re really slow." Li Shiyin pouted her lips. She remembered the monthly supply andined to Qin Ran, "Mas...ter! I just went to pick up the monthly supply, and then they said it was avablest month! It was avablest month...but you didn''t know! You made me lose a month of monthly supply, do you know ?!"


    "Is that so?" Qin Ran asked when he heard that you could pick up the monthly supply on the day you joined the Dao Sword Sect. He really didn''t know about this before, "How many spirit stones can you get?"


    "Five hundred!" Li Shiyin stretched out one hand and spread five slender and clean fingers to show Qin Ran angrily.


    Qin Ran nodded and said, "That''s really outrageous."


    The Dao Sword Sect had its own spiritual mineral veins, and the spirit stones distributed to the disciples were quite abundant.


    "And some elixir..." Li Shiyin said, and then remembered something, "Master, why don''t you pick up the monthly supply? How many spirit stones do you get in your monthly supply?"


    "I don''t like spirit stones." Qin Ran said.


    "...Liar." Li Shiyin could see through it at a nce. She took out a bottle of elixir from the universe bag and handed it to Qin Ran, "Master, is this the elixir you made?"


    Qin Ran took it over, broke the jade seal and took a look, shook his head and said, "Where did you get it? The quality just barely passes inferior quality, the quality is very poor."


    "It''s the monthly supply!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Monthly supply?" Qin Ran was startled, looking at the elixir bottle in his hand, he fell into deep thought.


    "Master? Master! Master!"


    Li Shiyin called him several times before waking him up.


    "Master, what''s wrong with you? Is there a problem with this elixir?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Well..." Qin Ran murmured, "Be careful not to eat the elixir issued by the sect in the future."


    At this time, Jian Yuanjie walked out of the Butler Hall with a temporary universe bag and handed the universe bag to Qin Ran, "Check it out for yourself."


    He also looked at Li Shiyin next to him. Li Shiyin was dressed in white and holding a sword, and she was really eye-catching. He remembered Li Shiyin''s appearance in the mud pit before, and the contrast made him feel more amazing. He couldn''t help but praise, "What a handsome girl."


    "Thank you!" Li Shiyin smiled very politely.


    Qin Ran nced at Jian Yuanjie meaningfully, but did not speak. He opened the universe bag to check the medicinal materials inside, then closed the universe bag with a calm expression, and asked Jian Yuanjie, "Has anything happened in the sect recently? We went out for a few days."


    "No!" Jian Yuanjie smiled and said, "It''s just that the demonic beasts have been a little more irritable recently. Disciples who go out should be more careful, it''s not a big deal."


    "When demonic beasts collectively be irritable, there must be a reason for it, right?" Qin Ran said, "Did the higher-ups say anything?"


    Jian Yuanjie shook his head and said, "They are all beasts with untamable natures. Being irritable during the spring and summer breeding season is normal."


    "I see..." Qin Ran nodded without saying much. Then he casually asked as if chatting, "These medicinal materials were still purchased in Zhican Valley, right?"


    "That''s right!" Jian Yuanjie nodded, "Is there a problem? Is the quality wrong?"


    "No..." Qin Ran said, "I''m just asking."


    After he finished speaking, he hesitated and said, "Junior Brother Jian, although you haven''t studied alchemy, your knowledge of medicinal materials and elixirs is far better than mine. I have always wanted to take the opportunity to learn from you...Why don''t you take me along next time you go to purchase medicinal materials in Zhican Valley? It would be good for me to personally experiencerge-scale medicinal material transactions."


    "Hey!" Jian Yuanjie patted Qin Ran on the shoulder andughed, "You are an alchemy master. How can my shallow knowledge bepared with a professional like you? Purchasing medicinal materials involves some business theories that are too vulgar and not conducive to cultivation. It would be a waste of time for you to follow me. It¡¯s better to calm your mind and study elixirs carefully...or hurry up and improve your cultivation level. You should be at the Core Formation stage already."


    "I see... Yes..." Qin Ran said with a smile, "Then that''s fine. I''ll concentrate on researching elixir. I''ll leave the troublesome task of purchasing medicinal materials to you, Junior Brother."


    After chatting for a few more sentences, Qin Ran bid farewell to Jian Yuanjie and left with Li Shiyin directly.


    Jian Yuanjie stood in ce watching Qin Ran walk away. He looked at Qin Ran''s back, the smile on his face disappearing little by little.


    After leaving the Butler Hall, Qin Ran''s originally faintly smiling face instantly sank, with deep thoughts shing in his eyes.


    "Mas...Master..." Li Shiyin was so scared to see Qin Ran change his face at the speed of light. His skill to instantly change his expression was really terrifying. She hurriedly asked, "What''s going on?"


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, shook his head with a stern face, and said, "Nothing!"


    With him like this, it was impossible that nothing had happened, it was just that he couldn''t tell Li Shiyin about this matter.


    The Dao Sword Sect was one of the five major sects in North Chu Country. In terms ofbat power alone, it was one of the top among the five sects. Although Zhican Valley had a higher overall strength and reputation among civilians than other sects, if they were justparing fighting prowess, then Zhican Valley would have to be rankedst among the five major sects.


    Therefore, when the Dao Sword Sect conducted elixir transactions with a sect like Zhican Valley of this scale, Zhican Valley should not, could not, and would not dare tamper with it. Although privately, Zhican Valley¡¯s disciples liked to sell inferior quality elixirs in the Dao Sword Sect, on the surface level, sects could not do such things to each other.


    But now, this kind of thing had happened, and it was done tantly and extremely arrogantly.


    Among sects, the quality of elixirs sold by Zhican Valley to the Dao Sword Sect would be at least medium quality... If Zhican Valley did not have so many medium quality elixirs at that time, then at least a certain amount of medium quality elixirs would have to be guaranteed to be issued to inner sect disciples and personally taught disciples.


    That is to say, no matter what, the elixirs received by personally taught disciples must be of medium quality.


    But the elixir in Li Shiyin''s monthly supply for personally taught disciples was of inferior quality.


    In addition... Qin Ran discovered that the quality of medicinal materials had also declined slightly. Fluctuations in the quality of medicinal materials weremon, but after seeing the elixir Li Shiyin received, Qin Ran realized that the decline in the quality of medicinal materials was not once or twice, he just didn''t notice it.


    There was a conspiracy, a trap, one targeting the Dao Sword Sect, targeting the new disciples of the Dao Sword Sect, with insiders, looming over the Dao Sword Sect.


    But what could he, Qin Ran, do? Even if he knew a trap was beingid, he had no ability to change it!


    Qin Ran shook his head.


    No, no, it wasn''t what he could do, he was just a Foundation Establishment junior cultivator. What could he do? All he needed to do was figure out how to survive...


    "No!" Qin Ran suddenly stopped while walking, his face changed drastically in shock.


    Because he suddenly realized that...


    If there really was such a conspiracy against the Dao Sword Sect rted to elixirs, then the first step should be to get rid of the alchemy masters of the Dao Sword Sect!


    And he was the only alchemy master in the Dao Sword Sect!

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83


    After leaving the Hall of Affairs, Qin Ran was worried and anxious. His mind was full of crises, thinking about how the plot woulde, how those people would deal with him, who the enemies were, whether Jian Yuanjie was the only mole, and so on.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin asked at his side, "Dan Peak is out of vegetables. Should we buy some meat and vegetables?"


    "Buy them!" Qin Ran replied casually.


    "But the fridge is broken!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Then don''t buy them."


    "But there is no meat left in the house!"


    "Then buy them!"


    "But they''ll go bad!"


    "Then don''t buy them."


    "But..."


    Qin Ran looked up and saw Li Shiyin trying not tough. Only then did hee back to his senses and realize that this girl was deliberately teasing him. His face darkened. They even dared to make fun of him now. In the future, what else would they dare to do... Cough, no respect for elders, the world is turned upside down.


    "Just buy less. Wait until the fridge is fixed before buying more," he said coldly. Anyway, this girl could already fly, soing and going was very convenient.


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin pouted in agreement.


    The master and disciple went to the town square market to take a look around and buy some things before returning to Dan Peak.


    Back at Dan Peak, it was another busy day.


    Li Shiyin''ske was already taking shape, reaching a depth of five or six meters. Finally, she dug into rocks. She felt around and found a veryrge boulder. She went to get a sword and used sword energy to slowly chip away at it.


    When Qin Ran saw this, he hurriedly gestured to Li Shiyin, "Don''t hack away randomly there. Shape the boulder into neat squares, with each block the same size, about this big. I will use them as brickster."


    It was easy to split rocks using sword energy. Li Shiyin had fun ying with it, but it was difficult to neatly cut them into identical square blocks. Li Shiyin tried it. After a few strikes of the sword, the blocks were either too heavy or too light. The boulders were not squared, and she got herself covered in dirt and dust.


    "Stinky Master, can''t do it yourself but knows how to boss around!" she grumbled.


    The formations in the house were almost done. Qin Ran wasying the floor. After all, they were just some simple formations. He had prepared the materialsst night and constructed the diagrams overnight. Today, he just had to follow the diagrams to set them up. It did not take long to finish arranging them.


    As for what Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind were doing today...


    Long Qiqi was still splitting rocks, flicking her snake tail, constantly sending rock debris flying from the mud pile into the wooden frame. Chasing the Wind was still tied to his punishment wood frame, helping to transport things whenever anyone called "Chasing the Wind!". He would carry therge wood frame over to help.


    The frame was big and Chasing the Wind was small. One could only see arge wood frame rattling around, looking as if it hade alive and was running around on its own.


    Long Qiqi affectionately called Chasing the Wind "animated wood frame".


    After a busy day and dinner, Long Qiqi sat in a rocking chair in front of the house, ying with it. She didn''t know why but she really liked this rocking chair and would rock in it when she had nothing to do.


    As she rocked, she saw Chasing the Wind napping nearby. She went over to his ear and whispered, "Give me one of your round ones. I''ll leave you meat tomorrow."


    Chasing the Wind opened his eyes, filled with confusion... I''m just a little kitty. How would I understand so much?


    "Dad... dad, round..." he meant to say he had a lot of round ones and she could take some from Dad if she wanted to eat them.


    "Shh..." Long Qiqi understood. But she had said earlier that she wouldn''t eat such beast pills. Now asking for them would mean losing face. She shook her head. "Your dad''s don''t taste nice but yours taste good."


    Chasing the Wind licked all his fur but still couldn''t understand the difference between his dad''s round ones and his own.


    Qin Ran was on the roof, listening to the conversation between the two little ones below. He shook his head and smiled, took out a homemade bamboo flute, gazed at the treetops and yed a woeful tune as he thought about things.


    The flute sounded really awful. Long Qiqi was so frightened that her lower half reverted to its original form and coiled up while her upper half turned into a little loli. She looked around nervously to find out where the enemy was.


    "Hahaha..." Li Shiyin''sughter suddenly rang out from midair. Long Qiqi looked up and saw Li Shiyin flying over from afar in her white clothes,ughing merrily at the roof. "Master, look what you''ve done to Qiqi!"


    Only then did Long Qiqi look towards the roof and see Qin Ran sitting there, ying the flute with a somewhat hopeless expression.


    "Oh... oh!" Now she understood. It turned out Big Brother Dan Peak was performing music. No problem then. She transformed back into human form and said with a smile, "What a nice tune, I was involuntarily entranced, involuntarily entranced."


    Qin Ran gave her a resentful nce but still shamelessly continued ying.


    Li Shiyin flew onto the roof and sat next to Qin Ran. She kept her sword and rummaged through her cosmic bag, taking out a jade flute which she handed to Qin Ran with a smile. "Master, this is for you. I bought it in the Sword Casting Town."


    The woeful flute sounds stopped. Qin Ran looked at the flute offered to him, then at the adorable smile on Li Shiyin''s face. He hesitated for a bit before epting the jade flute.


    "This one sounds urate," said Li Shiyin.


    Qin Ran''s face darkened. This disciple was not cute at all.


    He kept the bamboo flute and held the jade one. He unconsciously licked the mouthpiece, preparing to y it. But he suddenly realized something.


    The silly disciple said this flute''s sound was urate. Did that mean she had tried ying it before...?


    Unconsciously, his gaze skewed to his disciple''s lips. Those moist, thin lips were like the most tempting dessert in the world...that one wanted to devour in one bite.


    "Gulp..."


    He swallowed loudly, the sound so great that it shocked him out of his daze. The hand holding the jade flute shook and he quickly regained hisposure, shifting his gaze to the forest ahead. His quivering lips blew into the jade flute.


    "Woo woo..."


    Because his lips were trembling, so was the flute sound. Originally crisp and clear, the jade flute''s tune was rendered devoid of any aesthetic sense.


    "Mas...Master..." Li Shiyin also seemed rather flustered. She recalled that sheet music was provided when she bought the flute. Nervously, she searched her cosmic bag and took out the music score for Qin Ran. "The...music score."


    Qin Ran didn''t dare look at Li Shiyin. Pretending to be calm, he epted the music score, opened it and stared at it for quite some time before reacting that he should y ording to the score.


    But when his lips met the mouthpiece again, he couldn''t help but think of his silly disciple''s tempting lips. So as he yed, hepletely ignored the music score and continued ying terribly.


    "What''s their rtionship?" Long Qiqi was precocious. Seeing the abnormal situation on the roof, she went over to Chasing the Wind again and asked beside his ear.


    Long Qiqi was a five or six year-old loli while Chasing the Wind was a little tiger slightly over two months old. About the same size, the little girl hugged the tiger cub''s head and spoke into his ear. The picture was extremely cute.


    "Meow?" Chasing the Wind tilted his head at Long Qiqi, eyes filled with bewilderment.... I''m just a little kitty. How would I understand so much?


    And amidst the woeful flute sounds, a swaying figure slowly flew over from the forest treetops in the shallow dusk.


    Distracted, Qin Ran had been staring in the direction of the woods so he was the first to notice the anomaly. He stopped ying and took a closer look.


    That figure drew nearer but it wasn''t just one figure but two. A woman carrying a man, shakily flying over on her sword with difficulty.


    It was Tian Wenjin carrying Huang Feiyu.


    Something was wrong!


    "Shiyin..." he called out to get Li Shiyin''s attention and signaled for her to go over and help.


    Li Shiyin was half a beat slow. She looked up to see Qin Ran''s gesture and the situation ahead before understanding what was happening. Flushing red, she took out her Cherished Sword and flew over on her sword to meet Tian Wenjin.

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84


    Huang Feiyu was severely injured, with broken bones andcerations all over his body that were only minor wounds. What was critical was the raging me burning unrelentingly on his chest, right over his heart.


    It was the Lion Heart me,busting outside of Huang Feiyu''s heart, consuming his spiritual power and evaporating his blood.


    "The Sect Leader said martial brother is beyond saving..." The alluring yet aloof beauty Tian Wenjin cried sorrowfully, "The Sect Leader said, given martial brother''s condition, his cultivation and physique have been damaged beyond repair by the mes, there is no point in saving him..."


    Tears welled up in her beautiful peach blossom eyes as she looked at Qin Ran pleadingly, "Qin martial uncle, you are my only hope. I beg you, please save my martial brother!"


    Huang Feiyuy on the grass in front of a wooden house. The first floor had just been rebuilt after being torn down by hurricane, thus still looking rather empty and bare; it was settled that they would let him lie outside.


    He was wearing trousers on his lower body which had been badly burnt, while his upper body was naked with nothing left on it--perhaps incinerated by the fire. Other than the ze on his chest, there were also w marks on his abdomen, sorge that it spanned across his entire abdominal cavity. One could imagine it was a lion''s paw, far bigger than a human palm, that hadshed at his abdomen.


    His chest was scorched ck by the fire, and through the charred ribs one could see a golden me burning vigorously inside. He resembled a human skeletonntern in such state.


    As a Golden Core cultivator, Huang Feiyu had formidable vitality. Despite his horrendously wrecked look, he hadn''t died yet. Be it unconsciously or consciously, the water elemental power inside him was still resisting against the Lion Heart me. His heart, not yet scorched, could be seen persisting in beating under the illumination of the me.


    Qin Ran squatted next to Huang Feiyu and studied his condition carefully.


    There was a way to save him... After all, as a Golden Core cultivator, his physique had long surpassed that of ordinary people. But there was no point in saving him--that was what the Sword Peak Sect Leader meant.


    Given Huang Feiyu''s current state, the Lion Heart me had ruined both his cultivation and physique. Even if he was cured, the man would be crippled, not only losing all his cultivation but also his physique; he might even be left with illnesses all over his body.


    From this perspective, there was no point in saving him... Huang Feiyu himself probably wouldn''t want to go on living if he knew what awaited him after being cured.


    Qin Ran looked up at Tian Wenjin. This alluring and proud beauty, he asked her, "Do you like him that much?" After all, they had only known each other for a month. Was it worth all that?


    "What?" Tian Wenjin was startled. She was pleading Qin Ran to save someone, yet Qin Ran asked her this instead.


    "Just as martial brother Liu said, he can be saved but there is no point." Qin Ran said, "Besides, given his current state, perhaps he himself does not wish to keep living."


    "Martial brother would never take his own life!" Tian Wenjin shook her head, "As long as he lives, there will be hope."


    "So I ask if you like him that much, if you know him that well?" Qin Ran said.


    Tian Wenjin fell silent. After a while, she simply said, "Qin martial uncle, since you said he can be saved, I ask that you please save him."


    "The treatment is actually quite simple and crude, it just needs two steps..." Standing up, Qin Ran looked at Huang Feiyu and said, "First step, take out the Lion Heart me; second step, use elixirs to help him recover." As he was a Golden Core cultivator, his physique was long unlike that of ordinary people."


    "Then martial uncle why are you still waiting for anything?" Tian Wenjin urged anxiously, "Hurry and save him first!"


    Qin Ran spread out his hands, "I cannot extract the Lion Heart me."


    "Huh?" Tian Wenjin was baffled.


    "Firstly, I have a water spirit root. Secondly, my cultivation is only at Foundation Establishment Stage." Qin Ran exined, "I have no way to deal with the Lion Heart me."


    Instantly Tian Wenjinpsed into despair. She felt her legs go soft and plopped to the ground before she knew it. Turning to look at the ckened and reddened face of Huang Feiyu lying on the ground, when she thought of how crestfallen he was, tears began trickling down her cheeks uncontrobly.


    Standing by the side watching it all, Li Shiyin found it touching, feeling sorry for Tian Wenjin which tugged at her heart. She walked over to Qin Ran and secretly asked him, "Master, do you really have no other way?" Her saintly disposition made the foolish disciple pipe up again. Qin Ran gave her a look without answering, then went to sit in the rocking chair.


    "Master must have other ways, right?" Li Shiyin caught up to ask again.


    "What other ways could I possibly have?" Qin Ran chuckled, "Did you really think I was some omnipotent immortal?"


    Li Shiyin refused to believe it. She stood by the rocking chair, looking at Qin Ran again and again without saying anything, but her intention was apparent... How could master not have other ways!?


    The sky gradually darkened as bright stars emerged one by one overhead.


    Tian Wenjin still sat slumped there, desperate and lost with no idea what to do next.


    Li Shiyin went into the house to fetch her a cup of water, which she declined. Still holding onto the cup, Li Shiyin walked over to Qin Ran''s side again. She heaved sighs while drinking water, sighing with every sip.


    When the night hadpletely fallen and lights came on from the second floor corridor, Qin Ran finally could not stand Li Shiyin anymore. He went over to Tian Wenjin and stood looking down at her, saying, "I do have a way to save him, one that can not only keep him alive, but also preserve his cultivation."


    In an instant, hope ignited within Tian Wenjin. She raised her head to look at Qin Ran as her eyes lit up in the dark.


    "It''s true that I have no way of extracting the Lion Heart me..." Qin Ran said, "But since I can''t take it out, then just leave it inside him and don''t remove it."


    Tian Wenjin did not understand how this constituted a treatment. She waited for Qin Ran''s exnation.


    "His physique and cultivation have been wrecked by the Lion Heart me beyond salvation." Qin Ran said, "Then just let them be, leave the Lion Heart me inside him as his heart."


    "Would that work?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "To use the Lion Heart me as his heart, one condition needs to be met..." Qin Ran exined, "The Lion Heart me is an energy substance without physical form, therefore the human body must also be an energy body."


    "Turn the human body into... an energy body?" Li Shiyin''s big round eyes were full of puzzlement.


    "That''s right." Qin Ran nodded. "The Mad me Crystal of the Lionheart Raging me Beast can aplish this. But before the Mad me Crystal turns his body into an energy body, the Demon Pill of the Lionheart Raging me Beast needs to remodel his body to bepatible with the Mad me Crystal."


    "So... to save him this way, we need both the Mad me Crystal and Demon Pill of the Lionheart Raging me Beast."


    "Where to find those?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "It''s the Mad me Crystal..." Qin Ran corrected her, "The mes spewed by the Lionheart Raging me Beast are different from ordinary cultivators'' Inner Fire, they are not Inner Fire but mes discharged from the Mad me Crystal in its body. They are mes unique to the Lionheart Raging me Beast--that''s why it is so powerful."


    "The one Huang Feiyu went to hunt this time was precisely the Lionheart Raging me Beast..." He looked to Tian Wenjin and asked, "Did they seed?"


    "Yes!" Tian Wenjin nodded.


    "Then you need to purchase both the Mad me Crystal and Demon Pill of the Lionheart Raging me Beast." Said Qin Ran.


    "Alright!" Tian Wenjin promptly got up, about to fly to Sword Peak.


    "Wait!" Qin Ran shouted for her to stop.


    "What''s the matter?" Tian Wenjin turned back.


    "The Mad me Crystal and Demon Pill are the most valuable parts of the Lionheart Raging me Beast. How are you going to buy those two things from them?" Qin Ran asked.


    Tian Wenjin did not know, she could only say, "I... I''ll plead with them."


    "Other than new disciples like you all, pleading does not work on cultivators!" Qin Ran stated, "Things like requests, feelings, brotherhood--none of that matters to them!


    "Cultivators are even more terrifying than capitalists, because cultivators can truly suck blood dry, they can also disregard profits altogether."


    Tian Wenjin fell silent.


    Qin Ran sighed. In a hushed voice, he instructed Li Shiyin, "The left drawer under the desk in the study room... go take the spirit stones."


    "How many to take?" Li Shiyin asked.


    Qin Ran considered briefly, then said, "Bring all the low grade ones."


    Li Shiyin fetched the spirit stones. Qin Ran signaled for her to hand them to Tian Wenjin, saying, "These are personally lent to you by me, 4,500 pieces in total."


    "Thank you..." Other than uttering these two words, Tian Wenjin did not know what else to say. With Li Shiyin''s assistance, she put away the spirit stones and bowed repeatedly in gratitude.


    But Qin Ran still shook his head pessimistically. He said, "4,500 pieces--if they still retain a shred of humanity, you may be able to buy one of the Demon Pill or Mad me Crystal. But what about the other one?"


    Tian Wenjin did not know, yet she finally flew off on her sword.


    "To be able to see such true and pure emotions in the Immortal Cultivation world..." Qin Ran praised, "It''s really rare, it can even be called great."


    "Master is also very loving!" Li Shiyin disagreed. Didn''t Master help them out of love and emotion?


    Qin Ran''s face darkened as he red at her and harrumphed before turning back into the room. If it wasn''t for this little girl, would he have helped?


    "What''s wrong with Master again?" Li Shiyin was puzzled and asked Long Qiqi.

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85


    The next morning, Tian Wenjin rode the morning breeze to Dan Peak. She found Qin Ran at the log cabin and took out two stacked boxes, saying, "Mad me Crystal and Demon Pill."


    Qin Ran was drawing boundary lines on the ground. Hearing this, he was very surprised. He put down the mud ash, got up, and took the boxes from Tian Wenjin. He discovered that there really was a Mad me Crystal and a demon pill from the Lionheart Raging me Beast inside. He closed the boxes, frowning as he looked over Tian Wenjin, and asked, "How did you aplish this?!"


    "She sold her life sword," Li Shiyin said, jumping out of a mud pit holding a broken sword, with aplicated expression.


    She had just seen under the mud pit that Tian Wenjin had flown over using a flight magic technique, rather than riding a sword over.


    Qin Ran looked deeply at Tian Wenjin. The cultivation world... No, this world surprisingly still has such a sentimental and righteous woman, which is truly admirable.


    He didn''t say anything more. He directly took Tian Wenjin to the first floor earth me chamber in the research building. Last night, he had simply made a bed there for Huang Feiyu and housed him here.


    "The treatment is divided into three steps. First, use the demon pill to change Huang Feiyu''s physique into that of a Lionheart Raging me Beast. Second, fuse the Mad me Crystal with Huang Feiyu''s golden core to rece his golden core. Third, during the fusion process between the Mad me Crystal and golden core, remove his heart and let the lionheart me rece his heart. Finally, if the lionheart me connects to the Mad me Crystal, then it will be considered a sess." Qin Ran briefly introduced Tian Wenjin to the treatment n.


    But Tian Wenjin only said, "I don''t understand. I''ll have topletely rely on Martial Uncle."


    Qin Ran sighed. When God opens a door for you, he never forgets to close a window. It seemed that Tian Wenjin was the same as Li Shiyin - beautiful on the outside, extremely talented, but exasperatinglycking in learning ability.


    "Then you two can watch here. I''m going to concoct pills," he said.


    "Concoct pills?" Tian Wenjin asked.


    "Changing his physique will be a gradual and lengthy process," Qin Ran still exined. "I will refine the demon pills into medicinal pills and use medicinal baths to temper and change his physique."


    "Oh," Tian Wenjin nodded. She felt like an idiot or a puppet. It was better not to speak.


    "Master..." At this time, Li Shiyin suddenly raised her hand and asked, "Didn''t you say Martial Brother Huang has a water spirit root? How can a water spirit root fuse with the fire-attributed Mad me Crystal?!"


    "Hm?" Qin Ran''s eyes lit up as he looked towards Li Shiyin. Could he have underestimated this foolish disciple? She was actually able to notice this kind of issue! But at a nce, he saw Long Qiqi next to Li Shiyin and instantly understood...


    He had gotten excited over nothing. He had thought his foolish disciple had be enlightened.


    "The lionheart me has been burning inside him for a long time. Not to mention the water inside his golden core, even the water in his spirit root has been burned away," although Long Qiqi was the one who had asked, he still exined: "Currently, there is only pure mana left in his golden core without any attributes."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded vaguely.


    "Then Master..." She was about to ask another question.


    "Alright!" Qin Ran raised his hand to stop her and pointed at Long Qiqi, "Ask her yourself!"


    Long Qiqi then walked out timidly and said, "During the treatment, you''re integrating the demon pills and removing his heart. How can you ensure he won''t die during the process? Also, how can you ensure perfect integration between the demon pill and human without rejection?"


    "The essence of this treatment is to substitute his body with the demon pills and his golden core with the Mad me Crystal. If his body rejects the demon pill, then abandon the body. If the Mad me Crystal rejects the golden core, then abandon the golden core," Qin Ran said. "As for whether he''ll die or not, that depends on luck... Humans can die from death of the flesh, brain death, or death of the soul. His body is already dead. I will use techniques and pills to ensure his brain and soul don''t die. But whether he can survive after the treatment, I don''t know."


    "Aren''t you artificially creating a humanoid Lionheart Raging me Beast?" Long Qiqi understood and voiced her doubts.


    Qin Ranughed. He looked at Long Qiqi and said, "Child, you''ve touched upon the crux of this treatment method."


    After some time, Qin Ran went to refine the demon pills into medicine pills... Not actually medicine pills, but he had added herbs to make the demonic energy in the demon pills be milder.


    Then he came back and drove away the idle people from the earth me chamber. Qin Ran took out various pills next to Huang Feiyu - Spirit Fusing Pill, Great Returning Pill, Longevity Pill, Ice Sealing Pill, and so on. Finally, he looked at the young man and sighed, "I can only hope you won''t fail to live up to such a good girl."


    Using top-quality Great Returning Pills to treat the body, Ice Sealing Pills to neutralize the me intensity, then separating the soul, Qin Ran protected Huang Feiyu''s sea of consciousness. Gripping scalding pills refined from the demon pills of the top-tier level 4 Lionheart Raging me Beast, he took a deep breath, activated the earth me, and sent Huang Feiyu''s body above it. At the same time, he ced the demon pills between Huang Feiyu and the earth me.


    The earth me surged upwards, burning the demon pills and roasting Huang Feiyu... The berserk demonic energy within the demon pills from the Lionheart Raging me Beast evaporated under the stimtion of the earth me. Then it was burned by the earth me into Huang Feiyu''s body.


    Qin Ran''s profound mana like a great sea surged out. He simultaneously controlled the size of the earth me, the changes in demonic energy, protected Huang Feiyu''s body, and continuously threw out pills and herbs...


    It was hard to believe this was something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could do.


    Outside the research building by the riverbank, two beauties and a little one.


    Tian Wenjin''s face was full of worry. She hugged herself and soullessly watched the distance - this was a family member anxiously awaiting news outside the ER.


    Li Shiyin squatted by the riverside, waving her hands to y with Shadowchaser in the water. Tigers were the only felines that liked ying in water. When the weather grew hotter, Shadowchaser loved to blow bubbles in the water. They were two silly children.


    Long Qiqi knit her brows, pinching her chin, lost in thought. She was a cold-blooded, ruthless schemer.


    At some point, a wildly fierce and powerful aura suddenly dispersed from the research building, striking fear into people''s hearts because that was the aura of the top-tier level 4 Lionheart Raging me Beast.


    This aura made Shadowchaser pause his y and blink his big eyes curiously. It made Long Qiqi''s back turn cold, almost causing her to transform back into her original shape. Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin looked back at the research building, worried that something had happened.


    After quite a while, the aura finally receded and Long Qiqi regained her calm. She looked at Tian Wenjin then Li Shiyin and asked, "What is your master''s level of cultivation?"


    "Late Foundation Establishment," Li Shiyin answered.


    "What level is the Lionheart Raging me Beast?" Long Qiqi asked again.


    "Golden... Golden Core?" Li Shiyin said uncertainly.


    But when Tian Wenjin heard Long Qiqi''s words, she realized something and her expression changed as she looked over in shock.


    "Have any of you thought..." Long Qiqi''s tender voice rang out, "With Qin Ran''ste Foundation Establishment cultivation, how can he control the Golden Core demonic energy of a Lionheart Raging me Beast?!"


    No one had thought about it...


    Purely because she panicked, Tian Wenjin subconsciously believed her Martial Uncle''s cultivation level would be very high too.


    As for Li Shiyin, she thought her master was invincible in the world. Also, how could her sly old fox master possibly make such a low-level mistake?


    But now hearing Long Qiqi''s reminder, Tian Wenjin... Only Tian Wenjin realized things. Li Shiyin still didn''t think it was a big deal. Tian Wenjin''s face greatly changed and she turned to run into the research building, wanting to stop Qin Ran''s treatment.


    But Li Shiyin reacted quickly. Her figure shed and she arrived before Tian Wenjin, saying to her: "You aren''t allowed to go in!"


    Without another word, Tian Wenjin chopped out a palm towards Li Shiyin. Thunder and lightning carried on her palm and was extremely overbearing. Li Shiyin simply shifted sideways and her upraised right hand formed a sword. Sword energy surged from it as she drew it across, easily severing the thunder and lightning.


    "Sword energy?!" Tian Wenjin recognized it and couldn''t help but stop.


    "You can''t beat me. It''s best if you obediently stay here," Li Shiyin probed Tian Wenjin''s skill with one exchange. In conclusion, Tian Wenjin only had superficial cultivation without any techniques. Her cultivation was hollow and she had no power to fight her. Li Shiyin lifted her chin arrogantly like a proud swan and said, "That''s my master inside. If even I am not worried, why are you worried?"


    After being impulsive, Tian Wenjin also calmed down. She took two deep breaths and finally didn''t continue walking inside.


    Not long after they faced off, Qin Ran walked out from the research building, having already changed his clothes and wiping sweat off himself. He said to Tian Wenjin, "The surgery... the transformation went very smoothly, but whether he lives or not depends on himself."

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86


    The current situation is that Huang Feiyu''s physical body, Earth me, demon pill, and medicinal pellets are in a bnced state. With the help of the Earth me, Huang Feiyu''s body is being transformed by the demon pill, while the medicinal pellets are repairing the damage to his body caused by the Earth me and demon pill - a dynamic equilibrium.


    Huang Feiyu''s body is undergoing transformation, but it is still unknown when the transformation will beplete.


    Standing outside the Earth me Chamber, Tian Wenjin looks through the spell formation at Huang Feiyu lying in the Earth me and asks, "How long will it take?"


    "He is a Golden Core cultivator with a strong physique. At the shortest, ten days to half a month. At the longest..." Qin Ran shakes his head. "If he actively resists, and his body''s recovery capability exceeds the transformation capability of the demon pill, then that would be an unknown."


    Tian Wenjin is silent for a long time.


    "Master, why have you changed your clothes?" Li Shiyin asks Qin Ran at the side.


    Qin Ran res at her without answering.


    Naturally, the reason is that his previous clothes were burnt by the lion heart me.


    What Huang Feiyu will be in the end now has little to do with Dan Peak.


    To be honest, as far as Qin Ran is concerned, he has really done his utmost - he used his own money to save Huang Feiyu.


    The reason is, 10% because Huang Feiyu is not a bad person and left him with a decent impression; 20% because Tian Wenjin''s deep feelings moved him; the remaining 70% is because of his silly apprentice.


    Leaving Huang Feiyu to slowly transform in the Earth me Chamber, Dan Peak still has its own matters to attend to.


    Qin Ran continues to draw the foundations, study the blueprints, construct the spell formations, and build amodations for Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind as soon as possible.


    Li Shiyin continues to cut stones. The stones unearthed this time exceeded Li Shiyin¡¯s imagination. After cutting for two days, she still hasn¡¯t finished, and there seems to be a lot more further down.


    Chasing the Wind carries his wood frame around, transporting blocks of stones up and down.


    Long Qiqi continues to separate the sand and soil.


    Tian Wenjin keeps Huang Feiyupany in the Earth me Chamber for a while beforeing out.


    When she looks out at the big pit on this side of the river, she sees the giant snake beside it and gets a shock. She hurriedly looks left and right for her sword before remembering that she had sold it. She can only yell, "Snake... There''s a snake... A demonic beast... Quick,e over, there''s a demonic beast, it''s dangerous!"


    With a tter, a wood framees over, emitting indistinct sounds: "No... se..."


    "?" Tian Wenjin looks all over the wood frame before spotting a little white tiger with ck patterns below it. She knows this is the spirit beast of Dan Peak called Chasing the Wind or something.


    But... His cute big eyes are looking at her seriously, his mouth opening and closing as if he is talking?!


    Tian Wenjin quickly ps herself twice on the face. Could it be that she is too grief-stricken and having hallucinations? How can a spirit beast speak humannguage!


    She suspects someone nearby is ying tricks and looks around carefully, especially at the dark red snake, while shouting at the little white tiger across the river, "Where are Master Qin and Li Shiyin? Where are they? Hurry over, there''s a demonic beast, it''s dangerous!"


    Chasing the Wind tilts his head cutely, seemingly unable to understand what Tian Wenjin is saying. He turns around and calls out, "Dad..."


    "He really is talking!" This bizarre scene frightens Tian Wenjin into covering her mouth. What¡¯s going on in this world? Or has she been hit with some kind of mystic art? Is she mentally unstable?


    Fortunately, Qin Ranes over in time.


    He pats the wood frame, signaling Chasing the Wind not to make trouble here and to hurry back to work. After Chasing the Wind tters away, he says to Tian Wenjin, "That snake is a demon, the little girl you saw previously. Her name is Long Qiqi, a very cute child."


    Hearing him praise her like this, Long Qiqi''s massive snakelike body swirls around. She opens her huge, gaping mouth, revealing two rows of sharp fangs, flicking out a blood-red snake tongue, seeminglyughing...


    Albeit far too horrifying.


    "Chasing the Wind is also a demon beast. I''m trying to teach him to speak. But he''s too stupid and learning slowly. Now he can only say some words and pronounce them unclearly."


    Although Qin Ran has exined, Tian Wenjin still feels uneasy. She didn''t feel that way previously, so why does Dan Peak seem so strange now?


    "They only look very fierce but are actually harmless..." For some reason, Qin Ran feels like he has be Tang Seng, trying hard to convince others that his three disciples are harmless. "Feel free to take a look if you like. If not, you can simply head back. Once the first phase of transformation isplete, I''ll have Shiyin inform you at Sword Peak."


    "No... no need." Tian Wenjin shakes her head. "I can wait... Please, just focus on what you need to do. Don''t worry about me."


    Qin Ran gestures at the dirt on himself and smiles. "Indeed very busy, and time is tight." He takes two steps away before remembering something. Turning back, he says, "Shiyin is cutting stones below. Go take a look, there may be something for you."


    After Qin Ran leaves and disappears behind that honey locust tree, Tian Wenjin crosses the bridge to this side of the river.


    There are several clumps of medicinal herbs close to the riverbank on this side, but Tian Wenjin doesn¡¯t recognize them. Only a few flowers that look like swans arching their necks stand out as exceptionally beautiful, catching her attention for several more nces.


    She circles as far away from the giant snake as possible andes to the big pit¡¯s edge to peer down. At the bottom of the pit is a jumble of stone walls. On the stone walls, Li Shiyin wields a damaged sword, shing forward. A faint purple glow shes on and off along the sword¡¯s edge as it cleaves open the stone wall. She does the same several times horizontally and vertically before cutting out neat rectangr stone blocks from the stone wall.


    From her position above, Tian Wenjin estimates that those stone blocks are roughly the same size.


    "What terrifying control!" She can''t help but exim in admiration. "Her hands are steady as rock... Not only does she possess sword qi, but her mastery over it is also superb. Every sword strikends with precision. I already can¡¯tpare with her - she has surpassed me by a wide margin!"


    After cutting down a pile of stone blocks, Li Shiyin turns back and waves at Tian Wenjin above the mud pit with a smile. She then helps Chasing the Wind transport the blocks onto his wood frame.


    Right here, right now, it is just like back then.


    Back then, Tian Wenjin stood at the top of the pit looking down at Li Shiyin, lofty as an immortal sword cultivator descending into the mortal world - an unparalleled talent. While covered in mud at the bottom of the pit, Li Shiyin was like a peasant girl.


    They stand at the same positions now, with Tian Wenjin still dressed magnificently while Li Shiyin remains covered in dirt. But the rtive standing of the two has switched. It is now that dirty peasant girl wielding staggering sword cultivator bearing.


    Complex emotions well up inside Tian Wenjin as she recalls hers and Huang Feiyu¡¯s wager. Yet the bet has not even started and she has already lost... Meanwhile the other party has also copsed.


    With a sigh, she turns to leave.


    Sitting below the honey locust tree, Qin Ran scrutinizes the terrain in front and holds a pen, sketching and writing on paper.


    Tian Wenjin approaches him. Qin Ran does not avoid her. She sees densely packed criss-crossing lines on the paper, rows of horizontal and vertical words.


    "What are you drawing?" She asks.


    His entire body covered in dirt like a construction worker, Qin Ran turns back and smiles. "Spell formations."


    He points them out to her, "That¡¯s the residence for Chasing the Wind. Moving forward, Chasing the Wind has to condense darkness... That¡¯s Long Qiqi¡¯s residence. She¡¯s a snake demon who likes shade and is of the fire attribute... This will be the cultivation residence Li Shiyin will use to train her star-based sword art, requiring the aggregation of star power.


    "Arranging these spell formations individually is easy, but intertwined together, it could easily go wrong..."


    Qin Ran says a lot more but Tian Wenjin understands very little. By the end, only envy lingers in her heart.


    After another busy day, dinner is barbecue outdoors with soft drinks from the fridge.


    The previous batch was entirely guzzled up by Chasing the Wind. Over the past few days, Qin Ran has remade a new batch.


    This allows Tian Wenjin and Long Qiqi to sample this otaku¡¯s holy gift from another world. After drinking it, Long Qiqi eximsing to Dan Peak was fortunate.


    As for Tian Wenjin, ever since embarking on the path of cultivation, this is the first time she is consuming food again. The ice-cold soft drink dancing in her mouth, the aromatic barbecue meat bursting with juices...


    She wants to cry so badly.

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87


    When Chasing the Wind was small, he was tiny, like a cat. Qin Ran raised him like a cat, letting him sleep on the sofa or in his and Li Shiyin''s bed.


    But in the blink of an eye, Chasing the Wind grew so big, he could tear down the house...


    The sofa was torn apart by him, and now that he''s a big guy, it''s not suitable for him to sleep with people anymore. So...he has nowhere to sleep now.


    What''s more, these days Qin Ran is still angry at him for wrecking the house. So he has to sleep outside on the grass every day.


    Sleeping on the grass isn''t a long-term solution. It''s nice weather now, but what if it rains... Plus, with Long Qiqi newly arrived, she has nowhere to sleep either. So building them lodgings is the most urgent matter.


    Qin Ran hasn''t done anything else these past few days, just building lodgings for them. By this afternoon, they were finallypleted.


    A small one-storey brick house, partitioned into three rooms, with a wood house ced horizontally and vertically around it, enclosing Dan Peak''s old locust tree, looking as if under the shade of the locust tree.


    The outermost room has the best lighting and is left for Li Shiyin''s cultivation. The middle room where the sunlight ispletely blocked by the locust leaves, appearing dark, is Long Qiqi''s room. The innermost room that no one wanted is Chasing the Wind''s.


    After the rooms were built, everyone ran in and out, looking around. Although there''s nothing inside the bare rooms now, they still yed tag happily.


    Long Qiqi went in and out twice. Discovering something strange, she avoided the childish duo of Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind, running over to ask Qin Ran, "Why is the inside so much bigger than it looks from the outside?"


    "Because of the Universe Formation!" Li Shiyin shouted from the doorway.


    Long Qiqi looked at Li Shiyin, not understanding why this silly girl was so smug.


    "The formation, did you set it up?" she asked.


    "My master set it up!" Li Shiyin raised her chin, still very smug.


    Long Qiqi couldn''t help asking, "What does it have to do with you?"


    "Nothing!" Li Shiyin replied, not discouraged at all.


    Long Qiqi rolled her eyes. She really had no way to deal with someone so shameless.


    "Meow..." Chasing the Wind ran out of his room, streaking over to rub against Qin Ran''s legs. Then he turned around and crashed into Li Shiyin''s arms.


    With his size, it''s a good thing it''s Li Shiyin... If it were anyone else, like Tian Wenjin, they definitely wouldn''t be able to carry Chasing the Wind.


    Li Shiyin steadily caught him. With Chasing the Wind''s head facing Long Qiqi, he obediently wrinkled his lips and bared his fangs at Long Qiqi, looking very fierce!


    Qin Ran watched from the side, shaking his head helplessly.


    Over the past few days because of Long Qiqi, the rtionship between Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind had clearly improved a lot. When facing Long Qiqi, they were always on the same side.


    It gave the feeling of...fools uniting to iste the wise.


    Long Qiqi is smart, sinister, and gloomy. She is clearly not of the same style as the two silly and carefree Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind.


    "The rtionships here are really harmonious," Tian Wenjin said with a smile.


    He wasn''t being sarcastic. He sincerely...envied them.


    Among the peaks where cultivators dwell, which has this kind of lively atmosphere? There is only the immortal cultivators'' lofty attitude and sinister scheming.


    "You''re wee toe often if you like it," said Qin Ran.


    "I still owe you guys 4500 spirit stones..." said Tian Wenjin. "I''lle often from now on."


    "Heh heh!" Qin Ran shook his head.


    After ying for a while in the new house, Li Shiyin took Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind shopping for bedroom supplies. Tian Wenjin went to the Earth me Chamber to watch over Huang Feiyu.


    Qin Ran had nothing to do at the moment, so he went to the riverbank, plucked half the leaves off the awakening grass, and spread out a bamboo winnowing basket to dry them under the eaves of the wood house.


    He took a few awakening grass leaves and put them in a cup like tea leaves, steeping them in hot water.


    What effect does awakening grass have? To nourish the soul.


    Awakening grass can be used to refine Soul Fusion Pill, which is a necessary pill to speed up the fusion of flesh and soul after possession.


    So who needs awakening grass? Naturally, the body snatchers.


    So is Qin Ran a body snatcher? Strictly speaking, yes.


    He crossed over from another world into this one, he wasn''t originally a person of this world. Until he possessed the body of an infant, fusing his soul with the infant''s and turning the infant''s flesh into his own, he became a person of this world.


    In a sense, what he did was snatch a body...


    So his soul and body were a little ipatible. Yes, but apparently he only noticed this issue when cultivating the soul-tempering mnemonic on Dan Peak.


    He nted awakening grass...because he wanted to refine Soul Fusion Pill.


    But only cultivators at the Body Integration Stage can refine Soul Fusion Pill. He still doesn''t know how. He can only settle for steeping awakening grass tea to drink...


    And this wasn''t the first time he''d drunk awakening grass tea...


    Qin Ran carried the awakening grass tea to the sunshade by the deep pit. He put down the cup on the low table andy down on the deck chair, taking out a jade slip from his Cosmic Bag. He immersed his mind and began studying it.


    Recorded in the jade slip was an eye skill called the Phantasm Realm, an eye skill for bewitching the mind and opening an illusory realm.


    After being restricted by the dark twice when going out, Qin Ran had wanted to learn an eye skill long ago. And now another excursion was at hand, so he had to hurry up and cultivate it.


    ording to Qin Ran''s understanding, this eye skill was about inversely changing light rays to alter what enemies see with their eyes, thus achieving an illusory effect.


    Overall it was a rtively ordinary skill. After all, once cultivators reach a slightly higher level, they don''t like using their eyes to look at things.


    But it matched very well with the fundamental skill Qin Ran practiced, the Water Flower Heart Sutra, like Qin Ran''s hiding technique that resembled the ephemeral flower in the mirror, his water duplicates, the illusory flowers in the water, and his defensive technique that turned his body into water, like a dreamscape. They all had an illusory nature.


    After Qin Ran finished reading the contents of the jade slip, he put it down, picked up the awakening tea on the table and took a sip. His inner power automatically operated, going towards the eye''s Bright Hall acupoint ording to the jade slip...


    While cultivating the Phantasm Realm, Li Shiyin returned with Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind.


    She was seen flying on a sword, holding Chasing the Wind in her arms, with Long Qiqi on her back...


    It''s a good thing she''s Li Shiyin. If it were someone else, like Tian Wenjin, they definitely wouldn''t be able to carry both Chasing the Wind and Long Qiqi.


    Chasing the Wind is quite big now, about the size of arge dog. Held in Li Shiyin''s arms, it looked very disproportionate. His weight might not even be certain.


    However, Chasing the Wind himself had no self-awareness at all. He still mewled coquettishly, feeling it was perfectly suitable. You could see the moment he touched the ground, he excitedly jumped out of Li Shiyin''s arms. The eye could only capture his afterimage as he madly streaked into his room, crashing into the door with a "bang", making a hole.


    "Meow meow, ze is sick..." he called out.


    Qin Ran looked back at the door that had only been alive for less than a day, and couldn''t help sighing to the sky.


    He was worried about just how many things Chasing the Wind would ruin in the future...


    "Should make a scratching post for Chasing the Wind to sharpen his ws..." Qin Ran thought, opening his mouth to say to Li Shiyin, "Shiyin, why don''t you carve a scratching post for Chasing the Wind!"


    "Scratching post?" Li Shiyin put Long Qiqi down at this time, asking puzzledly.


    "For Chasing the Wind to sharpen his ws, so he doesn''t wreak havoc on other things."


    "Oh oh!" Li Shiyin understood with a nod. "Okay..."


    She asked Chasing the Wind inside the house, "Chasing the Wind, what would you like?"


    "Daddy meow..." came Chasing the Wind''s voice from inside the hole.


    "?" Qin Ran suddenly had an ominous feeling.

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88


    Two more days passed, and Qin Ran learned the Illusory Realm eye technique, nning to go out and form his core.


    When night fell, he tidied up, put on a full suit of pitch-ck clothes, and walked out of his room into the corridor, leaping over the railing in one step.


    In midair, he looked back to the side, outside the kitchen of the wooden house, the brick and tile townhouse on the side, that was, outside Chasing the Wind¡¯s room, under the old locust tree, there was a stone statue of him.


    This statue was very ugly. First, don''t explore the aesthetics of the carving technique and so on. Just looking at its outline, it looks like something made after studying modeling for three years. It was just a weird thing.


    In thete night, leaving it there was quite creepy.


    Well, yes, this was the cat scratching post that Li Shiyin had carved out of the stone for Chasing the Wind.


    "What sin have Imitted!" Qin Ran looked up to the sky, wanting to cry but no tears came out. He could only unfold his figure, step on the wind, and fly out of the Dao Sword Sect¡¯s Dan Peak, quickly leaving this sad ce.


    "Eh? Where is Dad going sote?"


    In the innermost room, Chasing the Wind opened his eyes in the darkness, a pair of ck but shiny big eyes appeared in the dark, watching Qin Ran¡¯s figure disappear through the big hole in the door, and he was very curious.


    Thinking this, he jumped out of his cat¡¯s nest in one step, pounced forward, melted into the darkness, and followed Qin Ran¡¯s scent.


    Simply put, forming one¡¯s core is to twist and squeeze the magic power in one¡¯s Dantian, with the air vortex as the center, and knead it into a core.


    From this point of view, there is only one problem, that is, the air vortex and magic power are both energy, and it is all the energy that a cultivator has absorbed during the Foundation Establishment stage. To gather these energies together andpress them into a core, it is obviously too difficult.


    And when you have to do something important, difficult, and that others can''t help with and you can only do yourself, it¡¯s best to find a safe and suitable ce and close in to n for the long term.


    Originally, as a sect member, it would be most appropriate and safest for Qin Ran to form his core within the sect. But this person was too cautious, he only wanted to hide, didn¡¯t want to reveal himself, plus he had just discovered someone targeting schemes against the Dao Sword Sect, so he didn¡¯t dare form his core in the sect anymore.


    So going out to find a shady ce to form his core was Qin Ran''s choice at the moment.


    Out of Dan Peak, Qin Ran followed the mountain range along the secluded corner of the Guardian Mountain Formation, flew low all the way, and soon came to the bank of a big river, the big river was the mother river of the Northern Chu Kingdom, called the Cang River. He jumped into the river, performed the Immortal in Water, assimted into the water, and then flowed upstream, all the way to the source of the Cang River.


    The source of the Cang River was at the northernmost edge of the Hengduan Mountains range, this was the highest point of the Hengduan Mountains, conservatively estimated to be 10,000 meters high. The mountain top was covered with snow all year round. The snow on the mountain eventually melted and gathered into the source of the Cang River.


    Qin Ran naturally didn¡¯t n to go to the top of the mountain to cross the tribtion, he stopped at the foot of the mountain, jumped out of the river, regained his human form, and put on the ck clothes.


    He found a t huge rock by the river bank, checked around, there was no threat, and then flew as high as he could within his limits, opened his eyes technique, and searched arge area.


    The illusion realm is essentially a method of developing the potential of the eyes, so although it is not a technique specifically for night vision, telescopic vision and other capabilities, it still has a certain degree of night vision and telescopic vision.


    After confirming that there was no one nearby¨Cto be honest, it would be difficult to find someone in such a broken ce¨CQin Ran fell from the air and began to set up formations around the huge rock.


    After setting up the formations, he checked the contents of his universe bag again to make sure nothing was missing before he was ready to form his core.


    But after sitting cross-legged on the rock by the river, he still felt uneasy, as if his preparations were still insufficient, not safe enough. So he got up again and made some more preparations nearby before returning to the big rock and officially starting to form his core.


    Forming one''s core, in other words, would be better to call forming an egg. Gather all the magic power in the body as egg white and eggshell, and ce one''s soul in the egg as egg yolk, condensing a golden egg.


    The shell of this golden egg, condensed from magic power, provides protection and nutrition for the soul to hatch, and the hatched soul is the nascent soul.


    Of course, condensing the magic power in the body into an eggshell, breaking through from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Golden Core Stage, this breakthrough process does not require transferring the soul into the golden core.


    Transferring the soul into the golden core is an extremely long process, which will continue from the initial golden core stage to the middle golden core stage. When the soul ispletely transferred into the golden core and the golden core begins to incubate the soul, this stage is actually already thete golden core stage.


    However, even without involving the soul, just condensing the magic power is difficult enough, because it requires the cultivator to have absolute control over the magic power in the body.


    For the vast majority of cultivators, absorbing enough magic power to form a core already requires them to go all out. Talent, treasures, techniques and pills, as long as they can increase their cultivation, they can do anything for it.


    Forming one¡¯s core is already so distant, so grinding qi vortexes, condensing magic power, increasing control over magic power, etc., are too far away for them.


    So pills that can help break through bottlenecks to form one¡¯s core are so important, and alchemists are so important...


    Of course... the above are not issues for Qin Ran at all, because he started preparing to form his core as soon as he started building his foundation.


    If a genius like Li Shiyin was allowed to grow wildly, she would be a core formation cultivator in five years, then spend a long time in the golden core stage, and spend her whole life looking for opportunities to form her nascent soul.


    So how many years has Qin Ran spent in the Foundation Establishment stage?


    A full twenty years.


    It was rare for personally taught disciples of the Dao Sword Sect to stay in the Foundation Establishment stage for twenty years. Even when their masters passed away, they would still be in the Foundation Establishment stage. The disciples of the same batch as Qin Ran had either died already, or had already taken shelter in superior sects, or had already be the pirs of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Huang Feiyu, strictly speaking, was actually a disciple of the same batch as Qin Ran. However, they did note in through the normal path of asking the Dao rituals, they were disciples that the sect leader had secretly epted. Before he was injured, Huang Feiyu, as the personally taught disciple of the Sword Peak¡¯s sect leader, was indeed the pir of the Dao Sword Sect.


    So while others had long formed their cores and left, only Qin Ran was still in the Foundation Establishment Stage.


    On the one hand, he was indeed afraid to form his core. He was afraid to form his core and afraid to cross tribtions. So without 100 percent certainty, he didn¡¯t want to cross tribtions; On the other hand, he knew that his aptitude was not good enough, so he needed to umte more foundations.


    Now that Qin Ran has decided to form his core, does he have 100 percent certainty?


    No.


    Because of Li Shiyin¡¯s arrival and the outbreak of the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow, he needed to protect himself and his disciples in theing crisis. So he had no choice but to form his core ahead of time.


    The n was for him to stay for another few decades until the age of fifty before forming his core, umting foundations, quietly building tribtion transcendence holy grounds, looking for treasures and materials to refine pills and medicines, and he must have 100 percent chance.


    On the day he epted Li Shiyin as his disciple, he did not lie to her.


    And now having to form his core ahead of schedule, he probably only has...


    98 percent certainty.


    ¡°s...¡± Qin Ran felt uneasy in his heart, looked up at the pitch-ck sky, and always felt unstable.


    98 percent, not 100 percent, meant there would be idents.


    But after struggling for a moment, he gritted his teeth and started mobilizing his magic power...


    Gamble it!

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89


    It wasmon knowledge in the Cultivation World that when cultivators broke through a realm, they would induce heavenly tribtion in the form of lightning strikes.


    The prevalent exnation was that cultivators plundered the fortune of heaven and earth during their cultivation journey. Cultivators were like fleas to heaven and earth, thieves and robbers, parasites. Thus, the Heavenly Dao would punish them.


    How would it punish them? By striking them down with lightning at the moment of strength growth - an apt punishment for cultivators. As lightning was extremely rigid and yang, it was best suited to discipline cultivators.


    However, Qin Ran felt such an exnation was too metaphysical, unscientific. He proposed a scientific perspective.


    He believed: Heaven and earth were impartial, viewing all living beings as straw dogs. In truth, heaven and earth had no subjective will, no thought of meting out punishment. Cultivators being struck by lightning upon breaking through a realm was merely an objectivew, simr to conservation of energy, the invariability of the speed of light, and such.


    He conjectured:


    When cultivators advanced realms, they would absorb a lot of spiritual energy at once. Such drastic spiritual energy changes would cause meteorological changes. These changes would result in clouds gathering above the cultivator''s location due to the spiritual energy, then collide to produce lightning. As the cultivator sat at the exact center, they would be struck.


    Based on this theory, he proposed many methods to cross the tribtion, like Faraday Cages and lightning rods borrowed from Earth, or using clones to substitute his true self at the tribtion''s center...


    So he was not worried about the tribtion. Of course, he was not worried about forming his golden core either. What concerned him was the 0.2% chance of failure, possible idents.


    Converging his sea of qi''s power to form a golden core was very simple for Qin Ran. His control over his body''s power could bepared to how easily he could flip his hand over.


    Qin Ran sat cross-legged atop a giant boulder, closed his eyes, and activated his cultivation technique to start forming his core. His sea of qi whirlpool spun, driving his massive ocean of power along. His foundation was extremely thick - his sea of qi was like a true sea.


    As his power spun with the whirlpool, his entire sea of qi moved. Its momentum was spectacr, the sound propagating outside his body with the crash of tidal waves. It could be heard from very far, even on the Snow Mountain.


    The sound grew ever louder and more intense, initially like waves stirred by a gentle breeze. Soon, the breeze intensified into a storm, then a hurricane and a tornado. Listening to it evoked the imagery of hundreds-of-meters tall waves surging forth to overwhelm the earth. It was a true earth-overturning, mountain-toppling spectacle.


    Qin Ran''s eyebrows suddenly furrowed. His sea of qi''s power seemed to exceed his estimates, though not yet beyond his control. Yet keeping it in check was somewhat strenuous. The time required to form his core might end up slightly longer than nned...right?


    As the night darkened, the sun rose from behind the Snow Mountain. The piercing reflected light shone upon this ce. Qin Ran sat motionless atop the boulder. With the fading darkness, a little white tiger emerged beside the boulder. It crouched there, head tilted in puzzlement as it watched Qin Ran.


    "What is daddy doing?"


    The sun crossed the sky as the moon rose. In the darkness, a ck shadow pounced onto the boulder, carrying a snow hare in its jaw. It lowered its head and bit into the hare...


    "Bleh! Not tasty. I''ll save it for daddy." It brought the hare next to Qin Ran.


    The moon set and the sun rose again. The white Chasing the Wind sprawledzily atop the boulder.


    "So hungry! When will daddy wake up..."


    That night, the starving Chasing the Wind ran off to hunt an unidentified bird. It returned with the bird in its jaws, plucking out feathers with its mouth one by one.


    "Mmgh! Annoying! When will daddy help me pluck feathers?"


    And at that moment, the wind suddenly picked up, surrounding the giant boulder!


    The abrupt gale made Chasing the Wind jerk up its head sharply. Its glowing ck eyes in the dark revealed a ferocious re as it scanned its surroundings warily.


    The wind grew increasingly strong, stirring the clouds above. The weather changed violently as ck clouds swiftly gathered.


    Within Qin Ran, after his sea of qi churned wildly for two days, things finally changed.


    The central vortex abruptly stilled, sharply contracting to a single point - the origin point of his golden core and soul''s resting ce. It became the genesis point, the origin of the Dao that gives rise to all things. It became the primordial "One" that precedes the myriads of life, the one that the Dao originates from.


    As that point formed, a profound ripple emanated out from it, propagating beyond his sea of qi and out of his body into the outside world. His sea of qi''s power no longer spun but stilled, copsing inward toward that central point...


    The void left by his copsing power activated his cultivation technique to automatically draw in heaven and earth''s spiritual energy to fill the void.


    As his internal power imploded faster, more spiritual energy was frantically absorbed, making the external winds strengthen.


    Meanwhile, the ripple from his initial "One" point spread very very far. Ordinary people could not sense it, but any nearby high-level cultivators or demon beasts could detect something off.


    For example, a certain five-tailed demon fox atop a snowy mountain.


    "What''s this?" She froze for a moment, sensing the arcane ripple. "Dao aura? A heaven-defying treasure has appeared?"


    Excited, her five fluffy tails unfurled like a peacock''s. She swiftly dashed toward the pulse''s origin on all fours.


    Drawing nearer, she saw the strange sight of inverted clouds and howling winds there. Within the churning dark clouds were purplish golden electric snakes.


    "Tribtion lightning?" Her bewitching narrow fox eyes widened. "Has my predestined fortune arrived?"


    She immediately rushed right into the storm without further thought.


    There was also a certain vanguard team exploring within the Hengduan Mountains.


    The leader was an austere middle-aged man who appeared in his forties. He was riding a cloud with six Immortal Sect disciples, investigating the Devil-Devouring Demon Willow''s outbreak. Sensing the pulse, Elder Ning frowned and abruptly halted.


    "Elder Ning, did you discover something?" A handsome youth promptly asked.


    "Someone''s forming their core!" Elder Ning said grimly.


    "Forming one''s core?" A peerless beautyughed. "What''s worth noting about that?"


    "This person has an exceedingly deep foundation, beyond you lot!" Elder Ning sternly surveyed his disciples.


    "Oh?" Interest piqued, the handsome youth replied, "For such a figure to appear in this secluded edge of the Land of Immortal Legacy, he''s indeed worth meeting."


    Elder Ning then led them by riding the clouds toward the pulse''s origin.


    Soon, they saw the bizarre sight of inverted leaden clouds with purplish golden electric snakes within.


    "Purple Cloud Thunder Tribtion?" The peerless beautyughed. "All this fuss for just a Purple Cloud Tribtion?"

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 90


    The spiritual power in Qin Ran''s dantian copsed towards the center point, gradually, in the very middle of the dantian, a tiny golden core appeared.


    The Golden Core started from an invisible point, as the spiritual power copsed inwards, it gradually grew bigger, from invisible to visible.


    Qin Ran''s divine sense swept over, seeing that the Golden Core was about the size of a needle eye, in an irregr round shape, frantically spinning, the speed of its rotation was so fast, as if all the centripetal force that had previously set the entire dantian spinning was applied to it through some kind of torque.


    The spiritual power was still copsing, and more spiritual qi poured in, so the total amount of spiritual power in the dantian was in a dynamic equilibrium.


    At first, the spiritual qi absorbed by the cultivation method was even more than the spiritual power copsing into the Golden Core, and Qin Ran''s dantian felt swollen and painful; but as the copse speed became faster and faster, the copsed spiritual power gradually matched the absorbed spiritual qi; after that, the copsed spiritual power exceeded the absorbed spiritual qi...


    The speed at which the cultivation method absorbs spiritual qi is a constant, while the speed at which spiritual power copses is an unbounded increasing variable, so there must be a moment when all the spiritual power and spiritual qi in the dantian copse into the Golden Core.


    When the copse speed reached a critical point, this moment came, all the spiritual qi and spiritual power in the dantian copsed down, sweeping itpletely empty!


    "Buzz..."


    It was as if there was such a buzz, Chasing the Wind, who was standing on a boulder in the eye of the storm, shivering as he watched the terrible sight in the sky, seemed to have heard this buzz.


    He lowered his head to look at Qin Ran, with a certain premonition in his heart that things were about to end.


    "The core is formed!" Elder Ning said gravely.


    The peerless beauty calcted the time and frowned her pretty eyebrows, "Isn''t the time a bit too long? From when Elder Ning heard the buzz of the Dao rhyme to today, it''s been almost three days. It''s just condensing a core, how could it take so long?"


    "Firstly, his cultivation base is formidable enough, secondly, his physique is tenacious enough." Elder Ning gave the answer.


    The more formidable the spiritual power, the longer it takes to copse; the more tenacious the physique, the more spiritual qi he can absorb to replenish.


    "That powerful?" The handsome youth praised.


    The five-tailed fox demon, who had lost her way in the storm, also sensed the buzzing sound. She stood still, looked up, and the storm gradually subsided.


    "Is a secret treasure about to emerge?"


    In Qin Ran''s dantian, under his divine sense, the entire dantian was nowpletely empty, only in the very center was a Golden Core the size of a fist.


    The so-called needle-sized, rice-grain-sized, fist-sized Golden Core does not mean that the Golden Core is actually that big inside the cultivator''s body.


    It would be truly strange if a fist-sized Golden Core really appeared in one''s abdomen.


    The Golden Core is not a physical object to begin with. It goes without saying that it is formed by the copse of spiritual power and spiritual qi. Spiritual power and spiritual qi are energy substances, so things formed by them can naturally only be energy substances.


    The Golden Core is located in the dantian, as if it is another vast space. It cannot be seen directly, but can be perceived with divine sense... What is profound is that at this moment, if Qin Ran''s dantian is cut open, a fist-sized Golden Core can be taken out.


    At this moment, the Golden Core slowly rotates in the dantian, emitting thousands of gentle golden rays, these rays shine in the dantian, shine on Qin Ran''s tendons, bones and flesh, constantly strengthening his physical body every moment.


    It is said that "after swallowing the Golden Core, life and death are up to me, not up to heaven," because after entering the Golden Core stage, the cultivator initially grasps the soul, while the physical body is limitlessly enhanced under the illumination of the Golden Core, at this point,pared with mortals, the Golden Core cultivator ispletely another kind of creature.


    "Boom!"


    Suddenly there was a thunderp in the sky, as if a certain existence was reminding the little cultivator below.


    Qin Ran sensed it, opened his eyes and looked up to see a dragon swirling ck clouds surrounding this cepletely, forming a cylinder of ck clouds with a radius of no more than ten feet, and above his head, dark clouds pressed down, with a red electric snake roaming inside.


    "Red tribtion lightning?" Qin Ran frowned, "What level of tribtion lightning is this? Not the Danxiao tribtion lightning right? The might of the Danxiao tribtion lightning is not this great! Could it be some other kind of lightning tribtion?"


    The Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion is the most basic kind of tribtion lightning. Generally speaking, ordinary cultivators would only encounter these nine kinds of tribtion lightnings, the weaker ones would cross the Jingxiao tribtion lightning, while the stronger ones would cross the Shenxiao tribtion lightning.


    But the might of the tribtion lightning overhead does not match the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion that Qin Ran knows.


    "s, idents still happened as expected!" Qin Ran shook his head and sighed, "Prepared too little, read too few books..."


    "Daddy..."


    At this moment, a vague, soft, tender voice suddenly came from the side. Qin Ran was shocked when he heard this voice, this voice is... He looked over following the voice, and it turned out to be that little rascal Chasing the Wind!


    "How did you get here?!" Qin Ran was dumbfounded, he shouted.


    No matter how hard he racked his brains, he could not figure out why Chasing the Wind would appear at the epicenter of his tribtion.


    But how could the little cat care so much, he trotted over with his four paws, gently rubbed his head against Qin Ran''s legs, and said, "...hungry... hungry!"


    All he knew was that he was very hungry.


    Qin Ran looked to heaven in despair. In the cloudyer above, countless blood-red electric snakes prowled, about to strike down.


    "The second ident..." he murmured, "this is going to kill me!"


    But a hungry child is still a big problem after all. He hurriedly took out the spare food bowl prepared for Chasing the Wind from the Cosmic Bag, and poured him a bowl of Spiritual Beast Pill.


    Chasing the Wind had been hungry for many days. Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey, he threw himself at the food bowl, opened his blood-filled big mouth, and desperately ate.


    Qin Ran reached out with a nk look on his face, cing his hand on the fluffy head of Chasing the Wind. Overhead was the deafening Lightning Tribtion...


    Throughout the ages, traveling the world, he was probably the first cultivator in history to pet a cat during a tribtion lightning.


    "Dammit..."


    The first bolt of tribtion lightning still struck down.


    "It begins." Elder Ning controlled the cloud to observe the spectacle from not too far or too close. When he saw it was scarlet tribtion lightning striking down, he frowned tightly.


    "Why is it red?" The peerless beauty asked. "Wasn''t it purple just now?"


    The handsome youth shook his head and said solemnly, "Whether it is Xuanxiao or Danxiao, it should not be on such a scale... There is something strange about his tribtion lightning!"


    Elder Ning nced at the handsome youth and nodded almost imperceptibly. The boy does have good judgement. Because this tribtion lightning is indeed strange, and he had a horrifying guess in his mind...


    The gale stopped, the dust settled, and there was ck cloud rolling down to the ground over there. In the leaden clouds overhead, the blood-colored electric snakes snarled violently. The five-tailed fox demon stood still as she sensed the might of the scarlet tribtion lightning striking down, she couldn''t help feeling afraid...


    "Scarlet tribtion lightning, could it be some great cmity?!" She thought to herself, "What heaven-defying treasure needs to undergo tribtion?"


    Thinking so, she faltered.


    But after retreating a few steps, she was still unwilling in her heart.


    "What if it really is an opportunity for me?"


    So she turned around again, standing still and watching the tribtion lightning over there, waiting quietly.

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91


    For most cultivators, the Thunder Tribtion is a disaster that could easily lead to annihtion if one is not careful enough.


    However, for some cultivators, it is a great opportunity.


    Qin Ran is one such person.


    When his cultivation was still very low, he came up with the idea of the Tribtion Thunder Pill. With the help of his master, Wang Yuanyi, the Tribtion Thunder Pill became a reality.


    So when he had to cross his own Tribtion, Qin Ran was determined to make good use of the heavenly tribtion.


    The Thunder Tribtion is a punishment from heaven, but what exactly is it? Essentially, it is a massive energy form with the lightning attribute.


    Such a thing can be used to temper one''s body, captured for other purposes, or directly refined to improve one''s cultivation.


    There are many other uses - these are the opportunities below the Thunder Tribtion.


    Qin Ran spent years searching for various cultivation methods before finding one for tempering the body with the lightning of the tribtion... This shows that he is not the first person trying to make use of the heavenly tribtion.


    He integrated various methods and eventually created a suitable path for himself called the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art.


    This art does not bother with fancy stuff. It focuses solely on strengthening one''s physical body... specifically researching how to use the lightning tribtion to temper the body.


    This exactly matched Qin Ran''s intentions. Since he had never been good at fighting and did not n to engage anyone in directbat. He did not need a tribtion lightningbat art. All he wanted was the strongest possible physical body.


    A powerful physique brings many benefits for cultivators...such as faster cultivation speed, faster spellcasting, faster movement speed, greater endurance, etc. These are what Qin Ran was after.


    Now, the first lightning tribtion was about to descend. Qin Ran wanted to seize this chance while the first wave was not too overpowering yet to test out his idea of capturing the lightning to temper his body.


    It is well known that each wave of tribtion lightning is stronger than thest. The first is the weakest, so it is the most suitable for experimentation. Even if he could not withstand the first wave, the damage would not be too great, and he would know not to try again for subsequent waves.


    As the first tribtion lightning descended, Qin Ran circted his movement technique to fly upward. At the same time, he shouted to Chasing the Wind: ¡°Go hide at the edge over there, don¡¯t get struck by the lightning!¡±


    He could no longer worry about Chasing the Wind. Qin Ran directly started circting the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art, internal qi flowing through his body as a faint golden light emerged on his skin...


    Crack!


    The first lightning bolt struck Qin Ran¡¯s body hard as he did not try to evade it at all. He took the hit directly before getting sted down by the lightning, smashing fiercely onto the giant boulder he had prepared to aid his breakthrough. The boulder was instantly smashed into pieces.


    ¡°What is he trying to do?¡± The peerless beauty, Lady You, possessed remarkable eyesight. Peering through the clouds, she saw Qin Ran withstand the tribtion lightning with his physical body. She was very puzzled. ¡°Is he a body cultivator? Doesn¡¯t seem like it!¡±


    ¡°He is borrowing the power of the tribtion lightning to temper his body. A rather good idea...¡± The handsome man exined: ¡°Whether he is a body cultivator or not, having a stronger body is always beneficial.¡±


    ¡°I see...¡± Lady You was knowledgeable and soon understood. ¡°Using the tribtion lightning to temper the body is indeed ingenious for those capable of it. But forcibly tempering the body could easily lead to immediate death. To die under the tribtion lightning, with one''s soul scattered and form extinguished! The price is too great.¡±


    The crowd in the sky looked towards Qin Ran in the dust clouds, waiting to see if he had died directly or seeded in tempering his body.


    Cough!


    Qin Ran could not endure. He spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to get up from within the gravel and debris, his entire body charred ck and tattered.


    ¡°He held on but notpletely... He has failed!¡± Lady You shook her head. ¡°As expected, forcibly tempering the body prevents one from even crossing the tribtion... Greed exceeding one''s limits.¡±


    ¡°No... Look closely.¡± The handsome man smiled.


    Only then did Lady You examine more carefully. She saw that the scorched skin on that battered body cracked and peeled, revealing shiny white flesh radiating golden light underneath.


    ¡°He actually seeded. His physique is incredible... Either a body cultivator or a sword cultivator.¡± Lady You appraised.


    Qin Ran took deep breaths as qi rapidly circted within his body, quickly repairing his damaged flesh. He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power flowing within him, a smile on his face.


    ¡°Sess...¡±


    ¡°Dad...Dad...¡±


    Suddenly, Chasing the Wind¡¯s weak voice sounded out. Qin Ran was startled, then realized something as his expression changed drastically. Following the voice, he saw Chasing the Wind lying twistedly at the edge of the dark clouds, the cub¡¯s snowy white fur charred ck with arcs of bloody lightning still crackling over him asionally.


    Chasing the Wind had still been affected by the tribtion lightning despite obediently retreating to the side as told.


    ¡°Why did he bring his spirit beast along to cross the tribtion?¡± Lady You was mystified. ¡°Does he not know that all living beings are equal under the heavenly tribtion? What a pity that his ignorance and foolishness has harmed such a cute little white tiger.¡±


    In a sh, Qin Ran appeared by Chasing the Wind¡¯s side. He took out two pills - one Dispel Lightning Pill, one supreme-grade healing pellet. He fed both to Chasing the Wind.


    No need to borate on the healing pellet¡¯s purpose. As for the Dispel Lightning Pill, it was specially used to dispel the lighting within one''s body, very useful if struck by lightning - whether ordinary lightning strikes, a cultivator¡¯s lightning abilities, or the heavenly tribtion.


    Naturally, Qin Ran had prepared this pill ahead of crossing his tribtion. He just did not expect to have to use it on Chasing the Wind first.


    Rumble...


    More thunderous roars echoed from the sky, signaling that the next wave of tribtion lightning was imminent and reminding the cultivator below to prepare himself.


    ncing upwards, Qin Ran saw dense clusters of bloody electric snakes slithering about the dark clouds, giving the appearance of a nest of snakes.


    He felt something amiss about this situation. Although the power of tribtion lightning waves were supposed to increase, the level shown already seems far too much stronger than the first wave considering this was still only the start.


    ¡°This won¡¯t do. There will definitely be more affecting Chasing the Windter...¡± But there was no time to analyze the situation. He had to figure out how to save Chasing the Wind first. ¡°If nothing is done, Chasing the Wind will undoubtedly die under the tribtion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right - the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art!¡±


    A sh of inspiration hit him. Although that was a human cultivation method, perhaps he could modify it for Chasing the Wind¡¯s use...


    ¡°No... There¡¯s no time left!¡±


    The heavenly tribtion crackled ready to descend above.


    There was no time left to modify it. He simply pointed and sent an imprint containing the original version of the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art directly into Chasing the Wind¡¯s consciousness via his divine sense.


    ¡°Chasing the Wind, this is a body refinement art that can dispel the tribtion lightning within you!¡± He rapidly exined to Chasing the Wind. ¡°But you¡¯ll need toprehend it yourself to adapt it to your own body.¡±


    Chasing the Wind nkly gazed at Qin Ran with bloodshot eyes.


    ¡°Chasing the Wind, Dad believes in you!¡±


    Qin Ran painfully tore his eyes away from Chasing the Wind¡¯s dazed appearance... How could that silly cub transform a human cultivation method into one suited for a tiger''s body in such a short amount of time?


    The second wave of tribtion lightning struck.


    ncing up, Qin Ran froze in shock...


    ¡°Three waves? Why are there three waves!?¡±


    A thought he should not be worried about shed across his mind - ¡°Can I withstand this?¡±


    Normally, there should only be a single bolt for the second wave, slightly stronger than the first.


    After the first wave, Qin Ran had nned to continue using the second bolt to further temper his body.


    Yet... who could expect the second wave to be three bolts, with each clearly perceivable to be much stronger than the first wave?


    ¡°I won¡¯t... die, will I...¡±


    An involuntary notion crossed his mind.


    But with the tribtion lightning already descending, he had no choice but to face it head-on...

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 92


    "Three waves?!" The unparalleled beauty eximed in shock, "Why would there be three waves?!!"


    In themon knowledge of cultivators in this world, Heavenly Tribtion should descend one wave after another, with each subsequent wave stronger than thest... Moreover, the increase in strength shouldn''t be too drastic.


    No one answered her, because no one knew the reason.


    Only Elder Ning at the very front fell into contemtion, with astonishment shing across his lowered eyes.


    The incredulous conjecture in his mind was being proven step by step.


    Qin Ran got up and flew into the air, circting the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art in his body. The golden light radiating from his golden core made his entire person look golden and dazzling.


    The three blood-colored lightning bolts of Heavenly Tribtion crashed down. He seemed unable to put up any resistance at all, and was mmed down as soon as he made contact.


    He plummeted straight down, his fleshly body prating the earth and stone, and smashed a deep hole in the ground.


    "Why is he still trying to temper his body with the Heavenly Tribtion?!" The peerless beauty asked in bewilderment, "Is he really that greedy?"


    "It''s not greed, it''s toote." The handsome man saw more clearly, "He was trying to save his spirit beast, and didn''t notice the timing and intensity of the Heavenly Tribtion. If it were me, I wouldn''t have thought that the might of the Heavenly Tribtion would increase several fold!"


    "Did he die directly?"


    The handsome man shook his head and said, "He has a deep foundation, this wave of Heavenly Tribtion is not enough to kill him yet."


    He might not survive the next wave though.


    Qin Ran crawled out of the deep hole, his whole body scorched ck, all his hair burnt off, and there were still traces of bloody lightning from the Heavenly Tribtion circting on his body that the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art had failed to absorb.


    Hey prone on the ground, exhaling green smoke from his mouth.


    "Chasing the Wind..." He opened his eyes, hurriedly looking for Chasing the Wind. This Heavenly Tribtion was too strong, Chasing the Wind couldn''t have died, right?


    Chasing the Wind was not dead.


    He soon saw Chasing the Wind at the edge. There was still Heavenly Tribtion on Chasing the Wind''s body. He was lying there, whimpering painfully, with tears in his eyes, looking pitifully at him.


    Seeing this pained Qin Ran''s heart, but Chasing the Wind had ultimately survived. He took a deep breath, propped himself up with one hand, stood up, then walked towards Chasing the Wind.


    As he moved, the scorched skin on his body cracked and peeled off piece by piece, revealing the dark golden skin underneath.


    "He''s not dead, his fleshly body is even stronger now." The handsome man sighed.


    "That little white tiger actually didn''t die either..." The peerless beauty alsomented in surprise. She was rather curious, "What is its bloodline?"


    The handsome man shook his head, he didn''t know either.


    "It should be a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger..." Elder Ning said uncertainly, "It seems to have mutated."


    "Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger?"


    "Approximately a seventh-grade demonic beast." Elder Ning supplemented.


    "Seventh-grade demonic beast?!" The peerless beauty eximed in astonishment. This tiny Foundation Establishment cultivator actually had a seventh-grade demonic beast as a spirit beast?! One should know that a seventh-grade demonic beast was infinitely close to a Core Formation cultivator.


    Chasing the Wind was not dead, and Qin Ran felt somewhat relieved. He walked over and pressed his hand on Chasing the Wind, probing in with his divine sense...


    Sure enough, there were traces of the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art circting in Chasing the Wind''s body. He was using the art''s methods to absorb the Heavenly Tribtion and temper his body.


    Although the mystic art was imperfect, Chasing the Wind had seeded after all. After all, the one with the worst aptitude in the Dan Peak was not him.


    "Well done!" Qin Ran smiled and praised.


    "It hurts..." Chasing the Wind cried.


    "It won''t hurt once you''ve absorbed the Heavenly Tribtion..." Qin Ranforted.


    At the same time, he used his divine sense toprehend Chasing the Wind''s cirction path,pared it to the original cirction path of the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art, and tried to optimize the mystic art for Chasing the Wind.


    "Boom..."


    The clouds above rumbled again, indicating that the next wave of Heavenly Tribtion was about to descend soon.


    Qin Ran looked up and saw that the cloudyer above had thickened. He could clearly sense that arge portion of the Heavenly Tribtion clouds had pressed down.


    The next wave of Heavenly Tribtion would be even stronger.


    "Chasing the Wind..." Qin Ran looked at Chasing the Wind with a firm gaze and said, "Let''s go again!"


    In order to live an ordinary life like a normal person in this dangerous and unpredictable world of cultivation, one would need to put in more effort than the average cultivator.


    "Boom... Boom..."


    As if provoked, the Heavenly Tribtion in the sky rumbled loudly two more times. The clouds roiled even more fiercely!


    After simply streamlining the mystic art for Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran turned back and flew into the air, circting his internal energy to wait for the next wave of Heavenly Tribtion.


    Qin Ran''s clothes had long since been burnt to ashes by the first wave of Heavenly Tribtion, only his Cosmic Bag was preserved by him. He had now thrown that into the pile of rubble. The second wave of Heavenly Tribtion just now had also burnt off all the hair on his body.


    So the scene now was - the dark and heavy Heavenly Tribtion clouds in the sky churning, with bloody lightning shes within, Qin Ran at the eye of the ck vortex, bare naked with his head raised towards the sky, winds howling and sand swirling, his body glowing radiantly.


    "What is he trying to do..." Unable to bear watching such a beautiful scene, the peerless beauty stole nces while asking, "Has he finally decided to cross the Heavenly Tribtion properly, or is he going to continue using it to temper his body?"


    The handsome man''s expression darkened. He could see that Qin Ran was still going to temper his body.


    "He''s crazy!" He couldn''t help but curse.


    He thought very highly of Qin Ran. In this remotend of ancient immortal legacies, it was rare to find a cultivator with such a deep foundation. Previously in his opinion, although the Heavenly Tribtion this time was a bit strange, Qin Ran still had a chance to cross it.


    But now Qin Ran was ying such a dangerous game...


    "Crack!!"


    The Heavenly Tribtion descended, nine waves!!


    "He''s done for!" The handsome man shook his head.


    "Huff..."


    With his golden core spinning rapidly within, energy surging through his veins like tidal waves, Qin Ran raised his hand and unleashed the Golden Core realm mystic art Clear Dream Like Water. An enormous water shield took shape to meet the iing Heavenly Tribtion.


    Was Qin Ran stupid?


    An idiot could never be a sly old fox.


    Was Qin Ran reckless?


    A coward had no right to be called reckless.


    He was neither stupid nor reckless, so how could he possibly do something without assurance?


    He definitely couldn''t withstand nine waves of Heavenly Tribtion, but he could block a portion and resist a portion.


    The Heavenly Tribtion struck, crack! The water shield disintegrated instantly, but each droplet of water blocked the Heavenly Tribtion once more.


    Having been blocked by the water shield, the nine waves of Heavenly Tribtion merged into one, and its might was greatly reduced, only slightly stronger than the second wave.


    Qin Ran stood unmoving in midair as the Heavenly Tribtion crashed down, bathing in the bloody lightning. After tempering his fleshly body with two waves of Heavenly Tribtion, it was already powerful enough. Facing this weakened third wave, he did not struggle as much.


    Below him, the stray Heavenly Tribtion arced into Chasing the Wind''s body. Chasing the Wind got to his feet, circting the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art within to rapidly heal his injuries and strengthen his fleshly body by absorbing the Heavenly Tribtion.


    "What an exquisite shielding technique!" The handsome man praised again, "I thought he would die under this wave of Heavenly Tribtion, didn''t expect he still had an extra trick up his sleeve... How interesting!"


    "His spirit beast is also using the Heavenly Tribtion to temper its body..." The peerless beauty said in disbelief, "That little white tiger couldn''t do it just now, but is able to do it now. Could it be that he modified the mystic art just now? In such a short time, he was able to modify a human cultivation technique into one suitable for a demonic beast?


    "How terrifying!"

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 93


    "What level of treasure is being born this time?" The five-tailed fox demon sensed the terrifying thunder tribtion, wondering in her heart, "To actually have to cross such a terrifying tribtion?"


    So she got cold feet again and took two steps back away from the tribtion clouds...


    "After all, I''m a level five demon beast. Even if I can''t get the treasure, I should at least be able to escape!" She told herself as she stood still again.


    The fox demon kept reassuring herself, and ultimately stayed.


    Electricity flowed wildly in her body, bringing a numb and tingling sensation that was ratherfortable. Qin Ran could clearly sense that the quality of his physical body had improved by arge margin, and he couldn''t help letting out a moan of pleasure.


    Looking down at Chasing the Wind, the little guy had stood up now with the blood-colored tribtion lightning still flowing over his body, but it was clearly decreasing bit by bit as he strived to absorb the tribtion lightning.


    "It''s a tribtion, but also an opportunity," he sighed. "If he can survive this heavenly tribtion, Chasing the Wind has the chance to advance to an eighth-rank demon beast."


    Without looking at Chasing the Wind any further, Qin Ran raised his head to look up. The tribtion clouds in the sky were still rolling and bing even thicker.


    "How many bolts will there be in the next wave?" He wondered to himself, then his gaze became firm. "No matter how many, let''s just stick to the n!"


    He raised his hand in a gesture, using a water flow to roll up the universe pouch on the messy rocks on the ground. He took out materials like thunderstruck wood, tribtion-dispelling flowers, spirit lightning stones, and more, then circted his magic power to wrap up each material.


    The fundamental magic art he cultivated was the Water Flower Heart Sutra, a water-type pill concoction art, which allowed him to refine materials with the art.


    "What is he doing?" asked the peerless beauty.


    The handsome man shook his head. "I don''t know either, I can''t really understand."


    "This guy sure has a lot of weird ideas!" the peerless beauty sighed.


    The tribtion lightning was bing stronger, and the intervals in between were also getting longer, as if some existence in the dark was giving the cultivators crossing tribtion a chance to recuperate, but it also seemed to need more time to give birth to an even stronger tribtion lightning.


    The magic power circting in his body was now at the Golden Core stage, and the speed of extracting the essence of materials had improved by leaps and boundspared to before. Adding to Qin Ran''s highly profound pill concoction techniques, before the rumbling sounds of the next wave of tribtion lightning arrived, Qin Ran had already finished refining the materials.


    Then, he was seen using his magic power to roll up the materials, mixing them with his magic power in a certain pattern, condensing them into rough pills, then spreading out the rough pills above his head like a pancake.


    Looking up at the spread-out rough pills, his hands swiftly formed seals as he imprinted one restriction after another into them. In the blink of an eye, the rough pills were flickering with invisible light.


    Qin Ran was well-versed in spell formations, so he also understood restrictions. Spell formations and restrictions had simrities. To put it simply, restrictions were mini spell formations.


    Therefore,pared to Gu Yuan Yi who didn''t understand spell formations, Qin Ran was more likely to concoct...tribtion lightning pills!


    That''s right, what Qin Ran was doing now was concocting tribtion lightning pills, using the pills to seal the tribtion lightning after it formed.


    This was the second thing Qin Ran wanted to do after absorbing the tribtion lightning to temper his body. Using the tribtion lightning to concoct pills - tribtion lightning pills.


    The tribtion clouds roiled as electric snakes fell down...


    "Twelve bolts!"


    Qin Ran quickly counted and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the number of tribtion lightnings wasn''t increasing exponentially. If this wave had twenty seven bolts of tribtion lightning, he could just give up and prepare for the afterlife!


    The tribtion lightning was extremely fast. As soon as they came out from the tribtion clouds above, they struck the rough pills below.


    Even though it wasn''t twenty seven bolts but twelve bolts, Qin Ran still couldn''t underestimate them. He operated his magic power at full force, sending it gushing out to support the rough pills and withstand the power of the tribtion lightning in order to seal it.


    To seal the tribtion lightning, he first had to be able to endure its might.


    The rough pills deformed tremendously, but still didn''t shatter in the end.


    When all the bolts of tribtion lightning from the skypletely struck down, Qin Ran swiftly flew up, raising his hand to summon a bubble that enveloped the tribtion lightning and materials. Then he manipted the rough pills to roll back andpress the tribtion lightning and materials together.


    Without stopping for a second, Qin Ran kept imprinting restrictions into the bubble, deeply afraid that he couldn''t seal the tribtion lightning.


    Finally, he flew forward again with his body, grasping the tribtion lightning in both hands as he sent out his magic power without regard for expenditure, using it to bnce and stabilize the tribtion lightning...


    "This is..." The handsome man suddenly reacted. He was shocked and asked, "Is he concocting pills? Using the tribtion lightning to concoct pills?"


    The peerless beauty''s eyes widened even more. "He''s an alchemist!!!"


    Alchemists have such overbearing physiques and abundant magic power?


    "It looks like it..." Elder Ning said in a deep voice. "But it''s more like he has sealed the tribtion lightning!"


    "Why seal the tribtion lightning?" The peerless beauty felt her brain was not enough.


    "To unleash it against enemiester..." said the handsome man. "It bes a top-tier lightning art! What an ingenious idea!!"


    "It really is quite interesting, but..." Elder Ning said. "Who else has the ability to seal tribtion lightning while crossing tribtion?"


    "There are quite a few people who have that ability," the handsome man said with augh. "But alchemists with that ability are none."


    As everyone knows, alchemists have the weakest strength.


    With the tribtion lightning stabilized in his hands, Qin Ran spread open his palms. In his palms appeared a pill covered all over with restrictions - a tribtion lightning pill!


    He had seeded in concocting the tribtion lightning pill, but notpletely sessfully.


    Due to the tremendous power of the tribtion lightning and Qin Ran''sck of experience, he had ced too many restrictions on it. Causing this tribtion lightning pill to seem somewhat like a dud that could explode but not easily explode.


    "s..." He sighed, but still put away the tribtion lightning pill. "Let''s try again!"


    He started refining materials again...


    The fifth wave of tribtion lightning had eighteen bolts!


    By this time, each bolt was more than twice as powerful as the first bolt.


    "The power is greater this time, I can do as I wish..." Qin Ran thought to himself. "And this is probably thest chance. For the uing tribtion lightning, I''ll need to devote all my power to crossing them."


    Soon, the fifth wave of tribtion lightning passed, and the tribtion lightning pill formed!


    Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief. The small goal for this tribtion crossing, tempering his body and concocting pills, had been aplished. Next was the main event of this tribtion - as long as he crossed the tribtion lightning, this trip would be perfectlyplete.


    "The Gold Core Tribtion should normally have nine bolts, and five waves have passed..." Looking at the tribtion clouds in the sky, he felt uneasy in his heart. Because the originally pitch-ck tribtion clouds had now turned blood-colored from the blood-colored tribtion lightning. "The power strengthening wave after wave, you''re not going to increase the numbers too, right...right?"


    But he stillcked confidence.


    The sixth wave descended with twenty seven bolts!


    Qin Ran devoted all his power to support the Clear Dream Like Water light screen, and used his body to withstand it a little, crossing this wave.


    The seventh wave descended with thirty six bolts!


    The eighth wave descended with seventy two bolts!


    After crossing the eighth wave, even Qin Ran who was at the Golden Core stage was already panting heavily.


    He felt like every single cell in his body was trembling, seeming like they would shatter and dissolve away the next moment.


    The golden core in his dantian was spinning rapidly, but there was nothing inside the dantian. He didn''t have any magic power left at all...he was also unable to operate magic power anymore because of his fleshy body''s limitations.


    It was like he had reached the end of his tether!


    In the sky, the blood-colored sky no longer showed any traces of ck or tribtion clouds.


    The entire sky was full of thickly rolling bloody tribtion thunder, forming a sea of bloody thunder tribtion!


    Qin Ran sensed a might from heaven pressing down from above, pressing down until his legs turned soft and he felt fear arising in his heart!


    "Could it be...this world really has an old man of Heaven? Truly has the will of Heavenly Dao?" This absurd thought couldn''t help but float up in his mind.


    Ah...


    He quickly drove away this thought.


    Whether it existed or not, he still had to cross thisst wave of tribtion lightning.


    The time between the eighth and ninth wave was especially long, seemingly reminding the cultivators below that this time''s tribtion was out of the ordinary and would be terrifying beyond imagination.


    Qin Ran felt like he was waiting for death. He forcefully stayed calm and smiled at Chasing the Wind on the ground. "Don''t be scared, it''s thest wave of tribtion lightning. We can return home immediately afterwards."


    Hearing they could return home, Chasing the Wind lifted his head and howled twice at Qin Ran.


    Silly child Chasing the Wind...


    Qin Ran truly smiled a little. He forcefully operated his arts, using the magic power that had just recovered, to take out his life magic treasure from beside his golden core in the qi sea.


    The life magic treasure of sword cultivators is usually swords...


    So what is the life magic treasure of alchemists?


    Normally, it would be furnaces, pill refining furnaces.


    But Qin Ran didn''t like furnaces, so his life magic treasure was a cauldron, a pill refining cauldron!


    He lifted what he had named the Nine Provinces Cauldron above his head, waiting for the final thunderbolt to fall.


    "Boom, boom..."


    Deafening thunder roared, and Qin Ran clearly heard a mocking tone within it. He couldn''t help but look up at the sky...


    He saw that the entire sky had pressed down.


    The ninth thunderbolt was not many bolts, it was only one, one containing all the thunder within the tribtion clouds, one ten-zhang wide thunder pir!


    "Chasing the Wind!" Qin Ran cried out in despair, lowering his head.


    "Boom..."


    The thunder pir fell!

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 94


    "He..." The fair-faced man was shocked by the blood-red thunder pir pouring down from the sky, leaving his mouth agape. "He... There''s something wrong with this tribtion! This is not the Golden Core Tribtion, this is an Exterminating Tribtion!"


    "The heavenly tribtion seems to be targeting him..." The peerless beauty was horrified, and she realized, "It doesn''t want him to pass the tribtion at all, it just wants to destroy him!"


    Elder Ning looked at the blood-red thunder pir without saying a word.


    "It''s over." The fair-faced man came back to his senses and sighed, "There''s absolutely no way he can survive this. What a pity..."


    The peerless beauty shook her head: "Just who is he that causes the heavenly tribtion to target him like this?"


    The blood-red thunder pir gradually diminished, dissipating. The tribtion clouds in the sky were swept away all at once. The pitch-ck tornado looked as if it had been purified, bing clean and empty. On the ground, there was only an inverted cauldron...


    "Wait a minute!" The fair-faced man saw that cauldron and said in disbelief, "No way..."


    And as he uttered "No way", the cauldron was lifted, revealing a sturdy, bronze-skinned bald man. In his arms was a little white tiger, also still alive.


    "They actually survived such a tribtion thunder?" The fair-faced man and the peerless beauty looked at each other in disbelief.


    Thunder Tribtion tempers the body, Thunder Tribtion tempers the golden core, so can the Thunder Tribtion temper artifacts too? Qin Ran did not know. Tempering artifacts was apletely unfamiliar realm to him, but when faced with life and death, he felt that he must do so.


    The terrifying tribtion thunder was too much for his Natal Cauldon alone to withstand. He must take other useful measures in this critical moment.


    In the final moments, he pulled Chasing the Wind to his side. He inverted the Nine Territories Cauldron to shield them as the tribtion thunder struck down.


    In an instant, the moment the Nine Territories Cauldron came into contact with the tribtion thunder, cracks appeared on its surface!


    Qin Ran''s soul was one with the Nine Territories Cauldron, so he was injured at the same time.


    Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but he endured the intense pain, channeling all the mana he had recovered in this period into the Nine Territories Cauldron. At the same time, his Cosmic Bag ruptured open. All materials rted to artifact forging stored inside were driven by him to refine the traces of tribtion thunder leaking through the cracks, extracting traces of material essence. Using this essence, he etched runes to ward off the tribtion thunder onto the Nine Territories Cauldron.


    Qin Ran no longer had any mana left in his body. He would produce a little mana, then etch another rune.


    But... this speed waspletely insufficient. The Nine Territories Cauldron simply could not withstand the damage, as the cracks continued to expand and more tribtion thunder leaked through...


    "Tribtion Thunder!" Qin Ran gritted his teeth in desperation and led the tribtion thunder into his body. But this time, instead of tempering his fleshly body, the thunder went directly into his Qi Ocean Dantian. He wanted to refine the Tribtion Thunder!


    The Tribtion Thunder was a form of extremely tremendous thunder-attribute energy.


    But Qin Ran was of the water attribute. For the Tribtion Thunder to enter his Dantian would mean certain destruction to him... He wouldn''t have done this if there was any other choice.


    As the Tribtion Thunder refined within him and his mana surged, Qin Ran''s speed soared. He rapidly formed seals to etch runes and prohibitions...


    It was as if he had spent ten thousand years battling stormy tribtion oceans. The mountains and rivers changed as time flowed by before he finally returned to reality. Qin Ran found that the tribtion had ended.


    The Nine Territories Cauldron was no longer under attack. He was dumbfounded for a moment, then tried lifting the cauldron. Outside, within the ck tornado, the skies had cleared...


    It seemed the tribtion was indeed over.


    Qin Ran was thoroughly exhausted in body and spirit. He and Chasing the Wind muttered to each other: "Chasing the Wind, we survived."


    Chasing the Wind poked his little cat head out from Qin Ran''s embrace and sneakily took a peek outside. The cat''s mouth cracked open in a grin. It seemed the danger had really passed.


    Qin Ran stood up and instinctively attempted to retrieve the Nine Territories Cauldron with his Divine Sense, but was zapped by the residual tribtion thunder within it. He frowned, then circted his mana to retrieve the cauldron instead.


    The Nine Territories Cauldron returned to his Dantian and came to rest directly beneath his Golden Core, with its mouth facing upwards, ingesting and discharging the Golden Core. Above them were traces of blood-colored tribtion thunder...


    Qin Ran looked all around him and discovered the river beside him was gone. The river bank and riverbed were now on the same level ne.


    When he was forming his core, Qin Ran had chosen a location by the riverside, just in case something wrong happened and he could escape quickly over the water with the Mystic Water divine ability from the Water Nation heritage. Yet once the heavenly tribtion descended, it had enveloped a perimeter spanning tens of meters, trapping half the river and half the river bank within it.


    "I wonder how the rtive elevation herepares with the outside now..."


    Qin Ran suddenly froze in shock!


    The outside?


    No!


    The heavenly tribtion wasn''t over yet!


    The ck cloud barrier enveloping this space had not disappeared. There were still further tribtions toe!!!


    "What else could there be?" Qin Ran whispered to himself, his words tinged with despair.


    The tribtion wasn''t over. And each tribtion would be more ferocious than thest. If there were still Tribtion Thunders, if there was an even more terrifying Tribtion Thunder than the one before, how could he possibly withstand it!?


    Just then, he felt the ground beneath his bare feet start heating up. Looking down, he saw the originally t and moist river bank rapidly drying up as cracks appeared on the earth. Slowly, mes started to emerge...


    "Fire? Rather than thunder?" Qin Ran frowned. "There''s also a Fire Tribtion from the heavenly tribtion? What is this operation?"


    "The Sanjiu Disaster Tribtion, there''s no mistake about it!" Elder Ning murmured as he looked at the mes rising from the ground.


    "Sanjiu Disaster Tribtion?" The fair-faced man and peerless beauty looked towards Elder Ning and asked, "What is this Sanjiu Disaster Tribtion?"


    "This is the heavens'' punishment! An exterminating tribtion! It is divided into the Thunder Tribtion, Fire Tribtion, and Wind Tribtion. The Thunder Tribtion strikes him with tribtion thunderbolts. The Fire Tribtion burns him with ghostly fires. The Wind Tribtion blows him away with turbulent gales. The thunder has nine bouts, the fire has nineyers, the wind rages for nine rounds - thisbined tribtion is known as the Sanjiu Disaster Tribtion, the Exterminating Tribtion!"


    Elder Ning gazed at the ck clouds encircling the space. "Whenever an extremely wicked being appears between heaven and earth, this kind of heavenly tribtion urs. Thest time this tribtion appeared in the Lingnan Region was over five thousand years ago, when the ancient monstrosity Taotie emerged into the world..."


    "But..." The fair-faced man hesitated. "He''s just a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage, right? Could he also be an incarnation of some monster?"


    "There is another possibility..." Elder Ning muttered under his breath, eyes narrowed. "That man does not belong to this world!"


    The ground had started burning. Qin Ran quickly utilized a movement technique to fly off the ground, nning to observe first.


    Yet he did not know the fire did not originate from below. It only appeared on the ground earlier because he had been standing there. The mes came from his body. Once he took off into the air, the fire soared along with him, clinging stubbornly to his feet no matter how much he tried to shake it off.


    "How do I deal with this?" Qin Ran panickedpletely.


    Batman was said to have never won a fight yet never lost an appointment battle. This meant when Batman made a battle appointment, the old chap could make sufficient preparations and ns, leaving various fallback steps so he would not lose.


    And Qin Ran was this sort of person. Before doing anything, he would make all kinds of ns and consider different scenarios to ensure things went ording to his ns.


    But when idents beyond their ns urred, it became very difficult for such people to respond effectively on the spot.


    For example, the Fire Tribtion before him right now!


    It waspletely and utterly unexpected.


    While the might of the previous Thunder Tribtion exceeded his expectations "exponentially", in the end it was still within the scope of thunder tribtions Qin Ran knew of. But the Fire Tribtion was entirely off the scales from his knowledge.


    "Mrooww..."


    Suddenly, Chasing the Wind let out a yowl. Qin Ran regained his focus and turned to the Chasing the Wind in his arms. Chasing the Wind bared his teeth in a wide grin, waving a paw at the fire clinging to Qin Ran''s feet, indicating the mes were rather "meow weak".


    Only then did Qin Ran examine the mes more closely, discovering that...


    Indeed, the mes did not seem as powerful as imagined.


    At the very least, even burning for so long, he did not feel any pain.


    "It looks like this so-called Fire Tribtion isn''t too ferocious after all!"


    Qin Ran''s mind cleared. He circted the mana in his body towards his feet, easily extinguishing the mes.


    He then realized his fleshly body had been tempered by three bouts of thunder tribtion. It was no exaggeration that most Body Cultivation fleshly bodies could notpare to his.


    He suddenly gained confidence, bursting into greatughter as he hugged Chasing the Wind tightly and nted a deep kiss on him, inhaling his scent and fur as he said:


    "Thank you, Chasing the Wind!"

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95


    "This is the Yin Fire Tribtion, it also has nineyers, specializing in burning people''s physical bodies!" Elder Ning exined to the experts in the clouds,


    "The Surging Spring acupoint under the soles of the feet, the Perineum Life-and-Death orifice, the Palm Labor Pce acupoint in the palm, and the Hundred Meetings Acupoint on the Crown are the Four Extremes; the Qi Sea, the Cinnabar Field, and the Sea of Wisdom are the foundations of the Way; the Mansion Within and the Physical Body are the fleshly body. This fire specializes in burning vital parts of the human body, arising from the vital parts and ending at the vital parts, it cannot be extinguished or eliminated, it can only be resisted with the physical body."


    "Resist with the physical body? His physical body is so powerful..." said the peerless beauty, "There should be no problem, right?"


    "Hard to say," Elder Ning shook his head, "After all, this is an annihting tribtion, the exact power is hard to judge. But if we make a horizontalparison with the previous thunder tribtion, who could withstand the final bolt?"


    The experts in the clouds recalled the earth-shattering blood-red thunder pir from before, and they all fell silent.


    They were all geniuses of the Lingnan Immortal Sect, their cultivation bases and talents were the pinnacle existences in thisnd, but when they tried to put themselves in that tribtion lightning, could they survive?


    The answer was negative.


    Then, if that fire tribtion was as terrifying as the previous thunder tribtion, or even unavoidable, they knew that they would not be able to withstand it either.


    In midair, Qin Ran put Chasing the Wind down, letting Chasing the Windnd on the ground, so as not to be affected by the fire tribtion. He then activated his movement techniques, sat down cross-legged in midair.


    The fire of the Surging Spring still burned, the fire of the Palm Labor Pce arose, followed by the Perineum and Hundred Meetings fires.


    Qin Ran sat cross-legged there, mes raging over his entire body.


    He circted his techniques, repairing his physical body, while also recalling the basic principles of the Divine Firmament Body Refining Art in his mind, hoping to apply it to the fire tribtion.


    Water and fire, which restrains the other in the end?


    This was hard to say, because... whoever was stronger would restrain the other side!


    Unfortunately, Qin Ran''s spiritual root was water, and the spiritual power circting in his body was water attribute spiritual power... What''s more, he was at a disadvantage.


    So he was also restrained by the thunder tribtion in terms of attributes.


    Under such circumstances, what could Qin Ran do?


    He could only use the gentle nature of the water attribute spiritual power to repair the scorched flesh that was burned by the fire tribtion, instead of directly confronting the fire tribtion. He would repair the parts burned away by the fire tribtion after it passed.


    If he could continue to struggle like this, it wouldn''t be too bad.


    Unfortunately, it wasn''t long before...


    His Qi Sea caught fire.


    With mes arising in his Qi Sea, his already inadequate spiritual power waspletely exhausted.


    The Four Extremes were still burning, he could no longer summon strength to repair them. Fires of tribtion rose in his Cinnabar Field and Sea of Wisdom.


    A man of fire in midair, without any struggling or moaning, the fire burned silently and motionlessly.


    But this seemingly hopeless man had reached an extreme, entering destruction in this silent nothingness.


    Chasing the Wind watched from below, his eyes full of worry, he paced back and forth, but couldn''t help much.


    Fires of tribtion also rose on his Physical Body...


    "s..." Elder Ning sighed softly, "It''s over."


    Whether it was the outsider, the body snatcher, or the outworldly demon, it was already over.


    The most fatal thing had never been the raging thunder, but the silent mes.


    "The thunder tribtion is over?" The five-tailed demon fox unplugged her ears with her paws, pulling her drooping head out of the ground and standing her tails back up. She looked dirty towards the heavens'' tribtion, still shrouded in ck clouds, "The treasure is in there?"


    She was still somewhat hesitant. The innate danger perception etched into the demonic bloodline made her feel the danger, she didn''t walk towards the tribtion clouds... she didn''t walk very fast...


    The silent fire still burned in midair. Chasing the Wind walked on the ground, then suddenly stopped and looked up at Qin Ran.


    "Dad''s not dead, is he?!"


    The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed. A wind arose under his feet as he pounced towards the fire in the air...


    "Crackle!"


    In the silent heavenly tribtion formation, there was suddenly a sound of electric arcs. Chasing the Wind was startled, and quickly stopped, looking up at the human-shaped fire in midair. The mes that were originally silent and waveless suddenly became violent, jumping and crackling with electricity.


    "Dad''s not dead yet?"


    Chasing the Wind felt relieved andnded on the ground.


    "What''s going on there?" asked the peerless beauty from afar.


    The jade-faced man frowned, uncertain. "It looks like tribtion lightning?"


    "Tribtion lightning? How could there be tribtion lightning?"


    "Or maybe residual from the previous tribtion lightning?"


    The lightning and fire on that cluster became more and more intense, and the mes were also disturbed.


    "Have you noticed..." Elder Ning suddenly discovered something abnormal, "the tribtion fire is decreasing?"


    "Is it?" Reminded by Elder Ning, the experts in the clouds looked closely. Someone pointed out, "The person is already dead, there''s not much left to burn, right?"


    "Doesn''t seem like it..." The jade-faced man shook his head.


    If the person was burned away, then the body should be smaller, the fire would be smaller as a whole, but over there, the fire became smaller while the overall size remained the same.


    It looked as if the mes were being absorbed by the person!


    "No way!" His eyes widened suddenly as he recalled Qin Ran refining his body with the thunder tribtion. "He can''t be refining his body with the fire tribtion, can he?!"


    When the jade-faced man said this, the experts in the clouds also thought of the previous thunder tribtion body refining, thinking it a possibility.


    The peerless beauty raised doubts: "Could it be that he predicted early on that there would be a fire tribtion, so he also prepared a fire tribtion body refining technique?"


    Who would have thought there would be fire tribtion after thunder tribtion? This didn''t seem very likely.


    The jade-faced man hesitated. He remembered Qin Ran previously changing the human body refining technique into the little white tiger body refining technique in just a moment... He felt another possibility more likely - that upon discovering the fire tribtion, Qin Ran modified the thunder tribtion body refining technique on the spot, using the same principles, into a fire tribtion body refining technique.


    But... that was also hard to ept, he shook his head.


    Yet that was exactly what Qin Ran did!


    What''s more, in a short time, he even optimized this technique. Without spiritual power to guide spiritual energy, he could still refine his body.


    Why? Because he had made sufficient preparations, he was very familiar with this thunder tribtion body refining technique. He had also researched enough techniques...


    When his Qi Sea was burned and he didn''t have a single drop of spiritual power left in his body, in order to survive, he had to adapt.


    It was under such circumstances that he discovered there was another kind of energy still existing in his Qi Sea dantian.


    That was...


    Thunder tribtion!


    In his golden core, especially in his natal magic treasure, the Nine Lands Cauldron, there was still a lot of residual thunder tribtion. He tried driving the thunder tribtion with the modified technique, and...


    It worked!


    Although the tribtion thunder was no more gentle than spiritual power in his meridians, and brought some stinging pain, but this body had just been tempered by tribtion thunder. What was there to fear from this bit of tribtion thunder?


    In fact, using the tribtion thunder to drive the fire tribtion body refining technique was even more effective than using spiritual power to drive the thunder tribtion body refining technique...


    The fire tribtion gradually decreased, from vigorous raging mes, to a struggling few clusters, and finally, disappeared without a trace.


    Qin Ran opened his eyes, mes still in them. He smiled at Chasing the Wind, "It''s alright now!"


    "He found the only way to break through." Elder Ning said.

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 96


    With his body tempered by the tribtion fire, Qin Ran did not have as great of an increase in power as expected, because what he wanted was not just a bit of body tempering. He only wanted to stay alive and make it through this Heavenly Tribtion.


    "That was close, I almost died," he thought to himself grimly.


    To be honest,pared to that pir of blood-colored lightning that pierced the heavens and earth, these silent, invisible mes were even more deadly.


    "Roar!"


    Chasing the Wind let out another roar. His roar still held the milk-sound of a young tiger, but the tiger''s roar embedded in his genes allowed him to let out a cry with a trace of a fierce tiger''s dominance.


    Qin Ran looked down at him and smiled.


    "It''s okay, your dad is invincible in the world!"


    Hearing this, Chasing the Wind excitedly ran back and forth.


    Although Qin Ran spoke lightly, looking around, he saw that the Wind and Cloud Barrier was still present. His heart did not rx one bit - the Heavenly Tribtion was not over yet. There would be another type of tribtion lightninging. But having learned from experience once already, he was no longer panic-stricken and bewildered this time...he could handle this wave.


    "Come on then..." He looked up at the sky. The winds stirred the clouds in the sky. He had a premonition that the supreme existence in this world above his head seemed to be real. "Let''s see what other tricks you''ve got."


    Then, as if from thin air, a breeze picked up...


    "This wind is called the Soul-eroding Wind," the widely learned Elder Ning lectured to the crowd in the skies.


    "It blows in from unknowable ces, targeting solely the souls...destroying people''s souls and wasting their mortal bodies. It seems soft and gentle, but it is actually violent and wild. If you are even a little inattentive, your soul will leave your body. That would lead to the dissolution of your body and extinction of your Way, not to mention. Even if you don''t die outright, it will leave an ingrained w behind. Your foundations will be unstable and your soul weakened - this is set in stone."


    Elder Ning''s eyes held a trace ofplexity. In his judgement, no matter if Qin Ran was an old monster who had seized this body, or an outsider demon that had slipped in from outside the realm, or some lone ghost from another world, the harmony between his soul and body could not be high.


    He would not be able to escape this Soul-eroding Wind no matter what.


    Once the Soul-eroding Wind blew, Qin Ran would definitely die!


    The wind that rose up around him out of thin air blew onto Qin Ran''s bare skin. He felt a trace of coolness, but his eyebrows were locked in a frown. Because this wind hade too bizarrely, as if it had appeared here out of nothing.


    "Wind?" He murmured. "Is this wave a wind tribtion?"


    Just as he spoke, he suddenly sensed himself floating for a moment. This floating feeling hade abruptly and inexplicably, with no basis whatsoever. It was like when napping during the day and your body would inexplicably jerk.


    Qin Ran was flying in midair, but as someone who had reached the Golden Core realm, the difference between the air and the ground was not substantial to him. He stood extremely steadily - it was impossible for him to sway uncontrobly for no reason.


    And furthermore, he was very clear that he had not moved!


    He had not moved, yet he clearly sensed that he had moved. What was the reason?


    That gust of wind passed by. On the ground, Chasing the Wind chased the wind for a few steps. His formerly snowy white fur had been burned ck and yellow, but he seemed extremely happy.


    "Fu... Fu..." He called out to Qin Ran in thenguage of tigers.


    Qin Ran understood his tiger speech - he was saying "wind...wind..."


    This silly child did not understand anything. He thought it was just ordinary wind.


    One gust of wind passed. After a momentary lull, another gust of wind rose.


    The previous gust of wind had felt cooling. But this current gust felt a little cold already.


    Furthermore, after the breeze passed by, Qin Ran once again felt his body sway twice.


    "Moved again..." He clearly distinguished it. "This is not my imagination!"


    His body had not moved, yet his perception sensed that it had...


    Qin Ran was thinking when his face suddenly changed dramatically as he realized it.


    Soul!


    It was the soul!


    The wind was blowing at his soul!


    And his soul was precisely the weakest part of Qin Ran''s current self.


    It wasn''t that his soul itself was weak. He had practiced Master Danfeng''s nameless mantra, so his soul force was not poor. However, the harmony between his soul and fleshly body was low...it was easy for them to separate!


    If the normal harmony between one''s body and soul was 100%, then Qin Ran''s was probably only around 98%.


    No matter whether it was 98% or 99%, as long as it wasn''t 100%, although it did not affect his daily life, once he encountered a soul attack like the present situation, 99%, 98%, it was all equal to 0%.


    Because for his mortal body, there was no protection. This kind of soul attack could act directly upon his soul.


    For example, the gentle gusts of wind could easily blow his soul just like that.


    Qin Ran had just realized this when the third gust of the Soul-eroding Wind came.


    Like the tribtion lightning from before, each gust of the Soul-eroding Wind was stronger than thest. The first gust had been a light breeze. Then this third gust could already be considered an intense wind. If Qin Ran had any hair, his hair would be lightly swaying in this wind.


    Since he had no hair now, his soul swayed along with the wind instead!


    "No..."


    Feeling his soul swaying without resistance in the wind, Qin Ran was filled with fear to the core.


    He had not cultivated any soul arts. He did not possess any treasures to protect his soul either. Facing these gust after gust of wind, he was utterly helpless. All he seemed to be able to do was resign himself where he stood and await his death.


    Await for these waves of icy gusts to blow his soul out from his body and blow his soul into scattering destruction!


    "No!" Qin Ran let out a short, terrified cry.


    The fourth gust...came!


    In his terror, Qin Ran hunched down by instinct. His hands crossed in front of him defensively, struggling in hisst throes...


    The wind blew over. Qin Ran''s mind went nk for a second. It was as if in the peak of winter''s chill, he had appeared naked on the streets. Opening his eyes, before him was...a bald head.


    He clearly recognized - that was his own head!


    From afar, after a gust of wind, behind Qin Ran''s body there appeared an identical transparent figure to him making defensive crossing gestures as his soul flew out.


    "That''s not right..." said the peerless beauty with puzzlement. "His cultivation is so deep, his mortal body so strong, and his soul doesn''t seemcking either. How could he be blown out of his body so easily? This...doesn''t make sense!"


    Hearing the peerless beauty''s words and looking at Qin Ran''s terrified disembodied soul behind his fleshly body, the elegant man sank into contemtion and said, "Perhaps this is the very reason why his Golden Core Tribtion is so bizarre!"


    "No..."


    Realizing his soul had left his body, terror exploded in Qin Ran''s heart. He struggled in the icy winds.


    But while the wind was negligible to his mortal body, to his soul, it was a violent storm.


    He desperately tried to lunge forward to grab his body, but he couldn''t exert any strength at all. Each time he reached out with all his might, his hands just passed through his physical body when he tried to brace against it.


    It was as if he had died and turned into a resentful ghost, no longer having any connection to the material realm.


    "Am I..." Qin Ran gradually stopped struggling. "Really going to die?"


    He thought back on his two lifetimes as a human. Both were ordinary and mundane existences. He had always struggled to live. He had nevermitted any wicked acts or wronged anyone. Why must he be treated like this?


    Letting him die, letting hime back to life, leaving him to wander alone in this strange world. And now, to make him suffer a fate worse than death. He had always been struggling to survive in this mortal world, yet he was always powerless to change anything...


    "Why?" He involuntarily asked.


    He did not know who he was asking - himself, or that existence shrouded in heavenly mystery.


    No one answered him, except...


    A tiger.


    A tiny white tiger.


    "Dad!" it yelled.


    Qin Ran looked over. He only saw Chasing the Wind watching him. Then,pelled by some mysterious force...when he opened his eyes again, he had returned to his physical body.


    "I''m back?" Qin Ran opened his crossed arms that he had put up defensively and looked left and right at the body he had lost and regained.


    Very quickly, he stopped and started pondering to himself. Why?


    Just now, no matter how hard he had struggled, his soul could not return to his body. So why did he suddenly return all of a sudden?


    Why?


    It seemed that at that time, Chasing the Wind had called out to him...


    Unwittingly, he looked towards Chasing the Wind...

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 97


    The term "to act as a tiger''s aplice" refers to when a person who was eaten by a tiger has their soul controlled by the tiger, transforming into an evil ghost that lures other people to be eaten by the tiger. Controlling souls is an innate ability of the Tiger n.


    Meanwhile, clouds follow dragons and winds follow tigers. Winds originally submit to tigers. Wherever there is a tiger, evil winds are sure toe first. Manipting winds and clouds is also an innate ability of the Tiger n.


    Elder Ning stared at Chasing the Wind, a silly cute little white tiger, and said solemnly, "He was undoubtedly doomed to die, but at the tribtion, this Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger inexplicably appeared..."


    "The Great Dao has 50, the heavens cover 49, leaving one to escape. There is always a thread of hope to live..." It turns out his thread of hope to live lies here."


    "Did that Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger save him?" asked the peerless beauty.


    "That tiger is so small. How could it save him under the lightning tribtion?" the handsome man also raised his doubt.


    Elder Ning did not answer. He pondered for a moment before saying, "Perhaps we could give him an Immortal Spirit Scroll."


    "But we still don''t know his origins..."


    Another wind rose...


    This was the fifth wind, already of strong wind intensity! It could make people''s clothes hunt and p. Its temperature had already turned cold! Blowing on people''s faces, it made them feel icy pain on their cheeks.


    When this gust of wind blew, Qin Ran clearly felt his body be light, and his soul was about to be blown out of his body in an instant. He hurriedly ran towards Chasing the Wind and shouted, "Chasing the Wind, save me!"


    Although he didn''t know what Chasing the Wind did earlier, it was obvious that Chasing the Wind had helped return his soul to his body. Now he had no other choice but to ce his hopes on Chasing the Wind, pleading for his help.


    Chasing the Wind didn''t understand what Qin Ran meant. He still didn''t know that he could control life and death and winds. He only saw Qin Ran running towards him in the wind, but halfway through, Qin Ran froze in midair, and then a transparent version of Qin Ran appeared behind him.


    "Huh?" He tilted his head, puzzled.


    Theseplicated matters, were they something a little kitty like him should be thinking about?


    But seeing the pained expression of that transparent daddy in the wind, he didn''t want daddy to suffer. So he fiercely roared at the iing gust...


    "Roar..."


    The wind was frightened away by his roar.


    "Dad...dy... cool..." He wanted to show off to daddy that he had frightened the wind away, but when he looked up, he saw that the transparent daddy was still floating in midair. He tilted his head left and right, before seeming toe up with an idea. He leapt up and headbutted the back of Qin Ran''s soul, knocking Qin Ran''s soul back into his physical body.


    "Daddy?" he said.


    Qin Ran regained control of his body. He quicklynded on the ground, picked up Chasing the Wind, and said, "Good job Chasing the Wind! That wind was a bad person. You helped daddy drive it away!"


    He now knew that Chasing the Wind could roar away the winds and knock his soul back into his physical body. Chasing the Wind was his lifesaver.


    "Bad peopwe?" Chasing the Wind was confused. What were bad people?


    "Very, very bad people!" After thinking for a bit, Qin Ran exined in terms Chasing the Wind could understand, "They want to bite daddy and stop daddy from eating tasty snacks!"


    Chasing the Wind''s eyes instantly widened. How could there be such bad people! He got agitated, roaring "awoo" sounds, assuring daddy that he would definitely take down the bad guys.


    When the wind rose again before it blew towards Qin Ran, he roared forward, directly dispersing this sixth gale!


    "Good job Chasing the Wind!" Qin Ran continued to butter up the child, hoping to get this kid to save his old hide.


    "Awooo..." Chasing the Wind opened his mouthughing, extremely smug. He happily rubbed his furry head and neck against Qin Ran. Qin Ran reached out to scratch and tickle his itchy neck and head.


    The seventh wind had already reached storm level! It could fly sand and rock everywhere. Its state was pitch ck, its manner terrifying.


    "Chas...Chasing Wind, can you handle it?" Qin Ran was a little scared.


    Chasing the Wind struggled in Qin Ran''s arms, signaling to be let down. Qin Ran ced Chasing the Wind down onto the ground.


    The little white tiger was mighty and prestigious. Stepping forward to face the iing gale, he let out a long roar:


    "Roarrr..."


    The storm slowly abated, slowly retreating, slowly dispersing.


    "Good Chasing Wind!" Qin Ran praised again.


    Chasing the Wind excitedly ran circles around Qin Ran: daddy had never praised him like this before. He was so awesome today!


    The eighth wind was a violent wind! It was vast and boundless, and wherever it passed, frost and cold covered thend!


    "Chasing Wind?"


    Facing the wind, Chasing the Wind ran forward, leaving Qin Ran with a view of his back... Daddy, just watch my performance!


    With the violent wind, Chasing the Wind was lifted up, seemingly without any ability to resist as he floated up into the air.


    "Chasing Wind!!" Qin Ran was shocked. He anxiously charged forward, wanting to dive into the wind to save Chasing the Wind.


    But as he dived in, he discovered the wind had dodged away from him. He was dumbfounded as he looked up. In the ck winds, Chasing the Wind stood tall riding the wind. His entire coat of fur was fluttering. He looked down condescendingly at Qin Ran, already possessing the majesty of a tiger...


    It would have been even more impressive if he wasn''t smiling with his tongue sticking out.


    "Phew..." Qin Ran lightly sighed in relief. He gave Chasing the Wind a thumbs up, then sat down on the ground, unwilling to stand up anymore.


    Old men''s bodies were frail. He couldn''t handle the shock.


    Controlling the winds, Chasing the Wind floated back down in front of Qin Ran. Opening his eyes wide, he looked at Qin Ran expectantly, waiting for praise.


    Qin Ran felt somewhat numb from the sessive heavenly tribtions. He reached out and perfunctorily scratched Chasing the Wind''s body, tiredly saying, "Good job, Chasing the Wind is awesome!"


    "Awooo..." Chasing the Wind happily cried out, enjoying it.


    The ninth wind was a wind spiral! It connected heaven to earth. When it first appeared, it started narrow, but in the blink of an eye, it was about to cover the entire wind and cloud domain!


    Having be self-aware, when this wind rose, Chasing the Wind shielded Qin Ran behind him. Facing the wind spiral, he angrily roared, wanting to roar the winds away.


    But...


    These winds did not obey hismands.


    The anxious Chasing the Wind thought, This damn wind actually made me lose face in front of daddy! He leapt forward thinking, I''ll show you! Then opening his mouth wide, he sucked in the entire wind spiral...


    Slowly shrinking, the wind spiral finally disappeared into his mouth.


    "Is...is that it?" Qin Ran was truly dumbfounded because Chasing the Wind went all out, actually directly eating up that enormous wind spiral!


    He was a little slow to react.


    The surrounding wind and cloud domain slowly dissipated, revealing the cloudy outside world in Qin Ran''s eyes once more.


    He looked up at the gloomy dark clouds that had umted due to the heavenly tribtion. He felt both the joy of gaining new life and the fear of facing theing thunder and lightning.


    "Chasing Wind..." he murmured. "We survived."


    After a while, Chasing the Wind didn''t respond. Looking back, he only saw Chasing the Wind squatting on the ground looking listless. Seeing Qin Ran look over, he whimpered, "Dad...dy... tummy... hurts..."


    Qin Ran didn''t know what to say for a time. The silly kid ate such an enormous wind spiral in one go. Of course his tummy would hurt!


    But now wasn''t the time to scold the child for eating randomly. He hurriedly went over and picked Chasing the Wind up, massaging his belly with his hands.


    "It doesn''t hurt, awoo. Chasing Wind isn''t hurting..." Curled up in Qin Ran''s arms, Chasing the Wind slowly fell asleep.


    "Sigh..." Qin Ran sighed and picked up sleeping Chasing the Wind as he stood up, surveying his surroundings.


    The wind and cloud domain was circr with about a 30 foot radius. Within it, having undergone three levels of Thunder Tribtion, Fire Tribtion, and Wind Tribtion, it was already about 3 meters lowerpared to the surroundings. Furthermore, it was smooth and t inside as if it were a mirror,pletely different from the river bank from before the tribtion.


    At this time, river water once again came flooding in from the connected river...


    Qin Ran went to pick up the two Thunder Tribtion pills before powerfully leaping up, jumping out of the circr pit to arrive at the river bank. He looked all around, verifying his bearings.


    He had originally set up several spell formations nearby, but they had all been destroyed by the heavenly tribtion. Many backup ns were also destroyed under the heavenly tribtion.


    Luckily he had the foresight to leave himself a final backup n...


    At least, farther away in a clump of grass, he had left a temporary dimension pouch containing clothes. He had long ago made ns to temper his body with Thunder Tribtion fire, so of course he needed to prepare for his clothes being destroyed!


    However, he had just walked several steps and was still quite far from that clump of grass when a charming voice shouted from afar, "Baldy, stop! Leave behind my treasures!"


    Looking towards the voice, he only saw an unparalleled peerless beauty flying over in this direction.

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98


    The Five-Tailed Demon Fox and the others had been waiting here for several days, enduring numerous hardships, all for the sake of waiting for the birth of a precious treasure.


    When the tribtion of the day passed and the storm barrier disappeared, she disregarded everything and rushed over to the vicinity of the heavenly tribtion, searching for that treasure. However, instead of finding the treasure, she saw a bald, naked man!


    She became furious:


    Not only did he steal her treasure, but he also turned out to be such a pervert!


    She couldn''t bear it!


    She stood up, shedding her Five-Tailed Fox form and transforming into a perfect-looking woman.


    "You bald pervert, you''re not getting away! Leave my treasure behind!" she eximed.


    Seeing the perverted bald man about to leave, she quickly shouted and rushed towards him.


    Witnessing Qin Ran and Chasing the Wind relying on each other and saving each other under the heavenly tribtion, their close rtionship was truly enviable.


    The stunning woman sighed, "He''s an alchemist, yet he can make spirit beasts so loyal to him...


    "I wonder what methods he used. I''d like to learn a thing or two. Speaking of which, he has so many unknown things about him, it''s truly amazing."


    "Aren''t we supposed to give him the Immortal Spirit Invitation?" the Jade-faced Man chuckled. "Once he joins the Lingnan Immortal Sect, there will be plenty of opportunities."


    "The Immortal Sect isn''t that easy to enter..." Elder Ning said meaningfully.


    "With such excellent cultivation and strength, how could he not enter the Immortal Sect?" the stunning woman said.


    Elder Ning shook his head without answering.


    He saw the storm barrier dissipate and saw a Five-Tailed Fox demon rushing towards Qin Ran before him. He rode on a cloud and said, "Let''s go and take a look first. Don''t let him be lured away by the Fox demon."


    Qin Ran turned around and saw the charming woman rushing towards him. At first, he was struck by her beauty, but it took him a moment to realize that he had seen this face somewhere before.


    But regardless of whether he had seen her or not, she was still a woman, and he needed to find something to wear first.


    "Um... clothes!" he awkwardly said.


    "Hmph!" The Fox demon rushed to the top of the circr pit created by the heavenly tribtion and suddenly recognized this bald man. Wasn''t he the coward who had the desire butcked the courage toe out? He had wasted so much of her time.


    "So, it''s you!" she pointed at Qin Ran.


    "Me?" Qin Ran was naked and being looked at, feeling extremely ufortable. Although he was being looked at by a stunning beauty, he didn''t have the mind to recall a woman he had only briefly encountered.


    He held Chasing the Wind, blocking the critical areas, and turned his head shyly, asking, "Excuse me, have we met before?"


    "We have!" The Five-Tailed Demon Fox crossed her arms and nodded. "But regardless of whether we''ve met or not, you should leave the treasure behind first!"


    "Treasure?" Qin Ran felt confused. This was the damnnd of the heavenly tribtion. Where would there be a treasure?


    No... Could it be his "treasure"? He looked down and thought, "Could it be that I''ve encountered a female hooligan trying to take advantage of me?" He felt quite speechless. "How can I leave it behind?"


    "Don''t move, stand there, take it out, ce it on the ground..." The Five-Tailed Demon Fox described the process. "Then walk away, and I''lle and pick it up."


    "Ah?" Qin Ran was baffled. Take it out and put it on the ground? Have the cultivation techniques of these Yin-Yang bncing female cultivators be so powerful? Can one''s cultivation be absorbed solely through treasures?


    "This...this..." he pleaded innocence, "I can''t take it out!"


    Although he wasn''t a lecherous person, this involved his male dignity. He could lose his head and shed blood, but he couldn''t lose his precious possession.


    "If I tell you to take it out, then take it out! Stop dawdling like a cowardly man!" scolded the Five-Tailed Demon Fox. "You''re bothscivious and cowardly! How can there be a man like you?"


    "Huh?" Qin Ran remained confused. He could tolerate being called timid, but what did she mean by calling himscivious? While it''s true that men have their natural inclinations, he had disguised himself quite well. "No, seriously, have we met before? Are you ndering me like this?"


    "Ah!" Having seduced others before, even though she was a fox demon and seduction was her innate ability, now that she had achieved human form, she had some shame and found it difficult to speak. She had no choice but to threaten, "Just take out your precious possession, or else I''ll take action!"


    Take action?


    Qin Ran sensed the alluring woman''s aura, which was much more profound than his own. She was probably an experienced Foundation Establishment cultivator or even a Core Formation cultivator...


    He wasn''t good at fighting, and it was difficult for him to defeat cultivators of the same level, let alone those stronger than him. He looked around and saw that most of the traps he had set had been destroyed by the heavenly tribtion, so running away wasn''t a good option either.


    And with Chasing the Wind with him, it was truly adding insult to injury.


    Could it be...


    Would his reputation as Qin Ran be ruined here?


    This was a cultivation world; there should be a method for regenerating limbs, right?!


    "What are you looking at with those thief-like eyes? Just take out your precious possession already!" The enchanting woman''s hand shone, revealing a sword.


    Qin Ran pondered. Han Xin had suffered humiliation under his crotch, but it didn''t hinder him from bing a legendary Immortal Soldier. He had sacrificed his precious possession and step by step reached the pinnacle.


    With a determined heart, he thought, Head Sect Leader Yue, Brother Lin, I''lle to apany you!


    Just at that moment, an extremely powerful aura suddenly emerged from the side. He quickly looked over and saw a white cloud in the sky, with seven or eight people on it¡ªmen, women, young, and old. There were currently three people, with a middle-aged man around fifty in the center, a handsome young man with a jade-like face on the left, and a beautiful young woman on the right.


    This group of people didn''t seem to have just arrived; they looked like they had been watching the show for a long time and finally appeared at this critical moment.


    Most of them were holding backughter and looked like they were about to burst.


    "It''s you again!" The Five-Tailed Demon Fox also noticed this group of people and said angrily, "You''re everywhere we go."


    These two groups know each other? Qin Ran frowned.


    "You fox demon, why haven''t you scrammed yet? Do you want me to take action and kill you?" Elder Ning, the middle-aged man around fifty, spoke up and scolded.


    Fox demon?!! Qin Ran''s eyes narrowed. This woman was a fox demon?


    If that was the case...


    He had an impression.


    He had indeed encountered this fox demon before. During that incident when his foolish disciple lost control of his flying sword, they both ended up stranded in the Hengduan Mountains. It was during that time when they hid in a tree hollow, and something tried to lure him out at night. In the end, he remained resolute and resisted the temptation, causing the creature to transform into a fox and leave.


    So, it was that fox demon after all!


    "Hmph! Your human race has a saying that geniuses and treasures fall into the hands of the virtuous..." The Five-Tailed Demon Fox still thought they were after some treasure, and she sneered, "I arrived first, so the virtue is mine!"


    "Hahaha..." The stunning woman couldn''t help herself and burst intoughter. She covered her mouth and said, "What treasure? This daoist friend here was undergoing the Golden Core Tribtion!"


    "The Tribtion?!" The fox demon was taken aback. She carefully recollected the events and slowly grasped the situation. It seemed like that was indeed the case.


    "Ahem..." With so many people staring at him, Qin Ran couldn''t bear it any longer. He raised his hand and spoke, seeking their opinion, "Could I please have some clothes first?!"

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99


    The beautiful girl floating in the clouds looked at Qin Ran. Although she had already seen all of Qin Ran''s body when he was crossing the tribtion, she still felt shy at this moment. She spread her five fingers and covered her eyes, saying,


    "What a rogue, not knowing shame even when naked."


    Qin Ran was quite speechless. Could he be med for this? He was just about to get dressed when groups of people starteding one after another.


    "Let me put on some clothes."


    Qin Ran smiled awkwardly. Under everyone''s gaze, he slowly walked towards the nearby bushes.


    He walked very slowly, afraid that walking too fast would provoke these people to do something bad. It took a good while before he reached the bushes.


    In front of the bushes, he squatted down slowly. One hand held Chase Wind in his arms while the other reached into the bushes to take out a temporary universe bag. He held it up to signal that he was going to take clothes out of it, just clothes.


    Then...


    The universe bag suddenly exploded!


    Dazzling white light burst out from the universe bag, forcing all creatures that saw things with their eyes to involuntarily close their eyes.


    Qin Ran took the chance to turn around and jump away, transforming into an invisible water man. More than a dozen identical transparent water men split out from his body, each hugging a little white tiger, and scattered in all directions to escape.


    The five-tailed fox spirit opened her eyes to see the sky filled with transparent bald naked men, all fleeing far away from here. She raised the long sword in her hand, but was at a loss for a moment because her eyes were dazzled and her brain was overloaded from too many people that she didn''t know which one was real.


    After the Lingnan Immortal Sect members opened their eyes, they saw white mist rising from the ground with water clones everywhere.


    "He... ran away just like that?" The peerless beauty was dumbfounded.


    "Be careful, the mist is poisonous!" The handsome man warned and swung his sleeve to blow the mist away.


    The peerless beauty covered her nose, not really understanding, "Why did he run away?!"


    "He can''t get away!" Elder Ning said coldly. He stretched out his hand and a huge illusory palm reached forward, scooping directly into the river to fish out a handful of water and a little white Xuanming Spirit Tiger.


    The handful of water converged in Elder Ning''s palm, turning back into Qin Ran with a solemn expression.


    "Where would you run after embarrassing me like this?" Elder Ning said to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath and held Chase Wind over to cover his private parts before finally asking, "I wonder who Your Excellency is and what business you have with me!"


    Just now, he had already escaped into the water, performing the techniques to blend into the waterpletely. But that big hand came with supreme might, making him feel as if the space here had solidified and time had stopped. He didn''t dare to move anymore and was forcibly separated from the water.


    This man was at least beyond the Primordial Infant Stage!!


    A direct confrontation would leave him no chance at all. Qin Ran decisively admitted defeat.


    One must understand that the increase in cultivation realms follows an exponential pattern. The higher one goes, the greater the gap between realms.


    If the Foundation Establishment Stage is 2, then the Golden Core Stage would be 2 squared, 4. The Primordial Infant Stage would be 2 cubed, 8. The Divine Transformation Stage would be 2 to the power of 4, 16!


    When Qin Ran was at the Foundation Establishment Stage, relying on his solid foundation and exquisite escape techniques, he was confident he could escape from the hands of those at the Primordial Infant Stage. But now that he was at the Golden Core Stage, he didn''t have the slightest confidence in escaping from someone at the Divine Transformation Stage.


    The difference between 2 and 8 was far smaller than between 4 and 16.


    "Actually there''s no business. This old man is just curious..." Elder Ning said, "Where are you from?"


    Yes, no matter if Qin Ran was an outsider demon or an old monster that had seized control of someone, Elder Ning didn''t care. He was just curious and felt it was interesting. Because even if Qin Ran was a demon from another world or a wandering soul from some other ce, what harm could he bring to himself? What business was it of his?


    As soon as Qin Ran heard Elder Ning''s words, he understood the implication behind them. Elder Ning seemed to have sensed that he was a transmigrator!


    "This junior is from the Dao Sword Sect¡¯s Chief of Dan Peak, named Qin Ran!" But Qin Ran still answered like this... He couldn''t possibly say he was a transmigrator after all.


    "You¡¯re from the Dao Sword Sect?" The peerless beauty picked up the conversation. "Why did youe here to cross your tribtion then?"


    "I just happened to break through here, so I casually crossed a tribtion." Qin Ran said with a smile.


    No one believed his words, especially those who had witnessed his bizarre and terrifying heavenly tribtion. But the immortal cultivation world was filled with secrets in everyone''s hearts, so they didn''t try digging deeper into it.


    "This is Su Changqing of the Lingnan Immortal Sect, pleased to meet you Qin brother." The handsome man bowed with sped hands to Qin Ran.


    The Lingnan Immortal Sect?!


    Qin Ran''s pupils shrank. The ce they were currently in was called the Lingnan Region, and the ''Lingnan'' came from none other than the name of Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    The Lingnan Immortal Sect was the kind of legendary massive sect that had its own small inner world...


    In short, in the entire Lingnan Region, the Lingnan Immortal Sect was the biggest power. Compared to them, the Dao Sword Sect was like the difference between an ant and an elephant, or to put it more clearly, the difference between a louse and an elephant. After all, the entire Lingnan Region could be considered the territory of the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    "So you are all disciples of the immortal sect! This humble Dao Sword Sect cultivator from the countryside didn¡¯t recognize the immortals before him and truly offended you, please forgive me!" Qin Ran made the greeting ritual with one hand while the other held Chase Wind to cover his lower body, looking rather sorry.


    "It¡¯s nothing. We are all travelers on the path of immortality. Status and hierarchy don¡¯t matter. Where is there offense and no offense?" Su Changqing said. "It¡¯s just that we saw Brother Qin''s tribtion earlier and were amazed by Brother Qin¡¯s cultivation level and strength, so we rashly stopped Brother Qin. Please forgive us if we startled you.¡±


    What impressive bearing! As expected from someone of a top sect. Qin Ran sighed inwardly.


    "What strength do I have, don¡¯tugh about it!" He replied.


    The two chatted for a few more polite remarks before the peerless beauty at the side introduced herself and joined the conversation. Qin Ran then requested again to find some clothes to wear.


    "You won¡¯t try to run away right?!" The woman named Bai Ruoxi joked.


    "Of course not. Now that I know you are disciples of the immortal sect, how could I still do something so embarrassing." Qin Ran said with augh.


    But he scolded inwardly, no one would dare to have any tricks with that old monster Elder Ning here at the Divine Transformation Stage!


    Elder Ning let Qin Ran down and allowed him to go to a ce to take out his universe bag and put on clothes.


    "Your methods are truly abundant..." Bai Ruoxi marveled.


    From Qin Ran¡¯s various ingenious ways of dealing with the tribtion earlier to the universe bags all over the ground now, Bai Ruoxi had learned a lot.


    "Haha, not at all."


    "Brother Qin has deep forethought and detailed nning. We have much to learn from you." Su Changqing said.


    The five-tailed fox spirit had been watching all along. No one forced her to leave so she stayed. She witnessed all of Qin Ran''s series of operations and felt that he was even more cunning than foxes like her, with follow-up traps one after another.


    She had a feeling that if not for the people from the Lingnan Immortal Sect disrupting things, she might have suffered a big loss.


    "He must be a transformed fox spirit!" She couldn''t help but retort.


    Su Changqing just smiled at her without responding. Instead, he said to Qin Ran, "Our rude interruption of Brother Qin has two purposes. One is that we admire Brother Qin¡¯s profound cultivation and wish to have an exchange to learn from you. The other is that we want to give an Immortal Spirit Token to Brother Qin."


    "Immortal Spirit Token?" Qin Ran''s expression shook and he said modestly, "I don¡¯t have that level of ability!"

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100


    What exactly is the Immortal Spirit Scroll?


    In the Lingnan Region, ordinary sects take ordinary people as disciples, while the Lingnan Immortal Sect takes outstanding disciples from ordinary sects as disciples.


    The Dao Sword Sect holds a Grand Questioning of the Dao every fifty years to harvest leeks in the North Chu Country. The Lingnan Immortal Sect issues Immortal Spirit Scrolls all over the world to harvest leeks from all sects in the Lingnan Region.


    This is the Immortal Spirit Scroll - a qualification letter to be a disciple of the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    Anyone with an Immortal Spirit Scroll can go to the Lingnan Immortal Sect to officially be a disciple and learn skills.


    Therefore, all those gifted in talent and all those who desire to make further progress on the path of cultivation in the entire Lingnan Region yearn for an Immortal Spirit Scroll leading to the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    But can the Immortal Spirit Scrolls be obtained so casually?


    Without a solid enough foundation and unmatched talent, would the Lingnan Immortal Sect bestow Immortal Spirit Scrolls?


    But now, there lies a shiny golden Immortal Spirit Scroll in front of Qin Ran.


    Looking at the palm-sized scroll in Su Changqing''s hand, Qin Ran smiled and said, "I dare not ept an Immortal Spirit Scroll with only medium-grade water spirit root." His expression remained calm with hints of rejection.


    Seeing Qin Ran did not loseposure because of the Immortal Spirit Scroll and even had the intention to reject it with a calm expression, Su Changqing''s eyes showed some approval.


    "Spirit root?" He shook his head with a smile and said, "Spirit root can only determine the speed of cultivation, not the path of cultivation. Going fast does not necessarily mean going far. But someone like Brother Qin is qualified topete for the immortal path."


    "In the Lingnan Immortal Sect, I''ve seen ten-year-old Golden Core cultivators, but never seen a hundred-year-old Primordial Infant. Judging by Brother Qin''sposure, I know you are a fellow cultivator on the path to immortality."


    "Brother Su tters me!" Qin Ran still took the Immortal Spirit Scroll in the end.


    "I hope to see Brother Qin in the sect by the end of this year," Su Changqing said with augh. "We can discuss scriptures and the Dao at that time."


    "Sure."


    After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they were interrupted by several intense ripples of cultivation base from a distance. They quickly looked over and saw several escaping lights flying rapidly towards them.


    The escaping lights looked somewhat familiar to Qin Ran. After thinking for a bit, he recognized the visitors and stopped talking.


    As the escaping light closed in, the person at the front showed his figure. It turned out to be Gu Yueming, the Sect Master of the Dao Sword Sect. He stopped in front and looked around. After grasping the situation, he bowed to Elder Ning and said, "Dao Sword Sect Master Gu Yueming, I pay my respects to the senior immortal from the sect."


    Elder Ning nodded slightly at him in return greeting.


    At the side, Qin Ran, holding the unconscious Chase Wind and the Immortal Spirit Scroll he just obtained, also bowed to Gu Yueming and said, "Sect Master."


    Gu Yueming looked towards Qin Ran and noticed the Immortal Spirit Scroll in his hand. His face darkened as he asked, "What are you doing here?"


    His expression couldn''t be good after having his leeks cut right in front of him.


    "Picking herbs," Qin Ran came up with an excuse.


    Qin Ran was known for his prudence and steadiness. Gu Yueming found it hard to believe he woulde deep into the Hengduan Mountains to pick herbs alone. So he examined Qin Ran closely and noticed the fluctuations of his cultivation base.


    He was startled for a moment, thinking of a certain possibility, and asked, "Was it you who just overcame the Heavenly Tribtion here?"


    It was normal for Qin Ran who had just broken through to have unstable aura.


    "Yes," Qin Ran knew he couldn''t hide it and admitted, then unconvincingly added, "I was picking herbs and happened to break through unexpectedly."


    Gu Yueming nodded slightly and didn''t say more to him. Instead, he looked to Elder Ning and asked respectfully, "The senior immortals have travelled a long way, why note to the Dao Sword Sect for a sit?"


    "Do you know about the recent frenzied berserk beasts?" Elder Ning didn''t respond but asked directly.


    "I do."


    "Do you know about the Devouring Demon Willow?"


    "I do."


    "Do you know about the current changes with the Devouring Demon Willow?"


    Gu Yueming hesitated and still shook his head, "I don''t know."


    "This time, the Devouring Demon Willow is determined to congeal its Dao!" Elder Ning said.


    Gu Yueming''s expression changed slightly.


    "I see the sects in thisnd of immortal legacy are all foolishly arrogant people who haven''t prepared at all!


    "What, do you want the Devouring Demon Willow to kill all living beings in the entirend of immortal legacy with everyone''s blood to congeal its personal Dao?" Elder Ning berated harshly.


    So the upper echelons of the sects did know about the Devouring Demon Willow but had no preparation at all despite knowing about the chaos caused by the level nine Devouring Demon Willow... As expected, it did not betray Elder Ning''s evaluation of them as foolishly arrogant.


    Having said this, Elder Ning lectured the Sect Master for a bit. The Sect Master then suggested going to the Dao Sword Sect to discuss countermeasures.


    Elder Ning agreed.


    During their conversation, Qin Ran learned that the reason why the Sect Master''s group came here was that they sensed the anomaly of this ce and thought some heaven-defying treasure had emerged. So they came with the same mindset as that five tailed fox demon.


    It seemed that he still underestimated these high-level cultivators. He thought this ce was remote enough and no one would know. But it still got discovered.


    Speaking of the five tailed fox demon, there had been no movement from her for quite a while. Qin Ran hurriedly turned around to check and found that the alluring woman had transformed back into the five tailed fox form. She was sneakily escaping with her tails between her legs.


    She had already retreated to the tree canopy a good distance away from them.


    It turned out that after seeing more and more people arrive, with the heaven-defying treasure gone and the situation getting increasingly dangerous instead, cold feet crept up the five tailed fox demon''s mind. Taking advantage of Elder Ning interrogating the Sect Master, she secretly slipped away.


    As she retreated, she suddenly met eyes with Qin Ran. Panicked, she red at Qin Ran, warning him not to make a sound or meddle, then continued slinking into the forest below.


    Qin Ran shook his head and pretended not to see her.


    But Qin Ran waszy by nature. Others may not let it go that easily. Seeing a five-tailed fox demon trying to escape, an elder from the Dao Sword Sect hurriedly rushed forward, wanting to capture it... If they couldn''t get the treasure, catching a level five demonic beast was also good.


    "Let her go!" Elder Ning called out to stop him. "All living beings have spirituality. You cultivate relying on the Hengduan Mountains Range. You have gained countless blessings but why don''t you treat the demonic beasts here better? Remember that a demon''s life is still life."


    The group from Dao Sword Sect all bowed their heads in shame. Only Qin Ran cynically thought to himself, it seemed the Lingnan Immortal Sect had already started harvesting leeks from demonic beasts.


    After the five-tailed fox demon escaped far away, this side''s group also rose up towards the Dao Sword Sect.


    Elder Ning rode the clouds and chatted with the Sect Master. They soon arrived at the Dao Sword Sect. The clouds stopped midair while the Sect Master came forward to open the mountain protecting great array.


    At this time, Bai Ruoxi suddenly noticed something off about Qin Ran. He was lowering his head, massaging his brows, looking very ufortable.


    "What''s wrong with you?" She kindly asked.


    Qin Ran shook his head without answering... He couldn''t speak, or he would vomit.


    "It''s probably because he just broke through, his cultivation is unstable," Su Changqing exined on his behalf.


    Bai Ruoxi nodded and examined Qin Ran closely again. She faintly felt something amiss.


    Entering the sect gate, the crowdnded outside the Grand Questioning Hall at the main peak. The Sect Master invited the people from Lingnan Immortal Sect into the hall to discuss countermeasures against the Devouring Demon Willow.

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101


    Qin Ran kept silent. Afternding, he still covered his forehead pretending to be dizzy. He sneakily followed along with Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi, blending in with the Lingnan Immortal Sect''s group, wanting to enter the Dao Questioning Grand Hall to listen for some inside information about the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow.


    Who knew that when he walked to the entrance of the Dao Questioning Grand Hall, Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi next to him easily walked right in, yet when he stepped forward, he couldn''t get in no matter what.


    "What''s the reason for this?" Su Changqing noticed the situation and asked aloud.


    Qin Ran looked up at Elder Ning. Elder Ning was watching him expressionlessly. Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi also followed his gaze to look at Elder Ning, immediately realizing this was Elder Ning''s intention.


    Although their status and position were quite high, they were still not higher than Elder Ning. They could only smile apologetically at Qin Ran.


    Elder Ning didn''t care whether Qin Ran had taken over someone''s body or came from outside the realm. But before getting clear on Qin Ran''s specific background, he would not allow Qin Ran to participate in the Lingnan Region''s internal affairs.


    Qin Ran didn''t know Elder Ning was already suspicious of his identity as a dimension-crosser. He looked at Elder Ning and frowned...


    Why was he targeting him? He just wanted to find out some inside information to help him survive. It wasn''t like he would do anything shady.


    Just then, Gu Yueming, the sect master, also noticed Qin Ran couldn''t get in. He nced at Elder Ning, understanding this was his intention. But he only thought Elder Ning felt Qin Ran''s identity was not high enough to participate in these matters.


    "You just formed your core, your cultivation is unstable. Go back and stabilize your realm first," he quickly said, giving Qin Ran a way out.


    "Yes!" Qin Ran nodded.


    What else could he do? He could only follow the arrangements of his superiors.


    Watching the group enter the Dao Questioning Grand Hall, Qin Ran hugged Chase Wind as he turned around, with his back facing the Dao Questioning Grand Hall as he looked at the Questioning Dao Square up ahead.


    The square today was the same as usual. It had not changed because of the Lingnan Immortal Sect''s arrival. Those who were cultivating techniques continued cultivating techniques. Those looking for dual cultivation partners continued looking for partners. Those going to the market continued going to the market. It was flourishing with a bustling scene.


    "Since I''m already here..." he sighed, preparing to go to the market and stroll around, to buy some things to bring back.


    Qin Ran''s clothes had been burnt to ashes by the Heavenly Tribtion''s lightning. He was currently wearing coarse hemp temporary clothing. His hair had also been burned to ashes by the tribtion fire. He currently had a 24K bald head. But he was hugging a little white tiger in his arms that looked to be quite valuable...


    With this appearance, walking amongst the crowds, he looked just like some lower-ranked menial worker taking care of a spirit beast pet for one of the upper-ranked inner sect members. He looked extremely shabby.


    Walking amongst the crowds, not to mention going unnoticed, being drowned out by the crowds, just the people passing by, upon seeing him, would all look down on him.


    After walking for a while, Qin Ran felt somewhat annoyed by the looks and wanted to utilize a technique to disguise himself, to no longer attract people''s attention. But at this time, he noticed the disciples'' conversation in the crowd:


    "Who hase to challenge today?"


    "I heard it''s Lu Jin, an inner sect disciple from Qi Peak."


    "Lu Jin? Oh, I''ve heard of him. It''s that Lu Jin who cultivates the Heaven-Reaching Lance Technique right? I''ve heard he''s already been a member of the sect for over a hundred years and performed exceptionally well in thest Door Knocking ceremony. It''s said he''s about to form his core soon. As long as he finds the Barrier-Breaking Core Formation Pill... His cultivation is quite profound!"


    "Yes yes yes, that''s him. His strength is great!"


    "I wonder if he can suppress that Dan Peak tyrant''s rampant arrogance."


    "That''s hard to say. I heard that tyrant is still in the middle Foundation Establishment stage, but her terrifying battle prowess..."


    "You said she looks so beautiful, why does she have to be sobative? What a pity, what a pity..."


    The two speaking gradually went towards the Debate tform at the square, leaving Qin Ran alone, petrified in the wind.


    Dan Peak? Tyrant?!


    Who else could this be but that girl Li Shiyin!


    So in the few days he was out crossing tribtion, what other mishaps happened at Dan Peak? What else did those two little girls at home do!!


    The Debate tform, while it was said to be a ce for debating techniques and dao, straight out, it was... a fighting tform.


    Disciples could find people at the Debate tform to exchange pointers on whatever techniques and arts they learned. They could resolve any grudges there. If their hands felt itchy, they could also go fight there. In short, it was that kind of ce.


    Today, the Debate tform at the Dao Sword Sect Main Peak was very lively, with many more spectators than usual who came just to witness the peerless elegance of the white-clothed sword fairy.


    In fact, this Debate tform had been this fiery and explosive every day for the past four to five days.


    The reason being, that white-clothed sword fairy had an extraordinary heroic spirit and unparalleled beauty. Her battle prowess was unmatched.


    After all, an even more wonderful experiencepared to watching a peerless beauty was watching a peerless beauty fight.


    There were nine Debate tforms arranged in nine pces. Their outer appearance wasn''t much different from ordinary fighting rings, but there were profound mysteries within them.


    The most obvious being the space within the tform versus the space below were vastly different. Looking from outside the tform, the tform radius was only about ten meters. But once stepping onto the tform, one would discover the tform was spacious, much more than ten meters. Another thing was the quality of the tforms. They could endure des, fire, poison, and other attacks from cultivators and not be destroyed. Their skin was thick and flesh coarse.


    At this time, on the number nine Debate tform of the nine pces, stood a middle-aged looking man. He had his arms crossed, long whiskers fluttering, and eyes closed as he waited for his opponent to arrive.


    He didn''t have to wait long before someone in the crowd loudly shouted:


    "The Dan Peak tyrantes!"


    Then someone asked: "Where is the sword fairy?"


    Everyone looked over together. They only saw a sword light flying over from Dan Peak''s direction. Looking closely, they saw two people on the sword.


    One was a peerless beauty in white. She had an arrogant expression and an oppressive aura, as if no heroes in the world were worth looking at. The other was a cute lolita in pink. She was charming and amiable, with a gentle aura that made anyone want to hug her affectionately.


    "That little girl is here too!" some creep shouted.


    The crowd below was excited, but on the sword the crowd couldn''t hear, the pink-d lolita Long Qiqi whispered to the arrogant sword fairy Li Shiyin: "There are even more people today than yesterday. Can you handle it?"


    "Don''t worry, no problem. I''m super strong!" Li Shiyin arrogantly said, also whispering.


    "Are you hungry?" Long Qiqi asked again.


    "You?"


    "I''m not hungry." Long Qiqi said. "I ate Chase Wind''s beast pills."


    "When?" Li Shiyin raised her voice. "Didn''t you say you''d save some for me?"


    "Don''t speak so loudly. Maintain your image!" Long Qiqi whispered admonishingly. "Having the right look gives you abat power boost. Maintain your disguise... I just couldn''t resist the temptation of those beast pills. They attract spirit beasts."


    "You ate them yourself!"


    The two whispered as they descended from the sword light, parting the crowd andnding on the Debate tform.


    "Fight well today. I''ll let you eat all the meat buns I buyter," Long Qiqi whispered as she jumped down from the sword.


    "You said it!"


    Li Shiyin looked straight ahead at the man, saying to Long Qiqi.


    "I did!" Long Qiqi said, then jumped down from the tform.


    "Dan Peak, Li Shiyin," Li Shiyin cupped her fists at the man across from her and said clearly in her cold voice.


    "Lu Jin!" The man replied. "I heard you''ve been quite arrogant recently, defeating dozens of my Qi Peak disciples in a row! Thinking as if Qi Peak has no one worthy!"


    "Senior brother..." Li Shiyin said. "I just want to find someone to fight with!"


    What an arrogant remark!


    As soon as she said this, it immediately drew cheers and apuse from the entire hall:


    "Well said!!!"


    Both in the skies and on the ground were sounds of approval.

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102


    "As expected from my disciple!"


    The adorable little loli below cheered for the arrogant Li Shiyin on the stage.


    "What disciple are you talking about?"


    Suddenly, a gloomy voice sounded nearby...


    "Did you see the female sword immortal on stage? She is my...disciple..."


    Long Qiqi was about to proudly answer, but she suddenly realized the familiarity of the voice and quickly looked over.


    Next to her stood a bald young man, holding arge white cat in his arms.


    That bald head...after carefully discerning, it looked like Qin Ran, and thatrge white cat, wasn''t it Chasing the Wind!


    "Qin Ran?!" She cried out in shock.


    Qin Ran''s face was dark as he asked Long Qiqi, "What are you two doing?!"


    "Why did you be bald?" Long Qiqi didn''t answer his question, but instead asked her own after regaining herposure.


    Qin Ran''s gaze suddenly shifted to rest upon her, staring straight at her, waiting for her to answer his question.


    "Cough..." Long Qiqi coughed drily, and weakly responded, "We just came out to y, to practice our mystic arts and such."


    As she spoke, she quickly changed the topic, "What happened to Chasing the Wind?"


    "Upset stomach..." Qin Ran responded curtly.


    During their conversation, the stage greetings had already ended. Li Shiyin drew her sword as Lu Jin took up his stance, and the battle was about to begin.


    Her opponent was from the Qi Sect, and those from the Qi Sect generally liked attacking from afar. Li Shiyin leaned forward with sword in hand, her eyes fixed upon Lu Jin''s hand, watching what kind of long-range mystic art he would unleash.


    Instead of immediately closing in for melee with the sword-wielder before him, her opponent was just standing there waiting for her to make the first move. Lu Jin sneered coldly to himself, she was indeed arrogant and impetuous due to her youth. Since that was the case, he would show no mercy!


    "The origin of all mystic arts!"


    He shouted softly, pushing his hand forward. His mystic power gushed forth, azure light shing like brush strokes before him, instantly forming a huge azure talisman in the air.


    The talisman waspleted in but a single breath, and Lu Jin''s mouth hooked into a cold smile. With the glyph formed, what followed next was an endless barrage of attacks. He raised his head to look at the pretty girl Li Shiyin, wanting to see her frantically dodging about in a sorry state...


    "Eh! Where did she go?!"


    But the Li Shiyin who was originally standing opposite him had mysteriously vanished into thin air!


    He was shocked in his heart, and hurriedly searched for her...


    "Are you looking for me?"


    Li Shiyin''s voice suddenly sounded from right before him. He looked forward to see Li Shiyin sword-in-hand, right before his face. With a sweep of her sword, starry purple light gleamed along the length of the de as she shed at the celestial talisman in front of him. Her strike was like a sharp de slicing paper, lightly sweeping across the celestial symbol.


    The talisman split into two halves, the mystic art dissipating as magic power steamed up into the air.


    "Sword... qi!"


    Lu Jin eximed in astonishment.


    "That''s right."


    Li Shiyin''s voice sounded from behind him. He lowered his head to see her sword already resting against his neck from the back.


    "You''ve lost."


    Li Shiyin stated.


    "I''ve lost." Lu Jin repeated, not evensting a single exchange before his defeat. Was it because he was toocking in skill, or were the youths of today just too strong?


    "The Dao Sword Sect, such impressive generations indeed!" Qin Ran shook his head, "This man probablycks actualbat experience. His speed of spellcasting and body movement capabilities are rather pitiful."


    Another quick knockout!


    The entire venue cheered for Li Shiyin...


    On stage, Li Shiyin''s expression was tranquil as she bowed with hands sped towards the four directions. At the same time, she sought out Long Qiqi''s location.


    She quickly found her, but next to Long Qiqi was a very familiar bald head, and that bald head''s face was currently overcast as he looked at her.


    "Mas...ter!"


    Li Shiyin''s expression drastically changed in an instant as she loudly shouted, "Master, I''ll take my leave first!"


    Her body shed as she leapt skyward. The Cherished Star Sword obediently flew to meet her feet, carrying her as she shot upwards and vanished from the Stage of Discussion.


    "Who is it that caused the Sword Immortal such panic?"


    "Her master?"


    "Is it my goddess''s master?"


    Witnessing Li Shiyin''s rather unsightly escape, the entire venue broke out into a mor. As for Lu Jin, he watched Li Shiyin''s swiftly retreating figure in puzzlement. Did he lose or did she lose?


    "What an unrighteous wench!" Long Qiqi said indignantly.


    "So this is the extent of your sworn sisterhood?" Qin Ran mercilessly mocked.


    Having squeezed through the crowds while pulling along the little loli, the two continued on towards the marketce.


    "Where did you go? Why did you end up like this?" En route, Long Qiqi held Qin Ran''s hand as she asked him.


    Qin Ran shot her a sideways nce and said, "Don''t meddle in adults'' affairs."


    "Then what happened to silly Chasing the Wind? He was knocked unconscious..." Long Qiqi continued asking, "Isn''t he just a kid?"


    Unable to worm his way out, Qin Ran could only exin, "He got food poisoning from eating a northwesterly gale."


    Well, he wasn''t lying about it. Chasing the Wind did indeed pass out after consuming a gale. However, at that time he wasn''t paying attention and didn''t know if that gale had blown in from the northwest.


    "You can faint from drinking a northwesterly wind?" Long Qiqi was shocked, "Fortunate that we didn''t drink any northwesterly winds then..."


    "Can you tell me what you lot were up to here? Running here to fight!" Qin Ran held onto the little loli''s hand, afraid that she might wander off.


    "Firstly, what we''re doing here is battling, not fighting. And secondly, there''s money to be earned battling at the Stage of Discussion!" Long Qiqi earnestly corrected him.


    "Just how much money can you earn risking life and limb fighting on that Stage of Discussion? Are we thatcking in money?" Qin Ran asked, puzzled.


    "Indeed!" Long Qiqi raised her head to look at Qin Ran, asking in righteous indignation. "Think about it, how long have you guys been out?"


    Qin Ran wasn''t too sure. He had left home in the middle of the night after all. "Six days? Seven days?"


    "Seven days!" Long Qiqi said. "Do you know how we''ve survived these past seven days? No food, starving our stomachs empty everyday..."


    She spoke with such grief that listeners'' hearts would ache and onlookers would shed tears. Quite a few people around them shot curious nces over.


    "That''s enough pretense!" Helpless, Qin Ran quickly put a stop to it. "Get to the main point."


    Long Qiqi cut off her tearful act. She continued,


    "I''m a snake, so not knowing how to cook is pretty normal right? But who knew that Li Shiyin doesn''t know how to cook either! There was originally quite a lot of food in the fridge. As a snake I could still barely sustain myself eating raw food. But Li Shiyin insisted on showing off her cooking skills to me..."


    "In the end, the ingredients in our home were all spoiled by her, one after another."


    Given Li Shiyin''s cooking skills, Long Qiqi ruining all of their ingredients fell within Qin Ran''s range of understanding. What he was concerned about was, "Is the kitchen...still alright?!"


    Thest time he went out chasing Chasing the Wind, that little critter wrecked their home. Don''t tell him this time Li Shiyin wrecked their home while he was out!


    "Lucky I was around, no huge incidents urred." Long Qiqi proudly thumped her chest.


    Qin Ran took a look at Long Qiqi, not entirely convinced by the poisonous snake''s words.


    "Even if all the food at home was botched, you guys could have just gone out to buy more!" Still puzzled, Qin Ran said, "Shiyin just received her monthly allowance."


    "Oh...now that''s the crux of the issue!" For some reason, Long Qiqi seemed embarrassed.


    Qin Ran looked at her, growing curious. "So what exactly happened?"


    "Cough..." Everything else was easy enough to mention, but only this matter was difficult for Long Qiqi to speak of. She hemmed and hawed for quite a while before finally saying, "We dide to this marketce intending to buy food...then, we got scammed."

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103


    The second day after Qin Ran left home, all the food at home had been finished off by Li Shiyin. She then took Long Qiqi to Questioning Dao Square on the main peak.


    "What do you want to eat?" Li Shiyin pulled Long Qiqi through the crowd.


    "I''m a snake, of course I want to eat meat!" Long Qiqi replied. "But do you have money?"


    Li Shiyin waved her hand, took out a Spirit Stone from her storage bag, and tossed it in front of Long Qiqi.


    "What''s this? I just got my monthly allowance."


    "Hurry hurry... I want to eat meat..." Long Qiqi got excited and pulled Li Shiyin into the market.


    The two entered the market, wandered around, and soon their eyes were dazzled by all kinds of strange things. For a while, they wanted to buy this, they also wanted to buy that.


    After walking a bit further, there was suddenly someone selling Lionheart Raging me Beast meat by the roadside ahead. Long Qiqi became interested. The Lionheart Raging me Beast was a level 4 demonic beast. Her former self could never afford something so high-end. Moreover, there was a high-level cultivator at Dan Peak who had been severely injured by a Lionheart Raging me Beast...


    She was very curious about how the Lionheart Raging me Beast meat tasted.


    "Let''s go buy that!" She pointed at the Lionheart Raging me Beast meat and said to Li Shiyin.


    "That is... Lionheart Raging me Beast?" Li Shiyin also became interested when she saw it, but she had some concerns because she had never heard that lion meat tasted good. She hesitated, "Does it taste good?"


    "That''s the meat of a level 4 demonic beast!" Long Qiqi exined, "No matter how it tastes, the spiritual energy in the flesh and blood is very nourishing."


    Li Shiyin thought about it. That makes sense. Even if it doesn''t taste good, keeping it to refine pills would also be great. She no longer hesitated and pulled Long Qiqi to the stall.


    "How much for your Lionheart Raging me Beast meat?" she asked.


    The stall owner looked very ordinary, clearly disguised. Seeing two young and beautiful girls with innocent eyes, he knew business hade to his door!


    He smiled, looking smug, "My Lionheart Raging me Beast meat is not for sale to ordinary cultivators! I''ll have to see how sincere you are."


    Why disy it if you''re not selling? Li Shiyin rolled her eyes. He clearly just wanted to rip them off.


    "I oftene here to trade, so I''m very clear on the market price of level 4 demonic beasts..." She said, holding up one hand, "50 Spirit Stones per catty."


    The stall owner raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, primembs to be fleeced.


    He shook his head. "This is Lionheart Raging me Beast meat. How can youpare it to ordinary level 4 demonic beasts?


    "Did you hear about the Sword Peak disciples who went hunting for Lionheart Raging me Beasts before? There were over a dozen Golden Core cultivators, but what was the result? They suffered heavy casualties, some even died."


    "50 Spirit Stones? Are you joking with me? Is a Golden Core cultivator''s life only worth 50 Spirit Stones?"


    This guy was slick with his words, diverting the concept and equating a Golden Core cultivator''s life to the meat of the beast.


    Li Shiyin didn''t notice and thought along with him. Huang Feiyu was lying injured in Dan Peak''s Earthfire Chamber. The Lionheart Raging me Beast was indeed extraordinary.


    It would be unreasonable to buy its meat at the normal market price of level 4 beasts. She held up another finger, "Plus 10!"


    "Tsk..." The stall owner scoffed, "Hurry and leave if you don''t have money. Don''te buying high level demonic beast meat."


    "You!" Li Shiyin was furious and wanted to try out her fists on him.


    Long Qiqi stopped Li Shiyin and went closer to inspect the meat on the stall, asking faintly, "You said the Lionheart Raging me Beast was difficult to kill... So where did you get this meat?"


    She looked at the stall owner. "This isn''t fake meat, right?"


    "How could it be fake?" The stall owner got agitated but quickly calmed himself down again. He leaned in closer and said in a low voice, "Actually this is from the Lionheart Raging me Beast that Sword Peak hunted a few days ago. I got it through connections...


    "If you really buy it, I can give you a discount." He went on. "It''s rare to see such beautiful female cultivators as yourselves."


    It was from the beast Sword Peak hunted? Li Shiyin nodded. It shouldn''t be fake then. She also thought it would be great if she could buy some for Tian Wenjin to try, as a way to help him vent his anger.


    "How many Spirit Stones do you want?" She also lowered her voice.


    "A friendly price, since you two beauties are interested..." The stall owner held up a hand, fingers spread, and said softly, "500 Spirit Stones."


    "What? Are you robbing us?!" Li Shiyin raised her voice.


    Just then, someone else came by to ask, "Brother, how much for your Lionheart Raging me Beast meat?"


    "My deal with this beautiful female cultivator is 500 Spirit Stones. With your face, I''ll charge you 600!" said the stall owner.


    The person looked at Li Shiyin and felt it was reasonable. He took out a temporary storage bag, counted out some Spirit Stones and threw them to the stall owner: "One catty please."


    The stall owner took the Spirit Stones and cut one catty of the meat for that person.


    He didn''t have much Lionheart Raging me Beast meat on his stall to begin with. After that one catty, it looked to be over half gone. Li Shiyin started feeling flustered and quickly said, "Can you do less? 300?"


    "That guy just paid 600 Spirit Stones, youngdy!" The stall owner shook his head.


    "For 500..." Li Shiyin thought about it. She only had 500 Spirit Stones total. Was she going to spend it all on this meat?


    "Wait." Long Qiqi asked again at this time, "There''s nothing wrong with this meat, right?"


    "What could be wrong?" The stall owner said proudly, "I cut it off the Lionheart Raging me Beast myself..."


    "Can I try a bite?" Long Qiqi asked.


    "What?" The stall owner was stunned for a moment.


    Long Qiqi stretched out her tongue which elongated, licking the meat once... It really was the taste of Lionheart Raging me Beast meat. She nodded.


    "Wow! I wouldn''t have guessed, such a sweet looking girl yet you''re actually a snake demon." The stall owner eximed.


    "Is it that surprising?" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes at him.


    "No no, not at all surprising!" The stall owner went on, "Alright, seeing as you''re a snake demon, I''ll give you girls another discount, 400 Spirit Stones, what do you think?"


    Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi exchanged a look, and finally still took out the money to buy one catty of Lionheart Raging me Beast meat.


    "Hmph!" Carrying the meat as they walked away, Long Qiqi said proudly to Li Shiyin, "Iced the meat with venom. It will all rot away soon. That will wipe the smugness off his face..."


    Li Shiyin high-fived her: "You really are the best!"


    "That guy who came to buy the meat earlier was their nt!!" Long Qiqi gnashed her teeth, "Don''t let me see them again or I''ll swallow them whole!"


    "You only spent 400 Spirit Stones this time. Don''t you still have 100 left?" Qin Ran asked curiously.


    Long Qiqi said dejectedly: "No... the meat was fake!"


    "Fake?"


    "He only smeared ayer of Lionheart Raging me Beast blood on the surface, the inside was just ordinary beast meat!" Long Qiqi covered her face. "What''s worse, it was rotten meat. We hadn''t even gotten home before the bag of meat started stinking!"


    "That''s why he immediately dropped the price after I licked it." Long Qiqi was in despair.


    "You spent 400 Spirit Stones to buy one catty of rotten meat!" Qin Ran praised, "Very impressive!"


    "That guy who came to sell the meat was their shill!!" Long Qiqi gnashed her teeth. "Don''t let me see them again or I''ll bite their heads off!"


    "You only spent 400 Spirit Stones this time. Don''t you still have 100 Spirit Stones left?" Qin Ran asked curiously.


    "That''s... why we went to fight at the arena."

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104


    Li Shiyin bought some spirit beast meat and went to buy other food. She had almost spent all her spirit stones and then she took Long Qiqi and flew towards Dan Peak on her sword.


    Flying magic was indeed convenient. It only took a few minutes to travel from one mountain top to another, whereas walking would have taken an entire day...


    During these few minutes, Long Qiqi couldn''t resist the temptation of the Lionheart me Beast meat in Li Shiyin''s Universe Bag. She took out the meat intending to smell it, taste it, and satisfy her craving.


    To her surprise, as soon as she took out the Lionheart me Beast meat, she smelled a putrid odor.


    She took a closer look and realized that what she held in her hand was not Lionheart me Beast meat at all. It was clearly just ordinary rotten meat!


    "What is this?" Li Shiyin wrinkled her brow and asked, annoyed by the smell.


    Long Qiqi showed the meat in her hand to Li Shiyin.


    "What is this?" Li Shiyin still hadn''t realized.


    "It''s Lionheart me Beast meat," Long Qiqi said.


    Only then did Li Shiyin react. She cursed, "Damn it! How dare they deceive even thisdy!"


    She decided not to return to Dan Peak and changed her mind. She reversed the tip of her sword and flew towards Master Peak.


    That stall owner was really arrogant. After deceiving someone, he didn''t even leave. He continued to set up his stall, waiting for the next fat sheep toe.


    Li Shiyin walked over with the foul-smelling meat in her hand and forcefully threw it on the stall owner''s stall, shouting, "Give me my money back!"


    The stall owner was startled by themotion caused by the rotten meat hitting the stall. When he regained hisposure and saw that it was Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi, two little girls, he understood what had happened and immediatelyposed himself.


    "Miss, who are you? What is the meaning of this disturbance?" he asked calmly.


    "Huh?!" Li Shiyin grew even angrier. "Are you pretending with me?"


    She clenched her fist and shouted repeatedly, "Is this meat from here? Is it the meat you just sold me? Is it?"


    The stall owner pretended to examine the rotten meat on his stall, then looked puzzled and said, "This, this is clearly not from here! I am an honest person who sells spirit beast meat. How could I sell you fake spirit beast meat?"


    He felt smug and gave Li Shiyin some advice, "Miss, it seems you have been deceived. Why not go find the patrol team of Dao Sword Sect? They can help you seek justice."


    The patrol team was just a group of disciples responsible for internal patrols. They only dealt with trivial matters because they couldn''t handle the affairs of true disciples... or rather, they didn''t bother with them at all.


    The stall owner''s words were meant to mock Li Shiyin, implying that if she felt wronged, she should go home and find her mother.


    Li Shiyin''s fist tightened as her anger grew. She was so furious that she couldn''t speak.


    "But! Whether you go find the patrol team or not, please don''t stand here blocking the way. It''s affecting my business," the stall owner continued with his self-satisfied words. "Look, so many people have gathered around. Your actions here have created a negative image for my stall. If you don''t move away, I might have to ask you topensate for my losses..."


    "Bang!"


    Before the stall owner could finish his smug words, Li Shiyin''s fist had already reached his face.


    With a furious punch, the Stall Owner was struck heavily on the brow, causing him to copse on the ground in a daze. Hey there for a while before slowly regaining consciousness.


    As he sat up groggily, his head spinning and his vision blurred, he noticed that the upper half of his brow was already swollen from the blow.


    "You dare toy hands on me?" he eximed, unable to believe it.


    "You dared to deceive me! I''ll beat you to death!" Li Shiyin couldn''t tolerate it anymore and, clenching her fist, charged at him once again.


    At that moment, several people rushed out from the crowd nearby, using their magical techniques to attack Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin knew that reinforcements had arrived, the Stall Owner''s aplices. The person who had bought meat for him in the morning was still there, but she paid no attention and continued her charge towards the Stall Owner.


    The Stall Owner, still in a daze, attempted to use his incantation to cast a spell when he saw Li Shiyin approaching. But Li Shiyin''s speed was astonishing. Not only did he fail toplete the incantation, but even the normal aplices who had rushed out from the crowd could only eat her dust.


    "Crack!"


    She delivered a whip kick directly to the Stall Owner''s head, causing him to fly off the ground like a burst sack and crash down far away.


    He tried to get up, making two attempts, but failed. His head was covered in blood as hey there shouting, "Murder!"


    After kicking the Stall Owner away, Li Shiyin swiftly changed her stance, evading the iing magical attacks one by one. Then, with a somersault from mid-air, she drew her Qingxing Sword,nded on the ground, and unsheathed it.


    "You all should fight back too!" Her eyes filled with killing intent, Li Shiyin pointed her chilling Qingxing Sword at the five people opposite her.


    This group consisted of the Stall Owner and five others. At this moment, the five of them looked at the white-robed girl standing with her sword, and couldn''t help but gulp, exchanging nces with a hint of retreat in their eyes.


    It seems they''re afraid to fight against her alone?


    "Five against one, why are you scared of her?!!" A tough man shouted and raised his hand to activate his magical techniques.


    However, Li Shiyin swiftly moved, her body shining with starlight, and with a few afterimages, she counter-charged at the five people...


    As the sound of sword energy filled the air and the screams of the five people continued, it didn''t take long before they all fell to the ground, injured all over.


    Being approached by a powerful sword cultivator up close, this was their fate.


    "Who is this female sword immortal?" The onlookers erupted into discussion, with someone asking.


    "Does my Dao Sword Sect still have a female cultivator with such talent and strength?"


    "What terrifyingbat power!"


    Someone answered amidst the buzzing noise, "It seems she''s from Dan Peak."


    "Dan Peak? Who is that?"


    "Dan Peak, Li Shiyin!"


    On the battlefield, Li Shiyin stood alone while the five othersy on the ground. She held her sword and gazed at them, her mind in turmoil.


    "Should I take their Universe Bags? These despicable people have cheated me out of so many spirit stones. But my master said I shouldn''t take such things, fearing future troubles..."


    "Should I destroy the evidence and dispose of their bodies? There are still people nearby who have witnessed this. Is it necessary?"


    The five people on the ground felt the terrifying gaze from Li Shiyin and trembled.


    Long Qiqi pulled the Stall Owner over with one hand, cing the five of them together. She looked at Li Shiyin''s chilling gaze and asked, "What are you thinking?"


    "I''m thinking whether I should finish them off," Li Shiyin honestly replied.


    All six of them shivered in unison.


    "That seems a bit too much..."


    At this moment, the patrol team seemed to have finished observing themotion here. A person walked out from the crowd and, upon assessing the situation on the field, respectfully asked Li Shiyin, "Are you Senior Sister from the Dao Sword Sect?"


    "Yes, Dan Peak, Li Shiyin," replied Li Shiyin.


    The patrol team understood and then asked the six individuals on the ground, "Where do you alle from?"


    "Senior Brother... Senior Brother!" The stall owner, upon seeing the patrol team''s arrival, seemed to have found hope. He propped up his pained body and addressed the patrol team, "Senior Brother, look, she beat the five of us and even smashed our stall, preventing us from selling our goods properly. This disrupts the rules of the marketce. Senior Brother, please punish them swiftly!"


    "Are you a member of the Dao Sword Sect?"


    "No... that''s not important. Just quickly capture them," the stall owner pleaded.


    "In that case, no problem." The patrol team proceeded to bind the individuals and prepare to take them away.


    The person who had just spoken to Li Shiyin came over and said to her, "Senior Sister Dan Peak, you were too impulsive. If you had deceived them into going to the Debate tform and then beaten them up, you could have also earned some spiritual stones."


    "The Debate tform?" Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi exchanged a nce, feeling as if they had discovered the key to wealth.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105


    Debate tform, known as the arena for debating the Dao.


    But it''s not free to use, at least not for non-members of the Dao Sword Sect.


    When non-members participate in the Debate tform, they have to pay a fee. If they win, the deposit goes to the Dao Sword Sect as a cost for maintaining the tform; if they lose, the deposit goes to the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect as a reward.


    Unfair?


    Indeed, it''s unfair.


    This is their territory, so why should they treat an outsider fairly?


    Apart from non-members of the Dao Sword Sect participating in the Debate tform, there is another way to engage with it, and that is through challenge matches.


    It is a policy implemented by the Dao Sword Sect to encourage its disciples to be brave inbat. The specific rules don''t need to be exined in detail, but in simple terms, it involves lower-level practitioners challenging higher-level ones. If the challenger wins, they are rewarded, and if they achieve consecutive victories, the rewards be greater.


    This is what Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi have learned in the past few days and what they are currently engaged in.


    "So, you''ve been provoking and causing trouble here every day for the past few days, and then getting into fights everywhere, tarnishing... Dan Peak, right?!" Qin Ran said.


    "It''s not really provoking. Actually, only the first one was lured onto the tform by my little trick, but the rest were voluntary, either for the sake of face or reputation. It has nothing to do with us..."


    As Long Qiqi spoke, she suddenly remembered something important. "Oh no, I forgot to collect the spirit stones this time! The prize money for winning eight consecutive matches! It''s worth over a thousand spirit stones!"


    "Collect... collect what?!" Qin Ran scolded. "Is Dan Peak so poor? Is it necessary for you to degrade yourselves like this? Are you saying that without these one thousand spirit stones, you won''t be able to survive?!"


    "Alright..." Long Qiqi had no choice but to put the matter aside.


    "Is there nothing left at home?" Qin Ran walked up to a rice shop and asked Long Qiqi.


    "We still have rice and flour, but I don''t like eating them, and Shiyin doesn''t like them either," Long Qiqi replied.


    Qin Ran nced at her and asked, "Then what do you like?"


    "Meat!"


    "Rotten meat, huh?" Qin Ran sarcasticallymented.


    "Don''t mention that, we''re still friends..."


    "Give us two pounds of Zhishen spirit rice," Qin Ran said to the shop owner.


    "Oh, it''s you, fellow Daoist..." The owner smiled and greeted him.


    Few cultivators indulged in worldly desires such as food, so there weren''t many people buying rice, flour, and meat. Qin Ran was one of the few, and he had be familiar with the shop owner over time.


    The owner asked, "Just Zhishen spirit rice?"


    "Yes," Qin Ran nodded.


    "Lately, there seems to be something wrong with Zhishen Valley. The quality of the spirit rice they sell is gradually deteriorating, and the amount I receive has been decreasing. I think it won''t be long before you won''t be able to buy Zhishen spirit rice on the market anymore." Since they were familiar with each other, the owner didn''t y any tricks and instead engaged in idle chat with Qin Ran.


    Upon hearing this, Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat. Casually, he asked, "Has anything interesting happened in Zhishen Valleytely?"


    "No major events, just a bunch of minor ones. Everything is as usual," the rice shop owner replied. After packing the rice, he handed it to Qin Ran and said, "This is the amount equivalent to one spirit stone."


    Qin Ran took the rice, reached into his spatial pouch, and then his expression changed...


    He didn''t have any spirit stones left!


    His Qiankun Bag turned to ashes under the cmitous thunder, leaving nothing behind except two Thunder Tribtion Pills. Everything else was gone.


    As for the temporary Qiankun Bags he had set aside, they only contained pills, formations, and techniques forter use, without any spirit stones.


    He silently put the rice back on the counter and said to Long Qiqi, "The winnings from your consecutive victories, the fruits of your hard work, it''s necessary to im them."


    "Huh?" Long Qiqi was taken aback.


    In the end, Qin Ran decided to im Li Shiyin''s prize money. He bought rice and some other things before hurrying back with Long Qiqi. He still traveled by foot, refusing to fly, running along the way back to Dan Peak.


    With one hand holding Chasing the Wind and the other holding Long Qiqi, he exuded a sense of destion, like a middle-aged person who had be estranged, wandering in the wilderness with a child and a pet.


    "Don''t you know how to fly?" Long Qiqi asked curiously, tilting her head.


    "How is that possible!" Qin Ran replied. "Walking is healthier. Flying around is not dignified andcks decorum. It''s not proper etiquette."


    "Let me teach you a second lesson. What distinguishes humans from demonic beasts is rites and music. When rites copse and music is in chaos, it signifies an era of turmoil."


    "Oh!" Long Qiqi nodded, but she still didn''t understand. "But flying... isn''t it cool?"


    Qin Ran pretended not to hear.


    "I''ve never seen you fly. Could it be that you really can''t fly?" Long Qiqi continued, "It''s quite interesting for a cultivator not to be able to fly..."


    With Long Qiqi nestled in his armpit, her little mouth kept chattering, but Qin Ran acted as if he didn''t hear, his expression somewhat unpleasant.


    They arrived at the wooden house in front of Dan Peak. Qin Ran tossed Long Qiqi onto the grass and gave her a sinister nce before going to find Li Shiyin.


    "Shiyin? Shiyin!" He ced Chasing the Wind gently on the rocking chair in front of the house and shouted loudly.


    "Shiyin is in seclusion and not avable." Li Shiyin''s voice sounded from the small cottage under the old locust tree.


    The room was specially arranged by Qin Ran for Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind, serving as Li Shiyin''s cultivation ce. The room was equipped with an array of spiritual gathering formations and starlight formations, making it the most suitable ce for Li Shiyin''s cultivation.


    Li Shiyin covered her eyes like a child ying hide-and-seek, feeling as if she had disappeared. This made Qin Ran chuckle, and he hurriedly walked over, cing his hand on the door of the Star Soul Chamber, about to push it open...


    "What if she really is in seclusion?"


    He wondered, and in the end, he didn''t push it open.


    If Li Shiyin was truly in seclusion, pushing the door open would disturb her. If her spiritual energy went astray or she fell into madness as a result, what would they do?


    Although the possibility was small, it wasn''t nonexistent. Qin Ran didn''t dare to gamble.


    He clenched his fist and turned away.


    In fact, Li Shiyin, inside the chamber, leaned against the door. She listened to the sounds outside, her heart beating like a drum...


    Qin Ran had specially set up the Star Soul Chamber so that the outside couldn''t perceive what was happening inside, but it was easy to sense the external environment from within. This setting was to guard against surprise attacks during seclusion.


    So Li Shiyin knew that Qin Ran was right outside.


    This scene reminded her of when she was a child, when she made a mistake and hid with Li Shiwen, fearing that their father would find them.


    "Master is so scary!" she murmured.


    Feeling that the master had gone far away, she turned and walked to the chair indoors, picking up a manual to read.


    The manual was called "Star Shadow Sword Technique," a martial art that taught how to utilize the power of stars in battle. Its style leaned towards elegance and agility, with references to shadows and spirits. It was purchased by the master and seemed to be a technique created during the Nascent Soul stage.


    Li Shiyin didn''t particrly like this style of sword technique, but after all, it was a high-level technique of a cultivator. It wouldn''t hurt to take a look and learn a bit.


    Although...


    As she kept reading, she started feeling sleepy.


    She didn''t know how much time had passed, but Li Shiyin, holding the book, had alreadypletely closed her eyes and nodded off while sitting on the chair.


    At that moment, the master''s voice suddenly came from outside:


    "Shiyin, it''s time to eat! Today we have braised trotters and lean meatballs. They are so delicious!!"


    Time to eat?


    Li Shiyin jolted awake as if she could already smell the aroma of the food. Her mouth watered, and with a slurp, she tossed the book onto the table. Before the book evennded on the table, she was already outside.


    She arrived outside and nced around. There was a square table on the grass, with four or five dishes exuding a delightful fragrance. On the other side, Long Qiqi was holding a pot of steaming hot rice above her head, walking out from the living room, and...


    Standing by the table, her master looked at her with a serious expression.


    "It''s over!"


    Li Shiyin lowered her head, feeling pitiful and helpless.

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106


    In the end, Qin Ran did not do anything to Li Shiyin, only criticizing and educating her a little. For a seasoned veteran like Li Shiyin who was wholeheartedly focused on cultivation, criticism and education were just empty words that went in one ear and out the other.


    So after the meal, Qin Ran went to the bamboo grove behind the mountain and dug up a bamboo root to take back and temper in the river water.


    When Li Shiyin saw this, she felt an itchiness throughout her body and keenly sensed that the bamboo whip that was about to take shape would likely have an intricate connection with her skin.


    She swallowed hard, then walked over and tentatively asked, "Master, what is that used for?"


    "Oh this?" Qin Ran replied. "Remember how I was researching pain and death a while ago?"


    Li Shiyin remembered that in order to refine the longevity medicine, her master had specially gone to research death. What was that line he had said? To research life, one must first research death.


    Of course, she didn''t really understand. What left a deep impression on her was that her master had been exceptionally irritable during that period.


    "I remember, but what does that have to do with this?" she asked again, secretly praying that she herself had nothing to do with it.


    "I envisioned this bamboo whip to be something that, whenshed onto a person, would not injure their bones or muscles yet bring endless pain," Qin Ran exined as he tempered the bamboo whip.


    "Where I''m from, many people believe that filial pietyes from the stick. All children y around too much and need to be disciplined.


    "However, children have delicate skin and soft bones. If you use an actual stick or rod to hit them, you''d risk seriously injuring them.


    "Thus, some genius came up with hitting their buttocks with bamboo canes instead. Bamboo is slender and flexible, so it doesn''t damage bones, yet buttocks have thick flesh and abundant nerves, so getting hit there is painful.


    "When the bamboo strikes the skin, it makes a sharp swooshing noise, which has an immense deterrent effect. With clothes still on,shes from the whip leave welt after welt on the buttocks. And that pain clings on stubbornly for a long time afterwards..."


    As Li Shiyin listened, she felt a phantom pain in her own bottom. She covered up her behind with both hands and quietly shuffled away.


    "Stand right there!" Qin Ran suddenly shouted.


    Li Shiyin was so startled that she immediately stopped.


    "Come here," Qin Ran ordered.


    Li Shiyin didn''t dare to move.


    "I told you toe over!" Qin Ran turned to look at her.


    Only then did Li Shiyin reluctantly make her way over to Qin Ran''s side.


    "Why are you standing so high up?" Qin Ran was sitting by the riverbank while Li Shiyin was quite tall. Standing there, he had to crane his neck to look at her, which didn''t seem very dignified.


    As instructed, Li Shiyin found a rock to sit on.


    "From now on, this bamboo whip will serve as your punishment!" Qin Ran dered. "In the future, if any of you make mistakes, you''ll get to experience its might."


    "Huh?" Long Qiqi, who was under the old pagoda tree researching how to climb it, waspletely confused. "What''s that got to do with me?"


    "Yes, Master!" In contrast, Li Shiyin had always been mischievous and was highly experienced in getting beaten. She promptly lowered her head in acquiescence.


    "Also..." Qin Ran continued. "Today, I will teach you how to consecrate your Lifebound Sword."


    "Consecrate my Lifebound Sword?!" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up excitedly.


    Qin Ran nodded. "It''s long overdue for you to start. My original n was to begin after I got ma...after I returned. I didn''t expect to be gone for so long this time. I thought three or two days would be enough. I didn''t anticipate it dragging out like this.


    "That matter is about to erupt soon. I don''t even know if you''ll have enough time now."


    "What matter?" Li Shiyin asked in bewilderment. "Master, what were you out doing the past seven or eight days that you''re now hurrying me to consecrate my sword as soon as you return?"


    Qin Ran nced at Li Shiyin, intending to exin everything to her carefully. But then he reconsidered¡ªgiven her intellect, even if he did tell her, it would be useless. So he decided not to borate and simply said, "Don''t worry yourself over these matters. I will handle them. You just focus on your cultivation."


    "Oh, I see," Li Shiyin answered obediently with a nod.


    "It''s gettingte...take out your Lifebound Sword," said Qin Ran.


    Li Shiyin promptly retrieved her sword from her Universe Bag.


    "To a certain degree, the Lifebound Sword is like an extension of the cultivator''s body, or you could say, it is a part of the cultivator''s body," Qin Ran exined the fundamentals about lifebound swords to Li Shiyin. "Therefore, in order to integrate it into the body, it needs to be consecrated with blood so that it will develop its own vessels and channels¡ªflowing with the cultivator''s blood¡ªand truly be an intrinsic part of the body.


    "So, the first step is to nourish it with vital blood!"


    He stretched out his finger and pointed at the spot where the hilt met the de. "There are all sorts of consecration methods in the cultivation world, talking about nourishing it daily with your vital blood over the course of 49 days, 81 days, and so on. But the bottom line is one requirement¡ªblood must run from the guard to the tip and cover the entire sword.


    "Some people are faster and only need 49 days. Others who are slower take 81 days. And still some others with exceptional talents canplete consecration instantly. But there''s no need to fret over the variation in time because this is your Lifebound Sword, bound together with you for life, growing with you. So the speed of consecration is meaningless..."


    "You''re formally beginning the consecration process today. Start by offering your vital blood. Don''t rush; make sure that after each offering, your body is unharmed, otherwise it wouldn''t be worthwhile."


    Having listened to Qin Ran''s instructions, Li Shiyin expressed her understanding. Then without warning, she bit down on her finger and let the blood drip onto her Setting Dusk Sword before tilting her head to ask Qin Ran, "Do I start now?"


    She had acted so swiftly that Qin Ran didn''t even have a chance to stop her. All he could do was watch as she asked, "Did it hurt?"


    Li Shiyin nodded. "Of course it hurts!"


    "Then why did you bite yourself?!"


    "Isn''t that how it goes in fantasy novels?"


    Qin Ran smacked his forehead in exasperation. He picked up the bamboo whip, intending to give this silly disciple of his ash, but he had no choice but to resign himself. "You''re an immortal cultivator. You can use many different means to extract your vital blood..."


    He took out some pills for Li Shiyin to heal her wound.


    "And I haven''t finished exining yet¡ªconsecration isn''t as simple as that!" He continued lecturing, "Aside from using your own flesh and blood, you also need to channel magic power and the forces of celestial bodies. I''ve told you time and time again that consecrating your Lifebound Sword is a long process, one that will continue for your entire life as a sword cultivator. Do not be impatient!"


    "Lastly, before beginning the consecration, you need to be familiar with your Lifebound Sword first.


    "The reason it''s called a Lifebound Sword is because the method used to forge it is fundamentally different than regr flying swords."


    He looked into Li Shiyin''s eyes and pointed solemnly at the junction where the hilt met the de.


    "This¡ªis called the Sword Core. Simr to a living being''s heart, it is the origin of the sword''s blood vessels and channels. In the future, your magic power will pour forth from here and into the sword.


    "Every sword has a different location for its Sword Core, typically only known to the cultivator itself. Given your exceptional talents in the Dao of the Sword, you should be aware why...The position of the Sword Core will be your deepest secret."


    "Hold your hand out," he instructed.


    Li Shiyin obediently rested her hand on top of his finger that was pointing at the Sword Core.


    Qin Ran was flustered. He looked into Li Shiyin''s eyes again and asked, "Why are you touching my hand?"


    "Didn''t you ask me to hold my hand out?" Li Shiyin blinked her big innocent eyes.


    "I meant for you to ce your hand on the sword!"


    Only then did Li Shiyin move her hand onto the Sword Core.


    "Send your divine sense into the Sword Core," Qin Ran directed.


    Li Shiyin inserted her divine sense into the Sword Core.


    "I''ll guide you in bing familiar with the channels and pathways within the Lifebound Sword. They follow the same paths as the human bod..."


    Qin Ran also slipped his divine sense inside. But he failed to notice that at the Sword Core, his divine sense had brushed up against Li Shiyin''s...The sensation of their divine senses making contact was indescribably strange, almost like having one''s soul caressed by the spring breeze. It caused his voice to hitch slightly before he managed to resume his exnation normally after a long pause.


    "They...they mirror the human body''s meridians..."


    After painstakingly guiding Li Shiyin to recognize every structure within her Lifebound Sword, Qin Ran hastily retracted his divine sense, as though he had just surfaced from a deep dive and was now gasping for air. He quickly turned his back to deeply inhale and catch his breath.


    In a failed attempt to cover things up, he shakily asked, "Have...have you read the vital blood offering technique from the Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique for consecrating lifebound swords?"


    Li Shiyin''s face had also long turned red as an apple. She was drenched in fragrant sweat. After a long pause, she finally responded in an equally shaky voice, "I''ve...I''ve read it before."


    "Then my brief exnation will suffice..."


    From her perch atop the old pagoda tree, Long Qiqi watched the two figures by the riverside. She was still too young and couldn''tprehend whether the pair was truly lecturing about consecrating the Lifebound Sword or whispering sweet nothings in courtship.


    "Tsk tsk!" But that didn''t stop her from eagerly observing the drama unfold. "The gentleman harbors feelings, and thedy is willing. It''s just a matter of not knowing when they will... hehehe..."

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107


    After Li Shiyin left the Star Soul Chamber where she was sacrificing her life treasure sword, Qin Ran dealt with the bamboo whip and then went to the Research Building, hugging Chasing the Wind.


    This little guy fainted after eating thest Robbery Wind. He still showed no signs of waking up even now. Although he looked unharmed externally, one could never know what¡¯s going on inside. Qin Ran had to check on him carefully.


    After an examination at the Research Building, Qin Ran prescribed medicine for Chasing the Wind and refined pills for him. He then melted the pills and absorbed them into Chasing the Wind¡¯s body, making sure he had fully absorbed them before taking him back to the cat¡¯s nest.


    In fact, there wasn¡¯t much problem with Chasing the Wind. He was a level 7 demon beast, Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger. Once matured, he would at least beparable to a Yuanying stage cultivator. It was indeed difficult for a single Robbery Wind of the restrained attribute to cause substantial harm to him.


    Qin Ran had only prepared some pills to elerate Chasing the Wind¡¯s digestion and dispel coldness, which, together with his absorption of the Robbery Wind... Qin Ran believed he would wake up soon.


    Compared to Chasing the Wind¡¯s condition, Huang Feiyu''s problem was the bigger one. Up until now, the first phase of his transformation still hadn''t beenpleted. This was rather abnormal.


    "Where is Tian Wenjin?" Qin Ran asked Long Qiqi who was on the tree.


    These days, the two wild girls at home had been going crazy everywhere, leaving quite a reputation in the Dao Sword Sect. Strangely though, Tian Wenjin was nowhere to be seen.


    "She went to earn spirit stones!" Long Qiqi liked the old locust tree very much. Hugging a tree branch, she swung and refused toe down, answering,


    "She left on the second day after you were gone. Before leaving, she told Li Shiyin that she had to find ways to earn spirit stones to pay back Danfeng Sect. We guess she probably went to take on sect missions. She should be carrying out missions now."


    "Well, that''s good..." Qin Ran nodded.


    Sect missions themselves mainly served to temper inner disciples. To let disciples go out and fight, to build a solid foundation for their cultivation, and to enhance their adaptability - in short, it was all beneficial for the disciples'' cultivation.


    If it hadn''t been for the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow incident, ording to Qin Ran¡¯s n, after sessfully sacrificing her life treasure sword, Li Shiyin would have gone to take on sect missions.


    Now that Tian Wenjin was doing sect missions, it was definitely much better than her previous way of cultivation relying on pills.


    Standing under the tree while Long Qiqi was on it, Qin Ran looked up at Long Qiqi, wanting to say something but hesitating for quite a while before making up his mind.


    "What else do you want to ask?" Long Qiqi took the initiative to ask.


    So Qin Ran pondered for a while more before asking, "Do you have any cultivation techniques?"


    Low-level demon beasts like Long Qiqi, after umting endless years and transforming into human forms, was exactly so that they could cultivate human cultivation techniques, taking a shortcut to go further on the path of immortality.


    But Long Qiqi had been following them for so long, yet she was still just an ordinary demon beast, even inferior to ordinary ones, because she only had physical strength without any demon power at all. She hadn''t even started cultivating, let alone having any cultivation techniques. Qin Ran doubted whether she even had one.


    As expected, Long Qiqi shook her head. "No."


    "Then... do you know your spiritual root attribute?" Qin Ran felt that he should still help her in this regard.


    "Don''t know."


    She didn''t even know her spiritual roots. Qin Ran couldn''t help asking, "Then how are you going to cultivate?"


    "I came out of the forest exactly to find cultivation techniques!" Long Qiqi justified herself categorically.


    "Judging from your cunningness, I thought you''d been living in the human world for a long time..." Qin Ran shook his head and said, "Come down and let me check your bone quality."


    "Ah!?" Hearing this, Long Qiqi hurriedly hugged her petite body in alertness, "What do you want to do?"


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was baffled by Long Qiqi''s reaction, "What can I do to you?"


    "Don''t pretend to be innocent. You just molested Li Shiyin, didn''t you? I didn''t expect that you weren''t satisfied yet and still want to take advantage of me too!" Long Qiqi sharply pointed out Qin Ran''s viinous nature.


    Qin Ran looked up to the sky with a sigh, "Will youe down or not? If not, I¡¯m going back to my room to sleep."


    "Aha... so you''re implying, aren''t you!"


    Qin Ran turned and left.


    "Ashamed into anger, huh?" Long Qiqi eximed smugly, "Luckily I was vignt enough that a lecher like you didn''t seed!"


    So Qin Ran couldn''t help thinking of the old saying again, lustfulness was innate to the snake nature. Although Long Qiqi had transformed into a little girl, her mind was full of dirty thoughts. It seemed this was really inborn.


    After a nice sleep in his room, the next day, Qin Ran set up a swing under the old locust tree. Long Qiqi loved swinging things like rocking chairs, tree branches and so on very much. It must be the special hobby of snake demons. Then making her a swing should be great since Chasing the Wind already got a Qin Ran-shaped cat scratcher... He couldn''t show favoritism here.


    With Qin Ran¡¯s return, Li Shiyin could only continue digging theke. However, arge area at the bottom was covered with stone bs now, making the digging extremely difficult. No wonder she went out fighting every day.


    In snake form, Long Qiqi helped Li Shiyin transport stones from theke bottom... Transporting stones was originally Chasing the Wind¡¯s job, but with him still unconscious, Long Qiqi took over the task.


    After setting up the swing, Qin Ran came to thekeside with a ss of happy water, ready to take a break. Then he overheard the two girls with weird mindset discussing him at theke bottom.


    In a low voice, little girl Long Qiqi said, "Your master is so perverted. He wanted to take advantage of me yesterday."


    "Really?" Li Shiyin¡¯s big eyes blinked. Strange ideas seemed to be shing inside. "What did he do?"


    "He said he wanted to check my bone quality and determine my attribute." Long Qiqi said. "It''s obviously an excuse. He wanted to touch my beautiful body."


    "Did he manage to touch you then?"


    "No, my wise eyes saw through his attempt!"


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin sighed regretfully. If he had touched Long Qiqi, could she use it as an excuse to ask master to check her bone quality too? Cough...


    She casually asked, "Do you know what quality your spiritual root is then?"


    "Ah?" Long Qiqi was stunned for a moment and shook her head. "Don''t know."


    But she was very confident. "But it must be the best quality!"


    "Then how are you going to determine your spiritual root?" Li Shiyin asked doubtfully.


    "How did you determine yours?"


    "When I first joined the sect, there was a magic treasure. My blood dripped on it and it revealed my spiritual root." Li Shiyin said.


    "Then use that!"


    "That is the sect¡¯s instrument which can¡¯t be privately used. It¡¯s only used during apprenticeship ceremonies." Li Shiyin said. "Actually, master may really be able to check spiritual roots by touching..."


    "I don''t believe it..."


    With a ck face, Qin Ran sat down on the recliner and gently coughed to remind the two girls with weird mindset circuits down there, "Li Shiyin, you seem quite free? Why don¡¯t you carve a cat climbing rack for Chasing the Wind after the cat scratcher!"


    "Ah? How do I carve a cat climbing rack?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Carve however you want." Qin Ran said.


    "Sigh..." Li Shiyin sighed.


    Long Qiqi whispered again, "It¡¯s obvious your master is more biased towards Chasing the Wind aftering back this time. Now he even wants you to carve a cat climbing rack for him. You¡¯ve be aplete cat ve... Ah!"


    Before she could finish, something hit her head, causing her excruciating pain despite its seemingly light strength.


    Li Shiyin looked and found that it was master using the bamboo whip to whip Long Qiqi once with water maniption.


    "Whipping for gossiping and fanning mes behind people''s back!" Qin Ran said.


    After whipping her, hey down on the recliner and hung the bamboo whip on the old locust tree to warn them.


    "Humph!" Long Qiqi rubbed her head indignantly.


    Li Shiyin hurriedly shut up, wielding her sword with circting magic power. With the sword aura billowing, she started contemting how to carve a cat climbing rack for Chasing the Wind.

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108


    On the third day after returning from the tribtion, Chasing the Wind woke up at noon. He was groggy and meowed weakly as he walked out of his room. He stood at the door for a while before realizing he was back home.


    He looked around and saw Qin Ran by theke pit. He meowed "Dad..." and staggered over to Qin Ran.


    When Qin Ran saw that Chasing the Wind was awake, he went over to catch Chasing the Wind and carried him to thekeside.


    "Awake?" he asked Chasing the Wind gently.


    "Mm..." Chasing the Windy curled up in his arms, not wanting to move.


    "Does your tummy still hurt?"


    Chasing the Wind shook his head.


    "Do you want to eat something?"


    Chasing the Wind hesitated for a moment, then shook his head again.


    Since he didn''t want to eat, he must still be ufortable. Qin Ran felt distressed and stroked his head gently to soothe him.


    "Look..." Long Qiqi said to Li Shiyin in theke pit, pointing to the furry lump curled up in Qin Ran''s arms, "I don''t know what they were up to out there, but they seem much closer now. Be careful, or your master won''t like you anymore."


    Li Shiyin looked up at her master and Chasing the Wind. She shook her head and said, "They must have gone through a lot of danger this time..."


    "Stop talking nonsense, or I''ll whip you with bamboo!"


    The weather was beautiful today under the bright sun in a clear blue sky. The two girls worked hard in theke pit while the two menyzily by thekeside.


    Under a sunshade on a deckchair, Qin Ran stroked the cat with one hand while reading a book on array techniques with the other. At the same time, he regted his Qi Sea and Golden Core to stabilize his cultivation level. With perfect multitasking, he seemed utterly rxed.


    Simply put, there are three realms in the Golden Core stage - the early, middle andte stages.


    When Qi forms and condenses into a Golden Core, the cultivator enters the early Golden Core stage with the core residing in the Qi Sea.


    When the Golden Core moves from the Qi Sea to the Cinnabar Field, the cultivator enters the middle stage. At this point, the Divine Soul begins to awaken.


    When the Divine Soul fully enters the Golden Core, the cultivator reaches thete stage. At this point, the Primordial Spirit begins to stir.


    When the Primordial Spirit fully matures and emerges from the shattered Golden Core, the cultivator enters the Primordial Spirit stage.


    The greatest difficulty of the Golden Core stage lies in incorporating the elusive Divine Soul into the Golden Core between the physical and ethereal realms. More precisely, cultivators must discover how to find the Divine Soul residing within their physical body.


    Everyone knows the human Divine Soul lies within the physical body, but how can one extract something hidden inside themselves?


    The difficulty isparable to lifting oneself up by one''s own hair.


    Frankly speaking, seventy to eighty percent of Golden Core cultivators spend their entire lives upied with this one matter of their Divine Soul...


    Coincidentally and advantageously, theck of seamless integration between Qin Ran''s body and Divine Soul worked in his favor.


    For now, he only needed to stabilize the Golden Core in his Qi Sea without allowing it to shatter and dissipate prematurely. The path ahead would be exponentially easier than normal Golden Core cultivators if he so wished. He could advance to thete Golden Core stage in a very short period of time...


    Qin Ran was regting his Qi Sea when he suddenly sensed two powerful figures flying over from the distance.


    He immediately noticed them and looked over to see a cultured, handsome man and an exceptionally beautiful woman.


    It was Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi.


    Bai Ruoxinded and saw the mess on Dan Peak, arousing her curiosity since this did not look like a cultivation site.


    "Brother Su, Sister Bai!" Qin Ran put Chasing the Wind down and greeted them with a bow.


    "The mundane aura here is too strong for cultivation!" Bai Ruoxi shook her head and directly critiqued, "Not a ce for cultivation."


    "Junior sister!" Su Changqing stopped Bai Ruoxi and smiled back at Qin Ran, "There are endless paths of cultivation in this world. Who can say the aura of livelihood and worldly dust are not also cultivation? Senior Brother Qin has attained great cultivation!"


    "What Junior Sister Bai means is that I have no interest in pursuing immortality. I prefer leisure in the countryside," Qin Ranughed. "Indeed, this ce is not blessed for cultivation."


    Hearing Qin Ran validate her, Bai Ruoxi nodded smugly and walked forward to the edge of the enormouske pit. Seeing the two girls working inside, she asked, "What''s this for?"


    "We''re preparing to build an artificialke," Qin Ran replied.


    "I see..." Bai Ruoxi looked around appraisingly and acknowledged, "If there was ake here utilizing the water to gather wind and condense spiritual energy, it would truly unlock this location''s potential. It seems you understand quite a bit about arrays..."


    "Just a little," Qin Ran modestly responded.


    Upon seeing the book on arrays in Qin Ran''s hand, Su Changqing praised, "Senior Brother Qin is so talented!"


    "The problem is I understand too much and have too diverse interests, which isn''t good," Bai Ruoxi shook her head. Then pointing at Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi below, she asked, "Are they your disciples too? Is that snake demon also your disciple?"


    "No, the snake demon is a friend I invited to cultivate at Dan Peak recently. Only the other one is my disciple, Li Shiyin. I epted her not long ago," Qin Ran exined.


    "Not long ago?" Bai Ruoxi was surprised. "She must be quite gifted then."


    "Just a stubborn, ignorant fool," Qin Ran humbly dismissed.


    "Today we came unannounced to disturb Senior Brother Qin..." Su Changqing said apologetically, "Please forgive us for any offense."


    Qin Ran used his abilities to pull two chairs over from the log house for Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi to sit at the low table under the shade. He smiled, "It is my honor to receive you distinguished guests and shine in your brilliance."


    "Enough pointless pleasantries," Bai Ruoxi impatiently cut in after hearing Qin Ran and Su Changqing''s courteous exchange. She sat down and directly addressed Qin Ran, "We came today for two matters. First, we want to ask you about your beast taming methods."


    Qin Ran was cradling the listless Chasing the Wind and paused in surprise at her words. "Beast taming?"


    "It''s truly amazing that you can control a seventh-rank Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger with your Foundation Establishment cultivation," Bai Ruoxi exined. "I''ll be direct since I don''t like beating around the bush like my senior brother. I can exchange something of equal value for this miraculous technique. I won''t take advantage of you."


    Qin Ran shook his head repeatedly and smiled at Bai Ruoxi, "I don''t have any beast taming techniques."


    "No techniques?" Bai Ruoxi did not believe him. "How can you control a seventh-rank demonic beast without them?!"


    "I didn''t control him..." Qin Ran looked down at the sickly Chasing the Wind in his arms and gently called out, "Chasing the Wind?"


    "Dad... Daddy~" Chasing the Wind responded weakly.


    "Dad... Daddy?" Bai Ruoxi was baffled.


    "As you can see, I''m raising him like a human!" Qin Ran held up Chasing the Wind''srge paw to show Bai Ruoxi and waved it. "Daddy is another way of saying dad."


    Bai Ruoxi was stunned. Could this so-called beast taming method be ruling one''s son?


    "He can speak?" Su Changqing became interested and looked at the feeble Chasing the Wind.


    Instead of answering, Qin Ran asked back, "Which is smarter, a human baby or a seventh-rank demonic beast''s cub?"


    Su Changqing was uncertain.


    "Haha, neither am I," Qin Ranughed. "And that''s exactly why if you can teach human babies to speak, it should be possible to teach high-ranking demonic beast cubs as well. I just gave it a try."


    Su Changqing nodded thoughtfully in sincere admiration, "Senior Brother Qin is truly wise!"


    "You said two matters? What''s the other one?" Qin Ran inquired.


    "My senior brother wants to fight you," Bai Ruoxi stated bluntly.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109


    "You want to fight me?" Qin Ran was dumbfounded. In all his years, this was the first time someone had asked to fight him, making him feel like a martial arts master, which made him very ufortable.


    "Just some friendly sparring..." Su Changqing said with augh, "When you were crossing the tribtion, I watched from the sidelines and noticed you have no weaknesses in your cultivation base, physique, techniques and supernatural abilities. I''m very curious to exchange some pointers."


    "Hahaha..." Hearing this, Qin Ranughed and shook his head.


    "What''s so funny?" Su Changqing didn''t see what was so amusing.


    "I''m afraid I''ll disappoint Brother Su again." Qin Ran said.


    "What do you mean?"


    "I... am not good at fighting." Qin Ran admitted frankly.


    "Not good at fighting?" Bai Ruoxi looked at him in disbelief. "Someone like you who could temper your body and pills through the tribtion, and even alter techniques under the tribtion, ims to not be good at fighting?!"


    "Mm..." Qin Ran pondered for a moment, then asked, "Just because a strong and sturdy man has powerful fists and kicks, does that mean he is skilled at fighting?"


    "Of course. With his strong physique and mighty limbs, wouldn''t he be amazing in a brawl?" Bai Ruoxi replied.


    "Then... does that mean someone with Li Shiyin''s petite build would certainly lose in a fight?" Qin Ran followed up.


    "If having a sturdy physique meant being good at fights, then there would be no need for actualbat in the future. We could simplypare our physiques and cultivation bases to determine the victor. Wouldn''t that lead to a more harmonious cultivator society?" Bai Ruoxi retorted.


    "There are always uncertainties in battles that cannot be fully predicted by cultivation base alone!"


    "Alright! I''m not here to debate..." Qin Ran shook his head. "No matter what you say, the fact is I really don''t know how to fight. I won''t exchange blows with others."


    "As you can see, I''m an alchemist. At most, a sturdy alchemist... Just as there can be schrly men of letters in the mortal realm with strong bodies."


    Su Changqing looked thoughtful as he smiled at Qin Ran, "If you are not adept atbat, it would be impolite of me to insist. Please ept my apologies for the offense."


    "No harm done." Qin Ran replied. "Tempering my body through the tribtion is just another way to cross it. It seems to have given you the wrong impression about me. If anything, I should be the one apologizing."


    His tone suddenly shifted, "However, if you really wish to spar, I do happen to have a suitable rmendation."


    "Oh?" Su Changqing was intrigued, "Who would that be?"


    Qin Ran then called down towards the bottom of theke pit, "Shiyin!"


    "Yes?" Li Shiyin responded.


    "Come up here."


    Li Shiyin then pulled Long Qiqi up with her from the bottom of theke pit.


    "My foolish disciple here... has quite the talent forbat." Qin Ran remarked. "If the two of you are interested, you may restrict your cultivation bases and cross hands with her."


    "Her?" Bai Ruoxi sized up Li Shiyin with a nce. At just the post-foundation establishment stage, having just embarked on the path of cultivation, she looked down on Li Shiyin somewhat.


    Su Changqing also examined Li Shiyin. His gaze carried a sense of haughtinessmon amongst those from an upper echelon sect as he scrutinized her. To him, this seemingly simple-minded girl did seem to have an air of sharpness about her, perhaps hinting at some talent.


    He shook his head with augh, "Brother Qin, aren''t you just asking us to discipline your disciple on your behalf?"


    "Not at all. In our pursuit of the Dao, we must have a sincere heart. I kid you not, my disciple is rather skilled atbat, and you dide seeking a fight. Why not give it a try? If you''ve lost interest, we can just share some tea and have a chat!" Qin Ran denied the usation.


    He called Long Qiqi over, "Qiqi, go boil some water and brew a pot of tea for our guests."


    "Yes, Master." Long Qiqi obediently responded. After walking a few steps towards the kitchen, she suddenly turned back and said, "But I don''t know how to brew tea..."


    "Just boiling the water will suffice." Qin Ran told her.


    Only then did Long Qiqi take her leave.


    Seeing this exchange, Su Changqing pondered for a bit before suggesting to Bai Ruoxi, "Junior Sister, why don''t you entertain this youngdy for a round?"


    "Are you serious?" Bai Ruoxi asked.


    Su Changqing gave her an affirming look and smile.


    "Oh, alright then." Bai Ruoxi rose to her feet. "What are the rules for this bout?" she asked Li Shiyin.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin deferred to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran pointed to theke pit below, "With thiske pit as the boundary, you lose if you yield or get pushed out of bounds. Brother Su and I will judge defeat."


    "That''s it?" Bai Ruoxi asked.


    "That''s it."


    "In that case, I won''t bully you too much..." Bai Ruoxi took off her protective outer robe artifact and put it into her cosmic bag. She took out a sword-shaped low-grade artifact in exchange. With a twist of her body, she flew to float above theke pit.


    Li Shiyin looked to Qin Ran for confirmation. Seeing his nod, she put away her ragged sword into her cosmic bag and drew her Cherished Star Sword. With a sweep of her figure, she leapt down into theke pit...


    She still hadn''t cultivated any movement techniques, thus unable to fly without riding her sword.


    "Will you be using your lifebound weapon or not? Can you fly or will you stay grounded?" Bai Ruoxi asked mockingly.


    Li Shiyin gave no reply. She stood at the very center of theke pit, circting her inner qi to elicit a purple glow from the Cherished Star Sword that extended seven to eight meters long. Having swiftly discerned the flight pattern of Bai Ruoxi''s white feather sword qi, she timed her strike perfectly and shed down!


    "ng!"


    The purple and white sword qi collided with a clear ringing sound. The purple qi pressed on, splitting the white qi and sending it careening away.


    The white feather sword qi spun violently as it crashed into the pit wall, boring straight through the rock without resistance for several meters in the blink of an eye.


    "Not bad!" Bai Ruoxi let out a faintugh, acknowledging Li Shiyin''s ability.


    Her sword qi was cast away from her sword. Li Shiyin wielded sword qi from her de, thus at an advantage positionally. But Bai Ruoxi''s sword qi was no ordinary qi that just any cultivator could block.


    It was at this point that Bai Ruoxi finally unfurled herself, revealing flickers of white wings on her back, exuding an ethereal aura. Holding her sword, she flew swiftly towards Li Shiyin.


    "The technique my Junior Sister practices is called Divine Feather Sword Art, a method that leads straight to the Heavenly Immortal realm." Su Changqing exined to Qin Ran. "In some regards, it surpasses that of your disciple''s current cultivation method. So even at the same cultivation level, she has quite an edge."


    The... Heavenly Immortal realm?!


    This rendered Qin Ran speechless. Poverty... had limited his imagination!


    To think there were those who started off cultivating techniques meant for the Heavenly Immortal realm from the very beginning. Those born with silver spoons in their mouths were considered junior brothers at best. At minimum, one would have to be born suckling a luminous pearl, gripping crystallized blood essence in their tiny hands...


    Down in the pit, the two maidens shed with their longs swords as the fight swiftly grew intense. Li Shiyin did not disappoint her natural talent. Even against a reserved Bai Ruoxi, she managed to hold her own in the exchange.


    One could see purple and white sword qi crisscrossing wildly, colorful skirts dancing gracefully. Echoing cries of maidens and the ringing song of steel battered the air.


    It was a scene thatbined vivid painting and melody.


    At one point, Qin Ran watched a flurry of white feathers take flight. With a gentle puff, he blew the feathers towards the pit wall where they met the rock in a fiery st, hollowing out a sizeable crater.

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110


    The sun was scorching hot...


    Ever since Li Shiyin started building her foundation, she had never felt the sun of Mount Danfeng burn her like this. She could almost smell the sulfur under the Li Volcano.


    A strong opponent...


    It was an opponent whopletely overwhelmed her - in speed, strength, swordsmanship, spiritual power, techniques and sword aura. She had woven a web to envelope Li Shiyin within.


    But deep down, Li Shiyin knew her opponent was only using the strength from before building her foundation.


    Could one reach such a level before building their foundation?


    This question emerged in her mind as she, who had defeated several cultivators in thete Foundation Establishment stage, was being suppressed.


    "Ding!"


    A white feather shed by as Li Shiyin quickly put up her purple star sword aura to block it. She couldn''tpletely withstand the power and retreated two steps back, stepping on a rock at the bottom of theke and leaving a deep footprint.


    But she had no time to care about the footprint as Bai Ruoxi''s figure shook and attacked again. Li Shiyin exerted force against the rock to crush it, not bothering to counter attack. Instead, she charged towards Bai Ruoxi.


    As the white and purple figures collided, countless white feathers and purple stars exploded...creating an extremely dreamy scene.


    "This young girl has been trained well. The younger generation of the Lingnan Immortal Sect don''t have much more capability than this," Su Changqing appraised. "And she is very aggressive by nature, a sword cultivator through and through."


    "She just has some capability. Compared to the Sect disciples, there is noparison," Qin Ran said modestly.


    Qin Ran was actually very satisfied with Li Shiyin''s performance. Although she was being suppressed, her opponent was the elite genius of the Lingnan Immortal Sect...Being able to endure instead of copsing instantly was proof of Li Shiyin''s strength.


    As he watched the battle at theke bottom, he suddenly asked Su Changqing, "How do you n to deal with the Devouring Demon Willow in the depths of the Hengduan Mountains?"


    "Hmm?" Su Changqing looked at Qin Ran and smiled knowingly without answering directly. Instead, he said, "I wonder if Brother Qin has studied the Tribtion Transcension stage."


    "A little bit," Qin Ran replied.


    "When the Nascent Soul transcends, it leaves the body to be an external avatar, preparing for integration," Su Changqing exined. "That is transcension."


    Qin Ran nodded.


    "But..." Su Changqing smiled and continued, "Sometimes transcension is also called soul division. What is soul division? It is splitting the primordial spirit transformed from the nascent soul into multiple primordial spirits to refine multiple avatars."


    "Most cultivators at this stage would consider themselves fortunate to be able to handle that one external avatar properly. But some cultivators gifted enough are able to split their primordial spirit into two, four or even more, and consequently, would have the corresponding number of external avatars. The difference in strength between cultivators would be infinitely magnified at this stage."


    Qin Ran already knew all this. But listening to it now, his expression changed slightly.


    He had asked about the Devouring Demon Willow, but Su Changqing was talking about the Transcension stage. Could it be...


    "What about integration? It is integrating the external avatars split out back with the body. So the difference in strength between a cultivator with one avatar versus multiple avatars can be imagined."


    Su Changqing''s expression was no longer calm andposed. He asked Qin Ran, "So what would happen if a cultivator at the transcension stage has endless avatars and integrates them all?"


    "Are you saying the Devouring Demon Willow..." Qin Ran thought of the possibility and couldn''t believe it as he asked, "It has countless avatars?!"


    "Essentially each willow catkin is an avatar," Su Changqing exined. "This is due to the unique nature of the Devouring Demon Willow itself. Although its avatars don''t have the same power as a normal cultivator''s avatars, but...when it integrates, every single willow catkin would be a real avatar!


    "Therefore, once the Devouring Demon Willow integrates, it would be the first ever cultivator at the integration stage in history, present and past!"


    Who dares to im to be first and undefeated?


    This was the immortal cultivation world with a long and extensive history. No one dared to guarantee there were no extraordinarily horrifying cultivators ever in the long river of history. No one dared to easily im to be first...


    But because of the unique nature of the Devouring Demon Willow, it dared to im to be first at the integration stage!


    Qin Ran was shaken to the core hearing this as his expression changed rapidly. But finally he reacted and asked Su Changqing again, "So how does the Sect n to deal with this Devouring Demon Willow?"


    "Of course it cannot be allowed to live!" Su Changqing said decisively. "To achieve such power at the integration stage, how many innocent lives would it need to devour? If left alone to integrate, I''m afraid the Hengduan Mountains would cease to exist."


    Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief hearing this. As long as it will be dealt with then that''s good. Otherwise he would have to flee immediately.


    But thinking further, he suddenly realized something. With only Elder Ning, a cultivator at the Transcension stage on this trip, would he be able to handle it?


    "Although the Demon Willow has not integrated yet, it is still horrifying enough..." He tentatively asked, "Does the Sect have any higher level cultivatorsing as well?"


    "Haha..." Su Changqing shook his head andughed. "It seems Brother Qin has been frightened!


    "Brother Qin, no matter how horrifying the Demon Willow, it is but a tree! I ask you, what tree does not bow to the might of man? Those that should fall still will. As terrifying as it is, it remains a tree."


    Qin Ran thought about it and felt he was right. He himself was an example. His fleshly body cultivation was extremely formidable but he still couldn''t fight.


    "Of course..." Su Changqing continued, "A frontal assault is definitely impossible. We must wait for the right opportunity."


    Qin Ran''s heart tightened again. So that means they still can''t ovee it!


    He asked impassively, "What do you mean?"


    "The Demon Willow has two moments of weakness," Su Changqing said. "When it prepares to integrate, it will disperse all its spiritual power outwards into the willow catkins. That is when its main body is the weakest. That is the opportunity. At that time, it can be easily destroyed without any effort."


    Qin Ran nodded. Then he asked, "What about the other moment of weakness?"


    "After it finishes integrating," Su Changqing answered. "At that time, it has to ovee the Heavenly Tribtion and its cultivation level will be at its lowest point. That is also its weakest moment."


    "Since you have a n, I am relieved," Qin Ran said. "I was worried about my own safety, thus I asked. Now that I know you have a way to deal with the Demon Willow, I am at ease. I will just focus on pill refining from now on at home."


    "Brother Qin, please do not decline..." Su Changqing said. "There is another matter we wanted to discuss with you on this trip."


    "What is it?"


    "It is difficult to confirm exactly when the Demon Willow will start integrating. We need to locate it first to determine its current state," Su Changqing exined. "So we still n to travel deep into the Hengduan Mountains. And to go that deep, we need sufficient understanding about the various beasts and demons there. And Brother Qin is an aplished alchemist..."


    "So we hope to invite Brother Qin toe with us to locate the Demon Willow."


    "What?!" Qin Ran raised his voice in refusal, shaking his head repeatedly. "No, no, no, I won''t go. I''m useless in a fight and would be no help at all."


    "Brother Qin, please do not decline..." Just as Su Changqing was about to persuade further, the battle at theke bottom was drawing to an end. He stopped and looked down.


    At the bottom of theke, Li Shiyin had fully activated the Ster Light Introduction technique. Her entire body was glowing in a purple aura with crisscrossing purple sword qi. Every move and every stroke were aimed forcefully at Bai Ruoxi, pushing her back continuously.


    Although her attacks were fierce with each sword qi st gouging out the rocks, but upon striking Bai Ruoxi, they were easily deflected by the white feathers floating around her.


    Bai Ruoxi seemed to be retreating but she wasposed and in control. Or rather, she was intentionally letting Li Shiyin unleash everything she had to help push her to break through her limits. She was helping Li Shiyin cultivation.


    After fully exerting the Ster Light Introduction technique, Li Shiyin quickly ran out of spiritual power. She was drenched in sweat and breathed heavily as she conceded, "I lost."


    Bai Ruoxi shook her head and went up to support Li Shiyin. "Don''t be disheartened. You are already very outstanding. I just happened to have cultivated a bit longer than you."


    As she spoke, she brought Li Shiyin up to the crater edge before Qin Ran and Su Changqing, kept her sword and took out her outer robe.


    Bai Ruoxi put on her clothes and, as if suddenly remembering something, took out an antique thread-bound book from her Chaos Bag and handed it to Li Shiyin, saying: ¡°You are quite good, I¡¯ll give you this martial art technique.¡±


    Li Shiyin looked at the book, which had the three big words "War Spirit Form" on its cover. She did not take it, but instead looked at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran had a grave expression on his face as he looked at Su Changqing.


    Su Changqing smiled faintly, not saying anything.


    After a while, Qin Ran nodded slightly.

 Chapter 111

    Chapter 111


    Any gift in life has long been secretly marked with a price... and free gifts are the most expensive.


    Qin Ran understood these principles very well.


    As he looked at the book in Bai Ruoxi¡¯s hand, he understood in an instant. At first, he thought Bai Ruoxi and Su Changqing wanted to fight, and then he suggested letting Li Shiyin apany them to fight. He thought he had done them a small favor.


    Now it looks like this was not about Li Shiyin apanying Bai Ruoxi in a fight, but rather Bai Ruoxi apanying Li Shiyin in a fight. This was a teaching session that Bai Ruoxi gave to Li Shiyin.


    This teaching session was originally supposed to be between Su Changqing and Qin Ran.


    He had naively thought they were genuinely excited to see him... Now that he thought about it, they were from the Lingnan Immortal Sect. What hadn''t they seen before?


    Their purpose ining here was simply to have him be their guide through the Hengduan Mountains.


    In exchange for one lesson and one mystical art.


    Of course, Qin Ran could pretend he didn''t know anything and ept the mystical art in good conscience. Or he could sternly refuse this art.


    But if he refused...


    That was aplete mystical art from the Lingnan Immortal Sect!


    And if he feigned ignorance and epted the art in good conscience, then...


    That would be the most expensive free gift!


    This one mystical art would be more and more valuable as Li Shiyin progressed further on her path of cultivation. One day, when Li Shiyin had progressed far enough relying on this art, if Su Changqing came to ask for help, no matter how outrageous the request, they would be unable to refuse.


    Qin Ran wanted this mystical art, so he agreed to Su Changqing''s request.


    Because the cost of paying for this gift was lowest whenpensation had just emerged.


    At this point, it was an equal transaction not involving the future.


    The transaction was that Bai Ruoxi would teach Li Shiyin one lesson, along with one mystical art, in exchange for Qin Ran serving as their guide.


    Seeing Qin Ran nod, Su Changqing smiled and cupped his fists, "Many thanks to Brother Qin then."


    Li Shiyin still didn''t know what was happening. Seeing her master nod, she took the War Spirit Art. She was oblivious to the formidable rtionships underlying everything.


    "Although the War Spirit Art is just a mystical art created by a Harmonization Stage senior, it is exceptionally profound..."


    Seeing Li Shiyin ept the art, Bai Ruoxi began to exin, "When my master passed it on to me, he said it was the strongest battle technique before the Divinization Stage, with unparalleled expositions on techniques, strength, and arts."


    Harmonization Stage? What kind of realm was that? Li Shiyin hadn''t even heard of it before, so it must be very powerful. And it was the strongest battle technique? The strongest?! How could she possibly ept something so valuable?


    Li Shiyin panicked and quickly looked at Qin Ran.


    "They gave it to you, so take it!" Qin Ran shook his head.


    What was there to panic about? What was there to fret about deserving it or not? They used this art to buy your master''s life!


    "Time is tight now, I don''t know when the Devouring Demon Willow will start harmonizing, so we will be heading to the Hengduan Mountains in the next few days. I hope Brother Qin can prepare in advance."


    Su Changqing got up and bid Qin Ran farewell, "We also need to make some preparations. We will take our leave now."


    Qin Ran held Chasing the Wind and saw them off politely, "You haven''t even had tea yet and Brother Su is leaving already. I really must apologize."


    "No no, next time I''lle to have tea," Su Changqing subtly nced at the sobering tea on Qin Ran''s table andughed, "When this matter is over, I will have tea and wine with Brother Qin again and discuss the mysteries of cultivation."


    "For sure, for sure..." Qin Ran replied.


    After a few more polite exchanges, Su Changqing left with Bai Ruoxi.


    Qin Ran sat down and watched Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi''s backs as they departed. The smile on his face gradually disappeared.


    "Master, what about this mystical art?" Li Shiyin asked Qin Ran.


    "Cultivate it!" Qin Ran sighed. Seeing Li Shiyin''s bewildered expression, he shook his head and told her directly, "You really think it was a gift from others? I bought it with my life!"


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin eximed in shock, and quickly said, "Then I won''t cultivate it anymore. I''ll return the mystical art to them right away!"


    As she spoke, she wanted to chase after Senior Sister and Brother Su on her flying sword.


    "That''s enough!" Qin Ran promptly stopped her with a wave of his hand, "Show it to me."


    Li Shiyin stopped hesitantly at his words. After a moment of hesitation, she still brought the War Spirit Art over to hand it to Qin Ran.


    "Go do what you should be doing. I''ll take a look to see if there are any issues with this art," Qin Ran said. "If there are no issues, then keep cultivating it."


    "I''m exhausted," Li Shiyin put away her sword and said.


    "If you''re exhausted then rest," Qin Ran said, cing the spirit array reference on the table. He put the War Spirit Art on the soft and fluffy Chase Wind, and opened the first page.


    Li Shiyin thought for a bit before sitting down across from Qin Ran. She reached out and picked up the spirit array reference to read as well.


    The War Spirit Art was not any specific metaphysical or mystical technique. Its essence was actually a theoretical study of the fundamental nature of spiritual power. It could be described as a kind of "mystical art" for studying mystical arts...


    To use an appropriate example, it was a bit like the Nine Swords of Dugu from Jin Yong''s novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Ostensibly it was a metaphysical art, but in actuality it was a theory on how to employ spiritual power in battle.


    The War Spirit Art fought with spirit. Something like that.


    The most formidable thing about this art was probably that after cultivating it to greater depths, it could make every strand of spiritual power unleash power equivalent to unleashing one''s entire spiritual power.


    In short, it was surprisingly an art well-suited to Qin Ran''s taste.


    No one knew where Long Qiqi had gone to boil hot water. Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi had asked her to boil water when they arrived, and now after they had left, Qin Ran had sat back down to read two more pages while Li Shiyin had nearly fallen asleep reading her book, yet Long Qiqi had only just run back over with a kettle bnced on her head.


    "Elder, did you have to go all the way to the Land of Mystery and Vastness to draw that water?" Qin Ran looked over with augh.


    Long Qiqi''s face was a little red. She defended herself cleverly, "Who told you your stove was so hard to use? I spent a long time figuring out how to start a fire."


    "You''ve been here this long and still don''t even know how to start a fire?" Qin Ran said in astonishment. Hister words were left unsaid, but she was after all a monster beast, nothing to be ashamed of.


    Long Qiqi felt ashamed inside, and started to panic a little. In her flustered state, she wasn''t paying attention and tripped, falling forward in a dog-eating-shit pose.


    Fortunately, Qin Ran reacted swiftly, waving his hand to control the water inside Long Qiqi''s kettle on her head. He took hold of the kettle.


    "Be careful, the water''s hot!" he added.


    Long Qiqi had facented on the ground in a dog-eating-shit posture. Looking up to see Qin Ran''s actions, she couldn''t help but feel wronged. Unable to hold it in, she cried out.


    "Waaaah..." Sprawled on the ground, she pouted with an aggrieved and pitiful look.


    Li Shiyin was woken up by their noise. Seeing Long Qiqi fallen on the ground while her master was seizing the hot water to make tea, she roughly grasped what happened and couldn''t help but admonish Qin Ran, "Master, you''re too excessive!"


    As she spoke, she went over to help Long Qiqi up and brought Long Qiqi over to sit down.


    "Cough..." Not daring to meet Long Qiqi''s aggrieved gaze, Qin Ran looked at the War Spirit Art and said, "Can''t you see I''m holding Chase Wind? My hands were full..."


    "Meow..." Chase Wind let out a soft cry.


    "Jerk!" Long Qiqi quietly scolded.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112


    Chasing the Wind''s body had really recovered well. The soft, mochi-like state onlysted for a day. After resting overnight, he turned back into that small sturdy white tiger the next day, the kind that could devour a whole basin of beast pills in one meal.


    But he was still recovering from his major illness after all. Qin Ran couldn''t bear to make him work, so he let him y on his own.


    With nothing to do now, the tigery on the old locust swing under the tree, manipting the wind to push himself back and forth.


    After consuming the Plundering Wind, ordinary winds were like obedient children before him. He could order them around however he wished, and using them to swing on the swing was most suitable.


    Long Qiqi pulled a cart of gravel to the ground. Seeing Chasing the Wind over there leisurely swinging on the swing, she felt very imbnced. She transformed into human form and asked Qin Ran, who was reading by the pit, ¡°Why doesn''t he have to work?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Qin Ran didn''t notice.


    ¡°Him!¡± Long Qiqi pointed at Chasing the Wind on the swing.


    ¡°Oh...¡± Qin Ran lifted his head from the illustrated guide on spell formations. ¡°He was heavily injured. He¡¯s a patient recovering from injuries!¡±


    ¡°Where does he look injured?!¡± Long Qiqi was annoyed.


    This girl is a snake demon, stingy, petty and extremely jealous. Qin Ran had no intention of entertaining her further. He continued browsing his illustrated guide on spell formations, pretending not to see her at all, even taking out a pen to read while making sketches.


    ¡°Humph!¡±


    Seeing that Qin Ran ignored her, Long Qiqi pouted. She walked over to Chasing the Wind and huffed, ¡°This is my swing!¡±


    Chasing the Wind looked at her nkly and asked, ¡°Is it......yours?¡±


    ¡°Can''t even speak clearly...¡± Long Qiqi said disdainfully. He''s still at the seventh rank, but she nodded. ¡°I said so!¡±


    Hearing that, Chasing the Wind crawled up from the swing, wanting to make space for Long Qiqi. But swinging made him feel veryfortable and he was a little reluctant to stop. He sat there rocking for a while, then suddenly spoke, ¡°Come... It''s not...... Don''t falsely use...... good people. My beast pills are round!¡±


    Although it was gibberish, Long Qiqi reacted guiltily as if her tail had been stepped on. She understood instantly and got agitated, saying repeatedly, ¡°I''m human. I eat human food. Only demonic beasts eat beast pills! I don''t eat beast pills!¡±


    ¡°Beast pills, delicious!¡± Chasing the Wind said.


    ¡°Not delicious! Delicious my a**!¡± Long Qiqi retorted.


    ¡°Delicious......¡±


    And so the two entered infinite loop bicker mode, one insisting delicious, the other insisting not delicious.


    At this moment, someone flew over on a sword.


    Long Qiqi took a look in the midst of arguing and found it was that girl called Tian Wenjin. She came unsteadily on her flying sword, her face pale, clearly injured.


    ¡°Give it...... back!¡± Taking the chance, Chasing the Wind pulled them out of the argument loop to ask Long Qiqi for his treasures back.


    ¡°Thick tongue...¡± Long Qiqi shot back casually at Chasing the Wind as she watched Tian Wenjinnd by the pit.


    "You''re...... the one...... with the thick tongue!"


    Qin Ran looked at Tian Wenjin whonded before him and asked, "What happened?"


    "I was guarding the mining cave. Underground Demon Beasts attacked and then the miners rioted," Tian Wenjin replied. "I was hit by the miners'' techniques."


    Qin Ran tossed her a bottle of premium Great Recovery Pill. "The mining cave didn''t sustain any damage right?"


    "No..." Tian Wenjin caught the pill bottle, opened the jade seal, and found extremely high quality Great Recovery Pills inside. She silently closed it again and ced the bottle on the table. From her interspatial pouch she took out 500 spirit stones, stacking them on the table as well, and said to Qin Ran, "This is 500 spirit stones. Stillcking 4,000 spirit stones."


    Qin Ran looked at the spirit stones on the table and the pill bottle in silence for a bit. Finally he just said, "Take care of yourself... Don''t die."


    "Mm." Tian Wenjin nodded.


    She also asked, "Has Senior Brother Huang woken up yet...? Has the first phase beenpleted?"


    "It hasn''t beenpleted yet. Looks like his subconscious is resisting," Qin Ran said. "The situation does not look optimistic."


    Tian Wenjin''s expression turned worrying. She urgently said, "I''ll go take a look at him!"


    Qin Ran put away his pen and notes, apanying Tian Wenjin to the entrance of the Earth me Chamber.


    Outside the entrance of the Earth me Chamber, the two of them could see inside through the spell formation. Huang Feiyu''s body floated in the mes, surrounded by other spell formations continuously supplying medicinal pills with healing properties into his body.


    Watching this, Tian Wenjin dared not imagine the actual value of those medicinal pills. She gritted her teeth, shook her head, and steeled her resolve. Pushing open the door to the Earth me Chamber, she said, "I''ll go try persuading him!"


    "Be careful..." Qin Ran reminded, "Don''t touch the spell formations or get burnt by the mes."


    "Mm!" Tian Wenjin nodded and closed the door to the chamber.


    The temperature inside the Earth me Chamber was extremely high. She had to rely on magical energy to protect herself to barely maintain. She walked as close to Huang Feiyu as she could. Separated by the raging mes, gazing at Huang Feiyu within, thinking of everything she had gone through recently, sorrow welled up and she began to cry.


    "Senior Brother Huang..." she wept. "I''m still waiting for you to wake up!"


    Qin Ran leaned against the door with his back facing the interior.


    Actually he should leave, since he didn''t like this kind of sob fest. But he had to prevent Tian Wenjin from getting too emotional and getting burnt by the mes or the Lion Heart Mad me Beast. He also needed to monitor Huang Feiyu''s condition.


    Huang Feiyu should be in a state of clear consciousness. He could perceive things happening externally but couldn''t wake up. So Tian Wenjin speaking to him, he might react.


    What a good girl Tian Wenjin is, Qin Ran thought back to first meeting this cheeky,petitive girl, who would even consume umting Spirit Pills for cultivation.


    But ever since Huang Feiyu was injured, she never left his side...


    Even adding his past and present lives, Qin Ran had only seen this kind of love in works of fiction.


    "Senior Brother Huang, no matter how you change, I will always be by your side..." Inside the Earth me Chamber, after telling him about everything that happened recently, Tian Wenjin continued crying, "As long as you wake up...


    "We can cultivate together and improve together. Don''t you remember you said before, we have to walk this path together to the end, be immortals and seek the Dao together?"


    Suddenly, the earth mes surged violently.


    Tian Wenjin instantly became emotional, crying loudly, "Senior Brother, it''s me Wenjin..."


    Sensing the activity inside the chamber, Qin Ran hurriedly opened the door and pulled Tian Wenjin back.


    "You go out first, let me help him." He said to Tian Wenjin.


    So Tian Wenjin had no choice but to leave.


    "Sigh..." Watching the melting medicinal pills dripping out healing essence to blend into the mes for Huang Feiyu to absorb together, Qin Ran couldn''t help sighing.


    Tian Wenjin had already said so much, but Huang Feiyu showed no reaction until she mentioned bing immortals and seeking the Dao.


    The inner meaning was hard for Qin Ran to articte.


    He circted his magic power to help Huang Feiyu absorb the pills...


    Soon, Huang Feiyupleted the first phase of transformation. Qin Ran then ced the mad me crystals in the spell formation to help Huang Feiyu enter the second phase.


    "When sessful, you will be the Fire Master!" Knowing Huang Feiyu could hear him, Qin Ran deliberately added thatst line.


    Then, the mes inside the Earth me Chamber raged wildly!

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113


    Chasing the Wind''s cat tree was very difficult to make.


    On one hand, Li Shiyin considered that Chasing the Wind would grow to be a veryrge cat, so the cat tree should also be very big for Chasing the Wind to use when he grows up;


    On the other hand, she wanted it to look nice - the cat tree could not be casually made in Master Carver''s style, it had to be made into a beautiful cat tree.


    Based on these two considerations, the new cat tree Li Shiyin had Master Carver make was quiterge. It was almost half the size of the currentke bottom, and in terms of height...let''s put it this way, in Li Shiyin''s design, the base of this cat tree would be at the bottom of theke.


    If she made it like this, if it were in the Mortal Kingdom, the ministers worried about the state would at least say "What an astonishing sight, Your Majesty".


    So this morning, Qin Ran was drawing ritual diagrams in the study when suddenly Li Shiyin''s cries came from outside: "Master! Master! It''s over... Master! Master, something happened! Master!"


    He was perfectly fine here, what could have happened?


    Qin Ran got up with a ck expression on his face. Looking out the window, he saw Li Shiyin fly up from theke pit, a panicked look on her face as she flew over, while white steam kept gushing up from the bottom of theke behind her.


    "What happened here?" He pushed his hand on the table and flew out to meet Li Shiyin.


    "Spirit...spirit stone!" Li Shiyin panted, stuttering, "Dug into spirit stone!"


    "Dug into spirit stone?"


    Qin Ran frowned, flying to the edge of theke pit. Peering down, he could only see that the entire bottom of theke was a vast expanse of white, unclear to see anything. He then activated his eye skill Illusory Realm to take a closer look downwards, and saw that the white steam was alling out of a small hole at the bottom of theke.


    Moreover, that white steam was not ordinary white steam, it was spiritual energy that had been vaporized.


    Qin Ran raised his hand and summoned a huge bubble, wrapping it around all the white steam. Expanding and contracting, he sucked all the white steam into the bubble. Then with a squeeze, he shrunk the bubble and grasped all the spiritual energy in his hand.


    He looked down at the bottom of theke again to see the rocks at a certain spot keep spewing white steam out of that small hole. It was very obvious that this was the ce Li Shiyin had dug open.


    Qin Ran hurriedly flew over and covered the gap with his hand, bringing out a thin transparent membrane to seal the gap. He then activated mystic arts toy down some arrays and restrictions to temporarily seal it.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin was behind him. Beside her was the big cat Chasing the Wind with Long Qiqi riding on his back. Six pairs of eyes looked at the hole as Li Shiyin asked Qin Ran, "Sealed?"


    "Mm..." Qin Ran nodded. "Temporarily sealed. But there is a spiritual vein below, the spiritual energy is too rich, this kind of seal can''tst long and will soon be broken through by the spiritual energy."


    "What should we do then?" Li Shiyin panicked a little. "I dug into a spiritual vein. Will it affect the sect''s fortune? Will I get punished by the Sect Leader? Will you get scolded by the Sect Leader? I won''t get expelled from the Dao Sword Sect right?!"


    The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed. She looked like she was about to cry. Chasing the Wind then rubbed his big cat head against her tofort her, "Meow."


    "What are you thinking about?" Qin Ran shook his head with a sigh. "Too naive! No one will punish you..."


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin was surprised.


    Why did the Dao Sword Sect establish itself here?


    It was precisely because there was a spiritual vein here, a veryrge spiritual vein.


    Howrge was this spiritual vein?


    Large enough that anywhere in the Dao Sword Sect, if you dig deep enough, it''s possible to dig out spirit stones.


    So digging out spirit stones in the Dao Sword Sect was a very normal thing. The only abnormal part was being able to dig so deep in the Dao Sword Sect. After all, inside the sect those high-flying patrol teams going around every day were not just for show.


    But, Li Shiyin digging spirit stones anywhere in the sect grounds could cause big problems, the only exception was at Dan Peak.


    Why?


    Because Dan Peak''s chief was Qin Ran!


    Her master.


    He, Qin Ran, was Dan Peak''s chief. If he didn''t care about Dan Peak''s foundations, why would anyone else care?


    So with Li Shiyin digging into spirit stones at Dan Peak, there would be no other issues, it was just that Qin Ran had to think about how to plug up this hole.


    If he didn''t seal it up, spiritual energy would be leaking out ceaselessly, what a waste!


    Qin Ran paced around the hole, arms crossed, lightly tapping his fists on his forehead, pondering how he should deal with this hole.


    "No rest after one matter is done, thenes the next..." Qin Ran suddenly realized that ever since Li Shiyin became his disciple, his whole life had been busy with one thing or another without any respite. And now, just after tribtion transcendence, the mountain-protecting great formation had yet to be figured out, then she gave him another thing to work on.


    He couldn''t help but give Li Shiyin''s direction a deep look.


    "Mas...master?" Li Shiyin was a little scared and shifted closer to the side, hugging Chasing the Wind''s cat head.


    Qin Ran rolled his eyes at her and continued pondering...


    "Spirit energy hole, spirit stone vein, mountain protecting great formation array?"


    Qin Ran suddenly stopped and had an idea. He reached behind and took out a stack of papers...these papers were either densely filled with basic formations, terrain maps of Dan Peak, or academic articles analyzing formations.


    He flipped through them twice and took out a drawing showing the effects of a certain formation, where the position of the core was empty.


    Qin Ran had been researching this mountain protecting formation array for a long time. Ever since he discovered that other people could enter Dan Peak as easily as walking into a public restroom, he started analyzing this formation. The research was mostly done but he still couldn''t figure out what treasure to use for the core. And now, he had a different idea...


    Use this spirit energy hole, Dan Peak''s spiritual vein as the core!


    The spirit energy hole was already dug out, wouldn''t it be troublesome to seal it back up? Why not make use of it!


    Using Dan Peak''s spiritual vein as the core of the Dan Peak mountain protecting great formation array, that makes sense!


    Moreover...


    This spirit energy hole was at the bottom of theke. ording to his n, perhaps it could have some other uses as well.


    Thinking this, Qin Ran became rather excited. Reaching behind again he took out another paper and brush, squatting at the bottom of thiske as he started drafting and drawing.


    After being busy for a good while, he finally made an initial n. Standing up, he realized his silly disciple was still standing behind him, with an expression like a child who had made a huge mistake and was waiting to be scolded without knowing what to do.


    It was rare to see her like this... Chasing the Wind and Long Qiqi had already scampered off to y.


    "How''s the progress on Chasing the Wind''s cat scratcher?" Qin Ran asked instead.


    "Stillcks some work." Li Shiyin replied.


    "Leave the height as it is, no more digging downwards to avoid hitting the spiritual vein again." Qin Ran said. "Just polish it up next then carve it out."


    "Okay!" Hearing this, Li Shiyin took out her sword and activated her sword qi.


    "After the cat tree is carved out, don''t touch the bottom of theke anymore. Theke is about 10 meters deep already, it''s enough." Qin Ran nced around the surroundings of theke bottom, "Then I''lle set up restrictions to reinforce the bottom of theke. How much longer will you need?"


    "I''ll finish it today." Li Shiyin said. "But I made it too big to move. I still need master''s help to move it."


    Qin Ran looked at the scale of this cat tree and shook his head. Anyone who didn''t know better would have thought it was a small mountain!


    "Fine. Don''t touch the restrictions around the hole. Call me when it''s done." Saying thus, Qin Ran flew up out of theke pit and with another leap, arrived at the study.


    He still had to keep researching the mountain protecting great formation array.

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114


    Knowing that she had made a mistake, Li Shiyin worked very seriously. As she had promised, she finished the remaining work in half a day andpleted Chasing the Wind''s cat climbing frame before dinner.


    After dinner, Qin Ran found an opportunity to move the cat climbing frame up from the bottom of theke.


    Cat climbing frame...cat climbing frame...


    Although it was called a cat climbing frame, everyone knew that this was actually a tiger climbing frame, and it was a tiger climbing frame that Li Shiyin hoped Chasing the Wind could still y on when he grew up.


    A healthy adult tiger is generally about one meter tall, about three meters long, and weighs about 700 catties. And for this thing to be able to jump up and y...


    So you can imagine how big the cat climbing frame carved by Li Shiyin was.


    Put by theke, it looked like a small building.


    The height of the cat climbing frame was over eight meters, divided into three floors in total, and the floor area of each floor was at least fifty square meters.


    Why do you say it is divided into three floors in total?


    Because each of its floors was not solid, and its division was not very clear. Li Shiyin deliberately showed off her sword skills,yer uponyer, oneyer after another...


    In short, it could ensure that Chasing the Wind could jump around and y on it, and also ensure that he could find a ce to sleep, roll around, and sharpen his ws.


    This cat climbing frame was not like the previous cat scratching board that Li Shiyin had deliberately made fun of. Every pir was carved with Li Shiyin''s sword energy, and every top end was cut with Li Shiyin''s rotten carpentry sword technique...


    This pile of cat climbing frames stood there with the feeling of a rugged work of art.


    And this cat climbing frame was moved from the bottom of theke with great effort by the Golden Core cultivator Qin Ran and ced at the junction of theke and the stream.


    It can be imagined that when there is water in theke, the green waves will be rippling there, and the stream will be flowing here. A big cat ying on the frame, asionally jumping into theke and river, would be an extremely lively and vivid picture.


    But as expected, this cat climbing frame was not only popr with Chasing the Wind, but Long Qiqi also liked it very much.


    Chasing the Wind is not yet fully grown, jumping around on the frame feels like a child driving a big car;


    But this feeling waspletely absent in Long Qiqi. Because she directly transformed into her original form, turning into a pipe-thick giant snake coiling at the top of the frame, dering her sovereignty.


    Chasing the Wind had been jumping for a while and finally jumped to the topyer. Before he could be happy, he was ruthlessly swept to the secondyer by Long Qiqi¡¯s tail.


    He climbed up and stood on the secondyer, raised his paws at Long Qiqi and threatened: "Mine!"


    Long Qiqi then poked her huge head, as big as Chasing the Wind''s body, out from the thirdyer in front of Chasing the Wind, revealing two poisonous fangs, hissing a red snake letter, threatening back.


    How could he, Chasing the Wind, suffer this grievance? This was his territory. He was still a seventh-level demon beast. So he jumped up and pped Long Qiqi''s snake head.


    Long Qiqi was stunned for a moment. This stuttering dad tiger actually dared to hit her? He dared to get violent?! She swung her head over.


    Chasing the Wind stepped on the wind to avoid it and looked back to taunt her: "Roar..."


    "Hiss Hiss..." Long Qiqi was furious. Her snake body slid swiftly to chase him.


    By the river, Li Shiyin sat on the bank, lifted her skirt, and stretched her feet as white as jade into the river to paddle.


    Seeing Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind frolicking on the frame like children, sheughed and asked Qin Ran, "Master, do you see how long they can mess around like this before that frame copses?"


    Qin Ran was not far away looking after his crane-capped immortal grass. Hearing this, he nced at the frame and said, "Don''t worry about it. I''ll reinforce it with restrictions some time. It won''t break that easily."


    "Do you see them as children? How naughty!" Li Shiyinughed.


    Hearing this, Qin Ran looked at her again, with more than a little meaning in his eyes, and said, "They are actually little kids... But you on the other hand..."


    He stopped there, the words ended but the meaning was endless.


    "How could I possibly be like them when I''m so mature, stable, beautiful and graceful?" Li Shiyin did not admit it.


    "Oh right, right, right..." Qin Ran agreed.


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran, always feeling that he was not affirming her.


    Time slowly passed, the light dimmed, dusk fell, and the people of Dan Peak slowly returned to their rooms to sleep.


    The night was quiet, with only the sound of insects chirping. At a certain moment, Qin Ran''s room door opened, and a sturdy man with a messy head dress walked out. Bare-chested and disheveled, he had quite a bold and unrestrained air.


    This man closed the door and jumped into the night. He flew out of Dan Peak towards the outside forest.


    But after flying just a few meters without reaching the outer forest, he suddenly stopped. He raised his hand, created a bubble, threw it to the side, and pulled a big cat shadow out of the darkness.


    "Chasing the Wind! Go back!" the sturdy man shouted.


    "Roar..." The darkness faded from Chasing the Wind''s body as he turned back into that cute little white tiger. He shook his head coquettishly in the bubble, "Dad roar!"


    Qin Ran was both helpless and angry. He appeased, "Dad is going out to do proper business. You can''t follow along." After speaking, he used the bubble to send Chasing the Wind back to his own room.


    No matter how Chasing the Wind cried, made trouble and rolled around in the bubble, he ignored it.


    "Sigh..." Qin Ran sighed. With such a ruler of darkness at home, this ckening trick for going out was no longer useful! How could he deceive Chasing the Wind''s eyes?


    But he was going to Linxian City this time, and he really could not bring Chasing the Wind along, so he had to restrain him.


    Looking back at Dan Peak, Qin Ran stopped caring and hurried away, disappearing above Dan Peak.


    After building his golden core, Qin Ran''s concealment techniques had improved exponentially. Not long after leaving Dao Sword Sect, he arrived in Linxian City.


    This was Qin Ran''s first timeing to Linxian City after killing the people from the "Yuan" organizationst time.


    To be honest, although he had apletely different disguise this time, he was still a little cowardly, afraid that this kind of immortal cultivation world organization would have some kind of aura tracking method, soul tracking method, causal tracking method, that kind of thing he waspletely unfamiliar with.


    Fortunately, he deliberately lingered in Linxian City for a while and did not notice anything wrong. He also went to the "Yuan Teahouse" to drink half a cup of tea, still nothing seemed wrong.


    Thus, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the follow-up handlingst time was quite clean without leaving any tails and attracting the attention of the "Yuan" organization.


    At the same time, it also proved that the "Yuan" organization did not have those weird magic tricks.


    After drinking tea at the "Yuan Teahouse", when it was past midnight, Qin Ran got up and walked towards the city¡¯srgest auction house.


    Thisrgest auction house took the ¡°Linxian¡± from ¡°Linxian City¡±, and was called Linxian Auction House. It was an auction house patronized by the lord of Linxian City.


    It can be imagined that such an auction house not only catered to cultivators, but also to mortals.


    Therefore, the things auctioned inside were extremely misceneous, including shoddy items used to deceive mortals, as well as treasures that could arouse higher-level cultivators'' desires.


    For a cultivator who wanted to get what they wanted here, they would have to spend a lot of time and effort... This was why the small auction houses that only catered to cultivators targeted by the "Yuan" organization that Qin Ran went tost time were so widely existed.


    But Qin Ran''s bat identity had already attracted the attention of the "Yuan" organization, so he could no longer go to that auction house.


    And to prevent the "Yuan" organization from marking his pills, he had no choice but toe to this kind ofrge-scale auction house to test the waters first.


    Qin Ran stood in front of Linxian Auction House, looking at its front door, praying in his heart that he would get lucky tonight and obtain all the materials in one go, so he wouldn''t have toe back tomorrow.

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115


    Qin Ran came to Linxian City this time to do two things.


    First, he wants to set up the Big Formation to protect the mountain. The materials for the formation have not been fully collected, so he needs to try his luck at the auction house. Second, he wants to refine the Spirit Fusing Pill, but is stillcking many medicinal materials.


    He walked into the auction house and found that although it was alreadyte into the night, the ce was still brightly lit with peopleing and going, very lively.


    ...After all, how can one call themselves a Cultivator without pulling all-nighters?


    Qin Ran found the counter in the hall and went over to say to the woman behind the counter, "I want to auction some pills."


    "What pills?" asked this beautiful woman.


    Qin Ran revealed a smile and said, "Some pills that Foundation Building Cultivators need."


    Only then did the woman size up Qin Ran and find that he was just a shabby guy, not matching her impression of what a pill refiner should look like, so she was a little skeptical.


    "Do you have the pills?" she asked.


    Qin Ran then took out a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pill and put it on the counter, "Can you appraise it?"


    This woman only had some cultivation level, at the stage of barely perceiving qi and had not condensed it into cyclones, how could she appraise anything?


    She just pried open the jade seal, pretended to look it over, and discovered that it seemed to really be a medicinal pill... In an instant, her attitude became respectful by several hundred degrees.


    "It really is a medicinal pill," she closed the jade seal and saluted Qin Ran, "Please follow me, sir."


    After speaking, she led Qin Ran upstairs to find the person in charge of pill auctions at this auction house and introduced Qin Ran to him.


    "Old Mo, this gentleman wants to auction pills."


    This white-bearded Older Mo looked over at Qin Ran and asked, "Auction what pills?"


    The beautiful woman then handed over the Spirit Gathering Pill to Older Mo.


    Older Mo took the pill bottle, poured out one pellet, appraised it briefly, and was immediately shocked, "Top grade Spirit Gathering Pill?!"


    He looked at Qin Ran, "Sir, are you an alchemy master?"


    "When your auction house auctions items, do you still need to check 18 generations of a person''s ancestry?" Qin Ran asked with augh.


    "Haha!" Older Moughed awkwardly twice, "No no, this old man was just curious."


    He then asked again, "May I ask how should I address you, sir?"


    "My surname is Sun, first name Wukong," Qin Ran said.


    "Oh, Mr. Sun, nice to meet you!" Older Mo greeted respectfully, "The quality of your Spirit Gathering Pills is extremely high. May I ask if you intend to auction them all?"


    "Yes."


    "The base price of a top grade Spirit Gathering Pill is 100 Spirit Stones. Our auction house has no upper limit on bids..." Older Mo introduced Qin Ran to the rules, "And in the end, the auction house will collect 10 percentmission based on the final transaction price. There are 10 top grade Spirit Gathering Pills in this bottle. We will auction them separatelyter. Does Mr. Sun have any opinion on this?"


    "None, it''s very reasonable."


    Older Mo then asked someone toe over and register with Qin Ran. As he watched Qin Ran sign, he smiled and asked, "May I ask if Mr. Sun has any other pills that need our service?"


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran pondered for a moment, seeming hesitant. Finally, he put down his pen and took out five porcin bottles from his storage bag, handing them to Older Mo, "You can help me auction these too."


    Older Mo reached out to receive them, but Qin Ran suddenly withdrew his hand and added, "But I have a requirement."


    "Mr. Sun, please feel free to ask anything. As long as we can help you, we definitely will," Older Mo said hurriedly.


    "I need three materials: Spirit Calming Wood, Clear Source Stone, and Spirituo Profound Gold," Qin Ran said. "Do you have them here?"


    Older Mo turned around to take out an auction list and handed it to Qin Ran, "These are the things we will be auctioning tonight. Are what Mr. Sun needs on it?"


    Qin Ran nced at it and found that it only contained Spirit Calming Wood and Clear Source Stone, so he sighed inwardly. It looked like he still had toe again.


    He handed the pills to Older Mo and said, "Find me a spot."


    "Of course," Older Mo said with a smile.


    He appraised the remaining pills again and found that there was even a Break Barrier Pill among them. His attitude towards Qin Ran became even more respectful. After registering again, he called over the beautiful woman to lead Qin Ran into the auction hall.


    Older Mo''s attitude remained very good until Qin Ran''s back disappeared behind the door. Then the obsequious smile on his face suddenly vanished.


    He looked at the pills in his hand again, his eyes changing several times, before finally making up his mind. He asked someone to arrange the pill auction while he himself turned and left the auction house.


    Forrge auction houses like this, they may not be able topare with the private auction houses set up by cultivators in terms of cultivation resources, but their environment and service are much higher by several levels.


    And because the pills were auctioned by big clients, Qin Ran was even ced in a private room with free tea, refreshments, fruits, and furnished with tables, chairs and beds. Even that beautiful woman smiled coquettishly, her soft body stuck close to Qin Ran,pletely taking on an appearance that he could have his way with her... But the righteous gentleman Qin Ran rejected her with fair words.


    On the auction stage, the host was giving the final speech, saying that this was thest auction for today and customers who wanted to buy things should hurry up and buy...


    Qin Ran sat in the private room, meditating with eyes closed to nurture his spirit. He did not touch the tea, refreshments or fruits, only waiting for the auction to begin.


    But very unfortunately, before the auction officially started, he noticed something was off. The private rooms on both sides and above and below him were upied. And soon after, gazes swept over his room again and again, subtly.


    "Damn it!" Qin Ran couldn''t help but yell inwardly.


    In the end, was it his bad luck to encounter this kind of thing every time he went out, or was the "Edge" organization''s connections too wide, having found him? Qin Ran didn''t know. He only knew that no matter which it was, he had to find a way to slip away.


    He flipped through the auction catalogue and found that the two materials he wanted were a bit towards the back.


    "Should I risk it?" he asked himself, "Or slip away directly?"


    But he turned his thoughts and felt that since people had already found him here, slipping away now orter probably didn''t make much difference...


    Thinking thus, he actually sat down calmly, pretending not to notice the ambushes on all sides, quietly waiting for the auction to begin.


    Soon after, the auction began. Treasures were auctioned off one by one, seemingly ordinary. Qin Ran also asionally bid, like an ordinary customer. But other than the two things he really needed, he did not actually buy anything else.


    After buying the Spirit Calming Wood and Clear Source Stone, Qin Ran got up leisurely and even went to find the person in charge of the auction to handle the handover... The spirit stones earned from auctioning the pills and the spirit stones spent on buying the Spirit Calming Wood and Clear Source Stone offset each other, and in the end Qin Ran still had 700 spirit stones left.


    After receiving the spirit stones and materials, and finding no issues with the Spirit Calming Wood and Clear Source Stone, Qin Ran instantly knew where the problem was.


    It wasn''t the Linxian Auction House, it was the "Edge" organization!


    With this thought, he turned and went to the pill appraisal ce to find Older Mo and asked with a smile, "How are my pills?"


    "The quality is very high, very good," Older Mo said. "It''s my first time seeing such quality in my life."


    "First time seeing in your life?" Qin Ran said. "Then you''ve seen them before?"


    "No, I haven''t seen them before!" Older Mo said. "Today is the first time seeing them."


    Qin Ran smiled and bid Older Mo farewell, "Until we meet again."


    "I look forward to your next visit," Older Mo said.


    Qin Ran turned and walked out the door. His left hand popped a bubble while his right hand took out a porcin bottle and poured some powder from it into the bubble. Then the bubble shrank to extremely small and drilled into the room, colliding with Older Mo''s clothes and dissolving into them.


    As for himself, he hurried out of the auction house. Right at the entrance, his figure suddenly blurred and his whole body melted down into a puddle of water.

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116


    At the entrance of Linxian Auction House, Qin Ran suddenly transformed into a puddle of water and disappeared. Not long after, a dashing young nobleman in luxurious attire emerged from the auction house and walked straight to the spot where the puddle had been, carefully investigating.


    "A water clone?" He pondered for a moment and said, "Seems like it''s that Master You. Unique alchemy techniques, insidious water-based cultivation methods..."


    "What name is he going by this time?" he inquired.


    "The reply, Young Master Yang..." A middle-aged man with a beard under his chin behind him hurriedly responded, "...is Sun Wukong."


    "Sun Wukong?" Young Master Yang smiled. "He''s mocking us. Appearing out of thin air, then disappearing into thin air... Does he want us to think about the ''void'' in his name?"


    "Those two individuals fromst time also vanished into thin air, as if they never existed in this world," Young Master Yang observed as he looked at the shrinking water stain on the ground. "This person truly possesses some extraordinary means."


    "Young Master, his appearance here was a clone, but from the moment he left the auction house until thepletion of the item transaction, he could only be the true body. Therefore, he must have reced the clone at some point after the transaction," analyzed the middle-aged man with a beard.


    "Uncle Zhang, where did he go afterpleting the transaction?" Young Master Yang asked.


    "To Old Mo''s ce..." nodded Uncle Zhang, instantly understanding Young Master Yang''s meaning. It appeared that Master You had made some arrangements at Old Mo''s ce.


    Just then, a young man dressed as a servant walked out of the auction house. He hurriedly approached Young Master Yang and whispered in his ear, "Old Mo is dead."


    "How did he die?" Young Master Yang''s expression remained unchanged; this was within his expectations.


    "He died from poisoning."


    "Poisoning?" This surprised Young Master Yang a little because poisons were notmonly used among mortals, let alone in the cultivation world.


    The efficiency of using poison to kill in the cultivation world is not high...


    But upon further thought, it made sense since Old Mo was an alchemist.


    "It''s abination of poisons," the servant replied. "Old Mo was initially affected by a killing poison, which caused his spirit to go awry, rendering him unable to use his mana. Then, another type of toxin erupted, instantly corrupting his entire body."


    Young Master Yang became interested and led the two men to the pill identification area of the Linxian Auction House. Once there, he cleared out the others and employed a certain eye technique, his eyes shining as he examined Old Mo from head to toe.


    He quickly spotted a mark on Old Mo''s clothes.


    "This is where the poisoning urred," he said, instructing the servant to cut out the mark.


    "It''s snake poison..." After examining it, he made his final judgment and smiled. "A snake poison infused with a malevolent aura and capable of rotting flesh. I believe this kind of snake is quite rare."


    At the same time, in a certain location outside Linxian City, Qin Ran''s figure suddenly materialized from the air. After confirming that no one had followed him, he turned around and bumped into a formation...


    And when he emerged from the other side of this formation, he had transformed into a handsome young boy.


    Then, with a disy of his agility, the wind stirred, and stepping on the wind, he swiftly headed in a direction and disappeared.


    How did Qin Ran manage to leave Linxian Auction House?


    In fact, it was not much different from what Young Master Yang had guessed. Afterpleting the transaction with the auction house, Qin Ran first poisoned Older Mo, then took the opportunity of opening the door to use the Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water technique to summon a clone. At the same time, his true body transformed into water like a dreamlike illusion and used the Art of Escaping like Flowing Water to conceal himself in the air.


    Qin Ran particrly liked the Art of Escaping like Flowing Water because of its ability to merge with water, making it a divine technique for survival... especially after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, his understanding of the Art of Escaping like Flowing Water reached a higher level.


    For example, the air contains a low but not negligible amount of water.


    He could now sense this water and merge his body with it using his techniques.


    In an instant, he employed three different techniques, recing the clone right under Young Master Yang''s nose, and escaped from the Linxian Auction House and Linxian City.


    After all themotion, Qin Ran returned to his disguise as a Buddhist monk and arrived at Dan Peak.


    When he arrived at Dan Peak, he suddenly noticed that the lights were still on in the wooden house''s living room and the corridor.


    On the grassy ground in front of the wooden house, there was a fearsome giant snake coiled up, constantly spitting venom at him; a cute tiger crouched down, revealing a row of milk teeth; and a sword-wielding young girl sitting there, exuding a strong killing intent.


    It was almost dawn... Qin Ran walked over and asked in confusion, "Who are you guys?"


    "Is he the master?" The sword-wielding young girl turned to the cute tiger and asked.


    The cute tiger nodded seriously and said, "Yes..."


    As a result, the young girl drew her sword and pointed at Qin Ran, saying, "Master... cough, no, Qin Ran, the three of us have decided to pass judgment on you!"


    "What? What is this about?" Qin Ran almost thought he was hallucinating. This is...


    Is Louis XVI about to be sent to the guillotine?


    "Are you nning to rebel against me?" he asked.


    "Cough!" Li Shiyin suddenly became a little flustered. She looked at Chasing the Wind and found that Chasing the Wind no longer dared to show his teeth and his eyes were avoiding her gaze. Then she looked at Long Qiqi. Long Qiqi''s body was huge and quite terrifying, and her eyes signaled Long Qiqi to speak.


    But Long Qiqi acted as if she couldn''t see her signaling, her snake head facing forward, asionally letting out sharp roars to show that she was still alive.


    "Ah...cough!" Since she couldn''t rely on anyone, Li Shiyin had to rely on herself. She calmed her mind and said to Qin Ran, "Master...I mean, Qin Ran! Considering that you always stay up at night and go out to do bad things...which is very dangerous, and Dan Peak doesn''t encourage it... we have decided to pass judgment on you!"


    "Oh... I see!" Qin Ran nodded, knowing what these three troublemakers were up to.


    He nced at Chasing the Wind, who dared not meet his gaze... he was sure this little guy was responsible for the mischief.


    Qin Ran took off the monk''s headband, held it in his hand, and slowly transformed back to his original appearance. He sat down on a chair facing the three youngsters and said, "Go on, I''m listening."


    "Engaging in dangerous activities goes against Dan Peak''s humanistic, values, and moral perspectives, which are strictly prohibited by the peak''s rules..." Li Shiyin straightened her chest, encouraged herself, and continued, "Therefore, we have decided to impose a punishment on you..."


    "What kind of punishment?" Qin Ran asked.


    "A punishment..." Li Shiyin instantly deted, how could she dare to mention punishing her master?


    "House arrest!" Fortunately, Long Qiqi was reliable. At a critical moment, he transformed into human form and sharply eximed in a high-pitched voice, "This time it''s a warning. You''ll be confined for a month!"


    "You want to confine me?" Qin Ran asked with a smile.


    With that, Long Qiqi''s anger dissipated.


    Qin Ran stood up, and the three little ones took a step back together. This group of disorganized people immediately fell into chaos. Li Shiyin''s chair fell, and she tumbled to the ground. Chasing the Wind stood up but assumed a posture of escape. As for the little girl Long Qiqi, she was so frightened that she sat down on her bottom.


    "You''re going to pass judgment on me with your current state?" Qin Ran shook his head and sneered, "Go wash up and go to bed!"


    Saying that, he walked towards the wooden house.


    At this moment, Chasing the Wind let out a loud roar...


    "Roar!"


    Qin Ran sensed a gust of evil wind. Before he could turn around, a heavy object pounced on his shoulders. Then, two fangs bit into the back of his neck.


    ...It was a sneak attack from the Tiger n, engraved in their souls!

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117


    "Chasing the Wind! Chasing the Wind! Let go!"


    Qin Ran reached back to grab Chasing the Wind, but Chasing the Wind''s bloodline instincts reacted, and he wed Qin Ran''s shoulder, leaving Qin Ran at a momentary loss over what to do about Chasing the Wind.


    "Chasing the Wind, your ws..." Qin Ran had no choice but to yell loudly.


    Today there were scattered clouds, and the sun would asionally peek out from gaps in the dark clouds.


    By theke pit, Chasing the Wind was pressed against a table by Qin Ran, his paws pried open to expose his ws, while Qin Ran held arge pair of scissors, trimming Chasing the Wind''s ws.


    Unfortunately, Chasing the Wind was a level 7 demon beast, and his ws, by another name, were the Ghost Shadow Tiger ws. They were not something that could simply be trimmed...


    As a result, Qin Ran broke several pairs of scissors without even trimming one of Chasing the Wind''s ws.


    "Master, just give up!" Li Shiyin came over for a drink of water and saw Qin Ran still struggling. She couldn''t help but advise, "You can''t cut through them."


    Seeing Li Shiyin, Qin Ran suddenly had an idea. He picked up Chasing the Wind and said, "Use your sword qi to file them down. It''s a good chance to train your control. If you make a mistake, Chasing the Wind loses a leg."


    Hearing this, Chasing the Wind shuddered all over and struggled to escape.


    "I won''t do it!" Li Shiyin shook her head. "Chasing the Wind is so great! I can''t bear to hurt him!"


    "Great?" Qin Ran pointed to the w marks on his shoulder and twisted to show Li Shiyin the bite mark on the back of his neck, "If my mortal flesh hadn''t just been strengthened, I''d be dead by his jaws!"


    As he spoke, he was still traumatized by what had happened that morning, so he gave Chasing the Wind''s furry head another p.


    "Mm..." Chasing the Wind hugged his head with his paws and let out a wronged cry.


    "Pretending to be wronged?" Qin Ran was enraged and held the furry head for a round of angry rubbing.


    And it was while Qin Ran was rubbing the furry head that there was suddenly movement from the research building!


    The first thing to arrive was an aura of terror from a high-level demon beast. Along with this aura came surging waves of heat.


    Sensing the aura of the demon beast, Chasing the Wind flipped out of Qin Ran''s hands,nding on the table facing the research building. In his round eyes, the golden irises stood on end, and an aura called King of Myriad Beasts emanated from him...


    He would never allow any demon beast to be so arrogant before him!


    But the aura didn''te from a demon beast. Qin Ran got up from his chair to look towards the research building and said, "It''s Huang Feiyu. His transformation isplete!"


    Having said that, his figure disappeared.


    "Master!?" Seeing Qin Ran vanish into thin air, Li Shiyin cried out in surprise. She quickly summoned the Qingxing Sword, picked up Chasing the Wind, and headed for the research building.


    Huang Feiyu woke up. He thought he would never wake again.


    Hisst memory was of being sted away by the Lionheart me Beast''s deathblow palm strike, followed by a jet of lion heart me spewing towards him as he was powerless to resist...


    He thought he was dead, but he wasn''t. He had crawled out from hell.


    Huang Feiyu looked up to find himself in a cramped room with a pill furnace, a bed, and...Earth fire!


    He realized he felt hot. His body was filled with explosive power. He looked down to see his body had disappeared. His body had turned into zing lion heart mes!


    He had turned into fire!!


    He was alive, but...


    "Ah!!!!" Huang Feiyu couldn''t ept it and was terrified beyond measure.


    He roared furiously to the sky. The mes on his body exploded outwards as endless mes erupted and rampaged through the tiny Earth Fire Chamber, crashing this way and that, about to st the chamber open and reduce the entire research building to rubble.


    Just then, the sound of flowing water rang out. Water gushed in from all directions, enveloping the mes and Huang Feiyu as well,pressing around them to form a gigantic sphere of water encapsting the mes.


    The water sphere burst through the wall to emerge outside the research building.


    Qin Ran floated in midair, controlling the water sphere. With a thought, he raised his hand and batted the water sphere into theke pit before releasing control...


    "Boom!"


    An explosion rivaling a high explosive detonation sted mes sky high. The entire Dan Peak shook.


    More white mist bubbled up from theke bottom...


    Qin Ran sighed, "Wasted."


    "Master, how is he?" Li Shiyin flew over holding Chasing the Wind and asked.


    "The conversion was very thorough. He''s turned into fire and retained his cultivation level, but..." Qin Ran said, "Whether he can ept what he''s be, that I don''t know."


    "A body wreathed in raging mes, how majestic! Why wouldn''t he be able to ept it?" Li Shiyin didn''t really understand.


    Qin Ran gave her a look. With her mindset, it would be hard to exin it clearly to her.


    Wait, Qin Ran suddenly realized there was an issue. Li Shiyin, Chasing the Wind...


    "Where''s Long Qiqi?!" he yelled.


    Don''t tell me she was still at theke bottom!


    "Huh? I don''t know!" Li Shiyin replied.


    She quickly realized and was about to go check by theke pit.


    "I''m over here!" Long Qiqi''s helpless voice rang out.


    Qin Ran and Li Shiyin looked down to see tiny Long Qiqi standing there, her face the picture of helplessness.


    With such a hugemotion here, she was also a demon beast. How could she not react? Naturally, she would alsoe over to check out what was happening.


    It''s just that she didn''t expect no one to remember her... When Qin Ran tossed the bomb into theke pit, he didn''t think of her either. This hurt her feelings a little.


    "But without his body, won''t he be unable to make babies or enjoy bedroom bliss anymore...?" But she quickly bounced back and noticed a blind spot. "How pitiful!"


    As expected of a snake''sscivious nature.


    Qin Ran looked at her despairingly. At such a young age, how could her mind be filled with these things?!


    And then look at a creature like Li Shiyin who thought of nothing but eating, sleeping, fighting and brawling all day. No sign of awakening to matters between men and women at all.


    Qin Ran shook his head repeatedly.


    "What are you two feeling regret about?" Li Shiyin''s wide eyes were full of confusion.


    After the mes at theke bottom subsided, Qin Ran flew over the steaming white mist, peering at the flickering gold and red fiery figure within. He called out loudly, "Feeling better?"


    The rolling white mist was still for a moment before seething. The fiery figure rocketed up from theke bottom to hover opposite Qin Ran. He looked at Qin Ran and asked, "This is your doing?"


    "It''s my doing," Qin Ran replied.


    The mes on Huang Feiyu''s body boiled as fire sprang from his eyes. Clenching his fist, he threw a punch at Qin Ran.


    "So you want to attack the person who saved your life?" Qin Ran said, signaling for Li Shiyin and the others who had followed to stay back.


    "Savior?!" Huang Feiyu clenched both fists, staring down at himself. He roared, "Can what I am still be called human?!"


    "Then before you attack, there are two things I hope you know," Qin Ran saw Huang Feiyu didn''t immediately charge over and was relieved to see he still had his rationality. As long as he was rational, there was no major issue.


    "First, without your conscious will actively assisting, the me transformation could not have beenpleted. Second, saving you cost a Lionheart me Beast''s demon core and a me Crystal, as well as countless medicinal pills. Third, it was Tian Wenjin who gave his all to save you!"


    Huang Feiyu froze in midair as his mind churned chaotically - the primal explosiveness of the mes, his inability to ept what he''d be, and some unspeakableplex emotions...


    "Ah!!!" He roared furiously to the sky, turned, and flew off, vanishing into Dan Peak''s airspace.


    "He just left like that?" Li Shiyin came over to ask.


    "What else could he do? Beat me up and then leave?" Qin Ran retorted.


    Li Shiyin nodded, her face full of regret. He really should have beaten up Master before leaving.


    "He won''t get into trouble, right?" she said.


    "This is Daomen Sword Sect. What trouble could he get into?" Qin Ran shook his head.


    Li Shiyin hesitated, seeming to want to say more, but finally just murmured softly, "Wenjin must feel so wretched..."

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118


    After Huang Feiyu left, Qin Ran reinforced the restrictions at the bottom of theke overnight, and set up formations in the confirmed areas at the bottom of theke to limit them and prevent the spiritual veins from being broken again.


    The next morning, Qin Ran was reading by thekeside, continuing to study the Guardian Mountain Formation, when Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi came to find him again.


    "Every time I see Brother Qin, Brother Qin is reading. Brother Qin is really studious." Su Changqing praised, "It is indeed a model for us juniors to follow."


    "No such thing, I''m just reading some misceneous things to pass the time." Qin Ran put away the book and replied.


    Bai Ruoxi stood at the edge of theke pit and looked into theke. She discovered that the pit was much bigger than it had been a few days ago, and it was starting to look something like ake.


    She said, "Yourke ising along quickly."


    "Fellow Daoist Bai has been a great help." Qin Ran said with a smile.


    That day, Bai Ruoxi had a great battle with Li Shiyin, with white feathers and stars flying everywhere, doing a lot of work to open up thiske pit. Plus Huang Feiyu''s explosion yesterday, thiske was really starting to take shape.


    "Hmm..." Bai Ruoxiughed softly, then pointed to the cat climbing frame by theke and asked, "What''s that thing?"


    "A cat climbing frame." Qin Ran answered.


    "What?" This thing didn''t exist in this world, so Bai Ruoxi really didn''t understand.


    "Something for Chasing the Wind to y on."


    After Bai Ruoxi finished asking her questions, Su Changqing finally looked at Qin Ran and asked, "Is Brother Qin ready?"


    Qin Ran tidied his cor and stood up, smiling as he said those words himself: "Always ready."


    "Then let''s go!"


    "Just us?" Qin Ran was surprised.


    "There are three other fellow daoists waiting for us at the Master Peak." Su Changqing said. "This time we''re going to thend of immortal legacy to look for the Devouring Demon Willow, so not too many people shoulde."


    "I see, that saves me some effort." Qin Ran nodded, then went to the edge of theke pit and called down to Li Shiyin at the bottom, "Shiyin, I''m going out for a while, it may take some time, so take good care of Chasing the Wind and Long Qiqi."


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin was startled. Gripping her sword, she turned back and looked up at Qin Ran, "Going out again? Aren''t you grounded?"


    Qin Ran''s face was suddenly covered in ck lines.


    "Don''t cause trouble!" He warned again.


    "How long will you be gone?" Li Shiyin asked in a loud voice.


    "About ten days!" Qin Ran said.


    In fact, he didn''t know how long this trip would take, because they were going deep into the Hengduan Mountains, to the realnd of immortal legacy, to look for the legendary Devouring Demon Willow.


    When would they be back? Qin Ran didn''t even know if he coulde back...


    So he said a rare goodbye to Li Shiyin.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded. A woman''s sixth sense told her that something felt off about Qin Ran.


    "Goodbye!" Qin Ran waved again to say farewell, taking onest look at Li Shiyin, Chasing the Wind, and Long Qiqi, before turning away. With misty water swirling around him, he flew up into the sky.


    Watching her master leave with Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi, Li Shiyin frowned and asked Long Qiqi next to her, "Don''t you feel like something is wrong?"


    "Qin Ran flew away?" Long Qiqi asked.


    "No..." Li Shiyin shook her head. "Master, it seemed like master was saying goodbye."


    "He''s going out and leaving us, isn''t that goodbye?" Long Qiqi said. "Could it be that he can''t bear to part with you? Not even for a moment?!"


    "Hmph!" Hearing Long Qiqi''s teasing tone, Li Shiyin''s face immediately turned red. She red angrily at Long Qiqi and scolded, "What are you talking about?!"


    "I didn''t say anything..."


    Compared to Li Shiyin''s intuition, the cat Chasing the Wind on the cat climbing frame was even more conscious. He licked the fur on his paws as he watched Qin Ran''s departing figure, his eyes gradually bing deeper.


    The distance from Dan Peak to Master Peak was very short. As Golden Core cultivators, it took Qin Ran and the others only a moment to reach Master Peak za.


    At this time, there was a cloud ship at Master Peak za with three cultivators waiting for Qin Ran''s arrival.


    Afternding, Su Changqing took the initiative to introduce, "Brother Qin is here. Brothers Jian and Qi, you are all fellow disciples of the Sword Sect, so you must be very familiar with each other. Let me introduce this junior brother to Brother Qin. This is Brother Chu Batian from the Qi Method Institute of Lingnan Immortal Sect. He is a qi cultivator with formidable strength..."


    He introduced with a smile, then turned back to look at Qin Ran, intending to introduce Chu Batian. But he discovered that Qin Ran was holding his head with a ufortable expression, and he couldn''t help but be startled. "Brother Qin, what''s the matter?"


    Bai Ruoxi was beside Qin Ran, covering her mouth and giggling. She knew what was going on. Qin Ran had been in the same state after thest ride on the cloud ship.


    After flying for a while, Qin Ran was barely holding it in, but still felt a bit nauseous. To save face, he couldn''t say he was afraid of heights. He could only force a smile and endure it to greet the qi cultivator called Chu Batian, "Greetings, Fellow Brother Chu!"


    Seeing Qin Ran''s reluctant appearance, Chu Batian took an instant dislike to him and just nodded slightly without returning the greeting.


    Seeing that the team was already in discord before the mission had even started, Su Changqing sighed inwardly. This team was not easy to lead.


    His eyes turned, and he suddenly saw Bai Ruoxi covering her mouth and giggling while ncing at Qin Ran from time to time. He took note and went over to Bai Ruoxi to whisper, "What is Junior Sisterughing about?"


    Bai Ruoxi whispered a few sentences in his ear.


    Su Changqing was immediately shocked, looking at Qin Ran with a bizarre expression. In all his years of cultivation, he had seen all kinds of bizarre things, but this was the first time he had heard of something so strange about Qin Ran...


    How odd!


    He couldn''t help but sigh.


    The six people boarded the cloud ship. Su Changqing took the helm as the temporary team leader. He took out a mid-grade spirit stone and ced it on the disk. After the disk swallowed the spirit stone, he pinched the incantation seals and manipted the cloud ship to fly out of the Sword Sect.


    There were six people on this cloud ship - three from Lingnan Immortal Sect: Su Changqing, Bai Ruoxi and Chu Batian; and three from the Sword Sect: Qin Ran, Jian Yuanjie and Qi Yun.


    Their purpose on this trip was to go deep into the core of the Hengduan Mountains to find the Devouring Demon Willow that was about to ascend.


    Of the six people, the three from the Sword Sect, Qin Ran and Jian Yuanjie, were well-read and knowledgeable about the Hengduan Mountains, serving as guides; while the three from Lingnan Immortal Sect had higher status and strongerbat power, and were in charge of operations.


    As soon as he boarded the cloud ship, Qin Ran immediately found an isted corner and sat down cross-legged to meditate.


    The cloud ship flew swiftly, and soon Su Changqing called out to him, "Brother Qin, wake up, we have to get off now." Only then did hee to his senses.


    Qin Ran opened his eyes and looked around. He found they were above the primitive forest, with white fog and thunder and lightning shing ahead. Even with excellent vision from his mystic arts, he still couldn''t see clearly.


    He knew in his heart that they had reached the edge of the core area of the Hengduan Mountains.


    This was the limit of how far they could fly. They had to descend into the primitive forest below and carefully proceed on foot from here.


    The six of them disembarked from the cloud ship, and Su Changqing put away the cloud ship. They descended like birds into the primitive forest, looked around, then unanimously gazed toward the misty area ahead...


    They all knew that this adventure had officially begun.

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119


    What exactly is the rtionship between the Hengduan Mountains and the Land of Immortal Legacy?


    First of all, the reason why it is called the Land of Immortal Legacy is that a cultivator had died here in the past. After the cultivator''s death, his corpse, spiritual powers, and magic influenced arge area. This eerie and ominous area was thus called the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    So how did the Hengduan Mountainse about?


    When the cultivator''s magic spread outwards to areas not affected by the eeriness and ominousness, it nourished the local nts, animals and demonic beasts. Myriad things were revived and myriad lives flourished, thus bing the Hengduan Mountains.


    We can thus conclude that the Hengduan Mountains are the outer regions of the Land of Immortal Legacy, while the Land of Immortal Legacy is the core region within the Hengduan Mountains.


    If we draw a circle with the cultivator¡¯s corpse at the center, that would be the Land of Immortal Legacy. If we draw an evenrger circle around it, the ring formed between the two circles would be the Hengduan Mountains.


    Cultivators from the Lingnan Immortal Sect like Su Changqing feel that this whole area came about because of that cultivator. Their impression of this ce is that of the Land of Immortal Legacy, so they habitually refer to the Hengduan Mountains as such.


    As for people living near the Hengduan Mountains like Qin Ran, many don¡¯t even know about the Land of Immortal Legacy. Those who do know think that it is just a region within the mountains. They are familiar with the Hengduan Mountains, so they habitually refer to the Land of Immortal Legacy as the Hengduan Mountains instead.


    Of course, for the six explorers currently standing right outside the core region of the Land of Immortal Legacy, it would be more urate to call this ce the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    Anyone would shudder in fear knowing that a cultivator had died here.


    "It is said that the Land of Immortal Legacy is filled with all kinds of anomalies..." Su Changqing said. "Everyone, please be careful."


    Looking at the misty Land of Immortal Legacy, Qin Ran snapped his fingers and conjured six transparent bubbles. "I don''t know what that mist is made of. Wearing these helmets can reduce unnecessary trouble."


    As he spoke, he made one of the bubbles float onto his head like an astronaut''s helmet.


    After putting it on, he looked towards the other five, his eyes asking if they needed one too.


    "Brother Qin is indeed prudent in his preparations," Su Changqingughed. "Please help us too."


    Qin Ran then ced a bubble over Su Changqing''s head.


    "No wonder you are useless in battle. Turns out you cultivate these weird mystic arts instead," Bai Ruoxi said, pointing at her head to indicate she wanted one too.


    Qin Ran put a head bubble on her as well.


    "Thank you, Junior Brother," Qi Yun said with a smile.


    Qin Ran gave him one too.


    Three of them now had the bubbles on. The two left were Jian Yuanjie, an administrator from the Dao Sword Sect, and Chu Batian, a disciple from the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    Qin Ran nced at Chu Batian, then ignored him and turned to Jian Yuanjie instead.


    As a guide, Jian Yuanjie was in charge of pills and medicines in the Dao Sword Sect, so he had good knowledge of herbs and the like. He was quite familiar with the Hengduan Mountains.


    Qin Ran and Jian Yuanjie''s rtionship was rather subtle...


    Qin Ran knew that Jian Yuanjie was a traitor hiding within the Dao Sword Sect. Jian Yuanjie felt that Qin Ran might have discovered something, but outwardly, they were fellow sect members and even close friends who associated with each other often.


    The two looked at each other. Jian Yuanjie smiled slightly. After some time, he nodded at Qin Ran and said, "Thank you, Junior Brother!"


    Only then did Qin Ran ce a bubble over his head too.


    That left onest person.


    Given Chu Batian''s temperament, he really disliked these shy things. And due to his first impression, his opinion of Qin Ran wasn''t too good either. He reeeeally didn''t want to wear this weird bubble.


    But ncing around, he saw everyone else with transparent covers over their heads. It would be somewhat inappropriate if he was the only one without.


    So reluctantly, he pointed at his head for Qin Ran.


    After covering Chu Batian''s head with a bubble too, Qin Ran said, "This is just a small safeguard in case the mist is poisonous or contains gu creatures, swamp worms or the like. It can provide some protection."


    "It may affect everyone''s breathing, but as Golden Core cultivators, we don''t even need to breathe anyway. Just bear with it for a while."


    Everyone nodded. Su Changqing praised, "Brother Qin''s experience is indeed extensive. The ingenious application of your mystic arts is truly amazing. It''s fortunate we brought you along."


    Upon hearing this, Jian Yuanjie looked towards Qin Ran and smiled, "Junior Brother, when did you form your core? Why didn''t you let your Senior Brother know in advance? I could have provided assistance, that would have been for the best."


    "It was an idental breakthrough," Qin Ran replied politely. "You know I was stuck at thete Foundation Establishment stage for many years. A breakthrough could happen anytime... Even I don''t know what exactly happened during this breakthrough."


    An idental breakthrough was indeed possible.


    Jian Yuanjie epted his exnation with a nod. "Then allow me to congratte Junior Brother here on forming your Golden Core."


    "Thank you, Senior Brother."


    As they spoke, they observed their surroundings. Although the lush greenery was pleasing to the eye, oddly enough, there wasn''t a single animal around. There were no insect chirps, bird calls or beast roars. An eerie silence pervaded.


    "Is it always like this deep inside the Hengduan Mountains, or is it only so now?" Su Changqing asked.


    "ording to records, the deeper one goes into the Hengduan Mountains, the higher the bloodline level of the demonic beasts there. High level beasts tend to have strong territorial awareness. So it is understandable for this ce to be so quiet," Qin Ran said.


    "But at the same time, beasts are beasts and animals are animals. There should be more ordinary animals the deeper you go. So it shouldn''t be this quiet here."


    "What are you trying to say?!" the irritable Chu Batian barked.


    Qin Ran nced at him but did not reply. Instead, he asked Su Changqing, "Were you attacked by any beasts on the way here?"


    Flying over the heads of beasts was easy to provoke their wrath.


    Everyone knew this, but Su Changqing still rode his cloud vessel here. Not because he was dumb, only because his cloud vessel''s grade was high enough to not fear beast attacks.


    "No," Su Changqing shook his head, his expression turning grave.


    No beast attacks meant there were no high-ranking beasts in this forest. And there were no small animals here either...


    Something was off!


    "Then it''s out of the ordinary," Qin Ran said, gazing up at the sky. "Thest time I came to the Hengduan Mountains, I saw white willow fluff everywhere. Strangely though, it''s gone now."


    "With the Devouring Demon Willow nearing ascension, there should be more and more fluff. But now there''s not a speck left. There''s only one possibility..."


    He looked towards everyone, "It is gathering power for its ascension, making final preparations!"


    Upon hearing this, everyone''s hearts shook. That meant the Devouring Demon Willow could erupt with fluff at any time. They could be nutrients for it at any moment!


    "Time is of the essence..." Chu Batian urged. "Let''s go in now!"


    "We still don''t know what''s inside. Since Qin Ran made the head bubbles, I have a treasure here so we don''t get separated..." Su Changqing took out a jade pendant and six beads. "This Subu Heart Link lets the six beads connect as one with the pendant. No matter when or where, as long as you hold a bead, you canmunicate with whoever has the pendant."


    As he spoke, he gave out the beads and kept one bead and the pendant for himself.


    "This should help somewhat." Su Changqing added. "Let us make haste!"


    Saying so, he walked straight towards the interior of the Land of Immortal Legacy. After a few steps, his figure disappeared into the dense fog!

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120


    When looking at the fog in the Land of Immortal Legacy from the outside, it appeared vast and dense. However, upon actually entering, one would discover...


    The fog grew even thicker and more extensive!


    It was simply impossible to see five fingers in front of oneself!


    Let alone the people, objects, and scenery around, one could not even clearly see what they themselves looked like.


    At a nce, there was nothing but a vast expanse of white fog. If not for the protective aura, one would probably be suffocated by the fog.


    Being in such an environment was no different from being inplete darkness. People would instinctively feel afraid.


    The moment they entered the fog, Qin Ran activated his Eye Art Illusory Realm, but whether due to some issue with his eye art or the fog itself, his vision did not extend very far even after unleashing his eye art.


    He swept his gaze to the sides and could vaguely make out a few silhouettes moving about not too far away. They seemed to be Su Changqing and the others, but the poor visibility prevented him from being certain.


    Things were growing somewhat bizarre...


    "Hello? Can everyone hear me?" Su Changqing''s voice suddenly emitted from the pearls they each held. "If you can hear me, please respond."


    "Junior Sister Bai?"


    "Junior Brother Chu Batian?"


    He called out everyone''s names one by one to confirm their presence.


    "Brother Qin?"


    Upon hearing his own name, Qin Ran hesitated briefly before responding, "I''m fine."


    "Fellow Daoist Jian Yuanjie?"


    "Fellow Daoist Qi Yun?"


    After confirming that all were present, Su Changqing heaved a sigh of relief on the other end. "Everyone is safe."


    He then instructed, "Please follow the guidance of the pearls in your hands and gather to me for now."


    As his voice trailed off, Qin Ran sensed a directional force emanating from the pearl in his hand, faint but unmistakable. He allowed it to guide his steps toward its pull.


    ncing the way the pearl was leading him, Qin Ran could vaguely make out a silhouette standing there - most likely Su Changqing. He also noticed the other silhouettes moving in Su Changqing''s direction.


    The group advanced silently, like ghosts drifting through the fog. It was admittedly somewhat eerie.


    Having only just entered from outside, they did not have far to travel. After walking some dozen-odd meters, Qin Ran arrived before the silhouette and drew nearer for a clearer look - it was indeed Su Changqing.


    "Brother Su!" He greeted Su Changqing.


    "Brother Qin!" Su Changqing nodded back.


    Qin Ran''s gaze swept the area. The other four emerged from the fog and gathered round - still Bai Ruoxi, Jian Yuanjie and the rest, with no one missing or added.


    After a simple exchange of greetings, Jian Yuanjie frowned and asked, "With visibility so poor, how do we locate the Devouring Demon Willow?"


    "I''m afraid we have no choice but to head deeper and search for it," Su Changqing replied. "Let us hope the fog does not nket the entire Land of Immortal Legacy."


    "The Land of Immortal Legacy spans boundlessly wide, it could take us forever tob through it!" Chu Batian grumbled unhappily.


    "s..." Su Changqing sighed and said, "Let''s be on our way."


    Lacking any better alternative, the rest could only follow as Su Changqing determined their direction and set off further into the Land''s depths.


    Before departing, Qin Ran surreptitiously dropped a stone etched with markings onto the ground.


    "Everyone try to maintain the same pace," Su Changqing reminded them. "Don''t move too fast or too slow, and don''t drift away from the group."


    "By heading in this direction, we should soon clear the mist..." However, that did not happen at all...


    The nketing fog obscured their sense of direction - no telling east from west, above from below, not even day from night.


    They had barely walked for some time before realizing they had lost their bearings. Fixing their direction with arts once more, they pressed on with the search...


    At first, there was still some idle chatter, but the group did not know one another well and soon fell silent. Trudging mutely through the murky void, they felt the stifling, smothering pressure of the fog weighing upon their spirits, filling their hearts with mounting unease over the obscurity and uncertainty thaty ahead...


    After walking for a long stretch, they lost their direction yet again. Only then did they realize the spatial arts proving rather unreliable.


    And by now, they had utterly no clue how far in they had ventured!


    "Damn it all, I can''t take this anymore!" Chu Batian suddenly erupted in a bellow, giving everyone a fright as all eyes turned to him.


    They saw him taking to the air, energy swirling around him. With a sweep of his arm, a tremendous force erupted outward, sting the enshrouding mist apart in an instant and clearing a vast stretch of unobstructed space around them.


    "Such robust mastery of energy, Fellow Daoist Chu!" Jian Yuanjie praised.


    The disappearance of that invisible pressure made everyone feel instantly relieved. Su Changqing also smiled and nodded approvingly. But upon ncing back down, his smile froze. Qin Ran was staring intently at something on the ground, prompting him to quickly follow the other man''s gaze...


    There in the grass were two caterpir-like creatures, each as thick as a thumb, wriggling about.


    "What manner of bugs are those?" Su Changqing asked sharply. What insects could thrive and remain unaffected within the Land of Immortal Legacy?


    "I do not know," Qin Ran shook his head. And that was precisely why they gave reason for concern.


    "Like I care what they are!" Chu Batian yelled. Leaping down from midair, he made straight for the worms...


    "Don''t, Junior Brother!" Su Changqing hurriedly shouted.


    But Chu Batian paid him no heed. One kick instantly crushed both creatures dead.


    "Such recklessness in a domain like the Land of Immortal Legacy!" Su Changqing berated him. "Have you no caution at all, Junior Brother?!"


    "Hah! This fabled Land of Immortal Legacy, what''s so impressive about it?! And these so-called immortals, I''ll dig up their graves!" Chu Batian spat back. Cursing under his breath, he began striding back toward the group.


    "C-Chu... Senior Brother Chu?" Bai Ruoxi suddenly stammered out, pointing a shaking finger at him.


    "What is it now?" He had no patience for a woman''s whimpering antics.


    "Y-Your foot..." Bai Ruoxi gasped in horror.


    Chu Batian nced down, and to his shock, the foot he had used to stomp the worms had vanished entirely! Moreover, the invisible force making his foot disappear was creeping upward, ready to erase his calf, thigh and entire being!


    Most bizarrely, despite losing his foot, he could still walk normally! It was as if his foot remained perfectly attached.


    "How is this happening...?" Mortified, he scrambled desperately toward Qin Ran and the others.


    But the moment he realized his foot was gone, it truly was gone for good.


    His next step met only thin air, sending his entire body crashing earthward...


    "The fog is rolling back in fast!" Jian Yuanjie warned urgently.


    Su Changqing watched the mist enshroud them in the blink of an eye, a savage elemental force swirling at Chu Batian''s heels, poised to swallow him whole the next instant.


    Not daring to imagine the consequences, Su Changqing reacted on pure instinct. Fingers folded into a sword-point, he charged forward and severed Chu Batian''s vanishing leg, pulling the man to safety.


    Wasting not another moment, Su Changqing immediately beat a retreat once he had Chu Batian in grasp.


    "ARGH!" Chu Batian howled at the sight of his missing leg. "My leg, my leg!"


    But no one had time to bother with him as they all stood vignt, regarding the roiling fog warily for further entricities...


    Soon enough, the hole sted open was once more filled, with no other strange urrences manifesting.


    Only now did Su Changqing turn to Chu Batian, relief flooding him at the sight of the disintegrating force halted. "How is it, Junior Brother?" he asked. "Do you feel anything else?"


    Chu Batian seized Su Changqing by the arm, face twisted in agony. "It''s gone!!" he cried. "My leg is gone!!"

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121


    Su Changqing''s hand was pinched painfully by Chu Batian, he apologetically said: "Junior brother, the situation was urgent at that time, and I had no other way, so I had toe up with this n."


    Chu Batian knew it was like this, but he couldn''t ept it in his heart. He gritted his teeth and stared at Su Changqing, not saying anything for a good while.


    This was the lesson the fog gave to the group of six. When they were still dizzy and couldn''t even find the direction, one cultivator had already permanently lost one of his legs.


    For a time, the atmosphere within the team became even more depressed and dull.


    The few people stopped here for a good while before tidying up their mood and continuing to explore the unknown in the fog.


    Although the process was not very pleasant, Chu Batian''s body did not continue to disappear...


    It was uncertain whether the so-called "toxin" was really cut off by Su Changqing, or the other party only "poisoned" the leg.


    Chu Batian was still a Golden Core cultivator after all, and he practiced Qi cultivation. Losing a leg affected him, but not too much. He manifested another leg with his own magical power to barely support himself forward.


    Then Qi Yun was kind-hearted and was around Chu Batian, asionally helping him a bit.


    Qin Ran walked at the back, leaving another magic stone with an array pattern.


    He looked back at the bug that was stepped to death by Chu Batian, feeling a little reluctant and wanted to go back to collect it, but he was afraid of hurting himself as he didn''t know the working mechanism of the bug, so he gave up in the end.


    In the vast fog, the group continued on their way in silence again. They would stop every period of time to determine the direction with techniques, and every time Qin Ran determined the direction, he would leave a stone with an array pattern.


    Qin Ran didn''t know how long they had walked or how far they had walked. He only knew that they had stopped four times, and he had thrown array pattern stones four times. If they still couldn''t get out, his array pattern stones would soon run out.


    After they determined the direction for the fourth time and didn''t walk far ahead, suddenly there was light in front of them, and they arrived at a ce without fog.


    "Have we walked out of the fog?" Bai Ruoxi''s cheerful voice rang out, but soon stopped.


    Because what they came to was just a very small nk space, notpletely out of the fog yet.


    It was a hemispherical space with a radius of about ten meters, like an inverted bowl, separating the fog. Moreover, it was a very standard hemisphere, looking a bit like a space deliberately opened up, which was very strange and sinister.


    "F*ck, finally came to a ce without fog!" Chu Batian cursed, "I almost f*cking suffocated!"


    After saying that, he raised his hand and poked through the air bubble over his head.


    Qin Ran didn''t even have time to say "don''t" when he just raised his hand.


    "What the f*ck do you want to say again?" Chu Batian noticed Qin Ran''s move and looked over with his loud voice, "Don''t tell me there are bugs here again?!"


    Qin Ran sighed and pointed to the center of this hemispherical space.


    Everyone looked over and found that in the center of that circle, among the shallow grass, there was a very ordinary looking mushroom.


    It was very small, about the size of a child''s fist, yellowish brown in color, growing among the weeds. Originally there was nothing worth noting about it. But it grew in thend of the Immortal Ruins, right in the middle of this space in the fog... Very peculiar and sinister.


    "What''s that?" Su Changqing asked.


    Qin Ran took a look around and roughly measured the distance from the mushroom to the edge of the space. He replied, "This space exists because of it."


    "It dispelled the fog?" Su Changqing said.


    Qin Ran shook his head, "It''s not dispelling the fog, but destroying the fog."


    Suddenly enlightened, Su Changqing disyed his eye technique to take a closer look in the air, and then eximed in shock, "Junior Brother Chu, cover your nose and mouth! Hurry!!"


    "It''s toote." Qin Ran sighed, looking at Chu Batian, waiting for something.


    "What?" Chu Batian still hadn''t reacted yet. Seeing Su Changqing''s appearance, he evenughed and said, "The air here is fragrant, I shouldn''t have worn that stupid air bubble early on."


    "Let''s take a rest here for a while, you guys should also poke holes in those air bubbles..." As he said that, he looked around and was about to sit down.


    It was at this moment that he suddenly realized that the way the others were looking at him was a little wrong, as if there was fear and horror. They were backing away?!


    "What''s wrong with you guys?" Seeing this, he panicked a little, stood up, reached out his hand, and asked inquiringly, and then...


    He saw that his hands were covered with dense tiny mushrooms!


    Chu Batian then looked down at his own body and found that his entire body was covered with mushrooms, yellowish brown, dense and tiny mushrooms. From his feet to his hands to his body, he was already covered by mushrooms.


    And these mushrooms drew nutrients from his body and grew rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, from dense speckles, they grew to the size of thumbs.


    But as Chu Batian watched these mushrooms grow, he didn''t feel anything wrong. On the contrary, he felt itchy andfortable all over his body.


    He realized his face was itchy, reached up to touch his face, but instead touched more mushrooms.


    Mushrooms grew out of Chu Batian''s nose, ears, and eyes. Mushrooms growing on his eyeballs blocked his vision so he couldn''t see clearly anymore.


    "Save...save me..." Only then did he realize something was wrong and thought to ask for help, but there were also mushrooms in his mouth, his gums, tongue and lips, making his voice blurred.


    Seeing a Gold Core cultivator like Chu Batian covered by mushrooms in just a few breaths, Su Changqing was first shocked and scared, and then reacted to rescue him.


    But before he could take action...


    "Mushrooms!" Bai Ruoxi''s voice came from behind. She screamed, "We are also growing mushrooms!"


    Su Changqing was shocked to find that the exposed skin on his own body was also sprouting mushrooms.


    However, it was not as terrible as Chu Batian. There were only a few sporadic mushrooms.


    "Quick, retreat back into the fog." He urged urgently.


    "Don''t retreat!" Qin Ran hurriedly stopped them, but Jian Yuanjie who was walking at the back had already retreated back into the fog.


    So then Jian Yuanjie''s screams could be heard.


    The people inside the mushroom space looked over and saw that as soon as the mushrooms on Jian Yuanjie''s body came into contact with the fog, the two instantly dissolved... Taking with them the parts connected to the person''s body.


    The mushrooms and the fog were in opposition to each other. No wonder they could clear out a nk space here. Only then did Su Changqing realize this. He quickly performed techniques and mes burned away all the mushrooms on his body.


    "Senior brother!" Bai Ruoxi shouted again, "The mushrooms can''t be dispelled!"


    Su Changqing hurriedly looked towards Bai Ruoxi and saw that when Bai Ruoxi drove her magic power, the mushrooms on her grew wildly.


    These mushrooms not only used blood and flesh as nutrients, but also magic power!


    "Sword qi!" Su Changqing quickly reminded her. He had burned them away with fire mes, which meant the mushrooms couldn''t withstand intense energy.


    Only then did Bai Ruoxi dispel the mushrooms on her body with sword qi.


    After seeing that Bai Ruoxi had dispelled the mushrooms, Su Changqing then looked at the others. Jian Yuanjie outside the space used the fog to resist them, and although the price was heavy, at least there were no more mushrooms on him.


    He looked again at Qin Ran... He was surprised to find that there were no mushrooms growing on Qin Ran.


    "You don''t have mushrooms growing on you?" He frowned and asked.


    Qin Ran gestured to show him that not only did Qin Ran have an air bubble over his head, his whole body was also wrapped in an air bubble. That air bubble was like a thin film sticking to his skin and was generally invisible.


    "Brother Qin is formidable!" Su Changqing praised.


    He looked again at Qi Yun and didn''t know what method Qi Yun had used, but the mushrooms were also cleared away.


    After seeing that the others were unharmed, he then had the mind to deal with Chu Batian. But by the time they looked back at Chu Batian, they found that Chu Batian was already immobilized.


    He stretched out his hand to the front with his body covered by yellowish brown mushrooms. He didn''t look like a living thing anymore, but rather like a statue!


    Chu Batian was already dead!!

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 122


    Qin Ran did not only put the bubble membrane on himself when he entered this mushroom space, he had wrapped an extrayer of bubble film around himself from the very beginning, that is, before entering the fog, when he persuaded others to wear bubbles. After all, if you worry that microorganisms in the fog may get into your nose, wouldn''t you worry that they might get into your skin too?


    And the facts here prove that the microorganisms here can really get into the skin...


    The mushroom in the very middle of the mushroom space constantly emits spores outwards, dissolving the fog and opening up this hemispherical space here.


    And it was precisely because the air here contained spores that when Chu Batian poked the bubble on his head and tried to breathe, the spores in the air entered his body along his breath, attached to his internal organs, muscles, blood vessels, and then quickly took root and sprouted, with rhizomes spreading and mushrooms growing out.


    Chu Batian''s whole person, including his flesh, magic power, all became nutrients for the spore growth.


    When the mushrooms were fully grown and had sucked him dry, he died...


    Jian Yuanjie was the first to exit the mushroom space, and the remaining four people watched Chu Batian''s figure slowly retreat back into the fog.


    Before they retreated into the fog, they saw that Chu Batian had disappeared, he had turned into a human-shaped mushroom tree!


    Standing in the fog, white and misty, the few people felt as if they were separated from the world... Bai Ruoxi sobbed lightly, and the four men were silent.


    After a good while, Jian Yuanjie said, "Let''s go!"


    The few were about to move, but Su Changqing suddenly came to Qin Ran and said to Qin Ran, "The mushroom spores can dissolve the fog, then the spores are such a terrible thing, what about the fog? What horrors does the fog contain?! You have been shrouded in bubbles all this time, did you know from the beginning?"


    Hearing this, the others reacted and thought back, the spores could kill a Golden Core cultivator in an instant, so what about this fog?


    They became nervous, some peering closely at their exposed skin to see if anything unusual had appeared; some entered inner vision, checking their body for anything unusual, some tried to cover their palms by pulling down their sleeves...


    And Jian Yuanjie looked at Qin Ran with murderous eyes.


    He must have deliberately not said anything, in order to kill me, he said to himself.


    "I don''t know, I''m just being cautious," Qin Ran replied with an unchanged expression.


    Recalling his understanding of Qin Ran, Su Changqing slowly calmed his emotions, then nodded and said, "I''m not suspicious of you either, I believe in Brother Qin''s character... I was just agitated just now, I apologize to you."


    "It''s fine," Qin Ran replied.


    "But since there may be things in the fog, I would ask Brother Qin to use some magic to surround us with bubbles too," Su Changqing sincerely requested.


    "That''s a small matter," Qin Ran said, and with a raise of his hand, he summoned several bubbles and put the remaining four people inside, the bubbles clinging tightly to their skin without leaving any gaps.


    "Thank you," they expressed their thanks to Qin Ran.


    Su Changqing and Qin Ran were both rational and intelligent people. They restrained their emotions and quickly settled down, then reorganized the team, determined the direction, and led the few people further into the deeper fog.


    It was not known whether it was because there were fewer people now, or because someone had died. The five-man team looked much thinner than the previous six-man one, with a bleak and deste air rising from the bottom of their hearts. The suffocating feeling shrouded by this fog became more intense, and the vague pressure weighed down several times more heavily on the five men''s hearts than before.


    "Clunk!"


    "Clunk!"


    "Clunk..."


    It was not known when their footsteps had be very loud, clearly audible to their ears, echoing in the fog.


    Gradually, they felt it was noisy, their footsteps were too loud!


    At a certain moment...


    "Who?!" Su Changqing, who was walking at the very front, suddenly shouted lightly.


    Who?


    Qin Ran''s scalp tingled, there were still people in this broken ce?


    He hurriedly operated his eye technique to the maximum to look around...


    There really was someone!


    He saw a sh of a figure in the thick fog ahead, running deeper into the fog.


    "Someone there?" Jian Yuanjie couldn''t see anything and asked in panic.


    "Is that a person?" Qin Ran asked.


    Su Changqing nced back at Jian Yuanjie and Qin Ran, and only said, "Catch up!"


    That look in his eyes?


    Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat. Su Changqing''s eyes were meaningful, but with the fog in between, he didn''t know if he was seeing things. But Su Changqing seemed to have really looked at him meaningfully.


    Why?


    He was very puzzled.


    But he had no time to think much about it. Su Changqing at the front had already elerated to chase the figure in the fog, so he could only catch up. And the others didn''t think too much and just ran after them too.


    "Is it imprudent to suddenly give chase?" Qin Ran asked from the middle of the team.


    "Should we just walk so deathly silently? Get no feedback at all, the surroundings only unchanged fog?! Just keep walking like this?!" Bai Ruoxi retorted.


    Qin Ran looked at the others. Although they didn''t speak, it was very clear that they agreed with Bai Ruoxi. After walking in this eternally unchanging fog for so long without getting any information about the Extreme Demon Willow...


    The team had even lost a member. If it wasn''t that they all had resilient dispositions, who knows if they would have gone crazy long ago. Now that there was a change, they would definitely want to chase and check it out no matter what anyone said.


    Seeing that they were all like this, although Qin Ran felt uneasy, he couldn''t say much more, and could only secretly strengthen his vignce and ensure that he was in the middle of the team.


    They were all Golden Core cultivators, and their speed was actually very fast. Even though they deliberately slowed down to ensure the integrity of the team, it didn''t take long for them to catch up with that figure.


    Still at some distance, Qin Ran could only see that it was a figure. Su Changqing had already spoken up, "Fellow brother ahead, we mean no harm. Can we talk for a bit?"


    The figure ahead made no response, only kept running.


    Su Changqing tried persuading a couple more times, but to no avail. Then he pointed his sword forward and shed out a silver-gray sword aura that went through the fog like a whip, disappearing into the fog and shing that figure.


    "Hiss ah..."


    A strange inhuman shriek suddenly came from ahead, and then that figure disappeared out of thin air.


    That figure seemed a bit familiar. Qin Ran frowned and asked, "Where did that figure go?"


    Su Changqing didn''t answer, while the others naturally couldn''t speak about it since they hadn''t even seen anything.


    Without stopping, the team quickly followed Su Changqing''s footsteps to the spot where the figure had vanished. Su Changqing walked a couple steps forward like he saw some important clue, and suddenly squatted down.


    The others behind stirred and hurriedly surrounded over.


    Qin Ran came up beside Su Changqing and saw what was in front of Su Changqing, then his heart jumped violently.


    That was a section of...


    tentacle?!


    The thing looked extremely like an octopus'' tentacle, pitch ck, with the thickness of an adult''s arm. There was viscous mucus on it, one side smooth, the other covered in barbs.


    Moreover this tentacle section was still wriggling on the ground, seemingly still alive.


    "Wasn''t that a person?" Qin Ran couldn''t help asking, "How could it be... a tentacle?"


    "Could that be what we were chasing just now?" Jian Yuanjie also asked.


    "It should be..." Su Changqing said, pointing at where the tentacle was cut, "My sword intent is still lingering over there, I shed this off just now."


    Qin Ran looked over, seeing blue-ck blood flowing at the cut surface, the corrosive blood dissolving the ground. There seemed to be some inexplicable sharpness at the wound.


    Sword intent?


    There was a saying that passed down among sword cultivators - sword aura is easy to train, but sword intent is difficult toprehend!


    So this Su Changqing actually had sword intent?


    Qin Ran couldn''t help taking another two nces at him, not bad to be a genius from the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    Just then Su Changqing''s expression suddenly changed to shock as he loudly warned, "Be careful!!"


    Qin Ran immediately sensed something as well as he looked forward...


    "Hiss..."


    From within the deep fog ahead an enormous, terrifying, and extremely oppressive ck shadow wasing towards them.

 Chapter 123

    Chapter 123


    ¡°What...what is that thing?!¡±


    The huge monster drew nearer, letting the other three see its silhouette in the dense fog.


    It was as tall as a seven or eight story building, like a small mountain, slowly moving towards them and bringing with it an endless sense of oppression.


    The souls of the three trembled, and their bodies couldn''t help but retreat!


    Within thisnd of immortal remains, there was actually such a monster?!


    Qin Ran and Su Changqing, however, could see a little more clearly. What was slowly approaching was nothing more than a viscous mountain of flesh.


    Its features could not be made out at all, its shape was pitch-ck, with mucus dripping down. It slid forward on countless tendrils, like seaweed drifting aimlessly over corals from the deep sea.


    This thing was extremely ugly and terrifying, the sight of it made one''s heart fill with fear, listening to it made one''s scalp tingle!


    It was unlike anything they had seen or heard before, they didn''t know what species it was.


    Not only was Qin Ran timid by nature, but even with Su Changqing seeing the thing clearly, his body couldn''t help but tremble. He almost reflexively drew out his longsword, grasping it in his hand with silvery gray sword qi flowing along the de.


    The continuously flowing sword qi betrayed his uneasy heart.


    Seeing Su Changqing''s first reaction wasn''t to flee but to grab his sword, Qin Ran frowned and asked: ¡°Aren''t you running? You want to fight it?¡±


    Su Changqing looked at him without speaking. But there were some odd colors in his eyes, half terror and half surging battle spirit.


    Seeing that he really intended to sh with the creature, Qin Ran swallowed his saliva and, with no other choice, took out a sword as well to prepare for the worst case.


    But he quietly retreated behind Su Changqing''s back.


    The monster''s movement speed was too slow, and Su Changqing grew impatient. He also didn''t want to passively take the enemy''s attacks, so he raised his hand and sliced out a de of qi.


    This de of qi shed across the tendril monster''s body, cutting a bloody gash and making it shriek painfully.


    But Su Changqing didn''t do anything more. His whole body erupted with countless silvery gray sword qi, then he activated his movement technique and flew towards the tendril monster.


    ¡°Badass!¡± Qin Ran admired Su Changqing for being fierce enough to directly fly over to face such a monster.


    ¡°Coward!¡± Bai Ruoxi looked scornfully at Qin Ran for a moment, also drawing out her sword, her white feathers fluttering as she followed behind Su Changqing.


    Qin Ran was not ashamed at all, quite the opposite in fact. Seeing Bai Ruoxi move forward, he retreated two more steps and gave her a fist salute, praising: ¡°A heroic woman!¡±


    Jian Yuanjie and Qi Yun looked ahead, then back at Qin Ran, hesitating for a moment. Ultimately they weren''t as cowardly and shameless as Qin Ran, happily letting others face danger in their ce, so they too activated techniques and flew forward.


    ¡°They''re all heroes...¡± Qin Ran nodded, but his fingers were already pinched in an escape hand sign, ready to slip away at any time.


    But though these people were charging forth so self-sacrificingly, their strength wascking. They returned as quickly as they had set out.


    Qin Ran didn''t have to wait long before he saw Jian Yuanjie get whipped back first, closely followed by Qi Yun, then Bai Ruoxi.


    And despite only being gone for around ten seconds, by the time they retreated back their condition was wretched, as if they had just undergone hundreds of years of battle.


    Take Bai Ruoxi for example, her clothes were tattered with corrosion marks everywhere, her hair was a mess, and her whole body was covered in blood... Even her defensive magic tool had several cracks shed into it.


    And she was the one in the best shape. One could imagine Jian Yuanjie and Qi Yun, naturally weaker than her, hade out even more wretchedly after being relentlessly ravaged by the tendrils. They had only barely managed to struggle free with all their power.


    Qin Ran deeply sympathized with them and took out some precious pills to treat everyone.


    As for Su Changqing, the strongest among them, he had charged ahead first but still hadn''t been forced back.


    In fact, bursts of sword qi and shrieks from the tendril monster could still be heard echoing from within the fog, clearly indicating Su Changqing was battling intensely with the creature!


    ¡°Is this really just the Golden Core realm?¡±


    Qin Ran shook his head. One really had to admire this person - with the same cultivation level, why was he so different from the rest?


    ¡°Hmph...¡± Bai Ruoxi let out a coldugh, smugly saying: ¡°Even among all the outstanding talents of our Lingnan Immortal Sect, my senior brother can still be called peerless amongst his generation.¡±


    ¡°He really is badass...¡± Qin Ran gave a thumbs up.


    But even someone with peerless talent like Su Changqing was still utterly helpless before the gulf between cultivation realms.


    The group didn''t have to wait long before Su Changqing too was beaten back.


    Though he was still better off than the others since he flew back of his own ord... Even if it was running back in retreat.


    ¡°Hurry and go!¡± He shouted at them from midair.


    Qin Ran had long been prepared to escape at any time. Taking the chance now to nce back behind Su Changqing, hoping to see what the situation was, he saw countless tendrils madly chasing after Su Changqing like swarms of snakes...


    This terrifying scene made Qin Ran''s scalp tingle. He immediately turned and fled.


    The other three didn''t know the specifics, but with Su Changqing himself running they knew it was time to flee too.


    Qin Ran was not boasting about his mastery of escape arts - he sped ahead of everyone else. Only after running some distance did he realize the tendril monster was powerful indeed, but seemingly not very fast. It could only chase them with its tendrils.


    So he tried slowing down at this point to let the others catch up.


    ¡°Your escape technique really is impressive!¡± Bai Ruoxi said as she caught up to Qin Ran. Not just her, even Su Changqing couldn''t surpass Qin Ran''s speed.


    Clearly she was mocking him, but Qin Ran didn''t care. He epted her praise with an easy conscience, even smiling and nodding back.


    ¡°So what exactly is that creature?¡± Qin Ran asked Su Changqing, since he had shed with the tendril monster the longest.


    Su Changqing should have some understanding about it.


    ¡°I heard the immortal who died here kept a chi snake as a mount. And after that immortal died, the chi snake didn''t leave, instead guarding its master''s corpse...¡± Su Changqing exined while running. ¡°I''m guessing this monster might be that chi snake.¡±


    ¡°Chi snake?¡± Qin Ran didn¡¯t know what that was.


    ¡°A descendant of dragons,¡± Bai Ruoxi said. ¡°An ancient primordial beast.¡±


    ¡°Dragon...¡± Qin Ran pondered for a while, not quite understanding. ¡°With the bloodline of dragons and an immortal''s mount, how could it look like that?¡±


    ¡°I was just guessing based on the mystic arts it was using. I don''t actually know the specifics... Its appearance really doesn''t match up.¡± Su Changqing replied.


    Just as they were discussing this, perhaps the tendril monster behind them overheard them critiquing its looks - some tendrils abruptlyshed out from the fog towards them.


    ¡°How long can its tendrils reach?!¡± Jian Yuanjie frowned. They had been running for so long yet it could still attack them.


    By now they had confirmed the monster itself couldn''t move very fast, but the attack range of its tendrils seemed unlimited.


    Those endless tendrils were like they had some endless distance buff granting them reach. No matter how far they fled, the tendrils would whip out from the fog unerringly to find them.


    And it wasn''t like they could stand and fight, because the moment they stopped to battle they would be engulfed by that endless sea of tendrils. Their only option was to keep running while fighting back.


    They didn''t know how long they had been fleeing. Their bodies and minds were utterly exhausted. Within this endless white fog it was as if there was endless despair. And it was right at this moment that Su Changqing suddenly shouted again: ¡°Watch out ahead!¡±


    Still in rtively good condition, Qin Ran hurriedly looked forward to see the hazy silhouette of a massive tree within the fog up ahead.


    ¡°The Devouring Demon Willow?!¡±

 Chapter 124

    Chapter 124


    It was obviously not the Devouring Demon Willow, since it did not look like a willow tree at all.


    It only had stiff, withered branches extending in the fog, twisting and turning. It did not even have any leaves.


    Its fluffy withered branches were like Einstein''s white explosive hair in his old age.


    In the fog, its branches were faintly visible, like a withered tree.


    But it was obviously not a withered tree...


    It was not only not a withered tree, but also extremely powerful and ferocious! Facing the five exploring members fleeing towards it and the tentacle monsters, it took initiative to attack!


    Each of its seemingly withered branches began to move, rapidly extending, also like tentacles attacking over...


    No, those were not tentacles, but more like spears.


    Thousands of those spears flew quickly over, and in the instant Qin Ran nced over, they had already reached right in front of him.


    He simply did not have time to react and make an evasive maneuver. His body could only instinctively utilize the Mirage Shift, turning his body into water form.


    Just as Qin Ran was gritting his teeth, preparing to endure the pain of those withered branch spears piercing his body...


    The imagined pain did not arrive.


    Qin Ran was startled, and when he looked closely, he discovered that the withered branches did not assassinate him. They only interweaved into a cage, trapping him inside. When he looked to the side, he discovered that the others, including Su Changqing, were also caged by the withered branches.


    And while they were "kindly" locked up, those pursuing tentacle monsters that followed them here did not share that good fortune. The sharp withered branch spears nailed those tentacles in midair.


    "So powerful!" Qin Ran thought to himself, but at the same time utilized the Mirage Shift, turning himself into water, attempting to flow out through the gaps in the withered branches.


    ...This waspletely impossible!


    He did not know what level this withered tree had cultivated to. The cage it had interwoven seemed to have dense holes everywhere, but it was like a formation, impossible to break through no matter what.


    This withered tree was not an ally! Qin Ran''s heart sank.


    Even though the withered tree had attacked the tentacle monsters and harbored enmity with them, its attitude towards the group of five was not friendly at all.


    After struggling fruitlessly for a while, Qin Ran could only give up. Looking again towards the tentacles suspended in midair, he discovered that the tentacles nailed by the withered tree branches had already withered away in the short span of time...


    The flesh and blood, along with the demonic energy inside, had all been absorbed by those withered branches!


    Absorbing flesh and blood?! Qin Ran was shocked in his heart. This was surely not anything benevolent.


    "Hiss..."


    At this time, from within the fog came the pained cries of the tentacle monsters. In the next moment, all of the tentacles impaled by the withered branches snapped off simultaneously. Every single tentacle, including those not impaled, all retreated back faster than when they were chasing Qin Ran and the others.


    That tentacle monster was afraid of this withered tree!


    Hearing the cries of the tentacle monster and seeing the speed of those retreating tentacles, Qin Ran''s expression greatly changed. Exchanging a nce with Su Changqing, he instantly understood...


    That tentacle monster had been toying with them the entire time!


    The cries of the tentacle monster were still audible from not too far away, indicating that its movement speed was actually not slow! With tentacles that could move so quickly, it meant that it could have caught up to Qin Ran''s group long ago. But it just hadn''t...


    If not for this withered tree, their ultimate ending would be toyed to death by those tentacles.


    It was truly a narrow escape... Not at all!


    They had been terrified the entire time!


    Just what was up with the fog in thisnd of ancient remnants? One bizarre and horrifying organism after another!


    And now, firmly captured by this withered tree, it seemed their fate would not be much better than being toyed to death by those tentacles.


    Escaped from tentacle y, only to fall into imprisonment y!


    Qin Ran was utterly hopeless.


    After driving away the tentacle monster, the withered tree shook its branches, pulling Qin Ran and the others below its tree trunk. Then its branches quivered as it unleashed some unknown arts, summoning something.


    Could it be not imprisonment y, but sacrificial offerings to someone instead?


    Qin Ran''s mind raced as he desperately sought a way to escape...


    Tree?


    He suddenly recalled that this was a tree. No matter how powerful, it should still fear fire.


    And he still had Earth me Pellets on hand.


    As the year was almost over, Qin Ran hurriedly took out an Earth me Pellet from his Universe Bag...


    "I presume Your Excellency is the legendary Blood Dragon Bone?!"


    At this time Su Changqing suddenly spoke.


    Qin Ran froze in ce, halting his actions. Blood Dragon Bone? Su Changqing knew this tree''s origins?


    The withered tree stopped shaking its branches. It had no visible reaction, but Qin Ran had an odd feeling that it was looking towards Su Changqing.


    "Legend says that deep within the Hengduan Mountains, there once existed two ancient, peculiar trees. One was the world devouring Devouring Demon Willow, the other the Blood Dragon Bone that had absorbed the corpse of a true dragon."


    Su Changqing''s bright voice rang out in the fog, possessing a wonderful charm.


    "For trees to gain sentience and be demons is a rare urrence indeed. For two trees that became demonic to encounter each other could only be the heavens bestowing great fortune and luck. Thus, they became sworn brothers, addressing each other as fellow daoists as they exchanged cultivation insights."


    So Su Changqing did know about this tree. Qin Ran thought to himself. Looks like they would not die and there would be no imprisonment y after all.


    "While a tree''s cultivation method is extremely stable, it is far too slow. They had always sought quick ways to cultivate, but even after countless years obtained nothing. Until that day..." Su Changqing looked towards the Blood Dragon Bone. "A corpse of an immortal cultivator fell from the sky, crashing deep into the Hengduan Mountains.


    The moment they sensed the immortal energy emanating from the corpse, both trees knew... the method to quickly cultivate was consumption!


    One relied on devouring the flesh and blood of living creatures to grow, while the other buried a dragon''s bones underneath its roots to grow, thus setting their cultivation paths to eternally require consumption.


    If they could absorb that immortal''s corpse, then their powers would surge and they would finally find a chance to ascend..."


    Su Changqing''s words clearly struck true, as the Blood Dragon Bone''s branches began to tremble again while the cage holding Su Changqing tightened inward.


    The ownership of that immortal corpse was obvious - one was the soon to advance Devouring Demon Willow, while the other was the unknown withered tree shrouded in fog...


    "Your Excellency need not be angered. I presume you know that after obtaining that immortal corpse, the Devouring Demon Willow''s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. In little over ten thousand years, it was on the cusp of ascension...." Su Changqing was not nervous at all, steady as an old dog as he slowly spoke. "And in order to achieve the strongest possible advancement, it intends to devour the umted resources of the past hundred thousand years within the Hengduan Mountains.


    We are here... to stop it!"


    Upon hearing this, the Blood Dragon Bone''s branches instantly ceased trembling.


    Su Changqing righteously dered, "We absolutely cannot allow it to seed!"


    And at that moment, the fog suddenly parted, opening a small passage. Everyone present simultaneously sensed a divine presence descend. Su Changqing halted his words, gazing towards that passage...


    Within the dense fog, a colorful butterfly slowly emerged from the passage''s depths, gracefully fluttering as it approached.


    Lithe and elegant, its wings slowly fanned through the air, almost ascending in beauty!


    Everyone watched its fluttering wings, its flight trajectory, seemingly glimpsing the Way from its movements...


    It was indescribable by words, the true essence of cultivation!!


    That was the Dao.


    All were enraptured, watching as the colorful butterfly emerged from the passage, flew through the air and gently alighted upon the withered tree''s branches, folding up its wings.


    Only then did everyone awake from that ethereal state...


    "What is that, who is it?!" Qin Ran wondered to himself.


    Unable to find an answer, he looked to Su Changqing and saw a pondering expression in his eyes. So Su Changqing knew of this butterfly''s origins as well.


    Blood Dragon Bone, colorful butterfly, the matters between the Blood Dragon Bone and the Devouring Demon Willow...


    Su Changqing still hid many things unsaid.


    After the butterfly stilled, the Blood Dragon Bone''s branches gently shook, clearlymunicating with it.


    A whileter, the branches loosened and Qin Ran''s group was let down.


    Then the butterfly once again spread its wings, taking flight from the Blood Dragon Bone''s branches. It opened up a passage in the fog and flew inside.


    Qin Ran and the others vaguely understood something and hurriedly followed...

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125


    The colorful butterfly lightly pped its wings, and the fog ahead dispersed, opening up a passage. It flew in. Qin Ran and the others followed it in, walking along the passageway.


    The passageway extended silently in the fog, as if it had no end; the butterfly with fluttering wings flew ahead without a sound; Qin Ran and the others followed without making a slightest noise.


    After walking for an unknown period of time in this serene atmosphere, there was finally a change up ahead.


    The passageway opened up ahead, the fog dispersed, and at this moment the fog was gone. The passageway had reached its end. There was lighting in from the outside.


    Qin Ran looked ahead and saw that on the other side of the passageway was a vast world. The sky and earth were bright and clear, with no more fog!


    Suddenly everything became bright and clear, as if his mind that had been dull in the fog also lit up.


    Everyone unconsciously quickened their pace, walked out of the passageway in a few steps, and came to the outside of the passageway. They looked around this new world.


    The sky was infinitely high, blue in color, with no clouds. Sunlight shone down from above, illuminating the valley ahead.


    The valley was not big, but gave people a strange feeling, as if this ce used to be a tnd, butter a powerful force had sunk it down, turning it into a valley.


    In the very middle of this valley, there was a lush, tall willow tree. The willow tree was huge. It grew from the bottom of the valley all the way up until its treetop poked out of the valley.


    It had luxuriant branches and leaves. There were thousands of willow branches, all hanging freely like little girls who had braided many its with their thick long hair and let them all hang in the front. The branches had leaves, each glowing green, brimming with infinite vitality. Embedded among those leaves were rows of snowy white willow fluffs, like snowkes falling onto jade.


    Seeing such a willow tree, anyone would exim ¡°How beautiful!¡± unless they noticed the scene of hell at its base.


    At the bottom of the valley, in front of the willow tree, were piles of white bones. The bones were of all kinds of creatures: tigers, leopards, snakes, rats, ants etc., as well as countless human skeletons.


    How many bones were there?


    Piled up, they covered the lower half of the willow tree, filled up half of the valley. Looking from this side, it was as if a mountain of skeletons grew a willow tree on it.


    On top of those skeleton bones, there were also many corpses that hadn''t turned into bones yet. They were of all kinds of species as well, lying on top of that mountain of skeleton bones under that willow tree, one after another, with blood streaming down them.


    The willow tree had endless life, while the skeleton bones under its feet spelled endless death.


    Apart from that, up on the cliffs at the valley, in the spot Qin Ran and the others came out from and looking ahead, over there knelt seven or eight giant demonic beasts with massive physiques, facing the willow tree.


    Each of these demonic beasts emanated an extremely horrifying aura within its body. Every single one was a top-level Greater Demon in the Hengduan Mountains range.


    They knelt there prostrating with utmost respect towards that willow tree, as if humans kowtowing.


    There was no more doubt. That willow tree growing amidst the mound of skeleton bones down in the valley was the legendary Devouring Demon Willow!


    They had searched for who knows how long, some even sacrificed their lives for it, before finally locating this Devouring Demon Willow. But not a shred of joy rose in this group right now.


    Because at this moment, those seven Greater Demons kneeling before the Devouring Demon Willow now stood up.


    Each of them was at least Sixth Order in strength. They stood at the pinnacle of the Hengduan Mountains¡¯ food chain. They were extremely powerful.


    ¡°No wonder there wasn''t a single high level demon outside the Land of Immortal Legacy. So they were all here.¡± Qin Ran shook his head. He looked to Su Changqing and asked, ¡°So what about n B?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Regardless of Su Changqing¡¯s capabilities, he couldn''t possibly know what n B was.


    ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Qin Ran asked again. ¡°What do we do after finding the Devouring Demon Willow? You can''t possibly not have contingency ns, right?¡±


    Su Changqing took out a disk from his Cosmic Bag, showed it to Qin Ran and let the others see it too, then said,


    ¡°This is a Tracking Disk that can track across thousands of miles. Once we ce this here, Elder Ning will be able to locate it with his supernatural powers, then bring people here to eliminate the Devouring Demon Willow.¡±


    Bring people here to eliminate the Devouring Demon Willow?


    Hearing this, Qin Ran¡¯s heart thumped. As perceptive as he was, he sensed something amiss.


    For instance...


    ¡°Speaking of which, where did Elder Ning go?¡± Qin Ran asked.


    He still hadn''t figured out why Elder Ning and the other people from the Lingnan Immortal Sect didn''te together. They should have directly taken out the Devouring Demon Willow after finding it. But he was starting to understand a little now.


    ¡°Elder Ning has only reached the Initial Integration Stage whereas the Devouring Demon Willow has reached Full Integration, perhaps even Half-Step Union. So even if the Devouring Demon Willow is weakenedter, Elder Ning still may not necessarily be able to defeat it.¡±


    ¡°While we were in the Land of Immortal Legacy looking for the Devouring Demon Willow, Elder Ning was also seeking help from nearby sects around the Hengduan Mountains.¡± Su Changqing exined. ¡°He should be at the Boundless Sword Sect now.¡±


    Something was wrong, very wrong!


    But Qin Ran couldn''t pinpoint exactly what was wrong for the moment. He carefully sorted through the facts in his mind without responding.


    ¡°So we just have to ce this Tracking Disk here?¡± Jian Yuanjie spoke up to ask.


    Even just standing there without moving, the horrifying demonic auras from those Greater Demons already made one¡¯s scalp tingle ufortably.


    ¡°No!¡± Su Changqing shook his head. ¡°We also need to ensure these beast demons don''t destroy the Tracking Disk. The Devouring Demon Willow obviously can''t move right now during its final preparations, but it can still get these beasts to destroy stuff.¡±


    Hearing this, Jian Yuanjie was dumbfounded as a certain possibility came to mind. He anxiously asked, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me we have to guard this Tracking Disk and fight against these beast demons while waiting for Elder Ning and the others to arrive?!¡±


    Su Changqing looked at him. There was an inscrutable smile deep in his eyes as he nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯re doomed!¡± Jian Yuanjie instantly felt like retreating back into the fog.


    One should know that a Sixth Order Greater Demon was equivalent in strength to ate Golden Core, half-step Integration cultivator. A Seventh Order Greater Demon was equal to a mid Integration Stage cultivator. An Eighth Order Greater Demon wasparable to ate Integration Stage cultivator.


    Right now, there were four Sixth Order Greater Demons, two Seventh Order Greater Demons, and one Eighth Order Greater Demon!


    As for them?


    Five at Golden Core Stage, plus a butterfly of unknownbat capabilities.


    Although due to external aids like magic tools, talismans, spell formations etc., cultivators on average had greaterbat powerpared to Greater Demons of the same level, there was still a limit to how great the boost was!


    This situation didn''t look good no matter how one looked at it!


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to battle head-on, just stall for time. And we don''t need to stall for long either, just until Elder Ning and the rest arrive.¡±


    Su Changqing said. With a wave of his hand, he took out his own sword and assigned tasks at the same time.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle that Eighth Order Greater Demon. The other two Seventh Order Greater Demons will be left to Junior Brother Qin and Junior Sister Bai. You two only need to stall those two Sixth Order Greater Demons. No problem, right?¡±


    ¡°???¡±


    Bro, there is a problem! Which eye of yours saw me as some godlike being able to fight above my level?

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126


    Controlled by the Devouring Demon Willow were seven demonic beasts. Among them were four level 6 demonic beasts:


    The over 10-foot tall Silver-backed Demon Monkey leader;


    The Jade-Horned Forest Python with dragon bloodline, its body as thick as a man''s hug;


    The over 6-foot tall Dark Gold Terror-wed Bear with ws that could slice through gold and silver;


    The Green-Eyed Eagle with over a 7-foot wingspan, iron-hooked talons that could pierce greenstone.


    Worth mentioning was that the Jade-Horned Forest Python was the giant python Li Shiyin and Qin Ran encountered that night, not the Golden Cloud Leopard.


    There were also two level 7 demonic beasts:


    The Soul-Devouring Human-Faced Spider over 6 feet tall, with 8 heart-piercing spear-like spider legs, hundreds of soul-stealingpound eyes, and a human face on its abdomen that struck terror;


    The petite Seven-Tailed Demon Fox with pure white fur, alluring charm that betrayed its small, cute appearance.


    Worth noting was thatpared to those level 6 beasts, these two level 7 beasts had much smaller statures, especially the Seven-Tailed Demon Fox that looked like a pint-sized sprite, utterly ordinary and non-threatening.


    This showed that even in the demon world, victory was not determined solely by size and might.


    There was also a level 8 demonic beast - the Thunder Unicorn Ox!


    Worth mentioning was that the night they were chased to the entrance of Daojian Sect by Chasing the Wind''s mother, thepanion of that Thunder Unicorn Ox was this very one now before them.


    That was a rainy night and visibility was poor. From a distance, Qin Ran did not get a very clear look, and his impression of the Thunder Unicorn Ox was only that final bolt of lightning unleashed towards him. At that time, he thought that was the extent of the Thunder Unicorn Ox¡¯s power.


    But now, facing the Thunder Unicorn Oxen up close, Qin Ran silently traversed back in time to take back those words.


    This Thunder Unicorn Ox towered over 15 feet, blue-ck in color, exuding an aura as forceful and fierce as thunder and lightning. That horn on its head, shaded from blue to ck, made one think of thunderbolts in the hands of the Thunder God.


    Seeing this beast, Qin Ran couldn¡¯t help thinking that Chasing the Wind¡¯s mother was a fierce tigress indeed to be able to capture such a creature for food! Then he wondered, when grown up could that fool Chasing the Wind defeat this creature? He also wondered, could Su Changqing defeat it?!


    As the thought shed through his mind, he involuntarily nced at Su Changqing.


    Su Changqing raised the tracking disk in his hand and said to the others, "The tracking disk is activated. Good luck to you all!"


    After speaking, he ced the tracking disk on himself, gripped his sword, and with a sh arrived at the Thunder Unicorn Ox¡¯s side. Compared to the Thunder Unicorn Ox''s giant body, Su Changqing was like a sparrow perched on a rhino, utterly inconsequential. But the next moment, an enormous silvery-gray energy wave shed down aiming precisely at the Thunder Unicorn Ox.


    The Thunder Unicorn Ox let out a pained roar as blue electrical arcs shed over its body. It immediately charged angrily at Su Changqing.


    Su Changqing directly rushed out to engage it in battle, leaving Qin Ran no chance to refute him at all. He really wanted to say that he couldn¡¯t even defeat a level 4 demonic beast, but there was no opportunity left to speak... For now, he could only find a weaker opponent to buy some time. Like that Soul-Devouring Human-Faced Spider that looked ferocious and terrifying.


    But before he could even draw his sword and rush out, a white figure suddenly spoke from behind him. Bai Ruoxi''s voice said, "Brother Qin, the Seven-Tailed Demon Fox will be easier to handle. I''ll leave that one to you then!"


    "???" Qin Ran was baffled directly.


    The Seven-Tailed Fox was easier to handle? Was she kidding him?!


    Who didn¡¯t know that nine-tailed foxes were divine beasts? How could a seven-tailed fox with pure nine-tailed fox bloodline be inferior to some lowly Soul-Devouring Human-Faced Spider?


    Qin Ran absolutely did not expect that Bai Ruoxi would be his fellow sect member stealing a march on him like this. Caught off guard, he was a step slower than her.


    Damn it!


    Qin Ran gnashed his teeth resentfully. He had no choice but to look at that seemingly enchanting and alluring, petite and seemingly helpless Seven-Tailed Demon Fox that evoked tenderness andpassion.


    This seven-tailed fox, with its whole body covered in soft white fur like snowkes or cotton, gently swayed as the wind blew through its fur. Its charming fox eyes held a bewitching allure, its fox lips brimmed with beauty. Just a turn of its head could seemingly enchant all between heaven and earth.


    Qin Ran felt a surge of doting affection, unable to bear harming it.


    No wonder King Zhou was bewitched by Daji''s charms...


    "Crap!" Qin Ran shuddered in shock. "Damn it! I got tricked!"


    What peerless beauty, it was just the demon fox''s bewitchment!


    "From nothingnesses existence, from existence reverts nothingness..."


    Qin Ran quickly circted Master Danfeng''s nameless cultivation chant to stabilize his mind. He closed his eyes briefly then opened them again a momentter feeling clear-minded once more. Looking again at the fox, he just saw a fox.


    "Phew..." Qin Ran let out a light sigh of relief, silently reciting the Heart Mantra and gripping his sword as he slowly approached the demon fox.


    Seeing Qin Ran break free of her bewitchment so quickly, a sh of astonishment appeared in the Seven-Tailed Fox''s eyes. A mere Golden Core cultivator, yet with such steady mind?


    Then seeing Qin Ran approaching, the fox suddenly let out a sharp cry. With a leap, it abruptly disappeared.


    The fox disappeared. Qin Ran hurriedly halted his steps and raised his sword to guard himself.


    Around the other battlefields:


    Qi Yun and Jian Yuanjie were being chased everywhere by the four level 6 beasts.


    Bai Ruoxi was carefully maneuvering around the Soul-Devouring Human-Faced Spider, avoiding its venom.


    The battle between Su Changqing and the Thunder Unicorn Ox had taken to midair. ncing up, their exact forms were unclear, only asional bursts of sword qi and lightning bolts raining down.


    Suddenly, the seven-tailed fox pounced at Qin Ran from behind. Qin Ran shifted his body to evade then swung his sword at the fox. The fox opened its mouth and mped down on the sword, biting with force and shattering the swordpletely. Then it swiped out its ws towards Qin Ran''s head.


    Seeing his brains about to be wed out, at the critical moment Qin Ran lowered his head then swung back around. In his hand appeared a huge cauldron...


    "ng!" He smashed the cauldron heavily down on the fox''s head as it pounced over.


    What crappy sword skills could Qin Ran perform? He was just putting on a front by holding a sword. What he truly excelled in was this kind of rough and simple move - bashing heads in with a cauldron.


    The seven-tailed fox was smashed dizzy, nearly cking out for a moment. Seeing Qin Ran ruthlessly raising the cauldron to smash down again, it quickly retreated in a panic. Then it immediately disyed its skills, disappearing from sight in this space.


    "Damn, can''t handle it?" Qin Ran cursed silently. "F*ck, you go invisible, I''ll go invisible too!"


    He moved his mind and utilized supernatural arts to transform his body into water form.


    Water itself was transparent to begin with. And with him deliberately concealing his presence, he really attained an invisibility-like effect such that if one did not peer closely, his form could not be made out at all.


    The fox turned invisible and vanished, so did the now invisible Qin Ran. Thus, in this battlefield, the fighting unexpectedly stopped because no one was left visible.


    However, while both sides were now invisible, the seven-tailed fox''s was innate supernatural powers while Qin Ran''s invisibility could hardly be considered true invisibility. His presence was easily perceived and soon enough, his concealment was seen through. The seven-tailed fox then solidly pped him out from his invisible state. After a direct and a supernatural confrontation, having gained an adequate grasp of Qin Ran''s abilities, the fox dropped its own act as well and pounced forth directly with tooth and w towards Qin Ran.


    Attacking now at full speed and strength, it seemed for a time as though countless fox demons were assailing Qin Ran from every direction. Already unskilled inbat, Qin Ran was even more hampered maneuvering a heavy clumsy cauldron. He was utterly unable to withstand the seven-tailed fox''s fierce assault.


    In no time, countless scratches and bite marks appeared all over his body. Exhausted from defending, he constantly felt as though he would die after persisting a while longer.


    "Damn it!"


    Qin Ran cursed inwardly then suddenly kept the Nine Territories Cauldron, forcibly taking the brunt of the seven-tailed fox''s next strike to activate Illusory Reflections of Flower and Moon.


    Whereupon the pouncing, biting fox failed to evade and directly smashed into him. Qin Ran was sent flying out with over a dozen reflections of himself crashing chaotically, flying haphazardly in all directions from him.


    The seven-tailed fox nced up to see more than ten midair doppelgangers and its mouth clearly curled into a contemptuous smirk...


    Doppelgangers against the nine-tailed fox n?


    Then its seven tails gave a swish and the fox''s entire form vanished abruptly. In but a blink, seven identical foxes suddenly manifested herein. Their behinds each sported only a single tail.


    One tail, one life. Compared to Qin Ran''s subpar water clones, these were true doppelgangers...


    Such was the difference with innate supernatural powers!

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127


    "Huh?" Qin Ran, who was concealed midair using his illusion magic like a dream, was stunned when he saw this move from the seven-tailed fox demon.


    He felt like he had beenpletely outmatched by the fox n!


    His eye technique Phantasm could create illusions, but their passive skill was Charm.


    His magic Like a Dream, Like an Illusion allowed him to turn invisible, but their first innate ability was Invisibility.


    His magic Reflections in the Water, Reflections under the Moon allowed him to summon water clones, but their second innate ability was Clone.


    His cultivation base was solid, but they were a whole two realms higher than him!


    "This is really a hopeless situation," Qin Ran admitted.


    Qin Ran looked up towards Su Changqing in the sky, but Su Changqing was wrapped up in silver sword qi and blue lightning,pletely invisible.


    "Since I cannot bid you farewell in person, please ept my apologies for the discourtesy," he said silently. "It''s not that I don''t want to help my brother, but my abilities are truly limited. If I don''t leave now, I''m done for. Farewell for now...or maybe forever!"


    The six clones of the seven-tailed fox demon chased after Qin Ran''s clones, while the main body suddenly noticed the invisible Qin Ran midair. In a sh, it struck out its w towards Qin Ran.


    This strike was heavy, batting Qin Ran flying while also knocking some odds and ends out of him - array stones, Lei Jie pills, Earth me pills, Soul Pearls, and more went flying out.


    Strangely, the things that got knocked out reacted differently - some like the array stones and Soul Pearls fell down to the ground, while others like the Lei Jie pills and Earth me pills somehow elerated sideways and flew into the pile of bones in the valley.


    Qin Ran''s trajectory after getting battered was also odd - he traced out a horizontal arc in midair, like a boomerang, and got flung straight back into the fog.


    The seven-tailed fox demon in midair raised its paw and looked at it in confusion, not understanding why that strike had such a strange effect...that was one of the weaknesses of demonic beasts like them who don''t take human form - their brains are just not sufficient.


    Jian Yuanjie, who was getting beaten up in the distance, immediately understood what was going on when he witnessed this scene - he knew Qin Ran was making his escape.


    As a fellow cultivator, he too had been looking for a chance to slip away, but was restrained by his sense of propriety and hadn''t left yet.


    Now that Qin Ran had already made the first move, he needn''t keep up the act of being virtuous and righteous.


    He was very righteous - before leaving, he even signaled to Qi Yun, but Qi Yun was confused and didn''t understand. Still, Jian Yuanjie didn''t bother anymore - they weren''t that close anyway, and he had already done his utmost by giving him a chance to escape too.


    After that, Jian Yuanjie turned and ran when the Green Eyed Eagle came chasing, and went through several close shaves before finally getting pped flying into the fog by the Green Eyed Eagle''s wing as well.


    Bai Ruoxi was still fighting the Soul-Devouring Human-Faced Spider when she noticed the seven-tailed fox demon approaching. She looked up and saw that Qin Ran was already gone, and a nce around the valley showed that only she and Su Changqing remained now. Even that colorful butterfly had slipped away somehow without her noticing.


    Her expression darkened as she yelled to the sky, "Senior brother, they''ve escaped!"


    Su Changqing flew out from the rolling thunder of the lightning qilin, took out his Soul Pearl pendant, andughed. "They can''t get away!"


    In the fog, Qin Ran climbed up from the ground and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, chuckling softly. "Quite a hefty price to pay for escaping."


    He turned back to look in the direction of the valley, but the dense fog obscured his vision and he couldn''t see anything. His expression kept shifting as he murmured,


    "I know you guys didn''t actuallye here to stop the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow, you came here to help it. You want to offer up the entire Hengduan Mountain Range to assist the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow in its ascension.


    "That so-called locator technique was meant to conveniently allow Elder Ning to bring the high-level cultivators of the three major Hengduan Mountain sects - the Dao Sword Sect, Boundless Sword Sect, and Zhican Valley - here to feed the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow. The n is to prioritize feeding it with high-level cultivators and high-level demonic beasts."


    "But why?!" He had figured out a lot, but this was the one thing he just couldn''tprehend. "Could it be they want an ascended cultivator? Doesn''t the Lingnan Immortal Sect already have ascended cultivators asmon as dog hair?"


    Actually, from the moment the people from Lingnan Immortal Sect first appeared, Qin Ran felt something was off.


    The Extremity Demon Weeping Willow erupts once every thousand years, and every eruption brings endless horror and death. Since the Lingnan Immortal Sect clearly knew about this, why didn''t theye earlier to deal with the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow?


    If they felt the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow''s eruptions were just part of the natural order, they shouldn''t havee this time either!


    And then there was the fact that the Lingnan Immortal Sect had many high-level cultivators, even immortals, so why didn''t they send someone of even higher cultivation instead of just a Golden Core elder?


    Why didn''t Elder Ninge along to find the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow so everyone could join hands and directly destroy it together, instead of going to look for high-level cultivators from the various sects?


    None of this made sense...unless they did it on purpose, deliberately creating an opportunity for the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow to ascend.


    "This is not something I can get involved in!"


    Qin Ran shook his head again and again, hurriedly casting out all these spections from his mind as he used his magic to sense for the array stones he had left behind and flew rapidly towards the nearest one.


    "Did something big happen?" Li Shiyin wondered aloud.


    At this moment, she was riding her sword with Long Qiqi in her arms and Chasing the Wind treading on air beside her. They were on their way to the main peak to find some people to y with, but hadn''t arrived yet.


    One escape light after another was rising up from the main peak za, all shooting out towards the sect gates. The aura of each escape light was terrifying, clearly nothing less than a Golden Core elder.


    "So many Golden Cores?!" Li Shiyin eximed as she stopped midair and quickly counted over twenty Golden Core escape lights shooting forth. "How scary!"


    Chasing the Wind''s round eyes watched each escape light intently like a kitten chasing aser pointer. When thest one departed, he cried, "Dad...dad..." and wanted to chase after them.


    "What dad?" Li Shiyin gave him a p upside the head that made him settle down. "Calling every man you see dad, silly thing. No rounded candy for you today!"


    Li Shiyin brought Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind tond on the main peak za. She suddenly noticed there were also a lot more people gathered than usual, standing around in noisy clumps.


    She listened closely and realized their discussions all revolved around a few key phrases - "Demonic beast uprising", "Extremity Demon Weeping Willow", "White willow fluff", "Demonic pills", and also, "Dao fruits"!!!


    "What are Dao fruits?" someone asked.


    Someone educated them, "You know ascension into the Golden Core realm right? What happens after your Primordial Spirit ascends into the Nascent Soul realm? Dao fruits! That''s the result after a Primordial Spirit ascends. And when demonic beasts and nts ascend, it''s just like ordinary fruits flowering and bearing fruit. Dao fruits, the Dao fruits of the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow will turn into actual fruits..."


    "How mystical!" Li Shiyin marveled.


    By now, guided by the markings of his array stones, Qin Ran had arrived at the nearest one...underneath that vicious Blood Dragon Bone tree.


    But as he approached the Blood Dragon Bone Tree, he suddenly noticed three familiar figures below it.


    His heart sank. He looked them over one by one - it was Su Changqing, Bai Ruoxi, and also, Qi Yun!


    "Why did Brother Qin leave in such a rush?" Su Changqing bowed courteously to Qin Ran and asked gently with a smile.


    What a refined gentleman he looked!

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128


    "Suo Brother!" Qin Ran hurriedly returned the greeting and smiled, saying, "I identally got swatted by the Seven-Tailed Fox''s w into the mist, lost my way, and ended up here. I didn''t expect to see Suo Brother here again, what a fortunate event!"


    "So that''s what happened..." Su Changqing said, "I thought Qin Brother had discovered something."


    Su Changqing really knows how to talk. Just a single sentence made Qin Ran break out in a cold sweat, forcing a smile as he said, "Suo Brother is joking. What else could I discover?"


    "For example, I actually brought you here to your doom," Su Changqing said with a gentle and refined smile, "For example, we don''t intend to eliminate the Devouring Demon Willow before it reaches the Harmonization stage..."


    He asked, "Didn''t Qin Brother realize it? I thought Qin Brother had already figured it out."


    In an instant, Qin Ran''s heart plunged into an abyss. Su Changqing''s words indicated that he had no intention of letting him go.


    Realizing this, his body turned cold. He could easily escape from the Seven-Tailed Fox''s w, but could he escape from Su Changqing?


    "Cough..." Qin Ran''s forehead was covered in sweat, and his forced smile on his face couldn''t hold up anymore. "What joke is Suo Brother making?"


    "That day when I went to Dan Peak to find Qin Brother and persuade him to lead the way, I told Qin Ran that the Devouring Demon Willow''s Avatar Splitting was a special kind of Avatar Splitting, and the Devouring Demon Willow''s Harmonization is the strongest in history. So..."


    Su Changqing smiled and patiently exined to Qin Ran, "Did Qin Brother ever think about the most crucial question, which is where the Devouring Demon Willow''s cultivation technique came from? How could it grow from a small willow sapling in the Lingnan Region into a Ninth-Level Demon Beast like the Devouring Demon Willow? Who provided the nurturing environment?"


    Without waiting for Qin Ran''s answer, he gave the answer on his own, "It was provided by the Lingnan Immortal Sect. Otherwise, how could there suddenly be an immortal corpse that happened to fall here? How could the Devouring Demon Willow have remained undefeated for so many years?


    "Do you know, Qin Brother? Such a simple truth, I thought Qin Brother had already realized it!"


    Leaving aside whether he knew or not, Qin Ran was certain in his heart that he was as good as dead.


    "The immortal corpse happened to be an immortal cultivator from the Lingnan Immortal Sect, and the cultivation technique he carried happened to be a technique suitable for tree cultivation, a technique that allows infinite Avatar Splitting," Su Changqing smiled as he looked at Qin Ran, "With so many coincidences, why is that?


    "Because we need the strongest Avatar Splitting cultivation technique, we need the most powerful Harmonization cultivation technique. This Avatar Splitting cultivation technique was created by a senior of the Lingnan Immortal Sect, but no one has ever practiced it. We need a sessful case."


    "And of course, as many Dao Fruits as possible," Su Changqing exined their purpose to Qin Ran in detail, "Generally speaking, a cultivator would only have one Dao Fruit. But the Devouring Demon Willow that possesses the Infinite Avatar Splitting technique is different. Theoretically, as long as it devours enough living beings, it can produce endless Dao Fruits."


    Testing the cultivation technique and reaping Dao Fruits. That has been the goal of the Lingnan Immortal Sect''s ns for tens of thousands of years.


    What a devil! From the sound of Su Changqing''s words, it seemed that as long as the Devouring Demon Willow could bear it, they could even sacrifice the entire Hengduan Mountain range, including the neighboring countries...


    Qin Ran felt a chill run down his spine.


    He used to think that Elder Ning was a good cultivator because he had stopped the elder from the Dao Sword Sect from hunting the Five-Tailed Fox. He even thought that Elder Ning would be the ambassador for protecting demonic beasts in this world. Now he realized that Elder Ning spared the Five-Tailed Fox just to leave it for the Devouring Demon Willow.


    He used to think that Su Changqing was a cultivator with a gentlemanly demeanor, a jade-faced gentleman, refined and elegant. But now he found him incredibly naive and ridiculous. He had always taught Li Shiyin that this world was extremely dangerous and that cultivators couldn''t be good people. Unexpectedly, he himself had been deceived by Su Changqing''s outward appearance.


    "You can go ahead with your divination techniques and your Dao Fruits. They have nothing to do with me. I don''t need cultivation techniques, nor do I need Dao Fruits," Qin Ran said earnestly to Su Changqing, "I just want to stay alive."


    "The Dao Union hasn''t started yet, and the people from the three major sects haven''t arrived. Qin Xiong, you can''t leave," Su Changqing said.


    "I can surrender and join you," Qin Ran suggested.


    Su Changqing shook his head. "It''s not that I don''t trust you, but I think only a dead person won''t leak any information."


    "Has Jian Yuanjie died?"


    "He''s already dead."


    "What about Qi Yun?" Qin Ran pointed to Qi Yun beside Su Changqing. "Aren''t you going to kill him?"


    "Hahaha..." Su Changqing burst intoughter and asked Qin Ran, "Who do you think was the first to die when we entered the Immortal Remnant Land?"


    At these words, Qin Ran suddenly realized, and memories quickly shed back.


    He remembered the moment before they gathered to enter the Immortal Remnant Land. At that time, he always felt that there was something in the mist, that his teammates in the mist seemed strange and abnormal. It turned out that Qi Yun had been killed back then.


    As time went on, when Chu Batian injured his leg, it was always Qi Yun who supported him. And even after Chu Batian was injured, he still didn''t learn his lesson and immediately burst the bubble when entering the mushroom space. It seems that Chu Batian fell into Qi Yun''s trap.


    After that, before they encountered the tentacle monster, they were chasing after a figure, and at that time, he always felt that the figure looked familiar. Now he realized that the figure was Qi Yun''s figure!


    Qin Ran looked at Qi Yun, and Qi Yun''s figure quickly changed, fading away from a human shape and turning into a fierce, pitch-ck, monkey-like form!


    In fact, Qi Yun had died a long time ago, and the one who had been with them all along was this monkey!


    "Ghost Monkey!" Su Changqing exined, "It''s a monster formed by the soul of a monkey... And this soul is quite fortunate because it has eaten the corpse of an immortal."


    "So, I''m the only one who hasn''t died?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Yes," Su Changqing nodded.


    "Is there any possibility that I don''t have to die?" Qin Ran struggled to ask in the end.


    Su Changqing looked at him without saying a word, and Bai Ruoxi quietly drew her sword.


    "In that case, there''s no room for discussion..." Qin Ran sighed, bowing his head.


    Bai Ruoxi''s body was surrounded by constantly rising and disappearing white feathers as she slowly approached Qin Ran. She walked cautiously, believing that Qin Ran wouldn''t easily surrender. At the same time, she also believed that Qin Ran was a formidable opponent.


    The mist thickened, and Bai Ruoxi''s figure became increasingly visible within the fog, getting closer and closer until Qin Ran sensed the sharpness of her sword. He raised his head and shouted behind Bai Ruoxi, "What are you all waiting for?!"


    Someone else? Who could it be? Bai Ruoxi was startled because she hadn''t sensed anyone else.


    She quickly turned around and saw that within the mist, the Bloodthirsty Dragon Bone suddenly came to life. Its branches turned into spears and thrust towards her with a swift "whoosh."


    "Be careful, Senior Brother!" she warned and raised her sword to intercept, but when her de touched the spear-like branch, it felt as if she had struck empty air, as if it were nothingness.


    "Illusion?!" she instantly realized.


    She turned back to look at Qin Ran and saw him lifting the base of a tripod with one hand, exuding a domineering and ferocious aura as he approached. With the giant tripod raised like a mighty de, he smashed it down towards her.


    The situation was critical, so Bai Ruoxi quickly shouted, "Feather Sword!"


    She held the sword with both hands and flew forward, her entire body enveloped in chaotic white feathers. In an instant, they exploded, transforming into countless white flying feathers. Each feather turned into a flying sword,pletely enveloping Qin Ran, who was wielding the tripod.


    The myriad of white feathers scattered and rbined, returning to Bai Ruoxi''s original form.


    She stood with her sword in hand on the ground and looked back to where Qin Ran had been, but he was no longer there.


    "It''s another clone!" Bai Ruoxi seethed with frustration. This guy was cunning and sly,ing up with one scheme after another, slippery as an eel.


    However, she had no choice but to go back and find Su Changqing. After all, it was impossible for her to find Qin Ran.


    Su Changqing stood with his hands behind his back, observing the Bloodthirsty Dragon Bone, wearing a faint smile of confidence.


    "Senior Brother?" Bai Ruoxi approached Su Changqing from behind.


    "He ran away?" Su Changqing asked.


    "Yes."


    "No problem." Su Changqing extended his hand, revealing a formation stone. He smiled and said, "He can only rely on the formation stone to find his way... he can''t escape."


    Bai Ruoxi breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and then looked towards the Bloodthirsty Dragon Bone, asking, "What should we do about them?"


    Su Changqing also gazed at the Bloodthirsty Dragon Bone, shaking his head. "Indeed, we came to eliminate the Devouring Demon Willow. Although the process has been somewhat different... the two seniors know the specific situation, so they won''t give us a hard time."


    Two seniors?


    Bai Ruoxi looked around and saw a colorful butterfly fluttering in the misty sea over there.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129


    Qin Ran''s figure slowly became solid in the fog. He looked back and found that Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi had not chased after him.


    But he did not rx.


    Just because no one was chasing him now did not mean they could not catch upter. After all, they did not catch up when he slipped away from the valley earlier either.


    And before heading to the next array glyph''s location, there was one problem Qin Ran needed to figure out first...


    How did Su Changqing find him this time?


    He had already thrown away the mother pearl, so theoretically there was nothing on him rted to Su Changqing, and Su Changqing could not have obtained any of his personal belongings either.


    "Unless..." Qin Ran looked at the array glyph in his hand, "Su Changqing discovered the array glyphs I left behind."


    Even if Su Changqing found the array glyphs, he would have just destroyed them. After all, both he and Bai Ruoxi were sword cultivators, and supposedly would not understand arrays. Let alone reverse track someone else''s alreadyid out arrays.


    ording to Qin Ran''s understanding of sword cultivators, purity was what they valued the most. An outstanding sword cultivator should believe that one sword can ovee myriad dao techniques. To them, there was nothing a sword in hand could not resolve. They rarely delved into other domains, let alone attained high aplishments.


    And as a sword cultivator who hadprehended sword intent, Su Changqing was a peerless genius amongst sword cultivators. It was impossible for him to be well-versed in other disciplines...


    "But based on the current circumstances, there is only one possibility¡ªSu Changqing does understand arrays," Qin Ran murmured.


    When all impossible reasons were eliminated, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.


    So regardless of whether Su Changqing understood arrays or not, Qin Ran could only assume that at each location where he had left an array glyph, a Su Changqing would be there waiting for him.


    When he was exploring in the fog before, in addition to calibrating his direction five times, Qin Ran had left behind ten array glyphs in total. He had already been to the Blood Dragon Bone Tree, so there were nine ces left. The next one was where he encountered the tentacle monster.


    Was the tentacle monster still there?


    Would Su Changqing be waiting for him there?


    Qin Ran did not know. He could only go over to take a look first.


    As usual, Qin Ran first utilized Like A Dream Like An Illusion to transform invisibly into his water form. Then he used Mirror Flower Water Moon to split into clones to scout ahead.


    Unlike previously when the team advanced slowly and cautiously in the dark, now that Qin Ran knew which direction to go, his speed was iparable to before.


    Soon, he arrived at the second array glyph location...


    There was no Su Changqing here, only the tentacle monster!


    "Hmm?" A tentacle monster?!


    Seeing the swaying tentacles in the fog from afar, Qin Ran was shocked. He quickly utilized his movement technique to madly flee.


    The tentacle monster discovered him andshed out with its tentacles...


    Having barely shook off the tentacle monster, Qin Ran arrived at the mushroom space.


    In addition to the giant mushroom at the very center, at the edge of the space, there was also a human-shaped mushroom with a missing leg...


    Chu Batian was now just bones. Mushrooms had grown out from his bones, making him still resemble a human form. It was extremely eerie.


    Not daring to linger in this mushroom space, Qin Ran only took a passing nce before swiftly departing.


    Cautiously scouting one location after another, carefully inspecting each ce, he had almost reached the edge of the fog after passing six or seven spots. But there was still no sign of Su Changqing. Qin Ran had almost believed he was overthinking it and that Su Changqing simply could not find his way around in this fog.


    At the exit of the fog, also the location where the group of six first gathered and where Qin Ran first left an array glyph, Su Changqing sat there cross-legged.


    He emanated a circle of silver-gray glow that dispelled the surrounding fog. Within this clean silver-gray glow, Bai Ruoxi hugged her sword while standing there silently. Ghost Monkey kept scratching himself restlessly, never keeping still.


    They had been waiting here for a long, long time. So long that Bai Ruoxi began doubting if Qin Ran had slipped away from some other direction. That slippery man.


    It was right then that a figure suddenly emerged from the hazy fog, transitioning from blurry to clear.


    That person had a slightly lean figure, handsome features, wore green robes, and had quite the air of a schr. He slowly walked out from the fog, a smile on his face, radiating some sunshine and warmth.


    It was as if he was a learned man with ambitions, noble character, on his way to the capital to take the imperial examinations.


    As Bai Ruoxi peered closely at him, she subconsciously frowned. She could not forget the disgusting feeling when fighting this man. Real body, fake body, hidden body, they exchanged blows for a few rounds yet she did not even know where he was.


    ...He really was too bright!


    "Is this real or fake?"


    That was her first reaction. A sword qi shot out, slicing that man into two halves whichnded on the ground and turned into a puddle of water.


    "I knew it was fake!"


    Su Changqingughed and called out loudly towards the other direction in the fog, "Why doesn''t Brother Qin show himself? This Su has been waiting here for a long time."


    It was then that Bai Ruoxi also looked in that direction.


    After a while, about ten yards away, a figure suddenly materialized out of thin air. Qin Ran appeared smiling, looking at the halo of light around Su Changqing''s body, and asked:


    "What''s so fearsome about this fog?"


    Su Changqing smiled and said, "It devours the spiritual power within cultivators."


    "Compared to mushroom spores?" Qin Ran continued asking.


    "Mind your own business!" Having been displeased with Qin Ran for a long time already, seeing him bring up unwanted topics again, Bai Ruoxi sent out another sword qi.


    Qin Ran dodged to the side, effortlessly evading the sword qi. Ignoring Bai Ruoxi, he kept looking at Su Changqing while asking:


    "Do you still have strength to fight then?"


    "Brother Qin is wee toe over and try." Su Changqing smiled.


    "No need..." Qin Ran shook his head. He pointed towards the direction outside the fog and said,


    "I can just head out directly. To be honest, in the past I have had no grievance with you, neither do we have any recent conflict. Even if you want to destroy the entire Hengduan Mountains and kill all the people in North Chu Country and Xuanqin Country, that is unrted to me. So why should I fight with you? I was born disliking fighting."


    "So Brother Qin turns out to be this kind of selfish and self-interested person. To be honest, I am quite disappointed." Su Changqing said.


    "Then what sort of person did you think I was? Upholding righteousness, caring for all under heaven?" Qin Ran replied. "Don''t be silly, cultivator!"


    Cultivators were inherently selfish and self-interested.


    "Hmm..." Su Changqing raised his head looking towards the sky and smiled, "I thought Brother Qin was different."


    Qin Ran momentarily had no words.


    "How about it? Can you still move?" Qin Ran asked. "If you can''t move, then I''m leaving!"


    Seeing Qin Ran outright ignore her, Bai Ruoxi fumed: "Are you pretending I don''t exist?"


    Qin Ran nced at her then looked back to Su Changqing. Arrogantly, he said: "I can''t beat her! But if I want to leave, she can''t stop me."


    "Brother Qin, go ahead." Su Changqing nodded.


    Qin Ran then headed towards the direction outside the fog.


    After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back asking Su Changqing: "I''m very curious. As a sword cultivator who hasprehended sword intent, how do you also have profound attainments in arrays?"


    "Who told you that I am a sword cultivator?" Su Changqing retorted.


    "What?" Qin Ran was astonished.


    Just then, Su Changqing suddenly raised his hand, fingers spread out, and patted down!


    Qin Ran hastily raised his head to look. He only saw above him, a grey silky spiderweb was spreading out and covering down over him!

 Chapter 130

    Chapter 130


    A cultivator who uses a sword and possesses sword intent is actually not a sword cultivator!


    This was something Qin Ran could not understand.


    But when he raised his head to look at the mana that had dropped down, he knew that he was locked in ce by the mana and had nowhere to escape. So he knew that Su Changqing was not lying.


    Judging only by this one mana restrictive technique, one could know that his attainments in mystic arts were no weaker than his sword skills.


    "Realm of Illusions!"


    But restrictive techniques could also be broken through...


    Qin Ran''s eyes shed with a ster radiance. He did not cast an illusion technique on Su Changqing, but rather cast it on the mana that had dropped down instead.


    Although his soul was not one hundred percent congruent with his fleshly body, his soul was sufficiently powerful.


    Firstly, his soul was the soul of a modern person fused with the soul of someone from this world, so it already possessed thebined power of two souls to begin with. Secondly, he had been continuously cultivating the unnamed soul refinement mantra from Dan Peak.


    With such a powerful soul, matched with the Mystic Eyes illusory techniques of the Realm of Illusions, he was actually able to plunge the into an illusory realm. The was thrown off bnce and suddenly skewed, falling off to the side.


    "Qin brother''smand of techniques is truly unconstrained by convention!" Su Changqing praised.


    And upon seeing that Su Changqing''s had failed, Bai Ruoxi raised her sword and flew out from within Su Changqing''s mana barrier, stabbing towards Qin Ran.


    "Soaring Feathers!"


    A white radiance shone from her body as countless white feathers manifested, enveloping her and transforming her into a massive white feather sword.


    That gigantic white feather sword moved with astounding speed, its sword tip stabbing into Qin Ran.


    "So your true body is here!" Bai Ruoxi said resentfully. "Let''s see how you try to wheedle your way out!"


    She then saw Qin Ran explode into smithereens with a rumbling st, his entire person disintegrating into countless doppelgangers that fled in all directions. When she looked ahead once more, Qin Ran''s figure was nowhere to be seen.


    "He can even escape from this?" She truly could not believe it.


    "He won''t get away!" Su Changqing stretched out a hand. The mournful roar of a divine dragon rang out as he grasped. "Capturing Dragon Palm..."


    "Roar!"


    Qin Ran, who had been disguising himself as a doppelganger amidst the fog, suddenly froze. Next, he felt the fog around him constricting inwards. He looked up to see the fog rapidly taking shape, transforming into a gigantic dragon w that grabbed him and fiercely mmed him into the ground.


    "Bang!"


    Before he could even react, a misty white dragon w had him pressed t against the floor.


    "What an amazing grapple!" Bai Ruoxi appraised with a word of praise. Brandishing her sword, she charged over.


    She had yet to arrive herself when her White Feather Sword Qi arrived first, shing straight towards Qin Ran''s head.


    "Dreamlike Waters of rity!"


    Qin Ran shouted out sternly. A transparent water barrier coalesced over his head, blocking Bai Ruoxi''s White Feather Sword Qi before vanishing alongside it in a burst of water droplets.


    Beyond the confrontation between the white feathers and water droplets, Bai Ruoxi flew over sword-first, stabbing towards him once more.


    "Illusory Bubble Shadows!"


    As he spoke out loud, the bubbles wrapped around Qin Ran''s body rapidly expanded, forcing open a gap between the dragon''s ws even as they blocked Bai Ruoxi''s sword strike.


    Qin Ran pushed hard against the ground, and while the dragon w was distended by the bubbles, he exerted himself fully to flip the dragon w right over!


    "Waters of Fleeting Years..."


    Without pausing for but a moment, he immediately used a technique to merge into the fog, vanishing from sight. He then swiftly re-emerged from within the mist by Bai Ruoxi''s side, his hands raised up as he smashed the Nine Provinces Cauldron straight towards Bai Ruoxi.


    "Feathered Wings!"


    Bai Ruoxi gripped her sword with both hands, sword radiance flowing over her body. A pair of white wings abruptly sprouted from her back, with every feather upon the wings being condensed sword qi.


    As Qin Ran''s cauldron smashed down, it just so happened tond upon this pair of wings. The wings instantly scattered apart into motes under the impact, and the innumerable sword feathers swirled back towards Qin Ran!


    "Oh shoot!"


    Before Qin Ran could react, his clothes had been shredded to pieces in but a moment. The swirling sword qi swept in once more, carving out streak after streak of bloody gashes, together with bursts of red lightning.


    His mortal fleshly body was forged from tribtory lightning. Faint traces of lightning still remained within.


    Relying on the toughness of his fleshly body, Qin Ran forcefully endured a wave of sword qi, carrying streaks of crimson tribtory lightning along with him as he fled into the fog. When he reemerged, he had already changed into a fresh set of clothes, hiding away the numerous fine sword wounds all over his body as he reappeared at another spot.


    In that brief skirmish, both sides had unleashed several mystic techniques in a sh. Yet Qin Ran, with his lone self, had directly confronted Bai Ruoxi and Su Changqing head-on before making a "clean getaway".


    How should this be put?


    Based on that sh, Qin Ran could at the very least boast about it for...ten years!


    "Let me tell you, regarding that Su Changqing fellow who was the personal disciple of some Lingnan Immortal Sect or whatever, it''s said that he has no peers among his contemporaries and possesses the bearing of an immortal. But so what? I subdued him with just a single hand. You ask why I only used a single hand? Because my other hand was also simultaneously subduing his fellow disciple of equal talent."


    Qin Ran came to a stop midair, his face sunken and severe. Yet another bubble slowly coalesced, enveloping him once more...obscuring the fog whilst also binding his wounds.


    During that sh, Bai Ruoxi''s sword had shed apart the bubble, allowing Qin Ran toe into direct contact with the fog of thisnd of immortal legacies for the first time. And unlike ordinary people, he had deliberately merged into the fog by using the Waters of Fleeting Years technique, which could not merely be considered "direct contact". It was practically "intertwining intimacy". Hence, his perceptions were clearer than what Su Changqing and the rest felt.


    And Su Changqing had not lied to him. This fog really could devour mana, or rather, cultivation bases!


    In that brief moment when he had merged into the fog, a wholeyer of his golden core had been gnawed away.


    No wonder even someone as powerful as Su Changqing still had to sit down and drive the fog away with techniques.


    "Qin brother''smand and variety of techniques is truly enviable!" Upon seeing Qin Ran using another bubble to inste himself from the fog once more, Su Changqing remarked, "Can you feel the might of this fog now?"


    When he heard Su Changqing''s words, Qin Ran suddenly realized something. Heughed and replied, "My bubbles can inste me from the fog for a long period, leaving me unaffected by it. But what about you?"


    "Qin brother, thank you for reminding me of this!"


    Su Changqing alsoughed. He got to his feet and beckoned with a raised hand, summoning up a bubble above his palm.


    This bubble was about the same as Qin Ran''s bubbles. However, while Qin Ran''s were colorless and transparent, much like water bubbles, Su Changqing''s bubble was silvery-gray, simr to the color of his previously unleashed Sword Qi.


    Su Changqing focused his will, causing the bubble to expand until he could fit inside it. He then manipted the bubble to cling tightly to his body, coating himself in ayer of silvery-grey "skin".


    "What do you think?" He asked Qin Ran. "Does this technique, Illusory Bubble Shadows, meet your approval?"


    "You, how can you...?!" This was yet another thing beyond Qin Ran''s expectations. His expression unchanged, he questioned Su Changqing, "The myriad phenomena of this world, I epass and expand them with creativity!" Su Changqing replied. "Qin brother, this is what is meant by the ''Dao of Creation Scripture''!"


    "Dao...Dao Scripture?" Upon hearing these two words, Qin Ran shuddered in fright uncontrobly. This Su Changqing was even more terrifying than he had imagined.


    "You cultivate...a Dao Scripture as your fundamental technique?!"


    What exactly was a Dao Scripture?


    Cultivation was exactly the act of seeking immortality and inquiring on the Dao, striving to attain immortality whilst probing ever deeper into the Dao.


    The "Dao" within Dao Scripture referred to the act of seeking immortality and inquiring on the Dao.


    The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.


    The true Dao was unspeakable, unhearable, invisible, unfathomable.


    As for Dao Scriptures, they represented the enlightened understandings on the Great Dao attained by those who had reached the end of the cultivation path, which they then spoke out to teach others.


    In a certain sense, Dao Scriptures could be considered "visualizable Daos".


    Although by articting it out in spoken words, it was no longer that "eternal Dao", no longer that supreme existence transcending all, eternal and unchanging.


    Su Changqing cultivated such a technique!


    This was far too terrifying.


    No wonder he could fight the Tentacle Demons with just Golden Core cultivation, no wonder he could fight evenly against the Eight-Tier Demon King unicorn thatmanded lightning...


    As a cultivator of a Dao Scripture, this should be only natural!


    "Run, run away quickly!"


    Qin Ran spoke earnestly from the depths of his heart, not deceiving anyone. This was the closest he hade to death.


    He transformed into Waters with the fastest speed he could manifest at his level of cultivation, then recklessly drilled into the fog without any regard for expenditure. He turned into fog, fleeing wildly towards the exterior of the fog.


    "Qin brother, why leave in such a hurry?"


    Su Changqing also transformed into the fog, wrapping up Bai Ruoxi as he gave chase and left the fog.

 Chapter 131

    Chapter 131


    Qin Ran was truly frightened by Su Changqing. He fled in panic by forcefully dissolving into the fog and sacrificing his cultivation.


    After escaping into the forest outside, he didn''t rx and continued running with his head down for a very long time before his fearful heart finally calmed down a little. Only then did he have the mind to look around at his surroundings. This was a primeval forest, with tall trees, low bushes, insects, small animals, demonic beasts, and cultivators...


    Wait, cultivators?


    Qin Ran suddenly realized something was wrong. Why were there so many cultivators deep inside the Hengduan Mountains? !


    In the time he took to survey his surroundings, several cultivators had already flown over his head.


    For example, at this moment, two cultivators were carefully riding on clouds toward the fog, passing over his head. They were talking.


    One cultivator said, "That Devouring Demon Willow is a level nine demonic beast, extremely powerful, not something that can be easily subdued. There will definitely be a big battle, we just need to hide behind and keep our distance. Wait until they are both badly injured before going up to pick up some scraps."


    The other cultivator agreed, "It is said that the Devouring Demon Willow bears not only one but many fruits. We need to be careful, who knows we may even pick up some fruits."


    "Indeed, indeed!"


    Qin Ran watched their figures disappear into the distance, stunned in ce.


    Are they crazy?!!


    Can''t they see that all the high-level demonic beasts in the depths of the Hengduan Mountains have disappeared, whether dead, escaped or controlled?


    Don''t they know the horror of a level nine demonic beast, Yuanying stage seniors and Unity stage seniors? With a wave of their hands they can destroy heaven and earth. They can''t escape just by keeping their distance!


    Are they unaware of the legends of the Devouring Demon Willow while they are in the Hengduan Mountains? Do they have such poor memory that they''ve forgotten the Willow Catkins Explosion that happens once every thousand years?


    How dare they go pick up the scraps?!


    Qin Ran really could not understand it.


    "Do you see? This is what cultivators are like..." Su Changqing''s voice came as he saw that Qin Ran was looking in his direction. Standing on a nearby tree branch, he was also watching the cultivators flying off toward the fog. He gently said,


    "We only need to spread the news that there are fruits of the Tao in the Land of Immortal Legacy and they will keeping in an endless stream to deliver themselves to their deaths. We don''t need any sinister plots or conspiracies. The Devouring Demon Willow naturally has ample nourishment."


    Qin Ran understood very well what cultivators were like. He just couldn''tprehend why they would be so stupid when driven by greed.


    Greed is intrinsic to cultivators, but when they are blinded by greed, why would their intelligence be so low?


    This is obviously a trap, but because the trap contains a sweet treat, they jump in heedlessly. This is not greed, it is foolishness.


    In the main square of Dao Sword Sect, Li Shiyin noticed that those people were not only talking about the Devouring Demon Willow, they were also taking action.


    Gradually, some cultivators flew out of the protective array by riding their swords or using magic techniques.


    One by one, the crowd in the square diminished.


    "What are these people trying to do?" Li Shiyin didn''t understand. "Isn''t the Devouring Demon Willow very dangerous?" She vaguely remembered her master mentioning it.


    "Dad..." Suddenly Chasing the Wind said in a low voice.


    "What?" Li Shiyin looked over at Chasing the Wind and saw him staring at the cultivators flying out of the sect, with his little cat head seemingly lost in thought about something.


    "Where''s your dad?" she asked.


    "Dad!"


    Suddenly, Chasing the Wind became agitated. Wind gathered under his feet as he pounced forward into the air, chasing after those cultivators.


    "Chasing the Wind!"


    Caught off guard by Chasing the Wind''s actions, Li Shiyin quickly summoned her sword to ride. She grabbed Long Qiqi and chased after Chasing the Wind.


    But when it came to running away, Chasing the Wind had inherited his father''s skill. Despite his usual clumsiness, running was his number one talent. Riding the wind, he sped away swiftly. Li Shiyin couldn''t keep up with him for a while.


    As one chased and the other ran, they slowly left Dao Sword Sect and headed towards the Hengduan Mountains and the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    Qin Ran looked up at the sky and found that the cultivators flying over were all low level, with few even at the Golden Core stage. He suddenly realized something...


    "How long have we been in the Land of Immortal Legacy?" he asked Su Changqing.


    "Three days," Su Changqing replied.


    "So Elder Ning and the others have already entered the Land of Immortal Legacy?" Qin Ran continued asking.


    In fact, Qin Ran had previously fallen into a misunderstanding. He thought thatmunication and positioning magic artifacts like Su Changqing''s Ten Thousand Mile Tracking Disk and Mother & Child Spirit Stones could only be given to the few people entering the Land of Immortal Legacy, when actually an extra Spirit Stone could be given to Elder Ning beforehand. Also, the Tracking Disk didn''t need to be activated right in front of the Demonic Willow, it could be kept activated the whole time.


    It could then be inferred that Elder Ning and the others did not necessarily have to wait until Qin Ran gave them the Demonic Willow''s exact location before taking action. With the Spirit Stone sensing the Tracking Disk, they could trail behind them and move together.


    Perhaps - Qin Ran then realized - at the same moment they found the valley where the Demonic Willow was located, Elder Ning might have already led people to that valley as well.


    "They went in long ago," Su Changqing replied. "When I turned back to hunt all of you down, Elder Ning had already taken over control of those seven demon kings."


    Qin Ran''s heart sank into gloom!


    He had imagined that after escaping from Su Changqing''s hands, before fleeing far away with the three foolish children, he would find the sect leader and exin everything clearly, hoping to save as many lives as possible.


    After all, he wasn''t a native of this world. He came from a civilized world.


    But now there was no need.


    "It''s toote," he murmured.


    "Yes, toote!" Su Changqing sighed.


    As Su Changqing''s words fell, Qin Ran sensed something.


    He looked up at the sky through the dense foliage of the towering trees in the primeval forest. Above the fog in the depths of the Hengduan Mountains, beneath the blue sky and white clouds, one after another delicate and tender wisps of white willow catkins swayed in the wind, rising with the breeze.


    The sky was filled with floating white willow fluff, freely drifting in the wind against the blue sky, a scene of ethereal beauty and romance.


    "How beautiful!" Standing next to Su Changqing, Bai Ruoxi looked at the willow catkins in the sky, then at Su Changqing''s profile. She eximed in admiration.


    At the same time, in the valley at the deepest part of the Land of Immortal Legacy, dozens of scattered cultivators were in the sky and on the ground. They fled, resisted, battled, shouted, screamed, and cursed.


    Because in addition to them, the air was also filled with willow catkins. Those wisps of white willow fluffnded on them, prating their protective barriers, piercing their defensive artifacts and clothes, sinking into their flesh and merging into their skin.


    Before long, their bodies began to wither and shrivel...


    In addition to the willow fluff, there were also countless whiplike willow branches from the Devouring Demon Willow moving to attack all the cultivators in the valley,shing like iron chains, binding like ropes, and piercing like spears...


    A single tree battled dozens of cultivators!


    Watching the ethereal scene in the sky, Su Changqing suddenlyughed. He turned back to look at Qin Ran, who was still on the ground gazing at the willow catkins in the sky.


    Su Changqing shed out a sword aura, tearing that Qin Ran to shreds, and shook his head with a sigh:


    "Such a strong will to survive, truly stubborn!"

 Chapter 132

    Chapter 132


    "Senior brother, why don''t you just kill him directly?" Bai Ruoxi was very puzzled.


    Although Qin Ran was indeed very strong,parable to her; he also had some ability to reach this level with ordinary talent. Butpared with Su Changqing, he was far from enough.


    "He''s very interesting, isn''t he?" Su Changqing smiled.


    Then he tapped his toes, and his whole person flew away from the treetops, turning into a ray of sword light and went far away.


    Sword light was the unique magic of sword cultivators, transforming their bodies into swords, not only extremely fast, but also with considerable attacking power.


    But it was extremely difficult toprehend, even Bai Ruoxi still hadn''t been able to learn it yet.


    Seeing Su Changqing leave first, she hurriedly summoned her flying sword, tapped her toes, stepped on the flying sword, and chased after Su Changqing.


    Passing through the tall trees in the primeval forest, Su Changqing always vaguely sensed Qin Ran''s aura, needing to stop from time to time to determine the location, making the chase extremely difficult.


    It seemed that Qin Ran had not only cast Illusory Mirage to conceal his figure, but also used some technique to conceal his aura.


    More and more catkins flew up in the sky above thend of immortal legacy. Those catkins drifted lightly, heading towards the Hengduan Mountains in all directions.


    They flew freely and fell freely, falling on the beasts in the forest, on the animals, on the trees, on the flowers and nts, on the ground.


    They were delicate and harmless, gentle and light,nding without a sound.


    Su Changqing''s perception was very keen. He could always hear the rustling sound of the catkins falling to the ground like snow. He couldn''t help but look back to see the catkins falling to the ground and on the trees like snowkes, nketing everything in white.


    In no time, the animals, nts and beasts that were covered by the white catkins shriveled up visibly.


    Su Changqing didn''t dare to look more, forcing himself to focus on Qin Ran and continue the chase.


    The catkins in the sky looked gentle and soft like snowkes, seeming to fly slowly. But in fact, the catkins advanced from the depths of the Hengduan Mountains to the outskirts at high speeds, like snowkes falling from one ce to another.


    The advance of the catkins was almost as fast as Su Changqing''s chase of Qin Ran.


    It followed closely behind Su Changqing.


    Except for those high-level beasts in the core area of the Hengduan Mountains that had either escaped or died, the middle and outer areas of the Hengduan Mountains still had many beasts left.


    Now as the catkins snowed down, these beasts'' lives were threatened, and they instinctively ran outwards.


    (


    In the forest, one beast, two beasts, three beasts, soon the beasts formed a herd; one herd, two herds, three herds merged, soon the herds formed a tidal wave of beasts, unprecedentedly massive beast tidal wave!


    At this moment, all the beasts in the entire Hengduan Mountains went mad in order to survive, fleeing outwards frantically.


    The huge tidal wave of beasts rose from every single beast in the Hengduan Mountains, from every tiny ce, just around the chasing Su Changqing and the fleeing Qin Ran, more and more beasts realized the danger and fled outwards. The beasts around them increased, eventually gathering into hordes of beasts.


    They also became part of the surging tidal wave of beasts rushing outwards.


    Because of the tidal wave of beasts, Qin Ran could no longer stay hidden. Su Changqing soon discovered him, but simrly restricted by the tidal wave, Su Changqing had great difficulty attacking him.


    Qin Ran and Su Changqing''s speed was faster than the tidal wave of beasts. They maneuvered among the various beasts, crossed mountains and valleys, heading out of the Hengduan Mountains.


    Their speed was extremely fast. In no time, they had crossed the middle part of the Hengduan Mountains and reached the outskirts. However, as they ran farther outwards, Qin Ran slowed down more and more.


    Because standing on thend at the outskirts, Qin Ran suddenly thought of the Dao Sword Sect located at the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains, and the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley as well; Xuanqin and North Chu''s armies guarding the Hengduan Mountains were also at the outskirts; Li Shiwen''s Tian Ce Army was here; outside the Hengduan Mountains, there were also countless citizens of Xuanqin Country and North Chu Country.


    The catkins, the snow!


    Could they survive?


    "Brother Qin, watch my sword!"


    Qin Ran had stopped, but Su Changqing didn''t. He soon caught up and greeted Qin Ran with a sword aura.


    The sword aura came too fast for Qin Ran to dodge in time. He could only activate Illusory Mirage, turning his body into water to resist the sword aura head on.


    The sword aura shed through, cutting the watery Qin Ran into two sections. It prated through him, severing a huge nearby tree.


    The severed water body reformed back into Qin Ran''s shape. His face turned pale with a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.


    "Sword intent!"


    The water form of Illusory Mirage could be immune to most damage, especially physical damage, but this sword aura containing sword intent still inflicted heavy injuries on Qin Ran.


    Just as Qin Ran reverted back to human form, Su Changqing came up close with sword in hand...


    "War Soul Art!"


    Seeing this, Qin Ran could only grunt softly, stimting his inner force to elerate his speed two to three times, narrowly dodging Su Changqing''s sword edge.


    "


    (


    Secondyer of War Soul Art?" Su Changqing nodded and said, "Brother Qin''s talent is actually not low."


    As he spoke, he unleashed a flurry of sword auras, stormily attacking towards Qin Ran.


    The War Soul Art had nineyers. Eachyer represented a different level of force maniption, able to amplify one''s power by two times. This showed that Qin Ran had already cultivated the War Soul Art to the secondyer.


    And Qin Ran had only obtained the War Soul Art for five to six days. Reaching the secondyer in such a short time meant his martial talent was actually quite decent.


    Qin Ran fully stimted the War Soul Art, using his crude battle skills to painfully resist under Su Changqing''s exquisite sword techniques. He asionally directly took hits with Illusory Mirage, then escaped with Mirage Shift, battling while retreating.


    Beasts were constantly stampeding past around them. The unlucky ones hit by Su Changqing''s sword aura were sliced in two instantly. Those crashed into by the evading Qin Ran suffered internal organ damage and disappeared into the tidal wave of beasts.


    Qin Ran didn''t know how many sword hits he had taken and how far he had fled. He only knew Su Changqing''s sword auras poured down like rain, never stopping.


    Just then, Su Changqing stabbed with his sword again. Suddenly a falcon flew by and was instantly shredded into droplets by the sword aura. Qin Ran took the chance to avoid the sword aura. Su Changqing charged forward and kicked Qin Ran''s arm, sending Qin Ran''s whole person flying sideways and crashing into a nearby boulder, smashing over half of it.


    Half of the small hillside copsed.


    Qin Ran crawled out from the rubble without pausing and continued running forward.


    But just as he was about to take off, he noticed something...


    It was snowing!


    He couldn''t help but stop and look up. Fluffy white catkins drifted down from the sky.


    Su Changqing also noticed the catkins floating over. He sheathed his sword and looked up at the sky filled with catkins all falling down; then looked down at the ground where beasts were copsing one after another, instantly bing desated corpses.


    "General! The catkins..."


    Suddenly someone shouted from ahead.


    Qin Ran looked over and realized Su Changqing''s chase had brought them to the edge of the Hengduan Mountains. Among the woods and hills ahead were many soldiers. They guarded several small hills, attempting to block the tidal wave of beasts with their mortal bodies.


    On one of the small hills stood a white-armored, long-spear youth. He was covered in injuries, barely standing up and looking towards the Hengduan Mountains, where the catkins were snowing over like a blizzard.


    His face was obscured by jet-ck blood, with no visible expression.


    It was Li Shiwen.


    He had not heeded Qin Ran''s advice to leave the Hengduan Mountains, instead continuing to garrison here, attempting to defend the North Chu Kingdom''s border at the Hengduan Mountains.


    "General! The catkins..."


    7017k

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 133


    The mountains and wilderness were filled with tens of thousands of soldiers guarding several hilltops. At the foot of the mountains, a maddened beast horde was charging and rushing about recklessly. In the sky, willow catkins were fluttering down like snowkes.


    These tens of thousands of soldiers could not hold off the beast horde, nor could theyprehend the willow catkins. Unable to defeat or escape them, they only felt endless despair.


    Lying severely injured on the ground or barely standing, they watched as the snow-like cover of willow catkins descended upon them... Tens of thousands of people simply gazed nkly into the distance.


    In midair, Qin Ran looked at the despair of those tens of thousands of soldiers and came to a stop, because he also felt extremely hopeless.


    "Did you foresee such a scene?" he asked Su Changqing.


    Su Changqing had foreseen it.


    He knew that having the Devouring Demon Willow merge into the Dao would kill many people - many cultivators would die, many living beings would die. He had envisioned such a scene.


    But...but!


    It was one thing to think about millions of deaths in his mind, but seeing tens of thousands of soldiers standing in the beast tide and waiting to die firsthand was shocking beyond imagination.


    He had not thought it would be like this.


    Not far from Qin Ran, Su Changqing watched as willow catkinsnded in front. They fell onto the damaged armor of a soldier, disappeared, and that soldier then withered away.


    One, two, three... hundreds, thousands...


    In an instant, several thousand valiant soldiers who had given their lives for their country transformed from living people into desated corpses.


    Su Changqing looked back. In the forest behind and the mountains and wilderness, on the treetops, there were countless withered corpses of monstrous beasts, birds, beasts, and insects!


    Corpses were scattered among boulders, corpses were hanging from barren trees...


    Willow catkins fluttered down continuously. The human world had be hell.


    "So this is what it''s like," Su Changqing murmured.


    So this was what the Devouring Demon Willow was like when it engulfed all things.


    "Brother Su, I suppose you no longer need to hunt me down," Qin Ran''s voice rang out at this time.


    Su Changqing looked over to see a catkin after catkin falling onto Qin Ran''s body,nding on his hair and his shoulders. Then, like snowkes falling onto a person, they melted and disappeared.


    "From the moment I set foot on the path of cultivating immortality, every second I feared for my life, feeling that I could die at any moment, killed by some powerful being casually unleashing a mystic art. I''ve imagined countless ways that I could die..."


    Qin Ran looked at Su Changqing. "But I never imagined I would die drained by willow catkins. I knew the Devouring Demon Willow was formidable and terrifying, but I didn''t think I would die because of it. I thought I could at least escape with my life to another domain."


    Willow catkins had alsonded on Su Changqing, but the ones on him did not melt. To him, they were just ordinary willow catkins. Catkin after catkinnded on him, turning his shoulders and hair white.


    "I''m just a passerby in this world. When I die, I die," said Qin Ran. "But there''s still one thing I can''t let go of... and that''s my silly disciple." He earnestly pleaded with Brother Su, "...Poetry has exceptional talent for cultivation. If you see potential in her, please take her as your disciple. If you have no intention of epting a disciple, please send her back home, because she is not suited for the world of cultivation."


    "As for Chasing the Wind, set it free. And Long Qiqi, please guide her onto the proper immortal path..."


    After listening to Qin Ran''sst words, Su Changqing was silent. He nodded, about to agree, but at that moment he suddenly realized something...


    Why was it that the catkins meant immediate death for everyone else, with no one able to survive even a brief moment, yet Qin Ran was able to speak so many lines here?


    Having conveyed hisst words, Qin Ran closed his eyes, held out his hands to the sky, wanting to die in as dignified a posture as possible.


    He waited for the catkins that had permeated his body to drain him, but after waiting for quite a while, he discovered that he was still fine, still alive, still not dead.


    There were no signs of being drained by the catkins at all.


    Qin Ran frowned and focused his spiritual sense to look within his body, then discovered surges of red electricity sparking inside.


    Red lightning bolts - they were clearly Tribtion Lightning!


    Aside from the Tribtion Lightning coursing through his flesh and blood, the Nine Prefectures Cauldron in his dantian was also continuously releasing Tribtion Lightning. This lightning spread from his dantian to his physical body, incinerating all of the invasive catkins.


    "Tribtion Lightning?!" Seeing the red lightning circting inside Qin Ran''s body, Su Changqing eximed in astonishment.


    He knew that Qin Ran had tempered his body with Tribtion Lightning, but who would have thought that the residual amounts inside his body would have this effect?


    "Can''t believe I can still cling to life like this," Qin Ran said with a bitterugh.


    He looked ahead. The mountains were covered in skeletons, the virgin forest had be a desert, vitality was extinguished, and the human world had turned to hell. Of those tens of thousands of soldiers, only a few had not yet been tainted by the catkins.


    Witnessing such an apocalyptic scene, he suddenly had the illusion that everyone else was dead and only he was still alive.


    Looking closely, he saw that Li Shiwen was still alive. He was buried under countless skeletons...


    Those were his subordinates who had thrown themselves on top of him, using their own flesh and blood to win him a breath more.


    "Are you still going to kill me?" Qin Ran asked Su Changqing.


    Facing the field of skeletons, Su Changqing did not speak.


    "If you''re not going to kill me, then I''m going to see my friend first," said Qin Ran when Su Changqing remained silent. His figure flickered as he arrived at Li Shiwen''s side.


    Qin Ran squatted down amidst the skeletons and spoke to Li Shiwen buried underneath: "Why didn''t you leave?"


    Hearing the voice, Li Shiwen turned his head to look. Seeing it was Qin Ran, hope instantly appeared in his eyes. He grew excited and desperately pleaded to Qin Ran, this cultivator, "Save... save them! I beg you, save them!"


    "It''s beyond my power!" Qin Ran shook his head. He looked up at the endless fluttering catkins falling from the sky like snow and said, "I only barely escaped death... I''ll die as well."


    Now his body was still crackling with electricity, incinerating any catkins that drew near. But how much longer could that electricityst? It was just the residual Tribtion Lightning inside him.


    The hope in Li Shiwen''s eyes faded. He calmed himself and became numb again.


    After a long pause, he answered Qin Ran''s question: "Why should I leave? I''m a soldier guarding the bordends to protect my family and country. Because danger came, I should flee? For a general, when facing the enemy, if he thinks not of strategies to engage them but of ways to desert, what is he?"


    "This is a cmity that no ordinary man can face..." said Qin Ran, ncing around. Suddenly amidst the soldier corpses he spotted a rat scavenging. Rats could be found anywhere, it seemed. He threw a rock over, killing it, then continued, "Nor is it one that cultivators can handle."


    Su Changqing followed over and hovered in midair, still not speaking as he nced at Li Shiwen.


    "They were the ones who should have resolved this to begin with," said Qin Ran, pointing at Su Changqing in the air. "But they chose the Dao fruits instead.


    "So we''re all going to die."


    As Qin Ran spoke, he recalled that time Li Shiwen had treated him to wine. He rummaged through his Universe Bag and took out a jug of wine, pouring himself a mouthful before passing it to Li Shiwen.


    "No side dishes to go with it. Make do..." Suddenly recalling the rat he had just killed, Qin Ranughed and said, "Well, not exactly none. You treated me to roast chicken and wine; I''ll repay you with fried field rats."


    He went to retrieve the rat corpse, drew out a sword, and began skinning and cleaning it.


    But just as the sword sliced open the rat''s skin, Qin Ran suddenly realized something...


    With these catkins filling the sky, how had the rat managed to survive?

 Chapter 134

    Chapter 134


    Li Shiwen took a sip of wine, raised his head looking at the sky full of white willow catkins, and suddenly smiled: ¡°I wonder how happy those youngdies afraid of cold would be if they saw these non-chilling snow.¡±


    As he spoke, he looked towards Qin Ran, but saw Qin Ran standing there motionless, holding a sword in one hand and catching a mouse in the other. He thought Qin Ran was enchanted by the willow catkins, and his smiling face twitched slightly, but he still smiled.


    After another sip of wine, he sighed: ¡°Brother Qin, farewell.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really silly!¡± Qin Ran suddenly said.


    Li Shiwen was taken aback, he¡¯s not dead?!


    Seeing Qin Ran was pondering, he asked: ¡°What have you realized?¡±


    ¡°I only knew clothes and artifacts could not block the willow catkins, mystic arts could not keep away the willow catkins, but I didn¡¯t know rocks and soil could block the willow catkins!¡± Qin Ran said.


    The mouse hid in an underground burrow, so it was not affected by the willow catkins. This could only mean the willow catkins did not prate the ground.


    Moreover, looking up, the mountains were covered in pure white willow catkins! Those catkins stayed on the surface without invading the underground.


    ¡°Underground?¡± Li Shiwen did not understand.


    But Qin Ran did not answer him. Instead, he threw away the mouse and the sword, clenched his fist, circted his power, and smashed the ground, making a deep pit. Then with another punch, he erged the pit.


    "Step aside!"


    At this time, Su Changqing''s voice came, and Qin Ran looked back to see Su Changqing summoning a huge dragon-catching hand in midair, fist clenched ready to smash down.


    Qin Ran hurriedly moved away, and the silver-gray big hand smashed heavily on the ground, shaking the earth, leaving a huge dent on the ground.


    Su Changqing shed his sword, bringing out sword energy to circle the bottom of the dent, smoothing its surroundings and bottom.


    "You all get down there!" Qin Ran said to Li Shiwen.


    At this time, Li Shiwen also understood Qin Ran''s intention. He crawled out of the corpse and looked around, seeing skeletons all over the mountains.


    Where was half a living person?


    "No need." He shook his head with a smile. "I have no face to survive."


    Seeing his look, Qin Ran sighed, flew up, brought out a water stream, circled several mountain tops, and when he returned, dozens of soldiers were added behind the water stream.


    These dozens of soldiers were thest soldiers of the Seventy Thousand Tian Ce Army.


    Qin Ran threw all the soldiers to the bottom of the pit, then went to Li Shiwen, picked him up with one hand, and said, "They still need you." After speaking, he also threw Li Shiwen down the pit.


    "If I''m still alive, I''lle back to save you. If I die, Mr. Su here wille to save you. If Mr. Su also dies, you will have to fend for yourselves."


    Qin Ran threw all the Grain Pills from his universe bag to Li Shiwen, then used the water stream to wrap mud to seal the mud pit, leaving a vent, and drained the water inside.


    Seeing Qin Ran only sealed the soldiers in the mud pit and showed no intention of going down himself, Su Changqing couldn''t help asking: "What about you?"


    Why didn''t a survivor like Qin Ran bury himself first?


    "There are still three silly children at home." Qin Ran said.


    "Hahahaha..." Su Changqing suddenlyughed loudly. So even a person like Qin Ran still had things more important than his own life.


    "In that case,e with me to take a look!" he said to Qin Ran.


    "Look at what?" Qin Ran did not understand.


    Su Changqing was silent for a moment, looking out at the Hengduan Mountains, and replied: "See what a tragic scene this human world is."


    After speaking, he turned into a sword and flew out of the Hengduan Mountains.


    Qin Ran hesitated for a moment. He did understand Su Changqing''s thoughts a little, but after all, he was a selfish person.


    So he hesitated for a moment before turning into water and following Su Changqing out of the Hengduan Mountains.


    In fact, Li Shiwen did make attempts, it''s just evacuating hundreds of thousands of people near the Hengduan Mountains was too big a matter for him to decide alone. After all, he was just a martial artist.


    He only had full control over his own camp, which he evacuated.


    As for more, he had no right to intervene, he could only try to save them.


    But the willow catkins floated over, more devastating than natural disasters. His Seventy Thousand Tian Ce Army all died in the Hengduan Mountains...


    And now the willow catkins in the sky floated across the Hengduan Mountains, towards viges, towards cities. So it was seen that the air was filled with catkins for thousands of miles, thend was red for tens of thousands of miles, cities filled with white bones!


    This whole process didn''t even see blood, no fear, no screams.


    There were conversations like this: "Wow, look at the big willow catkins!"


    "Yes, yes!"


    "Huh? Why did you shrivel up?"


    "Oh? Why did you turn into bones!"


    All the way here, it was the same as what was seen in the Hengduan Mountains, the sky and the ground were uniformly white, forests turned into rednds, living beings into dry bones, no smoke for thousands of miles!


    More than ten miles out of the Hengduan Mountains, Su Changqing stopped flying. He stopped in midair, looking at the dead city below covered in willow catkins.


    White, dead silence.


    He didn''t dare to look further, turned around, and looked towards the deepest part of the Hengduan Mountains. But the willow catkins like heavy snow blocked his sight.


    Qin Ran caught up and saw another white dead city, silent.


    The willow catkins kept floating forward...


    In fact, Su Changqing did anticipate the scene of the Devouring Demon Willow swallowing everything, but seeing hundreds of thousands of people and creatures die with his own eyes had a much greater impact than he imagined.


    He realized his position was not that high, his state of mind was far from transcending everything.


    "Brother Qin, do me a favor!" he suddenly said to Qin Ran.


    "What is it?"


    "I know you left the Tribtion Lightning sealed under the thunder tribtion under the roots of the Devouring Demon Willow. I''d like your help...to trigger the Tribtion Lightning."


    Qin Ran was puzzled. How did Su Changqing know he left Tribtion Thunder Pill? And why didn''t he get rid of it after knowing it was there?


    "Triggering it is useless, it''s just the Tribtion Lightning at the Golden Core stage." Qin Ran shook his head.


    "I will stop the willow catkins of the Devouring Demon Willow..." Su Changqing said, "And after the disappearance of the willow catkins, it will start crossing the tribtion. If you trigger the Tribtion Lightning again, using it to induce its tribtion of the great Dao, ensure that its heavenly tribtion must be triggered and stop generating willow catkins."


    It was feasible to use Tribtion Lightning to trigger the heavenly tribtion. Hearing Su Changqing say this, Qin Ran was somewhat moved.


    But there was a premise...


    "How are you going to clear these willow catkins?" he asked Su Changqing.


    Su Changqing took a deep breath and said, "Since it was a mistake I made, I will repay it myself!"


    The power within him suddenly elerated, the momentum suppressing Qin Ran, forcing him to retreat.


    This was bad!


    "What are you going to do?!" Qin Ran asked Su Changqing.


    Su Changqing did not answer. He closed his eyes, secretly deducing, secretly calcting...


    After a while, he opened his eyes, softly uttering two words: "Creation!"


    A violent light burst out from his body. Qin Ran had to close his eyes and block with his hand.


    When the light weakened somewhat, Qin Ran looked at Su Changqing again and found that his whole person had be fuzzy. He was shining, but his body was fuzzy. And around him, silver-gray willow catkins kept generating.


    After these silver-gray willow catkins were generated, they immediately rolled up to the sky, as if attracted, flying towards those white catkins in the air.


    "Brother Qin, you are a very interesting person, meeting you is Su''s honor!" Su Changqing smiled at Qin Ran with a fist salute.


    Qin Ran already understood what Su Changqing was doing. He deduced the method to divide the divine willow catkins of the Devouring Demon Willow with the Creation Dao scriptures, then inversely deduced it to demonstrate...


    But the Devouring Demon Willow was still at the profound level after all, so Su Changqing had to use his own life to clear the willow catkins.


    In fact, in this whole scheme of feeding the Devouring Demon Willow, Su Changqing was only the executor, not the nner. That he could have such awareness... Qin Ran didn''t have such high awareness. Although he didn''t speak, he respectfully saluted Su Changqing with folded fists.


    The light grew brighter, Su Changqing grew fuzzier, and when the light shone to its extreme, Su Changqing disappeared.


    The light exploded with a roar. Countless silver-gray willow catkins sted out from the light, rolling back towards the Hengduan Mountains...

 Chapter 135

    Chapter 135


    For example, a cultivator whose whole body was wrapped in mud and rocks had turned into a stone man. Although there were willow catkins all over the mud on his body, the person inside the mud waspletely unharmed. Seeing Li Shiyin and the others with nowhere to retreat, he took the initiative to attack. He charged towards Li Shiyin in the wind vortex headfirst.


    "War Spirit Art!" Li Shiyin once again forcibly urged the "War Spirit Art" and went to meet this stone man. Her sword qi shed out and the stone man instantly lost an arm, while Li Shiyin was also sted flying by the headbutt, almost crashing out of Chasing the Wind''s wind vortex domain.


    "Wow..." Li Shiyin spat out a mouthful of blood andy on the ground. After trying several times, she couldn''t get up.


    Chasing the Wind watched out for the others while Long Qiqi''s tail came over to help Li Shiyin up.


    "You can just transfer this tiger to us, why fight so desperately?" A woman enveloped in gloomy mes walked over and persuaded Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin broke free from Long Qiqi''s tail and barely stood up. She wiped the blood from the corners of her mouth and the purple sword qi on her Qingxing Sword was her answer.


    To Chasing the Wind, Li Shiyin was no different from her own family. Abandoning and betraying one''s family...


    "Humph..." Li Shiyin smiled with difficulty, activated her magic power, and took the initiative to kill towards that gloomy mes woman.


    "I''ve really never seen such a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator before!" This woman eximed.


    A cluster of mes was thrown out, thrown onto the path Li Shiyin had to take while attacking.


    In Li Shiyin¡¯s current state, if she was burned by her gloomy mes, death would be inevitable!


    "What a pity!" Shemented.


    "Mu Ran!"


    At this moment, Li Shiyin suddenly shouted out. A sword that looked like a gxy appeared out of thin air in her body. This sword thrusted forward, splitting those gloomy mes in half. That woman was greatly shocked and quickly reacted to p and deflect the oing Mu Ran Sword that had turned into flowing light.


    But the next moment...


    Li Shiyin''s sword reached her face...


    The swordpoint was the swordpoint, she was the sword body, piercing straight through the chest!


    Gloomy mes, extinguished!


    Li Shiyin also used up herst bit of strength and fell to the ground, finally unable to grip onto the Qingxing Sword, causing it to fall to the ground, while the Mu Ran Sword flew back and inserted itself beside her.


    She remembered her master teaching her that the sword was the life of a sword cultivator and losing one''s sword was the same as dying as a sword cultivator. She had always gripped her own sword very tightly, but now she couldn''t anymore.


    "Am I going to die?" Li Shiyin watched the willow catkins outside the vortex and thought to herself, feeling very regretful. "I won''t get to see father, mother, or brother again, or Master either..."


    Right as she was thinking this, she suddenly saw a familiar figure in the willow catkins rushing over this way...


    "Master?" She thought it was just an illusion or delusion from her impending death.


    She saw her master rush into Chasing the Wind''s vortex domain ande over to hold her up, looking very anxious and seeming on the verge of tears.


    "Master!" Li Shiyin smiled. Being able to see her master in the end wasn''t so bad.


    It was just that her master was too stupid and probably still didn''t know her feelings.


    She reached out and stroked Qin Ran''s face, murmuring: "Master, Shiyin really likes you, do you know?"


    She thought she was going to die, and just wanted to express her innermost thoughts.


    But she didn''t expect that this master she imagined would have tears streaming down his face as he kept nodding and repeatedly saying, "I know, I know, I know!"


    She didn''t know that she was so stupid that she couldn''t even hide her feelings for someone. Even Long Qiqi understood and even Chasing the Wind knew.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136


    One advanced cultivator after another squeezed into the wind vortex domain of Chasing the Wind. The three silly kids retreated again and again until they reached the edge of the mist and could retreat no further.


    Li Shiyin wiped the blood from her face and circted her mystic arts, stepping forward with sword in hand, determined to fight to the death on the spot...


    "Boom!"


    Just then, a muffled thunder suddenly rumbled in the sky, giving everyone a fright. An aura of horror pressed down fiercely from the sky, causing everyone''s knees and spines to involuntarily bend down.


    They looked up to the sky and saw the wind and clouds morphing. Lead clouds swirledyer byyer, all converging towards the center of the ancient immortal relic site.


    It was a frenzied wind, pitch-ck clouds, thunder and lightning! The scene was horrifying.


    "It''s a tribtion cloud!" someone eximed. "It''s the dao integration tribtion! The Devouring Demon Weeping Willow is starting its tribtion!"


    Going back a few minutes, at the center of the valley in the ancient immortal relic site, Elder Ning was standing on a pure white cloud halfway up in the air, appreciating the scenery in the valley.


    He had his arms crossed, watching the valley floor nketed in white willow catkins, with countless willow branches dancing about wildly. There was blood sttered everywhere, and cultivators covered in willow catkins being bound up by the willow branches and rapidly withering away.


    He watched those cultivators unleash inferior mystic arts, listened to their shouts of battle and death. His eyes did not fluctuate one bit, and even held traces of a smile.


    "Fight, kill, die!" He urged in his heart. "You have to die before it''s good, feed everything to the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow, so it can bear even more fruits of the dao!"


    And it was at this moment of chaotic mystic arts, shing willow branches, and cultivators'' desperate roars...


    "Crack!"


    Suddenly, a blood-red thunderbolt split down from under White Bone Mountain at the base of the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow.


    The might of this thunderbolt was not great. Most present were at the YuanYing stage, and could sense it was just an intense Gold Core tribtion.


    However...


    The problem was, they sensed the aura of a heavenly tribtion within that thunderbolt!


    "A heavenly tribtion?" Someone shouted.


    The valley instantly fell silent from the strike of that thunderbolt!


    "A tribtion thunderbolt..." Someone confirmed.


    "Roar!" Suddenly, an indistinguishable roar erupted in this valley, continuous and unending.


    The echoing roar could be heard from anywhere in the valley, yet no one could pinpoint its exact location.


    Until at some point, when the cultivators in the valley looked towards the violently shuddering giant willow at the center, they finally realized it was the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow painfully moaning.


    This tree was screaming!


    "Boom!" Thunder rumbled out of thin air in the sky, and a frenzied wind started blowing.


    "Tribtion..."


    "Lightning tribtion!"


    "Heavenly tribtion!"


    "The dao integration tribtion! The Devouring Demon Weeping Willow is going through its tribtion!"


    Instantly, chaos ensued. More were fleeing, and more were dying!


    All wanted to run towards the mist, no longer caring how frightening the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow''s abilities were, no longer eyeing the fruits of dao it would birth. At this moment, the only thing they feared was the dao integration tribtion.


    "It''s early?" Elder Ning was stunned in ce.


    The tribtion already started? It''s barely begun! The cultivators here haven''t even finished dying, the living beings and spiritual qi of the entire Hengduan Mountain Range haven''t beenpletely absorbed yet. How could the tribtion start already?!


    "It''s that tribtion thunderbolt!" He realized it was that tribtion thunderbolt that had forcibly linked with the heavens and earth, prematurely triggering the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow''s dao integration tribtion.


    Moreover, that blood-red tribtion thunderbolt looked familiar to him. It was an extremely peculiar thunderbolt.


    "Qin Ran!" He gnashed his teeth, eyes full of anger.


    Li Shiyin nced up at the sky, then looked towards the cultivators who had invaded the domain. She did not care about any


    dao integration tribtion, did not care about any Devouring Demon Weeping Willow. She only wanted to save Master, only wanted to find Master with these two little ones, then return to Dan Peak.


    The mystic arts in her body continued circting, the War Spirit Art fully activated, and the sword qi on her sword gradually rose...


    A cultivator who had discovered the same method as Qin Ran to avoid the willow catkins wrapped his entire body in mud and rocks. Those mud and rocks were covered in willow catkins, making him look like a wild rock golem.


    Seeing Li Shiyin''s sword qi rise again, this cultivator did not cower at all. He charged straight at Li Shiyin.


    "War Spirit Art!"


    Li Shiyin activated the War Spirit Art and rushed to meet the rock golem head on. Her sword qi struck first. The rock golem evaded, then Li Shiyin ceased emitting sword qi. She received the rock golem''s charge, imbued her sword with qi, and shed down!


    The two collided. Li Shiyin was sent flying by the rock golem''s headbutt, nearly crashing out of Chasing the Wind''s wind vortex domain.


    "Ugh..." She spit out a mouthful of blood, lying nted on the ground. After several attempts, she could not get back up. She only lifted her head to look at the rock golem, and saw that his entire left arm had been sliced off by her.


    No expression could be seen on the rock golem, but his eyes held shock and anger. He could not believe his arm had been severed by a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. He tried to stop the bleeding while retreating.


    Chasing the Wind went forward warily against these people. Long Qiqi stretched out her tail to prop Li Shiyin up.


    "Why fight so desperately? You might as well let us have this tiger," said a woman engulfed in Yin Wind mes as she walked out and advised Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin forcibly shook off Long Qiqi''s tail and barely stood up.


    She did not speak, but the sword qi on her Qingxing Sword was excited, answering on her behalf.


    Chasing the Wind was already no different than her own family. Abandoning, betraying...


    "Hmph..." Li Shiyin forced augh. She circted her mystic arts and took the initiative to attack the woman with Yin Wind mes.


    "Never seen such a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator!" The woman eximed.


    She raised her hand and tossed a ball of fire,nding it right in the path Li Shiyin was attacking from.


    In her judgement, Li Shiyin was currently on the brink of death. As long as she was burned by these Yin Wind mes, death was certain!


    Unfortunately, Li Shiyin currently had no strength to evade this fireball.


    "What a pity!" shemented for Li Shiyin.


    "Mu Ran!"


    However, right at this moment, Li Shiyin suddenly shouted sternly. Her body was instantly filled with a gxy circting, transforming into a sword right in front of the Yin Wind mes woman when she looked closely.


    "Nascent Soul sword?" She cried out in shock.


    The Mu Ran sword thrusted forward once, splitting the Yin Wind me in half, then continued stabbing towards the woman without the slightest pause.


    The woman reacted in time, pping out a palm to smack away the iing Mu Ran Sword.


    But at the same time, Li Shiyin had already arrived before her with sword in hand...


    The swordpoint being the swordswoman herself, in an instant, she stabbed right through the chest!


    The next moment, the Yin Wind mes extinguished!


    Behind the woman, Li Shiyin emerged with sword in hand. Finally, she could no longer support herself and copsed to the ground. Her hand could no longer grip the Qingxing Sword either, dropping it to the ground. The Mu Ran Sword automatically flew back and nted itself by her side.


    She recalled her Master''s teachings, Master said the sword was a swordsman''s life. If the sword was lost, the swordsman would die too.


    She always remembered Master''s words, always gripped her sword tightly.


    Yet now, she could not hold on anymore.


    "Am I going to die?" Li Shiyin saw the sky full of white willow catkins outside the domain, thinking to herself.


    Master said


    people were destined to die once. If she died then she died. It was just that Li Shiyin felt regretful she still had not found the elixir of immortality, and had not...


    "Father, Mother, Brother, I won''t get to see you again. Or Master too."


    The figures of her Father, Mother and Brother appeared clearly in her mind. Then Master''s figure joined them, with Master living harmoniously together with her Father and the rest. There was also Chasing the Wind and Long Qiqi.


    She heard people say that one''s life would clearly sh through the mind before death. At this moment, it seemed Li Shiyin was seeing it happen.


    She saw a figure madly charging over from the willow catkins outside. That figure was very familiar to her...


    "Master?" She thought it was just her imagination, a hallucination from impending death.


    People would see those they most wished to see before death, she thought. She would tell Masterter to show off to him.


    She saw Master rush into Chasing the Wind''s domain ande over to hold her. Master looked very nervous, on the verge of tears even.


    "Master!"


    She called out, then felt very happy and smiled. She was going to die in Master''s embrace, that was pretty good.


    It was just that Master was too silly, likely unaware of her feelings still.


    She reached out a hand to caress Master''s face. She had wanted to do this for a long time. She really wanted to know why Master with such a sinister personality had such a delicate face.


    The feel was unexpectedly not bad. Then she murmured, "Master, Po Yin really likes you, do you know?"


    She thought she was going to die, thought it was a hallucination, just wanted to speak out her innermost thoughts before death.


    Master hugged her, this master she imagined, with tears streaming down kept nodding, saying repeatedly: "I know, I know, Master knows."


    She didn''t know that for someone as stupid as her, liking someone could not be hidden, liking hidden in the heart would overflow out of the eyes. Everyone on Dan Peak knew her feelings, Long Qiqi knew, Chasing the Wind knew.


    Even the night wind passing by Dan Peak knew.


    She suddenly felt shy, and remembered she didn''t look good, dirty all over, full of wounds, definitely not good-looking. She wanted to wipe her face to make herself cleaner, but she couldn''t do it. Fortunately, Master was very smart, understood her thoughts, and helped wipe her face clean.


    Master''s hands were indeed not warm... after all he was so sinister.


    "Master..." she wanted to wipe her face clean because she wanted to ask another question, "Master, do you like Po Yin?"


    Master froze for a moment, then said, "Like, like, Master likes."


    So she felt happy, felt shy.


    Master was feeding her elixir, like thest time they were stranded in the Hengduan Mountains; Master''s heart was ck, but Master was really gentle, like when she first met Master; Master was very fierce to her, but Master was really nice; Master couldn''t fight, but Master was like the strategists who devised kingdoms in fiction.


    She used to think she couldn''t like weak schrs, now she knew she just hadn''t met Master.


    She ate all the elixir, then felt warm all over, making her want to sleep.


    Sleep? Wouldn''t she die if she slept!


    She didn''t want to die...


    "Master, I don''t want to sleep," she said.


    "Sleep for a while, you''ll be fine," Master persuaded her.


    She shook her head.


    Master then hugged her up, she saw Master look ahead, with a ferocity in his eyes she had never seen before, she heard Master ask her, "Want to watch Master fight?"


    She had wanted to watch for a long time.


    "Want to! Want to!" She nodded.


    "Then Master will teach you to fight," she heard Master say.


    7017k

 Chapter 137

    Chapter 137


    "To kill a person, it is best to use hot weapons, secondly cold weapons, and finally to stake one''s life through martial arts." Qin Ran carried Li Shiyin on his back and took out a silk ribbon, slowly tying the two of them tightly.


    "In the immortal cultivation world, it is best to set up formations in advance, lead people into the formations, secondly use artifacts and poisons, and finally fight with skills."


    "If it reallyes to the point where it has to be resolved throughbat, then Shiyin remember..." He carried Li Shiyin on his back and squatted down, picking up Li Shiyin''s two swords, left hand Tilting Star, right hand Dusk, "The only purpose ofbat is to beat the enemy down!"


    There were a total of thirteen people who entered the Cyclone Domain, minus one who had just formed a baby, the others were all at the Gold Core stage ... none were early Gold Core stage.


    They watched as Qin Ran tied Li Shiyin to his back, looking murderous, but they didn''t care. They only regarded this as the ssic plot of beating the young toe for the old...the old one was a little cultivator before the Gold Core stage.


    Thirteen high-level cultivators beating one low-level cultivator, how could they take it seriously?


    "And how do you quickly and efficiently kill the enemy?" Qin Ran activated his spiritual power, and in an instant hooked up the two swords, and colorless halo lights lit up on the swords, "Wherever the enemy is afraid of being hit, we hit there. Hit the weak points!"


    "Can Qin Ran fight?" Long Qiqi turned into a little girl''s appearance, leaning against Chasing Wind, and curiously asked.


    Chasing Wind looked at Qin Ran silly, and shook his head. He had never seen Qin Ran fight head-on.


    "Can he use swordsmanship?" Long Qiqi asked again.


    Chasing Wind shook his head again. He had never seen Qin Ran practicing swordsmanship.


    The people opposite didn''t take Qin Ran to heart either, but when they saw Qin Ran connect the two swords in an instant, their expressions became a little more serious ... this guy has something.


    But it was just a little more serious, who knows if Qin Ran had already connected the two swords before.


    Perceiving artifacts is not refining, perceiving is just rifying the internal structure of artifacts so that one''s spiritual power can pass through artifacts; while refining is connecting bloodlines with artifacts, it is a life and death contract.


    "Shiyin, watch carefully!" Qin Ran finally said.


    Li Shiyin nodded on his shoulder, her whole body soft and limp, only her eyes were bright and very excited.


    "Boom!"


    Qin Ran suddenly exerted force, and his whole person suddenly exploded, exploding into thirteen figures, each figure holding a sword and attacking a cultivator ... extremely fast, turning around and arriving in an instant!


    "What?"


    The speed was too fast. These cultivators who didn''t take Qin Ran to heart didn''t think about it at all. They didn''t have time to distinguish whether the person in front of them was real or fake. They had to respond ordingly.


    (


    A voice rang out in the space, it was Qin Ran''s voice, his voice was gentle, as if giving a lecture.


    "This person''s left arm is injured, so his biggest weakness is the left side."


    "I''m the target?" The stone man''s face changed slightly, exerting all his strength to punch forward and smash the attacking Qin Ran in front of him with one punch.


    "Fake?" He was slightly relieved in his heart, thinking it was still Qin Ran''s doubting soldiers tactics.


    "Puff!"


    But at this moment, a sword appeared out of thin air and stabbed in from the position where his left hand was chopped off.


    "Ah..." He screamed, looking over, Qin Ran''s figure carrying Li Shiyin appeared there, and he clenched his right fist, regardless, and punched towards Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran held the Dusk Sword in his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and punched the stone man''s fist head-on.


    "Bang!"


    As a body cultivator, the stone man was punched flying by Qin Ran!


    Qin Ran''s figure staggered, looking at the stone man in midair and Li Shiyin said: "After finding the enemy''s weakness, remember to tear this weakness open, best, kill in one blow!"


    "Boom!"


    Before the stone man fell to the ground while still in the air, he suddenly exploded!


    In a sh, blood and flesh sshed across the entire Cyclone Domain, and then fell down like a rain of blood.


    In this rain of blood, Qin Ran''s gentle voice continued to teach Li Shiyin: "Because the enemy is not stupid, they will quickly hide their weaknesses."


    O...One move? Killed a body cultivator cleanly and neatly in one move?!


    The remaining twelve cultivators'' hearts were filled with fear. Body cultivators were famously tough, but were killed across realms in one move.


    The YuanYing stage cultivator saw it more clearly. In that instant just now, Qin Ran just seemed to use doppelgangers to confuse everyone''s eyes, but in fact, he used more than one technique when he rushed out, he used at least three techniques , doppelgangers, invisibility and explosion.


    Being able to cast three techniques in an instant, and being able to confront a body cultivator''s fist head-on and win perfectly, this is simply the kind of top arrogant!


    And this was precisely Qin Ran''s casting speed and physique that Su Changqing could praise. Su Changqing had watched Qin Ran''s tribtion, and eximed that this person was perfect in all aspects, which made him want to fight.


    That YuanYing stage cultivator had the intention to retreat...not that he couldn''t win, but that he thought more about it, a person like Qin Ran, how terrifying would his background and master be?


    In the rain of blood, Qin Ran looked at the remaining twelve people and said, "Master told you that in the Gold Core stage, the fleshly body will be infinitely stronger under the illumination of the gold core. The physique of the gold core is difficult to break through casually. However, no matter how terrifying the Gold Core physique is, the Gold Core cultivators are also human shaped. The weaknesses that the human body should have will not be absent from the Gold Core cultivators.


    "For example, inside the body, acupoints, vital parts."


    As he spoke, his whole person suddenly disappeared!


    "Invisible again?" These cultivators'' hearts tightened instantly, secretly operating spiritual power and bing vignt.


    But unexpectedly to them, just as Qin Ran on that side had just disappeared, the previously injured Yin Wind ze woman on this side suddenly screamed!


    Everyone looked over, and a Qin Ran appeared abruptly there, his double swords stabbed out, one sword stabbed into this woman''s chest...the ce where Li Shiyin had pierced through before, one sword stabbed into this woman''s eye...the weak points of the human body.


    "So fast movement technique?" someone wondered in their heart.


    "No, it''s not possible to be so fast. It''s impossible not to notice it if it''s so fast." Smart cultivators saw the clues, "He was already invisible before he disappeared! The one who suddenly disappeared was just a doppelganger!"


    The sword that stabbed into the woman''s chest pulled down, urately cutting into her Zhongji acupoint, piercing through this woman''s middle elixir field, causing the gold core to fall out; the sword that stabbed into the eye pulled sideways, cutting off this woman''s skull.


    Qin Ran put away his swords and turned to Li Shiyin: "The key to fighting against a group is to never fall into the enemy''s encirclement, it is to always make yourself face one enemy."


    The woman fell behind him, white and red sttered all over the ground.


    Although the cultivation world was full of cold and ruthless characters, seeing Qin Ran kill two people so fiercely and swiftly, the remaining eleven cultivators really couldn''t stand it.


    Especially that YuanYing stage cultivator...firstly because the older you get, the more you fear death; secondly because he already suspected that Qin Ran''s background was terrifying. Now seeing Qin Ran cleanly and neatly kill again, he finally couldn''t stand it and fled the Cyclone Domain.


    And upon seeing the highest cultivation person flee, the remaining fearful ones couldn''t bear it and fled the Cyclone Domain one after another.


    "Fleeing inbat will leave your back exposed to the enemy." Qin Ran said, holding the double swords, flying upwards, appearing outside the mist, above the gale, among the willow fluffs, "On the battlefield, all those shot in the back die a disgraceful death."


    Hearing Qin Ran''s intention to chase to the death, those cultivators ran even faster.


    Qin Ran carrying Li Shiyin on his back, wielding double swords, stood among the willow fluffs, watching those people go far away.


    In the distance, silver-gray willow fluffs rolled over...


    Qin Ran looked up at the overcast sky, the white willow fluffs gradually disappearing.


    "The snow stopped." He said softly to Li Shiyin.


    "Mm." Li Shiyin leaned on his back, hugging his neck, her head resting on his shoulders, her soft voiceing from her nose.

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 138


    After Su Changqing reverse cultivated the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow''s division of the god''s technique, Qin Ran promised to help, using the array stones in his hands to connect with the array stones left in the mist and valley to form an array. Then, relying on the array, he activated the Tribtion Thunder Pill under the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow.


    After activating the Tribtion Thunder Pill, Qin Ran was worried about the three silly children left at home. He sensed the mark he left on Li Shiqian''s bag, and was then horrified to find that they had already run to thend of immortal legacy.


    His soul was frightened away. He immediately went full speed, and only barely arrived in time at thest moment.


    Fortunately, he was Qin Ran, adept at escaping and fleeing. Otherwise, if it was an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, they certainly wouldn''t have made it.


    Although it was safe now, Qin Ran still had lingering fears.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin suddenly called out to him tenderly.


    "Mm?" Qin Ran responded with a sound, lowering his head to look at Li Shiyin.


    Laying on his shoulder, Li Shiyin was looking at his profile with a silly smile, not saying anything.


    It''s over, Qin Ran thought to himself. This child was already silly to begin with. And now after repeatedly going through life and death battles, overdrawing her magic power, body, and potential, she was probably even more silly now.


    He couldn''t help but start thinking about what pills could eliminate the effects of overdrawing, and what pills could make up for the lost potential from overdrawing.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin called him again.


    "What''s the matter?" He asked gently.


    "Nothing, I just wanted to call you," Li Shiyin''s body had recovered somewhat, but her mind still hadn''te back yet. She still thought she was going to die, so this was all an illusion.


    She rested her chin on Qin Ran''s shoulder, and tenderly called out again, "Master!"


    The white willow catkins floating and drifting down from the sky gradually lessened. The silver-gray willow catkins were slowly increasing.


    At this time, the sky changed again. Rumbles of thunder could be heard approaching, andyers of lead clouds brought gray snow.


    Qin Ran stood in midair, looking towards the depths of thend of immortal legacy. Li Shiyin was draped over his back, murmuring away.


    He distracted Li Shiyin with half-hearted teasing, as he waited for the start of the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow''s tribtion.


    On the ground, Chasing the Wind discovered that the fallen willow catkins seemed to have changed. In his perception, the newly fallen willow catkins didn''t seem dangerous anymore, so he slowly dismissed the whirlwinds.


    He looked up and saw Qin Ran, bing excited. Stepping on the wind, he wanted to pounce over.


    The child-like Long Qiqi acted quickly, grabbing his tail and signaling him this was not the time and ce.


    But Chasing the Wind didn''t understand at all. Ignoring her meaningful looks, he even got angry that she was blocking him from getting intimate with his dad. No longer bothering with her, he fiercely exerted his strength and continued pouncing towards Qin Ran.


    Long Qiqi was caught unawares, and did not let go of Chasing the Wind''s tail in time. She was directly dragged into the air by Chasing the Wind.


    "Dad!" Chasing the Wind shouted out, pouncing towards Qin Ran.


    After all, he was a tiger. The structure of his throat and mouth were different from humans. His speech was still indistinct, always carrying the "meow meow" sounds of a young tiger.


    Chasing the Wind didn''t care about Long Qiqi hanging from his tail, or Li Shiyin draped over Qin Ran''s back. He just recklessly charged into Qin Ran''s embrace. He stuck out his tongue, nuzzling about, smelling Qin Ran''s scent, extremely excited.


    As expected, worthy of being called a treasure boy.


    It was just that he had no sense of his current size and strength at all. He was nowparable to a robust skan Mmute, weighing several dozen kilograms.


    Charging straight ahead, he rammed Qin Ran''s chest hard enough to make him feel breathless and dizzy. This was even more severe than taking a direct punch from the stone man earlier.


    But in the end, it was Chasing the Wind''s enthusiasm. Qin Ran had no choice but to mollify him.


    He was worried again in his heart. He recalled the lightning bulls he saw earlier in the valley that were over ten or twenty meters tall. Based on that ratio, Chasing the Wind would grow to at least ten meters.


    An excited ten meter Chasing the Wind pouncing over...


    That image was too beautiful, he didn''t dare imagine it.


    After pacifying Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran picked up Li Shiyin from his back. He summoned a transparent bubble and had the family of four float inside.


    He sat down in the bubble. Li Shiyin clung to his arm affectionately, pressing against him. Chasing the Wind was not one to lose, squatting on the other side, also resting his big paws on Qin Ran''s shoulders. Looking at Chasing the Wind''s big paws, Qin Ran felt a chill down his spine. Long Qiqi quietlyy draped over the furry Chasing the Wind.


    "Now that we''re here, let''s watch the tribtion and then head back," Qin Ran joked, "Gain some experience and knowledge."


    Gaining experience was naturally a joke. How many people in this world could undergo tribtion?


    "Boom..."


    Just as he was speaking, the first lightning tribtion in the sky had already gathered and rumbled down!


    This was a blue lightning pir. This pir was so thick and enormous, they could see it clearly even outside thend of immortal legacy.


    "Heavenly Firmament Divine Thunder... or Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion?" Qin Ran frowned.


    This Extreme Demon Weeping Willow did so many things viting the natural order and heavenly principles, unforgivable things, in order to undergo tribtion. But in the end, the tribtion it faced was still the most ssic Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion.


    This was very unreasonable...


    Why was the tribtion it faced so strange? He couldn''t even find records of it!


    "Roar!"


    The majesty of the heavenly tribtion also spread over here, arousing Chasing the Wind''s bloodline. He couldn''t help but roar angrily at the lightning tribtion.


    He was still an underage tiger. His voice was tender, although it also held some majesty, it was more childish sounding.


    "What are you roaring for?" Long Qiqi was naturally also afraid of the heavenly tribtion, and was startled by Chasing the Wind''s roar. She couldn''t help but smack the back of Chasing the Wind''s head.


    Chasing the Wind was suddenly hit, somewhat unhappy, but he bared his teeth and swallowed his grievance.


    After the first blue lightning pir, the tribtion clouds brewed for a moment before two more ck divine thunderbolts struck down...


    The lightning tribtion fell wave by wave in an orderly manner.


    Qin Ran watched the tribtion, finding it increasingly ufortable no matter how he looked at it. Why was this tribtion an arithmetic sequence, while his tribtion was a geometric sequence!


    What exactly happened?


    The eighth wave of the tribtion was eight pure white Jade Firmament Divine Thunderbolts. The Jade Firmament Divine Thunder falling made the world turnpletely white.


    After everyone avoided it by averting their eyes, Long Qiqi suddenly spoke up to Qin Ran, "Did you notice? The lightning pirs look more and more like dragons?"


    When she put it like that, Qin Ran also realized that the tribtion lightning did appear to be eight jade dragons pouncing down from the sky.


    Just as they were speaking, a dragon''s cry suddenly rang out from the tribtion clouds brewing the ninth wave of tribtion lightning...


    "Aooo..."


    "A real dragon?"


    If that''s the case... Qin Ran was no longer bothered. Now this had vor! What was so interesting about the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion? The Nine Heavens Divine Dragon Tribtion was the good stuff!


    "Aooo!"


    Another dragon''s cry rang out between heaven and earth. Suddenly, golden light red brightly.


    Qin Ran peered through the golden light and saw a golden, shining golden dragon pouncing down ferociously from the sky, directly towards thend of immortal legacy!


    This dragon clearly had some rules. Even though Qin Ran and the others were far away across from the tribtion location, when looking at the golden divine dragon, they still felt as if it was right before their eyes.


    That billowing, surging majestic aura pressed down, making people only want to kneel.


    "Boom!"


    It was like stars falling to the earth. A muffled rumble sounded from deep within thend of immortal legacy, and the ground shook along, as if there was an earthquake.


    It seemed like hundreds of years had passed before Qin Ran finally came back to his senses from the aura of that golden dragon. He couldn''t help but praise, "What a divine dragon!"


    After another moment, theyers of clouds in the sky slowly dispersed, and the sky became clear again.


    The tribtion had ended.


    "That''s it?!" Qin Ran eximed.


    Although it was the Nine Heavens Divine Dragon Tribtion, with a golden dragon manifesting,pared to his tribtion, it still seemedcking.


    He supported Li Shiyin and slowly stood up, squinting towards the direction of thend of immortal legacy.


    Although the heavenly tribtion had passed, it seemed the true battle had just begun.


    "The Dao fruits!" He muttered.


    Even someone who cherished his life like Qin Ran couldn''t withstand the inner turmoil when facing the lure of those Dao fruits.


    And just as he was struggling over whether or not he should go take a look, a strangely shaped wind blew out from within thend of immortal legacy.

 Chapter 139

    Chapter 139


    The wind blowing from the Land of Immortal Legacy was not strong, just a breeze, but it looked very strange, looking like a water ripple spreading on the surface of water, spreading outward from the Land of Immortal Legacy to all directions.


    "Be careful!" Qin Ran reminded in a low voice, making the air bubble smaller and thicker.


    This wind looked bizarre, not knowing if there was any danger.


    But Chasing the Wind suddenly spoke, "That...tastes good!"


    Qin Ran looked towards Chasing the Wind. Chasing the Wind was staring longingly at the blowing breeze, mouth opened, even drooling.


    "Tastes good?" Qin Ran was puzzled directly, but after some hesitation, he still decided to believe Chasing the Wind''s instinct and removed the air bubble to expose them all to the breeze.


    Being blown by this breeze, Qin Ran was surprised to find that the wounds on his body were healing rapidly. His body that had been fighting for a day felt warm and cozy, fatigue was relieved, giving a refreshing feeling.


    It didn¡¯t feel like being in the wind, but more like being in a medicinal bath.


    "This is...!" Being blown by the wind, he sensed carefully and couldn¡¯t help but exim, "This is the power of life, the wind of revival!"


    He looked around again and saw that the withered grass and trees that had been swallowed by the Devouring Demon Willow showed signs of revival wherever the breeze blew past.


    Green grass was reviving, turning from yellow to green. Some tree seeds had sprouted and were growing rapidly into seedlings.


    This was indeed the wind of revival!


    "Where did this winde from?" Qin Ran wondered in his heart, then gave himself an answer, "Was this thepensation from Heaven¡¯s Way to this ce?"


    He looked towards the center of the Land of Immortal Legacy and recalled thest golden dragon tribtion in the Heavenly Tribtion of Fusion with Heaven¡¯s Way. He doubted that this surging vitality was brought by that tribtion thunder.


    After all, thunder is destruction as well as revival.


    "This is the power of life. You guys should quickly try to absorb it!" He shouted at the three children.


    No matter how this life wind started blowing, for the living beings who survived this catastrophe, it could be considered a great opportunity...


    Perhaps it was bought with the deaths of billions of lives, a blood-stained opportunity.


    Hearing Qin Ran¡¯s words, Li Shiyin immediately sat down cross-legged and operated her cultivation method to absorb this life force, in order to heal her injuries and strengthen her physique.


    As for Chasing the Wind, before Qin Ran discovered it was the power of life, he had already opened his big mouth wide towards the direction where the wind blew from and started drinking big gulps of wind.


    As for Long Qiqi, she climbed onto Chasing the Wind¡¯s back and sat down, operating the cultivation methods she had secretly learned over the past days to try to absorb the power of life.


    Seeing that they had started absorbing the power of life, Qin Ran took out the Dan bottle, collected some of the life wind, then also sat down cross-legged midair to guide the life wind into his body to nurture his spirit.


    This wind blew for a long time, probably a wind blowing from the center of the Land of Immortal Legacy towards the entire Hengduan Mountains region to help the entire Hengduan Mountains recover.


    The group of four from Mount Dan happened to be just outside the Land of Immortal Legacy, so they enjoyed the full benefit from start to end.


    When the breeze died down, Qin Ran stood up, clenched his fists, and conservatively estimated that this wave of wind had improved the quality of his physique by two levels.


    He looked at the three children next to him. Li Shiyin still had her eyes closed cultivating... Actually the stupid disciple had already woken up. She just felt embarrassed to open her eyes now as her injuries werepletely healed and she recalled some shameful things in her mind.


    As for Chasing the Wind who started eating the wind the earliest and ended the fight the fastest, he was already throwing a tantrum in the air now. This most foolish child received the greatest benefit. His body visibly became a circle bigger.


    It could be said that Long Qiqi benefited the least from this life wind.


    After this girl turned into human form, she still had not officially embarked on the path of cultivation. Previously Qin Ran wanted to help her ascertain her spirit root so as to guide her in taking her first steps, but this girl cared too much about worldly matters. Thinking that he had ulterior motives, she scolded him for being a pervert and fooled her way through it once.


    So under this life wind, she could only absorb the life force ording to the cultivation method she had secretly learned, naturally the effect was minimal.


    Long Qiqi looked at Chasing the Wind who had obviously grown a lot bigger withplicated eyes, feeling somewhat unspeakable in her heart.


    "One drink, one peck!" Qin Ran sighed.


    If Long Qiqi had already started cultivating and used this life wind as an opportunity to build her foundation, she would have been the biggest beneficiary... But in the end, she only got a psychological constion prize.


    "What do you mean?" Long Qiqi knew he was probably mocking her and asked Qin Ran very displeased.


    "Kids shouldn''t care so much about worldly matters." Qin Ran said with a smile.


    Just as they were talking, there was suddenly new movementing from the Land of Immortal Legacy over there.


    Qin Ran looked over and saw that in the center of the Land of Immortal Legacy, where thick mist was churning violently, a willow tree was growing at lightspeed. It pierced through the mist and continued upward rapidly until its branches and leaves towered above the clouds, bing a willow that literally reached to the sky.


    Its branches had already be extremely thick. Hanging down from the clouds, they looked like chains of order sent down by heaven... God''s whip!


    With the form of the Devouring Demon Willow stabilized, several shes of light shot out from the mist below it, carrying all kinds of magic and sword qi to attack it.


    The Devouring Demon Willow swung its branches to fight back. Each of its branches was like a chain of order, and it seemed to have millions of chains of order. Itsbat power was extremely terrifying.


    Every time it waved its branches, there would be sounds of breaking air. From thousands of meters away, it could be heard very clearly.


    Wherever its branches passed, visual distortions urred, as if even space itself was bent by it.


    Its attack range was so wide that the edge of the branches seemed to be able to whip this far. The menacing sharpness at the end of the branches forced Qin Ran''s group to keep retreating.


    "The fight started." Qin Ran sighed.


    Previously, Su Changqing said that the Devouring Demon Willow would have two periods of weakness. One was the moment when it scattered all the catkins, because dividing itself into too many parts would weaken its main body.


    The other was right after the Devouring Demon Willow had sessfully ovee its Heavenly Tribtion, when it must be already injured and certainly had not adapted to the strength at the Fusion with Heaven¡¯s Way stage yet, so itsbat power would also be extremely low.


    Although it would still look very terrifying.


    Qin Ran had thought that the Lingnan Immortal Sect would defeat the Devouring Demon Willow during that first period of weakness. He didn¡¯t expect it to be the second one...


    He really wanted to specte about these people from Lingnan Immortal Sect with the worst assumptions, but he really didn¡¯t dare to think that they would sacrifice all the living beings in the entire Hengduan Mountains region.


    Lingnan Immortal Sect, they were really not humans anymore, but had be immortals. They had no humanity left at all.


    "Don''t know if they can win or not, what would be the oue?" Still, Qin Ran had to pray that Elder Ning and the others could kill the Devouring Demon Willow, because if the Devouring Demon Willow recovered from this wave, it would surely cause even more terrifying disasters. "The Devouring Demon Willow has ovee its tribtion in advance, so its strength should be weaker. There''s no reason they can''t win."


    "Awoo..." The branches of the Devouring Demon Willow provoked the beast nature in Chasing the Wind, causing him to involuntarily let out a tiger¡¯s roar towards that battlefield.


    Long Qiqi was so frightened that she hurriedly covered Chasing the Wind¡¯s mouth with her hand to stop him from roaring. But she didn''t realize her hand was too small while Chasing the Wind¡¯s mouth was too big. When she stretched out her hand to cover his mouth, her whole hand got stuffed into Chasing the Wind¡¯s mouth.


    "Oh my! Don''t make noise!" Long Qiqi scolded, "If you attract that thing over, I''ll beat you to death!"


    She took out her wet hand from Chasing the Wind¡¯s mouth and wiped it disgustedly on Chasing the Wind¡¯s body.


    After looking at the two noisy children, Qin Ran began to struggle with the decision to flee directly or... go over and take a look?


    The oue of this battle was the fruits of the Great Dao!


    He looked at the earth-shaking battle. That level of power, even a tiny bit leaked could p him dead.


    But those were, after all, fruits of Great Dao at the Fusion with Heaven¡¯s Way stage...


    "This is a battle of high-level cultivators..." In the end, he said, "Let''s go take a look too, just to broaden our horizons."


    Long Qiqi gave him a meaningful look but didn''t say anything.

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 140


    The Demon Willow that prated heaven and earth eventually fell down.


    Elder Ning of the Lingnan Immortal Sect disyed his avatar magic, splitting into a giant thousands of kilometers high. He smashed through the tens of thousands of chains of order on the Devouring Demon Willow, moving close to the trunk of the Devouring Demon Willow. Then he cast a spell, changing it into a sword almost a thousand kilometers long, severing the Devouring Demon Willow in half with one strike!


    The upper half of the Devouring Demon Willow''s trunk fell down, toppling towards Qin Ran''s side. As that half of the trunk moved through the air, its branches scraped across space, making a whining, sobbing sound...it sounded as if the Devouring Demon Willow was crying.


    Its trunk burst through the fog with a rumble as it smashed into the ground, quaking the earth tremendously. The fog rose up, leaving behind a long gully.


    The crown of the Devouring Demon Willow fell right before his eyes from above, passing very near. The massive gusts stirred up by its impact almost knocked Qin Ran off his feet.


    He looked at the Devouring Demon Willow''s trunk, shrouded by the swirling fog. He felt as if he were covering a grave with soil. For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit deste.


    This tree had swallowed the entire Hengduan Mountains and created endless ughter, all to merge with the Dao. To call it a demon was giving demons too little credit... Yet Qin Ran felt sorrow at its fate.


    If one''s perspective was raised high enough, to the level of nature, to the level of the Heavenly Dao, one would see that the Devouring Demon Willow swallowing lives was just the normal way of this world.


    Just as wolves eat sheep, tigers eat cattle, and eagles snatch rabbits - the wolves, tigers and eagles have done no wrong.


    That was why the heavenly tribtion against the Devouring Demon Willow was justified. To the perspective of the Heavenly Dao, the actions of the Devouring Demon Willow were reasonable... yet from a mortal perspective, its sins towered to the heavens.


    Yet no matter how much evil it hadmitted, no matter how powerful it had be, powerful enough to merge with the Dao, it was still just a piece on the chessboard of the Lingnan Immortal Sect''s n to nurture fruits of the Dao.


    No matter how it struggled, it could never escape the palm of the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    To the Lingnan Immortal Sect, it was no different than a banana tree to a farming family. When it was time to pluck the fruits, the tree would simply be chopped down.


    "Sigh!" Qin Ran let out a breath, then carefully descended into the fog, saying to Li Shiyin and the others, "Stay here, don''t move. I''ll go take a look and be right back."


    Entering the fog, he found the trunk of the Devouring Demon Willow. Qin Ran stood before it, seeming like an ant. He took out his sword and cut off a willow branch, storing it in his Cosmic Bag as a memento.


    This was another terrifying thing about the world of cultivation - no matter how high one''s cultivation reached, one still had to be vignt against being used as a chess piece by cultivators of even higher levels.


    Just after Qin Ran had stored away the willow branch, before he could do anything else, people came rushing at him out of the depths of the fog.


    Four people emerged, some men and some women. Three of them had swords on their backs. They stood atop the crown of the Devouring Demon Willow, looking down at Qin Ran below.


    The one without a sword was a youth in ck robes. He shouted at Qin Ran, "Who are you?"


    "Qin Ran of the Dao Sword Sect..."


    Although this youth appeared young, his cultivation aura was far above Qin Ran''s. He must be at the Primordial Infant stage. Based on Primordial Infant cultivation, that would make him a demonic beast hundreds or thousands of years old.


    When facing someone like this, Qin Ran adopted a very humble attitude, politely responding, "This junior just happened to be outside the fog. I was curious when I saw the Devouring Demon Willow fallen here, so I came to take a look."


    "Dao Sword Sect?" The ck-robed youth coldlyughed, then shouted, "As if the Devouring Demon Willow is something you juniors can look upon! Youck self-awareness! Tell me, did you pick up a fruit of the Dao?!"


    This person''s imposing manner came from nowhere, causing Qin Ran to frown. He suddenly noticed that the other three people, one woman and two men, all had longswords on their backs. His heart sank.


    "Boundless Sword Sect!"


    Since he didn''t often venture outside, only now did he realize the identities of these four people.


    Only those from the Boundless Sword Sect would provoke Dao Sword Sect members for no reason.


    Both sects were in the Hengduan Mountains, and had simr natures, so conflicts between them weremon.


    "How could I have picked up something like a fruit of the Dao?" Qin Ran immediately started plotting an escape route. Four Primordial Infant cultivators before him - he really couldn''t beat them.


    "You say you didn''t pick it up, so you didn''t?" The ck-robed youth scolded. "Come over here and let this old man search you! Only after searching your body can we prove your innocence."


    Seeing this person''s unreasonable demands, Qin Ran knew there was no room for discussion today. He suddenlyughed and said, "I said I didn''t pick it up, so I didn''t."


    Qin Ran''s attitude suddenly changed, no longer humble, infuriating the ck-robed youth. He cursed, "An insignificant Golden Core cultivator dares to be arrogant before me?"


    He raised his hand and summoned a short flying sword from within his body. The sword flew at Qin Ran as fast as lightning.


    But it wasn''t faster than Su Changqing''s sword qi. Qin Ran precisely grasped the right moment, his body flickering in and out of view, and the flying sword passed right through him without harming a hair.


    "This is the level of a Boundless Sword Sect Primordial Infant?" He seized the time to mock them, continuing, "Let alone saying I didn''t pick up a fruit of the Dao, even if I did pick one up, it would belong to the Lingnan Immortal Sect. Even if the Lingnan Immortal Sect didn''t want it, it would still be mine. What business is it of you old undeads?"


    His barrage of insults angered the rest. The middle-aged woman cultivator with the appearance of a girl in a pink robe drew her sword from her back and said to Qin Ran, "Dao Sword Sect disciples have more bark than bite."


    "This junior just thought of a question - aren''t seniors trying to secretly swallow the Lingnan Immortal Sect''s fruit of the Dao?" Qin Ranughed and said, "It just so happens I''m acquainted with some Lingnan Immortal Sect members I can tell in detail."


    The expressions of the four Boundless Sword Sect cultivators immediately darkened, their eyes flickering unpredictably.


    Finally, considering the half-dead Elder Ning, the four exchanged a nce and reached a conclusion.


    The ck-robed youthughed and took a step forward. His flying sword spun around his fingertip as it returned to him, revolving smoothly. He said to Qin Ran,


    "You really are a fool. I only wanted to tease you a bit, with no intention to take your life. I didn''t expect an unappreciative junior like you to insist on leaving your worthless life here!"


    Qin Ran wasn''t flustered at all, or angry. He smiled politely and asked the four, "Killing me - do you deserve that?"


    "Arrogance!" The woman in pink robes pointed her sword forward, and a misty sword-qi stabbed toward Qin Ran.


    This leisurely sword went floating over, scaring that Dao Sword Sect disciple stiff. He didn''t dare move and was directly stabbed...


    "Just that?" The woman in pink robes disdained.


    Then that dumb Dao Sword Sect disciple''s body flickered, turning into a puddle of water that fell to the ground.


    "Didn''t I say you don''t deserve it!"


    Qin Ran''s voice suddenly echoed from the distant fog. The four Boundless Sword Sect cultivators were shocked. When had he swapped out for a clone? They looked closely but still couldn''t see Qin Ran.


    They had been tricked!


    Realizing this, the ck-robed man''s hair stood on end. He tossed the flying sword high into the air, rippling as it transformed into a sword over ten meters long. He immediately flew toward where Qin Ran''s voice hade from...


    "You can''t be that stupid, can you? To think the origin of the sound is the true body''s location?" Qin Ran''s mocking voice echoed again from a different direction. He kindly reminded them, "Compared to me, you should pay more attention to what''s behind you! There''s a surprise... "


    As Primordial Infant stage cultivators, to be toyed with several times by a junior Golden Core cultivator - the ck-robed man was so angry his lungs nearly exploded. Disregarding everything, his flying sword directly cleaved toward where Qin Ran''s voice had originated.


    Before his sword could even transmit back any news, the woman cultivator in pink beside him suddenly cried out, "Senior Brother Zhang..."


    The ck-robed man looked back at the woman in pink, then followed her gaze behind them...


    There, in the distant thick fog, all sorts of high level demonic beasts wereing toward them along the trunk of the Devouring Demon Willow.


    None of them were below 5th rank. A five-tailed demon fox, a gold-striped clouded leopard, a silver-backed demon ape, a seven-colored world-devouring python...


    The five-tailed demon fox asked them, "Where did you hide the fruit of the Dao?"

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 141


    The perception of demonic beasts has always been much stronger than that of cultivators. In fact, when the white willow catkins disaster of the Extinguishing Pole Weeping Willow grew more and more serious, the high-level demonic beasts deep in the Hengduan Mountains had already sensed the danger.


    Many high-level demonic beasts had already evacuated from the Hengduan Mountains at that time. One of the representative demonic beasts was Chasing the Wind''s mother.


    So on that stormy night, it was unclear whether the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger was hunting the Thunder Unicorn Ox, or if the Thunder Unicorn Ox was tasked with hunting the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    Of course, their ultimate oue was that they fled to the Dao Sword Sect, catching the attention of human high-level cultivators, and finally both were injured and killed.


    Chasing the Wind''s mother was a failed escape attempt, but there were more high-level demonic beasts that sessfully escaped.


    A representative sessful escapee was the five-tailed demon fox that met Qin Ran twice.


    Fox tribes have always been known for their cunning nature. Naturally, they knew the danger well in advance and fled early.


    The first time the five-tailed demon fox saw Qin Ran and Li Shiyin stranded in the Hengduan Mountains was during her escape. The second time she met Qin Ran crossing the heavenly tribtion was when she had already fled to the edge of the Hengduan Mountains, to the Snow Mountains.


    She was nning to use the terrain of the snow mountains to observe the changes in the situation of the Hengduan Mountains, to help her respond appropriately.


    This is why there are so many high-level demonic beasts appearing here now.


    So it can be said, any intelligent creature has greed. Greed is not unique to the human race.


    High-level demonic beasts have very high IQs. They may not be able to speak or have systematguages, but they certainly have very high intelligence.


    These high-level demonic beasts knew of the danger that the Extinguishing Pole Weeping Willow would devour the entire Hengduan Mountains to merge with the Dao. At the same time, they also knew of the opportunity - that there would be Dao fruits after merging with the Dao, and it would be weak after crossing the tribtion.


    In short, it was not only human cultivators looking to take advantage of the situation; these high-level demonic beasts that escaped the Extinguishing Pole Weeping Willow''s control were also looking to pick up the spoils.


    In fact, they were in the position of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind - after the human cultivators dealt with the Extinguishing Pole Weeping Willow, they woulde outst to snatch the fruits of victory.


    Facing the interrogation of the five-tailed demon fox, the ck-robed youth surnamed Zhang felt somewhat familiar. It seemed that just a few seconds ago, he had asked a Golden Core cultivator the same question.


    The wheels of fortune turn so quickly, it¡¯se back around already?


    He felt a little urge tough. He retorted to the five-tailed demon fox: ¡°You guys want the Dao fruits too?¡±


    High IQ doesn¡¯t necessarily mean the ability to speak humannguage. Like the five-tailed demon fox here who had mastered variousmunication methods, she was clearly the spokesperson for this group of demonic beasts.


    "Don''t answer a question with a question...¡± She smiled, even in fox form there was considerable charm and beauty, ¡°I''m asking you, where are the Dao fruits?!¡±


    However, the youth surnamed Zhang did not give her any face. He sneered: ¡°Demonic mountain beasts, what qualifications do you have to meddle with heaven-sent treasures?¡±


    When humans ssify species, it¡¯s always humans and other creatures, naturally carrying an aura of civilized beings.


    This aura is ingrained in the human bloodline. When cultivators speak up, they also say monster beasts, sprites, monsters, instead of specifically fox demons, monkey demons, wolf demons - naturally carrying a somewhat arrogant attitude.


    Among humans interacting with other creatures, this arrogance is justified by those two words civilization. But when cultivators face demonic beasts, things like cultivation and civilization don¡¯t quite cut it.


    To put it bluntly, it¡¯s fine for cultivators to put on some airs in front of ordinary demonic beasts, but when facing legendary divine beasts and immortal birds, they ought to keep a low profile.


    Because human cultivators may not necessarily be smarter or stronger in fights than others.


    Especially when ordinary cultivators encounter divine beasts and immortal birds, extra care and a low profile is needed.


    At least, these four cultivators from the Boundless Sword Sect had no right to be arrogant when facing the five-tailed demon fox, who had the bloodline of the divine beast nine-tailed fox and cultivated to YuanYing stage in human form.


    So seeing this arrogant attitude from the youth surnamed Zhang, the five-tailed demon fox was very unhappy. She said, "Bite them to death first, then do the inspectionter."


    Over ten high-level demonic beasts behind her then pounced up to quickly surround the four from the Boundless Sword Sect.


    Worried that something might happen to the three silly children outside the fog, Qin Ran wasted no time after getting rid of the youth surnamed Zhang and went straight out of the fog to find them.


    After Qin Ran entered the fog, Li Shiyin stopped pretending. She revived with full health and started ying happily with Chasing the Wind.


    Now seeing Qin Rane out, she felt somewhat embarrassed, recalling the things she said and did when severely injured. Her face turned red to the tip of her ears.


    Luckily Qin Ran did not deliberately mention it. Seeing that Li Shiyin was awake, he didn''t say much, only asking: "Nothing happened, right?"


    So Li Shiyin felt somewhat disappointed again, turning her head away without speaking.


    It was Long Qiqi who answered Qin Ran: "No."


    She also asked him, "What''s the situation inside?"


    "The high-level demonic beasts are fighting with Boundless Sword Sect¡¯s people." Qin Ran said.


    "Why?"


    "For the Dao fruits."


    "What are Dao fruits?"


    Qin Ran exined: ¡°It¡¯s the fruits of cultivation after dividing spirits merge with the Dao. Ordinary cultivation fruits dissipate quickly between heaven and earth after a cultivator''s death, like Golden Cores. But the Extinguishing Pole Weeping Willow was a tree that gained intelligence. Its fruits won''t dissipate easily, and will remain like fruits, an extremely rare variety of heaven-sent treasures."


    "Why don''t you want the Dao fruits?"


    "Only high-level cultivators and high-level demonic beasts, at least at YuanYing stage, are snatching the Dao fruits. I don''t qualify."


    "For someone as calcting as you, how could you not qualify?" Long Qiqi didn''t believe him, "Haven''t you thought about fishing in troubled waters?"


    Qin Ran fell silent. In fact, he still had some other options, such as a tribtion thunder pill refined by his master in that valley, and also quite a few earth core pills. Inside the fog, he had already used an array runestone once before.


    But these backup ns were still not enough, at least not enough to ensure the safety of the four of them.


    What is an array runestone? Array runestones are special stones engraved with basic magical arrays. Putting a certain number of array runestones together with the basic arrays randomly arranged can form various arrays.


    Qin Ran had thrown a total of nine array runestones into this fog, enough to set up some array formations of decent size, for example, using the small Array of No Form to activate a tribtion thunder pill.


    "The situation now is tooplicated. Judging by the reckless actions of Boundless Sword Sect, Elder Ning is probably struggling a lot killing the Extinguishing Pole Weeping Willow and is severely injured. And with Boundless Sword Sect doing this, the other two sects will definitely do the same."


    Qin Ran analyzed with Long Qiqi: "So including the remaining Lingnan Immortal Sect cultivators,bined with the united high-level demonic beasts, there are at least five forces inside this small fog."


    "The more forces, the better to fish in troubled waters." Long Qiqi replied. ¡°You¡¯re worried about us, right?"


    There were indeed such considerations as well. Qin Ran nodded and said, "It''s too dangerous here, your cultivation bases are too low. Let''s go back to Dao Sword Sect first."


    Long Qiqi really didn''t want to admit she was dragging the team back. She said, "We can go back ourselves..."


    She paused for a bit, then said again: "We¡¯ll stay, perhaps we can still help."


    "Let''s go back first." Qin Ran shook his head.


    Long Qiqi really wanted to stay, but didn''t know what else to say.


    Qin Ran called Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind over, used qi bubbles to envelop the four of them as a flying magic tool to carry them towards Dao Sword Sect.


    However, not long after they flew out, in the distance high up in the air, a zing me greeted them and flew towards them.


    Huang Feiyu brought Tian Wenjin over to meet them. He said to Qin Ran: "Uncle-Master, fortunees with danger apanying it. The game¡¯s just begun, why leave so early?"

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 142


    The fruits of the Dao were naturally extremely good, but life was obviously a bit more important.


    "It''s still better to y it safe," Qin Ran said. He cherished his life very much and did not want to stay behind.


    He discovered that after Huang Feiyu had transformed into fire, his temperament had be more ostentatious and fiery.


    The previous Huang Feiyu was a character who seemed to have maxed out his EQ, IQ, talent and cunning. The current Huang Feiyu, as Qin Ran examined the mes around him, really did seem to have be fire, irascible and irritable like fire, devoid of cunning and IQ.


    "Uncle-Master, why be so cautious and careful, wretched like a rat, just to live one lifetime?" Huang Feiyu said. "If you live like this, even if you can survive for thousands or tens of thousands of years and attain immortality and the Dao, what meaning would that have?"


    These words were extremely rude, practically insulting Qin Ran for being as timid as a rat.


    Qin Ran''s expression was a bit ugly, but he did not re up. He only said, "It''s better to be more cautious."


    "Uncle-Master is clearly only in his twenties, yet acts like a hundred year old man, utterly boring!" Huang Feiyu shook his head.


    Li Shiyin did not detect any insults in Huang Feiyu''s previous words, but she could tell that hister words about the Master being old and boring were insulting.


    She frowned at Huang Feiyu and said, "If Senior Brother wants to go by himself, just go! Where do all these nagging wordse from?!"


    Whether it was being nagged by a woman or being called timid and weak by a junior, in any case, Huang Feiyu was rendered speechless for a time and could not open his mouth to speak anymore.


    Seeing his silly disciple stand up for him, Qin Ran secretlyughed to himself. He turned to look at Tian Wenjin and asked, "Do you want to go as well?"


    Tian Wenjin hesitated very much. She was no longer as arrogant and proud as when she had just joined the sect. Now she knew her own talent and strength, and could roughly find her own position.


    She knew that she was only at the middle Foundation Establishment stage. The battles that those at the Core Formation and Yuan Ying stages participated in were not something she should get involved in.


    However, she did not answer Qin Ran, but looked instead to Huang Feiyu.


    At sects on peaks as flourishing with people as Sword Peak, masters could not possibly arrange everything in detail for their disciples like Qin Ran did for Li Shiyin. More often, the disciples were left to freely cultivate on their own.


    For example, in the two months since Tian Wenjin had joined the sect, her master had only met with her twice. In truth, it was Huang Feiyu who had been guiding her these past two months...


    It was very much like a university ss advisor whom you barely saw a few times in four years.


    And also because Tian Wenjin actually liked Huang Feiyu, so even for matters like this, she subconsciously sought Huang Feiyu''s decision.


    "Neither daring to go here nor daring to go there, then why not just die?" Huang Feiyu''s temperament had truly changed much. He said, "A hero wields the azure sword, establishing his grand reputation. Strumming the sword and singing, treading the heavens and traveling, magnificent and passionate is best."


    These words did have some masculine air, heroic spirit. But Qin Ran had lived two lifetimes. In his previous life, China had thousands of years of splendid civilization, with countless famous sayings and idioms that he had heard many times. Hearing Huang Feiyu speak this way now did not stir any ripples in his heart.


    Instead, heughed and borrowed Cao Boss''s words, saying, "A hero has great aspirations in his breast, excellent schemes in his belly. He contains the mechanisms of the universe, and swallows and spits out the ambitions of heaven and earth!"


    These words of Cao Boss were much higher level than Huang Feiyu''s. Hearing them, Huang Feiyu''s heart surged. He almost asked "And who can be this hero?", but he saw the smile on Qin Ran''s face and knew that he was just mocking him.


    His expression immediately darkened... He did not have an expression, just the fiery aura above his head pressed down a bit.


    He harrumphed, not wanting to speak with Qin Ran anymore. He went around Qin Ran first and said to Tian Wenjin, "Let''s go!"


    "Farewell for now, Uncle-Master!" Tian Wenjin bowed to Qin Ran, then followed Huang Feiyu flying away.


    Seeing how these two''s behavior had switched with their previous selves, Qin Ran felt a subtle feeling in his heart.


    "Wait!" He called out to stop Tian Wenjin.


    "Does Uncle-Master have any instructions?" Tian Wenjin gently asked.


    Qin Ran took out a Formation Stone from his Universe Pouch and handed it to Tian Wenjin, saying, "This is a Formation Stone. I left nine Formation Stones in the Land of Immortal Legacy that can be controlled by this Formation Stone to form a formation."


    "But I don''t know about formations," Tian Wenjin said with difficulty as she looked at the Formation Stone in her hand.


    "Perhaps Nephew Huang knows," Qin Ran said. He also taught Tian Wenjin a set of hand seals, "I left some pills under the roots of the Devouring Demon Willow. This hand seal can activate them."


    "Pills?" Tian Wenjin did not understand.


    "They have effects simr to Great Category Talismans, Divine Thunder Talismans, and Talismans of Heavenly Fire," Qin Ran said.


    Tian Wenjin understood a bit more andmitted the hand seals to memory.


    The two of them continued towards the mist.


    When they arrived in front of the mist, the mist before them suddenly surged violently, and a figure was sted flying out from within.


    Huang Feiyu was shocked. He hurriedly pulled Tian Wenjin aside to evade, suspecting that someone had made a preemptive attack on them.


    But that figure did not care about them after flying out. It flew out of control, directly smashing through four or five thick dead trees before crashing into the ground and sinking three feet down.


    Huang Feiyu looked closely and discovered that the figure sunk three feet into the earth and stone was an unparalleled beauty in white clothes. Her appearance was shocking, with red lips and blood, able to make all men in the world feel their hearts shake! "Who is she?" Even Huang Feiyu, a man who no longer possessed that kind of secr function, could not help but cry out in astonishment in his heart.


    "Five-Tailed Fox Spirit?!" Qin Ran noticed themotion behind him and came back. Seeing that over-perfect woman on the ground, he immediately recognized her.


    He had seen this face before, and would definitely never forget it... Any man who saw this face would never forget it.


    "Why would she be the one sted out?" Qin Ran did not understand. When he came out, the beast side was at an absolute advantage, right?


    Li Shiyin noticed something was off and pretended to be unconcerned as she asked, "Master, do you know her?"


    "Can''t say I know her..." Qin Ran was still guessing about the situation in the mist and did not notice Li Shiyin''s expression as he casually replied, "Only seen her twice."


    One time was even when they saw her together, only Li Shiyin had been asleep.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin was relieved.


    Long Qiqi secretly nced at Li Shiyin, inevitably worried for this silly girl - she was too easy to deal with...


    The Five-Tailed Fox Spirit crawled up from the ground and looked around. Suddenly seeing Qin Ran not far away, her eyes lit up and she loudly shouted, "Young Master, save me!"


    In the Five-Tailed Fox Spirit''s understanding of Qin Ran, he was a lustful, cowardly, sinister, and crafty guy - the best candidate to beg for help from right now.


    Being cowardly and lustful meant he would save her, while being sinister and crafty meant he could save her.


    Of course, Qin Ran would never actually save her.


    In Qin Ran''s perspective, he had only met this vixen twice. He didn''t even know her name, so why should he save her? He was about to directly reject her...


    Then he suddenly noticed Li Shiyin''s expression was a bit off.


    Hm? Not right! What''s with that look? Qin Ran panicked for no reason and hurriedly exined to Li Shiyin, "I really don''t know her!"


    His voice had just fallen when the peerless beauty the Five-Tailed Fox Spirit had transformed into flew straight towards him. Her brows and eyes were pitiful as she pleaded with him, "Young Master, I obtained a fruit of the Dao, hurry and run away..."


    "???" Qin Ran was confused, his mind full of question marks.


    He really wanted to say, Sis, we really aren''t familiar!


    But before he could speak, over twenty figures flew out from the mist again with a series of booms. These figures included humans and beasts, males and females, old and young, but no matter what, their auras were extremely terrifying...


    None below the early Core Formation stage!


    As these figures emerged, they all looked towards Qin Ran''s side with formidable gazes... Their eyes could really kill!


    "So she dared to privately take the fruit of the Dao, turns out she had backers," someone coldlyughed.

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 143


    Qin Ran was a man who would like beautiful women; but Qin Ran was not really a lecherous person who could distinguish allure and danger clearly.


    Facing the fairy-like enchantress vixen pouncing towards him, he decisively dodged to the side. Instead, he politely spoke to those YuanYing stage seniors who had killing intent in their eyes: ¡°I don''t know her.¡±


    He even pulled Li Shiyin and the three silly kids to make way, exposing the five-tailed fox demon to those big shots, seemingly drawing a line between him and the five-tailed fox demon.


    "Huh?" Has there ever been a man who could resist her seduction? The five-tailed fox demon was a little puzzled.


    She looked at Qin Ran, then looked at herself, and lost confidence for a moment.


    Unfortunately, although Qin Ran intended to draw a clear line, some people did not want to let him off.


    The four people from Boundless Sword Sect that Qin Ran had just met were still alive, only slightly injured. The woman in pink clothes sneered,


    "You don''t know her but she immediately asked you for help when in danger? I think you must be pretending not to know her while secretly doing something improper. Do you think you can deceive our Dharma eyes with such petty tricks?"


    Qin Ran looked at her. Something had scratched the woman''s powdery white face, leaving an ugly scar.


    Moreover, the woman originally had a nasty personality. Now with the scar, she looked even more sinister.


    Qin Ran responded with "Oh yeah yeah yeah" in his heart, but he said,


    "Junior indeed does not know her. We were on our way back to the sect but our path was blocked by this fox demon. Senior can believe it or not, we will leave now and will not hinder your demon hunting at all."


    "Humph! Hinder us? You really think highly of yourself?"


    Another person spoke out. Qin Ran looked over to find that it was the Zhang-surnamed man in ck robes whom he had mocked earlier. The man was also injured, even more severely. His side waist was pierced through by something, unable to heal for the time being, leaving a hole there where one could see through from front to back.


    The Zhang-surnamed man said, "A mere Golden Core cultivator, how dare you speak such presumptuous words, clearly not taking us seniors seriously. I think you''re asking to be taught a lesson."


    The world of immortality cultivation was originally a world where the weak served the strong. Although there were certain rules, these rules changed depending on the disparity in strength. If the gap in strength was too big, then the rules could cease to exist.


    There was a qualitative difference between YuanYing and Golden Core cultivators. Although it hadn''t reached the point where a YuanYing cultivator could annihte a Golden Core cultivator with a wave of the hand, ordinarily YuanYing cultivators could disregard Golden Core cultivators.


    Coupled with the temptation of cultivation fruits, these YuanYing cultivators had no intention of wasting words with Qin Ran... One more dead Golden Core cultivator was nothing.


    Judging from the reactions of the other side, they seemed determined to make a move. Qin Ran''s heart sank, knowing that it would be hard to escape now. He nced at the five-tailed fox only to see her wipe the blood from the corners of her mouth and smile at him gloatingly.


    "This really is an undeserved cmity!"


    The towering figure of a fifth-rank dragon blood violent bear with a lowly bloodline stepped forward. It raised its head and roared furiously, its footsteps thudding heavily into the ground, the tremendous imposing manner making Qin Ran''s hair stand on end.


    "Endure it, Chasing the Wind..."


    He heard Long Qiqi''s voice and looked to the side to see Chasing the Wind provoked by a fifth-rank beast with an inferior bloodline, the arrogance of his higher-level Stygian Tiger bloodline aroused, with all his white fur standing on end, about to roar back...


    Long Qiqi was desperately holding his mouth shut, not letting him roar.


    Long Qiqi''s tiny pair of hands mped Chasing the Wind''s big mouth. It was quite a cute scene, if not for the precarious situation of life and death.


    "Elder He!" Disregarding the two kids, Qin Ran cupped his fist and shouted loudly at a white-haired old man, bowing in greeting. "This Daoist is indeed from my Dao Sword Sect, the Leader of Dan Peak. May I ask Elder He to give Dao Sword Sect some face and let me leave?"


    That Elder He was none other than He Daoguang, the Leader of Qi Peak in Dao Sword Sect. Qin Ran didn''t know why he wasn''t together with Elder Taishang, the Sect Leader of Dao Sword Sect. At the moment he was standing together with some rogue cultivators whom Qin Ran didn''t recognize.


    He had been watching coldly as Qin Ran and his three disciples were about to be casually annihted. When he suddenly heard Qin Ran call out to him, a sh of impatience appeared in his eyes. But since they were from the same sect, it would be too unrighteous not to say anything.


    So he spoke up, "This Daoist is indeed from my Dao Sword Sect, even the Leader of Dan Peak. Can various friends give Dao Sword Sect some face and let him leave?"


    "Dao Sword Sect also has a Dan Peak?" someone asked with augh. "What does Dao Sword Sect''s Dan Peak do? Howe I''ve never seen it before?"


    That person was probably from Zhican Valley.


    "Grows some spiritual herbs, concocts some pills," He Daoguang replied.


    "Oh... a pill concocting peak!" The person nodded in realization, thinking to himself that this person definitely could not be let go.


    The two exchanged these pleasantries and then stopped talking.


    Qin Ran frowned as he watched. That was it? Showing one''s sect some face should consist of more than uttering a single line when begged for help saving his life!


    Sensing no decision from those behind him, the dragon blood violent bear could bear it no longer. It roared again and suddenly pounced over.


    "So much for sect loyalty!" The fox demon giggled coquettishly.


    Qin Ran shook his head. In the end, one could only rely on oneself. He looked towards the pouncing dragon blood violent bear. A sh of light glinted in his eyes as his eye art Illusory World activated!


    The five-tailed fox demon watched in astonishment. "You also know illusion arts?"


    The violent bear was running and suddenly the people in front disappeared. It stopped abruptly, scratched its head in confusion, looked left and right, and found that the person had actually run behind it. Greatly enraged, it dared trick this old bear?! It pounced towards that direction even more furiously.


    However, its pounce this time was directed at the location of the Zhang-surnamed man from Boundless Sword Sect.


    "You beast, what''s gotten into you?!" The Zhang-surnamed man cried out in shock and anger, dodging while summoning his flying sword to hack at the violent bear.


    As the two began fighting, the Boundless Sword Sect cultivators around the Zhang-surnamed man attacked the violent bear. Soon, other demonic beasts began supporting the violent bear...


    The scene instantly descended into chaos.


    "How many fruits did you obtain?" Qin Ran urgently asked the five-tailed fox demon.


    "Five..." the fox demon replied.


    Qin Ran saw the look in her eyes and knew. Gritting his teeth to gather his willpower, he shouted, "Give me the fruits!"


    The fox demon guessed something. Reluctantly, she squeezed five fruits the size of plums out of the seemingly bottomless ravine across her chest. In the center of each crystalline fruit was sealed a white willow blossom.


    Qin Ran found it hard to take his eyes off the fox demon''s cleavage until Li Shiyin coughed ufortably for quite a while. Only then did hee to his senses and snatched over the five fruits.


    These fruits were just ordinary ss beads without activation. Qin Ran sensed no energy undtions holding them. But...


    They seemed a little warm.


    A milky fragrance wafted to him, stirring his mind for a moment and even arousing his lust.


    "Damn fox demon!" He cursed inwardly. It took great effort before hepletely sobered up.


    Qin Ran cast a technique to conjure over twenty bubbles, matching the number of YuanYing cultivators opposite. He made the bubbles float in the air, sparkling with rainbow brilliance under the sunlight, very eye-catching. Holding up the fruits in his hand, he shouted at the chaotic scene before him,


    "Here are the fruits you want! All here!"


    After shouting, he fiercely threw out the fruits in his hand, all directed at the bubbles in midair. In but a blink, the five fruits flew into five bubbles.


    The YuanYing cultivators looked over only to discover that within those dozens of bubbles, each bubble contained a fruit!


    "Go on!" Qin Ran yelled loudly. "Go find your fruits!"


    As his voice fell, those bubbles suddenly shot out swift as bullets, flying towards different directions...

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 144


    At first, these Yuan Ying cultivators were a mix of four or five different factions, and they were fighting fiercely with each other before Dao Gu was tricked away by the five tailed fox demon. It was only after Dao Gu was taken away by the fox demon alone that they united to give chase.


    Naturally, such a simple alliance would be easily broken apart... The moment Dao Gu was carried away by the bubbles, their simple alliance instantly crumbled into dust.


    There was no need to pretend to be good anymore. In an instant, they tore off their disguises and chased after what they each believed to be the real demon pills.


    In just a few short seconds, this ce became empty and quiet.


    "I really didn''t misjudge you. You''re truly cunning and sly," the five tailed fox demon gave Qin Ran a thumbs up in praise.


    "Stop wasting time, let''s get out of here quickly!"


    Qin Ran didn''t even look at her as he arranged for Li Shiyin to ride her sword, chase the wind and ride the wind, Long Qiqi to ride the tiger, and the four mouths of One Peak to hurry at full speed.


    Halfway through the air, Qin Ran thought of something and looked back at Huang Feiyu and Tian Wenjin who had been watching the show to the side. He said, "You guys should escape quickly too! They''ll be back soon. Either return to Dao Sword Sect to avoid disaster or continue searching for the possible remaining demonic weeping willow Dao Fruit."


    As he spoke, he also remembered something. He summoned the bubbles to wrap Tian Wenjin entirely and reminded, "That fog is poisonous, don''t make contact recklessly. Young Master Huang, since you''re in a fire state, there is no need."


    "Be careful!"


    He bid them farewell and flew away with Li Shiyin and the three silly children towards Dao Sword Sect.


    After flying steadily for a while, Qin Ran suddenly realized something was off. He looked back and gazed puzzledly at that exceptional beauty with white hair. He asked uprehendingly, "Why are you still following us?"


    "A cunning and sly guy like you must be a male fox spirit," the five tailed fox demon replied. "I feel you have a lot of potential... I''ll give you a chance, be my male concubine."


    "???" Qin Ran was stunned speechless for a moment. Sister, are you out of your mind?


    But before he could speak, Li Shiyin in front had stopped. The little girl stood on her sword with her hands on her hips, ring murderously at the five tailed fox demon. She said fiercely, "You shameless fox demon!"


    "You''re right, I am a fox demon!" The five tailed fox demon nodded and showed Li Shiyin her five-tailed fox form.


    Faced with this shameless tactic, the simple Li Shiyin was left speechless, not knowing what to say.


    It was still Long Qiqi who retorted sharply. She was not called a venomous snake for nothing. Her curses grew more toxic by the sentence. "A wanton whore like you who has no sense of propriety at all is unwanted trash."


    Long Qiqiid bare the true face of the five tailed fox, leaving her feeling utterly shamed. She red resentfully at Long Qiqi and said stubbornly, "I''m not a human. Your so-called human etiquette and values don''t matter to me."


    "But the chief of our sect is human. A loose whore like you isn''t worthy of our Chief Qin!" Long Qiqi remained as fierce as ever.


    "Ahem!" Feeling rather embarrassed, Qin Ran hastily interrupted their cursing match and urged, "Just talk if you want to talk, don''t stop flying!"


    The group continued flying.


    "I''m asking seriously, why are you following me?" Qin Ran questioned the five tailed fox demon again. Her talk of a male concubine was obviously just joking around.


    The five tailed fox demon replied, "Because you sacrificed all of my Dao Fruits to save your own life. Who else can I follow if not you? You have topensate me for my Dao Fruits!"


    "Compensate you for your Dao Fruits?" Qin Ran found her response to be utterly preposterous. "You were the one who approached us first. You shouldpensate us for emotional distress!"


    "Moreover, all the Dao Fruits?" His gaze went to the fox demon''s ample bosom. He sneered coldly, "How could you possibly only have five Dao Fruits?"


    The five tailed fox demon hugged her chest defensively as though she had suffered an assault to her body.


    "I saved your life. That''s an indisputable fact. With your abilities, it would''ve been impossible for you to retain possession of the Dao Fruits to begin with. The fact that you managed to obtain one or two is already more than enough." Qin Ran retorted, "I saved you and even let you possess Dao Fruits. You shouldn''t be ungrateful."


    Qin Ran could see through the situation clearly. The five tailed fox demon had no rebuttal. She blinked her eyes shiftily then stubbornly followed behind Qin Ran without another word.


    After flying steadily again for a period, since Qin Ran still saw that Tushan Youyou was following behind them, he asked, "What do I call you?"


    "Tushan Youyou!" Replied the five tailed fox demon.


    "Tushan?" Qin Ran eximed in surprise. To think she really was a nine tailed fox spirit! He asked again curiously, "I''m very curious, what happened after I left... Mainly, how did you manage to obtain all of the cultivators'' Dao Fruits?"


    "Ah..." Tushan Youyou seemed rather embarrassed as she mumbled, "Like that... that... that...!"


    "Like what... what... what exactly?" Question marks popped up in Qin Ran''s brain.


    Tushan Youyou remained vague and evasive, refusing to exin clearly.


    Qin Ran suddenly realized this likely involved Tushan Youyou''s privacy, some kind of innate magical ability or special technique. He decided not to inquire any further.


    The group continued flying steadily some more when they were stopped again. They had been caught up by the Yuan Ying cultivators after all.


    One of the Yuan Ying cultivators from before, Zhican Valley Cultivator, blocked their path up front. He stood there sneering at Qin Ran, "You can fool others, but you can''t fool me."


    Qin Ran remainedposed as he stepped forward and asked back, "What did I lie to you about?"


    "Firstly, you didn''t throw out all five Dao Fruits just now. You still have Dao Fruits in your hand." Zhican Valley Cultivator stated. "And secondly..."


    He looked to Tushan Youyou and questioned, "How many Dao Fruits do you still have on you?"


    Tushan Youyou''s expression changed ever so slightly as she refuted, "I don''t have any Dao Fruits left on me!"


    Qin Ran''s countenance remained tranquil but from a single nce at Tushan Youyou, Zhican Valley Cultivator could tell that his guess was spot on.


    Thus, he startedughing arrogantly as he gazed up at the sky, as if having grasped full control of the situation. He said leisurely, "Take out the Dao Fruits. If you do, this lordship can spare your lives."


    "You say..." Qin Ran seemed perfectly calm as he asked this man, "In this world there will always be people who believe themselves to be the cleverest. But ultimately, this world will tell them that there are always those more clever than them. So those who believe themselves to be the cleverest often turn out to be the stupidest.


    "Tell me, are you the cleverest one?"


    Zhican Valley Cultivator remained silent and asked back, "What are you trying to say?"


    "If you already know she still has Dao Fruits on her, don''t you think others would know as well?" Qin Ran questioned.


    Zhican Valley Cultivator''s expression instantly changed. He looked around warily.


    With but a nce, he spotted a Yuan Ying cultivator flying over. Zhican Valley Cultivator immediately went quiet.


    Soon after, another appeared, then a third... In almost no time at all, over a dozen Yuan Ying cultivators had gathered, surrounding Qin Ran''s group in the middle.


    "Look..." Qin Ranughed lightly. "Everyone''s clever."


    Tushan Youyou shrank to his side and tugged worriedly at his sleeve. She asked weakly, "Let''s not dwell on who''s clever or not for now. We''re surrounded by so many Yuan Ying cultivators. How do we escape?"


    "We don''t need to escape!" Qin Ran replied.


    "Huh?" Tushan Youyou stared nkly. "Wait here to die?"


    "No..." Qin Ran shook his head and asked meaningfully, "Among all these Yuan Ying cultivators, do you see anyone from Lingnan Immortal Sect? Anyone from Dao Sword Sect?


    "Could it be they aren''t clever people?"


    Only then did Tushan Youyou catch on. She suddenly realized that, ever since the copse of the demonic weeping willow, she had not seen a single person from Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    Sensing something, she gazed towards the depths of Hengduan Mountains. Over in that direction, there were still more peopleing!

 Chapter 145

    Chapter 145


    A group of people, not one or two, came from over there - eight people in total. Among them was one at the Divine Transformation stage, four at the Yuanying stage, and three at the Golden Core stage.


    Added to the more than 20 Yuanying stage cultivators originally here, it gave people the illusion that...


    Yuanying stage cultivators were everywhere in this world.


    In fact, these 20-odd Yuanying stage cultivators were basically all of the Yuanying stage cultivators in the Hengduan Mountains region.


    Qin Ran recognized all eight of the newly arrived people, or rather was familiar with them.


    The four from Dao Sword Sect were led by Elder Gu Yueming, and behind him were all Supreme Elders. The four from Lingnan Immortal Sect were led by Elder Ning, and behind him were three Lingnan Immortal Sect disciples.


    Qin Ran remembered that Dao Sword Sect had more than three Supreme Elders. He wondered if the others had note, had died, or were busy with other matters.


    He also remembered that a total of six Lingnan Immortal Sect disciples hade. Apart from Su Changqing who had died and Bai Ruoxi who had gone missing, there should still be four disciples with Elder Ning... It seemed that disciple was most likely dead.


    As these eight people flew over, under the powerful oppressive might of Elder Ning, no one on the scene dared to make a move. All watched them approach.


    Elder Ning should have been injured in his battle with Shiji Demon Willow, but now he looked tidy and ruddy, showing no signs of injury at all.


    But precisely because of this, Qin Ran determined that the old fellow must be severely injured...


    An Elder who had undergone an intense fight, and even a fight above his level, could not possibly emerge unscathed. But he was pretending to be uninjured, which showed that he needed to conceal the severity of his injuries to intimidate the 20 odd Yuanying stage cultivators present.


    One must know that the topbat power of the three major sects of the Hengduan Mountains as well as high-level demonic beasts from the demonic beast camp, Lingnan Immortal Sect disciples, and loose cultivators were all gathered here now - six forces in total. Or seven if one were to forcibly include Danfeng and Tushan Youyou.


    The situation was extremely chaotic.


    If Elder Ning did not put on a show, he might not be able to keep them under control.


    "Was it you who did it?" Elder Ning came over and immediately questioned Qin Ran.


    While others might not understand, Qin Ran knew with one listen that he was asking about using the Tribtion Pill to make Shiji Demon Willow undergo tribtion prematurely.


    He bowed and replied, "I did it, but I also didn''t."


    Elder Ningughed, but Qin Ran couldn''t feel any mirth from his face. Qin Ran knew that if he couldn''t give Elder Ning a reasonable exnation next, he might very well die today.


    "Exin," said Elder Ning.


    "Elder Ning, I''m just an ordinary Golden Core cultivator without such great abilities," said Qin Ran calmly. "But Su Changqing was no ordinary Golden Core cultivator."


    "Oh?" Elder Ning frowned. Su Changqing?


    He suddenly had a bad premonition. To force Shiji Demon Willow to undergo tribtion prematurely was a huge matter. Qin Ran really couldn''t aplish it alone, but if Su Changqing was added to the equation, things became reasonable.


    But why would Su Changqing do it? He was a core disciple of Lingnan Immortal Sect. And how did he manage to do it? Although his talent was high enough, he was still only at the Golden Core stage after all...


    "Brother Su sacrificed himself, performing the spirit splitting divine art in reverse to eliminate all of Shiji Demon Willow''s willow catkins. Only then, under his urging, did I trigger the Tribtion Pill." Qin Ran gave him the answer.


    The bad premonition came true. Elder Ning''s heart plummeted into an abyss as hisplexion greatly changed, losingposure. He shouted in disbelief, "Changqing sacrificed himself?!"


    The cultivation art Su Changqing practiced was the Scripture of the Way. Su Changqing''s goal was not to ascend but to attain the Dao.


    Even within a sect like Lingnan Immortal Sect, Su Changqing was uniquely talented and peerless!


    If such a talented disciple were to die in a small trial like this, it would beughable andmentable.


    Elder Ning would definitely be held ountable!


    In Lingnan Immortal Sect''s eyes, Su Changqing was much more important than some Divine Transformation expert or Shiji Demon Willow''s fruits of enlightenment.


    If Su Changqing was dead, then Elder Ning would not be far from death either.


    "Brother Su was righteous and cared for the world. Unable to bear the masses suffering from the willow catkins, he gave his life for a righteous cause. Such noble character earns my utmost admiration," said Qin Ran.


    But Elder Ning could no longer hear Qin Ran''s words. He had already fallen into a frenzied state.


    His eyes bloodshot, he stared at Qin Ran but said nothing, only raised a palm. The heavens and earth instantly came under oppression as an imprint formed from the momentum of heaven and earth itself mmed towards Qin Ran.


    It was the palm strike of a Divine Transformation cultivator!


    "Elder Ning!"


    Qin Ran had not expected Elder Ning to attack directly.


    Suppressed by the powerful momentum, he shouted and attempted to cast Illusory Realm on Elder Ning, but a Divine Transformation cultivator was unlike those at the Yuanying stage. A Divine Transformation cultivator already possessed a Primordial Spirit and waspletely unaffected by his Illusory Realm.


    Elder Ning snorted coldly again. Qin Ran''s eyes took damage and blood mixed with tears flowed freely as he was sent flying backwards.


    The other Yuanying stage cultivators were forced back by the oppressive heaven and earth momentum, quickly making way and opening up a path for the gigantic palm imprint that rushed solely towards Qin Ran.


    Li Shiyin sent out a sword qi that was bacshed by the great momentum, injuring herself directly.


    "Dreamlike Waters!"


    With his eyes closed, Qin Ran called out that unique protective barrier at the fastest speed possible.


    "Fleeting Mirage!"


    Countless clones also exploded out from his body to stand guard before him.


    "Like a Dream, Like an Illusion!"


    This was the speed at which Qin Ran could unleash his mystic arts. Faced with the palm strike of a Divine Transformation cultivator, he was able to activate four different mystic arts in an instant as the critical moment arrived,pletely transforming his body''s nature to be like water.


    But what was the disparity between Golden Core stage and Divine Transformation stage?


    Heaven and earth, clouds and mud.


    It was an uncrossable ravine!


    Qin Ran''s strongest protective barrier shattered with a single touch from the gigantic palm. The few dozen clones with strength close to his actual body also rapidly disintegrated.


    That palm imprint condensed from the momentum of heaven and earth met almost no obstruction as it heavily struck Qin Ran''s body.


    Qin Ran shattered with a cry!


    "Master!" Li Shiyin shrieked in fright and grief as she cried out, rushing towards Qin Ran.


    But Long Qiqi grabbed her sleeve and shouted, "Don''t be rash!"


    Li Shiyin tore her sleeve with a strong tug and continued flying towards Qin Ran.


    "Shiyin, stop!" Qin Ran''s voice suddenly rang out, and Li Shiyin finally stopped.


    Over at Qin Ran''s side, his shattered body arduously reformed until he barely resumed Qin Ran''s appearance. Hisplexion pale, he told Li Shiyin, "I''m fine."


    He even smiled reassuringly at Li Shiyin before shouting to the Yuanying stage cultivators watching the show nearby, "Don''t you want fruits of enlightenment? Elder Ning has countless fruits over there, take as much as you want!"


    Some of the Yuanying cultivators were moved by his words but none dared make a move. Who didn''t know about the fruits of enlightenment by Elder Ning''s side? But one still had to be able to beat him!


    Qin Ran continued shouting, "He couldn''t even kill me with a blow. What are you guys still waiting for?!"


    That seemed to make sense. A Divine Transformation cultivator attacking a Golden Core cultivator - if he couldn''t take him out in one move, the Divine Transformation cultivator must have some issues!


    The brainless demonic beasts instantly could no longer hold back, and beasts bellowed as they charged towards Elder Ning.


    "Beasts dare!" Elder Ning was furious. Dividing his consciousness, he conjured more than a hundred meter tall clones to battle the demonic beasts.


    However, his injuries were indeed severe and his focus unstable. He was easily approached by the Cyan Cloud Bear. With one p from the bear''s paw, Elder Ning''s main body was directly sent flying several hundred meters away.


    "If you don''t make a move now, the fruits will belong to the demonic beasts!" Qin Ran shouted loudly again.


    Seeing Elder Ning actually get struck and sent flying by the Cyan Cloud Bear, the Yuanying cultivators finally realized his injuries truly were severe. Hearing Qin Ran''s words, some anxiety grew in their hearts.


    Then they saw the Boundless Sword Sect cultivators take the lead, swords raised as they charged straight for Elder Ning.


    "Whoever blocks them for me will be rewarded with fruits of enlightenment..." Elder Ning spit out blood as he spoke from under the p of the bear paw.


    And there were cultivators who went to intercept those from Boundless Sword Sect...


    Those who wanted to kill Elder Ning for the fruits and those who wanted to protect him for the fruits already had grudges to settle. In this moment, nearly ten Yuanying stage cultivators on scene broke out into chaotic battle!


    White clouds in the sky were shredded. Mountain rocks on the ground were razed t. It was utterly chaotic as attacks blotted out the skies and covered the earth! The mere aftershocks were enough to easily obliterate ordinary Golden Core cultivators.


    And at the border of this chaotic battlefield, Qin Ran was held in Li Shiyin''s arms.


    Countless cracks continuously crept across his body, making him seem a forcefully pieced together shattered porcin vessel that could fall apart again at any time.


    Blood gushed from him ceaselessly. His wounds wouldn''t heal no matter what, dyeing him and Li Shiyin red.


    That was the aftermath of a strike from the Divine Transformation stage. How could he withstand it?


    "Go first!" Qin Ran''s mouth was full of blood, but he still said to Li Shiyin and the others, "Go!"


    Li Shiyin cried her eyes out and hugged him as he got up, but she was so distraught that she didn''t know which way to go.


    "Go!" Tushan Youyou flew overnguidly and grabbed Li Shiyin and Qin Ran, one in each arm, flying far away.


    "Chasing the Wind, follow quickly!" Long Qiqi quickly jumped onto Chasing the Wind''s back and said to him.


    Without Long Qiqi''s urging, his own father had been abducted. Chasing the Wind naturally put out his utmost effort, whipping up a gale as he raced to catch up with Tushan Youyou.

 Chapter 146

    Chapter 146


    Behind was the primordial spirit battlefield, with flying swords and mystic arts flying about, physical bodies and supernatural powers shing.


    Stirring up the winds and clouds, the sky was falling and the earth splitting - these were no longer mere figures of speech.


    Tushan Youyou held Qin Ran in one hand and dragged Li Shiyin in the other as she fled this primordial spirit battlefield without daring to look back even once.


    After flying for who knows how long and for who knows how far, she suddenly heard Li Shiyin crying, "Master? Master?"


    Then calling to her again, "Stop, my master can''t go on!"


    Only then did Tushan Youyou stop. She looked to Qin Ran and saw that the countless wounds split open on his body could no longer be stopped, madly splitting wider. It was horrifying to behold, as if at any moment Qin Ran would shatter into countless pieces.


    She was covered in Qin Ran''s blood, but paid it no heed. Looking around below, she found a barren mountain to fly to. On arge t rock she ced Qin Ran down.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin cried as she knelt at Qin Ran''s side.


    But she only looked at Qin Ran, not daring to reach out and touch him, because right now Qin Ran seemed as if he would crumble at the slightest touch.


    To withstand a supreme art of primordial spirit splitting with a golden core body andst until now, Qin Ran should feel proud of himself.


    He now only had onest breath left. He clearly felt himself nearing death.


    Death was an extremely dark, deep and cold abyss, but within that abyss were endless temptations, beckoning one to sink into oblivion...


    The abyss of death wasfortable.


    "So this is death?" Qin Ran thought. "It seems I''m going to hell."


    He slowly looked towards Li Shiyin, who had cried herself into a tearful mess. He wanted to smile, but couldn''t manage it.


    "Don''t...cry." He said in a weak voice.


    Hearing him speak, Li Shiyin hurriedly held back her tears, only letting them flow as she raised her head to look at him.


    "You are...Female...Swords...Immortal!" Qin Ran''s voice was feeble, but he pronounced each word clearly. "You are...Li...Shi...Yin!"


    He thought back on his twenty dull and uneventful years of life, and on the two thrilling and dangerous months.


    "Apprentice...I don''t...regret...epting you..." He said hisst words. "But you must...find your brother...and return home together. Don''t seek vengeance...don''t step foot in the cultivation world again.


    "Go back to Northern Chu...you will be a female general."


    Qin Ran''s words flowed more smoothly the more he spoke, but his voice grew ever fainter. The cracks on his body grewrger, but less and less blood flowed out.


    "Shi...Yin..." He wanted to say something. "I...I..." But in the end he didn''t say it. He closed his mouth, only looking at Li Shiyin with a pair of bright, gentle eyes.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin looked into those eyes, her heart stirred. She knew what Qin Ran wanted to say.


    She kept softly calling out to Qin Ran, calling out repeatedly, hoping this moment would not arrive...hoping it wouldeter.


    Suddenly she started singing, because her master had said she sang beautifully:


    "My will is pliant as a reed; my ambition remains unfulfilled; My heart seems close yet distant; As if I will go, only to return again; Please let me serve; I wish to give my all; Cherishing chastity and purity; We are destined to be at odds; Kind words and fragrant breath..."


    Still the Songs of Chu. Her singing was still clear and melodious, extremely pleasing to the ear,pletely unlike her rough and crude image.


    "To die listening to my silly apprentice''s singing, that is also a kind of blessing." Qin Ran thought. The trace of a smile clearly appeared on his face before he weakly closed his eyes.


    Li Shiyin felt Qin Ran stop breathing. She choked up as well, sitting on her knees as she covered her face and wept.


    She didn''t know how much time passed when someone suddenly tugged at her clothes. She raised her head towards the person.


    Chasing the Wind had somehow caught up without her noticing. He crouched beside her, looking sadly at Qin Ran with tears in his eyes. Long Qiqi stood next to Chasing the Wind, her expressionplex as she looked at Qin Ran. Tushan Youyou was still here. And there was one more person who had appeared from somewhere - Bai Ruoxi!


    It was Bai Ruoxi who had tugged her clothes.


    "Move aside." Bai Ruoxi said to her.


    Li Shiyin was startled, then overjoyed. She asked: "Can you save my master?"


    "Let me try..." Bai Ruoxi said. "He can''t die yet. Only he knows what happened with my martial uncle."


    Li Shiyin immediately stood up and gave way to Bai Ruoxi. Seeing Chasing the Wind sitting there taking up space, she gave him a kick and told him to move aside as well.


    Bai Ruoxi went to stand by Qin Ran''s side and beckoned to Tushan Youyou.


    "What is it?" Tushan Youyou asked in puzzlement.


    "A Dao Fruit." Bai Ruoxi said.


    "I don''t have any!" Tushan Youyou replied.


    "None?" Bai Ruoxi asked.


    "None..." Tushan Youyou shook her head.


    "Nevermind then." Bai Ruoxi sighed. She turned to leave. "I thought you had a Dao Fruit. I''m sure you''ve tried ordinary pills and elixirs, given he''s an alchemist himself. But they were useless, right?


    "Only a Dao Fruit can save him now... The power of a Dao Fruit can get rid of Elder Ning''s primordial spirit splitting force and reconstruct his physical body. It can save his life if his soul hasn''t dispersed yet."


    Tushan Youyou hesitated. "You can use a Dao Fruit?"


    Although she had obtained many Dao Fruits, to be honest she didn''t know how to utilize them.


    "Naturally." Bai Ruoxi replied. "We came for the Dao Fruits. If we got Dao Fruits but couldn''t use them, wouldn''t we be aughing stock?"


    That was reasonable. Tushan Youyou thought for a moment, then squeezed out one more Dao Fruit from her bosom.


    Clutching the Dao Fruit, she handed it to Bai Ruoxi, extremely pained as she said: "This is myst Dao Fruit!"


    "Mm..." Bai Ruoxi nodded perfunctorily.


    She epted the Dao Fruit and discerned it was real before using her mystic arts to make the Dao Fruit float above Qin Ran. She further utilized her mystic arts to form several incantation seals that she projected onto the Dao Fruit.


    Suddenly the Dao Fruit shone with light, forcing the others to look away. When the radiance faded, they saw that the outer ss-like shell of the Dao Fruit had vanished, leaving only the interior willow fluff.


    Below the willow fluff, the primordial spirit splitting force on Qin Ran''s physical body had also disappeared.


    Bai Ruoxi cast another mystic art, causing the white willow fluff to drift down into Qin Ran''s body until it faded away inside him.


    Qin Ran''s physical body then visibly started healing at a rapid pace.


    In a short while, the cracks on Qin Ran''s body werepletely mended. Only the bloodstains remained to indicate his previous injuries. But he still hadn''t woken up.


    "Is it done?" Li Shiyin anxiously asked when she saw Qin Ran''s wounds healed.


    "Awoo... Awoo..." Chasing the Wind also howled at Bai Ruoxi twice.


    "He really did die earlier. His soul was just strong enough not to have dispersed yet." Bai Ruoxi said. "His body is restored but his soul still needs time to awaken."


    "How long will it take?"


    "I don''t know." Bai Ruoxi shook her head.


    Tushan Youyou was still calm. She said to Bai Ruoxi: "Speak inly with me. Is he dead or not? Can he still wake up?"


    "Not dead, just not alive yet." Bai Ruoxi replied. "I''ll keep watch over him too. I still want to know what really happened with my martial uncle."


    Li Shiyin squatted by Qin Ran''s side and picked up his hand, silently praying.


    This ce was originally part of the primal forest, but after the willow fluff of the World-Devouring Demonic Willow passed by, it became deste. Only now were a few sprouts growing after the life-giving wind blew through.


    This group did not linger long on the barren mountain before discussing ns to go to Dao Sword Sect''s Danfeng.


    Yet while flying towards Dao Sword Sect, they suddenly sensed a disturbance deep within the Hengduan Mountains. They all looked back to see countless wooden spikes waving in the air high above, with swarms of colorful butterflies fluttering among them...


    "Blood dragon bone?" Bai Ruoxi recognized the wooden spikes and couldn''t help frowning, wondering what changes were urring over there.

 Chapter 147

    Chapter 147


    Qin Ran drifted in the darkness, unable to see his own five fingers when he stretched out his hand. He looked up to see no end, and looked down to see no bottom.


    He did not know if he was dead or alive, why he was here, where he hade from or where he was going, what he was doing. He floated lightly, vaguely, hazily, confusedly.


    In the darkness, he did not know how long he drifted until he suddenly heard a sound in the distance, too far away to make out. He instinctively flew towards that sound.


    Whenever the sound stopped, he stopped; whenever it resumed, so did he.


    He did not know how long he flew until he could make out the shout: "Master, Master!"


    He did not know who was shouting, or who they were shouting for.


    After flying in the darkness for some time, he suddenly heard the voice say, "Master, Shiyin misses you so much!"


    Master? Shiyin?


    His groggy mind cleared up a little. He remembered he had a female disciple named Li Shiyin.


    The disjointed shout continued, as did his disjointed flight.


    He heard the voice say:


    "Master, we''re back at Dan Peak... All the animals and trees at Dan Peak are dead... The fox demon and Bai Ruoxi followed us to Dan Peak. Oh, Li Shiwen also came, with his troops. Dan Peak suddenly became very lively."


    "Master, Bai Ruoxi said you''re not dead, but you may never wake up again... Master, Shiyin believes you''ll wake up, ...Even if you never wake up, Shiyin will always take care of you..."


    "Master, today Shiyin wanted to cook for Li Shiwen and the others, but Shiyin still doesn''t know how to cook... Embarrassed herself again."


    "Master, Shiyin wants to build houses for Bai Ruoxi and Tushan Youyou, like the one you built for Chasing the Wind and Qi Qi, but I don''t know how... In the end Li Shiwen''s men put up a temporary tent."


    "Master, Huang Feiyu and Tian Wenjin came to Dan Peak today. I feel like there''s something off about Huang Feiyu, he seems to have gone mad... Tian Wenjin is just following him blindly, without his own judgement, it''s very dangerous... I feel like Wenjin was better off without Feiyu before."


    "Master, today Shiyin went to the Main Peak, I heard the Sect Leader was injured at the Hengduan Mountains and has gone into secluded meditation... ording to Bai Ruoxi, Elder Ning has died... That day, several YuanYing cultivators died, how scary... Bai Ruoxi said things have beplicated, the Lingnan Immortal Sect will definitely send someone to handle this matter..."


    "Master, Youyou seems to want to settle down at Dan Peak, she dug a fox hole in the back mountains and said that area will be her territory from now on..."


    "Master, starting today Shiyin will learn alchemy, I must concoct a pill to wake you up."


    "Master, I think I''ll wait until you wake up before learning alchemy... Master, today I started digging theke again. Shiyin is very capable now, I''ll finish digging theke in no time. Master, when you wake up, you''ll see theke at Dan Peak. Master, I want to name thiske Shiyin Sword Washing Lake, what do you think?"


    "Master, master, master! Shiyin did it, the meal I cooked today, Li Shiwen said it was very delicious!! Master hurry wake up, I cooked it for you to eat!"


    "Master, Li Shiwen went back today. He said he has to go back to the Capital City to receive punishment... Because he didn''t protect the Hengduan Mountains well enough. I don''t think it''s his fault. He wanted me to go back with him but I didn''t, I still have to take care of you master."


    "Master, today Bai Ruoxi divined Qi Qi''s talents and said she''s never seen such wretched talents before... But Qi Qi has dual venom and fire roots, what''s so bad about that? Although both roots are low grade..."


    "Master, Qi Qi said she obtained a cultivation art and wants to find a quiet ce to cultivate... Master, it seems like Qi Qi also wants to leave..."


    Qin Ran flew along towards that voice, and the closer he got, the clearer his mind became.


    Gradually regaining consciousness, his memories also returned. He knew he was Qin Ran. He knew the one speaking was his female disciple Li Shiyin.


    Listening to his silly disciple chatting with him every day, sharing bits of her daily life and inner thoughts. He had never felt so close to her before.


    Qin Ran knew he wasn''t a good man. From the very start, he had lusted over the beauty of his female disciple. But because they were master and disciple, he had always restrained himself and maintained distance.


    During this period of time, he had never felt so at peace.


    "A woman is indeed a man''s eternal home," Qin Ran thought to himself. To be honest, he felt like continuing to sleep forever in this beautiful, tranquil state. But he knew he couldn''t. Just as a woman was a man''s eternal home, a man must also be his woman''s eternal pir. Now that he had a home, he had to be able to support it.


    He strove towards the light he saw in the darkness. The light grew bigger and bigger...


    Qin Ran opened his eyes and saw the ceiling, the wardrobe in front, the bookshelf... This was his bedroom.


    He turned his head and saw next to his bed a too shi armchair. In the armchair was a girl holding a thick book in her arms.


    The girl wasn''t reading her book, she was sleeping.


    Qin Ran gazed at the girl''s face and found she had slimmed down a lotpared to before his death. The cute baby fat on her cheeks was almost gone. He didn''t know how much suffering she had endured these past days.


    She had straight brows and bright eyes, rosy cheeks and thin lips, fair nose and teeth like jade. Qin Ran had seen plenty of tomboyish girls like her, but rarely saw her so tranquil and gentle.


    She had her charms when energetic, and she had her beauty when serene.


    Looking at her, Qin Ran''s heart felt very peaceful and happy. He smiled unconsciously... And so he knew, he truly, truly liked thisss.


    After gazing at her for some time, she still showed no signs of waking. She really loved books, couldn''t bear to tear her eyes away for even a moment. She was so gentle, Qin Ran felt like weeping.


    Still, he couldn''t keep lying there. Qin Ran circted his powers to unblock his energy channels and blood vessels, then ced his hand on the edge of the bed, preparing to get up.


    But he felt the edge sink down deeply the moment he exerted force...


    He sat up and looked at his own hand, feeling somewhat puzzled. Why did hee back stronger physically after dying once? Speaking of which, how did they revive him?


    Qin Ran carefully got out of bed and went out to the corridor. Looking up, he saw the familiar yet unfamiliar sight of Dan Peak.


    Familiar needed no exnation. Unfamiliar because all the nts were gone, with only some newly grown sprouts.


    "Dan Peak ah!" He stretchedzily and sighed contently.


    Of all the ces under heaven, none delighted him more than Dan Peak.


    Li Shiyin finally woke up, about to continue reading her book when she suddenly noticed her master on the bed had disappeared. Her heart jolted. She leapt up, spun around, hand going to her sword hilt, only to find the familiar figure she knew standing in the corridor...


    "Master!" She shrieked and pounced forward,nding right into Qin Ran''s embrace.

 Chapter 148

    Chapter 148


    "That''s how it is..." In front of the small cabin, at the square table, Qin Ran said to Bai Ruoxi, "As you know, with my strength, I definitely cannot threaten your senior martial brother, let alone ask him to cast spells to stop the Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow. It was because your senior martial brother couldn''t bear to see all things wither away that he forcibly stopped those swaths of willow catkins. I also set off the Tribtion Thunder Pill under his instructions.


    "Just think about it a little and you''ll know that someone as nefarious as me would not have that kind of merciful andpassionate heart to save the suffering; only your senior martial brother and other proud sons of heaven would have that."


    "I see," Bai Ruoxi nodded.


    She knew that what Qin Ran said was true, because she understood what kind of person her senior martial brother was, knew what he was capable of, and knew what he could do to stop the Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow''s catkins. Especially to stop the Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow''s catkins, apart from her senior martial brother''s Creation Scripture, she couldn''t think of any other way that could stop them. Even Elder Ning, who could defeat thebined Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow, couldn''t stop the already spreading catkins.


    "It''s good that you can believe me," Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief.


    While he was dead, he had heard Shiyin say that Elder Ning was already dead and Lingnan Immortal Sect would send people to investigate the whole matter.


    So Bai Ruoxi, who was still here, was an extremely critical figure. As long as he got Bai Ruoxi on his side, when Lingnan Immortal Sect came to investigate, with Bai Ruoxi''s testimony, he believed Lingnan Immortal Sect wouldn''t do anything to him.


    It was a square table. Qin Ran and Bai Ruoxi sat across from each other, with Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind sitting on Qin Ran''s side.


    On the other two sides of the square table sat the lolified Long Qiqi on one side and the fox-formed Tushan Youyou on the other.


    Qin Ran nced around and found that this table had a tiger, a fox, and a snake... He hadn''t noticed it, but Dan Peak had turned into a zoo.


    He looked at the beautiful five-tailed white fox and asked, "What was the final oue of the Primordial Infant brawl?"


    Tushan Youyou yipped twice before realizing she was in fox form.


    She was about to transform into human form to speak, but Bai Ruoxi spoke up, "The Blood Dragon Bones swooped in at thest moment to reap the battlefield, killing eleven people including Elder Ning, and taking away most of the fruits of enlightenment."


    Qin Ran was somewhat surprised. "Harvested by the Blood Dragon Bones?" He then felt puzzled. "How dare he? He was once defeated by the Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow''s subordinates... I didn''t expect him to be the biggest winner."


    "He didn''t do it for himself though," Bai Ruoxi said. "He did it for that colorful butterfly."


    "And who is that colorful butterfly?"


    "The butterfly is the soul of the immortal corpse transformed. The Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow devoured the immortal corpse, and the Blood Dragon Bones protected its soul... He wants to use the Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow''s fruits of enlightenment tomemorate the immortal corpse devoured by the Devouring Extremity Demonic Willow."


    "The Blood Dragon Bones also has thisyer of rtionship with that immortal corpse?" Qin Ranughed. Still a love triangle. "I don''t know the specific details. It was something my senior martial brother told me before." Bai Ruoxi said.


    "But who the final winner is remains to be seen..." She seemed to be implying something.


    "The immortal corpse belonged to Lingnan Immortal Sect, and the fruits of enlightenment obtained by the Blood Dragon Bones were also used tomemorate the corpse. Besides, he didn''t kill any disciples of the Immortal Sect either, and even split some of the fruits of enlightenment obtained with the sect disciples and escorted them away.


    "So in the end, Lingnan Immortal Sect still got most of the fruits of enlightenment."


    "Fruits of enlightenment..." Qin Ran murmured for a moment, then asked, "Were fruits of enlightenment used to treat my injuries?"


    "Yes."


    Qin Ran nced at the five-tailed white fox and asked again, "Exactly how many fruits of enlightenment were there this time?"


    "I''m not sure," Bai Ruoxi shook her head. "Butpared to my senior martial brother''s death, the number of fruits of enlightenment is a trivial matter. As for what to do about my senior martial brother... I''ll have to wait until I return to discuss it."


    "When are you going back?"


    "Leaving tonight."


    "That urgent?"


    Bai Ruoxi looked at Qin Ran and said, "I don''t have to rush, but the Immortal Sect will be in a hurry. When the Immortal Sect is anxious, I don''t know what will happen."


    Qin Ran felt a chill down his spine andughed. "Then it''s better to hurry."


    He changed the subject and asked, "Which factions did the eleven dead belong to? How many were from the Daofeng Gate?"


    "Mostly some loose cultivators. One was from Daofeng Gate, three from Zhizhang Valley, one from Vast Sword Sect, one was Elder Ning, and the rest were loose cultivators." Bai Ruoxi said.


    "Why did Zhizhang Valley lose three?" Qin Ran wondered.


    "That''s what happens when you pile up resources and elixirs to push out Primordial Infant stage cultivators."


    It was afternoon then. Qin Rany back against the chair and nced up at the sky,ughing, "Then you can have dinner before leaving."


    "Dinner?" Bai Ruoxi murmured, ncing at Li Shiyin, and said nonchntly, "Cultivators do not indulge in desires of the flesh."


    Seeing her expression, Qin Ran immediately understood. He looked to Li Shiyin and asked, "Didn''t you say you can make delicious food now?"


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin was startled. "Master, you can hear me speak?"


    Her face immediately turned red, because she thought Qin Ran couldn''t hear her and had said quite a lot of girly private words.


    "Cough!" Qin Ran was a little embarrassed and forced augh. "It''s okay, I''ll cook tonight."


    In the afternoon, Qin Ran was punching in front of the cabin, ying with Chasing the Wind, to get a feel for his own strength.


    Li Shiyin was taken to the bottom of theke pit by Bai Ruoxi to practicebat drills and learn footwork.


    In the evening, Qin Ran brought out his barbecue grill and spices and had an outdoor barbecue.


    Li Shiyin got Bai Ruoxi to drink soda. Spicy barbecue with soda was a novel experience for Bai Ruoxi, because there was no chili or soda in this world. She may have eaten all kinds of delicacies, but she had definitely never eaten chili or drank soda before.


    That silly Chasing the Wind wasn''t obsessed with his own roundness either.


    He just squatted next to Qin Ran, and Qin Ran would grill a piece for him to eat piece by piece, grilling as much as he ate, until the others had nothing left, only to find out about his malicious behavior. They chased him away.


    He was spicy hot from the chilies and ran all over the mountains, before jumping into the river to take a bath.


    Dan Peak was happily drinking soda and eating barbecue, when Huang Feiyu and Tian Wenjin suddenly came over.


    Tian Wenjin had tasted Qin Ran''s cooking skills before, and was quite happy to arrive just in time for dinner at Dan Peak. He hurried to join them.


    Only Huang Feiyu felt awkward. He was currently in fire elemental form. To put it simply, he was a fire elemental spirit. Everything about the fleshly body was far removed from him.


    He came to Qin Ran''s side to help him barbecue... Which was a professional match for him.


    "I heard that one reason Lingnan Immortal Sect came to the Hengduan Mountains this time..." Huang Feiyu tossed a fireball into the barbecue grill and said casually, "Was to take in disciples and issue Immortal Spirit Scrolls. Uncle Master, do you know about it?"


    "The fire''s too big!" Qin Ran warned him, then replied, "I know about it. Lingnan Immortal Sect goes around harvesting leeks everywhere. They frantically issue Immortal Spirit Scrolls at every faction they arrive at."


    Huang Feiyu adjusted the temperature of the fire and said, "Immortal Spirit Scrolls aren''t issued to just anyone."


    "Do you want an Immortal Spirit Scroll?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Yes."


    Qin Ran nced at Tian Wenjin, lowered his voice and asked, "How many do you want?"


    Huang Feiyu didn''t answer.


    "No matter Wenjin''s aptitude or strength, he doesn''t meet the criteria to be a disciple of Lingnan Immortal Sect." Qin Ran said.


    Huang Feiyu was silent for a long time before finally saying, "One is enough..."


    That night, the stars filled the sky. Qin Ran sat on the roof, took out his jade flute, and yed the tune of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" from his memory. Li Shiyin sat beside him, hugging her knees and swaying her little head listening.


    Bai Ruoxi tidied herself by the riverbank, summoned her sword and rose into the night sky. She turned back and cupped her fists at Qin Ran, "Farewell, Brother Qin!" Then she disappeared into the starry sky.


    When the tune ended, Li Shiyin asked Qin Ran, "Master, what song is this? Howe I''ve never heard it before?"


    This was the first decent-sounding tune Qin Ran managed to y after months of fumbling with the notes.


    "It''s called ''High Mountains and Flowing Water''..." Qin Ranughed and said, "Let me tell you the story of Zhong Ziqi and Boya."

 Chapter 149

    Chapter 149


    The next morning, Chasing the Wind finished his beast pellet early and ran out the door.


    At that time, Qin Ran was sitting under the spiritual pagoda tree reading a book. The wind brought up by Chasing the Wind as he ran lifted the pages of his book. He pressed the pages down and looked towards the retreating back of Chasing the Wind... That sturdy figure finally disappeared among the dead trees.


    "Where is he going?" he asked Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin was practicing her sword in front of the log cabin.


    "I don''t know either." She shook her head and said, "These days, Chasing the Wind runs out every day, leaving after breakfast and onlying back at night."


    Qin Ran thought about it for a while. Currently, there probably weren''t many creatures on Dan Peak that could pose a threat to Chasing the Wind, so he didn''t ask any further and just let Chasing the Wind be.


    Chasing the Wind was now about four months old, a young Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger. But he was already the size of a mature adult tiger, about 100 jin when estimated.


    Apart from his size, Chasing the Wind also had cultivation level. Beast cultivation ways differ from human cultivation. Beasts focus on the body more than magic power. Regarding magic power, they only have a simple beast core.


    Because he followed Qin Ran, not only did Chasing the Wind cultivate his body, he also strengthened his magic power... Roughly converted, Chasing Wind should now be close to thete Foundation Establishment realm. Among the three silly tigers of Dan Peak, he had the strongest power.


    Apart from cultivation level and physique, Chasing Wind also had many innate divine abilities.


    What were Chasing Wind¡¯s talents? Here is a simple summary:


    First, control of darkness. This was the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger¡¯s innate divine ability.


    This talent awakened that night when Qin Ran and Li Shiyin returned from forging swords. The little guy was afraid of being punished by Qin Ran for wrecking the house, so under Li Shiyin¡¯s urging, he ran away from home. He ran into the forest and got beaten up badly by beasts. Finally, when his life was endangered, his bloodline awakened.


    Second, wind striding. This was an innate talent of the tiger tribe. Some tigers will awaken it, some won¡¯t.


    When Qin Ran was crossing the tribtion, in order to save Qin Ran from under the heaven-destroying winds, Chasing the Wind awakened his wind striding talent and gained control over the heaven destroying winds.


    Third, soul control. Also an innate talent of the tiger tribe. Some tigers will awaken it, some won¡¯t.


    This was also awakened in order to save Qin Ran¡¯s life under the heavenly tribtion. Chasing the Wind awakened the talent of soul control. Moreover, it wasn''t just creating wraiths, but having some control over souls.


    Fourth, tail avatar. Chasing Wind''s special talent. The little guy secretly awakened it without Qin Ran knowing.


    This talent allows Chasing Wind to turn his tail into an avatar that can merge into shadows.


    In summary, in terms of cultivation level, physique, talents, Chasing Wind was not just a cute tiger who only acts cute. Instead, he was a ferocious tiger that made beasts terrified.


    (Qin Ran should be worried not about Chasing Wind, but about the small animals on Dan Peak.)


    No longer caring about Chasing Wind, Qin Ran continued researching Dan Peak¡¯s guardian grand formation.


    He had been researching this formation for several months now, and still hadn¡¯t figured it out. It really was quite difficult.


    Originally, he had worked out a set, but that formation required three formation bases - the Clear Spring Stone, Spirit Calming Wood, and Numinous Fiend Gold. Then he didn¡¯t manage to buy the Numinous Fiend Gold, so he couldn¡¯t set it up.


    Now he couldn¡¯t go to Linxian City anymore, so there was no way to obtain Numinous Fiend Gold. Therefore, he could only work out another formation... one that didn¡¯t need Numinous Fiend Gold.


    Or change the bases and use treasures he already had as the bases.


    Treasures he already had...


    Thinking of this, Qin Ran suddenly summoned out his Nine Provinces Cauldron, shrunk it to palm size, then poured out a Dao Fruit from inside.


    This Dao Fruit was one of the five Dao Fruits he had obtained from Tushan Youyou. He had thrown out the other four to lure enemies. This one he had secretly kept.


    ¡°Can it be used as a formation base?¡± he wondered.


    He soon shook his head. The Dao Fruit could be used as a base, but there was only one problem - he didn¡¯t know how...


    This Dao Fruit looked just like an ordinary ss bead. One would probably need to use special means to stimte it before being able to use it.


    Putting away the Dao Fruit, Qin Ran took out the willow branch he had cut offst time.


    He held the willow branch in his hand, staring at it as he pondered for a good while. Then a strange idea popped into his mind...


    Ordinary willow trees could propagate through nting willow branches. Could the Devouring Demon Willow?


    ¡°Master, this is from...¡± Li Shiyin, who was beside him, stopped practicing her sword. Seeing the willow branch in Qin Ran¡¯s hand, she hurriedly asked, ¡°The Devouring Demon Willow, right?¡±


    ¡°Mn.¡± Qin ran nodded.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t the Devouring Demon Willow die already?¡±


    ¡°This is a branch from the Devouring Demon Willow,¡± Qin Ran said. ¡°I want to try nting it.¡±


    ¡°Where are you nting it?¡±


    ¡°By theke.¡±


    Having made up his mind, it was still worth giving it a try.


    He got up and brought out some formation materials from the study pavilion, sorting and preparing materials for restrictions and formations at the bottom of theke.


    The bottom of theke had to be reinforced and needed formations set up. Then he would direct theke water down...


    At noon, Chasing the Wind came back, covered in injuries.


    At that time, Qin Ran was taking measurements at the bottom of theke, thinking about how to set up the formations. Then he heard Chasing the Wind shouting by thekeside, ¡°Roar... Daddy, food!¡±


    He looked up to see Chasing the Wind¡¯s pure white cat head sporting several bruises and bleeding w marks.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± He pointed at Chasing the Wind¡¯s head and asked.


    Chasing the Wind shook his head without answering.


    Qin Ran put down his measuring tools and jumped out from the bottom of theke. He examined the blood marks on the cat head, probably wed out by some bird beast. He rubbed out some medicinal powder and applied it on the wounds.


    ¡°Have you been going out every day to find others to fight with?¡±


    ¡°My... territory!¡± Chasing the Wind said. The medicine stung him and he kept shaking his head, even rubbing against Qin Ran¡¯s legs.


    Qin Ran directly pped him andughed scoldingly, ¡°What¡¯s your territory? It¡¯s my territory!¡±


    Unexpectedly, this big cat had quite strong territorial awareness. Wanting to seize power at such a young age. Converted to human age, Chasing Wind was only about ten years old now. In other words, a ten year old emperor wanted to seize power...


    This cute tiger was actually so ambitious.


    Qin Ran kept examining his injuries while nagging, ¡°Running out after eating, onlying back when hungry. What, is our house a restaurant? Oh, you¡¯ll stille back to sleep. Looks like our house is a hotel...¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re never home all day. When you grow bigger, will you just note back?!¡±


    As he spoke, he suddenly felt angry and used more force when applying medicine, also asking, ¡°How about it? Did you win the fight?¡±


    Chasing the Wind bared his fangs in pain but behaved very obediently without struggling. Hearing Qin Ran ask this, the smugness immediately showed on his cat face. He lifted his head arrogantly and roared, ¡°Won!¡±


    Seeing him so smug, Qin Ran was displeased and pped him again, scolding, ¡°So smug just because you won? Look at yourself covered in injuries. Medicinal pills don¡¯t cost money?¡±


    The cat head drooped down aggrievedly.


    ¡°When you¡¯re hungry, what do you want to eat? Beast pellets or spirit beast meat?¡± After Qin Ran finished applying medicine on him, he asked.


    The big cat eyes lit up brightly and he roared loudly, ¡°Roast meat!¡±


    ¡°Who has the time to roast meat for you every day?¡± Qin Ran kicked him and brought him towards the log cabin.


    Qin Ran took out two chunks of high quality spirit beast meat rich in spiritual energy from the fridge and threw them into Chasing the Wind¡¯s food bowl.


    After two bites, Chasing the Wind was very unhappy with it. He let out dissatisfied ¡°aoo aoo¡± cries at Qin Ran and acted coquettishly, ¡°Daddy...¡±


    Qin Ran didn¡¯t pamper him. Squinting, he asked, ¡°Your Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger lineage, don¡¯t you all know how to start fires and cook for yourselves, only eating cooked food?¡±


    The cat head drooped down aggrievedly. Hey in front of his food bowl, using his tongue to slowly lick and eat the meat, relying on the meat spikes on his tongue.

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 150


    Perhaps it was because he had been scolded by Qin Ran, Chasing the Wind did not run out again in the afternoon. After he finished eating, he went to lie by theke pit and watched as Qin Ran walked around the bottom of theke with all kinds of strange measuring tools.


    After lying there for a while, he suddenly realized there was an additional sleepy-eyed white fox next to him. This fox had pure white fur and five fluffy tails, very beautiful, also lying there watching the bottom of theke pit.


    He roared politely at the fox.


    "Ao..." Tushan Youyouzily yawned, casually responding to Chasing the Wind.


    A tiger and a fox bothy by theke, one with a sturdy, powerful tiger tail, and the other with a fluffy, cute fox tail. They were generally the same size, both pure white, looking quite well-matched.


    Long Qiqi, watching this scene from the Linghuai tree, suddenly felt a sour feeling in her heart for some reason. She murmured, "I was here first."


    "Ao..." The five-tailed white fox asked the Xuanming Spirit Tiger.


    "Formation." The Xuanming Spirit Tiger replied.


    The five-tailed white fox then fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. Soon after, she stood up straight and transformed into an alluring beauty, then asked Qin Ran at the bottom of theke, "Can you still set up formations?"


    Qin Ran looked back and saw the white, abundant curves on theke shore - it was too beautiful a sight that he involuntarily averted his gaze.


    "A little." He replied.


    Tushan Youyou''s eyes lit up and she asked, "Can you teach me how?"


    "You want to learn formations?" Qin Ran asked.


    "I want to learn so much more! Formations, pill refining, alchemy, poetry, music, chess, calligraphy, painting... I want to learn them all!" Tushan Youyou said spiritedly.


    Qin Ran looked at her eager appearance, recalling legends of fox spirits in strange tales.


    Those fox spirits really liked seducing schrs and disguising themselves as students to sneak into academies to read books. Both were rted to reading - it seemed that learning was truly in the nature of fox spirits.


    "I can teach you, no problem. But what you want to learn, each area is profoundly vast. Even specializing in just one would require endless effort... Formations in particr..." He said to Tushan Youyou, "My intelligence is decent, yet researching formations for nearly twenty years, I''ve barely scratched the surface."


    "That''s fine, I can learn slowly!" Tushan Youyou went fromzy to motivated - she seemed intent on systematically learning all areas of knowledgepletely.


    She jumped down into theke pit and came to Qin Ran''s side, asking "Chasing the Wind said you were setting up a formation - is this setting up a formation? What all needs to be done?"


    She had an innate, intoxicating fragrance about her that Qin Ran found hard to resist. He quietly sidled away, replying:


    "Surveying distances to n the size and distribution of the formation pattern; gauging the spiritual energy density to adjust the corresponding parts of the formation; surveying the spiritual energy and terrain flows..."


    Qin Ran exined as he took measurements. He was not petty - since Tushan Youyou wanted to learn, he exined to her in detail.


    And Tushan Youyou was indeed a quick study, listening attentively...so her fragrant, supple body unconsciously drew very close to Qin Ran.


    In front of the hut, Li Shiyin finished sword practice and went over to Chasing the Wind''s side to check on her esteemed master, but instead...


    She saw her master intimately associating with that fox spirit, adulterer and adulteress!


    Li Shiyin''s anger instantly red up. Gritting her teeth furiously, she asked, "Master, would you like to see if my sword is sharp enough?"


    Qin Ran panicked in that instant. He replied, "I was just teaching her about formations!"


    What did ''protesting too much'' mean?


    As soon as he said it, he felt it was wrong - he had a clear conscience and was just teaching about formations. And the one above was his disciple! What was he afraid of? Why did he need to exin anything?


    "Cough!" At this thought, Qin Ran''s expression grew severe. Acting properly, he took out Elementary Introduction to Formations from his storage bag and handed it to Tushan Youyou, sternly saying:


    "This is foundational formation knowledge. Read through this first. After you''ve thoroughly understood this book, you may begin researching formations."


    Ah, although there were countless just reasons, a true man could yield if he must. Sometimes retreating was still necessary.


    Tushan Youyou took Elementary Introduction to Formations - it was a massive book, very heavy, she almost didn''t grasp it firmly. She flipped open the pages and saw them densely packed with tiny ant-like words that made her eyes swim.


    "What, I have to finish reading such a thick book before I can start learning formations?" She paged through the thickness and doubted Qin Ran was blowing her off, asking, "How long would that take?"


    "I read that book on and off for five years..." Qin Ran said.


    Tushan Youyou examined Qin Ran closely and discovered he didn''t seem to be lying.


    "Alright..." It seemed she truly had to read such a book. She could only resign herself, dejectedly taking up the book and turning to fly towards theke.


    Seeing Tushan Youyou leave, Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Though uncertain why, he had a guilty conscience despite not actually doing anything wrong. He was just teaching formations. And the one above was his disciple! What was there to be anxious over?


    Tushan Youyou flew up onto theke bank, opened Elementary Introduction to Formations on her knees, reading as she walked.


    "Fox spirit!"


    Suddenly she heard someone gnashing their teeth and cursing at her from the side.


    She was baffled and looked over at the curser... Li Shiyin nodded, "That''s right, I''m a fox spirit!"


    "Shameless, seducing another''s master..." Li Shiyin continued scolding.


    Hearing this, Tushan Youyou looked Li Shiyin up and down, causing Li Shiyin to feel embarrassed, before clicking her tongue disapprovingly and continuing on her way.


    She left theke and arrived at the flower tree in front of the hut, sitting on the swing.


    Tushan Youyouid the book open on her knees and saw an enormous venomous snake in the Linghuai tree flicking its tongue at her with intense malice. She was mystified and said, "I really am a fox spirit, right?"


    Long Qiqi flicked her tongue, cursing inwardly, "Yes, yes, yes!"


    "Chasing the Wind!" Qin Ran called loudly from theke bottom, "Bring the formation materials over,e down and help me set up the formation..."


    "Ao..." Chasing the Wind yawned and got up, using the wind to swirl up the formation materials Qin Ran had prepared in advance, blowing them all down to theke bottom.


    Therge wooden bucket containing the materials crashed onto theke bottom with a "ng". Seeing this, Qin Ran flew up and kicked Chasing the Wind in the face, scolding, "Don''t you know to be gentle?! Wouldn''t you feel bad if you broke it?"


    The kick sent Chasing the Wind rolling several times along the bottom of theke. He dazedly crawled up...


    He felt this beating was unfounded.

 Chapter 151

    Chapter 151


    Huang Feiyu had been frequenting Dan Peak these days, popping up at Dan Peak every other day, looking more like a native of Dan Peak than Chasing Wind.


    He was either following Qin Ran around helping set up formations at the bottom of theke, or pulling Li Shiyin to practice swordsmanship, or teaching Long Qiqi to sense qi... He looked very busy.


    However, even before he transformed into fire, this person''s purposefulness was already very strong, only concealed by his high EQ at the time, not too obvious. Now that he has transformed into fire, with a irritable temper, no longer hiding his intentions, it bes easy for people to see through.


    He came to Dan Peak with a certain purpose, and it can be determined that it wasn''t because of the five-tailed fox demon newly joined Dan Peak...


    "So where did he get the news and know that I have the Immortal Spirit Scroll?" Lying on a lounger by theke, Qin Ran took a sip of awakening tea, looking at Huang Feiyu battling with Li Shiyin midair, and couldn''t quite figure it out, "Could it be that he is also very close with the disciples of Lingnan Immortal Sect?"


    In midair, Li Shiyin was battling with the fire guy Huang Feiyu.


    Li Shiyin disyed her lightness skill, constantly attacking around the fire man Huang Feiyu.


    Her control of sword qi was already quite proficient, able to unleash and pull back smoothly ording to her will;


    Her body method was also agile enough, looking like seeking flowers in the mist, like an antelope hanging its horns, like an immortal descending to the mundane world, allowing her to dodge Huang Feiyu''s attacks at subtle pivotal moments, and suddenly appear from another direction during her nimble maneuvers.


    With Huang Feiyu intentionally feeding moves and intentionally taking hits, the two fought vigorously with back and forth exchanges, quite marvelous to behold.


    Li Shiyin''s sword qi wasprehended bit by bit by herself; but her body method was passed down by Bai Ruoxi during this time.


    This body method was called Immortal Seeking the Way, created by a celestial realm cultivator when seeking the Dao.


    This was abat body method, with the characteristic of vast and boundless, elusive and unpredictable, as if the cultivator saw the Dao that had no size, no direction, no beginning nor end, infinite and boundless, and the bewilderment in his heart. Immortal Seeking the Way, the Way was right there, yet couldn''t be found no matter what.


    In short, this was an immortal art, containing rhyme of the Dao.


    At this time, Li Shiyin was still in the foundation building stage, not even disying one ten thousandth of the subtleties when executing this body method. But relying on this body method alone, she could still fight above her level, constantly attacking around Huang Feiyu, while Huang Feiyu couldn''t even touch her clothes.


    "Immortal Seeking the Way?" Looking at Li Shiyin midair, let alone Huang Feiyu, even Qin Ran, a senior watcher that was a whole realm above, couldn''t determine Li Shiyin''s exact position, "Seeking the Way?"


    This reminded him that Su Changqing had told him many times, wishing to be good friends on the path of seeking the Dao with him...


    "What virtue or ability do I have?" Hemented in his heart, "I only want to have a ce to rest in this world, what Dao could I possibly have the qualification for?"


    Although the body method was exquisite, it consumed too much spiritual power. After battling for a while, Li Shiyin soon exhausted her spiritual power and had to stop.


    "Junior sister Li''sbat strength, senior brother has rarely seen in his life!" Huang Feiyu said, "In Dao Sword Sect... No, the entire North Chu, I''m afraid there is no one at the foundation building stage who can fight junior sister."


    "Senior brother, don''t joke around. I''m not that amazing." Li Shiyin waved her hand and said.


    "It''s good that you have this understanding..." Qin Ran advised, "This world is vast and boundless. Those with extraordinary talents and abundant resources, who knows how many. There are not only those stronger than you at the foundation building stage, but many.


    "Not to mention those beyond you - Gold Core, Yuan Ying, Integration, and even higher realms, those are innumerable."


    Li Shiyin was unhappy hearing this. She clearly was very powerful, even senior brother Jian Fengplimented her, yet master had to pour cold water on her, not giving her any face.


    She huffed with pursed lips and nodded, "Yes, master."


    Seeing her expression, Qin Ran knew she was unconvinced. So he asked her, "Can you beat Bai Ruoxi at the same realm?"


    Li Shiyin thought carefully. Bai Ruoxi''s talent wasn''t too far from hers, but Bai Ruoxi cultivated immortal arts, and was also at the Gold Core realm, with richerbat experiencepared to her.


    So she and Bai Ruoxi...


    "I can''t win." She answered honestly.


    "You can''t even beat Bai Ruoxi, let alone Su Changqing." Qin Ran said, "Su Changqing is a true genius... And there are countless ones like Bai Ruoxi in Lingnan Immortal Sect."


    Huang Feiyu nced at Qin Ran. He felt like this was meant for him.


    Li Shiyin''s unhappiness dissipated a little, realizing she was indeed quite mediocre.


    "But..." She still said, "I''m also very powerful, right?"


    Qin Ran smiled and shook his head, not berating her further.


    Li Shiyin put away her sword and went back to her room for water. Huang Feiyu floated in front of Qin Ran. Looking at Li Shiyin''s back, he said to Qin Ran, "Junior sister really is very powerful."


    Qin Ran neither agreed nor disagreed, only saying, "She obtained some fortuitous encounters."


    War Spirit Art and Immortal Seeking the Way could both be considered fortuitous encounters that came out of thin air... Li Shiyin''s foundations were solid to begin with. Her foundational skills and life sword were both top quality, but these were just the standard for ordinary disciples of major sects. It was precisely War Spirit Art and Immortal Seeking the Way that allowed Li Shiyin to transcend the realm of ordinary disciples, much stronger than her peers.


    "Do you have anything else today?" Qin Ran suddenly asked Huang Feiyu.


    "Hmm?" Huang Feiyu was startled, and quickly answered, "Don''t think so?"


    "If you''re not busy..." Qin Ran pointed at the mound of soil piled into a small hill at the edge of theke pit, and said, "I n to build ake dam and a pavilion in the middle of theke with this pile of mud. Can you help me and burn this pile of mud into fire bricks?"


    "Burn, fire bricks?" Huang Feiyu felt something was off.


    "Mm..." Qin Ran nodded, put down his cup, and walked to the edge of the mud pile. He said to Huang Feiyu, "Come over, I''ll exin in detail."


    After Huang Feiyu came over, Qin Ran drew water from the river to mix with the mud. He controlled the water, stirred it thoroughly, then molded it into an ordinary brick sized lump to show Huang Feiyu, and said,


    "This is the brick I want, can you burn it?"


    He tossed the brick to Huang Feiyu, "Fire."


    Huang Feiyu then controlled a me to grab the mud brick, suspending the brick midair as it was incinerated by intense mes.


    " Higher temperature..." Qin Ran looked at the changes in the brick and reminded.


    Huang Feiyu raised the temperature.


    "Temperature is too high."


    Huang Feiyu lowered the temperature.


    Soon, a palm-sized fire brick was fired.


    Qin Ran pointed at the brick and asked Huang Feiyu, "This is the brick I want, can you make it?"


    Huang Feiyu looked at the mountainous pile of mud, then at the brick in his hand, and finally back at Qin Ran. He couldn''t believe that after all the trouble of transforming into a fire lion, transforming into pure fire element, bing the fire god, it was to make fire bricks for Dan Peak?


    He was quite hesitant.


    "If you can''t, I''ll just use earth fire myself..." Qin Ran said, "Just more tedious, slower, less efficient."


    "I can do it!" Huang Feiyu nodded.

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 152


    In order to both prevent the spiritual veins under theke from leaking and draw the spiritual energy out to serve as the source of the Dan Peak''s protective mountain grand formation, nourishing Dan Peak, the construction of the formations was very difficult. Qin Ran worked hard over a long period of time,ying restrictions and formations, and even repaving ayer at the bottom of theke before finally getting theke bottom done.


    After Huang Feiyu finished making bricks, Qin Ran also took him and Chasing the Wind to build a cross dam across the man-madeke. And of course the firebricks were not waterproof, so he also drew water-repelling formation patterns on them.


    Between theke bottom and the dam, Qin Ran spent over a month, and the pavilion at the center of theke has still not been formally built, only the foundation has beenid...


    But the Mid-Autumn Festival wasing in a few days, the fifteenth day of the eighth month had special meaning to Qin Feng, he decided that before the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he would break through the barrier between the small river and the man-madeke.


    The small river that flowed down from the back mountain cut straight across Dan Peak and flowed down the eastern side of Dan Peak, eventually joining the big river that passed by Daofeng Gate.


    And Dan Peak just so happened to have dug a small man-madeke along this little river.


    This man-madeke was basically dug by Li Shiyin. She dug for about three months, going from an ordinary mortal to now and-based immortal who could move heaven and earth. This was her journey ofke digging, and also her journey of foundation building, and even more so, the beginning of her attaining immortality.


    If the river of Dan Peak was the "1" in the number "10", then thiske was the "0". Now was precisely the time to break through the barrier between the "1" and "0", to connect the "1" and "0", to form theke.


    The people of Dan Peak along with Huang Feiyu and Tian Wenjin were standing at the corner between the small river and man-madeke, with the cat Chase Wind in front. Li Shiyin stepped forward out of the crowd and said to Qin Ran:


    "Teacher, please let me!"


    This was theke she dug, so letting the water flow in should be done by her.


    "Mm!" Qin Ran nodded, and also reminded: "Don''t open toorge of an opening, in case it impacts the life forms downstream."


    "I understand..."


    Li Shiyin took out her Qingxing Sword, disyed her movement technique, and floated up into the air. She danced her sword as if stars were falling down to earth, dazzling and ethereal. At a certain moment, one star shone brightly and a beam of ster sword qi shot out, striking the joint between the small river and man-madeke. Like a sharp de slicing tofu, it easily cut open the earth and rock.


    Immediately, water began flowing into the man-madeke through the breach.


    As if an illusion, the moment the water started flowing into the man-madeke, Tian Wenjin felt a sense ofmunication and understanding, as if silt was being cleared away, as if shackles were being broken, as if new life was being born... Dan Peak, in this moment, became more nurtured, more vibrant.


    She looked at Li Shiyin midair, feeling extremely envious in her heart.


    "Is it a formation?" Tu Shan asked with eyes closed as he sensed the moister air, asking Qin Ran.


    "It is indeed a formation..." Qin Ran nodded, "And this is just the beginning, it will be better and betterter on."


    Tian Wenjin looked at the water umting at the bottom of theke, thinking, just how blissful it must feel to build and of paradise with one''s own hands.


    "Teacher, what should we name thiske?" Li Shiyin called out loudly sword in hand amidst the air, asking Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran looked at the female sword immortal in the sky and smiled, saying: "Thiske, let''s call it Sword Washing Lake!"


    The female sword immortal''s face immediately blushed. The teacher really could hear while in aa!


    But she raised her head and said: "Sword Washing Lake? Very nice!"


    She stimted her magic power again. There was sword qi squirming around the Qingxing Sword as she said: "This sword immortal will bestow upon you a stone stele."


    Sshing sounds came from the air as sword qi shot at a giant boulder by thekeside. Soon, a smooth and rounded stone was taken out from that boulder, with the three carved words "Sword Washing Lake" upon it.


    Although this Li Shiyin would fall asleep whenever she read books, in the end she came from a family with strict teachings, she did ultimately understand calligraphy. And coupled with her using sword qi to carve cat scratching posts and cat climbing frames for Chase Wind, her carving skill was also quite good.


    These three words "Sword Washing Lake" actually had considerable ir, both in calligraphy and the sword.


    Qin Ran used water to hold up that stone stele and erect it at the bank of the man-madeke, with the three words facing outwards. From now on, anyone who came to Dan Peak and looked over here would be able to see these words "Sword Washing Lake".


    "From now on, it will be called Sword Washing Lake." He said.


    The female sword immortal put away her sword and looked at the umting water at the bottom of theke, feeling extremely aplished... This was theke she dug, and it really was theke where she practiced her sword, her sword washingke.


    Perhaps many yearster when she attained immortality and became a celestial being, if there wereter generations who came to revere her former residence, they would point to thiske and say: "Look, this is theke where the female sword immortal washed her sword."


    "So this is the sword immortal''s Sword Washing Lake. To be able to witness it in this lifetime, I have no regrets!" Someone might respond thusly.


    Perhaps there would even be someone who gained insights into a new sword technique from gazing at the stele she had inscribed...


    "Hehehe..." She stared foolishly at theke, smiling.


    Qin Ran nced at his silly apprentice, toozy to pay her any mind. He said to the others: "Come try the new dishes I just developed!"


    This could also count as a simpleke opening ceremony. On the day water was let into theke, invite over some good friends to observe the ceremony, then drink wine and make merry, that was also a joyous affair.


    Qin Ran went to the back mountain and gathered ingredients, making a full table of dishes to showcase to these otherworldly natives what good food was.


    After eating their fill and drinking plenty, Qin Ran called Tian Wenjin over to walk across the bridge over the river to thekeside.


    "Thekeside should also have retaining walls built..." Qin Ran smiled, "Unfortunately, there are no more firebricks."


    "We can ask Senior Brother to help make some more." Tian Wenjin replied.


    Qin Ran looked at Tian Wenjin, seeing her expression, knowing that Huang Feiyu had not told her about the Immortal Spirit Scroll.


    "Do you know of the Immortal Spirit Scroll?" He asked her.


    "I''ve heard people talk about it before." Tian Wenjin nodded and said, "I heard that if you hold the Immortal Spirit Scroll you can take part in Lingnan Immortal Sect''s entrance examination. If you pass the exam, you be a disciple of Lingnan Immortal Sect."


    "If I gave you an Immortal Spirit Scroll, would you go to Lingnan Immortal Sect?" Qin Ran asked.


    "I wouldn''t be qualified." Tian Wenjin said.


    "Once you form your core, you would be qualified."


    Tian Wenjin shook her head and said: "Form my core? Who knows when that will happen. And I still don''t even know if I''d be able to form my core..."


    She lowered her head in thought, then continued: "Since I have already apprenticed into Daofeng Gate, I no longer think about those kinds of lofty things."


    "Is it really because of Daofeng Gate?" Qin Ran sighed.


    He took out a scroll shining with golden light from his cosmic bag and handed it to Tian Wenjin, saying: "I''ll just give this to you now then."


    "This is... Immortal Spirit Scroll?" Tian Wenjin recognized what it was but did not dare ept it.


    "Take it!"


    Tian Wenjin shook her head again: "Shiyin is more suitable now. She will definitely be a disciple of Lingnan Immortal Sect in the future."


    "Shiyin will not go to Lingnan Immortal Sect."


    "I won''t go either."


    "But someone wants to go."


    Tian Wenjin was suddenly stunned. She instantly understood why Qin Ran wanted to give the scroll to her. In that instant, she understood many things.


    After hesitating for a long time, Tian Wenjin finally epted the Immortal Spirit Scroll.

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 153


    In the time that Qin Ran was dead, Bai Ruoxi found herself bored. She determined the aptitude of Long Qiqi, but she found that Long Qiqi was too focused and didn''t teach her cultivation or provide her with any good techniques.


    In the end, Long Qiqi had to explore cultivation on her own.


    However, her talent was trulycking. It had been over a month since she started meditating and cultivating, yet she still hadn''t even sensed a trace of qi.


    "How long have you been trying to sense qi?" Long Qiqi sat on a swing, gazing at the sky, and asked Li Shiyin, who was sitting on a chair.


    Li Shiyin had recently developed an interest in studying medicinal herbs and wanted to learn alchemy. At this moment, she was lying on the chair, with a book covering her face, lost in her own world... No one knew if she had been reading the book, but she had certainly gotten enough sleep.


    Upon hearing Long Qiqi''s question, she pondered for a moment and replied:


    "Every person''s constitution is unique, and it''s not appropriate to generalize. Each person has their own special qualities. Some people may not be very perceptive, so it takes them longer to sense qi. However, their cultivation may progress quickly afterwards. On the other hand, some people may sense qi quickly, but their subsequent cultivation progress may be slow. Just like my master said, those cultivators who have an unstable foundation in the foundational stage are likely to be stuck at the Golden Core stage for their entire lives. And..."


    Long Qiqi knew that Li Shiyin was trying to console her, but she didn''t find anyfort in her words. She had thought that after bing human, cultivation would be easier. Even if she couldn''t make rapid progress, she should at least be able to make some daily advancements, right? But here she was, stuck in one ce, making no progress at all.


    "Just tell me how long it took you," she impatiently interrupted Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin lifted the book from her face and extended her right index finger to Long Qiqi.


    As Long Qiqi looked at that slender and symmetrical finger, hope surged within her. She cautiously asked, "One month?"


    If even someone like Li Shiyin, who was praised as a genius by everyone, took one month, then it was eptable for her, who couldn''t sense qi after a month.


    But that finger, as thin as a slice of onion, shook left and right.


    Well, of course. After all, she was a genius. It would be understandable even if it took ten days. Long Qiqi nodded and asked again, "Ten days?"


    The finger shook again.


    A sense of defeat welled up within Long Qiqi. Indeed, everyone was different. Geniuses were truly geniuses, and she was truly unworthy of cultivation.


    "One day?" she sighed.


    The finger still shook.


    Long Qiqi looked up at the sky and suddenly felt that this world was devoid of meaning.


    "To be precise..." Li Shiyin put the book down, revealing her lovely face. She said to Long Qiqi, "It was an instant. On the day I arrived at the Peak of Pill Refinement, my master told me that the first step in cultivation is sensing qi. So, I went to my room and started meditating, closing my eyes and trying to sense qi. And then, I felt a gentle flow of qi... in my dantian, to be precise."


    Long Qiqi felt like she didn''t want to live anymore.


    "Don''t mind me anymore. I want to find a tofu and smash myself to death."


    Seeing Long Qiqi''s expression, Li Shiyin hesitated with her words. She wasn''t good atforting people, but after some thought, she came up with a positive example and said to Long Qiqi, "My master also had a slow time in sensing qi. My master said it took several months for him. But look at him now, he''s really powerful!"


    "Oh, thanks. I feel soforted," Long Qiqi replied nonchntly.


    But she was indeedforted. She thought, perhaps it''s not that humans are different from each other, but rather that humans are different from demonic beasts. She looked at Chasing the Wind, who was sleeping on the cat climbing frame, and asked loudly, "Big Silly Tiger, how long did it take for you to sense qi?!"


    "Finished!" Li Shiyin shook her head. Of all the people she could have asked, she had to go and ask Chasing the Wind. She covered her face with the book and waited for Long Qiqi to be struck down again.


    "What?" Chasing the Wind looked over with sleepy eyes, not hearing clearly what Long Qiqi had asked.


    "Sensing qi!" Long Qiqi emphasized.


    Chasing the Wind lifted its big head, thought carefully for a moment, and then shook its head, sticking out its tongue and saying, "Don''t know... "


    "Are you really this clueless?!" Long Qiqi was speechless. Chasing the Wind didn''t even know when it sensed qi?


    "Ah..." Chasing the Wind yawned and innocently said, "I also don''t know when I have qi... It just happens inexplicably."


    "Fine!" Long Qiqi was choked up. From what she heard, Chasing the Wind didn''t bother to cultivate at all. It ate and drank as it pleased, naturally acquiring qi, establishing a foundation, and embarking on the path of cultivation.


    Long Qiqi waspletely at a loss for words now. She swayed on the swing, not knowing what she was thinking.


    Seeing that Long Qiqi had no more questions, Chasing the Windy back down and went to sleep.


    As it grew older, this fellow gradually regained the demeanor of a big cat. If it wasn''t dozing off, it was on its way to dozing off, alwayszy andcking vitality.


    Who could tell that the big lump on the cat climbing frame used to be as lively as a puppy?


    Long Qiqi rocked on the swing for a while, suddenly stopped, and got up to leave.


    "Where are you going?" Li Shiyin was still "reading" her book and casually asked.


    "I''m going tomit suicide!" Long Qiqi said.


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin responded, not even ncing at Long Qiqi.


    Because anyone could possiblymit suicide, except for Long Qiqi.


    This melodramatic snake wanted to be a divine beast, constantly talking about destroying the entire Lingnan Region and creating a world only for demonic beasts.


    Long Qiqi found Qin Ran by the side of Sword-Washing Lake. Qin Ran was holding a branch of the Devouring Demon Willow, studying it by theke.


    "This is the Devouring Demon Willow?" Long Qiqi walked over and asked.


    "Mhm," Qin Ran nodded.


    "You want to nt the Devouring Demon Willow?" Long Qiqi asked again.


    "Yes."


    "And you dare to nt this kind of demonic creature?"


    Qin Ran nced at Long Qiqi inexplicably and smiled, "You have the nerve to call someone else a demonic creature? You''re a venomous snake yourself."


    Long Qiqi looked at Sword-Washing Lake, which still had very shallow water, hesitated for a moment, and replied with ack of confidence, "It''s different..."


    "What''s different?" Qin Ran shook his head and said to Long Qiqi, "Whether it''s the path of immortality or the path of demons, they are merely different manifestations of power. Immortal or demon, life or death, no matter how you try to differentiate living beings, they are all just different expressions of the heavenly dao."


    "In the world of cultivation, the first thing one must understand is that Heaven and Earth are indifferent, treating all living beings as mere fodder. Whether it is a human or a snake seeking to ascend to immortality, the Heavenly Dao does not care. If the heavens had eyes, in their gaze, you and the soil beneath your feet are no different.


    "I am cultivating the Devouring Demon Willow, not with any sinister intentions, but merely for the sake of research.


    "And...," he looked at the willow branch in his hand, "this is a Level 9 Demon Beast!"


    Long Qiqi noticed that Qin Ran''s cultivation level was truly extraordinary. She stood by and watched as Qin Ran chose a suitable spot and inserted the willow branch into the soil. Then she asked, "Can you teach me how to cultivate?"


    "Aren''t you afraid that I''m some weirdo?" Qin Ran infused the willow branch with a hint of life force and asked Long Qiqi.


    "I remain skeptical of your character," Long Qiqi replied, "but I believe in Shi Yin''s sword."


    Qin Ran chuckled in response.


    He stood up and took out a book from his Qiankun Bag, tossing it to Long Qiqi, saying, "Thene with me on the path of an alchemist!"


    Long Qiqi picked up the book and saw the words "Fundamental Fire-based Alchemy Techniques" on the cover, written in Qin Ran''s handwriting. Clearly, these were foundational techniques that Qin Ran had prepared for her long ago.


    As she looked at the book cover, her emotions grewplex.


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 Chapter 154

    Chapter 154


    After taking the initiative to find Qin Ran, Long Qiqi''s cultivation path finally began officially. She had cultivation techniques, cultivation methods, and cultivation ns. She was no longer confused or anxious.


    She would take the path that Li Shiyin had not taken before.


    She began to study the physical structure of the human body, the internal organs, meridians and acupoints. She also began to study medicinal materials, pharmacology, and prescriptions, and even started alchemy and cultivation.


    Compared to Li Shiyin, she was more like Qin Ran''s disciple, although she never called Qin Ran Master.


    Of course, when ites to who was more like Qin Ran''s disciple, Tushan Youyou was more like Qin Ran''s disciple than Li Shiyin. After all, Tushan Youyou would also learn array techniques from Qin Ran, while Li Shiyin could not learn sword techniques from Qin Ran.


    This made Li Shiyin feel a sense of crisis. Recently, the time she spent going out had drastically shortened. She spent her days curled up on Danfeng sleeping...sleeping...reading books!


    Li Shiyin read books every day, and also wanted to learn alchemy!


    Compared to cultivation, Long Qiqi was obviously much more talented in alchemy and medicine refinement... Someone as gloomy, dark, andplicated as her was quite suitable for researching these things.


    Although...her talent points seemed to have been assigned incorrectly...by a tiny bit.


    On the first floor of the Research Building, in the medicine preparation room, Qin Ran looked at the medicine Long Qiqi had configured. Looking at its pitch-ck color, smelling its pungent odor, and reaching out to test the potency of the medicine, his testing finger visibly turned purple.


    Qin Ran''s face darkened. With his physique, he was actually obstructed by Long Qiqi''s ordinary medicine to the point that his blood cirction was blocked.


    "What medicine did I ask you to make?" he asked Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqi replied, "An ointment for promoting blood cirction, removing blood stasis, regenerating flesh and skin care."


    "Then what medicine did you make?"


    "A poison that coagtes blood, rots flesh, and seals the throat on sight of blood."


    Qin Ran took two deep breaths to lower his blood pressure, then asked again, "Isn''t there a rather big gap between these two medicines?"


    "Actually not that big..." Long Qiqi answered seriously, "If you look closely, the ingredients used to make this poison are the ingredients used to make the ointment. The preparation method is also the one you taught me. It also involves the pharmacology you taught me.


    "The only difference is that its effects are just the opposite.


    "Elixirs and poisons are essentially the same thing in nature. As you said before, the yin and yang in pharmacology are like the palm and back of a hand - it''s one thing."


    What Long Qiqi said was reasonable. She did use the medicinal materials for wound medicine to make a poison that could seal the throat at the sight of blood. And the pharmacology involved was the same.


    Looking at this poison, Qin Ran didn''t know what to say for a moment. Long Qiqi had indeed learned everything he taught her, and she was using it very well, she just got it a bit twisted. "You really are a venomous snake!" He rolled his eyes. A perfectly good medicine for treating wounds could also be turned into deadly poison by her - that was also a kind of talent.


    But after thinking about it, he decided not to forcibly correct her. A venomous snake''s innate talent was venom after all, there was no need to change that.


    Moreover, elixirs and poisons were indeed based on the same core principles.


    If Long Qiqi liked to refine poisons, let her refine them. He would just teach her pharmacology normally.


    However, there was one thing that had to be made clear to this dark lolita beforehand...


    "No matter what kind of poison you refine, don''t use it in Danfeng!" he warned Long Qiqi very seriously. "Once discovered, you will be expelled from Danfeng... If it''s serious, I''ll kill you myself."


    Long Qiqi did not get Qin Ran scolding her for messing up the medicine, nor did she get Qin Ran forbidding her from refining poisons. Instead, she got Qin Ran warning her not to use poisons in Danfeng...


    She realized that Qin Ran really was different from all the other people she had seen before.


    This man was too good, his state of mind was too high.


    She nodded her head repeatedly and said with a smile, "Why would I use poison in Danfeng?"


    But seeing this dark lolita, Qin Ran still didn''t feel at ease and said:


    "As a researcher... alchemist, you will have to write alchemy reports in the future. Every instance of alchemy and medicine refinement needs to be recorded truthfully. Every step of medicine refinement, what raw materials were used, what medicinal materials were added in each step, how much was added, the extraction and purification situation of the medicinal materials, extraction and purification times, reaction times, reaction changes, reaction results, etc. Record everything and submit it to me. Later I''ll give you a record of my own medicine refinement, follow that format.


    "Also, from now on, you are not allowed to go to the medicine warehouse to take medicinal materials by yourself. You must report to Xin first. And the poisons you refine all need to be collected properly,beled clearly, and ced in the poison building on the fourth floor. Every time you use it, you must make a record."


    He looked at Long Qiqi and asked, "Understand?"


    Long Qiqi, who had just felt that Qin Ran was not bad, suddenly felt bored when he imposed so many restrictions. She responded reluctantly, "Oh!"


    "I''m not stopping you from refining poisons, nor from using them, I just don''t want you to abuse them and hurt the innocent," Qin Ran said. "Cultivation is often about cultivating one''s heart and mind. Power and ughter can make cultivators be twisted and go berserk..."


    The young lolita didn''t understand these things, nor did she want to understand. She just felt Qin Ran was being long-winded, and retorted, "Wasn''t Shijiekui Timber Wolf fine after killing so many people? You don''t think it did anything wrong, do you?"


    "From the perspective of Heaven''s Way and Shijiekui Timber Wolf itself, it didn''t really do anything wrong," Qin Ran exined. "But from the perspective of cultivation, suddenly gaining so much power in an instant and wiping out so many lives in a sh, don''t you think it would twist one''s mind?


    "I don''t know if Shijiekui Timber Wolf''s mind got twisted, but I know you definitely won''t be able to keep your original heart!"


    "Don''t underestimate people!" Long Qiqi sneered.


    Actually she knew Qin Ran was right, she was just annoyed by his nagging.


    "In any case, the rules I mentioned regarding your alchemy must be followed." Seeing Long Qiqi''s impatient expression, Qin Ran didn''t say any more, just leaving her with a final warning.


    Long Qiqi rolled her eyes and responded listlessly, "Alright, I know."


    "That''s it for today''s pharmacology lesson, go back andprehend aura by yourself..." Qin Ran shook his head and turned to leave. "Condense your aura vortex as soon as possible."


    That''s how it was. Long Qiqi did have exceptional talent in alchemy, but she was better at refining elixirs in reverse - medicine for treating illness and saving lives, she would refine into drugs that killed; medicine for increasing aura and restoring blood, she would refine into medicine that depleted aura and blood.


    She should not be called an alchemist, she should be called a poison refiner.


    When Qin Ran came out of the Research Building, he arrived at the cabin and saw Li Shiyin listlessly swinging on the swing under the Spirit Maple Tree. On her closed thighs was a medicinal materials encyclopedia.


    Seeing his silly disciple looking like this, Qin Ran was very curious - since when did Li Shiyin sulk?


    "What''s wrong with you?" he asked.


    Li Shiyin turned her head to nce at Qin Ran, sighed, dragged out her voice to yell "Master~", then turned back again to keep swinging on the swing.


    Qin Ran sat down on a chair at the side and took out his elixir manual. He smiled and asked, "Who on earth upset our female sword immortal?"


    Li Shiyin widened her big eyes and looked sharply at Qin Ran.


    "Me?" Qin Ran was baffled. "What have I done recently?"


    Li Shiyin stopped swinging, got up with the book in herp, walked over to Qin Ran, and pouted, "Master, you''re not teaching me alchemy!"


    "Ah?" Qin Ran was surprised.


    "You''re not teaching me array techniques either!"


    "Um..." Qin Ran started thinking.


    "Are you even my master anymore?" Li Shiyin pointed her book at Qin Ran and asked.


    Seeing his silly disciple''s angry look, Qin Ran asked, "So what do you think we should do?"


    "Teach me alchemy!"


    "No problem..." Qin Ran nodded.


    Li Shiyin cheered up again. She pulled up a chair next to Qin Ran, holding the medicinal materials encyclopedia.


    She pointed to a strangely shaped nt in the book and asked Qin Ran, "Master, what is this?"


    "You''re holding the book upside down..."


    Ten minutester, a certain female sword immortal fell into dreand.


    7017 characters

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 155


    Li Shiyin studied alchemy for a few days and felt that alchemy was still too simple to match her genius image. So she asked Qin Ran to teach her array techniques. She persisted in learning array techniques for a bit longer... Of course, it wasn''t because she had be more powerful, but because Qin Ran realized there might be problems with his teaching methods. He changed from pure theory to tearing the theory into pieces and teaching her by integrating it into everyday life. But even so, she still chose to give up after persisting for seven or eight days.


    "Master, array techniques are still too simple. Let''s practice swordy!" Li Shiyin flipped the table and flew out of the research tower to the air above Sword Washing Lake. She drew her sword and said to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran followed her out to the corridor and looked at Li Shiyin floating in the air, shaking his head: "The master is not good at fighting."


    "Master..." Li Shiyin stamped her feet in midair, insisting that Qin Ran spar with her.


    Qin Ran suddenly saw Chasing the Wind on the cat tree by theke and had an idea. He pointed at Chasing the Wind and said to Li Shiyin, "He can spar with you."


    "Chasing the Wind?" Li Shiyin''s face was filled with doubt. That silly tiger could actually spar with her?


    And seeing the look of contempt on Li Shiyin''s little face, Qin Ran knew this girl was about to be taught a lesson.


    Let me emphasize again that Chasing the Wind is a level 7 Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger beast, and he''s not an ordinary wild Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger either. He grew up eating Qin Ran''s pills, listening to Qin Ran''s cultivation lessons, experiencing Qin Ran''s Three Nine Heavenly Tribtions, receiving the Wind of Life after the Devouring Demon Willow Tribtion, and ording to Qin Ran''s calctions, he was very likely to evolve into a level 8 beast.


    So don''t be fooled by Chasing the Wind''s silliness, he is a real underage level 7 beast king, a true fierce beast.


    "Chasing the Wind!" Qin Ran called out to Chasing the Wind on the cat tree.


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind stirred and blinked nkly at Qin Ran, not knowing what his dad was calling him for.


    "Spar with her (beat her up)." Qin Ran pointed at Li Shiyin floating in the sky for Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Windzily tilted his head and looked at Li Shiyin, then let out a big yawn, turning back to Qin Ran: "Huh?"


    His big head was full of confusion.


    He wanted him to beat up mother? What was that supposed to mean? Had father gone silly too?


    "Look at him like this..." Li Shiyin shook her head disdainfully, "How does he look like he knows how to fight?"


    Qin Ran said with an evil grin, "If you beat her, dad will roast meat for you to eat tonight."


    "Hmm?" Meat?! Chasing the Wind was instantly spirited. He propped up his upper body, looked at Qin Ran and asked, "Really?"


    "When has dad ever lied to you?" Qin Ran said.


    It seemed like he hadn''t. Chasing the Wind hurriedly got to his feet, shook the fur on his body, bared his four small...big tiger teeth at Li Shiyin with a silly grin.


    Li Shiyin had picked up Chasing the Wind on a rainy day and raised him from a cub, so she had always treated Chasing the Wind as a real big cat. And she had indeed never seen Chasing the Wind get vicious before. In her memory, he had always been either a well-behaved cat puring in her arms or a silly cat following her around.


    Could this guy actually fight? Li Shiyin shook her head, not believing it at all. She pondered whether she should switch to a wooden sword, lest she hurt this silly tiger.


    But at that moment, Chasing the Wind''s silly grinning expression suddenly changed. His aura instantly became fierce and aggressive. He opened his mouth wide...


    "Roar!"


    He let out a roar at Li Shiyin.


    A tiger''s roar that makes all beasts in the mountain forest submit!


    This sound was like a substantial attack, hitting Li Shiyin''s head like a stick, instantly knocking her unconscious.


    Then a strong gust of wind sted forth, a white shadow shed from the cat tree, appearing before Li Shiyin in an instant. His tiger paw the size of a fan swatted down!


    He had some conscience at least, not swatting at Li Shiyin''s head, only aiming at her shoulders and back where her defenses were stronger.


    "Bang!"


    This p was heavy, instantly shattering Li Shiyin''s body protecting flying sword and shield. Her entire person was then pped down, crashing into theke!


    "Boom..."


    Theke surface sshed up ten-foot-high sprays of water.


    Long Qiqi''s whole body shuddered as she shook her head, "This silly tiger is the real deal!"


    She had been doing experiments in the next room earlier and had snuck out to watch the lively scene after hearing themotion outside.


    Qin Ran nced back at her but didn''t scold her. He only said, "Recently, Shiyin''s strength has been rising continuously and she hasn''t properly lost in a while either, so she''s grown arrogant. If I don''t give her a good beating as a lesson, she''ll develop inner demons."


    Long Qiqiughed. "Chasing the Wind is too silly. It''s easy to forget that he''s a level 7 beast."


    The sshingke water slowly fell back down, the ripples caused by the water droplets spread out in all directions, and the turbulentke surface gradually calmed down.


    At a certain moment...


    "Boom!"


    Theke surface suddenly erupted again, with countless sprays of water shooting towards the sky, all aimed at Chasing the Wind, but Li Shiyin''s figure was nowhere to be seen amidst the water sprays.


    These waterspouts all contained Li Shiyin''s sword qi. Not daring to ignore them, Chasing the Wind raised his two front paws and threw a flurry of phantom punches to bat away the waterspouts.


    But when he was batting away the waterspouts, Li Shiyin, who had been hiding in them, suddenly shed out, stabbing a sword towards his waist.


    Li Shiyin''s movement technique was Seeking the Way Like an Immortal, an immortal technique that allowed her figure to appear and disappear erratically, making it hard for others to notice her.


    At least Chasing the Wind didn''t notice her until this sword had stabbed over, its sword qi shaving off some of his fur, before he reacted.


    Then a tail like a steel whipshed over Li Shiyin''s head.


    This was attacking Wei to rescue Zhao.


    If Li Shiyin''s stab went through, it would likely heavily injure Chasing the Wind, but Chasing the Wind''s tail whip could cost Li Shiyin her life.


    After weighing the options, Li Shiyin could only retract her sword to block the iing tail.


    She was then directly whipped away by the tail.


    The physical body of a level 7 beast truly deserved to be described as terrifying.


    Chasing the Wind batted away all the waterspouts containing sword qi, then went to look for Li Shiyin''s figure, but couldn''t find her either.


    "Sigh..." Long Qiqi let out an envious sigh, "Both of them are extremebat geniuses, able to find the other''s weakness in an instant. Chasing the Wind''s advantage lies in his great strength and fast attacks. Shiyin''s advantage lies in her agile movement technique and high damage output. Shiyin can take the opportunity to attack relying on her movement technique. Chasing the Wind can then not move like a mountain and defeat her strongly with one move."


    "You''re not bad either." Qin Ran appraised. Being able to see their attacking and defending capabilities was already quite good.


    Long Qiqi was rendered speechless for a moment, not knowing whether she should feel happy about the praise.


    "This little guy Chasing the Wind is quite nasty..." Qin Ran suddenlyughed, "Look at his tail."


    Long Qiqi looked closely but didn''t notice anything off: "What''s wrong with his tail?"


    "It''s a bit shorter..."


    Li Shiyin kept appearing out of thin air, sending waves of sword qi at Chasing the Wind. But Chasing the Wind, treading on the wind with his catty punches waving fiercely, either evaded or neutralized all of Li Shiyin''s attacks.


    And when Li Shiyin appeared again to attack, he suddenly let out a roar to daze her soul once more. Then several cold gleaming ws suddenly protruded out of his big paw swiping towards Li Shiyin.


    If this w swipe connected, Li Shiyin would at least be disemboweled.


    But how could Li Shiyin fall for the same trick twice?


    She had been on guard against Chasing the Wind''s soul-shaking roar all along. When his paw came swatting down, she disappeared abruptly again, the starlight on her body surging wildly as she cursed loudly:


    "Stinky tiger! You want more?!"


    Then a thick pir of purple sword qi sted from the ground to the sky before flipping over and hacking down towards Chasing the Wind.


    "Aoowuu..." Chasing the Wind let out a weird yelp as he didn''t dare mess around. He spread open his hind paws and fled at full speed.


    Li Shiyin''s sword hack fully deserved its name of washing the swordke. The surging sword qi cleaved theke into two halves as it crashed down, exposing theke bottom''s color.


    Theke water parted and converged again, the sshing sprays turning the entire Dan Peak into rain. In the rain, Li Shiyin held up her sword panting heavily as she shouted, "I won!"


    "Shameless!" Qin Ran flew out from the research tower to stand by Chasing the Wind''s side and asked Li Shiyin, "You can keep up with Chasing the Wind relying on your movement technique, but how much longer can you keep up that movement technique?"


    Li Shiyin sheathed her sword and lowered her head without speaking.


    Thatst sword strike had exhausted all of herst bit of spiritual power.


    "Also..." Qin Ran pointed at Li Shiyin''s shoulders, "Look at what''s on your shoulders."


    Li Shiyin turned her head to look, only to find that there was still a miniature ck Chasing the Wind squatting on her shoulder. Seeing her look over, this Chasing the Wind let out a "meow" and then ran back onto the tip of its own tail.


    "When did this happen?" She was greatly shocked, because she had not noticed at all.


    "When you came out of theke, that split body had been hiding in your shadow the whole time," Qin Ran shook his head. "So your every move was under Chasing the Wind''s control. Then think again, if the p from Chasing the Wind earlier had hit your head instead, would you still have had any fighting capability?"


    Li Shiyin felt defeated inside. She looked at Chasing the Wind. At this time Chasing the Wind was squatting next to Qin Ran, licking his paws, having reverted back to his silly self, Daddy''s good boy again.


    The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. She flew over and gave Chasing the Wind a heavy kick, then flew back to the little wooden house.


    Chasing the Wind felt wronged. He said to Qin Ran: "Daddy?"


    "There will be barbecue for dinner tonight," Qin Ran said with a smile, stroking his big head.


    "Roar..." Chasing the Wind let out a happy loud roar.

 Chapter 156

    Chapter 156


    North Chu Country did not have the Mid-Autumn Festival, so Li Shiyin did not quite understand why Qin Ran was suddenly in low spirits on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month...


    Today''s master was obviously in sorrow.


    "Master..." She leaned against the doorframe between the living room and kitchen, watching Qin Ran making noodles she had never seen before in the kitchen, and asked, "What kind of festival is the Mid-Autumn Festival?"


    "A festival for family reunion." Qin Ran replied, "Eating mooncakes, appreciating the moon, osmanthus flowers, osmanthus wine, that''s the memory this festival gives me."


    "But why have I never heard of the Mid-Autumn Festival?"


    "Because there is no Mid-Autumn Festival in North Chu."


    "Aren''t you from North Chu, Master?" Li Shiyin asked in puzzlement.


    "I am from North Chu, and I am not from North Chu."


    "Huh? Why?" Li Shiyin''s little brain couldn''tprehend such a philosophical question.


    Qin Ran just smiled without answering. He didn''t tell Li Shiyin that in fact, her master was from another world.


    The Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake had been built. It took Qin Ran and Chasing the Wind three days, using quite precious wood, to build it.


    This wood was the kind that could be carved with magic circle patterns, was resistant to water erosion, and was extremely spiritual, very amazing magic wood.


    Even during ordinary times, just sitting in the pavilion, one could smell the rich, sweet spiritual aura, making people feel refreshed all over, carefree and happy. If it was an ordinary person, there would probably be the effect of prolonging life.


    That night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and a light breeze blew across theke surface.


    Qin Ran made mooncakes, osmanthus cakes, bought osmanthus wine, prepared fruits, made some other delicacies, and ced them all on the stone table in the center of the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake;


    He also pulled out Tushan Youyou, who had been reading books in the fox''s cave, called over Tian Wenjin from Sword Peak and Huang Feiyu, so along with the original four people from Cinnabar Peak, seven people gathered together in the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake.


    Tushan Youyou was truly not letting down the fine tradition of fox demons, loved learning very much. Ever since Qin Ran gave her the magic circlependium, she had been shrinking in the cave reading books all day, rarely going out. The people from Cinnabar Peak had barely seen her.


    "How much of the Basics of Magic Circles have you read?" The little loli dragon Long Qiqi threw Tushan Youyou a mooncake, and curiously asked.


    "Almost half." Tushan Youyou caught the mooncake, looked at it, smelled it, and asked Long Qiqi, "What is this?"


    "Qin Ran said it''s called mooncake, a delicacy from his hometown. Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival you have to eat mooncakes," Long Qiqi said. "So can you set up magic circles now?"


    Tushan Youyou shook her head. She took a small bite of the mooncake, looked inside, and found egg yolk in it... What kind of dark cooking was this?


    "Since reading the Basics of Magic Circles, I''ve realized what''s called vast as smoke and seas. Just the basic magic circle patterns alone number three thousand. And each of these basic magic circle patterns can bebined with other patterns arbitrarily. Eachbination is different from the others. Then their order, time, space, and other rtionships, if one thing is different, it will produce new effects..."


    She said, "Reading it makes my head feel like exploding. Standing in front of the way of magic circles is like an ant standing in the universe, alone facing the ancient past and present, above and below!"


    Qin Ran handed Tushan Youyou a cup of osmanthus wine. Hearing Tushan Youyou''s words, heughed and praised, "It seems you have someprehension of magic circles, very good."


    Tushan Youyou took a sip of the osmanthus wine and gave her evaluation: "Your osmanthus wine is no good. It only has the fragrance, there is no sweet osmanthus taste in the wine."


    "The wine was bought. In the future when we have nted our own osmanthus trees, we can brew it ourselves," Qin Ran said. "Just tell me how the mooncakes are!"


    "The mooncakes are alright."


    "I made the mooncakes..."


    Tian Wenjin and Huang Feiyu looked like they were not in good condition. From when they arrived at Cinnabar Peak to when they sat down in the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake until now looking at the moon, they didn''t have good expressions towards each other.


    They even sat far apart, at opposite sides of the pavilion...


    "Has Wenjin taken on any sect missions in the past few days?" Li Shiyin gave Tian Wenjin some plums,ughing as she asked.


    Tian Wenjin shook his head and replied, "I haven''t gone out recently..."


    "Next time you go on a mission, remember to call me. I haven''t done any sect missions yet!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Sect missions are actually quite arduous. They are just an opportunity for those ordinary disciples to cultivate," Tian Wenjin said. "For someone like you, there is no need to take on missions. They are arduous and dangerous, not worth it."


    "Not entirely..." Qin Ran walked over and said to Tian Wenjin, "Sect missions are actually tempering experiences for you all too. Which of the top sect missions each year does not contain both opportunity and danger? Shiyin should really try taking on some sect missions."


    He handed Tian Wenjin juice and mooncake, and said, "You''ve already done missions and have experience. Next time you can bring Shiyin to do some simple missions. Then with your abilities, you can take on somewhat more difficult missions."


    Tian Wenjin epted the juice and mooncake, hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, if there''s a chanceter."


    "I''m very powerful!" Li Shiyin said with her mouth full of plum, pouting at Tian Wenjin, "We sisters joining hands will definitely be invincible! Enemies will cower before us!"


    "Hehe..." Tian Wenjin was in very low spirits, only forcing a smile.


    Huang Feiyu already had considerable control over his body. When he first transformed into mes, his whole person was raging inferno. Without control, he could affect temperatures within a hundred meter radius. But now sitting in the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake, his impact on others was not great.


    Compared to Tian Wenjin''s bad mood, this guy felt guilty. He could not participate in the other people''s conversations in the pavilion, and could only stay with this tiger who only knew how to diligently eat.


    Chasing the Wind''s food bowl was filled with roasted meat. Hey on the ground leisurely eating it, his tail wagging happily, and soon finished the whole bowl of meat.


    He picked up the bowl in his mouth, ced it on the stone table, and lifted a paw to gesture at Huang Feiyu, sticking out his tongue to say, "I want that, that, that..."


    Huang Feiyu looked at Chasing the Wind, then held out his own hands to show him, as if saying, do you see these hands of mine can hold chopsticks?


    Seeing Huang Feiyu''s ming hands, Chasing the Wind immediately understood that Huang Feiyu couldn''t eat. He couldn''t help but give Huang Feiyu a look of disdain. Even unable to hold chopsticks, your transformation sucks!


    Huang Feiyu was beyond tears. He would never have imagined he would be looked down upon by a tiger for being inconvenient to eat.


    Not wanting to bother with someone who couldn''t eat, Chasing the Wind opened his huge mouth and shouted, "Dad!"


    Qin Ran looked over and saw a big white tiger standing up, front paws resting on the table, mouth wide open with meat scraps about to fall out onto the table.


    He hurried over and pped the kitty head, scolding, "Your drool got into the dishes!"


    Chasing the Wind dropped to the ground, extremely aggrieved. He felt he had been discriminated against.


    But he rolled around on the ground, then stood up again some distance from the table. He pointed at Qin Ran with his paw, "Dad, I want that, that, that..."


    Although very aggrieved, he still had to eat.


    As Qin Ran picked food for him with chopsticks, he lectured,


    "Don''t you know how big you are? If you ruin all the food, what will the rest of us eat? I''ve told you many times to think of others, why are you still so selfish?"


    Chasing the Wind''s round cute ears pped, pping away Qin Ran''s nagging... He didn''t hear any of it at all, just staring at his own food bowl.


    Huang Feiyu looked strangely at Qin Ran and Chasing the Wind''s interaction. Only then did he realize that Qin Ran was raising Chasing the Wind not as a spiritual beast orbat pet, but as a child, a son.


    The foolish son of thendowner... Chasing the Wind.


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 Chapter 157

    Chapter 157


    After filling Chasing the Wind''s food bowl, Qin Ran let him take it aside to eat by himself. Qin Ran looked at Huang Feiyu and asked, "Can you still eat?"


    Huang Feiyu shook his head.


    "What about fire? Have you ever tried eating fire, like fire crystals, strange fires and stuff?"


    Huang Feiyu said, "I''ll try it if I get the chance in the future..."


    "If you really encounter a strange fire, pay attention to whether there is a technique called Burning Rites. You may reach the pinnacle of your life because of it," Qin Ran joked.


    Clearly, Huang Feiyu didn''t understand the meme in his words. He still said, "I''ll try again if I have the chance."


    "Do you resent me?" Qin Ran suddenly asked.


    Huang Feiyu was taken aback. He hesitated, looked out of the pavilion at the bright moonlight on theke surface, the ripples caused by the gentle breeze. After a long while, he nodded imperceptibly.


    He murmured, "Actually, I''d rather die than be like this."


    Qin Ran looked at the moonlight on the railing of the pavilion in theke and asked Huang Feiyu, "Do you know what the definition of a human is?"


    "The spirit of all things?" Huang Feiyu gave an answer.


    Qin Ran didn''t negate Huang Feiyu''s answer, but gave another one: "A human is the sum of all social rtions."


    He further exined, "When you were born, you were your parents'' son, your grandparents'' grandson, your seven aunts and eight uncles'' rtive; when you grow up, you''ll be your friends'' friend; after you worship a master, you''ll be your master''s disciple; you are Liu Boxian''s direct disciple, you are the senior and junior brothers of Sword Peak... you are Tian Wenjin''s senior martial brother. The sum of all these rtionships is you.


    "This shell is just the carrier of these identities. What it is doesn''t matter."


    This was a perspective Huang Feiyu had never heard before, giving him a brand new angle to think about things.


    "But..." he raised his own doubts, "Now that I''ve turned into fire and am no longer my original self, they see me as a monster. Can I still carry those rtionships in their eyes?"


    Qin Ran looked at the fire man and smiled, "How could you forget? This is the world of immortals. All kinds of gods, demons, ghosts, and bizarre powers are reasonable.


    "Here, everything is possible!


    "It''s just fire... Besides, you can still cultivate. When you reach the Symbolic Manifestation stage, you can divide your primordial spirit and refine an avatar..."


    Huang Feiyu understood and looked at Qin Ran with sincerity as he bowed, "Thank you."


    "Haven''t you noticed how handsome you are now?" Qin Ran asked Huang Feiyu, "The legendary fire god must have looked like you."


    "Is that so?" Huang Feiyu smiled. His body suddenly leapt out of the pavilion, standing on theke.


    In the azure sky was a bright moon with wisps of clouds as light as gauze around it. Below the flowing clouds was a smallke.


    Theke was calm with only tiny ripples. In the center was a small pavilion with upturned eaves. Inside the lively pavilion were six or seven people. Outside on theke stood a man of fire... made up of mes.


    Under the moon this night, he let the fire around him erupt. With a roar, mes burned and soared. Bathed in the bright moonlight, he looked like Zhurong who had descended to the mortal realm.


    What is called imposing manner and awe-inspiring righteousness.


    "s..." Li Shiyin was the first to cheer. She raised her hand and waved, shouting, "Senior martial brother Huang, so amazing!"


    Chasing the Wind howled, "Awoo..." in the midst of eating, just to liven up the atmosphere.


    In the intery of light and shadow, Tian Wenjin looked at Huang Feiyu on theke, silent.


    Everyone in the pavilion apuded for Huang Feiyu, celebrating his eptance of his new body.


    The violently burning mes shrank back. Huang Feiyu flew back to the pavilion. Leaning against a pir, Qin Ran raised a jug of wine and softly asked, "So, still going to Lingnan Immortal Sect?"


    Huang Feiyu halted in midair at the edge of the pavilion. He lowered his head without answering.


    Looks like he still ns to go.


    After a while, Qin Ran asked again, "When are you leaving?"


    "Lingnan Immortal Sect''s year-end assessment... starts in a few days," Huang Feiyu said.


    No wonder the atmosphere between him and Tian Wenjin was this tense already.


    Qin Ran sat on the railing, leaning against the pir and put down the wine. He took out a jade flute and said,


    "In my hometown, there was a great poet who wrote a lyric called ''Song Head in ce Style''. The verse goes: When will the bright moone? I ask the blue sky with wine in hand. Not knowing which year it is tonight in the heavenly pces, I wish to ride the wind back home, but fear the bejeweled towers there... People have sorrows and joys, reunions and partings; the moon waxes and wanes. It has always been hard to keep things whole. I hope people stay together for long like the moon shared by thousands of li.


    "I gift you the line ''I hope people stay together for long like the moon shared by thousands of li''. When you see the moon in the future, think of Dao Sword Sect."


    Huang Feiyu forcibly contained his own temperature. He raised a cup of wine with both hands and bowed deeply to Qin Ran before pouring all of it down his throat.


    With a "ziz" sound, the wine he drank evaporated instantly in the mes... permeating the entire Heart of the Lake Pavilion with the fragrance of osmanthus wine.


    "Master..." A silly girl raised her hand in puzzlement, "Why is the structure of your poem so weird? I''ve never seen anything like it."


    Qin Ran nced at her, toozy to answer. Literature in Northern Chu was still at the Rhapsody stage. Poems and lyrics weren''t valued by the literati. It would be weird if she had heard of ci poems.


    He picked up the jade flute and looked at the stretch ofke water, thinking of the hometown he couldn''t return to. He yed a tune. The clear and serene melody floated over theke surface and lingered in the pavilion.


    The tune was quite picturesque, evoking images in the listeners of the bright moon over the sea into which the Great River runs, the moon arising from the sea, and peach blossoms under the moon... Its artistic conception was vast, pure and beautiful. Although the flute yer''s skills were poor, on such a moonlit night and idyllic scene, all the people in the pavilion listened, enraptured.


    After a short rest, the tune ended. Qin Ran sighed softly, "This song is called ''Night Flower-viewing by the Spring River Under the Moon''. It apanies an outstandingly sublime poem."


    Brought back from the artistic realm by the flute, Li Shiyin couldn''t help but ask, "Master, when did your flute ying be so good?"


    Qin Ran had learned to y it before her eyes, going from a total beginner to now proficient in just over six months. Why had it suddenly be so pleasant to listen to? Had he been hiding his skills?


    Leaning against the other side of the pavilion, Tushan Youyou felt dizzy, perhaps from the wine.


    Facing Qin Ran, she saw the moonlight on him, which looked like rays emanating from him instead.


    She felt Qin Ran was very charming¡ªlearned and knowledgeable. She wanted to seduce him badly, whisk him away and make him her harem ything.


    After all, fox spirits loved schr types like him...


    Seeing the bewitching look of lust sent by the fox spirit, Qin Ran unconsciously hugged himself tighter in fear.


    Sensing the peril, Li Shiyin gave a cold humph. Sword drawn, she flew onto theke with a tall and upright posture, loudly dering, "I''ll perform a sword dance for you!"


    Thus, there was a maiden dancing with the sword under the moon''s glow.


    The sword dance was beautiful indeed,bining a maiden''s allure and a sword''s sharpness; very dream-like¡ªthe lithe and supple feminine form juxtaposed with the upright and forceful sword moves.


    Except the asional sword qiing through the pavilion from theke reminding people it wasn''t that beautiful.


    Watching Li Shiyin''s sword dance under the moon, Tian Wenjin nced at her, then Qin Ran, Huang Feiyu and finally back at herself, feeling somewhat miserable... The atmosphere here was lively but had nothing to do with her.


    Lying against Tushan Youyou, Long Qiqi watched the sword dance with glittering snake eyes that now resembled a fox''s... She''s a busybody through and through.


    And of course, there was a fool whose expression never changed¡ªstill engrossed in eating, Chasing the Wind.


    Compared to eating his fill, what''s the point of frolicking around dancing with swords?


    Watching Li Shiyin''s maidenly sword dance under the moon, it reminded Qin Ran of the mythical Chang''e fleeing to the moon. Smiling, he watched the sword dance and said,


    "Let me tell you all about the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Legend has it there was an emperor called Hou Yi. He asked an alchemist to produce three immortality pills... One of his concubines was called Chang''e. She''s said to have been a nine-tailed fox demon... Chang''e stole those immortality pills from him...


    "To avoid Hou Yi''s wrath, Chang''e swallowed the pills and ascended to the moon... There is Guanghan Pce, along with the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine and Wu Gang chopping trees on the moon..."

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 158


    Every month, it was time for the Dao Sword Sect toe to Dan Peak to collect pills.


    Last month, it was another butler from the Butler Hall instead of Jian Yuanjie who came. Qin Ran didn''t recognize him and didn''t care. He thought Jian Yuanjie had died and the Dao Sword Sect had arranged a new pill butler. He just prayed that this new butler couldst longer and be seduced by the "evil" forces outside the sectter.


    But at noon today, when Qin Ran was refining pills in the pill room, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from outside the research building: "Junior brother, are you there? Senior brother hase to check the pills."


    This familiar voice scared Qin Ran. He rushed out of the research building in a few steps and came outside to see the person who had just walked across the small bridge. It was...Jian Yuanjie!


    "Jian... Elder Brother Jian?!" He even stammered.


    In the Land of Immortal Legacy, in the fog, under the horror of the Devouring Demon Willow and its catkins, even someone like Su Changqing had died. How could someone like Jian Yuanjie still be alive?


    It really was that good people die young while evilsst for a thousand years!


    "Junior Brother Qin!" Jian Yuanjie greeted Qin Ran with a bow and said with a smile, "Long time no see!"


    Qin Ran calmed his agitated mood a little and eximed, "I didn''t expect you to still be alive, elder brother!"


    "s..." Jian Yuanjie shook his head and sighed, "Just barely surviving, luckily not dead yet."


    Looking at Jian Yuanjie, Qin Ran hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then how did you escape from Elder Brother Su Changqing and Sister Su when they chased me and others to kill in the Land of Immortal Legacy?"


    Jian Yuanjie was stunned and asked in confusion, "Did Elder Brother Su Changqing and Sister Su chase us to kill? I really don''t know about this!"


    He asked back, "Did they chase you to kill, junior brother?"


    "They chased me from the Land of Immortal Legacy to the Hengduan Mountains, and further chased me out of the Hengduan Mountains to a city in North Chu... Fortunately, when the catkins of the Devouring Demon Willow erupted greatly, Elder Brother Su was also busy escaping, otherwise I would have been dead for sure." Qin Ran said half truthfully.


    "That Elder Brother Su is the so-called Seed of Dao, said to be able to achieve the Dao. Junior brother, you were actually able to escape from him, I admire you!" Jian Yuanjie eximed,


    "After I escaped from that valley, I got lost in the fog and wandered around in the fog... Until I met the white catkins falling to the ground, killing countless creatures. It was a sh of inspiration that made me bury myself underground, and that was how I narrowly survived."


    Qin Ran suddenly burst into tears, feeling that heaven was unfair, and said,


    "When Elder Brother Su tried to kill me, he said he had already killed Elder Brother Jian. I was heartbroken then and wished I could kill Elder Brother Su with my own hands... Unfortunately, my strength was insufficient to defeat the two elders, so I could only run away...


    "Fortunately elder brother didn''t die!"


    Jian Yuanjie didn''t know Qin Ran actually cherished him so much and was moved: "I didn''t expect my position in junior brother''s heart to be so important...


    "It''s a pity that this Elder Brother Su has done all evil andmitted monstrous crimes... But he really didn''t chase me to kill."


    Qin Ran shook his head and sighed again.


    He couldn''t understand why Elder Brother Su didn''t kill Jian Yuanjie. For Elder Brother Su, it would have been an effortless thing.


    In fact, the real situation at that time was that Elder Brother Su thought someone like Jian Yuanjie wouldn''t survive for too long in the fog, plus there were the catkins. He didn''t think Jian Yuanjie could survive at all, so he didn''t bother to pay attention to Jian Yuanjie and focused all his mind on tormenting Qin Ran instead.


    If Qin Ran had known the truth, he would have definitely revived Elder Brother Su just to give him a good beating, and then told him to kill Jian Yuanjie.


    The two crafty men shed fake tears and pleasantries outside the research building for quite a while before Qin Ran led Jian Yuanjie into the building to check next month¡¯s pill offerings.


    "Junior brother, now that you have formed your golden core, you should start refining some pills that Core Formation stage cultivators can use." Jian Yuanjie said to Qin Ran while checking the pills.


    "That''s right..." Qin Ran nodded, "I have been studying the Coalescing Element Pill recently and have started to try refining this kind of pill."


    "Once I sessfully refine some, I will contact elder brother for mass production after I be proficient." This referred to him not daring to go to Linxian City anymore because he had attracted the attention of the Fate Organization by selling high quality Coalescing Element Pills.


    "Then junior brother must focus..." Jian Yuanjie said, "Elder brother has always trusted junior brother''s pill refinement skills. It would put elder brother''s mind at ease a lot more to use the pills refined by junior brother. I always feel uneasy using the pills from Zhican Valley and other outside sources."


    Qin Ran nced at Jian Yuanjie. Why did he feel that this guy didn''t seem to trust Zhican Valley''s pills too much either? He kept urging him to refine pills. He would rather use his pills than Zhican Valley''s pills.


    Could it be that this guy was not Zhican Valley''s insider?


    The two crafty men chatted some nonsense while checking the pills. They quickly finished checking and walked out of the research building.


    Jian Yuanjie looked at Sword Washing Lake and smiled, "Thiske has finally been dug. It really looks beautiful and fits Dan Peak well."


    "Whether theke looks beautiful or not, it was dug by my disciple... " Qin Ran said, "It was just to temper her foundations after all."


    "Is it called Sword Washing Lake?" Jian Yuanjie had seen the name when he came.


    "Yes. My disciple practiced her swordy at the bottom of theke and opened up theke with her sword qi." Qin Ran replied. "It is indeed the Sword Washing Lake."


    "Sword qi? What amazing talent!" Jian Yuanjie eximed. "If Chief Liu knew about this, his face would turn green with anger."


    "I''m not a sword cultivator after all, so I still limited her potential..." Qin Ran said.


    As they walked, Jian Yuanjie suddenly saw the willow branches by theke and cried out in surprise: "That''s the Devouring..."


    "Those are just ordinary willow branches!" Qin Ran smiled and said, "nting some willow branches and trees by theke also makes it look better."


    Jian Yuanjie took another two looks at the willow branches and nodded, "They are indeed just ordinary willow branches. Elder brother is seeing things."


    "Having heard of the monstrous crimesmitted by the Devouring Demon Willow recently, it''s hard for me to remain calm when seeing willow branches..." he added, "I''m making junior brotherugh."


    "I''m also terribly frightened..." Qin Ran said, "After that incident, I still haven''t had a good night''s sleep until just recently. "


    ... Did cultivators, especially those at the Golden Core stage, really need sleep?


    Jian Yuanjie also saw the old ginkgo tree in front of the wooden house, and eximed in surprise, "Wow, this ginkgo tree actually didn''t die and survived the catastrophe."


    "That old tree has developed wisdom and might have be a demonic beast already. It probably just narrowly survived under the protection of previous seniors of our sect." Qin Ran said.


    "Indeed..." Jian Yuanjie nodded while looking at the cat tree and scratching posts that had the shape of Qin Ran''s face on them, thenughed and asked, "What are those things?"


    "Some toys made as pranks by my disciple..." Qin Ran exined to Jian Yuanjie in detail about Li Shiyin and Zhuifeng''s evil ideas.


    "Where is your spirit tiger from Yellow Springs?"


    "Out ying."


    The two chatted all the way. Qin Ran sent Jian Yuanjie to the stone path at the original exit of the forest¡ªnow it was just a stone path without the forest¡ªpretending to still be as respectful as brothers as before.


    "Goodbye, elder brother!" Qin Ran waved goodbye.


    Jian Yuanjie waved and quickly left Dan Peak.


    After Jian Yuanjie''s figure disappeared, the smile on Qin Ran''s face also vanished. He hurriedly turned back to check the situation of the Devouring Demon Willow...


    He was going to use the Devouring Demon Willow as one of the bases to set up the grand mountain-protecting array. Originally he could slowly wait for the Devouring Demon Willow to recover before setting up the array, but now, it seemed he couldn''t wait any longer.

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 159


    Half a year has passed since the Dao Questioning Grand Ceremony. The new disciples of the Dao Sword Sect have settled into the rhythm of life in the sect. Those who should cultivate are cultivating, those who are cking are cking, those who are exploring are exploring, those who are treasure hunting are treasure hunting. In short, they have all officially begun their immortal cultivation lives.


    In this world, there are always few geniuses, few hardworking people, few smart people, many foolish people, many idle people, and many gossipy people...these are the ckers.


    They would rank every generation of disciples, beauties rankings or genius rankings, such as the Top 5 Beauties of the Dao Sword Sect this term.


    At the same time as they ranked the Top 5 Beauties, they also ranked the Top 10 Prodigies.


    It''s hard to say whether the Dao Sword Sect officials participated in these rankings.


    But at the very least, the Top 10 Prodigies ranked have high credibility. Each one has extraordinary talents and will at least reach the Yuanying stage in the future, and they even have hopes of participating in the Immortal Register trials of the Lingnan Immortal Sect, and thus entering the Lingnan Immortal Sect.


    This ranking is indeed rarely questioned.


    And generally speaking, these ten prodigies are basically the top ten candidates knocking on the Dao in three years.


    For the Dao Sword Sect, the number distribution of these ten people is also very reasonable, with four from Master Peak, three from Qi Peak, and three from Sword Peak. It is unclear whether there is any intentionality involved...official intentionality.


    "Why is there no one from Dan Peak?"


    In the square of Master Peak, Li Shiyin was wandering around with Chasing the Wind and happened to hear a group of people talking about the Top 10 Prodigies, and she couldn''t help but ask Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind shook his big head. He was just a little cat weighing a few hundred catties. How could he understand these things?


    "There should be two from Dan Peak. Someone as powerful as me must be a prodigy! And you, Silly Tiger, are even more powerful than me, so you should be a prodigy even more..."


    Li Shiyin was very confident, crooking her fingers to calcte for Chasing the Wind and Dan Peak, "When Seven-Seven builds her foundation, she will also be a prodigy. Our Dan Peak should have three prodigies!"


    Thinking this way, Dan Peak clearly has three prodigies, yet none of them are on the list. She was very dissatisfied and said indignantly, "No, I have to go ask who ranked these prodigies and why even my name is not on it..."


    She took Chasing the Wind and walked over to the crowd, but before she got there, she heard someone say, "It''s a pity for Huang Feiyu."


    Senior Brother Huang? Her heart stirred and she stopped to listen carefully.


    That personmented, "Originally ranked in the top five prodigies of Sword Peak, his Sword Roaring Rivers technique was quite amazing. Who would have thought he would be injured in the spine by a Lionheart Mad me Beast, ruining his life."


    Senior Brother Huang was ranked in the top five?! Li Shiyin was shocked. Huang Feiyu was that powerful? He was only on par with her!


    "Such is the path of cultivation..." someone followed up, "You never know whether opportunity or death wille first."


    "But I heard that Huang Feiyu was healed and his cultivation was restored..." someone else gave the test" news.


    "But..." Li Shiyin suddenly reacted and looked at Chasing the Wind with her big eyes, "Is Senior Brother Huang in the same term as me?"


    Chasing the Wind looked back at her with even bigger eyes full of puzzlement... How could he possibly know?


    "Senior Brother Huang is already at the Golden Core stage, yet is in the same term as me..." Li Shiyin nodded, "It seems this ranking does make some sense."


    In the Dao Sword Sect, what counts as disciples of the same term?


    To be precise, starting from the end of the previous generation''s knocking on the Dao to the end of the knocking on the Dao for this generation, the 50 years in between, all disciples who joined the sect are considered to be of the same term.


    By this logic, disciples of the same term can have a maximum difference of 50 years in their cultivation time.


    That is to say, it is entirely possible for disciples of the same term to have some who have already formed their infant while others haven''t even sensed their qi yet.


    Yes, aside from the Dao Questioning Grand Ceremony every 50 years, the Dao Sword Sect also epts disciples in between each 50 years. But this recruitment is not public, rather it is the private recruitment of elders, chief disciples, stewards, sect leaders and other qualified people within the sect.


    It is like a special recruitment into the sect, and they immediately be personal disciples.


    For example, Qin Ran and Huang Feiyu were both epted into the sect this way.


    Qin Ran was taken by his master as a personal disciple when his master saw him during a trip out to collect alchemy ingredients. Huang Feiyu''s situation was probably not much different.


    Therefore, strictly speaking, not only is Huang Feiyu considered a disciple of this generation, even Qin Ran is...


    If Qin Ran insisted on lowering his status to participate in the knocking on the Dao three yearster, that would also be in line with the rules.


    Li Shiyin stood there thinking for a while. Although she felt this ranking was reasonably justified, exactly because of this, that there wasn''t a single disciple from Dan Peak was too embarrassing.


    She, Li Shiyin, would fight for the reputation of Dan Peak.


    The people here were still talking. Someone said, "I wonder who will rece Huang Feiyu in the Top 10 Prodigies."


    "I still hope it''s a disciple from Sword Peak..." said a pure passerby obviously from Sword Peak, "As a pure passerby, I feel Sword Peak has the strongestbat power in Dao Sword Sect."


    "It''s not necessarily Sword Peak!" Another passerby from Qi Peak shook his head, "I heard Qi Peak has a Senior Brother cultivating the Five Thunder Orthodox Dharma, and he recently achieved great sess in his thunder techniques, iming this spot as prodigy is surely his."


    "My fellow sect brother Dugu Wenxue of Sword Peak found an ancient inheritance earlier this year, said to contain the demon-ying sword intent of the demon-ying sword ancestor from 30,000 years ago... I saw Senior Brother Dugu yesterday at Sword Peak. Senior Brother had an evil aura bursting to the heavens, too terrifying to look at directly. I feel he is far beyond the strength of a Gold Core cultivator now. I think this prodigy spot surely belongs to Senior Brother Dugu..."


    That passerby from Sword Peak objectively stated the facts, but just as he finished speaking, he suddenly felt someone tapping his shoulder. Then a crisp female voice asked him, "Excuse me Senior Brother, who ranked these Top 10 Prodigies?"


    When he turned around, he saw a cute girl with chubby cheeks, at once adorable, pure, spirited and beautiful. He was stunned for a moment.


    "Hey! Senior Brother, did you hear me?" The pretty girl frowned.


    "Oh oh!" He turned back, secretly wiping away the drool from the corner of his mouth, and answered, "I heard... I heard..."


    "The Top 10 Prodigies were ranked by Senior Brother Dong Zhongyuan of Master Peak. Very fair and reasonable... Senior Brother Dong is one of the Top 10 Prodigies himself."


    "Ranking himself and calling it fair and reasonable? His skin is thicker than Master''s..." Li Shiyin pouted, then asked again, "Do you know where he is now?"


    "I just saw him earlier..." The man looked around the square and pointed, "There, Senior Brother Dong is over there teaching the Jiang Sisters magic."


    Li Shiyin looked over to where he pointed. There was an elegant young man in brocade robes chatting andughing with two identically exquisite and delicate pink jade-carved little lolitas.


    "It''s him right?" Li Shiyin confirmed, then directly walked towards Dong Zhongyuan.


    After seeing Li Shiyin turn and walk away, the passerby from Sword Peak came to his senses and hurriedly asked, "May I ask for your name, Junior Sister?"


    Before Li Shiyin could answer, a half-grown white tiger ran over from the side. Hearing his question, it bared its teeth at him, scaring him so much he didn''t dare wait for an answer.


    "Dan Peak, Li Shiyin!" But the girl suddenly gave him an answer, even raising the sword in her hand behind her and shouting loudly, "The next prodigy!"

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 160


    "It is best to learn fewer mystic arts and instead ensure high proficiency in those you have already learned. This way, you can cast them smoothly when needed, avoiding embarrassing situations where spells fizzle."


    Dong Zhongyuan pointed his fan at one of the little girls and admonished, "Especially you, Jiang Qin. You''re always trying to learn new spells without having fully mastered previous ones..."


    "Senior brother!" the girl he pointed out said helplessly, "I''m Jiang Ran!"


    "I''m talking about you, Jiang Ran..." Dong Zhongyuan was not embarrassed at all. He continued pointing at Jiang Ran,


    "I''ve told you already - when shape shifting, you need to cycle the qi through the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin, make the Orchid Mudra, and emit from Chi Canal, Lieque, and Shaoshang. Why do you always emit from Tianquan and Zhongchong?"


    "But I have been emitting from the Lung Meridian, haven''t I?" Jiang Ran made an orchid finger mudra, puzzled.


    Dong Zhongyuan lightly tapped her forehead with his fan, shaking his head. "Completely wrong. You make the same mistake every time!"


    Just then...


    "Elder Brother Dong!" a girl called out to him from the side.


    Dong Zhongyuan looked over to the voice and his eyes lit up. It was a cute girl wielding a sword, followed by a white tiger. He ignored the male tiger.


    But he recognized the girl and quickly returned the courtesy. "Junior Sister Li!"


    "Elder brother recognizes me?" Li Shiyin frowned. She did not recall any interactions with this Dong Zhongyuan.


    What beautiful girl from the sect - no, what beautiful female doesn''t he recognize?


    Dong Zhongyuan smiled gently. "Junior Sister Li''s reputation for talent is well known to me."


    She didn''t realize she had such fame!


    Li Shiyin was secretly happy and raised her brows. "Since you know my name, then why am I not on the list of the ten greatest Dao Sword Sect geniuses?"


    "The ten greatest geniuses?" Hearing this, Dong Zhongyuanughed strangely. Li Shiyin hade all this way for that? Still smiling, he replied,


    "Junior Sister Li has exceptional innate gifts and cultivation. Everyone knows this. However, I do have strict criteria for the top ten..." Smiling, he continued,


    "Although you didn''t make ten greatest geniuses, you are one of the five great beauties! Your beauty itself is a supreme asset beyond all else."


    Li Shiyin was clever and not fooled by Dong Zhongyuan''s cating words. She ignored thetter part of what he said and simply asked, "You im your criteria is strict, so tell me what exactly makes it so strict?


    "Why doesn''t Dan Peak have a single person on the list...Are you looking down on us?!"


    "Grr..." Chasing the Wind beside Li Shiyin growled lowly at Dong Zhongyuan, adding momentum for her.


    "Dan Peak?" Seeing Chasing the Wind, Dong Zhongyuan remained smiling and replied, "The ranking isn''t about having quota spots for each peak. It looks at the Dao Sword Sect as a whole."


    "Then how is it ranked?"


    "First, innate gifts are considered, then cultivation level, and finally, strength." Dong Zhongyuan gave the selection criteria.


    "Then what were the innate gifts, cultivation level, and strength of the tenth-ranked person?" Li Shiyin asked. She figured that since Huang Feiyu was at mid Golden Core realm and ranked fifth, the tenth-ranked must not even be at Golden Core realm yet...


    Dong Zhongyuan was always patient with beauties. He carefully answered, "The tenth is my junior brother from Qi Peak, Song Ze. He has the Myriad Origin Spiritual Body, top-grade innate gifts, and amplifies all techniques. He is also at mid Golden Core realm with his primordal soul initial manifestation, making hisbat ability extremely terrifying."


    Li Shiyin didn''t catch what he said about myriad origins spiritual bodies, but she heard top-grade innate gifts and mid Golden Core realm...Heavens! Even the tenth spot was mid Golden Core realm? Her heart thumped wildly.


    Wait. If Huang Feiyu was the same cultivation level yet ranked fifth, how incredible was he?


    Hmm... Hearing that the tenth spot was also mid Golden Core realm, Li Shiyin got cold feet. Even if it had been early Golden Core realm, she would''ve still wanted to give it a try. But she didn''t expect this...


    "It''s actually very simple to earn a spot on the ranking..." Seeing Li Shiyin''s discouraged expression, Dong Zhongyuan smiled more roguishly and deliberately said, "Choose whichever spot you want and challenge that disciple. If they ept, you can engage in openbat on the Debate tform. As long as you win, you can take their ce."


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin nodded, wanting to slip away. "I see!"


    Dong Zhongyuan asked, "Won''t Junior Sister give it a try? Even challenging Brother Song would be fine."


    "No...no..." Just as Li Shiyin was about to refuse, she suddenly noticed the meaningful look on Dong Zhongyuan''s face.


    Hey! Wait a minute. What''s the meaning here? Is he mocking this sword immortal?


    Li Shiyin''s expression abruptly became resolute. She recalled that she hade because Dan Peakcked any great geniuses. Now the main culprit was before her, yet she wanted to give up just because her opponent was much stronger? And allow others to mock her?


    No! She, Li Shiyin, would defend the glory of Dan Peak! So what if it''s mid Golden Core realm? She''ll take care of him! With one sword strike, whatever special constitution would be useless!


    "I do intend to challenge..." She told Dong Zhongyuan. "Just not right now."


    She wasn''t a fool. At her current Foundation Establishment realm, she knew she was no match for mid Golden Core realm. At least...


    She had to reach mid Foundation Establishment realm too!


    "Oh?" Dong Zhongyuan''s spirit stirred. For this Foundation Establishment junior sister to actually want to challenge a Golden Core genius? Seeing that Li Shiyin didn''t seem to be joking, he quickly asked, "When then?"


    After a quick calction in her mind, Li Shiyin answered, "Give me one month''s time. I will challenge Song Ze on next month''s night of the full moon!"


    "One month from now?" Dong Zhongyuan carefully sized up Li Shiyin, pondering to himself, "One of the five great beauties challenging one of the ten great geniuses. Weak versus strong. Beauty versus talent. Hits all the elements for a sensational story!"


    Feeling a bit excited, he said, "Very well, junior sister can go prepare. A small matter like arranging the duel with Brother Song can be handled by me."


    "Hey! Are you serious about this?" Chasing the Wind blinked hisrge eyes and whispered to Li Shiyin.


    "As personal disciple to the Peak Lord of Dan Peak, I must safeguard its glory!" Li Shiyin stated. "Naturally, I''m serious."


    "Mid Golden Core realm..." Chasing the Wind reminded.


    Li Shiyin grabbed Chasing the Wind by the ear and dragged him off toward Dan Peak. "Then, you''re apanying me for special training right now!"


    Watching Li Shiyin''s disappearing back, Dong Zhongyuan clicked his tongue in admiration. "Incredible! Just incredible!"


    "What is her cultivation level?" Jiang Qin asked. "To be so arrogant."


    "Early Foundation Establishment realm," Dong Zhongyuanughed.


    "What?!" Jiang Ran eximed in shock. "She has a death wish?"


    "No..." Dong Zhongyuan shook his head. "What I saw in her eyes was thick confidence!"


    "She must be an idiot or something..." Jiang Qin remarked.


    Li Shiyin''s conversation with Dong Zhongyuan urred at noon, but the sun had yet to set. Soon, the entire Dao Sword Sect, except for Dan Peak, came to know of this matter:


    Dan Peak''s personal disciple, Li Shiyin, intended to challenge Qi Peak''s personal disciple, Song Ze, one month from now on the night of the full moon.


    Moreover, Li Shiyin was one of the five great beauties while Song Ze was one of the ten great geniuses.


    To preserve suspense, Dong Zhongyuan intentionally did not reveal Li Shiyin''s cultivation level.


    As a result, the entire Dao Sword Sect seethed that very night!

 Chapter 162

    Chapter 162


    Perhaps it was the motivating words Qin Ran had casually spoken, or perhaps it was the nourishing effect of the Guardian Mountain Formation, or maybe it was just because Long Qiqi had gained new enlightenment herself, but in any case, on this day there was cause for celebration - Long Qiqi had finally sessfully sensed her qi!


    Although it had taken over three months...


    That morning, Qin Ran was sitting in a chair in the dining room reading a book and eating sugared beans, when Long Qiqi came bouncing in, beaming from ear to ear, seemingly unable to stop smiling.


    As she was rummaging around in the fridge, Qin Ran noticed her barely concealed delight and, having guessed what might have happened, asked:


    "You''ve sensed your qi?"


    Long Qiqi could hardly contain her smile and nodded.


    "Congrattions!" Qin Ran was also happy for the rather dim-witted young snake demon, watching her a little longer and saying, "Go ahead andugh if you want! Holding it in could be bad for you..."


    Long Qiqi shot him a white-eyed nce over her shoulder, but still did notugh out loud. Instead, she just hummed a disjointed little tune to herself as she went to fry some eggs.


    There were currently five people living on Dan Peak. Long Qiqi was thest to set out on the path of cultivation, so the major news of her sessful qi perception...


    did not cause much of a stir, with even Qin Ran being the only one aware of it - everyone else was far too busy.


    Li Shiyin was focused on honing her skills and tempering her Qi Vortex, aiming to advance to the intermediate Foundation Establishment stage.


    Meanwhile, Chasing the Wind had been serving as Li Shiyin''s sparring partner these past few days. In order to help Li Shiyin cultivate the one sword technique she was trying to master, poor Chasing the Wind had sustained quite a few injuries over the past couple of days.


    Tutan Youyou was still in the fox hole reading books. Except for when the Guardian Mountain Formation was activatedst time, causing enough disturbance for her to pop her head out and take a look, she had not been seen on Dan Peak at any other time. It was unclear whether or not she had finished reading Principles of Formations, or if she had startedying formations yet.


    However, Long Qiqi''s delight onlysted a single day before evaporating - Qin Ran had decided it was time for her to start learning alchemy. Now that she could sense qi and control magic power within her body, she should be able to control earthly fire and begin studying pill refinement.


    From this perspective, it would seem Qin Ran still retained some humanity.


    "Given your circumstances, I''ve decided to start by teaching you how to refine Body Tempering Pills," said Qin Ran within the Earth me Chamber, cing down piles of medicinal ingredients before Long Qiqi and saying:


    "You''ve sensed your qi for a day now, so you must understand to some degree how qi flows within your body. Don''t you feel at times there are blockages when circting your qi? Don''t you feel your meridians getting obstructed at times, preventing the passage of qi? This is due to your terrible aptitude - there are impurities inside your meridians blocking the way for qi, preventing smooth cirction. This will seriously impact your cultivation..."


    "Body Tempering Pill helps temper the physique and has very good effects in improving these types of situations."


    Long Qiqi looked back at Qin Ran in disbelief and asked:


    "I refine it myself?"


    Come on Qin Ran, you know my situation fully well, yet you still want me to refine it myself? Aren''t you in too much of a hurry? It''s already started affecting my cultivation!


    "You know your own body best," Qin Ran exined. "Based on the specifics of your personal condition, you can adjust the medicinal proportions of the pill form - only then will the resulting pill medicine be best suited for you. I''ve taught you all the medicinal theory, whether or not you can aplish it depends on your own efforts.


    "For now, let me teach you the pill form for Body Tempering Pill."


    Long Qiqi looked at Qin Ran for a bit, opened and closed her little mouth, swallowing back some choice words she wanted to say.


    She knew fully well Qin Ran was ying favorites! Did Li Shiyin prepare her own medicinal baths? Were the pills Li Shiyin took for Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation refined by herself? Were all the injury healing pills Li Shiyin used self-refined?!


    Humph! If I want to use pills, I''ll have to refine them myself!


    "The Body Tempering Pill mainly uses the tempering flower as its core ingredient along with heart water to extract its essence, then other supplementary ingredients are added to stimte the effects of the heart water..." said Qin Ran, handing over a hand-copied pill form to Long Qiqi and exining in detail the key points about the Body Tempering Pill:


    "Because heart water is an integral ingredient, water-based refining is optimal. But you cultivate a fire-based cultivation technique, so the most important thing for you is stimting the heart water - figuring out how to fuse it with the fire-tempered tempering flower..."


    When it came to Long Qiqi, Qin Ran did not need to liven things up like he did with Li Shiyin to keep her attention. Long Qiqi had enough basics to understand things, he just needed toy out the hard facts and key points in a dry, matter-of-fact way... spitting out everything all at once.


    From Qin Ran''s perspective, Long Qiqi was not his disciple to begin with, so what he was doing for her already went above and beyond.


    From Long Qiqi''s viewpoint... she had no choice but to understand, because given her inferior aptitude and mere snake demon identity, alchemist was likely her best shot at advancing upwards.


    She must understand this, it was the opportunity fate had delivered to her.


    ...Hello challenger from the primeval forest.


    After covering all the key points, Qin Ran left the medicinal ingredients behind and promptly took his leave, not even showing Long Qiqi an example refinement.


    Long Qiqi stood inside the Earth me Chamber, watching as Qin Ran departed. It took her quite a while to return to her senses.


    She took a deep breath, picked up the form and notes, and began meticulously studying while also carefully examining each and every medicinal ingredient.


    Only when she could fully recite the Body Tempering Pill form from memory did she fetch the pill refinement records and prepare to start refining.


    Yet it was at this time she noticed one issue - she was just a seven or eight year old little girl, while the pill furnace in the center of the Earth me Chamber was over two heads taller than she was.


    Clutching tempering flowers in one hand and heart water in the other, she gazed up at the top of the furnace, momentarily at a loss over how to start pill refinement... Just how exactly could she ignite this furnace being so tiny?


    After standing froze in ce for quite some time, she finally sighed. She put down the medicinal ingredients, turned around into giant serpent form, and used her body to bind and open up the furnace opening.


    After getting the furnace open, she changed back into human form, grabbed a chair to stand on and enable her tiny self to throw ingredients into the furnace one by one. Then she pressed the pill refinement record up against the furnace edge to keep notes, changed back into snake form to get the lid back on, then turned human again to direct her magic power and manipte the earthly mes and officiallymence pill production.


    After all the fussing back and forth, she finally began refining pills, but... she had only just sessfully sensed her qi yesterday, the qi within her was still extremely weak. It was in no way sufficient to control earthly mes.


    That earthly fire was extremely unruly, refusing to obey her control.


    She consecutively botched several batches of pills...


    Fortunately she had the foresight not to use the core tempering flowers and heart water, instead just practicing with somemon medicinal ingredients.


    When yet another batch of pills ended up scorched to a crisp, she peered out the window to discover the sky outside had darkened at some point without her noticing.


    She emerged from the Earth me Chamber and came to the research building exterior. Out in the pitch ck sky, she vaguely made out a very slender waning crescent moon.


    She slowly squatted down there in front of the research building, hugging her tiny self while gazing up at the sky.


    The vast sky represented her future - a vast ck expanse; while that slender waning crescent represented her hope, barely visible.


    She felt the darkness bearing down on her in its entirety, leaving her feeling helpless and wanting to cry.


    So she wept.


    Cultivation was so bitter, so difficult.


    After a nice cathartic cry, she tilted her head and happened to notice there were still lights on over in the direction of the wooden houses. Beams of starlight also trickled down around the building where Li Shiyin cultivated, while brightmplight shone out from Qin Ran''s study.


    ...Turns out she was not the only one struggling so hard. Those so-called top talents and geniuses were still persevering as well.


    "I am Long Qiqi, I will be a dragon!" She wiped the tear trails off her face and headed back once more to the Earth me Chamber.

 Chapter 163

    Chapter 163


    "Boom!"


    A loud noise made the table shake and woke up Qin Ran, who was sleeping on the table. Still groggy, he sat up.


    "What was that sound?"


    He looked out the window but didn''t notice anything unusual.


    "Was I just dreaming?"


    He had pulled an all-nighterst night and had just fallen asleep on the table when dawn broke... Judging by the light outside, he had probably just fallen asleep before being woken up.


    What had Qin Ran been busy with these past few days?


    He had been busy constructing the Dan Peak ntation, preparing to grow his own alchemy ingredients.


    This had been his n from the very beginning, before even taking Li Shiyin as his disciple. Earlier this year, there was still arge forest outside his little wooden house which he had chopped down. Now there was an artificialke that Li Shiyin had dug. He had also set up the mountain protection array, and was now preparing to nt ingredients. He was steadily building up Dan Peak...


    How to put it? This stemmed from his soul''s innate desire to build infrastructure and farm!


    Li Shiyin''s arrival had simply sped up the process tremendously...


    To be honest, this had originally been a ten-year n.


    On the table were piles of design sketches, all detailing ns for Dan Peak.


    In the sketches, Dan Peak was divided into neat sections. There were guidelines on what to nt where - this section for vegetables and fruits, that section for rare ingredients, another for flowers and grass, and yet another for melons, fruits, and trees... He was making ns for precisely what to nt in each location.


    And in order to grow these things, what kind of environment and arrays would need to be set up... This gave Qin Ran a headache.


    "Arrays... array materials..." Looking at the design sketches, he could feel his head expanding.


    One issue was the arrays themselves - constructing arrays was always torturous. The other was array materials - he was too poor andcked materials to set up arrays.


    The one thing Dan Peak had plenty of was pills, but it sorelycked materials. Just to forge a sword for Li Shiyin, he - a grand master alchemist - had to go to auctions to bid. And obtaining the base materials for the mountain protection array had nearly gotten him killed.


    Now, in order to set uprge-scale arrays, Dan Peak still didn''t have enough array materials.


    "Maybe I should put nting ingredients on hold for now?" he wondered. "First build some greenhouses and grow some vegetables to meet basic needs before anything else?"


    "Master..." Just then, he heard Li Shiyin calling to him from the grass outside. Looking out the window, he saw her dressed in clean, neat martial attire, holding a sword and standing vigorously on the grass, apparently practicing her swordwork.


    Seeing that he had noticed her, Li Shiyin pointed towards the research building and said, "There''s smokeing from the research building!"


    The research building?!


    Qin Ran was shocked and suddenly realized that Long Qiqi was probably still pill refining over there. Could that loud boom have been caused by her?


    Could her pill furnace have exploded?!


    Thinking of this, he didn''t hesitate further. He slipped out the window and floated over to inspect the research building. Sure enough, thick ck smoke was pouring out from the Earth me Chamber on the first floor.


    "That smoke..." His expression shifted curiously. Something seemed off about that smoke.


    "Is Qiqi pill refining?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Mm," Qin Ran nodded and sped towards the research building.


    Worried about Long Qiqi, Li Shiyin followed close behind and soon arrived at the research building.


    "Qiqi... Qiqi?!" Qin Ran called out to Long Qiqi from outside the building, but received no response.


    He sent out his divine sense, slipping through the window into the Earth me Chamber. Inside, he saw Long Qiqi standing numbly amidst the chamber, unclear if she was dead or alive because the thick smoke obscured his view.


    He used his powers to gather a wisp of the ck smoke and inspect it in his palm. His expression grew even more interesting - this smoke really was toxic?!


    "Stay outside, don''te in!" he told Li Shiyin and then plunged into the dense smoke.


    Qin Ran dispersed the smoke with practiced ease as he briskly made his way to the entrance of the Earth me Chamber. The door looked like it had met the business end of a Chicago typewriter, now more holes than door. On the opposite wall were many metal fragments - at a nce he recognized them as the remains of a pill furnace.


    As expected, her furnace had exploded.


    He kicked the door open and intense heat immediately spilled out, a sign that the temperature restriction arrays had failed.


    The floor inside was a mess of g, pill residue, furnace fragments, pill fragments and more.


    At the center of this chaos, the remaining half of the pill furnace could not contain the earth me, allowing it to burst out and rage fiercely amidst the smoke.


    And in front of the pill furnace ruins and raging earth me stood a little girl, facing away, head lowered, unclear whether dead or alive or what she was doing.


    "Qiqi?" Qin Ran called out to ascertain her status.


    Hearing the voice right by her ear, Long Qiqi finally turned to look, but otherwise showed no reaction.


    "Phew..." Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief that she was alive. He stepped forward to pick up Long Qiqi and carried her outside the research building.


    "Qiqi, are you okay?" Li Shiyin came up, concerned.


    Qin Ran handed Long Qiqi over to her care, simply instructing, "Look after her."


    He then shot into the air, circting his powers to summon a huge transparent bubble. Opening the bubble, he began sucking in the thick ck smoke.


    It took some time to absorb all the dense smoke. With the smoke contained in the bubble, Qin Ran re-entered the Earth me Chamber to seal away the earth me and clear out the furnace fragments and other odd debris...


    Once everything was tidied up, he came back out with two bubbles of trash to merge with the smoke bubble already in the air.


    Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi were sitting on the grass nearby, Li Shiyin cradling her sword as she watched Long Qiqi, who kept her head lowered staring at something in her hands.


    "Are you hurt?" Qin Ran asked, walking over.


    Long Qiqi shook her head.


    At the risk of rudeness, Qin Ran asked the venomous snake, "Poisoned?"


    The smoke had clearly been toxic, though its origins were unclear.


    Long Qiqi shook her head again.


    "No injuries, no poisoning..." Qin Ran mused, "Then it''s no big deal."


    Li Shiyin looked at the cat-like Long Qiqi, then at the three huge bubbles of trash floating behind Qin Ran, and finally at the damaged research building. Hmm, she didn''t really understand these alchemists - this wasn''t a big deal?


    "Pill refining mishaps like furnace explosions are verymon, you get used to them after enough of them... The only abnormal thing is that your furnace exploded on your first try at pill refining." Qin Ran shook his head and said, "Nevermind, since you''re fine let''s go eat breakfast and rest. We''ll talk about pill refiningter."


    At his words, Long Qiqi lifted her cat-like face. She hesitated for a moment before showing Qin Ran what she held in her hands.


    It was two ckened, pill-shaped objects.

 Chapter 164

    Chapter 164


    "What is this? The quenching elixir you refined?" Qin Ran looked at the two small, ck, pill-like objects in Long Qiqi''s tiny palm.


    With his many years of alchemy experience, they did not seem to be quenching elixirs... Although the appearances of elixirs were notpletely fixed, the quenching elixir did not seem to look like that.


    Long Qiqi nodded her head, then shook it.


    "What do you mean?" Qin Ran did not understand.


    Long Qiqi gestured at the elixirs in her hand again.


    Qin Ran understood. She wanted him to confirm. He hesitated for a moment, then picked up one of the elixirs.


    As usual, he first lightly sniffed it. Then he realized this elixir had a pungent and spicy odor that immediately made him feel dizzy. It was clearly toxic, and the toxicity was not weak!


    He was shocked and quickly circted his spiritual power to expel the toxin from his body.


    "What is this stuff you refined?" He furrowed his brows tightly.


    Long Qiqi shook her head, indicating that she also did not know.


    Qin Ran hesitated and nced at Long Qiqi. Still, he projected his spiritual sense into the elixir to analyze itsposition and structure...


    "Hmm..."


    After a while, he fell silent.


    This was because he discovered that the ingredients of this elixir were indeed that of the quenching elixir, just with slight differences in the elixir''s structure.


    The quenching elixir was an elixir for tempering the flesh and strengthening the physique. Qin Ran had Long Qiqi learn this elixir first, precisely wanting her to take it regrly in the future, to slightly improve her terribly awful constitution.


    But...


    "How did you refine this stuff?" He was utterly puzzled.


    Long Qiqi took out a clump of paper from her clothes with her other small hand, and handed it to him.


    Qin Ran epted the paper and unfolded it. It was her alchemy notes, very thick, at least several dozen sheets.


    It seemed Long Qiqi had followed his requirements to record every instance of alchemy. These dozens of sheets... specifically twenty-seven, were Long Qiqi''s results after a day and night''s efforts.


    Qin Ran looked through them one by one. Long Qiqi''s attitude was very serious, very academic... She incrementally adjusted the dosages based on her failures, incrementally changed the medicinal ingredients based on her constitution. She was indeed experimenting, refining a quenching elixir tailored for herself.


    Only...


    ording to the final sheet''s alchemy steps, what she had refined was indeed a toxic elixir, a pure, literal toxic poison pill.


    He couldn''t help but flip back through the sheets. When exactly did this quenching elixir turn into a toxic pill? Right under his nose, it had turned into a toxic pill through the incremental changes!


    After reading through it twice, he doubted life itself. Holding the final experimental record, he stared at Long Qiqi and asked her, "Are you sure you refined this ording to these steps?"


    Long Qiqi nodded.


    "...Quenching flowers and celestial spring water, these body-nourishing medicinal ingredients can also produce melting muscles and bones?" Qin Ran looked up to the sky, deeply doubting his twenty years of alchemy knowledge.


    "I don''t know..." Long Qiqi finally reacted and spoke in her crisp, sweet voice. She asked Qin Ran, "I did follow the alchemy methods you taught me. So I want to ask, can I eat these two elixirs?"


    "Are you crazy? These are clearly toxic pills, why would you eat them?" Qin Ran rolled his eyes.


    "But..." Long Qiqi gave Qin Ran an irrefutable reason. "I''m a venomous snake!"


    Qin Ran understood elixirs for cultivators well, but for beast elixirs, he had only refined beast feed elixirs. For elixirs specifically tailored for venomous snakes among beasts, he truly did not understand.


    His kindhearted side told him these were toxic pills, it was best to keep them for research and absolutely not ingest them.


    But his academic side told him perhaps Long Qiqi should try them. Special circumstances called for special research...


    After struggling for a good while, he said to Long Qiqi, "Why don''t you try?"


    Long Qiqi hesitated slightly, but still picked up the ck elixir in her hand and popped it into her mouth.


    "Are you all crazy?!" Li Shiyin timely came over and pointed at Long Qiqi''s hand, snatching away the elixir. "You keep saying it''s a toxic pill, yet you still eat it?!"


    She had watched this pair of neurotic alchemists the entire time, watching as they directly ignored the exploding furnace incident just now, watching as they excitedly discussed pharmacology of elixirs and poisons, watching as their discussion led them to directly pop a poison pill into their mouths.


    Were all alchemists like this?


    "Ah, cough cough!" Qin Ran felt a little guilty and hastily changed the subject. "It''s gettingte, let''s go eat breakfast!"


    Li Shiyin stared at Qin Ran and Long Qiqi for a long time. These alchemy nuts were all too dangerous. She would have to watch them closely in the future, or who knew when they would poison themselves to death.


    Those two elixirs ultimately were not eaten by Long Qiqi. Qin Ran collected them in a porcin bottle formemoration or future research.


    The three of them walked from the research building back to the small log cabin, just happening to run into Chasing the Wind squeezing out of his cat bed with great difficulty.


    Chasing the Wind had charged out arge hole in his room door that one night he chased after Qin Ran crossing his tribtion. Qin Ran felt that no matter how many times he reced the door, Chasing the Wind would smash through it again sooner orter, so he never repaired it. His room had a hole ever since.


    Chasing the Wind was alsozy. With the hole, he didn''t need to open or close the door anymore. He went in and out through that hole.


    Earlier when he was still small, it wasn''t a big problem and he passed through it easily. But now he had grown veryrge, and every time he squeezed through, it took a lot of effort and looked rather amusing.


    He squeezed out from the hole in the door, stretched under the pagoda tree, then went behind the pagoda tree to the "Qin Ran Brand" cat scratcher to sharpen his ws. Only then did hezily circle around the spiritual pagoda tree, yawning.


    Circling around the tree, he saw the trio containing theirughter standing across from him...


    "Ah..." He yawned and asked, "Ah... where did you... go..." (Why do I get sleepy every time I write about Chasing the Wind?)


    "Didn''t you hear that hugemotion earlier?" Li Shiyin suppressed herughter and asked him.


    "Whatmotion?" Chasing the Wind was clueless.


    Long Qiqi walked over and rolled her eyes at him. "You idiot!"


    "How am I an idiot again?" Chasing the Wind looked at Qin Ran aggrievedly.


    Qin Ran ruffled his big cat head and smiled. "You''ve lost all the face of felines."


    "Huh?" The country bumpkin cat remained clueless.

 Chapter 165

    Chapter 165


    With the Guardian Mountain Formation in ce, the protection level of Dan Peak was raised by several degrees... From having absolutely no defensive capabilities to that of amon small sect.


    However, things became so inconvenient with this newfound safety.


    Li Shiyin had been busy with her cultivation these days and rarely went out, but that little tiger cub Chasing the Wind... If he didn''t go out to wander around twice a day, he would feel ufortable all over.


    Naturally, Chasing the Wind could not get through the mist of the Guardian Mountain Formation, so every time he went out, he had to find Qin Ran to open up a path in the mist for him. And when he came back, he would howl outside...


    After two or three days of this, Qin Ran grew tired of it and realized it couldn''t go on like this.


    Right now it was just Chasing the Wind, but once Li Shiyin got through this busy period, she was not the sort who could stay idle at home either. By then, all he would be doing every day is just opening and closing doors for them.


    Thus, after opening the door for Chasing the Wind to go out again, Qin Ran made up his mind to create talismans to pass in and out of the Guardian Mountain Formation for the silly cubs of Dan Peak, just like the Identity Tokens issued by sects to their disciples.


    The Identity Tokens issued by sects like Dao Sword Sect to their disciples had many functions, such as collecting monthly allowances, receiving sect missions, providing identity information, and passing in and out of the sect''s Guardian Mountain Formation as a token.


    But the formation structure of those kinds of sect Identity Tokens was extremelyplex,parable to a mystic artifact. Qin Ran had no way of replicating it... All he wanted was a simple token to pass in and out of the Dan Peak Guardian Mountain Formation.


    It was a sunny morning by thekeside under the willow trees. Qin Ran leaned back in his chair, pen in hand, scribbling on the paper before him. To an outsider, he looked like an art student casually sketching the mistyke view in front of him.


    But in reality...


    "What are you drawing?" An enchanting voice called out from behind him, "A formation?"


    Qin Ran looked back to see Tushan Youyou''s alluring figure in a spotless white robe.


    "Yes, this is a secondary formation I designed based on existing formation structures that can operate in parallel without affecting the main formation..." He exined, "Inyman''s terms, it''s the inner formation that allows passage in and out of the Dan Peak Guardian Mountain Formation."


    Tushan Youyou had read Formation Base and grasped the basics of formations. But she only had a fundamental understanding... Qin Ran''s exnation was as clear as mud to her, like arithmetic to a first grader who had just learned numbers.


    She nodded along uprehendingly.


    "So you''ve finished reading Formation Base?" Qin Ran casually asked.


    Tushan Youyou rarely left her cave and with her diligence, she must have finished it by now.


    "Yes...I finished it."


    "What are your thoughts?" Qin Ran nced at his formation diagram and asked Tushan Youyou.


    "Formations..." Tushan Youyou gazed at the stillke surface and sighed, "I''m afraid will take my whole life to learn."


    "Very good... That''s the right attitude," Qin Ran nodded, "It shows you absorbed quite a bit from reading it."


    "Oh!" Tushan Youyou sighed deeply.


    Qin Ran ignored her and continued calcting his formation structure.


    Tushan Youyou watched from behind. She had an excellent memory and recognized every basic formation glyph, but...theplexbination structures and ways ofbining them, and their potential effects overwhelmed her after a brief contemtion.


    After a while, she suddenly asked, "I''m very curious, at your young age, how can you be so proficient in alchemy and knowledgeable about formations at the same time?"


    "Well, that''s because..." Qin Ran stopped writing and raised his eyes from the paper to gaze at theke''s surface, the mist beyond Dan Peak, and into the far distance as he replied, "I was a science student in my past life."


    "Science student?" Tushan Youyou asked, puzzled.


    "I excelled in mathematics and physics, and was decent in biology and chemistry..." Qin Ran murmured.


    "The principles of formations can be calcted using math and physics; the intricacies of alchemy can be studied using biology and chemistry. Rather than saying I''m proficient in alchemy while knowing some formations, it would be more urate to say I''m proficient in formations while knowing some alchemy."


    He turned back to Tushan Youyou and smiled, "Too bad my master insisted on teaching me alchemy instead, otherwise I could have be a grandmaster of formations by now...enough to establish my own school."


    "Mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry..." Tushan Youyou did not understand what these things were, but she recalled Qin Ran''s words during the night of the full moon. "Are they rted to that Probability Theory you mentioned before?"


    "That''s right!" Qin Ran nodded, "Probability theory is a small branch of mathematics. If you grasp probability theory, I can confidently say you will understand ny-nine percent of all formations. Given enough time, you could set up any formation as well as break any formation."


    Tushan Youyou''s spirit was roused when she heard this and quickly asked, "Really?"


    "Truly..." Qin Ran replied.


    It was just permutations,binations, and brute force after all. Even with three thousand basic glyphs and infinite variations that could crash aputer, everything could still be systematically enumerated.


    The only problem was it might take quadrillions of years, possibly until the next cosmic renewal, to finish listing them all.


    "Please teach me!" Tushan Youyou bowed solemnly as if asking a teacher for guidance, showing great respect.


    Qin Ran looked at her, temporarily ignoring her beauty for once. A fox spirit? A nine-tailed fox? To think she was so studious and respectful of teachers?


    It must be known that Long Qiqi, even after learning his scientific alchemy methods, still did not treat him with deference.


    "As long as you are willing to learn... I will teach you." He turned away, gazing at the churning mist and said, "But it will be very difficult."


    Those scientific concepts, the so-called biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, he had studied them for over twenty years in his past life and took over twenty years to rearrange them in this life.


    Of course, this was also important. More importantly, this knowledge was the pinnacle of human civilization in his old world, crystallized by the brightest luminaries over thousands of years.


    It could be said to contain the very essence of that civilization''s knowledge.


    He was willing to spread what he knew to the people of this cultivation world, to let them understand science.


    But how arduous would it be?


    To put it gravely, it would be a sh of two civilizations. To put it lightly, he carried the spark of one civilization...


    Unaware of the deeper implications, Tushan Youyou was simply moved by Qin Ran''s selfless magnanimity.


    In this conceited world, cultivators all kept their mystic arts and secrets even more obscure, terrified that others might discern the strengths and weaknesses in their methods and find ways to counter them.


    She had never imagined someone like Qin Ran existed.


    Her respect for him grew.


    "Master Qin!" She bowed again, though she wished she could address him as Teacher.


    "Then let''s start from the basics, with Arabic numerals..." Qin Ran took out a fresh sheet and wrote down the ten Arabic digits for Tushan Youyou.


    Some say science and metaphysics are two opposite paths, evenbeling them the scientific world and metaphysical world, but those who say so areymen...


    Science opposes nothing. If something cannot be exined scientifically, then science simply has not advanced far enough yet.


    Science epasses everything, including cultivation...


    Why can''t there be scientific cultivation?


    Perhaps the fabled Great Dao is simply science developed to its utmost limits.

 Chapter 166

    Chapter 166


    ¡°Master...?!¡±


    Qin Ran was teaching mathematics here when a cry that went from excitement to incredulity came from over there. The voice was very familiar, making Qin Ran subconsciously feel guilty.


    He looked in the direction of the voice to see Li Shiyin flying over from the other side of the river andnding on the grassy bank here by theke. She was holding the Qingxing Sword in her hand. Her surprised and doubtful little face scrunched up as she looked at him and then at Tushan Youyou next to him.


    ¡°Hmm? That close?¡± Only then did Qin Ran realize how close he was to Tushan Youyou.


    Indeed, he thought to himself, the distance between him and Tushan Youyou was a bit too close...close enough that he could feel the softness of her feminine figure and smell the fragrance from her lips and teeth.


    ¡°Shiyin...¡± Seeing Li Shiyin¡¯s murderous aura, he forcibly kept his cool and exined, ¡°I¡¯m learning about mystical arrays.¡±


    After he finished speaking, he didn¡¯t feel like there was anything wrong with what he had said.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Li Shiyin felt sour and awful inside, and she really wanted to get angry and say or do something, but unfortunately, she realized that she was just a disciple.


    ¡°Then Master...¡± She made a shwing sound as she swiftly pulled out the Qingxing Sword, channeling sword energy into it as she faced Qin Ran, ¡°Let me teach you swordy!¡±


    The cute face of the silly disciple was gloomy as she radiated an aura of murderousness. Qin Ran didn¡¯t dare go learn swordy from her.


    ¡°This teacher does not study swordsmanship,¡± he declined.


    Then he hurriedly took out a book and handed it to Tushan Youyou, saying, ¡°This has some basic knowledge about physics rted to mystical arrays. Take it and read it yourself.


    ¡°As for mathematics, it is a practical subject that requires constant problem solving and experimentation. I have already taught you a lot today, so go back and review more on your own.


    ¡°...Unless absolutely necessary, do note looking for me again.¡±


    Tushan Youyou took the book and looked at Qin Ran and then at the murderous Li Shiyin off to the side. Somewhat puzzled, she asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you two master and disciple?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, we are master and disciple,¡± Qin Ran quickly nodded.


    ¡°Then...¡± Tushan Youyou¡¯s fox spirit instincts told her that the rtionship between these two people didn¡¯t seem like a normal master-disciple one.


    Qin Ran cut her off before she could say anything strange, ¡°Just focus on learning about mystical arrays. Don¡¯t bother trying to analyze human social structures ¨C they are veryplicated and too difficult for a demon like you to understand.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Tushan Youyou was confused. What did this have to do with human social structures? But it was true that human society was moreplex than demon society, so she didn¡¯t argue.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Qin Ran nodded. ¡°Hurry back and review what I taught you today. Don¡¯t forget it all.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Mr. Qin,¡± Tushan Youyou still felt somewhat puzzled, but she listened to Qin Ran. After bowing to him, she left, returning to her fox¡¯s den.


    Only after Tushan Youyou had departed did Li Shiyin plop herself down next to Qin Ran on the grass, still pouting. She didn¡¯t put away the Qingxing Sword either, leaving it on the ground between her and Qin Ran.


    Li Shiyin didn¡¯t even know why she felt irritated. She and Qin Ran were clearly just master and disciple. But for some reason, she hated seeing her master getting along with other women, especially a peerless beauty like Tushan Youyou.


    She felt afraid, afraid that her master would be snatched away by someone else... Yet at the same time, she also felt powerless to do anything about it. She really disliked that feeling of helplessness.


    Li Shiyin pouted, her heroic eyebrows knitted together in displeasure, carrying a hint of maidenly resentment. She secretly nced at Qin Ran and saw him seriously writing and drawing on paper.


    ¡°Master is so handsome...¡± she thought. Her master was smart and knowledgeable, better than the schr characters in storybooks by ten thousand times... No, she shook her head, thinking ¡°Master is an idiot.¡±


    She looked at Qin Ran¡¯s refined and focused face for a while. Right when he was about to turn to her, she huffed and quickly turned her head away to look at theke surface instead.


    ¡°Do you like this?¡± Qin Ran suddenly asked.


    Yes, he was asking her.


    ¡°Like what?¡± she retorted, too embarrassed to look at him.


    Seeing his silly disciple¡¯s shy reaction, Qin Ran held out the paper he had been working on for her to see.


    ¡°This is your token ¨C you can use it toe and go from Dan Peak in the future,¡± he exined.


    Li Shiyin¡¯s heroic eyebrows smoothed out a little, but she kept pouting. Feigning nonchnce, she rolled her dark pupils to the side to glimpse at the paper Qin Ran held out. Drawn on the pristine white sheet was a cute fat sword with a tasselled cord tied to the hilt, making it look like a jade pendant.


    She loved the adorable sword so much that her eyes shone brightly with delight. She would take a look at the drawing and then sneak a peek at Qin Ran, only to be bashful from seeing the brightness in his eyes.


    ¡°Master obviously likes me,¡± she thought, unable to lie to herself when she saw the care towards her in those eyes. But thinking like that made her feel even more embarrassed.


    Li Shiyin pouted, her cheeks flushing red, as she pretended not to care and turned her head to gaze at theke. Her small hands unconsciously fidgeted with her shoes.


    ¡°This is for me?¡± she asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I designed it specially for you,¡± Qin Ran said with a smile, unable to hide his delight at how adorably coy his silly disciple was acting. He felt like he was coaxing a child as he added, ¡°I¡¯ll have it made by tomorrow. You can wear it in the future when you go out to y like before.¡±


    Li Shiyin was very happy to hear that. She asked again, ¡°I¡¯m the only one who has something like this, right?¡±


    ¡°Chasing the Wind and the others have them too...¡± Qin Ran replied.


    Li Shiyin immediately became very disappointed, her face puckering up once more.


    ¡°Look...¡± Qin Ran turned the paper over to another page and showed it to Li Shiyin, ¡°This is what Chasing the Wind¡¯s token looks like.¡±


    Li Shiyin turned to look. Drawn on the paper was a ferocious cartoon white tiger cub. Although Li Shiyin didn¡¯t know what a cartoon art style was, she thought it looked cute and recognized it as Chasing the Wind.


    ¡°How can he be so cute?¡± she objected with a twist of her lips.


    ¡°He apanies you to practice swordy every day ¨C how is that not cute?¡± countered Qin Ran.


    Li Shiyin had to agree since she had gained some new insightstely into her mastery of One Strike, One Kill, which often resulted in Chasing the Wind getting injured from being unable to withstand her sword energy despite his strong physique and her master¡¯s medicinal pills...


    ¡°He is pretty cute when he¡¯s not being obnoxious,¡± she conceded with a nod.


    As she spoke, she wondered about Long Qiqi and the fox spirit¡¯s tokens too.


    Feigning indifference again, she asked, ¡°What about theirs?¡±


    Qin Ran then showed Li Shiyin the tokens he designed for Long Qiqi and Tushan Youyou. They were simrly cute cartoon drawings, except one was of a curled up fat snake while the other was a white fox with five tails.


    ¡°At least mine is the most unique since it¡¯s a sword,¡± Li Shiyin immediately realized, bing happy once more. ¡°It seems the fox spirit is no different from Chasing the Wind and Qiqi in Master¡¯s eyes.¡±


    The corners of Li Shiyin¡¯s lips curved up into a smile.


    The silly disciple wore all of her thoughts and feelings openly on her face. With one look, Qin Ran knew this crisis had passed... The innocent disciple was effortlessly toyed with by her cunning master.


    Looking rxed, he casually asked Li Shiyin, ¡°Why have you been practicing swordy with such diligencetely?¡±


    Li Shiyin didn¡¯t want her master knowing she had made a pact to duel someone, so she vaguely answered, ¡°Just...training hard!¡±


    It was obvious she was lying. Qin Ran pressed further, ¡°Did you get into trouble outside?¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Li Shiyin started panicking a little, her mind racing toe up with an excuse.


    Luckily, just then...


    ¡°Dad...roar...roar...!¡± An idiotic-sounding tiger¡¯s cry echoed in from outside the mist, ¡°Dad, Chasing the Wind, open the door!¡±


    It was that silly cub Chasing the Wind shouting to be let in again.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Qin Ran sighed and got up to go get Chasing the Wind.


    Word count: 7017k

 Chapter 167

    Chapter 167


    Qin Ran executed a technique that opened a passageway in the direction the sound of Chasing the Wind wasing from. The fog parted from the inside out, and he casually asked, "Back so early today?"


    Generally speaking, this silly tiger wouldn''te back unless he yed until he was hungry.


    "Roar..." Chasing the Wind responded from the other end.


    As the fog parted, Chasing the Wind''s figure was revealed. Qin Ran looked over and only then noticed that on his back, there was also a young girl in a in colored dress sitting.


    "Good for you, Chasing the Wind!" He hadn''t even managed to speak before Li Shiyin, who had followed him over, spoke first, pointing at Chasing the Wind and scolding, "Learning nothing good every day, now you''ve learned to openly abduct youngdies?"


    Qin Ran nced at her and reminded, "Did you notice that girl looks familiar?"


    "An acquaintance that was kidnapped?!" Li Shiyin was even more angry.


    Qin Ran could only helplessly say, "That''s Tian Wenjin!"


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin was stunned, only then realizing it as she looked closely at the young girl on Chasing the Wind''s back, "Wenjin?"


    "What''s happened to Wenjin?" Chasing the Wind lightly trotted over and asked, "What have you done to Wenjin?"


    "Nothing..." Chasing the Wind responded robustly, "She''s just like this."


    (I haven''t done anything to her, she''s originally like this.)


    "She''d turn out this way without you doing anything to her?" Li Shiyin reprimanded like a mother.


    She helped Tian Wenjin down from Chasing the Wind''s back, then was shocked to discover that Tian Wenjin was still conscious. Although Tian Wenjin had the look of utter despair, she was uninjured and indeed did not seem to be asleep or unconscious at all.


    "I didn''t do anything to her!" Chasing the Wind anxiously exined.


    (I didn''t do anything to her!)


    "Alright alright, you didn''t, I know..." Qin Ran hurriedly went over to pat his cat head andforted, "This foolish child, though he''s learned to speak, on one hand he''s young, on the other he''s a different race, his mouth structure is different, so when he speaks it''s always muddled and he can''t express himself clearly."


    Only Qin Ran could fully understand his words for seamlessmunication.


    After calming down the wronged big kitty, Qin Ran looked towards Tian Wenjin. Seeing her condition, he could roughly guess what had happened.


    As he looked at her, he couldn''t help sighing.


    "Help her inside to sit," he said to Li Shiyin.


    So Li Shiyin brought Tian Wenjin into the wooden house. She looked to Qin Ran and seeing his expression, asked, "Master, do you know what''s happened to her?"


    "If I haven''t guessed wrong, Huang Feiyu should be on the road to Lingnan Immortal Sect by now," Qin Ran said.


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin was stunned, then quickly understood many things. She couldn''t help but curse, "How could he do this?!"


    Back then, Huang Feiyu was gravely injured and on the verge of death, with no one to care for him. It was Tian Wenjin who never left his side, supporting him as they traveled everywhere seeking medical aid.


    When Qin Ran said they needed a Mad me Crystal and demon core from a Lionheart Raging me Beast to save Huang Feiyu, it was Tian Wenjin who bought them for him. For this, she had sold her treasured sword and owed Qin Ran a massive sum that she still hadn''t paid back.


    Qin Ran''s Immortal Spirit Scroll, Huang Feiyu knew Qin Ran wouldn''t use it, so he had pleaded for a long time until Qin Ran finally gave it to Tian Wenjin. He had also obtained the scroll from Tian Wenjin.


    She owed the girl such deep gratitude and affection, yet he heartlessly and ungratefully abandoned her without hesitation.


    Li Shiyin couldn''tprehend this.


    Yet Qin Ran saw it very clearly. He sighed, this was just how it is, this was the cultivation world.


    Someone like Tian Wenjin who valued camaraderie and righteousness was the iprehensible one. In fact, Huang Feiyu hadn''t even been ruthless enough... At least he didn''t deceive Tian Wenjin again before leaving, nor did he take her life.


    "Cultivation is like this," Qin Ran said.


    After helping Tian Wenjin sit on the long wooden chair in the living room (the sofa in front of the living room had been shredded by Chasing the Wind and Qin Ran still hadn''t bought a new recement), Li Shiyin went to pour a cup of water.


    But Tian Wenjin didn''t take the cup. She was wooden, as if her soul had left her and she had be a living corpse. Li Shiyin ced the water on the coffee table. Looking at the girl wounded by love, she thought for a long time but could onlye up with words like "Someone like him isn''t worth it."


    Li Shiyin really wasn''t good atforting others, so she just silently sat by her side.


    If even Li Shiyin didn''t understand, then Chasing the Wind who had a species gap understood even less about the tragedy of a young girl''s first love being deceived out of money and affection before being abandoned.


    He squatted boredly by the side of the wooden chair, looking around. After a while, he looked back to the chair. Looking at the chair, he felt itchy in his paws and extended his ws to scratch at the chair, thinking about how to scratch it more smoothly...


    And then Qin Ran kicked him.


    He had tough skin and thick flesh, truly tough skin and thick flesh that feared neither des nor fire. Qin Ran''s kick was about the same as tickling him, he didn''t feel pain. On the contrary, he moved closer to Qin Ran and softly said, "Dad, let''s go out and y."


    Good heavens, he had just gotten back and now wanted to go out again already? He couldn''t even stay in this house for one second?!


    Qin Ran was annoyed and kicked him again, saying, "You''re not allowed to go out today!"


    Chasing the Wind then went over to nuzzle Qin Ran''s leg and bite his pants.


    ...He was throwing a tantrum. After all, he was just a baby that weighed several hundred pounds.


    Not until Qin Ran red at him did he settle down. Kicking and hitting didn''t make him feel pain. Only scolding and ring could make him understand the gravity of the situation.


    Since he wasn''t allowed to go out and y, Chasing the Wind felt sleepy. Not wanting to take even half a step, hey down beside the chair in the living room and fell asleep.


    And just like that, the big cat''s ability to fall asleep as soon as he wanted to activated. Soon, snores sounded out in the living room.


    On one side, Li Shiyin was half-heartedlyforting the heartbroken Tian Wenjin. On the other, a blob of white tiger was sprawled on the ground snoring... The atmosphere in the same living room was rather inconsistent.


    The annoyed Li Shiyin went over and kicked Chasing the Wind awake, shouting, "Get out!"


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind dazedly woke up, then obediently left the living room under Li Shiyin''s re.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran who had wanted to sneak away long ago timely followed Chasing the Wind out.


    Like Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran''s temperament didn''t quite match this ce either. Firstly, he was a man of few words. Secondly, he was their senior. He had wanted to leave long ago, but it would have been awkward for him to say it.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin still tried to get Qin Ran to stay. She had only told Chasing the Wind to leave, not her master! But Qin Ran pretended not to hear and rushed out the door even faster.


    "Dad, you got kicked out too?"


    Chasing the Wind was very surprised and asked Qin Ran.


    "Don''t speak if you''ve got nothing to say!" Qin Ran red at him.


    Chasing the Wind felt very wronged. He had only been concerned for dad, so why was he also scolded? The cat didn''t understand. He could only run to his cat tree, climbing to the very top to find thefiest spot to sleep.


    After looking at Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran dove into the storage room to look for materials to make amunication artifact.

 Chapter 168

    Chapter 168


    Tian Wenjin was twenty-eight years old when she fell in love with someone for the first time in her life, only to be mercilessly dumped by him. If she were an ordinary person, this would have been nothing more than her first heartbreak as a young maiden ¨C painful yes, but not extremely serious. She would have cried for a few days, moped around for some time, and eventually gotten over it.


    But she was no ordinary person; she was a cultivator, so things were not so simple. To put it bluntly, this was tantamount to a copse of her Dao Heart. For days on end, she was like a walking corpse,pletely devoid of vitality... Her cultivation level even showed signs of decay.


    Early in the morning, Qin Ran was sitting by thekeside willows, whittling a piece of wood into a carving. To be more precise, he was carving a wooden sword ¨C one of the tokens he had promised Li Shiyin for entering the guardian mountain great formation.


    In Qin Ran¡¯s eyes, if Li Shiyin could use stone to carve a cat tree, then using wood to whittle some cartoonish toys should have been no problem for him at all. But to his surprise, these supposedly extremely simple wooden pendants and figurines hadpletely stumped him.


    He had nned to finish making all the tokens in a day, but... four days had passed now, and he was still carving the simplest wooden sword.


    To save face, he told himself that carving a wooden sword really wasn¡¯t difficult; the hard part was engraving the spell formation runes on it...


    He was holding a small carving knife, painstakingly etching the runes, when his hand trembled ever so slightly, throwing the runic engraving off-kilter and ruining the structural integrity of the entire spell formation. Another failure for this little wooden sword then.


    "Sigh!"


    Qin Ran¡¯s state of mind took a small hit. He tossed the faulty wooden sword to the side to join two other failed works from today alone.


    Leaning back in his chair, he gazed at the unmovingke surface and started questioning his life choices. Was carving a simple wooden sword really so difficult?


    Just then, someone approached. Looking over, he saw it was Tian Wenjin.


    Expressionless, Tian Wenjin walked over and stopped not far away at theke embankment, also staring out at the water.


    Seeing her like this, Qin Ran could not help feeling that she hade here tomit suicide by drowning.


    He picked up another piece of wood and resumed carving a new sword, all the while keeping an eye on Tian Wenjin, wary that she might really try to end it all in a moment of despair.


    For a long while, Tian Wenjin just stood there in silence. Then suddenly, she asked, "Are all men like this, or is it only him that¡¯s this heartless?"


    Theke surface remained still and tranquil, while the willow branches swayed gently in the breeze.


    Qin Ran¡¯s carving hand paused briefly. He looked up at Tian Wenjin, sorely tempted to give the ssic response that all men were heartless scumbags.


    But he could not presume to speak for all men, so after a moment¡¯s thought, he replied:


    "Emotions are the most unreliable thing in this world ¨C too subjective. A man can dere his love for you in the morning, then turn around and kill you at night. His love in the morning would have been genuine, as would his hatred at night.


    "Moreover, emotions are invisible and intangible. As such, they need not exist at all. Perhaps this world contains no such thing as emotions in the first ce.


    "...Or perhaps there do exist those in this world who can turn emotions into a tangible energy."


    Tian Wenjin fell silent for a good long while, likely realizing in her state of heartbreak that all men were indeed heartless bastards.


    "I don''t need to have a Daopanion, right?" she asked.


    "Right!" Qin Ran affirmed with an emphatic nod. "No one in this world is indispensable to anyone else. The same goes for Daopanions. You can still live a good life without one, just as you can survive without friends or parents or loved ones. To you, the only indispensable person is yourself."


    "I understand now," said Tian Wenjin.


    Qin Ran looked over to see her facing theke with eyes closed.


    He waited for a while, but Tian Wenjin did not continue. Sensing that she had gained some insight, Qin Ran stopped waiting for her to say more.


    He lowered his head and resumed carving. Soon, his knife had shaped a chubby little wooden sword.


    ncing sideways, he saw that Tian Wenjin was now enveloped in an abstruse mood, sorrowful to behold. The water at her feet swirled as it retreated from her in small eddies.


    Just as Qin Ran started engraving the runic spell formation, Tian Wenjin¡¯s voice sounded in his ear.


    "May I borrow that sword for a moment?"


    Looking up, Qin Ran saw Tian Wenjin picking up one of the discarded wooden swords. Grasping it in her hand, she took flight and began to dance upon theke''s surface.


    Strangely, despite not havingprehended Sword Qi, transparent, amorphous swords of energy could still be glimpsed shimmering along the length of the wooden de she wielded.


    Watching her dance, Qin Ran was struck by an inexplicable sadness. He very much wanted to weep, and reaching up, found tears already streaming from his eyes.


    "Sword intent..." he murmured.


    This was something he had witnessed once before, in the hands of Su Changqing.


    But Li Shiyin had notprehended sword intent, neither had Bai Ruoxi, and not even Dan Peak''s First Elder Liu Boxian. Yet now Tian Wenjin had managed to grasp sword intent.


    It wasn''t that sword intent was necessarily superior to sword qi. Rather, sword intent was far, far more difficult toprehend than sword qi. Moreover, it had nothing to do with one''s aptitude, but everything to do with one''s state of mind.


    Sword qi could imbue attributes, whereas sword intent could imbue mood. Sword qi and sword intent did not conflict; on the contrary, theirbined effect would be greater than the sum of their parts.


    All the same, true sword intent remained extraordinarily difficult to attain.


    Su Changqing''s sword intent concerned the immortal and the Dao, and a single cut from him could send one''s soul drifting beyond sensory awareness. As for Tian Wenjin''s sword intent here, it was clearly focused on emotions ¨C sorrowful emotions in particr.


    "Master..." At some point, Li Shiyin hade to stand by Qin Ran''s side. Tears streamed down her face as she watched Tian Wenjin''s sword dance and cried, "Did Wenjin learn a new sword technique?"


    "That is sword intent," Qin Ran told her.


    "What is sword intent?"


    "For what reason do you wield your sword... Ah¨C"


    Before he could finish, Tian Wenjin concluded her dance and returned the wooden sword to Qin Ran. "Thank you for lending me your sword," she said.


    "What emotion drove your intent?" Qin Ran asked.


    After pondering deeply for some time, all traces of feeling had vanished from Tian Wenjin''s face. She replied, "Oblivion."


    "Oh..." Qin Ran sighed heavily in response.


    Reaching into his cosmos pouch, he took out half a bovine horn and passed it to Tian Wenjin. "Since you have thanked me for my sword, I shall gift you one as well."


    Looking at the horn in Qin Ran''s hand, Tian Wenjin, possessing lightning-attuned spiritual roots, clearly sensed the violent thunder crackling within.


    "What is this?" she asked.


    "The horn of a Thunder Unicorn Ox."


    The Thunder Unicorn Ox was a level seven demonic beast.


    Tian Wenjin shook her head. "I cannot ept something so valuable."


    "You should take it. You stillck a bonded sword of your own," Qin Ran pressed.


    After a lengthy silence, Tian Wenjin looked deeply into Qin Ran''s eyes before finally epting the horn.


    Her ties to Dan Peak grew increasingly profound.


    Interestingly, while Qin Ran was preaching about emotions being the most unreliable thing, he was also using kindness and favors to draw Tian Wenjin in; and while Tian Wenjin hadprehended the oblivion sword intent, she nevertheless epted another person''s gift.


    For free gifts were often the most costly of all.


    Taking the Thunder Unicorn Ox horn, Tian Wenjin departed from Dan Peak.


    "Master, was Wenjin''s sword intent the oblivion sword intent?"


    "Yes."


    "If someone was stabbed by her sword, would they forget about emotions?"


    "Most likely..."


    "Then I don''t want her to stab me," dered Li Shiyin. "Master, will I be able toprehend sword intent?"


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin and asked, "Do you know your own reasons for wielding a sword and for cultivating?"


    Li Shiyin thought hard but shook her head in the end. It seemed she cultivated the sword path simply for its own sake, and cultivated only to cultivate.


    If pressed, she felt the underlying reason was protection.


    She hade seeking immortality only for the sake of the longevity herb, so that her family would never die... That had been her protective instinct.


    Before, she had wanted to protect her family''s eternal life. Now there was also Dan Peak and her master to protect.


    But she could not tell her master that.


    "When you figure out and cement your conviction, then integrate that conviction into your swordsmanship ¨C that may very well be the birth of your own sword intent," said Qin Ran.


    Crouching down, Li Shiyin picked up a wooden sword Qin Ran had discarded on the ground. Holding it in her hand, she swished it about experimentally a few times. Breaking into an adorable smile, she chirped:


    "Master, I will have sword intent one day too."

 Chapter 169

    Chapter 169


    Perhaps it was because Tian Wenjin hadprehended the meaning of the sword at his side, this wooden sword did not go wrong again, and Qin Ran carved the array patternpletely.


    He activated the array pattern, and asked Li Shiyin for a sword qi to integrate into the wooden sword as identity authentication,pleting the making of the token.


    He handed the wooden sword to Li Shiyin and smiled, "Take it, you can alsoprehend the meaning of the sword." It was with this wooden sword that Tian Wenjinprehended the meaning of the sword.


    Li Shiyin happily took the wooden sword, looked at it again and again, feeling very cute and much to her liking.


    The wooden sword was very small, designed as a pendant, just a little bigger than the thumb of an adult man.


    Seeing that Li Shiyin liked it, Qin Ran took out a rope and threaded the wooden sword on it.


    "Try tying it on," he handed it to Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin was just about to reach out to take the wooden sword when she suddenly thought of something. Her big eyes spun around and she lowered her head and said, "It''s inconvenient for me to tie it myself, Master, please help me tie it."


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was startled, looking at the shy Li Shiyin lowering her head. When did this silly apprentice learn this trick?


    He smiled and did not refuse either, took the wooden sword, squatted in front of Li Shiyin, and tied it around her waist.


    After tying the wooden sword, Qin Ran looked up and met Li Shiyin''s bright eyes straight on. It turned out that the silly apprentice who had lowered her head had been staring at him all along.


    Those eyes were passionate and bright, making Qin Ran''s heart race, and suddenly he felt some softness and affection.


    Li Shiyin had probably been stimted by the fox demon these days and had grown up rapidly, already transforming from a little girl with yellow hair into a maiden full of affection.


    She had liked Qin Ran for a long time, but back then she kept that liking hidden in her heart, afraid that he would know; now she revealed it, wanting him to know.


    Qin Ran smiled at Li Shiyin and stood up, gently asking, "Do you like it?"


    Although Li Shiyin was shy, she did not evade or shrink back.


    Although looking into her master''s affectionate eyes and listening to her master''s gentle voice made her heart a mess, as if ten thousand wild horses were galloping inside.


    Her face was burning hot, but she still spread her hands very generously in front of Qin Ran and turned around him once, asking, "Master, does Shiyin look good?"


    Qin Ran could tell what Li Shiyin was asking, but he answered, "It suits you very well!"


    The wooden sword suited Li Shiyin very well.


    "Is that so?" Only then did Li Shiyin lower her head to look at the wooden sword worn at her waist, held it in both hands, and said, "Then I like it very much."


    The silly apprentice was so charmingly innocent that Qin Ran could not resist reaching out to touch her lowered head, feeling the silky texture of her smooth hair.


    With her head lowered, Li Shiyin let her master stroke her hair, making her heart feel like a honey pot had exploded inside.


    But after a while, she suddenly felt that this pose was very familiar.


    She reacted that this was exactly like when her master stroked Chasing the Wind''s big head!


    She hurriedly looked up and shouted, "Master, don''t..."


    Qin Ran did not expect the silly apprentice to suddenly look up. His hand slid down to her face, his fingertips touching the delicate, smooth skin on her face.


    The two of them froze in this moment, their posture very much like that of lovers standing face to face, with the man reaching out to cup the woman''s face in his hands.


    After quite a while, Li Shiyin reacted, the degree of intimacy with her master today had finally exceeded her threshold. No matter if she was a youngdy of a prominent sect or the number one expert of Danyang, she could not stand it any longer.


    She cried "Ah" and with a sh of her body, directly used her immortal technique to disappear.


    In the air, there was even the overbearing aura of her Purple Star Sword Qi remaining.


    With the silly apprentice disappearing, Qin Ran still maintained his original position for a while before withdrawing his hand and sniffing his fingertips for the remaining fragrance.


    He closed his eyes, recalling the feeling of his fingers touching Shiyin''s smooth and delicate face.


    "This old man is moved..." he thought.


    Then a little demon with horns suddenly appeared kicking him in the head in his mind, scolding loudly: "Cut the act! Still cultivating into immortality? Bring back your apprentice and secrize with her!"


    Qin Ran shook his head violently, sobering up, and the lewd expression disappeared from his face as he became serious. He looked back at the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow behind him.


    This Devouring Demon Weeping Willow was grown from a sprig of the original one. It was still small, only having just grown to his waist.


    He had thought that it would be difficult to cultivate and bring to life the bloodline of such a ninth grade demon beast in an ordinary way, but this Devouring Demon Weeping Willow lived; he thought that even if it lived, it should be a new Devouring Demon Weeping Willow, but it seemed something was wrong.


    "You''re not dead, right?!" Qin Ran suddenly asked the willow tree.


    The soft breeze blew by, and the shallow yellow buds on the swaying willow branches gently shook, not answering Qin Ran.


    "You''re definitely not dead." Qin Ran answered himself.


    The split divine method of the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow could theoretically split out countless primal spirits, and it did indeed split out countless incarnations. ording to Su Changqing''s words, every speck of willow fluff was an incarnation of the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow.


    In addition, the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow was a demonic nt that had attained awareness, it was a life form with extremely strong vitality.


    How could such a terrifying creature possibly be so easily killed?


    Even if it encountered certain death circumstances, it must have had contingency ns...


    "You''re definitely not dead. Right?!" Qin Ran asked again. Although it sounded like he was questioning, his tone was extremely certain.


    If he was not uncertain whether the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow was dead or alive, Qin Ran would not have toe here every day to keep watch on this willow tree...


    These days he came here every day to sit here. Was it because he valued this willow tree greatly? Was it because he really liked theke Li Shiyin had dug out? Was it because he was very proud of the guardian mountain formation he had set up?


    No, it was none of those. It was just that he was worried all along that the Devouring Demon Weeping Willow had not died, so he came here every day to stand guard.


    And just then, in the moment when Tian Wenjinprehended the meaning of the sword, this willow tree finally moved atst.


    Qin Ran confronted this willow tree for a long time. There was only the sound of the wind blowing on theke around them. The willow branches swayed gently, while he had an extremely serious expression on his face, looking rather foolish.


    After a long time, the willow tree still did not make any movement at all. Qin Ran retreated and sat back down on the chair, took out another piece of wood, and started carving a little tiger.


    No one knew how much time passed. Chasing the Wind''s silly loud voice shouted from outside the mist, "Dad... it''s me! Chasing the Wind!!"


    But although he had shouted two or three times today, he still did not see Qin Rane to open the door for him. Instead, it was Li Shiyin who came out first with the token.


    "Hey? How can youe out?" Chasing the Wind''s eyes lit up as he asked Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin showed him the wooden sword pendant at her waist proudly,ughing, "Look at the token my master whittled for me, doesn''t it look good?!"


    "Give it to me, okay?" Chasing the Wind raised his paws wanting to grab the pendant.


    Li Shiyin reacted swiftly, turned around, and ran back into the mist. Chasing the Wind chased after Li Shiyin and soon they returned to Dan Peak.


    As the two chased and ran, they arrived at thekeside and saw Qin Ran on the other side of theke next to the willow tree, sitting on a chair, fallen asleep.


    He held a knife in one hand and a half-carved little tiger in the other. It looked like he had been carving wood halfway when he suddenly fell asleep.


    "Dad is tired too?" Chasing the Wind''s eyes widened.


    "Look..." Li Shiyin pointed at the wooden tiger carving in Qin Ran''s hand and said to Chasing the Wind, "That''s your token."


    At this time, the two silly children still hadn''t noticed the severity of the problem. Qin Ran beside the willow tree, his primordial spirit was no longer in his body!

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 170


    Qin Ran sat by theke carving wood sculptures, carving and carving, when suddenly, without any warning, he found himself in a dim and narrow space.


    This space was like an underground cave, seemingly untouched by the wind for ages, with a moldy smell lingering in time.


    "Where is this?"


    Qin Ran raised his hand and looked around, nothing was in his hand, the small knife and wood carvings were nowhere to be seen; he clearly remembered he was making a token for Chasing the Wind.


    "What is going on?"


    He looked around again, the environment here was dim, damp, and empty...


    No, at some point, his eyes shed, and suddenly in that corner he saw an old man with white hair facing away from him.


    The old man was sitting there, his figure was thin and bony, wearing a willow green thin shirt.


    "Who are you?" Qin Ran asked aloud.


    A voice echoed in the space, answering his question: "Haven''t you been looking for me?"


    Qin Ran was startled, then quickly realized, staring at the aged back, and said in a deep voice: "Devouring Demon Willow?!"


    "Not as stupid as I thought."


    Qin Ran looked around the space again, knowing this should be the Devouring Demon Willow''s sea of consciousness, and he was currently in a primordial spirit state.


    "Senior brought junior here, what instructions do you have?" he asked.


    Unexpectedly, the Devouring Demon Willow also asked: "Why did you bring me here?"


    This was referring to when Qin Ran nted the Devouring Demon Willow at Dan Peak.


    "I saved you, didn''t I?" Qin Ran calmly replied, directly posing as the Devouring Demon Willow''s life savior, "If I hadn''t snapped that willow branch, Elder Ning would have definitely found your remaining primordial spirit."


    "So I ask you, what do you want?" The Devouring Demon Willow was surprisingly reasonable, wanting to repay the life saving grace, "You saved me, what reward do you want?"


    "It''s junior''s blessing to be able to save senior, I dare not ask for any reward," Qin Ran said, "Senior, please just let me out."


    However, Qin Ran saw very clearly who the Devouring Demon Willow was, this guy was a typical demonic overlord. In order to advance his cultivation, he didn''t hesitate to devour the entire Hengduan Mountains range and kill countless lives. Would such a being feel grateful to humans and sincerely want to repay them?!


    "What if youe out and destroy me?" Seeing that Qin Ran was not fooled, the Devouring Demon Willow dropped the act.


    Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat, because that was exactly what he nned to do. He had decided to move the Devouring Demon Willow away from the spiritual eye at the core of the mountain protecting array as soon as he got out.


    "How could I?" He shamelessly buttered up with a straight face, "My respect for senior is like the surging river, endless, and like a flooding river, unstoppable..."


    The Devouring Demon Willow interrupted Qin Ran''s pretentious nonsense and said, "Let''s make a deal!"


    Here ites, a demon''s deal.


    Qin Ran bowed to the aged back and said, "Senior, please go ahead."


    "You find my Dao fruit for me, and I''ll teach you the spirit division method." The Devouring Demon Willow said.


    Without any hesitation, Qin Ran neatly agreed: "Deal!"


    Regardless of consequences, agree first and talkter. Once he got out, the first thing he would do was remove this demonic willow from the spiritual eye.


    But would the Devouring Demon Willow make such a low level mistake? Of course not!


    The aged voice continued: "To ensure neither of us vites the deal, let''s make a primordial spirit pact."


    A primordial spirit pact?


    Qin Ran''s spirit was roused, and he quickly raised his hand to stop the Devouring Demon Willow from initiating the primordial spirit pact, saying: "Senior, I think we can discuss this deal further."


    What was a primordial spirit pact? It was exactly what it sounded like, a pact between two primordial spirits.


    This was a rtively "fair" pactmonly found in this uncivilized cultivation world. Once the pact takes effect, the parties involved cannot vite the pact, even if they mentally intend to vite it, they would be bacshed by the pact.


    And Qin Ran had no intention of finding any Dao fruit at all, wouldn''t agreeing to this pact be suicidal? Also, making a pact with an overlord who had split his spirit countless times, wasn''t this a bit...


    "Do you have any suggestions?" The Devouring Demon Willow asked.


    "How about, you stop troubling me, and I won''t touch you when I get out." Qin Ran said, "What do you think of this deal? We can make a primordial spirit pact."


    "I''m only injured, not brainless." The aged voice gained emotion, "Why does this junior of the human race repeatedly mock me?"


    "I think senior mocked me first." Qin Ran remained indifferent, saying, "You want me to find your Dao fruit? Where is the Dao fruit? The Dao fruit is in the Lingnan Immortal Sect. Are you overestimating me, senior? Do I look like someone who can go to the Lingnan Immortal Sect and retrieve a Dao fruit for you?"


    The aged voice paused for a while, then made a new offer:


    "First, I won''t kill you and you won''t touch me when you get out; Second, I need a Dao fruit, and you have one, so I will give you the first level of the spirit division method in exchange for that Dao fruit. In the future, for every additional Dao fruit, you can obtain another level of the spirit division method from me."


    This offer seemed more sincere. Qin Ran agreed: "Okay."


    Then, the two further refined the details of the deal, such as:


    "Qin Ran cannot reveal that the Devouring Demon Willow is still alive";


    "Qin Ran cannot change the location of the spiritual eye at the bottom of theke";


    "When imparting the method and returning Qin Ran''s primordial spirit, the Devouring Demon Willow cannot harm him", and so on.


    One was a demonic overlord, the other a sly little fox, with absolutely no trust between them, afraid the other party would y tricks during the deal.


    Their deal only had those two points, one mutual non-aggression, one exchanging fruits for skills, which could be written in just two lines. But their supplementary conditions amounted to use after use, enough to fill around ten pages.


    After long discussions, they finally signed the primordial spirit pact, with the Devouring Demon Willow initiating it and Qin Ran epting it,pleting the process.


    Right after, the Devouring Demon Willow imparted Qin Ran the first level of the spirit division method, the Nourishing Spirit Art.


    The skill was called Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill.


    The Devouring Demon Willow directly imparted it into Qin Ran''s mind with his primordial spirit. Qin Ran looked at the skill in his mind, extremely excited and delighted, then said to the Devouring Demon Willow: "I''ve long heard of senior''s great name, but still don''t know what to call you?"


    "This old man takes his species as surname and skill as name, I am Liu Daoji!"


    "Senior Liu..." Qin Ran bowed to the back of the white-haired elder, "Please send me out, otherwise they will do something stupid."


    "As you wish!"


    After tricking each other for a long time, only now did the white-haired elder in the corner turn around. But before Qin Ran could get a clear look at his appearance, his primordial spirit was already sent back into his physical body.


    So he didn''t see the sinister smile on the white-haired elder named Liu Daoji.


    "Since you have a primordial spirit, you should know its wonders. I don''t believe that after seeing this old man''s primordial spirit method, you won''t be moved..." Even with the primordial spirit pact, Liu Daoji still set traps in the skill, "Cultivating my skill makes you my split spirit! Hahaha..."


    This trap was very ingenious. Liu Daoji did not actually vite the pact.


    Because there was no problem with the skill itself, he didn''t set any traps, it was just that this was his, Liu Daoji''s, skill. Once cultivated, one would be imprinted with his primordial spirit mark and ultimately turn into his split spirit.


    And in his view, this was a blessing for Qin Ran, not harm.


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 Chapter 171

    Chapter 171


    Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind were ying and running to this side of Sword Washing Lake. Seeing Qin Ran still sleeping, she had a mischievous idea and made a silencing gesture to Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind was not a good kid either. Knowing Li Shiyin wanted to make trouble, he hurriedly raised his two paws to cover his mouth.


    Li Shiyin tiptoed over to Qin Ran and first waved her hand in front of Qin Ran¡¯s eyes to test his reaction. Seeing no response, she tried hard not tough as she gently pulled out the half-carved little tiger woodcarving from Qin Ran¡¯s hand.


    She held up the woodcarving in her hand as if she had aplished something great, silently showing off to Chasing the Wind. Although Chasing the Wind had his mouth covered, the smile and admiration leaked out from his big eyes. He totally approved of Li Shiyin¡¯s feat at that moment... it was indeed amazing to snatch something from dad.


    After a brief moment of smugness, Li Shiyin still felt unsatisfied. She threw the woodcarving for Chasing the Wind to y with and looked back at Qin Ran. It was rare for master to be in such deep sleep, she had to seize the opportunity.


    She originally wanted to showcase her painting talents on Qin Ran¡¯s face, but there was no brush and ink around. Then an idea came to her. She pressed her hand on Qin Ran¡¯s nose and pushed hard, making his nostrils flip up like a pig¡¯s nose.


    ¡°Chasing the Wind... Chasing the Wind...¡± She whispered urgently to call Chasing the Wind over.


    With the woodcarving in his mouth, Chasing the Wind came over and saw Qin Ran¡¯s pig nose look. Heughed but couldn¡¯t restrain his strength, crushing the woodcarving in his mouth into pieces.


    ¡°Ah... Bleh Bleh...¡± He hurriedly spit out the wood scraps in his mouth.


    ¡°Stupid tiger!¡± Li Shiyin pouted.


    She let go of Qin Ran¡¯s nose, wanting to pull some more interesting pranks, but she suddenly realized something. Her face paled in fright as she reached out to check Qin Ran¡¯s breathing through his nose.


    ¡°Ah!¡± She screamed, her face instantly losing color...


    Qin Ran, had stopped breathing!


    ¡°Chasing Wind! Master...¡± She couldn¡¯t get the words out, ¡°Master is dead again!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Chasing the Wind still felt ufortable with a mouth full of scraps and asked vaguely.


    In shock and fear, Li Shiyin touched Qin Ran¡¯s face. It was icy cold without sticity, as if he had been dead for a long time.


    She was so frightened that she staggered backwards, knocking over Qin Ran¡¯s body to slide off the chair limply.


    ¡°Master!¡± She covered her mouth and cried out, ¡°He¡¯s dead!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Chasing the Wind finally heard clearly and saw Qin Ran¡¯s state. His eyes widened as he roared furiously, ¡°Roar!!!¡±


    Hearing Chasing the Wind¡¯s cry alerted the other people at Dan Peak. Tushan Youyou shed out from the fox hole behind the mountain, appearing by theke in an instant.


    Seeing Qin Ran lying there intact without any wounds yet had stopped breathing, she frowned and asked: ¡°When did he be like this?¡±


    ¡°Just now...¡± Unlike her usual tough self, Li Shiyin felt weak facing her master¡¯s death and could only cry, ¡°I only wanted to y a joke on master, squeezing his nose... wu wu...¡±


    She spoke a few words between sobs, unable to provide any useful information. Tushan Youyou ignored her and squatted down in front of Qin Ran to carefully examine his condition.


    Qin Ran¡¯s skin tone was still normal and his body showed no signs of wounds. As for poison...


    Tushan Youyou looked to Long Qiqi who just ran over from the research building and asked: ¡°Check if Qin Ran is poisoned?¡±


    Long Qiqi thoroughly inspected Qin Ran and shook her head: ¡°No poison detected.¡±


    No wounds, no poison, it had to be some secret art unknown to her, Tushan Youyou contemted.


    On thekeside, Chasing the Wind paced around, emitting a fierce aura all over. Hearing Tushan Youyou analyze Qin Ran¡¯s cause of death, he came over and said: ¡°Dad... is gone!¡±


    Seeing the ominous aura surrounding Chasing the Wind, Tushan Youyou felt a chill. She sensed Chasing the Wind seemed to know something but couldn¡¯t articte it clearly in his rage.


    ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± She asked Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind paced wildly for two more steps before suddenly turning back and uttering: ¡°Soul...¡±


    ¡°His soul was taken away!¡± Tushan Youyou understood, ¡°Someone seized Qin Ran¡¯s soul!¡±


    Hearing the soul was taken, Li Shiyin corrected with sobs: ¡°It¡¯s Primordial Spirit...¡±


    They at Dan Peak had secret arts allowing Qi Refining cultivators to condense Primordial Spirits.


    ¡°Primordial Spirit?¡± Long Qiqi thought of something and looked at the slender willow branch beside them.


    ¡°That is... the Devouring Demon Willow!¡± She eximed.


    In an instant, all four people present looked at that unassuming little willow branch, the Devouring Demon Willow!


    ¡°Roar!¡±


    Unable to restrain himself, Chasing the Wind raised his paws and swiped at the Devouring Demon Willow. ¡°Pa!¡± With a wave of her sleeve, Tushan Youyou sted Chasing the Wind flying, sending him into the center of Sword Washing Lake.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Frenzied in the water, Chasing the Wind charged back even quicker, opening his bloody maw full of four terrifying fangs, urately biting at Tushan Youyou¡¯s neck.


    Facing the berserk Chasing the Wind pouncing at her, Tushan Youyou remained perfectly calm. Five fluffy white tails suddenly emerged from her back, innocently curling out one tail to wrap around Chasing the Wind, suspending him midair.


    ¡°You, bad person!¡± Though bound, Chasing the Wind kept struggling and scolded loudly.


    ¡°If it really was the Devouring Demon Willow¡¯s doing, then there¡¯s a high chance Qin Ran¡¯s Primordial Spirit is still inside this tree.¡± Tushan Youyou knew it was pointless to reason with the frenzied Chasing the Wind. She looked at the other two and said, ¡°As long as this tree remains, Qin Ran still has a chance toe back to life.¡±


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Long Qiqi asked.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have the ability to manipte Primordial Spirits yet, but...¡± Tushan Youyou looked at Chasing the Wind struggling in her tail and said, ¡°He can!¡±


    ¡°I...¡± Li Shiyin wiped her tears and added, ¡°I have a Primordial Spirit too! I can save master...¡±


    Just as the few of them discussed how to save Qin Ran, Qin Ran who had fallen to the ground suddenly stirred.


    ¡°Cough cough...¡± He coughed and gagged, adjusting to the difort of having his Primordial Spirit abruptly return. He struggled up from the ground into a sitting position.


    ¡°Don¡¯t...¡± He said, ¡°Don¡¯t make a racket, I¡¯m back.¡±


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Li Shiyin¡¯s grief turned to joy. With tears in her eyes sheughed and threw herself forward, hugging Qin Ran tightly.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    Chasing the Wind shouted excitedly from Tushan Youyou¡¯s tail. She put him down and he instantly pounced at Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, knocking them both to the ground.


    ¡°Chasing Wind!!¡± Qin Ran roared loudly under Chasing the Wind¡¯s paws.


    Long Qiqi heaved a sigh of relief. Standing beside Tushan Youyou, she watched the three tussling figures on the ground and murmured: ¡°This mentally gloomy person who distrusts emotions has nevertheless entangled too many with feelings.¡±


    ¡°How old are you this year?¡± Tushan Youyou smilingly asked Long Qiqi.


    ¡°One thousand and seven years old!¡± Long Qiqi replied.


    ¡°Oh, seven years old huh!¡± Tushan Youyou nodded, ¡°Then you still don¡¯t understand feelings.¡±


    Long Qiqi corrected: ¡°One thousand and seven years old!¡±

 Chapter 172

    Chapter 172


    "I had a friendly exchange with Senior Devouring Demon Willow, and we fully exchanged views and reached a consensus on solutions in all aspects..."


    In the living room of the small wooden house, after Qin Ran activated the istion array, he briefly told a few people about the things between him and Devouring Demon Willow.


    ...As for whether Devouring Demon Willow is still alive, it was inferred by them, and had nothing to do with Qin Ran. Qin Ran did not vite the Divine Soul Blood Pact.


    "So..." Tushan Youyou hugged her chest and leaned against the window, asking Qin Ran, "Are you in cahoots with Devouring Demon Willow?"


    "What collusion? You make it sound so unpleasant!" Qin Ran sat in the long wooden chair in the living room, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, and said, "We have reached a peace agreement and engaged in friendly cooperation, paving the way for his and Dan Peak''s future development."


    "How dare you cooperate with someone like Devouring Demon Willow?" Tushan Youyou sneered when she heard this and said, "Aren''t you afraid of death?"


    "Senior is a ninth-rank demonic beast. It is my greatest honor to be able to cooperate with him. Why not?" Qin Ran replied.


    Long Qiqi sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning on the coffee table. She looked at Qin Ran and always felt that Qin Ran was a little strange today. His tone of speech was false and vague, and he didn''t say anything of substance no matter how much he talked.


    She suspected that Qin Ran had already been possessed or controlled by Devouring Demon Willow. After all, Devouring Demon Willow was a demonic beast and could not speak humannguage.


    She quickly signaled to Tushan Youyou by the window with her eyes, "This may not be Qin Ran".


    Tushan Youyou received Long Qiqi''s signal and asked, "Are you Qin Ran?"


    "Ah!" Long Qiqi patted her head helplessly. Why did she ask it directly? She shouldn''t have confidence in demonic beasts when ites to intrigue, even if it was a fox spirit.


    "Of course it''s me." Qin Ran said.


    "How to prove it?"


    "Chasing the Wind can prove it."


    Tushan Youyou looked at Chasing the Wind. Chasing the Wind nodded and said, "It''s indeed Dad."


    In fact, Tushan Youyou also felt that there was something wrong with Qin Ran. She looked at Qin Ran a few more times, thought about it, and asked, "So what deal did you guys make?"


    "Can''t say." Qin Ran shook his head.


    Tushan Youyou thought to herself that she probably shouldn''t ask about the affairs of a rank 9 demonic beast.


    But Long Qiqi''s eyes condensed. She noticed something wrong. Can''t say, it means being forced not to say. She no longer believed in Tushan Youyou, and asked by herself, "How much strength does Devouring Demon Willow have left now?"


    "Unknown."


    Long Qiqi guessed Qin Ran and Devouring Demon Willow''s situation based on her own sinister thoughts, and got some clues. She asked again, "If Sister Youyou wanted to challenge Devouring Demon Willow, what are the odds of winning?"


    Qin Ran looked approvingly at Long Qiqi, knowing that the little girl had grasped the way to break the situation.


    He answered, "YouYou''s strength is indeed strong, but for Senior Devouring Demon Willow, she still does not pose a threat to life."


    Long Qiqi immediately understood. Can win, but can''t kill. She asked again, "What about Chasing the Wind?"


    "Can''t say." Qin Ran shook his head again and again.


    ...Chasing the Wind has the ability to threaten Devouring Demon Willow''s life.


    Long Qiqi asked Qin Ran some trivial details in a roundabout way. Qin Ran also answered Long Qiqi as much as possible without triggering the Divine Soul Blood Pact.


    The two said a bunch of iprehensible words, leaving the other three people looking at each other, not knowing what they were talking about.


    After a while, Qin Ran got up and went out, saying, "I''ll go see how Senior Devouring Demon Willow is doing."


    The four people in the living room sat down. Li Shiyin looked at Long Qiqi and hurriedly asked, "Qiqi, what exactly is going on?"


    "Qin Ran made some deals with Devouring Demon Willow and reached some agreements. In these agreements, at least one is that he cannot reveal Devouring Demon Willow''s true situation. If he does, Qin Ran may suffer some kind of harm."


    Long Qiqi shared her analysis with them and continued, "But I got some useful information from the exchange just now."


    "Agreement..." Tushan Youyou said, "It should be a Divine Soul Blood Pact."


    "Divine Soul Blood Pact?" Long Qiqi had never heard of such a thing due to her cultivation level and knowledge.


    So Tushan Youyou exined to her what a Divine Soul Blood Pact was, and finally added, "With Devouring Demon Willow''s strength, isn''t it very unfair for Qin Ran to sign a Divine Soul Blood Pact with him?"


    She still didn''t know that Devouring Demon Willow was stronger at splitting spirits, otherwise she would be more worried.


    "With Qin Ran''s personality, he won''t suffer such a loss." Long Qiqi shook her head. She didn''t know if she was praising Qin Ran or not.


    "From the exchange just now, I got some information," she continued.


    "First, Qin Ran is not in danger for the time being, but it may not be so in the future; Second, Qin Ran cannot take action against Devouring Demon Willow, but he did not say we could not take action. ording to my analysis, Qin Ran is implying that we should take action to eliminate Devouring Demon Willow."


    "With just that little willow branch..." Li Shiyin wondered, "Chasing the Wind can p it to death with one paw. What''s so amazing about it?"


    "That''s a rank 9 demonic beast, equivalent to a united path cultivator! How terrifying is a united path cultivator?" Long Qiqi looked at Li Shiyin and scolded, "There may be countless backups, how can it be easily killed? Lingnan Immortal Sect has been plotting for many years, and has notpletely eliminated it."


    "We still have to n this matter carefully!"


    Qin Ran went out alone and came to Devouring Demon Willow''s side. He took out his Dao fruit and spread it in front of Devouring Demon Willow, and jokingly asked, "Senior Willow, the Dao fruit is here, how do you want to take it?"


    The branches of the slender willow in front of him swayed, the willow tip bent, and lightly tapped the Dao fruit. Then the Dao fruit turned into a liquid and flew up with the willow branch, eventually merging into the willow branch.


    This Dao fruit originally belonged to Devouring Demon Willow anyway, so absorbing it was a natural thing.


    After absorbing the Dao fruit, visibly, the slender willow by theke grew taller and bigger, and in the blink of an eye it grew from waist-high of Qin Ran to even taller than Qin Ran. Its trunk also thickened to the size of a baby''s fist, and the yellow buds on the branches grew into tender yellow leaves.


    "Congrattions, Senior!" Qin Ran said.


    The willow tree swayed its branches and leaves, also appearing cheerful.


    That night, the study lights were on. Qin Ran transcribed the firstyer of the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill onto paper, and studied every word carefully on the paper.


    He made detailed lists on paper of the various meanings of each word, multiple interpretations, different origins, and so on. He was treating this demonic skill as a ssics to do academic research.


    Contrary to Liu Daoji''s expectation of eager anticipation, Qin Ran was in no hurry to cultivate this primordial spirit skill. Instead, he calmly started researching it, and even had no intention of cultivating this skill at all.


    How careful and cautious was Qin Ran? Where would he casually cultivate other people''s skills? It is known that after killing someone, he didn''t even dare to lick the package, for fear of learning the other''s skills and being found out.


    He had no intention of cultivating this skill, only the intention to research this skill...


    And for him, an experienced skill scavenger for many years, researching skills was a proper professional job!

 Chapter 173

    Chapter 173


    The time to challenge Song Ze was drawing near.


    In the past month, Li Shiyin had been diligently cultivating. Two days ago, she took time to break through to the mid Foundation Establishment stage;


    After two more days of consolidating her realm, she had fully adapted to her cultivation level and aplished her goal, bing a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    At the same time, she had alsopleted her other objective.


    ording to her master''s theory of challenging higher levels as a sword cultivator and finding weaknesses for a one-hit kill, Li Shiyin still did not know how to find weaknesses, but executing a one-hit kill was her other goal.


    She would practice a one-hit kill sword technique, then take Song Ze''s life with a single sword strike.


    So what was this one-hit kill sword technique that she hadpleted?


    Simply put, Li Shiyin gathered all her power into a single sword thrust.


    That is:


    First, use the "Guide the Starlight Technique" to amplify her ownbat power with starlight;


    Then, use the "War Spirit Art" to extremely utilize every bit of spiritual power to amplify herbat power;


    Finally,bine the amplifiedbat power from both with her whole body''s spiritual power into a single surge of sword qi.


    This was Li Shiyin''s one-hit kill. Although the hastily pieced together sword technique looked crude, and could barely be called a sword technique - calling it a mystic art would be more fitting.


    But in reality, fully realizing Li Shiyin''s n was no easy feat.


    First was her body''s endurance; second was how to control such power;st was how to direct such explosive force.


    Of these three points, thest was the most difficult.


    Regarding the first point, thanks to Qin Ran''s generous medicinal baths and the body tempering of the "Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique", Li Shiyin''s physique was already powerful enough to temporarily withstand such great power.


    For the second point, under Qin Ran''s influence, Li Shiyin had always emphasized control over spiritual power and strength, so regting that power was no difficult task for her either.


    Only directing the condensed sword qi in attack was the hardest part.


    And thest point was also Li Shiyin''s focus in practice, which finally resulted in her being covered in sword scars from head to toe by the end.


    She excitedly went to find Qin Ran, wanting to demonstrate this technique to Qin Ran as soon as possible.


    As usual, it was at Xishou Lake... Theke truly lived up to the name Li Shiyin gave it, bearing far too much of her sword qi.


    Qin Ran was at thekeside, Li Shiyin atop theke surface.


    Li Shiyin drew the Qingxing Sword, holding it in hand. She closed her eyes, circting her techniques - the Guide the Starlight Technique and purple ster energy from the sky poured into her body. The War Spirit Art made her aura swell explosively, clothes billowing without wind, long hair flying about.


    Qin Ran watched the swordswoman standing atop theke, eyes closed, hair fluttering, an ultimate beauty.


    The girlpleted her preparations, instilling all her spiritual power into the Qingxing Sword. Her eyes shed open, a streak of purple sword qi shing through them. She raised her de, the ster power linking it and coalescing into a massive streak of purple sword qi connecting heaven and earth!


    "Ha!" The girl yelled sharply, shing with the sword qi.


    Amidst a thunderous roar, a deste aura was born! The purple sword qi shed down, splitting theke from this bank to the other, even cutting open the mist outside; the waters and mists parted, clearly revealing the tkebed''s formations, and the mountain ranges beyond the heavy mists.


    This one strike,manding submission from Dan Peak.


    Thekebed had protections, remaining undamaged; the open space at thekeside however had no such defenses, the ground left with a neat gash extending to the outer barrier formations, barely three fingers wide but with no visible bottom.


    The sword qi rose and fell. Li Shiyin sheathed her de, still standing atop theke, gazing coolly in Qin Ran''s direction and breaking into a smile, tone proud as she asked: "Master, how was that strike of mine?"


    Qin Ran nodded. "Very good."


    His eyes were somewhat profound. This move was truly powerful, already posing a threat to him. Then... To deal with the enemy this move was meant for, it would not be a Foundation Establishment cultivator, because this was a technique to face Gold Core masters.


    So what mischief had this silly disciple been up to? To be facing a Gold Core cultivator?


    "Then Master..." Li Shiyin said, "Give this move of mine an awesome name!"


    Naming it?


    Qin Ran contemted, recalling that world-splitting purple sword qi, and asked: "What about Purple Radiance From the East?"


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin considered it, feeling this name, though apt, did not fit her vision.


    She was prepared to just go with it... After all, it was given by her Master.


    Seeing Li Shiyin''s expression, Qin Ran knew she was unsatisfied. He thought for a bit, and came up with an interesting name to ask: "How about Celestial Soaring Immortal?"


    "Celestial Soaring Immortal?" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up as she nodded repeatedly. "I love this name!"


    Her movement technique was called Immortal Seeking the Way, and now her sword technique would be called Celestial Soaring Immortal.


    "Then Celestial Soaring Immortal it is!" Qin Ran dered.


    This was yet another memory from his past life.


    Delighted with the new name, Li Shiyin dropped her pose and happily flew over to Qin Ran''s side, sheathing her sword.


    "You... haven''t gotten into trouble outside, have you?" Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, still quite worried, and finally asked.


    "Of course not! How could I cause trouble?" Li Shiyin shook her head, the picture of sincerity.


    She was long familiar with this line of questioning. After all, she Li Shiyin was the tyrant of Danyang City, brawling from street to street, from the city gates to the imperial pce itself. In all of Danyang City, few young masters of prestigious families had not been beaten down by her. Yet she always escaped the worst of her father''s punishments with her cute face and earnest looks.


    Seeing her innocent appearance, even Qin Ran began to doubt his suspicions, unable to find any holes.


    "Then why were you practicing this move?" He asked.


    "I''m a sword cultivator, researching sword techniques is perfectly normal, right?" Don''t mistake Li Shiyin for a fool, she was quite clever!


    Her reasoning was solid, but Qin Ran still felt something was off. This response was unlike his silly disciple, more like something he would say himself.


    "You haven''t gone out to y recently either, why is that?"


    "I wanted to focus on researching my sword techniques, and had no time for y!" Li Shiyin swore resolutely, continuing: "Now that I''vepleted this sword technique, I''ll naturally go out to y again!"


    Seeing her expressions held no deceit, Qin Ran still had doubts in his heart, but could find no ws.


    "Fine then..." But he still warned: "The cultivation world is extremely dangerous, you must be prudent!"


    "I understand, Master!" Li Shiyin promised.


    With that matter settled, Qin Ran wanted to offer some suggestions regarding Li Shiyin''s new sword technique. Although ignorant of sword arts, he was adept at wielding power. He spoke to Li Shiyin from the perspective of utilizing power:


    "This move of yours is quite good. Though crude in theory, cleverly simple, with considerable ingenuity and might. I have some rmendations for you to research further in these areas.


    "First, your sword qicks cohesion, too ornate, wasting much power. It looks impressively fierce on the surface, but is mostly hollow, all sh and no substance. If you can consolidate your sword qi, not leaking one bit of power, this move''s potency would rise by at least two levels. Below the prime Golden Core stage, you could injure all.


    "Second, what I''ve always told you about weaknesses. Battle has two oues: the victor remains standing, the loser falls. Nothing else matters. Using the strong to strike the weak is the most efficient way of battle. Wield your strengths against the enemy''s ws, such is the way of war.


    "Third, I noticed this move uses your full power. If you were to aim it at the enemy''s weakness, your strongest strike against their most vulnerable spot, dealing a crippling blow, that would be the limit of yourbat ability. If even your strongest force directed at their biggest weakness still cannot prevail, then you have absolutely no chance of defeating that foe. You''d have to n your escape..."


    Li Shiyin listened attentively, gaining new insight into both sword arts andbat.

 Chapter 174

    Chapter 174


    Song Ze, now thirty-six years old, was taken in as a direct disciple by Qi Peak Leader He Daoguang thirty years ago. He began cultivating at the most suitable age for cultivation.


    He had an elegant temperament and beautiful appearance. His personality was gentle, and people loved him very much. He was also extremely talented and diligent in his studies and cultivation, developing solid cultivation and mastery of countless mystical arts.


    Whether in appearance or cultivation, he was worthy of being one of the Dao Sword Sect''s Ten Great Heavenly Prides, and so had countless fans.


    So when people heard someone wanted to challenge their beloved senior brother, it caused great excitement in the Dao Sword Sect, to say the least.


    One female cultivator of Qi Peak said indignantly, "Among the Ten Great Heavenly Prides, no one challenged the others, yet they insist on challenging my senior brother. Are they bullying my gentle senior brother?"


    "If you want to challenge my senior brother, you''ll have to get through me first. I want to see how much ability she has!"


    One well-informed person said, "I heard the challenger is a no-name cultivator of low cultivation. How dare she?"


    "I heard the challenger is one of the Five Great Beauties..." someone analyzed. "I suspect she''s an indecent woman looking to get close to my senior brother by causing trouble!"


    "What kind of backwater is Dan Peak? They actually dare to show their face!" Some directly resorted to personal attacks.


    Of course, aside from Song Ze''s fans, there were also many casual observers who came to watch the match today.


    Some came to watch the show: "I heard a Foundation Establishment cultivator is challenging a Golden Core cultivator. This challenger really isn''t afraid of death. Senior Brother Song Ze is already a Heavenly Pride, and she wants to challenge above her level. I came to watch her cry."


    "Cry?" Someone else shook their head. They say no matter life or death on the Debate tform, "If you don''t control your power well, someone could die today."


    Some came to see the beauty: "I heard the challenger is one of the Five Great Beauties, the so-called White-Clothed Sword Immortal. With a sword in hand and dressed in white, shapely eyebrows and bright eyes, ck hair and red lips, even women would fall for her. I want to see what she looks like."


    "I''ve seen her once at Master Peak," someone replied. "No regrets in this life."


    A very small number came for the battle: "They told me it''s a cross-level challenge, even crossing realms. I''m really looking forward..."


    "Actually, that challenger has peerless talent. The Peak Master of Sword Peak wanted to ept her as a disciple, but she refused." Someone said, "She might have a chance."


    The news that someone wanted to challenge one of the Ten Great Heavenly Prides, Song Ze, had long been spread by Dong Zhongyuan. Those worried for their senior brother, those who wanted to watch the fun, and those who loved fighting, countless people, all gathered at the Debate tform today.


    So today''s Debate tform was extraordinarily lively, a sea of people as far as the eye could see. It seemed like over half the lower-level cultivators of the Dao Sword Sect hade to watch the match.


    As the challenger, Li Shiyin arrived at the Debate tform very early.


    Today she wore snow white clothes, with a white jade belt around her waist and a sword-shaped pendant. On her feet were ck boots with white tips. A light-colored ribbon held back her soft, dark hair. Her outfit gave an impression of cleanliness and tidiness.


    Holding a sword, she stood to the side of the Debate tform with eyes closed, quietly waiting for Song Ze''s arrival.


    Her face was white as jade, lips red as blood. Her temperament, whether described as heroic or chic, was eye-catching in any case.


    Li Shiyin arrived at the Debate tform at noon and stood waiting on the tform until the sun set, yet Song Ze never came.


    She firmly kept her master''s teachings in mind - remain calm no matter what. As the challenger, she stood on the tform, her mind still as water.


    The disciples who kept waiting below, however, couldn''t endure any longer.


    Some were there to watch the joke: "As expected, Song Ze doesn''t take her seriously at all. Look at her standing there seriously, foolishly fancying herself important, like a clown."


    "With such a huge difference in cultivation, it''s reasonable for Song Ze not to ept the challenge."


    Some were indignant: "Song Ze is truly arrogant. If he wasn''t going to ept, he could have said so earlier. To neither show up nor refuse is simply disgraceful!"


    "He''s been pampered by everyone for so long that he looks down on all people now. It''s despicable but unsurprising that he would do this."


    Some had a good attitude: "Whether Song Zees or not doesn''t matter. This Junior Sister Li really is as beautiful as rumored. Coming today was worthwhile just to see her. However long she stands, I''ll watch for that long!"


    "All eyes on me! From today onward, I''m Junior Sister Li''s dog!!"


    The sun set and the moon rose. Not until the sky was full of stars did Song Ze finally arrive at the Debate tform in a refined manner.


    "Look, that''s Song Ze! He does have some charm, not inferior to me in my youth!"


    "Senior brother, go for it! You''re the best!"


    "Bear his children..."


    As expected, Song Ze was quite popr. The crowd was already roaring before he evennded on the Debate tform.


    The corner of his mouth curled in a faint smile, graceful in bearing. Holding a paper fan, he cupped his fists apologetically to Li Shiyin. "Junior Sister, please forgive me. Your senior brother wasprehending new mysteries of the Dao and lost track of time. Please ept my sincere apologies."


    Li Shiyin opened her eyes, looking Song Ze over. She noticed the emerald thumb ring on his thumb and said in a cold voice, "Wearing down my fighting spirit. A very good tactic."


    Her master said that fighting spirit weakens from one burst, to the next, until exhausted.


    She came today to challenge him. At the start, her fighting spirit was at its peak. If Song Ze avoided her at this time, evading her edge, her fighting spirit would surely diminish.


    If her fighting spirit weakened from resentment at Song Ze''s breach of etiquette, if her heart held two intentions, if her mindset was impure, her fighting spirit would reduce further. By the time Song Ze finally fought, his odds of winning would increase at least fifty percent.


    Seeing Li Shiyin see through his tactic at a nce, Song Ze couldn''t help but look at her more closely. She was not just a pretty face.


    Even so, Song Ze firmly believed in going all out against a weaker opponent. He did not feel ashamed of this tactic.


    "Junior Sister jests," he said with a smile.


    "Too foolish!" Li Shiyin instead gave this evaluation. She looked up at the sky filled with stars. "You don''t know my cultivation technique and just assumed dying would work by rote..."


    Hearing Li Shiyin''s criticism, Song Ze''s expression changed slightly. Indeed he didn''t know her cultivation technique, only that she was from Dan Peak. Could her technique rte to the night?


    "How arrogant!" Song Ze''s fans were furious and heaped abuse. "What right do you, vile woman, have to say that about our senior brother?"


    "So arrogant! I love it..." But some casual observers said this instead.


    In any case, Li Shiyin''s words caused an immediate uproar below.


    The sky was full of stars, and stars filled Li Shiyin''s eyes as well. Shepletely ignored the voices from below, only looking at Song Ze with the arrogance of a senior cultivator looking at a junior, saying, "I''ll permit you to attack first!"


    "Oh... Yeah!" Some in the crowd were about to be charmed unconscious by Li Shiyin.


    Under the sheer force of Li Shiyin''s aura, Song Ze almost forgot that he was actually a whole realm above her. He had the strange sense that he was the challenger instead.


    Originally he hadn''t taken Li Shiyin seriously, but now, cautious as he was, he truly feared losing. He smiled gently, "Just exchanging pointers, order doesn''t matter. But since Junior Sister insists, this senior brother will respectfully oblige."


    On one hand, he felt the subtle shame of a senior striking first against a junior. On the other hand, he hypocritically warned, "Junior Sister, be careful!"


    Then the jade pendant on Song Ze''s thumb lit up, and a beam of magic shot out at Li Shiyin.


    Without even ncing at it, Li Shiyin''s figure shed to dodge the spell.


    Seeing Li Shiyin''s formidable movement skill, Song Ze unleashed all his power. All sorts of spells burst forth in session - wind des, mes, thunder - all striking at Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin''s figure flickered amongst the spells as she kept looking for an opportunity without drawing her sword. At a certain moment, staring fixedly at Song Ze, her eyes suddenly sharpened... Song Ze''s spells were many and varied, butcked precision. There were pauses between each casting.


    These pauses were extremely brief and nearly invisible, but...


    "Ster Sword Immortal!" Li Shiyin recited internally.


    The Star River Gxy turned as the Starfall Sword left its sheath. Blinding ster sword qi instantly coalesced and surged forward. The sword returned to its sheath.


    The sword rose, the sword was sheathed, the sword light extinguished, all in an instant. The crowd below looked back at the stage, only to see the stage clean and bare, no magic, no sword energy, only Song Ze and Li Shiyin standing opposite one another.


    Li Shiyin held her sword at her side, as if the long sword had never been unsheathed. Her cold starry eyes looked at Song Ze without emotion, then she turned and flew back into the night sky.


    The crowd''s gaze was inevitably drawn with her, following her departure. She glowed in the night sky, like a meteor grazing the mundane world.


    At the stage, Song Ze had blood at the corner of his mouth. His thumb wearing the wrench had a sword wound. If he had not done his utmost to protect himself, his thumb, his treasured tool, would have been destroyed by that sword strike.


    He suffered severe internal injuries, copsing powerlessly to his knees on the stage...


    Perhaps for the rest of his life, he would never forget this sword tonight.


    With one sword flying immortal, one sword grazing the mundane! The immortal flying beyond the heavens!!


    Surely none who came to watch this battle tonight will forget this stunning sword. A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator defeating a Golden Core stage cultivator with one sword!


    What peerless elegance and grace!


    With just one sword, Song Ze lost the reputation of an arrogant genius. With her Foundation Establishment cultivation, Li Shiyin became the Dao Sword Sect''s new generation''s arrogant genius.

 Chapter 175

    Chapter 175


    When Li Shiyin went out at noon, she said she was going out to y. Qin Ran thought she had regained herposure and really went out to y.


    As a result, he was still thinking that his silly apprentice really did not cause any trouble and was truly concentrating on practicing sword skills. For a moment, he could not help feeling relieved that his silly apprentice finally understood things,


    Not until the afternoon passed and Li Shiyin did not return home; until dinner was cooked and Li Shiyin still did not return home.


    For a glutton like Li Shiyin, nothing else mattered that much, but noting back for meals...


    Qin Ran knew something big had happened.


    He rushed to Chasing the Wind who was making dinner, grabbed the "king" character on his forehead, pulled his fur, and carried him outside the house.


    Qin Ran sat on a chair, looking at Chasing the Wind in front of him whose eyes were dodging around. His face was gloomy as he asked coldly, "What''s going on?!"


    "Ow...Dad..." The big white tiger groveled, looking very eager, trying to get through the pass by acting cute.


    Qin Ran ignored himpletely, his eyes staring coldly at him.


    Chasing the Wind tried to act cute, but found it had no effect. He secretly nced at Qin Ran twice, saw the frost on Qin Ran''s face, and knew he could not fool his way through this. Only then did he raise his upper body, lowered his head, and said in a low voice, "Shiyin said, for the glory of Dan Peak..."


    "Mm..." Qin Ran nodded, signaling him to continue speaking.


    "The top ten geniuses of Dao Sword Sect..." What Chasing the Wind was saying did not have very clear logic, it was fragmentary and confusing, but in the end he finished telling the story.


    "So Li Shiyin ran to challenge mid Golden Core realm?!"


    After Qin Ran listened and sorted out what happened, his back went cold instantly. For a moment, he was both afraid and angry. He hurriedly got up and prepared to fly to the Master Peak discussion hall.


    But as soon as he got up, he suddenly saw stars falling in the night sky towards the direction of the main peak. Then he saw a sh of purple sword energy.


    Flying Immortal Outside the Sky!


    Qin Ran would not mistake it. Althoughpared to the previous time when it was demonstrated to him, this sword energy had changed, he would not fail to recognize the first sword moveprehanded by his apprentice.


    Li Shiyin¡¯s talent in the sword dao was top notch. After listening to his words, in just a few days, she had improved this Flying Immortal Outside the Sky. Now the sword energy was much more solid, the shy stuff was reduced, but its power increased several fold.


    Just looking at this one sword move, he already knew the result of this battle, so he turned around and went back to sit down.


    Long Qiqi was holding a bowl of rice, leaning against the door watching Chasing the Wind being lectured. She was the kind of person who liked to watch the fun and did not care about the seriousness of things. Seeing Qin Ran fly up and thennd down, she curiously asked, "Why didn''t you go?"


    "No need to go." Qin Ran said.


    He sat there, staring at Chasing the Wind without saying a word, waiting for something.


    This little white tiger that weighed several hundred pounds did not dare to move randomly under his gaze, sitting crouched on the ground, lowering his head to count the dust on the ground.


    After Li Shiyin unleashed one move of Flying Immortal Outside the Sky, although she defeated Song Ze, the price was all her spiritual power. Her figure leaving looked very chic, but using the method to urge cirction technique to absorb the spiritual energy made it look very embarrassing.


    Fortunately, Master Peak was not too far from Dan Peak, she did not have to persevere for too long and quickly returned to Dan Peak. She passed through the guardian formation with her identity token, wearing the stars flew towards the little wooden house.


    "I wonder if I can still catch the dinner?" she thought.


    She then looked ahead and saw that there was light in front of the wooden house. Except for the Tushan Youyou who rarely came out, Dan Peak''s other people were all there... but the atmosphere did not seem to be very harmonious.


    Long Qiqi was holding a bowl bigger than her own head, eating rice. There was a big chicken leg in the bowl that made Li Shiyin look more.


    Chasing the Wind did not know why he was not having dinner when it was time to eat, sitting there crouched with grievance all over his face;


    And master was even worse, his face was as cold as icy frost, and the mes of fury in his eyes could roast someone.


    Based on Li Shiyin''s many years of experience in doing bad things, this was trouble!


    When there''s trouble, what should one do?


    Of course, run away!


    She descended from the air and flew halfway to the little wooden house. She hit the brakes in a hurry, the ster power on her body lit up brightly, she reversed her sword tip and flew straight up into the sky.


    "Stand still!" Qin Ran discovered Li Shiyin''s movement and shouted angrily.


    But what kind of experience did Li Shiyin have? When master was angry, would she foolishly stand still and wait to get beaten? ! She hurriedly flew out at an even faster speed.


    "Humph!" Qin Ran roared angrily. This was his territory, Dan Peak, and she still wanted to leave after entering his domain?


    He raised his hand to make a seal, and the guardian mountain formation immediately activated.


    As a semi-illiterate person, how could Li Shiyin know the wonders of her master Qin Ran''s guardian mountain formation? She flew straight through it, and still tried to open the passage of the formation with her identity token .


    Then in her hurry she did not notice at all that her token had failed to open the passage in the formation. She charged outwards...


    "Bang!" She mmed straight into the protective cover formed by the guardian mountain formation, hitting her head till stars appeared.


    She rubbed her head, before she could recover her senses, she turned around and was sucked into a bubble.


    The bubble carried her swiftly towards the ground where Qin Ran was. She panicked greatly, stopped rubbing her head, drew out her Qi Xing sword to stab at the bubble, but how could she still be able to stab it now?


    As she was stabbing, she found herself getting closer and closer to Qin Ran, even closer, she saw master''s angry face again.


    "Cough!" She couldn''t help but stop struggling, lowered her head, and yelled in a prolonged voice, "Mas~ter~"


    "Run? Why aren''t you running now?!" Qin Ran felt his lungs were going to explode from anger.


    "Mm..." Li Shiyin lowered her head, put away her sword, holding her hands quietly like an obedient child without saying a word.


    Qin Ran plopped down on the chair, the chair made a "squeak" sound. He took Li Shiyin out from the bubble, his fiery eyes stared at her and asked loudly, "Do you know what you were doing?!"


    "Mas...ter..." Li Shiyin pleaded for herself in a low voice, "I won!"


    "You won?" Qin Ran almostughed from anger. He immediately started roaring, "Then what realm is Song Ze at? What realm are you at?! There is a huge realm gap between you!!! One whole realm! Do you know?!


    "Do you know how dangerous that was?!"


    Whether it was winning or losing, being looked up to or looked down on. Qin Ran did not care about any of them. He only cared about Li Shiyin¡¯s safety.


    What glory for Dan Peak? Dan Peak has no damn glory! Such a big sect, and it had been single transmission for generations, how dare they still talk about glory?!


    He, Qin Ran, also did not have those so-called honor values at all!


    "Crossing levels to challenge someone, so prestigious, so awesome huh?!" There was blood in Qin Ran''s eyes, he was truly terrified, "Do you know that with just one mistake, you would have lost your life? !


    "The gap between realms is exponential!!"


    When was it suitable to cross levels and fight someone? Only when in mortal danger and there was absolutely no other choice!


    Li Shiyin had never seen Qin Ran so furious. She also didn''t think that the usually refined, sinister, and extremely deep city Qin Ran would get angry. She knew he was truly angry this time.


    She didn''t dare say another word, only lowering her head to get scolded.


    Qin Ran''s roar frightened the whole Dan Peak. Li Shiyin didn''t dare to move, Chasing the Wind didn''t dare to move, even Long Qiqi''s movement of eating rice stopped, and the fox in the back mountain stood at the entrance of its cave looking over to see what had happened here.


    After roaring, Qin Ran sat back down in the chair, supporting his forehead with his hand. He felt the arteries in his forehead pounding his hand like "boom boom boom".


    Fury stemmed from fear.


    What was he afraid of? He was afraid of losing Li Shiyin. If Li Shiyin died because of this, what would he do? He had finally found someone dear to him again in this world. He was truly terrified, fearing that Li Shiyin would keep going out to challenge someone above her level in the future.


    After Qin Ran stopped roaring, Dan Peak was silent for a long period of time.


    After a long while, he stood up, and said in a calm, hoarse voice, "House arrest, for three months!"


    Then he turned around and went back into the room.


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 Chapter 176

    Chapter 176


    Li Shiyin was grounded by Qin Ran, and Chasing the Wind, as an essory, did not dare to run around anymore either.


    So the two mischievous troublemakers finally settled down obediently in Danfeng without running around randomly. From the time Shiyin learned to ride a sword to the time Chasing the Wind was able to run around everywhere, the two of them had spent about as much time outside as they had at home.


    And for such wild children, being shut in at home was not much different from being in jail.


    Every day, Chasing the Wind wouldzily sprawl on the cat tree to sleep, except for eating, he had no energy at all, and did not even want to move his tail one bit.


    He was now six or seven months old, equivalent to a twelve or thirteen-year-old human teenager, and was still growing rapidly. His body was bigger day by day, changing by the day, and was alreadyrger than an average adult tiger.


    As soon as hey down, he was a big lump of rice cake. Fortunately, the cat tree custom made by Li Shiyin was sturdy enough, otherwise it definitely could not withstand his petite body.


    Day after day, Li Shiyin also had nothing to do. asionally, she would practice her swordy...but more often, she would upy Qin Ran¡¯s lounge chair to sleep, alsopletely devoid of energy.


    Two pieces of salted fish, twozy monsters.


    As autumn set in, the weather turned cool, and rain increased.


    On this day, Qin Ran was reading elixir scripts in the pavilion in the middle of theke, researching the elixir of longevity, when suddenly it started raining outside.


    He was fine in the pavilion. The sound of rain hitting the pavilion tiles and sshing into theke made him more focused on reading. But the twozy ones outside were about to get drenched by the rain.


    Paralyzed by thekeside asleep, Li Shiyin woke up when the raindrops hit her face. She hurried along the dam into the pavilion before the rain intensified.


    The catworm on the cat tree was showered for a good while before hazily realizing it was raining. By the time he woke up, his whole body was already soaked. He frantically charged into the pavilion, bringing with him a gust of wind and rain.


    The fierce wind blew Qin Ran¡¯s books into a mess. He raised his hand to block the water flicked from Chasing the Wind¡¯s fur, still maintaining his graceful demeanor.


    ¡°Stinky tiger!¡± But Li Shiyin was sprayed all over by the water brought in by Chasing the Wind.


    ¡°Uh... uh huh!¡± Chasing the Wind grinned foolishly, also foolishly gathering the books scattered on the ground with both front paws.


    The twozy monsters actually had an exceptionally good rtionship. Li Shiyin held no grudges either. She squatted down to help Chasing the Wind pick up the books.


    Qin Ran sat on the railing, calmly taking a sip of awakening tea, waiting for Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind to pick up all the books and put them on the stone table before speaking: ¡°Are you two nning to just keep sleeping until I let you out?¡±


    The one with thick tiger skin looked around foolishly, pretending not to understand.


    ¡°Cough...¡± But Li Shiyin was still a little embarrassed. She stole a nce at Qin Ran and replied, ¡°It¡¯s just that the weather has been gloomy recently, making me prone to drowsiness.¡±


    Qin Ran was toozy to bother with herme excuse of autumn drowsiness. He said directly, ¡°Choose to study either arrays or elixirs.¡±


    Li Shiyin was clever enough to first ask Qin Ran, ¡°Which one is better to learn?¡±


    ¡°Both have their own advantages,¡± Qin Ran exined in detail.


    ¡°The applicability of arrays is extensive. When your sword attainment reaches a certain level in the future, you will definitely need to get involved with arrays, not to mention special crossover techniques like sword arrays. By learning arrays, in addition to gaining some basic array knowledge, you can also incorporate it into your swordsmanship.¡±


    ¡°Elixirs canplement swordsmanship. Swordsmanship is the way of offense while elixirs are the way of defense. One offense and one defense, subtly conforming to yin and yang, is the Great Dao. By learning about elixirs, in addition to gaining some pharmacology knowledge, you can also understand human anatomy, acupoints, meridians, and q¨¬ cultivation, which will be of great help inbat.¡±


    When Li Shiyin heard this, she realized both would be very helpful to her, so she asked, ¡°Can I learn both?¡±


    Qin Ran smiled happily and nodded, looking at Li Shiyin, ¡°You can learn both.¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡± Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up.


    ¡°As long as you can......¡± Qin Ran said as he pulled out two thick textbooks from his cosmic bag, holding one in each hand for Li Shiyin to see, ¡°One is ¡®Fundamentals of Arrays¡¯, and one is ¡®Fundamentals of Pharmacology¡¯. Do you want to learn both?¡±


    That book "Fundamentals of Arrays" was what Lingering Clouds spent over a month reading day and night before barely finishing.


    As for ¡°Fundamentals of Pharmacology¡±, it was the book Li Shiyin had seen on the second day after bing a disciple. She had left a puddle of drool on it... Afterwards she switched to practicing swordsmanship instead.


    Looking closely, Li Shiyin could still see the marks left by her dried saliva on ¡°Fundamentals of Pharmacology¡±.


    Just seeing these two books, Li Shiyin already felt overwhelmed and filled with dread, let alone having to study both...


    She realized the gravity of the situation and hurriedly acted pitiful. No, she really was pitiful, weakly asking, ¡°Master~ Can I not study them?¡±


    Qin Ran¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Pick one!¡±


    Li Shiyin shuddered in fright. Looking at the books again, she had already experienced the might of ¡°Fundamentals of Pharmacology¡±. Those densely packed words still made her dizzy just thinking about them now.


    So she reached out towards ¡°Fundamentals of Arrays¡±, but halfway there she suddenly remembered the master mentioning to Lingering Clouds earlier that learning arrays required learning mathematics as well. She quickly stopped, thinking a familiar enemy was clearly preferable over apletely unfamiliar one.


    Her hand turned and she picked up ¡°Fundamentals of Pharmacology¡± instead.


    ¡°Just read here for now...¡± Qin Ran said, ¡°Rainy days are very suitable for reading.¡±


    Li Shiyin plopped down on the floor, resting the book on her knees, utterly despairing as she turned to the first page.


    After dealing with Li Shiyin, Qin Ran looked towards Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind had been happily watching the show on the sidelines...but suddenly he realized Qin Ran¡¯s attention was now on him.


    He immediately sobered up, sitting up straight, no longer daring to sway his happy tail. Both ears ttened back, bing airne ears.


    ¡°Since Shiyin is studying pharmacology, you can study arrays.¡± Qin Ran handed Fundamentals of Arrays to Chasing the Wind, smiling amiably.


    ¡°Daddy...¡± Chasing the Wind opened his mouth, extremely afraid, trying to save himself as he stuttered, ¡°I... I can''t read.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Qin Ran realized what was going on and withdrew Fundamentals of Arrays.


    With the crisis resolved, Chasing the Wind instantly rxed, secretly apuding his own wit. He looked at Li Shiyin, his cat face full of gloatingughter.


    But as heughed, he suddenly saw Qin Ran take out pen and paper from his cosmic bag again. The clever big cat realized something. His smile gradually froze on his face.


    At this moment, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, right into hell.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s start from the basics!¡± Qin Ran was not a demon after all. He gently smiled, ¡°It''s this era already. Being illiterate is uneptable.¡±


    ¡°Dad... Dad...¡± Chasing the Wind was even stuttering now. ¡°Are you... joking...?!¡±


    He was just a cute little kitty! What did learning have anything to do with him?!


    ¡°It¡¯s a bitte already, I didn¡¯t expect you to grow up so fast...¡± Qin Ran said solemnly, ¡°It works out just right. You can learn elementary Chinese and elementary math together. Once you have a good grasp of mathematical knowledge, it will be much easier to learn arrays in the future.¡±


    ¡°Awrrr...¡± the mysterious spirit tiger let out a deste howl.


    ¡°Hahaha...¡± the sword immortalughed clear as silver bells, gloating in his misery.

 Chapter 177

    Chapter 177


    To teach Chasing the Wind to read and write was not an easy thing.


    First, his ws were unlike human hands, not so dexterous, unable to grasp a writing brush;


    Then, he was after all a mythical beast, the wildness and fierceness in his bloodline did not allow him to sit down quietly to read and write;


    Finally, this guy was mischievous, with no intention at all to learn.


    For the first point, Qin Ran let Chasing the Wind write with his nails, using wooden boards, using sand trays. Chasing the Wind''s nails were extremely sharp,parable to Li Shiyin''s sword qi, for writing...it was most suitable.


    For the second and third points, Qin Ran did not have any good solutions either. After all, not every type of mythical beast was like a fox spirit or Tushan Youyou who loved learning. He could only force him to sit down and learn with the authority of a father...the effect was not very ideal.


    After teaching Chasing the Wind a few words and teaching him to recognize the Arabic numerals from one to ten, Qin Ran felt that he was almost done too.


    This bear cub...this tiger cubpletely did not want to learn, without a bit of intention to focus on reading and writing. Teaching him to read, write and do arithmetic was truly agonizing.


    Qin Ran had already envisioned the miserable life ahead in the next few years, he was always very capable at finding ways to suffer.


    "Write it yourself!" After teaching Chasing the Wind to write his name, Qin Ran was mentally exhausted. He angrily kicked Chasing the Wind and headed towards the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake.


    He had just taken two steps when he realized Li Shiyin was already nodding her head while holding a book.


    The little girl was leaning against a pir of the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake, curled up on the ground, hugging a big book, her small "tired" head nodding up and down, looking very "pitiful".


    Qin Ran stared at that lovely little face for a good while, but still did not wake her up.


    Chasing the Wind behind him sighed in disappointment. It was so unfair, Dad was biased!


    Qin Ran sat on the railing, leaning against a pir, and took out the jade flute.


    Outside the pavilion was an endless misty drizzle, the sky was gray, the rain was fine and not dense, it was very light rain, but it was continuous;


    On the open ground by the Sword Washing Lake, thanks to the efforts of the sect''s disciples with the wood attribute, shallow grass and saplings had grown again, a thriving tender yellow;


    Theke surface was calm, theke water was pure, the formations at the bottom of theke had the effect of cleaning the water quality, and theke water was not stagnant either, so the scenery was actually pleasant.


    "It''s just a bit monotonous..." Qin Ran thought, "Maybe fish, shrimp and lotus flowers can be raised in theke."


    Apanying the fine rain, he picked up the flute and blew lightly.


    Misty waves, lingering flute sound, a song "The Jianghu".


    Qin Ran''s physique was good enough, his breath was long, plus his understanding of the flute was quite deep. Learning the flute, he had considerable talent, and progressed rapidly. It has to be said,pared to cultivation, his talent for the flute was higher by several orders of magnitude. At this time, ying the flute under the gloomy rain, the sound of the flute lingered, blending right into the sound of rain.


    This "Jianghu" was like this Sword Washing Lake.


    On a rainy day, in the pavilion in the middle of theke, faint incense smoke, a girl holding a book falling asleep, a white tiger raising his paws to write words, someone leaning against the railing ying the flute.


    After some time, Li Shiyin woke up in the sound of the flute. The first thing she realized was that she had fallen asleep while reading again. Based on her ample experience, she hurriedly pretended nothing had happened, flipped through the book, and found no one was paying attention to her, before raising her head to investigate the situation in the pavilion.


    As she raised her head, she saw Chasing the Wind staring at her with one raised paw.


    A big white tiger, with an aggrieved look on his face, and envy in his eyes...envying Li Shiyin for being able to sleep.


    Chasing the Wind was a pure white tiger. His whole body only had some ck on his tail, forehead and four feet. The ck was also pure ck.


    There were five rings of ck on his tail, meaning Chasing the Wind could summon five shadow clones; all four feet wore ck gloves, meaning he could step on darkness; the pure ck king character on his forehead was his soul space. If he killed someone in the future, he could seize the person''s soul and throw it into the king character pattern.


    After all he was a pure white tiger, with a silly...cute style. At this moment when Li Shiyin looked over, she felt that every hair on Chasing the Wind''s body was shining, very beautiful. If not for the silliness in his eyes, she believed he could look even more beautiful.


    Li Shiyin red at Chasing the Wind, then ignored him again, and secretly turned her head to look at Qin Ran ying the flute.


    With this nce, she saw a handsome youth leaning against the railing, his clothes gently fluttering in the breeze, with an engrossed and mncholy expression, exuding 120% charm. She didn''t know if it was an illusion caused by seeing the shining light on Chasing the Wind''s body, but she felt he was also shining.


    As one song ended, another began. Apanying the misty rain over theke surface, Qin Ran yed three songs continuously.


    When the music stopped, holding the jade flute in his hand, immersed either in the artistic conception of the flute music, or in memories from his previous life, or in the misty rain over the entireke, he was lost for a long time.


    After some time, he sensed someone watching him. Looking back, he saw his silly disciple''s big eyes brightly staring at him, as if stars were hidden in his eyes. He nced at him, their eyes met, and his heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly shifted his gaze, and saw Chasing the Wind looking at Li Shiyin in disapproval.


    "How much of the book did you read?" He asked Li Shiyin with a serious expression.


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin snapped out of her rosy reverie, her face red. In a panic she lowered her head again, flipped through the thick book in her hands a few more pages, and replied, "Read a few pages..."


    How could Qin Ran not know how much she had read?


    He sighed, shook his head, put away the flute, and stood up, pointing at the open space between Sword Washing Lake and the research building, and said to her and Chasing the Wind:


    "I n to build a greenhouse here, and move all the experimental products cultivated in the caves behind the mountain into the greenhouse. And this greenhouse will be built by you two...since you two are the greediest anyway."


    "How to build it?" Qin Ran looked back at Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind, "Whichever of you doesn''t study diligently will go do the work. If I catch you cking off once, you will have to work a full day continuously."


    "It''s just physical work, quite fun, no big deal." Li Shiyin thought. She had dug out the entireke herself, so building a greenhouse was nothing.


    She looked at Chasing the Wind and found he was also looking at her. The two mischievous children exchanged nces and immediately understood they were on the same page.


    "Working...and no meals!" Qin Ran saw through their thoughts and added a heavy punishment.


    Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind''s pupils suddenly erged. They knew they had to study properly now!

 Chapter 178

    Chapter 178


    Qin Ran was really too despicable, actually threatening the glutton with starving him, causing Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind to have to work hard every day for forced studying.


    And this guy found that this trick was actually useful, and immediately updated the hotfix overnight:


    After studying every day, he would also check, spot check, and examine the two failing students. If there were any who failed, there would be no food for them the next day either.


    So Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind had to not only study, but study intensely.


    It could only be said that for these two, eating was their lifelong pursuit.


    Under such circumstances, Li Shiyin also learned some pharmacological knowledge...


    She wasn''t reallycking in intelligence, she just didn''t like studying. Now that she was really forced to study, she could still learn some things. For example, her calligraphy and guqin skills were actually learned under the coercion of her old father.


    Chasing the Wind was simr. This guy had the bloodline of a level 7-8 beast, already very close to a divine beast. With his intellect (especially his memory), if he really studied, he could learn much faster than a human child.


    In just over ten days, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, he had long since mastered them.


    This day after lunch, Long Qiqi was sitting on a swing under the old Linghuai tree swinging, while Chasing the Wind was practicing writing stroke by stroke on a sand tray not far away. Li Shiyin sat in a grass chair with a book in her hand, reciting it carefully.


    The scene was quite different from their usual style, making Long Qiqi click her tongue in admiration, and secretly admire Qin Ran twice in her heart, able to carve even these pieces of rotten wood, he was indeed remarkable.


    Qin Ran brewed a cup of awakening tea, carried it out from the living room, and came under the Linghuai tree, leaning against the Linghuai tree. He looked at the two diligently studying failing students and asked Long Qiqi:


    "How is your research on the Foundation Establishing Pill going?"


    Long Qiqi felt aggrieved, but had not yet condensed a cyclotron. She had also taken medicinal baths. Although not like Li Shiyin who took them every day for a whole month, she had really hoped that she could naturally find the opportunity to condense the cyclotron. But she finally recognized reality and gave up her fantasies, preparing to embrace alchemy.


    With her physique, in order to condense the cyclotron, she would probably have to rely on the Foundation Establishing Pill.


    "Almost done..." Long Qiqi swung on the swing, "Later you prepare two sets of medicinal materials for me, and I''ll try refining them in the afternoon."


    "Generally speaking, alchemists do not have the habit of using other people''s pills," Qin Ran said as he sipped his tea. "On the one hand, they are not at ease, on the other hand, only the alchemist himself knows what pills he needs... It''s not that I won''t help you."


    "I know." Long Qiqi said, "I learned alchemy from you, and now I can be considered half an alchemist. When I refine the Foundation Establishing Pill, I can say that I am also an alchemist. I know what you mean, I won''t resent you."


    This girl Long Qiqi had a gloomy psyche and was petty, Qin Ran was indeed worried that she would umte resentment in her heart. For someone like her, he had to make it clear to her.


    Seeing that she really had no psychological problems, Qin Ran smiled and said,


    "Do you know? Other alchemists don''t actually keep alchemy records for themselves when refining pills, nor will they modify the pill form ording to their own refining experience. They just try to match the pill form as much as possible. If the pill refining fails, it is due to technical reasons, never because of the pill form.


    "Other alchemists, including my master, only I, and now you, refine pills this way... researching the pill form in advance, studying pharmacology, modifying the pill form, keeping refining records, etc. I call it scientific alchemy."


    "But don''t they study pharmacology?" Long Qiqi raised a question. If they understood pharmacology and found that the dosage of a medicinal material was wrong, shouldn''t they modify it too?


    "If you get an ancient pill form from ancient times, made by a very famous alchemist at that time, and you find that the dosage of one of the medicines is wrong and does not match the pharmacology you have learned. Would you think it was the master''s problem or your own?"


    Qin Ran smiled and asked Long Qiqi, "Isn''t this deliberately done by the master? It''s this amount that can refine this pill. What would you think?"


    Long Qiqi was silent. If she hadn''t done research with Qin Ran... learned alchemy, she would definitely not suspect it was a problem with the pill form, she would only think her refining skills were not good enough.


    "Heaven''s change is not to be feared, ancestors are not to be followed, people''s words are not to be cared for." Qin Ran looked at Long Qiqi and finally said, "Child, don''t believe in authority, believe in truth."


    Long Qiqi nodded seriously with a chubby little face.


    ...This girl started out with a snake spirit face, but the food at Dan Peak and Qin Ran''s cooking were so good that she had unknowingly grown much fatter.


    In the afternoon, Long Qiqi started her second pill refining.


    Still in the Earth me Chamber, only the pill furnace was changed to a small one suitable for her to operate.


    This time Long Qiqi was familiar with the process. She skillfully activated the array, threw in medicinal materials ording to the dosage she had researched that was suitable for herself.


    Throwing in medicinal materials, refining, separating; throwing in more materials, refining again, separating again... With experience and thorough preparation in advance, Long Qiqi quickly finished adding all the medicinal materials. She finished refining everything and began pill concoction.


    Despite having the experience of an exploded furnace, Long Qiqi''s temperament meant she didn''t have any psychological shadows. She directly turned up the fire...


    Long Qiqi walked out of the research building, around the corner, along the river, and found Qin Ran nting tree saplings by theke.


    Qin Ran had just packed the soil for a newly nted willow branch. He looked back and saw Long Qiqi... The girl''s expression was a bitplicated. He couldn''t tell at first nce.


    "With your expression, did pill refining seed or fail?!" He was still squatting on the ground and jokingly asked Long Qiqi, "Such a short time, you should have only refined one furnace, right?"


    Long Qiqi walked up to him and spread out her chubby little hand in front of Qin Ran''s face, revealing three ck pills in her palm.


    Seeing these three pills in front of him, Qin Ran''s face also became interesting. This color, this smell, damn it was a poisonous pill!


    "Let me see the refining record." He said to Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqi took out a refining record with her other hand and handed it to him.


    Qin Ran read through the refining record. Just likest time, there was no problem at all in the process, the medicinal materials were fine, but still... the refined pill had a problem!


    He took another pill and probed into it with his primordial spirit, analyzing the structure andposition of the pill to deduce its specific effects.


    Sure enough...


    The main effect of the Foundation Establishing Pill was to help condense the cyclotron, while the main effect of this pill was to dispel the cyclotron!


    Qin Ran stood up, took a deep breath, looked at the pill, then at Long Qiqi, and finally said, "Why don''t... you try it?!"


    When eliminating all impossibilities, whatever remains, however improbable and absurd it may seem, must be the truth.


    This pill was refined by Long Qiqi ording to her own requirements. In the end it was refined into a poison pill. So, judging by the fact that Long Qiqi was a venomous snake, was it really so unreasonable?


    Long Qiqi also intended to try it out. She looked around and saw that Li Shiyin was not there, so she handed another pill to Qin Ran and only kept one for herself.


    After taking a deep breath, she looked at Qin Ran and said, "Anyway, my physique is extremely poor, cultivation level doesn''t matter. But you have to guarantee I won''t die."


    Qin Ran nodded.


    Then Long Qiqi stuffed the ck pill into her mouth.

 Chapter 179

    Chapter 179


    Long Qiqi did not die. Sheid her foundation.


    When the elixir she made ording to her own requirements turned out to be poisonous, there could only be one exnation - she needed a poisonous elixir.


    Although somewhat bizarre, when thinking about it carefully, it was not that hard to understand. After all, she was a venomous snake.


    "So you needed this kind of poisonous elixir?" Qin Ran really wanted to be left in peace and quiet.


    Long Qiqi stood up from her sitting posture and responded in a deep voice, "It looks like it."


    "What an extremely horrifying anti-counterfeiting measure..." Qin Ran returned the pitch-ck elixir to Long Qiqi and said, "From now on, apart from you, no one else can use your elixirs."


    Long Qiqi pinched up the elixir with her thumb and index finger to look at it, and replied, "It can''t be helped. I don''t want it to be this way either."


    "Then refine the Body Tempering Elixir again. If it turns out the same after refining it once more, you should also try it yourself," Qin Ran said.


    "Okay." Long Qiqi agreed.


    "You go stabilize the whirlpool...¡± Qin Ran turned around to continue nting trees, ¡°With your physique, I''m afraid you might mess up the whirlpool identally."


    Long Qiqi raised her little fist, wanting to hit Qin Ran.


    The Sword Washing Lake was an artificialke, not big. Qin Ran nted over a dozenmon weeping willows next to the Devouring Demon Willow; some peach trees next to the willow forest; some pear trees next to the peach forest; osmanthus, chinaberry, Chinese arborvitae and so on.


    Themon weeping willows were used to conceal the Devouring Demon Willow. The peach trees, chinaberry trees and Chinese arborvitaes were for appreciation. The osmanthus and pear trees...were there to satisfy appetites.


    Qin Ran had nted them sporadically over a dozen days. Any exotic flowers and nts, as well as familiar grasses and trees he could buy were nted by the Sword Washing Lake.


    As for ims about nting trees being out of season in autumn, there was no need to worry. With abundant spiritual energy in Dan Peak, and Qin Ran¡¯s Vitality of Life, nting these ordinary ornamental grasses and trees posed no problems at all.


    On this day, at the monolith by the Sword Washing Lake, he nted a chinaberry tree.


    Looking at this chinaberry tree, Qin Ran was reminded of an allusion from his previous life: A man nted chinaberry trees all over the city for the woman he loved because she liked them... As it turned out, the story of him nting trees was false, the chinaberry trees were false, the allusion was false, the romance was false, and his love for her was also false.


    "Isn''t the moral a bit inappropriate?" he thought.


    "Master..." Just then, Li Shiyin ran over and asked him, "Have you seen Chasing the Wind?"


    Qin Ran looked back and saw Li Shiyin dressed in purple clothes, emitting an air of mystery and charm. Her waist was tied with a ck jade belt, cinched into a delicate and slim figure. She had her hair in a single ponytail, with some mischievous strands of hair on her forehead, revealing a refined and beautiful petite face. It was neat and crisp.


    "Weren''t you two together the whole time?" Qin Ran was puzzled. He remembered that these two were reading under the Wisdom Oak, so how could shee and ask him?


    "Chasing the Wind just disappeared all of a sudden. I saw him run over here towards you," Li Shiyin also looked puzzled. "He didn''te looking for you?"


    Qin Ran looked at her, closed his eyes and sensed with his divine consciousness. Sure enough...


    "That little guy ran out to y." There were traces of entry and exit in the Guardian Mountain Grand Formation, obviously Chasing the Wind had run out using his token.


    "Damn it!" Li Shiyin gnashed her teeth and cursed, "He''s still being grounded, yet he dared to run away secretly..."


    She then ran towards the fog formed by the grand formation, turning back to shout at Qin Ran, "Master, watch me catch him and bring him back for you to punish properly!"


    Qin Ran instantly understood what was going on. Looking at Li Shiyin''s exaggerated acting, he did not expose her clumsy little trick.


    He thought to himself: Did this girl forget that the only one who was ever grounded was herself? Chasing the Wind was never grounded at all.


    Li Shiyin raised the wooden sword token at her waist. Before Qin Ran could react (Qin Ran already knew what she was up to), she charged straight into the fog. Afraid that Qin Ran would catch her and bring her back, she executed her movement technique, shed twice and flew out of the passage, arriving outside the formation.


    "Hmph!" Sheughed proudly. "Master is so easy to fool."


    From the side came the sneaky sounds of "Awoo... Awoo..." made by Chasing the Wind. Li Shiyin looked over and saw Chasing the Wind hiding in the grass signaling to her.


    "Are you a dog? Why are you howling like that?" Li Shiyin walked over with a look of disgust on her face.


    "Did Dad notice?" Chasing the Wind was very afraid, peering sneakily into the fog.


    He was a huge lump of white rice cake. Hiding in the grass did nothing to conceal him. Making such a sneaky and wretched pose only made him more adorable and funny.


    Li Shiyin went over and pped him. Laughing, she said, "How could Master, with his ignorance, see through the ingenious scheme of yours truly? This move is called letting the tiger return to the mountain, it''s called raising the bandits that will harm you, it''s called a thief crying ''stop thief''..."


    "Isn''t ''a thief crying stop thief'' used incorrectly?" Chasing the Wind raised doubts.


    "What do you know, you stupid tiger!" Li Shiyin grabbed Chasing the Wind''s ears and strode over him, riding on his back. She shouted, "Mush!"


    "I''m not a horse!" Chasing the Wind protested weakly.


    "Doesn''t matter, start walking!"


    Chasing the Wind had no choice but to straighten his body and carry Li Shiyin. His steps were light and agile as he ran into the woods.


    By the Sword Washing Lake, Qin Ran who was nning what to nt in theke sensed the conversation between the two rascals outside, and shook his head helplessly.


    The cmity brought about by the willow catkins of the Devouring Demon Willow had passed. The nts grew again, and the animals and demonic beasts returned.


    Chasing the Wind proudly carried Li Shiyin through the woods. Wherever they passed, be they demonic beasts or animals, they would all stop and prostrate themselves to show the highest respect.


    "Wow! Stupid tiger, since when were you so prestigious?" Li Shiyin watched in amazement.


    "I''m the mountain king. Dan Peak is my turf. Naturally, they have to submit to me!" Chasing the Wind was verycent.


    In the time before this, he woulde out every day to fight others. He fought these demonic beasts of Dan Peak. After being beaten by him, afraid of him, submitted to him, he thusmanded such high prestige.


    Li Shiyin hadplex feelings she couldn''t articte. It was like the feeling of your silly child finally growing up. She sighed, "Do you still remember that time you ran away from home and got bullied by these demonic beasts? You were almost chopped in half by a wing... Yet it hasn''t even been a few months and you''re their king now. The world is truly unpredictable!"


    She just had to mention an embarrassing ck history of his fat self being chased all over the mountains by low-level demonic beasts. Chasing the Wind''s face darkened, and his imposing manner weakened by two points in an instant. "Let''s not mention that. We''re still good friends!"


    "Oh? Got a temper now?" Li Shiyin pped the back of Chasing the Wind''s head.


    Chasing the Wind opened his mouth wide, the terrifying tiger maw making people shrink back in fear. He said, "Hit me again and I''ll get mad!"


    To be beaten in front of so many underlings, was he not embarrassed as the mountain king?


    "Hmm?" Li Shiyin grabbed both of Chasing the Wind''s ears and said, "Get mad and let me see."


    "Oww..." Chasing the Wind let out a weird cry. "Hurts, hurts, hurts..."


    Chasing the Wind brought Li Shiyin on an inspection throughout Dan Peak, arrogantly telling her that the whole of Dan Peak was now his turf. In the future when she came out to y she could report his name.


    But the stupid tiger didn''t know that after seeing him controlled and toyed with by Li Shiyin, his underlings had long felt that Li Shiyin was more formidable...

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 180


    Li Shiyin had be famous in the Dao Sword Sect ever since her sword struck down Song Ze from his lofty position as one of the ten greatest arrogances. On one hand, she was the only disciple who was both one of the ten greatest arrogances and one of the five greatest beauties. On the other hand, she had defeated the Golden Core cultivator Song Ze in a cross-boundary challenge with her Foundation Establishment cultivation. With these two feats, her reputation in the Dao Sword Sect was unmatched.


    However, along with the praise for Li Shiyin, other thoughts began to emerge among her fellow sect members. Those Foundation Establishment cultivators who had never made it onto the arrogance rankings thought: I''m certainly no fool like Song Ze to be defeated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and in such a humiliating way too. If it were me instead, Li Shiyin wouldn''t havested half a move. Why don''t I go contend for a spot as an arrogance and have some fun?


    Some veteran Foundation Establishment cultivators thought: Song Ze was a Golden Core cultivator, so I don''t dare challenge his status, but you, Li Shiyin, are only at Foundation Establishment. I ought to test your abilities. Battling Foundation Establishment against Foundation Establishment, what do I have to fear from you? Who knows, I might even seize a chance to be an arrogance!


    Thus, from that night on, there were actually many people who came to Dan Peak every day wanting to challenge Li Shiyin...they were just all blocked by the mountain-protecting grand formation.


    In fact, aside from Qin Ran, the other Dan Peak disciples didn''t even know that there were many people standing guard outside the mountain-protecting formation each day.


    So when Li Shiyin took a leisurely ride around Dan Peak on Chasing the Wind and returned home through the small forest path in front of the original mountain gate, she suddenly saw a group of dozens gathered in front of the mist created by the mountain-protecting formation.


    The previous forest had already been swallowed up by the white willow fluff, and the current forest was rented by wood-element cultivators using their mystical arts.


    From afar, she could hear the moring from the group.


    "That Li Shiyin is too cowardly. She only dares to cower at home instead ofing out to do battle. I''ve never seen such a gutless arrogance," someone said.


    "Seeing her strike down Song Ze with one sword, I thought she was an exceptional talent. I didn''t expect her to be this sort of craven fellow. Disgraceful!"


    Someone else said, "That night, she only made a single sword stroke before hurriedly taking her leave. Now I reasonably suspect that her sword strike was abnormal. Either she borrowed the sword qi of another cultivator, or used some high-level treasure. It definitely wasn''t her own strength!"


    "I think she doesn''t dare face our normal challenges. Her true strength is far from ours. She only dares to hide at home."


    Someone else was pondering how to break the formation. "I remember Dan Peak used to be very poor before, just a bare mountain. When did this formation appear?"


    "I don''t know. I didn''t pay much attention. Dan Peak has always been obscure. If not for this Li Shiyin, I would have nearly forgotten that our Dao Sword Sect still had an alchemy branch."


    Someone with some knowledge of formations said, "This formation just seems like abination of basic formations stacked together. It''s not that ingenious. Just let me go in and try it out."


    Someone hurriedly stopped him, "Don''t. Something''s fishy about this formation. Those who spoke like you before still haven''te out until now."


    In the time after that night, Li Shiyin had actually gained arge group of fans, although she waspletely unaware of it herself.


    Someone spoke up in her defense. "Shiyin defeated a Golden Core cultivator at Foundation Establishment. The sword techniques she used must have been extraordinary. A genius is not something the likes of you vulgar fellows can understand. I feel she must be in secluded cultivation right now, and has no time to bother with you bunch of jumping clowns."


    "My darling Shiyin is unrivaled in the world. She doesn''t care for your challenges!"


    "If she has to wee every challenger, wouldn''t Sword Immortal Li be exhausted to death?"


    While this group of people were chatting and yelling, someone suddenly pointed behind them and shouted, "Li Shiyin is here!"


    Everyone was shocked and hurriedly looked in the direction he pointed. There, emerging from the small forest path, was a beautiful young woman riding a white tiger. Taking a closer look at that exquisite appearance, who else could it be but Li Shiyin, the one who was "dearly missed" by them?


    Being blocked on the road right in front of her own home, this was absolutely uneptable humiliation in the eyes of Li Shiyin, the tyrant of Danyang!


    Yet her expression was tranquil as water, emitting an aura of piercing cold. The air seemed to be suffused with sword qi, and the mor from the crowd gradually died down.


    With just one person, Li Shiyin had suppressed dozens of them.


    The tiger race ced great importance on territorial awareness. For someone toe make trouble in their own turf was outrageous!


    It could be seen that Chasing the Wind also had a fierce and ominous air, the baleful aura of a Primordial Darkness Spirit Tiger visible to the naked eye. Right now he just wanted to tear them all into shreds and deliver them to Father to use as fertilizer for nting trees.


    Rider and tiger arrived before the crowd. Li Shiyin asked in an expressionless voice, "You are all here for me?"


    She realized that this group wasn''t just coincidentally here today, or happened to be caught by her right at this moment. Rather, every day, every moment, this group had been standing guard here.


    It was just that they had all been stopped by Master, so she didn''t know about it. Master had never told her.


    Not everyone here hade to challenge her. Some were here to watch the excitement, some were here to challenge.


    Among those who wanted to challenge, a bold and vigorous Golden Core cultivator with an imposing aura separated himself from the crowd. In a rough, loud voice he dered, "Zhu Jian of Qi Peakes to challenge fellow daoist Li Shiyin."


    For a Golden Core to challenge a Foundation Establishment, he really had thick skin, though there was no hint of embarrassment on his face.


    Qi Peak?!


    Li Shiyin''s eyes grew colder by three parts.


    The deepest reason she insisted on challenging Song Ze was not because Song Ze was the weakest of the ten greatest arrogances, nor because she ced much importance on the honor of being an arrogance. The deepest reason was that Song Ze was He Daoguang''s personal disciple!


    She would never forget that time when her Master was surrounded by a group of Golden Core cultivators, driven into a hopeless situation. Her Master had pleaded for help from his fellow sect member, the Golden Core elder He Daoguang, hoping he would say something to defuse the situation. But He Daoguang was willing to currying favor with outsiders at the expense of his own sect. He did not disy the slightest intention to help resolve the crisis.


    She didn''t dare imagine just how desperate her Master must have been at that time...


    A disciple of Qi Peak?


    While sitting on Chasing the Wind''s back, Li Shiyin extended her right hand to Zhu Jian. Her slender, fair and delicate jade-like hand softly grasped, and a dreamy sword that was like the starry sky appeared in her palm.


    Having left home in a hurry today, she didn''t have her universe pouch or Veiled Star Sword, so she could only use Twilight Sword as an inadequate recement.


    "A...a lifebound sword!" someone behind Zhu Jian stammered.


    When Li Shiyin challenged Song Ze, she had used an ordinary treasure sword, so everyone assumed she was just a minor Foundation Establishment cultivator without a lifebound sword yet. Who knew that not only did she have a lifebound sword, but it was exceptionally extraordinary!


    Bringing out her lifebound sword right from the start?


    Oblivious to the danger, Zhu Jian looked at the sword, assessed its quality, and became afraid that it had reached the grade of a spiritual artifact. Now he "understood" the "truth".


    Heughed and said, "So it turns out you were relying on an exceptionally unusual lifebound sword to make that cross-boundary challenge!"


    The viin behind Zhu Jian, whether wanting him to test Li Shiyin''s strength or simply watching for entertainment, did not remind him at all.


    Li Shiyin''s gaze, tranquil as the starry sky, looked at Zhu Jian once. Her eyes were full of heartlessness. She did not reply, only began circting her cultivation technique...


    Starlight descended. Radiant spiritual power shed. Her aura instantly soared.


    Invisible sword qi swept out oppressively, blowing out a frenzied wind. The new branches of the forest swayed chaotically while the people''s hair and clothes in front were sent flying wildly.


    Clearly, after defeating Song Ze in a cross-boundary battle, Li Shiyin''s sword dao cultivation had be even stronger.


    Zhu Jian was actually daunted by Li Shiyin''s aura, involuntarily taking a step back.


    This one step back he took exposed an opportunity to Li Shiyin...


    Li Shiyin had recently intensely studied medicine and gained an understanding of the fundamentals of spiritual power cirction. Now when she looked at Zhu Jian, it was as if she was watching a machine powered by spiritual power. And when this machine retreated that one step, its inner spiritual power stalled for an instant!


    The current Li Shiyin no longer needed to rely on intuition. She could see the enemy''s weakness clear as day!


    The sword light arose...


    Whoosh!


    A sheathed sword dropped down from the sky, directly inserting itself into the open ground between Li Shiyin and Zhu Jian.


    Recognizing it as her Veiled Star Sword, Li Shiyin swiftly reacted. Her aura instantly weakened and the sword light extinguished.


    Qin Ran''s voice rang out in the air:


    "You may challenge Li Shiyin, but you cannot cross boundaries!"


    Obediently following orders, Li Shiyin dismissed Twilight Sword. Chasing the Wind intelligently shifted his steps, lightly walking over for Li Shiyin to dismount and pick up Veiled Star Sword.


    She didn''t even nce at Zhu Jian, instead looking towards the crowd behind him. Her clear, pleasing voice asked, "Anyone else?"

 Chapter 181

    Chapter 181


    Zhu Jian waspletely ignored by Li Shiyin, but he did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction. Because at the moment the sword light shed, he truly felt that he was infinitely close to death.


    At that moment, he felt that he had no secrets in front of Li Shiyin, all his weaknesses were exposed; it was as if Li Shiyin had seen through himpletely. When facing Li Shiyin, it was as if he was facing a high-level sword cultivator, not a Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    He knew that if that sword had struck, he would have been powerless to resist.


    The Cascade Star Sword that fell from the sky was not saving Li Shiyin, but saving him, Zhu Jian.


    Although she had not really made a move yet, he had already lost.


    And not only Zhu Jian himself knew this, even the people behind him knew it too.


    When Li Shiyin walked past Zhu Jian to ask them, someone couldn''t withstand Li Shiyin''s oppressive sword aura and took a step back, and then took another step back.


    Some people stepped back, some didn''t; some retreated smoothly, some stood firm under the pressure. Eight people remained in ce, either capable or stubbornly standing their ground.


    Those who retreated had already lost; those who didn''t retreat hadn''t lost yet.


    Under the tremendous pressure, some gritted their teeth, drew their swords, and attacked Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin didn''t underestimate him, linking the Guiding Starlight Technique and Flying Immortal Questioning Dao, there was a sh of starlight, and she disappeared from Chasing The Wind''s back. With a flick of her sword she sent his flying, then instantly reappeared on Chasing The Wind''s back, as if she hadn''t moved at all.


    "Such...such powerful strength!" This person looked at his own flying sword, his sword-wielding hand trembling uncontrobly. At the same level of cultivation, he lost in one sword stroke.


    No matter what the reason, when a swordsman can no longer hold his own sword steady, he should die. Because the sword is the swordsman''s life. When a swordsman cannot grasp his sword, he cannot grasp his own life.


    "Next." said Li Shiyin.


    Another swordsman came forth...


    It was seen that the sword-wielding maiden''s figure continuously shed among the crowd, trails and Chasing The Wind''s back. Some lost in one sword stroke, some held on for two or three strokes, but ultimately no one prevailed until the end, no one was victorious.


    Finally, Li Shiyin stood in front of the crowd that had previously retreated, sword in hand. Behind her were seven or eight defeated and crestfallen people, their magic treasures and flying swords strewn all over the ground. She asked the people in front, "Anyone else?" Among them were fanatical and excited gazes, and also timid and evasive gazes; but no provocative and battle-ready gazes. They looked at this peerlessly beautiful and supremely talented maiden, no one dared to draw their swords again.


    Li Shiyin waited for a while. With a cold nce that swept over the crowd, ignoring their fanaticism¨Dbecause the divine had never cared for zealots¨Dshe sheathed her sword and said, "Go back, all of you!"


    The losers picked up their weapons and trudged back dejectedly; the cowardly disyed their techniques, either riding their swords or soaring through the clouds, and left in high spirits.


    After today, there would be legends within the Dao Sword Sect of the invincible Dan Peak Fairy Maiden Swordsman. They would say that with one stroke of her sword she sent a Golden Core cultivator flying, and with seven or eight sword strokes she defeated seven or eight Golden Core cultivators. The Dao Sword Sect disciples would forget that she was one of the Five Great Beauties, and would remember that she was one of the Ten Great Prodigies, and recall her glowing sword aura like the radiance of stars.


    After a few dozen people left scattered in twos and threes, the fog before the Guardian Mountain Formation suddenly cleared. Over a dozen Dao Sword Sect disciples walked out from inside. These were all disciples who had attempted to force their way into or break the formation, but ultimately got lost within the Guardian Mountain Formation.


    After emerging from the Guardian Mountain Formation and looking back at it, those without any foundation in formations had confused expressions on their faces, even having forgotten when they got lost in the first ce; those with some foundation in formations had frightened looks, because this seemingly basic formation actually contained endless variations and transformations within, and what they thought they understood, they realized they had not understood at all.


    Qin Ran''s voice echoed in the air, "It was an illusory formation this time. Next time, it will be a killing formation."


    Those who had some foundation in formations didn''t dare to tarry, and hurriedly cast spells to escape; while those without any foundation were left at aplete loss.


    "Chasing The Wind..." said Li Shiyin, "Let''s go home."


    With his head held high and treading with the unique grace of felines, Chasing The Wind walked together with Li Shiyin into the mist, eventually disappearing into the mist.


    In the eyes of those bewildered people remained the image of the white tiger and the maiden''s retreating backs.


    Passing through the mist and returning to Dan Peak, Li Shiyin swept her gaze, discovering that her Master was still at thekeside checking on the trees he had nted over the past few days, his appearance tranquil and leisurely, as if the one deterring those challengers was not him at all.


    The calls of birds and beasts at Dan Peak were the same as always, the mountains and waters here very peaceful. Those noisy, moring challengers outside did not disturb them in the slightest.


    Long Qiqi was even still at the Research Building concocting poison pills, while Tushan Youyou was still learning mathematics in the rear mountain.


    Sensing that the two mischievous ones had returned, Qin Ran raised his head to nce at them, a vague smile on his face. "Chasing The Wind ran off, didn''t he? Went to chase Chasing The Wind, didn''t you? Chased him for a whole day, didn''t you?!"


    Li Shiyin had run off in the morning, and now it was alreadyte afternoon nearing dusk, she had been out ying the entire day... After all, it would take some time to let all the demonic beasts in Dan Peak know that their lord now has a big sister too.


    Seeing Qin Ran''s expression, Li Shiyin knew that he wasn''t truly angry. Hugging her sword, she twisted bashfully as she walked over to him, making a sound through her nose, "Mas...ter..."


    How was this the sharp-as-sword-aura female sword immortal? Clearly just a girl who was skilled at acting coquettish.


    Listening to it made Qin Ran''s hackles rise, but he was actually quite pleased inside. Suppressing the smile at the corners of his mouth, he saw that Chasing The Wind was also rolling around on the ground next to them, exposing his belly to ask for forgiveness.


    Trying hard to sound stern, but smiling, he said, "Don''t try that with me, useless!"


    Everyone knew whether it was actually useless or not.


    He pointed at the empty space between Sword Washing Lake and the Research Building, and said, "Starting tomorrow, the two of you will build an awning there for me! And not only that, you two won''t get any meals tomorrow either, as punishment!!"


    To punish an immortal cultivator by not letting them eat, that truly was an extremely severe punishment... Ah no, one of them wasn''t a cultivator, Chasing The Wind was a demonic beast, he truly needed blood and flesh as food, for him it really was an extremely harsh punishment. So it could only be said, the only one getting hurt was silly little Chasing The Wind.


    But it didn''t matter, this silly guy was stupid enough, he didn''t know that actually only he was getting punished.


    He had absolutely no idea that he was never supposed to be punished in the first ce, he shouldn''t have been punished from the start; he also didn''t know that in essence, the only one truly being punished by this punishment was him.


    This silly one even stopped to roll around, his white fur picking up a lot of mud. He chuckled towards Qin Ran, "Thanks, Dad!"


    Qin Ran pointed at him, bitterughter brimming forth¨Dthis silly tiger was fortunate to have followed him, if he had followed someone else, who knows when he might have been sold without even realizing, and would probably still be helping them count the money... if he had learned arithmetic by then, that is.


    "It''s... Master!" Li Shiyin replied listlessly.


    And so starting the next day, Dan Peak''s invincible female sword immortal and her Xuanming Spirit Tiger buddy began their gloriousbor reform.

 Chapter 182

    Chapter 182


    The weather had already turned cool. Looking at the sky, there were many clouds, the west wind was tight, and it seemed that it would snow before long.


    ...Luckily, Dan Peak was either an immortal or a monster, so the weather didn''t really matter. Except for a certain cold-blooded creature who would be affected by the temperature. When the temperature dropped, she would always feel a little sleepy.


    In the living room, Long Qiqi sat at one end of the long bench, wrapped in a nket, holding a book about medicinal materials and reading it.


    As she read, she felt a little sleepy and yawned. She also felt ufortable sitting on the wooden chair and said, "It would be so much better if this chair was soft. I could lie on it and sleep, it must be veryfortable."


    Li Shiyin was sitting at the other end of the long bench reading a book. Hearing her words, she looked at Chasing the Wind who was ying with his tail on the floor.


    "The chairs in the living room were originally soft. Master called them sofas. They were veryfortable chairs, but someone took them apart..." she said faintly, "It just happened to be the day you came to Dan Peak."


    Long Qiqi narrowed her eyes to look at the viin Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind suddenly felt a chill. Coming back from his reverie, he looked back at Long Qiqi and saw her murderous gaze. He hurriedly smiled and said, "I didn''t know better when I was little and took it apart to y with."


    "Humph!" Long Qiqi was toozy to bother with this fool. She looked at the book Li Shiyin was reading with great interest. Seeing the three big words on the cover, "Journey to the West," she asked Li Shiyin, "What''s that book about? You''re reading it so attentively?"


    "Ah? What''s it about?" Li Shiyin, the poor student, really couldn''t say. She thought for a moment and replied, "It tells the story of the Monkey King Sun Wukong fighting monsters and subduing demons, rebelling against heaven."


    Fighting monsters and subduing demons? Long Qiqi didn''t like the sound of that. After all, she was a monster herself and had been pursued and killed by many human cultivators.


    "Creak..."


    Just then, Qin Ran pushed the door and came in from outside, bringing in a st of cold wind that made Long Qiqi shiver violently.


    Seeing this, Li Shiyin hurriedly said, "Master, close the door quickly. Look what you did to Qiqi!"


    Qin Ran closed the door and walked over and said, "You''ve already cultivated a human form, how can you still be afraid of the cold?"


    He joked, "Don''t tell me you still need to hibernate!"


    Long Qiqi red at him, toozy to answer his silly joke.


    Seeing the three little ones beingzy and bored, Qin Ran took out a set of Go pieces and board from his cosmic bag and put them on the coffee table. He said, "Seeing that you guys are bored,e over and I''ll teach you to y Go." Chasing the Wind was the most enthusiastic. He eagerly got up, stuck out his tongue, and rushed over to watch with his front paws on Qin Ran''s body, looking very eager to learn Go.


    But now he was about the size of a buffalo, weighing over a thousand pounds. His ardent enthusiasm was not something ordinary people could enjoy.


    "Chasing Wind, get down!" Qin Ran hurriedly shouted.


    Little Chasing the Wind stood dejectedly next to Qin Ran, standing several heads taller than the squatting Qin Ran.


    Long Qiqi nced at Chasing the Wind and listlessly asked Qin Ran, "It''s not Go, is it?"


    "No, it''s a very simple game," Qin Ran arranged the board and pieces. The pieces were divided into ck and white. "It''s called Gobang," he said.


    He demonstrated and exined briefly. Even the fool Chasing the Wind quickly learned.


    The game was indeed simple. Li Shiyin watched confidently. Her jade-like feet stretched out from the chair and stepped on the wooden floor. She squatted over and sat side by side with Qin Ran, picked up a ck piece, and shouted arrogantly, "Master, I''m going to beat you a hundred times."


    ...Then she lost ten games in three minutes.


    "Master..." She pouted, her big eyes blinking pitifully, looking at Qin Ran in distress.


    Qin Ran couldn''t stand her act of ying cute after losing. He resigned, stood up, shook his head and said, "You guys y, I have to go to Master Peak for a bit."


    Long Qiqi, curled up in the chair like a snake cocoon, took the ck pieces and told Li Shiyin to take Qin Ran''s white pieces to y against her.


    Hearing this, she asked, "What are you going to Master Peak for?"


    "To buy some seeds, lotus seeds, aquatic nt seeds, fish fry, or some spiritual herbs suitable for growing in water," Qin Ran replied, watching them y Go and asionally pointing out moves to Li Shiyin.


    "Master, you can buy koi. When they be spirits in the future, they can also cross the Dragon Gate," Li Shiyinughed and shifted over to squat in front of Qin Ran to make way for Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqi seemed to ask casually, "Are you going to buy seeds from a stall or get them from Butler Hall?"


    "Go to the stalls first..." Qin Ran said. He didn''t really want everything to be visible to the Dao Sword Sect''s senior management, "If I can''t buy them, then I''ll go to Butler Hall."


    "That would take a long time, wouldn''t it?" Long Qiqi yed Go with Li Shiyin.


    Qin Ran casually took Li Shiyin''s hair and yed with it in his hand, replying, "It won''t take too long, dinner won''t be toote."


    "Oh!" Long Qiqi was relieved. She nodded earnestly, seemingly focused on ying Go, "Then I''ll stop worrying."


    Qin Ran smiled helplessly, "Look how fat you''ve be, you''re still so greedy!"


    Long Qiqi didn''t like hearing this. She started making excuses, "We snakes have to prepare for winter and hibernate. We stock up on energy to withstand the severe cold..."


    "Shiyin, find time to teach her sword practice and help her lose some weight," Qin Ran said.


    Li Shiyin was focused on ying Go. She casually replied, "Got it."


    Qin Ran gently pulled her hair and said, "Can you get up now? I have to go."


    It turned out that when Li Shiyin had changed positions earlier to squat in front of Qin Ran, she had conveniently sat on Qin Ran''s shoes.


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin sighed, "Master is really not fun."


    Qin Ran went out to Master Peak. Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi yed three more games and were crushed every time. Angrily she shouted, "Stupid tiger, youe."


    Chasing the Wind thought she was telling him toe y Go with Long Qiqi. He rushed over to squeeze Li Shiyin''s spot.


    Li Shiyin backhandedly pped him and scolded, "I''m telling you toe keep mepany!"


    Since she couldn''t beat anyone else, she could only bully Chasing the Wind.


    Long Qiqi ced a piece and crawled out from under the nket to sit on the chair and put on her shoes. She said to Chasing the Wind, "You go, go y with her. A couple of fools well matched."


    Muttering some unpleasant words, she put on her shoes and went outside, "I''ll go out for some air."


    The two fools didn''t care why Long Qiqi, who extremely disliked the cold, would suddenly go out. They just pulled out the Go board and fought vigorously.


    The one ying white sitting cross-legged on the ground was Li Shiyin, while the one ying ck sitting on the ground nearly two meters tall like a mountain was the giant casual ice cream Chasing the Wind. The two were well-matched rivals. They fought intensely until the sky turned dark. The board was filled with ck and white pieces yet there was still no winner.


    Long Qiqi put on a fur coat with fur plucked from Chasing the Wind''s body. Braving the bone-piercing cold in the mountains, she went to the back mountain and sneaked into the fox hole.


    She said to Tushan Youyou, "It''s time."


    Tushan Youyou put down his pencil for advanced math calctions. He looked back and asked, "Did Qin Ran go out?"


    "He won''t be back for a while."


    There was a cold sh in Tushan Youyou''s eyes. He nodded and said, "We''ve finally got this chance."

 Chapter 183

    Chapter 183


    "Qin Ran has set up formations above the second floor of the Research Building to prevent me from secretly concocting pills," Long Qiqi said to Tushan Youyou. "To make poison, we need the medicinal materials from the second floor. To steal the Tribtion Thunder Pill and Earth Fire Pill, we need to go to the fourth floor."


    "What level have you reached in your formation skills?" Long Qiqi asked Tushan Youyou. "Can you break formations?"


    "I can only set up simple twoyer formations at the moment," Tushan Youyou shook her head. "As for breaking formations, I don''t know anything about that. Also, these are formations set up by Qin Ran, so there''s no way I can break them."


    "Qin Ran''s formation skills are really that good?!" Long Qiqi asked in surprise. Qin Ran had told her before that his formation skills exceeded his pill concoction abilities, but she thought he was boasting at the time.


    "Very good," Tushan Youyou nodded, not borating further. She then asked Long Qiqi, "So what should we do now? No poison, no stolen Tribtion Thunder Pill or Earth Fire Pill. Should we just go ahead?"


    Long Qiqi furrowed her brows in thought for a moment before murmuring, "There''s no rush. Perhaps there is still a way."


    "What way?"


    "Chasing the Wind!" Long Qiqi said. "With his ability to tread the shadows, he may be able to directly bypass the formations and enter the Research Building."


    "But he''s a daddy''s boy," Tushan Youyou said. "Would he be willing to steal Qin Ran''s things?"


    "He would!" Long Qiqi said confidently.


    Shortly after, Long Qiqi and Tushan Youyou appeared in the living room of the small wooden house.


    At this time, Chasing the Wind and Li Shiyin were still battling it out over a game of chess. Chasing the Wind sped a white chess piece in his ck gloved paw and mmed it onto the chessboard with a snap. Brimming with momentum, he roared loudly, "A four point sequence! You''re going to lose..."


    "Lose your ass!" Li Shiyin threw a punch straight at him and cursed, "You''ve messed up all the pieces!!"


    Chasing the Wind looked down at the chessboard and realized that with his oversized paws, he had indeed made quite a mess. He had also gotten a little too excited and hadn''t paid enough attention.


    "Hahaha, I didn''t restrain my strength properly!" He scratched his ears sheepishly with his big paw, appearing extremely honest and cute.


    "If you keep mming the pieces down like that, the chessboard is going to break!" Li Shiyin said angrily.


    The two of them reset the chess pieces and prepared to start another intense round... They were so absorbed in their game that they didn''t notice Long Qiqi and Tushan Youyou watching them for a good while.


    As she eyed the seemingly foolish tiger, Tushan Youyou murmured incredulously to Long Qiqi, "Does he look like someone who can traverse formations to you?"


    "Cough!" Long Qiqi wasn''t so sure anymore either.


    She walked over and pped the chessboard with her chubby palm, interrupting Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind''s game. Once she had Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind''s angry attention, she looked up at them and said solemnly, "Today is the day!"


    "The day for what?" Li Shiyin clearly hadn''t reacted yet.


    Long Qiqi just kept staring at her steadily with those heavy eyes.


    Slowly, understanding dawned on Li Shiyin. In an instant, she entered battle mode, her beautiful face turning icy cold as sword intent shed in her eyes.


    "What''s the battle n?" she asked.


    She knew Long Qiqi was a lot like her shifu¡ªjust as cunning and scheming. For something this major, there was no way she didn''t have a n.


    Instead of answering her, Long Qiqi turned to look at Chasing the Wind and said, "I need you to fetch a couple things for me."


    "What things?" Chasing the Wind still hadn''t reacted. His big eyes were full of confusion.


    Long Qiqi took out a list of medicinal materials and handed it to Chasing the Wind. "Go to the second floor medicinal storage room in the Research Building and help me procure these medicinal ingredients."


    She took out another piece of paper and pointed to the pills listed on it. "Go to the ck Technology Pill Room on the fourth floor of the Research Building and bring me these two types of pills."


    Chasing the Wind might be a bit foolish, but he wasn''t that foolish. He quickly realized what was going on and asked, "Are you trying to steal Daddy''s pills?"


    "Not steal, borrow," Long Qiqi substituted the concept. "If your daddy knew, he would agree too."


    Chasing the Wind wasn''t fully convinced and looked to Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin nodded at him slightly. "You go steal them. I''ll take responsibility if anything happens!"


    "There''s no need for you to take responsibility, I''ll steal them myself!" Chasing the Wind said... Stealing Daddy''s things did seem pretty thrilling.


    In a sh, a gust of wind whipped up in the living room and Chasing the Wind vanished in a swirl of white.


    "Can he handle it?" Tushan Youyou didn''t have much faith in Chasing the Wind.


    But for some reason, Li Shiyin had inexplicable confidence in him. She nodded. "He can do it!"


    "I''m not so sure..." Long Qiqi shook her head, reserving judgment.


    But before her voice had even faded, another fierce gust of wind swirled up in the living room and Chasing the Wind reappeared.


    Long Qiqi was taken aback. She looked at Chasing the Wind and asked, "You''ve already stolen the things? That quickly?"


    "Hehe..." Chasing the Wind gave an embarrassed chuckle. He took out the list of medicinal materials and pointed out the items listed to Long Qiqi. "What are all these things? I don''t recognize them."


    Thanks to Qin Ran''s patient guidance, he did know how to read, but he hadn''t taken medicinal studies so he didn''t recognize the medicinal ingredients.


    Long Qiqi was rendered speechless. She had actually forgotten about this problem.


    She hurried off to her room to grab a thick medicinal ingredient encyclopedia. Standing in front of Chasing the Wind, she flipped open the book and pointed out each ingredient, exining them to him one by one. She alsobeled them with a pen so he could bring the book for reference.


    Chasing the Wind did have an excellent memory. He quickly memorized all the medicinal ingredients before zipping off towards the Research Building again.


    With his blinding speed, he arrived at the Research Building in the blink of an eye and made a beeline for the second floor. ncing down the corridor, he saw that formations had indeed been set up there as expected.


    Although Chasing the Wind hadn''t studied medicinal arts, he had studied formations. He did have a foundation in formations... As a tiger, he recognized with a single nce that these were obstacle formations oveyed with illusion and confusion formations meant for protection.


    "These are no match for me!" The corners of his mouth curved up smugly and his lithe tiger tail gave a flick, shooting out two pure ck little tigers that were identical to him, except they seemed like two pitch ck kittens.


    The two little tigersnded nimbly on the ground beforezily stretching. Then they burrowed into the shadows beneath the corridor railings, vanishingpletely into the darkness.


    Chasing the Wind manipted them past the formations. Once inside the medicinal storage room, the two little tigers reappeared. Referencing the medicinal ingredient book Chasing the Wind held outside, he controlled the little tigers to carefully retrieve the required ingredients. Each little tiger carried a few ingredients before slipping back out through the shadows.


    "Hehehe!" Chasing the Wind gave himself a silent cheer.


    Utilizing the same method, he also fetched the Tribtion Thunder Pill and Earth Fire Pill from the fourth floor.


    When he returned to the living room with the goods, Tushan Youyou was rather shocked and even rmed. She asked, "So formations have no effect on you?!"


    "Well, it''s not exactly..." Chasing the Wind was just about to brag when Li Shiyin suddenly kicked him.


    "You''ve brought the things, what''s your n?" Li Shiyin asked Long Qiqi.


    Tushan Youyou took a deep look at Li Shiyin but didn''t say anything more.


    "A three pronged simultaneous attack for guaranteed sess!" Long Qiqi held up three chubby fingers and said, "We attack with the Tribtion Thunder Pill as the main force while the poison acts in coordination. Big sister Youyou and Shiyin will carry out the n!"


    "Okay!" Tushan Youyou and Li Shiyin nodded.


    "What about me? What about me?" Chasing the Wind hurriedly asked.


    Long Qiqi ignored him and took the medicinal materials outside, saying, "I''m going to concoct poison."

 Chapter 184

    Chapter 184


    Long Qiqi and Tushan Youyou went to great lengths to deal with what they saw as the biggest threat looming over Dan Peak at the moment - the Devouring Demon Willow!


    They nned to fell this demon willow behind Qin Ran''s back. After all, how could they let this demonic powerhouse that was clearly of a different ilk sleep so soundly by their side? If they did not get rid of it early, it would definitely cause troubleter.


    Qin Ran had done a systematic study of the Devouring Demon Willow a long time ago, back when he first encountered its willow catkins. After experiencing a series of incidents involving the Devouring Demon Willow, he further perfected his research.


    And his research findings were "identally" seen clearly by Long Qiqi.


    Using Qin Ran''s research on the Devouring Demon Willow, Long Qiqi deduced a poison tailor-made to deal with the Devouring Demon Willow. With the poison form, ingredients, furnace and conditions for pill refining, concocting the poison was quite straightforward.


    It did not take Long Qiqi too long to refine three vials of potent poison specifically targeting the Devouring Demon Willow.


    In the living room, she distributed the poison to Tushan Youyou, Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind, andmented: "It would have been better if sister Youyou''s spell matrixes had progressed faster. If we could first set up an extinction array and then administer the poison, we could minimize the risk."


    What an uncannily simr approach to Qin Ran''s. Upon hearing this, Li Shiyin couldn''t help but nce at Long Qiqi several more times, wondering to herself, are you master''s disciple or am I master''s disciple?


    "There are some points you need to take note of..." Long Qiqi said gravely after thement, briefing them on the final precautions:


    "One, the poison may not be as effective on the Devouring Demon Willow as I deduced; two, Tribtion Thunder Pill is still the killer blow; three, the Devouring Demon Willow is stronger than a Primeval Spirit, we still don''t know how much strength it has left, be extremely careful."


    "I specte that its corporeal form is actually quite easy to deal with, the real trouble lies with its Primeval Spirit."


    Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind exchanged nces. They understood what Long Qiqi meant and nodded at her.


    "Alright!" Long Qiqi rallied, "Let''s do our best, we must get rid of it!"


    Li Shiyin went out first with her sword. As usual, she was practicing her swordy outside the log cabin. While practicing, she somehow drifted to the Sword Washing Lake, and at some point, a porcin bottle slipped off her body and smashed right next to the Devouring Demon Willow.


    "Sorry, senior! I didn''t mean it." She quickly apologized to the willow tree and squatted down to pick up the broken shards.


    But Long Qiqi was sly and vicious by nature. The poison she concocted was extremely potent and aggressive. As soon as it touched the Devouring Demon Willow, a reaction could be seen on the tree. Visibly, the willow leaves on the willow whose trunk was as thick as a grown man''s fist rapidly withered and turned yellow.


    "Poison?" A hoarse furious voice sounded out of nowhere.


    The next moment, several willow branches elongated into whips andshed towards Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin had been keeping an eye on the Devouring Demon Willow. Seeing the branches move, she already had her sword at the ready. She backflipped to evade the attack and sent out a sword qi to slice off one of the branches.


    Upon seeing this, Li Shiyin was relieved. A dignified ninth rank Demonic Beast, the Devouring Demon Willow, had its branch cut off by her. Long Qiqi was right that its corporeal form had be very weak.


    Not wanting to confront the poison-stricken Devouring Demon Willow head-on, Li Shiyin retreated to keep some distance over the Sword Washing Lake, close enough to prevent the Devouring Demon Willow from calming down to expel the poison, but also far enough to avoid facing it alone.


    "Chasing the Wind!" She shouted loudly to signal that Chasing the Wind coulde out now.


    As her voice faded, a white shadow shot out from the log cabin and headed straight for under the Devouring Demon Willow.


    Chasing the Wind was going for a point-nk poisoning. Li Shiyin dared not let down her guard and pushed her battle spirit secret art to the maximum, charging forward to divert some of the Devouring Demon Willow''s power.


    By now, more than fifteen, sixteen willow branches were whipped up by the Devouring Demon Willow to do battle. Even with her battle power fully unleashed, Li Shiyin would be hard pressed to fend off attacksing from all directions. Before long, she failed to hold on and was whipped aside.


    Suspending in midair, Li Shiyin looked towards the Devouring Demon Willow. She saw Chasing the Wind also whipped up into the air, covered insh marks.


    "?" Li Shiyin was baffled. She had fought off ten branches alone and he was beaten to such a state by five, six branches?


    Just as she was about to hurl abuse at Chasing the Wind for being useless, she suddenly noticed two ck rings missing from his tail. Taking a closer look stealthily, she spotted a small ck tiger with a porcin bottle in its mouth disappearing into the shadow under the Devouring Demon Willow trunk.


    Instantly, Li Shiyin understood. Chasing the Wind had not only administered poison, but also nted the Tribtion Thunder Pill and Earth me Pill under the Devouring Demon Willow.


    As it was, ording to Long Qiqi''s n, the first two steps had been perfectly executed. Poison administered, Tribtion Thunder Pill nted, Li Shiyin shouted loudly again, "Tushan Youyou!"


    Another white shadow emerged from the log cabin and dashed to in front of the Devouring Demon Willow.


    Judging from the wless execution of the first two steps, something ought to go wrong at this third step.


    The exquisite face of the peerless beauty Tushan Youyou broke into a smile as she smashed the final porcin bottle onto the Devouring Demon Willow,ughing: "Uncle Willow! I would never have thought that in the end, it''s me personally sending you on your way!!"


    "Ah Youyou..." The hoarse voice rang out from nowhere again. But there wasn''t a shred of panic in it this time. Instead, the voice was full ofughter as he sighed: "You''ve finallye, good child. Uncle has been waiting for you for a long time!!"


    Hearing this, the smile on Tushan Youyou''s face faded bit by bit, because she suddenly realized a problem. She had her own hidden motives, she knew Qin Ran had a scheme, and she also knew Long Qiqi had a scheme. Then surely, as an ancient sly fox and demonic overlord of the devil path, wouldn''t the Devouring Demon Willow have a scheme too?


    Of course it would!!!


    Then what could its scheme possibly be? Clearly...


    Horror stirred in Tushan Youyou''s heart. Not daring to tarry one bit more, she only wanted to flee.


    But after tricking her all the way here, how could the Devouring Demon Willow possibly let her escape so easily?


    In a sh, all the willow branches on the Devouring Demon Willow''s trunk lengthened and thickened,shing murderously at Tushan Youyou. The ovepping willow branches formed a dense filling the sky, leaving Tushan Youyou no path of escape in the short run. She could only face them head-on.


    So what was the Devouring Demon Willow''s end goal in pulling off such an borate ruse for Tushan Youyou?


    Fruits of the dao!


    Other than the Lingnan Immortal Sect, Tushan Youyou possessed the most fruits of the dao!


    She had swindled all the fruits that belonged to everyone else at thest moment under the pretext of begging for her life. Although she coughed out more than a dozen under Qin Ran''s duress, who knows just how many more were hidden deep inside her bottomless trench...


    Except the Devouring Demon Willow, because those were originally its fruits that it had devoured.


    And the fruits that Tushan Youyou still held were apparently even more than Qin Ran had imagined, for the Devouring Demon Willow to make such a suicidal gamble.


    Li Shiyin was but a Foundation Establishment junior, and Chasing the Wind merely a juvenile Profound Yin Spirit Tiger. The Devouring Demon Willow did not take such insignificant beings seriously at all. After Tushan Youyou''s appearance, all its attention rested exclusively on her.


    Witnessing the terrifying battle between the Devouring Demon Willow and Tushan Youyou, Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind exchanged a knowing nce. Without a word, Li Shiyin signaled Chasing the Wind with her eyes. Their tacit understanding allowed Chasing the Wind to instantly grasp her intention. His consciousness stirred as he retracted his shadow doppelganger.


    Li Shiyin then made a hand seal to trigger the Tribtion Thunder Pill without the slightest hesitation.


    Qin Ran had held back nothing in tutoring Long Qiqi and Tushan Youyou on academic subjects like pill refining and spell matrixes.


    But for the sealing method of treasures like the Tribtion Thunder Pill and Earth me Pill, only Li Shiyin knew it.


    "Boom..."


    A azure tribtion lightning bolt cracked up from underground in reverse, piercing through the Devouring Demon Willow as it tore open the grey clouds above!


    "Tribtion lightning again! So it''s you!! Qin Ran!!!"


    The Devouring Demon Willow unleashed agonized shrieks that reverberated through the skies.


    The clouds ripped open by the tribtion lightning suddenly rained.

 Chapter 185

    Chapter 185


    Standing in front of the Main Peak Butler Hall, Qin Ran saw the tribtion lightning rising from Dan Peak, his mind was struck as if by lightning, and he fainted, sitting down with a thud. It took him quite a while to regain his senses and stand up again.


    He wiped his face and his entire hand was covered in blood...his seven orifices were bleeding.


    "Still bacsh from the divine soul pact." He sighed to himself.


    He had thought everything was arranged unintentionally, unconsciously, and without malice on his part, which could exploit a loophole in the divine soul pact.


    But no, when Long Qiqi carried out the tree cutting n, he still suffered bacsh. Fortunately the bacsh wasn''t too terrible, just minor injuries.


    If Long Qiqi''s tree cutting before and after were seen as a chess game, then he, Qin Ran, and the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow were the chess yers.


    Among them, the little abacus in Tushan Youyou''s heart was the tacit understanding they had, or rather, the fruits in Tushan Youyou''s hands were the beginning of this game.


    Qin Ran told Weeping Willow that the fruits were in Lingnan Immortal Sect, using this to evade Weeping Willow''s request to find the fruits. But he clearly knew Tushan Youyou had the fruits, the Yuanying stage cultivators of the major sects all had the fruits...


    So the fruits in Tushan Youyou''s hands were the crux of Qin Ran and Extremity Demon Weeping Willow''s chess game!


    And for Qin Ran and Weeping Willow, looking down from on high, seeing everything clearly, the little abacus in Tushan Youyou''s heart was too easy for them to discern.


    She obtained the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow''s fruits, such a treasure, but didn''t know how to use it. Now Extremity Demon Weeping Willow was at Dan Peak, wouldn''t she want to find him to ask for the method to use it? And the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill on Extremity Demon Weeping Willow''s body that even Lingnan Immortal Sect coveted, wouldn''t she want it?


    Tushan Youyou was too easy to see through, too easy to draw into the game.


    As long as Long Qiqi suggested getting rid of Extremity Demon Weeping Willow, she would definitely agree wholeheartedly...in order to take advantage of the situation.


    For Qin Ran, this game was using the crisis to get Long Qiqi to cut down the tree, using Tushan Youyou''s little abacus to draw her into a big battle with Extremity Demon Weeping Willow, while holding Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind in reserve, using the tribtion lightning in the dan cauldron to defeat Extremity Demon Weeping Willow at the critical moment.


    And for Extremity Demon Weeping Willow, it was him revealing his true form and reaching an overt agreement with Qin Ran, forcing Qin Ran to make arrangements to kill him, thereby drawing out Tushan Youyou to take action, then taking advantage of the chaos to plot against the fruits on Tushan Youyou.


    From Extremity Demon Weeping Willow''s perspective, with his absolute advantage in strength, plus Qin Ran being restricted from acting, there would only be a tiny threat from Tushan Youyou.


    But he miscalcted two things. One was overestimating the seductive power of his demon skills - he didn''t know that for Qin Ran, life safety was above all. To get rid of him, Qin Ran didn''t hesitate to suffer bacsh.


    The other thing was, he never knew that the tribtion lightning that erupted from under his tree roots when he was devouring everything was Qin Ran''s doing.


    Ultimately, Extremity Demon Weeping Willow was still too arrogant. He never took the likes of Qin Ran and Tushan Youyou seriously.


    He didn''t lose due to inferior strategy and nning, he lost to arrogance.


    The tribtion lightning struck the willow tree charred ck, and scorching mes burst out from the ground again.


    Weeping Willow''s painful shrieks came from the willow tree, from the raging mes...


    "Will he die?" Chasing the Wind asked.


    Li Shiyin shook her head, reminding Chasing the Wind, "He''s stronger than the primordial spirit. The primordial spirit hasn''te out yet!"


    Before her words fell, a figure of mes leapt out from the raging mes. It wasn''t the kind of fire human like Huang Feiyu, it should have been an old man with a white beard, but his whole body was smeared with earth mes. He shrieked furiously and angrily, "Qin Ran!!"


    "Chasing the Wind!!" Li Shiyin hurriedly shouted.


    Chasing the Wind was quite tacit with her. At once, the ck "King" character pattern on his forehead lit up with ck light, and he shot a soul roar attack at the fiery human!


    "Roar..."


    This attack injured Weeping Willow, causing him to look over at Chasing the Wind, with a belly full of fury and killing intent, rushing over ferociously.


    "Flying Immortal Beyond the Heavens!"


    Li Shiyin stood in front of Chasing the Wind, putting away Falling Star Sword and summoning Dusk Sword. Facing a terrifying demonic beast like Extremity Demon Weeping Willow, she didn''t dare hold anything back, directly using her strongest move.


    In a sh, the wind and clouds changed, starlight shone onto Dusk Sword, forming a dozen meters of purplish-ck sword qi to meet the charging fiery human. With one sh of her sword,


    Without sword intent, it was very difficult to injure the primordial spirit. But with Li Shiyin''s sh, it immediately cut Weeping Willow in two halves, both of which froze in midair, shrieking and struggling.


    Her magic power exhausted, Li Shiyin''s face was pale, but she didn''t dare stop, her eyes fixed on the two halves of Weeping Willow, while her other hand protected Chasing the Wind as she retreated back.


    She didn''t dare confirm how much damage her move had done to Weeping Willow...although she had the primordial spirit, she had no means of attack.


    But before they could retreat two steps, the two halves of Weeping Willow instantly melded back into one. His figure flickered, crossing the space to arrive before Li Shiyin, opening his mouth.


    His mouth stretched infinitely wide like rubber, while producing an inexplicable force that immobilized Li Shiyin on the spot.


    Not only immobilizing her, but Li Shiyin was also being slowly sucked into his mouth.


    "Chaos splitting, the cosmos vast. Heaven and earth evolving, sun, moon and stars. All things established, the body like the cosmos. Chaos splitting..." Li Shiyin quickly recited the dan refining verses from Dan Peak to resist the suction force.


    Seeing Li Shiyin being sucked bit by bit into the huge mouth, Chasing the Wind was suddenly frantic. He pounced over, but passed straight through the fiery human''s body. Turning back, he saw in horror that Li Shiyin''s figure was shrinking, speeding towards the mouth.


    In his panic, a sh of inspiration hit him. The ck "King" character pattern on his forehead suddenly shone brightly, and he roared at Weeping Willow again...


    Weeping Willow never imagined there woulde a day he would be targeted by a tiger as a ghoul. He was focused only on swallowing Li Shiyin,pletely ignoring the young tiger Chasing the Wind. Thus, he was actually sucked into Chasing the Wind''s ghoul space without the slightest resistance.


    The encircling from behind innate to the tiger tribe''s soul was not without reason.


    "Ah!" But the next second, Chasing the Wind cried out in pain.


    Taking Weeping Willow''s primordial spirit into the ghoul space was impressive, but Weeping Willow''s primordial spirit was so extremely powerful, how could the ghoul space of a young Xuanming spirit tiger contain it?


    Weeping Willow hadn''t made any moves yet, but just his primordial spirit was already causing Chasing the Wind excruciating headaches, the whole tiger falling into Sword Washing Lake, rolling about in the water, hugging his head and howling in pain without stop.


    Rescued, Li Shiyin didn''t even have time to catch her breath before seeing Chasing the Wind''s agonized appearance. She looked back at Tushan Youyou, only to see Tushan Youyou standing with arms crossed far off in the sky, watching the battle coolly for a long time.


    "Hmm!" She kept taking deep breaths, forcing herself to stay calm. Only by staying calm would there be a chance. "Ask not the heavens, ask of yourself!"


    Exerting Flying Immortal Seeking Way, she shed over to sit cross-legged atop the roof of the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake, and closed her eyes to summon her primordial spirit.


    To injure the primordial spirit, only the primordial spirit would do!


    Her primordial spirit left her body, gripping her lifebound sword Dusk, flying straight towards Chasing the Wind.


    "Chasing the Wind!" She shouted loudly, "Let me in!"


    Chasing the Wind''s huge head emerged from theke surface, bloodshot eyes. Seeing Li Shiyin''s transparent primordial spirit, he understood Li Shiyin''s intent. Despite the splitting headache, he still fell into hesitation.


    "Trust me!" Li Shiyin told him.


    Only then did Chasing the Wind activate the "King" character pattern, taking Li Shiyin into the ghoul space as well.

 Chapter 186

    Chapter 186


    Chasing the Wind''s evil ghosts space was originally pitch ck, nothing could be seen, its shape, size and direction were unknown, making it easy to control the evil ghosts.


    But now, sitting cross-legged in the middle of this evil ghosts space was an enormous ming old man, illuminating this space.


    He sat cross-legged on the ground of the evil ghosts space, his head touching the sky. He was slowly growing bigger, sooner orter he would burst this evil ghosts space.


    Li Shiyin appeared in the evil ghosts space wielding a sword, butpared to that ming old man...


    The ming old man was infinitelyrge, his primordial spirit close to having a physical form; Li Shiyin was extremely small, her figure like a phantom.


    This reminded Li Shiyin of the Journey to the West her master had given her to read, where Monkey King was contrasted with the gold body of Tathagata, she was like Monkey King, standing up she wasn''t even as tall as the other''s fingertip.


    But how could she, Li Shiyin, fear anything?


    She held her sword, utilized the Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique, and suddenly a glint of starlight sprang up on her Muran Sword, a wisp of ster sword qi appeared.


    Li Shiyin looked at the sword qi on her de, somewhat puzzled. Because sword qi was essentially still a kind of magic, formed from the interweaving of magic power. She was currently in her primordial spirit state, so where could she get magic power from?


    But though she had doubts, she didn''t think too much about it, only sent out that sword qi along with her body towards Liu Daoji to kill him.


    Liu Daoji was so big and Li Shiyin so small that he simply didn''t notice Li Shiyin at all, just like humans don''t notice mosquitoes that don''t buzz and don''t bite.


    It wasn''t until Li Shiyin''s sword pierced through his bodily mechanisms that the pain made him react.


    He lowered his head for a look, saw Li Shiyin''s phantom wielding a sword with sword qi on it flying towards another part of his body, and he eximed in astonishment, "Primordial spirit? Controlling a sword with divine sense? Primordial spirit sword qi?!"


    And while he was astonished and confused, Li Shiyin had already cut another wound on his body.


    He waved his hand to grab Li Shiyin, but Li Shiyin suddenly utilized the Immortal Seeking the Way movement technique, her figure erratic and elusive, for that moment somehow profound, easily evading from under his hand and stopping on his back to open up another mouthful of blood.


    "Immortal Technique!"


    Liu Daoji was greatly shocked, this young woman even knew Immortal Techniques?


    Not daring to look down on her further, his massive body shook, calling out a doppelganger that was the same as him, about the same size as Li Shiyin.


    This doppelganger sought out Li Shiyin, forcing her to battle with it, but this doppelganger''s fleshy body was frighteningly powerful, sword qi shing with it resulting in the sound of metal striking metal; asionally their fists and swords crashed heavily, Li Shiyin also couldn''t withstand its might.


    In fact this was the difference in power between primordial spirits, even if it was just one of Liu Daoji''s doppelgangers, it was still a bit stronger than Li Shiyin''s primordial spirit.


    Li Shiyin could only utilize the Immortal Seeking the Way technique, fluttering around this doppelganger, constantly sending out her sword... Fortunately her ster sword qi had special additional power versus primordial spirits, after a lengthy barrage, she still managed to breach this doppelganger''s defenses.


    Once the defenses were broken through, this doppelganger could no longer withstand Li Shiyin''s sword qi, soon its whole body was shrouded in sword qi, unable to support itself any longer. It was withdrawn back by Liu Daoji.


    "Hm? She does have some skills!" Liu Daojiughed loudly and with a blink summoned out three more doppelgangers.


    "Phew!" Li Shiyin lightly let out a breath, one had already been so troublesome, what about three?


    So what if three!


    She went forward wielding her sword, it would just take a little longer than one!


    Slowly, surrounding Liu Daoji''s enormous body in this space appeared three doppelgangers, five doppelgangers, ten doppelgangers, until several dozen, over a hundred!


    Finally Li Shiyin could no longer endure, this was not her inadequacy inbat.


    Her whole body was covered in injuries, her form was also nearly transparent from exhaustion; the sword qi on Muran Sword flickered, seemingly about to disappear at any moment; the Immortal Seeking the Way technique could basically no longer be utilized at all.


    Could it be that she, Li Shiyin, would die here?


    Li Shiyin endured the waves of weakness spreading through her body, watching the hundred plus Liu Daoji doppelgangers enclosing towards her, she sensed the advent of death.


    "If deathes then so be it!" In her heart she recalled the words she had heard from Li Shiwen and Qin Ran, "The general dies from a hundred battles... From ancient times who did not die... To die in battle brings honor and glory!"


    Then she exerted thest bits of her strength, carrying the final strand of ster sword qi to kill towards that ocean of people before her!


    "What''s going on?"


    At this time, a panicked voice of Liu Daoji suddenly rang out in the space. Li Shiyin''s flying speed was very slow now. Slow enough for her to follow the sound with her eyes and see that Liu Daoji was no longer so gigantic and "heaven topping and earth supporting" as when they had first begun. With so many doppelgangers, now he was merely an ordinary giant, probably only a tenth of his original size.


    Li Shiyin also discovered that Liu Daoji had originally been wrapped in ayer of earth fire/magma, but now that earth fire/magma was silently extinguished. She clearly saw an unknown ck colored substance unceasingly creeping towards Liu Daoji, spreading onto him.


    This situation made her quickly halt and look around in other directions, only to find that everywhere in the space had the noiselessly encroaching ck substance, spreading towards all the Liu Daoji doppelgangers.


    She took another look around herself and found that those ck substances all avoided her, only invading Liu Daoji.


    In an instant she understood, it was Chasing the Wind!


    This space was Chasing the Wind''s evil ghosts space!


    The souls of all living beings killed by Chasing the Wind would be absorbed into this evil ghosts space and be evil ghosts under Chasing the Wind''s control.


    Liu Daoji had been caught unawares for a moment by Chasing the Wind and pulled into this evil ghosts space. His primordial spirit had originally been strong enough that Chasing the Wind simply could not turn him into an evil ghost. Without too long a time he could have burst out of Chasing the Wind''s evil ghosts space.


    But Li Shiyin had entered.


    In order to deal with Li Shiyin, Liu Daoji had no choice but to split into doppelgangers...


    One doppelganger wasn''t enough, two doppelgangers, two three doppelgangers still couldn''t beat Li Shiyin, then ten eight doppelgangers, several dozen, over a hundred, finally without him noticing, his main body was no longer strong enough, already unable to resist Chasing the Wind''s erosion and control!


    "No! No..." Liu Daoji shrieked in terror, he keenly felt the advent of death... But how could he, Liu Daoji whose glory and fame shook the world, die in a ce like this!?


    In Liu Daoji''s perspective, to die in the evil ghosts space was just as shameful as a mortal tyrant drowning in shit.


    He hurriedly utilized primordial spirit arts to withdraw all his doppelgangers, in an instant he once again became "heaven topping and earth supporting"!


    But along with him withdrawing his doppelgangers, the ck substances sticking to those doppelgangers were also withdrawn back to him.


    He turned into a ck giant. Very quickly, apart from his head, his whole body was enveloped by the ck substances.


    Then to his horror he discovered that he was shrinking... As if he was being eaten by some creature, digested in its stomach.


    Clearly feeling himself dying bit by bit, clearly finding himself bing weaker and smaller bit by bit, clearly realizing he was being eaten up bite by bite, there were not many things more terrifying than this in the world.


    Liu Daoji struggled extremely desperately, but he could barely control his own body. As his body shrank, he gradually copsed.


    "I don''t want to die... I cannot die, that won''t happen, I won''t die!" He fiercely protected his head, his mouth continuously chanting.


    At a certain moment, the ck substance wrapped around him suddenly withdrew ayer, sweeping through the air in an arc that enveloped Li Shiyin''s entire body. After a short while, the ck substance retreated and Li Shiyin''s spirit was refreshed, her whole body free of injuries, her form even transformed from insubstantiality into physical tangibility.


    Liu Daoji knew this was because it had digested his primordial spirit and was transferring that power back to nourish Li Shiyin.


    At this moment, hepletely broke down!


    "Ahhh!!!" Liu Daoji screamed towards the heavens in anguish, and then his enormous head exploded, from it exploded a translucent egg, and inside the egg was a baby.


    As soon as that egg appeared it disappeared from Chasing the Wind''s evil ghosts space, appearing on the surface of Sword Washing Lake. Then it suddenly elerated, shooting out of Dan Peak in a streak of light!


    But unfortunately, before it could fly out of Dan Peak, the Guardian Mountain Formation was suddenly activated. It collided with the membrane of the formation. By the time it readjusted its direction to fly downwards, Qin Ran flew out from the mists and intercepted it.


    Qin Ran carried this egg back to the side of Sword Washing Lake. He saw a mess on the shore, half the tree saplings and greenhouses destroyed, the ground bumpy and uneven. Devouring Demon Willow had a charred ck body.


    Li Shiyin''s body was covered in blood while she sat cross-legged atop the ind pavilion in the middle of theke.


    Sword Washing Lake was cloudy, full of white hairs, Chasing the Wind with blood seeping from his seven apertures floated up from under theke.


    Tu Mountain was graceful and elegant, with outstanding bearing and the greatest beauty, remaining aloof with her sleeves sped.


    Qin Ran ced the baby next to the willow tree that had been charred ck from lightning strike. In a gentle voice, he said:


    "From now on, your name is Liu Xiaoji."


    The baby then transformed into a ray of light and flew into the charred Devouring Demon Willow. In an instant, new life was breathed into the heart of this willow tree.


    7017k

 Chapter 187

    Chapter 187


    Chasing the Wind dug furiously out of theke, not even calling out his favorite ¡°Dad¡± once. He quicklyy down, revealing the king character mark on his forehead, releasing Li Shiyin¡¯s Primordial Spirit.


    That was his subsidiary soul space. If he didn¡¯t let her out soon, Li Shiyin would likely be eroded and be his subsidiary soul as well.


    Li Shiyin emerged from Chasing the Wind''s king character mark, slowly growing from a small dot at thekeside into normal size. She stood at the bank of theke.


    Seeing her Primordial Spirit bright and refreshed, she did not seem like someone who had just survived a life-and-death battle. Instead, she looked as if she had just enjoyed a sumptuous feast.


    ¡°Chasing the Wind, thank you!¡± She patted his big head, then turned to call out, ¡°Master!¡±


    Li Shiyin¡¯s Primordial Spirit was almost as powerful as Qin Ran¡¯s now. Qin Ran nodded, aware that she had gained tremendously this time.


    ¡°Hurry back, don¡¯t linger outside,¡± he instructed Li Shiyin.


    Only then did Li Shiyin fly back to her physical body, embracing Night Rain Sword.


    Seeing Li Shiyin¡¯s Primordial Spirit withdraw into her Sea of Consciousness, Qin Ran squatted down and ced his hand on Chasing the Wind¡¯s wet fur. ¡°Does it hurt a lot?¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm!¡± Chasing the Wind nodded pitifully.


    Although he had absorbed quite a bit of Devouring Demon Willow¡¯s Primordial Spirit and repaired the damage to his subsidiary soul space, making his soul and space stronger, the previous injuries and swelling still made him very ufortable.


    Qin Ran rummaged through his universe bag and took out a pill he had refined while researching the Awakening Grass. It was very beneficial for souls.


    He took out two pills and fed them to Chasing the Wind.


    With her Primordial Spirit settled back into her body, Li Shiyin flew over from the side and also squatted down in front of Chasing the Wind, pressing her hand against his wet fur. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    ¡°My head hurts,¡± Chasing the Wind replied.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you absorb Devouring Demon Willow¡¯s Primordial Spirit? You even shared some with me...¡± Li Shiyin wondered.


    Chasing the Wind pawed at the king character on his forehead. ¡°This got more powerful, but it still hurts inside.¡±


    Li Shiyin started massaging Chasing the Wind¡¯s head to soothe him.


    Qin Ran lifted his hand, absorbing all the water out of Chasing the Wind¡¯s fur into a spheric water ball, which he tossed into theke.


    ¡°You two head back first,¡± he said, standing up to face Tushan Youyou floating down from the sky.


    It was still drizzling. Tushan Youyounded at thekeside, surveying its ravaged state.


    Qin Ran walked over to stand beside Tushan Youyou, also looking out at theke. ¡°Even if Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind had died, you still wouldn¡¯t have lent a hand, right?¡±


    For some reason, neither had used any techniques to keep the rain off.


    Tushan Youyou''s hair was wet and stered to her forehead. She brushed it aside, exuding charm.


    She smiled. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t have died because you wouldn¡¯t have let them. I don¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t have other contingencies.¡±


    Qin Ran fell silent because he did have other ns. In the worst case this round, he would have stepped in at the risk of full bacsh destruction of his Primordial Spirit. He would have died, but Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind definitely would not.


    However, he didn¡¯t want to mention those now. What he wanted to say was that he was very unhappy with Tushan Youyou''splete inaction throughout.


    If not for her just watching the show, Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind wouldn¡¯t have had to fight so desperately.


    The silence ended. Qin Ran suddenly asked, ¡°When are you leaving?¡±


    ¡°Why would I leave?!¡± Tushan Youyou said, bewildered.


    From her perspective, it was Qin Ran who had betrayed her, Qin Ran who owed her. Why should she be the one topromise and leave Dan Peak?!


    ¡°I can learn spell formations here, I have an absolutely safe environment to cultivate... I have no reason to go,¡± she said with a smile that lit up this gloomy rainy day.


    Seeing that she didn¡¯t understand, Qin Ran rified bluntly that he was giving her a reason to leave, a reason why she must leave: ¡°Dan Peak doesn¡¯t like you very much.¡±


    He personally was very unhappy with her. And having survived death, Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind surely wouldn¡¯t appreciate what she did¡ªor didn¡¯t do¡ªduring the battle either. So the two of them definitely wouldn¡¯t be friendly to her in future.


    In short, Dan Peak did not wee Tushan Youyou''s presence.


    The rain grew heavier, raindrops rippling theke surface. Tushan Youyou watched the ripples, ripples also undting in her heart.


    Behind her, Li Shiyin massaged Chasing the Wind¡¯s forehead as they headed for the log cabin.


    Tushan Youyou knew she was absolutely in the wrong for not helping during the battle, but still...


    ¡°It was you, Qin Ran, who used me first. I merely responded in kind,¡± she argued. ¡°An eye for an eye, this is fair. What right do you have to banish me?¡±


    ¡°A pawn?¡± Qin Ran looked up at the gloomy sky, at the rain that seemed to fall endlessly out of nowhere. Softly, he said, ¡°My only disciple Li Shiyin is a pawn. Chasing the Wind whom I raised up is a pawn. Long Qiqi who''s learning alchemy from me is a pawn. Not only you¡ªeveryone connected to me is a pawn in some way. Although I don''t mean our rtionships are truly like that between yer and chess piece...


    ¡°But that''s not the point. The point is the end result: Dan Peak doesn''t wee you.¡±


    Tushan Youyou continued keeping silent as she watched the expanding ripples on theke. After a long while, drenched thoroughly in the rain, her alluring figure faintly visible through her wet clothes, she gave her final answer: ¡°I''m not leaving.¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Qin Ran looked up at the overcast sky, at the rain that seemed to fall endlessly from the void.


    He lifted a hand, absorbing the rainwater from his body into a spherical ball, then shaped it into an umbre canopy shielding him from more rain.


    As he headed for the log cabin, he said, ¡°Suit yourself.¡±


    Tushan Youyou stood alone by thekeside all night in the cold rain, watching new sprouts grow out of the lightning-struck charred trunk of Devouring Demon Willow. But ultimately, she did not leave Dan Peak.


    She returned to Fox Cave and did not emerge again for a long time.


    When Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind were locked in their deadly battle with Willow Daoji, Long Qiqi had been in the living room of the log cabin, standing by the ss window watching it unfold.


    She watched Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind fall into disadvantage, watched Chasing the Wind make his desperate gamble devouring Willow Daoji, watched Li Shiyin plunge heedlessly into his subsidiary soul space, watched Chasing the Wind writhing in agony in Sword Washing Lake. His anguished howls reached her ears, yet she was powerless to do anything.


    Having only just built her foundation, her talent wascking and her cyclonic energy very unstable. Releasing even a bit of baleful energy or sword qi on that battlefield could have cost her life.


    So she could only watch, expressionless as the scene yed out before her eyes.


    Fortunately, they emerged victorious in the end. With Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind unharmed, she finally rxed.


    Only then did she give Tushan Youyou a long, deep look.


    When Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind entered the cabin, Long Qiqi was seated nonchntly on a wooden chair, poised like a master tactician surveying battle developments from a thousand miles away.


    She casually asked Li Shiyin, ¡°Chasing the Wind¡¯s fine now?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s fine, just needs to recuperate for a couple days,¡± Li Shiyin replied.


    Long Qiqi looked over Li Shiyin as well. ¡°What about you?¡±


    Hardly fitting for a master tactician.


    ¡°I''m even more perfectly fine!¡± Li Shiyin said happily. ¡°That battle was so fun, I evenprehended a new sword technique. It''s the Primordial Spirit leaving the body that can injure Primordial Spirits¡ªa very powerful sword technique! I''m going to ask Master to give it an impressive nameter!¡±


    Seeing Li Shiyin grinning foolishly, Long Qiqi hesitated, still unable to voice the ¡°I''m sorry¡± on the tip of her tongue.


    She hadn''t expected Willow Daoji''s Primordial Spirit to be so powerful. She''d assumed it would be barely a flickering candle in the wind... Fortunately, everything worked out in the end.


    Long Qiqi was still putting on her act of calmness and drinking tea. Li Shiyin, however, had already grabbed the weiqi board from the coffee table and shouted loudly,


    ¡°Chasing the Wind,e! Let''s battle another five hundred rounds!¡±


    When Qin Ran returned, Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind were pecking at each other ipetently over the weiqi board. Long Qiqi watched from the side, shaking her head helplessly. Seeing him, she asked, ¡°What''s up with her?¡±


    ¡°Still don''t know yet,¡± Qin Ran said.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Li Shiyin was in the middle of cing pieces when she saw Qin Ran. She raised her hand, ¡°Master, give me an impressive name for that technique too!¡±


    ¡°You want to name the technique where youmand the sword with your Primordial Spirit as well?¡± Qin Ran asked.


    Although embarrassed, Li Shiyin still nodded. It was a sword technique she hadprehended through her own ability, so why couldn''t it have a name?


    ¡°Then call it Sealing Dust and Ceasing Thoughts,¡± he suggested.

 Chapter 188

    Chapter 188


    The rain started falling from the day Long Qiqi nned to cut down the Demonic Weeping Willow, and it kept falling without stopping, falling and falling, and the temperature kept dropping. Thest few days there were some ice crystals floating in the air, and today, floating all over, it finally started snowing.


    Long Qiqi barely went out anymore, going from wrapping herself in nkets to wrapping herself in quilts. She was always drowsy and couldn''t stay fully awake. She still held books to read, but looked the same as when Li Shiyin read books.


    In fact, whether it was the little wooden house or their bedroom, Qin Ran had set up formations so it was very warm inside.


    But Long Qiqi was acting like she was about to hibernate.


    "You said this ce was a Cave Paradise, but there are still winter cold and summer heat." Long Qiqiined while curling up in a wooden chair.


    "The four seasons cycling is the natural way of Heaven, all things revive in spring, grow in summer, ripen in autumn, and perish in winter, this is the Dao."


    Qin Ran was reading medical books, researching immortality, and he smiled at Long Qiqi''s words, "A Cave Paradise is a suitable ce for cultivation. Dan Peak has abundant spiritual qi, four seasons cycling, this kind of suitable ce for cultivation, what if not a Cave Paradise?"


    "Yes, yes, you and your convoluted logic!" Long Qiqi weakly retorted.


    Qin Ran looked up towards the window, pointed, and said to Long Qiqi: "Look at Chasing the Wind over there!"


    Without looking she knew what the situation outside was like, Long Qiqi was toozy to look.


    Don''t be fooled by Chasing the Wind''srge size, he''s actually the youngest. He''s still a few months shy of being one year old!


    So he had never seen snow before.


    This was the first time in his life seeing snow.


    Chasing the Wind was picked up on a rainy night by Li Shiyin, he knew that rain fell from the sky; but he didn''t know that this kind of thing, like willow catkins, would fall from the sky.


    Snowkes, they were extremely beautiful. Not willow catkins.


    So Chasing the Wind madly frolicked in the snow, his silly wind-like figure could be seen all over Dan Peak...he was truly too happy.


    The snow was heavy, like willow catkins, like tufts of cotton, falling down from the sky in clumps, hitting people with a clear feeling.


    Li Shiyin danced with her sword in the snow.


    Every move, very slowly, not like her usual fierce swordsmanship, like an elderly person''s fitness swordy.


    Snow fell on her, in her hair, clothes, dancing sword; her hair seemed white, her clothes seemed embroidered with snowkes, her sword seemed to have snow patterns. She danced with her sword, watching the snow, watching the footprints in the snow, and thought of her grandfather.


    Last year, when the first snow fell, she watched her grandfather dance the Big Shovel Spear in the snow, her grandfather wielded the spear, keeping the snowkes away; this year, the first snow fell, she danced alone with her sword, snowkes covered her whole body.


    Qin Ran opened the door and leaned against a pir under the eaves, watching Li Shiyin dance with her sword in the snow.


    His foolish disciple was very beautiful, her posture was also very good, developed over the past half year, curvy front and perky long legs, words that could now be used to describe her. So she danced gracefully in the snow, sleeves billowing, sword dance transcendent, extremely pleasing to the eye.


    Truly a masterpiece, a fairy that graces the mundane world.


    He watched, enraptured.


    After a good while, even Chasing the Wind who was like a Samoyed had ran by several times, Li Shiyin finally sheathed her sword. She stood in the snow, the gentle breeze blowing her clothes, her aura was as cold as the snow, gazing into the distance, lost in memories, and also sorrowful.


    So-called transcending the mundane world, feathers scattering as she ascends to immortality. In this moment, Li Shiyin was even better than Tushan Youyou.


    Qin Ran walked out from under the eaves, standing in the snow,ing to Li Shiyin''s side.


    He tilted his head to look, his disciple was as tall as him now, he asked: "Missing home?"


    "Mm." Li Shiyin nodded, "I miss Grandfather."


    Qin Ran stretched out his hand to catch a snowke, using magic to prevent it from melting. He looked at this untouched natural work of art, and said to Li Shiyin: "As long as you still remember your grandfather, he will never truly die. He will forever live on in your heart.


    "So you must live healthily and happily, because your grandfather will always be with you."


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran, took the snowke from his hand, she thought for a bit, but still asked: "Master, is the elixir of immortality really so hard to refine?"


    "The physiology of the human body determines humanity''s lifespan limit, the maximum human lifespan being 180 years old. Because of illness, injury and other reasons, most die by 100 years old.


    "Talk of increasing lifespan and longevity in ordinary times means healthy diet, healthy habits, taking fortifying medicine, appropriate exercise. It''s increasing lifespan within the limit, not expanding the lifespan limit itself.


    "Cultivation can change a person''s physique, especially at the Golden Core stage, the lifespan limit of a Golden Core cultivator would be 800 years, so after reaching the Golden Core stage, one can no longer be considered human. And if not cultivating, the human lifespan limit is 180 years, basically unable to exceed. Meanwhile, because the physique is still within human limits in the Foundation Establishment stage, the lifespan limit of Foundation Establishment is 180 years.


    Qin Ran really had no sense of romance, a standard science man. He earnestly exined to Li Shiyin the deeper reasons why the elixir of immortality was so hard to refine,


    "So, to increase a human''s lifespan, in the end it still requires changing the human physique, only by changing the physique can the limit of 180 years be extended. But to aplish this with a single medicinal pill, the difficulty is no less than turning an ordinary person into a Golden Core cultivator overnight."


    Li Shiyin was silent, she crushed the snowke in her hand, lowered her head, only looking at the white snow on the ground.


    "Master will definitely refine the elixir of immortality." Seeing Li Shiyin''s mood, Qin Ran consoled.


    "Mm." Li Shiyin responded dispiritedly.


    "You believe in master..." Qin Ran asked.


    But before he could ask "right?", he was interrupted from behind by Chasing the Wind shouting loudly:


    "Dad! Take my Barbarian King Headbutt!!!"


    Qin Ran''s expression greatly changed. Looking back, he only saw a white shadow flying over following the sound in the distance, moving extremely fast. He didn''t even have time to move his body technique before being collided into by thatrge white blur, then sent flying...


    Chasing the Wind had headbutted right into Qin Ran''s lower abdomen, directly knocking Qin Ran back over ten meters!


    Li Shiyin beside him was badly startled when her master suddenly disappeared, crying out loudly: "Master!!" Then flying over.


    Qin Ran flew dozens of meters in the air, then slid another dozen meters in the snow, from in front of the little wooden house, headbutted all the way to Sword Washing Lake.


    Fortunately his physique was Golden Core, if his body was a bit weaker, he certainly wouldn''t be well off today.


    Li Shiyin pulled him up from the ground, he sat in the snow, clutching his abdomen that was hit by Chasing the Wind, temporarily unable to stand. His stomach really hurt, he felt a bit like throwing up.


    He looked towards Chasing the Wind, Chasing the Wind was there watching his sorry state andughing loudly. To Chasing the Wind, him flying out dozens of meters and rolling in the snow was an extremely amusing thing.


    Qin Ran''s face waspletely ck, this fool Chasing the Wind truly thought it was fun,pletely unaware that his weight was nearly 1000 jin!


    He endured for a bit, forcing himself to stand. Just as he was about to teach Chasing the Wind a lesson, at this time, someone outside the protective mountain formation sought an audience.


    "Phew!" He had no choice but to let Chasing the Wind go for now, opening the protective mountain formation to let the person outsidee in.


    The personing in was Tian Wenjin, dressed in in white clothes, carrying a blue-ck longsword on her back. She slowly walked over in the heavy snow.


    7017 characters

 Chapter 189

    Chapter 189


    What could be more romantic than watching the snow in Lakeside Pavilion?


    That would probably be lighting a fire in Lakeside Pavilion, cooking hot pot, warming fine wine, fishing from theke, killing and eating the fish straight away. With fine wine, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and a beauty...


    "What''s with this weird vibe?!" Long Qiqiined with great dissatisfaction.


    She didn''t understand why Qin Ran had to insist on going to the freezing cold Lakeside Pavilion to eat. Not that she wasining as her mouth was covered in oil...


    The cold-fearing Long Qiqi was wrapped up inyer uponyer of thick clothes, and had already bundled herself up into a ball.


    Bundled up so thickly, her movements were already very inconvenient, but this didn''t affect the speed at which she waved her chopsticks at all. She was like a sphere, but with one short, fat hand constantly stretching out from the sphere, the hand a blur as it scooped up meat from the bottom of the pot.


    "Qiqi! Eat a little less!" Qin Ran cut over some fish slices and dropped them into the pot,ughing, "Look at you, you''re as round as a ball now."


    "That''s my clothes..." Long Qiqi defended herself disingenuously, her chopsticks still flying fast to pick up the freshly cooked fish slices.


    "Is it cooked yet?" Qin Ran said with augh and a scolding. "You look like a starving ghost."


    "I can eat the fish slices raw too." Long Qiqi retorted.


    She was eating on the table, while Chasing the Wind, who had taken over half of Lakeside Pavilion, was eating while lying on the floor.


    Chasing the Wind''s food bowl had naturally been upgraded and reced. After all, how could his previous milk-drinking bowl be suitable for his current gluttonous appetite?


    After the fish slices were cooked in the pot, Qin Ran deftly scooped up over half and dumped it into Chasing the Wind''s "big food bowl", before turning back to prepare other meats and vegetables.


    Tian Wenjin sat at the stone table, watching the two big eaters of Mount Danfeng eat with relish. Her face was expressionless as she raised her wine cup and took a sip of the warm wine.


    Originally there were three big eaters on Mount Danfeng, but due to her race''s physical deficiencies, Li Shiyin could no longerpete with Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind. Now she sat quietly and elegantly next to Tian Wenjin, asionally taking a sip of wine with her, like a proper youngdy.


    Li Shiyin picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and put it in her own small te, but didn''t eat it. Instead she asked Tian Wenjin, "Where have you been thesest few months?"


    "Reforging my lifebound weapon." Tian Wenjin was even more like a swordswoman now, cold, reserved, taciturn.


    "Who did you ask to forge your sword?" Li Shiyin asked. "Was it Xu Zhiye?"


    "No..." Tian Wenjin replied. "I went to the Shenlian Sect to forge it."


    "Shenlian Sect?" Li Shiyin hadn''t heard of this sect before.


    "The Shenlian Sect is in the northwest of Northern Chu, on the banks of Lake Mengze. It''s a sect that specializes in forging weapons and artifacts," Qin Ran exined as he walked over and added more spirit beast meat slices to the pot.


    "Lake Mengze?" Li Shiyin looked at Tian Wenjin. "Isn''t that very far from the Daojian Sect?"


    "It just crosses the whole of Northern Chu." Qin Ran said with augh as he finally got a chance to sit down and eat a few bites.


    "Wenjin, you''re so amazing!" Li Shiyin couldn''t help but exim in admiration.


    "It was just unavoidable." Tian Wenjin shook her head.


    If she could have gotten her lifebound weapon from Xu Zhiye, why would she have gone through such trouble to go to the Shenlian Sect?


    Qin Ran ate a few bites and drank some wine, then asked Tian Wenjin, "Why don''t you store your sword in your dantian?"


    "This is an unfinished sword..." Tian Wenjin said, taking the sword off her back. "There were too many people trying to steal it back then. It had toe out prematurely before it was ready, as the sword furnace was broken."


    She stroked the sword, like a mother stroking her child, extremely gently. "It can''t be stored in my dantian, it can only be tempered with my lifeblood."


    Tian Wenjin spoke matter-of-factly, breezing past the matters of sword forging and sword stealing. But Li Shiyin had forged her own lifebound weapon before, so she knew just how bloody the battles would be with so many people trying to steal a finely forged lifebound weapon.


    And how lucky she, Li Shiyin, was! She and Tian Wenjin became disciples under the same master at the same time, cultivated the sword arts together, walked the same path of cultivation, yet she and Tian Wenjin seemed to be living in two different worlds.


    She was also very clear that the world Tian Wenjin had gone through was the normal cultivation world, while she was protected by her master, living in an ivory tower.


    Li Shiyin felt pity well up in her heart. She reached out and put her hand on Tian Wenjin''s, wishing tofort her. "Wenjin..."


    "I''m fine." Tian Wenjin gave Li Shiyin a smile. But the smile seemed forced, as if she hadn''t smiled for a very long time.


    Li Shiyin sighed inwardly again. She couldn''t help but look towards her own master. She realized how lucky she was.


    Qin Ran nced back at Li Shiyin, knowing what his silly disciple was thinking. He didn''t say anything, but gestured for Tian Wenjin to hand over her sword so he could take a look, saying, "Unable to store it in your dantian? There must be a problem with the spatial inscription arrays."


    Knowing Qin Ran was a master of arrays, Tian Wenjin was happy to seek his help. She immediately passed the sword over.


    Qin Ran took the sword and examined it carefully, especially the interior structure and inscription arrays.


    After a good while, he nodded and said, "As expected, the temporal and spatial inscription arrays are not integrated with the sword body, so it can''t change size."


    When it concerned her own lifebound weapon, even someone of Tian Wenjin''s current temperament couldn''t help anxiously asking, "Master Uncle, is there any chance of remedy?!"


    "I can repair and perfect the inscription arrays, it will just take some time," Qin Ran said thoughtfully. "But I don''t understand forging. Even if I perfect the arrays, I can''t integrate them with the sword body."


    "Oh!" Tian Wenjin nodded disappointedly.


    Seeing her reaction, Qin Ran added, "I remember there were people in the Daojian Sect who understood sword forging. I wonder if they''re still around. You can ask around yourself and seek their help.


    "Or you can look for some books yourself on sword forging, you just need to study the knowledge about integrating arrays and the sword body. I can help you with the arrays. There should be books on sword forging in the Main Peak Library Pavilion."


    "Alright!" Tian Wenjin could only nod. "I''ll go take a look afterwards."


    "Afterwards?" Qin Ran was puzzled. A lifebound weapon was a matter of great importance, shouldn''t she rush to deal with it immediately? Why did it sound like Tian Wenjin was putting it off forter?


    "I epted a sect mission..." Tian Wenjin exined. "I came today to ask Shiyin to go together."


    "A sect mission?" Qin Ran looked deeply at Tian Wenjin. He remembered suggesting earlier that she bring Tian Wenjin on some sect missions to experience the harsh realities of the cultivation world.


    What a grateful girl... He couldn''t help but curse Huang Feiyu again.


    "Are you going?" he asked Li Shiyin.


    "Why wouldn''t I go?" Li Shiyin retorted.


    With her personality, she''d feel antsy if she didn''t get to go out and adventure every day. Now there was a chance to go on a mission, how could she pass it up?

 Chapter 190

    Chapter 190


    ¡°This is your own task, I didn''t originally want to say much,¡± Qin Ran said slowly after drinking a cup of wine, ¡°But considering this is your first time going out on a task, I still want to remind you of a couple things.¡±


    He stirred a piece of fish in oil, saying to Li Shiyin:


    ¡°The first point, and also the most important point, is to maintain awe towards this world. No matter what the task is, you must be steady and cautious! If anything out of the ordinary happens that you don''t have one hundred percent... ny eight percent confidence in, don''t do it. Remember, your own safety and life alwayses first. Sect missions can bepleted if possible, if not then let it go.


    ¡°The second point is, before the mission, you must make sufficient preparations. You need topletely understand all information regarding the mission. Anything you need to prepare for the mission, you must get ready ahead of time. Don''t leave any questions before executing the mission. This way you can reduce the chances of idents happening as much as possible.


    ¡°The third point is, when executing the mission, you cannot rx one bit, you need to stay vignt the whole time. Be on high alert as if a powerful enemy could charge in the next second. At the same time, do your utmost, go all out, don''t allow any slight or carelessness. Even when a lion fights a rabbit it goes all out.


    ¡°The fourth point is, no matter what situation you encounter during the mission, you must stay calm, don''t panic. Panicking and being afraid won''t solve any problems, only staying calm gives you a chance...¡±


    He drank wine and ate meat while nagging on and on, eventually listing a total of eighteen points. He was like someone drunk and rambling in their dreams; he was also like a nagging olddy seeing her daughter off on a long trip; even more like the chattering Tang Sanzang who could drive demons mad.


    In the end, Li Shiyin''s ears were calloused from listening.


    Outside Heart of Lake Pavilion, the snow was still falling, the mountains, waters and pavilion had all turned into one continuous sheet of white, misty and hazy. Inside Heart of Lake Pavilion, the stove still burned vigorously, steam from the pots rose up, hot air billowed, smoke swirled.


    Someone was talking, someone wasughing, someone was clinking cups and drinking wine, a cat was desperately eating.


    When dusk fell, the people in the pavilion were full of food and wine, the rustling cold wind blew by, some tipsily spoke drunken words; the white snow outside reflected cold light.


    Darkness faded away, dawn descended, in the wind and snow, Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin left Dan Peak on their swords.


    The second of the five great beauties, together on a sword in the wind and snow, could also be called a beautiful scene.


    Qin Ran stood in the snow seeing them off, for a long long time, until his whole body was white, before finally turning his gaze.


    He patted the snow on Chasing the Wind''s head, saying: ¡°Go get your wooden cart, we''re going to transnt all the vegetables from the back mountains to the greenhouse today.¡±


    The vegetable greenhouse Qin Ran had nned was actually already built before cutting down the Devouring Demon Willow. But during the chaotic battle with the Devouring Demon Willow, Tushan Youyou smashed up the greenhouse.


    In the past few days, Qin Ran had brought Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind to repair the greenhouse.


    Chasing the Wind wasn''t afraid of snow or cold. He was lying in the snow, both to see Li Shiyin off and apany Qin Ran, and had gotten covered in snow. He almost blended into the snowy ground.


    ...He was so envious of a certain snake.


    He opened his big mouth in a yawn,zily got up, shook off the snow, then slowly ran to the storage room to find his cart, grabbed it in his mouth making a ttering noise as he pulled it out.


    This wooden cart was something that appeared to punish him withbor after he tore apart the house.


    At that time he could also pull the cart, but back then he was very small and the cart was very big, looking very pitiful and ridiculous. But now, he had grown much bigger, pulling this cart again made it seem like the cart wasn''t big enough.


    Qin Ran rubbed Chasing the Wind''s increasingly coarse fur, and led him to the back mountain.


    There were many caves and grottoes opened up on the back mountain by previous generations of Dan Peak disciples. These grottoes were scattered all over the back mountain.


    But most of those previous disciples who opened the grottoes had already passed away, a few entered higher sects, and an extremely small number were still adventuring outside, their life and death unknown.


    With these grottoes unupied, they were originally left idle and indeed useless. Later when Qin Ran arrived, in the spirit of making use of idle resources, he remodeled them and finally gave them various uses.


    Some were used to cultivate medicinal herbs; some were used to domesticate wild nts to grow some special vegetables and fruits; some were used to store failed experiment products rted to spell formations and alchemy pills; some had other odd uses.


    Qin Ran brought Chasing the Wind to one of the grottoes. This grotto was nted with a low-growing herbaceous nt. The branches and leaves were emerald green, with some red fruits sporadically.


    Chasing the Wind knew those red fruits, he really didn''t like them, because eating them made your mouth burn painfully. He didn''t know why dad liked that kind of weird thing.


    ¡°These are chili peppers...¡± Qin Ran sighed, ¡°Dad went through a lot of trouble before finally managing to cultivate them. Much blood and sweat, all for the sake of this spicy vor.¡±


    ...He dug up all the chili pepper nts and loaded them into Chasing the Wind''s cart.


    Exiting the grotto, they went to the one beside it. Inside were stored some oval, light yellow fruit-like things.


    Chasing the Wind really liked these. Cooked, they were soft, sweet and glutinous. He hurriedly went to help Qin Ran load them.


    ¡°These are potatoes...¡± Qin Ran said.


    They walked from grotto to grotto, some had chili peppers, some potatoes, some corn, some peanuts, and so on. Some were originally native to this world, some didn''t exist in this world but were cultivated by Qin Ran. But in order to satisfy his gastronomic desires, Qin Ran had grown them all.


    He moved all these things from the back mountain grottoes and formally transnted them to the greenhouse by Sword Washing Lake.


    The greenhouse was designed based on greenhouses in Qin Ran''s previous life, just recing the sci-tech methods with cultivation methods.


    Oh, there were also some effects that the sci-tech of his previous life still couldn''t achieve, such as space techniques. Qin Ran set up space formations in the greenhouse, making the space inside and outside the greenhouse ten times different in size.


    Although from the outside it looked like just a small plot ofnd between Sword Washing Lake and the research building, but looking from the inside, this plot ofnd was actually quite massive.


    The vegetable greenhouse was neatly divided by Qin Ran into many rectangr sections. Each section was invisibly partitioned off with formations, each section growing different nts.


    Some grew food crops to satisfy appetites, some grew medicinal herbs for pill refining... Of course, currently there were more food crops.


    Outside it was snowing with below freezing temperatures. But the temperature inside the greenhouse wasn''t affected by the outside at all. In the formations, each section''s nts enjoyed the most suitable temperature.


    After busy working for half a day, Qin Ran transnted all the nts from the grottoes into the greenhouse.


    He tidied up and went back to the living room, grabbed a book to read there, but kept flipping back and forth, unable to focus.


    Long Qiqi was annoyed watching him and said, ¡°Since you''re worried, why make her go in the first ce?¡±


    ¡°Sigh...¡± Qin Ran sighed, ¡°She has to independently face the cruelty of the cultivation world herself. Otherwise when I suddenly die one day, what will she do?¡±


    ¡°Heh! You''re so interesting, cursing yourself for no reason.¡± Long Qiqiughed, but even a sharp-tongued person like her still said a couple reassuring words, ¡°That silly girl Shiyin might be a bit dumb, but she won''t be unable to live without you... Look at Tian Wenjin, isn''t she doing very well?


    ¡°It''s just a small mission, she will definitelyplete it easily. You actually haven''t noticed, she''s very outstanding.¡±


    Qin Ran paced around anxiously, eventually getting up and looking outside through the window ss.


    It was still snowing outside, Chasing the Wind was pretending to nap on the cat tree. He looked into the distance, as if he could see Li Shiyin far away through the snowkes.


    ¡°Perhaps!¡± he sighed.

 Chapter 191

    Chapter 191


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin came to Dao Sword Sect''s main peak''s administrative hall together. With Tian Wenjin''s help, Li Shiyin epted her first sect mission by showing her identity token.


    Going out, she stuck the identity token on her forehead and viewed the mission content with her spiritual sense.


    "Mission Name: Da Shan Ridge Demon Expulsion


    Mission Description: On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, evening, some vigers from Da Shan Ridge came to file a report, saying that in recent days, their vige was filled with spider webs and out of thin air appeared many white little spiders. On the morning of the eleventh day of the twelfth month, viger Zhao Xiping mysteriously disappeared; at noon, vigers Zhao Xishun and Zhao Xichang went out and did not return; in the evening, Zhao Xichang''s wife and daughter disappeared; on the twelfth day, three more vigers disappeared. It is inferred that it is probably a level one demonic beast Rat Catching Demon Spider preying on the vigers."


    This was a level one mission, and that kind of rtively simple demon expulsion mission. Although nearly ten vigers had already died, the fact is just so. This is a simple level one mission.


    Based on the vigers'' description, the administrative hall disciples made inferences and deduced that the demonic beast behind the attacks was a level one low-level demonic beast, the Rat Catching Demon Spider.


    The demonic beast to be expelled was a level one demonic beast, so the difficulty level of this mission was level one.


    Regarding the difficulty level divisions of Dao Sword Sect''s sect missions: because the sect is located in the Hengduan Mountains with numerous demonic beasts, most missions are demon hunting and expelling. Therefore, for convenience, the sect mission levels are rated ording to the level of the demonic beasts involved in the mission.


    A level one mission means level one demonic beasts will be encountered during the mission; A level nine mission means level nine demonic beasts will be encountered during the mission. And for other types of missions, they are also rtively converted based on the difficulty of the mission itself.


    If there would be missions issued for the previous Devouring Demon Willow disaster, then that would be a level nine mission.


    "Level one demonic beast, killed eight people?!" Li Shiyin looked at the mission description, extremely shocked, "Then how many people are killed by demonic beasts in the Hengduan Mountains every year?"


    "Don''t know." Tian Wenjin shook her head.


    Li Shiyin also thought of Li Shiwen guarding the Hengduan Mountains. She used to think she could go hunting in the mountains every day, it would be very fun... She didn''t expect the heavy responsibility inside.


    "But don''t underestimate level one demonic beasts. After all, evenmon fierce beasts that ordinary people often see, lions, tigers and the like, are not considered demonic beasts."


    Tian Wenjin said, "Level one demonic beasts are alreadyparable to Qi Refining stage cultivators."


    She looked at Li Shiyin and continued, "And although it¡¯s said to be just a level one demonic beast, the actual situation of the mission can be veryplicated, and any unexpected situation may ur.


    "You should know that the sect only rmends disciples to take on missions below their own cultivation level." "I know..." Tian Wenjin was afraid that she was overreaching herself, Li Shiyin could tell, she nodded and said, "I just think I have to take on more missions and kill more demonic beasts in the future."


    "We''ll talk about that kind of thingter." Tian Wenjin said.


    The two of them read the mission carefully, then found information on the Rat Catching Demon Spider and a map of Da Shan Ridge based on the mission content before finally setting off from the sect, flying by sword towards Da Shan Ridge.


    The Rat Catching Demon Spider, a level one demonic beast, is called that because it generally feeds on forest mice, but it is not a difficult demon to deal with, especially for Li Shiyin, because the Rat Catching Demon Spider''s killer weapon is poison.


    Poison? She, Li Shiyin, was alchemist Qin Ran''s disciple. Would she be afraid of poison? Besides, she also had a snake demon at home who specialized in ying with poison.


    "It looks like this mission will be very simple!" Riding her sword in the air, Li Shiyin seemed very rxed, chatting casually with Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin also felt that this mission would be rtively simple... Otherwise, she wouldn''t have specifically taken this mission to let Li Shiyin practice. But she still reminded Li Shiyin, "Don''t get careless no matter how simple it is."


    "Hey!" Li Shiyinughed, "Wenjin, your way of speaking now is almost exactly the same as my master''s. Always having stability, prudence, don''t get careless and so on hanging from your mouth, with a strong sense of being mature and calm."


    Hearing this, Tian Wenjin looked at Li Shiyin several more times.


    What kind of person knows they need to be steady and prudent?


    People who have been beaten in the immortal cultivation world and lived to tell about it know that one needs to be steady and prudent to survive in the immortal cultivation world.


    What kind of person looks down on being steady and prudent?


    People who have not been beaten in the immortal cultivation world yet.


    Tian Wenjin looked at Li Shiyin''s appearance, her eyes full of envy. No girl... No, no one wants to be mature, if possible.


    Isn''t it good to live carefree and content in an ivory tower for a lifetime? Do they have to be beaten by the immortal cultivation world, do they have to be mature perforce?


    Who wouldn''t want to have a master who dotes on them, loves them, protects them vigorously, and props open a piece of light for them in this dark immortal cultivation world, just like Li Shiyin''s?


    "She''s so lucky." Tian Wenjin thought. "If on the day of the Trial by Fire, I had also said that I wanted to concoct pills and became apprentice to Master Qin... would everything have turned out differently?"


    Unfortunately, there were no ifs.


    "It''s still better to be more prudent." She finally just said heavily.


    Da Shan Ridge was not far outside the Hengduan Mountains, only a few hours away from Dao Sword Sect by sword flight, located in a very lucky position, having narrowly avoided contamination by the Devouring Demon Willow''s willow catkins. Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin flew by sword and soon arrived at the outskirts of Da Shan Ridge.


    It was a small hillside vige, the mountain was not big and neither was the vige. From the entrance to the end of the vige, from the foot to the top of the mountain, there were about thirty households.


    Outside the vige, at the foot of the mountain, there were many tall Chinese fir trees, circling the small mountain a whole round... That was probably why the vige was called Da Shan Ridge.


    It was still snowing from the sky. The ground was a vast expanse of white, the tall Chinese fir trees also white.


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin eachnded on the top of a Chinese fir tree, gazing towards the vige.


    Perhaps due to the snowy weather, there was no one walking around in the vige, no sight of smoke either, very deste.


    "Be more careful." Tian Wenjin felt something was wrong.


    Li Shiyin took out two Bai Du Dans and gave one to Tian Wenjin while taking one herself. She was still optimistic, "Maybe everyone''s inside their homes around the fire?"


    "No smoke." Tian Wenjin looked at the pills and still swallowed one.


    "Then it''s..." Li Shiyin thought for a bit, tried to make up reasons, "Probably the impact of the Devouring Demon Willow incident, the vigers don''t have the firewood stockpiled to get through winter, so are all wrapped under quilts on the bed keeping warm."


    "Maybe!"


    Tian Wenjin pulled out the Imperial Thunder Sword on her back, jumped down from the tree, vigntly walked into the vige.


    Li Shiyin pulled out the Qingxing Sword in her hand, but the sword was not drawn. She followed behind Tian Wenjin, also adopting a vignt stance.


    The vige was indeed cold and deste without even a barking dog.


    But the moment Li Shiyin stepped into the vige, the door of the household closest to the vige entrance was suddenly pushed open. The sound arising out of nowhere in the silent environment made people jump in fright.


    Li Shiyin frowned to look over and saw a middle aged man wrapped in a thick padded jacket emerge from inside the door. His face was dirty, rough, without a trace of cultivation base fluctuations, looked like an ordinarymoner.


    He leaned against the door looking at her and Tian Wenjin and asked in a loud voice, "What do you do?"


    Tian Wenjin grasped her sword in salutation and said, "Dao Sword Sect disciples, here to expel demons."


    "Oh, sect immortals!" That man nodded then told Tian Wenjin, "Come with me, I''ll take you to the vige chief''s ce."


    "Thanks for your trouble!" Tian Wenjin said.


    That man then took the lead, following the stone path of the vige upwards through the mountain.


    Tian Wenjin did not say much, taking Li Shiyin with her to follow that man up the mountain. But she did not put her sword back in its sheath, keeping it in her hand.

 Chapter 192

    Chapter 192


    At first nce from outside the vige, the vige was very quiet. Not only were there no people, even the sounds of chickens croaking and dogs barking could not be heard. But now as Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin followed the dark-faced man along the vige path, they discovered more and more people in the vige.


    Originally every household had their doors closed. But as they walked from the foot of the mountain towards the top, the people of each house they passed opened their doors, and some came out.


    The people who came out greeted them with smiles, then followed behind them, apanying them up the mountain. They walked behind them, walked on the road, walked at the roadside. The number of people gradually increased, and some began talking, with low hubbub behind them. The vige seemed lively.


    "Perhaps the vigers are afraid of the demon beast?" Li Shiyin thought.


    Previously no one was in the vige because the vigers were afraid and did not dare toe out, hiding in their homes. Now that they hade, the vigers were not afraid anymore, so they all came out. The vigers had smiles on their faces and were very enthusiastic.


    Suddenly someone came over to inquire, "Are you immortals from the Hengduan Mountains?"


    Li Shiyin nodded.


    Someone came over to give information, saying, "The daughter-inw of Li Ergou''s family cried all nightst night, and this morning she was gone. Li Ergou is not even home. I reckon she must have been taken by the monster."


    Someone else asked, "Do the immortals know what kind of demon this troublemaking monster is?"


    "It''s probably the Rat-Catching Demon Spider," Li Shiyin said.


    As soon as she said this, the low hubbub in the crowd by the roadside suddenly grew louder, as if they wereughing? Li Shiyin could not hear very clearly, but she felt ufortable with theirughter.


    Then someone asked again, "Are both immortals sword cultivators?"


    Li Shiyin nodded again.


    The further up the mountain they went, the more households they passed, the more people opened their doors, and the more vigers followed them. Li Shiyin asionally looked back and saw that there were dozens of people behind them on the roadside, including both men and women, trampling the snow by the road until it melted.


    These vigers, some wore thick cotton clothes, some were wrapped in quilts, some strong men wore only single garments, very rustic. They babbled, asking questions here and there, quite noisy.


    Li Shiyin asionally answered them, always with a faint smile on her face. But as they went deeper into the vige, she also felt that something was wrong.


    Stepping on the clean snow on the road, Li Shiyin''s group quickly reached the middle of the vige, the vige chief''s home.


    The vige chief had been waiting at the door early, an old man with white beard wearing a dog head hat. He bowed at the door, smiling fully, and cried out to Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin, "I beg the immortals to save me!"


    Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin walked over and bowed back first. Li Shiyin was behind, holding her sword vigntly, with her sword hilt in a position where she could draw it out at any time; Tian Wenjin was in front and asked, "Elder, please tell us all the clues you know, and we will definitely save you and y demons. "


    The vige chief led Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin into the room and let them sit in the seats of honor. He closed the door, knelt down with a thud in front of Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin, and cried, "I beg the immortals to save me and let me out!"


    Li Shiyin noticed that the old man had shouted "save me" both times instead of saving Da Shan Ridge. She was a little contemptuous in her heart. The so-called vige chief was actually so selfish, cowardly and afraid of death.


    She also looked around the room and felt it was rather bleak, unlike a ce where people lived regrly, as if it had not been smoked by fire for a long time.


    "Don''t worry anymore with us here, Elder," Tian Wenjin stood up and walked towards the vige chief tofort him, "Elder, just tell us the location of the Rat-Catching Demon Spider''s cave, and we sisters will y the monster in no time."


    "No time at all?" Li Shiyin looked at Tian Wenjin when she heard this, frowning slightly. This was not something Tian Wenjin would say.


    As Tian Wenjin spoke, she reached out to help the vige chief up.


    But just as her hand was about to touch the vige chief, the door was suddenly smashed open from outside. The dark-faced man from before walked in, pulled the vige chief up with one hand, and apologized to her, "I just found out that the vige chief was mentally disordered from excessive fright, I''m afraid he can''t tell us anything coherent."


    Before Tian Wenjin could react, he had already dragged the vige chief out and handed him to a young man outside. Without a word, the young man covered the vige chief''s mouth and dragged him into the crowd.


    The dark-faced man came back in again and closed the door quietly, blocking the scene outside.


    He bowed to Tian Wenjin and said, "I just heard someone say that the vige chief''s daughter-inw, Li Ergou''s wife, was brutally killed by the monsterst night. The vige chief witnessed it happen and has gone mad from fright."


    Tian Wenjin felt sad and said, "How pitiful."


    "That monster was originally a monster from the Hengduan Mountains. It is a giant ck spider that came to Da Shan Ridge seven days ago," the dark-faced man told Tian Wenjin about the details, "It has killed more than a dozen of our vigers since, hiding in the Peach Blossom Cave on the back mountain..."


    "Xian Mu Qi Yuan"


    As the dark-faced man continued speaking, Li Shiyin frowned and started reckoning.


    She had been influenced by two extremely cunning people in Danfeng, so she had learned to be suspicious.


    She quickly recalled all the unreasonable things before and after entering the vige:


    First, this was a hunting vige, but there was not even the sound of dogs barking in this vige;


    Second, there were people in the vige, but the snow on the vige path was untouched, with no footprints;


    Third, this dark-faced man clearly knew the details, yet still led them to the vige chief;


    Fourth, when they found the vige chief, he quickly said the chief had gone mad;


    Fifth, the vige chief shouted "save me";


    Sixth, when this dark-faced man burst in just now, even though Li Shiyin had refined her primordial spirit, she did not notice it;


    Seventh...


    Li Shiyin felt there were still many unreasonable things, but with her level, she could not figure them out.


    Most importantly, she could only notice and observe these unreasonable things, but could not put them together to analyze the reasons behind them.


    "It would be great if Master was here," she thought. "If Master was here, he would definitely see through what was going on at a nce."


    After the dark-faced man finished speaking, Tian Wenjin pondered briefly and said to Li Shiyin, "Let''s go to Peach Blossom Cave on the back mountain first to take a look. It would be best to kill that Rat-Catching Demon Spider directly."


    "Hmm? Go directly?" Li Shiyin frowned even tighter.


    She realized Tian Wenjin was acting strange, ever since earlier, Tian Wenjin had been a little off. If she was really calm and prudent, then following Qin Ran''s thinking, they should never rashly go to the enemy''s main base at this time.


    "It''s just a first rank demon beast. With our abilities, there is no need for it to behave so arrogantly," Tian Wenjin said.


    As she spoke, she put her sword straight back into its sheath behind her back. She strode forward and jumped out the door to find the way to the back mountain.


    Li Shiyin first gazed at the dark-faced man, looking him up and down. She had studied medicine and knew about human meridians, acupoints, the strengths and weaknesses of the human body... She now discovered that this dark-faced man''s body was somewhat unusual and uncoordinated.


    But Tian Wenjin had already gone ahead to the back mountain, and Li Shiyin was worried about her safety. She could not investigate what exactly was going on with this dark-faced man in detail, so she had to chase after Tian Wenjin first.

 Chapter 193

    Chapter 193


    Li Shiyin felt ufortable as soon as she entered the vige. She hated that her perception wasn''t acute enough to discern what made her so uneasy.


    Now as she chased after Tian Wenjin towards the back mountain, rm bells rang loudly in her mind. A sense of crisis and unease spread through her body, making her even more ufortable.


    Scenes of vigers smiling at her and their whispered voices kept shing back in her mind. The more she asked them questions, the more she felt something was wrong, yet still did not know where the problemy.


    The two Sword Immortals moved swiftly, passing through the vige to the back of the mountain in just a few minutes. Before Li Shiyin could think carefully, they arrived at the entrance of a cave.


    This was probably the Taoyuan Cave. The entrance was not big, surrounded by rubble. The temperature near the mouth seemed high as there was no snow around it. The ground in front of the cave had yellowed grass, tall and lush but parched yellow, as if they had grown healthily but were scorched by a big fire.


    One look was enough to know this was a treacherous and bizarre cave, having nothing to do with the beautiful Taoyuan it was named after.


    The Taoyuan Cave had no peach blossoms or springs; only rocks and withered grass.


    Tian Wenjin stood in front of the cave entrance, seemingly about to head inside.


    "Wenjin!" Li Shiyin called out as she approached.


    Suddenly a gust of wind blew out of the cave. Thanks to the cold outside, the wind felt warm...and foul-smelling.


    A wave of hot stench rushed into their noses and mouths.


    Li Shiyin had to stop talking and immediately covered her nose and mouth. Recalling her master''s caution, she circted her mystic arts to keep the foul wind away from her.


    Peering past Tian Wenjin into the dark cave, she could see nothing inside at all.


    After the foul wind passed, Li Shiyin spoke again, "Wenjin, going inside?"


    She did not want to enter, but was unwilling to suggest retreating and lose face as a sword cultivator. Also, this mission was led by Tian Wenjin, so she asked for her opinion first.


    "What''s wrong? Scared?!" Tian Wenjin said coldly.


    "It''s not about being scared or not..." Li Shiyin replied.


    "You''re one of the top ten prodigies of the Dao Sword Sect, a peerless female sword immortal! How could you be afraid?" Tian Wenjin suddenly sneered.


    Seeing Tian Wenjin''s back, Li Shiyin knew something was wrong with her. This was not something a normal Tian Wenjin would say.


    "Wenjin!" She walked up, trying to stop Tian Wenjin by force.


    But at that moment, Tian Wenjin in front suddenly moved. Her figure shed as crisp electric crackles sounded. Bluish arcs of lightning flickered and she disappeared from Li Shiyin''s sight into the cave in an instant.


    Li Shiyin was toote to stop her.


    Tian Wenjin was no weaker than anyone!


    When Qin Ran first met Tian Wenjin, he thought she and Li Shiyin would form the most stunning pair of beauties in the sword cultivation world. Li Shiyin was a peerless genius of the sword path, and so was Tian Wenjin!


    Although Li Shiyin was personally nurtured by Qin Ran while Tian Wenjin just grew unfettered like wild grass, their strength was not necessarily higher or lower if they reallypeted. Oneprehended Sword Qi and the otherprehended Sword Intent.


    Seeing Tian Wenjin enter the Taoyuan Cave, Li Shiyin hesitated briefly before following her in a rush into the pitch-ck cave.


    The Taoyuan Cave was a gourd cave. That is, the entrance looked very small but the interior was huge. Dashing from the tiny mouth into the interior darkness gave a feeling of sudden openness and vastness.


    Li Shiyin''s Qingxing Sword was already unsheathed. Holding the sword out front, she saw Tian Wenjin in the darkness ahead standing with her head lowered, blue electric currents crackling erratically around her body.


    "Wenjin?" Li Shiyin called out softly. Tian Wenjin did not respond.


    She took out an Illumination Pellet from her Universe Bag, tossed it upwards, and struck it with a sword qi. The pellet burst open and bright light flooded the cave, dispelling the darkness and illuminating the interior.


    When the Illumination Pellet shattered, Li Shiyin reflexively narrowed her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw Tian Wenjin in front turning and attacking her with a sword.


    She defended with her sword and took a quick look around the cave. What she saw made her hair stand on ends!


    The entire Taoyuan Cave was densely covered in white spiderwebs,yers uponyers turning it into a spider''s nest.


    In the web-filled cave, ahead on open ground was a pile of white bones shattered beyond recognition. Hanging from the ceiling and suspended in midair were one after another human corpses entangled in spiderwebs!


    After entering the vige, Tian Wenjin''s behavior gradually became abnormal. It was only after the dark-faced man took the vige chief away and talked to her face to face that shepletely acted erratically. She seemed to be under some influence, control, maniption.


    Just now, Li Shiyin''s sword qi provoked her and she immediately went berserk...


    "Why are you so lucky?!" she shrieked.


    Blue electricity split the darkness, striking at Li Shiyin''s vitals.


    Li Shiyin was both frightened and angry. What on earth happened? Why were there so many corpses? What on earth happened to make Tian Wenjin be so strange? Unable to unsheathe her sword in time against this strike, she could only use the Immortal Seeking the Way to swiftly dodge.


    But Tian Wenjin was no pushover either. She had her own advantages. While Li Shiyin had immortal arts like the Immortal Seeking the Way, her movement technique was also formidable. Bolstered by lightning-fast speed, she could chase after Li Shiyin''s evasive Immortal Seeking the Way and attack her with the sword.


    Fearing injury to Tian Wenjin, Li Shiyin only used oneyer of the Battle Spirit Method to fight back, imbuing it with sword qi while staying on the defensive. The two of them began an intense battle in the spider cave.


    Perhaps due to her condition, Tian Wenjin could not utilize Sword Intent. And Li Shiyin also did not go all out, without actively attacking. For a time, the battle was anxious and intense.


    The sounds of thunder, slicing qi, explosions, and rocks shooting through the air reverberated loudly in the echoing cave.


    After prolonged entanglement with Tian Wenjin, Li Shiyin still could not find a way to end the fight.


    But at a certain moment, a strange force suddenly targeted Li Shiyin''s sea of consciousness. Her primordial spirit within perceived it, stood up from the sea of consciousness, and ripped the force apart with a grab.


    "A mental attack!" She finally confirmed, "Wenjin doesn''t have a primordial spirit, her soul isn''t as strong as mine, she must be under some mental control!"


    Realizing this, she took out the Awakening Pill left by Qin Ran from her Universe Bag. Finding an opportunity in closebat, she popped the pill into Tian Wenjin''s mouth.


    "Mental attacks, primordial spirit attacks, soul attacks..." Li Shiyin muttered inwardly, "When will that lousy master procure primordial spirit divine abilities? Always passively taking hits."


    After consuming the Awakening Pill and fighting Li Shiyin for a while more, Tian Wenjin gradually regained rity. Recalling her memories from this period, she realized she had been foolish.


    She quickly sheathed her sword and apologized to Li Shiyin, "Sorry, I slipped up for a moment and fell under control."


    "It''s fine," Li Shiyin shook her head, also relieved to see her awake.


    Without further words, Tian Wenjin looked around at the horrifying scene in the spider cave.


    "That thing just tried to control me too, it must be inside this cave." Li Shiyin said, seeing that Tian Wenjin had sobered up.


    Tian Wenjin nodded. Borrowing the light from the Illumination Pellet, she carefully examined every inch of the cave. At one point, she fixed her gaze on a certain spot...


    This was an outer cave of a gourd cave, so there should be an inner cave too.


    The spider must be in that inner cave, hidden behind the webs at the cave mouth!


    She signaled Li Shiyin with her eyes. Li Shiyin understood, circting sword qi which shed like a rainbow. With one sh, the barrier between the inner and outer caves was severed!


    Suddenly, sharp screeching sounded, painfully grating on their ears.


    Li Shiyin unconsciously retreated. Looking ahead in the Illumination Pellet''s light, she saw a terrifyinglyrge ck spider nimbly crawling out of the inner cave on white webs, quickly scurrying up to the ceiling.


    "It''s not a Rat-Catching Demon Spider!" Tian Wenjin said in a deep voice.

 Chapter 194

    Chapter 194


    This was certainly not a rat-catching demon spider!


    When could an ordinary first rank demon beast silently control Tian Wenjin?


    "What kind of demon beast is this?" Li Shiyin asked Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin carefully examined the spider that was climbing up the web and eventually hung upside down from the top of the cave, observing its shape. She had a guess in her heart, but felt it was a little unbelievable.


    "This... could this be a ghost-faced spider!?" she said very uncertainly.


    "Ghost-faced spider?" Obviously, Li Shiyin did not know what kind of demon beast a ghost-faced spider was.


    "The ghost-faced spider is not a demon beast, but a rather powerful type of spider in the Hengduan Mountains," Tian Wenjin said.


    "Then..." Li Shiyin pointed to the ck spider on the ceiling of the cave, which was as big as a human, andughed. "How could that be an ordinary spider?"


    Tian Wenjin was uncertain and puzzled, but still exined to Li Shiyin: "The ghost-faced spider is a very powerful forest spider that can prey on juvenile tigers and leopards. But it''s not that big. A normal ghost-faced spider is about the same size as a cat or dog.


    "Look at this spider. Its whole body is pitch ck, its spider legs are very long, its abdomen has a ghost face on it, the shape is hideous and terrifying... Except for the size, it looks just like a ghost-faced spider."


    After listening to this, Li Shiyin carefully examined the spider. She discovered that there really was a horrifying ghost-like pattern on its abdomen. That pattern was frightening to look at, giving off a feeling simr to Zhui Feng''s "King" character pattern.


    But Zhui Feng was a level 7... even level 8 demon beast. How could this broken spiderpare with Zhui Feng?


    She was thinking this, when the "ghost-faced spider" suddenly lit up the ghost face on its abdomen. It sprayed out arge clump of sticky fluid from its abdomen, and the fluid dispersed in the air like rain, sprinkling down towards the two people on the ground.


    "Poison!" Tian Wenjin shouted out loudly to warn them.


    Both were sword cultivators, and neither had the ability to stop the spray of poisoning towards them. They could only dodge to the side to avoid the coverage area of the poison.


    Li Shiyin stopped in mid-air and turned back to look at the ce where the poisonnded on the ground. The poison thatnded on the open ground did not cause much reaction, but the poison thatnded on the spider web had some changes urring.


    But before she could carefully observe what specific changes were happening, the spider on the ceiling of the cave began spraying poison again.


    She had no choice but to activate her movement technique to continue dodging...


    At this time, she suddenly remembered how good her master was. She discovered that although her master''s spells didn''t provide much assistance inbat power, they were mysteriously useful in many situations. For example here, if her master was present, he could have simply used his bubbles to contain all that poison in a web, gaining lots of experiment material.


    Although their sword cultivation attainments were extremely high, and they were also proud masters with lofty aspirations, in the current situation of unknown poison potency they did not dare to recklessly make contact with the poison, and were somewhat constrained for the moment.


    "We have to get close!" Tian Wenjin shouted to her from the other side.


    Li Shiyin nodded. She had the same idea.


    The two quickly reached an agreement. They unleashed their figures, circling around to avoid the spray of poison in front, tracing two arcs to the sides, one blue-ck and one purple-ck, both headed towards the spider.


    Getting near, the blue electric light went straight for the ghost face on the ghost-faced spider''s abdomen, while the purple-ck sword qi went straight for the top of the ghost-faced spider''s head. Both were aimed at vital spots.


    These two were talents with free-flowing natural endowments, and also proud masters with lofty aspirations. Joining forces now to deal with the ghost-faced spider, they inevitably developed apetitive heart.


    But as the sword light rose up and the sword qi darkened, looking closely, neither of them seeded. The spider had a total of eight spider legs. It sent out two, one left and one right, and urately blocked both people''s swords.


    "Ding!"


    Li Shiyin''s sword qi shed with the spider leg, making a clear ringing sound. The terrifying power from the spider leg was transmitted to her sword body, popping her back up into the air.


    "Such great strength!" She couldn''t help but cry out in surprise.


    Tian Wenjin''s experience was not much different. She was also forced back by the spider leg. Tian Wenjin stabilized her figure in mid-air and said, "Such high defense!"


    She gave another evaluation: "Already not inferior to a 4th rank demon beast!"


    At this time, the big spider that had just repelled the two of them suddenly made a "hiss hiss..." sound, which sounded somewhat mocking.


    Li Shiyin was enraged. Gripping her sword, she wanted to go forward again.


    But that sound kept calling out, and as it continued calling out it also became sharp and shrill, hurting her eardrums and making her brain buzz. It made her stop.


    And Tian Wenjin was even more ufortable over there. She held her head in extreme pain, almost unable to stay afloat in mid-air.


    It was another spiritual attack! Li Shiyin immediately realized.


    Seeing Tian Wenjin''s pained appearance, she endured the difort and utilized Fei Xian Wen Dao, shing over to the ghost-faced spider''s side. Bringing her sword qi, she stabbed towards the ghost-faced spider with her sword.


    The ghost-faced spider flicked away her sword qi with its spear-like spider leg. By this point, Li Shiyin finally threw caution to the wind and went all out, continuously sending out sword strikes apanied by starlight towards the ghost-faced spider.


    The shrill sound finally stopped. The ghost-faced spider also needed to go all out to respond to Li Shiyin.


    It grasped the web with six of its legs to steady itself then used the other two legs as spears to attack Li Shiyin. The speed of these two legs was as fast as lightning, leaving behind countless afterimages, like countless long spears stabbing at Li Shiyin.


    With the aid of her movement technique, Li Shiyin evaded the legs'' vital strikes while also utilizing ranged sword qi to assist, and was thus able to fight evenly with the ghost-faced spider.


    There were continuous "ding ding ding" sounds echoing in the cave, a person and a spider fighting intensely in mid-air.


    [The Deception of Emperor Kangxi]


    The shrieking sound passed. Tian Wenjin was finally able to catch her breath. She covered her head as she descended from mid-air,nding on the ground. Looking up, she watched the battle between Li Shiyin and the ghost-faced spider.


    "Shiyin is truly formidable!" she acimed to herself.


    The fleshly body strength of that ghost-faced spider was not inferior to an average 4th rank demon beast''s, and it also had bizarre spiritual attacks. It was probably a slightly stronger 3rd rank demon beast, yet Li Shiyin was still evenly matched against it.


    She rested for a bit until her headache alleviated somewhat, preparing to stand up and go help Li Shiyin.


    But when she exerted strength into her foot to fly upwards, she discovered that she did not fly up at all. Instead it felt as if she was stepping on cotton, her strength suddenly vanishing.


    She was greatly shocked. Hurriedly looking down, she finally noticed that when she hadnded earlier, she hadn''t paid attention and stepped onto the spider web. This spider web was contaminated with the ghost-faced spider''s poison, making it extremely sticky. It had glued her onto the spider web!


    The entire cave was filled with spider silk. Her current situation was like a butterfly caught in a spider web.


    Tian Wenjin shed out with her sword at the spider silk, but the silk was extremely tough and difficult for her to cut through. Testing under her feet again, she simply could not break away from the stickiness of this spider web.


    How could she not feel like a despairingly struggling butterfly trapped in the spider web?


    Tian Wenjin had no other choice. She could only sh apart the spider web bit by bit with her sword. But with one sh downwards, she suddenly sensed movement from above her head. Looking up in a hurry...


    Over a dozen human corpses were suspended from the ceiling of the cave by spider silk. Right now, under some inexplicable force, those corpses all turned around to face Tian Wenjin''s direction.


    Then, under Li Shiyin''s bright illumination pellet light, under Li Shiyin''s purple sword radiance, in the sparks created by the sh between the Falling Star Sword and the spider legs, Tian Wenjin saw...


    The abdomens of those human corpses were suddenly ripped open, and countless spiders crawled out from inside.


    The little spiders were white, extremely small. Packed densely together, endless in number, they poured out from those dozen plus corpses as if mercury spilling to the ground, like a waterfall.


    Just born, not yet able to spin webs, they dropped down one by one from midair, like a waterfall, like rain, like dumplings falling down. Innumerable little spiders descending continuously, connecting into lines, weaving into webs, drifting over indiscriminately and falling onto the spider web on the ground.


    The densely packed little spiders swiftly crawled towards Tian Wenjin...


    This terrifying and appalling scene frightened Tian Wenjin into standing stunned in ce...

 Chapter 195

    Chapter 195


    Li Shiyin was struggling to fend off the spider spears of the Ghost-faced Spider, when she suddenly heard a "rustling" sounding from the cave below. She nced down and her hair stood on end in horror.


    The rustling sound wasing from the endless horde of small spiders. It was the sound they made as they crawled.


    Looking down from above, Li Shiyin saw the cave floor had be milky white in the bright light. The ground was writhing...with spiders crawling and webs trembling.


    This terrifying sight shocked her. In that moment of inattention, she was swept away by one of the Ghost-faced Spider¡¯s spears, flying back seven or eight meters.


    She steadied herself in midair and couldn¡¯t help but look down at the ground again. She saw the milky white ground, the milky white tide, was already very close to Tian Wenjin. Tian Wenjin seemed to be frozen in ce by fear.


    "Wenjin!" she shouted, trying to rouse Tian Wenjin.


    At the same time, she shed out a de of qi, cutting down in front of Tian Wenjin. The qi separated the stray small spiders floating in the air and blocked the tide of small spiders crawling on the ground.


    With the spider tide about to engulf Tian Wenjin, this was all Li Shiyin could do. Because the Ghost-faced Spider had caught up to her!


    The Ghost-faced Spider¡¯s four spider legs scurried swiftly across the web as its four spear-like legs attacked Li Shiyin, leaving her no chance to be distracted.


    The aerial battle erupted again.


    On the ground, Li Shiyin¡¯s shout didn¡¯t work, but her qi de did. It got the attention of the fellow sword cultivator Tian Wenjin. Coming to her senses, Tian Wenjin saw the milky white spider tide right before her eyes, about to crawl onto her the next moment. Meanwhile, many small spiders blown over by the wind were already crawling over her clothes.


    She felt itchy all over...


    In that instant, terror exploded in her heart!


    "Ahhhhhhhh!" She screamed up at the sky...


    Lightning, blue lightning, dazzling blue light exploded in the cave!!


    With Tian Wenjin at the center, and all the webs as conduits, thunder roared...


    The endless hordes of tiny spiders evaporated instantly under the blue thunder. The extremely tough and firm spider silk turned into charcoal under the blue thunder.


    The two battling fiercely in midair, human and spider, were shocked into halting their fight by the sudden lightning. Li Shiyin held up her sword and looked down, unable to see clearly through the piercing light. But the electric arcs in the air made her skin tingle as the hairs on her body stood on end.


    After this thunderp explosion, stunned silence filled Peach Blossom Cave for a good while, before being broken by a shriek from the Ghost-faced Spider.


    The endless small spiders birthed from the dozen or so corpses, all the spider spawn crawling out, were this Ghost-faced Spider''s offspring. And Tian Wenjin''s massive thunder st had electrified and killed an endless number of them.


    The Ghost-faced Spider was enraged!


    It abandoned Li Shiyin and exerted all eight legs at once, kicking off the cave ceiling and shooting down like a bullet.


    Its sixpound eyes were filled with hatred and malice. It wanted to tie up that woman andy its eggs inside her while she still lived! To have her live to incubate its darling babies! To have her alive to be eaten by its darling babies!


    "Wenjin, be careful!" Li Shiyin shouted a warning and hurried to follow and rescue Tian Wenjin.


    It was imaginable that, while such a massive cultivation eruption had power and caused destruction, Tian Wenjin''s current state must be extremely weak.


    The blue thunder dissipated, the dazzling light fading to reveal Tian Wenjin at its center. She was propping herself up with her sword, her form wilted.


    The Ghost-faced Spider shot down from the air with its eight spear-legs attacking in unison. Warned by Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin lifted her sword to defend, butcking strength, even exerting all her might she could only block two of the spears. She was pierced through by the other six.


    "Wenjin!"


    Li Shiyin shouted sharply. A sh of purple qi split the air, its formidable aura forcing the Ghost-faced Spider to feel threatened. It hurriedly flung Tian Wenjin away, bouncing off the ground with its legs tounch itself into the air again.


    The qi de barely missed it, leaving a mark across its carapace.


    Li Shiyin didn''t pursue the Ghost-faced Spider. Her figure shed as she caught Tian Wenjin falling from the sky.


    "Puh..." Tian Wenjin spat out a mouthful of blood and said weakly to Li Shiyin, "Hurry and go, you can''t beat it!"


    Impaled by six wounds, her arms, both sides of her ribcage, both legs, bleeding all over, she hadpletely lost the ability to fight.


    Li Shiyin gritted her teeth. With her previous temperament, she should have turned back to fight the Ghost-faced Spider in a battle to the death. But the present her, hearing Tian Wenjin''s words and recalling her master''s advice, knew that life was most important...


    She didn''t think any further. Sweeping Tian Wenjin into her arms, not caring about the Ghost-faced Spider''s actions behind her, she sped away toward the cave exit.


    By now the sky was growing dark as snow fell heavily. The world was gloomily ominous.


    Li Shiyin flew out of the cave, instinctively heading toward Da Shan Ridge Vige as she thought to find a ce to treat Tian Wenjin''s injuries first no matter what.


    But after flying arge stretch, nearly reaching Da Shan Ridge, she suddenly stopped midair.


    Withrge snowkes the size of thumbs pelting her face from the sky, her chaotic mind suddenly thought of something...


    Spiders!


    Something they hadpletely overlooked.


    In the mission briefing, it had specifically mentioned small spiders spinning webs around the vige days ago, weaving until the entire vige was covered in spiderwebs. Yet walking into the vige from outside, and leaving the vige again, they hadn''t seen a single spiderweb.


    Where had those webs gone?


    Following this train of thought, she continued thinking:


    With such a powerful monster beast so close by, how did the vigers here survive?


    Unless...


    They were all dead!!


    They had long since died!!!


    Li Shiyin''s mind buzzed loudly. She recalled the crowds behind her in the vige during the day, yet she''d felt a sense of emptiness. No wonder¡ªbecause they were all dead people.


    Those vigers'' weird smiles, their questions.


    They had asked her:


    "Are you cultivators?"


    "Are you sword cultivators?"


    "Are you very powerful?"


    "What level of cultivation are you..."


    She had found it strange at the time thatmoners, upon learning they were immortals from the mountains, shouldn''t have had the courage to ask the subsequent questions.


    But what if those questions hadn''t been asked by them?


    What if those questions had been asked by the Ghost-faced Spider in Peach Blossom Cave?


    With extremely high intelligence, it could even create doubts, gather intelligence, set traps, and...


    Li Shiyin also recalled how extremely polite all the vigers had been, performing a standard greeting each time they met. When they were the crudest barbarians beyond the Hengduan Mountains, how could they understand etiquette!


    But what if this was a Ghost-faced Spider with no understanding of human social structures?


    In that moment, Li Shiyin understood everything.


    Despite being immune to heat and cold, she somehow felt a chill rise up her spine, cold all over!


    "Chichi..." "Creak..." The Ghost-faced Spider''s cries rang out from thin air.


    The grating sounds filled Li Shiyin with horror.


    Suddenly, the ground began to shake, like the shaking from many people running together. She looked up to see, in the growing dark dusk, many people running out from Da Shan Ridge Vige...


    Tens, hundreds, nearly a thousand, more than just Da Shan Ridge vigers.


    They all ran expressionlessly toward Peach Blossom Cave. Though they didn''t speak, Li Shiyin heard excited "chichi" cries that she knew were the small spiders'' voices.


    Nearly a thousand people ran past beneath her, all headed to Peach Blossom Cave behind her.


    She continually heard strange sounds arise from behind...


    "Jijiji..."


    "Gachi..."


    The sounds made her scalp tingle. She had a premonition something horrifying was happening behind her. She should be fleeing with all her might now, abandoning Tian Wenjin and escaping.


    But she didn''t. She looked back.


    So she would find it hard to ever forget the scene she saw then...

 Chapter 196

    Chapter 196


    In the dark of night, a ghost-faced spider had woven an odd strand of web that suspended it in midair. It hung upside down, a huge ghostly face on its underbelly clearly visible, striking fear in those who saw it.


    On the ground stood hundreds of people on the mountain ridges and in the snow. They looked up at the ghost-faced spider in the sky, wooden devotion and frenzy on their faces.


    The ghost-faced spider sprayed out hundreds of translucent strands of web, each strand corresponding to one person. The strands entered through the mouths of the people facing upwards, into their throats, internal organs, limbs, flesh and blood.


    Then, from every person''s mouth emerged a milk-white spider crawling along the web strand. They were the size of thumbs, climbing upwards along the strands towards the ghost-faced spider in the air.


    Hundreds of milk-white spiders emerged from hundreds of human mouths, all converging towards the ghost-faced spider.


    They moved swiftly, reaching the ghost-faced spider''s belly where the ghostly face was in no time. They stopped there on its dark underbelly.


    The ghost-faced spider was ck while the little spiders were milk-white. They cluttered its dark belly,yer uponyer, writhing subtly. It looked as if the ck ghost-faced spider had grown hundreds of milk-whitepound eyes on its abdomen.


    After the milk-white little spiders had settled on the underbelly, the human corpses on the ground were also pulled up by the strands, suspended in air around the ghost-faced spider...


    Li Shiyin watched with her own eyes as those hundreds of human corpses were led by the strands to form an enormous, bizarre and ghastly pseudo-human structure thatpletely engulfed the ghost-faced spider.


    "Screech screech...hiss..." excited cries of the ghost-faced spider came from within the gigantic human corpse monster, sending chills down Li Shiyin''s spine.


    After the corpse monster had fully formed, it slowly shuffled towards Li Shiyin.


    In the beginning, it had not adapted to the body so it moved very slowly and awkwardly. Gradually, Li Shiyin noticed venom flowing out from its mouth and nose, dissolving the corpses and fusing them into one whole. The movements of the corpse monster became more fluid.


    The dissolved corpses turned into a strange sticky ck sludge on the surface of the monster. It would drip onto the ground asionally, leaving a trail of footprints behind.


    Seeing the monster approach, Li Shiyin retreated subconsciously while holding onto Tian Wenjin.


    Thebat abilities of this corpse monster may not be outstanding, but it was simply too horrifying and disgusting.


    "Shiyin, stay calm," came the feeble voice of Tian Wenjin at this time. Li Shiyin lowered her head to see Tian Wenjin lying there with eyes closed and face ghastly pale, reminding her. Stay calm?!


    "Master is right. No matter what unexpected situation, fear, panic and rm are useless..." Li Shiyin also closed her eyes. "Only calmness works!"


    She took a deep breath and opened her eyes again, no longer a trace of fright within, just tranquil as still water. She had turned into the peerless female sword immortal.


    Li Shiyin found arge t rock nearby and ced Tian Wenjin on it. She then took out some medicinal pills for healing injuries, detoxifying and restoring spiritual power from her Universe Bag to feed Tian Wenjin.


    Next, she turned around, raised the Tilted Star Sword, and faced the twenty-zhang tall corpse monster before Tian Wenjin.


    "Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique," she murmured.


    In the pitch-ck sky, stars began to twinkle.


    A purple-ck halo lit up around Li Shiyin''s body.


    Then...star sword qi!


    "Celestial Soaring Immortal!"


    She bent her legs slightly and leapt upwards with force, instantly disappearing and reappearing next to the head of the corpse monster.


    "How foolish," shemented.


    The ghost-faced spider was originally a peak level three demonic beast with tremendous brute force, spiritual disturbance abilities, venom and spider spawns. It would have been difficult for Li Shiyin to deal with it then.


    But it seemed creatures of nature widely believed greater size meant greater power. This ghost-faced spider insisted on amalgamating these corpses into such a massive and disgusting monster.


    Other than frightening Li Shiyin initially, this corpse monster had no other use. After calming down and thinking it through, it was nothing more than a gigantic meat target.


    How powerful could a body molded from ordinary human corpses be?


    In the darkness, magnificent sword qi lit up. With a sh, Li Shiyin effortlessly cleaved through the monster like a hot knife through butter, lopping off one of its arms without meeting any resistance!


    She showed not an iota of mercy, continuously shing about and appearing at different spots around the corpse monster. In but a blink of an eye, she had deprived it of its four limbs.


    With a heavy thud, the corpse monster crashed onto the ground.


    In the dim night with only the faint glow of stars, a woman stood sword in hand amidst the snow, behind her the copsed hulk of a gigantic monster.


    Just as Li Shiyin turned to thoroughly slice open the corpse monster and dig out the ghost-faced spider within, she clearly saw the severed limbs getting pulled back by some mysterious force...to be precise, they were dragged back by spider silk! She had cut off the limbs but notpletely through. The interior of the corpse monster was not only melted by the venom but also permeated by the spider silk.


    Corpses connected by unbroken threads.


    But in the few breaths that she was distracted, the limbs had reattached onto the corpse monster. Fused by the viscous fluids again, it was restored in an instant.


    Moreover, it had rushed to attack her when she was caught unawares!


    "What should I do now?" Li Shiyin evaded hastily, at a bit of a loss.


    It seemed she could neither kill norpletely dismember this repulsive corpse monster...


    Li Shiyin retreated repeatedly and unleashed multiple strikes that grievously injured the corpse monster, but to no avail as it would revert to its original state in a sh.


    "This won''t do!"


    She sheathed her sword and returned to Tian Wenjin''s side.


    "Stake it all on Celestial Soaring Immortal?"


    She shook her head over and over at the gigantic corpse monster. Unless Celestial Soaring Immortal could cleave right through to the ghost-faced spider''s main form, it would be a suicidal move since its position within the corpse monster definitely kept changing.


    "There''s still one other way," she sighed.


    Regardless of the reason, Li Shiyin was most unwilling to resort to this method, but now she had no choice!


    She turned her palm and reached into her Universe Bag, taking out a medicinal pill...


    Tribtion Thunder Pill!


    The veryst Tribtion Thunder Pill!!


    Qin Ran''s master had concocted three Tribtion Thunder Pills in total. Together with the three Qin Ran had refined himself, those were already used up. Currently, only Li Shiyin had one remaining. It was given to her by Qin Ran before they left to forge swords.


    "Go!"


    Without even ncing at it, Li Shiyin flung the pill straight at the corpse monster. The instant itnded on the corpse monster, she unsealed it. Crazed blue tribtion thunder exploded forth, sting the corpse monster into pieces with a sizzling crack while injuring the ghost-faced spider simultaneously.


    Painful and jarring cries emitted from the wounded ghost-faced spider, assaulting the mind and aggravating the nerves.


    "Wenjin, watch over my mortal form!" Li Shiyin said to Tian Wenjin before driving her Tilted Star Sword into the ground beside her and sitting down cross-legged in the snow.


    With Tian Wenjin''s injuries somewhat stabilized, he propped himself up with effort upon hearing that, standing guard over Li Shiyin''s body.


    Next, one could see a dazzling purple soul fly out from between Li Shiyin''s brows. Grasping the Dusk Sword, she charged towards the sted remains of the corpse monster...

 Chapter 197

    Chapter 197


    The Tribtion Thunder Pill exploded the corpse monster into pieces, turning most of the corpses into flying ashes. But there were still a few corpses with blue electric arcs shing over them. These corpses were barely dragged by the Ghost-faced Spider''s webs as it tried to piece them back together into the corpse monster.


    Amidst the flying corpse ashes and heavy snow, Li Shiyin''s primordial spirit arrived with sword in hand, bringing with it the sword qi of her primordial spirit. She found the Ghost-faced Spider at the very center of the corpses without saying a word and struck with her sword!


    The Ghost-faced Spider was still hanging in midair and countered with its spider spear. But this time, when the sword qi collided with the spider spear, it sliced right through without injuring the spear one bit.


    The Ghost-faced Spider was taken aback at first, but before it could feel d, a sense of pain from having its spider legs severed by the sword stabbed into its soul!


    The spear was undamaged, but the soul was injured.


    Sealing Dust and Ceasing Thoughts! ying Demons and Calming Souls!!


    This was the sword qi of Li Shiyin¡¯s primordial spirit. It did not harm the physical body but specialized in severing souls!


    After absorbing some of the primordial spirit power from the Devouring Demon Willow, Li Shiyin''s primordial spirit had reached a rather terrifying level, much stronger than her own cultivation base. Therefore, even though the Ghost-faced Spider''s soul was already quite powerful and hadprehended low-level Soul Mysteries, it was still no match for Li Shiyin''s primordial spirit sword qi.


    Can''t break your physical defense? Can''t sever your soul either?!


    With the first strike proving effective, Li Shiyin then utilized Celestial Soaring Immortal. She floated ethereally as if treading the mundane world with immortal steps, appearing all around the Ghost-faced Spider. Her soul-severing sword qi continuously poured onto the Ghost-faced Spider.


    Thus, in this dark ce, the ghastly shrieks of the Ghost-faced Spider''s wailing cries could be heard.


    When all the flesh and blood of the corpses fell to the ground along with the snowkes, Li Shiyin¡¯s primordial spirit also withdrew its sword and flew back into her physical body.


    At this time, on the corpse mountain, the spider asrge as a human was standing erect in the snow. There wasn¡¯t a single wound on its entire body, yet it was already dead.


    Throughout this battle, Tian Wenjin had been watching from the side. In the end, even a horrifying and disgusting monster like the Ghost-faced Spider still lost under Li Shiyin¡¯s sword. She had also fought against the Ghost-faced Spider before, but was pierced through the body in one move. She knew how powerful the Ghost-faced Spider was, so she knew how powerful Li Shiyin was.


    ¡°No wonder she was able to challenge those above her level and be the newest peerless genius.¡± She had heard about Li Shiyin¡¯s story before, but she had always thought that she was not inferior to Li Shiyin.


    It was like a seasoned veteran of Jianghu looking down on sect disciples who umted resources.


    But now she had to admit that perhaps Li Shiyin was truly a bit stronger than herself.


    ¡°Was that primordial spirit sword qi?¡± She sat on a rock and asked Li Shiyin who was standing up in front.


    ¡°Yes... Controlling the sword with primordial spirit, then using the power of primordial spirit to rece magic power and unleash sword qi,¡± Li Shiyin turned around and answered truthfully.


    ¡°Which immortal art is this recorded in?¡± Tian Wenjin asked.


    She knew that Li Shiyin¡¯s movement art was an immortal art, so she subconsciously assumed that this technique was also from some immortal art. There was some unwillingness hidden within her words. You, Li Shiyin, may be powerful, but aren¡¯t you still relying on resources and your good master?


    Li Shiyin shook her head and said, ¡°It¡¯s not an immortal art. I came up with it myself recently when I was forced by a powerful enemy with very strong primordial spirit to battle with my own primordial spirit. Then I thought of this technique.¡±


    ¡°My master named this technique Sealing Dust and Ceasing Thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Sealing Dust and Ceasing Thoughts?¡± Tian Wenjin murmured.


    A sword technique that sheprehended herself...


    ¡°My master is very good at naming things. I¡¯vee up with two sword techniques so far and my master helped name both of them,¡± Li Shiyin said to Tian Wenjin. ¡°One technique is this Sealing Dust and Ceasing Thoughts. The other is called Celestial Soaring Immortal, which also sounds very nice.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve alreadyprehended two sword techniques?!¡± Tian Wenjin lookedplicated.


    She recalled the legend of Li Shiyin defeating Song Zetian''s arrogance in one sword strike. Could that one strike be the so-called Celestial Soaring Immortal?


    ¡°If youprehend any sword techniques in the future, you can also ask my master to name them...¡±


    Tian Wenjin nodded vaguely without giving a clear response.


    ¡°Is the Ghost-faced Spider really dead?¡± She asked Li Shiyin for confirmation.


    ¡°I can¡¯t sense its soul anymore, it should be dead,¡± Li Shiyin replied.


    ¡°Check it and take it back to turn in the quest,¡± Tian Wenjin instructed.


    Li Shiyin looked up. It waste night, heavy snow, bitter cold winds. It was really not suitable for rushing back. She asked, ¡°How are your injuries? Do we have to rush back to the sect tonight?¡±


    Only then did Tian Wenjin sense her own condition. She pondered briefly then shook her head, ¡°I still can¡¯t move yet.¡±


    She looked back at Da Shan Ridge Vige, ¡°Let¡¯s rest overnight in the vige and return early tomorrow morning.¡±


    Li Shiyin agreed. She went to examine the Ghost-faced Spider and found that it was indeed dead. She dragged it over by one of its spider legs. When she reached Tian Wenjin, with one hand, she easily picked Tian Wenjin up onto her back to carry her.


    With one hand supporting Tian Wenjin and the other dragging the massive spider, she trudged through the deep snow during the snowy night and heavy snowfall towards the vige up ahead.


    Tian Wenjin rested both hands on Li Shiyin''s shoulders, feeling her legs being held up by only one of Li Shiyin''s hands. Without realizing it, some ambiguous thoughts rose unbidden.


    She started noticing Li Shiyin''s fragrance, she felt the warmth of Li Shiyin''s body... She gently rested her head against Li Shiyin''s back. She felt safe. She noticed the snow falling and both of their hair gradually turning white.


    She found that her merciless sword intent was wavering.


    The house they were most familiar with in the vige was naturally the vige chief¡¯s. Li Shiyin carried Tian Wenjin to this ce and set her down on a stool inside while leaving the Ghost-faced Spider outside.


    She found an oilmp inside but couldn''t find any matches.


    Tian Wenjin weakly leaned on the table and said, ¡°Let me try.¡±


    Li Shiyin brought the oilmp over. Tian Wenjin flicked her fingertip to shoot out an electric arc, lighting up the oilmp.


    ¡°Wenjin, you can still use your magic techniques like this?¡± Li Shiyin asked in surprise.


    ¡°If you want to talk about ingenious usage of mystic arts, it would still be uncle Qin Ran...¡± As Tian Wenjin spoke, she suddenly seemed to think of something. Her heart becameplicated for a moment and she didn''t continue.


    ¡°My master is the most brilliant!¡± Li Shiyin nodded with a smile.


    Tian Wenjin rested her head on the table and looked up at the sweet smile in Li Shiyin''s eyes when she mentioned Qin Ran. There was a fleeting loneliness that shed through her eyes.


    ¡°How are your injuries now, Wenjin?¡± Li Shiyin asked as she sat down opposite of Tian Wenjin.


    ¡°Give me a bit to recover. No major issues,¡± Tian Wenjin replied. ¡°Thank you Shiyin for your pills.¡±


    ¡°Those pills were my master¡¯s pills. I don¡¯t know how to concoct pills,¡± Li Shiyin said. ¡°Last night, master gave me lots of things...¡±


    ¡°Hepletely filled up my Universe Bag.¡± As she spoke, she rummaged around her Universe Bag and took out some portable meat and rations, cing them on the table. ¡°So many delicious things! Come, eat, Wenjin. Eating more will help you recover faster.¡±


    She picked up a piece of spirit beast meat and started eating while also urging Tian Wenjin to eat. Tian Wenjin looked at the food on the table and the alluring fragrance. She really wanted to decline but with great difficulty, she maintained her manners and posture as she elegantly chewed the rations.


    As Li Shiyin stood up while eating the dried meat, she checked around the house, then went outside again. Standing halfway up the mountainside overlooking the vige, the night scene and heavy falling snow blocked her vision. She couldn''t clearly see the buildings, but she knew that there were no vigers left.


    ¡°Sigh...¡± She sighed. The meat in her mouth no longer tasted delicious. ¡°We still came toote.¡±


    An entire vige of over a hundred people had just disappeared like that. Such was the world of cultivators.


    Tian Wenjin spoke gravely while elegantly chewing her food, ¡°From when the vigers sent someone to report to the sect, to when the sect member in chargepiled it into a quest, to when the inner sect disciples epted the quest, sufficient time had passed for the bloodthirsty demonic beast to massacre several viges.¡±


    ¡°I had originally thought that it was truly just dealing with the rat-catching spider demon and that we could save many people. I didn''t expect...¡±


    ¡°For these kinds of quests, most of the time it''s to avenge the dead.¡±


    "I see..." Li Shiyin gazed at the darkness outside the house and murmured, "How many innocent people in this world are killed by demonic beasts every day?"

 Chapter 198

    Chapter 198


    After eating, Tian Wenjin sat in meditation to heal her injuries, while Li Shiyin wrapped herself in a nket and leaned against the door, watching the snow outside, watching the darkness outside, guarding the littlemplight inside the room.


    The next morning, the two went to Peach Blossom Cave on the back mountain, dug a deep pit, and buried all the vigers'' corpses - whether intact or not - and then covered it with soil and erected a tombstone inscribed with Da Shan Ridge Vige Tomb.


    They also checked inside and outside Peach Blossom Cave again and eliminated all the surviving Ghost-faced Spider spawn.


    Only after taking care of everything did they bring back the remains of the Ghost-faced Spiders to the Dao Sword Sect to turn in the task.


    "We need an exnation..." Tian Wenjin took out the remains of the Ghost-faced Spiders from her cosmic bag and ced them in the steward hall where she was handing over the task. She said to the steward disciple,


    "The task description said that the rampaging demonic beast this time was a first-rank Rat-Catching Demon Spider; so why did it be a mutated, near fourth-rank demonic beast, the Ghost-faced Spider? You need to give us an exnation!"


    A fourth-rank demonic beast?!!!


    The steward disciple looked over the remains of the Ghost-faced Spider, and realized that even though it had already been beheaded, it still had a terrifying aura and bewilderingly weird appearance that confused the mind. His shallow experience told him that this did indeed look to be of the fourth rank''s level of ridiculousness.


    A first-rank task suddenly became a fourth-rank task...


    Ah, no, that''s not important. What''s important is, with a fourth-rank demonic beast, how did these two female disciples who took on a first-rank task have the ability to y a fourth-rank demonic beast?!


    "This was in by you?" He looked at the terrifying remains of the Ghost-faced Spider, then looked back at Tian Wenjin''s delicate and pretty face,pletely incredulous as he asked doubtfully, "It wasn''t just luckily picked up from somewhere?"


    It wasn''t that he was overly suspicious, but rather that there had been far too many disciples recently who relied on picking up demonic beast corpses to hand in their tasks. Because of the Nightmare Weeping Willow incident, countless demonic beasts in the Hengduan Mountains had died or been injured, and so nowadays going to the Hengduan Mountains, it was easy to pick up demonic beast remains.


    "You can send people yourselves to Da Shan Ridge vige to investigate, it''s just..." There was grief in Tian Wenjin''s eyes. "All the vigers of Da Shan Ridge were harmed by this Ghost-faced Spider."


    "They''re all dead?" The steward disciple seemed to beughing, "Then that would be an unverified death. How to investigate?"


    "There are stillrge amounts of signs of battle there that can be used to verify this," Tian Wenjin said.


    "And how can you guarantee that those signs of battle were left behind by you?" The steward disciple stared at Tian Wenjin with augh.


    Tian Wenjin knitted her brows and looked up at this steward disciple. She realized what was going on, but didn''t know why this man was deliberately making things difficult for her!


    She reckoned she understood this man''s train of thought.


    She held up her own identity token to show the man, "Jian Feng, inner sect disciple, Tian Wenjin."


    She also showed him Li Shiyin''s identity token, "Dan Feng, personal disciple, Li Shiyin."


    Inner sect disciple, personal disciple!


    Tian Wenjin, Li Shiyin!


    In an instant, the steward disciple''s expression became rather interesting.


    No wonder they were peerless beauties!


    So they were two of the five great peerless beauties!


    No wonder they could y a fourth-rank demonic beast on a first-rank task!


    It turned out she was Li Shiyin, the recently promoted to the top ten arrogances, who took on a task above her level!


    In fact, he had always known of Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin''s reputations, he just hadn''t had the chance to see them in person.


    In addition, his lust had muddled his thinking, making him harbor some wishful thinking and hope that such beauties were outer sect disciples, or even misceneous disciples, which would give him a chance...


    "Ah, so it turns out to be..." His mind went nk and he couldn''t find for a moment an appropriate form of address with which to call Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin. In the end, an obsequious expression unconsciously appeared on his face again as he finally said, "Esteemed misses!"


    Tian Wenjin shot him a disgusted look. The world was always full of this kind of fawning, obsequious sort who toady up to the powerful.


    She spoke coldly as she gave the final exnation:


    "We were the ones whopleted this task, and indeed it was not consistent with the mission intel. The Ghost-faced Spider was indeed a Ghost-faced Spider, and did indeed reach fourth rank in cultivation, we slew it. We can ept investigation and verification. However..."


    She put forth requirements, "We need an exnation, and we also need rewardsmensurate with a fourth-rank task."


    "Yes, yes..." The steward disciple''s attitude had already bepletely different. He nodded and bowed, "I will exin the situation to the elders, and give you fourth-rank mission treatment."


    Only then did Tian Wenjin, with Li Shiyin, turn in the task and receive credit for ying the fourth-rank demonic beast.


    After handing over the task, the two returned to Dan Peak. Just before they left, Li Shiyin suddenly stopped and asked the steward disciple, pointing to the Ghost-faced Spider: "This Ghost-faced Spider corpse, can we take it with us?"


    "Task items cannot be taken away," The steward disciple shook his head and said, "Besides, your task still needs verification and investigation."


    Li Shiyin then asked, "Then can I take this Ghost-faced Spider''s poison nd?"


    The disciple hesitated, but in the end couldn''t refuse the youngdy''s request and nodded, "You can take it away, I''ll just sayter that it was damaged in the fight."


    "Thank you." Li Shiyin nodded to him in thanks. Then she drew her sword and went over, extracting the Ghost-faced Spider''s poison nd and carefully putting it into a jade box.


    "She said thank you to me..." That steward disciple stood there in a daze for a while, waving goodbye to Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin with a silly smile on his face.


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin left the Steward''s Hall and flew towards Dan Peak. Along the way, Tian Wenjin asked Li Shiyin, "What do you want that poison nd for?"


    "Master really likes these kinds of weird things," Li Shiyinughed. "Master really likes doing research... and Seven also likes poison."


    "Oh!" Tian Wenjin nodded. It was for Master again.


    Arriving outside the mist surrounding Dan Peak, Li Shiyin used the sword-shaped token at her waist to open a passageway in the array, and Tian Wenjin followed her into Dan Peak. She took a few nces at the token at Li Shiyin''s waist, knowing it hade from Qin Ran''s hand.


    As soon as they walked out of the mist array, they officially arrived at Dan Peak. Looking up, they saw the entire mountain covered uniformly in white, the rivers andkes were frozen over, no smoke rose from the houses outside, there was only a single white stupid tiger lying on a cat tree sleeping in the icy and snowy weather.


    "Chasing the Wind!" Li Shiyin shouted excitedly, shing over in a blur to the cat tree and grabbing Chasing the Wind with both hands, embracing the thousand-pound little baby.


    "Raaawr..." Chasing the Wind had originally been sleeping in the snow, but was suddenly picked up, and the sudden sensation of weightlessness made him panic as he iled his limbs and ws wildly in the air.


    Qin Ran came out from the log house and saw Li Shiyin ying happily with Chasing the Wind, safe and sound. The boulder hanging over his heart finally fell back to the earth.


    "How was the task?" He smiled and asked Tian Wenjin who walked over.


    Tian Wenjin shook her head. "Not great."

 Chapter 199

    Chapter 199


    "So, you guys encountered a level four Ghost-Faced Spider?!"


    After listening to Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin''s ount of their mission, Qin Ran frowned and asked.


    "Yes! It was indeed a Ghost-Faced Spider." Li Shiyin nodded and said.


    Her clothes were a little messy, with several tears in her skirt hem. It was obvious that she had angered Danfeng again and the two had a big fight.


    She tidied her hair and asked Qin Ran, "Wenjin said the Ghost-Faced Spider is just an ordinary forest venomous insect and should not be a demonic beast. Master...why did the Ghost-Faced Spider be a level four demonic beast?"


    Qin Ran pondered and stood up, pacing around the room.


    "The Ghost-Faced Spider itself does not have anything particrly specialpared to other spiders. They all rely on webs to catch prey, use venom to poison and kill prey, and use their mouthparts to suck the juices of prey melted by the venom."


    He contemted and slowly said, "There is only one possibility, though the probability is very low...


    "The reason it is called a Ghost-Faced Spider is first because the pattern on its abdomen looks very much like ghosts in folklore legends; second, when it sucks prey, there is a very small chance that it can absorb the prey''s soul as well."


    "Like Chasing the Wind?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Very simr..." Qin Ran nodded, "Except that for Chasing the Wind, absorbing souls is 100% guaranteed, while for the Ghost-Faced Spider, the chance is one in a million or one in ten million."


    "Based on this reasoning, this Ghost-Faced Spider must be one of those Ghost-Faced Spiders that absorbed souls after feeding," he spected.


    "Plus, after the Ravening Demon Willow incidentst time, too many creatures died and there must be many wandering lonely souls and wild ghosts in the Hengduan Mountains. With so many contributing factorsbined, this exceptionally rare level four Ghost-Faced Spider was created."


    "You guys were also quite lucky."


    "Master always says such unlucky words!" Li Shiyin pouted.


    "Alright alright,pleting the mission and returning safely in the end means everything went perfectly. Let the mission stay in the mission.¡± Qin Ran smiled and said, ¡°This is the uncertainty I always tell you about in the cultivation world. You must always..."


    Li Shiyin interrupted Qin Ran''s words and continued saying herself, "Always have an awe and reverence towards the cultivation world, and always be cautious! I know!"


    She rolled her eyes, "You say this every day, my ears are calloused!"


    "Fine fine, I won¡¯t say it today."


    "You¡¯ve already said it today."


    Qin Ran could only change the topic: "To celebrate my disciple from Danfeng sessfullypleting her first mission for the first time, let¡¯s eat something nice tonight. Tell me, what do you want to eat?"


    Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up and she shouted with her hand raised, "Master, Master, I want to eat meatballs, pork elbows, braised chicken feet..."


    They were in the living room. Chasing the Wind was curled up miserably by the window. The white fur around his eyes was punched ck by someone, temporarily guest starring as a panda;


    Li Shiyin sat at this end of the long bench, smiling as she discussed with Qin Ran what to eat for dinner tonight;


    Qin Ran leaned against the original so-called "TV wall" on the other side of the long bench, also smiling as he agreed to all of Li Shiyin¡¯s requests;


    Tian Wenjin sat at the other end of the long bench, but felt like she was with these people in the room yet in two different worlds.


    "I¡¯m sitting to your left yet feel like I¡¯m separated by the Milky Way."


    She looked at Li Shiyin and saw her master upying all of the bright star-like eyes; she looked at Qin Ran and saw his disciple taking up every bit of fondness in his deep, universe-like eyes.


    "I shouldn¡¯t sit on this chair. I should sit under it."


    "It was clearly a conversation among three people yet she could never have a voice."


    Perhaps this was her fate ¨C for every romance, it would end before it even began. Huang Feiyu was like this. Li Shiyin...


    She felt her ruthless sword intent strengthen by some more.


    "Cough cough cough cough..."


    At this moment, a series of coughs came from outside. Tian Wenjin looked out the window and saw a little person wrapped like a zongzi (glutinous rice dumpling) staggering by the window.


    Shortly after, the living room door was lightly pushed open. Long Qiqi¡¯s words were apanied by coughs as she entered, "Qin Ran, you should concoct two cold-dispelling and cough-relieving pills for me. I feel like I¡¯m going to be coughed to death."


    "Qiqi?" Li Shiyin looked over in surprise, "How did you catch a cold?! You were still fine yesterday, right?!"


    Cultivators were unaffected by extreme weather. Long Qiqi could be considered the first in history to have caught a cold.


    "Oh! Shiyin, you¡¯re back!" Long Qiqi waddled over like a penguin and said, "How would I know I was going to catch a cold? I woke up like this today morning."


    Qin Ran shook his head andughed, "That¡¯s quite a feat."


    He gave advice again, "Why not hibernate for the winter! It¡¯s not Da Han (Great Cold) yet. Temperatures will drop even lowerter on. I¡¯m afraid there will be danger to your life."


    Long Qiqi cocooned herself onto the chair and seriously contemted Qin Ran¡¯s suggestion before eventually shaking her head and saying, "I cultivated into a human form so I¡¯m a human now. Do humans hibernate? Do you guys hibernate?"


    All three people in the room shook their heads simultaneously.


    "Aren¡¯t you trying to be a dragon?" Qin Ran joked.


    "It has to be done slowly..." Long Qiqi said. Then immediately passing the me to Qin Ran, "This cold must be from that night at Lakeside Pavilion! Of all the ces we could eat, you just had to insist on Lakeside Pavilion, and it was so cold with strong winds there... Achoo!!"


    "We¡¯re going back to Lakeside Pavilion to eat dinner tonight. Are youing?" Qin Ran asked with augh.


    "Eat wha¡ª?" Long Qiqi came to her senses and mustered all her courage to say, "No... Not going!!"


    Seeing her entire body shivering, one could tell how much resolve it took for her to make this decision. Qin Ranughed heartily and asked Long Qiqi and Tian Wenjin, "What do you guys want to eat? I¡¯ll go prepare now!"


    "I want to eat..." Long Qiqi instantly perked up at the mention of food, feeling like her cold was already halfway cured. She wanted to rattle off her order excitedly.


    But suddenly...


    "Thank you Uncle-Master, but I won¡¯t be eating." Tian Wenjin got up and bid Qin Ran farewell, "Ipleted the mission with Shiyin and returned her to you safe and sound too. I should head back myself to report to Sword Peak too."


    Qin Ran looked at Tian Wenjin. The smile on his face faded but he did not try to keep her there. He said, "Go back and report your safety first then. If there''s anything you want to eat,e by again next time. Uncle-Master will make it for you."


    Tian Wenjin lowered her head in greeting.


    "Wenjin, you¡¯re leaving already?" Li Shiyin still hadn¡¯t reacted.


    Tian Wenjin forced a smile at Li Shiyin and left without turning back.


    "What¡¯s wrong with Wenjin?" Tian Wenjin was clearly not herself. Even Li Shiyin noticed it.


    Qin Ran shook his head. No matter how clever he was, he could not have guessed that Tian Wenjin wanted topete with him for a disciple.


    Amidst the heavy snowfall, Tian Wenjin traveled alone on her sword. She did not return to Sword Peak but flew out of Dao Sword Sect instead.


    She did not know where she wanted to go. She just wandered aimlessly, lonely through the distant heavens and earth, the fluttering snow.


    After flying for a long time, night fell and she stopped, looking back. It was as if she could see the warm little house of Danfeng with brightmplight inside, piping hot food on the table, and sounds of livelyughter.


    She took a deep breath and started sword dancing. Around her was darkness, cold, heavy snow, gusty winds, the cries of a lone wolf...


    On this snowy night, sheprehended the first move of her ruthless sword intent ¨C Snow Flying in the Wind!

 Chapter 200

    Chapter 200


    The snow had been falling off and on for five or six days, and the umtion on the ground was already up to the knees.


    With snow this deep, although Chasing the Wind was no longer as excited about it as he was in the beginning when it was still a novelty and he would go crazy ying in it every day, he still loved the snow very much. Taking advantage of his thick fur that kept him warm, he would roll around happily in the snow, having a wonderful time.


    Compared to him, Long Qiqi had a much harder time with the snow. Not only was she afraid of the cold, she was also...


    When she first arrived at Dan Peak, Chasing the Wind was still just a small cub, not even as big as her. But in the blink of an eye, after five or six months, Chasing the Wind had already grown as tall as a big buffalo, while she was still a little girl of six or seven, not even as tall as Chasing the Wind''s legs.


    Chasing the Wind was often curious why she wasn''t growing.


    So with snow this thick, it was very easy for her to sink into it and then not be able to find her way out.


    After all...she really wasn''t that much taller than the snow.


    Li Shiyin was very diligent. Even in weather this cold she never stopped practicing her swordwork for a single day. Although, she did seem to quite like the snow.


    For example, right now she was practicing her sword high up in the midair. The swirling snowkes gathered at themand of her sword strokes, finally forming into a giant snowball about the size to wrap one''s arms around. Then...


    "Chasing the Wind! Look at the snowball!" She yelled loudly at Chasing the Wind who was napping by the Sword Washing Lake memorial.


    "A snowball?" Chasing the Wind jerked up vigntly, his eyes lighting up as the instincts of a feline made him get to his feet to go look for the little ball. Then he raised his head and saw the "little snowball" Li Shiyin had lobbed his way.


    "Snowball?!!!" Chasing the Wind let out a wretched shriek as the snowball struck him square in the head. Snow spilled all over him and the entire tiger was jolted awake in an instant.


    "Rwaaar~~" He tumbled two rolls on the ground after being hit by the snowball. Then he gathered up his own giant snowball with his paws and held it up with both front legs, hurling it back at Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin shed out of the way nimbly, giggling as she dodged it.


    "Ahhh....!" Chasing the Wind was furious. "You dodged, unfair!"


    When she threw snowballs at him he never dodged. Why did she get to dodge when he threw them back?


    "Hahaha! Stupid tiger!" Li Shiyin kept taunting him, lobbing yet another giant snowball his way.


    Chasing the Wind leaped up and batted the snowball away with one p. It burst open, dousing him with another coating of snow.


    "You''re cheating!" He bellowed in helpless fury. A wild gale whipped up as he fiercely pounced upwards from the ground into the air.


    He was going to bite that nasty woman into eighteen pieces!


    Although the deep snow had buried over half of the charred ck trunk of the Thunder Strike - Devouring Demon Willow, scorched ck by lightning strikes, amongst that snow-covered ck trunk, a tender yellow bud had broken through the umted snow on top of the tree and sprouted leaves.


    With such tenacious vitality and exuberant life force, next spring a whole new Thunder Strike - Devouring Demon Willow would surely grow out from this old demon willow tree. That would be a Thunder Strike - Devouring Demon Willow with 9th grade demonic beast bloodline that would call itself Liu Xiaoji.


    And right next to this willow tree, Qin Ran brought over a small stool, arranging a whole set of fishing gear. He smashed open a hole in the frozen surface of theke before finally sitting down on the stool by the bank, closing his eyes just like an old fisherman as he started fishing amidst the ice and snow.


    As he fished, he also mobilized his spirit to head into the heart of the Thunder Strike - Devouring Demon Willow tree, entering the pitch-ck cavern within and finding the baby named Liu Xiaoji. Using his spiritual sense he soothed the child, employing beast control techniques to brainwash the primal spirit of this devouring demon willow. He told it that its name was Liu Xiaoji and that he, Qin Ran, was its master...


    Just as he was brainwashing it, Qin Ran suddenly sensed great movement in the fishing rod he held in hand. He quickly opened his eyes, suspecting that he had hooked some big fish. But when he opened his eyes, what he saw was instead a glimpse of a white figure shing by, followed swiftly by a violent gale blowing his fishing rod wildly askew and his hair into disarray.


    "Chasing the Wind!" He bellowed angrily. "You''ve frightened all my fish away!"


    After chasing Li Shiyin around Dan Peak in circles, Chasing the Wind hade back around to Qin Ran. He hung his big head low in aggrieved manner. Raising a big paw, he pointed usingly at Li Shiyin gloating on theke surface before tattling intively to Qin Ran, "Daddy, she cheated and bullied me!"


    "Tsk, tsk!" Qin Ran directly smacked him upside the head. "You''re a grown up now, aren''t you? If she bullies you, don''t you know to retaliate?"


    "Can''t catch her..." Chasing the Wind looked just about ready to cry.


    "Shameful, useless!" Qin Ran shook his head. "When I was your age...the nervous system wasn''t fully developed yet. Physiological needs couldn''t even be controlled on my own yet."


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind didn''t get it at all.


    "Told you to read more books but you wouldn''t listen. Now when Shiyin scolds you, you won''t even know what she''s saying." Qin Ran nted a look his way. "Come, sit by daddy''s side nicely and be a good boy. Then she won''t daree bully you."


    Chasing the Wind didn''t care about anything else, but he definitely couldn''t pass up a chance to be the good boy. He promptly hunkered down obediently by Qin Ran''s side.


    After all, with the master right there, Li Shiyin didn''t dare act recklessly for the time being either. She walked over the frozenke surface to Qin Ran''s other side, making a taunting face at Chasing the Wind, "Daddy''s good widdle boy..."


    Chasing the Wind nced her way before pretending tigers couldn''t understand human speech. Lowering his head, he licked at the fur on his shoulder des.


    After ying around wildly for half the day, even Li Shiyin was getting a little tired now. Using the snow for cushion, she sat down cross-legged next to Qin Ran.


    "Master, if you want to catch fish, why not use magic instead of fishing like this? This is too slow." She asked, puzzled.


    Qin Ran nted a mysterious look her way, "Fishing can also be a kind of cultivation."


    "How''s fishing considered any kind of cultivation training?"


    "Fishing can cultivate the self and nourish one''s nature, bringing peace of mind." Qin Ran said. "Alright, Master will tell you a little fishing story then."


    "Yay, yay!" Li Shiyin nodded rapidly.


    She didn''t know if fishing could count as cultivation training, but the stories Master told were always fascinating.


    "The legendary Jiang Taigong said, ''one who wishes to catch fish must cater to one''s prey.'' Many years ago lived an elder with exceptional knowledge named Jiang Shang...that day as he fished by the river banks, the hooks he used were straight hooks..."


    Thend was filled with a vast stretch of whiteness that day, the mountains were white, theke was white, buildings were white, the ground was white, trees were white. The only spots of color by theke banks were a youngdy in pink clothing, a youth in pristine white robes, and a Spirit Beast White Tiger with fur the color of ckest night.


    asionally the frigid winds would blow past, stirring the youngdy''s clothes, stirring the youngdy''s hair, blowing herpels and sashes onto the white-robed youth''s clothes. Blowing her hair across the white-robed youth''s face.


    Listening to her master talk, she felt blissful.


    The Spirit Beast White Tiger finished licking its fur and looked sideways. Seeing the messy windswept hair of the white-robed youth, he kindly leaned over and extended a tongue, benevolently helping groom the other''s hair.


    Upon seeing the Spirit Beast White Tiger act this way, the youngdy in pink felt unhappy. She slowly leaned into the white-robed youth, embracing his arm...


    She couldn''t let that stupid tiger hog the master all to himself!


    Amidst the snow and ice, Qin Ran sat fishing by theke side. On his left was a beloved female disciple...disciple. On his right was...was the silly child he had raised from young. He felt as if immersed in familial bliss and suddenly thought to himself that this was enough in life, with a good spouse what more was there to ask for?

 Chapter 201

    Chapter 201


    A rare fourth-rank ghoul spider''s venom nd was the little gift Li Shiyin brought back for Qin Ran this time when she went out.


    Qin Ran was very happy and treasured the venom nd like a precious treasure. Whenever he took out some venom to do research, he was extremely cautious and reluctant to take out too much.


    And when Long Qiqi wanted to borrow some venom to take a look, he also refused her on the pretext that she had a heavy cold.


    On this day, Qin Ran was researching the ghoul spider venom in the building when Tian Wenjin came from Dan Peak to say that the Butler Hall had asked her and Li Shiyin to go to Master Peak to collect the reward for their mission.


    It had been five days since theypleted the handover of their mission, and it would take about this long for the Butler Hall to send people to Mount Dashan to check the situation.


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin was very happy, because this counted as the first official reward she had earned from the time she was amoner to the time she became a cultivator...she didn''t count the money she got from fighting in the arena.


    "What will the reward be?" On the way to Master Peak, the excited Li Shiyin asked Tian Wenjin.


    "If calcted based on a fourth-rank mission..." Tian Wenjin also cared about this money, but her Merciless Sword Heart had advanced further, and her face no longer revealed any emotion. She said tly, "The reward should match ten thousand Spirit Stones."


    "Ten thousand Spirit Stones..." Li Shiyin had already started daydreaming, "How much delicious food can that buy?!"


    But when they arrived at Butler Hall, they realized that things didn''t seem to be as they had imagined. Because the currentyout of Butler Hall was not like they were going to pay them their mission reward, but rather to interrogate them!


    Inside Butler Hall, all the service windows had already been closed. But there were still many people in the hall. They stood on both sides of the hall, all Dao Sword Sect members, either elders or disciples, men or women, old or young. All standing respectfully.


    And in the middle, directly opposite the entrance of Butler Hall, there was a chair, and a woman sitting on it.


    With just one look, it was clear that this woman was not to be trifled with.


    Her appearance was maintained at around thirty years old, an elegant and graceful mature figure. But looking at her face, there was not a trace of a mature woman''s gentleness. Instead, it exuded a domineering aura.


    The face may have been quite beautiful originally, but now there was a vertical scar on the left side, probably from a sword wound, which ruined the beauty of the whole face. Her eyes were always narrowed, making her look fierce, turning her eyes into triangles.


    She was a fierce and domineering woman.


    "Who''s this?" Li Shiyin nced around the hall and hadn''t reacted yet. She asked Tian Wenjin, "Did we go to the wrong ce?"


    Before Tian Wenjin could answer, the woman sitting on the chair spoke first, "You, are Li Shiyin?"


    Although it was a woman''s voice, it was extremely low and husky, exerting invisible pressure.


    Now that her own name had been called out and looking at the setup here, Li Shiyin realized something was wrong. She looked at the woman sitting on the chair and responded in a deep voice, "I am indeed Li Shiyin. May I ask who you are?"


    The woman seemed to have heard a joke and sneered, "You''ve been at Dao Sword Sect for a year and don''t even recognize me? No wonder you would do something so stupid!"


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin looked to Tian Wenjin, but saw that Tian Wenjin also shook her head imperceptibly, clearly she didn''t recognize this woman who had appeared out of nowhere either.


    Seeing the clueless looks on their faces, a perceptive person next to them immediately ttered the woman, mocking them, "To think she''s one of the new Top Ten Geniuses! She doesn''t even recognize Yao Qingke, the strongest female disciple of Dao Sword Sect, ranked top three on the Genius Ranking List. The moral values of the world are declining, each generation of Dao Sword Sect disciples is worse than thest!"


    Immediately there was quite amotion in the hall, with people saying nice things about the woman sitting on the chair and mean things about Li Shiyin.


    Listening carefully, Li Shiyin understood the identity of the woman sitting on the chair. Adopting Qin Ran''s way of thinking to extract key points, they were respectively: Qi Peak, He Daoguang''s disciple, Song Ze''s senior martial sister, number three on the Top Ten Geniuses List, Golden Corete stage cultivation level, overbearing and entric personality.


    So she understood how this situation had arisen...it was nothing more than Qi Peak finding an opportunity to make trouble and Song Ze saving face.


    "So it turns out to be Senior Sister Yao in person!" Li Shiyin sped her hands slightly, then asked, "May I ask what business Senior Sister Yao has?"


    "I heard you took on a level one mission with the content being to kill a level one demonic beast Rat Catching Ghoul Spider." On Yao Qingke''s hideous face was a hint of a smile as she gently asked.


    "Yes." Li Shiyin nodded. The original mission description was indeed like this.


    "But when you handed over the mission, you said this level one mission should have actually been a level four mission."


    "Right!" Li Shiyin said, "Because the original level one Rat Catching Ghoul Spider had be a level four Ghoul Spider!"


    "Ha... Hahaha!" The smile on Yao Qingke''s face suddenly spread, making the scar even more hideous. She said coldly, "Good for you, Li Shiyin, to actually be so sharp-tongued, bold and reckless, unscrupulous, and devoid of human nature!"


    Li Shiyin was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to make of these remarks about her.


    And taking advantage of her distraction, Yao Qingke went on, "You vile, petty woman. In order to cheat rewards from the sect, you went to find some dubious ghoul spider from the Boundless Mountains as substitute, and had no qualms about cruelly killing one hundred and thirty two vigers in Dashan Vige, among whom were many elderly, women, and children! Your methods are cruel beyondpare!!"


    Her dangerous triangr eyes stared at Li Shiyin as she shouted fiercely, "Well? Is that about right?!"


    Twisting facts, fabricating stories, falsely using! Li Shiyin understood Yao Qingke''s words, so in an instant she felt wronged and angry.


    "No!" Facing the oppression of Yao Qingke''ste Golden Core cultivation level, she shouted angrily, "The vigers of Dashan Vige were killed by the Ghoul Spider!"


    "Ghoul Spider?" Yao Qingkeughed disdainfully, "Still quibbling! Everyone knows the ghoul spider is just an ordinary venomous bug, not a demon! How could it kill people? You foolish thing, when looking for a level four demonic beast corpse you just had to im it to be a ghoul spider! Simply cruel and foolish!!"


    "The ghoul spider has the ability to devour souls. It turned into a level four demonic beast after killing creatures tainted by the Extreme Demonic Weeping Willow! That is a level four ghoul spider!" Despite having gained some wisdom, the still naive Li Shiyin tried to exin.


    "I want you to admit wholeheartedly!" Yao Qingke pointed at Li Shiyin from afar and said.


    With a gesture from her, a man came up, opened his universe bag, and ced the human-sized ghoul spider corpse in the center of the hall.


    Li Shiyin looked at the man, who was precisely the servant disciple from when she handed over the mission that day.


    That servant disciple took another object out of his universe bag, which was an ordinary palm-sized ghoul spider.


    The two ghoul spiders were ced side by side in the center of the hall, one huge and one tiny poisonous bug.


    Yao Qingke gestured at the two ghoul spiders and asked the crowd, "The two ghoul spiders are both adults. Dear friends, are they the same species?!"


    "No!" The crowd in the hall shook their heads.


    "Are you all blind?!" Li Shiyin couldn''t believe it. "They obviously look the same, it''s just one is big and one is small!"


    "Still struggling in desperation!" Yao Qingke said. "The ghoul spider captures prey using venom. But this unknown big spider has no venom nds at all! Can the ghoul spider discard the venom it relies on for survival after bing bigger?!"


    "It has venom nds!" Li Shiyin looked at the servant disciple. "It''s just that..."


    It''s just that she took them out. But she knew she shouldn''t say that.


    "Just what?" Yao Qingke sneered.


    "It is a ghoul spider!!" Li Shiyin said.


    "The evidence is irrefutable. I don''t want to hear your quibbling anymore!" Yao Qingke shouted. "Someonee, deprive this wicked and unfilial disciple of her cultivation and expel her from the sect!!"

 Chapter 202

    Chapter 202


    As soon as Yao Qingke''s words fell, seven people walked out from both sides of the crowd. They were all wearing green clothes and were Outer Sect Disciples. They all surrounded Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin.


    "You dare!" Li Shiyin angrily shouted. She took a step forward. Although she was definitely no match for the Golden Corete stage Yao Qingke, she could not lose in momentum.


    The seven Outer Sect Disciples were daunted by Li Shiyin''s momentum and involuntarily stopped. After all, they had also heard of the legend of the Female Sword Immortal.


    "Why wouldn''t we dare? You havemitted all kinds of crimes. This is the sect eradicating a disaster!" Yao Qingke snorted coldly and shouted, "Take them down!"


    Only then did the seven Outer Sect Disciples continue to surround them.


    These seven Outer Sect Disciples were no match for Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin with one move, but they really could not beat Yao Qingke behind them either. As the seven Outer Sect Disciples approached, they felt tremendous pressure.


    The seven Outer Sect Disciples took two more steps forward. Li Shiyin''s eyes shed sharply. Suddenly, her body flickered and in the blink of an eye, she appeared in front of the Duty Disciple. Without saying a word, she grabbed his neck with one hand and lifted him up, staring into his eyes and shouted, "Does this spider have venom nds?!"


    The Duty Disciple was afraid of Li Shiyin and was indeed guilty, not daring to look her in the eye. He shrank back timidly and turned his head away without answering.


    "Tell her, is it a spider!" Yao Qingke said heavily to the Duty Disciple.


    Upon hearing this, the Duty Disciple hesitated for a moment and still answered in a low voice, "It''s not a spider."


    Li Shiyin was indeed young and had not seen such tricks before, and for a time could not believe it, feeling a little frustrated.


    But soon it was anger: "You''re lying!"


    She exerted force with her hand and pushed the Duty Disciple up three or four meters into the air. Starlight scattered from her palm and countless tiny sword qi shot out, about to pierce the Duty Disciple''s heart with chaotic swords.


    "How dare you!" Yao Qingke shouted, "Dare tomit murder in the Butler Hall!"


    Green tendrils came to wrap the Duty Disciple, blocking Li Shiyin¡¯s sword qi. Those tendrils pulled back again, pulling the Duty Disciple back to Yao Qingke''s side.


    "It''s true that you''re extremely arrogant!" Yao Qingke said with a coldugh.


    She pped the table and the brick and stone ground of the Butler Hall instantly roared. Countless green vines burst out from the ground, all trying to entangle Li Shiyin.


    "Too bullying!" Li Shiyin said coldly, "Let me show you what true arrogance is!"


    She sped her palm and a strand of stars turned into a sword in her hand. She shed forward and countless tiny sword qi exploded, cutting off all the spreading vines.


    "The realm of lifting weight as if light?" Yao Qingke''s triangr eyes shed, "Not only sword qi, but alsoprehending sword qi to such a realm!?


    "This child must not be allowed to remain!"


    Those vines instantly grew back in that moment, and grew bigger, longer and harder, no longer going to entangle Li Shiyin, but turned into countless whips, all attacking Li Shiyin.


    But Li Shiyin did not want to get entangled with these vines either. She knew that Yao Qingke cultivated qi and her techniques were overbearing, but qi cultivators often had weak physiques and meleebat abilities. She unfolded the Heavenly Flight Immortal Technique, avoided the vines, her figure shed, and in the blink of an eye she appeared in front of Yao Qingke, without saying a word, stabbing with her sword.


    As a mage, being approached by a swordsman, Yao Qingke was not flustered at all. She smiled as she looked at Li Shiyin''s stabbed sword, her face bing hideous again.


    "Do you know what the absolute domain of magic is?"


    Apanied by her low female voice, green vines suddenly appeared out of thin air around Li Shiyin. These vines closed in instantly before Li Shiyin could react, wrapping her up tightly like a zongzi.


    Li Shiyin tried to struggle, but the vines were tougher than gold and iron. She couldn¡¯t struggle free at all.


    "You even dare approach my body?" Yao Qingkeughed, using the vines to pull Li Shiyin to the center of the hall, showing her to everyone, "How foolish!"


    She raised her hand and snapped her fingers. Two thick vines burst out of the ground. These two vines were like two giant pythons, slowly crawling towards Li Shiyin.


    "I hope you¡¯ll be a good person when you descend the mountain!" she said to Li Shiyin.


    At the door, Tian Wenjin silently pulled out the Imperial Thunder Sword on her back, still determined to rescue Li Shiyin with her life. She could see clearly, Li Shiyin had lost to Yao Qingke in two moves, so she was even less of a match. But she still wanted to try.


    Yao Qingke looked at Tian Wenjin with a half-smile, tapping her fingers on the table, waiting for her to make a move.


    But the two vines did not stop, getting closer and closer to Li Shiyin.


    Tian Wenjin looked at the vines and calmed her mind as her sword intent rose.


    "Sword intent?" Yao Qingke squinted her triangr eyes.


    Did the batch of disciples from the Sword Dao Sect have such strength in both sword qi and sword intent?


    The vines got closer and closer to Li Shiyin, and Tian Wenjin''s sword intent got thicker and thicker. Just as the two vines were about to touch Li Shiyin''s body, Tian Wenjin''s merciless sword intent also reached its peak...


    Flying Snow in the Wind!


    "Boom!"


    "ng!!!"


    However, before the sword intent could be unleashed, something ck broke through the roof of the Butler Hall with a loud crash,nding heavily between Li Shiyin and Yao Qingke, smashing those two vines into mush and sshing the people standing on both sides.


    Yao Qingke''s mind shuddered as she looked at the object. It was a ck cauldron!


    Someone had entered the Butler Hall from outside...


    She looked up at the person who entered. There were two people who entered, one was Qin Ran, and the other was Dong Zhongyuan. Qin Ran was expressionless in front, while Dong Zhongyuan had a smiling face behind.


    Qin Ran entered the hall, stood by Tian Wenjin''s side, scanned theyout of the hall, and finally his deep eyes were fixed on Yao Qingke.


    "Who gave you the guts?" he asked, his voice t.


    Strictly speaking, Qin Ran was also considered a disciple of this generation, and was one of the rtively younger ones, after all he had only joined the Sect for twenty years. Those older ones had been in the sect for forty or fifty years by now. Like Yao Qingke, she had been in the sect for forty-two years.


    That is to say, when Qin Ran entered the sect, Yao Qingke was already twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and had been cultivating for more than twenty-two years. And at that time, Yao Qingke was already a leader of her generation... At that time, there was no Dong Zhongyuan yet, and no one had selected the top ten geniuses of this generation.


    Qin Ran and Yao Qingke naturally knew each other, but their rtionship was like that between a shy, lonely farm boy with poor grades and a rich and sessful school belle with excellent grades in school.


    But everyone knew that Qin Ran was dark-hearted and extremely scheming, so how he viewed Yao Qingke, a beloved daughter of heaven, was another matter. In the eyes of someone like Yao Qingke, there would definitely not be a shadow of Qin Ran.


    Her arrogant aura was still there. She didn''t even look at Qin Ran.


    Did she recognize Qin Ran? Of course she did. Even if Qin Ran had no sense of existence, he had still been at the Dao Sword Sect for more than twenty years. But this was how she asked.


    Qin Ran replied, "This seat is the chief of Dan Peak of Dao Sword Sect." His voice was still t.


    He looked at Yao Qingke, "When you see your elders, you shoulde over to pay your respects."


    "I have never seen a sect chief whose cultivation level is lower than the disciples," Yao Qingke said from her seat, grinning hideously.

 Chapter 203

    Chapter 203


    "Someone without knowledge, without respect, without morals, without elders or parents, is like this," Qin Ran said.


    "What did you say?!" Yao Qingke erupted in anger, raising her hand to cast a spell on Qin Ran.


    "If you make a move against me, you will be overstepping your bounds," Qin Ran calmly warned, and continued, "I didn''te here today to scold you or fight with you. I just want to know who gave you the audacity to establish a secret court here? To judge the people of Dan Peak?!"


    Qin Ran was not like Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin could sense that something was amiss at the beginning, but she was quickly swayed by Yao Qingke''s emotions and got caught up in the situation. Qin Ran, as steady as an old dog, was not easily swayed and he immediately realized that this incident had been premeditated, and Yao Qingke was not the mastermind...


    At least, she had someone behind her.


    "What do you mean by overstepping bounds? What do you mean by not fighting? I think it''s just because you are weak and trying to find excuses for your cowardice!" Yao Qingke sneered and said, "As a disciple of Dao Sword Sect, I have a responsibility to deal with fellow disciples who have improper conduct!"


    "In other words, you established the secret court yourself, right?" Qin Ran nodded, "I will report to the sect leader and tell them that you have gathered aplices and established a secret court within the sect, harming fellow disciples. As for how they will handle it..."


    He looked at Yao Qingke and said, "They will probably revoke your cultivation and expel you from the sect."


    "Who do you think you are? You think you can just expel me?" Yao Qingke remainedposed, unafraid.


    "Finally, I''ll give you a chance..." Qin Ran said, "Release my disciple, apologize to her, and this mission will be treated as a Level 4 mission."


    "Give me a chance?" Yao Qingkeughed as if she had heard a joke, unable to help herself.


    However, Qin Ranpletely ignored her and continued, "I''ll count down from three..." After saying that, he repeated each word, "I''ll count down from three."


    Yao Qingke mockingly looked at Qin Ran. She was confident and had no intention of paying attention to him. She just wanted to see how Qin Ran would face the awkward situation after counting down.


    "Three." Qin Ran began counting without any pretense.


    "Two." He didn''t pause, pretending to be mysterious.


    Qin Ran raised his hand, and there was a mist of water vapor in his palm.


    "One..."


    Before he could finish saying "one," a voice suddenly came from outside the Butler Hall, saying, "Oh! What is happening in the Butler Hall today? It''s so lively."


    Upon hearing this voice, Qin Ran closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    It was the voice of Jian Yuanjie.


    So he could be certain that this matter involved at least three forces: Qi Peak''s He Daoguang, Butler Hall''s Jian Yuanjie, and Zhican Valley. Yao Qingke? She was just a pawn pushed forward.


    The chance Qin Ran gave was not for Yao Qingke, but for the force behind her. He wanted to see if the force behind her had decided to openly confront him, Qin Ran, and Dan Peak...


    ...It seemed they hadn''t made up their minds yet.


    Jian Yuanjie was an elder responsible for managing the elixirs in Butler Hall, so the status of elixirs in cultivation was equivalent to his status in Butler Hall.


    He walked in pretending to be clueless, and someone eagerly approached him to tell him what had happened. It didn''t matter how much embellishment or exaggeration was added, because he just wanted someone to inform him.


    He understood what had happened in Butler Hall today better than anyone present.


    "Oh! So that''s how it is..." Jian Yuanjie nodded in a feigned manner, then walked over to Qin Ran and asked, "Junior Brother, if I may be so bold to ask, is the Ghost-Faced Spider real or fake?"


    He was inquiring whether Qin Ran intended to continue investigating.


    Qin Ran slowly opened his eyes with a gaze as profound as a ck hole, looking at Jian Yuanjie. After a while, he said, "The Ghost-Faced Spider is right there. Senior Brother can go see for yourself."


    This meant, "Whether or not we should escte this matter is up to you."


    Jian Yuanjie understood and went forward to see the Ghost-Faced Spider, nodding and saying, "Ah, indeed, this is indeed the Ghost-Faced Spider."


    As he spoke, he exined to the people present about the spider''s ability to absorb souls. The only difference between him and an alchemist was that he couldn''t refine pills, but he knew everything else about alchemy.


    Since Jian Yuanjie arrived, Yao Qingke had remained silent until he confirmed that it was indeed the Ghost-Faced Spider. Then she became a little anxious, stood up, and said coldly, "Even if that is the Ghost-Faced Spider, it wasn''t killed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The spider''s body is intact; it died from its soul being extinguished! Could it be that Li Shiyin, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, possesses soul-suppressing abilities?"


    Dong Zhongyuan, who had been watching the scene, couldn''t help but shake his head and smiled at Yao Qingke. Truly foolish!


    Upon hearing this, Qin Ran''s gaze became sharp, and he instantly understood that, in addition to the issue of face, Qifeng also wanted the Divine Alchemy Method of Danfeng.


    "Do you think it''s your turn to interrupt us in this conversation?!" Jian Yuanjie suddenly became furious and turned to scold Yao Qingke.


    Yao Qingke stared at Jian Yuanjie, clenched her fists, but still didn''t speak.


    If they really came to blows, this "young" girl believed she could easily defeat both Qin Ran and Jian Yuanjie... This was the mentality of a true prodigy who hadn''t been beaten down by an old cunning person.


    "What do you say, Senior Brother?" Qin Ran ignored Yao Qingke and only asked Jian Yuanjie.


    Jian Yuanjie immediately put on a smile and said, "It seems that the Ghost-Faced Spider was indeed killed by Shiyin, our junior niece."


    "Then please release my disciple," Qin Ran said.


    Jian Yuanjie looked at Yao Qingke again, but she sat back in her chair and ignored them. Her meaning was clear: If you''re so powerful, then unseal her yourself!


    Qin Ran looked at Yao Qingke, raised his hand, and water vapor filled his hand. Then he quickly extracted the water from the vine. The vine withered and became brittle, losing its original power, and Li Shiyin jumped out from within.


    Seeing Qin Ran''s move, Jian Yuanjie, Yao Qingke, and Dong Zhongyuan couldn''t help but tremble. They understood that Qin Ran was making a demonstration. If he could suck the water out of the vine, could he also suck the water out of a person''s body?


    Yao Qingke took a good look at Qin Ran for the first time. Suddenly, she realized that ever since Qin Ran appeared in the hall, she seemed to have been in a passive position all along. Even when confronting Jian Yuanjie, Qin Ran remainedposed. Yao Qingke discovered that this "Junior Martial Uncle" whom she had always looked down upon was unfathomable to her. It was as if he possessed some kind of strength or status that far surpassed her own.


    Though Li Shiyin was trapped in the vines, she hadn''t lost consciousness and could hear everything happening outside. When she saw Qin Ran, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of grievance. Without Qin Ran, she would have fought against the enemy no matter how strong they were, even if it meant sacrificing her life. But with Qin Ran by her side, she had a backbone, a sense of vulnerability befitting a young woman.


    "Master..." she called softly, holding her sword as she approached.


    Qin Ran smiled at her, then reached out and tousled her hair, motioning for her to stand beside him.


    "There''s still an apology to be made, and a reward," he said to Jian Yuanjie.


    Jian Yuanjie produced a Qiankun Bag, which seemed to have been prepared in advance, and handed it to Li Shiyin, smiling. "Your cultivation potential is immeasurable, Junior Niece."


    As for the apology, Jian Yuanjie nced at Yao Qingke. Yao Qingke responded with a disdainful smile, showing no intention of apologizing whatsoever.


    "No need for her to apologize!" Li Shiyin suddenly spoke up, holding the Qiankun Bag in one hand and the Muran Sword in the other as she looked at Yao Qingke. "In three years... oh no, in just two years'' time, I will challenge you. Before the Dao, I will make you apologize!"


    7017k

 Chapter 204

    Chapter 204


    After the matter of the Ghost-faced Spider was over, Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin and Dong Zhongyuan out of the Steward Hall.


    Qin Ran and Dong Zhongyuan said, "Thank you nephew for this matter!"


    "Uncle, you''re too kind." Dong Zhongyuan smiled and said.


    Qin Ran was able to appear at the Steward Hall in time not because he had some kind of psychic connection with Li Shiyin and sensed that she was in danger. Nor was it because with his astounding wisdom he somehow calcted that Li Shiyin would have this disaster today. It was because Dong Zhongyuan went to Dan Peak in time to send word.


    As for how Dong Zhongyuan got the information in the first ce, that would not be delved into for now. Qin Ran had suspicions but was determined not to ask.


    Qin Ran looked at the sky, it was nearing afternoon, so he extended an invitation to Dong Zhongyuan: "The eveninges, and snow is imminent. Can we share a cup of wine?"


    "Hahaha..." This little uncle was really an interesting fellow, Dong Zhongyuan waved his paper fan and replied, "This kind of weather is perfect for warming wine and watching snow!"


    "I heard earlier that martial brother is also one of the ten great geniuses of heaven..." Li Shiyin suddenly spoke up and asked, "May I ask which ranking is martial brother?"


    Dong Zhongyuan''s expression immediately became guarded, and he had a frightened look on his face: "Junior sister... you... you''re not going to challenge me, are you?"


    This appearance of his made Li Shiyin pause in surprise, thenugh: "How could martial brother say that? Martial brother just saved my life, how could I challenge martial brother?"


    "Phew..." Dong Zhongyuan breathed a sigh of relief, and said to Li Shiyin, "Not to deceive you junior sister, martial brother is no good at fighting at all. Actually I''m not even ranked among the ten great geniuses of heaven, it''s just some special circumstances that forced my name to be on the list, so I had no choice but to grit my teeth and just go along with it. Junior sister, don''t challenge me in the future."


    Li Shiyin blinked her big eyes and asked: "Which ranking?"


    She wouldn''t believe nonsense about not being good at fighting at all, because her master said things like that all the time too...


    "Number... four." Dong Zhongyuan said embarrassedly.


    Number four? Li Shiyin nodded, looking as if it met her expectations. Tian Wenjin also took another look at Dong Zhongyuan, she hadn''t expected this seemingly unserious martial brother to actually be so incredible.


    As for Qin Ran, hearing that "some special circumstances", he nced over Dong Zhongyuan a couple more times, but knew that Dong Zhongyuan hadn''t told a single lie.


    As the few were speaking, they got up and flew towards Dan Peak.


    Flying in the air, Dong Zhongyuan noticed something strange about Qin Ran. Qin Ran had his eyes closed, and was next to Li Shiyin with his hand resting on Li Shiyin''s shoulder.


    What kind of pose was this?


    He couldn''t resist asking aloud: "Uncle... what''s going on with you?"


    "Cough!" Qin Ran didn''t dare open his eyes, only replying: "Feeling a bit ufortable."


    "Pfft..." Li Shiyin covered her mouth beside him, but stillughed out loud.


    Dong Zhongyuan looked strangely at this master and disciple pair, knowing there was some inside story, but didn''t inquire further.


    The few people quicklynded outside the protective array of Dan Peak, Qin Ran opened a passage in the array, and led them inside Dan Peak.


    Once inside Dan Peak, Dong Zhongyuan looked all around and eximed in astonishment: "Uncle, you''ve developed this Dan Peak extremely well, it''s like a utopia!"


    With mountains, rivers,kes, forests, log cabins, waterfalls, it was a microcosm that contained everything needed, and Dong Zhongyuan was very shocked.


    "You tter me!" Qin Ran smiled humbly, but his eyes still showed some pride.


    The current appearance of Dan Peak was indeed built brick by brick with the hands and feet of him... and Li Shiyin, this master and disciple pair. Thinking of this, he involuntarily looked towards Li Shiyin, and then discovered his silly disciple was also looking at him...


    His heart inadvertently fluttered, not knowing if his silly disciple looked his way because she heard Dong Zhongyuan''s words, or if her attention was on him the whole time.


    Just as the few people entered the array, a white blur suddenly scampered out of the snowy ground towards them.


    That white blur had a fierce aura, making Dong Zhongyuan silently ready his magic power to be on guard. As the white blur drew near, circling around Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, he finally could see clearly that it was a white tiger, that rumored Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger of Dan Peak.


    "This Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger is so intimate with people..." he thought to himself.


    A ferocious beast like the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger, even raised from childhood, should still have quite a proud disposition.


    "Dad!" Chasing the Wind rubbed his big head against Qin Ran''s arm, his tiger eyes looking at that neer to Dan Peak as he asked: "Who is he?"


    "It can talk!" Dong Zhongyuan''s jaw dropped wide in shock.


    "A fellow disciple of our sect, Dong Zhongyuan..." Qin Ran formally introduced for Chasing the Wind, "You should call him martial brother."


    As the saying goes, "tiger''s gaze like lighting", Chasing the Wind looked Dong Zhongyuan up and down with his vertical ck-gold pupils, actually quite intimidating.


    After hearing Qin Ran''s introduction, very reluctantly he called out: "Martial brother." Chasing the Wind felt this guy was no good, giving off a frivolous air.


    "His name is Chasing the Wind, a cub of the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger." Qin Ran also smilingly introduced to Dong Zhongyuan.


    "Greetings martial brother Chasing the Wind." Dong Zhongyuan had thousands ofplex emotions, but still had a smile on as he greeted Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind raised his proud neck, ncing at him out of the corner of his eyes, then walked forward with a domineering heroic spirit, just short of snorting at him.


    "Ah, yes yes..." Seeing Chasing the Wind''s attitude, Dong Zhongyuan felt more at ease inside. The tiger race should have this kind of looking down on others.


    The group arrived at the log cabin, exchanged some pleasantries, then Dong Zhongyuan sat down on a long bench in the living room while Qin Ran ducked into the kitchen to prepare wine and dishes.


    At this time in the living room were four people: Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin, Chasing the Wind, and Dong Zhongyuan. Li Shiyin was not one to entertain guests, especially male guests. She quickly brought over a chess set and pulled over Chasing the Wind to y a few games.


    Although Dong Zhongyuan was outgoing and sociable, when at someone else''s home he still restrained himself, even with a beauty like Tian Wenjin sitting beside him on the bench. He inwardly apuded himself for his fortitude.


    Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind set up the ck and white chess pieces, sitting at opposite ends of the tea table, both with the posture of chess masters eagerly awaiting an opponent.


    Before cing each piece, they would ponder deeply; when cing each piece, they would do so vigorously; after cing each piece, they would sigh in astonishment and loudly praise what a good move.


    This made Dong Zhongyuan''s heart thump, and he quickly focused his attention to seriously watch and learn.


    But after watching for a while...


    He smiled wryly to himself, this... what were they ying at!?


    He could only turn his head to appreciate Tian Wenjin''s charming beauty, and ask with augh: "Junior sister Tian, what level of cultivation are you at?"


    "Late Foundation Establishment stage."


    "It looks like you''ll be forming your core soon. What techniques and methods does junior sister cultivate?"


    "I cultivate the ''Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Sword Technique''. Myprehension is of Merciless Sword Intent!" Tian Wenjin answered him.


    "Merciless... Sword Intent, sword intent..." Dong Zhongyuan''s mouth gaped, "Merciless?!" Then he didn''t dare inquire further.


    She had alreadyprehended Merciless Sword Intent, what more could he possibly ask?


    After watching the chaotic mess of a chess game between Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind for a while longer, he finally couldn''t stand it and got up to walk out of the cabin.


    Dong Zhongyuan slowly strolled through the snowy grounds of Dan Peak, appreciating the scenery and marveling at the changes and wonders Qin Ran had aplished with Dan Peak.


    As he walked, he came to the bank of the small river. The river had frozen over, with some fish swimming under the ice. He followed the river upstream, walking to the foot of the frozen waterfall. The waterfall had also frozen, bing a fantastical tree-like ice formation.


    He stood at the bank of the deep pool below the waterfall, craning his head up looking at the frozen waterfall, appreciating the fantastical handiwork of nature.


    Suddenly, he sensed something, and his gaze shifted slightly towards the edge of the frozen waterfall...


    "That is...?" His eyes widened, pupils contracting involuntarily, mouth gaping with drool trickling out uncontrobly.


    What he saw at the edge of that frozen waterfall, amidst the dazzling scenery, was a glimpse of a world-shocking, peerless beauty in white turning and disappearing.


    Graceful as a startled swan, smooth as a soaring dragon!


    That fluttering sash like billowing clouds...


    Dong Zhongyuan dared to swear that he had never seen such a woman before this moment, and feared he might never see such again... even though he hadn''t even seen the face of that white figure clearly.


    She must be a celestial fairy, river goddess - staring nkly at where that white figure had vanished, he was entranced.


    "Hey! You over there, where are you from? What''s your name?!" Suddenly, clear and crisp voices of a young girl rang out.


    Only then did Dong Zhongyuan return to his senses, reluctantly drawing back his gaze towards the source of the voice.


    He saw on the small bridge over the river, a young girl bundled up like a rice dumpling was pointing at him and yelling.

 Chapter 205

    Chapter 205


    "This is..." Dong Zhongyuan squinted at the lolita on the bridge, "a snake demon?!"


    A snake demon that had just started cultivating? There''s such a thing in Dan Peak?


    Dong Zhongyuan did not mean to discriminate against demons, nor was he one of those righteous cultivators who would exorcise demons whenever he saw one. In fact, there was a powerful demon within the Guardian Mountain Formation of Dao Sword Sect. He was just surprised...and a little curious, why did Qin Ran raise such a useless snake demon?


    "I am Dong Zhongyuan!" Though many thoughts ran through his mind, it did not stop Dong Zhongyuan from smiling and introducing himself to Long Qiqi, "I havee to Dan Peak at the invitation of Martial Uncle Qin."


    "Oh!" Long Qiqi looked Dong Zhongyuan up and down, and mumbled, "Another one here to steal food."


    "???" Question marks popped up in Dong Zhongyuan''s mind. Do all the demonic beasts in Dan Peak have some problems with their brains?


    Long Qiqi pointed fatly at the ce where the white shadow, Tushan Youyou, had disappeared by the waterfall, warning Dong Zhongyuan: "Don''t be bewitched by her, very dangerous."


    "?" Such warnings were useless against lecherous men. Dong Zhongyuan''s interest was piqued instead, since Long Qiqi seemed to know the inside story. He hurried over and asked Long Qiqi with a ttering face, "Who is she?"


    Seeing Dong Zhongyuan''s appearance, Long Qiqi knew he was aplete lecherous ghost. If someone like him was targeted by Tushan Youyou, he would surely bepletely devoured without even bones left...and he would be willing too.


    "Knowing too much won''t benefit you." Long Qiqi tightened the tiger skin coat on her body and walked towards the cottage, "People like you... " She nced at Dong Zhongyuan, "Die easily."


    Dong Zhongyuan was shocked to the core upon hearing this. Die easily? What on earth was that creature?


    He was even more intrigued now. There was a saying, the more beautiful the woman, the more dangerous she was. Then how beautiful must the woman who could bring death be?


    "Is she human? Demon? Deity? Immortal?" He asked Long Qiqi again.


    Long Qiqi did not answer. Her short legs moved swiftly as she headed towards the cabin quickly.


    "She must be an immortal!" Dong Zhongyuan followed Long Qiqi while looking back longingly at the ce where the white shadow disappeared behind the waterfall.


    Long Qiqi shook her head again and again. Seeing Dong Zhongyuan''s appearance, she finally understood Qin Ran''s willpower. How strong Qin Ran''s will must be...ahem, how afraid of death Qin Ran was, to be able to resist the temptation of Tushan Youyou.


    Arriving at the living room, Long Qiqi found Tian Wenjin also there. She casually greeted them, then saw Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind ying chess and went over to watch.


    After watching for a while, she scolded as usual, "You two stinky chess baskets, the more you y the stinkier it gets!"


    "You don''t understand!" Li Shiyin huffed in rebuttal.


    "I don''t understand?" Long Qiqi wanted tough. She pointed to a ce on the chessboard and said, "If you move here, at the intersection of three paths, the stupid tiger can only block one path..."


    Hearing Long Qiqi''s words, Chasing the Wind immediately sat up and popped out a w at Long Qiqi.


    "Daddy said, no talking while watching chess!"


    Long Qiqi pped his big paw back and sneered, "If he tells you not to eat, will you not eat?"


    Dong Zhongyuan walked into the house and was startled for a moment seeing the interactions inside. Could low level demons interact so casually with high level demons too?


    He walked over and looked at the chessboard next to Long Qiqi, asking her, "What game are they ying? Can you understand it?"


    "What can two fools y?" Long Qiqi disdainfully said, "Gobang."


    Wow! She was so arrogant, daring to scold the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger, and even the personal disciple of Dan Peak''s Peak Lord. Dong Zhongyuan couldn''t help but take another look at Long Qiqi.


    "What is Gobang?" He asked again.


    "Just get five pieces in a row." Long Qiqi answered.


    Dong Zhongyuan was no fool. He immediately understood. So he pointed to a certain ce on the chessboard and asked, "Isn''t this a row of five ck pieces here?"


    "That''s right!" Long Qiqi nodded.


    "Then why hasn''t Junior Brother Chasing the Wind won?"


    "Because there''s a blind idiot."


    "Roar! Roar!!" An idiot tiger was furious in ipetence, "Why didn''t I see it?!"


    One of the characteristics of Gobang was that it was simple to get started. Fools like Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind who didn''t like to use their brains could y it too. But after all, it was a game of wisdom and brain burning. With enough intelligence, it could be yed with the sophistication of Go.


    For example, the match between Long Qiqi and Dong Zhongyuan.


    Even chess yers at Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind''s level asionally nodded in appreciation and eximed in surprise when watching them y.


    It was only when Qin Ran finished preparing the dishes and called everyone for the meal that the game dispersed.


    The dining area was in the kitchen. Theyout of this small log cabin was originally abined kitchen and dining room. When Qin Ran lived alone before Li Shiyin arrived, he didn''t fuss over such details and just ate in the dining room everyday. Later, as Dan Peak became more lively, especially after Chasing the Wind grew up, most of the meals were out on thewn outside the house. Now, it was just a return to basics.


    Seats were arranged ording to host and guest, human and beast. Host and guest referred to Qin Ran in the host seat, Dong Zhongyuan in the guest seat. Humans sat on chairs, Chasing the Wind sat on the floor.


    Before starting the meal, Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin first toasted Dong Zhongyuan to thank him for saving their lives, then began eating.


    The atmosphere during the meal was harmonious and joyful. Dan Peak was all about a harmonious family atmosphere. With someone like Dong Zhongyuan who was a social butterfly, there was no such thing as an awkward atmosphere.


    Those eating ate, those drinking drank, those talking talked. The eaters were the two gluttons of Dan Peak, the drinkers were the others, the talkers were Qin Ran and Dong Zhongyuan.


    After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere became heated. Dong Zhongyuan felt it was time, and asked Qin Ran, "Martial Uncle, is there anyone living in the back mountains of Dan Peak?"


    At this remark, the chopsticks in Long Qiqi''s hands on the table couldn''t help but stop for a moment. It was hard to advise a stubborn ghost. She silently shook her head.


    "Oh? Did you see something?" Qin Ran asked with a smile.


    Dong Zhongyuan recalled Long Qiqi''s earlier words, and felt Qin Ran''s smile was deeply meaningful. His mind turned rapidly, and finally his expression became stern as he lowered his voice to ask Qin Ran, "Are there any taboos in the back mountains of Dan Peak?"


    Hmm? Taboos? Qin Ran nced at Long Qiqi and saw her unnatural expression. He instantly understood.


    But after careful thought, it didn''t seem wrong to say that, especially for men who had no resistance towards feminine charm.


    So for Dong Zhongyuan''s own good, Qin Ran nodded and went along with Dong Zhongyuan''s words, "There is indeed a taboo creature living in the back mountains of Dan Peak, suppressed there by the previous master of Dan Peak. Extremely dangerous!!"


    Dong Zhongyuan was shocked to the core. He thought silently, the obsessive thoughts about that taboo creature he currently harbored, could it be that he had already fallen into its trap?


    Thinking of this, he became restless and uneasy.


    And from that day onwards, the legend that a ghostly taboo creature lived in the back mountains of Dan Peak spread far and wide in Dao Sword Sect.


    7017k

 Chapter 206

    Chapter 206


    In the midst of winter, even if it doesn''t snow, the whole world feels gloomy, dampening one''s spirits. Consequently, Chasing the Wind and Li Shiyin, who are not fond of the cold like Long Qiqi, prefer to stay indoors and avoid going out. They spend their days confined to their homes.


    Chasing the Wind has transformed into azy, fat tiger, merely waiting to eat and sleep.


    Li Shiyin has be a useless individual who only revises her swordsmanship every day.


    As for Long Qiqi, she hasn''t fared any better. Although her cold has improved, she still feels weak all over and spends her days sitting on a bench, studying poisonous elixirs.


    Within Dan Peak, it seems that only Qin Ran is busy during this icy and snowy weather.


    So, what is Qin Ran up to?


    Qin Ran has a lot on his te. He is involved with the development of Dan Peak, the cultivation ns for each individual at Dan Peak, and the survival of Dan Peak itself.


    The previous research project that required approval was the quest for an elixir of immortality for Li Shiyin''s family.


    Qin Ran has been exploring this project for half a year but has only scratched the surface. He doesn''t even know how to begin. Thus, there hasn''t been any concrete progress.


    However, after the Ghost-Faced Spider incident, the next research project must be approved.


    That project is the Teleportation Array... a formation that allows for immediate escape.


    Teleportation arrays are one of the most challenging types of basic formations, even more so than spatial arrays. Qin Ran has some knowledge about teleportation arrays, having used them during his time with Li Ben Mountain. However, his understanding is shallow, to the point that he encounters issues when teleporting over a few kilometers.


    This won''t do.


    The Ghost-Faced Spider incident made Qin Ran realize that Jian Yuanjie, Zhican Valley, and their group still harbor ill intentions towards him. Additionally, he has attracted the attention of the Qi Peak sect... It''s uncertain whether he unintentionally provoked them or if Qi Peak was already eyeing Dan Peak''s divine cultivation technique, and this incident simply provided an opportunity for them to coborate with Jian Yuanjie''s group.


    Now, a protective mountain formation is no longer enough to make Qin Ran feel secure. He needs a long-range teleportation array that can transport him to other countries and territories at any time.


    Escaping is always his top priority strategy, and confrontation is always hisst resort.


    Therefore, the research on teleportation arrays mustmence immediately.


    Apart from these two major research projects, there are also some smaller projects rted to cultivation.


    Firstly, there''s the research on the "Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill" and the formation research on cultivating spiritual herbs in greenhouses.


    Between these two, the more important one is undoubtedly the research on the "Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill." After all, achieving self-sufficiency in cultivating spiritual herbs is still far beyond Qin Ran''s reach. Breaking down the "Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill" and integrating it into Dan Peak''s unnamed divine cultivation technique to enhance the strength of the primordial spirit and find a method to separate the soul can quickly boost one''s power and strengthen the foundation of cultivation.


    The other smaller projects revolve around the cultivation issues of Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi.


    Li Shiyincks a certain eye technique, preferably one that can discern an enemy''s weak points, ensuring she can deliver a fatal blow inbat. On the other hand, Long Qiqi needs a specific kind of divine fire and various other spells and techniques.


    The eye technique doesn''t need to be overlyplicated.


    Now, let''s borate on what the divine fire is.


    In essence, it refers to the fire used for alchemy. To put it in a more vivid way, it''s akin to the concept of "different fires" in certain fictional worlds.


    A alchemist who practices fire alchemy must possess dan fire, just like a swordsman must possess a sword; otherwise, without the core fire, the alchemist would have to resort to using firewood for alchemy.


    Naturally, an alchemist practicing fire alchemy can recruit a core fire from the earth''s core into their dantian as dan fire, but the grade of the core fire is too low, which is thest resort. Generally speaking, it is necessary to recruit a renowned and named me as dan fire to have enough prestige. Of course, a good and suitable dan fire can greatly increase the sess rate of alchemy.


    In contrast to alchemists practicing fire alchemy, alchemists practicing water alchemy also require "unusual water," known as dan water.


    Has Qin Ran ever possessed dan water since he had never used it before?


    Yes, Qin Ran not only possesses dan water, but he has actually used it before.


    During the battle with Li Ben Mountain, there was no water around the volcano, so the water Qin Ran used for his spellcasting was actually dan water. And a few days ago, when he intimidated Yao Qingke with the Nine Provinces Cauldron, there was dan water inside the cauldron as well.


    Qin Ran''s dan water is concealed within the Nine Provinces Cauldron, which is one of his hidden cards. In addition to the dan water, there is also cmity thunder within the Nine Provinces Cauldron...


    Li Shiyin needs a suitable eye technique, while Long Qiqi needs a suitable dan fire. These two matters are rtively urgent. They can be given priority consideration.


    So at this moment, Qin Ran is searching for information in his study to find a "unique fire" suitable for Long Qiqi''s dan fire.


    Outside the window, the snow is still pure white. The branches and leaves of the ancient Spiritual Pagoda Tree have frozen into ice strips, unable to bear the weight and drooping down. Some branches hang down onto Qin Ran''s windowsill, resembling an elderly person leaning against the windowsill.


    Qin Ran asionally raises his head and looks outside, wondering how many years the Spiritual Pagoda Tree has lived and whether it has gained intelligence. But the Spiritual Pagoda Tree has never spoken. Qin Ran also doesn''t know how old it is this year.


    He was engrossed in reading and calcting when suddenly someone knocked on the door of his study.


    "Come in." Without paying much attention, he shouted while looking at the books on the table.


    The door was opened, and the sound of light footsteps followed as someone approached. When the person got closer, Qin Ran caught a whiff of the familiar fragrance of his foolish disciple, Li Shiyin. He casually asked, "What''s the matter?"


    "Master..." Li Shiyin stood by the desk, leaning her hip against the back of Qin Ran''s chair. She pushed an open book on the desk in front of Qin Ran and said,


    "I can''t understand some of the knowledge about meridian attributes. I can''t differentiate which situation corresponds to which attribute or which meridians correspond to which attributes."


    Qin Ran shifted his gaze to the book. The pages of the book were about the rtionship between the human body''s meridians and various attributes.


    Actually, it''s quite easy to distinguish between themon attributes of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Everyone knows a bit about the heart, liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys, which are attributes inherent to the human body. However, it''s much harder to identify some other obscure attributes, such as Long Qiqi''s poison spirit root, Chasing the Wind''s dark spirit root, and Tian Wenjin''s thunder spirit root, along with the corresponding meridians.


    Considering Li Shiyin''s enthusiasm for learning, it''s normal for her to have difficulty distinguishing them.


    Qin Ran pushed aside the book in his hand and picked up Li Shiyin''s book, using his fingers to gesture and exin it to her.


    "In fact, the so-called special spiritual roots are connected to the traditional spiritual roots. They are not newly appearing attributes out of thin air. For example, the Thunder Spiritual Root is rted to the Wood Spiritual Root and the Metal Spiritual Root. The Wind Spiritual Root is closely linked to the Water Spiritual Root and the Fire Spiritual Root..."


    As he spoke, Qin Ran suddenly noticed his foolish disciple leaning down, a stronger fragrance of a young girl wafting towards him. He looked up and saw his foolish disciple resting her elbow on the table, her palm supporting her face, her lively big eyes staring at him with a smile.


    There is nothing more beautiful than the fondness in a young girl''s eyes.


    Qin Ran''s heart trembled, immersed in it. He understood that his foolish disciple didn''t actually want to study...


    But he pretended not to know and continued exining the meridians and attributes in the book to her.


    Outside the house, it was still a world of ice and snow, but inside, a hint of spring quietly bloomed.


    7017k

 Chapter 207

    Chapter 207


    Qin Ran eventually found a pupil technique for Li Shiyin called Heart Divine Eye. It was abat-oriented pupil technique.


    Although called a pupil technique, it actually relied on the primordial spirit to see and was a type of divine ability.


    And because it was a pupil technique that used the primordial spirit, for ordinary cultivators it was a rather useless technique. It was very powerful but had little use. Cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage who had a primordial spirit would have better pupil techniques to cultivate, while lower level cultivators without a primordial spirit could not exhibit its true power.


    It seemed this was a pupil technique tailor made for Li Shiyin. Not only did Li Shiyin have high talent forbat, she also had a primordial spirit, and her primordial spirit was very strong. She was a perfect match for this technique in every aspect.


    Qin Ran took two small booklets from the study and went downstairs to the living room to find the three ckers.


    Chasing the Wind was sprawled on the floor by the TV wall, lyingzily like a tiger, shamelessly on his back with his white soft belly exposed, mouth gaping wide as he snored away.


    Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi each upied one side of the long couch, one with bare feet and the other wrapped in a nket reading alchemy scriptures.


    As always, Li Shiyin wore nice, light and thin clothes she liked, as if it were summer. Long Qiqi''s clothes were dressed warmer, afraid of catching cold, wrapped inyer uponyer, as if it were winter. Although they sat at opposite ends of the couch, one was in summer and the other in winter.


    Qin Ran found afortable spot to sit on Chasing the Wind''s belly in the living room, then threw the two booklets he held at Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi, and said:


    "Shiyin, yours contains the cultivation method for the Heart Divine Eye pupil technique. Qiqi, yours has detailed introductions and locations of some types of alchemy mes. This is what you''ll be doing next."


    Li Shiyin briefly flipped through the Heart Divine Eye manual and nodded. She had great trust in her master''s selection. If there were several techniques with simr benefits, her master would let her choose. Since there was only this one, it must be the most suitable for her.


    Long Qiqi read the alchemy me introductions carefully and knitted her brows, asking Qin Ran, "Does it have to be alchemy mes?"


    "Depends if you want to walk the alchemy path."


    "Taking mes into the dantian, is that something humans can do?" Long Qiqi said doubtfully.


    Li Shiyin leaned back against the couch andughed. "Teacher Huang has turned into a ball of mes entirely. What can''t humans do?"


    "I really wonder what the brain of the first alchemist who came up with this refining method was like," Long Qiqiined.


    "Stop bbering. Pick one. Take advantage of the winter''s low temperatures to absorb the mes. It''ll be less painful..." Qin Ran said. "Then have Shiyin escort you."


    "Master, I''m taking Qiqi?" Li Shiyin asked in surprise.


    "That''s right!" Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin. "Any issues?"


    "No issues as such..." Li Shiyin hesitated, but still said, "But the new year is nearing. I want to go back to Danyang for a bit."


    As soon as Qin Ran heard this, he immediately fell silent.


    After cultivating for so many years, he had almost forgotten that although this world only celebrated festivals like Qingming, Labor Day, and Mid-Autumn, New Year''s Eve and New Year''s Day still existed. Come to think of it, the end of the old year and start of the new year should be a time worth celebrating andmemorating.


    "Master... Can I?" Seeing Qin Ran silent, Li Shiyin asked weakly.


    "Ah?" Qin Ran returned to his senses and smiled. "Of course you can. You''re here to cultivate, not serve a prison sentence. You can go home anytime you want. Just be mindful of a cultivator''s influence on their family, like I told you before."


    Li Shiyin rxed and secretly nced at Qin Ran again. After a while, she asked again, "Master, can youe back with me?"


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran was surprised. His quick wit allowed him to swiftly think through many things before he returned to reality and said solemnly to Li Shiyin, "No, I have other matters to attend to."


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin responded dejectedly.


    Winter-d Long Qiqi had not wanted to go out either. Hearing that Li Shiyin was going home and would not have time, she hurriedly said, "Since Shiyin is going home, why don''t we look for alchemy mes after she gets back!"


    Qin Ran looked at her, but still did not say "I''ll take you." He just nodded and said, "Alright."


    Suddenly hearing that Li Shiyin was going home and would be away from Danfeng for a long time stirred up mncholy feelings of parting in the living room.


    Qin Ran was silent for a while before asking Li Shiyin, "When will you go back?"


    "This is the first time I''m returning from Daojian Sect. I don''t know how long it''ll take..." Li Shiyin said. "I remember it took me a month to rush back to Danyang from Li Shiwen''s base before.


    "Now that I can ride a sword, it''ll be much faster. I''ll leave half a month early."


    Qin Ran calcted in his mind. Today was the eighth day, just right for drinking Laba porridge. There were still seven days until Li Shiyin left home. He nodded and said, "Okay, I''ll go prepare some things for you to bring back to your dad and mom."


    After speaking, he headed towards the research building.


    But before he had taken more than a few steps, Li Shiyin suddenly stood up from the couch. Her fair and delicate bare feet on the couch, she took out her Qingxing Sword and held it out to Qin Ran, calling, "Master!"


    Qin Ran stopped and turned back. Seeing the Qingxing Sword and looking up at Li Shiyin.


    "Every time I ask you to teach me the sword, you decline." Li Shiyin''s eyes gazed into Qin Ran''s as she asked, "Master, will you teach me the sword?"


    Qin Ran''s deep eyes looked at the adoration in Li Shiyin''s eyes. He nodded and replied, "Okay."


    Then he reached out and took the Qingxing Sword.


    Li Shiyin summoned the Mu Ran Sword from her dantian and gripped it in her hand.


    The two looked at each other. Barefoot, Li Shiyin flew out of the cabin, her skirt fluttering in the cold wind, her jade-like fair feet standing on the snow, even whiter than the snow and leaving no footprints.


    They looked at each other for a moment before Qin Ran attacked first...


    Qin Ran did tell the truth about not knowing any sword techniques. But he could still teach Li Shiyin how to use a sword. Because he had a unique understanding of power,bat, and skill.


    He had exined his theories to Li Shiyin multiple times, and Li Shiyin''s currentbat style was indeed transforming in that direction.


    That was, concentrate one''s power as much as possible, discard all shy moves useless forbat, then seek out the opponent''s weaknesses and obtain maximum results with minimal effort.


    Today''s sword practice was Qin Ran applying this set of theories in actualbat to let Li Shiyin gain first-hand experience.


    Although that was not the main focus of today''s practice.


    Because little miss Shiyin did not actually want to practice the sword...


    Little miss Shiyin only wanted to know:


    Her "I give you my Qingxing Sword, and in return you give me your Mu Ran Sword" was not her own wishful thinking.


    The swords Qing Xing and Mu Ran.

 Chapter 208

    Chapter 208


    Qin Ran still had not refined any real "life extending" elixirs, but as an alchemist with considerable attainments, refining some traditional life extending elixirs was no problem.


    Traditionally, life extending elixirs refer to those that can allow ordinary people to approach the life expectancy limit of 180 years to the greatest extent possible.


    He refined some and first let his silly apprentice take them back for her family to use.


    In fact, Qin Ran knew that these elixirs were considered immortal pills and miraculous medicines in the eyes of ordinary people. But he was determined to research the legendary immortality pills, because that was what his silly apprentice had mentioned at the time.


    ...Li Shiyin still did not know how difficult it was to refine the elixirs that extended lifespan that she wanted.


    When the silly apprentice went home, besides preparing her spiritual elixirs and miraculous medicines as gifts, Qin Ran also meticulously prepared some other things, stuffing them all into Li Shiyin''s cosmos pouch, along with the various elixirs, talismans, and so on that Li Shiyin herself might need...


    The cosmos pouch was stuffed full again for another day.


    Sometimes Li Shiyin would think that if her cosmos pouch were to break one day, it would definitely be from being overstuffed.


    On the morning of the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, after eating her fill, Li Shiyin prepared to set off on her journey.


    On thewn in front of the little log cabin, she jokingly asked Qin Ran, "Master, are you really noting back with me?"


    Her tone was exactly like a Danyang rogue flirting with a youngdy from Dan Peak.


    Qin Ran frowned and only exhorted, "Be careful on the road."


    "Hehe..." Qin Ran''s manner made Li Shiyin feel happy. She asked Chasing the Wind again, "Silly Tiger,e with me to y!"


    She had already imagined the scene of her swaggering into Danyang City with Chasing the Wind. It would definitely be awesome! No one would dare block her path from the city outskirts to the city interior.


    In fact, Chasing the Wind really wanted to go. He panted with his tongue out, smiling, and was just about to say "Okay!" But ultimately he still looked timidly towards Qin Ran.


    "Wait until Chasing the Wind has learned the shape shifting art, then we''ll discuss it..." Qin Ran shook his head and said, "Chasing the Wind as he is now would cause too much panic among ordinary people."


    A tiger even bigger than an ox appearing in a mortal town...just imagining that scene would be shocking.


    "Alright!" Li Shiyin was a little disappointed. She also said to Long Qiqi, "Little Qiqi, don''t miss me!"


    Not only were Long Qiqi''s innate talents for cultivationcking, it seemed her transformed body was also somewhat problematic. She had been at Dan Peak for over half a year, yet her height had barely grown at all...


    Especially standing next to Chasing the Wind, she seemed to not have grown taller at all.


    Li Shiyin deliberately added the character for "little" before her name, the mocking meaning already self-evident.


    Sure enough, Long Qiqi''s chubby face darkened as she said sinisterly, "I won''t miss you. It''d be best if you didn''te back. Your master is sofortable and easy to take advantage of, I can monopolize him myself..."


    Li Shiyin curled her lip,pletely unworried. Looking at Long Qiqi she shook her head and said, "You don''t even want to call him master!"


    "Alright, that''s enough nonsense." Qin Ran promptly interrupted the bickering between Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi. He said to Li Shiyin, "It''s gettingte, time to set off. Get to Danyang early, don''t stop at an inn along the way to dy time, that would be especially troublesome. It would invite disaster from nothing.


    "Give my regards to your father and mother, and say hello to your elder brother. If there''s a chance, you can bring them to visit Dan Peak."


    "I know." Li Shiyin nodded, summoned her Leaning Star Sword, stepped onto it, and circled around in the air beforeing back. She waved farewell to the few people on thewn, "Goodbye, I''ll miss you all!"


    Qin Ran waved back at her, and exhorted again, "Be careful on the road."


    Li Shiyinughed as she turned around. The sword-shaped pendant at her waist shot out rays of light, opening a path in the protective mountain great formation. She flew out in a streak of light.


    The silly apprentice preferred light colored clothing, like white, apricot, light green, pale purple. When she idly wandered around everyday, she was also often dressed in white, leaving disciples of the Daoxuan Sect with the ethereal impression of a white-clothed sword immortal. But today she was going home, so white clothing was not suitable. She had chosen a peach red outfit to wear.


    A red-d maiden, with ck boots, her hair tied high in a ponytail, wielding a Leaning Star Sword, the clean and brisk, heroic and valiant aura around the young girl finally contained some gentle and charming femininity, youthful vigor.


    Qin Ran watched as Li Shiyin disappeared into the sky above Dan Peak. For a long time afterwards, he still felt as if there was a lingering peach-colored after image before his eyes. It was as if Li Shiyin''s clear and melodiousughter of "heehee" and "hahaha" still echoed by his ears.


    She had only just left, yet he already felt somewhat reluctant to part with her.


    "Hey! Stop looking!" Long Qiqi jumped up and kicked his knee, teasing, "She''s already past the Hengduan Mountains!"


    Qin Ran looked down at this ck-hearted little devil, reached out to ruffle her hair, andughed scoldingly, "You''re the one who understands so much!"


    "Humph..." Long Qiqi rolled her eyes at him and stuck out her tongue. She turned and ran towards the log cabin, calling back teasingly, "Some people''s souls have been stolen away!"


    Qin Ran made a fist to threaten her, but it was of no use whatsoever.


    Qin Ran stood there a while longer, looking in the direction Li Shiyin had departed, judging Danyang''s direction, then let out a soft sigh.


    He also turned around to walk back to the log cabin, nning to return to his study to research teleportation arrays or the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill. But after taking two steps, he kept feeling something was off, with an empty feeling in his heart, as if something was missing.


    When Li Shiyin was around, even if she was napping somewhere, curled up somewhere, or running wild around the mountain with Chasing the Wind, he wouldn''t see her, but he knew she was there. And now, as he scanned his eyes across Dan Peak, he only felt an empty bleakness everywhere.


    Clearly Dan Peak onlycked Li Shiyin''s presence, there was still Chasing the Wind, still Long Qiqi, still the old Gnarled Chinese Schr Tree, still the Extremity Demon Weeping Willow in the back mountain, and even a fox demon in the back mountain. But the instant Li Shiyin had left, Dan Peak lost a lot of its liveliness and cheer, bing deste.


    He could have endured the darkness. On the path of cultivation, he had prepared to spend hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of years in solitude. But light had suddenly appeared in this darkness.


    No mind for cultivation today.


    Qin Ran looked towards Chasing the Wind''s room. Today he would install a proper door on Chasing the Wind''s room!


    Yes, as Chasing the Wind grewrger andrger, the hole that served as his door grewrger andrger, until finally there was no door left.


    Chasing the Wind was the child with the harshest living conditions on Dan Peak, not even having a door to his room. When it snowed in winter, the snow would blow right into the room and even pile up inside. And the interior was also very messy, like a pigsty...ahem, like a tiger''s den, fundamentally no different from a monster''s cave in the mountains.


    There would be snow and ice inside the room. At night when Chasing the Wind snored away inside, cold winds could still blow in from the doorway.


    ...It really was too pitiable.


    "Let''s install a new door on your room today?" Qin Ran said to Chasing the Wind.


    "Oh?" Chasing the Wind looked at his den, a little embarrassed, and said, "I think it''s fine as is."


    In fact, Chasing the Wind''s room was originally as exquisitely refined as the pet quarters of a wealthy family. Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi would asionally help decorate, tidy up, and clean it. But...Chasing the Wind was just a tiger! How could he care about decorating his room! So after a long time, Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi got tired, and Chasing the Wind''s room became like this.


    "Go get the tools from the storeroom..." Qin Ran told Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind then reluctantly went towards the storeroom.

 Chapter 209

    Chapter 209


    "Have you heard? Fighting broke out near Suye City!" In a restaurant, at a dining table, a failed schr in a green shirt shared thetest battle intelligence with his friends.


    "It really broke out?" One friend clearly did not believe it, "Would that group of cowards in the court of North Chu Dynasty dare to move troops against Great Yan?"


    "Don''t not believe it, my aunt''s nephew''s friend serves in the army and this is the news he leaked." The schr in green shirt scoffed, "It is said that the hawks currently dominate the North Chu court and the overall sentiment is just one word: fight! Whether it can win or not, fight first, talkter."


    "If you fight so recklessly and lose, what will you do?" Another friend fell into deep thought and seriously analyzed the current situation, "I got the news that it''s not just Great Yan that has malicious intentions against North Chu, Xuanqin and Yan Han are also coveting North Chu. In this situation, what''s the point of just fighting Great Yan alone?"


    "Ha ha! Fight, that''s what we should do! We should have fought long ago! Fight Great Yan first, then fight Xuanqin, then fight Yan Han!" The schr in green shirt said coldly,


    "Ever since General Li Konghe passed away, it seems like the entire backbone of North Chu has copsed with him. In such a vast North Chu, they can''t even find a hot-blooded man. Hesitating back and forth, not daring to fight this, not daring to fight that, a bunch of cowards, why don''t they just die!"


    When he spoke of his anger, he picked up the wine on the table and couldn''t help drinking two big cups.


    "Brother Zhao, don''t get excited..." Another friend dissuaded him and stopped his wine ss, speaking gently,


    "General Li was the cornerstone of our North Chu''s founding. After his death, North Chu was indeed injured. Otherwise those viins wouldn''t dare have ideas about North Chu. But it doesn''t matter, North Chu only needs to recuperate for two years, Little General Li and Little Little General Li will naturally stand up. Also, there is still General Xiang in the north to support..."


    Before he could finish persuading, the schr in green suddenly became more excited, pped the table, stood up, pointed at the ceiling and scolded:


    "Little General Li? Little Little General Li? Oh, I really thank heaven, why haven''t they died yet?!! That Li Shiwen is also guarding the border, does he have that ability? He can''t defend it, he doesn''t have that ability. Still calling himself general, Little Little General? I spit! I knew long ago that he was just a prodigal son relying on his ancestors'' blessings. His Majesty should have dismissed him long ago!"


    "You said, he can''t even defend the birds and beasts in the mountains and forests, what else can he do?" Speaking of this, he thought of the dangerous situation at the border, thought of the survival of the country, thought of the muddle-headed court, thought of the future of the country, and couldn''t help crying,


    "He allowed the beasts in the Hengduan Mountains to rush out, causing tens of thousands of deaths and injuries to themon people! The Tian Ce Army waspletely wiped out! Dismissal? Just dismissal?! I think Li Shiwen should be beheaded to apologize! How dare he still live in this world! Has he been fair to us? Fair to the deadmoners? Fair to the loyal and devoted officers and soldiers of the Tian Ce Army who fought for the country and family?"


    Although he knew that there were not some ordinary ferocious birds and beasts in the Hengduan Mountains, but the elite army of North Chu still could not defend it and so many people died, so he felt that Li Shiwen was a criminal, a criminal of North Chu.


    When it came to the Tian Ce Army and the border residents, his friend did not know what to say...


    "Bang!" At this moment, there was suddenly a loud p on the table next door, attracting the attention of several people here. They saw that the girl at that table stood up.


    Seeing this situation, the few righteous and indignant young men looked at each other with a hint of a smile and pride on their mouths.


    A girl as beautiful as a fairy came to the neighboring table. As cultured and knowledgeable literati, how to attract the girl''s attention?


    Their choice was to perform enthusiastically, wield their power, and point out national affairs!


    Sure enough, they attracted the girl''s attention, and they were naturally proud and arrogant. The schr in green was even more aggrieved.


    "Speaking of that Little General Li, he is also a son of a dog father..."


    However, they did not know the identity of the girl they met by chance in this restaurant at all.


    Li Shiwen was her brother, Little General Li was her father, Li Konghe was her grandfather.


    So these people were scolding her brother in front of her, and after scolding her brother they were still not happy and wanted to scold her father too. And they still wanted to win her heart like this.


    Li Shiyin still hasn''t made a move to teach them a lesson. It was because she had been silently reciting in her heart the words posure, caution, carefulness, calmness" and so on that her master had always taught her.


    When she stood up, her apricot eyes were just frostily ring coldly at those few ambitious but ignorant and shallow useless people, then she took out a gold bar, threw it on the dining table, and left.


    "Hmm?" Seeing that gold bar, the schr in green was even more excited. It turned out that not only was this girl enchantingly gorgeous, she could also throw money around casually. Then she must not be of low status. It seemed that this was Zhao''s chance to seed and be prominent!


    Seeing the girl walking towards the restaurant stairs, he hurriedly raised his voice and continued: "Li Shiwen is the sinner of the state, and that so-called Little General Li is even more mediocre in talent and low in ability. From this it can be inferred that Li Konghe was so so..."


    When he said this, Li Shiyin had just walked to the stairs and suddenly stopped without going downstairs. Seeing this, he was overjoyed in his heart.


    Li Shiyin turned around and asked him seriously, "Do you know my name?"


    Her voice was really crisp. The schr in green thought to himself that he should maintain hisposure, not look at Li Shiyin, just nce at her with the corner of his eyes, smiled with grace and said, "Why are you so strange, little girl? Why should I know your name for no reason?"


    Li Shiyin ignored his false pretense and said directly, "My surname is Li..."


    The schr in green felt something was wrong.


    "My name is Shiyin."


    "Li Shiyin?" This schr in green had some brains. He thought of a certain possibility, shocked in his heart, and hurriedly looked towards the girl.


    He then saw the girl raise her slender jade hand towards them, bright starlight burst out of her cute little palm, and then...


    "No!" The schr in green screamed in horror.


    Countless thin fragmented star swords qi burst out from Li Shiyin''s palm, and these qi were shot towards those few literati like rays of light...


    The sword qi came and went instantly. She turned around and went downstairs.


    Leaving only one sentence: "I am Li Shiwen''s sister, Li Konghe''s granddaughter, if you are not convinced you cane and find me in Danyang, or petition in the pce."


    These shocked schrs couldn''t help twitching their bodies unconsciously, then their clothes turned into dust falling to the ground, revealing the white and tender skin inside. They then felt pain on their faces and looked at each other, seeing the words "mediocrity" on each other''s faces.


    Li Shiyin judged them as mediocrities.


    This was a certain city within North Chu, perhaps still two to three hours away by sword flight from the capital Danyang.


    Li Shiyin left Daojian Gate in the morning and flew following the map Qin Ran gave her, all the way until noon, just passing by this city.


    It was time for lunch, so shended from the air and found this high-end restaurant in the city. She ordered a table of fine cuisine.


    She was originally enjoying the fine food. She didn''t expect to hear those schrs criticizing the times and scolding Li Shiwen over there while eating...


    Li Shiyin was still angry when she left the restaurant. She should have stabbed them twice with her sword. But she then remembered they said Li Shiwen was interrogated for the incident at the Hengduan Mountains, and became worried. She hurriedly summoned her sword and rushed to Danyang.


    The few naked schrs saw Li Shiyin flying away on her sword through the window, and couldn''t help but look at each other, even more fearful in their hearts.


    Since when did the Li family have a sword immortal?

 Chapter 210

    Chapter 210


    When Li Shiyin saw Li Shiwen again, he was drunk out of his mind, being beaten on the roadside, and beaten until he spit blood.


    The "pure passersby" and "Danyang hoodlums" beating him, whom Li Shiyin recognized, were precisely servants from other families in Danyang City that the siblings did not get along with.


    These servants were only ordinary people, and with Li Shiwen''s martial arts skills, dealing with them would be nothing more than a lift of his hand. But he did not lift his hand. He just hugged his head, curled up on the ground, and let people beat him.


    If it weren''t for the more than ten years of life-and-death ties between the two siblings, Li Shiyin would absolutely not have recognized the person on the ground as her brother...


    Her brother had a dignified appearance and an imposing manner. He was one of the top handsome youths in Danyang City. Anyone who saw him would praise him as "the tiger son of a general''s family".


    Her brother was a young general in his prime, full of youthful spirit and vigor, riding his white horse with his silver spear, guarding a border region of the empire at a young age. Enemy generals facing him had to sigh "what a great Li Shiwen".


    The disheveled, dissipated, drunk and dreaming tramp groveling in the mud and snow was definitely not him.


    Li Shiyin kicked away those servants with three punches and two kicks and left them with harsh words: "Go back and tell your master I, Li Shiyin, have returned. Tell them to wash their necks clean and wait."


    Ignoring the strange looks of passersby, she helped the tramp Li Shiwen sit by the roadside, before sitting down herself on that dirty roadside.


    Looking at the familiar streets of Danyang City, she asked Li Shiwen, "Brother, why did you have to do this?"


    But she probably already knew why Li Shiwen had be like this.


    The reason Li Shiwen had be what he was now was definitely not because he had lost his official post, but because the Tian Ce Army was gone, and the western borders of North Chu were devastated. He med himself for all the evil done by the Devouring Demon Willow on the southwestern border. And he, a mere mortal, how could he shoulder such me?


    It was also snowing in Danyang City, and it was very cold too.


    Li Shiwen tightened his clothes and curled into a ball in a rascally manner. He lowered his head and turned it to look at Li Shiyin, recognizing his sister and smiling: "Shiyin''s back?"


    His face was full of mud from the ground, and the long messy beard on it was also covered in his own coughed up blood. Seeing him like this, Li Shiyin''s heart ached for him in full measure.


    She lifted her fist and punched Li Shiwen in the face, leaving a dark bruise, cursing: "The Devouring Demon Willow is a Level 9 demon beast. Do you know what a Level 9 demon beast is? It''s a god, an immortal, a demon - a real demon! Let alone you, even North Chu Country''s cultivators can''t beat it. Many Primordial Spirit cultivators have died too.


    "... Before the incident I told you to leave, but you wouldn''t. Now putting on this act for whom to see? You are disgraceful, aren''t you?!"


    After being scolded, Li Shiwen remembered again the soldiers who died under the demon beast, and themon people who died under its willow catkins. He was stunned for a moment, and then cried. He didn''t say a word, just cried nkly and numbly.


    The dignified seven-foot-tall man, the young general, could only weep helplessly at this time.


    Seeing his state, Li Shiyin wanted to hit him again, but she halted her raised fist and still did not strike.


    She sighed, found healing pills in her storage treasure bag, and handed them to Li Shiwen. Li Shiwen didn''t take them, so she stuffed them into his mouth.


    "Let''s go, back home first." She got up and reached out to drag Li Shiwen.


    Hearing that they were going home, there was a moment of hesitation on Li Shiwen''s face, but he couldn''t resist Li Shiyin''s strength and was forcibly pulled up.


    Li Shiwen slouched and hunched over, his hands tucked in his sleeves, as he was forcibly dragged to the Li residence by Li Shiyin.


    The Li Household used to be, before the death of General Li Konghe this year, residence of three generals. In all of North Chu, there were almost none that could stand side-by-side with the Li family. At best there were two or three families who could socialize with them on equal terms. Therefore, the Li mansion was built to specifications for prince''s and king''s mansions, the highest-level mansion below the imperial pce.


    Two huge and majestic stone lions stood in front, a vermilion gate behind, up a flight of stairs, a high threshold, a thick namete simply bearing the two characters "Li Mansion", exuding a dignified and imposing air.


    Li Shiyin dragged Li Shiwen up the stairs, past the stone lions. Guards came up to stop them: "No loiterers near the general''s residence!"


    Within the Li residence, people actually dared to bar her way! Li Shiyin frowned, sizing up the guard for a moment and realizing something was wrong, asked: "New here?"


    The original guards of the Li mansion were retired soldiers from the Li family army, Li family confidants who had guarded the gate for several decades, all in their sixties. Yet this one before her eyes was actually a young man.


    In these turbulent times, with the Li family missing two generals, for Li mansion guards to be suddenly changed at this time... To say there was no intrigue in this, Li Shiyin didn''t believe one bit of it.


    Of the four guards, the other three were still old men. Hearing themotion, they came over, recognized Li Shiyin and Li Shiwen, and quickly stopped the new guard, introducing: "This is the young miss."


    "Young miss?" Li Shiyin frowned in bewilderment.


    The three old guards quickly lowered their heads to bow and said in unison: "Eldest young miss!"


    Li Shiyin snorted, and added: "Go tell my father I''m back."


    Then an old guard opened the door, allowing Li Shiyin to enter the residence with Li Shiwen through the side door.


    After walking for a while, a beautifully-dressed woman with elegant looks and amanding aura came quickly toward them. Observing her face, she was precisely Li Shiyin¡¯s mother: the current Li Family¡¯s matriarch, a living legend of her generation, female general Yang Yanqi.


    As soon as she saw Yang Yanqi, Li Shiyin dropped Li Shiwen andunched herself into her arms, sobbing: "Mother..."


    "Shiyin is back..." Yang Yanqi''s eyes were also filled with tears as she embraced Li Shiyin tightly, saying repeatedly.


    Mother and daughter bawled for a quite a while, talking of how they missed each other. Finally, with tear tracks on her face, Li Shiyin loosened her grip on her mother and asked: "Where''s father?"


    When she heard that, Yang Yanqi pulled Li Shiyin closer to whisper: "Your father is still angry, he deliberately went to the study, doesn''t want to see you."


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin wiped the tear stains off their faces and said, "Then I''ll go find him myself. To apologize and make amends."


    "Apologize and make amends?" The woman reached out and pinched Li Shiyin''s cheek, scolding withughter: "You little brat!"


    After finishing talking over here, Yang Yanqi looked towards Li Shiwen lurking to one side. Seeing Li Shiwen like this, her nose and eyebrows instantly wrinkled, her expression showing distress and anger. She angrily shouted: "You know toe back?! Why not freeze to death outside?!"


    Li Shiwen mumbled incoherently without answering.


    So Yang Yanqi got even angrier, going up to drag Li Shiwen inside.


    Watching them for a moment and knowing Li Shiwen would definitely be fine since her mother loved him most, Li Shiyin went to find her father in the study by herself.


    She was very familiar with the route, didn''t even knock on the door, just directly pushed it open. She saw her father was sitting at the desk pretending to read a book, knowing she hade in but still keeping a cold face without looking over.


    Li Shiyin''s father was called Li Zhan, a name which also reflected a father''s expectations. From the appearances of the two siblings Li Shiyin and Li Shiwen, it could be inferred that Li Zhan definitely had an outstanding appearance himself. He was now over fifty years old but still had significant looks.


    "Dad..." Li Shiyin went over and ced her hand on his shoulder, massaging him while fawning with an ingratiating smile, "I''m back."


    Li Zhan didn''t so much as nce at her, coldly snorting: "You still know toe back?!"


    "How could I not know toe home? I missed you so much."


    "Weren''t you going to cultivate immortality? Weren''t you going to cut off all feelings and ties?" Li Zhan said coldly. "Does the immortal lord still remember this lowly one?!"


    "Father!" Li Shiyinughed and said, "You misunderstand..."

 Chapter 211

    Chapter 211


    Li Shiyin had never been an obedient child since she was little. She often angered her parents and of course, now she also angered Qin Ran. So her ability to endure beatings and pleading was excellent. Her ability to act coquettishly was also excellent.


    It didn''t take her long to coax Li Zhan and Yang Yanqi to feelfortable again and stop being angry at her.


    On the second day after returning home, Li Shiyin found Li Shiwen who was drinking under a rockery. She dragged him out and kicked his wine away, saying, "Let''s go, I''ll take you to beat someone up."


    "Not interested," Li Shiwen only felt heartache for his wine. He staggered to pick up his wine pot.


    Li Shiyin forcibly dragged him out the door.


    Soon, the two arrived at the gate of the household of the Minister of Rites, not far from their home. She didn''t kick down the door, only shouting loudly at the gate, "Tang Yin! Get out here!"


    She saw clearly yesterday on the street that Tang Yin''s subordinates were among those who bullied Li Shiwen. Since Li Shiyin had said she would let them wash their necks clean and wait for her, she had to keep her word today and go collect their dog heads.


    After Li Shiyin finished shouting, the gate of the Tang residence soon opened a crack, and an elderly gatekeeper poked his head out, looking at Li Shiyin in fear, and said, "My young master is not home."


    The notoriety of the Li siblings in Danyang City needed no further boration.


    "Then where is he?" Li Shiyin asked.


    The gatekeeper shook his head: "How would this insignificant one know the affairs of the master''s household?"


    "If you don''t tell, I''ll tear down your gate and prevent you from being a gatekeeper," Li Shiyin threatened.


    This gatekeeper was quite loyal and would not speak no matter how Li Shiyin threatened him.


    Li Shiyin could not really tear down someone else''s house. She paced around Li Shiwen twice, and suddenly thought of a ce. She asked the gatekeeper, "Isn''t he at the Tianxiang Tower?"


    "You..." The gatekeeper was shocked and wanted to ask how Li Shiyin knew, but he reacted quickly and hurriedly lowered his head, "This insignificant one is unclear."


    Now was different from the past. Li Shiyin''s pair of eyes specialized in finding people''s ws and weaknesses. They were as bright as stars. She saw the gatekeeper''s change in expression clearly and instantly knew she had guessed correctly.


    She didn''t say any more to the gatekeeper, and dragged Li Shiwen to run towards Tianxiang Tower.


    "Shiyin..." Although Li Shiwen was decadent, he was neither stupid nor crazy. He asked Li Shiyin, "Do you know what kind of ce the Tianxiang Tower is?"


    "Isn''t it just the ce where you drink flower wine? What''s so strange about that?" Li Shiyin retorted.


    Li Shiwen nodded. Although it was a little embarrassing, it was good that Li Shiyin knew.


    After hurriedly walking for a while, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, "Then do you know what drinking flower wine is?"


    "How would I know what kind of flower wine they drink? We haven''t arrived yet. When we get there, I''ll smell it and find out. It must be peach blossom wine, apricot blossom wine or something. Could it be osmanthus wine?" Li Shiyin said impatiently to Li Shiwen''s hemming and hawing.


    Li Shiwen patted his forehead. This girl really didn''t understand. He had thought she had be much smarter over the past half year...


    Although Li Shiyin was always said to be a bully, she hadn''t really done anything to tyrannize men. In fact, it was because she couldn''t stand those debauched yboys that she became a bully.


    The yboys were the bullies of Danyang City, and Li Shiyin, who specifically troubled bullies, was the bully among bullies. That was why she had such a terrifying reputation... Actually she was very simple and kind.


    Li Shiwen pulled Li Shiyin and asked, "Do you still remember the Conservatory?"


    "I remember. You were beaten by father a few years ago for going to the Conservatory," Li Shiyin replied.


    As the weather was cold, Li Shiwen couldn''t help but coughed. Then he said, "Tianxiang Tower is actually the same kind of ce as the Conservatory."


    "?" Li Shiyin reacted and stopped.


    At this moment, in the Tianxiang Tower''s elegant private room, there were four young masters in brocade robes, eight morous and charming beauties, and sixteen pretty young maids pouring tea and giving massages.


    The four young masters were Tang Yin, the second son of the household of the Minister of Rites; Xiang Hui, the younger brother of General Xiang Ji who guarded the north; Mi Hua, the illegitimate son of the Eighth Prince; and Tian Boming, the son of an academician of the Hanlin Academy.


    Xiang Hui was half-lying on a soft chair with a morous beauty pressed against him. He had his eyes closed, his hands groping the woman, and moaned, "I heard Li Shiyin is back."


    One beauty was massaging Tang Yin''s head while another beauty was massaging his feet. Tang Yin drank tea and disdainfullyughed. "So what if she''s back? She''s just a woman. What can she do?"


    "Hehe!" A smile appeared at the corner of Xiang Hui''s mouth. His hand reached a critical ce. The beauty in his arms let out a soft moan. He said, "Don''t underestimate her. That girl is quite good-looking, with a fiery temperament, like a little wild horse - very much to my taste. Her pair of strong, sturdy long legs... One day, I will have her wrap them around my head... Oh, I can''t stand it anymore..."


    As he spoke, he burrowed into the beauty''s bosom, using her softness to rece his imagination.


    "Tsk..." Tian Boming sneered and reminded them, "Li Shiyin is engaged to someone surnamed Cheng."


    "Wasn''t there news that Li Shiyin went to the Dao Sword Sect to cultivate?" Mi Hua, resting on the soft beauty, said.


    "Cultivation?" Tang Yin raised his hand and shook his finger. "At first I half believed it, but now she has returned, and it hasn''t even been a year. How much can one achieve in cultivating Taoism and seeking the way in just a year?


    "Besides, how could a cultivation sect allow people to casually leave the mountain? I reckon she was doing chores there for half a year, either she was abandoned by the sect, or she couldn''t stand it herself and ran away."


    "Oh no!" Xiang Hui''s spirit suddenly shook and he opened his eyes.


    "What is it?" The other three were startled.


    "If Li Shiyin went to the sect to do chores, to be a medicine maid, stove and cauldron maintenance, wouldn''t she have already been taken advantage of?" There wasment in Xiang Hui''s eyes. "What a pity... she must have been ruined."


    Xiang Hui''s words made Tian Boming shake his head and remind them again, "That Cheng fellow also went to cultivate, didn''t he? I heard he became an inner disciple at the Xuan Qin Yun Tian Gate."


    "That kid does have decent aptitude," Mi Hua added.


    Tang Yin suddenly sneered, "I don''t know whether to say he is humble or passionate. Just because he heard Li Shiyin went to cultivate, he also wanted to cultivate..."


    "All for a woman, how pathetic is that?"


    "Right."


    "Has that kide back?"


    "Now that Li Shiyin is back, I reckon it won''t be long before he returns too..."


    Just as they were chatting idly, the door of the elegant room was suddenly kicked open.


    Xiang Hui didn''t even look back and scolded, "Which bastard has no manners? Get out!"


    "Xiang Hui?" The kicker spoke in a clear female voice. "Quite the bluster you have there!"


    The voice sounded familiar to Xiang Hui. When he looked back, he was so frightened that his limbs went limp.


    "Ahaha..." He smiled ingratiatingly. "So it''s Boss Li Shiyin."


    That was Xiang Hui for you. Just now he spoke so arrogantly and lewdly, and now he behaved so servilely and obsequiously... He wished he could kneel before Li Shiyin.


    The other three were not much better off.


    Why was this so?


    It was just that these debauched young masters had been beaten by the martial arts trained Li Shiyin one too many times, and they already harbored fear in their hearts.


    And the more fearful they were inside, the more arrogantly they acted outside. The one who had spoken the most outrageously just now was now kneeling most obediently.


    "All of you get out!" Li Shiyin said to the powdered skeletons.


    The scent of rouge and bodily fluids was quite nauseating when stirred by the heat...


    These were the well-behaved sisters of the best Tianxiang Tower in the capital. Seeing the situation, they knew it had nothing to do with them. Supporting each other, they softly and weakly walked out.


    After the idle onlookers had left, Li Shiyin casually closed the door and coldlyughed at the four inside who were shivering, "Let''s settle our ounts!"


    Xiang Hui was extremely afraid, but when he looked up, he suddenly saw Li Shiwen cowering behind Li Shiyin, looking for wine to drink. This made him realize that previously Li Shiyin could bully them because she had an invincible brother. But now her brother...


    How could he, Xiang Hui, still be afraid of her?!


    "She''s alone!" He stood up and shouted, "The four of us can''t even beat her?"


    Tang Yin also reacted, Li Shiwen is now disabled, beaten by them every day, today there is only Li Shiyin alone.


    He shouted loudly: "Brothers, fight with her..."


    In the 24th year of Jiande in Northern Chu, winter, the people of Danyang City saw such a gratifying event:


    The four biggest local tyrants in Danyang were beaten ck and blue, stripped of their clothes, with chains around their necks held in their mouths. They crawled back home from Tianxiang Tower, barking like dogs in the snow.

 Chapter 212

    Chapter 212


    In the past it was always Li Shiyin who lost in fights and had to get Li Shiwen toe and help her; now it had be that Li Shiwen was being bullied and Li Shiyin was taking him out to find trouble.


    This feeling was very strange, especially for Li Shiwen. He looked at Li Shiyin in front of him, hands on hips and acting cocky, and he still felt very ufortable in his heart.


    Although he knew Li Shiyin had be powerful, a younger sister who needed protection starting to protect him instead, this feeling really...


    Li Shiwen hadplicated feelings. Suddenly the wine he had snatched from Tianxiang Tower didn''t smell as nice anymore.


    "Brother! Look..." As he was feelingplicated, Li Shiyin in front turned around, put one hand on his shoulder, and pointed at the four debauched young masters crawling naked on the ground over there, saying, "If you continue to degenerate like this, I''ll strip you too and make you crawl home!"


    What bold words from a female sword immortal!


    Li Shiwen suddenly felt cold. He hurriedly hugged himself and said, "Alright, we''ve taken care of things here, let''s go back!"


    He felt like Li Shiyin wasn''t joking, she really would do it.


    "Sigh, so this is the kind of ce you used to likeing to?" Li Shiyin looked back at Tianxiang Tower and shook her head with a sigh.


    "What''s wrong with it?" Li Shiwen asked. Actually he still likeding here...he just happened to not get caught by Li Shiyin this time.


    "Just look at those women, each and every one of them is vulgar and tacky. I thought they were so beautiful that they captivated you to distraction." Li Shiyin clicked her tongue disapprovingly, "You have terrible taste!"


    Li Shiwen looked at Li Shiyin. This silly girl did have the qualification to say this. He replied, "Actually I don''t like ces like this much. It''s just that men need some socializing. This is just a temporary indulgence, whether they''re beautiful or not doesn''t matter much..."


    "Just excuses to eat, drink and be merry." Li Shiyin scoffed.


    The two chatted as they walked home.


    As the new year approached, even though the streets were cold, there were still many peopleing and going, and more peddlers selling goods than usual.


    As the siblings walked along, they would asionally stop to buy things that interested them. By the time they got home, each was carrying a lot.


    Before Li Shiyin could even get through the door, the guard stopped her, saying, "Young miss, the general wants you to go to the council hall."


    "Father wants me to go to the council hall?" Li Shiyin was puzzled. That ce was usually for calling Li Shiwen.


    "Yes, the general specified you."


    Li Shiyin had no choice but to hang all her things on Li Shiwen and hurried to the council hall herself.


    Arriving at the council hall, Li Shiyin found only two people inside - her father Li Zhan and another elderly man in ck robes, seated ording to status. She also recognized the man in ck - he was a guest elder of their Li family, whom she usually called Grandpa Mo.


    "Father, Grandpa Mo!" Li Shiyin greeted the two politely from the doorway, before asking, "Father, what did you call me to the council hall for?"


    "Come here." Li Zhan said.


    Li Shiyin walked over to the table beside Li Zhan, only then noticing the several porcin bottles ced on the table.


    She was familiar with these porcin bottles - they contained the pills her master had refined, things like "Health Pills", "Life Extending Pills", "Great Return Pills" and the like. She had casually given them to Li Zhan and Yang Yanqi yesterday to cheer them up.


    ...She had given them some of anything she thought might be good for her parents.


    "Aren''t these the pills I gave you?" Li Shiyin picked up a bottle and casually twisted it open to look inside.


    "Don''t!" Seeing her casually open the bottle, Grandpa Mo became extremely nervous. He reached out to snatch back the bottle and hurriedly closed it, saying, "Don''t let the medicine efficacy leak out."


    "Grandpa Mo, you''re too uptight. How could the efficacy possibly leak out so easily." Li Shiyinughed.


    "Where did you get these pills?" Li Zhan asked in a deep voice at this time.


    "My master gave them to me, didn''t I already tell you yesterday!" Li Shiyin was puzzled.


    Grandpa Mo murmured to himself, tapping a finger on the table, then asked, "I heard you became a disciple of the Dao Sword Sect?"


    "Yes."


    "Who is your master?"


    "Qin Ran."


    "Never heard of him." Grandpa Mo was suspicious.


    "My master keeps a low profile, it''s normal you haven''t heard of him!" Li Shiyin giggled, covering for Qin Ran''sck of fame, "But my master is very powerful, with high status. He''s the First Seat of Dan Peak!"


    "First Seat of Dan Peak?" Grandpa Mo''s brows furrowed even more. "Does the Dao Sword Sect have a Dan Peak?"


    "It does. The Dao Sword Sect has four major peak branches - Main Peak, Sword Peak, Qi Peak, and Dan Peak." Li Shiyin said, "My master and I are from Dan Peak!"


    "Though there are fewer people in Dan Peak, just a tiny bit fewer."


    "I didn''t know the Dao Sword Sect also had a hidden peak branch... No wonder it''s one of the Five Great Sects of North Chu." Grandpa Mo marveled.


    "Uh...hehe!" Li Shiyin felt awkward. "Actually Dan Peak isn''t a hidden peak branch..."


    She lowered her voice, "It just declined, that''s all."


    Grandpa Mo mulled this over, then suddenly reacted - "You said your master is First Seat, then doesn''t that make you a direct disciple?!"


    "Yup!" Li Shiyin smiled. "I get five hundred Spirit Stones a month!"


    "Five hundred Spirit Stones!!!" Grandpa Mo''s expression sharpened, hearing that spirit stones could be casually given out like this. He had to ask, "Then doesn''t that mean you have a lot of spirit stones?"


    "Mhm!" Li Shiyin nodded. "I also got five thousand spirit stones from doing a missionst month! Though I didn''t get the first month''s allowance because my stupid master didn''t even know, so I didn''t get it!!"


    Just listening to this, Grandpa Mo felt like he was suffocating. He hadn''t seen that many spirit stones in his whole life!


    Seeing Grandpa Mo was too shocked to speak, Li Zhan hurriedly steered the conversation back on track, asking Li Shiyin, "Were these pills refined by your master, or did he buy them from somewhere?"


    "Of course he refined them himself!"


    "Is he an alchemist?"


    "Yup!" Li Shiyin nodded.


    "What about you?" Li Zhan also grew excited. "Are you also an alchemist?"


    "I''m not..." Li Shiyin shook her head. "Master wanted me to cultivate the sword."


    "A sword cultivator?" Li Zhan calmed down. "That''s not bad either."


    "It''s not just ''not bad'', I''m very powerful!" Li Shiyin bragged.


    "Mm, you''re very powerful." Li Zhan humored her. How powerful could she be after just half a year of cultivation. He asked Li Shiyin again, "What rank alchemist is your master?"


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin was startled. "Alchemists have ranks?"


    "They''re ranked." At this time Grandpa Mo had recovered. But the way he looked at Li Shiyin was still scorching hot. "Like me, I''m a second rank alchemist, able to refine second rank pills.


    "As for the respected Senior Qin who refined these pills, although I don''t know his rank, just based on these pills alone, I can infer that he is at least a fifth rank alchemist.


    "These are all top quality pills; the refining technique and pill structures are unheard of and unseen by me. The structure Senior used provides huge improvements to the pills, greatly increasing the sess rate and efficacy! Only an alchemist with ghost axe skills, able to turn decay into magical pills, could have this ability.


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin was stunned. Was her master really that amazing?


    She didn''t know that because of selling pills, Qin Ran had attracted the notice of an extremely frightening organization.


    She smiled awkwardly at Grandpa Mo, "Don''t call him Old Man, it sounds so strange!"


    "Although I look quite old, I''m actually only 150 years old." Grandpa Mo shook his head and sighed. "But this Senior Qin must be a Golden Core cultivator, perhaps even a Nascent Soul master who has lived for thousands of years!"


    "Ahaha..." Li Shiyinughed awkwardly twice, and whispered, "Master is only in his twenties."


    The two mundane mortals were too excited to notice Li Shiyin''s words. They stared fixedly at the pills on the table, eyes hot with desire.


    So many high quality pills, miraculous immortality pills that could extend life, simplyid out before them like this. Even having confirmed their origins, they still couldn''t believe it was real.


    "These pills..." Li Zhan looked at Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin told the truth: "When Master heard I was going to return down the mountain, he refined some health preserving pills as gifts for you."


    "An immortal personally refined pills for me?" Li Zhan hadpletely lost control of himself.


    Li Shiyin looked at her own old dad, and her equally stirred heart suddenly calmed down slowly. At this moment, she truly understood what her master said, the huge gulf between ordinary people and cultivators.


    When people like her father saw the elixirs casually refined by the master, they would all react in this way...

 Chapter 213

    Chapter 213


    After going through endless hardships to enter the immortal sect, and disregarding everything to seek the elixir of immortality, she only wanted her loved one to gain eternal life. But now, just a few life-nourishing pills made her father lose hisposure so much.


    Ever since she was little, she had always thought that Mo, her strong and omnipotent master, was very powerful. But now at a nce, she could clearly see his cultivation level - at thete Foundation Establishment stage.


    In the Dao Sword Sect, there were at least eight hundred foundation establishment stage cultivators, and all of them could not withstand a casual sword strike from her. Let alone Older Master Mo, a rogue cultivator.


    So Li Shiyin began to doubt life and reconsider the meaning of cultivation.


    For three or four consecutive days, she felt very depressed and would only eat onerge bowl of rice at every meal.


    Today at noon, she was sitting in meditation in the backyard garden,prehending the Heart Divine Eye technique. The Heart Divine Eye was not so much an eye technique, but rather a divine ability that relied on one''s primordial spirit to cultivate andprehend based on talent...and she had not even started learning it yet.


    Just as she was gaining insight, a servant suddenly came over and said, "Young miss, we have guests visiting the house. The General is asking you toe over."


    Guests? Li Shiyin was puzzled. As a youngdy, what guests would want her to apany them?


    "Who hase?" she asked the servant.


    Recalling the General''s instructions, the servant only said he did not know.


    So Li Shiyin became even more confused.


    When she quickly walked to the entrance of the reception hall at home and looked inside, she finally understood.


    The visitors today came very formally, with a huge entourage. There were those carrying gifts, those handling etiquette, those adding a sense of asion - all kinds of people, very lively with over thirty people.


    But in the end, only three people entered the reception hall and were personally weed by Li Zhan and his wife... Right now, there were five people sitting in the hall, separated into host and guest seats.


    The three guests were all men. Two were middle-aged men in their forties and fifties. One had an elegant demeanor, the other had the air of an immortal. The third was a handsome, bashful looking youth of seventeen or eighteen years, with delicate features.


    Li Shiyin recognized the elegant middle-aged man and the shy, delicate youth. The former was the current Prime Minister Cheng Lixue, and thetter was his son Cheng Nan. As for the middle-aged man with an immortal air, she could guess - he was either Cheng Nan''s master or guardian.


    Aside from Cheng Lixue and his master, who was Cheng Nan?


    This Cheng Nan was precisely the young master Cheng from Danyang, engaged to Li Shiyin.


    In principle, Cheng Lixue was the Prime Minister of North Chu, while Li Zhan was the Grand General. These two civil and military officials could by no means form a marriage alliance, in order to avoid suspicion and maintain stability of court politics. If these two families married, the Emperor of North Chu would truly struggle to eat and sleep.


    However, this betrothal had historical origins.


    When Li Zhan made the engagement with Cheng''s grandfather back then, first he did not expect that he could actually conquernds with the previous Emperor and be the Grand General. Secondly, he did not anticipate that the son of that poor schr he engaged his daughter to back then would rise to be the present Prime Minister.


    The casual promise between brothers back then, as their status and positions changed, was endowed with many strange values.


    In fact, considering political stability, Cheng Lixue and Li Zhan were prepared to tacitly forget about this engagement.


    Who knew, problems arose now. Firstly, that little rascal Cheng Nan was already obsessed with Li Shiyin, and said that he would not marry anyone but her in this lifetime. Secondly, they had joined the immortal sect and be powerful immortals...


    A marriage between two cultivators waspletely different from one between the children of prestigious families. At the very least, cultivators transcended worldly affairs, and the partisan struggles in court could hardly affect them anymore.


    In other words, Cheng Nan and Li Shiyin''s engagement today could no longer be interfered with by the Emperor of North Chu. It would only be decided by the two of them and both parents.


    Therefore, the Cheng family''s visit today was somewhere between formal and informal. It was not a proper proposal, but also not just a casual visit. Rather, it was a kind of "inquiry about marriage", an informal discussion.


    The male side came to ask whether that so-called engagement was still valid.


    Li Shiyin appeared at the doorway, and everyone inside saw her. Cheng Nan eagerly stood up, wanting toe over, but was constrained by the presence of his elders and did not dare approach. For a moment he hesitated on whether to enter or sit back down, looking rather amusing.


    "Come over and greet Uncle Cheng," Li Zhan said to Li Shiyin.


    Meanwhile, Cheng Lixue softly scolded Cheng Nan, "Sit properly!"


    Li Shiyin came over to greet Cheng Lixue, then went to sit next to Yang Yanqi.


    Cheng Nan reluctantly sat back down, but his eyes kept staring at Li Shiyin, still looking silly and gleeful.


    "Shiyin has been home for many days, howe she hasn''te to see Uncle Cheng?" Cheng Lixue said with a smile.


    North Chu was huge, and Danyang City was also massive, but in truth, there were only so many people and families at the very top. These families were all extremely familiar with each other.


    "I''ve been at home with mother these past few days, nning toe see Uncle Cheng in a couple days," Li Shiyin replied with a smile. "Didn''t expect Uncle Cheng toe see me first."


    Her graceful response made Li Zhan and his wife nce at each other. These were words that unruly girl could say?


    "Hahaha..." Hearing this, Cheng Lixue alsoughed. And in the etiquette of the Martial World, the louder and longer theughter, the more amiable it signified. Today, Cheng Lixue was very friendly. He said, "That''s because I was missing little Shiyin so much!"


    Thus, the few people in the room chatted for a while longer with pleasantries. Simrly, in the etiquette of the Martial World, the weightier the main issue, the more preparation it required. For major life events like these, involving national politics and the two cultivators, it had to be brought up only at the very end.


    So when the time passed noon, Li Zhan smiled and invited Cheng Lixue, "It''s gettingte, Prime Minister. Let us move somewhere else to have a meal before continuing our chat."


    Cheng Lixue''s expression grew solemn. He knew it was time. With a smile he responded, "Ah, how can I run over to the General''s home to mooch food?"


    After a pause, his tone changed as he brought up the main issue. "I came to visit General Li today because there is a matter I wish to confirm with the General."


    "Oh? What matter might that be?" Li Zhan knew full well, but still asked the question.


    "Myte father was on good terms with the General..." Cheng Lixue started from the very beginning, even citing scriptures as reference. Finally, he asked Li Zhan, "I wonder if the marriage between my unworthy son and your beloved daughter still stands?"


    After making a fuss for many days, all Cheng Lixue ultimately wanted to ask was this one sentence.


    At these words being uttered, the two drowsy youths in the room immediately became alert.


    Cheng Nan''s spirit rose and his eyes shone excitedly. Was it time to propose to the girl he had loved since young? Was it time to fulfill his vow and take her as his wife?


    As for Li Shiyin, her brows were tightly knitted as she lowered her head in contemtion. That snot-nosed brat who used to tag along behind her actually wanted to marry her? How dare he!


    Li Zhan nced at Li Shiyin. His daughter had grown up and be a cultivator, making him somewhat hesitant. But eventually, he still replied with a smile, "Of course it sti..."


    "No!" Li Shiyin suddenly interrupted Li Zhan''s words.


    In this kind of situation, daring to interrupt him was truly unbridled! Li Zhan red fiercely, about to scold her...


    Li Shiyin stood up and faced the three from the Cheng family. In a deep voice, she said, "My heart belongs to another. I cannot marry Cheng Nan. There is no need to speak of this engagement anymore. It is I, Li Shiyin, who has wronged you. I am willing to bear the consequences alone. Please forgive me."


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 Chapter 214

    Chapter 214


    Belonging to someone else''s heart?!! Cheng Nan''s face turned pale in an instant as he looked at Li Shiyin. Didn''t she always like him? How could her heart change after being away for just half a year?


    He felt like the sky was falling. He murmured in disbelief: "No, no, absolutely impossible..."


    Cheng Lixue''s sophistication was deep enough, but seeing Cheng Nan''s appearance, he still couldn''t control his facial expressions. His old eyes gazed at the impulsive young girl.


    But before he could speak, the cultivator beside him with an immortal air stood up first and sternly shouted at Li Shiyin: "Bear all the consequences? Can you bear them?"


    "It was just a verbal marriage engagement that hasn''t taken effect. What is there that I can''t bear?" Facing this cultivator whose cultivation level fluctuated around the Golden Core Stage, Li Shiyin was also fearless and refuted clearly and logically.


    "How will you bear the responsibility for ruining my disciple''s Dao Heart and Dao Foundation?!" It turned out to be Cheng Nan''s Master.


    Li Shiyin''s face was expressionless. She said, "If his Dao Heart is so easily ruined, something would have gone wrong sooner orter. I suggest..."


    She looked at Cheng Nan, "I hope you don''t continue cultivating."


    Having been recently perplexed by the meaning of cultivation, her words came from the bottom of her heart.


    "What an sharp-tongued girl!" Cheng Nan''s Master was so angry that he nearly died. Pointing at Li Shiyin, he asked, "Which sect are you from?"


    "Dao Sword Sect."


    Cheng Nan''s Master was taken aback. He had assumed Li Shiyin was a disciple of some minor sect. He didn''t expect her to be from a major sect like the Dao Sword Sect.


    He continued to ask, "Who is your Master?!"


    "The Chief of Dan Feng Peak." Li Shiyin had learned to be smart. She knew that mentioning Qin Ran would mean nothing to them, but the identity of the Dao Sword Sect''s chief would be impressive.


    Sure enough, upon hearing the two words "Chief", Cheng Nan''s Master was stunned for a moment. Then, still clinging to a thread of hope, he asked, "Chief? So are you a misceneous disciple or an outer disciple?"


    "Personal disciple."


    Cheng Nan''s Master waspletely dumbfounded, and it took him a good while to recover. He knew that he hadpletely lost face, and in front of his new disciple''s parents too. He secretly nced at the others in the room to gauge their reactions. Although no one made a sound, their expressions were quite colorful.


    For a moment, his cheeks burned as resentment welled up in his heart. To think that a tiny Foundation Establishment cultivator could make him lose face like this!


    "Personal disciple?" He looked incredulously at his own master. "So what if she''s a personal disciple?!"


    He secretly circted the spiritual power in his body and raised his hand against Li Shiyin...


    "Ignorant of the height of heaven and depth of earth. You are not suitable to continue cultivating! I will teach you a lesson on behalf of your Master..."


    His mystic art took shape and was about to be unleashed...


    But at that moment, he suddenly felt a prick on his old chest wound, seemingly out of nowhere. Looking up at Li Shiyin, he saw her eyes had narrowed slightly, with sharp sword qi brewing in them, aimed at his chest.


    At that moment, a sense of life-and-death crisis emerged in his heart. He vaguely felt that if he made a move, he would die.


    This feeling was so strong!


    So the mystic art congealed in his hand without being unleashed.


    Sword qi? He quickly realized something else ¡ª Li Shiyin possessed sword qi!


    Therefore, he carefully and gently withdrew the mystic art that was about to take form, slowly appeasing the surging spiritual power in his body. The terrifying momentum that filled the room disappeared without a sound.


    A smile reappeared on his face... In the world of cultivators, what is shameful is to cling on to life; when it''s time to kneel, one must kneel promptly and beautifully.


    Smiling, he asked Li Shiyin, "May I ask, what is your precise cultivation level?"


    He could roughly guess Li Shiyin''s cultivation level, but he needed a way to walk away from this without losing more face. If others don''t give him a way out, he would make one himself. Such were the sly old entrics in the world of cultivators.


    "Your Lordship?" Cheng Nan looked at his own master in disbelief. What kind of form of address was that?


    "Mid Foundation Establishment Stage." Li Shiyin answered truthfully.


    In fact, cultivation stages no longer held any significance to her. Given her master''s lecherous personality, even at the Foundation Establishment Stage he could easily defeat Golden Core cultivators. As for Bai Ruoxi and Su Changqing, they were heavyweight experts ¡ª Su Changqing could fight the Golden Core Stage Liu Ji, the extreme demon, to a draw just with his Primordial Spirit.


    Cultivation levels only served to restrict ordinary cultivators. She was gradually enlightened about this principle.


    Standing opposite Cheng Nan''s Master now, at such a distance, she was confident that Feixian Wen Dao could allow her to effortlessly pierce through this person''s Dantian.


    Upon hearing that Li Shiyin really was only at the mid Foundation Establishment Stage, Cheng Nan''s Master was at a loss for words for some time.


    Should he talk about reaching the mid Foundation Establishment Stage in just half a year? Or awakening sword qi in just half a year of cultivation? Or making him, a Golden Core cultivator, feel he was no match for her, with her mere mid Foundation Establishment cultivation?


    After a long silence, heughed. "A formidable junior indeed." Then he sat down.


    Cheng Nan looked at his master, then back at Li Shiyin.


    The sharp sword light in her bright eyes, the confidence on her exquisite face ¡ª he finally understood Li Shiyin''s level. The prided geniuses of the sect, those personal disciples with their noses in the air, were probably like her.


    But somehow, he felt it made perfect sense. This was consistent with his memories of Li Shiyin.


    Seeing that Cheng Nan''s Master had backed down and taken his seat, the sly old fox Cheng Lixue immediately deduced the situation from the drastic change in momentum within the room.


    He deeply nced at Li Shiyin, then quickly smiled.


    "Indeed, it was just a verbal agreement between us old folks. Young people don''t like it and aren''t willing, so we won''t force it. Besides, you two grew up together since you were little, so even without a marriage alliance, you will still be great friends. Although not siblings rted by blood, still better than siblings by blood. Why don''t you address each other as brother and sister from now on."


    Cheng Nan naturally ten-thousand-fold did not wish for this, but he was powerless to change anything. He could only keep his head down in silence.


    Li Shiyin looked at Chen Nan, then at his master. Her hand brushed past her Universe Pouch as she took out three bottles of pills and brought them over to Chen Nan. "I''m sorry for letting you down like this. These are three bottles of pills ¡ª top-grade Concentrating Spirit Pill, top-grade Dragon Elephant Pill, and a mid-grade Dust Lowering Pill. They will serve as a bit ofpensation."


    The first two types of pills were left with her for personal use by Qin Ran, and were extremely high in quality. Thest type of pill was meant for forming her Core ¡ª Qin Ran had prepared it for her in case of idents.


    She continued, "I will also make you a promise that if you need help in the future, you cane find me at Dan Feng Peak in Dao Sword Sect."


    This was pulling out all the stops in sincerity on her part. People like Cheng Nan''s Master who knew better stared straight at the pills in Li Shiyin''s hands, desperately signaling Cheng Nan to take them.


    But Cheng Nan was still immersed in the worldview shattering pain of heartbreak and of his "wife''s" change of heart. Hepletely ignored Li Shiyin.


    In the end, it was his master who epted the pills from Li Shiyin''s hands on Chen Nan''s behalf,ughing. "I am Liu Mo, the Executive Elder of Cloud Heaven Sect. My disciplecks manners. I will ept these pills on his behalf. Let''s bring this matter between you two to an end."


    Li Shiyin gave him a look, then gazed at Cheng Nan again. After some hesitation, she still said, "The world of cultivation does not suit you. It would be best for you to descend the mountain early, given your temperament."


    If not for the marriage engagement, her rtionship with Cheng Nan would be that between a gang leader and her little follower, even though Cheng Nan was older than her. Still this did not prevent her from seeing Cheng Nan as a younger brother.


    She passed her master''s words on to Cheng Nan: "The world of cultivation is dark and dangerous. You must be more careful in the future."


    In the end, Cheng Nan did not speak to Li Shiyin again. He left the Li residence with Cheng Lixue and his master.


    Li Shiyin sent them all the way out until their group disappeared down the street. She sighed to herself, wondering if she would be able to see Cheng Nan again.


    Not everyone was as lucky as her. Most cultivators who entered the world of cultivation had to pay a price. The cultivators who survived were those who did not pay with their lives.


    As she thought about this, Li Shiyin''s face suddenly flushed red as she came to a realization ¡ª it seemed she had not entered this world without paying any price either...

 Chapter 215

    Chapter 215


    "Who is the one your heart belongs to?" Yang Yanqi asked Li Shiyin.


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin''s face turned red as she hemmed and hawed, unwilling to say.


    Despite Li Shiyin''s carefree and decisive personality, and her image as a cold and aloof female sword immortal without any maidenly coyness, when it came to talking about the one she liked, she still shyly hesitated to speak it out to her parents.


    What was especially problematic was that the identity of the person she liked seemed to have some issues.


    Master and disciple...was this something that could be spoken aloud?


    Although the cultivation world did not seem to mind such matters much, given the long lifespans, in the mortal world, ethics and morals dictated that a master-disciple rtionship was still rather inappropriate.


    Thus, no matter how Yang Yanqi asked, Li Shiyin simply refused to say.


    In the end, Yang Yanqi was led to believe that Li Shiyin did not actually have someone she liked, and her earlier im of her heart belonging to someone was merely an excuse told to Cheng Nan about why she did not wish to marry him.


    On the second day after Cheng Nan''s visit with his father on the 20th day of thest lunar month to propose marriage, while Li Shiyin was pondering the meaning of life in the backyard garden, she was once again found by a servant from the household.


    "Young miss, the General requests your presence in the study."


    "He''s asking for me again?!" Li Shiyin was very puzzled. "Now what matter is it today?"


    This servant was slightly cleverer than the one from yesterday. He thought for a bit before answering, "The General has just returned from the Imperial Pce. He looks quite angry."


    "Returned from the Imperial Pce and now angry?" Li Shiyin furrowed her brows. "That should rte to important state affairs. What does it have to do with me?"


    She wondered in her heart, but still left the backyard garden nevertheless and headed towards Li Zhan''s study. As usual, she pushed the door open and entered straightaway without knocking.


    Upon entering the study, Li Shiyin realized Li Shiwen was also inside, limply kneeling to one side looking half-dead. Meanwhile, her father Li Zhan was writing something at his desk.


    "Close the door and kneel down," said Li Zhan upon noticing her arrival, without shifting his gaze towards her as he terselymanded. His tone was devoid of any inflection.


    But hearing that voice alone caused Li Shiyin to feel itchy all over. Because she knew this was not an ordinary tone, but Li Zhan''s fury suppressed to an extreme extent. In all her years growing up, she had seldom heard this kind of voice from him before.


    She could recall clearly that once was when she had beaten the Crown Prince until he cried, and another time when she had yed a prank on the guard at their household gates. At any rate, the eventual oue for her had never been that great.


    After closing the door, Li Shiyin obediently knelt down beside Li Shiwen. No matter her reputation as a peerless sword immortal capable of ying demons and banishing evils as she willed between Heaven and Earth, before her father she still had to kneel if required.


    "What''s the matter?" Once kneeling down, Li Shiyin gestured wordlessly at Li Shiwen, seeking to inquire about the situation.


    Having lived as siblings for over a decade, they had this level of tacit understanding at least.


    Li Shiwen understood her gestures, but currently maintained his limp and half-dead appearance without bothering overmuch as he directly replied, "What else could it be? The matter with Xiang Hui and Tang Yin has erupted."


    Li Shiyin red at him. *You* may not wish to live but *I* still do! She also sensed Li Zhan''s gaze turning towards them, and hastily knelt even more properly.


    After Li Zhan finished writing, he put down his brush and picked up the paper. His tone was neither cold nor warm as he spoke, "Cultivating for merely half a year has indeed increased your abilities!"


    "No, Father. What abilities do I have?" Li Shiyin awkwardlyughed.


    Li Zhan did not humor her denial, simply blowing on the ink markings on the paper instead.


    The entire study was filled solely with the sounds of Li Zhan blowing and drying the ink markings - honestly, this sound caused Li Shiyin to feel afraid, as though she had returned to Dasang Vige once more.


    When the ink had fully dried, Li Zhan finally continued speaking. "Going half a year without returning home, only to aplish great things once back. Beating the schr-officials'' sons from the homes of the Minister of Personnel, General Who Pacifies the North, and the Hanlin academicians'' households as well as that Eighth Prince''s household, all in but the second day. If this is not ability, then what is?"


    Upon hearing this and recalling that the servant had just mentioned Li Zhan returning from the Imperial Pce, Li Shiyin realized that the problem was likely more serious than expected. Thus, she no longer kept up her previously grinning and jesting attitude, and instead silently lowered her head.


    Seeing that Li Shiyin did not continue retorting, which was a rare sight, Li Zhan felt strange inwardly and nced over, only to behold that wild child kneeling there looking surprisingly well-behaved and aware of her mistakes.


    "Oh? Have you finally learned to wise up?" He asked in astonishment.


    Li Shiwen looked at Li Shiyin as well, also shocked to discover his little sister seeming to have developed more cunning schemes and plots now...just a bit, but not many.


    Li Zhan put down the paper and rose to his feet.


    Yet the instant he stood up, the entire study seemed to shrink. An incredibly oppressive atmosphere descended, leaving Li Shiyin to feel as though a Nascent Soul stage senior was about to take action.


    "Here ites - the big explosion is imminent." She gritted her teeth, preparing to withstand her father''s impending wrath.


    And indeed...


    "Bang!"


    Li Zhan mmed the desk heavily as he roared,


    "In the middle of a heavy snowstorm, you not only beat up their household but stillcked the decency to stop at that? You stripped them naked and paraded them on all fours to return home, in full view of everymoner in Danyang City! Is this something a person is capable of doing?! Much less a youngdy from a respectable family?!!


    "Utterly disgraceful! Could you not have at least blindfolded them?! Left them a strip of cloth to cover up with?!! Even a dog leash would have been better!!! Aplete loss of conscience!! Simply no better than demons, demons themselves would be more merciful!!"


    As Li Zhan scolded and berated them, he walked over to this side, such that his flying spittle evennded on Li Shiwen''s face.


    Li Shiwen wiped his face indifferently and turned his dead fish eyes towards Li Zhan. Seizing the break in between Li Zhan''s tirade, heughed aloud, "Father, actually you are quite happy about this, aren''t you?!"


    "Happy?" Li Shiyin tilted her head to nce at her elder brother. Has he gone mad from the scolding? Where did you espy any happiness?


    Li Zhan skeptically eyed Li Shiwen without replying, yet tacitly granting Li Shiwen time to borate his point.


    "The schr-officials, the Hanlin academicians, the royalty - that whole pedantic bunch has always looked down on us military men, with Xiang Hui especially at odds with us. By beating up those four, Shiyin has...in a way helped you vent some pent-up frustrations, I''d reckon. All this time, you must have..."


    Here, recalling his own recently listless state, Li Shiwen did not continue that train of thought, changing tracks as he went on,


    "Moreover, you should have be aware of this matter almost immediately. Yet you did not summon us. I also believe you must have been attempting to shield us secretly - maybe things could have still blown over then. But unexpectedly, after Prime Minister Cheng Nan''s marriage proposal was rejected yesterday..."


    He nced briefly at Li Shiyin. "I presume they must have collectively petitioned the Emperor after banding together, alongside Prime Minister Cheng Nan''s momentum, resulting in this exposure before His Majesty. Thus this mattering to light now."


    When Li Shiwen finished, Li Shiyin goggled her eyes at him. Wow, that was impressively well-reasoned! But why could she notprehend any bit of it? Then...


    "Since when did you be so smart?" she whispered to Li Shiwen.


    Wasn''t their sworn oath as siblings to remain stupid together for life? So who had secretly been raising their IQ?


    Li Shiwen nted his eyes at her in silence. "Do I have to explicitly announce everywhere that you were the one ying dumb all this while?"


    "Humph!" Li Zhan coldly sounded. "You have still failed to touch on the crux of the issue."


    "Hmm?" Li Shiwen was bewildered.


    "As expected, we are still on the same level after all." Li Shiyin contentedly nodded her head.


    "The understanding among Danyang''s prominent households is for the younger generation''s issues to remain strictly within their own domain," Li Zhan exined. "Although your actions were somewhat overboard, it should not have escted to reach His Majesty''s attention."


    "Then why has it still managed to catch His Majesty''s notice?" He posed the question to Li Shiwen once more.


    Li Shiwen lowered his head in contemtion briefly before realization struck as he turned to look at Li Shiyin instead.


    "Because of Shiyin?"


    "No..." Li Zhan shook his head while likewise looking at Li Shiyin. "Because of a powerful cultivator."

 Chapter 216

    Chapter 216


    My name is Jiang Xiaobai. I am the number one swordmaster of North Chu Country.


    When I was first called a swordmaster, I felt very nervous and ashamed, because I knew there were countless sword cultivators in North Chu Country more powerful than me. I was just an ordinary sword cultivator.


    But after being called that more and more, I gradually got used to it. After blocking assassins from the North Chu imperial family many times, they were convinced by my peerless swordmaster style, and the Emperor of North Chu named me the number one swordmaster of North Chu.


    Gradually, I realized that among the small sect disciples and rogue cultivators, none were a match for me in swordsmanship. I seemed quite suitable for the title of swordmaster.


    Once, a disciple of the Boundless Sword Sect came to Danyang to challenge me and lost in three sword strikes from my Void Sword. So I realized even disciples from major sects were nothing special. I was indeed the number one swordmaster of North Chu Country.


    My name is Jiang Xiaobai. I am the number one swordmaster of North Chu Country.


    That winter, the Emperor of North Chu came looking for me. He said the Li family had an amazing new sword cultivator with excellent aptitude and strength. She would definitely be someone important in the future. He hoped I could defeat her, give her some pointers, and make her stay in North Chu Country to serve them.


    At first I was unwilling. There were too many talented sword cultivators in this world. If I had to teach every one, what face would I, a swordmaster, have left?


    But they offered a lot¡ª500 spirit stones to take action just once!


    ...Actually I really enjoy mentoring juniors. As a swordmaster, it''s my duty to ensure sword cultivators worldwide can safely walk the sword path.


    The first time I met her was on a cold rainy day. The sky was gloomy. Rain mixed with snow fell. The whole world was freezing and damp, very ufortable.


    The Emperor arranged for us to meet in a pavilion in the Imperial Gardens. To match my status as a swordmaster, I lit some fine incense in the pavilion, brewed some fine tea, opened a jar of fine wine, hung an exceptional sword, and stood with my back to the stairs to add an air of mystery.


    The Emperor and general brought her up to the pavilion to meet me. Though my back was turned, I still sensed her appraising me. Her faint, sharp sword qi made my spine tingle.


    Sword qi? Indeed a good seedling.


    So when she called me "swordmaster," I turned to face her...


    I... Swordmaster above! Was there ever such a beautiful woman in this world?


    No, I mean, how can there be a sword prodigy with excellent aptitude, looks, and talent!


    I decided I would seriously guide her... If possible, give her a chance to be my disciple.


    For a sword cultivator, having the swordmaster as master is such an honor...


    Hey! What''s with that sneaky smile?


    I noticed the young woman was smiling to herself as she bowed to me. Though very cute when smiling, my keen senses told me her smile held ridicule aimed at me.


    I didn''t see what was so funny. To be honest, I was a bit angry. If not for her excellent aptitude, I would have left already.


    I suppressed my anger and had them sit after bowing.


    I brewed them tea myself. Seeing her sitting thereposedly drinking tea, I asked, "What''s your name?"


    "Li Shiyin, 17 years old," her father, the North Chu general Li Zhan, answered for her.


    I had seen General Li Zhan a few times, but didn''t have much impression of him... Few cultivators take notice of mortals.


    I was unhappy Li Shiyin didn''t answer me herself, and nced at Li Zhan hoping he would catch my meaning.


    I asked the girl called Li Shiyin again, "What''s your cultivation level?"


    Perhaps Li Zhan didn''t know or was clever enough not to speak again. Li Shiyin put down her teacup demurely¡ªso cute¡ªand answered, "Mid Foundation Establishment."


    Her voice was clear and melodic like the ring of an exceptional sword leaving its sheath. I was enchanted.


    Mid Foundation at 17. I nodded. Her aptitude was indeed impressive, not far from me at that age. I was preparing to form my gold core at 17. But she seemed to have gained insight into sword qi already, quite rare.


    "Not bad..." I drank some tea andmented, "You seem to have gained insight into sword qi already?"


    "Yes," Li Shiyin nodded to me.


    The way she nodded was also cute. Smiling, each nod struck my heart.


    I panicked a little and hurriedly lowered my eyes to drink tea, silent for a good while... They probably thought I was pondering deeply.


    After some time, seeing me stay silent for so long, Li Shiyin asked me, "What''s Your cultivation level, Swordmaster?"


    The corners of her lips curled up as if mocking me, but I was distracted by those alluring, plump, red lips and didn''t see what she was smiling about exactly.


    "Late Gold Core," I answered.


    I formed my gold core at 20 years old, and reachedte Gold Core stage at 207. My cultivation advanced quite smoothly with excellent aptitude. And I was still quite young¡ªin human terms I was in my prime, young and vigorous.


    "Wow, so impressive!" said Li Shiyin.


    I had heard too much ttery in North Chu, but felt all of itbined didn''tpare to this one line that set my heart aflutter. I definitely smiled unconsciously and asked her again, "What swordy do you cultivate? Flying sword or sword in hand?"


    "Sword in hand," she replied.


    "No good..." I shook my head. "Sword in hand is amateur swordsmanship. Only flying swords represent the true sword path."


    "Oh, I see, I see..." She nodded, agreeing with my viewpoint.


    "You can switch and join my tutge. I''ll teach you authentic flying sword arts," I encouraged her. "You''re only in Mid Foundation Establishment. There''s still time to change your cultivation."


    "No need, no need. It would be too much trouble for you," she kindly took me into consideration.


    Seeing her lovely appearance, I still couldn''t bear her straying down the wrong path. I figured that if I demonstrated flying swords'' power, she would realize sword in hand couldn''tpare. With her talent, still only 16 or 17, if she discovered hand sword inferiority herself, she would definitely beg me to ept her as a disciple to teach her flying swords... A girl should cultivate flying swords really.


    With this in mind, I waved my hand and drew the flying sword hanging under the pavilion eaves. Then I manipted it to swim and fly within the pavilion like fish and birds ording to my will.


    I looked to her. She watched wide-eyed, continuously nodding and pondering deeply, clearly fascinated by me. Pleased with myself, I decided to show off a bit more for her benefit. I sent the flying sword out of the pavilion and, with a sudden shake, transformed it into an enormous sword over 100 yards long suspended in midair.


    It wasn''t an insubstantial sword qi construct, but solid steel.


    Surely she had never seen anything like this. Her eyes opened wide, astonished by my disy.


    "The so-called ''flying sword taking heads thousands of miles away.'' On a battlefield stretching hundreds of miles holding ten thousand mile rivers and mountains, the flying sword goes forth and millions yield. Lopping heads invisibly, deterring petty viins," I boasted, taking the chance to expound to her, "How about that for Void Flying Sword arts?"


    She clicked her tongue in wonder, shaking her head. "So powerful, incredible, just incredible!"


    Very happy, I urged her again, "I''m willing to instruct you. Will you learn or not?"


    She pondered briefly before suddenly saying, "You are quite skilled and powerful indeed. Why don''t we find a ce to exchange pointers and spar?"


    I quickly realized something was off. She must have some background. But it was toote to back down now.


    "Please go ahead whenever you like," I stated coolly, retracting the sword. "No need to go elsewhere."


    "Here?" She looked around the pavilion and shook her head. "Too unfair to you."


    She probably didn''t realize the vast disparity betweente Gold Core stage and mid Foundation Establishment. I chuckled lightly to reassure her. "No matter. Go ahead and attack me with everything you have. I''ll take it."


    "Let''s just try it out first then. If it doesn''t work, we''ll find another ce," she said, taking out a sword from her cosmic bag.


    A cosmic bag and precious sword... I suddenly sensed something wrong. She might have some background. But it was toote to back out now.


    "Go ahead," I repeated. However strong she was, she was still just a Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    "Get ready!" she warned me.


    I heard the ring of a sword leaving its sheath. Then my vision blurred. The charming girl before my eyes disappeared. I reacted quickly, already manipting my sword to defend, but still, toote.


    "You lose," her voice rang in my ears. I looked over and saw frost in her eyes, as sharp as a sword''s edge, with a sword de pressed against my neck.


    Lose...I lost too quickly, I didn''t even have time to react in my heart, I don''t know what it feels like, I couldn''t get any words out.


    "It''s too cramped here, and we''re too close. You practice flying sword techniques, which is very unfair to you," she said, putting away her sword and going to the attic window. "Shall we fight again outside?"


    I don''t know when I got put in a passive position. I looked over at the North Chu Emperor and Li Zhan. Although their faces were expressionless, there was ridicule hidden deep in their eyes... She said to go outside and fight again, so let''s go outside and fight again.


    "Okay," I nodded woodenly.


    She disyed her ghostly movement technique, and suddenly disappeared from the window ledge. I summoned another flying sword, erged it, and rode it outside.


    I saw her standing in the rain and snow in the imperial gardens. Although it was cold, she really looked so beautiful.


    "I''m ready!" She''s so nice, even giving me a reminder.


    I saw her gathering starlight, with every bit of power in her body lighting up. She was like a star in the darkness, her whole body bright. I knew she was unleashing her most powerful move...


    She called out the name of the technique out loud. I heard it clearly: "Hea...ven... Soar...ing... Fairy..." What a nice name, just like her.


    I also used my strongest move, merging my six void swords into one hundred-zhang tall physical sword.


    Her sword qi flew over ¡ª I saw clearly that she had not just initiallyprehended sword qi, her sword qi realm was already extremely terrifying ¡ª I used my sword to defend against it.


    My flying sword collided with her sword qi in midair, persisting for a long time before I barely prevailed.


    But...


    I knew I lost.


    If this were a life or death battle on the battlefield, she could easily have used her ghostly movement to make it so I wouldn''t be able to find her at all, then approached me with her sword.


    She was still one whole realm lower than me in sword cultivation, yet she collided with my flying sword using only her sword qi. She was purelyparing the power of our moves.


    I won, but I lost.


    I stood in the rain and snow for a long, long time. I don''t even know when they left. All I know is that today''s rain and snow was very cold.


    "Puh!" I suddenly couldn''t stand it anymore and spit out a huge mouthful of blood, then lost my bnce in midair and fell down.


    Some people shouted "Sword God! Sword God!" and came over to help me up.


    I''m sick, gravely ill...


    7017k

 Chapter 217

    Chapter 217


    After fighting with the guy called the Number One Sword Saint of North Chu, Li Shiyin felt it was not bad. That guy did have some skills... Though it would be perfect if he did not call himself the Number One Sword Saint of North Chu.


    The Number One Sword Saint? It''s so funny. Li Shiyin covered her mouth, but still let out a "kukuku" sound.


    Li Zhan looked back at Li Shiyin and asked, "Who won in the end, you or him?"


    The fight between the two in the attic ended in an instant, with Li Shiyin''s sword at Jiang Xiaobai''s neck. Li Zhan saw it clearly that Li Shiyin had won.


    But the battle between the two of them in the Imperial Garden was earth-shaking, with the heavens and earth changing color. The two extremely terrifying huge swords confronted each other in midair. Finally, everything became calm. Li Shiyin put away her sword and returned to the attic, while Jiang Xiaobai the Sword Saint stayed in midair. At this point, Li Zhan could not tell who had won.


    "Oh, he won," Li Shiyin told Li Zhan. "He was at the Gold Core stage, so his spiritual power was more abundant than mine. I could not oust him. Also, his flying sword was real while my sword qi was virtual, so it was not as good as his."


    Although Li Shiyin said so, Li Zhan still looked at her a few more times. He really did not expect that she had made such progress after secretly going out to cultivate for just half a year... She could now confront North Chu''s Number One Sword Saint head-on.


    "You won one round and he won one round. That can be considered a tie," he nodded and said, "Quite impressive. I guess His Majesty would not make things difficult for us anymore."


    Previously, the Li family had dominated the military in the North Chu court. Xiang Ji was propped up by the Emperor to check and bnce the Li family, but he was far from enough. And this year, after Li Konghe passed away and Li Shiwen lost power, the Emperor took the opportunity to weaken the Li family, and by now, the Li family had lost most of its power.


    If Li Shiyin had lost to Jiang Xiaobai today, the Emperor would have taken the opportunity to act wildly. In the future, the Li and Xiang families might have exchanged positions. At best, they could only check and bnce each other.


    But with a tie, the Emperor would not dare to act rashly anymore.


    This was the influence that top martial power had on politics.


    In fact, Li Shiyin did not think much about the political changes. She looked at Li Zhan, wanting to say that if she had wanted to kill Jiang Xiaobai, he would have be a corpse long ago. But in the end she did not say it.


    "Why do you call him the Number One Sword Saint?" She just asked this question.


    "It''s just a title to deter evildoers," Li Shiyin''s victory made Li Zhan quite happy. He exined to Li Shiyin, "Think about it. If a cultivator unfamiliar with North Chu hears that there is a Number One Sword Saint in the imperial pce, wouldn''t they not dare to act rashly? It also serves to attract cultivators who covet power, status and wealth. After hearing about the Number One Sword Saint conferred by the court, wouldn''t theye to seek an official position?


    "Of course, Jiang Xiaobai is quite powerful. I''ve seen him in the pce before, sending out a flying sword that fetched the head of an enemy outside Danyang City. It really was an immortal technique."


    "But Dad, the whole cultivation world is vast and boundless. A cultivator who truly fears the cultivation world would not call himself the Number One or Number Two Sword Saint. Because in the eyes of real cultivators, it is actually quite ridiculous." So Li Shiyin also seriously exined to Li Zhan about the cultivation world, "The cultivators you attract this way are mostly arrogant, ipetent and narrow-minded."


    "Oh?" Li Zhan was surprised. "Is that so?"


    "Yes, I''m just an ordinary cultivator in the Dao Sword Sect, and Jiang Xiaobai can''t even beat me. And there are hundreds and thousands of cultivators like me in the Dao Sword Sect. Then there are five sects like the Dao Sword Sect in North Chu Country," Li Shiyin earnestly counted with her fingers for Li Zhan. "Think about it, how many more powerful sword cultivators are therepared to Jiang Xiaobai?"


    Li Zhan had not thought that much about it. The matters of immortals were too far removed from him. He just looked at Li Shiyin, thinking that this kid who always made him worry had changed.


    Father and daughter walked out of the pce. Outside the pce gate was a luxurious carriage, with a sleazy young man next to it. Seeing the father and daughtere out of the pce gate, he put his hands in his sleeves, shrugged his shoulders, and asked with a smile, "How was the battle? I could see your movement even from the outer gate."


    "Eh! Li Shiwen, look at your sloppy appearance! I don''t even want to tell others you are my brother." Li Shiyin shook her head in disgust and got into the carriage.


    Li Zhan also red at Li Shiwen with a speechless expression.


    But Li Shiwen still noticed that Li Shiyin''s face was pale. He asked into the carriage, "You didn''t lose, did you?"


    "How could I lose?" Li Shiyin''s little head popped out of the carriage curtain, looking at Li Shiwen who was climbing up to drive the carriage. She smiled and said, "Dad said we tied."


    "Dad said so?" Li Shiwen turned the carriage around towards home, nced back at Li Shiyin, and asked softly, "What exactly happened?"


    Li Shiyin wrinkled her nose and pouted, looking utterly disdainful.


    Li Shiwen understood tacitly, and gave Li Shiyin a thumbs up: "Good little sister."


    As the local bully of Danyang City who had just returned home, she had caused changes in the situation across North Chu with just her presence, with undercurrents surging in secret. Although she did not understand any of it herself, she really was quite busy, because on average there was a bigmotion every three days.


    It was not until recently, when the year was clearlying to an end and the New Year was approaching, that she finally got some free time.


    She no longer went out to cause trouble, and concentrated on staying home to apany her parents.


    She told them about her happy life in the Dao Sword Sect.


    She said that in the Dao Sword Sect there was a Dan Peak formed from a single spiritual vein, with a ck-bellied entric master on it, a talking cute white tiger, a little loli snake that could refine poison pills, a charming beautiful five-tailed fox;


    She said that there was a cool sword cultivator senior sister in the same batch who hadprehended sword intent and was even more powerful than her, a trash man full of fire, a pretentious fan shaking idiot, and a pair of identical twins...


    "Mom, I named the chasing wind, with the same name as the chasing wind in our family!" Li Shiyin leaned against Yang Yanqi andzily said, "Chasing wind is especially cute. He is a big tiger, but he can talk. His whole body is white, only the king character on his forehead is ck..."


    She wrote the king character on her own forehead to show Yang Yanqi.


    "His four paws are ck..."


    She stretched out her own hands and lifted her little feet to show Yang Yanqi.


    "There are four ck circles on his long tail."


    She showed Yang Yanqi her butt.


    "Hehe, I don''t have a tail."


    "I originally wanted to bring chasing wind back for you to see, but Master said he was too fierce. I''ll bring him back to show you after he bes smaller in the future. Oh mom, let me tell you, when I picked up chasing wind, he was this small..."


    She circled her tender forefinger and thumb to show Yang Yanqi, "Even smaller than a kitten, but now he is so big, this big..."


    She spread both hands apart, making a gesture that could not wrap around.


    "Chasing wind is a tiger. He can talk?" Yang Yanqi was very puzzled.


    "Yes, yes, isn''t it amazing! Master taught him..." Li Shiyin''s big eyes smiled into a slit, "Master said that people can learn to talk, so chasing wind can too. Then he taught chasing wind to talk, and chasing wind could talk."


    "Your Master is really a marvelous person," Yang Yanqi said with augh. "Since chasing wind is so big, won''t he hurt people?"


    "He won''t... He can''t beat me," Li Shiyin said proudly, and then thought of something andughed out loud, "But he would hurt Master! He just wants to y with Master, then he would crash into him, sending Master flying dozens of meters in an instant..."


    "Is your Master okay?" Yang Yanqi asked with concern.


    "He''s fine. Master is so powerful," Li Shiyin said. "Master always says, oh, I can''t fight, oh, I''m so weak, oh, run away quickly, be careful. But he is actually very powerful. Not only is Master powerful in fighting, he is also powerful in other aspects...


    "Master is very smart, smarter than the old tutor, Master knows everything. Master can refine pills, set up formations, sword techniques. The pills I gave you were refined by Master, and my sword techniques were taught by Master. Master is the most powerful."


    "Yes, it really is your blessing. Such an immortal of high virtue has lived for countless years and has infinite wisdom..." Yang Yanqi said, "You have to cultivate well with your Master."


    Li Shiyin heard this and giggled, saying, "Master is not old at all! Master is only twenty-five! And Master is not an immortal sage, he is sly and naughty..."


    As she spoke, she suddenly realized she had let something slip! She hurriedly covered her own mouth.


    "Twenty-five years old?" But Yang Yanqi was no ordinary person, and instantly grasped the key point, "Your master is so young, and you two are together day and night in Dan Peak..."


    With this lead, Yang Yanqi started working backwards, and everything became clear!


    "Ah! Mother, I just remembered I have something to do!" Li Shiyin suddenly jerked up from Yang Yanqi''s embrace, disyed the Feixian Question Dao, and vanished instantly.


    And Yang Yanqi watched Li Shiyin''s disappearing back, falling into contemtion.


    After running away from Yang Yanqi, Li Shiyin went to find Li Shiwen.


    Li Shiwen was nestled in a pavilion drinking wine. Li Shiyin came over and pulled him up, putting her arm around his shoulder and asking, "Do you want me to teach you a secret martial arts manual?"


    "What secret martial arts manual? I don''t want it." Li Shiwen simply rolled his eyes. He just wanted to drink.


    "Let me tell you, the way you are now, you can''t even beat Dan Peak''s cats," Li Shiyin said.


    "You call that a cat?" Li Shiwen''s pupils shook in shock. "Are you bullying me for not having seen Chasing Wind?"


    "That''s what Dan Peak''s cats look like," Li Shiyin said. "If you beg me, I''ll teach you a secret Dan Peak martial arts manual that isn''t passed down, and let you be unmatched under heaven in the future. What do you think, learn or not?"


    "Get out, I''m not learning!" Li Shiwen pushed Li Shiyin away, wanting to lie down again.


    Li Shiyin grabbed his shoulder again and pulled him up, asking "kindly", "Beg or not?"


    Li Shiwen''s back went cold, and he had no choice but to nod, "Lady warrior, I beg you to teach me the secret manual."


    "That''s more like it," Li Shiyin took out a stick from her heavenly bag and gave it to him, saying, "Actually, this is a martial art my master specially designed for you. It''s a spear art called Li Family Spear Art. He said if you don''t like it, name it yourself. It''s adapted from a body refining art.


    "I discovered my master seems to have foreseen your plight, specially urging me to teach you this spear art, saying it can help you turn the tide. What do you think?"


    Holding the stick, Li Shiwen thought of Qin Ran and couldn''t help feeling moved... This brother-inw really was too amazing. Even if he didn''t walk the cultivation path, in the mortal world he would definitely be a marquis or minister.


    Li Shiyin also took out some pills from her heavenly bag, saying, "Body refining arts are too fierce. If you just cultivate skills without self-cultivation, it will harm your body. Your aptitude is too poor to cultivate. You can only use pills to nurture your body.


    "When you practice martial arts in the future, you need to take these pills on time."


    Li Shiwen received the pills as well.


    "Alright..." Li Shiyin took out another stick, smiling devilishly, "Let''s embark on our happy martial arts journey!"


    Firecrackers and fireworks, these are indispensable for New Year''s, without the smell of gunpowder and sound of firecrackers, it can''t be called year''s end. Delicious food and nice clothes, on New Year''s Eve they''re all waiting for these things. Without eating the delicious home cooking, without wearing new clothes, it just doesn''t feel like New Year''s.


    After busy with rituals and ancestor worship all day, by the time they finished dinner, the sky was already pitch ck.


    Seeing other families'' fireworks in the night sky, Li Shiyin hurriedly pulled Li Shiwen along to go set off fireworks, leading the Li family''s servants in a huge procession.


    One firework after another bloomed in the sky, like cotton balls under the sun, like dandelions in a breeze. Gorgeous lights lit up as fireworks crackled, and snowkes drifted down from the night sky.


    Leaning on Li Shiwen''s shoulder, watching the sky full of fireworks, Li Shiyin suddenly thought of Dan Peak. Dan Peak, did it also have fireworks? Did it also celebrate New Year''s?


    Looking at the night sky, she wondered again, what was Master doing right now? She suddenly missed him so much...

 Chapter 218

    Chapter 218


    Fireworks exploded in the night sky, and the sudden sh of white light illuminated Qin Ran on the deste mountain.


    On this snowy night, Li Shiyin was setting off fireworks, while Qin Ran was watching the fireworks.


    The fireworks Li Shiyin set off were from her family''s stash, in the backyard of her home, together with her elder brother, lighting up the dazzling fireworks.


    Meanwhile, Qin Ran was watching other people''s fireworks. He was alone on a mountain outside the city walls, in the darkness, getting drenched in the rain, watching the fireworks lighting up someone else''s night sky.


    He was on the outskirts of Qingyuan City, while his parents in this life were inside Qingyuan City.


    Qin Ran was someone who ced a lot of emphasis on ceremony and tradition. After arriving in this world, even though he lived alone, he would still observe the traditional festivals from his past life. He would pay respects to his master on Tomb Sweeping Day; make rice dumplings on the Dragon Boat Festival; burn paper money on the Ghost Festival; make mooncakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival; set off firecrackers on New Year''s Eve.


    He remembered the festivals from his past life, but... he always spent the festivals alone.


    In fact, his family in this life were all still around - both parents alive and well, right in Qingyuan City, close to the Dao Sword Sect. If he wanted, he could make the trip back and forth in a day. It was just hard to say if he felt any emotional connection to them.


    He had gone up the mountains to cultivate at a very young age, probably only five years old. Plus, he was originally a wandering soul in a different world. How could anyone expect him to have feelings for the parents in this world?


    Although he kept tabs on them and secretly helped to make their lives better, in the end, he never met up with them again.


    If Li Shiyin had not said she was going home for the new year, perhaps he would not have thought toe here on this day of the new year, to "go home".


    "Home" was inside the city, but right now, standing here, what he felt was a loneliness from the entire world. This loneliness had nothing to do with cultivators or mortals, but was because he and this world were out of sync.


    The new year... the world was extremely lively, but he had no part in that liveliness.


    It rained all night, and Qin Ran, a water-element mage, was drenched to the bone. It was not until dawn that he finally entered Qingyuan City.


    When the faintest sliver of light appeared in the east, illuminating the world a little, he turned and left, moving away from Qingyuan City.


    Qin Ran located the direction of the Dao Sword Sect, and took step after step, walking back to Dan Peak like a mortal. Perhaps... that was the only ce he could call home.


    From Qingyuan to the Dao Sword Sect, if he had used his abilities as a cultivator to fly or teleport, he would have arrived in the blink of an eye. But walking like an ordinary human, it took Qin Ran over ten days to make the journey.


    He walked step by step, through mud-covered paths, through roads overgrown with thorns, over jagged rocky terrain, across wide rivers and streams, through ces without roads, where giant trees and boulders blocked the way. His clothes tore and his shoes fell apart as he slogged through the mud, thorns, gravel and streams barefooted.


    He did not know why he insisted on traveling this way, but this was the path he took... as if crossing tribtions on the path of cultivation; to find a home, a ce of spiritual belonging, also required "crossing tribtions".


    Along the way, he saw hunters who ignored the new year and the cold, venturing alone into the mountains; he saw emaciated, pale old beggar women pleading by the roadside; he glimpsed birds and beasts lurking in the roadside woods; he came across dead bodies on the road; he saw corpses and skeletons in the thickets...


    He witnessed the living beings of this mundane world. It seemed that no matter which world, which era, the lives ofmoners at the lowest rungs of society were always the same.


    The suffering of all living beings.


    The new year signified an ending of the old and a beginning of the new, an omen of better days, new hopes for life, a time for... happiness. It should be a time of joy.


    But what did this new year have anything to do with the multitudes mired in misery? What did it have to do with him, Qin Ran?


    Qin Ran walked several hundred miles in the rain, looking no different from the hobbling beggar women on the roadside, before finally making his way back to the Dao Sword Sect.


    He gazed up at the mountain gate of the Dao Sword Sect, and wondered - what difference was there between him, a cultivator of the martial world, and themon people of the mortal world? There was no difference from the wandering destitute beggars.


    Looking as shabby as he did, he was even driven away by petty and vicious fellow cultivators... Such an esteemed immortal sect like the Dao Sword Sect, beggars should keep their distance.


    So in the end, there was not much separating man from immortal.


    He did not bother pursuing the wrongdoing of those outer sect disciples, merely taking out his identity token on his own and opening the passage array into the Dao Sword Sect.


    Arriving at Dan Peak, Qin Ran looked up at the mist outside formed by the mountain-protecting grand formation that he had slowly built up bit by bit with his own hands. Dan Peak - this used to be his home in this different world.


    But...


    Havinge this far, he realized that perhaps a person''s home was not any one ce, but a certain someone instead.


    "Sigh!"


    He heaved a sigh, and waved his hand to open up the array passage...


    And saw that someone.


    He didn''t know when, but it had stopped raining. On the grassywn in front of the little wooden cottage at Dan Peak, two blurry figures in red and white were chasing each other yfully - the red one was Li Shiyin in her red dress, the white one was Chasing the Wind in his snowy fur.


    These two rascals could never sit still for a day.


    Qin Ran passed through the array and stood watching them from thewn.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin was the first to spot Qin Ran''s return, and she dashed over excitedly, originally wanting to give Qin Ran a big bear hug, but halted abruptly when she saw the sorry state he was in. "Master! What happened to you?"


    She added, "You look just like Li Shiwen now."


    Chasing the Wind ran over as well, and circled Qin Ran, sniffing him all over. The big furball shook his head repeatedly: "Daddy, did someone bully you?"


    Qin Ran held down Chasing the Wind''s constantly swiveling cat head, and smiled at Li Shiyin as he asked, "When did youe back?"


    "I''ve been back for many days already!" Li Shiyin replied. "I came back right after the new year, of course!"


    She looked Qin Ran over, and suddenly her two hands fidgeted with the edges of her dress. Finally, with a maiden''s shyness, she lowered her head and said softly, "How would I know Master wasn''t at Dan Peak?"


    The shy charms of a young maiden were too tempting - Qin Ran desperately wanted to stride forward and wrap her in a tight embrace, to cherish her tenderly, but he didn''t. Through tremendous strength of will, he held himself back.


    He looked away and answered, "I went wandering about."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin nced down at Qin Ran''s feet and saw that his shoes were torn apart, with a few toes poking out from the uppers.


    She took out two pairs of shoes from her cosmic bag and handed them to Qin Ran, her voice growing even smaller, "Master, shoes for you."


    These were shoes Yang Yanqi had given to her before she left home. Yang Yanqi had told her, "This is a custom from your mother''s side. If you like a boy, you give him shoes, so his steps will never leave your heart."


    These were love tokens, signs of affection.


    Qin Ran didn''t know their meaning. Assuming they were ordinary gifts, he smiled and epted them, saying, "Thank you."


    Hearing themotion of Qin Ran''s return, Long Qiqi poked her head out from the greenhouse. Seeing Li Shiyin''s demeanor, she frowned, "Why is Li Shiyin acting so girly today?"


    The family of three walked towards the little wooden house. Qin Ran raised his head and saw that the skies that had been overcast, rainy or snowy for over a month, finally cleared of clouds, with rays of sunlight peeking out at the horizon.


    The new year had arrived, and so had the spring.

 Chapter 219

    Chapter 219


    Li Shiyin returned to Dan Peak, and Qin Ran also returned to Dan Peak, so Dan Peak, which had been deserted for over ten days, resumed its ordinary daily state.


    After returning to Dan Peak, Qin Ran became very busy, or it could be said that he was living a very fulfilling life. He would either cultivate, concoct pills,prehend formations, read books, go fishing, y the flute, teach disciples, and so on. It was a life of leisure and fulfillment as a cultivator.


    Life is not always spectacr, and ordinary daily life is the main melody. Especially for cultivators'' lives of cultivation, because of their longer lifespan,pared to ordinary people''s daily lives, it is even more monotonous.


    For ordinary cultivators, cultivation and closed-door training upy the vast majority of their long lives.


    Dan Peak has the soul of a modern person, which is much better than that of ordinary cultivators.


    Days went by steadily, and spring quickly passed and the weather warmed uppletely.


    Li Shiyin had initially mastered the Heart Divine Eye, plus her learning and mastery of human meridians, acupoints, paths of spiritual power operation, she could already see through most people''s weaknesses at a nce.


    And at this time, she discovered an extremely terrifying thing, that is, when she looked at her master with her heart divine eye, she found that the master had no weaknesses... The master was stronger than she imagined.


    She also picked up another sword move from the Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique, "Pluck the Stars Sword".


    Pluck the Stars Sword is a means of long-range attack. The specific move is that the practitioner can condense starlight into a sword at a distance, and then attract the starlight sword back to himself, in order to kill the enemy.


    Because Li Shiyin hadprehended sword qi, when condensing the starlight sword at a distance, she could directly rece it with star sword qi, so her Pluck the Stars Sword had a much faster condensing speed and much greater power than the ordinary Pluck the Stars Sword.


    And with her own sword dao talent, she also learned the Pluck the Stars Sword very quickly, and soon she was able to condense three strands of star sword qi at a distance.


    Spring arrived, the temperature warmed up, and Long Qiqi, the poisonous snake, finally revived and was no longer thezy snake she was in winter.


    She studied the "Dan Fire" material given to her by Qin Ran again and again, and found some rted books by herself. After spending more than a month preparing... With a strong scent of Qin Ran, she waspletely Qin Ran''s direct disciple.


    On this day, she went to find Li Shiyin and asked Li Shiyin to take her to find Dan Fire. And Li Shiyin was bored from practicing in Dan Peak every day, and had long wanted to sneak out and make trouble. So the two hit it off instantly, packed up on the spot and went down the mountain the same day.


    Poor Chasing the Wind, who had happily sparred with Li Shiyin that morning when he went out, couldn''t find Li Shiyin anywhere when he came back at noon.


    "Dad, where''s Shiyin?" He ran to thekeside to ask Qin Ran.


    "She went down the mountain." Qin Ran was reading a book under the willow tree by theke and answered casually.


    The Demon Devouring Extreme Willow by theke that was struck by lightning had beenpletely reborn. Inside, the infant Demon Devouring Extreme Willow had been sessfully brainwashed by Qin Ran and turned into his demon pet; on the outside, the charred Demon Devouring Extreme Willow was blown by the spring breeze and had sprouted several tender yellow willow branches.


    "What did she go down the mountain for?" Chasing the Wind asked further.


    "Qiqi is going to look for Dan Fire."


    "How long will it take to find Dan Fire?"


    "Hard to say, maybe she''ll be back in three or two days; or maybe she won''t be back for months."


    "Wow! They are bad guys!" Chasing the Wind howled in pain, "Leaving me alone and going out to y by themselves."


    "What are you howling about? Quiet down!" Qin Ran pped his wide open mouth.


    Chasing the Wind had no choice but to lie down dejectedly by theke.


    Next to the Demon Devouring Extreme Willow, in order to slightly disguise the Demon Devouring Extreme Willow, Qin Ran had nted many ordinary willow trees. nted in winter, they were still small trees now, but had sprouted.


    Lying down, Chasing the Wind could lift his big head slightly to y with the fresh willow branches.


    A white tiger ying with willow branches by the White Tiger Lake was also a very interesting scene.


    The book Qin Ran was reading today was about medicinal herbs and ingredients. Recently he had gained some insight into pills for longevity, and had been looking for herbs in the past two days to prepare a pill form to try refining.


    After flipping through for a while, he finally found thest two medicines, "Hundred Year Lingzhi" and "Thousand Leaf Sweet Dew". After carefully pondering in his heart, he felt he was on the right track, so he closed the book, stood up and prepared to try it out in the research building.


    When he looked aside, Chasing the Wind was nowhere to be seen. He didn''t know when the silly kid had slipped away.


    But Qin Ran was not worried about this. After all, this was a tiger cub. Up until now, he still hadn''t torn the house downpletely. Qin Ran felt that his education work had been done quite well.


    Why demand so much more? Was he supposed to expect a tiger to read books quietly every day?


    After stretching, Qin Ran walked along theke bank to the river bank. Just as he had walked a few steps along the river bank, he saw Chasing the Wind''s big head emerge from the storage room in the distance, the big wooden frame in his mouth, the big wooden frame he used to drag around noisily when he was little.


    Qin Ran couldn''t figure out what the silly kid was up to.


    Over there, Chasing the Wind swayed as he strode arrogantly with the big wooden frame in his mouth. He went to the cat tree, circled around the cat tree, then estimated the height of the cat tree, and then with a flick of his head, easily jumped onto the six or seven-meter-high cat tree holding the wooden frame.


    The silly kid looked at the big wooden frame, his eyes full of delight. He was just about to try out the big wooden frame when he suddenly noticed Qin Ran watching him from the river bank. He immediately understood that his dad must also want to y with such a fun wooden frame, so very filially he asked, "Dad, do you want to y?"


    Qin Ran took a look at the wooden frame and firmly refused.


    Chasing the Wind was a little disappointed. Such a good thing, yet Dad didn''t want to y with him. So with a leap, he nimbly jumped into the wooden frame.


    The wooden frame was what he used when he was little. For him back then it was very big; but for him now, it was a little "tiny bit" small.


    Especially his idea of trying to fit himself into it.


    Poor little wooden frame, bearing something it shouldn''t have at its age.


    Chasing the Wind now weighed over a thousand pounds. Even if felines were made of water, trying to fit into that wooden frame was still asking too much of it.


    Qin Ran watched by the river bank as he saw Chasing the Wind''s white flesh squeezing out of the cracks in the wooden frame. The wooden frame creaked on the cat tree in the wind like a candle in the wind. He mourned for the wooden frame in his heart.


    Seeing Chasing the Wind sleeping cozily in the wooden frame, Qin Ran secretly shook his head. No matter how big the cat, it was still a cat. Cats had a mysterious fondness for cardboard boxes and wooden crates.


    He ignored Chasing the Wind and went straight to the research building.


    When Qin Ran was concocting medicine on the second floor of the research building, he suddenly heard a "bang" outside, followed by the sound of Chasing the Wind crashing to the ground with a "boom", then Chasing the Wind''s sad wail.


    "It...sted about ten minutes." Qin Ran shook his head, picturing in his mind Chasing the Wind''s pitiful look around the wooden frame debris on the verge of crying. He strangely wanted tough. "Happiness is gone, just like that."

 Chapter 220

    Chapter 220


    The Longevity Pill was ultimately a pill for extending life and longevity, so the pill form Qin Ran first devised contained health-boosting ingredients like Centennial Ganoderma lucidum, Thousand Year Ginseng, and Ten Thousand Year Deer Antler.


    ording to his idea, extracting andbining the medicinal essences of these spiritual medicines could achieve a stacking effect, breaking through the category of health supplements to achieve the goal of prolonging life.


    Thus, he prepared the medicinal materials and headed straight for the pill condensation chamber, though not the Earth me Chamber. Because the Longevity Pill was critically important, he decided to use his specialty of water refinement methods instead of fire refinement.


    Upon entering the pill condensation chamber, he took out the Nine Provinces Cauldron and ced it at the exact center of the chamber.


    Stepping in front of the cauldron, Qin Ran took out all the medicinal materials he had devised for the Longevity Pill recipe and threw them into the Nine Provinces Cauldron. Then he ced his hand on the cauldron, closed his eyes, and simultaneously unleashed his magic power, alchemical water, and spiritual force.


    He activated the Nine Provinces Cauldron with his magic power to aid extracting the medicinal essences and increase the pill formation rate. He used the alchemical water to separate each type of medicinal material, enveloping them individually to prevent mixing. He manipted the process with his spiritual force, while simultaneously undergoing the first step of water-based pill refinement ¨C extracting the medicinal potency.


    The first step of fire-based pill refinement is to burn away impurities with alchemical fire (or earthly fire if alchemical fire is unavable), leaving only the essential medicinal potency. Water-based pill refinement, on the other hand, uses alchemical water to extract the medicinal essence from the materials, leaving the impurities behind.


    The two methods each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and their refinement steps differ drastically due to the different methods.


    Qin Ran was using water-based pill refinement, but his technique was extremely crude. This was thanks to his powerful spiritual force and sufficiently proficient pill refinement ability, allowing him to extract all the materials in one go like this.


    Just look at Long Qiqi ¨C carefully and gingerly adding the materials one by one, with the amount and timing needing prudent consideration. That is the normal pill refinement process for ordinary alchemists.


    Because being even a little careless could lead to major issues in the second step of pill refinement.


    The second step is fusing the medicinal potency to form a nascent pill. For fire refinement, the pure extracted medicinal essences are fused based on the medicinal configuration of the pill being refined. For water refinement, the essences are contained within the alchemical water, so the waters must bebined, also following medicinal configurations.


    Fusing the medicinal essences requires extremely meticulous technique. The smallest deviation could ruin the entire pill. Adding the materials individually distributes that step across the first step for each addition, allowing opportunities for adjustment and damage control.


    Whereas such crude refinement like Qin Ran¡¯s allowed little margin for error... Without sufficient spiritual power, failure would be guaranteed.


    Having extracted all the medicinal essences, Qin Ran hurriedly amplified his spiritual output to begin fusing the pill.


    For a novice like Long Qiqi, extracting the potency might be the hardest part of pill refinement. But for a veteran like Qin Ran, fusing the pill was the most critical step.


    One can reach a peak of extractive ability through enough practice before too long. But fusing pills is a different story, requiring treating each refinement as apletely new experience due to differences in materials and extraction efficiency every time.


    Despite Qin Ran¡¯s spiritual power being strong enough and his power control finely tuned, he still had to cautiously make multiple adjustments before producing nascent pills for three ¡°Longevity Pills¡±.


    The nascent pill from fire refinement is the fused medicinal configuration, so amplifying the fire at that point can instantlyplete the pill. But the water refinement nascent pill is the medicinal essences enveloped in alchemical water. The water must first be removed to obtain the finished pill.


    Can you see? Fire refinement has a harder early phase while water refinement has a harderte phase.


    Fire refinement risks burning the materials during the process. Water refinement risks destroying the nascent pill when extracting the water.


    Despite Qin Ran¡¯s formidable spiritual power, extracting the alchemical water while protecting the nascent pills still required utmost care. It was the most time-consuming part.


    Eventually, three dark green pills spun inside the Nine Provinces Cauldron.


    Gazing at the spinning pills, Qin Ran could not help feeling excited... Not so much from refining a sessful Longevity Pill. Simply that every time he refined a new pill, he could scarcely contain his thrill, like weing new life.


    Taking two deep breaths to settle his raging heart, he reached out his right hand to take the pills. Eyeing the obedient pills in his palm, he picked one up with his left hand and brought it to his lips, wanting to test the effect of this ¡°Longevity Pill¡±.


    Yet before it touched his lips he halted.


    Using himself to test pills was still too dangerous and reckless, even if this Longevity Pill was refined from supplement ingredients.


    At this moment Qin Ran was struck by the desire to nurture ¡°guinea pigs¡± again. But he did not know beast control, so cultivating appropriate guinea pigs for cultivation was still too difficult.


    He pondered briefly before putting away the pills and heading out of the research building.


    It waste night and Danfeng Mountain was pitch ck darkness.


    Qin Ran wandered Danfeng until finally stopping at Sword Washing Lake. He peered into the water then fished up a fish and forced open its mouth to stuff in a ¡°Longevity Pill¡±.


    ¡°For this treasure, you can count yourself fortunate,¡± he remarked with a shake of his head.


    He then marked this fish for easy monitoring of its prolonged lifespan beyond normal limits.


    With suchte night hours after pill refinement, Qin Ran also felt tired and headed straight to bed.


    The next day, while he was still fast asleep, he was suddenly awakened by Chasing the Wind''s noisy bellowing, "Dad! Dad! Bad guy! Bad guy!¡±


    Squinting blearily, Qin Ran irritably got out of bed and marched into the corridor.


    At the foot of the corridor on thewn below, Chasing the Wind ran over, about to leap onto the corridor. Seeing Qin Ran emerge, he halted and stood on three paws, raising one w to point at Sword Washing Lake, crying, "Dad! Over there, fish!"


    Sword Washing Lake? Fish?


    Qin Ran was instantly alert and quickly shed over using his movement technique.


    Wow!


    What a scene from hell!


    The original Sword Washing Lake had clear waters, misty surface, fish and shrimp ying beneath, plus various small aquatic creatures purchased by Danfeng residents, lotus blossoms, aquatic nts. Its banks were lush with grass, flowers and trees, the fruits of half a year''s efforts by Danfeng people to create this beautifulke view.


    Yet now the waters were pitch ck, noxious green miasma rising, all creatures dead and floating atop the surface, fish turned belly up. Even the trees Qin Ran had nted himself were somewhat withered.


    Surveying the utterly appalling scene of devastation, Qin Ran fell into contemtion...


    Could he have been infected by Long Qiqi''s touch?!


    "Dad, bad people! Bad people!" Chasing the Wind scampered about, searching for the intruder who had trespassed Danfeng Mountain.


    Qin Ran sampled someke water and sure enough detected yesterday¡¯s pill concoction.


    He gazed skyward in silence.


    Long Qiqi''s poison pills were tailored to her specific physique so that they were poison to others but fine for her. Yet this "Longevity Pill" Qin Ran had refined...


    Qin Ran now had to suspect he had been the one influencing Long Qiqi instead.


    With Chasing the Wind running elsewhere for now, Qin Ran quickly collected theke water into the Nine Provinces Cauldron, then took out another pill to ponder.


    "No! Master! Please no!" Suddenly a clear cry like a baby''s rang out. Qin Ran looked toward the voice to see the Devouring Demon Willow desperately swaying its branches pleadingly.


    It seemed this tree knew everything, so to preserve his dignity as the boss of Danfeng, did Qin Ran need to silence it permanently?


    In the end there was no murdering to keep secrets.


    Qin Ran returned to the research building and refined several more batches of these pills.


    Such extremely lethal concoctions brewed from beneficial spiritual medicines yet showing no outward signs of danger were simply the cultivation world¡¯s equivalent of untraceable poisons that ¡°show no color or vor before sealing the throat at first blood¡±!


    ...Qin Ran treasured away the pills, naming them ¡°Death Notice Pills¡±.

 Chapter 221

    Chapter 221


    Chasing the Wind ran back and forth on Dan Peak several times looking for the "enemy" that had invaded Dan Peak, but he did not find them. He was very unhappy and ran to Sword Washing Lake to find Qin Ran. He med himself, saying, "Dad, I can''t find that bad guy."


    The water in Sword Washing Lake had been taken away by Qin Ran, and the water in the river was gurgling into theke.


    It''s just that the water in theke can be refilled, but what about the fish and shrimp in it?


    Qin Ran was checking by thekeside whether the trees he had nted had any chance of surviving, while pondering this problem.


    Although fish and shrimp can be bought again, they won''t be the original fish and shrimp. ...For example, the dragon pattern carp that Li Shiyin had worked so hard to get.


    He didn''t know where to find a dragon pattern carp for Li Shiyin for the moment.


    Hearing Chasing the Wind''s self-me, he paid no attention and casually pointed outside Dan Peak, saying, "Maybe the bad guy ran outside."


    Chasing the Wind''s eyes lit up. That''s right! If the bad guy was not inside Dan Peak, then he could only be outside Dan Peak. Thinking of this, he immediately ran out.


    After sending Chasing the Wind away, Qin Ran continued to check the trees by theke. But the more he looked, the more restless he felt. After all, the creatures in theke were the main point.


    What if Li Shiyines back and can''t find her dragon pattern carp? Wouldn''t she suspect him of foul y? Where would he put his master''s face then?


    If Long Qiqi finds out that he has also refined poison pills, then he would lose facepletely and die directly.


    The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was going to happen. Qin Ran hurriedly put down the trees by theke and headed straight for the main peak to deal with the fish in theke first.


    When he arrived at the main peak, he went to the butler elder of Butler Hall to discuss and finally issued a "high price purchase of dragon pattern carp" mission, even a level two mission.


    Level two missions match level two demonic beasts, and the strength of level two demonic beasts matches Qi-buildingte-stage cultivators. Dao Sword Sect then rmends that disciples take on missions one level below their own. That meant Qin Ran had to find a Gold Core cultivator for this dragon pattern carp.


    Chasing the Wind circled Dan Peak from the Guardian Mountain Formation, and got Dan Peak''s underlings to help him search around. After circling several times and bullying several innocent people, he still did not find the culprit who had poisoned the sect.


    He was apetitive tiger. Since there was none in Dan Peak, he would look outside Dan Peak.


    On such a sunny spring day, Chasing the Wind trampled on shallow grass and wild flowers in Dao Sword Sect, running around madly looking for that extremely evil poisoner.


    Suddenly at one point...


    "Xuanming!"


    He heard an old voice calling out this name.


    But he paid no attention, because that was not his name and he did not know anyone called Xuanming.


    But then, that voice appeared again and again, right next to his ears.


    "Xuanming."


    "Xuanming?"


    "Xuanming..."


    He realized that the voice was probably calling him, so he stopped and pricked up his ears to listen.


    "Xuanming,e to me."


    Chasing the Wind hesitated, but still asked the air: "Are you calling me?"


    "You silly child, of course it''s you!"


    Chasing the Wind was puzzled: "But my name is not Xuanming, it''s Chasing the Wind."


    This rendered the old voice speechless.


    The voice didn''t speak again. Chasing the Wind felt doubtful in his heart, sensing something wrong with this person. He was not going to bother with him but continue looking for the poisoner.


    "Chasing the Wind?"


    At this moment, the voice rang out again.


    "Yeah!" Chasing the Wind opened his mouth wide and roared impatiently, "What do you want?"


    "Come to me!"


    "No!" Chasing the Wind directly refused.


    This silenced the voice again.


    Chasing the Wind waited a while longer, determined that this person was really crazy, and decided to ignore him. He continued walking forward.


    But...


    At his next step, his vision swirled, and the scenic spring mountain view before him changed into a strangely colored space.


    In this space, there was no up or down, left or right, no tangible substances. At first nce, there was only a colorful ckness that could describe it. Although it was pitch ck everywhere paradoxically it revealed many gorgeous colors.


    Chasing the Wind was stunned, not knowing why he had suddenlye to this ce. He looked back at himself and found that his four paws were treading on the colorful ck emptiness, but it felt as substantial as treading on firm ground.


    He looked around again, his ws silently extending as his demonic power circted within him.


    As a level 7 demonic beast with the qualifications to advance to level 8, Chasing the Wind''s cultivation resources were actually not inferior to Li Shiyin¡¯s. Like Li Shiyin, under Qin Ran''s abundant theoretical guidance, his strength had grown rapidly. Moreover, Qin Ran raised him with the attitude of raising his own son, and had never stinted on any resources for him.


    In fact... Chasing the Wind was even stronger than Li Shiyin.


    If Chasing the Wind fought desperately, even level 5 demonic beasts would not fare well under his ws.


    "Who are you?" he asked the air.


    He knew it must have been the earlier voice that had brought him here, but he did not recognize the other party or know their purpose.


    "Rx child, don''t be so aggressive," the voice rang out again.


    But this time, Chasing the Wind heard movement. His ck-gold tiger eyes nced sharply in that direction...


    Only to see in the near distance ahead, a giant snake emerging from the darkness?


    The snake looked a bit strange with a horn on its head, four legs on its belly,pletely ck, eagle eyes but a fish tail.


    Chasing the Wind had never seen such a creature before, but had seen simr ones, so he asked doubtfully: "Four-legged snake?"


    The creature was taken aback. Why was he being insulted as soon as they met? Fortunately he knew the cub before him was a silly young Xuanming Spirit Tiger, so this was likely just an innocent question.


    He threw back his head and guffawed,ughing until his whiskers shook. After a good while he finally stopped and said to Chasing the Wind: "I''m no snake, but a flood dragon. This old flood dragon lords over Dao Sword Sect, the guardian deity of Dao Sword Sect. I have been here for over three thousand years since Dao Sword Sect was founded.


    "My name is Ao Yi, I''m from the Demonic Beast Realm. I''m much older than you, just call me Big Brother Ao."


    Flood dragon?


    Chasing the Wind hurriedly asked: "So you''re a dragon?"


    "Dragon?" Ao Yi shook his head. "True dragons are naturally born divine beasts, how could I im to be a dragon?"


    "Oh..." Chasing the Wind was rather disappointed.


    He remembered Long Qiqi''s dream was to be a dragon, he had wanted to ask how to be one!


    Seeing no malice from this flood dragon, Chasing the Wind also retracted his ws. Then he asked doubtfully: "But why did you bring me here? Oh, where exactly is this ce?"


    "This is within the Guardian Mountain Formation of Dao Sword Sect," Ao Yi replied. "As for why I brought you here... It''s rare to see a demonic beast with bloodline purity like yours wandering Dao Sword Sect every day. I wanted to make friends on purpose. "


    "Make friends?" Chasing the Wind looked Ao Yi up and down. Ao Yi was over 30 meters long, but he was fearless as he asked: "So are you more powerful than me?"


    If they weren''t more powerful than him, then they could only be his underling... although they could still be called friends.


    "I should be a little bit more powerful than you," Ao Yi stretched out a dragon w and pinched to indicate a little bit.


    Chasing the Wind''s eyes lit up and he quickly said: "Then let''s fight!"


    "Fight?" Ao Yiughed. "Alright!!"


    He was bored to death anyway.

 Chapter 222

    Chapter 222


    In the evening, Chasing the Wind returned to Dan Peak covered in injuries.


    His nose was bruised and his face was swollen. His snow-white fur was shed open with blood seeping out, looking extremely miserable. His tail was white but he had four little ck tigers following behind, unable to retract his shadow clones due to the heavy injuries.


    He limped back and found Qin Ran.


    "Dad, I fought a dragon today," he said.


    His mouth was pped and had swollen up with four w marks around his lips, making his speech even more unclear.


    Seeing Chasing the Wind in this state, Qin Ran was stunned. He went out to find a poisoner that didn''t exist and did this to himself?


    "Where did you go?" Qin Ran quickly took out medicines for internal and external injuries and applied them on Chasing the Wind, "How did you get beaten so badly?"


    Previously when Chasing the Wind fought to regain control of Dan Peak and be the boss, he would get into fights every day but it was never this serious.


    "Dad, I fought a dragon today!" Although his handsome face was battered beyond recognition, you could still vaguely see his pride. He repeated multiple times, "I fought a dragon!"


    He was heavily injured and very tired. Heid under the old spiritual oak tree, unable to even move his tail as Qin Ran treated his wounds.


    "Dragon?" Qin Ran carefully examined Chasing the Wind''s injuries. The w marks were indeed made by four ws with remnants of dark and gold attributes. But...


    "Where did this dragone from?" He asked doubtfully, "Does the Dao Sword Sect have dragons? Or did you run to the Hengduan Mountains? I haven''t heard of dragons in that area either."


    "No... he said..." Chasing the Windid on the ground, enduring the pain with his eyes closed as he recalled, "Some kind of formation, guardian, protector beast!"


    Protector beast? Qin Ran furrowed his brows. The Dao Sword Sect has a treasure like this too? That can''t be!


    "Dragons are sacred beasts, already above ordinary cultivators. They are existencesparable to immortals. How can the Dao Sword Sect have a sacred beast?!"


    The more he thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. If the Dao Sword Sect had a sacred beast, they would have be the number one sect in Northern Chu long ago and be far ahead of the other sects. How could they suffer such grievances like they do now?


    Elders being turned against them, important resources and medicines being tampered with, people plotting the future of the Dao Sword Sect...


    "Is it really a dragon?" He asked Chasing the Wind for confirmation. He suspected the child had been beaten silly and was remembering things wrongly.


    "Hmm?" Chasing the Wind lightly nodded his big head. It took him a while before he remembered and said, "Flood dragon!"


    Only then did Qin Ran nod. While a real dragon would be impossible, a flood dragon is possible.


    Dragons are sacred beasts while flood dragons are slightly inferior, probably at the ninth level demonic beast stage. If a flood dragon continues to molt and transform, it has a chance to be an actual dragon.


    "Flood dragon?" He considered and felt it was still possible, but it was likely the most hidden trump card the Dao Sword Sect had.


    A ninth level demonic beast like a flood dragon could rival a Great Vehicle stage cultivator. As the head of Dan Peak, even he didn''t know about the existence of this flood dragon. This shows how hidden it was.


    "Big brother...dragon...flood dragon..." Chasing the Windid on the ground mumbling these words. As he kept repeating them, he fell asleep. The little ck tigers running around him also jumped onto his back to sleep.


    Qin Ran cared for him like a father would... after all Qin Ran was Chasing the Wind''s father. He treated his external injuries then pried open Chasing the Wind''s mouth to feed him medicinal pills for internal injuries. After thoroughly checking his body inside and out, and even inspecting his soul with his spirit sense to ensure there were nosting injuries, Qin Ran looked at the silly child and still worried he had been tricked by someone. But recalling the "big brother" he kept mentioning, he was probably not beaten up and had just acknowledged this big brother. From this perspective, perhaps that "flood dragon" did not have malicious intentions...


    The next morning after Qin Ran woke up, he saw Chasing the Wind frolicking by Sword Washing Lake, bouncing around everywhere like an excited Samoyed.


    It looked like his external injuries were healed and only some internal injuries remained.


    Qin Ran leaned against the corridor watching as Chasing the Wind ran over and stopped on thewn below, craning his head up excitedly to say, "Dad, I''m going to beat him up again today!"


    "Beat up who?"


    "The dragon!"


    "Are you healed?"


    "I''m healed!" Chasing the Wind opened his mouth wide to show Qin Ran his pearly white teeth, indicating he was very fierce now. When a tiger opens its mouth to bare its sharp fangs, it is indeed a terrifying sight.


    "You''re not healed for shit!" Qin Ran nced at him and said, "You''re not allowed to go today."


    Chasing the Wind obediently responded, "Oh!"


    But the next day, he eagerly ran over to ask Qin Ran again. Qin Ran still did not allow him to go.


    And so it continued for the next few days.


    It wasn''t until the fifth day when Qin Ran examined his body and confirmed he had recovered to normal before allowing him to go "beat up that dragon."


    Chasing the Wind was very excited. He had eaten arge bowl of beast nourishing pills that morning... he needed to eat his fill to have the energy to beat people up properly. After eating, he dashed out and said loudly to Qin Ran that he would beat that dragon until it copsed today and bring it back for dad to use as a mount.


    After seeing Chasing the Wind leave, Qin Ran quickly used the Watery Years stealth technique to secretly follow behind.


    ... How else could he be called a father if he didn''t worry himself to death over his silly child being tricked?


    One tiger and one man, walking one after the other, exited Dan Peak''s Guardian Mountain Formation. Chasing the Wind raced down the mountain on the wind and arrived at the Dao Sword Sect''s Guardian Mountain Formation in the blink of an eye.


    He shouted loudly in front of the sect, "Big brother, big brother, I''m here!"


    Hearing his voice, a gap opened up in the Dao Sword Sect''s Guardian Mountain Formation to let him enter.


    Qin Ran hid himself not too far away, watching as Chasing the Wind went inside. He sensed the gaze of the formation''s owner sweep over him but the owner didn''t care about his presence and took Chasing the Wind away right in front of him.


    From the looks of it, that should be the "flood dragon" living inside the formation that Chasing the Wind mentioned. It clearly didn''t seem malicious. Firstly, it really was living inside the Dao Sword Sect''s Guardian Mountain Formation. Secondly, it wasn''t trying to hide itself from Qin Ran either. The dragon was straightforward and probably just bored, wanting to find a ymate on the same level as him.


    Realizing this, Qin Ran no longer paid it any attention and went back to Dan Peak... he just needed to remember to help Chasing the Wind treat his injuries.


    After this, Chasing the Wind would go "beat up that dragon" every five days and return with injuries each time. However, he was still Chasing the Wind. Qin Ran noticed that his injuries became less and less severe each time and the strength and endurance of his fleshly body was visibly improving at a rapid pace. Additionally, that flood dragon also had the dark attribute so Chasing the Wind''s mastery over his innate divine abilities saw immense progress as well.


    ying with that flood dragon benefited Chasing the Wind in many ways and could be considered a great opportunity.

 Chapter 223

    Chapter 223


    After Chasing the Wind''s seventh time "beating the dragon", Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi finally came back. The two little girls had been away for about forty days, leaving when spring was in the air and returning when early summer had just begun.


    Qin Ran was applying medicine to Chasing the Wind under the old locust tree when he suddenly heard a clear, crisp shout: "Master! We''re back!!"


    This familiar voice made him look up. He saw a young girl in a white dress and skirt flying towards him, apanied by the colorful glow of dusk. She spread her arms and hugged him down before he could react, grabbing him into her embrace.


    She had jumped down while standing, and he was crouching when caught. In the soft, fragrant yet fiery embrace of the young girl, Qin Ran''s nose and lips were against her neck. He smelled the girl''s light fragrance, saw her snow white skin and faint green veins. He felt he was being hugged very tightly, so tight he couldn''t breathe... Fortunately he didn''t need to breathe.


    After a long, long time, when he sensed the girl''s excitement had passed, he gently called out: "Shiyin?"


    "Mmm?" Li Shiyin responded with a coy nasal sound but did not let go.


    Qin Ran had no choice but to let her keep hugging him.


    But just then, Chasing the Wind painfully cried out: "Li Shiyin! Pain! Pain, pain!!"


    Only then did Li Shiyine to her senses and look down to find that she had been stepping on Chasing the Wind.


    Embarrassed, she stuck out her tongue, then released Qin Ran. She put her hands on Qin Ran''s shoulders and jumped down from Chasing the Wind.


    "Wow! Stupid tiger, what''s wrong with you? How did you get beaten so badly?" She only noticed Chasing the Wind''s miserable state now and eximed in surprise, "I was only gone for a few days. Did someone bully you so much when I wasn''t home?"


    "Humph! I wasn''t bullied by anyone!" Chasing the Wind denied. He only said, "I was practicing martial arts with my big brother."


    "Big brother?" Li Shiyin scorned him even more. "How shameless! You actually acknowledged a big brother?!"


    Chasing the Wind felt a little embarrassed, but fortunately as a tiger, he had thick enough skin. He said, "My big brother is a dragon, very powerful."


    "Dragon?" Li Shiyin became interested. "The kind that can be big or small, ride the clouds and mist, make clouds and rain, has vast supernatural powers, snake body fish scales, tiger ws eagle talons, ox ears deer antlers, and shines with golden light?"


    "What are you talking about?" Chasing the Wind was puzzled. "I don''t understand you at all."


    "Oh, like the dragon patterns on the emperor''s clothes! Shiny with golden light, very majestic!" Li Shiyin added.


    "No..." Chasing the Wind shook his head. He thought of his big brother, a pitch-ck flood dragon, and suddenly felt he had no face.


    "Then what dragon are you talking about?" Li Shiyin pouted.


    Chasing the Wind closed his eyes and pretended to be dead, not speaking.


    "There is a flood dragon in Dan Peak Sect''s guardian mountain formation," seeing this, Qin Ran exined to Li Shiyin. "These days Chasing the Wind has been ying with him."


    "Flood dragon?" Li Shiyin pondered. "Although not as handsome as real dragons, still eptable."


    "Have you seen a flood dragon before?" Chasing the Wind suddenly came back to life.


    "The eighth prince''s clothes have flood dragon patterns on them..."


    Li Shiyin had been back for so long, yet Qin Ran still hadn''t seen Long Qiqi. He couldn''t help but think of something bad happening, and asked, "Where''s Qiqi?"


    "After entering the sect gate, I just left her behind..." Li Shiyin only just remembered Long Qiqi, very embarrassed. "I was thinking of Master!"


    She shook Qin Ran''s shoulders gently again.


    Qin Ran helplessly looked at her and shook his head, unable to scold her. He only said, "How could you leave her behind?"


    "Qiqi learned Wind Riding, she just isn''t skilled at it yet. She needs more practice..."


    Li Shiyin hade back riding the sunset, while Long Qiqi hade back groping in the dark. A six or seven-year-old little girl shakily flying through the air on clumsy Wind Riding was truly heartbreaking and tear-jerking to behold.


    What was especially egregious was that after passing through Dan Peak Sect''s guardian mountain formation, the scene she saw was Qin Ran, Li Shiyin, and Chasing the Wind merrily eating hot pot on thewn...


    It was really too outrageous!!!


    Her Wind Riding skill instantly improved by several levels. Fuming, she rushed over and voraciously ate three huge bowls!


    "After being away for over a month, what medicinal me did you finally obtain?" After the meal, when everything was cleaned up, the group sat on thewn looking at the stars. Qin Ran asked Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqiy sprawled on the soft Chasing the Wind. Looking at the sky, she said, "Netherworld Soul me!"


    This name was just Long Qiqi''s style, but...


    Qin Ran asked doubtfully, "That wasn''t on the list I gave you, was it?"


    "s! None of what you said could be snatched!" Sitting on thewn with Li Shiyin sleeping on it, her little head leaning against Qin Ran''s old waist, she said indignantly,


    "Master, let me tell you, Qiqi is so stupid! Every time a me appeared, we went, but she didn''t dare make a move! Especially once, it was that Bone Spirit Cold Fire. I had already blocked seven people for her, fought hard for a long time to buy time for her to absorb it, but she still couldn''t absorb it. I was so angry!


    "If Qiqi had been just a little braver, we could''vee back in seven days."


    Qin Ran looked at Long Qiqi. Long Qiqi''s eyes seemed evasive. She coughed dryly and said, "Who...who knew there would be so many people? Alchemists, martial artists, all so powerful. We couldn''t even see the alchemists."


    "I don''t know what kind of sinister cultivation methods they practice, needing these strange fires of heaven and earth."


    "Many cultivation methods require external aid..." Qin Ran shook his head and said, "Even Shiyin''s orthodox Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique needs the power of stars. Cultivation methods needing certain mes, ices, winds, thunders, waters, and so on can only be more numerous."


    He paused, then asked Long Qiqi again, "So how did you finally obtain the Netherworld Soul me?"


    "When we were waiting for the ck Lotus Earth Fire in Xuanqin to reignite, it was snatched by others. But the people who snatched it hadn''t beaten Shiyin, so we got a map from them," Long Qiqi said. "The map showed the location of Netherworld Soul me, in Pian Bo of Great Yan."


    "So you went to Great Yan?" Qin Ran eximed in surprise. "Running so far?"


    "Humph! If it wasn''t for me beating away all those people this time..." Li Shiyin said, "We might''ve had to go even further to Yan Han!"


    Long Qiqi silently conceded. Though she was an experienced veteran, she had to admit this trip relied entirely on Li Shiyin. Plotting and schemes were all well and good, but in the end, only brute force decided things...


    This trip let her clearly see just how powerful Li Shiyin was.


    She and Li Shiyin had stepped into the cultivation world around the same time, no more than two months apart, but the gap between them could truly be described as the difference between clouds and mud. If they fought directly... Well, she was not qualified to confront Li Shiyin head-on.


    "Alright, I know you''re powerful!" Qin Ran praised Li Shiyin, then looked to Long Qiqi again and said, "Take out your Netherworld Soul me and let me see."


    Long Qiqi showed Qin Ran her clump of dark and gloomy fire.


    "Looks pretty good, the quality seems quite high." Qin Ran nodded. "It''s just that using this me to refine pills would most likely make it easier to produce poison pills..." He suddenly stopped here, thinking of the super poison pills he had refined.


    "Poison pills will just be poison pills! It''s fine as long as we can use them ourselves." Long Qiqi sighed.

 Chapter 224

    Chapter 224


    Li Shiyin stayed at home with Qin Ran for two or three days.


    Qin Ran was researching battle formations in the study. She would grab the Fundamentals of Pharmacology book and run to the study to pretend to read. When Qin Ran was researching alchemy in the Refining Hall, she would run over to be his assistant and help pass ingredients to Qin Ran. When Qin Ran was at thekeside... Oh, Qin Ran hadn''t gone to thekeside these days.


    After that, Li Shiyin couldn''t sit still anymore. She tidied up Chasing the Wind and the two of them, human and tiger, ran out of Dan Peak to wander around Master Peak.


    The peerless white-clothed female swordsman of Dan Peak had a big white tiger. This was the consensus of all the current disciples of the Sword Sect. When they saw that big white tiger, they should think of that female swordsman.


    A human and a tiger walking on the road, very few people came up to talk to them. Most kept their distance. Of those who did approach, they had all steeled their resolve to challenge Li Shiyin. As such, it added a lot of boredom.


    Perhaps this was the price of bing a genius.


    They could no longer casually wander around like before.


    "Sigh..." Li Shiyin let out a sigh.


    She looked at therge empty space around her and Chasing the Wind and felt a little ufortable. She realized why all those famous people didn''t like going out. It was probably always like this - people either stayed away in fear or swarmed in admiration. Either way, it wasn''t much fun.


    "Let''s go to Butler Hall and see if there are any tasks!" She finally said to Chasing the Wind, "Next time we''ll go out together to do a task, it''ll be really fun."


    So they went to Butler Hall.


    Then, after circling around Butler Hall, Li Shiyin saw the "Purchase Dragon Pattern Carp at High Price" task.


    Dragon Pattern Carp were ornamental fish that wealthy families in the mortal realms raised. They were ordinary fish, not demonic beasts, not even ferocious. You could catch a tub with a fishing rod in a afternoon at the Imperial Garden.


    "A level 2 task!" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up and she patted Chasing the Wind''s big head andughed, "Who''s the idiot? Using a level 2 task to offer a reward for Dragon Pattern Carp!?"


    Chasing the Wind was also very happy and asked, "What are Dragon Pattern Carp? What is a level 2 task?"


    Li Shiyin didn''t exin to him, only said, "They''re in Sword Washing Lake, I raised several Dragon Pattern Carp there! We can take some to turn in for the task..."


    "Sword Washing Lake?" Chasing the Wind was surprised.


    He remembered that Sword Washing Lake had been poisoned and all the fish had died. He was about to tell Li Shiyin, but suddenly reacted - the bad guy who poisoned theke, he seemed to not have found them yet...


    If he said it now, would he be mocked by Shiyin?


    He was struggling with this when Li Shiyin had already gone up to ept the task.


    It was very strange. Qin Ran''s task had been posted for over a month and no one had taken it. No one knew if it was because it was too simple so no one wanted to take it, afraid it was fake, a scam.


    Li Shiyin epted the task and dashed back to Dan Peak with Chasing the Wind.


    "Master, master, someone''s buying Dragon Pattern Carp at a high price!" As soon as Li Shiyin got home, she shouted to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran was recovering under the old Linden Tree... He didn''t dare go to thekeside these days, afraid Li Shiyin would notice something off, but he never expected to suddenly hear Li Shiyin say this.


    He was greatly shocked and hurriedly opened his eyes to look at Li Shiyin, only to see her head straight towards Sword Washing Lake.


    Qin Ran shuddered and reflexively flew over to stop Li Shiyin, solemnly asking, "Shiyin, what are you going to do?"


    Li Shiyin took out the task and showed Qin Ran, smiling, "Master, someone is using a level 2 task reward to buy a Dragon Pattern Carp. I raised Dragon Pattern Carp in Sword Washing Lake, I want to go take some toplete the task."


    Qin Ran''s expression kept changing as his mind raced. He forced a smile and said, "Your Dragon Pattern Carp are raised well, why not just go look at them yourself? Why sell them?"


    "But... it''s a level 2 task!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Cough! Do youck spirit stones?" Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, "If you need spirit stones, you can go get some from the study."


    "I don''tck spirit stones..." Li Shiyin''s martial arts, pills, artifacts, talismans, etc. were allpletely taken care of by Qin Ran. With spirit stones in her hands, she only bought some idle little toys. Her own monthly allowance wasn''t even fully spent. But, "It''s a level 2 task!" She stared at Qin Ran with her lovely big eyes.


    "The reward for this task is just spirit stones, useless. A level 2 task is just finding some Dragon Pattern Carp. It must be a prank by some senior brother. " Qin Ran''s expression returned to normal as he earnestly said to Li Shiyin, "Maybe it''s to test the mentality of inner sect disciples, to see who is petty, liking undeserved gain.


    "Think about it, such a simple task has been there for so long with no one taking it, yet it just so happens toe to you?"


    Li Shiyin thought about it, and it seemed he had a point. She anxiously asked, "I won''t be that disciple who fails the test right?! Will there be some punishment?"


    "There probably won''t be..." Qin Ran pondered and said to Li Shiyin, "Most likely it''s just a little prank by some senior brother."


    "Then... Master, what should I do now?" Li Shiyin thought for a bit, then secretly nced at Qin Ran and asked, "Master, do you think I''m that kind of petty person?"


    "How could that be? Shiyin, you''re the most generous, how could you be petty?" Qin Ranughed and said, "Go cancel the task now! The senior brother will see your intent and know you''re not that kind of person."


    Seeing that her master didn''t misunderstand her, Li Shiyin was relieved. She thought about it and still felt it''d be better to cancel the task.


    "Alright, I''ll go cancel the task now..." she said.


    Qin Ran immediately rxed.


    "But Master, I want to go see my Dragon Pattern Carp!" Li Shiyin suddenly said again, "I haven''t seen them in so long, don''t know how they''re doing."


    Qin Ran''s heart tightened again and he hurriedly said, "No need, cancel the task first! I''ll go check on the Dragon Pattern Carp for you."


    Of course Li Shiyin trusted her master to check on her Dragon Pattern Carp for her. She nodded and called for Chasing the Wind, "Let''s go, Chasing the Wind, we need to cancel the task, can''t let people think I''m that kind of petty person!"


    Chasing the Wind followed Li Shiyin out, but as they walked, he looked back at Qin Ran. He felt something was off: "The Dragon Pattern Carp in Sword Washing Lake, didn''t they all die? Why is Dad going to check on them?"


    But ultimately he couldn''t figure it out and was pulled away by Li Shiyin.


    Qin Ran finally rxed and wiped some sweat. He went to thekeside and looked at the clearke, deep in thought. Posting the task was unreliable after all, he''d have to go catch them himself.


    "The fish in Sword Washing Lake all died, right!" Long Qiqi''s voice suddenly sounded from the side.


    Qin Ran was frightened again, nervously looking at Long Qiqi, awkwardlyughing, "How could that be? See, aren''t those all fish?" He pointed at the fish swimming around in theke.


    "Then where are the Dragon Pattern Carp?" Long Qiqi asked. "You were focused on your disciple and didn''t notice, apart from Shiyin''s Dragon Pattern Carp, there were also my Tyrannosaurus Turtles in thiske. The Tyrannosaurus Turtles are gone too.


    She turned around, looking up at Qin Ran, her deep, fathomless eyes looking at Qin Ran, "Speak, what happened at Dan Peak and Sword Washing Lake while Shiyin and I were away?"


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 Chapter 225

    Chapter 225


    "Haha, haha!" Qin Ran avoided Long Qiqi''s gaze, looking towards Sword Washing Lake, andughed, "With me guarding Dan Peak, what else could happen?"


    Long Qiqi stared at Qin Ran''s obviously flustered face, and slowly understood, solemnly saying: "Then the problem must be you!"


    "Say it, what bad thing did you do behind our backs?!" she shouted.


    "I didn''t! It wasn''t me! Don''t talk nonsense!" Qin Ran directly denied three times in a row, and fled.


    Qin Ran, good at scheming, but not good at coping.


    If he wanted to set up a scheme, he could consider all the possible variations within it, and all the choices of the people involved would be included, ultimately leading to the ending he had preset...if no unexpected idents happened.


    But for the same scheme, if there was sudden external interference, or idental factors he hadn''t calcted for, then for such a scheme he would have a hard time dealing with it, the probability of failure reaching ny percent.


    In this "Death Pill" incident, whether intentional or not, he had made a mistake, yet hadn''t done much to remedy it, leading to frequent idents.


    And idents, to him, were just too awful, he was most unskilled at handling idents.


    And so under Long Qiqi''s intentional investigation and inquiries everywhere, the ck history of the chief of Dan Peak slowly surfaced.


    On this day, the sky was overcast and gloomy. Long Qiqi came to the edge of Sword Washing Lake for a final interview about the incident with Liu Xiaoji, the surviving Devouring Demon Willow, in order to seal the lid on this matter.


    She walked along the bank of Sword Washing Lake, and suddenly saw a man in a rain cape fishing ahead of her by theke.


    No one knew who this rain-caped man was, what his name was, where he came from, what he was doing, just hearing his hoarse voice speaking to Long Qiqi: "Ahead is hell!"


    Long Qiqi stopped upon hearing this, looking at the rain-caped man, her face bearing a kind of lofty radiance unafraid of sacrifice for the sake of truth, she said: "For truth''s sake, someone must stand out, so why can''t it be me? As the saying goes, if I don''t enter hell, who will?"


    The sky darkened, small waves appeared on theke, the ink-green willow branches along the bank swayed in the wind, thekeside fisherman was silent, only the sound of the breeze blowing was heard. It was a rather ominous scene.


    "Have you thought it through? Once you take this step, you won''t have the chance to turn back, it may be eternal damnation!" the rain-caped man continued reminding her.


    Long Qiqi didn''t speak, silently taking a step forward, one step closer to Liu Xiaoji, one step closer to the truth.


    "Sometimes..." the rain-caped man sighed, "For some matters, it''s better to leave them buried in history."


    "I just want the people of the world to know what it was really like!" Long Qiqi gritted her teeth, sticking to her beliefs.


    "Are you sure you want to do this?" the rain-caped man asked.


    The hoarse voice made even the willow branches stop swaying.


    "I''m sure!" Long Qiqi nodded.


    "Even if you have eternal regret?"


    The sun had long retreated, the clouds didn''t dare stir.


    "I have no regrets!" Long Qiqi''s gaze was firm!


    "Sigh...foolish one, foolish one..." the rain-caped man sighed, slowly disappearing from thekeside. Only hisment remained in the air, his figure no longer seen.


    Long Qiqi raised her head looking at the sky, feeling the pressure of the clouds above weighing down upon her heart.


    She took a deep breath, then gently breathed out.


    "There must be someone in this world willing to stand out!"


    Thinking thus, she resolutely strode forward, step by step until she stood before Liu Xiaoji.


    This lightning-struck tree that had suffered tribtion, its whole body scorched ck, had already revived, growing six or seven willow branches, possessing even greater vitality.


    "What exactly happened that night?" Long Qiqi asked Liu Xiaoji.


    A baby appeared atop the willow branch, supporting it as he shook his head at Long Qiqi: "No, I can''t say."


    Seeing the panicked expression on Liu Xiaoji''s face, Long Qiqi asked: "What are you afraid of?"


    Liu Xiaoji slowly raised his head, ncing at the overcast sky.


    Long Qiqi understood, who else in Dan Peak could be regarded as the heavens?


    "Hmph!" she coldlyughed, "If we unite, perhaps he won''t be able to cover the heavens with one hand!"


    "You don''t know his horror!" Liu Xiaoji''s voice trembled.


    "No...I know!" Long Qiqi said intensely, "Every person in Dan Peak is deeply enved by him, abused by him, tortured by him!"


    "Every person in Dan Peak?" Liu Xiaoji questioned.


    "That''s right!" Long Qiqi heavily nodded, "There''s Xiao Yin who lost hispanion, and Chasing the Wind who was deceived. They''re on our side! We must unite!!"


    Hearing this, Liu Xiaoji finally made up his mind, and began speaking: "It was an pitch ck night..."


    Boom! Lightning shed and thunder rumbled in the sky!


    "As usual I was catching fish and shrimp, feeling the breeze, but suddenly, a man appeared beside me..."


    "Was it him?" Long Qiqi interrupted Liu Xiaoji''s words.


    "It was him!" Liu Xiaoji nodded, continuing to say, "His face was terrifyingly twisted, as if a monster crawled out of hell.


    "I saw him looking around, as if choosing his next innocent living being to drag into hell.


    "Suddenly, he took a liking to a lovely little fish! He was extremely cruel and inhuman, heartlessly scooping the poor little fish out of the water. You know, for a fish, leaving the water is such a terrifying, despairing thing! And he still wasn''t satisfied, forcibly prying open the poor little fish''s mouth, forcibly cramming a round ck evil object into its mouth..."


    Rain began to drizzle down, falling on Sword Washing Lake, on Liu Xiaoji''s willow branches, and on Long Qiqi.


    "Was that thing an elixir?" Long Qiqi interrupted Liu Xiaoji''s words again.


    "Yes, that''s right. I only found outter, that the devil was using the poor little fish to experiment with his new elixir." Liu Xiaoji said, tears flowing from the corners of his eyes, as he continued: "After feeding the fish the elixir, he put it back into the water."


    "Put it back?" Long Qiqi was puzzled, "He didn''t kill the little fish? What about the other creatures in theke?"


    "Hehehe! You don''t understand..." Liu Xiaoji seemed to recall that night''s horrors again, his body trembling, "After the little fish returned to theke, the nightmare had just begun.


    "Very quickly, the little fish felt something was wrong, its whole body was ufortable, feeling like it was about to die. And then it died. After its death, its corpse floated in the water, and many unknown ck substances leaked out from it. Every living being that touched the ck substance...died. Extremely horrifying deaths."


    "New elixir?!" Long Qiqi recorded everything Liu Xiaoji said, and finally deduced the origin of it all, "Hmph! Let''s see how he tries to justify himself!


    "In the future, if I test out a poisonous elixir, how will he have the face to mock me!"


    And so, with the investigation of this conscientious person in Dan Peak, the ugly truth was brought to light - that Dan Peak''s overlord had originally meant to concoct an elixir of longevity, but instead concocted a poisonous elixir, which he then used to cruelly harm the hundreds of living beings in Sword Washing Lake, but justice was finally served!


    In a certain study in Dan Peak, a figure in ck hid, stealthily peering out the window, only to see that there were countless pairs of cold eyes staring back at him, causing his own eyes to sting, shaming and enraging him.

 Chapter 226

    Chapter 226


    Most of the time spent cultivating is dreary and uninteresting. Sitting in meditation to refine spiritual energy is dreary, and practicing the same spells over and over is boring.


    Yet cultivators will likewise look for fun ways to pass the time during these constant dreary and monotonous days. In this regard, they are no different from ordinary people.


    Among them, martial arts contests are the mostmon recreational activity. This method will gain a lot ofbat experience and notoriety among strangers.


    For example, Li Shiyin really enjoys going out to fight people, waiting at the Debate tform when she has nothing to do. And because her swordy is sharp, never missing a vital point, and she shows no mercy at all when fighting, those weaker than her don''t even need to be mentioned - three or two moves and they will certainly be defeated. Even those stronger than her don''t have it easy either - the slightest inattention will allow her to seize upon a w and take them down. Thus, she has gradually gained a reputation at Dan Peak for being a tyrant... and her fans have secretly nicknamed her the Sword Demon, spreading it around Dao Sword Sect.


    And so the legend of the Dan Peak tyrant Sword Demon Li Shiyin came about.


    In addition to martial arts contests, there are also zither, chess, calligraphy and painting. For cultivators with long lifespans, they are especially fond of anything that helps pass the time.


    For example, it is said that master yers of Go have yed continuously for thousands of years. Of course, there are also geniuses at Go like Li Shiyin, who can y dozens of games in an afternoon against Chasing the Wind.


    In addition to zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, there are also scripture discussions. After all, cultivation is still the most important thing for cultivators. If you can sit with two or three good friends, burn incense and make tea while discussing scriptures, and add zither music and chanting songs, it is truly the greatest pleasure in the human realm.


    And from scripture discussions, there are alsorge debate meetings. For example, when a senior produces an exceptional magic treasure, they invite friends from all around to appraise it; or when a supreme master celebrates their ten thousandth birthday, forces from all sidespete to congratte them; or well-connected people organizerge dao discussion conferences.


    Among them, the sword dao conference to be held today at Sword Peak of Dao Sword Sect is one such event.


    Qin Ran didn''t know exactly what was the background of this sword conference, since pill cultivators like him are never invited. But what it was for could be seen at a nce - to exchange sword dao experiences. So this year, Li Shiyin had received an invitation. After all, her fame had greatly expanded, known as the Dan Peak Sword Demon, Peerless Sword Immortal, Top Ten Arrogant Geniuses of Dao Sword Sect - many resounding titles.


    In the morning, Li Shiyin dragged Chasing the Wind by the tail to stop him from leaving, pleading: "Chasing the Wind, go with me!"


    Chasing the Wind forcibly dragged her outside, croaking: "I already agreed with Elder Brother, I can''t go with you today."


    "I''ll be so lonely by myself..." Li Shiyin yed the emotional card, "Those people are so fierce, I don''t know any of them!"


    "Who could be fiercer than you?" Chasing the Wind smiled wryly, "Really can''t do it, Elder Brother is going to teach me Dark Divinity today..."


    In the end, Li Shiyin was unable to keep Chasing the Wind, who scurried off waving his tail happily to go get beaten.


    She went and found Qin Ran under the old spirit tree, lying back leisurely reading a book. She sat down on the grass and grabbed Qin Ran''s hand, shaking it while dragging out her voice, "Mast~er~~ go with me!"


    Qin Ran nced at her, seeing her batting her big eyes trying to look pitiful. Fortunately his heart was made of iron, replying: "Why would I go? I''m not a sword cultivator."


    "Master, yourprehension of the sword dao is so high, how can you say you aren''t a sword cultivator?" said Li Shiyin.


    "Heh!" Qin Ran let out a coldugh, "My understanding of the sword dao is just armchair spection, enough to fool you. Go to some sword conference? Forget it!"


    "Master, you are the best..." Li Shiyin shamelessly ttered.


    "I''m not going!" Qin Ran said coldly.


    Li Shiyin lingered by Qin Ran''s side for a long time, but was unable to get him to change his mind and apany her to the sword conference. Finally, she could only go to the conference alone and forlorn.


    "Why didn''t you ask me?" But just as she flew away on her sword, Long Qiqi, who was drying medicinal herbs in the old spirit tree, suddenly called out to her.


    Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly turned back, pleasantly surprised: "Qiqi, you want to go?"


    But Long Qiqi tly refused: "I''m not going!"


    Li Shiyin screeched to a halt, wrinkling her little nose: "Humph! I knew it. Now you know why I didn''t ask you!"


    The sword conference was at the peak of Sword Peak, in the deepest fog.


    The sheer cliffs touched the stars in the sky, with pavilions and towers. Among the buildings, rocks, and pines, cultivators who had attained enlightenment in the sword dao alighted everywhere.


    Some appreciated the scenery, some drank and discussed swords. Those in high spirits might make appointments to go between the rocks - there was a tform there called the Sword Inquiring Summit, where they could exchange insights on the sword dao.


    For example, now that the conference had just begun, the current senior disciple of Sword Peak, Liu Baixuan, went on stage to first give an opening speech to the sword cultivators who hade for the conference. Then he called out in a loud voice to the audience: "Brother Lu, we haven''t sparred for some time. Why don''t we exchange a move or two on stage today, to set an example for the junior disciples?"


    In one of the pavilions below, there was a handsome man in white clothes and a ck shirt, lying on the eaves gazing at the stars above, also holding a jug of wine - the very image of carefree elegance.


    Hearing the call from the stage, he let out a longugh, staggering tipsily to his feet. First he took a big gulp of wine, then guffawed: "Seeking immortals and questioning the dao is too lonely, not as good as a jug of wine here."


    After reciting this, he flung the remaining wine at Liu Baixuan, drunkenly reaching out to pull a shining three-foot green de from thin air.


    "Brother Liu,e fight! Let''s fight!" His form wavered tipsily, and in a sh, several afterimages appeared and he was already at the Sword Inquiring Summit.


    Liu Baixuan was fifty-two years old, the senior disciple of Sword Peak, at the half-step YuanYing stage, ranked second among Dao Sword Sect''s Top Ten Arrogant Geniuses. He cultivated the sword in hand, using the Great Deste Indestructible Sword Art. His sword qi was vast and torrential, surging with the grandeur of nature.


    Just as his sword qi, so his temperament was also vast and bold.


    Lu Junxing was thirty-six, a core disciple, at the Golden Core Great Perfection stage. He was ranked first among the Top Ten Arrogant Geniuses of Dao Sword Sect in this generation.


    He was the most powerful existence among the current disciples of Dao Sword Sect.


    He was also a sword cultivator, cultivating the sword in hand. He used the Timeless Mountains and Rivers Sword. His sword intent was carefree, his sword qi uncanny, with the timelessness and elusiveness of nature and mountains and rivers.


    That''s right, this person had awakened to both sword intent and sword qi. Up until now, he was the only one in all of Dao Sword Sect who possessed both sword qi and sword intent.


    Just as his sword intent, his temperament was also the most carefree and unrestrained.


    With the two strongest disciples of this generation exchanging moves on stage, it immediately caused an uproar below.


    With just a single exchange, mountains and rivers appeared on the stage, and the entirety of the Sword Inquiring Summit was filled with sword qi.


    The spectators looked on, only to seeyered peaks and surging great rivers. Among the peaks, there was an unchanging brilliant sun, and the rivers flowed with inexhaustible torrents.


    In a sh, they realized that the peaks and rivers were not real, but sword qi, and the brilliant sun and torrents were also sword qi.


    They felt that the cultivators on stage hadprehension of sword qi that bordered on the dao, making it nearly an art form.


    Just as the fight was bing intense on stage, someone below softly said: "Look, the Dan Peak Sword Immortal Li Shiyin has arrived."


    Immediately, all the sword cultivators'' gazes shifted in unison, all looking to find the peerless beauty Sword Immortal Li Shiyin, and few continued watching the stage.


    The two on stage exchanged a look and smiled helplessly. Then Liu Baixuan saw Lu Junxing put away his sword, also turning to look at Li Shiyin below...

 Chapter 227

    Chapter 227


    Sword Peak was itself the highest and most perilous mountain of Dao Sword Sect, just like a sword edge. And the ce where the Sword Dao Exchange Conference was held was at the very top of Sword Peak.


    That was truly "able to pluck stars with one''s hands" and "shocking to even celestial beings".


    So when Li Shiyin flew over on her sword from the distant sky, she was like a celestial sword immortal descending to the mortal world, and also like a dazzling shooting star falling down.


    Shended at the Sword Inquiring Summit. Although she hadn''t said or done anything yet, the gazes of the entire Sword Dao Exchange Conference had already gathered on her.


    Such was the peerless charm of being both one of the Five Great Beauties and the Top Ten Geniuses.


    Li Shiyinnded on the eaves of a pavilion, holding the Qingxing Sword. The night sky was full of stars at that time, and a gentle night breeze was blowing. Her snow-white dress was brighter than snow, and her jet-ck long hair swayed in the wind; with her swordid across herp, she knitted her brows, and herposure was seventy to eighty percent cold, and ny percent peerless beauty toppling cities and kingdoms.


    Her eyes themselves contained sword intent. With just a nce at this exchange conference, some people felt their hearts being pierced by the sword''s edge, and copsed clutching their chests regardless of gender.


    "So beautiful..." were the gasps of admiration from male cultivators.


    "So handsome..." were the moans from female cultivators.


    "That''s the recently famous Li Shiyin right?" Lu Junxing asked Liu Baixuan.


    "Yes."


    "She really is quite pretty."


    "Being ranked as a beauty by Dong Zhongyuan, how could she not be pretty?" Liu Baixuan said lightly with a smile.


    Lu Junxing seemed to produce a jug of wine out of nowhere and started drinking it there.


    "Howe I haven''t heard of anyone pursuing her?" he asked. "Even Liu Piaoxu has been almost swept up."


    Liu Baixuan looked at Lu Junxing. "You asking this, are you interested?"


    "I only love fine wine and the sword..." Lu Junxing gave a roguish smile, but his tone suddenly shifted. "And peerless beauties."


    "See you again!" He left these words and disappeared from Liu Baixuan''s side.


    Liu Baixuan turned his head but could not see him, so he looked up into the distance, and soon found his figure among the roof tiles.


    "That was fast!" He shook his head.


    "Junior sister, how may I address you?" Lu Junxing suddenly appeared next to Li Shiyin, a hint of drunkenness about him as he smiled and asked.


    Lu Junxing''s sudden appearance by her side gave Li Shiyin a shock. The Qingxing Sword was unsheathed halfway by her instinctively, but was stopped by Lu Junxing with a finger.


    "Junior sister, don''t be too nervous..." Lu Junxing said with a smile. "I''m your senior brother Lu Junxing from the main peak, not a bad guy."


    Li Shiyin looked closely at Lu Junxing and saw that this person had disheveled clothing, was full of the scent of alcohol, and had the appearance of a debauched wastrel. As she looked him up and down, she also saw that his casual demeanor belied an edge hidden within. At first nce he seemed full of openings, but if she tried to attack with her sword, there would be no way to strike.


    This person was unfathomable. She was no match for him!


    "Junior sister has such piercing eyes!" Lu Junxing noticed Li Shiyin''s eye technique and could not help but chuckle.


    "Please pardon any offense, senior brother." Li Shiyin sped her sword with both hands and bowed courteously to Lu Junxing, introducing herself. "I''m from Dan Peak, surname Li, given name Shiyin. Senior brother can just call me by my name."


    Such a neat, capable, and frank personality made Lu Junxing''s eyes light up, and he felt even more favorably towards Li Shiyin.


    He took a step forward, moved closer, and whispered to Li Shiyin, "Junior sister, may I ask if you are promised to someone? Do you have a daopanion?!"


    Since Lu Junxing was so direct, Li Shiyin was also direct.


    She gave him a look, nodded slightly, and replied, "I have promised my heart to a good man, senior brother need not be concerned."


    "Oh?" Lu Junxing was still somewhat disappointed after all. It was rare for him to be moved by someone, but this was the result. He turned around and took a drink of wine, unwilling to give up as he asked Li Shiyin again, "And who might this person be?"


    Li Shiyin considered herself a genius in the dao of the sword. On this path, apart from Su Changqing from before, she hadn''t met anyone who surpassed her. But today she had encountered Lu Junxing.


    Although she still didn''t know who Lu Junxing was at this moment, she knew he must be an extraordinary figure. For such a person, she had to treat him seriously.


    So when she heard him ask who she had promised her heart to, Li Shiyin flicked the Qingxing Sword and unsheathed it, showing it to Lu Junxing.


    Lu Junxing nced at the sword, and saw it was called Qingxing. He didn''t understand, so he looked at Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin just looked back expressionlessly. Lu Junxing looked at the sword again, and gradually came to a realization - the one she had promised her heart to should not be the sword itself, but rather the person who had gifted her the sword... Someone had gifted Li Shiyin a sword called "Qingxin (Tilted Heart)" .


    Now he understood.


    Thinking further, since Li Shiyin was from Dan Peak, and the person from Dan Peak who would gift her a sword was...


    He suddenly realized something, his gaze bing strange as he looked at Li Shiyin, but Li Shiyin just looked back openly and honestly.


    Lu Junxing was immediately ashamed. They were all cultivators, what business was it of his to care so much about worldly etiquette? If the gentleman was affectionate and thedy willing, who was he, an outsider, to object?


    Thinking this, he smiled, and cupped his fist towards Li Shiyin to show his respect and blessings.


    Li Shiyin also did not shy away, returning the fist cup gesture.


    "What a great girl!" Lu Junxing silently sighed again.


    At this time Liu Baixuan finally arrived at their side. He introduced himself to Li Shiyin with a bow, and then extended an invitation: "I have prepared a jug of fine wine over there, would the two of you be willing to honor us with your presence?"


    Since she had epted the invitation toe here, it was all for the sake of making friends and discussing swords. With such an invitation, how could she decline? Besides, Li Shiyin was not the sort to be pretentious or coy, her heart was open and even more masculine than most men.


    So she went along with Liu Baixuan, arriving at the very edge of the cliff. There was a small pavilion there, and inside the pavilion was a stone table, set with fine dishes, and with two people sitting at the tableside.


    One was a man and the other a woman.


    The woman had an enchanting and charming appearance, willow leaf brows, peach flower eyes, a foxy face, and wore light pink clothing as she sat primly to the side. With such a countenance to enrapture people''s hearts, who else could it be but Tian Wenjin?


    The man had a proper and serious face, looking rather aged, as if already past forty.


    Liu Baixuan introduced them to Li Shiyin. The man was a disciple of Sword Peak named Qi Yuan, who cultivated the Flying Sword Art, and was ranked number eight among the Top Ten Geniuses of the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Senior brother Qi!"


    "Junior sister Li."


    Li Shiyin and Qi Yuan greeted each other, before she hurried to sit beside Tian Wenjin.


    "Wenjin, you''re here too? Why didn''t you ask me toe along?" she whispered to Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin whispered back, "I didn''t know I''d receive an invitation either."


    She nced around the pavilion. There were five people total, of which four were on the Top Ten Geniuses list. She was slightly more knowledgeable than Li Shiyin, and knew that Lu Junxing was ranked first on the Top Ten Geniuses, Liu Baixuan was second, Qi Yuan was eighth, Li Shiyin was tenth... Of the Top Ten Geniuses proficient with the sword, apart from Huang Feiyu, the rest were all here.


    "Oh my! Another beautiful junior sister!" Lu Junxing suddenly noticed Tian Wenjin and could not help but exim in admiration. Moreover, he saw the sword intent on Tian Wenjin, and was even more astonished. "You''veprehended sword intent too!!"


    "He can tell Wenjin hasprehended sword intent?" Li Shiyin looked at Lu Junxing, a guess forming in her mind. "Could this guy have not onlyprehended sword intent, but sword qi as well?"


    Thinking this, she felt it made sense. Otherwise Lu Junxing would not give her such great pressure.


    "Senior brother has alsoprehended sword intent?" she asked Lu Junxing.


    Lu Junxing did not hide or conceal it either. Raising his brows with a smile, he sat down on the stone stool and said proudly, "Of course!"

 Chapter 228

    Chapter 228


    "What kind of sword intent does Senior Brother possess?" Li Shiyin asked Lu Junxing.


    "It is the carefree sword intent..." Lu Junxing raised his hand and effortlessly drew the fine wine prepared by Liu Baixuan, holding it in his hand as he smiled and said, "To ride the wind with a sword, eliminating demons in the world. With wine, we find joy and freedom. Without wine, I am still insane. One drink to empty the rivers and seas, another to swallow the sun and moon. A thousand cups and I remain unswayed, for I am Lu Junxing."


    Lu Junxing was truly an interesting person, carefree and unrestrained, like a divine and free-spirited being.


    Although such a person was unreliable as a Daopanion, they were quite fascinating as a friend.


    "What exactly is the carefree sword intent?" Li Shiyin asked.


    Lu Junxing didn''t hold back either. After taking a big sip of wine, he tilted his head back and sprayed all the wine into the air. Each drop of wine transformed into sword qi, which stretched out like threads. These threads intertwined and wove together to form mountains, rivers, and the foundation of the world. Within this foundation, one could roam freely, experiencing great carefreeness and absolute freedom!


    "So, this is what sword intent is?" Li Shiyin murmured.


    "Hahaha..." Lu Junxingughed and said, "Junior Sister, don''t get fixated on the external form. Sword intent, sword intent, it''s all about the intent, not the sword itself. The sword is just the concrete expression of the intent. What is intent? It''s what you think and feel.


    "Junior Sister, everyone''s intent is different."


    Li Shiyin had a glimpse of understanding because her master had said something simr before.


    Her master had told her that when she understood why she wielded her sword and became firm in that understanding, then she would merge it with her sword, which would be her sword intent.


    Sword and intent...


    "Look, hasn''t this Junior Sisterprehended sword intent?" Lu Junxing asked Tian Wenjin with a smile. "What kind of sword intent has Junior Sisterprehended?"


    "Merciless sword intent," Tian Wenjin replied indifferently, giving him a fleeting nce.


    "Cough!" Lu Junxing continued to drink his wine and said, "That''s a pretty good sword intent."


    "Does sword qi be stronger with sword intent?" Qi Yuan suddenly asked.


    "Not necessarily!" Liu Baixuan shook his head and replied, "My master has onlyprehended sword qi, but that doesn''t prevent him from being the most formidable in the Dao Sword Sect."


    Lu Junxing alsoughed and said, "Sword intent, sword intent, at the end of the day, it''s just a kind of intent, a thought, an expression of emotions. On the other hand, sword qi represents the pinnacle of sword techniques, theplete understanding of the sword. Only then can one possess sword qi. Moreover, sword qi has no limits when ites to improvement."


    "There are those who have a preliminary understanding of sword qi." He raised his hand and released a simple sword-shaped sword qi.


    "There are those who have a certain level ofprehension of sword qi." He made that sword qi freely change in size, fromrge enough to reach the starry sky and the clouds, to small enough to be like a strand of dust or a strand of hair.


    "It''s what they call ''lifting something heavy as if it were light.''" That sword qi silently burst open, shattering into countless tiny sword qi strands, each one like a strand of hair or a swimming fish, meandering among the pavilions. They shimmered with light, resembling fireflies, creating a beautiful sight.


    These sword qi strands moved about inside the pavilion but did not harm anyone. When Li Shiyin reached out to touch the glowing sword qi with her finger, the sword qi, like real fish, panicked and fled.


    This disy was truly an example of "lifting something light as if it were heavy."


    "So-called ''lifting something heavy as if it were light''..." Lu Junxing reached out his hand and grasped, and all the sword qi returned to his hand, forming the original sword-shaped sword qi once again.


    The people in the pavilion waited for a while, but there was no more magnificent performance surpassing the act of lifting heavy weights effortlessly.


    Qi Yuan hesitated and asked, "Is this what they call ''lifting light as if heavy''?"


    "Hahaha..." Lu Junxing pointed at him andughed heartily, "You foolish kid! I haven''t reached that level yet!"


    Qi Yuan was taken aback by his words.


    "It is said that when one reaches the realm of ''lifting light as if heavy,'' a sword energy can be a mountain peak, a sword energy can be a great river, and a small world can be evolved from a single sword energy," Liu Baixuan said. "It''s truly unimaginable."


    "I told you, you''re a timid person with no ambition. You dare not do this or that. Afraid to imagine? Let me tell you, the reason your sword energy realm fluctuates in the ''lifting light as if heavy'' state is because you''re concerned about your master also being in this realm and you dare not stabilize it," Lu Junxing teased Liu Baixuan, "You, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, how could you have such a cautious posture?"


    Liu Baixuan remained expressionless and asked, "You fear nothing, neither heaven nor earth. Are you capable of transforming the world with a single sword?"


    "Tch... How hard could it be?" Lu Junxing scoffed, "Before the path, I will use a sword to defeat you and transform the world. Any other moves that defeat you don''t count."


    "Before the path, I have already reached the Golden Core stage. If you can''t transform the world with a single sword, you can''t defeat me either..."


    Watching the two experts argue was indeed entertaining, but it wasn''t their main purpose for being there. Li Shiyin took the opportunity to exchange swordsmanship experiences with Tian Wenjin and Qi Yuan. The three of them had simr levels of strength, and there was much to discuss.


    Qi Yuan hadn''tprehended sword energy or sword intent, but his cultivation had reached theter stage of the Golden Core realm, and his flying sword technique was truly outstanding. Li Shiyin hadprehended sword energy but not sword intent, while Tian Wenjin hadprehended sword intent but not sword energy. These three individuals surprisinglyplemented each other, and through their exchanges, they gained a lot.


    However, swordsmanship discussions couldn''t just remain in words alone; they had to personally take action and exchange moves on the sword''s summit.


    Li Shiyin sparred with Qi Yuan and Tian Wenjin, and even had a brief fight with Liu Baixuan and Lu Junxing, with wins and losses on both sides... It wasn''t about who won or lost, but rather about mutual gains and losses with each person. During this time, other disciples also came over to their side and invited them to spar.


    While the exchange of other sword techniques was certainly interesting, the most fascinating sparring match tonight was the sword energy duel between Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing.


    Lu Junxing had reached the third stage of sword energy, where he could transform sword energy into nothingness and manipte it at will. Li Shiyin, on the other hand, had touched the threshold of the third stage and could already transform sword energy into a whole. So Lu Junxing proposed apetition to snatch wine using their sword energy.


    The rules were as follows: the referee would toss the wine into the air, and Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing would each use their sword energy to grab the wine. They couldn''t merge the sword energy with the wine, only carry it with the sword energy. The one who obtained the most wine in the end would be the winner.


    This match was about testing their control over sword energy.


    Two people sat in front of a stone table in a pavilion, each releasing their own Sword Qi of Mountains and Rivers and Sword Qi of Stars and Celestial Bodies. Initially, there was an abundance of drinks, and they each used their Sword Qi to contain the drinks. However, as the drinks dwindled, their Sword Qi gradually came into contact with each other and began topete. Lu Junxing had cultivated for a longer period of time, so his Sword Qi was much stronger than Li Shiyin''s. He forcefully tried to snatch it, making it difficult for Li Shiyin to resist. So Li Shiyin had no choice but to maneuver around and pick up the drinks that Lu Junxing didn''t care for. But even though Li Shiyin had settled for second best, Lu Junxing''s Sword Qi still outnumbered hers...


    "Hahaha..." Lu Junxingughed heartily. "Trying to snatch drinks from me, Junior Sister, you miscalcted!"


    "Enough with the antics after getting an advantage!" Liu Baixuan shook her head. "Who doesn''t know that you, Lu Junxing, are a big drunkard?"


    Lu Junxing felt no shame; instead, he took pride in it. He triumphantlyy down on the ground and gulped down all the drinks he had snatched, saying, "Cheers, cheers!"


    Li Shiyin also finished her drink and said to Lu Junxing, "Senior Brother, your cultivation level is indeed much higher than mine."


    She had thought that under her master''s strict demands, she had already mastered Sword Qi quite well, but she didn''t expect Lu Junxing to be even more proficient.


    "You''re still young; don''t be disheartened!" Lu Junxing chuckled. Lying on the ground, he let out a burp.


    Li Shiyin shook her head and smiled, as if Lu Junxing were much older...


    The exchangested the whole night and dispersed when the sun rose the next day.


    Standing at the highest point of the Dao Sword Sect and watching the sunrise, Li Shiyin saw at the edge of the sky, the dim golden light scattered like countless Sword Qi spreading across the heavens and earth. Standing amidst the golden light, she felt as if the sky itself was beneath her feet.


    She turned to Tian Wenjin and said, "Wenjin, it''s been a while since we visited Dan Peak. How about having a hot pot today?"


    Tian Wenjin looked at Li Shiyin standing on the cliff, draped in the shimmering golden light, her beauty indescribable.


    Approaching her at the edge of the cliff, she looked down at theyers of clouds beneath her feet and replied, "Sure, let''s go!"

 Chapter 229

    Chapter 229


    After the Sword Dao Exchange Conference, Li Shiyin had a clearer understanding of her own position.


    She was indeed very talented in the Sword Dao, this was true. But in this world, there is always a taller mountain; there were still many others who were more talented and stronger geniuses than her.


    Then she did gain a lot from the Sword Dao Exchange Conference, such asprehension of sword intent and application of sword qi. Although Qin Ran''s theoretical knowledge was indeed extensive, he himself was not a sword cultivator after all, and could not help her with many of the specific, detailed sword dao knowledge. This exchange conference helped make up for that.


    "Master, senior brother Lu Junxing from the Master Peak is very powerful. I learned some sword dao knowledge from him andprehended a new sword move," Qin Ran was napping under the old Linghuai tree, contemting life, when Li Shiyin fell from midair with a sword in front of him and said with a smile, "Master, can I demonstrate it to you?"


    "Lu Junxing?" Qin Ran caught this name.


    He was equally familiar with this name, because like Yao Qingke, Lu Junxing was also a towering figure when he first joined the sect, a prodigy-like character. Just like Li Shiyin now, the Lu Junxing from twenty years ago was the peerless sword immortal who wandered freely in the Dao Sword Sect.


    And unlike Li Shiyin''s aloofness towards outsiders, Lu Junxing had a carefree and unrestrained personality and uninhibited conduct, which made him even more likable.


    Such a character...


    Qin Ran opened his eyes and looked at Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin had gone to the sword dao exchange conference a couple of days ago, met Lu Junxing there, and learned some sword moves from him. And now she mentioned this person in front of him...


    Qin Ran thought of many things in an instant, but he did not show anything on his face. He looked at Li Shiyin and asked, "You met Lu Junxing?"


    "Yes! Master must know him!" Li Shiyin nodded with a smile, "Senior brother Lu is such an interesting person."


    Thump thump thump thump!


    Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat. An interesting person?


    He had known long ago that Li Shiyin was a peerlessly talented genius with exceptional charm. He had known long ago that such a day woulde...


    He slowly sat up from the reclining chair and looked at Li Shiyin''s bright and beautiful smile. He strangely felt like...like an honest man.


    He was like that ordinary, mediocre childhood sweetheart, secretly admiring the goddess who was witty and talented, but he had always guarded her humbly. Then she met another talented and brilliant man. They were a perfect match made in heaven. So he could only stand in the dark corner with tears streaming down his face, his heart shattering into pieces, and still wishing them well.


    "What did he teach you?" He pretended not to care.


    "Sword qi and sword intent!" Li Shiyin said, "Master, senior brother Lu said that sword qi has four realms: Initial Comprehension of Sword Qi, Skilled Sword Qi, Lifting the Heavy as Though Light, Making the Light as Heavy. And I''m at the level between Skilled Sword Qi and Lifting the Heavy as Though Light. But senior brother Lu is so powerful, he has already reached the Lifting the Heavy as Though Light realm.


    "Then Master, what senior brother Lu said about sword intent is quite simr to what you told me! Senior brother Lu said that sword intent is a kind of idea, a thought, an emotion. Expressing this emotion through the sword is sword intent."


    "Senior brother Lu is so amazing..." She marveled, "To haveprehended both sword qi and sword intent at the same time."


    Chua chua chua~~


    Qin Ran felt his heart being stabbed into pieces, but she could remember so clearly what the other person said after just one meeting.


    The branches and leaves of the old Linghuai tree swayed in the wind.


    "How did he teach it?" He squeezed out a smile.


    "Senior brother Lu came up with a very interesting method for me topare sword qi with him. That is, separating wine with sword qi," Li Shiyin recalled the wine dividing, it was quite fun, she smiled and continued,


    "Senior brother Liu Baixuan provided the wine for us. We exerted our sword qi to the maximum, using sword qi in midair to snatch and cut off the stream of wine... Unfortunately, my control over sword qi is not as precise as senior brother Lu''s, I didn''t manage to snatch any.


    "Master, shouldn''t we change our method of tempering sword qi? I can''tpare with senior brother Lu!"


    Does this mean she thinks I''m inferior to Lu Junxing? Qin Ran could not even maintain a wry smile.


    He also noticed that the other person providing the wine was also the outstanding leading disciple of Sword Peak. As expected, outstanding people would attract each other. These arrogant talents were people of the same circle.


    "Why were there only male cultivators who participated in the exchange conference this time?" He took out a book and held it in his hand, pretending to casually flip through it.


    "Why were there only male cultivators? There were participants from Sword Peak, Master Peak, powerful sword cultivators all went. Wen Jin was there too!" Li Shiyin frowned, "Oh Master, what are you talking about? I''m telling you about sword qi and sword intent!"


    She...she...she thinks I''m annoying! Qin Ran turned two pages of the book and casually replied, "Oh, sword qi? Sword qi is good!"


    "Master, are you even listening to me?" Li Shiyin walked over and looked down condescendingly at this somewhat strange master.


    "Of course I''m listening, how could I not be listening?" Qin Ran felt sore inside, nced up at Li Shiyin once, ah, so beautiful, he really didn''t match up to her, and hurriedly cast his eyes down humbly again.


    "Mas...ter?" Li Shiyin narrowed her eyes, vaguely sensing something wrong.


    "Oh my, has someone knocked over the vinegar jar there?" The ck-hearted little loli Long Qiqi pushed open the door of her room, twisted her non-existent snake waist, snaked between Li Shiyin and Qin Ran, walked to the door of the small log cabin living room, then turned back, pointed at Qin Ran, pinched her voice, mimicked Li Shiyin''s tone, and sarcastically said, "Ma~ster~ you''re holding your book upside down!"


    "Cough!" Qin Ran gave a start, hurriedly righted the book, nced at the book, and found that he was reading Children''s Math for Chasing the Wind''s enlightenment studies, then silently put it away.


    Seeing Qin Ran''s series of flustered actions, a smile emerged at the corner of Li Shiyin''s lips.


    She took another step forward and stood in front of Qin Ran''s chair. Her feet touched the chair. She leaned down, staring into Qin Ran''s eyes, and asked word for word, "Master, are you jealous?"


    That girl was getting too close! Qin Ran was so shocked that he identally tumbled off the chair. He scrambled up awkwardly, maintaining the master''s dignity and coldly said, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"


    But he didn''t know what else to say, he just wanted to escape as quickly as possible.


    However, just after he took two steps, Li Shiyin''s voice sounded from behind him, "Master, I need you to name the new sword move that I''veprehended..."


    Qin Ran halted his footsteps, recovered someposure, and still turned around.


    Then he saw, in the fool disciple''s palm, several beautiful purple flowers blooming.


    The purple flowers were shining with purple light that shone on the girl''s face, adding a touch of charm to her beauty.


    But those purple flowers were not flowers, they were neb formed by intertwining sword qi, and each one contained the might to destroy mountains and seas.


    "Master, is it nice?" The girl asked him with a smile more beautiful than those flowers.


    Qin Ran looked at the purple flowers, and then at the girl''s eyes, and he saw her smiling eyes just looking at him.


    "It''s nice!" He nodded.


    "What would you call it then?"


    "Dream Fantasy Neb."

 Chapter 230

    Chapter 230


    Was Qin Ran an honest man?


    Obviously not!


    He was a scheming, crafty old bastard, the kind of ultimate roach who would survive even if everyone else died.


    And would a man like him feel inferior or feel he couldn''tpare to so-and-so genius?


    Don''t joke around!


    He should be the kind of man who stands among the crowd, carefully observing those peerless geniuses using their amazing techniques to fight vigorously and fluently, then shakes his head in disdain, muttering to himself ¡°Boring, childish.¡±


    He should be the kind of man who thinks he''s ten thousand times smarter than those so-called geniuses, and looks down on them from the bottom of his heart. This transmigrator was actually very arrogant.


    Would a man like him look up to people like Lu Junxing and Yao Qingke?


    No way!


    He would only feel they were stupid beyond belief.


    In the cultivation world, he felt all the people who didn''t know how to keep a low profile, didn''t know how to keep their cards hidden, liked to show off, and were very famous, were stupid.


    Then why did he have that attitude just now?


    It''s simple, he was jealous.


    Then why did he let Li Shiyin show off?


    Because...


    He was Li Shiyin''s hidden card.


    Everyone who didn''t understand him, Qin Ran, also didn''t understand Li Shiyin. He was Li Shiyin''s disguise, the disguise in the shadows.


    By the time Qin Ran named Li Shiyin''s third self-created sword technique, Li Shiyin had only learned two sword techniques, which were Introducing Starlight Art and Plucking Star in One Sword; she had self-created three sword techniques, which were Flying Immortal Beyond the Skies, Sealing Away Thoughts and Dreams, and Starry Dreams; she had learned two mystic arts, which were Battle Spirit Art and Heart and Mind Eye.


    As for her sword qi realm, it was just at the threshold of Lifting Heavy as Though Light. As for sword intent, she hadn''t sensed it yet.


    But even so, for a cultivator at her stage, she knew a bit too much.


    So she needed a lot ofbat to be skilled at these moves.


    And where could she find a lot ofbat?


    Sect missions.


    So in the following year, Li Shiyin continuously epted sect missions to temper her own sword skills. Especially those missions to defeat demonic beasts that harmed people in the Hengduan Mountains, she epted all levels from one to six.


    ...Wasn''t it said that sect missions were only suggested for disciples to ept missions one level below their own?


    Oh, regarding this issue, some people were unwilling to ept the sect''s suggestions. Also, among these people, quite a few were indeed unsuitable for this suggestion.


    Aside from those demon-ying missions, Li Shiyin would also ept some missions with strange rewards.


    For example, some missions rewarded Heavenly Star Grass seeds, some rewarded Thousand Leaf Fruits, some rewarded...


    "Master..."


    The voice had already drifted from very far away before the person had even arrived. Qin Ran was in the study room writing and drawing. As soon as he heard it, he knew his silly apprentice had returned frompleting her mission. He hurriedly put down his brush and stood up to go see her.


    But before he had even stood up, Li Shiyin''s figure suddenly appeared in the window.


    She leaned on the windowsill and climbed in through the window.


    "Master, guess what the reward for this mission is?!" She asked Qin Ran as she climbed.


    How could she be so ungraceful?! Qin Ran flicked her on the head and grumpily scolded: "Look at yourself! Is our home missing a door?!"


    Li Shiyin justughed and ignored him, climbing straight in from the windowsill. She plopped her butt down on the desk, lifted both legs, then slid off the desk to the ground.


    She stood next to the desk, patted her butt, tidied her clothes, then took out a square foot-sized box from the shabby storage bag at her waist.


    ...This was the storage bag with Qin Ran''s straight man aesthetic that she had been wearing at her waist for two or three years.


    She held up the box to show Qin Ran, blinking her big eyes mysteriously, and asked: "Master, guess what''s inside!"


    Qin Ran sat in his chair, leaning his head on his hand as he looked up at her and shook his head. "I won''t guess," he said.


    "Ohe on, Master~ Just take a guess!"


    "Is it a demon pill?" Qin Ran said.


    Li Shiyin shook her head.


    "Spirit medicine?"


    Li Shiyin shook her head again.


    "Seeds?"


    "Master, you''re so dumb!" Li Shiyinughed.


    Qin Ran red at her and refused to guess anymore.


    Having fulfilled her little scheme, Li Shiyin no longer asked Qin Ran to guess. She held up the box in front of Qin Ran''s eyes and opened it.


    "Ta-da!" she sounded out.


    Qin Ran looked inside the box and saw it was just a clump of dark, spirit energy-rich soil.


    "Mid-grade spirit soil!" Li Shiyin said proudly. "Master, am I amazing or what?"


    "Spirit soil..." Qin Ran sat up straight and took the box from Li Shiyin, rather excited. "This was the reward for the mission this time?"


    "Yup!" Li Shiyin nodded and held up her left hand, spreading out five fingers to show Qin Ran. "Level five mission!"


    Qin Ran was startled, realizing the problem. He closed the box and looked at Li Shiyin with a frown. "Didn''t you say it was a level three mission before?"


    "Hehe..." Li Shiyin grinned foolishly, her eyes looking toward the old ginkgo tree outside the window. She swayed her elegant body, hands behind her back. "I lied to you!"


    "You!" Qin Ran didn''t know what expression to make for a moment. This girl really never listened to him, rebellious to the heavens.


    "I wanted to give you a surprise..." Li Shiyin tried to exin, looking a little embarrassed. "I know you''ve been wanting spirit soil for a long time but couldn''t find any. So when I happened to see this mission that rewarded spirit soil, I didn''t care about anything else."


    Qin Ran felt he would definitely be angered to death by Li Shiyin one day. He suppressed his surging blood pressure and asked, "What was the mission?"


    "To destroy a heretical cult''s nest," Li Shiyin said. Worried that Qin Ran would be angry, she hurriedly added, "It wasn''t just me alone, a lot of people went together, Wen Jin was there too."


    "Heretical cult?!" Qin Ran''s expression changed drastically. The heretical cults in the cultivation world were not like the minor scuffles in the mortal world. They truly had evil gods and high-level cultivators. "Which heretical cult was it, do you know the name?"


    "It was in Beichu Territory, not far from Linxian City..." As Li Shiyin spoke, she suddenly recalled something. She rummaged in her storage bag and took out a round token, handing it to Qin Ran to see. "I knew Master would interrogate me, so I specially kept a token."


    Qin Ran took the token and his first feeling was that it seemed familiar, but seeing the character "Xiao" written on the token, he couldn''t think of it for the moment. Then he flipped the token over, and on this side appeared...


    A big character "Yuan"!!


    "Yuan Organization!!!" His expression changed dramatically.


    He didn''t think twice, immediately raising his hand with "cinnabar water" flowing out, submerging the token. In just an instant, the token was corroded to nothingness.


    "Master, what''s wrong?" Seeing Qin Ran''s appearance, Li Shiyin was very confused. "Do you know this heretical cult?"


    Not only did he know it, he had been hunted by them twice!


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, suppressed the shock in his heart, and asked, "This mission was level five?"


    "Right!"


    "How many people went?"


    "Nine, including me."


    Qin Ran calcted in his mind, a level five mission for nine people should be just eliminating a small nest of the Yuan Organization in Linxian City. For a cultivation organization like this, this mission had probably not even eliminated their Linxian City branch.


    "Don''t go out for a while," he told Li Shiyin with a pinch between his brows.


    "Why?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "This organization is terrifying," Qin Ran exined. "Don''t ept any more missions rted to heretical cults in the future. The water runs too deep inside, it''s very easy for something to happen."


    Seeing Qin Ran''s solemn expression, Li Shiyin could only nod in agreement.

 Chapter 231

    Chapter 231


    Long Qiqi found that recently Dan Peak had been a bit strange. Or rather, it wasn''t Dan Peak, but the greenhouse by Sword Washing Lake that was very odd.


    But she couldn''t quite put her finger on what exactly was the problem. Currently all the vegetables and herbs in the greenhouse were under her care, and they didn''t have any issues.


    That day, Long Qiqi was in the greenhouse looking after some Spirit Tree saplings that Qin Ran had recently nted.


    These saplings were only a few feet tall, but had many leaves, small clusters of broad leaves from top to bottom, making them look like small green hills. But that was it - despite Long Qiqi''s attentive care of the saplings for several days now, she couldn''t see anything magical about them.


    So she really didn''t understand why saplings like these deserved to be nted in Spirit Soil. She knew that Cultivating Spiritual Soil was a precious item that his silly apprentice had risked his life to obtain for him.


    "Sigh..." In the end, all Long Qiqi could do was sigh. Because when it came down to it, she was just a servant... an apprentice... a medicine boy whose job was to grow herbs for Qin Ran.


    What right did she have to question so much?


    As Long Qiqi sighed, she recorded the measurements of the sapling - its height, chest, waist, hips circumference, trunk diameter and so on, urately noting them down in a table.


    After recording the basic data, she watered the sapling with Spirit Liquid and nutrients. Speaking of which, Long Qiqi had more to say about that nutrient solution. She always felt that it was an incredible concoction, Qin Ran''s secret recipe. She had asked him to teach her several times, but Qin Ran always fobbed her off saying "You should focus on alchemy first, we can talk about spiritual ntster."


    Humph! If he didn''t want to teach then fine! She, Long Qiqi, wasn''t so desperate for it...


    After tidying up the Spirit Liquid, nutrients and tools, she headed over to the next area.


    Just then, Li Shiyin''s shouts suddenly rang out from outside the greenhouse: "Master! Master~!"


    "Ugh, there she goes again, unable to go a day without calling for Master at least twice. Otherwise she''d feel ufortable all over," Long Qiqi shook her head with a sigh.


    That Li Shiyin had a habit of going out and about, yet also liked sticking close to her master. So every time she returned from a trip, shouts of "Master!" could be heard echoing all over Dan Peak.


    Long Qiqi was truly sick and tired of it.


    And for some reason, over the past few days - perhaps because Qin Ran was off researching some "ck tech pill" somewhere again - the number of times Li Shiyin would call out for "Master" every time she came back had shot straight up.


    Sure enough, she had already shouted several times for Master at the Guardian Mountain Formation, then went to the log cabin, shouting "Master" while searching up and down yet not finding him. Then she ran to the Research Building, shouting "Master" yet again while looking all around, but still didn''t find him. And now shouting "Master", she was headed towards the greenhouse.


    "Sigh..." Long Qiqi sighed.


    She picked a cucumber from the vines nearby, wiped it on her clothes, and started munching on it. As she nibbled on the cucumber, she went to the greenhouse entrance and opened it, stepping outside. ncing up, she saw Li Shiyin flying over from the Research Building.


    "Qiqi, have you seen my master?" Li Shiyin asked Long Qiqi right away when she saw her.


    Leaning against the doorframe while nibbling her cucumber, the dark lolita scoffed, "Am I supposed to keep an eye on your master? Please tell me, is your master a young child?"


    Ignoring Long Qiqi''s teasing, Li Shiyin asked again, "Is master inside the greenhouse?"


    "It''d be great if he was!" Long Qiqi startedining again, "Some people, wanting to grow all sorts of things yet unwilling to put in any effort themselves. Look at him, nting a little here and there, filling up a whole greenhouse, then after nting he''s nowhere to be seen. He doesn''t even nce inside now. Leaving this huge mess for me to deal with!


    As she spoke, she grew more agitated. "I''m supposed to take care of over a thousand nts for him, run off my feet without a moment''s rest. I don''t even have time to cultivate anymore. And you two, you and Chasing the Wind, usually nowhere to be seen, yet more eager than anyone else at meal times. Yet I don''t see youing to the greenhouse to water or add a drop of Spirit Liquid..."


    Seeing Long Qiqi''s state, Li Shiyin felt a little embarrassed and fell silent, meeky asking again, "I''m looking for master..."


    "Master master!" Long Qiqi sneered. "All day long just master this, master that!"


    "Well do you know where my master is?" Li Shiyin asked again.


    "Don''t know! Don''t know!! Don''t know which woman he''s gone off to fool around with!!" Long Qiqi said impatiently, biting her cucumber as she went back inside the greenhouse.


    "Hehe..." Li Shiyin gave an awkwardugh, then prepared to head towards the back mountains to see if master was there.


    But just as she started to leave, she suddenly noticed a figure appearing out of thin air by the Devouring Demon Willow. Taking a closer look, who else could it be but her master?!


    "Master!" She shouted and immediately flew over. "What are you doing here?"


    "Ahem!" Qin Ran gave an awkward cough, keeping hisposure as he avoided Li Shiyin''s question, simply saying "You''re back?"


    As Li Shiyin flew over, she noticed Qin Ran''s unnatural expression. Her heart thumped uneasily as she recalled Long Qiqi''s words about not knowing which woman he had gone to fool around with. Hurriedly activating her Heart''s Eye, she secretly inspected Qin Ran...


    And with one look, she immediately noticed something off.


    She discovered bits of grass roots, soil and other dirt on Qin Ran''s clothes and hair.


    It looked as if he had just crawled out of the ground.


    "Mas...ter?" Her gaze instantly grew sharp as she stared at Qin Ran and asked, "Where did you go?"


    Qin Ran instantly noticed the change in Li Shiyin, realizing that... his silly apprentice had discovered something.


    Well, he had taught her too well after all.


    Ordinary people like Long Qiqi would never have noticed the specks of soil he hadn''t cleaned off properly. But Li Shiyin was different - she could spot anything off about him right away.


    Such sharp eyes! From now on, if he were to secretly steal incense or covet jade, there''d be no getting past her hawk eyes!


    Cough cough... he hurriedly pulled his thoughts back on track, smiling wryly as he said "Your master has been practicing the Earth Escape Techniquetely!"


    "Earth Escape Technique?" Li Shiyin''s expression instantly shifted from sharp to delighted, as that did fit with her image of her master, however...


    "Master, you already know Water Escape, Wind Escape, Lightning Escape, even Soaring Through the Clouds and Mist..." She held out her fingers one by one as she asked quizzically, "Why learn Earth Escape on top of all that?"


    "Haha..." Qin Ranughed awkwardly in response, "One can never have too many techniques!"


    Alright! Li Shiyin felt that was reasonable - her master was just that cautious and steady, fixated on mastering escape techniques, so she could understand... as long as he wasn''t secretly meeting some woman, she could understand anything.


    "Master, master..." She changed the topic, eager to tell Qin Ran her original purpose for seeking him out. "Do you know who I beat up today?"


    Beat someone up?


    Qin Ran looked Li Shiyin over carefully. This line sounded very familiar - thest time he''d heard it was when Chasing the Wind said he''d beat up a dragon.


    "Who did you beat up this time?" he asked.

 Chapter 232

    Chapter 232


    Approaching the Door-Knocking Before the Way was very near.


    The enthusiasm of Dao Sword Sect''s disciples for cultivation had increased by several orders of magnitude. The frequency of martial arts duels within the sect had multiplied.


    ...Everyone was striving to enhance their strength a bit more before the Door-Knocking Before the Way.


    And in this environment, Li Shiyin could almost fight someone every day, which made her extremely happy.


    For example, today...


    "Master, I beat up another arrogant idiot from Qi Peak today!" Li Shiyin was very happy to share with Qin Ran, "That one, the sixth on the Geniuses Ranking, what''s her name... Ye Qingxuan..."


    "Master, do you know?!" She thought of something again and was overjoyed, "That Ye Qingxuan! Her martial arts are illusionary, using clouds and mists to scare people. But I saw through it with my Divine Sight! Haha... Master, you didn''t see her dumbfounded expression then. It was so funny."


    Ye Qingxuan? Qin Ran thought for a while and remembered this woman. He recalled that her cultivation method seemed to be called Illusory Cloud Deadly Fog, which was indeed illusionary in nature and really restrained by Li Shiyin.


    However...


    "It was just a casual sparring, right? You didn''t call Dong Zhongyuan over." Qin Ran asked Li Shiyin.


    "Yeah!" Li Shiyin nodded. If Dong Zhongyuan was called over, their fight would involve rankings on the Geniuses Ranking. She replied, "I guess Dong Zhongyuan is in closed-door training recently. Haven''t seen him around."


    "That''s good then..." Qin Ran nodded. "Illusory Cloud Deadly Fog is not just illusionary. It hasbat ability and can injure one''s Divine Soul. I guess Ye Qingxuan didn''t fight you seriously. You still need to be cautious of her in the future."


    As he spoke, he suddenly realized something and asked Li Shiyin, "Why are you always against Qi Peak''s disciples?"


    "Humph!" Li Shiyin was reminded of He Daoguang''s refusal to save them and angrily said, "No one from Qi Peak is a good person."


    "How did youe to that conclusion?"


    "I just know it!"


    After casually chatting with Li Shiyin by theke and distracting her, Qin Ran then took her to the little wooden house.


    So the question is, was Qin Ran really practicing his Earth Escape Art?


    Of course not. He had long mastered non-flying escape arts like Earth Escape Art.


    What he was doing underground was something more important for him and Dan Peak.


    Firstly, would people like Jian Yuanjie who wanted to deal with Dao Sword Sect tamper with the pills given to disciples? Would they make trouble at the Door-Knocking Before the Way where disciples of this generation would all gather?


    Secondly, the "Karma" organization was getting closer and closer. Qin Ran''s intuition gave him some inexplicable fear of this organization. He always felt that this organization was more frightening than he imagined...


    Moreover, Dao Sword Sect had recently organized campaigns to eradicate this organization.


    Due to the above two matters, Qin Ran had no choice but to start preparing the next means of escape ¡ª setting up the teleportation formations that he had been researching over the years!


    So where in Dan Peak was suitable to set up teleportation formations now?


    After thinking it over, Qin Ran concluded it should be underground.


    So in recent times, he had opened up an underground space deep beneath the Extreme Demon Weeping Willow by Sword Washing Lake. He nned to use this secret underground space to set up hisrge-scale teleportation formations.


    The reason Long Qiqi felt something off in the greenhouse was because when Qin Ran excavated the underground space, most of the dug out soil was dumped into the greenhouse... The increased soil in the greenhouse made her feel something was off.


    Chasing the Wind was taking a nap under the old spiritual elm tree. The huge white caty there like a snow mountain.


    If Chasing the Wind was standing on all fours now, he would be around adult height... And he was still a youth, still growing.


    Qin Ran walked over, disliked seeing him like this, and went over to kick him awake.


    "Dad, why did you do that!" Chasing the Wind covered his eyes with his big paws, preparing to flip over and continue napping.


    "Have you finished today''s homework?" Qin Ran red at him and asked, "Sleeping all day long, look at who''s aszy as you!"


    Chasing the Wind''s paws covering his eyes unconsciously shifted up to cover his ears.


    "What, you don''t want to listen to me anymore now, right?!" Qin Ran was so angry he went over to kick him again, "I''ll see when you can set up a proper formation! Learned it for three years and can''t even distinguish basic directions. If I were you, I''d bash my head in with a block of tofu and be done with it!"


    Chasing the Wind reluctantly sat up leaning against the old spiritual elm. He yawned continuously for seven to eight times, still feeling not awake enough. Hezily tilted his head over and saw Li Shiyin covering her mouth, giggling.


    He suddenly felt wronged, gestured with his mouth at Li Shiyin, and said, "Shiyin can''t concoct pills either!"


    Both he and Li Shiyin were learning one pill concocting and one formation, but now neither had learned them. Why was Dad only scolding him and not Shiyin?!


    "Shiyin has learned to see ws, find weaknesses. How about you?" At this point Qin Ran had sat down, drinking wake-up tea, and studying therge-scale teleportation formations to set upter.


    What had Chasing the Wind learned? He had learned which direction to face when eating to make the food tastier...


    "I should take back your pass item!" Qin Ran nced at the kitty pass hanging around Chasing the Wind''s neck and said, "Come back out when you''ve thoroughly researched the Guardian Mountain Formation yourself!"


    "Oh yes, great idea!" Li Shiyin gleefully agreed.


    "Ah, Dad!!" To research the Guardian Mountain Formation, he''d have to die. He wouldn''t even necessarily figure it out in his lifetime! Chasing the Wind hurriedly crawled in front of Qin Ran and pitifully pleaded, "Dad! Don''t... I won''t be able to get out and will die."


    Was this the ferocious demon king?


    Seeing him made Qin Ran even angrier. He stretched out his leg and kicked him in the face, scolding, "Hurry up and do your homework! Don''t show up before me if you can''t do it well! The more I see you the more annoyed I get!"


    How could he be so cute when young but so smackable now?


    "Sigh!" Life was hard, the cat sighed.


    Chasing the Wind slowly crawled up again and wandered off towards the back mountain.


    Chasing the Wind''s current ce of learning was essentially in the cave manor on the back mountain. And often the one teaching him was not Qin Ran, but Tushan Youyou.


    As fellow high-level demonic beasts, Tushan Youyou could teach better.


    More often Qin Ran yed the role of the parent of a problem child... Fortunately just the parent. If he had to be both teacher and parent, his brain would definitely explode from anger.


    After scolding Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran looked towards Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin immediately sat properly.


    "Have you integrated all your sword arts?" He asked.


    "Mm-hmm!" Li Shiyin nodded. "Battle Spirit Art has reached the fifth level. My Divine Sight has new insights too."


    "Good then..." Qin Ran nodded and said, "Go read."


    In fact, he was conflicted about whether to teach his newly revised Evil Vanquishing Divine Soul Devouring Skill to Li Shiyin.


    He had obtained theplete version of this devil art from Liu Xiaoji and then deconstructed it. Considering Dan Peak''s nameless Soul Tempering Verse, he had rearranged it into a new cultivation method.


    But he decided to practice it himself first to confirm there were no issues before teaching Li Shiyin.


    Master and disciple sat in front of the little wooden house under the old spiritual elm reading. One was reading, the other watching the reading one.

 Chapter 233

    Chapter 233


    The Dao Sword Sect holds the Dao Knocking Ceremony once every fifty years. Three years before the Dao Knocking Ceremony, the Dao Sword Sect recruits outer disciples, which is called the Grand Dao Questioning Ceremony.


    So the date of the Dao Knocking Ceremony is the first day of the fifth lunar month. Therefore, the date of the Grand Dao Questioning Ceremony recruiting event is also the first day of the fifth lunar month.


    You see it now, right? The key point is the Dao Knocking Ceremony. The batch of disciples recruited at the Grand Dao Questioning Ceremony is just for show, to make up the numbers.


    So what exactly is the Dao Knocking Ceremony?


    On the surface, the Dao Knocking Ceremony is just an elegant name for a sect assessment. It evaluates the newly joined disciples to see if they can walk far on the path of cultivation and asking the Dao.


    But in reality, behind the literal meaning of "knocking the Dao door", there is an actual door inside the Dao Sword Sect, a Dao Door.


    The Dao Knocking Ceremony means knocking on this Dao Door literally.


    If one can knock open this door and enter it to cultivate, it represents the greatest opportunity the Dao Sword Sect can provide to its disciples.


    And the number of people who can enter the Dao Door to cultivate per Dao Knocking Ceremony is ten! From a certain perspective, they are the top ten on the Pride Ranking.


    Of course, nothing is set in stone. So anyone could be a dark horse. Therefore, the people who can actually enter the Dao Door are the top ten ranked disciples in the sect assessment of the Dao Knocking Ceremony.


    These ten people may not necessarily be the top ten on the Pride Ranking.


    Anyway, this Dao Knocking Ceremony is about finding real talents. Even if someone doesn''t enter the Dao Door, achieving outstanding results in the assessment will allow them to obtain some of the sect¡¯s top cultivation resources in their future path of cultivation.


    On April 20 this year, the Sect Leader notified the Chiefs and Elders of the various Peaks and Lineages toe to the Grand Dao Questioning Hall for nning and arrangements.


    Qin Ran naturally also received the notice and went there on time.


    For asions like this, no matter arriving early orte, it would attract attention. So in order not to stand out, Qin Ran always times it to enter at the same time when most people enter.


    However, despite doing so again today, he still attracted attention.


    Liu Boxian, the Sword Peak Chief, saw him from afar and came over directly.


    "Apprentice-nephew Qin?" Liu Boxian called out.


    Qin Ran gave an appropriate bow and greeted politely, "Uncle-master Liu."


    "I heard that your disciple is quite remarkable!" Liu Boxianughed and said.


    Qin Ran replied, "No, just normal cultivation progress."


    "Normal cultivation progress?" Liu Boxian shook his head. He knew all about Li Shiyin''s aplishments like the back of his hand, "Awakened Sword Qi, created her own sword techniques, squeezed out disciples under Elder He, made the Pride Ranking, and even made an out-of-boundary challenge. As such an attention grabbing rising star in the sect, how is this normal?"


    It seems that he had been keeping an eye on Li Shiyin''s progress all this time! So it was clear that the more outstanding Li Shiyin showed herself to be, the more Liu Boxian would regret it. By now, his intestines were probably all green... Why didn''t he insist more back then? She was supposed to be a disciple of Sword Peak!


    "My troublesome disciple is indeed quite diligent in her cultivation..." Qin Ran said.


    In fact, from Qin Ran''s perspective, if Li Shiyin ended up going to Sword Peak, she might not have achieved as much as she had today. Just look at Tian Wenjin. He was as talented as Li Shiyin, but how much adversity did he face after entering Sword Peak?


    ...Luckily he understood clearly back then that if Li Shiyin went to Sword Peak, she would be fighting over those limited resources together with all the other top talents. But with Li Shiyin in Dan Peak, Qin Ran could use all his ability to nurture her.


    "Apprentice-nephew Qin really is too modest." Liu Boxian could onlyugh.


    "I heard..." Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind. Qin Ran looked back and saw it was He Daoguang, the Qi Peak Chief. Smiling, he said, "Currently on the Pride Ranking, there are a total of four sword cultivators, but among them only two are disciples of Sword Peak. Is this true?"


    Qin Ran simply nodded at He Daoguang, then maintained his silence.


    Liu Boxian looked at He Daoguang, a sharp glint shing through his eyes. But in the end he still smiled and said, "My useless disciples are not diligent in cultivation, so only two of them could make the ranking. They have only themselves to me."


    But his tone suddenly changed as he continued, "But I also heard about Qi Peak''s Song Ze being cut down from the Pride Ranking by Dan Peak''s Li Shiyin with a single sword move. I even heard that Qi Peak''s Ye Qingxuan was defeated by Dan Peak''s Li Shiyin. Of course, winning and losing ismon in fights, that is no big deal. But I heard they were defeated by someone who challenged them out of boundary. This does reflect poorly."


    "You!" He Daoguang pointed at Liu Boxian, then nced at Qin Ran. Fuming, he walked up angrily.


    While the two were arguing, Qin Ran kept his head down, pretending not to hear any of it. When He Daoguang finally stormed off, only then did he look up. In his heart he thought, how narrow-minded. No wonder Shiyin dislikes you.


    "Hmph! Let''s go!" Liu Boxian patted Qin Ran''s shoulder and said, "Let''s go. This Elder He has always been like this."


    Qin Ran looked at him. In his heart he thought, you''re also no saint. You deliberately pushed him out to confront He Daoguang.


    When mixing into the Grand Dao Questioning Ceremony, Qin Ran found the Dan Peak seating location and sat in the least conspicuous ce.


    He looked up to observe Gu Yueming the Sect Leader. Even now, the Sect Leader still had an unhealthyplexion and unstable aura.


    The Sect Leader Gu Yueming was at the heart of the battlefield during the Devouring Demon Willow incident. Facing the Core Formation stage Devilish Willow directly, he suffered extremely heavy injuries. After the incident ended, he had been in secluded meditation to heal his wounds. Only recently was the unavoidable Dao Knocking Ceremonying up, so he was forced to emerge from closed door cultivation to handle sect affairs.


    Seeing the Sect Leader''s condition, Qin Ran grew even more worried, feeling that with external forces would likely take this chance to strike at the Dao Sword Sect all at once...


    When all Peak and Lineage personnel had arrived, Gu Yueming sat cross-legged at the center of the great hall and said,


    "As per the rules left behind by our predecessors, the Dao Sword Sect will select the most outstanding ten individuals from within the sect once every fifty years, allowing them to enter the Dao Door to cultivate."


    Although he used a technique to ensure everyone could hear his voice, Qin Ran could clearly discern the feeble weakness within it, as well as the instability.


    Looking at the Sect Leader, Qin Ran the viin suddenly started wondering, perhaps the Sect Leader had already discovered the internal chaos and was pretending to be weak as bait?


    "...The fifty year limit is almost up again soon. We will be holding a grand ceremony..."


    As per tradition, although he was already so weak that he could hardly speak anymore, Gu Yueming still rambled on and on from ancient history to the present. He first talked about what the Dao Knocking Ceremony was, then past Dao Knocking Ceremonies and the geniuses they revealed, followed by awards for this generation, and finally selection rules, before finally at the end assigning tasks to the various Elders and Chiefs at the end.


    A whole leader''s speech, talking for over two hours straight. This let Qin Ran further confirm that earlier guess of his. Otherwise, just look at how the Sect Leader looked like he was going to die at any moment the entire time from the strain of talking for so long, yet still hadn''t died by the end, maintaining that half dead appearance...


    After the meeting ended, Qin Ran received the assignment of being a judge.


    As for the selection mechanism for the Dao Knocking Ceremony, it was simply to fight it out!


    Moreover, a single elimination tournament system!


    That meant the names of all disciples taken in over thest fifty years, whether servant disciples, regr inner sect disciples, or even personal disciples, would all be mixed together randomly for drawing of lots for pairings. Winners proceed to the next round, losers get eliminated directly.


    Continuing in this way until the final candidates are selected.


    Not caring if Road Junxing and Liu Baiyun get matched against each other in the very first round, or if the final top ten includes servant disciples. The Dao Knocking Ceremony yed out true and cruel.


    In order to tell the disciples, there is no fairness. Coincidences can happen, luck can happen, but... this is the cultivation world.


    7017 characters

 Chapter 234

    Chapter 234


    In this session of the Dao Questioning Grand Ceremony, the Dao Sword Sect took in 16 inner sect and personally taught disciples. And before taking in these 16 inner sect and personally taught disciples, they had already taken in 165 outer sect and menial disciples.


    Of these 175 outer sect and menial disciples, 3 had been promoted to inner sect disciples over the past 3 years.


    Then, in the 47 years before this session of the Dao Questioning Grand Ceremony, they had taken in 27 inner sect and personally taught disciples, and 306 outer sect and menial disciples, bit by bit over time.


    Of those 306 outer sect and menial disciples, 7 had joined the ranks of inner sect disciples.


    In summary, in the past 50 years, the Dao Sword Sect had taken in a total of 524 disciples. Of them, there were 53 inner sect and personally taught disciples, and 471 outer sect and menial disciples.


    However, the path of cultivating the Dao is not smooth sailing. The dangers and tribtions along the way are unpredictable. In those 50 years, a few dozen had fallen, and a few had left to join other sects.


    And so, at this time of knocking on the Dao''s door, a total of 494 disciples had gathered in the Dao Questioning Hall. Of them, there were 49 inner sect and personally taught disciples, and 445 outer sect and menial disciples.


    The disciples of each peak had gathered in their own ces. Adding the Chiefs and Elders, there were probably 600-700 people in the hall. For a time, it was noisy and chaotic, the sounds difficult to settle.


    And among the Dao Sword Sect''s 4 peaks, Dan Peak had the fewest people, but was the most eye-catching.


    Because with one look towards Dan Peak''s location, what could be seen was an impressive white tiger, mighty and domineering. The other peaks may have had more people, but where else could one find such a white tiger?


    At the front middle chief position of Dan Peak was Qin Ran. On either side of him sat Long Qiqi and Li Shiyin. And then the three of them still could notpare to Chasing the Wind behind them.


    It was no wonder that people saw not people but only the tiger.


    Fortunately, the Dao Sword Sect disciples all knew that Li Shiyin, the white-clothed sword immortal, had a white tiger named Chasing the Wind. So although there was such a ferocious white tiger in the hall, it did not cause panic.


    Not only did it not cause panic, it attracted quite a lot of attention. A white tiger like Chasing the Wind, so beautiful and mighty sitting there, it was hard for people not to look at him... he was even more captivating than the white-clothed sword immortal.


    Qin Ran really disliked being the center of attention like this, especially because he had to secretly observe Jian Yuanjie and the others. With everyone looking over here, it was hard for him to watch unnoticed.


    "I told you not to bring Chasing the Wind, but you insisted on bringing him. Look now, everyone''s staring this way. What''s this all about?" He scolded Li Shiyin in a low voice.


    Li Shiyin had been sitting ramrod straight, her face like frost, fully embodying the image of a female sword immortal.


    But upon hearing Qin Ran''s words, her eyes lit up withughter. She whispered back, "Master, don''t you think bringing Chasing the Wind makes us look impressive?"


    Chasing the Wind did indeed look impressive now... Actually, Chasing the Wind always looked impressive. His snow-white fur was sleek and smooth without a single impurity. His eyes had a natural line around them, shining brightly with the kingly might of a tiger. His mouth and nose were dignified, innately elegant.


    Not to mention human aesthetics, even by the aesthetic standards of tigers, Chasing the Wind would definitely be an exceptionally handsome fellow.


    Don''t be fooled by hiszy, silly and stupid ways when at home, sprawled under the old spirit oak tree like a lump of white ice cream. But when he really went outside and stood up tall, raise his head, eyes shining, the fierce and arrogant aura of a tiger king would emerge in an instant.


    Right now as he sat there at Dan Peak''s spot, he fully represented Dan Peak''s prestige - it really gave them a lot of face.


    And which person, upon seeing this tiger, did not look happily upon him? Not just happily - at this moment feelings of admiration, envy and jealousy bloomed in their hearts.


    Hearing Li Shiyin praise him, Chasing the Wind was even more smug, raising his neck even higher, eyes narrowed, disying an imposing manner!


    "Imposing his ass!" Qin Ran said helplessly. He could only observe Jian Yuanjie even more subtly with his divine sense.


    After everyone had arrived and quieted down, Elder Gu Yueming appeared at the center of the hall. He once again used his half-dead sounding voice to give a leading speech, droning on and on for half an incense stick''s worth...


    Qin Ran discovered that whether in his past life or this life, every person in a leadership role was capable of useless bber.


    After Elder Gu finished speaking, the drawing of lots began.


    Qin Ran saw him form hand seals, conjuring a ball of light out of thin air. That ball of light scattered, breaking into 494 strands of light that flew into the identity tokens of the 494 participating disciples.


    "There is a number on your identity token, that number is your candidate number. And the person with the same number, is your opponent for this round," he announced to the disciples.


    As his voice fell, the hall immediately erupted intomotion. Many disciples couldn''t wait to take out their tokens and check their numbers, then started discussing with their friends. Of course, some clever ones hid their tokens for now, and shamelessly went to probe others for their numbers instead.


    Li Shiyin also took out her identity token to check her number. Sheughed to Qin Ran, "Hehe, Master, my number is..."


    But before she could finish speaking, her mouth was covered by a hand.


    She looked and saw Long Qiqi sprawled over Qin Ran''sp, one hand covering Li Shiyin''s mouth.


    "Are you stupid?" Long Qiqi red at her and scolded.


    "What is it?" Li Shiyin still didn''t understand.


    "What if your opponent knows your number and makes preparations ahead of time. What would you do then?" Long Qiqi asked.


    Li Shiyin was puzzled. "I spar with people every day, everyone knows what I''m good at. The counter-strategies, those who know already know. What else is there?"


    "What if they find a way to mess up your condition before you go on stage? Or directly prevent you from going on stage altogether?" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes and cursed in exasperation, "So stupid!"


    Only now did Li Shiyine to a realization, but she still felt it somewhat incredulous. She looked at Qin Ran uncertainly, "Master?"


    Qin Ran showed Li Shiyin his identity token, which had the word "Judge" written on it. He smiled, "I''m a judge, I can''t y favorites."


    He wanted to see the progress his silly disciple had made over the years. He had no ns to directly help her this time.


    "Humph! Stinking Master!" Li Shiyin pouted.


    Looking at Li Shiyin''s increasingly beautiful face, Qin Ran still felt somewhat uneasy. Although he had emphasized it many times before, he reiterated, "Remember, safety first, assessment second. Rankings, rewards etc are all secondary. You must not get injured, much less lose your life."


    "With me being so powerful, and Seven Seven as strategist, we''ll definitely clinch first ce." Li Shiyin dered.


    Knowing his silly disciple was deliberately trying to provoke him, Qin Ran ignored her and looked to Long Qiqi instead, feeling even more uneasy. He stressed again, "Pay attention to safety!"


    At this time, the Sect Leader in the hall suddenly became spirited. He announced in a loud voice, "The preparations areplete. All stewards, elders and chiefs get ready. The knocking on the Dao''s door officially begins now!"

 Chapter 235

    Chapter 235


    This side asked the Great Hall assembly to end as soon as one, the crowd surged out, and the other side of the Daoist tform had already been activated and the assessment had officially begun. This is the so-called seamless connection.


    Qin Ran went to the other side of the Daotai to act as a referee; Long Qiqi took Li Shiyin and chased the wind, and ran to the secluded corner of the main peak.


    She made Chasing the Wind block the wind, and whispered to Li Shiyin, "What''s your number?"


    Li Shiyin then showed Long Qiqi her identity badge, which was written sixty-seven.


    "Sixty-seven?" Long Qiqi began to analyze, "The assessment is likely to start from one, and then there are a total of nine Daotai, that is, there are nine assessments at a time. It takes about half a quarter of an hour for one assessment, and at most it won''t take a quarter of an hour. You are sixty-seven, at least you have to wait for an hour before it''s your turn."


    "Then this hour..."


    "This hour we have to pay attention to observe their assessment, especially the winners in the assessment, to prepare for youter." Long Qiqi said, "We have three people, each watching three Daotai. Then, after each end, you will both report to me..."


    As she was talking, she suddenly realized that Chasing the Wind didn''t listen to her at all, just busying himself posing there. She flew over and kicked Chasing the Wind in the knee.


    Chasing the Wind looked at her in confusion, not understanding: "Why did you hit me?"


    "Don''t be narcissistic, pay attention when I speak!" Long Qiqi said fiercely, "We are going to help Shiyin take first ce!"


    Chasing the Wind smacked his lips, still tucked in his front paws and crawled down to listen to Long Qiqi''s tactical arrangements.


    "Chasing the Wind, pay attention to observe the three Daotai here, that is, the seven, eight, and nine Daotai. After each assessment is over, you have to report to me the name of the winner, what kind of cultivator he is, what he is good at..."


    Li Shiyin supplemented: "Also pay attention to which vein, especially the aura."


    Long Qiqi looked at her and thought to herself, this girl holds grudges. She continued: "Every time after the trial, tell me, and I will keep statistics here. We must ensure that after the first round of trials, the basic information of all disciples is recorded."


    She looked at Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind, and finally asked, "Do you remember?"


    Li Shiyin nodded, while Chasing the Wind was already in a trance...


    Long Qiqi kicked him again and asked, "Did you hear me?"


    Only then did Chasing the Winde back to his senses and nodded nkly.


    "Good!" Long Qiqi pped her hands, "The battle has already started over there, let''s go over now!"


    The three paid attention to a row of Daotai respectively, that is, Li Shiyin was responsible for Daotai one to three; Long Qiqi was responsible for Daotai four to six; Chasing the Wind was responsible for Daotai seven to nine.


    As Long Qiqi had expected, it did start from number one, and the eighteen disciples with numbers from one to nine were fighting on the Daotai.


    There were a total of nine Daotai, arranged in a nine-pce formation, and Qin Ran was the referee on the left shoulder Daotai... that was Daotai number one.


    At this time, the two outer disciples he was responsible for on this Daotai were fighting fiercely. These two had just condensed the cyclone and had only learned two crude techniques. At this time, each was holding an ordinary treasure sword, and there was... intense battle.


    Qin Ran watched the situation on the court with half an eye, and the rest of his attention wandered around the entire examination site, paying attention to Jian Yuanjie''s movements.


    At this moment, he suddenly noticed that a beautiful long-legged beauty in white clothes came to the audience below. He looked over and it was his silly apprentice.


    The silly apprentice ran over, looked up and saw him, the two looked at each other, she secretly blinked her big eyes at him, and made a silly grin with her mouth shape.


    "Oh!" Qin Ran turned his head and stopped looking at her.


    The master was shy and avoided her. Li Shiyin then looked at the battle on the Daotai, and then her eyebrows gradually condensed, revealing some difficulties... Does she need to keep records of opponents of this level?


    But when she looked at the other two Daotai, she found that the disciples on those two Daotai were just as mediocre, with only one disciple being slightly more powerful.


    "Eh? Is this an ordinary cultivator?" Li Shiyin suddenly felt the disparity in the world.


    After watching the first round of battles, the group of three regrouped. Long Qiqi sat cross-legged on the ground, took out forms and a pen, and first wrote down what she had observed.


    "Qiqi?" Li Shiyin raised a question, "For those with very poor strength, those who have just condensed the cyclone, and are not even in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, do they need to be recorded too?"


    Long Qiqi didn''t even lift her head and said, "Of course they all need to be recorded. Who knows if there is someone like your master hiding his strength on purpose among them."


    Li Shiyin thought about it, it seemed to make sense.


    Qin Ran discovered that his apprentice was running around below, looking here and looking there; and the other two guys were the same.


    "Is she collecting intelligence?" He couldn''t help butugh to himself, "It looks quite like it!"


    After running around for more than an hour, finally, Long Qiqi asked Chasing the Wind first: "Silly tiger, how many have you reached?"


    "Fifty-nine." Chasing the Wind said.


    "What about Shiyin?"


    "Fifty-six."


    "Well, I''m at sixty-two here!" Long Qiqi recorded, "It will be your turn next, Shiyin."


    "I know..." Li Shiyin nodded.


    "Don''t be nervous." Long Qiqi subconsciouslyforted, then looked up at Li Shiyin, and swallowed the words back. Would Shiyin be nervous?


    "Later when you go on stage, Shiyin, you..." She made further arrangements with Li Shiyin.


    Soon, the next round of trials began.


    On the left waist Daotai of the nine-pce Daotai array, Daotai number four, the elder on it shouted: "Contestant with identity badge number sixty-seven, pleasee on stage."


    As soon as he finished speaking, a male cultivator jumped up the stage with his hands behind his back, showing the elder the identity badge, which was number sixty-seven.


    This was an outer disciple, quite powerful, already at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. As an outer disciple, having such strength, he was also arrogant at heart. After all, he had a reputation among the outer disciples. In his own estimation, with his cultivation level, with a little luck, he could at least make the top fifty, no problem.


    This fellow was standing proudly on the stage, when he suddenly saw the crowd below split open, and he looked along the split crowd to see a beautiful girl in white riding a huge white tiger walking slowly over.


    "No... no... can''t be?" He was stunned in an instant.


    His morale went down as Chasing the Wind approached, and when Chasing the Wind lightly jumped onto the stage, his psychology waspletely crushed.


    What kind of opening was this?


    This was a hellish death opening!


    Qin Ran, who had been paying attention to his silly apprentice, almost spit out a mouthful of old blood when he saw his silly apprentice actually riding Chasing the Wind onto the stage!


    What... what is this! He secretly shook his head, pretending not to know them.


    The elder of the Main Peak on this Daotai also had a ck face when he saw the tall Chasing the Wind.


    He said expressionlessly to Li Shiyin: "Identity badge."


    Li Shiyin used her sword to show the identity badge to the elder.


    It was indeed sixty-seven. The Main Peak elder confirmed it, then looked up at Li Shiyin and asked with a ck face, "What is your main cultivation?"


    "Replying to elder, my main cultivation is swordsmanship."


    "Then what is it?" The Main Peak elder pointed at Chasing the Wind and asked.


    "He is my spirit beast!" Li Shiyin answered seriously.


    "He is her spirit beast!!" Chasing the Wind also nodded in agreement.


    "Nonsense!!" The Main Peak elder shouted angrily with a ck face.


    ...In the end, Li Shiyin still failed to cheat. She obediently jumped off Chasing the Wind and Chasing the Wind also cleverly jumped off the Daotai.


    "Oh! What a pity..." Long Qiqi below shook her head again and again.

 Chapter 236

    Chapter 236


    The top ten arrogant geniuses - when chatting, they were just the capital for ordinary disciples to brag; when watching battles, they were the idols for ordinary disciples to cheer; but if you faced them head-on, then they would be nightmares for ordinary disciples.


    And in such an important assessment, no disciple wanted to face the top ten arrogant geniuses head-on... What they thought the most was probably that there were only ten arrogant geniuses, how could it be possible to encounter one.


    So no matter how Xu Ze thought about it, he couldn''t imagine that he would be so "lucky" to encounter Li Shiyin in the very first battle.


    He had watched Li Shiyin''s battles countless times. He knew Li Shiyin''s sword skills were precise, sharp, and almost like a work of art. She could always find the weak point of her opponent and defeat them using the simplest methods. Because of this, she could always challenge those above her level. Her battle style was clean, precise, and swift. As an audience, it was truly a visual enjoyment.


    But now, he was her opponent.


    Xu Ze looked at the peerless beauty across from him, but he could not enjoy the visual beauty brought by the beautiful girl at all. He could only see the endless terrifying oppressiveness of the sword aura as deep and cold as the night sky. He couldn''t breathe.


    He realized he was having trouble breathing, his head felt a little dizzy, he could sense sword aura in the air, the air was sharp.


    His legs were shaking, his heart was urging him to turn around and run away...


    "Danfeng, Li Shiyin!" The girl across from him held her sword in salute and asked him formally in crisp voice.


    "Outer... outer disciple, Xu, Ze!" He saluted back, but felt it wasn''t him speaking.


    "Shing!"


    The girl across from him drew her sword!


    The girl kindly reminded him: "Brother Xu, pay attention!"


    Only then did Xu Ze regain some of his senses. He realized his face was already covered in sweat. He wiped his face and gritted his teeth, secretly cheering himself on. He told himself that even if he was going to lose, he shouldn''t lose too badly.


    He circted the inner power within his body, and a shimmering membrane appeared around him. He exerted force with his feet, ready to use his lightness skill to escape at any time.


    Defending and maneuvering was the strategy he came up with that could allow him to persist a little longer.


    Then...


    "Puff!"


    Before he could react, he heard the sound of his protective shield shattering. He was stunned, and then heard the girl across from him say: "Brother Xu, please excuse me."


    He looked up to see the beautiful girl put away her sword, and politely nodded to him.


    Then the girl turned and left.


    Xu Ze stood there in a daze. Huh? So... he had lost just like that?


    Lost in one move... No, could this even be considered one move?


    Xu Ze didn''t know.


    He also didn''t know how he got off the Dao Lecture Stage. He only vaguely remembered that the expressions of the people below didn''t change at all, as if they were not surprised at all that he lost in one move. After all, his opponent was Li Shiyin!


    "What a pity, going against one of the top ten arrogant geniuses..." That was how his good friendforted him.


    "How was the opponent?"


    In a remote corner of the square, Long Qiqi asked Li Shiyin.


    "This martial brother has some skills, but his temperament is a bitcking..." Li Shiyin shook her head and said, "Before we even started fighting, he was already fearful and wanted to flee. In that instant, his whole body was full of ws, so with just a casual strike from me, he would have been sliced to pieces."


    Long Qiqi took notes based on the description, and then asked, "What if he had betterposure and fought you with his full strength?"


    "Then I might have had to use a serious strike," said Li Shiyin.


    "I see..." Long Qiqi nodded.


    "What a pity that Chasing the Wind can''t go on stage!" Li Shiyin sighed. She looked at Chasing the Wind, rather disappointed, "If you could go on stage, Chasing the Wind, and then you could pin them down and I strike the finishing blow, we would definitely be invincible and unstoppable. The likes of Lu Junxing and Liu Baiyun would be no match for us."


    Chasing the Wind justy therezily and yawned, "My bad!"


    "For the next round, Shiyin, do you want to try things like Fu Talismans, Formation Disks, Pills?" Long Qiqi suggested again, "You can also try poison pills." As she spoke, she took out a "Body Tempering Pill" that she often ate to improve her physique from her Cosmic Bag.


    "I guess I could try..." said Li Shiyin, "But I feel like those methods won''t work against the other arrogant geniuses. And against disciples without the strength of an arrogant genius, my sword is still better."


    "There are still many days to go!" Long Qiqi said, "Better save as much strength as possible!"


    "Alright, I''ll try Fu Talismans tomorrow..."


    After they finished recording this round, they prepared to go gather more intelligence.


    "Hey! Isn''t that Wenjin over there?" With his height, Chasing the Wind could see far. He saw Tian Wenjin as they walked towards the Dao Lecture Stage.


    "Wenjin?" Li Shiyin jumped onto Chasing the Wind''s back to look over, "Wow, it really is Wenjin! Is she in this round?"


    "She''s at the ninth Dao Lecture Stage..." Long Qiqi said, "Let''s call her over to join uster!"


    "Okay, sounds good."


    Tian Wenjin''s first opponent in this round was a Qi Peak disciple, a male disciple who recognized her... After all, Tian Wenjin was one of the Five Great Beauties, so it was difficult for the male disciples of the Dao Sword Sect not to recognize her.


    This martial brother very courteously saluted Tian Wenjin with a smile, "Sister Tian, greetings to you."


    "Brother Hu," Tian Wenjin returned the greeting.


    "I will be mindful of restraint, Sister Tian need not worry..." Brother Hu said, "Although I can''t let you win, I can apany you in an invigorating battle."


    Unlike Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin was a bit more reserved, after all she had not yet be arrogant, but had already suffered consecutive misfortunes. Within the sect, Tian Wenjin had almost never issued a challenge, and others did not dare to challenge her because she was one of the Five Great Beauties, so this peerless sword dao genius who hadprehended Sword Intent, actually had an obscure reputation in the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Brother need not hold back, pleasee at me with your full strength," said Tian Wenjin in a deep voice.


    As she spoke, she drew the Thunder Sword from behind her back.


    As the Thunder Sword left its sheath, the atmosphere on the entire Dao Lecture Stage instantly changed. Brother Hu suddenly felt a sense of merciless, absolute destruction.


    "What is this?" He had never seen it before.


    Then Tian Wenjin across from him moved, and there was suddenly a "crackle" in the air. Brother Hu only felt his vision blur, and then saw a sword-shaped blue lightning bolt stab towards him!


    He quickly circted his Qi to push out a mass of energy to block this sword-shaped lightning...


    Tian Wenjin suddenly closed the distance, and the two were immediately embroiled in fiercebat.


    The more they fought, the more Brother Hu felt something was wrong. He discovered that he was getting more and more suppressed, as if there was a relentless, merciless aura enveloping him, causing his spirits to sink and making it harder and harder for him to attack.


    Until at one point, Tian Wenjin stabbed towards him with her sword, and the rich sword intent of mercilessness on the de let him understand that his mind and spirit had been suppressed by the sword intent from the very beginning...


    But it was already toote.


    Unlike Li Shiyin''s match which was absolute suppression through strength, when Tian Wenjin thrusted out this strike, she did not hold back, piercing through Brother Hu''s shoulder de.


    Tian Wenjin sheathed her sword and said: "I''m sorry, Brother."


    Brother Hu did not speak, only watching as Tian Wenjin stepped down from the Dao Lecture Stage.


    "Hey! Wenjin, over here..." Tian Wenjin had just stepped off the stage when she saw Long Qiqi jumping and waving at her in the crowd.


    She walked over and asked, "You''re alone?"


    "They''re at other stages," Long Qiqi replied, then asked again, "Want to join us?"

 Chapter 237

    Chapter 237


    "Join you?" Tian Wenjin was puzzled, "What are you doing?"


    "Taking the assessment! Getting first ce!" Long Qiqi raised her two little fists and clenched them tightly as she said to Tian Wenjin.


    "Taking the assessment and getting first ce?" Tian Wenjin looked at Long Qiqi, not understanding what the assessment had to do with her. "Shiyin wants to get first ce?"


    "Of course she wants to!" Long Qiqi said, "Don''t you want to get first ce?"


    It would definitely be a lie to say she didn''t want to get first ce. Tian Wenjin looked at Long Qiqi and said, "I''m very confident in my own abilities, so I know I definitely can''t get first ce. Shiyin, Senior Brother Lu, Senior Brother Liu, they are all a level above me."


    "The assessment relies on more than just abilities..." Long Qiqi said seriously to Tian Wenjin, "There is also luck and strategy. We can''t control luck but we can manipte strategy."


    Tian Wenjin became interested and asked Long Qiqi, "What strategy?"


    Long Qiqi waved her hand to gesture for her toe closer. When Tian Wenjin squatted down with her ear close by, she finally lowered her voice and said, "Gathering intelligence, predicting opponents, analyzing the situation, formting preemptive strategies against enemies..."


    When she finished, she stared at Tian Wenjin and raised her eyebrows, "What do you think?"


    When Tian Wenjin heard this and thought about it carefully, she was surprised to find that what Long Qiqi said could really help them win. She couldn''t help but look at Long Qiqi closely again, sizing her up and down, and said, "You can do that? Where did you learn it from?"


    The Dao Sword Sect had been holding these knock tests for thousands of years, but no one had evere up with such an ingenious idea before.


    Although Long Qiqi was crafty enough, she still had some cunning. But this kind of thinking could only have been learned from Qin Ran. She didn''t answer, only kept asking Tian Wenjin, "What do you think? Do you want to join? Do you? Do you?"


    "How far have you guys gotten so far?" Tian Wenjin thought for a moment and asked.


    "We''re still gathering intelligence on the disciples," Long Qiqi replied.


    "Then what would I have to do if I join?" Tian Wenjin said, "I mean, what''s the cost?"


    After struggling to survive in the cultivation world for two or three years, Tian Wenjin already understood that pie doesn''t fall from the sky.


    "What cost?" The sinister little loli red at Tian Wenjin reproachfully and smiled, "We just gather intelligence together, analyze together, strategize together. We''re all friends, just sharing information."


    Tian Wenjin contemted, "How many people do you have now?"


    "There''s you and Shiyin, then there''s me and Chasing the Wind."


    "Why aren''t there others?"


    "I''m not familiar with the others."


    "Alright..." Tian Wenjin was sessfully tricked into joining the group. She asked, "So what should I do now?"


    "You go take over intelligence gathering from Chasing the Wind. His targets are too obvious, running around will easily attract other people''s attention."


    "Okay." Tian Wenjin nodded, then asked again, "Specifically, what should I gather?"


    Long Qiqi told her one by one, and after she listened, she turned to go find Chasing the Wind.


    "Wait!" Long Qiqi suddenly remembered something and called for her to stop again, gesturing for her toe closer and ask softly, "What''s the number on your identity token?"


    "One hundred and seventy-one..." Tian Wenjin said, taking out her identity token to look, then hesitated, "No, when did it change to seventy-seven?"


    Long Qiqi''s expression changed slightly when she heard this: "Your number changed?"


    "What does that mean?"


    "After the first round ended, some people''s numbers changed, and some didn''t," Long Qiqi replied. "For example, Shiyin''s number didn''t change, it''s still sixty-seven; your number changed from one hundred seventy-one to seventy-seven."


    "Do you know why?"


    Long Qiqi shook her head, "There must be some pattern to this, but I haven''t figured it out yet."


    "I see..."


    Following Long Qiqi''s instructions, Tian Wenjin went to take over for Chasing the Wind. As usual, she recorded the names, numbers, upations, levels, etc. of the two assessment participants. And as a cultivator, she naturally also recorded the details like thebat styles and habits of both sides in the battle.


    The assessments on the first daysted continuously from 10 AM to 8 PM. It wasn''t until night fell that the liveliness on Master Peak gradually dispersed.


    Qin Ran had served as a judge for a whole day and was already exhausted. As soon as he returned to Dan Peak, he copsed into a chair and started to doze off.


    But the four-person group who had also been running around the Forum tform all day didn''t feel tired at all. At this time, they were still sitting in a circle on the grass in front of the small wooden house, arguing vigorously.


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin sat with legs crossed, while Chasing the Wind and Long Qiqiid on their stomachs. Chasing the Windid down to reduce the impact of his massive size, while Long Qiqiid here, sticking her little butt up, chattering nonstop.


    She spoke in a lowered voice, with a lot of breathiness, very much like a snake hissing "hiss hiss hiss".


    Qin Ran couldn''t sleep from the noise, so he got up and walked over. Using the light cast from the corridor, he saw Long Qiqi''s elbow on top of a stack of thick paper, covered with grids and filled with numbers, names, descriptions, markings, and more - very messy.


    When he came over, he saw Long Qiqi make a mark on the paper with her pen, hissing, "Of the Outer Sect disciples, these eleven are worth paying attention to. Comprehensive analysis shows they may have strong abilities, hidden abilities, strange skills, strange artifacts, and so on.


    "The two who need special attention are Lin Yi and Xiao Bufan. Lin Yi''s cultivation techniques are misceneous, so he likely has hidden strength; Xiao Bufan''s fire is especially fierce, probably Heavenly Anomalous Fire, giving him the capital to win despite being weaker.


    "That''s the Outer Sect disciples." As she spoke, she handed the chart to Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin to look at, then took out another chart herself and continued,


    "As for the Inner Sect disciples... you can''t underestimate most of the Inner Sect disciples'' strength.


    "There are seven who need special attention, they are...


    "Among them, this one named Ximen Wushang needs extremely special attention. I feel he has strengthparable to the top ten arrogances. "


    "Such a high evaluation?" Li Shiyin said in surprise, "Didn''t everyone only show moderate strength in the first round?"


    "I watched his match..." Tian Wenjin picked up the thread of conversation, "His opponent was Senior Brother from Sword Peak, who is extremely strong, not below me... but in the end he was defeated by Ximen Wushang."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded in understanding.


    As they were talking, they suddenly heard Chasing the Wind call out "Dad", and were shocked. Looking up, they realized Qin Ran had already been eavesdropping there for quite a while.


    Discovering he had been exposed, Qin Ran red at Chasing the Wind - so your eyes are pretty useful huh?


    He awkwardly coughed and smiled, "Not bad, great work! Keep it up..." Then swiftly fled.


    After Qin Ran left, the four-person group continued discussing. As they talked, they brought up the matter of the changing numbers again, but the pattern still wasn''t cracked.


    The more Long Qiqi thought about it the angrier she got. Suddenly she sat up and pointed at Chasing the Wind scolding, "This number pattern should be your responsibility, but look at the sorry state your math skills are in!"


    The massive blob named Chasing the Wind justid there, not even daring to breathe loudly while being scolded by the tiny Long Qiqi.


    "The numbers must rte to the match order tomorrow. Without finding the pattern... Do you know how many opportunities we''ll miss out on?"


    "Alright, alright..." Li Shiyin quickly smoothed things over, consoling, "We''ve already collected so much information, it''s enough. The number pattern and such, we''ll know after watching a few more matches tomorrow."


    "Tomorrow, tomorrow! If we knew today, we''d have so much more time to prepare!" Long Qiqi red at Li Shiyin again and said angrily.


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin exchanged a look, both feeling helpless. If the three of them plus Chasing the Wind were added together, Long Qiqi''s strength still wouldn''t match one of their fingers. But...


    Of course, scolding aside, in the end Chasing the Wind still didn''t figure out the number pattern... That big head of his was useless after all.


    That night, a certain big catid on the cat tree, blowing in the cold wind and sleepless with anxiety all night.

 Chapter 238

    Chapter 238


    The next day, the assessment knocking on the door continued.


    Each judge was still in charge of the Dao Podium they were responsible for yesterday, and Qin Ran still went to Dao Podium No. 1 to be a judge.


    However, after the first round, many weaker disciples had been eliminated. In this second round, the possibility of encountering stronger disciples greatly increased.


    In order to ensure the safety of these disciples and prevent idental injuries or deaths, Qin Ran no longer paid most of his attention to the audience below like yesterday. Today most of his attention was on the stage.


    Of course, this did not affect him from looking at the silly disciples running around below.


    Qin Ran knew that the silly disciple must be verifying and improving the information she had collected yesterday. She would asionally find him looking at her, and then make a face at him,pletely disregarding her own aloof image as a white-clothed Sword Immortal.


    Soon, the first round of assessment battles was over, and the group of four gathered in a remote ce on the main peak, still using Tian Wenjin''s huge body to block the wind.


    The little loli dragon Qiqi sat cross-legged on the ground, her small hands moving quickly, efficiently improving the intelligence. Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin stood beside her, looking at the form, speaking to each other and describing things to Long Qiqi.


    After the intelligence was improved, Long Qiqi asked Li Shiyin, "Who are the two people being tested at Dao Podium No. 1?"


    "One is No. 1 from yesterday, the winner... his strength level number has not changed." Li Shiyin said to Long Qiqi, "The other is called Ma Xiao, No. 1 today, but I don''t know what number he was yesterday."


    Long Qiqi flipped through the form and found Ma Xiao''s information. She said, "He was No. 247 yesterday, that is, the winner of thest assessment battle."


    She pondered and analyzed, while murmuring softly, "He was No. 247 yesterday and No. 1 today; Wenjin was No. 171 yesterday and No. 77 today. 247 plus 1 is 248, 171 plus 77 is also 248. That is to say..."


    Thinking of this, her eyes lit up, and she had a guess, "The winner of No. 247 yesterday is fighting the winner of No. 1 yesterday. This is the maximum number fighting the minimum number!"


    "Then..." She looked up at Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin, "Wenjin''s opponent today should be the winner of No. 77 yesterday; Shiyin''s opponent today should be the winner of No. 181 yesterday."


    Having found the pattern of numerical changes, plus the information collected yesterday, Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin quickly found detailed information about their opponents today... Both were outer sect disciples with weaker strength, not on the list of key targets.


    Looking at the form in her hand, with today''s opponents'' information, names, cultivation level, strength, fighting styles, fighting habits, etc., allplete, Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin looked at each other, this feeling, the feeling of having the advantage by knowing the enemy, was really wonderful.


    It was probably like ying MOBA games with full map hacks activated.


    Li Shiyin couldn''t help but pick Long Qiqi up and kissed the sinister little loli forcefully on the face.


    "Wow!! Qiqi, you''re amazing!!" She was extremely excited.


    Long Qiqi was also extremely happy. But she was a cold-blooded, scheming little snake, she had to stay calm and collected.


    She suppressed the smugness in the corners of her eyes and mouth, and said in a lowered voice, "This is still spection, we don''t dare to confirm 100% yet. We''ll have to wait until you get on stage and see. If it really turns out as we predicted, then our hard work yesterday was not in vain."


    "We can calcte the Dao Podiums that have finished battling already." Tian Wenjin suggested.


    "Oh right!" Long Qiqi was so excited that she had forgotten, after being reminded by Tian Wenjin, she calcted the few people who had battled today ording to the pattern they had deduced, and finally found no errors.


    She was ted and said, "The opponents are weak this round, it doesn''t show much yet. It will be more valuable when we encounter strong enemiester."


    With the gains, the few became more motivated to collect information. On the stage, Qin Ran saw the silly disciple hopping around below, extremely happy.


    With just a quick calction, he knew what was going on... It was probably that Long Qiqi''s strategy had yielded results.


    Just as the group of four had discovered, yesterday''s No. 1 was still No. 1 today, taking the assessment at Dao Podium No. 1, with Qin Ran still being the judge; so yesterday''s No. 67 was still No. 67 today, taking the assessment at Dao Podium No. 4, with the same Main Peak Elder being the judge.


    "Contestant No. 67, pleasee on stage!" the Main Peak Elder called out on stage.


    As his voice fell, a middle-aged man in green robes leapt onto the Dao Podium. He was holding a sword, probably a sword cultivator. After showing his identity token to the Main Peak Elder, he quietly waited for his opponent toe on stage.


    The next second, a sh of white shadows flickered, and a peerless beauty stood opposite on the Dao Podium. The green-robed swordsman took a close look, saw his opponent for this round, and his expression immediately becameplicated.


    Seeing Li Shiyin, the Main Peak Elder''s brows couldn''t help but jump. That ghostly spirit tiger from yesterday left a deep impression on him. He secretly looked down below and didn''t see the big white tiger, and he couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief.


    Li Shiyin handed over her identity token for the Main Peak Elder to check. After he was done, she put away her identity token into her Cosmic Bag, then grabbed two huge handfuls of talismans from her Cosmic Bag.


    "?" The Main Peak Elder was confused, and asked Li Shiyin the same question as yesterday, "What kind of cultivator are you?"


    "Sword cultivator." Li Shiyin answered seriously.


    "Where is your sword?"


    Li Shiyin put back a handful of talismans into her Cosmic Bag, and took out her own Tilted Star Sword and held it in her hand, but her other hand was still holding a handful of talismans, and from her posture, she had no intention of using the sword to fight at all.


    The Main Peak Elder took a deep breath, and had to make it clear, "You are not allowed to use talismans!"


    "Why?" Li Shiyin''s expression was very serious as she pointed at the Dao Podium next door with her sword scabbard, "That senior brother over there is fighting with talismans!"


    The Main Peak Elder nced to the side and said, "Because he is a Talisman Master!"


    "Alright!" Li Shiyin nodded, then took out her spell formations, pills and other things, asking the Main Peak Elder, "Can I use these?"


    The Main Peak Elder''s face had long turned ck, but he could only suppress his anger and say, "No!"


    "Sigh..." Li Shiyin had no choice but to sigh.


    "If you try to take shortcuts like this again in the assessment, your qualification will be revoked!" the Main Peak Elder finally issued a stern warning.


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin''s expression became serious. She hurriedly put away all the props into her Cosmic Bag, drew her Tilted Star Sword and stood ready for battle.


    At this time, the expressions of the disciples watching the battle below the stage were actually not much better than the elder''s expression on stage... So this was their White-Clothed Sword Immortal? There was a kind of feeling of disappointment.


    Qin Ran was at the Dao Podium next door. He appreciated the silly disciple''s maneuver, and though he also felt ashamed for her, he approved of the silly disciple in his heart...


    That green-robed swordsman was also a sword cultivator, and understood Li Shiyin better. So... he also didn''t persist for a single sword strike.


    But he performed slightly better, because this was the second round, and he still lost under the sword of his idol, so it wasn''t too shameful.


    "So all these things really can''t be used." After getting off stage, Li Shiyin sighed to Long Qiqi, "And I was scolded by the judge too."


    "No..." Long Qiqi''s sinister snake eyes nced at Li Shiyin, then Tian Wenjin, and sheughed, "It just means they can''t be used on stage!"


    7017k

 Chapter 239

    Chapter 239


    In fact, I, Jian Yuanjie, am not a bad person at all. I can even say that I have been very tolerant and dedicated too much for the Dao Sword Sect. Unfortunately, those mediocrities, ordinary disciples, chief seats, elders, and even the sect leader of Dao Sword Sect, they would not understand me.


    When I was ten years old, I entered Dao Sword Sect. At that time, I was only one step away from bing one of the top ten prodigies of that generation. I cultivated diligently and eventually seeded in forming a golden core when I was twenty.


    Unfortunately, at that time I was impatient, arrogant and aggressive. I did not pay attention to umtion, precipitation and foundation. As a result, I stayed in the golden core stage for more than three hundred years after not spending enough years building my foundation in the training period.


    Here, I want to advise my juniors that the foundation building period is the most important stage among all realms. It is really the basis of cultivation. Do not seek quick sess and risk your cultivation.


    The thickness of foundation built during the foundation building period determines the height of cultivation attainment.


    After paying respect at the mountain gate, my generation left the sect. I traveled around the Lingnan Region to cultivate.


    At the furthest point, I went to the Lingnan Immortal Sect. To be honest, only after seeing the Lingnan Immortal Sect did I know what a real immortal sect looks like. It was a paradise on earth.


    Upon entering the Lingnan Immortal Sect, looking forward there was a boundless ocean; looking up there were inds floating in the sky, one after another. Each of those inds was a small world. Every small world was dozens of times bigger than the Northern Chu Kingdom.


    There were inds in the sky, dense and covering the firmament. Straining to look up, I could not even see the highest ind.


    Here, I want to advise my juniors that if there is any chance, you must enter the Lingnan Immortal Sect. That is the real blessednd for cultivation.


    ... Even if there is no chance to join the Lingnan Immortal Sect, you should try to visit and see it.


    When I was eighty years old I returned to the Dao Sword Sect, and then joined the Butler Hall as an ordinary butler. After over a hundred years of struggling in the Butler Hall, I finally became an elder. After another hundred years, I became the Chief of Medicine.


    Originally, the Chief of Medicine was the oiliest position in the Butler Hall. I could have enjoyed all the resources in this position and formed a Yuan Ying with pills.


    Unexpectedly, it was as if I was cursed. Right after I took the position of Chief of Medicine, disasters befell the Dan Peak, the pill concocting branch of Dao Sword Sect, continuously.


    The disciples and elders of Dan Peak either died from tribtions or idents, generation after generation, bing worse and worse. In the end, a once prosperous peak declined until there was only one disciple inheriting the legacy.


    I always felt that it was my fortune affecting Dan Peak, but I could not find solid evidence.


    Here, I want to warn my juniors not to ce hope in others¡¯ hands. If you have poor aptitude and cannot build a thick foundation, then do not hold fantasies and just learn pill concocting earnestly. This way, you can go further on the path of cultivation.


    Until Dan Peak could no longer provide pills for Dao Sword Sect, I still did not form my Yuan Ying with pills.


    Yet I did not resent Dan Peak, just felt anxious that my time was running out. Because I was injured during my travels, I probably only had a lifespan of five hundred years left.


    Then in my three hundred and forty eighth year, the sect finally decided to purchase pills from Zhican Valley to resolve the problem... and I was put in charge of this matter.


    At that time, I was overwhelmed and did not dare believe that such a major event was arranged to me. I also did not dare believe the sect trusted me so much. As we know, pills are the lifeline of a sect.


    Pills are to a sect like food is to a country.


    So for this matter, I was very attentive, responsible, and hardworking. For the sake of the sect¡¯s pill concocting business, I worked diligently for over a hundred years.


    Soon after, another big incident happened.


    Thest pill master of Dao Sword Sect, the Chief of Dan Peak, died under heavenly tribtion!


    Dan Peak only had one ignorant, honest and naive disciple in his early twenties who was still building his foundation.


    I cried for Dao Sword Sect and mourned for Dan Peak... I thought, perhaps, Dao Sword Sect''s Dan Peak would be extinct from then on.


    And it was right at this moment that people from Zhican Valley and Boundless Sword Sect came looking for me.


    When I learned of their n to seize Dao Sword Sect, I drew my sword in anger and fought to the death. Unfortunately, I was eventually overpowered and captured, unable to win or die.


    Thinking back now, I probably chose to endure humiliation in order to survive for the sake of Dao Sword Sect!


    I knew deeply that although Dao Sword Sect had lost Dan Peak, it still had formidable strength. But I also knew that Dao Sword Sect absolutely could not withstand two sects alone.


    In order for Dao Sword Sect to avoid extermination, I agreed to their conditions...


    But honestly, everything a cultivator does is for the sake of cultivation. Sometimes, for the sake of achievement, longevity, enduring a little humiliation can be tolerated.


    I guess no one knows that I alone shielded Dao Sword Sect, maneuvering between two powerful sects.


    When I stood at the highest point of the main peak looking down at Dao Sword Sect, this bunch of mediocre, ignorant lowly creatures must not know that I am the hidden hero protecting Dao Sword Sect.


    In order for Dao Sword Sect to avoid destruction, to mollify Zhican Valley, I thought that in the end I still had to get rid of Dao Sword Sect''s pill master... After all, Dan Peak was finished, with only one pill master left, eliminating him would end it!


    After all, a sect like Dao Sword Sect should not have pill masters.


    But recently that nephew seems to be on guard, forcibly forming his core and urgently setting up formations, making things difficult.


    Looks like I have to wait until after the mountain gate ceremony... Absolutely cannot make a move during the mountain gate ceremony, because this period is too sensitive, too likely to draw the sect leaders'' attention.


    Moreover, I am still in charge of security as a butler. Therefore, this is the Chief of Medicine of Dao Sword Sect? Reduced to doing rough security work for the mountain gate ceremony... This kind of rough work really should not fall to me.


    "With this information, we can urately predict who your next opponents will be!"


    Hm? That sounded like someone from Dan Peak ahead? I raise my vignce and pretend to casually walk over.


    That snake demon is holding a thick stack of papers, talking to Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin. Ah! Both are gifted talents blessed by the heavens with good looks... Dao Sword Sect seems to be on the rise.


    "But it''s notplete yet, some ces are wrong and some people are not recorded. We still have to keep collecting information today."


    The snake demon speaks again. Connecting it with her previous words puts me on alert. I circle around, flying a bit higher. My vision is still decent. I can see clearly that what the snake demon is holding is...


    What?! That''s actually theplete information on this generation''s disciples! They are actually collecting information on Dao Sword Sect''s disciples?! What are their intentions?


    But if I get this information into my hands... and gift it to Zhican Valley... I feel my Core Formation Pill has a destination...


    No!!


    I mean, such important information absolutely cannot fall into the hands of ordinary disciples! Who knows if they have the capability to protect it, who knows if they harbor ill intentions toward Dao Sword Sect?


    I must confiscate these things!


    Of course not now, have to wait until they''ve collected moreplete information... I mean... hmm...


    Also must choose the right opportunity to make a move, to avoid too much impact...


    Wait a bit longer, I''ve already waited three hundred years, no hurry to form my core in another day or two...

 Chapter 240

    Chapter 240


    "Qiqi, who will my opponent be tomorrow?"


    By the Sword Washing Lake, Li Shiyin sat on the bank of theke, her two jade-like feet stretched into theke, gently swaying in the clearke water.


    While Long Qiqi stuck out her little butt andy there, she held a stack of papers in her hand and a pen, quickly calcting something.


    Hearing Li Shiyin''s words, she shrank her butt and sat cross-legged on the bank. She picked up a piece of paper and said to Li Shiyin, "After today''s assessment, I havepletely mastered the digital changes in the assessment. I have also calcted the opponents you will encounter afterwards."


    As she spoke, her little face was full of pride.


    Tian Wenjin, who was originally hugging his sword and watching the fish in theke, couldn''t help but look over when he heard Long Qiqi''s words.


    "So amazing?!" Li Shiyin''s eyes widened in surprise.


    "Do you want to know when you two will meet if everything goes smoothly?" Long Qiqi asked mysteriously.


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin looked at each other. Li Shiyin withdrew her feet from the water, then walked over barefoot on tiptoe, carefully walking to Long Qiqi''s side and asked, "When?"


    "If..." Long Qiqi looked at the calction results on the paper in her hand and said, "If Shiyin, you can beat Yao Qingke, and Wenjin can beat Lu Junxing, then you two will meet in the semifinals."


    "Really?" Although she knew that the information was collected with their help, and she also knew that this result was calcted by Long Qiqi ording to the data, Li Shiyin still felt it was unbelievable.


    "Will I eventually encounter Lu Junxing?" Tian Wenjin frowned on the side.


    "Of course, there will be idents in this..." Long Qiqi said, "For example, Yao Qingke and Lu Junxing were eliminated in advance; or you and Wenjin were eliminated in advance."


    It is basically possible to rule out the possibility of Yao Qingke and Lu Junxing being eliminated in advance, but it is not certain for Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin.


    "Especially you, Shiyin!" As she spoke, Long Qiqi''s expression became serious. She looked at the results she had calcted and said solemnly, "Wenjin''s opponents tomorrow and the day after tomorrow are not very strong. Only that outer disciple Xiao Bufan needs to pay some attention. But you are different, Shiyin."


    "Look..." She showed Li Shiyin the form, "Tomorrow you will fight Yan Tianxing, the one who practices the Five Thunder Orthodox Method at Qi Peak, and the day after tomorrow you will fight Dugu Wenxue, the one with the demon-ying sword intent at Sword Peak. Then fight Ye Qingxuan, then fight Yao Qingke. If Wenjin defeats Lu Junxing, you will fight Wenjin. If Wenjin can''t beat Lu Junxing, you will fight Lu Junxing. If you defeat Wenjin or Lu Junxing, and finally, you will either fight Liu Baiyun or Dong Zhongyuan."


    In short, Li Shiyin''s next opponents all had names.


    "Wow..." Just listening made Li Shiyin extremely excited. She felt full of power andughed like a viin, "After this fight, my grievances with Qi Peak will be written off!"


    Long Qiqi looked at Li Shiyin and wanted to say that grievances, implicated back and forth, could never be written off. But she did not say such discouraging words in the end.


    "Qiqi, how did you calcte all this?" Suddenly someone asked.


    "It''s actually very simple..." Long Qiqi answered, but suddenly felt that the person asking the question was wrong. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a huge cat head above Chase Wind, with a pair of inquiring eyes blinking at her.


    ?


    Chase Wind!!? It was actually Chase Wind who asked!!


    Long Qiqi was greatly shocked. She waved her hand to signal the cat head toe down, and pressed her hand on Chase Wind''s forehead... Hmm... it was hot, and she didn''t know if Chase Wind had a fever. But in any case, this Chase Wind was not normal.


    Even Li Shiyin noticed it. She hurriedly asked Chase Wind, "Did someone possess you?!"


    "You are the one who got possessed!" Chase Wind snorted at Li Shiyin, then arrogantly raised his head and said, "I''m not like some idiot, I love to learn."


    "Pfft! You love to learn my ass!" Li Shiyin spat at Chase Wind.


    Long Qiqi looked at Chase Wind with skepticism, but finally exined:


    "The initial numbers of Shiyin and the others in this assessment should all be random. And because half of the people are eliminated every round, the numbers in each round are half of the number of people in that round, to ensure that there are always two people with the same number. Then the people with the same numbers are the opponents of this round."


    Chase Wind thought for a moment and realized a problem. He asked, "What about odd numbers?"


    Long Qiqi nodded. This stupid cat head finally started thinking about the problem.


    "If it''s an odd number, then there will be a bye. One person will have no opponent this round and go directly to the next round."


    "Is the bye random?" Chase Wind asked.


    "No..." Long Qiqi shook her head and said, "This involves the next question, the change of numbers after each round ends."


    She looked at Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin. These two ignorant girls were listening to her conversation with Chase Wind in confusion. She couldn''t help sighing maturely.


    "Some numbers will change after a round ends, and some numbers will not. The fundamental reason is that the number of people in the next round is only half of this round. And the numbers in the next round are half of the number of people in the next round again, so the numbers in this round do not match the number of people in the next round. So the numbers need to change along with the number of people."


    She spoke eloquently, "How do they change? The smallest number in this round fights thergest number in this round. From front to back, arrange them in sequence."


    As Long Qiqi spoke, she looked up and found that not only were Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin confused, even Chase Wind was a little confused. She shook her head again and again, and after thinking about it, she said:


    "Let me give an example! At the beginning of the assessment, there were 494 people, and the numbers at this time were from 1 to 247. Then after the first round, there were 247 people left. If the numbers of these 247 people remain unchanged, then the one with number 1 would fight the one with number 247, the one with number 2 would fight the one with number 246, and so on. But the numbers have changed. When there were 247 people, the numbers were only from 1 to 124. So in the first round, all numbers greater than 124 became the number of their opponent in that round. For example, 247 became 1, 246 became 2, and so on.


    "Wenjin''s number in the first round was 171, greater than 124, so in the second round Wenjin''s number became 77. Then today, Wenjin''s number became 47, and tomorrow it will be 15...


    "Shiyin, your number in the first round was 67, less than 124, so in the second round it was still 67. But today in the third round it became 57, and tomorrow it will be 5."


    "Why?" Li Shiyin''s big eyes were full of questions.


    "Ah!!"


    Long Qiqi copsedpletely and jumped into the Sword Washing Lake.

 Chapter 241

    Chapter 241


    All the changes were under the control of the behind-the-scenes boss - Long Qiqi.


    When Li Shiyin walked onto the No. 5 debating stage with the No. 5 identity token, and saw that her opponent was indeed Yan Tianxing, she secretly admired Long Qiqi even more in her heart, and subconsciously ced Long Qiqi''s intelligence above that of her master''s.


    "Dan Peak, Li Shiyin." She bowed with her sword towards the other side.


    Seeing that Yan Tianxing had a solemn expression, Li Shiyin was very happy in her heart.


    Because Yan Tianxing obviously didn''t know that his opponent today was her, while she, Li Shiyin, was clearly aware of this. Her little Lolita was very capable and had thoroughly researched Yan Tianxing.


    It could be said that before fighting today, she had already won 30% ahead.


    Yan Tianxing, now thirty-two years old, looked dignified, with a tall and straight figure, and a face full of righteousness. When he was ten years old, he was brought into Daosword Sect''s Qi Peak by his master He Daoguang to cultivate the "Heavenly Heart Five Thunders Orthodoxy". A monthter, during a thunderstorm night, heid his foundation. Then, ten yearster, he formed his core. Now at thirty-two, he was at thete Golden Core stage.


    "Qi Peak, Yan Tianxing!" Yan Tianxing didn''t fail to live up to his good looks. His behavior exhibited generosity and grandeur.


    Looking at the peerless beauty opposite him from Dan Peak, and recalling her prominence in recent years, he knew that although this junior sister''s cultivation level was not high, her actual strength was formidable, and it would be easy to lose to her.


    After paying respects, Li Shiyin drew out her Cherished Star Sword. Her big, almond-shaped eyes condensed slightly as she activated her spiritual eye divine ability, staring at Yan Tianxing and waiting for him to reveal ws.


    She recalled in her mind the relevant knowledge about the "Heavenly Heart Five Thunders Orthodoxy". The so-called Five Thunders were the five types of orthodox thunders evolved by the Great Dao when heaven and earth first opened - Heavenly Thunder, Divine Thunder, Dragon Thunder, Water Thunder and Sheling Thunder. These five thunders also belonged to the five elements. If one could fully cultivate all five thunders, one would be able to evolve myriads of things with thunder.


    It was said that the tribtion thunders faced by cultivators when oveing tribtions belonged to the Heavenly Thunder of the Five Thunders Orthodoxy.


    Cultivating the Five Thunders Orthodoxy was like alchemists gathering "cinnabar fire" and "cinnabar water". It involved gathering the orthodox thunders between heaven and earth and storing them in the dantian to cultivate.


    ording to the intelligence gathered by Long Qiqi: Yan Tianxing had currently cultivated three types of orthodox thunders - Heavenly Thunder, Dragon Thunder and Water Thunder. Among them, the Dragon Thunder was cultivated after he absorbed the true dragon''s qi during and after the Devouring Demon Willow incident.


    His strength was extremely terrifying. After Huang Feiyu left Daosword Sect, it was him who had taken the fifth spot on the Geniuses Ranking.


    Li Shiyin stood with her sword, the ster sword qi around her concealed and not yet emitted. She stared at Yan Tianxing, not daring to move rashly, waiting quietly for Yan Tianxing''s ws.


    Yan Tianxing stood opposite her with a rxed posture and a faint smile, slowly circting his spiritual power, bringing out thunder like water, which flowed out from his body, spilling to the ground, and slowly spreading towards Li Shiyin on the debating stage.


    "Dan Peak Sword Immortal versus Qi Peak Five Thunders Orthodoxy, is this the first genius showdown so far in this assessment?!" someone asked.


    "Yes..." someone answered, "But it looks like my Sword Immortal is being suppressed! As expected, there is still a huge gap between fifth and tenth ce."


    "What do you mean your Sword Immortal? That''s my Sword Devil!"


    "Speaking of which, they''re really unlucky. If they lose, their sect''s ranking will instantly drop outside the top 50."


    "That''s right. Needless to say if they lose, even if they win, they''ll definitely be forced to reveal many of their trump cards. Revealing trump cards so early will make it very difficult in subsequent assessments."


    "Of course, no matter what, I still support our Sword Immortal!!" an irrational fan shouted without reading the atmosphere. "Shiyin, go for it! Shiyin, go for it!!"


    "Heh! Go for it? I see Li Shiyin can''t even get through this first wave of Kan Water Yin Thunder..."


    Although Li Shiyin had a small number of extreme irrational fans, at this moment the spectators mostly favored Yan Tianxing.


    Especially since, right from the start, Li Shiyin was obviously beingpletely suppressed.


    "As expected, he went with the Kan Water Yin Thunder first move..." The yin thunder on the ground slowly flowed towards her like water. Li Shiyin still felt some pressure after all. "He knows how formidable my spiritual eye divine ability is, doesn''t dare to rashly use more powerful moves, afraid of revealing ws. He''s just steadily suppressing me."


    "Truly formidable!" she thought to herself. "Not revealing any ws at all..."


    "Fortunately, we simted this many times, it''s still within expectations."


    "Steady suppression by momentum. I''ll just have to break his momentum and give him enough pressure to force out his ws!" Li Shiyin thought to herself. "Does he think I only know how to assassinate with Celestial Fairy Asking the Way..."


    Seeing the yin thundering even closer, Li Shiyin no longer waited passively. Her left hand stretched out, stars lighting up between her slender, onion-root-like fingers.


    "Like steady suppression?" She raised her palm to point at Yan Tianxing, the corners of her lips coldly curved. "Then taste my destorm!"


    In a sh, three dream-like beautiful nebe appeared in her palm. As she pointed her palm at Yan Tianxing, those nebe lit up...


    "Whoosh... Whoosh..."


    In an instant, countless gorgeous purple ster sword qi shot towards Yan Tianxing!


    "Sword qi rain!" Yan Tianxing''s heart jerked. He didn''t expect Li Shiyin''sprehension of sword qi to have reached this level.


    The Four Levels of Raising Weight as Light as a Feather was Lu Junxing''s understanding of the realms of sword qi, while others obviously also had their own understandings.


    Yan Tianxing''s divine sense stirred. The yin thunder on the ground quickly stood up to intercept Li Shiyin''s sword qi rain.


    "Still not enough..." Although Yan Tianxing was already on the defensive instead of pressing forward, this sword qi rain apparently hadn''t reached his limit yet. He still didn''t reveal any ws, vigntly guarding against Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin didn''t dare approach.


    "Then thisdy will bestow you with a few more Dream Fantasy Nebe!" More nebe gathered in her hand, mixed with the sword qi rain, and smashed towards Yan Tianxing.


    "What is that?" Seeing those star-like beads flying over not in the form of sword qi but like balls being thrown, Yan Tianxing instantly had a bad premonition. He hurriedly fully outputted the Kan Water Yin Thunder, while secretly gathering Heavenly Thunder...


    Sure enough, as expected, when those three bead-like nebe got near, they explosively detonated. Innumerable ster sword qi sshed outwards. The terrifying shockwave carrying sword qi directly burst through the barricade formed by the Kan Water Yin Thunder!


    The exploded sword qi went out of control, randomly shooting everywhere above and below the stage. The referees on the debating stage immediately activated the protective barrier around it to prevent the sword qi from injuring spectators.


    Whoosh¡ª


    The moment the Kan Water Yin Thunder barrier broke, the Cherished Star Sword finally left its sheath. Stars glittered around Li Shiyin''s body, her entire person flickering in ce, her figure invisible. One could only know that she would activate her movement technique and disappear the next second.


    Yan Tianxing understood Li Shiyin''s ghostly movement technique. At this moment, he finally felt a sense of crisis...


    "Heavenly Thunder - Yin Wind Quake!"


    Without time to continue arranging the Kan Water Yin Thunder formation, he loudly shouted. Abruptly, a wind aura arose from him, madly sting towards Li Shiyin.


    But that wasn''t wind, it was wind formed from thunder, blowing up not wind, but dense Heavenly Thunder.


    The entire debating stage was filled with Heavenly Thunder. That Heavenly Thunder rampaged like a violent wind, overwhelming everything as it pressed down, its momentum truly frightening.


    Li Shiyin knew its might, but her cold eyes finally revealed a hint of a smile.


    To make a move meant revealing ws! By counterattacking, Yan Tianxing had finally revealed ws!


    Her flickering figure, under the blow of the Heavenly Thunder gale, suddenly disappeared...


    When she reappeared, she was already behind Yan Tianxing!


    "It''s over..." She smiled at the corners of her lips. Clean and decisive, without any hesitation, she stabbed out with her sword!


    However...


    At this moment, a sudden dragon roar rang out from nowhere!


    That Yan Tianxing abruptly looked back. Staring at Li Shiyin''s stabbing Cherished Star Sword, he loudlyughed. "You''ve fallen into my trap!!!"


    Golden light greatly shone as an enormous golden dragon head drilled out from his body, crashing towards Li Shiyin''s Cherished Star Sword...


    7017k

 Chapter 242

    Chapter 242


    Nowadays, there are few people in the Dao Sword Sect who are unaware of Li Shiyin''s sword. Each of her strikes is lethal, precisely targeting the weak points of her opponents.


    In this world, no one is perfect, so Li Shiyin is invincible.


    ...Is she truly invincible?


    No!


    Yan Tianxing has the answer!


    Li Shiyin is undeniably strong, and her swordsmanship is undoubtedly deadly, but...


    She is too young!


    She is so young that the moment she reveals even the slightest w, she would recklessly strike, regardless of whether it''s a trap or bait.


    Too young, too arrogant, too...ignorant!


    At this moment, the entire world slows down. Yan Tianxing watches as a golden thunder dragon emerges from within him, its ferocious horns pressing against Li Shiyin''s sword. Then, Li Shiyin is struck by lightning and sent flying...


    "This is the end!" he chuckles lightly. "This is the so-called invincible Li Shiyin? Nothing more than this!"


    The thunder dragonpletely emerges from his body, its golden body stretching several dozen zhang (a Chinese unit of length) as it continues to charge towards the airborne Li Shiyin...


    The white-d girl is sent flying into the air, while the fearsome golden thunder dragon below her bares its fangs, ws, and expands its sharp angles, soaring and pouncing upwards!


    "No!" There are spectators below who can''t bear to witness the cruel scene that is about to unfold, covering their eyes.


    "A ruthless move, how vicious of Yan Tianxing. I''ve misjudged him in the past!" someone murmurs.


    "Heh! It''s satisfying. You stole my position as the genius back then, and now you face this cmity," someone says with a resentful tone, coldlyughing.


    "Shiyin..." The white tiger below can''t help but stand up on its hind legs, extending its ws. Seeing Li Shiyin''s miserable state, it''s about to rush out.


    Upon seeing his appearance, Long Qiqi jumps up and kicks him on the knee, scolding, "Everything is under control. Why are you worried?"


    "Oh..." Chasing the Wind finally puts his two front paws on the ground, dumbly asking, "Is this also under control?"


    ...Yesterday, when they were deducing the oue of the battle, he seemed absent-minded.


    Long Qiqi is furious and uses her short legs to step on Chasing the Wind''s toes.


    To prevent sword qi and thunderous attacks from injuring the disciples below, a protective barrier has already been erected on the Debate tform. Li Shiyin is sent flying, flying all the way to the barrier. She touches it with her hand, then opens her eyes, and a purple sword qi shes from her eyes.


    She turns her body around, looking down at the ferocious golden giant dragon below, her expression calm...


    "Heaven..."


    Her body radiates light as she softly recites,


    "Outside..."


    Starlight shines from the sky, enveloping her.


    "Fly..."


    The light and starlight gradually solidify, forming a purple giant sword that wraps around her.


    "Immortal!"


    She descends from the sky, standing upside down, with a sword leading the way, directly aimed at the iing golden giant dragon!


    At this moment, a starry giant sword descends from the sky, and a golden giant dragon soars from the ground...


    The giant sword and the giant dragon collide in mid-air!


    "Boom..."


    A deafening sound makes everyone cover their ears!


    "Crack..."


    Purple and golden light explode, dazzling everyone and causing them to close their eyes.


    The terrifying power causes the Debate tform to tremble, and the ground shakes as if an earthquake has urred. Some disciples with lower cultivation and unstable battle prowess end up sitting on the ground.


    I don''t know how long it had been, but the ground stopped shaking, and the disciples below finally regained their footing. They opened their eyes and looked up towards the stage...


    Through the protective barrier, they saw fragments of purple sword energy and remnants of golden thunder swirling inside, colliding with the barrier and creating a crackling sound.


    Within those purple sword fragments and golden thunder remnants, a slender figure dressed in white descended gracefully, holding a long sword. She seemed like a celestial being apanying falling petals.


    Yan Tianxing looked at the girl who was three feet above the ground and couldn''t help but exim, "Junior Sister, your sword energy is incredibly strong!"


    "Senior Brother, you''re quite calcting," Li Shiyin raised her sword and praised.


    She lowered her head and saw that the Kan Water Yin Thunder had already flowed over. At this moment, it was just a little bit away frompletely covering the Debate tform.


    "Unfortunately..." Yan Tianxing smiled, "The Kan Water Yin Thunder is about to take shape, Junior Sister, you''re still going to lose."


    "No!" Li Shiyin looked back at Yan Tianxing and replied, "Senior Brother, you lost from the beginning."


    As she spoke, she extended her slender fingers towards Yan Tianxing once again.


    "Do you want to try again?" Yan Tianxing shook his head, "That move was indeed formidable."


    "Unfortunately, it''s toote..."


    Just as he was speaking, a voice suddenly came, "Tianxing, be careful!"


    Yan Tianxing was startled. He suddenly sensed something and quickly turned around, only to see several solid purple sword energies shooting towards him from the spot where Li Shiyin had originally stood.


    "Pluck the Stars, One Sword!" Li Shiyin softly recited.


    She looked to the side and saw that the one who had spoken was the referee of the Debate tform. This referee seemed to be an elder of Qi Peak.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    The Pluck the Stars Sword cut through space, piercing through Yan Tianxing and returning to Li Shiyin''s hand.


    Li Shiyin let the Pluck the Stars Sword hover in the air above her palm without making it disappear.


    Because...


    The battle wasn''t over yet!


    "Ah!!! That old bastard!" Long Qiqi in the audience was furious and punched Chasing the Wind, "He cheated!"


    "Is it still under control?" Chasing the Wind asked.


    "Under control? My ass! I forgot he''s from Qi Peak!!" Long Qiqi''s small fists kept pounding on Chasing the Wind, "Ah, go and bite him to death for me!"


    "Do you really want me to bite him?" Chasing the Wind stood up, hesitating.


    "Ah, you idiot..." Long Qiqi was furious.


    With the reminder, Yan Tianxing, in a critical moment, used Thunder Discement and disappeared beneath the Pluck the Stars Sword.


    "Phew!" Li Shiyin took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart, "Even so, you''re still destined to lose!"


    Shemanded the Pluck the Stars Sword and pointed forward...


    "ng, ng, ng..."


    Several solid sword energies inserted themselves, forming a small circle, preventing the Kan Water Yin Thunder from forming!


    At this moment, right in front of her, the Kan Water Yin Thunder on the ground wriggled and solidified into a humanoid figure. In a sh, it transformed into the appearance of Yan Tianxing.


    Yan Tianxing''s face turned pale. He looked at Li Shiyin and then at the sword energies preventing the Kan Water Yin Thunder from merging, and softly said, "Junior Sister, you understand me quite well!"


    When the Kan Water Yin Thunder merges into a whole, the entire Debate tform bes Yan Tianxing''s domain, and he bes omnipresent. But now there is a small obstacle blocking his way, preventing him from freely merging with the Yin Thunder...


    While traversing through the Yin Thunder, he can only determine the beginning and the end, but not the path. There is a gap isted by sword energy, and if he enters, he may very well collide with the sword energy and be cut into pieces.


    "Senior Brother!" Li Shiyin''s face turned cold as frost, and she said in a firm voice, "Your heart is in chaos..."


    When the heart is in chaos, vulnerabilities can be found everywhere.


    Yan Tianxing is ultimately not the kind of shameless old monster. With the help of the referee, he managed to escape the Pluck the Stars Sword and gained time to arrange the Kan Water Yin Thunder, but...


    He couldn''t pass the test in his own heart. He always knew that he had lost.


    He had cheated.


    Yan Tianxing remained silent.


    Li Shiyin disappeared and reappeared, leaving a shallow wound on Yan Tianxing''s neck.


    "I won," Li Shiyin said, sheathing her sword and turning to walk down from the Debate tform.


    But at that moment, she suddenly noticed that the protective barrier of the Debate tform had not been closed.


    She looked at the referee and said, "Senior Uncle, please open the protective barrier."


    "This assessment is still under dispute, and you cannot leave for now," said the Qi Peak referee.


    "What did you say?" Li Shiyin raised an eyebrow, coldly asking.


    "In this assessment, the disciple Li Shiyin vited the rules by using the protective barrier of the Debate tform, leading to a disputed assessment result," the elder of Qi Peak said with a serious expression, exining in detail to Li Shiyin.


    "Based on my judgment, under the Thunder Art - Thunder Dragon of the disciple Yan Tianxing, Li Shiyin should have been directly knocked off the Debate tform and lost the qualification for the assessment. However, due to the vition of the rules by the disciple Li Shiyin, who used the protective barrier of the Debate tform, she was allowed to remain on the Debate tform. In this assessment, the disciple Li Shiyin has already lost the qualification for the assessment!"


    "What?!!!" Li Shiyin couldn''t contain the anger in her eyes anymore. This old man...


    She looked at Yan Tianxing, who kept his head low without making any expression, then turned to the referee, tightly gripping the hilt of the Star Tilt Sword, and said with a cold smile, "If I hadn''t held back, Yan Tianxing should be..."


    A voice suddenly interrupted her words, "Please state your reasons for dispute again, Senior Brother!"


    She turned around, and her master slowly descended from mid-air,nding in front of her.


    7017k

 Chapter 243

    Chapter 243


    ¡°How did you get in?¡± Qi Peak Older looked at Qin Ran, his expression solemn.


    Someone was actually able to break through the Daotai''s protective barrier silently and enter the Daotai without him noticing! This was a bit terrifying.


    "You''re talking about this kind of formation?" Qin Ran sneered disdainfully, "With a wave of my hand I can create and destroy hundreds of them."


    He looked around. The Daotai was enveloped by white formations, so he couldn''t see the situation outside. "You do have some shame. When doing this kind of thing, you still know to turn off the lights."


    Qin Ran had naturally been keeping an eye on his disciple the whole time. The moment Qi Peak Older isted the Daotai, cutting off sight and sound, he immediately shed to the outside of the formation. Then, disregarding the cost, he forcibly broke through the formation. Finally, before Li Shiyin could say anything improper, he appeared inside the Daotai.


    "You must be that Dan Peak brat, right?" Qi Peak Older looked Qin Ran up and down. He didn''t mention the bad thing he had done at all. Instead, he med and questioned, "Do you know what crime randomly entering and exiting a Daotai undergoing assessment should incur?"


    "From what I know, you are also a judge of the Daotai. Do you know what crime it is to selfishly leave the Daotai without regard for disciples'' injuries?"


    "Ah, yes, that''s right. I really like to hear that. I really like your shameless attitude," Qin Ranughed and continued, "Keep talking. Tell me the story of a judge giving pointers to disciples during a match. Not only do I like to hear this story, I''m sure the sect leader will really like it too. The inner sect disciples will also really like it."


    Disregarding Qin Ran''s insults and not minding Qin Ran''s threats, Qi Peak Older''s expression remained calm. He spoke, "As an elder of the sect, it is reasonable for me to give pointers to my juniors!"


    "Cats and dogs, without teaching and regtion, don''t know time. They sleep when they want, y when they want. Birds and fish, their physiology is very different from humans. No matter the situation, they shit and piss whenever they want," Qin Ranughed and said, "I didn''t expect Elder, your behavior is so natural like beasts."


    "You!" The cursing was a bit excessive, and killing intent shed in Qi Peak Older''s eyes.


    "If you want to give pointers to disciples, that''s fine. Go back to Qi Peak and give pointers. Give pointers after getting off the Daotai," Qin Ran''s eyes also held a stern look. "By doing this, what position have you put my disciple in? Bullying that my Dan Peak has no one?"


    This Elder did have the intention of bullying Dan Peak. If it was Li Baoyun or Lu Junxing standing here today, he definitely wouldn''t have dared to say much.


    Qin Ran looked at the Elder and raised his hand, condensing a clump of "Dan Water." He coldly said, "Come, I''m free today and also want to give you some pointers!"


    This Qi Peak Elder had not formed a golden core yet. Seeing Qin Ran''s intention to fight him to the death, he still didn''t dare make a move.


    "There''s no need to go this far..." he said. He thought that if they started fighting, the nature would be different. The matter would get bigger.


    Qin Ran sternly asked, "I''m asking if you want to make a move?"


    The Qi Peak Elder did not make a move.


    "If you''re not going to make a move, then dispel this formation. Speak with me again. Regarding the result of this assessment, who won and who lost?!" Qin Ran put away the "Dan Water" and solemnly said, "We''ve been dyed for a long time already. It''s surely attracted many people''s attention."


    Li Shiyin looked at Master up ahead. The anger in her heart had already subsided. Instead, she felt some strange emotions.


    Master was steady, conservative, introverted, profound, sinister, cowardly, lecherous. No matter what he was like, he shouldn''t be angrily bristling like this, with such a overbearing aura.


    She knew this was because of her.


    Yan Tianxing across from her kept his head lowered without saying a word. Qi Peak Elder was finally suppressed by Master, admitting that she had won this match.


    The Daotai''s formations had already been isted by Qi Peak Elder, cutting off sight and sound, from the moment Li Shiyin used her movement technique to disappear and leave a sword mark for Yan Tianxing.


    The disciples watching the match below the Daotai immediately erupted.


    "What''s going on here? Is there some shady business?"


    "It must be our Sword Immortal who won..."


    "Qi Peak is a sore loser!"


    "Ah? Nothing will happen to our Sword Immortal right?"


    "Ahhhh?!" Long Qiqi was also stunned. She never could have imagined that Qi Peak old guy would do something like this. She hurriedly pushed Chasing the Wind, anxiously saying, "Hurry, hurry, hurry, Chasing the Wind, quickly, go inside and see how Shiyin is..."


    Chasing the Wind hurriedly stood up, first flicking his tail, turning the two rings of ck on his tail into two little ck tigers that jumped out. The two little ck tigers jumped forward, drilling into the shadows on the ground...


    Then, Chasing the Wind stopped and called the little tigers back out from the shadows.


    "What are you doing?" Long Qiqi frowned at Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind pointed at the Daotai ahead with his big paw, "Dad is inside."


    "Qin Ran?" Long Qiqi nodded. If Qin Ran was inside, then there was no problem. She let out a sigh of relief.


    But she suddenly reacted to something. She hurriedly looked up towards Daotai Number One... There was a Qin Ran on that Daotai.


    "Two Qin Rans?"


    The Daotai''s formations opened. Li Shiyin had a rxed expression. She put away her sword and jumped down from the Daotai.


    The disciples below finally also breathed a sigh of relief. Someone said, "It looks like it was just normalmunication and negotiation. Either rted to the Daotai or rted to the match..."


    "Could it be that Li Shiyin didn''t y some tricks?" Someone took the opportunity to raise doubts. "She, Li Shiyin, is only at the Foundation Establishment realm. How could she defeat the Golden Corete stage Yan Tianxing? There must be something shady. I think, isting sight and sound at the end was them making an unscrupulous deal."


    "You think Li Shiyin is weak? Then go fight her yourself!" Someoneughed mockingly.


    "I''m just making an objective analysis. My own abilities are lowly indeed, I truly am not Li Shiyin''s match. But how does she always manage to fight across realms?"


    Li Shiyin won and came out safely, but the voices of discussion below the Daotai grew even louder.


    Long Qiqi didn''t care about those boring people''s words. Li Shiyin''s carefree personality cared even less. If you don''t believe in her,e fight her!


    Theypletely ignored the spectators and tidied up before returning to Dan Peak.


    Sword Washing Lake, the pavilion in theke center.


    Long Qiqi sat on a stone stool and asked Li Shiyin, "What exactly happened on the Daotai?"


    Li Shiyin sat on the bench beside her. Recalling what had happened earlier, the fire in her heart surged up again. She indignantly told Long Qiqi about theter events.


    After hearing about Qi Peak Elder''s actions, Long Qiqi''s small short fingers lightly tapped on the table. The look in her eyes flickered uncertainly. She smiled sinisterly, "Since they did the first day, then don''t me us for doing the fifteenth!"


    "What are you going to do?" Seeing the sinister smile on this sinister little loli, Li Shiyin only felt a chill down her spine.


    "You still have two more assessments. Your opponents are both Qi Peak disciples..." Long Qiqi gritted her teeth. "Especially that Yao Qingke!!"


    Although very annoyed at Qi Peak, looking at Long Qiqi, Li Shiyin still silently mourned for Ye Qingxuan and Yao Qingke in her heart.


    Knowing who the opponents were and when the assessments would start, for someone like Long Qiqi, although she had a substantial difference in strengthpared to Ye Qingxuan and Yao Qingke, but...


    In scheming and plotting behind the scenes, she had at least seven methods to make it so these two couldn''t even enter the field, at least seven. As for some other insidious means, that could give these two apletely different wonderful experience!

 Chapter 244

    Chapter 244


    Today was the fifth day of the Daoist entry assessment at the gate.


    In the previous four days, Ye Qingxuan''s assessments had been very easy. It should have been easy indeed, as she was ranked sixth on the Geniuses Ranking, and among her five hundred peers, only five were worth her attention. Yet in these four days, she did not encounter any of the top five geniuses, not even any other genius.


    But this morning, as soon as Ye Qingxuan woke up from her meditation, she felt something was wrong.


    This feeling was not a bad premonition from her sixth sense, but the kind of alert that her body gave when there were some minor problems. Maybe it was dizziness, or her body feeling cold, very much like when she was very little, before she started cultivating, when the wind invaded her body.


    But she was a cultivator now, unaffected by heat and cold... She examined her body carefully again, but did not find any issues.


    So although she felt something was off, Ye Qingxuan had no choice but to ignore it.


    "Could it be that I will encounter a rival from the Geniuses Ranking today?" She looked at her identity token, which showed the number 11, "Now there are only 32 people left, so it''s likely to meet one."


    "Unfortunately, at this stage, everyone consciously hides their identity number, so it''s very difficult to know the opponent''s number in advance."


    "Huh..." She let out a soft sigh, pulled herself together, "Even if it''s a rival from the Geniuses Ranking, I''m not scared at all!"


    After settling her mood, Ye Qingxuan left her cultivation residence and flew towards Master Peak with a technique.


    But as soon as she flew up, she saw senior sister Yao Qingke from Qi Peak flying out of her residence. Ye Qingxuan noticed that Yao Qingke''s face looked a little off.


    "Senior sister Yao!" She greeted from afar.


    Yao Qingke nced at her with the corner of her eye, just nodded slightly, which counted as a greeting, but did not speak, and flew straight away.


    This arrogant attitude made Ye Qingxuan frown. Although Yao Qingke was usually like this, liked to bully people, and always looked down on others, she was too much today! Even to her.


    After all, she was also ranked sixth on the Geniuses Ranking.


    "However..." Ye Qingxuan thought to herself, "Yao Qingke seems to be in a bad mood, I wonder what happened."


    She didn''t know why, but this reminded her of the strange feeling from before.


    "Could it be that Yao Qingke has the same feeling?" Sheughed to herself.


    Ye Qingxuan quickly arrived at the main discussion stage on Master Peak and watched other disciples'' assessments below the stage. But the faint monitoring gaze never left her body.


    From waking up this morning until now, she felt something was wrong everywhere.


    "Strange..." she thought.


    As she walked slowly, she came to Discussion Stage Three and looked up. She saw Yao Qingke was among the disciples being assessed, so she stopped subconsciously.


    Yao Qingke¡¯s opponent this round was not strong at all, just a disciple from Sword Peak who practiced sword techniques. Ye Qingxuan also knew him and was aware of his strength.


    And it was because she knew the strength of Yao Qingke¡¯s opponent that she couldn¡¯t understand the situation on the stage...


    Yao Qingke was actually evenly matched with that disciple!!


    "Something is wrong..." Ye Qingxuan shook her head again and again.


    With Yao Qingke''s domineering personality, if everything was normal, she should have shattered the opponent''s defenses like a storm. But the current situation on stage... Something must be wrong with Yao Qingke.


    After fighting for hundreds of rounds on stage, Yao Qingke barely won.


    Ye Qingxuan''s heart felt heavy as she walked towards Discussion Stage Two where her assessment would be today. As she took two steps, she suddenly saw the Ghostly Ice Tiger from Dan Peak.


    The huge Ghostly Ice Tiger was very conspicuous. Ye Qingxuan noticed that he was also watching the assessment under Yao Qingke''s stage earlier. Now he was heading towards Discussion Stage Two with the crowd.


    Looking at the mighty and domineering white tiger, she felt something was wrong again.


    Ye Qingxuan went straight up Discussion Stage Two. Soon her opponent today, outer sect disciple Lin Yi, also came up.


    Lin Yi was quite famous in the outer sect. It was said that he was a yboy who had seduced many female cultivators. Ye Qingxuan knew him and his cultivation level and strength. He was probably at the Golden Core Realm, with mixed techniques, and his strength was not strong.


    She felt a little relieved, knowing that she would bully the weak again today.


    However, when the two started fighting, Ye Qingxuan realized something was wrong.


    First, she didn''t know why, but her magic power operation was a little unsmooth and a bit stagnant.


    Fortunately, it wasn''t a big problem.


    Second, she didn''t know why, but Lin Yi today was stronger than the rumors.


    However, this strength seemed very superficial. It felt like Lin Yi had taken some pills? Ye Qingxuan had a feeling that he had taken more than one type of pill... She also wondered where he got those pills from.


    After great effort, Ye Qingxuan barely defeated Lin Yi. She even suffered some minor injuries.


    "...Something is very wrong!" Ye Qingxuan felt very uneasy. From waking up until now, everything was weird, nothing went smoothly.


    She looked up at the audience and saw the big white tiger from Dan Peak wagging his tail and leaving. The snow-white tiger was very strange with two ck ring-shaped markings on its otherwise white tail.


    Ye Qingxuan shook her head and got off the stage. She looked around at the battles on other stages, but kept feeling restless in her heart. So she turned around and flew back to Qi Peak.


    Watching Ye Qingxuan''s back as she flew away, Long Qiqi raised her hand and patted Chasing The Wind''s thigh, smiling sinisterly, "Stupid tiger, well done."


    "Aren''t we being too sinister, going too far with this?" Chasing The Wind asked.


    "Hmph, they are ruthless, so we won''t be righteous! Xiao Yin is fighting against Ye Qingxuan tomorrow, give Ye Qingxuan an extra dose tonight."


    "Extra dose? Didn''t you say you wanted to be covert to avoid detection..."


    "Oh you silly!" Long Qiqi said, "I mean add a few more types - give her some of my Body Tempering Pill, Great Restoration Pill, Spirit Gathering Pill too, just don''t give her too much of each to arouse her suspicion. And set up some illusion arrays at the entrance of her residence cave..."


    "Why doesn''t she notice even though she''s been poisoned?" Chasing The Wind still didn''t quite understand this.


    "It''s called physiological limit," Long Qiqi exined. "If I punch you, for you to feel pain, I need to use considerable force. But if I punch you with extremely little force, so little that not only you won''t feel any pain, you won''t even know I punched you."


    Chasing The Wind thought about it and realized this was getting tricked without noticing at all. He shuddered, "How sinister..."


    "Hehe..." Long Qiqi rolled her eyes at him, "Where do you think I learned it from?"


    The old Long Qiqi only believed in using brute force. She thought poison must be extremely fierce and potent to be good. But now, under the coaching of a certain mysterious Dan Peak chief, this venomous snake had be even more venomous...

 Chapter 245

    Chapter 245


    Li Shiyin''s opponent today was Dugu Wenxue, a disciple of Sword Peak, who inherited ancient teachings and possessed Demon ying Sword Intent. He hadpeted with Yan Tianxing for the fifth ce on the Geniuses Ranking.


    As the only two people in Sword Peak who possessed sword intent, Dugu Wenxue could not say that he hadprehended Demon ying Sword Intent like Tian Wenjin did, but could only say that he possessed sword intent. This was because his sword intent came from inheritance, notprehension by himself.


    Of course, even if it was not sword intent that he hadprehended himself, he was still strong enough, strong enough topete with Yan Tianxing, and was in no way inferior to the top ten geniuses.


    Li Shiyin walked onto the dueling tform, looking at Dugu Wenxue across from her.


    She had of course not asked Long Qiqi to y any tricks on Dugu Wenxue. Firstly, they had no past grudges in recent days, and secondly, they were both sword cultivators of simr strength, perfectly suited for a fair and direct confrontation that belonged solely to battles between sword cultivators.


    "Sword Peak, Li Shiyin," she greeted with her sword.


    Dugu Wenxue''s condition was obviously problematic, visible at a nce. He was dressed entirely in ck, hands hanging down, head bowed low, the stance itself very strange. His hair and beard were also unkempt from long neglect, overgrown and disheveled like autumn weeds.


    What was most striking was that his whole body emanated spiralling ck smoke, making him seem mad and demonic!


    Li Shiyin recognized that billowing ck smoke ¡ª it was none other than sword intent, Demon ying Sword Intent! It was Dugu Wenxue''s sword intent that he could not control.


    Hearing Li Shiyin''s greeting, Dugu Wenxue raised his head, revealing a pair of blood-red eyes. In a hoarse voice he returned the greeting, "Sword Peak, Dugu, Wenxue!"


    At the end, he added, "Little sister Li, watch your sword."


    Wild ck hair, unrestrained ck robes, ck sword intent, crimson eyes ¡ª looking at Dugu Wenxue, Li Shiyin solemnly drew her sword... What kind of sword demon was she? This was a true sword demon.


    Whoosh...


    In the next moment, in a trance, the cold desert night wind blew past.


    Li Shiyin stood on the dueling tform, but in the wind she saw billowing yellow sand, saw the ck and red of blood, saw corpses covering the ground, saw broken des and spearheads, saw...


    A ck sword demon, a pair of blood-red eyes, a hideous face, a sword shrouded in ck energy, madly rushing to kill her.


    "ng!" Li Shiyin blocked Dugu Wenxue''s strike, and was sent flying by the sword.


    Dugu Wenxue''s cultivation was far too high above hers, their difference in strength was too great...


    "When did he draw his sword?" Li Shiyin''s thoughts raced. "No... that''s his personal sword!"


    A sh of purple light in the sky, and Li Shiyin vanished.


    Immortal Seeking the Way!


    In the next moment, wielding Falling Star Sword, her sword contained ster sword qi. She reappeared at an angle, stabbing towards Dugu Wenxue with her sword.


    "ng!" Dugu Wenxue defended with his sword, knocking Li Shiyin back again.


    Falling through the air, Li Shiyin noticed that a wisp of the ck sword intent on Dugu Wenxue''s sword had been severed by her...


    A white figure shed around the dueling tform, and purple sword qi like a meteor shower rained down; the ck figure seemed like a plume of ck fog, forced to drift around by the white figure.


    "Haha! What genius of Sword Peak, we''re beating up a genius of Sword Peak! Talking big but isn''t he being suppressed by our Shiyin!" Seeing the situation on the tform, the disciples watching the duel below cheered.


    "Shiyin... Shiyin... the white-clothed Sword Immortal!"


    "A bunch of idiots..." Immediately someone objected, "Do you even know what sword intent is?"


    "Do you know?"


    "I don''t know!" That person shamelessly replied, "But everyone knows that while many sword cultivators in the world haveprehended sword qi, few haveprehended sword intent! What does this mean? It means sword intent is stronger than sword qi! Dugu Wenxue clearly hasn''t gone all out yet..."


    "Just a passerby, gotta say, little Li Shiyin, my senior brother Dugu Wenxue can crush her with one hand."


    "Someonee quick... beat up this fake ck!"


    "Stupid Tiger, is Shiyin at an advantage or disadvantage now?" Little ck Heart sat on Chasing the Wind''s shoulder and asked him.


    "She has both advantages and disadvantages," Chasing the Wind said.


    Little ck Heart nced up at him.


    "Shiyin has sword qi and the War Spirit Art, giving her an advantage in directbat," Chasing the Wind exined. "But Dugu Wenxue has sword intent. Every time Shiyin exchanges moves with Dugu Wenxue, she''ll be invaded by sword intent. The sword intent will be like a lingering toxin..."


    Long Qiqi understood: "So you mean if Shiyin doesn''t hurry up and end the fight, dragging it out will only lead to defeat, right!"


    "Right!" Chasing the Wind nodded his big cat head.


    Long Qiqi watched the deadlock on the tform worriedly, knowing that there was not much time left for Li Shiyin.


    "Sigh! I knew I should''ve poisoned Dugu Wenxue too!"


    On the tform, Li Shiyin''s sharp ster sword qi, boosted by the War Spirit Art, continued to attack Dugu Wenxue, steadily reducing the scope of his defense.


    Li Shiyin''s cold eyes stared at the sword in Dugu Wenxue''s hand. The ck substance on that sword fell away bit by bit under her frenzied assault, now little remained.


    Dugu Wenxue''s personal sword was also gradually revealing its original form... a rusted sword.


    The "ng ng ng..." sounds continued without pause.


    Li Shiyin had pushed the War Spirit Art to its limit, sending out dense clusters of purple sword qi to assail Dugu Wenxue.


    Dugu Wenxue stubbornly resisted, blocking all of the sword qi like a storm.


    Some of the sword qi pierced into the dueling tform, lingering for a long time without dispersing; some stabbed into the tform''s protective array, evaporating like steam.


    But there was too much sword qi. The tform was filled with the purple sword qi, the referees had flown up, unable to find a foothold; and under the raindrop-like assault of purple sword qi, the protective array also trembled on the verge of copse!


    The head referee repeatedly wiped sweat, wondering to himself: "This is just Foundation Establishment?!"


    "Just one more strike, just one more!" Li Shiyin felt it, she was just one more strike away from defeating Dugu Wenxue, she just needed one more strike and Dugu Wenxue would fall beneath her sword.


    But...


    She''d had this feeling a hundred moves ago!


    A hundred moves ago, Dugu Wenxue was like a flickering candle in the wind, seemingly about to be snuffed out at any moment; a hundred movester, Dugu Wenxue was like a lone boat in the raging waves, about to capsize at any time!


    "ng!"


    Li Shiyin shed out with her sword again!


    At this moment, their swords shed in midair, ringing like a bronze bell.


    In the next moment, the purple ster sword qi chasing the ck Demon ying Sword Intent spread out from them in a ring, expanding upon the dueling tform''s array. Then with a cry, the protective array shattered.


    The purple-ck ring spread out further, awe-inspiring to all disciples that saw it.


    After the "ng", this ce fell silent.


    "Junior sister..." Dugu Wenxue''s hoarse voice sounded in the silence, "You''re about to lose."


    Li Shiyin panted for breath and looked down. The ck substance on Dugu Wenxue''s personal sword had beenpletely severed by her, revealing the rusted sword underneath.


    ...A rusted sword. Dugu Wenxue held a rusted sword, yet said she was about to lose.


    Really?


    Li Shiyin looked at herself. The purple ster sword qi on her Falling Star Sword had already been eroded by the ck sword intent, transformed into ck sword qi.


    And she herself...


    Was shrouded in ck all over. She had also been silently tainted by the sword intent.


    The Demon ying Sword Intent had long advanced to assail her heart and soul, wanting to suppress her like a "demon", to y and destroy!


    She had already been suppressed by the Demon ying Sword Intent, she could barely even swing her sword already.


    She seemed to really be... about to lose.

 Chapter 246

    Chapter 246


    "y the demon! y the demon!!"


    Dugu Wenxue suddenly yelled loudly. The wispy ck sword intent on his body suddenly intensified. He looked like an evil demon, raised his sword with both hands, and shed down towards Li Shiyin!


    "ng..."


    This sword sh sent Li Shiyin directly to the ground. Her feetnded on the Debate tform, sinking three feet down.


    Under the frenzied sword qi attacks from Li Shiyin, Dugu Wenxue did not copse. Instead, the defensive array on the Debate tform copsed first.


    "Ah..."


    Li Shiyin suddenly let out a soft shout. She was surrounded by ck qi, as the Demon ying Sword Intent continuously assaulted her mind and spirit. At this moment, her mind and spirit finally failed to defend.


    ...She raised her head to look at Dugu Wenxue, but only saw a stretch of vague yellow sand shadows. She couldn''t see clearly.


    "ng!"


    Relying on instinct, she swung her sword to block Dugu Wenxue''s lethal strike.


    But at this time, with her feet on the Debate tform, under this sword strike, she slid back a dozen or so feet, carving two deep gouges into the Debate tform.


    When she steadied herself and looked up again, she realized that what she saw before her was no longer the Debate tform, but a desert at dusk.


    "Ahhh... y the demon! y the demon! y monsters and demons!"


    Someone was yelling madly up ahead...


    Following the sound, she saw a blood-red sunset in the distance. In the sky filled with yellow sand, a man shaped like an ancient demon god held up a sword, howling in the wind.


    "That is?" Although this was the first time Li Shiyin had seen this man, she had an instinctive feeling that this was not Dugu Wenxue, but the ancient swordsman who hadprehended the Demon ying Sword Intent.


    In the blood-red sunset, the man''s shadow was stretched long, swaying in the yellow sand, looking just like a shadow demon.


    Suddenly, he noticed Li Shiyin. He turned abruptly to look at her, with a pair of blood-filled, blood-red eyes staring straight at Li Shiyin.


    Even Li Shiyin was startled by this action. This person was shouting "y the demon", yet he himself looked just like the most evil demon. And how could he even see her?


    "Monster...demon..." The man stared at Li Shiyin and roared loudly. Holding his sword, his shadow-like figure charged straight at Li Shiyin.


    Seeing the man rush over like a shadow, Li Shiyin hurriedly raised her sword to meet him...


    ?


    Where was her sword?


    In the sunset and yellow sand, her hands were empty. There was no trace of her Cherished Star Sword.


    The shadow man''s sword was already shing down upon her!


    "Starlight!" Li Shiyin shouted sharply, raising her hand and grasping at the air. Starlight quickly gathered in her hand, forming a Starlight Sword.


    "Boom!"


    The two swords collided, and the Starlight Sword shattered instantly. Li Shiyin was sent flying by the sword strike, heavily crashing into the yellow sand.


    "Puh..." She crawled out from the sand, spitting out a mouthful of blood.


    "Just what is going on here?" She asked herself.


    "Demon!" The shadow-like man charged at her again, sword in hand.


    "Humph..." Li Shiyin stood upright, lightly exhaled a breath, then said softly: "Murky Dusk!"


    In the next moment, the Murky Dusk Sword that looked like the starry river of the cosmos appeared in her hand.


    The shadow shed down with his sword once more!


    "Immortal Seeking the Way..."


    Li Shiyin intoned again.


    Then, she disappeared from under the shadow''s sword strike.


    And so Li Shiyin understood what was happening...


    This was her Sea of ??Consciousness. She was currently in her Primordial Spirit state.


    The reason her Sea of ??Consciousness had be what it was now was because it had been invaded by the Demon ying Sword Intent.


    She looked again at the shadow. Confirming that he was the ancient swordsman who hadprehended the Demon ying Sword Intent.


    "y the demon, y the demon..." Li Shiyin murmured, "You whoprehended the Demon ying Sword Intent, why have you be like this?"


    What were sword intents? They were the strongest thoughts in one''s heart, affirmed by oneself, then manifested through the sword. What was Demon ying? It was ying monsters and demons.


    Li Shiyin did not know why a swordsman who hadprehended the Demon ying Sword Intent would be so full of demonic aura.


    At this moment, all she could do was y him. She silently channeled her energy, and sword qi flowed on the Murky Dusk Sword...


    Sealing Dust and Ceasing Thoughts!


    She looked again at the ancient demon god opposite her, sword in hand, and charged at him to kill.


    Although Li Shiyin was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, she already had a Primordial Spirit, and it was very powerful. She was not without the ability to fight back against this demon that had invaded her Sea of Consciousness.


    On the contrary, the sword intent projection of the ancient demon god simply could not withstand her primordial spirit sword qi attacks... As she had the home field advantage, she killed the shadow man till he was retreating steadily.


    The shadow was also unrelenting. Although Li Shiyin was very strong, and he could not beat her, he still fought tooth and nail against Li Shiyin. Even when suppressed by Li Shiyin''s sword qi between heaven and earth, he never conceded in the slightest.


    Until his shadow was sliced off bit by bit by the sword qi, and he shrank little by little.


    Li Shiyin''s face was cold as she sliced off the entire shadow, until she saw the deepest part of it... which was a touch of white.


    Unlike the sky-covering demonic aura of the shadow, that touch of white was righteous and noble, with an evesting bold spirit.


    Looking at that white, Li Shiyin couldn''t help but think of the sword in Dugu Wenxue''s hand. After she had ground away its sword intent, what was revealed was a thoroughly rusty sword.


    That touch of white suddenly transformed into a human shape, bing an ethereal figure of a man in white robes. He gave Li Shiyin a gentle smile and bowed to her, saying: "Many thanks to the Fairy Swordswoman for saving me."


    Li Shiyin looked at him, sword in arms, returning the bow.


    She roughly understood now. The Demon ying Sword Intent was originally a pure and wless righteous sword intent. It was only after too much killing of demons that the white was tainted by ck, eventually bing the current state of sky-covering demonic aura.


    "I see the swordswoman is only a step away fromprehending the sword intent. Please allow me to lend a hand." The man in white robes said with a faint smile. He turned back into a touch of white, then flew into the space between Li Shiyin''s brows.


    Li Shiyin looked around her Sea of Consciousness and found that even though she had defeated the Demon ying Sword Intent, it was still a stretch of yellow sand here. She was still trapped in the sand, unable to get out.


    She thought for a while, then reversed her sword and stabbed the Murky Dusk Sword into the ground. She sat down cross-legged and closed her eyes toprehend the meaning of the sword intent.


    At this time on the Debate tform, the situation was somewhat bizarre.


    Li Shiyin stood in ce with eyes closed and waspletely motionless, while Dugu Wenxue held a thoroughly rusty sword and tottered towards Li Shiyin one small step at a time like a hundred-year-old senior.


    The fight just seconds ago was still a contest between sword cultivators with sword intents and qi flying everywhere. Yet in the next second, it had be like this?


    With so many people watching below, Long Qiqi asked Chasing the Wind, but even Chasing the Wind no longer understood.


    Some people pitied Dugu Wenxue and cheered him on, asking him to walk faster.


    After invading Li Shiyin''s mind with his sword intent, the next two strikes from Dugu Wenxue were actually thest of his strength.


    Dugu Wenxue had inherited the Demon ying Sword Intent. To put it nicely, it was inheritance. To put it badly, he had been "possessed" by the sword intent. Although it wasn''t that severe, the truth was he hadpletely be a ve to the Demon ying Sword Intent. The sword intent was the true essence. Aside from the Demon ying Sword Intent, he no longer had any fighting strength left.


    When the Demon ying Sword Intent was gradually worn down and annihted by Li Shiyin''s strikes, Dugu Wenxue became as rusty as the sword in his hand.


    He mustered his final ounce of strength to force Li Shiyin back with two strikes, but was ultimately unable to attain final victory.


    At this time, although Li Shiyin was under control of the sword intent with her feet sunk into the Debate tform,pletely unable to move... Dugu Wenxue''s mangled body from the torment of the Demon ying Sword Intent also found it very difficult to attack again.


    And so this bizarre scene urred on the tform. Li Shiyin stood holding her sword without moving an inch, while Dugu Wenxue held a thoroughly rusty sword and tottered towards her one small step at a time.


    The Debate tform was not very big. If normal, a sh of his movement skill could let him sprint across it several times. But now, as Dugu Wenxue looked at Li Shiyin in the distance, it felt infinitely far.


    With each step he gasped for breath, like a dying old man.


    After what seemed an eternity crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, he finally arrived at Li Shiyin''s side. Drenched in sweat, he panted heavily as he raised his sword to stab at Li Shiyin... At this point, the judges only needed him to leave a sword mark on Li Shiyin to rule him the winner.


    He had no strength left. Bit by bit he raised the sword, about to stab Li Shiyin...


    Suddenly he heard the crowd collectively sigh "oh" in disappointment below. He realized something and raised his head to look at Li Shiyin, meeting her gaze with that pair of cold and bright eyes like the stars.


    "Guarding Sword Intent..."


    He heard Li Shiyin say softly.


    Then he saw a gentle purple brilliance emanating and spreading around her.


    "This is..." Dugu Wenxue murmured, "Sword intent!"


    This gentle sword intent pushed him away, sending him straight off the Debate tform.


    "Senior Brother Dugu is very modest." Li Shiyin said to Dugu Wenxue from below the stage.


    She gave Dugu Wenxue the greatest respect, and repaid him with her newestprehension of the sword intent.


    7017k

 Chapter 247

    Chapter 247


    "What was yourst move?" Long Qiqi felt that although Li Shiyin''sst move looked ordinary, it was actually unusual.


    "Sword intent!" Li Shiyin was very happy, leaning close to Long Qiqi''s ear and whispering, "I haveprehended sword intent!"


    "Sword intent?!" Long Qiqi widened her slender snake eyes, her emotions extremelyplex for a moment.


    She was naturally also happy for Li Shiyin, and proud that Li Shiyin hadprehended both sword qi and sword intent, but when she thought of herself, after two or three years of struggling, she had just barely stabilized the foundation stage... She couldn''t help but feel jealous.


    "How wonderful!" She smiled and said, "After Elder Lu Junxing, in the entire Dao Sword Sect, only you haveprehended both sword qi and sword intent!"


    "Yes..." Li Shiyin nodded arrogantly, "It''s indeed easy toprehend sword intent!"


    Long Qiqi looked at her and said, "Then it will be even easier to beat Ye Qingxuan and Yao Qingketer."


    "Hehe, let''s talk about it tomorrow!" Li Shiyin turned around and ran towards Arena No.1, "I''m going to tell Master that I''veprehended sword intent."


    Long Qiqi watched Li Shiyin''s back as the smile on her face disappeared little by little, then she sighed.


    "Why are you sighing?" Chasing the Wind asked in puzzlement.


    Long Qiqi gave him a sideways nce and said, "I''m tired of standing together with you geniuses!"


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind was startled, "But you always call us idiots!"


    "You can be stupid and talented at the same time..." Long Qiqi said ethereally, "You must have traded your brains for talent! Look at you, you''re the most stupid, yet the most talented."


    "Then you can also trade your brains for talent," Chasing the Wind suggested.


    "Hmm..." Long Qiqi nced at him and shook her head, "forget it."


    Li Shiyin excitedly ran to the foot of Arena No. 1, just about to share the good news ofprehending sword intent with Qin Ran, but before she could speak, she stopped.


    Because she saw someone on Arena No. 1 who shouldn''t be there...


    Elder Lu Junxing!


    ording to Long Qiqi''s calctions, Elder Lu''s number this round should be 9, which means he should be at Arena No. 9, not Arena No. 1.


    "Did Qiqi calcte wrong?" Li Shiyin thought to herself.


    But no matter whether Long Qiqi calcted wrong or not, the fact was that Elder Lu Junxing was battling on Arena No. 1; his opponent was another elite disciple, ranked seventh; and the referee overseeing this fight was her master.


    Li Shiyin wasn''t familiar with that disciple, but no matter who he was, he was ranked seventh on the Elite Disciple Rankings, his strength wouldn''t be weak; plus the strongest of this generation, Elder Lu Junxing...


    And her master Qin Ran, the referee, only had Early Golden Core cultivation.


    "Master?" She knew Qin Ran was very powerful, but... she was worried.


    She looked up at the arena and saw that Qin Ran was also looking solemn,pletely focused on the fight above, unaware that she had arrived.


    Watching the two fighting on the arena, Qin Ran didn''t dare let his mind wander at all.


    Firstly, he had to be ready to reposition himself at any time to avoid being hit by the "stray shots".


    Secondly, the two on the stage were very powerful, so if he made a move to prevent his disciples from getting hurt, he would have to go all out.


    The protective barrier around the arena had already been activated by Qin Ran. Now inside this barrier, there were countless strands of sword qi suspended in the air, intertwining with each other, vaguely forming a picture... or an array.


    Every time Elder Lu Junxing struck with his sword, he would leave behind a strand of sword qi. These strands of sword qi gradually consumed the open space in the arena, interweaving with each other to form mountains and rivers, as if they were the mountains and rivers that made up the country. To Qin Ran, this was an array.


    A sword array, to be exact.


    Sword qi could notst long by itself. Once separated from the sword cultivator''s control, it would quickly dissipate between heaven and earth. But sword intent could remain for a long time. The sword intent left behind by ancient sword cultivators who hadprehended sword intent could still be found centuriester.


    And if sword intent was fused into sword qi, then the sword qi could remain forever with the sword intent.


    What Elder Lu Junxing was demonstrating now was precisely this technique.


    He had fused the Carefree Sword Intent into the Mountain and River Sword Qi, so the Mountain and River Sword Qi could linger in the arena. Then, the sword qi formed the mountains and rivers that made up the country.


    Although Li Shiyin was very worried about Qin Ran''s situation right now, when she saw Elder Lu Junxing''s skills, she still gained someprehension.


    After all, very few sword cultivatorsprehended sword intent, and even fewerprehended both sword qi and sword intent. So now, in the entire Dao Sword Sect, probably only Elder Lu Junxing could guide Li Shiyin on the path of the sword.


    Elder Lu Junxing was clearly stronger than his opponent. Throughout the fight, he seemed rxed, casually fending off the other''s attacks again and again, while silently leaving behind strand after strand of sword qi. In his n, when the mountains and rivers that made up the country were formed, the junior brother across from him would have to surrender and admit defeat without fighting.


    In Elder Lu Junxing''s eyes, this was a way to win without harming anyone or damaging harmony.


    But in his opponent''s eyes, this was an insult!


    Seeing that the mountains and rivers were about to bepleted, if he didn''t stake it all, he would be tortured to death by humiliation. This elite disciple resolutely decided to explode.


    He instantaneously drew out all his remaining magic power and detonated it like suicide, exploding out a violent tempest of magic...


    Boom!


    The frenzied tempest exploded in the arena!


    Elder Lu Junxing didn''t expect his junior brother to choose to end the battle in this way. He waspletely unprepared for the violently exploding tempest of magic.


    ...Of course, the might of that magic tempest was great, but it wasn''t actually that terrifying. It didn''t pose a threat to Elder Lu Junxing, and the arena''s protective barrier could withstand it too, but...


    At this time, there were still countless strands of sword qi carrying sword intent left by Elder Lu Junxing in the arena!


    It was like stuffing countless nails into a package of explosives, instantly increasing the destructive power exponentially.


    As the magic tempest exploded, carrying countless sword qi surging outward, the protective barrier blocked it for a moment, then it swirled back inward. In an instant, countless strands of sword qi carrying sword intent wildly shot around inside the arena''s protective barrier!


    "Fuck! It''s just a spot to challenge the peak..." Watching the terrifying scene in the arena, a chill went down Qin Ran''s spine as he cursed inwardly, "Is it necessary to go all out like this?!"


    But there was no other way, he was the referee, he had to ensure his disciples'' safety...


    He raised his hand to summon the Nine Regions Cauldron and with a "ng" covered the self-detonating disciple within it.


    Then he first used Dreamlike Illusion to transform himself into water form to ensure his own safety, before using Dreamlike Bubble Shadow to summon a huge bubble to cover the arena, preventing the protective barrier from shattering and the sword qi from shooting out and injuring passersby.


    As for Elder Lu Junxing... pray for blessings! If the strongest disciple of this generation was killed by his own sword qi, it would still make for a "great story".


    Sure enough, it didn''t take long for the protective barrier to be pierced through by the rampaging sword qi. The sword qi then started attacking the bubble Qin Ran had summoned.


    The tremendous impact made Qin Ran grunt, but ultimately, the bubble he summoned stabilized between expansion and contraction without breaking. Then he gradually shrank it, shrinking it into a ball and tossing it onto the arena floor.


    Qin Ran''s face was ghastly pale, but he still put on an air of a powerful expert. He put away the Nine Regions Cauldron and said lightly to the Peak disciple, "Does this junior have any objections to dering you the loser of this match?"


    Having narrowly escaped death, the disciple looked at the sword scars on the arena floor, then at the nonchnt Elder Lu Junxing. He sighed and nodded, "No objections."


    "The winner of this assessment is Elder Lu Junxing," Qin Ran announced the final result.


    Elder Lu Junxing put away his sword, took out his wine gourd, and walked towards Qin Ran while drinking and looking him up and down. He smiled and said, "Little Martial Uncle, your strength is inadequate!"


    Qin Ran looked at him and said, "As expected of Elder Lu Junxing, ranked first on the Elite Disciple Rankings."


    "Just an empty reputation..."


    As the two were chatting, suddenly...


    "Master!"


    Li Shiyin shouted and jumped onto the stage, grabbing Qin Ran and nervously checking him up and down, then asked again, "Master, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine," Qin Ran allowed Li Shiyin to examine him and nodded.


    "Phew..." Li Shiyin let out a breath, then asked, "Elder Martial Brother, howe you came to Master for your assessment? Shouldn''t you be at Arena No. 9?"


    Qin Ran shook his head and sighed, "The referee for Arena No. 9 said he had a stomachache and couldn''t make it."


    "..." Li Shiyin immediately understood. This was obviously an excuse made up by someone afraid of overseeing Elder Lu Junxing''s assessment.


    Hmm... Although there was indeed an incident in the end.


    Originally, Lu Junxing, who was drinking and watching the fun on the side, narrowed his eyes when he heard Li Shiyin''s words.


    He asked: "Junior sister... How did you know I was supposed to take the assessment at Arena No. 9?"


    7017k

 Chapter 248

    Chapter 248


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin was too nervous about Qin Ran that she blurted it out.


    But she was smart enough. After thinking about it, she said to Lu Junxing, "Um... I calcted it out."


    "Calcted it out?" Lu Junxing smiled and asked, "Junior Martial Sister, you also practiced fortune telling?"


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran and replied, "Oh, I know a little bit."


    Lu Junxing actually knew that Li Shiyin didn''t want to tell him. He shook his head and didn''t ask further.


    He praised: "Junior Martial Sister is very learned."


    After overseeing this assessment, Qin Ran was really injured. He took this opportunity to resign from the judge position and suspended the arbitration work. At the same time, he also told the head master that Forum Stage No. 1 was severely damaged and would be suspended for use.


    Plus the No. 5 Forum Stage that Li Shiyin and Dugu Wenxue had damaged, there were now two forum stages that had stopped operating.


    Qin Ran came over from the head master and found Li Shiyin waiting for him. After getting closer, he smiled and asked, "How was today''s assessment?"


    He really didn''t pay attention to Li Shiyin''s assessment today, mainly because Lu Junxing and the seventh ranked genius on the Heavenly Pride List put too much pressure on him.


    Li Shiyin stood there with her hands behind her back. She leaned forward, giggled and said, "Master, you guess!"


    Qin Ran looked at her and said, "It looks like you lost and got beaten very badly."


    "That''s not it at all!" Li Shiyin stretched out both hands, grabbed Qin Ran''s left arm, and walked together towards the Forum Stage, "Let me give you another chance, guess again!"


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran thought for a while and replied, "Then it means you lost, but you didn''t get beaten too badly."


    Li Shiyin squeezed Qin Ran''s arm hard and said, "Wrong!"


    "Let me think..." Li Shiyin was extremely strong when she squeezed Qin Ran''s arm, which caused pain. So he asked, "Who was your opponent today?"


    In fact, he knew it. The pattern that even Long Qiqi could deduce, how could he not deduce it?


    "Dugu Wenxue, Senior Martial Brother Sword Peak, very powerful, very powerful!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Is that the Demon ying Sword Intent?"


    "Yes."


    "Does he know how to y demons?"


    "He does."


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran nced at Li Shiyin, "Then why wasn''t this big demon yer able to y you?"


    "Humph!" Li Shiyinughed proudly, "Because I''m the big demon, he couldn''t beat me!"


    "Oh...you won!" Qin Ran finally guessed it.


    "Master, master..." Only then did Li Shiyin secretly share her joy with Qin Ran, "I alsoprehended sword intent!"


    "Sword intent?" Qin Ran''s eyebrows jumped as he looked towards Li Shiyin and also whispered, "What sword intent?"


    He knew that Li Shiyin would definitelyprehend sword intent, it was just a matter of time. Because this simple and stubborn girl was really suitable forprehending sword intent.


    "Guardian Sword Intent..." Li Shiyin said, "I want to protect my parents, Li Shiwen, Chasing the Wind, Qiqi and Dan Peak, as well as myself and Master."


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin. Because they were whispering, their figures had unknowingly gotten very close. He looked at the exquisite face right in front of him, full of the stubborn expression she had when she first wanted to concoct pills.


    There were very few people who embarked on the path of cultivation for the sake of others, but his silly apprentice was one.


    Some might say that the sword in their hands is for protection, but almost no one hasprehended Guardian Sword Intent because of this... let alone someone like his apprentice who was full of violence.


    "Guardian Sword Intent is great!" He smiled and before his silly apprentice''s bright eyes could look at him, he looked ahead and said, "The Star Sword Qi is for attack, the Guardian Sword Intent is for defense, one attacking and one defending, theyplement each other like yin and yang, subtly conforming to the grand dao of heaven and earth."


    "That''s right!" Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran''s elegant side profile, her eyes full of smiles. How could she think so much?


    Under Forum Stage No. 8, they found Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind, while Tian Wenjin was on the stage.


    Tian Wenjin''s lifeline number in this round was 15. The assessment had just begun.


    Chasing the Wind saw Qin Ran and Li Shiyin walking over early on. He shouted "Daddy" and rubbed his big head against Qin Ran.


    Looking at Li Shiyin pulling Qin Ran''s arm, his eyes were full of envy, jealousy and hatred. He hated that he had grown so big that he could no longer be held in his father''s arms forfort.


    Long Qiqi nced at Qin Ran and Li Shiyin. She cursed "lovebirds" in her heart and casually asked, "Why aren''t you the judge anymore?"


    "The disciples are too strong now, my own strength is not enough." Qin Ran replied, "I can''t guarantee their safety anymore."


    "Oh..." Long Qiqi looked at the stage and asked again, "There was a lot of noise over there just now, what happened? You''re not hurt, are you?"


    "It''s normal for there to be some noise when two geniuses fight..." Qin Ran smiled and replied, "I suffered some internal injuries, no major issues."


    What is called the sinister version of a tsundere refers to Long Qiqi.


    The sinister, arrogant little lolita tsundere was still quite interesting.


    The family of four chatted below the stage while the battle on the stage had reached a fever pitch.


    Although Tian Wenjin''s luck was slightly better than Li Shiyin''s, it was only slightly better. Because from this round onwards, the opponents she encountered were all stronger than thest.


    Her opponent this round was the outer sect disciple, Xiao Bufan, that Long Qiqi had asked her to pay special attention to. This person cultivated fire magic and possessed the Strange Fire Between Heaven and Earth. His fighting style was bold yet meticulous, and he was very good at winning despite being at a disadvantage.


    For someone like Xiao Bufan, Tian Wenjin''s Ruthless Sword Intent was not very useful. She had a tough fight this round.


    At this moment, blue lightning and red mes were shing on the stage. Qin Ran looked up and felt as if he had returned under the Heavenly Tribtion, that extremely violent lightning and mes.


    Sizzling...


    Tian Wenjin transformed into lightning, relying on the high mobility of lightning to dash all over the Forum Stage and continuously attack Xiao Bufan. Xiao Bufan was engulfed in raging mes, desperately evading Tian Wenjin''s lightning while using the mes to block the damage from the lightning.


    Xiao Bufan was bold yet meticulous and smart. He was very clear that his actualbat power was inferior to Tian Wenjin''s. Therefore, he adopted a conservative tactic from the start, defending instead of attacking.


    Not only did Li Shiyin know, Xiao Bufan also knewonce someone takes action, ws will appear. He knew that as long as he could keep defending, Tian Wenjin would definitely reveal a w.


    Although Xiao Bufan was not as adept at seizing ws as Li Shiyin who possessed the Heart Divine Eye, he told himself that he must be able to seize it...


    And there it was! The w!


    After all, Tian Wenjin was the offensive side. Her consumption of strength and magic power was dozens of times more than Xiao Bufan''s. After such a long stalemate, her magic power finally showed a gap. Her magic power operation faltered for an instant when she unleashed this sword strike!


    Letting this sword strike''s might be far inferior to her previous moves!


    Xiao Bufan noticed it early on. He had been taking this beating for so long already, waiting precisely for this moment...


    "Phoenix Extreme me!" He spread his hands out like wings as mes roared up his body, providing him wings.


    "Caw..."


    The cry of a phoenix suddenly rang out from nowhere!


    He pped his wings...


    And instantly transformed into a phoenix, charging head on towards Tian Wenjin''s sword strike!


    Naturally, Tian Wenjin''s sword strike was no match for Xiao Bufan''s strongest move. If these two moves collided, it was highly likely that she would be taken out in one move.


    At this moment, it was already toote to stop and switch to another powerful sword technique.


    Unless...


    She created her own move!


    Sword techniques created by oneself could be moved and performed at will, anytime.


    So at this critical moment, Tian Wenjin nced below the stage. She just happened to see Li Shiyin hugging Qin Ran''s arm, both very close to each other...


    "Sigh!"


    She looked back...


    "Snow Flying in the Wind!"


    Despite the scorching sun overhead, a cold wind suddenly blew across this Forum Stage. ke by ke, snow began to fall along with the cold wind!


    Xiao Bufan in the mes suddenly felt a bit cold.


    He discovered a snowke had fallen onto his phoenix wing... Looking closely, he saw it wasn''t a snowke but lightning, no, it was sword qi!


    Another snowke fell...

 Chapter 249

    Chapter 249


    Tian Wenjin stopped her sword technique just in time before Xiao Bufan was tormented by the merciless sword intent-infused sword aura. She then coldly sheathed her sword and waited for the judge to announce the result of the assessment.


    Xiao Bufan looked at Tian Wenjin, this girl who hadprehended the merciless sword intent, was worried that he would get hurt and was willing to take the risk of stopping her sword technique prematurely... This girl was not truly merciless.


    "Thank you for being lenient, senior sister." He saluted Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin nced coldly at him without speaking.


    Xiao Bufan politely looked at Tian Wenjin, smiled, and did not make a fool of himself anymore.


    After the judge announced the result, Xiao Bufan was eliminated and stopped at the top 32, while Tian Wenjin advanced to the next round of assessment, reaching the top 16 positions, and her ranking number changed from 15 to 1.


    Tian Wenjin turned around and walked down the Debate tform, heading towards the Qin Ran family of four.


    "Wenjin, congrattions!" Before she even got close, she could already hear Li Shiyin''sughter, "You''ve alsoprehended sword aura!"


    Just now, in that moment, Tian Wenjin hadprehended sword aura and became the third disciple of the Dao Sword Sect who hadprehended both sword intent and sword aura at the same time.


    Tian Wenjin looked ahead and saw Li Shiyin still standing next to Qin Ran. She nodded in acknowledgement without speaking.


    "What did you name your sword aura?" Li Shiyin asked her.


    "Perhaps Divine Skies Sword Aura," Tian Wenjin answered in a low voice.


    "Huh? Isn''t your sword aura thunder and lightning?" Li Shiyin asked in puzzlement.


    Tian Wenjin was about to exin when she suddenly sensed someone following behind her. She looked back and saw that it was Xiao Bufan.


    Xiao Bufan walked over, first nodded and greeted Tian Wenjin with a smile, then saluted Qin Ran and Li Shiyin with sped fists.


    "Greetings to Uncle Qin, Senior Sister Li."


    "Senior Sister Li?" Li Shiyin found it amusing and looked at Qin Ran with a smile. Master, he called me senior sister!


    Qin Ran paid no attention to Li Shiyin''s smiling eyes and nodded at Xiao Bufan, saying, "You did very well."


    Someone like Xiao Bufan, bold, meticulous, tenacious, forbearing, self-motivated, could go very far on the path of cultivation.


    "Compared to the two senior sisters, I still have a long way to go," Xiao Bufan said.


    The precocious little dragon Qi Qi crossed her arms with the air of an old man, sizing up Xiao Bufan. With her intelligence and wisdom, she naturally saw through Xiao Bufan''s intentions at a nce... This guy is interested in Tian Wenjin.


    Beaten up by Tian Wenjin, then developed feelings of admiration and became a masochist.


    "You have lost the qualification to knock at the sect''s entrance, aren''t you upset at all?" She asked Xiao Bufan coldly.


    "Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Bufan realized that this mature, scheming little loli was talking to him. He lowered his head to look at her, then smiled and said, "So many talented and powerful Inner Sect seniors have also lost their qualification, what does it matter if I lose mine?


    "Like Senior Sister Li who has eliminated many in the past two days, including Yan Tianxing who is one of the ten great pride of heaven, and Lone Seeking Snow who isparable to the ten great pride of heaven. Even the ten great pride of heaven don''t have the qualification to knock at the sect''s entrance..."


    He shook his head, "Not to mention, the bloody battle that is like hell will take ce tomorrow. Among the top 16, which one is not a world-shocking genius with great fame within the sect? And of these sixteen people, it is destined that six will be unable to participate in knocking at the sect''s entrance. Those six people... If I feel upset, how should those six people feel?


    "I, an outer disciple, have made it to the top 16, I''m already very satisfied. To lose under Senior Sister Tian''s hand is even more of a blessing in my three lifetimes."


    The sinister little loli looked at Tian Wenjin, signaling with her eyes: "Your new fanboy is quite interesting."


    Tian Wenjin just nced coldly at her.


    "You do have an insightful perspective and a magnanimous mindset." Qin Ranughed.


    Tian Wenjin''s ranking number was already 15 in this round, which was thest match of this round.


    ...As for the one with ranking number 16, that was the lucky one who had a bye in this round.


    So who was this lucky one?


    Dong Zhongyuan.


    Today''s assessment was over, and after chatting with them for a short while, there were not many people left on the Debate tform. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Xiao Bufan, Qin Ran also led her three daughters and one cat towards Dan Peak.


    Xiao Bufan stood in the empty Questioning Dao za, watching the backs of Tian Wenjin and the others leaving, feeling veryplicated.


    The First Seat, direct disciples, Inner Sect disciples, ten great pride of heaven, these were all existences he once looked up to...and could not even look up to before. But now he could talk face to face with them. He even had the chance to get acquainted with a beauty.


    "Strength... Strength!" He sighed to himself, "It reallyes down to strength in the end. If I had the same strength as Lu Junxing, perhaps Tian Wenjin would also wee me with a smile..."


    Dan Peak, Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake. The three girls sat around the stone table, discussing tomorrow''s assessment; Chasing Wind crouched between the long embankment in the middle of theke and the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake, acting as the gatekeeper.


    "Wenjin, your opponent tomorrow is Yue Yiqun, a Main Peak disciple who cultivates the Purple Dawn Divine Skill. This skill is known for its thick, durable, extremely powerful might; its weakness is its slow start-up. His martial art determines his fighting style, so you have a slight advantage over him."


    Little dragon Qi Qi went over the forms with Tian Wenjin in detail, analyzing her opponent for tomorrow. Finally, she asked, "Can you handle it? Do you want me to add something to his meal tonight?"


    Tian Wenjin shook her head and said, "I have no enmity with this senior brother, it''s just a normal assessment, there''s no need to go that far. Besides, now that I haveprehended sword aura, I may not necessarily lose to him."


    "Alright..." Qi Qi nodded disappointedly.


    She took out another piece of paper and looked at Li Shiyin, saying, "Shiyin, your opponent tomorrow is Ye Qingxuan, a Qi Peak disciple who cultivates the Illusory Cloud Fog Killer. ...Forget it, never mind what she cultivates. She probably won''t even make it to the tform tomorrow."


    "Qi Qi... what are you going to do? Isn''t that going too far?" Li Shiyin was hesitant and asked, "Wouldn''t that be a little inappropriate?"


    "Aiya, what''s inappropriate about it? The Qi Peak people..." Qi Qi shook her head and shouted outside, "Stupid Tiger,e here!"


    Chasing Wind then crawled over and stuck his head into the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake, resembling a long white worm... Surely living up to being called Big Worm.


    Qi Qi took out some pills from her Universe Bag, crushed them into powder, wrapped them in paper, and handed them to Chasing Wind, instructing: "Use a gentle breeze to deliver a little at a time into her residence cave. And let your little tigers stay further away, don''t get caught."


    As she spoke, she took out some formation tes from her Universe Bag and handed them to Chasing Wind, "I can''t even bother to scold you. You''ve studied formations for so many years, yet you still need formation tes to set up formations."


    Chasing Wind mumbled incoherently in self-defense: "Some formations do require formation tes... Daddy sometimes also needs formation tes to set up formations..."


    "These are illusion and maze formations. Combine them and set them up at the entrance of Ye Qingxuan''s residence cave tonight."


    "Ye Qingxuan will definitely feel muddled after being poisoned tonight, and will hallucinate. When she wakes up tomorrow morning and steps into the formations... She has a 90% chance of not making it to the Debate tform, and so Shiyin wins without fighting."


    As Qi Qi talked about her ns, she still felt uneasy and asked doubtfully, "Do you know how tobine formations?"


    "I know... I guess I know..." Chasing Wind was very unsure of himself. Mediocre students are like this, "Combining formations is not that hard."


    Qi Qi was so angry she clenched her fists wanting to hit Chasing Wind: "If anything goes wrong, I''ll poison you to death!"


    "Qi Qi?" Li Shiyin called Qi Qi again.


    "Oh, what''s wrong with you?" Qi Qi red at her, "I didn''t even set up any killing, poison, or soul-destroying formations!"


    Li Shiyin thought carefully, it seemed so. Not only did Qi Qi not set up any dangerous formations, the poison pills she used were also refined by herself, not Qin Ran''s pills. Thinking of this, she heaved a sigh of relief.

 Chapter 250

    Chapter 250


    The Debate tform had already been destroyed twice, and it needed to be assessed before it could be repaired. Currently, only seven Debate tforms could be used...


    Both were destroyed by sword cultivators, which showed that thebat power of sword cultivators was indeed unmatched in the cultivation world.


    And because the remaining sixteen disciples were stronger than thest, Golden Core judges were no longer enough, so the assessment work could only be handled by the Yuan Ying elders within the sect.


    There were only four Yuan Ying elders who could preside over the assessment, so from this round onward, only four assessments could be conducted at a time.


    Tian Wenjin''s ID number was 1, so she was the first to go on stage today; Li Shiyin''s ID number was 5, so she had to wait until the next round.


    "Damn it!" Long Qiqi punched Xiu Feng and cursed, "What kind of stupid rule is this?"


    Tian Wenjin had already gone on stage. The Yuan Ying elder was now verifying her ID number. Long Qiqi climbed onto Xiu Feng''s shoulder to get a better view of the assessment.


    Having been punched for no reason, Xiu Feng looked at Long Qiqi in confusion.


    "It''s actually pretty good," Qin Ran and Li Shiyin were standing next to Xiu Feng. Qin Ran said, "For a weakling like me, I don''t have to pretend I''m strong and forcibly preside over the assessment."


    "Good my ass!" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes.


    Ye Qingxuan still hadn''t arrived, clearly trapped in the formation. If Li Shiyin went on stage now, Ye Qingxuan definitely wouldn''t make it, and Li Shiyin would win by default.


    But if they waited until the next round, things might turn out differently.


    Hearing Long Qiqi''s words, Qin Ran just smiled without replying. He took a long look at her, then nced at Li Shiyin.


    Noticing Qin Ran looking at her, Li Shiyin looked back with her big eyes and asked, "Master, why are you looking at me?"


    "No reason," their eyes met, and Qin Ran looked away. "Do your bestter."


    "Of course I''ll do my best!" Li Shiyin sounded a little less confident.


    At this time, on stage, Tian Wenjin had already started fighting with Yue Yiqun.


    However, this assessment...


    Firstly, Yue Yiqun''s strength was inferior to Xiao Bufan. Secondly, Yue Yiqun''s mentality was worse than Xiao Bufan''s. Thirdly, his fighting style was restrained by Tian Wenjin. Fourthly, Yue Yiqun had been thoroughly studied beforehand, so it was a half-hearted battle.


    Thus, the assessment ended very quickly.


    Yue Yiqun''s strength was not disyed at all, and he lost in a sh.


    Just one step away from obtaining the qualification to knock on the Gate of the Dao, yet unable to take that final step. And losing the assessment in such a miserable manner made Yue Yiqun go berserk with rage. Upon hearing the judge announce the end of the assessment, his Purple Dawn Divine Skill was just powering up, so he directly flew up and bombarded the Debate tform with a series of terrifying magics.


    ...Then he was escorted off the Debate tform by the judge. As for what punishment he would receive afterward, no one knew.


    Tian Wenjin had just gotten off stage when she was pulled into a one-armed hug by Li Shiyin, who came running over.


    "Wow! Wenjin, you''ve obtained the qualification to knock on the Gate of the Dao! You''re in the top eight now!" Li Shiyin had one arm around Tian Wenjin''s shoulders, speaking excitedly as she led her toward Qin Ran. "That means you''re at least eighth on the Geniuses Ranking! Amazing...so awesome..."


    Li Shiyin spoke excitedly,pletely oblivious to Tian Wenjin''s strange expression.


    She looked very ufortable at Li Shiyin''s arm around her shoulders...it was almost like being embraced.


    Li Shiyin came from a family of good genes and had practiced martial arts since childhood, so she was actually a bit taller than the average girl. Tian Wenjin was rtively tall too, but still petitepared to Li Shiyin.


    So when Li Shiyin walked over with her arm around Tian Wenjin, Qin Ran somehow had the illusion of seeing a boyfriend with his girlfriend.


    In particr, Li Shiyin looked natural and at ease, while Tian Wenjin appeared shy and awkward.


    "Shy?" Seeing Tian Wenjin, a strange idea arose in Qin Ran''s mind. "No way, right?"


    "Master!" With Tian Wenjin in tow, Li Shiyin arrived before Qin Ran, like a boyfriend introducing his girlfriend to his parents. "Wenjin has obtained the qualification to knock on the Gate of the Dao! Impressive, right?!"


    Li Shiyin''s manner made Qin Ran hear an auditory hallucination again. (Master, this is my girlfriend, isn''t she pretty?) He looked at the ufortable Tian Wenjin peculiarly and nodded. "Pretty...Impressive! Very impressive!"


    "Wenjin has entered the Geniuses Ranking without even forming her core!" Li Shiyin eximed.


    (Wenjin became my girlfriend beforeing of age.)


    Qin Ran tranted in his head. Huh? Something seems off.


    "Incredible!" he said.


    "I haven''t formed my core either, yet I''m also on the Geniuses Ranking!" Li Shiyin said. "Wenjin and I, we''re the peerless double beauties! ...If I can beat Ye Qingxuanter too."


    (I haven''te of age either, yet also became her girlfriend. We''re a match made in heaven, if you remove the obstacles.)


    Hmm, that makes more sense.


    "Then do your best!" Qin Ran said.


    "Hurry up, hurry up, the judge is calling!" At this time, Long Qiqi urged from above, yelling for Li Shiyin, "Go up quickly, end it quickly, don''t let Ye Qingxuan make it!"


    "Oh, it''s my turn already?" Li Shiyin nced at the stage and saw that the judge was indeed asking the disciple with ID number 5 to go on stage.


    "Alright Master, I''m going up now!" She said to Qin Ran, then called to Tian Wenjin as well, smiling, "Wenjin, wait for my good news, I''ll break into the top ten too!"


    Speaking so, she hopped lightly onto the stage, sword in hand.


    Qin Ran watched Li Shiyin''s back, then looked back at Tian Wenjin...the girl had reverted to her cold expression.


    No matter how he thought about it, he couldn''t understand - didn''t she use to like men? And was so infatuated with Huang Feiyu? How did shee to like women now?


    No, the key was she hadprehended Heartless Sword Intent! What was up with this development?


    Qin Ran didn''t feel threatened at all, since their rtionship was steadily progressing...cough cough! No, since they were just master and disciple. Right, that''s it! He was just curious.


    Of course, it would be inappropriate to directly ask if she was homosexual, or if she still liked his fema...disciple.


    While Qin Ran was staring at his silly disciple on stage, pondering strange things, he suddenly heard these words:


    "I won''t get in your way."


    Hearing this, he turned to look at Tian Wenjin, only to see her expression as cold and heartless as ever, as if she hadn''t spoken.

 Chapter 251

    Chapter 251


    When Ye Qingxuan arrived at the main peak''s Debate Stage, this round of assessments was basically over.


    The referee presiding over the assessment had already flown halfway into the sky on a cloud, watching the disciples dispersing after the assessment, while Li Shiyin listlessly hugged her sword going to find her master.


    It was at this time that she arrived at the Debate Stage... Counting it, it was when she arrived at the moment the assessment ended.


    The referee was very good, willing to give her a chance, and also asked Li Shiyin''s opinion; and Li Shiyin knew the reason why she waste, unwilling to hurt her, and was also willing to give her a chance.


    So Ye Qingxuan was very lucky to have a chance to fight once, and had the chance to know how she would lose.


    "Ah! Stupid!" Long Qiqi hated iron for not bing steel. She really couldn''t understand why Li Shiyin would give Ye Qingxuan a chance.


    Qin Ran looked at her and spoke up, "Shiyin is different from you, Shiyin is a sword cultivator."


    "So what if she''s a sword cultivator?" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes, "Can sword cultivators not need brains?"


    "Sword cultivators need to be resilient, need to forge ahead, need to have a simple heart." Qin Ran said, "This is the reason why Shiyin''s cultivation realm and sword path have improved so quickly."


    At the same time, this was also the reason why Long Qiqi''s cultivation was progressing so slowly. Long Qiqi''s thoughts were tooplicated.


    Long Qiqi could understand what Qin Ran was saying. She finally just said, "She can indeed have a simple heart, because she has a master like you."


    Qin Ran smiled and said, "And a friend like you."


    Petty viins shouldn''t talk about big viins, they were all equally sinister.


    On the stage, Li Shiyin held her sword and bowed to Ye Qingxuan across from her, "Danfeng, Li Shiyin."


    Ye Qingxuan, her original appearance was not as outstanding as Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin, but when she lowered her head demurely, with every nce, mortals who saw her would call her a fairy.


    In particr, she had an even more charming and intelligent beauty. Her figure was abundant, which really attracted men''s attention.


    However, now she waspletely different from her previous appearance.


    She saw that her face was haggard, her temperament decadent, her muscles seemingly powerless, her posture strange, and her clothes disheveled. Looking closely at her face, the originally fair and fullplexion was already gone.


    Her skin had lost moisture, the shape was shriveled; her temples were dark, with dark eye circles, her lips and teeth were pale, looking like a terminally ill patient about to die.


    Seeing her now, where was there the slightest trace of a cultivator''s bearing?


    Ye Qingxuan took out a sword from her universe bag, with no intention of unsheathing it, just leaving it on the ground to support her body.


    She looked at Li Shiyin and asked, "It was you who did it, right?"


    Li Shiyin''s heart skipped a beat, and asked back, "What did I do?"


    "I felt something was wrong yesterday." Ye Qingxuan ignored Li Shiyin and started talking to herself, "No matter if it was my body, spiritual power, or soul, there was an ufortable feeling. But I didn''t pay attention, thinking I was just nervous."


    "Butst night, I vaguely sensed that someone was using the wind to poison me." She spoke slowly, "It''s just that the dose of the poisonst night was still small. I looked for half the night but didn''t find who poisoned me."


    "When I got up this morning, I was even more muddleheaded, seeing double, hearing ringing in my ears, almost hallucinating out of thin air. Then when I opened the door..."


    Her emotions fluctuated, "Right at the entrance of my cave! Right at the entrance of my cave!! Someone had set up an illusion array!!"


    The spectators below listening to the conversation on stage were all moved. What kind of vicious person would block off someone''s door and set up an array?!


    Especially Lu Junxing, he drank wine while squinting his eyes and looking at Li Shiyin.


    Ye Qingxuan took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, and looked at Li Shiyin again, asking, "It was you who did it, right?"


    "Cough!" Li Shiyin was indeed somewhat flustered. She looked down at her master, saw her master make a fists gesture, and understood in her heart. Looking back at Ye Qingxuan, she asked, "Is the assessment going to continue?"


    Ye Qingxuan didn''t respond to her, instead turning to look at the referee, "I want to report, she cheated."


    "You... you''re speaking nonsense!" Li Shiyin panickedpletely. It would be fine if she didn''t cheat, but she really did cheat!


    "Cheating?" At this time Long Qiqi stood up on Chasing the Wind''s shoulders and yelled at the stage, "You say Li Shiyin cheated, you have to provide evidence first. She waited for you on stage for a whole morning, and was still willing to give you a chance to fight again. How can there be someone as ungrateful as you?


    "My family Shiyin has a pure sword heart that illuminates people, fair and upright, heaven and earth can bear witness, sun and moon can bear witness!"


    She didn''t dare say the stars could bear witness, because Li Shiyin cultivated the Stars Sword Qi, so the stars couldn''t judge.


    Long Qiqi''s words made Qin Ran look at her and secretly give a thumbs up. This shamelessness had already caught up to him; Lu Junxing also looked at Long Qiqi, and instantly knew the origin of everything.


    "Who''s making noise? It''s not your turn to speak!" Ye Qingxuan only looked calm on the surface, but was actually fuming inside. Hearing Long Qiqi''s words, her eyes red, and she sent out eye techniques at Long Qiqi.


    "Roar..."


    Chasing the Wind reacted quickly, tilting his head back with a roar, immediately breaking her eye technique.


    She actually attacked Qiqi, Li Shiyin''s face sank. With a "shing" sound, she drew her sword, ncing at the referee and asking, "Has the assessment started?"


    The referee nodded.


    He was the assessment referee, only responsible for things on stage. Whatever happened below, he would not get involved.


    Having gotten the referee''s consent, Li Shiyin instantly disappeared from her original spot.


    Ye Qingxuan was simply not Li Shiyin''s match to begin with. They had crossed swords once before, and Ye Qingxuan''s illusions werepletely countered by Li Shiyin''s Divine Mind Eye, resulting in Ye Qingxuan''s loss.


    Although that time was just casual sparring, Ye Qingxuan was careless and attacked casually, also not using her killer moves and trump cards, but... Li Shiyin also did not use her killer moves and trump cards that time.


    So Ye Qingxuan might be a bit stronger than Li Shiyin in strength, or even much stronger in otherbat situations, but at this time, facing each other on the Debate Stage, she waspletely countered by Li Shiyin, she simply could not beat Li Shiyin.


    Moreover...


    She was currently deeply poisoned, and even with tenthyer strength, she would be lucky to exert threeyers.


    In the end, Ye Qingxuan was shed out of the Debate Stage by Li Shiyin with one sword... defeated in a single move.


    Ye Qingxuan crawled up from the ground, looking resentfully at Li Shiyin on the stage, saying, "You won dishonorably."


    Long Qiqi immediately rode Chasing the Wind over to mock, "You Peak of Vigor have the least right to say that!"


    "What do you mean?" Ye Qingxuan angrily questioned Long Qiqi, and made to attack again.


    "You''d better think clearly before speaking..." A voice sounded from the side, it was Yao Qingke.


    Although short in stature and low in cultivation, Long Qiqi was not afraid at all. She walked onto Chasing the Wind''s head, looking down condescendingly at Yao Qingke, and sneered, "You Peak of Vigor know what you''ve done, especially you, Yao Qingke!!"


    "The next one is you! You''d better be careful!!"


    "From whencees this demonic beast, daring to speak to me this way?!" Yao Qingke angrily roared, pointing at Long Qiqi, and a thick vineshed out at Long Qiqi.


    "Shing!" A sword qi shed by, slicing the vine into several sections.


    Li Shiyin stood between Yao Qingke and Long Qiqi with sword in hand, staring at Yao Qingke, "Three years ago I said I would personally defeat you in the assessment and make you apologize. Do you still remember?"


    "Hmph! With just you?" Yao Qingke retorted, "I''ve long forgotten those childish words of yours."


    "Tomorrow..." Li Shiyin sheathed her sword, "Tomorrow you''ll remember again."

 Chapter 252

    Chapter 252


    Li Shiyin and Yao Qingke did not actually start a fight with each other in the end. After exchanging harsh words, the two went their separate ways.


    The family of four from Dan Peak and Tian Wenjin were walking in Questioning Dao Square.


    Long Qiqi sat cross-legged on the back of Chasing Wind, her hands folded in front of her chest, still angry: "Too arrogant, she''s just too arrogant! Arrogant and overbearing, with no regard for others. Shiyin, if you don''t beat her into a pig''s head tomorrow, don''te back to see me!"


    Li Shiyin was most vengeful, and she was also very angry: "The grudge fromst time has not yet been avenged. This time if I don''t beat her until she screams for her mother, I won''t be surnamed Li!"


    "Then what will your surname be?" Qin Ran considered that Yao Qingke might possibly lose, but it would be difficult for her to admit defeat, let alone scream for her mother, so he asked Li Shiyin this.


    The master was truly professional at sabotaging things. Li Shiyin red at Qin Ran angrily and snorted: "Then my surname will be Qin!"


    "Surnamed Qin?" Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat. He looked away and said, "Surnamed Qin is good..."


    Tian Wenjin pondered and said, "After all, Yao Qingke is a veteran powerhouse of our generation in Dao Sword Sect. She has been rampaging in Dao Sword Sect for so many years and has always been very arrogant without any incidents... Her strength is indeed very strong."


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran smiled when he heard this. Yao Qingke had not been without incidents before.


    "If she wasn''t strong, I wouldn''t be picking a fight with her!" Li Shiyin replied. "On the contrary, it''s you, Wenjin, fighting Lu Junxing tomorrow..."


    "Junior Martial Uncle, wait up!" Just as Li Shiyin mentioned Lu Junxing, Lu Junxing''s voice came from behind them.


    The group stopped and looked back to see Lu Junxing walking over unsteadily with a wine pot in his hand.


    He had a smile on his face. When he came closer, he gave Qin Ran a perfunctory fist salute and said, "Junior Martial Uncle, I have often heard Dong Zhongyuan mention the beautiful scenery of Dan Peak as the finest in Dao Sword Sect. I have always lovedndscapes the most, and have long wanted to visit Dan Peak, but could never find the opportunity. Today I happen to have the chance, may I?"


    In the past two years, Dong Zhongyuan had indeed often gone to Dan Peak to y, but the "beautiful scenery" he spoke of was probably not real beautiful scenery, but rather referring to the female fox demon in the back mountains.


    So now when Lu Junxing spoke of wanting to appreciate the scenery, he probably had ulterior motives rather than truly wanting to appreciate the scenery.


    But Qin Ran did not care. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Dan Peak is an impoverished ce. To be fortunate enough to have you, Lu Junxing,e appreciate it, that is the real scenery."


    The two exchanged polite nonsense for a while before continuing on towards Dan Peak and taking flight into the air halfway.


    In midair, Lu Junxing seemed bored. After taking a sip of wine, still with the scent of alcohol on his breath, he casually asked, "I wonder if Martial Uncle knows about the pattern of changes in the numbers on the identity tokens during the pre-entry trials?"


    Clearly, this was his purpose foring here.


    Lu Junxing had noticed early on that Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin seemed to know who their opponents would be each day, and had prepared and responded ordingly, especially today with Li Shiyin and Ye Qingxuan''s match - it was too obvious.


    And just now when Dan Peak was confronting Yao Qingke, Li Shiyin had clearly said "you''re next" and such. So it could be deduced that Li Shiyin knew she would be fighting Yao Qingke tomorrow.


    After Lu Junxing directly eliminated the possibility that the Sect Master had specially leaked information to Dan Peak, he concluded that Dan Peak itself must have figured out the pattern of changes in the identity numbers.


    ...If there was a pattern, that is.


    To be honest, over the thousands of years, no disciple had ever thought that there might be a pattern to the changing numbers during the pre-entry trials. Everyone had assumed it was random.


    After Lu Junxing asked, he waited quite a while without hearing Qin Ran answer. When he looked at Qin Ran, he saw that Qin Ran had his eyes closed, looking profound and unfathomable, unclear what that meant.


    "You want to know the pattern inside?" It was Long Qiqi who asked him instead.


    "There really is a pattern?" Lu Junxing looked at the little loli on the tiger''s back in surprise.


    "There really is!" Long Qiqi said proudly. "It''s a very simple pattern."


    She looked at Lu Junxing. "Do you want to know?"


    "If possible..." Lu Junxing said.


    But Long Qiqi shook her head and did not directly tell him the pattern.


    "What?" Lu Junxing frowned, puzzled.


    "What?" Long Qiqi sneered. "Don''t tell me you want to get such important information for free?"


    Lu Junxing pondered for a moment, then asked Long Qiqi again: "What''s my number for this round then?"


    "7."


    "What about tomorrow?"


    Long Qiqi looked at him, then still answered: "1."


    Upon hearing the answers, Lu Junxing determined their authenticity. He rummaged around in his Infinity Bag and took out a small jar of wine, handing it to Long Qiqi as he said, "This wine was something I happened to obtain when I went to y in Xuanqin some years ago. It can improve one''s constitution and is very suitable for you."


    Long Qiqi epted the wine jar and wanted to open it to take a look, but on second thought, Lu Junxing''s character was still trustworthy after all; and no one at Dan Peak was much of a wine lover anyway, so if she opened it, Lu Junxing would likely benefit instead.


    She silently put the wine into her Infinity Bag without opening it.


    Seeing this, Lu Junxing secretly praised Long Qiqi for being magnanimous.


    "I trust in your reputation, Lu Junxing..." Long Qiqi said with a smile after obtaining a benefit. "Go ahead, what exactly do you want to know? Your next opponents? Or..."


    "I want to know the pattern itself." Lu Junxing quickly said.


    "Oh..." Long Qiqi looked at Lu Junxing. "Still wanting to learn, huh."


    The group soon arrived at Dan Peak. Long Qiqi did not go back on her word and properly taught Lu Junxing how to deduce the identity numbers.


    It was now May, early summer. Within Dan Peak, lush trees provided shade, green grass was everywhere, and floral fragrances permeated the air. There were mountains and waters, waterfalls andkes. Though tiny, it was aplete world, a beautiful scene perfect for men.


    By Sword Washing Lake, drooping green willow branches, white pear blossoms, pink peach blossoms, all sorts of early summer scenes were being staged at Dan Peak.


    Under a chinaberry tree, Lu Junxing saw white and red flower petals drifting in the breeze onto the clearke surface. Theke surface also had broad lotus leaves, with a few delicate lotus buds dotted between the broad leaves.


    "Sword Washing Lake, haha..." Heughed and praised, "It can be called a paradise, a different world here. Junior Martial Uncle really knows how to enjoy life."


    Qin Ran modestly smiled.


    In the end, Dan Peak treated Lu Junxing very warmly.


    When night fell, the four juniors were at the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake again. As usual, the three girls sat at the stone table inside the pavilion, while Chasing Wind sat on the long embankment outside the pavilion.


    "Why did you tell Lu Junxing about the changes in the identity numbers?" Li Shiyin asked Long Qiqi.


    "There are only eight people left now. Actually everyone knows the others'' strengths clearly, it''s almost transparent. The identity numbers don''t have that big of an effect anymore." Long Qiqi said. "Since Lu Junxing wanted to know, why not tell him and get some benefit in exchange. Waste not, want not."


    "Alright then!" Long Qiqi was the brain of their group, so Li Shiyin didn''t feel good about objecting to her decisions. She just said, "But now he knows his opponent tomorrow is Wenjin."


    "Let him know then, no big impact." Tian Wenjin spoke up. "There is a gap between me and Senior Brother Lu''s strength. It won''t make a difference just because he knows now."


    Li Shiyin seemed to want to say something but held back.


    "There''s nothing much to say about Wenjin''s side, just fight however you usually would." Long Qiqi said. "I guess you guys wouldn''t agree to me drugging Lu Junxing either... What about you, Shiyin? Want me to give Yao Qingke the full treatment tonight?"


    Li Shiyin shook her head. "No need, I still want to defeat her fair and square! Make her convinced in heart and mouth."


    "Someone like Yao Qingke, even if she loses, still may not necessarily submit to you." Long Qiqi said. "But since you want to rely on pure strength, forget it. In any case, your words today must have put her on guard... Sending Chasing Wind over now might be dangerous too."

 Chapter 253

    Chapter 253


    On the seventh day of the knock-on-the-door-of-Tao probation test. By this round, there were finally eight people left, that is, the top eight in this knock-on-the-door-of-Tao.


    And of these eight people, they had actually already obtained the qualification of knock-on-the-door-of-Tao. Continuing to fight was to determine the specific ranking.


    Because in addition to the qualification of knock-on-the-door-of-Tao, there were also some other rewards in this test; so from this round onwards, continuing to fight was mostly to test the rewards.


    The specific matchups in this round were:


    Lu Junxing and Tian Wenjin on Debate tform No. 2;


    Liu Baixuan and Qi Yuan on Debate tform No. 4;


    Li Shiyin and Yao Qingke on Debate tform No. 6;


    Dong Zhongyuan and Ximen Wushang on Debate tform No. 8.


    Among these eight people, Tian Wenjin and Ximen Wushang were the only two non-celestial arrogance disciples;


    Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin were the only two disciples in the Foundation Establishment Stage, while the other six people had already formed a core, and except for Ximen Wushang, they were allte-stage Gold Core cultivators;


    Yao Qingke, Dong Zhongyuan and Ximen Wushang were the only three non-sword cultivators, and the other five were all sword cultivators. So the dominance of the new generation of sword cultivators in Daoxian Sect continued, and among these five people, only Qi Yuan practiced flying sword techniques.


    Under Debate tform No. 6, Long Qiqi hugged a pile of information and put it on Chasing the Wind''s back, making the above summary.


    Finally, she murmured:


    "I really didn''t expect Dong Zhongyuan to be so strong... I always thought his position on the Heavenly Pride Ranking was due to inside dealings."


    "Didn''t he give up a round before?" Chasing the Wind asked. Apparently he also felt that Dong Zhongyuan looked unserious, surely not that strong.


    "Whether he gave up or not, but his opponent yesterday was very strong. It turned out that he is really not just for show." Long Qiqi shook her head.


    "Then who do you think will win between Dong Zhongyuan and Ximen Wushang?"


    "Should be Dong Zhongyuan..." Long Qiqi said, "Alright, stop talking, Shiyin and Qingke are about to start."


    On the Debate tform, Li Shiyin looked at Yao Qingke and silently unsheathed the Celestial Tipping Sword. She held up the Celestial Tipping Sword, pointed at Yao Qingke, and said coldly: "Today I will beat you until you surrender!"


    On Yao Qingke''s Debate tform, vines grew out of the inside of the tform as if to surround her.


    She sneered at Li Shiyin and asked, "Up for it?"


    "I am up for it!" Li Shiyin answered solemnly.


    As soon as she finished speaking, she disappeared.


    Seeing Li Shiyin disappear, Yao Qingkeughed loudly, knowing that the other party wanted to get close, she taunted, "You really are stupid, trying to get close?"


    Last time in the Executive Hall they shed, Li Shiyin wanted to get close, then stepped into her absolute field ofw, and was directly restrained.


    Even today, Li Shiyin''s starting move was still to get close.


    "Seven-Seven said..."


    Li Shiyin shed and appeared behind Yao Qingke on her left. She stabbed at Yao Qingke with her sword.


    The next second, suddenly seven or eight vines sprung out and rushed to bind her.


    Li Shiyin charged forwards as if not seeing the vines at all, the sword in her hand still stabbing at Yao Qingke.


    "You want to exchange injury for injury?!" Yao Qingke was happy to oblige. Her body suddenly had greenish magic light swirling around.


    Li Shiyin''s sword stabbed forward into Yao Qingke''s shoulder!


    At the same time, the vines also coiled around Li Shiyin.


    But in the next moment, when the vines were about to continue coiling, a sharp purplish halo suddenly exploded outwards from Li Shiyin''s eyes. The halo was extremely sharp, instantly cutting the vines entangled around her into pieces!


    "Sword intent!?" Yao Qingke was full of disbelief.


    At the same time, the greenness on her shed, weaving outward from inside her body into a green vine armor. The vine armor staved off Li Shiyin''s sword.


    The tip of the Celestial Tipping Sword was unable to advance an inch into the vine armor!


    Seeing this, Li Shiyin was unhurried. She secretly incanted: "Celestial Soaring Immortal!"


    Dazzling ster sword qi spurted out from the tip of the Celestial Tipping Sword, directly piercing through Yao Qingke''s vine armor. She showed no mercy, using force to pull down, directly cutting off Yao Qingke''s left arm.


    This "Celestial Soaring Immortal" was Li Shiyin''s newprehension in thest two years. She made the sword qi more solid, incorporating her Stage Twoprehension of sword qi into Celestial Soaring Immortal, thus enabling flexible use of this Celestial Soaring Immortal move.


    "Ah!"


    A shriek of pain escaped Yao Qingke. Instantly, dense green vines burst out from within a one-zhang radius absolute field ofw, all attacking Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin intended to expand her advantage, but under the barrage she wasn''t able to persist for long before being whipped out by a vine.


    She steadied herself not far from Yao Qingke and continued what she hadn''t finished saying earlier: "The more formidable your field ofw, the better your defense, the more it shows the weakness of your essence."


    Long Qiqi looked triumphantly at Qin Ran upon hearing this. See, your disciple still needs me to train.


    The vines surrounding Yao Qingke parted, revealing her. She looked down at Long Qiqi sitting on Chasing the Wind''s head, and said expressionlessly: "Seven-Seven is it?!"


    Looking at the revealed Yao Qingke, Li Shiyin''s eyebrows wrinkled. Because at Yao Qingke''s arm, the wound had already clotted, fleshy buds swiftly interweaving. In just a few breaths, a new arm grew back before Li Shiyin''s eyes.


    Regrowing severed limbs!


    "Her physique is so terrifying?!" Long Qiqi''s eyes bulged, mouth gaping wide enough to fit an egg.


    "That''s not due to her physique''s strength, but her astounding recovery capability." Qin Ran exined to her, "The vitality of her wood attribute mystic art is her strongest point."


    Long Qiqi understood that strong vitality didn''t equate to strong physique. But still...


    "Then it''ll be hard for Shiyin to win!" shemented.


    "My physique is indeed not strong..." Seeing Li Shiyin''s change in expression, Yao Qingke suddenly smiled and said, "But..."


    Her voice turned cold, "Do you think you''ll get another chance to get close?"


    "If I could get close once, I can do it a second time!" Li Shiyin dered. She prepared her sword again, channeling magic power, intending to use movement technique to get close.


    But at this moment, she suddenly sensed movement underfoot. The intense sense of crisis forced her to dodge to the side!


    "Bang!"


    She had just dodged when a vine-like tendril whipped out from where she just stood, directly splitting open the Debate tform.


    Li Shiyin steadied herself at the new spot, but before she could even catch her breath, another green vineshed out from under her feet.


    Taking hits wasn''t Li Shiyin''s style. She immediately turned and struck at this newborn vine with ster sword qi erupting from her sword.


    But the previously invincible sharp sword qi suffered here. Though her sh left a small cut, her own body was sent flying from the vine''s tremendous force!


    When she stabilized herself again, more vines were already breaking out from the ground she was standing on.


    "Why?" Li Shiyin''s heart sank, though she still had to dodge. A horrifying guess surfaced in her mind, "Could it be that in this short period of time Yao Qingke has already filled the entire Debate tform underground with vines?!"


    In the following times whenever Li Shiyin stopped, vines would force her away. More and more vines burst from the rocky Debate tform, slowly changing from bare stone into a verdant, dense forest. She gradually confirmed her earlier spection.


    "Hey! Look at the tform..." Qin Ran asked Long Qiqi, "Know what''s going on??"


    "Hmm?" Long Qiqi was startled, then it dawned upon her, "Those vines... aren''t Yao Qingke''s mystic art? No, did Yao Qingke nt vines beforehand?"


    "If you guys can cheat, so can others." Qin Ran said.


    "How did she know..."


    "You only sold away the pattern yesterday." Qin Ran interrupted Long Qiqi.


    "No, how can Lu Junxing and Yao Qingke be connected?" No matter how Long Qiqi looked at it, she didn''t feel the styles of these two people matched at all.


    "Look at that sword scar on Yao Qingke''s face..." Qin Ran reminded Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqi gradually understood. How could Yao Qingke''s terrifying vitality be unable to heal a facial sword scar?


    "That sword scar was left behind by Lu Junxing?"


    Li Shiyin didn''t dare linger on the ground, directly flying high up.


    Did you really think you would be safe by flying up there?! Yao Qingke stood on the ground, looking up at Li Shiyin in midair, and said sinisterly, By flying into the air, you have made yourself a living target.


    As her words fell, the green vines on the ground grew wildly, and in the blink of an eye, they had grown to be several hundred meters long, whipping towards Li Shiyin like a group of demons dancing madly.


    Humph! Li Shiyin looked at those hundreds of terrifying green vines in midair and let out a heavy sigh.


    She couldnt even cut through a single one of those vines, let alone these hundreds that were even thicker. How was she going to deal with them?


    She opened her left hand towards those hundreds of vines.


    Dream Fantasy Neb!


    Balls of purple stars condensed in her palm one by one, shooting out and exploding, bursting out countless fine sword rays.


    These sword rays revolved around her under the restraint of the sword intent to protect, grinding those iing vines into oblivion.


    The vines were like giant pythons, the sword rays like a swarm of bees.


    The vinesshed out, and the sword rays surrounded them, gradually grinding them away bit by bit.


    After more than a dozen stars exploded, dense sword rays had surrounded Li Shiyin.


    Yao Qingke had her so-called absolute domain of spells, and Li Shiyin had also forcibly created an absolute domain of sword rays.


    "Celestial Soaring Immortal!"


    As her own sword rays were wearing down the vines, they were also being depleted rapidly. Li Shiyin could not afford to drag this out. She exhibited Celestial Soaring Immortal once again.


    And this time, the Celestial Soaring Immortal was different from the previous one. She pulled out a huge ster sword ray, restrained by the sword intent to protect, revolving around her. Then her body followed the sword''s movement, as if integrating with the sword, charging towards Yao Qingke.


    This sword descended from the heavens, with dense minor sword rays escorting the gigantic sword towards Yao Qingke.


    "How is this going to help?" Yao Qingke said disdainfully.


    Even if Li Shiyin could break through those hundreds of vines, she was still in her absolute domain of spells. Even if Li Shiyin could break through her absolute domain, she still might not be able to injure her. Even if she did injure her, Yao Qingke could quickly recover.


    The vinesshed out frantically, but Li Shiyin charged ahead relentlessly with all her power, aiming only for Yao Qingke.


    When the sword rays transformed from Dream Fantasy Neb were depleted, the enormous sword ray of Celestial Soaring Immortal brought her to the edge of Yao Qingke''s absolute domain of spells.


    When the absolute domain was split open by Celestial Soaring Immortal and the colossal sword ray was weakened, she appeared in front of Yao Qingke.


    When the vine armor on Yao Qingke was pierced through by the remnants of Celestial Soaring Immortal, Celestial Soaring Immortal disappeared, and Li Shiyin was left holding the Qing Xing Sword in front of thepletely undefended Yao Qingke.


    "Yao Qingke, you have lost," said Li Shiyin. Her sword thrusted forward, piercing Yao Qingke''s chest. She stared at Yao Qingke and said, "Now my sword is inside your body. With a single thought from me, the sword rays will explode and tear your body into mincemeat. I won''t give you a chance to recover this time."


    Yao Qingke was still calm andposed. She looked at Li Shiyin right in front of her and said, "You can certainly try..."


    "You don''t think I will?"


    "If you don''t make the sword rays explode now, you will be the one who loses," said Yao Qingke.


    Li Shiyin closed her eyes. She could feel the vines behind hershing towards her, the absolute domain of spells around her recovering... This was indeed herst chance.


    She suddenly opened her eyes, and a sh of sword glow swept by.


    Boom!


    The ster sword rays inside Yao Qingke''s body exploded instantly!


    "That''s more like it..." Although there were sword rays wreaking havoc inside her body and Yao Qingke was in great pain, she still said with augh, "That''s how a sword cultivator should be!"


    It seemed that Yao Qingke was going to die. It seemed that she was about to lose.


    But...when Li Shiyin looked back, she saw those hundreds of vines stillshing towards her without stopping. The absolute domain of spells around her had recovered, brimming with vibrant life force and vines growing inside.


    She realized with dreadful horror that Yao Qingke was still alive, her life force still extremely vigorous!


    A terrifying sense of crisis exploded in Li Shiyin''s mind. She looked at Yao Qingke again and saw a sapling sprouting inside her body, growing rapidly as it absorbed Yao Qingke''s blood. Its branches and vines were all extending towards Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin was badly frightened. She hurriedly let go of the Qing Xing Sword and looked back again, only to see the thick vines right upon her...


    She had reached a hopeless situation!


    "A sword cultivator who has lost their sword no longer deserves to live," said Yao Qingke as she pulled out the Qing Xing Sword and held it in her own hand, pronouncing Li Shiyin''s death sentence.


    "No..." Li Shiyin suddenly called out, "My sword is still in my hand!"


    Yao Qingke was startled. She looked towards Li Shiyin''s hand and saw a sword taking shape there, a sword as dark as the night, as the stars, as the gxy...


    "Life sword?!" She couldn''t believe her eyes. She nced at the sword in her own hand, then back at Li Shiyin''s. They had been fighting for so long and Li Shiyin had been pushed to the brink several times, yet she hadn''t been using her life sword?


    Swish!


    The hundreds of vines behind were upon her and she could no longer fend them off. Li Shiyin chose to charge forward!


    With the protection of the sword intent and ster sword rays, her sword cleaved the sapling inside Yao Qingke''s body. Then she dashed right through Yao Qingke''s body.


    After a few more flickers, she evaded thest thick vines.


    Li Shiyin stopped at the edge of the Debate tform, holding the Mu Ran Sword, looking at Yao Qingke split in half on the tform, looking at the dense vines withering away and drying up on the tform.


    Then she flew back to Yao Qingke''s side. Although she had been split in two, Yao Qingke was still not dead. The two halves of her body were held together by numerous intertwining tree branches and sprouts. Li Shiyin stabbed down with her sword again, nailing Yao Qingke to the ground through her throat.


    Then she turned to look at the referee.


    The referee examined Yao Qingke and confirmed that she was no longer able to fight. Only then did he announce the result: Li Shiyin wins the assessment."

 Chapter 254

    Chapter 254


    Li Shiyin pulled the Muran Sword out from Yao Qingke''s throat, stood up, and turned her back to the crowd below, fully disying the demeanor of a generation''s sword immortal.


    The disciples watching the battle below immediately cheered, all praising this wonderful battle, all praising Li Shiyin!


    Someone highly praised: "The White-Robed Sword Immortal is unrivaled in the world!"


    Someone became a fan: "Miss Shiyin, I want to be your dog!"


    Someone noticed a w: "With Li Shiyin from Dan Peak directly defeating Yao Qingke, doesn''t that mean she has already reached the third ce on the Geniuses Ranking?"


    Someone raised doubts: "Did anyone notice something wrong with Yao Qingke''s green vines? How could she grow so many green vines in such a short time!?"


    "What? You want to use your shallow ignorance to specte on such peerless geniuses?" someone replied. "Wake up! You don''t understand their genius world..."


    "My Shiyin is powerful and decisive, little Yao Qingke isughable!"


    Someone else raised questions again: "Did anyone notice that Li Shiyin is only at thete Foundation Establishment stage? How can she fight a cultivator at the post-Golden Core stage with just thete Foundation Establishment cultivation base?"


    "Sheprehended Sword Qi and Sword Intent. If that''s not enough, her movement skill seems to be at the Divine Immortal level..."


    At the same time, under the Debate tform, there were several special observers paying attention to this assessment.


    One of them, an old man who looked over fifty, had an ashen face as he watched Li Shiyin standing on stage with a sword and the healing Yao Qingke. He simply could not ept that Yao Qingke had also lost to Li Shiyin.


    ...And that was even when she was cheating. Losing even when cheating, how disgraceful.


    "Now Yao Qingke has also lost. So Li Shiyin has defeated Song Ze, Yan Tianxing, Ye Qingxuan, and Yao Qingke in a row, all the outstanding disciples of your Peak this generation were thoroughly beaten by her..."


    Next to this old man was a middle-aged man of about forty years old. He gloated andughed, "What do you think, Senior Brother He? Each pnded right on your face. Does your old face hurt?"


    He Daoguang nced coldly at Liu Boxian, his voice like frost, "This sword cultivator whoprehended Sword Qi and Sword Intent is not your Sword Peak disciple. Lu Junxing over there is also not your Sword Peak disciple. Does your old face hurt?"


    "Ah, Senior Brother He, how can you say that? They are both sword cultivators of the Daosword Sect!" Liu Boxian said righteously, "Besides, the Sword Peak disciple Tian Wenjin has alreadyprehended Sword Intent and Sword Qi. My Sword Peak also has such a genius in the sword..."


    On the Debate tform, Li Shiyin finally turned around, enjoying the cheers below. She looked at her master, the Muran Sword in her hand disappeared, she smiled brilliantly, then...


    Sat down weakly.


    "I didn''t lose!"


    At this moment, behind her, Yao Qingke suddenly cried out. Her newly healed body gripped the Qingxing Sword and stabbed towards Li Shiyin!


    "Be careful!"


    The people below quickly reminded Li Shiyin.


    But at this time, Li Shiyin had no spiritual power left in her body, and was exhausted. She couldn''t react in time.


    The referee was about to stop Yao Qingke, but before he could act...


    "Ding!"


    Someone had alreadye up from below, passing through the protective array on the Debate tform, and appearing behind Li Shiyin. He pinched the Qingxing Sword with his fingers.


    He held the sword de with five fingers, nced at Yao Qingke, then snatched the Qingxing Sword away.


    He also bent down and picked up Li Shiyin horizontally. Holding the sword in one hand and carrying Li Shiyin in the other, he looked at He Daoguang''s side, then walked down from the Debate tform.


    "What does he mean by this?!" He Daoguang was furious, pointing at Qin Ran and cursing.


    Qin Ran actually looked at him expressionlessly, but he obviously interpreted some meaning on his own.


    Liu Boxian didn''t answer him, but looked at Qin Ran and Li Shiyin with deep meaning.


    Three years had passed before he btedly realized something, seeming to understand but not understand, and said, "So this is why the Sect Leader insisted on putting such a good seedling in Dan Peak!"


    Qin Ran held Li Shiyin and slowly walked down from the Debate tform.


    Long Qi Qi sat on top of Zhu Feng, looking at the posture of these two people: Qin Ran held Li Shiyin horizontally with both hands, the Qingxing Sword was sheathed and held in his hand; Li Shiyin had both hands around Qin Ran''s neck, her little head leaning to one side, nestled in Qin Ran''s embrace...


    It looked less like Qin Ran was carrying Li Shiyin, and more like Li Shiyin was hanging on Qin Ran.


    "What a loving couple of dogs..." she silently appraised.


    Carrying his female disciple in broad daylight in front of all the Daosword Sect disciples, Qin Ran felt it was somewhat inappropriate; especially Li Shiyin''s action of hugging him back, making the two of them seem even more intimate, making their rtionship seem even more inappropriate.


    He could see all the disciples staring wide-eyed at them as if seeing ghosts.


    ... If he had a clear conscience it would be fine, they were just closer as master and disciple, let others say what they want. But Qin Ran felt guilty... He also had ghosts in his heart!


    His silly female disciple was covered in sweat after the fight, pressed against his chest, the smell of her sweat kept mming into Qin Ran''s nose... That was the body fragrance of a young girl, intoxicatingly fragrant to him, making him increasingly uneasy.


    He gently patted Li Shiyin''s back with the Qingxing Sword and asked, "Have you recovered some strength?"


    Li Shiyin''s little head was buried in his arms. Hearing this, she shook her head without speaking.


    In fact, with Li Shiyin''s recovery ability, she would have no problem fighting another battle after resting for a while.


    No one understood Li Shiyin better than Qin Ran. He asked so disingenuously, and Li Shiyin shook her head so indulgently, rubbing her little head against his chest, driving him crazy with the tingling feeling. So he had a legitimate reason to keep holding her.


    "Let''s go see what''s going on with Wenjin over there." He said.


    "Mmm." Li Shiyin''s mouth and nose were pressed tightly against his clothes, making a muffled noise.


    The hot breath from his silly female disciple''s nose prated his clothes and sprayed onto his skin, warm and hot... He had never felt someone''s breath could be so hot; her "Mmm" vibrated against him, making his skin tingle with numbness, surprisinglyfortable.


    Qin Ran felt his whole body was light and fluttering.


    Holding such a fragrant and soft girl in his arms, he was reluctant to let go.


    Carrying her, he walked through the crowd and arrived below the No. 2 Debate tform, looking up at the tform.


    The four matches this round had actually started together. Li Shiyin''s ended faster, while Tian Wenjin''s ended slower, but by now, it was also nearing the end.


    It was evident that the reason this match ended slower was that Lu Junxing was deliberately coaching Tian Wenjin.


    In this generation of disciples'' hearts, Lu Junxing was an insurmountable mountain.


    He had stood at the top of the Geniuses Ranking for many years. People challenged him every day, but over these many years, he was still at the top. Even Liu Baixuan had never beaten him.


    ording to Liu Baixuan himself, he still didn''t know Lu Junxing''s limits.


    People often discussed: who was stronger, Liu Baixuan or Yao Qingke; whether Dong Zhongyuan deserved to sit at the fourth ce on the Geniuses Ranking; but few asked if Lu Junxing deserved to be first.


    What was more often discussed was how high Lu Junxing''s level was.


    Regarding this question, Qin Ran, as a disciple of the same generation, had an answer: Lu Junxing was a Su Changqing with inferior resources.


    These two had simr talents, but Su Changqing was a Lingnan Immortal Sect disciple, building his foundation with the Mystic Scripture, iparable to Lu Junxing.


    For Tian Wenjin to beat such a Lu Junxing, he would have to go berserk and evolve uncontrobly seven or eight times.


    Clearly, Tian Wenjin couldn''t go berserk, so the battle between them was more like Lu Junxing coaching Tian Wenjin.


    When the time was almost up, Tian Wenjin had indeed learned something, and admitted defeat on his own initiative.


    Watching the Sword Qi dissipate and Sword Intent withdraw on the tform, Qin Ran secretly asked Li Shiyin, "Are you fighting Lu Junxing tomorrow?"


    "Yup!" Li Shiyin turned her head in Qin Ran''s arms, her bright eyes meeting Qin Ran''s.


    "Can you beat him?" Their talk was like whispering lovers, Qin Ran''s heart pounded wildly.


    Li Shiyin shook her head.


    "What a pity." Qin Ran said.


    "I can beat him in the future!" Li Shiyin said. Perhaps shy, she buried her little head in Qin Ran''s embrace again.

 Chapter 255

    Chapter 255


    Li Shiyin''s test was very different from the covert maneuvers and deadly battles between Yao Qingke and Zhao Qingke. After the test, Tian Wenjin and Lu Junxing parted on good termsone politely bowed in thanks, the other humbly returned the greeting. They went up and down the dais in orderly fashion, following proper protocol.


    This was the true meaning of philosophical debate.


    However, when they descended from the dais and saw Qin Ran intimately embracing his disciple, both of their expressions subtly changed.


    Seeing the close master and disciple, Tian Wenjin suddenly felt like a bowl of vinegar had been poured over her head. Her back and her heart turned sour.


    Her mind was in turmoil, not knowing whether to leave directly or say something.


    Lu Junxing was rather nervous. He walked over apologetically and asked Qin Ran, "Junior Martial Sister...you''re not seriously hurt, right?"


    Qin Ran smiled ambiguously and replied, "I''m not really injured."


    "That''s good..." Lu Junxing breathed a sigh of relief, then apologized to Li Shiyin, "This matter is my fault. I''m sorry, Junior Martial Sister."


    Before Qin Ran could utter some perfunctory, polite words, the dark little loli Long Qiqi opened fire first.


    "I thought you, Lu Junxing, were a man of noble character and high moral principles. I didn''t expect you to be so low and despicable." She sat on the back of Chasing the Wind with Little Treasure in her arms, sneering coldly, "To actually do such dirty things."


    "Yao Qingke and I have had some entanglements and grudges over the years. She also deceived me for a bit..." Lu Junxing exined briefly to Qin Ran what had happened.


    It turned out that not only did Lu Junxing discover that Danfeng knew the secret of the numbers, Yao Qingke also found out. Seeing Lu Junxing go to Danfeng, and estimating Lu Junxing''s status, Yao Qingke figured he''d be able to learn the secret of the numbers. So she ambushed him halfway and extracted the secret from him using their past grievances.


    After hearing Lu Junxing''s ount and apology, Long Qiqi still refused to let it go. She stared at Lu Junxing and said coldly,


    "No matter how Yao Qingke got the secret from you, the secret was ultimately leaked by you. The me for what happened to Shiyin today lies with you. So you have to take responsibility. I think you should just admit defeat outright in tomorrow''s test!"


    "Don''t worry. Although I haven''tpeted with Yao Qingke for many years, I guarantee she won''t possibly..." Lu Junxing was saying when he suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Li Shiyin nestled in Qin Ran''s arms. He was shocked and asked, "It was Junior Martial Sister Li who beat Yao Qingke?!"


    "What''s so hard about beating Yao Qingke?" It was Long Qiqi bragging arrogantly, not Li Shiyin speaking. "That woman''s skill is far inferior to my Shiyin. Even with her cheating, she was still easily defeated by Shiyin."


    Lu Junxing knew Yao Qingke''s abilities well. And he also had some understanding of Li Shiyin''s abilities from their previous sparring. By his estimates, Yao Qingke was stronger than Li Shiyin. How could she have lost to Li Shiyin? He didn''t understand!


    "Then..." He pointed to Li Shiyin with her head buried in Qin Ran''s embrace, previously thinking she was heavily injured, and asked, "What''s wrong with Junior Martial Sister Li?"


    "Shiyin has exhausted her spiritual power and her body is weary. She sustained some minor injuries," Qin Ran replied.


    Upon hearing this, Lu Junxing opened his mouth but didn''t know what to say.


    "Even though Yao Qingke had clearly lost and was nailed to the dais on the verge of death by Shiyin''s sword, sheunched a sneak attack on Shiyin after the referee announced the result..." Long Qiqi said. "I''ve never seen someone so sinister, shameless and thick-skinned."


    "Junior Martial Sister''s skills are formidable," Lu Junxing praised.


    Long Qiqi looked at Lu Junxing again and asked, "So what are you going to do tomorrow?"


    Lu Junxing thought for a moment and said, "This is the sect''s test, it shouldn''t be affected by an individual''s cheating... Tomorrow I will have a fair match with Junior Martial Sister and do my utmost to show her full respect."


    "Pah!" Long Qiqi folded her arms contemptuously as she looked at Lu Junxing.


    With Long Qiqi scolding him, Qin Ran hurriedly yed nice cop andughed with Lu Junxing: "Nephew, don''t take it to heart. Just fight however you want tomorrow. Firstly, it concerns the sect''s dignity and trust; secondly, it''s just a ranking in the end. It will also teach Shiyin that there are people outside of people, and mountains outside of mountains."


    "Uncle-Master, you speak too highly... My skills are negligible," Lu Junxing said modestly.


    After chatting pleasantly with Qin Ran for a few more sentences, Lu Junxing hurriedly took his leave, still feeling wrong about what he had done to Li Shiyin.


    Seeing the intimate interaction between Li Shiyin and Qin Ran, Tian Wenjin also felt ufortable. She said a couple words and left as well.


    With Lu Junxing and Tian Wenjin''s match over, this round of testing was finished.


    In the end, apart from Li Shiyin''s upset victory, the other results were normal.


    Qi Yuan still couldn''t beat Liu Baiyun, stopping in the top 8. Ximen Wushang''s dark horse run was ended by Dong Zhongyuan, leaving him sobbing on the dais.


    So the final four were: Lu Junxing, Li Shiyin, Liu Baiyun, and Dong Zhongyuan.


    The semi-finals matches were Lu Junxing vs Li Shiyin, and Liu Baiyun vs Dong Zhongyuan.


    In the end, they were unable to convince Lu Junxing with moral coercion, so Li Shiyin still had to fight hard against him. Long Qiqi sighed repeatedly, feeling very unhappy.


    Li Shiyin managing to defeat Yao Qingke was already pushing her limits. To actually beat Lu Junxing would be wishful thinking.


    "Why don''t we send Lu Junxing a jug of wine?" Long Qiqi asked while sprawled on Chasing the Wind''s broad back.


    She didn''t hide anything from Qin Ran, believing he must know about all the shady things they''d been doing these days.


    Qin Ran looked at her and shook his head. "If she can''t win then she can''t win, why engage in so many crooked ways?"


    "Since when were you so righteous?" Long Qiqi said disdainfully.


    "Hmph!" Qin Ranughed coldly. "I have always been this way, pure of heart and unsullied reputation, the nemesis of evil in this world, the embodiment of justice under heaven."


    "If you had blushed a little when saying that, I might believe you still have some sense of righteousness," Long Qiqi shook her head and asked Li Shiyin, who was still pretending to be dead in Qin Ran''s arms, "Stop pretending. Tell me, should we go all out on Lu Junxing?"


    She asked the question but Li Shiyin didn''t answer for quite a while. Qin Ran lowered his head to check and found that the silly disciple had fallen asleep at some point unknown to him.


    Qin Ran held Li Shiyin and flew back to Danfeng on Chasing the Wind, leaving the Debate za.


    He passed through the illusion formations, flew over the Sword Washing Pond, walked under the chinaberry trees, passed the old catalpa, entered the small wooden house, went up the stairs, turned down the corridor, and arrived at Li Shiyin''s bedroom. He gently ced the silly disciple on her bed.


    Qin Ran rarely entered his female disciple''s bedroom, but it actually didn''t match Li Shiyin''s general image. The furnishings were like those of a maiden anticipating her wedding night.


    Qin Ran sat at the bedside looking at his silly disciple''s tranquil sleeping face. Her usual blithe liveliness and aloof arrogance were gone. All that remained was a serene and exquisite little face.


    Delicate skin, heroic brows, long eyshes covering her sometimes strange eyes, fluttering nostrilseverything made her seem extraordinarily peaceful, along with her rosy lips...


    He gazed at her for a while, then reached out and poked her nose before turning and leaving the room.


    Li Shiyin heard the door close. Her longshes fluttered and she opened her eyes, which held a hint ofughter as she watched her master''s silhouette pass by the window.

 Chapter 256

    Chapter 256


    On the Debate tform, Lu Junxing proposed an unusual assessment method.


    He said to Li Shiyin, "Since we are both sword cultivators who have awakened Sword Qi and Sword Intent, we can find a harmonious way topare our Sword Qi and Sword Intent, without having to fight."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin guessed what Lu Junxing had in mind and asked, "Senior brother, how do you want topare?"


    "By dividing wine," Lu Junxing took out a jug of wine and held it up, saying, "We will only use our Sword Qi and Sword Intent to divide this wine. Whoever gets more wins, less loses. What do you think?"


    Dividing wine this way was a game Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin had already yed at the recent sword meeting.


    At that time, Lu Junxing talked about the four realms of Sword Qi, saying that his own Sword Qi was at the third realm, while Li Shiyin''s was between the second and third realms. Then theypeted by dividing wine with their Sword Qi.


    Li Shiyin lost by a small margin.


    In this period of time, Li Shiyin''s Sword Qi realm had fully entered the third realm, and she had just awakened her Sword Intent. In this situation, Lu Junxing proposed dividing wine again.


    Li Shiyin thought for a while and nodded, "Okay."


    Seeing the coldly confident look on the face of the girl opposite, Lu Junxing felt quite emotional... She really was a sword cultivator.


    Heughed loudly and threw the wine jug to the referee, "Please help us divide the wine, senior."


    The referee caught the wine jug and couldn''t help butugh.


    The special assessment method privately proposed by Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing was the best he could ask for.


    With talents like them fighting all out, even if he was at the YuanYing stage, he might not be able to stop them in time and could easily get hurt. This literary battle was just perfect.


    He tossed the wine jug, looked at Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing standing on opposite sides of the tform, and shouted loudly, "Ready..."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin inserted her Qingxing Sword, scabbard included, into the tform behind her and sat down cross-legged; Lu Junxing also sat down cross-legged with a smile.


    "What are they doing?" Long Qiqi asked Qin Ran in confusion, "Aren''t they going to fight? What''s the meaning of this?"


    "It looks like they''re going topete over theirprehension of Sword Qi and Sword Intent," Qin Ran said.


    Long Qiqi suddenly realized something and got excited, asking, "Then doesn''t Shiyin have a chance to win?"


    Qin Ran shook his head, "I don''t know the specifics of Lu Junxing''s Sword Qi and Sword Intent."


    He looked at Tian Wenjin, "Wenjin should know something about Sword Qi, Sword Intent and such."


    Long Qiqi immediately asked Tian Wenjin, "Who will win?"


    Although Tian Wenjin was quite fond of Li Shiyin, she still hesitated for a while before saying, "Senior brother Lu''s Sword Qi is at the third realm, and his Sword Intent realm is very high... Shiyin, Shiyin has a chance."


    Hearing this, Long Qiqi and Qin Ran knew that Shiyin would most likely lose. Long Qiqi sighed and punched Chasing the Wind''s cat head.


    Chasing the Wind asked in confusion, "Why did you hit me? Doesn''t Shiyin have a chance?"


    "My ass she has a chance..." Long Qiqi rolled her eyes.


    On the tform, seeing both sides were ready, the referee raised the wine jug and said, "Begin!"


    He then threw the wine jug into the air andunched an attack...


    "Snap!"


    The wine jug shattered, and the crisp wine sshed out.


    At the very moment the wine jug broke, Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin both made their move at the same time:


    In the air above the half of the Debate tform where Lu Junxing was, andscape of mountains and rivers suddenly appeared out of thin air. All the wine that fell on that half of the tform turned into the water of those mountains and rivers;


    On Li Shiyin''s side, her half of the tform darkened as if it was deep night, with stars lighting up one by one. All the wine that fell on her half turned into meteors streaking across the night sky.


    On the tform, half was mountains and rivers, the other half a starry sky, each taking half of the wine, confronting each other.


    "Evenly matched?" Seeing the situation on stage, Long Qiqi couldn''t help standing up and shouting excitedly.


    However, Tian Wenjin shook her head and said, "Right now they arepeting with Sword Qi. Shiyin''s Sword Qi realm has reached the thirdyer, not too far apart from Senior Brother Lu, barely achieving an even match. But nextes the Sword Intentpetition..."


    Hearing this, Long Qiqi slumped back onto Chasing the Wind in disappointment.


    On stage, thendscape that had appeared out of thin air was constructed from Lu Junxing''s Mountain and River Sword Qi; while on Li Shiyin''s side, the starry sky was formed from her Star Sword Qi.


    Mastering Sword Qi to such an extent was astonishing!


    It made sense that he, after cultivating Sword Qi for so many years, had attained this level of mastery. But Li Shiyin had only been cultivating for a few years? Lu Junxing couldn''t help sighing, "Junior sister really has an outstanding aptitude."


    However, Li Shiyin knew her own affairs best. Her grasp of Sword Qi was actually not enough to construct such an intricate scene. She was able to pull it off because her Primordial Spirit was powerful enough; Lu Junxing relied solely on his mastery of Sword Qi.


    "Next..." Lu Junxing smiled and said, "Let''s see junior sister''s Sword Intent."


    At this point, each of them had half the wine...


    As soon as he finished speaking, the mountains and rivers above his head began to move. In an instant, the mountains and rivers transformed from his Sword Qi seemed toe alive, each inch vivid, turning into individual people that charged towards Li Shiyin''s starry sky wielding swords.


    Seeing Lu Junxing make a move, Li Shiyin quickly closed her eyes to focus her mind and respond.


    Then the starry sky on Li Shiyin''s side also moved. The whole starry sky swayed as if transforming into an ethereal Star Goddess. The Star Goddess spread open her arms and embraced Li Shiyin, shielding her.


    One was a Carefree Sword Intent, the other a Guardian Sword Intent, shing on the Debate tform.


    In fact, Lu Junxing''s Sword Intent was much stronger than Li Shiyin''s, but Li Shiyin''s was a Guardian Sword Intent. When she shrank back into a defensive posture, Lu Junxing found his Sword Intent unable to ovee hers for a time.


    Not long after, Lu Junxing suddenly dismissed his Sword Intent, using his Sword Qi to wrap up the wine from before in front of him, saying, "Let''s stop here!"


    Feeling Lu Junxing suddenly withdraw, and hearing his words, Li Shiyin opened her eyes to look at him in confusion and asked, "It''s over?"


    Lu Junxing smiled and nodded.


    Li Shiyin frowned at Lu Junxing for a while without saying anything else. She stood up, dismissed her Guardian Sword Intent, and gathered the wine she had snatched with her Star Sword Qi in front of her.


    "Now what?" she asked.


    Lu Junxing looked to the referee and said, "Please, senior."


    The referee looked deeply at Lu Junxing and said, "Li Shiyin has more wine left."


    Lu Junxing nodded. He opened his mouth wide, swallowing all the wine wrapped in his Sword Qi, belched, and smiled at Li Shiyin, "Junior sister, you won this round."


    Having said that, he flew off the tform.


    "Why?" Li Shiyin''s voice chased after him.


    But he didn''t answer.


    Below the stage, the Dao Sword Sect disciples were still dumbfounded...


    The invincible Lu Junxing actually lost?!

 Chapter 257

    Chapter 257


    This victory was won inexplicably.


    Li Shiyin pulled the sword out from the debate stage, looked around at the stage and below, then walked down and went to Qin Ran''s side, still not having reacted.


    "How did I just win?" she asked Qin Ran.


    "Isn''t winning good?" Long Qiqiy on Chase Wind''s back and said to her.


    Li Shiyin still couldn''t figure it out: "Why did Senior Brother Lu let me win?"


    "He did something bad and wanted topensate!" Long Qiqi said with a curl of her lips.


    Qin Ran reached out and gently patted her on the shoulder, smiling andforting:


    "In fact, when you get the qualifications to knock on the door to the Dao, these rankings don''t mean much anymore. Especially for someone like Lu Junxing, he doesn''t care about fame, he doesn''t care about rankings and rewards; moreover, this will not affect his reputation in the Dao Sword Sect, nor will it affect his position on the Geniuses Ranking. He doesn''t care."


    "Didn''t we say it would be a fair fight?" Li Shiyin sighed.


    However, not only did something go wrong on their side in this semi-final match, something also went wrong on Liu Baixuan and Dong Zhongyuan''s side.


    Liu Baixuan lost to Dong Zhongyuan!


    In the simple perception of the Dao Sword Sect''s disciples, the two who were supposed to participate in the final assessment should have been Lu Junxing and Liu Baixuan, after all, one was first on the Geniuses Ranking and the other was second.


    Who would have thought that these two people would both lose in the semi-finals, and the final assessment would be between Li Shiyin and Dong Zhongyuan.


    ...If someone had set odds privately, they would surely have lost their pants.


    There was no need to borate on Li Shiyin''s side. Discerning people could see that Lu Junxing had voluntarily conceded defeat and poured out a whole sea of water.


    But Dong Zhongyuan versus Liu Baixuan was truly unexpected. These two really fought a match, then Liu Baixuan lost... She was outmatched in pure strength and lost.


    What happened?? Is Dong Zhongyuan that strong? Stronger than Liu Baixuan!!?


    The Dao Sword Sect disciples could not ept it.


    After seeing the assessment results, Long Qiqi became excited. She vigorously rubbed Chase Wind''s big cat head like a great demon king, and said wildly with augh: "Both suffered heavy losses! Dong Zhongyuan was severely injured. Shiyin, you can really take first ce now!"


    Among the surrounding disciples, there were quite a few supporters of Liu Baixuan and Dong Zhongyuan. Hearing Long Qiqi''s words, there were suddenly a number of sharp gazes shooting over.


    Looking at the Dong Zhongyuan who had been carried off the debate stage for emergency treatment, Li Shiyin didn''t know what to say for a while.


    She had fought hard battles all the way, against Yan Tianxing, Dugu Wenxue, Ye Qingxuan, Yao Qingke, and then after defeating Yao Qingke, she would lie in first ce.


    This...


    She looked at Qin Ran with a strange expression in her big eyes.


    Seeing his silly disciple''s bewilderment, Qin Ranughed and began to brainwash her:


    "Actually, don''t think too much about this. On the one hand, luck is part of one''s strength; on the other hand, this assessment itself is not a fair assessment. Judging from its rules and the assessment process over the past few days, it even deliberately created an unfair assessment... because this is more in line with the objective environment of the cultivation world. It allows you to use tactics during the assessment, it allows you to cheat during the assessment, so even if you make it to the end by luck, it is still reasonable in this assessment."


    "But..." Li Shiyin still felt weird.


    "Alright!" Qin Ran interrupted her words andughed, "In fact, even if you take first ce in the assessment, it doesn''t prove anything.


    "Let''s go, go home and rest for the night,e back tomorrow to see if Dong Zhongyuan still has the strength for another fight."


    Dong Zhongyuan and Liu Baixuan''s fight which ended in both suffering heavy losses was the final match of the assessment for ordinary disciples watching the battles.


    That match was the most exciting, followed by Li Shiyin versus Yao Qingke.


    Originally everyone wanted to see the final showdown between the two powerful sword cultivators, Lu Junxing and Liu Baixuan.


    Who would have thought...


    Now standing on the stage was a dying Dong Zhongyuan and a clearly inadequate Li Shiyin.


    Oh well, just bear with watching it!


    Dong Zhongyuan leaned on a cane with his left hand, a fan still in his right hand, nting on the cane, the fan in his hand still gently fanning. No matter how one changes, one must maintain this grace. One''s head may break and blood may flow...


    Looking at Li Shiyin opposite him, heughed loudly, "Yesterday I thought that no matter what, I could never beat Lu Junxing. That guy is just a monster, not of the same world as me. But I could try against Liu Baixuan. I thought that since getting first ce was impossible, fighting for second ce wouldn''t be bad either.


    "Who would have thought when I came this morning, I heard that Senior Brother Lu had fallen under Junior Sister Li''s sword... Hahaha..." Heughed loudly and continued, "If I had known earlier I wouldn''t have tried so desperately. My original n was to defeat Liu Baixuan, then casually fight Lu Junxing before conceding defeat.


    "Now that Lu Junxing has lost, I''ll just casually fight my junior sister."


    He looked at Li Shiyin and said, "I heard you yed a drinking game with Lu Junxing yesterday. Why don''t we y a round too!"


    The final assessment ended up being yed around with...


    It could only be said that the more ordinary disciples cared about this assessment, the less the people involved in it cared about it.


    First Cause of All Realms


    "Senior Brother, please go ahead." Li Shiyin''s face was cold.


    Instead of directly saying what game he wanted to y, Dong Zhongyuan asked Li Shiyin: "Does Junior Sister know what the Dao Sword Sect''s Geniuses Ranking actually is?"


    "The top ten disciples?"


    "No..." Dong Zhongyuan shook his head. He stopped fanning with the fan in his hand and showed it to Li Shiyin, saying, "The Geniuses Ranking is actually this fan."


    "A fan?" Li Shiyin frowned at the fan.


    "Junior Sister, you entered the Geniuses Ranking for beheading Song Ze. So..." Dong Zhongyuan suddenly fanned the fan at Li Shiyin andughed, "Why don''t you enter the Geniuses Ranking yourself and take a look!"


    A great wind blew across the debate stage. Li Shiyin disappeared without a trace.


    "Shiyin?!" Long Qiqi was frightened and anxiously shouted.


    "Don''t panic..." Qin Ran reassured, "Shiyin just entered the Geniuses Ranking."


    "What exactly is that thing then?"


    "The Geniuses Ranking is a magic treasure," Qin Ran said. "Dong Zhongyuan is the one in charge of this magic treasure."


    "Magic treasure?"


    "Yes, a rather miraculous magic treasure."


    Inside the Geniuses Ranking was a boundless grey chaos.


    In this chaos, Li Shiyin''s figure suddenly appeared. She swept her eyes around and found that there was nothing else in this chaos, only a huge stele in front of her. The stele stretched endlessly high and endlessly low, with dense tiny words on its surface.


    "This is the Geniuses Ranking?" she asked aloud.


    "Yes," Dong Zhongyuan''s voice sounded out of nowhere. He said, "Every generation of Dao Sword Sect has ten geniuses. Every genius will leave their name on the Geniuses Ranking stele. And you are the 12,960th genius on the Geniuses Ranking!"


    As his voice fell, golden light shone from the stele''s surface in the chaos.


    Li Shiyin looked closely to find that the dense tiny words on the surface were all names. At the end of those names one name lit up - "Li Shiyin".


    The next moment, the golden light faded away. A white-clothed girl with a long sword appeared standing on the chaos in front of the stele, stepping on the chaos.


    Li Shiyin looked over to find it was her.


    "Junior Sister, every time you defeat one, the next will appear, from the tenth genius to the ninth, the eighth. And I''m fourth," Dong Zhongyuan''s voice said. "As long as Junior Sister can defeat me here, that''s your win."

 Chapter 258

    Chapter 258


    "???"


    Upon hearing Dong Zhongyuan''s words, Li Shiyin felt something was wrong...


    "Hey!" She hurriedly yelled at the sky, "I was only supposed to fight one of you, but now you want me to fight six. What''s wrong with you?!"


    "Hahahahaha..." But Dong Zhongyuan only left behind a burst of loudughter and disappeared.


    Li Shiyin wanted to continue arguing, but at this time, the "Li Shiyin" in front of the stone tablet had already rushed towards her with a sword in hand.


    The opening move was "Immortal Seeking the Way", an ethereal and unpredictable figure that was simply impossible to discern clearly amidst the chaos.


    Only now did Li Shiyin understand how others felt when facing her movement art.


    ...Ethereal like a ghost.


    As "Li Shiyin" approached, the sword wrapped in star sword qi stabbed towards Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin dodged to the side and took out the Qingxing Sword behind her back.


    When "Li Shiyin" struck with her sword again, Li Shiyin fought back with her sword...


    "Ding!"


    The two swords imbued with star sword qi shed in midair.


    "Hmm?" The moment the two swords collided, Li Shiyin immediately noticed something was off. "Her strength and sword qi intensity should only be at my level from three years ago..."


    She reacted swiftly, "The strength of this fake is probably only at the level when I defeated Song Ze three years ago!"


    As a sword genius like Li Shiyin, her strength improved every day. How much would she have progressed in three years?


    ...Three years ago? She smiled.


    When she fought Song Ze three years ago, Li Shiyin''s cultivation was at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Her sword qi boundary was at the initial enlightenment level. She had not yetprehended Dust Sealing Absolute Stillness or Dream Fantasy Neb. She had not learned the Divine Eye technique or the Plucking Stars in One Sword yet.


    The current Li Shiyin versus the Li Shiyin from two years ago would be an extremely easy win.


    The two were both using Immortal Seeking the Way and wielding star sword qi. They fought vigorously amidst the chaos, appearing and disappearing repeatedly, with star sword qi splitting apart the chaos before disappearing into the distance.


    Li Shiyin was very clear about everything this "Li Shiyin" was capable of. Fighting her gave Li Shiyin the feeling of seeing through something clearly like looking at a fire. It was like having the patterns on her palm.


    It was as if she stood high up, watching this "Li Shiyin" attack herself. This feeling was very strange. She looked upon her past self, fully aware of the strengths, weaknesses and limits.


    "So this was what I used to be like." She nodded to herself, not rushing to defeat this "Li Shiyin". Instead, she carefully examined her own sword techniques, mystic arts andbat habits for any issues or obvious loopholes.


    Only when this "Li Shiyin" had demonstrated everything she was capable of, including her strongest move at the time - "Celestial Soaring Immortal", did Li Shiyin finally strike her down with one sword.


    "Killing myself, what a strange feeling." She thought to herself.


    Standing amidst the chaos, she carefully reflected upon the insights she had gained just now. She felt her strength had improved significantly.


    "Did Dong Zhongyuan do this on purpose?" She wondered with some doubt.


    The stone tablet lit up with golden light again. It was the #9 ranked "Yue Youqun". After the golden light faded, the "Yue Youqun" appeared before the stone tablet.


    He paused briefly before charging towards Li Shiyin.


    After exchanging just one move, Li Shiyin understood that the strength of these fake bodies was at the true level recorded on the Geniuses Ranking when they made the board.


    Yue Youqun was slightly older among the top geniuses. Hence, he made the ranking boardter on. There was a huge gap between this "Yue Youqun" and the current Yue Youqun.


    It did not take Li Shiyin long to defeat him.


    #9, #8, #7... The owner of #7 spot on the Geniuses Ranking was actually Qi Yuan instead of Yan Tianxing.


    Looking at Qi Yuan who practiced sword controlling arts, Li Shiyin recalled the years of suffering endured by Tian Wenjin and could not help frowning, feeling rather angry.


    "Let me see how strong you were before getting injured!"


    With this thought, Li Shiyin immediately unleashed her full power without holding back like before. Instead of waiting for the fake to attack, she took the initiative to kill towards "Qi Yuan".


    Compared to the other geniuses on the ranking, Huang Feiyu was very young, around the same age as Qin Ran. Hence, he had made it onto the Geniuses Ranking fairlyte. His strength was exceptionally formidable...almost the same as when he got injured.


    He had alsoprehended sword qi, reaching the second level boundary.


    In addition, he had a water spirit root. His sword qi contained an aura of surging great rivers, somewhat simr to Lu Junxing''s techniques.


    "No wonder he could make the Geniuses Ranking!"


    This scumbag truly had ability. Li Shiyin had quite a tough fight, forced to utilize third level sword qi to slowly whittle away at "Huang Feiyu" before finally defeating him.


    After beating Huang Feiyu, she arrived at the #4 position, which belonged to Dong Zhongyuan.


    Looking at the elegant young man standing gracefully before the stone tablet, Li Shiyin took a deep breath to steady her breathing.


    "Let me see what you''ve got, you coy fe."


    In the eyes of ordinary disciples, the #4 on the Geniuses Ranking, Dong Zhongyuan, was the most mysterious. No one had seen him fight before and didn''t know what techniques he cultivated or how he even made the ranking.


    The only thing known was...


    During the recent Door Knocking trial, this guy had shockingly taken out Liu Baixuan.


    Dong Zhongyuan was always holding a fan, gently fanning himself with a smile on his face. Even if this was just a fake, it had the same appearance.


    "Plucking Stars in One Sword!"


    Faced with such a mysterious character, Li Shiyin acted cautiously, first sending out a sword qi from afar to test him out.


    As expected, as the sword qi passed through the "Dong Zhongyuan", his figure suddenly blurred and transformed into a pile of flower petals and leaves. The sword qi passed through harmlessly. Then, his figure reappeared again.


    "Beauty, don''t be so violent!" He closed his fan with a snap, pointed at Li Shiyin andughed out loud.


    "?" Li Shiyin was shocked. This fake could talk?


    "What kind of trick is that you''re using?" She immediately asked.


    "This is my ''Thousand Flower Ten Thousand Leaf Divine Skill''." The "Dong Zhongyuan" replied.


    At this moment, Dong Zhongyuan, who was seated cross-legged atop the Debate tform outside the Geniuses Ranking, couldn''t help but clutch his forehead, "F*ck, miscalction!"


    What could be more awkward than having one''s cringey past dug out and exposed to others?


    As the controller of the Geniuses Ranking, he had naturally trained his own fake thoroughly over time. Thus, his fake had slightly more...quirkspared to the other fakes.


    Like the frivolous talking...


    Seeing Dong Zhongyuan clutching his head, the disciples watching the battle below instantly guessed, "Is Li Shiyin winning?"


    "Seems like Li Shiyin is too strong. Her prowess is making Dong Zhongyuan clutch his head in frustration."


    "Thousand flowers and ten thousand leaves?" Li Shiyin nodded in realization. Then, she opened her left hand and a few stars emerged in her palm. Returning the favor, she said to the "Dong Zhongyuan", "This move is called Dream Fantasy Neb!"


    Three to four neb stars flew towards "Dong Zhongyuan". He once again turned into thousands of flowers and leaves to dodge.


    Then...


    The four dream fantasy neb exploded, transforming into countless fine sword qi that criss-crossed relentlessly. Within a few breaths, all the "thousand flowers and ten thousand leaves" were shredded into pieces.


    The "Dong Zhongyuan" was no longer able to reform himself.


    "Ahhhh!" The real Dong Zhongyuan outside cradled his head in his hands, too embarrassed to even want to find a crack in the ground to hide.


    In truth, the strength of that "Dong Zhongyuan" was far greater than this. He had at least eighty percent of the present Dong Zhongyuan''s power. However...


    In order to show off in front of the beauty, that fellow had chosen to showcase his elegant, agile movement technique. As a result, he was easily disposed of by Li Shiyin with just a few "Dream Fantasy Nebs"!!


    Was there anything more depressing or awkward than such a death?


    More importantly, for Dong Zhongyuan himself, this was a very real possibility for him as well.


    To be casually wiped out due to showing off.


    Watching Dong Zhongyuan disappear on the other side, the stele over there started glowing golden again. Li Shiyin was also a little stunned.


    Ah, this... "Dong Zhongyuan" is it?


    He was taken out by her with just one move?


    Then she saw the glowing golden light and suddenly reacted, hurriedly calling out, "Senior brother, you have lost already. Do you want to continue?"


    The golden light over there faded away, and the figure of "Yao Qingke" appeared in front of the stele. But she did not move or attack.


    After a while, Dong Zhongyuan''s voice rang out in this space. He said solemnly, "I have lost already. You, do you want to continue?"


    Li Shiyin was stunned for a moment, thought for a bit, and said, "Please continue."


    As soon as her words fell,yers andyers of green vines wrapped around "Yao Qingke" and killed towards her.


    The much stronger Yao Qingke had already fallen under Li Shiyin''s sword. Naturally, this one did notst long either.


    However, in order to understand Yao Qingke''s spells, Li Shiyin deliberately tortured this "Yao Qingke" for a long time.


    The stele shone with golden light again. If nothing unexpected happened, it would be Liu Baixuan, the chief disciple of Sword Peak.


    Li Shiyin panted heavily, waiting for Liu Baixuan to take form.


    Up until now, she had fought eight of the ten great prodigies of the Daosword Sect, even if they were simplified versions, they were still at the prodigy level. She was still very strained, both physically and mentally exhausted.


    But there were still the two strongest left.


    As soon as "Liu Baixuan" took form, it was as if an ancient and wild sword had arrived, and that ancient and domineering sword qi rushed towards Li Shiyin overwhelmingly.


    "So...so strong!"


    Before they even started fighting, Li Shiyin was forced back two steps by the domineering sword qi, and her fingers went numb, overwhelmed by Liu Baixuan''s terrifying aura.


    "ng!"


    After blocking another blow from Liu Baixuan''s sword qi, Li Shiyin took the opportunity to flee, and began to maneuver around "Liu Baixuan"... There was no future in confronting Liu Baixuan head-on.


    She circled around Liu Baixuan, looking at this domineering "Liu Baixuan". From time to time, she wondered, how did a person like this be so refined?


    ...She had a vague answer in her heart.


    However, no matter how fierce and domineering Liu Baixuan''s swordy and sword qi were, they had just entered the sword qi realm. Once Li Shiyin decided not to confront him directly, he was soon cut into shreds by Li Shiyin''s strands of starry sword qi.


    "Liu Baixuan" disappeared, and the stele shone with bright golden light. "Lu Junxing" appeared in front of the stele if nothing unexpected happened.


    "Huff... huff..."


    Li Shiyin gasped heavily, the small amount of spiritual power in her body slowly flowed, easing the pain and fatigue of her body. The few direct confrontations with "Liu Baixuan" had injured her greatly, and her hands were still slightly numb.


    She looked up at "Lu Junxing" in front of the stele. Lu Junxing had a smile on his face, still looking nonchnt, just like he was now.


    All the way here, Li Shiyin could see the immaturity in everyone else, including herself. Only "Lu Junxing" seemed to have not changed at all.


    Seeing Li Shiyin, he drew out his sword, swaying drunkenly towards Li Shiyin...


    And as he moved,ndscapes slowly took shape around him. With each step, mountains and rivers formed. He walked towards Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin looked at the mountains and rivers under Lu Junxing''s feet in horror. Those vivid mountains and rivers were all sword qi!


    They were all third stage sword qi!


    Could this "Lu Junxing" from who knows how many years ago actually exhibit such sword qi?


    So how powerful was the present Lu Junxing?


    Li Shiyin dared not imagine.


    She held her breath, stirred herst bit of spiritual power, activated her guardian sword intent, wrapped herself in starry sword qi, forming a sea of stars to protect herself.


    "Ding ding ding..."


    As the two sides'' sword qi shed, Li Shiyin discovered...


    This "Lu Junxing" had notprehended sword intent!


    In other words, he was able to perform this "Sword Walking Through Mountains and Rivers" even without sword intent...


    This person was too terrifying!


    Li Shiyin had defeated Liu Baixuan, but could only cling on to life under Lu Junxing''s sword qi.


    She confirmed her guess in her heart, why the fierce and domineering Liu Baixuan would be who he was today.


    She remembered at the sword exchange meeting, Lu Junxing scolding Liu Baixuan for being "timid and fearful, afraid of this and that"... He thought Liu Baixuan was afraid of his master, but actually, he was afraid of Lu Junxing.


    Lu Junxing was Liu Baixuan''s demon.


    And now...


    Li Shiyin could rtepletely.


    ...In the end, she still did not manage to defeat "Lu Junxing". Before her strength ran out, she was fished out by Dong Zhongyuan.


    Li Shiyin''s whole body was drenched, her hair and clothes soaked with sweat.


    Shey on the debating stage, sweat mixed with blood flowing out from the edges. Looking up at the sky, she didn''t know if she was too tired or what, but she felt a bit hopeless.


    This was exactly the sight Dong Zhongyuan wanted to see. Leaning on his walking stick, he walked over, looking at Li Shiyin with a smile, and asked, "How was it?"


    He was asking about Lu Junxing''s strength.


    Li Shiyin shook her head again and again, not answering.


    "Alright..." Dong Zhongyuanughed heartily, leaning on his walking stick, limping down from the stage. He said to the referee, "She won this match."


    Even though Li Shiyin had won, only her supporters cheered from below. The others were either discontent or still confused. Even Li Shiyin herself felt baffled, without any sense of victory at all.


    Without any sense of taking first ce in the assessment.


    Qin Ran flew onto the stage, half kneeling by Li Shiyin''s side, and asked, "What''s wrong?"


    "Master..." Hearing Qin Ran''s voice, Li Shiyin looked over, her eyes instantly reddening. Calling out grievously for master, she burst into tears.


    Qin Ran reached out to hug her. She crawled into Qin Ran''s arms, her hands hugging Qin Ran''s back, crying out, "Master, I can''t beat him!"


    "Who?"


    "Lu Junxing."

 Chapter 259

    Chapter 259


    "If you can''t win, so be it. What''s the big deal?" Qin Ran said, turning to the side as Li Shiyin climbed onto his back, following his hand.


    He lifted his back with his foolish disciple on it and said, "There are still many people in this world whom you can''t defeat! You don''t have to be the first person to dominate the world throughout history. Are you also going to turn your back on all living beings and make decisions alone for eternity?


    "Even if you defeat Lu Junxing, there''s still Bai Ruoxi; even if you defeat Bai Ruoxi, there''s still Su Changqing. Even if you defeat your peers, there are still elders, two generations ahead, Yuan Ying stage, He Dao stage, and Mahayana stage. Even if you defeat ordinary cultivators, there are still immortals! Even if you surpass the immortals, there are still those who have survived from ancient times to the present, seeking longevity.


    "There are many, many people you can''t defeat."


    Li Shiyin was trulyforted. Pouting, shey on Qin Ran''s back, her long limbs wrapped around his neck and waist.


    "You stinky master!" she scolded.


    Her foolish disciple''s strong and powerful legs were wrapped around her waist, allowing her to feel the sticity of her thigh muscles through her back. Her foolish disciple''s growing chest pressed against her back, and she could feel its softness against her own back. Her foolish disciple''s head rested on her shoulder, and the warmth of his breath and words grazed her neck and ears. Qin Ran resisted but also enjoyed it.


    In fact, it was a struggle between "This, this isn''t right!" and "In broad daylight, such intimacy between master and disciple, how improper!" and "The youthful and vibrant body of a beautiful girl is truly wonderful!" and "My foolish disciple... does seem to like me..."


    "The Marvelous Fate of Immortal Trees"


    They were on the stage, with many disciples paying attention to them from below. Some of those disciples vaguely felt that something was amiss. Qin Ran was not used to being watched, so he quickly stepped down from the tform. Many people had already realized what was happening.


    Voices asionally came from the crowd:


    "My white-robed female sword immortal..."


    "Ah, why is it like this?"


    "It is said that is the master of the sword immortal. The shamelessness between master and disciple! How disgusting!"


    "This world, why has ite to this... Can you treat me gently?"


    Some people stared at this master-disciple pair in ce due to their animosity, while others left because they couldn''t bear to see their goddessmitted to someone else.


    Tian Wenjin was probably one of those who left without saying goodbye... Many people were dissatisfied with the assessment results and left at this point.


    Qin Ran looked at Tian Wenjin''s departing figure and felt somewhatplicated. This world was still too cruel to that affectionate girl.


    "Why did Wenjin leave?" Li Shiyin rested her chin on Qin Ran''s shoulder, watching Tian Wenjin leave. Her innocent mind didn''t understand Tian Wenjin''s subtle feelings towards her, so she was puzzled and disappointed. "I just helped her beat Huang Feiyu and haven''t had a chance to talk to her yet!"


    "Maybe she had urgent matters to attend to!" Qin Ran casually made up a reason.


    "Ah, what a pity..." Li Shiyin sighed and then tilted her head to look at Qin Ran''s profile, smiling cutely. "Master, let me tell you something!"


    Without waiting for Qin Ran''s response, she began speaking directly, "That Dong Zhongyuan''s fan is actually the Geniuses Ranking! Inside, it shows the appearance of each genius when they entered the ranking! And the tenth one is me, and then... then I fought myself inside... hehe..."


    Li Shiyin was lying on Qin Ran''s back, chattering away about her experiences in the Geniuses Ranking. From "fighting myself" to "the powerful Lu Junxing from many years ago," from the main peak to the Pill Peak. When Qin Ran finally put her down and let her sit on the chair under the old Spirit Cassia tree, she finally stopped.


    Because when she got down from Qin Ran''s back and turned around, she realized that there were two other people with them.


    Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind, two pairs of eyes, were staring straight at her, listening to her chattering.


    "Why are you all looking at me?" The young girl blushed and felt a little embarrassed.


    "Why didn''t we realize you were such a talker before?" Little girl Long Qiqi, with a mature expression on her face, asked Li Shiyin while holding her hands.


    "What?" Li Shiyin pretended to be clueless, her face slightly red, avoiding Long Qiqi''s gaze.


    "That''s enough! That''s enough!" Qin Ran intervened in time, "Today''spetition is over, and the assessment is considered finished. From now on, we can focus on whatever we want to do without being distracted by the assessment."


    "Taking off the saddle from a tired horse..." Long Qiqi muttered, then asked, "So... when do we receive our rewards? And when do we go to knock on the Daoist door?"


    "Tomorrow!" Qin Ran dragged over a chair and sat down next to Li Shiyin.


    "Why not finish it today?" Long Qiqiined, "Always dragging on..."


    "If I want to finish it tomorrow instead of today, is there a problem?" Qin Ran smiled and said, "Cultivators are never short of time." "Tsk..." Long Qiqi scoffed, "What a waste of time!"


    As Qin Ran was speaking, he had already taken out a book. After Long Qiqi finished his nonsense, he also prepared to go to the research building to look at the unfinished alchemy.


    At this moment, Chasing the Wind suddenly spoke up, "Ah, dad! My big brother wants me to apany him in a fight!"


    "?" Qin Ran looked up at Chasing the Wind. Chasing the Wind was now two meters tall, standing there like a prehistoric monster, but at this moment, he was twisting and turning, with the same expression as a middle school student who wanted to go out and y but needed his parents'' permission. Qin Ran frowned and said, "If you want to go, then go!"


    "My big brother said he wants to fight a little longer today. He enjoys watching the disciples in the assessment fight, and it makes him itch..." Chasing the Wind said, "He specifically asked me to tell you."


    Qin Ran became alert and asked, "You guys aren''t nning to leave the sect to do something bad, are you?!"


    "No... No!" Chasing the Wind quickly assured him, "I will never do anything bad."


    "You can apany your big brother to y, but you can''t leave the sect without permission!" Qin Ran warned.


    "I know..."


    Chasing the Wind readily agreed and then ran off like a streak of smoke, like a prisoner just released from prison.


    "Ah!" Qin Ran shook his head. Another person who can''t be at ease.


    "A spoiled boy, a cherished girl of the master..." Long Qiqi muttered to herself as she nced at Chasing the Wind running far away, then looked at Li Shiyin. She turned and walked towards the research building, thinking, "I wonder what that guy has that makes him so special."


    Qin Ran shrugged, tilting his head to look at Li Shiyin. He noticed that she was lying sideways on the chair, her big watery eyes filled with a smile.


    He smiled at her and ignored her, engrossed in reading his book.


    In the early summer, the old spirit pagoda tree bloomed with white pagoda flowers. Sometimes, the pagoda flowers would fall from the tree and float among the master and disciple.


    The pagoda flowers carried a hint of sweetness in the air.


    Li Shiyin smelled the sweetness, and her heart felt sweet too.


    The bright sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the old spirit pagoda tree, sprinkling tiny specks of light. Shey sideways on the chair, gazing at her beloved master with great affection. A gentle breeze blew, and she floated like a dandelion, drifting and drifting, floating up into the sky, joining the stars.


    She fell asleep quietly.

 Chapter 260

    Chapter 260


    Cultivators have a tight schedule.


    They have to make the most of their time to find spiritual energy because once their bodies mature and stabilize, it bes difficult to find it.


    After finding spiritual energy, they must quickly embark on foundation building because during the Foundation Establishment stage, cultivators can live for a maximum of 180 years. They need to reach the Core Formation stage before their lifespan ends.


    After Core Formation, they must promptly proceed to Nascent Soul Formation because Nascent Soul Formation is extremely difficult and requires their full dedication and preparation.


    However, the time for cultivators is also very long.


    Once they sessfully build their foundation, their lifespan bes nearly limitless, approaching 180 years. Once they achieve Core Formation, their lifespan soars to 800 years, not to mention the transformation to Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation.


    During this lengthy period, they do not need to attend school or work. They don''t even need to eat or drink, and if possible, they don''t have bodily needs. Most of their requirements are minimized. However, such an extended and monotonous period of time is also difficult to endure.


    Cultivation knows no years; centuries pass in the blink of an eye.


    With this perception of time, even major sects like the Dao Sword Sect still appearx despite having certain rules and regtions.


    New disciples have to wait for three years before undergoing qualification assessments. The assessment process is intentionally drawn out, with one round of tests per day,sting a full nine days, just to select ten individuals out of over five hundred disciples. The distribution of assessment rewards is also dyed until the day after the assessment, rather than on the same day.


    "Why didn''t they distribute the assessment rewards yesterday?" Qin Ranined, echoing what Long Qiqi had said yesterday.


    "Master, are you capable or not?" Li Shiyin giggled beside him.


    Qin Ran red at her and replied, "As your master, my magical abilities are vast and limitless. Can''t I just ride on a cloud? Why can''t I do that?"


    During the assessment period, they traveled between Dan Peak and Master Peak, with Chasing the Wind carrying them back and forth. However, that silly child, Chasing the Wind, had gone outst night and still hadn''t returned.


    So, if they wanted to go together to Master Peak today, someone had to perform a spell to summon a cloud and carry all three of them.


    Li Shiyin was a sword cultivator, and her primary flying spell was transforming her body into a sword. As for Long Qiqi... let''s not trouble this mischievous little girl, shall we? That left Qin Ran to cast the spell.


    But Qin Ran...


    He naturally had practiced this kind of escape spell. The problem was... "Sigh!" He sighed inwardly, gritted his teeth, and performed the spell, conjuring a cloud.


    "What a simple spell," he feigned calmness and took the lead, stepping onto the cloud, hovering three feet above the ground. He said to Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi, "Come, hop on. I''ll take you for a spin."


    Li Shiyin knew best that her master had a fear of heights. But she was fearless, and besides, he was her master. She jumped on without hesitation and naturally leaned against Qin Ran, cing her hands on his back.


    But Long Qiqi was different. She also knew that Qin Ran was afraid of heights, but she was timid and didn''tpletely trust him...


    She stood on thewn, looking up at Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, hesitating. She suggested, "Shiyin, why don''t you take me on your sword? Or we can each fly on our own. I can fly too, even if I''m a bit slower. I can fly."


    Qin Ran''s face darkened as he looked at Long Qiqi and said, "Do you want toe up? Today is the day we''re sending Shiyin to receive her reward. Whether youe or not, it''s up to you."


    Upon hearing this, Long Qiqi gritted her teeth and made a firm decision before jumping onto the cloud.


    With her short arms and legs, she climbed onto the cloud and whispered to Li Shiyin, "Shiyin, remember to catch meter!" She had already assumed that Qin Ran''s cloud was going to "crash."


    Qin Ran''s face turned ck. He fixed his gaze on the direction of the main peak, ced one hand behind his back, closed his eyes, and rode the cloud.


    With his eyes closed and hands behind his back, he flew on the cloud in the blue sky and white clouds, aided by a gentle breeze, giving off an ethereal and immortal aura.


    Until...


    "Master," Li Shiyin whispered in his ear, "We''ve flown past."


    And then everything fell apart.


    Luckily, Qin Ran had thick skin. Hended the cloud on the main peak''s square while enduring intense dizziness and disorientation.


    As soon as the cloud touched the ground, Long Qiqi jumped off and patted her chest repeatedly, saying in a trembling voice, "That scared me... That scared me... I''m still alive... I''m still alive..."


    Qin Ran felt a bit dizzy and nced at Long Qiqi, asking, "Was it that dramatic? My driving skills are pretty stable."


    Long Qiqi gave him a look that let him experience it for himself.


    "Hehehe..." Li Shiyin covered her mouth and giggled.


    The master and disciples arrived at the perfect time, after all. Qin Ran specifically chose the timing, and it wouldn''t be appropriate to arrive too early or toote. When they arrived, there were already some people in the square, and people were flying in the sky using magical tools or spells. After a brief adjustment, they headed towards the position of the Dan Peak.


    Li Shiyin was indeed ranked first in this assessment, regardless of how she achieved it. That''s what being first means.


    To put it bluntly, those who had the qualifications to question her first ce didn''t care, and those who didn''t have the qualifications could only gossip behind her back. They wouldn''t dare toe forward and say to Li Shiyin''s face that her first ce was rigged.


    So, as the master and disciples walked through the square, they were met with smiling faces and polite greetings. There were no foolish individuals who dared to provoke them or foolishly use them in front of everyone.


    There were very few people at the Dan Peak, only three... After all, there were no menial disciples or external disciples, only one direct disciple.


    They stood there, looking a little shabby.


    "Master, how about we find some external disciples to liven things up?" Li Shiyin suggested to Qin Ran, looking at the lively scenes at other peaks.


    "The more people, the moreplicated it gets," Qin Ran shook his head.


    They were not isted either. Soon, Lu Junxing and Dong Zhongyuan from the Master Peak arrived with Jiang Ran and Jiang Qin, the two sisters. They chatted with them for a while.


    After three years, Jiang Ran and Jiang Qin had be even more beautiful. In terms of appearance alone, they were on par with Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin. One could imagine that in a few more years, they would be the unrivaled twin beauties of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Lu Junxing and the others left, and Liu Baixuan, Qi Yuan, and Tian Wenjin from the Sword Peak also came and stayed for a while until the sect leader was about to start a long lecture before leaving.


    These people, if we count them, are all friends Li Shiyin has made over the past few years. As for Qin Ran, well, he''s a total otaku and has no friends.


    People from various peaks and sects have all gathered here. The sect leader appeared at the forefront as usual and gave a half-hour speech full of nonsense before getting to the point:


    "In this assessment, the top one hundred participants will receive rewards.


    "Among them, the rewards for those ranked from one hundred to fifty are...


    "The rewards for those ranked from fifty to twenty are...


    "The rewards for those ranked from twenty to ten are...


    "Finally, the top ten participants in this assessment are: Li Shiyin, Dong Zhongyuan, Lu Junxing, Liu Baixuan, Tian Wenjin, Qi Yuan, Yao Qingke, Ximen Wushang, Ye Qingxuan, and Xiao Bufan. They will proceed to the Daoist Gate for further training..."

 Chapter 261

    Chapter 261


    "You are a sword cultivator, skilled in the Mu Ran Sword technique. Your methods of killing are abundant, so what you need is a defensive spiritual tool, preferably an artifact rather than a spell. Practicing spells would distract you from mastering your swordsmanship. It would be best if the artifact could protect your primordial spirit..."


    Qin Ran once again reminded Li Shiyin before she went to receive the assessment rewards with the sect leader, Gu Yueming.


    Li Shiyin looked at her master with wide eyes, and she thought:


    If Long Qiqi were going to receive the rewards, the master would definitely say, "As an alchemist, youck protective measures, so you need an artifact that can safeguard yourself."


    If it were Chasing the Wind, the master would surely say, "Yourbat power is high, your physical body is strong, and your soul is formidable, so you need a defensive spiritual tool to enhance your advantages."


    If the master were going to receive the rewards...


    Regardless of the situation, the master would definitely choose something that could help them escape and preserve their life.


    She didn''t agree with the master''s suggestion, but she had no intention of refuting or going against it. Instead, she jokingly remarked, "Why don''t I get a sword technique or a powerful artifact? A sword cultivator always forges ahead, which would make me more aggressive."


    The master earnestly exined, "There''s no need for that. You have the War Spirit Artbined with the Guide the Starlight Technique, along with the third realm of sword qi. Your offensive abilities are already high enough."


    She asked again, "What if I don''t have a defensive spiritual tool or spell?"


    As expected, the master replied, "Then choose escape techniques, body techniques, flying spiritual tools, and the like."


    So, she felt likeughing.


    The master quickly detected her mischievous thoughts, became annoyed, and reached out to pinch her nose.


    Dao Jian Sect was situated above a spiritual vein of ore, so they had no shortage of spirit stones. However, theycked things like pills and spiritual tools.


    Thus, the usual rewards for the assessment were spirit stones. The disciples ranked fifty to twenty would receive additional talismans, pills, and simr items. Those ranked twenty to ten would receive further cultivation techniques, spells, and the like. And the top ten disciples would receive an extra spiritual tool as a reward.


    Li Shiyin ranked first and could obtain a top-grade spiritual treasure.


    As the sect leader, Gu Yueming watched the cold and elegant young girl walking towards him, and he couldn''t help but recall three years ago when she became his disciple. She had stubbornly insisted on learning alchemy, regardless of his persuasion...


    When they locked eyes now, both of them felt slightly awkward.


    At that time, Gu Yueming had already assumed that Li Shiyin was a failure. He thought of her as apanion for Qin Ran, whether as a wife or a disciple, depending on his own abilities. But unexpectedly, after three years, Li Shiyin achieved first ce in the assessment and dealt him a heavy blow.


    At that time, Li Shiyin had been determined to learn alchemy and had the idea of "the river flows east for thirty years, the river flows west for thirty years." She was determined to concoct the most powerful pill to show that old man and give him a good p. But in the end, she ended up practicing the sword and pped herself instead.


    Gu Yueming cleared his throat and turned to walk towards the Treasure Pavilion, saying, "Follow me."


    He walked ahead and asked Li Shiyin behind him, "Is your cultivation going smoothly?"


    "Yes," Li Shiyin replied.


    "How is your progress in alchemy?"


    "It''s going well."


    "What realm are you at now?"


    "Foundation establishment."


    As they walked, the two of them engaged in an awkward exchange of questions and answers until they entered the Treasure Pavilion. Gu Yueming asked Li Shiyin, "What kind of magic tool do you want?"


    "My master said it''s best to have a defensive-type magic tool."


    Thinking of Qin Ran''s cautious and meticulous style, Gu Yueming chuckled and said, "That suits his character well."


    He led Li Shiyin to the section with defensive magic tools and said, "There are three superior defensive treasures here. Choose one!"


    Li Shiyin looked ahead and saw a table with three items arranged from left to right. On the left was a stand with a bracelet, in the middle was a box, and on the right was a piece of armor.


    The bracelet was green and not very attractive, so Li Shiyin immediately ruled it out. She went forward to open the box and found a beautiful ornament that could be worn around the waist.


    She wanted that ornament but suddenly remembered something. She looked at her own waist where her master had carved a chubby wooden sword for her... There was no space to hang it.


    "I''ll take this armor," she said to the sect leader.


    "So quick in your decision?" Gu Yueming was taken aback and said, "You don''t even know the effects of these three treasures... In fact, this bracelet is the best. It can withstand the spells of Nascent Soul stage cultivators..."


    "I''ll go with this one," Li Shiyin shook her head.


    "Very well then!" Gu Yueming said, never knowing what his female disciple was thinking when choosing a magic tool.


    They entered and exited quickly, appearing in no time.


    "So fast?" Qin Ran frowned and asked Li Shiyin, "What did you choose?"


    Li Shiyin showed him the armor.


    "What special effects does the armor have?" Qin Ran asked again.


    Li Shiyin widened her eyes and shook her head, "I don''t know."


    "?" Qin Ran was astonished. "Why did you choose it if you don''t know?"


    "Because the other two didn''t look good."


    Qin Ran was almost infuriated.


    Li Shiyin was the first to undergo the assessment, so she was the first to receive a magic tool. After she received hers, the others followed suit.


    It took them over half an hour to receive the magic tools, and then the sect leader led them towards the back mountain of the main peak.


    At this point, family members were allowed to follow, but others could no longer join.


    Qin Ran walked with Li Shiyin towards the back mountain and whispered beside her, "The Dao Sect is probably a kind of enlightenment about cultivation. It is the essence or abstract representation of thews of this world, or the exhibition of insights into cultivation by high-level cultivators. In short, the insights of the Dao may not necessarily be suitable for you. You need to be especially careful, not fully epting everything, and learn to discern what kind of insights are useful and what kind are harmful.


    "Remember, these Dao insights will definitely make you eager to break through in your cultivation. But you must not form your Core yet. Your foundation is not solid enough. You absolutely cannot form your Core, do you understand?"


    Li Shiyin listened to Qin Ran''s nagging and nodded repeatedly.


    "After entering, you must also pay special attention to others. Never let your guard down, especially against the disciples of Qi Peak..."


    Upon hearing Qin Ran''s words, Li Shiyin couldn''t help but nce to the side, and indeed, the face of He Daoguang, the head of Qi Peak, turned ck.


    "Don''t worry, Junior Martial Uncle. We will protect Junior Martial Sister," Lu Junxing turned around and smiled at Qin Ran. "Not only will we take good care of Li Shiyin, but we will also prevent any chaos within the Dao Sect."


    "I trust your assurance, Junior Martial Nephew..." Qin Ran smiled at Lu Junxing and then lowered his voice, speaking to Li Shiyin. "It''s not just Qi Peak, but everyone else should also be cautious. After all, people''s hearts can be unpredictable..."


    As cultivators, even though they spoke in hushed tones, their words were still clearly audible. Lu Junxing could only hold back hisughter and continue walking forward.


    The Dao Sect was nothing more than a door, a rather ordinary stone door standing alone at the edge of a cliff. From this side, one could see the other side, but there was nothing else except the moss on the door.


    However, there was a distance of ten zhang separating them, and the rtives were blocked off. Only disciples who were allowed to knock on the door were permitted to enter.


    "Remember Master''s words and prioritize safety above all else," Qin Ran reminded Li Shiyin onest time.


    Li Shiyin reassured him with a gesture, then took the lead and approached the door. Following the instructions of the Sect Leader Gu Yueming, she respectfully bowed and paid her respects in front of the Dao Sect, then walked towards the door.


    The stone door appeared in and unremarkable, but as Li Shiyin walked forward, it suddenly disappeared into thin air, leaving no trace behind, as if it had never existed.


    7017k

 Chapter 262

    Chapter 262


    Seeing Li Shiyin disappear into that stone door, Qin Ran felt worried in his heart, and even said, he was a little scared.


    At this moment, he thought of some terrible things.


    For example, the stone door will kill the person who knocks on the door, and then create a new personpletely under its control toe out;


    Or that stone door will send people to other terrifying ces, toplete the evil purposes of the stone door master, and then im to the outside that the person who knocked on the door is enlightening;


    Or seizing the house, the stone door is an ancient trap left behind, looking for a suitable body;


    Or seducing the person who knocked on the door to practice magic spells...


    "Shiyin!"


    With these horrible thoughts in his mind, he couldn''t help but shout out.


    Liu Boxian, the head of Sword Peak, was not far from him. Hearing the sound, he nced at Qin Ran and smiled, "They have been teleported to the enlightenment space, not elsewhere. Don''t worry."


    Qin Ran came back to his senses, realizing that his behavior was inappropriate, and smiled embarrassedly.


    He looked at Dong Zhongyuan, who was knocking on the door, and asked Liu Boxian, "How long will they be enlightening?"


    "It varies." Liu Boxian replied, "ording to personal circumstances, the time varies. If you happen to have a sudden breakthrough in your cultivation level, forming a core, transforming an infant, etc., ten days and a half month, one or two years are also possible. "


    Hearing this, Qin Ran only felt that his terrible guesses were further confirmed, and for a while, he was worried.


    He waited here for a while until Tian Wenjin also entered the Dao door, and anxious in his heart, he turned and left the Dao door.


    Qin Ran went from the back mountain of the main peak to the Ask Dao Square in front. He was thinking that he would first take Long Qiqi back to Dan Peak. If the Dao door was really some evil conspiracy, then they would have to save Li Shiyin too.


    However...


    He searched around the Ask Dao Square, but still couldn''t find Long Qiqi.


    "Sigh... Qiqi should have gone back." He murmured.


    Qin Ran was a person who liked to think negatively about things. But at this moment, he really hoped that things would not develop in a bad direction.


    He unfolded his body skills, his figure flickered, and flew back to Dan Peak at the fastest speed. But after circling around Dan Peak, he still did not see Long Qiqi''s shadow.


    At this point, he finally gradually settled his heart down, because he could be sure that Long Qiqi had really happened.


    "So originally my anxiety was because of Qiqi..."


    Qin Ran spread out his primordial spirit andmunicated with the keepsake he gave to Long Qiqi.


    The keepsakes he made for the four people in Dan Peak all had the mark of his primordial spirit, for critical moments like this.


    Soon, the keepsake reacted, he flew up into the air, then looked in the direction of the keepsake, secretly judged the distance, the keepsake''s position was already quite far away from the Dao Sword Sect.


    Long Qiqi could not have such a fast flight speed... His face was as cold as water, and he flew directly towards the direction of the keepsake.


    Qin Ran chased to the ce where the keepsake was at his fastest speed... After covering two li, he stopped, his figure flickered, and another self appeared next to him.


    This "Qin Ran" looked at him, smiled, looked vivid, and then flew towards the keepsake.


    Qin Ran had already started practicing the improved version of the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill. Now he could split out a primordial spirit. In Li Shiyin and Yan Tianxing''s assessment, he used the split spirit to save Li Shiyin.


    His Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water was a basic avatar technique. But like its name, it could only confuse the enemy and had nobat power at all.


    Then Qin Ranbined Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water with the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill, and obtained a brand new technique.


    He let the primordial spirit split out by the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill reside in the avatar of Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water. The primordial spirit acted as the soul and the avatar acted as the body. In an instant, he had a kind of avatar that only Cultivators at the Immortal Ascension Stage had: able to run and jump, speak, think independently, cultivate independently, and fight independently.


    The avatar "Qin Ran" went forward. He inherited the personality of the body, carefully approached the ce where the keepsake was. When he was more than two hundred meters away from the keepsake, he saw Long Qiqis snake-shaped cartoon keepsake hanging on a bush.


    "Qin Ran" immediately hid behind a rock, activated the illusion vision technique, and checked the surroundings for ambushes and traps. After a while, worried about Long Qiqi, he still flew out first from the hiding rock and slowly went to the bush to pick up the keepsake .


    He looked around again. This was a wastnd with bushes and weeds all around. Due to the disaster of the Devouring Demon Willow, many big trees in the Hengduan Mountains had not grown back yet.


    "The keepsake was left here..." Qin Ran frowned and pondered, "Was it the person who took Qiqi away found out the function of the keepsake and discarded it; or was it a clue that Qiqi deliberately left behind?


    "If its a clue that Qiqi deliberately left behind..." "Qin Ran" flew higher, "Then there should be more clues nearby."


    "Qin Ran" searched carefully around the area. Soon, he found a strip of cloth on a nearby tree branch.


    He carefully and cautiously flew over to pick up the cloth strip and check it out.


    "This is Qiqi''s clothes..." Qin Ran recognized it, "torn off by Qiqi as a mark."


    "Qin Ran" looked back at where the snake-shaped keepsake was left behind. Using the keepsake and this cloth strip as two points to draw a straight line, he looked further along the direction of the shot out line.


    "If this cloth strip is really left by Qiqi, then there is a high probability that this is the direction they escaped."


    "Qin Ran" flew along this direction, and sure enough, he soon found another strip of cloth by the roadside rock.


    As more and more discovered keepsakes, the escape route of the enemy and Long Qiqi became clearer. It was a winding route, and its ultimate direction was...


    "Qin Ran" leaned over to pick up another of Long Qiqi''s poison pills, looked up into the distance, over there...


    It was the core area of the Hengduan Mountains, the Land of Immortal Legacy!


    So at this moment, Qin Ran had a rough guess about the kidnapper.


    Someone who would kidnap people from Dan Peak, take them to the Land of Immortal Legacy, and could freely enter and exit the Dao Sword Sect. So this person could only be...


    Jian Yuanjie!!!


    "Roar!"


    At this moment, a terrible beast roar suddenly came from the side. "Qin Ran" turned to look, not far away, a terrifying and ferocious Lionheart Raging me Beast pounced towards him!


    Only then did he notice his location, right outside the nest of the Lionheart Raging me Beast.

 Chapter 263

    Chapter 263


    Lionheart Raging me Beast!


    The position where the poisonous pill appeared is in front of the den of the Lionheart Raging me Beast.


    So Qin Ran understood that when he arrived here, Jian Yuanjie had no intention of hiding. It was clear that all the signals left before were intentionally allowed by him to let Long Qiqi stay.


    The message was:


    Want to save Long Qiqi?


    Sure,e and fight your way through!


    Qin Ran narrowly avoided the Lionheart Raging me Beast''s sneak attack and turned around to look at the beast, which was engulfed in mes, trembling with fear.


    This was the culprit that caused Huang Feiyu''s death and also the beginning of Tian Wenjin''s tragic fate. A fourth-level demonic beast that was even stronger than a fifth-level one!


    As he watched the beast approach, his body started to heat up, gradually showing signs of evaporation.


    ...He was just a watery incarnation.


    He couldn''t help but retreat.


    Water and fire, which one restrains the other, is actually a difficult question to answer.


    Water can extinguish fire, and fire can make water evaporate. So it all depends on the strength of each drop of water and each spark of fire. A small amount of strong water restrains fire, and a small amount of strong fire restrains water.


    All things in the world both generate and restrict each other.


    Ultimately, ites down to cultivation and strength.


    So, who is stronger, Qin Ran or this Lionheart Raging me Beast?


    Clearly, it''s the Lionheart Raging me Beast.


    Qin Ran is only an incarnation, while this "Strongest Fourth-level Demonic Beast," the Lionheart Raging me Beast, was able to severely injure Huang Feiyu amidst the siege.


    Thus, we can conclude that the Lionheart Raging me Beast restrains Qin Ran.


    Fighting is definitely out of the question. This incarnation has no magical artifacts, talismans, or elixirs. It''spletely defenseless. Going head-to-head with such a ferocious beast would be suicidal.


    Running away?


    "I don''t know if I can outrun it." Qin Ran wasn''t sure either.


    He saw himself retreating, and suddenly his figure flickered, creating two Qin Ransone charging toward the Lionheart Raging me Beast, and the other turning to run away.


    However, Qin Ran''s strength was really too weak. The incarnation that charged at the Lionheart Raging me Beast was pped away with a single swipe. He had only run a few meters before the beast caught up to him, rushing at him with zing mes!


    He hurriedly used the Water Dream Shield technique to block the deadly kiss from the Lionheart Raging me Beast.


    The water shield shattered upon impact, and the beast''s momentum didn''t stop. It directly rammed into his back, sending him flying thirty to forty feet away. His body wavered between a watery form and a human form, on the verge of copse.


    "Roar..."


    The Lionheart Raging me Beast stopped on the ground, its front paws pressing down, as if it was about to pounce again.


    "I''m just a few hours old, and it''s going to end like this?" Qin Ran couldn''t help but shed tears of despair.


    Just as he was thinking so hopelessly, a bubble suddenly appeared out of thin air, enveloping the Lionheart Raging me Beast.


    Qin Ran quickly looked up to see the Saint Mother who saved him; it turned out to be his true form.


    "Keep exploring forward, be cautious, and don''t fall into any more traps." Qin Ran cast a disdainful nce at his own incarnation and advised.


    "Sigh!" The halo of the Saint Mother disappeared, and the aura of the Capitalist emerged. Qin Ran helplesslyplied and continued forward.


    Qin Ran watched as his clone went ahead to explore, and he silently summoned the "Nine Provinces Cauldron."


    "ng!"


    He held the cauldron by its handle and charged forward, delivering a powerful strike to the head of the Lionheart Raging me Beast that was about to break free from its illusory form.


    ... Even in its dying moments, the Lionheart Raging me Beast couldn''t understand why it couldn''t overpower a human. Its physical strength and intensity seemed weaker than that of this human.


    If only it could understand what being an alchemist among the human cultivators truly meant, it would be even more bewildered.


    After dealing with the Lionheart Raging me Beast, Qin Ran closed his eyes and sensed the location of his clone, furrowing his brow.


    His clone... seemed to be in danger again. It appeared to have unwittingly stumbled upon a formation.


    Usually, it was Qin Ran who used this kind of method to outwit others. Today, he was finally outwitted by someone else.


    "I''m really exasperated!" Qin Ran cursed inwardly. "Are you the clone, or am I the clone?! And now I''m trapped in a formation!"


    But he had no choice. He had to hurry and rescue his clone.


    For one, his clone housed his divine soul within it. If it truly died or suffered injuries to the divine soul, his main body would also be affected. Secondly, his current technique of dividing his divine sense was not yet mature. It took a long time to recover before he could divide it again... and the cooldown was too long. He couldn''t afford to wait.


    Qin Ran found his clone and discovered that it had fallen into a formation set up using an array disk.


    "Ah! I really..." He was speechless as he looked up at the sky. This clone had such a ring w. It only inherited his caution and didn''t inherit any of his professional skills.


    He had spent so much time learning about formations...


    After a while, he finally managed to rescue his clone.


    "Be more careful!!!" he warned once again.


    "Okay! Okay! I''ll be careful," his clone reassured, rushing forward once more.


    And so, the clone endured numerous injuries as it traversed the "minefield" and finally arrived outside the Land of Immortal Legacy, covered in wounds.


    Approaching the mist, his clone conjured a bubble to envelop itself, then continued forward. As it lifted its foot and the tip of its toe touched the mist, it was about to step into the fog when suddenly, it remembered something...


    Jian Yuanjie knew that the mist was toxic. So how did he avoid the mist this time?


    Or rather...


    Perhaps he never entered at all!


    All the signs along the way pointed in this direction, but it was merely a psychological suggestion yed by Jian Yuanjie, making people believe he had gone to the Land of Immortal Legacy when in fact he hadn''t.


    Just as he realized this, an rm bell rang loudly in "Qin Ran''s" mind. He abruptly turned around and saw a massive Heaven Overturning Seal hurtling towards him!


    "Enter it! Hahaha..."


    Jian Yuanjie''sughter, having seeded in his scheme, reached his ears. Unable to evade the attack, Qin Ran was struck head-on by the Heaven Overturning Seal, and his entire body was flung backward into the mist. In mid-air, he caught sight of Jian Yuanjie holding a plump girl on a nearby tree branch.


    "Qin Ran!" These were thest words he heard from Long Qiqi before he flew into the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    "She never called me ''Master'' in the end." For some reason, this thought suddenly crossed his mind.


    "Sploosh!" He spat out a mouthful of water, sshing onto the ground of the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    "Phew..." Qin Ran took a moment to catch his breath, then slowly got up from the ground. "Even though she didn''t call me Master, I still have to go and save her."


    He stood up and walked towards the exit.


    But as soon as he took his first step, he felt that something was off. He quickly turned around...


    Not far behind him, amidst the mist, there was a monkey approaching him, its body rotten and asionally revealing bones, its appearance grotesque and terrifying!


    A ghost monkey!


    Last time he came to the Land of Immortal Legacy, one of their teammates brought along these ghost monkeys. They were only discovered at the very end.


    "When did Jian Yuanjie get involved with these things?" He wondered.


    Suddenly, behind the ghost monkey, several wriggling tentacles were moving towards him.


    "Chi Snake..."


    Qin Ran''s heart trembled with fear, and his limbs disobeyed him as he turned and ran.


    At his current position, there was only a distance of a dozen meters to the outside of the Land of Immortal Legacy. These monsters had never been heard of causing trouble in the Hengduan Mountains before, so as long as he ran outside the mist, he would be safe. As long as he reached that ce...


    However, just as he had run two meters, he was silently caught by extending tentacles. He struggled for a moment, but without any warning, the ghost monkey''s sharp ws suddenly pierced through his back!


    "Ah... Ahh..."


    Qin Ran, this first clone of Qin Ran, turned into a watery form in fear, pain, and screams, and dripped onto the ground. Then, the residing soul within him appeared.


    "They wouldn''t even spare the soul?" Qin Ran thought to himself, turned around, and continued drifting towards the misty outside.


    But he had only drifted two meters when the ghost monkey grabbed him again.


    That ugly ghost monkey, with its ws grasping his soul, hoarsely uttered, "Disgusting... soul..."


    Then it shoved him into its mouth.


    Before this strand of his soul was swallowed by the ghost monkey, Qin Ran heard a roar from deep within the mist, something like the furious roar of the "blood dragon bone": "Shiji Demon Willow!! You''re not dead yet..."


    Experiencing being killed by the ghost monkey, Qin Ran, thanks to the clone, had the opportunity to feel it: the ghost monkey pierced through from behind, its ghastly ws dancing in front of his chest like withered branches; the ghostly aura from the monkey spread through his body, making him feel his body gradually growing cold, losing sensation in his blood, muscles, and bones, bit by bit; then, he disintegrated, died.


    What does it feel like to be eaten by a ghost monkey? Qin Ran, thanks to his clone, had the opportunity to experience it firsthand. He was grabbed by the ghost monkey like a little chick, and the monkey opened its blood-stained mouth, revealing a horrifying sight. Helpless, he was thrown into that terrifying abyss of a mouth. The ghost monkey moved its teeth up and down, biting off his hand, its tongue coiling around his body. He was turned over passively, his legs bitten off, and his body was ground by the teeth, chewing him into pieces. The tongue and throat of the ghost monkey wriggled, swallowing him without any resistance. He was sucked into the darkness, and he died.


    "Thud..." Qin Ran fell from the tree where he was hiding, copsing on the ground, unable to move for a moment.


    He knew that when his clone died, he would be affected, but he didn''t expect the impact to be so significant. It was as if he had truly died.


    After a long, long time, he finally regained his senses.


    He stood up, devoid of vitality, his face pale, walking like a walking corpse, as if his soul had already died.


    "This round failed," he muttered in a daze, then walked towards the ce where his clone disappeared, where Long Qiqi and Jian Yuanjie were still there.


    "Hahaha..."


    Seeing Qin Ran being thrown into the Land of Immortal Legacy, Jian Yuanjie knew that he was undoubtedly dead and burst into wildughter.


    Qin Ran was cautious, which made it difficult to kill him, but he didn''t expect that using only Long Qiqi as a small bait would easily eliminate Qin Ran.


    Heughed with Long Qiqi, saying, "That''s why cultivators must be free from attachment! Qin Ran was so cautious, but in the end, he died because of you!


    "I have to thank you for leaving a signal all the way! Letting Qin Rane and deliver himself to death.


    "This is killing two birds with one stone, it''s perfect!"


    "Killing two birds with one stone?" Long Qiqi had been crying since Qin Ran was thrown into the mist. When she heard Jian Yuanjie''s words and realized that she had caused Qin Ran''s death, she stopped crying and asked him, "What else do you want?"


    Jian Yuanjie threw her to the ground and replied, "The detailed information of the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect that you have been collecting these days."


    So it was the useless identity information...


    Long Qiqi felt a chill in her heart because of that, which caused Qin Ran''s death.


    She got up from the ground, tears streaked across her face, and said to Jian Yuanjie, "It''s still in the Dan Peak. I will throw it away after the assessment. If you want it, go and get it at the Dan Peak."


    Jian Yuanjie took out a sword from his storage bag, jumped down from the tree, pointed at Long Qiqi, and said, "Either you take it out yourself, or I kill you and find it in your storage bag?"


    Seeing that Jian Yuanjie was not influenced by her words at all, Long Qiqi looked at the killing intent in his eyes and instantly understood that the useless identity information not only caused Qin Ran''s death but also would lead to her own death.


    "It''s over, it''s all over!" she cried in her heart.


    She thought she was clever, leaving a signal all the way, but she was outsmarted by Jian Yuanjie... now she was truly going to die.


    Trembling, Long Qiqi took out a stack of paper from the Qiankun Bag and handed it to Jian Yuanjie. Softly and weakly, she asked, "Can you spare my life? I can serve tea, pour water, doundry, and cook. I eat very little... I can also refine pills... Look, I can evenpile so much personal information..."


    "Hehe!" Jian Yuanjie sneered, took the information, flipped through it, confirmed its authenticity, and decided to find out more about Long Qiqi.


    "You dare!" Long Qiqi sensed Jian Yuanjie''s intention. Knowing that he was not easily swayed, she truly believed that he intended to kill her to eliminate any future trouble. She hurriedly threatened, "Qin Ran has only entered the Land of Immortal Legacy. He might not necessarily die. When hees out, you will also face death!"


    "Do you think..." Jian Yuanjie held a sword in one hand and the information in the other, ncing at Long Qiqi with a sidelong look. Heughed, "Is it just the Land of Immortal Legacy? When Qin Ran enters, there will be many natives of thend waiting for him inside! He will undoubtedly die!"


    Upon hearing this, Long Qiqi''s face turned pale... Did Qin Ran really die?


    "Li... Li Shiyin!" she hastily said, "Aren''t you afraid of Li Shiyin? Li Shiyin will definitely investigate her master''s cause of death, and she will ultimately trace it back to you!"


    "Li Shiyin?" Jian Yuanjie recalled Qin Ran''s extremely talented disciple and hesitated.


    Seeing a glimmer of hope, Long Qiqi continued, "Li Shiyin''s feelings for Qin Ran go beyond that of a master and disciple. She also harbors romantic affection for him. If you kill Qin Ran, she will stop at nothing for revenge. But I can help you..."


    However, Long Qiqi was ultimately too young, and she hadn''t considered that if Jian Yuanjie killed her, Li Shiyin would never know that it was Jian Yuanjie who killed Qin Ran. And if Li Shiyin lost both Qin Ran and Long Qiqi, she would be nothing more than a reckless sword cultivator without strategy, posing no threat to Jian Yuanjie.


    While Long Qiqi was speaking, Jian Yuanjie suddenly raised his hand and threw the sword towards her.


    "No!" Long Qiqi shouted, thinking that she was about to die.


    "ng..."


    At that moment, a pill shot out, deflecting Jian Yuanjie''s sword and embedding it in the ground near Long Qiqi.


    "Who?" Jian Yuanjie quickly looked in the direction where the pill came from and saw Qin Ran emerging from the bushes.


    Qin Ran''s face was pale as he rested his sword on the ground, looking expressionless at them.


    "Qin Ran?" Jian Yuanjie couldn''t believe it. "How could you possibly be alive?!"

 Chapter 264

    Chapter 264


    "Qin Ran?"


    Long Qiqi, who believed she was destined to die, hurriedly opened her eyes upon hearing this name and followed Jian Yuanjie''s gaze. Sure enough, she saw Qin Ran''s figure there.


    "Weren''t you thrown into the mist?" she asked loudly, tears still not dry at the corners of her eyes. "How did you get out?"


    Qin Ran''s clone died within three minutes of being thrown into the Land of Immortal Legacy, and even his remnant soul was eaten by the Ghost Monkey. Qin Ran was affected, and his head was still buzzing at this moment.


    "Yes, I got out," he nodded to Long Qiqi.


    "No! It''s impossible!" However, Jian Yuanjie shook his head repeatedly as he looked at Qin Ran, saying, "You couldn''t have escaped from the Chi Snake... and the Ghost Monkey... and..."


    Although Qin Ran''s face was pale and his head hurt a bit, and although he felt a bit weak, it didn''t affect him from setting a trap for Jian Yuanjie based on his words.


    "The Chi Snake? The Ghost Monkey?" He sneered disdainfully and said to Jian Yuanjie, "Do you think you can fathom my strength? They are nothing more than a Chi Snake and a Ghost Monkey. I can suppress them with a snap of my fingers! Even the Blood Dragon Bone only dares to watch from afar. Who do you think I am?"


    Looking at his proud expression, listening to his contemptuous tone, and considering the fact that he really came out of the Land of Immortal Legacy, if Jian Yuanjie were an ordinary person, he would probably have spected like this in his mind:


    Could it be that the Qin Ran usually seen in the sect is just a disguise, and that Qin Ran is actually some old monster hidden in the Dao Sword Sect?


    Following this line of thought, seeing the bloodstains at the corners of Qin Ran''s mouth and his pale face, one could infer that perhaps Qin Ran had already fought a fierce battle with the creature in the mist in the short time just now.


    Unfortunately, Jian Yuanjie was not an ordinary person.


    He did think like that, but his thoughts raced too fast. While he was thinking that way, he also considered another possibility.


    What if Qin Ran isn''t some old monster? What if Qin Ran doesn''t have much strength? What if he just happened to escape from the mist?


    As a result, Jian Yuanjie arrived at another conclusion: Qin Ran must be seriously injured at this moment. He''s just putting up a front, pretending to be strong, and deceiving him.


    Jian Yuanjie''s mind was spinning, and in an instant, he saw Qin Ran finish speaking and quickly bowed forward, sincerely and fearfully saying, "I don''t know what the headmaster thinks, but I have been disrespectful and said some rude nonsense. I apologize and request the headmaster''s forgiveness."


    Seeing Jian Yuanjie''s appearance, Qin Ran immediately understood. His "intimidation" tactic had failed! Because someone like Jian Yuanjie, an old fox, wouldn''t immediately turn and run away, which meant he still had a trick up his sleeve.


    Or perhaps, he still wanted to fight, still had his own ideas about Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran sneered inwardly, pretending not to know. He nced at Jian Yuanjie from the corner of his eye and said coldly, "Who am I? How could I be on the same level as you?! Fine, I''ll spare your life. Go and save yourself!"


    This was his way of sending Jian Yuanjie away. Jian Yuanjie understood. He confirmed his second guess, that Qin Ran must be seriously injured at this moment. His actions were just a pretense to appear strong.


    He still had a chance.


    "Thank you, Senior, for your magnanimity and forgiveness of my wrongdoing." He performed a deep bow, then straightened his back and walked forward.


    However, after taking two steps, he suddenly seemed to remember something. He stopped and turned back, approaching Long Qiqi.


    He pulled out the sword that was inserted near Long Qiqi''s head, looked up at Qin Ran, and upon seeing Qin Ran stealing nces at them from the corner of his eye, he smiled and said,


    "I was ignorant of Senior''s true identity before, and I foolishly acted recklessly. I ced a blood oath restriction on this snake demon..."


    Noticing Qin Ran''s unusual expression, he raised the sword in his right hand and used his left hand to lift Long Qiqi, continuing, "This blood oath restriction is difficult to remove, and I will exin the method to Senior."


    As he spoke, he walked towards Qin Ran. "I knew she was a snake demon, so the restriction was specifically targeted at such beings."


    "As long as this restriction remains unresolved for one day, her blood will grow cold, rendering her unable to move. If it persists for two days, her physical body will freeze, leading to an irreversible condition. And if itsts for three days, her soul will freeze, and even deities will find it difficult to save her."


    Having reached Qin Ran by now, he noticed that Qin Ran had discarded his lofty demeanor and turned to face him directly. The hand hidden behind his back trembled slightly, a sign that he was prepared to take action at any moment.


    Pretending not to notice, he smiled and handed Long Qiqi to Qin Ran, saying, "The removal of the restriction requires specific techniques and medicinal ingredients. We can discuss the techniquester, but first, let''s talk about the medicinal ingredients..."


    He reversed the long sword in his right hand and lunged towards Qin Ran!


    "It is the blood from a passionate warrior''s heart!"


    Qin Ran trembled all over, his eyes filled with astonishment. He retrieved a sword from behind his back and used it to defend against Jian Yuanjie''s attack.


    However...


    "Swoosh!"


    Jian Yuanjie''s left hand, which held Long Qiqi, was blocked by her body. At this moment, a dart suddenly shot out from beneath Long Qiqi!


    Caught off guard, Qin Ran was pierced through the chest!


    "Qin Junior Brother, oh Qin Junior Brother..." Jian Yuanjieughed.


    He had never been a practitioner of swordsmanship, so how could heunch a surprise attack with a sword? Qin Ran was too easy to deceive.


    "Qin Junior Brother, please refrain from using such tricks to deceive your Senior Brother in the future." He smiled and, with a reverse grip, directed the sword''s de straight towards Qin Ran''s neck.


    Having roamed the rivers andkes for centuries, he knew the importance of delivering a finishing blow.


    However...


    When he swung his sword, it struck nothing but air. Qin Ran had vanished.


    Qin Ran was easy to fool? Clearly, that was not the case.


    If Jian Yuanjie believed Qin Ran was on the second level, then Qin Ran must have been on the fifth level.


    Was Qin Ran injured?


    Yes, Qin Ran was injured.


    Were Qin Ran''s injuries severe?


    No, they were not. If Qin Ran''s injury were severe when his clone was harmed, then how could he casually put his clone in harm''s way?


    So why did Qin Ran pretend to be seriously injured?


    Because Qin Ran was afraid Jian Yuanjie would escape.


    As a fellow practitioner, Qin Ran knew that individuals like them possessed skills specialized for escaping. Jian Yuanjie might not be able to defeat him, but he would certainly be able to flee from his grasp.


    How can we kill Jian Yuanjie without deceiving him intoing here?


    But to deceive someone like Jian Yuanjie, we need to let him discover the loopholes himself, to make him believe that he found the loopholes on his own. And then, we slowly approach, ying along with his calctions...


    Qin Ran evaded Jian Yuanjie''s shuttle-like attacks as if it were a dream, and she dodged his sword with her ethereal movement like a flying immortal.


    Li Shiyin, how could she not teach Qin Ran such a miraculous body technique like the "Flying Immortal Asks the Dao"? It was her favorite escape spell.


    "Ah!"


    In the next moment, Jian Yuanjie let out a miserable cry as his beloved left hand had been severed.


    "Qin Ran!"


    He roared in anger, only now realizing that he had fallen into a trap.


    He quickly dropped his sword and pulled out the Qiankun Bag tied around his waist, then shook it vigorously...


    "Buzzing..."


    Suddenly, a buzzing sound filled the air around him, and a dense swarm of bees appeared!


    Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees!!


    A fourth-level demonic beast, but in the form of a bee swarm!!!


    Qin Ran quickly picked up the fallen Long Qiqi from the ground, held her sword, and flew backward for two zhang.


    "I knew you were treacherous to the core. It''s not so easy to deceive you!" Long Qiqi, being held by Qin Ran,ughed loudly.


    But Qin Ran, looking at the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bee swarm surrounding Jian Yuanjie, her face turned solemn. She said, "It seems I can''t defeat him..."


    Long Qiqi turned her head to look.


    There stood Jian Yuanjie, his left hand severed by Qin Ran, blood gushing out, and the swarm of Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees flying around in the rain of blood, feasting on it!


    7017k

 Chapter 265

    Chapter 265


    "Ling pet!" Qin Ran said in a deep voice, "I didn''t expect you to have such a treasure."


    "What exactly is it?" Long Qiqi asked.


    "It''s a Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bee, a fourth-level demon beast with fire attributes. It has phoenix mes and is highly poisonous!" Qin Ran exined to Long Qiqi, "Its venom assimtes with the blood, causing extreme pain to the poisoned and resulting in a miserable death."


    Upon hearing Qin Ran''s description, Long Qiqi trembled with fear and eximed, "Then why are we still waiting here? Why don''t we run?"


    "The Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bee..." Qin Ran looked at her and said, "With their speed, which rivals that of the Phoenix n, can we outrun them?"


    "Wouldn''t we still end up dead?" Long Qiqi looked at the swarms of bees flying in the blood rain, filled with despair.


    "It''s actually not..." Jian Yuanjie''s blood was being devoured by the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees. He was in excruciating pain, his face contorted, and he said to Long Qiqi, "He might not necessarily die. I know for sure that he has many life-saving tricks up his sleeve. But you will definitely die!"


    Long Qiqi pondered for a moment and realized that it seemed to be true. She couldn''t help but feel deste.


    Her life had truly been full of twists and turns!


    Suddenly, Jian Yuanjie coldly said, "So, your only way out now is with me. Do you want to stay alive? Help me kill Qin Ran, and I''ll let you go!"


    What a scheme!


    Upon hearing this, Qin Ran ced Long Qiqi on the ground and raised his sword, coldly watching the situation unfold without saying a word.


    Long Qiqi''s heart wavered as she turned to look at Qin Ran, reflecting on the years they had spent together at Dan Peak. She sighed, "You two old foxes... I am no match for either of you. No matter what choice I make, death awaits me."


    If Jian Yuanjie doesn''t kill her, should Qin Ran kill her?


    Instead of being killed by Qin Ran, it might be better to let Jian Yuanjie do it.


    She said to Qin Ran, "Go! You''ve been quite good to me these past few years..."


    Qin Ran looked at Long Qiqi, carefully discerning whether her words held any sincerity. Finally, he took out Long Qiqi''s snake-shaped token and handed it to her, then grabbed the hand of this treacherous little girl and said, "Enough with the pretense. ying the emotional card at a time like this."


    As soon as he finished speaking, his entire being suddenly exploded. In an instant, over a dozen Qin Rans scattered in all directions along with over a dozen Long Qiqis.


    Some of these duplicates flew up into the sky to escape, while others turned around and attacked Jian Yuanjie.


    Jian Yuanjie looked at the countless Qin Rans in the sky and momentarily couldn''t distinguish between the real and the fake.


    But he felt that Qin Ran couldn''t possibly escape because Qin Ran wouldn''t let him get away, leaving him as a potential threat. However, those Qin Rans advancing toward him didn''t seem real.


    He hesitated and struggled, then suddenly saw Qin Ran and Long Qiqi rushing into the opposite thicket. Long Qiqi nced back at him.


    That was real!


    In an instant, he understood!!


    "Attack, my darlings!"


    Buzz...


    The sound of the bee swarm suddenly intensified as hundreds of Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees charged towards the thicket!


    The Lionheart Raging me Beast could be called the strongest fourth-level demon beast, but when it encountered a group of equally powerful fourth-level demon beasts, it had no choice but to submit.


    Qin Ran could easily defeat the Lionheart Raging me Beast, but if he were surrounded by the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees...


    He would still die!


    "Qin Ran, oh Qin Ran, one may know someone''s face but not their heart, especially when they belong to different races. In the end, you died at the hands of a snake demon." Jian Yuanjie stopped the bleeding, raised his hand and took out his Heaven Overturning Seal, holding it as he reached towards the thicket.


    He arrived in front of the thicket and carefully parted the bushes. Suddenly, a bright clearing appeared behind the bushes! However, there was nothing on that empty groundno Qin Ran, no Long Qiqi, and no swarm of bees.


    "Where are they?" Jian Yuanjie''s face changed slightly.


    He carefully sensed his swarm of bees and realized that they were ahead of him.


    "A formation... a formation!" He realized that Qin Ran was skilled in formations, so it was normal for him to set up a formation, but...


    "When did he set it up?!"


    He suddenly realized that he was still within Qin Ran''s calctions!


    At the same time, in his perception, his trump card, the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bee, was dying one by one.


    He made a final attempt to summon his blood head bees, only to discover that they were in chaos within the formation and couldn''t escape.


    "Phew..." Jian Yuanjie adjusted his breathing as the sense of impending death washed over him. "Escape, quickly escape!"


    Without hesitation, he made a resolute decision. He sacrificed his strongest card, the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bee, and turned around to flee.


    However, as soon as he took flight, he saw Qin Ran standing ahead, holding a cauldron.


    "What?" He widened his eyes and looked back at the formation that trapped his blood head bees. He was puzzled, "Long Qiqi... shouldn''t you be inside controlling the formation?"


    Qin Ran smiled and said, "Think again."


    Jian Yuanjie was intelligent enough to quickly understand.


    Qin Ran had yed a trick on him. The Dragon Qiqi who delivered the message was real, but the Qin Ran who held the real Dragon Qiqi was fake. The real Qin Ran was holding a fake Dragon Qiqi outside, waiting for him.


    And just now, Qin Ran deliberately handed the snake-shaped token to Long Qiqi, probably to have her control the formation.


    "Burning Blood Escape Technique!" Having understood everything, Jian Yuanjie wasted no words. He directly reopened his wound and unleashed the demonic escape technique, seeking a way to flee.


    "Immortal Seeking the Way!"


    Seeing this, Qin Ran once again used Li Shiyin''s body technique. Just as the Blood Burning Escape Technique was about to take effect, a cauldron smashed into Jian Yuanjie.


    Jian Yuanjie suffered heavy injuries, coughing uprge amounts of blood and fragments of his internal organs. However, his Blood Burning Escape Technique was activated even faster because of it.


    Watching Jian Yuanjie fly away as a streak of blood, Qin Ran turned around and nced at the formation. After hesitating for a moment, he used the Flowing Water Technique, "Sishui Nianhua," to pursue Jian Yuanjie.


    Long Qiqi had the token, so she wouldn''t be in danger within the formation, although she might be trapped for a long time.


    The cauldron had hit its mark. Jian Yuanjie was severely injured, and he couldn''t hold on for more than seven or eight miles after flying out before copsing.


    Qin Ran quickly caught up and saw Jian Yuanjie lying in a clump of grass on the ground. He drew out a sword and was about to finish off Jian Yuanjie.


    But after taking two steps, he suddenly stopped.


    He reached out and felt a thin film in front of him...


    A formation!


    There was another formation!


    Jian Yuanjie, this cunning old fox, still had a trick up his sleeve at this moment. If he had been too eager for quick sess and instant benefits, he might have fallen into a trap.


    "Damn! He''s so treacherous!" he cursed.


    Seeing that Qin Ran hadn''t fallen for the trap, Jian Yuanjie, who was lying in the grass, turned over and looked at Qin Ran in mid-air. He sighed and said, "I never expected to lose to your array skills. Your proficiency in arrays is something I didn''t anticipate."


    Qin Ran activated his Eye Technique Illusory Realm and began analyzing the array in front of him, preparing to break it.


    Seeing that Qin Ran was about to break the array, Jian Yuanjie couldn''t help but close his eyes. This time, he was truly going to die.


    However, at that moment, Qin Ran suddenly stopped. He raised his hand, flipped it, and threw the Nine Provinces Cauldron in another direction.


    There was nothing there originally, just a patch of grass and shrubs. But when the Nine Provinces Cauldron smashed over, a figure suddenly emerged.


    With a thought, Qin Ran used the Nine Provinces Cauldron to press down on the figure. He approached and took a closer look. Who else could it be but Jian Yuanjie?


    "If you hadn''t said that you didn''t know about my proficiency in arrays, I might have been deceived by you," Qin Ran smiled. "The protective mountain array of Dan Peak has already been set up. How could you not know about my array skills?"


    Jian Yuanjie had stripped himself naked to conceal his presence. Now, he was trapped under the Nine Provinces Cauldron, looking quite embarrassed.


    He looked at Qin Ran, a smile in his eyes, and said, "I shouldn''t have provoked you."


    Qin Ran shook his head, not bothering to respond. He raised his hand and activated his spiritual power. Using the Water Births All Things technique, a suction force appeared in his palm, drawing out all the water from Jian Yuanjie''s body.


    In the blink of an eye, Jian Yuanjie turned into a dried-up corpse.


    Qin Ran then sat cross-legged, and his powerful divine soul flew out from his brow, hovering next to Jian Yuanjie''s corpse. After a moment, a small Jian Yuanjie soul emerged, but Qin Ran''s divine soul punched and kicked it, shattering Jian Yuanjie''s soul.


    It was only at this moment that Qin Ran could be certain that Jian Yuanjie was truly dead.


    7017k

 Chapter 266

    Chapter 266


    Jian Yuanjie was the most difficult cultivator for Qin Ran to kill so far in his cultivation journey.


    It wasn''t because he had cultivated some strange mystic art, or because he was some weird race that was hard to kill. It was purely because he was too cautious and insidious, with too many backup ns.


    To be honest, at this moment, even though Qin Ran had already crushed Jian Yuanjie''s bones to dust and scattered his soul, he still felt like Jian Yuanjie wasn''t actually dead.


    Perhaps this guy still had some backup n, or some remnant soul left somewhere, or he was waiting to be reborn somewhere... Eventually, he woulde back to take revenge.


    With theseplicated feelings, Qin Ran carefully inspected the two major battlefields where he had fought with Jian Yuanjie, and also spread out to check the surrounding area, leaving no stone unturned for two full days before he finally found nothing unusual and stopped.


    Dealing with the aftermath was even more tiring than the actual battle. Qin Ran finally returned to the first battlefield looking exhausted.


    He broke through the formations set up behind the bushes and released Long Qiqi.


    But the first thing after letting her out was: "Two days! Two whole days!!"


    Long Qiqi pointed at him in copse and cursed, "Do you know what I went through these past two days?"


    First she was inexplicably kidnapped, then she fought wit and wisdom against the viins, with her life hanging by a thread and danger of sudden death at any moment. Finally when she saw a ray of hope to survive, Qin Ran left her trapped together with the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees.


    The Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees were so ferocious... Alright, the bees themselves were not too bad actually. Inside the formations, the bees posed no threat to her. She was mainly unable to bear the fear and anxiety.


    On one hand, she worried Qin Ran''s formations were unreliable and might not be able to kill the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees. On the other hand, she also feared Qin Ran might not beat Jian Yuanjie, and she would ultimately still die by Jian Yuanjie''s hands. Finally, she worried Qin Ran might abandon her.


    Two days and nights were enough for her to imagine every possible situation, nearly driving herself crazy.


    Qin Ran looked at Long Qiqi with exhaustion. Alright, he admitted that he had forgotten about Long Qiqi because he was worried Jian Yuanjie still had some backup n, and had been carefully searching the vicinity these past two days.


    But it really wasn''t on purpose.


    "Sigh!" He was too mentally drained now to bother with Long Qiqi, and simply gathered up the formation materials and checked himself over before turning back towards the Dao Sword Sect.


    Long Qiqi was not actually an unreasonable person. Seeing how tired Qin Ran looked, she didn''t say much either.


    After all, he came to rescue her this time.


    Qin Ran was technically her lifesaver.


    As she followed behind Qin Ran, her mind suddenly strangely drifted to how she should repay her lifesaver.


    Should it be "in the next life, be an ox or horse to serve you" or "offer my body to you"?


    With Qin Ran''s conditions, it should be offering her body.


    "Offer my body"?


    Thinking this, she couldn''t help but nce down at her own t chest and petite body.


    ording to human years, she should be 9 years old now, but her body still seemed to be 6 or 7.


    The provisions at Dan Peak were so good, and she had eaten well for 3 years, only growing a little taller, but gaining a lot more weight.


    Alright, "offering her body" was not viable, both subjectively (she could not withstand Li Shiyin''s mncholy sword) and objectively (her body was not developed).


    It seemed it could only wait until the next life.


    With these messy thoughts, she quickly walked up to peek at Qin Ran''s side profile, thinking he actually looked quite clean and refined, seeming like a shy and timid boy next door.


    Qin Ran...boy next door...


    She suddenly shuddered subconsciously, reacting that this boy next door''s heart, liver, guts and lungs were all dark, having just sinisterly plotted another old fiend''s death.


    "Huh? I''m only... 9 years old... is this puberty?" She was puzzled why she paid attention to Qin Ran''s looks. ncing at Qin Ran again, she suddenly noticed something at his waist, frowning and asking, "Is that Jian Yuanjie''s Cosmic Bag?"


    Qin Ran had been walking and was startled out of his thoughts. He suddenly realized there was still this thing he hadn''t dealt with. He hurriedly stopped and took off the Cosmic Bag.


    "Didn''t you teach Shiyin that one should not take the spoils when killing? What are you doing?" Long Qiqi asked.


    Qin Ran crouched down and took out the contents of the Cosmic Bag - it was a bee hive, golden ck in color, round like a wash basin.


    "Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees?" Long Qiqi''s expression condensed slightly. "This was Jian Yuanjie''s trump card. You''re taking it away?"


    Qin Ran looked at the bee hive, also conflicted.


    He said, "This thing seems to have the bloodline of the Phoenix."


    "So?"


    "Phoenix and Dragon are both innate long-living species..." Qin Ran said. "I want to try using their blood to concoct the elixir of longevity."


    "Phoenix blood?" Long Qiqi looked at the bee hive.


    Qin Ran nodded.


    "The rtion of this thing to the Phoenix is probably that its ancestors built their hive in the chinaberry tree where the Phoenix roosted, and fortunately obtained a trace of the Phoenix''s aura." Long Qiqi curled her lip. "If you want to extract Phoenix blood from it... You might as well go directly find a Phoenix!"


    "Do you know where to find a Phoenix?" Qin Ran asked Long Qiqi.


    Long Qiqi went silent. Who knew?


    Qin Ran then dissolved the Cosmic Bag with "Cinnabar Water", and put the bee hive into his own Cosmic Bag.


    "With Jian Yuanjie''s personality, he definitely wouldn''t let anyone know about trump cards like the Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bees. So there should be no issues." He said standing up. "And I''m only raising one hive..."


    "Anyway if there''s any issue it''s yours to deal with." Long Qiqi rolled her eyes.


    "If there''s an issue at Dan Peak, that''s also your issue to deal with." Qin Ran said seriously.


    "What''s that got to do with me?! I''m not someone from Dan Peak!" Long Qiqi red up.


    "Then return the insignia to me..." Qin Ran reached his hand out to Long Qiqi. "And don''t follow me back to Dan Peak either."


    "The insignia was given to me by you, and now you want it back after giving it? Don''t you have any shame?" Long Qiqi hugged herself and turned her body. "When you need someone, you give them the insignia, speak nicely and politely to send a sound transmission, ''Hey, can you preside over the formationster'', but when you don''t need them, it''s ''Return the insignia to me''. How can there be someone like you?"


    "Hey! Can we talk reason? I came to rescue you this time, isn''t it only right for you to contribute?" Since he couldn''t take back the insignia, Qin Ran could only continue walking forward. "And it was me dealing with Jian Yuanjie the entire time, what contribution have you made?"


    "If not for the clues I left, could you have found us?"


    "You got deceived by the enemies'' scheme!" Qin Ran felt indignant remembering this. "All the way here, where was the insignia left? Outside the Hellfire Savage Beastir, inside the formations, outside the ruins, traps..."


    Long Qiqi was left speechless. She followed along for a while more before changing the topic, "Hey! Are we seriously walking back?"


    "If you want to fly, fly yourself. I''m definitely not flying!" Qin Ran retorted, speeding up as if in a huff.


    "Weren''t you flying the whole way here? Why do I not see any fear of heights now?" Long Qiqi looked disdainful, suspecting Qin Ran was pretending to have a fear of heights to give the enemies a seeming w.


    "Can it be the same as usual in an emergency?" Qin Ran refuted. "And...who said I''m afraid of heights? I''m not afraid of heights..."


    "Then fly with me..."


    "Not flying..."

 Chapter 267

    Chapter 267


    In the end, they flew back.


    If they were to walk back to Dao Sword Sect from deep within the Hengduan Mountains, it would take months.


    Qin Ran endured the dizziness and flew back to Dao Sword Sect with Long Qiqi. This terrified Long Qiqi throughout the journey... A few days ago, when they were riding Qin Ran''s cloud from Dan Peak to Master Peak, she was scared half to death.


    This time, it felt like taking a long-distance bus only to realize that the driver gets car sick.


    With two miles left to Dao Sword Sect, Qin Ran put down Long Qiqi and without saying a word, he knelt by the roadside and started vomiting uncontrobly, expelling everything he had eaten in the past month. He looked extremely disheveled.


    There was no trace of his former "distinguished" demeanor, nor could one see the calctions and schemes he had employed to kill Jian Yuanjie.


    Long Qiqi, who had been numb with fear, suddenly felt like it was nothingpared to seeing Qin Ran in this state.


    She stood there, hugging her arms, smiling as she watched Qin Ran, no longer afraid, and teasingly said, "You''re supposed to be the number one alchemist of Dao Sword Sect, the chief of Dan Peak. It''s one thing to be afraid of heights, but why don''t you refine a pill to cure your acrophobia?"


    After vomiting for a while, Qin Ran rinsed his mouth with water and washed his face. He tidied himself up a bit and then sighed to Long Qiqi, still panting, "It''s a heart condition, something you wouldn''t understand."


    "Heart condition?" Long Qiqi murmured to herself, her serpent-like eyes ncing sidelong at Qin Ran. She thought to herself that his delicate face was indeed a facade. This old monster must have many hidden pasts. She sneered and said, "What kind of heart condition causes someone to be afraid of heights? It''s really strange."


    What kind of heart condition?


    Qin Ran looked up at Dao Sword Sect, which was shrouded in clouds and mist in the distance, and let out a sigh.


    Perhaps it was a transcendence!


    His whole body was lifted up by an invisible force, getting farther and farther away from his original world, bing more and more distant, so distant that it gradually blurred, causing dizziness. And then, in the blink of an eye, he arrived in another world.


    So height, blurriness, and dizziness became the measure of his distance from that other world.


    He shook his head and didn''t say anything to Long Qiqi. He simply said, "Let''s go, maybe Shi Yin has alreadye out of seclusion."


    A tall figure and a small one, walking along the road, one in front and one behind, like a father and daughter, like siblings.


    It was early summer, with sunshine, gentle breeze, mountains, rivers, and lush vegetation.


    Dao Sword Sect seemed livelier than usual in front of the mountain gate, probably because they were holding the Pre-Door Ceremony these past few days. There were more cultivators selling cultivation techniques, magical tools, and pills.


    These cultivators included those from Dao Sword Sect, as well as wandering cultivators and cultivators from other sects.


    Qin Ran was afraid that Long Qiqi would get separated in the crowd, so he held her hand and led her through the crowd towards the mountain gate.


    He did see Long Qiqi as a little girl. Although this little girl was scheming, malicious, gloomy, and petty, her body was indeed that of a six or seven-year-old girl. At most, in his eyes, she was a little sister with a rtively mature personality.


    However, Long Qiqi''s frequent appearance in human form made him forget that she was a snake that had lived for thousands of years, a snake demon whose mind was filled with yellow trash. After all, a snake''s nature is inherently lustful.


    Long Qiqi looked at her hand, which was being held by Qin Ran, not knowing what she was thinking. Slowly, her face turned red, and she shyly lowered her head. They hadn''t walked for long when her legs and feet went weak, and she was practically being dragged along by Qin Ran.


    "Hey, did you forget to stretch your legs when you transformed?" Qin Ran noticed that Long Qiqi was already hanging from his hand and looked down to see what was going on with this little girl. He then saw the blushing face of this dark little girl.


    Hmm, it was a bit strange for a girl of six or seven years old to have the bashfulness of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old.


    Qin Ran furrowed his brow and asked, "What are you doing?"


    "Huh?" The crowd passing by was too noisy, and Long Qiqi didn''t hear what Qin Ran was saying.


    She looked up at Qin Ran and saw his surprised expression, which made her realize her own state.


    "Ha!" She immediately freed her hand from Qin Ran''s grip and scolded him indignantly, "You''re such a pervert, not even sparing a child like me!!"


    "What?" Qin Ran was puzzled, he looked at his own hand, then at Long Qiqi, shook his head, and couldn''t be bothered to talk to her. He continued walking alone.


    "You see, your silence proves that you''re guilty!" Long Qiqi caught up with him and kept pestering him from behind, "You''re like this, can you face Shiyin...?"


    As she continued berating him, she didn''t notice that Qin Ran suddenly stopped and bumped into him, hitting his lower back.


    "Ah, you pervert, do you dare say you didn''t do it on purpose?!"


    She quickly moved her face away from Qin Ran''s waist and cursed.


    But as she cursed, she suddenly noticed that the people nearby seemed to have also stopped.


    Everyone stood in ce, looking ahead. Some wore expressions of shock, some of fear, some of curiosity, some of excitement, and some were happy...


    It varied.


    After a few breaths of silence, some people turned and fled, some took out their magical tools and walked forward, some had indecisive gazes, and the crowd erupted into a mor...


    "Demon... a demonic beast!!"


    "Run, a demonic beast is invading Dao Sword Sect!!"


    "What a huge tiger..."


    "Whose spiritual pet is this?!"


    Hearing these words, Long Qiqi thought that a high-level demonic beast from Hengduan Mountains hade to Dao Sword Sect.


    But then...


    "It seems to be Li Shiyin''s mount in white robes?" One of the Dao Sword Sect disciples nearby spoke up.


    "Isn''t that the White Tiger from Dan Peak?"


    "Why is the Xuanming Spirit Tiger going crazy?!"


    Upon hearing this, Long Qiqi snapped back to reality and realized that it seemed to be Chasing the Wind up ahead.


    "Chasing the Wind? What is Chasing the Wind doing?"


    She quickly pushed Qin Ran aside, stood by his side, and looked ahead...


    In front of the majestic mountain gate of Dao Sword Sect, a dignified white beast stood proudly. Its entire body was as white as snow, nearly a dozen zhang tall, emanating a fierce and evil aura.


    Its pair of sharp ck and golden vertical pupils gazed in this direction, as if the king of all beasts was patrolling its territory, and its gaze made people feel a newly born subservience.


    "Roar..."


    Suddenly, it opened its blood-filled mouth, revealing four ferocious fangs, and let out a loud roar in this direction.


    A tiger''s roar that captivated souls!


    Long Qiqi was startled by the roaring sound, realizing for the first time how terrifying and intimidating Chasing the Wind could be.


    That silly and clumsy tiger, the one who could only roll around and actzy, the soft and gentle tiger lying on him, turned out to be so fierce, like a wild beast...


    It was only then that she remembered that Chasing the Wind was a seventh-level demon beast, and Qin Ran had said he would advance to the eighth level.


    After a while, she finally remembered that it was Chasing the Wind and quickly regained herposure. With a trembling heart, she asked Qin Ran, "What''s wrong with Chasing the Wind?"


    Qin Ran had a serious expression and hadn''t answered yet.


    At that moment, Chasing the Wind provided her with an answer. The fierce white tiger spoke, asking, "Dad... has anyone seen my dad?"


    "...," Long Qiqi was speechless. "Oh, so he''s putting on this fierce appearance to find his dad!"


    He''s still a little daddy''s boy!


    Well, that''s settled...


    "Dad?" The people here had no idea what a dad was and asked each other, "Do you know what a dad is?"


    "I don''t know, do you?"


    "Probably some powerful treasure!" This person thought of it being a big cat and added, "Or maybe it''s a toy..."


    "Can I ask, is there a possibility that a dad is a person?"


    "A person?" someone pondered, "Who would have such a strange name?"


    "But to be honest, it''s quite fitting for that big bug''s current state."


    Chasing the Wind waited for a while, but no one got up to give him an answer. He couldn''t help but feel a little disappointed and disdainfully scanned the people. He snorted and turned around to travel elsewhere to find his dad.


    "Why can''t Chasing the Wind smell us?" Long Qiqi looked at the foolish tiger about to take off and couldn''t help asking Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran didn''t respond. He rose into the air and shouted, "Chasing the Wind?!"


    "Hey!" Chasing the Wind heard the familiar voice and instinctively responded, then realized it, stopped in his tracks, and looked towards the sound, seeing Qin Ran rising from the crowd.


    "Dad!" He excitedly opened his eyes wide and shouted as he was about to rush towards Qin Ran.


    But he was different now. He had be smarter and noticed Qin Ran''s serious face while running. He hurriedly stopped.


    "What are you doing?" Qin Ran asked, one word at a time. He really didn''t know what to say.


    Chasing the Wind probably didn''t know how his mother died. Three years ago, on a rainy night, his mother chased after a Thundering Horned Ox and died in front of the Dao Sword Sect''s gate.


    As a demon beast in a human sect, how dare you be so arrogant?! Don''t you even know how to write the word "death"? I''ve taught you!


    Chasing the Wind hadn''t died yet because Li Shiyin took him around the Dao Sword Sect every day. The people of the Dao Sword Sect knew him as Dan Peak''s Female Sword Immortal''s mount and as Dan Peak''s spirit beast.


    But what if those people pretended not to know?


    Especially the people from Qi Peak. If they killed Chasing the Wind, they could y dumb and say it was an invading demon beast at the Dao Sword Sect... Where could Qin Ran reason with them?


    "I was looking for you!" Chasing the Wind didn''t realize the seriousness of the problem. He blinked his big eyes and replied.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and asked, "What do you want from me?"


    "Dad, you suddenly disappeared... and haven''te home for several days..." Chasing the Wind said weakly.


    Qin Ran felt deeply moved in his heart, but also afraid. He flew towards Chasing the Wind and pped his cat-like head. If he wasn''t worried about his image being damaged, he would have given him a flying kick.


    "Go back!" he said coldly.


    "Oh..." Chasing the Wind didn''t know why Qin Ran was angry, but he nodded obediently and turned to walk towards the entrance of Dao Sword Sect.


    "Wow! Who is that person?" someone asked, "Daring to be so fierce and treat the Xuanming Spirit Tiger like that."


    "Probably the owner of that tiger..."


    "I also want to raise a fat tiger."


    "Big and soft, so adorable. I can slide right into his belly, it''s so warm. How nice!"


    "Hey, hey, hey!! You two, did you forget about me again?!" At this moment, a girl''s voice shouted loudly from the crowd, "You really aren''t a family, not entering through the same door."


    Someone was left behind at the mountain gate by Li Shiyinst time, and this time, Qin Ran left them behind at the mountain gate.


    7017k

 Chapter 268

    Chapter 268


    Qin Ran and Long Qiqi rode on Chasing the Wind''s back and entered the gate of Dao Sword Sect''s Master Peak. Instead of returning to Dan Peak, they went straight to the main peak.


    Along the way, people kept greeting Chasing the Wind and asking him, "Great King, have you found your dad?"


    Chasing the Wind always maintained the proud and aloof demeanor of the Tiger King, keeping a cold face, looking down at people with his chin raised and exhaling through his nose, giving a "hmph" to indicate that he had found him.


    From this, it can be inferred that before Chasing the Wind went outside Dao Sword Sect to find his dad, he had already searched several times within Dao Sword Sect.


    Long Qiqi sat cross-legged on Chasing the Wind''s head and, seeing this, patted his forehead, saying, "You really think highly of yourself."


    Upon hearing this, Chasing the Wind thought it was apliment and smiled with a satisfied expression.


    "But who knows when you''ll die," added Long Qiqi.


    Chasing the Wind''s smile froze, and he asked in confusion, "Why?"


    "Do you really think they like you?" Long Qiqi sneered. "They only greet you with smiles because of your dad and Shiyin''s face. This is a human sect, and you''re a monster! You''re not the same as them."


    "But... But I''m a member of Dao Sword Sect too!" Chasing the Wind protested.


    "You think you are, but they don''t think so."


    Chasing the Wind then asked Qin Ran, "Dad, am I a member of Dao Sword Sect?"


    "Yes..." Qin Ran sighed. "After Shiyines out of seclusion, I''ll get you an identity token."


    Hearing Qin Ran''s words, Chasing the Wind showed off to Long Qiqi, saying, "See, Dad said I''m a member of Dao Sword Sect."


    "I said you think you are, and Dan Peak thinks so too, but others don''t," Long Qiqi said, exasperated by Chasing the Wind''s foolishness.


    While listening to the two arguing, Qin Ran had a momentary hallucination and seemed to hear the words "precious life of a monster."


    Of course, this was the human cultivation world, where the lives of monsters were indeed not valued highly. He said to Chasing the Wind, "Chasing the Wind, don''t go running around alone anymore!"


    The three of themQin Ran, Long Qiqi, and Chasing the Windarrived at the back mountain of the main peak.


    At this time, there were still many people from outside the sect waiting here for the people inside the sect toe out.


    When the people from Dan Peak arrived, no one hade out of the sect yet, but dark clouds were gathering overhead, and thunderbolts were striking into the sect.


    Obviously, someone inside the sect was undergoing tribtion.


    "It''s the Nascent Soul Tribtion!" The crowd was lively, and someone said, "I wonder which genius is undergoing tribtion and forming their Nascent Soul! Is it Lu Junxing? Or Liu Baixuan?"


    "Probably Liu Baixuan..." someone analyzed. "Before entering the Dao, Liu Baixuan was already at the False Nascent Soul stage. Now,prehending the Dao and forming the Nascent Soul is a matter of course!"


    Although Lu Junxing had stronger power, Liu Baixuan had a higher realm. This was something many people knew. So many people agreed with this analysis and congratted Liu Boxian, offering their greetings and gifts.


    Liu Boxian, as the peak master, was still waiting here at this time. He looked very happy, constantly returning greetings to the people around him.


    Qin Ran assessed the intensity of the tribtion thunder and found that it wasn''t that strong. It shouldn''t be someone of Lu Junxing''s caliber. From this perspective, it was indeed Liu Baixuan who was forming the Nascent Soul.


    He also stepped forward to offer his congrattions and gave two Soul Calming Pills as a token of goodwill.


    The Soul-Calming Pill is a pill he refined using the Awakening Herb. It has the effect of soothing the soul and stabilizing one''s cultivation and nurturing the Yuan Infant after the Nascent Soul stage.


    Liu Boxian epted the Soul-Calming Pill and encouraged Qin Ran, saying, "Junior nephew, you also need to work hard and achieve Nascent Soul cultivation as soon as possible!"


    Qin Ran smiled and replied, "I''m not in a hurry. Golden Core cultivators have a lifespan of 800 years, and I''m only in my twenties this year. I n to break through when the time is right."


    "Hahaha... Junior nephew, you''re really joking... But indeed, you are still young..." Liu Boxian was in a good mood today and didn''t speak sarcastically. Heughed and continued along with Qin Ran''s words.


    After paying his respects, Qin Ran returned and heard Long Qiqi asking Chasing the Wind, "The senior brother in Jiange is named Liu Baiyun, and the head of Jiange is named Liu Boxian. Is there any connection between them?"


    Qin Ran tapped her on the head and said, "Don''t gossip behind people''s backs. Everyone here is a powerful cultivator. Do you think no one can hear you?"


    "I''m just curious! It''s not something secretive. What''s the big deal?!" Long Qiqi asked.


    Qin Ran nced at Liu Boxian''s direction and noticed that he wasn''t paying attention, indicating that he didn''t mind. He then said to Long Qiqi, "What''s there to be curious about? Whatever you think, that''s the result. You said it''s not something secretive."


    "Oh!" Long Qiqi understood and nodded.


    "So..." Chasing the Wind blinked her big eyes and asked, "What''s their rtionship?"


    "Ah!" Qin Ran really couldn''t stand it. This was both foolish and nosy.


    The group waited outside the Dao Sect for two more days when suddenly dark clouds gathered in the sky, followed by thunder.


    "Golden Core Tribtion!"


    "Somebody in the Dao Sect is forming their Golden Core!"


    This was a wave of Golden Core Tribtion, and out of the ten people who went in, only Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin would face the Golden Core Tribtion.


    Qin Ran assessed the intensity of the thunder and estimated it to be between the Danxia Thunder Tribtion and the Yuxiao Divine Thunder Tribtion. It was difficult to determine if this was Li Shiyin''s Golden Core Tribtion.


    His expression turned somewhat unpleasant.


    Li Shiyin started her cultivation rtivelyte, and her foundation wasn''t very solid. Over the past few years, Qin Ran had refined many pills to nourish her foundation, hoping that she could go further on her cultivation path.


    He had reminded her many times not to form her Golden Core yet... If she formed it now, his efforts over the past few years would be in vain.


    Cultivation was never about speed but about going farther.


    The stronger the foundationid during the Foundation Establishment stage, the deeper the umtion, and the farther one could go afterwards.


    Therefore, when someone came to congratte Qin Ran, it was difficult for him to maintain a pleasant expression.


    "Junior nephew, what''s wrong? Not happy?" Liu Boxian noticed Qin Ran''s expression and walked over to ask, "Forming the Golden Core is a major step on the cultivation path. Why aren''t you happy?"


    "It''s nothing..." Qin Ran forced a smile and replied.


    "Hehe! Junior nephew, sometimes you need to learn to be content." Liu Boxian understood Qin Ran''s thoughts. Perhaps he wanted to cultivate a disciple who could be invincible at the same level, like the disciples of the Lingnan Immortal Sect. He smiled and advised, "You always hope she can go further, but reaching the Yuan Infant stage is already impressive. With her talent and the resources you provided, creating another Yuan Infant for your Dan Peak is already a great achievement."


    "Indeed, what Shishu said is absolutely right!" Qin Ran nodded in agreement.


    However...


    As they were discussing, thunderous tribtion struck from the sky, and the entrance to the Dao Sect flickered, revealing a graceful figure.


    And behold, with her fairplexion, extraordinary long legs, and a temperament as sharp as a sword''s edge, who else could it be but Li Shiyin?


    As she stood firmly and nced in this direction, her eyes immediately found her master.


    Then, she shouted, "Master..."


    With a leap, spanning several zhang in distance, shended precisely on her master.


    "Boom!" Qin Ran was almost knocked off bnce by Li Shiyin''s soaring embrace, even with his physical aptitude.


    But he let out a sigh of relief because his foolish disciple hade out. That meant it wasn''t her who was undergoing the tribtion inside.


    "Why did youe out so quickly?" he asked her as he embraced her back.


    "Master, didn''t you say not to fully trust the Dao Sect''s teachings?" Li Shiyin nestled in Qin Ran''s arms, her voice muffled, "Sometimes I feel it''s wrong, so I don''t listen to it. After a few times, I couldn''t enter the Dao Realm anymore. Then I was expelled."


    "... " Qin Ran was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say.


    Meanwhile, he discreetly nced to the side, and upon hearing Li Shiyin''s words, most of the others wore expressions of disbelief, not knowing how to respond.


    7017k

 Chapter 269

    Chapter 269


    It was unbelievable to everyone present that someone would actually question the Dao Sect''s dao. Even Liu Boxian did not expect this.


    When Qin Ran spoke to Li Shiyin earlier, they were just joking around, but they never imagined that Li Shiyin would take her master''s words so seriously and actually try to find ws in the Dao Sect''s dao heritage.


    ...And so she was expelled from the Dao Sect.


    It felt as preposterous as if the heavens were trying to feed you, but you thought the food was poisoned.


    After being taken advantage of by Li Shiyin for a while, Qin Ran forcibly pulled her off of him and asked seriously, "So how did your enlightenment feel?"


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin tilted her head and thought for a while, then shook her head and replied, "I don''t know. But I feel like I gained a lot."


    As expected of you...


    "Can you borate on what exactly you gained?" Qin Ran asked again.


    "Just...my cultivation base is more solid now," Li Shiyin said.


    *Sigh*... Foolish disciple, it was pointless asking her.


    "Master?"


    But just as Qin Ran was feeling exasperated, his stubborn disciple suddenly called out to him. He looked over and saw her gesturing for him toe closer so she could whisper to him.


    He looked at her askance, suspecting she wanted to be sly and take advantage of him again.


    "Ohe on!" Seeing Qin Ran''s look, Li Shiyin became impatient. She grabbed Qin Ran''s hand and pulled it to her chest, saying, "Come over here!"


    Only then did Qin Ran hesitantly lean in.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin whispered into Qin Ran''s ear, her hot breath making his ear tingle. "You''ve always been exploring the limits of cultivation, right? I have a feeling that I''m about to reach the limit of Foundation Building!"


    "Hm?" Qin Ran immediately forgot about his tingling, burning ear. He quickly turned to look at Li Shiyin. Staring into each other''s eyes at extremely close range, he asked excitedly, "Really?"


    "Yes!" Li Shiyin''s bright eyes steadily looked into her master''s deep ones as she nodded earnestly and said, "I feel like I''m pouring water into a bottle, and the bottle is about to bepletely filled. It''s going to be full, just like that. I have an innate sense that I''m reaching the limit of Foundation Building."


    Qin Ran had calcted the limit for Foundation Building before, and had glimpsed it himself, but he had never felt that sense. In his ns, if he formed his core at fifty, he could have touched the limit of Foundation Building. But due to various reasons, he ended up forming his core at twenty-five instead.


    Hearing Li Shiyin''s description, Qin Ran was unable to contain his excitement. Looking at his foolish disciple''s bright eyes, he was thrilled. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.


    He held her in his arms, tilted his head back, and pressed his lips to her forehead with his eyes closed, murmuring, "How wonderful...that''s great..."


    He could no longer attain that level of cultivation, but his foolish disciple could enter that realm.


    Li Shiyin hugged Qin Ran back, her forehead still wet. She was ted inside.


    Sounding drunk, she softly replied, "Master, Shiyin realized long ago that realms are what they need, not what Shiyin needs. Master, Shiyin will be the most powerful."


    Realms constrain mediocrity, but she, Li Shiyin, is a genius.


    "Yes, Shiyin is the most powerful."


    The two of them embraced for a while. Long Qiqi''s throat became hoarse from coughing nearby, but neither of them noticed. Left with no choice, Long Qiqi went over and gave Qin Ran''s calf a hard kick.


    One kick wasn''t enough. It took two or three kicks to make Qin Ran feel the pain. He came to his senses and saw Long Qiqi. He asked, "Why did you kick me?"


    "Because you two were oblivious to propriety!" Long Qiqi gave him another kick and gestured around them. "Broad daylight, under the clear sky, a man and woman alone together, hugging and snuggling - disgusting! Blech! Disgusting!"


    "Cough..." Only then did Qin Ran let go of Li Shiyin and nce around. He saw that Liu Boxian was not far away, looking towards the Dao Sect.


    But Liu Boxian''s appearance made it obvious he had been standing there for quite some time.


    Qin Ran''s old face turned red. He said to Liu Boxian, "Uncle Master?"


    As if justing to his senses, Liu Boxian looked back at them. Seeing Qin Ran''s radiant expression and Li Shiyin''s flushed face, he couldn''t figure out the attacker-receiver dynamic between the master and disciple.


    "Oh, please continue. Don''t mind me," he said understandingly. Young people get excited sometimes.


    "Ha ha." Qin Ranughed awkwardly, then quickly asked, "Uncle Master, did you need something from us?"


    "Nothing else..." Since they showed no intention of passionately embracing again, Liu Boxian brought up what he wanted to ask. "I just wanted to ask your precious (emphasis) disciple which one of them is currently undergoing their tribtion?"


    Li Shiyin was very open about it. Even though she had separated from Qin Ran, she was still clutching his arm. Hearing Liu Boxian''s question, she replied, "It''s obviously Wenjin! This is the Golden Core tribtion! I haven''t formed my core yet."


    "I see..." Since Li Shiyin hade out during the tribtion, it could only be Tian Wenjin. Liu Boxian nodded and asked further, "Then who was it before?"


    "It was Senior Martial Brother Liu Baixuan before..."


    "What happened with Liu Baixuan?" Liu Boxian hurriedly followed up.


    "Senior Martial Brother Liu has reached the Nascent Soul stage! He''s currently stabilizing his cultivation through meditation," Li Shiyin said with augh. "Congrattions Uncle Master! Now Wenjin has formed her core, and Senior Martial Brother Liu is at the Nascent Soul stage. Sword Peak has suddenly gained so much!"


    "Hahaha..." Even a Nascent Soul old monster like Liu Boxian couldn''t help showing joy at the two pieces of good news. He burst into heartyughter and repeatedly said, "Wonderful!"


    "Congrattions Uncle Master!" Qin Ran offered his congrattions again as well.


    "Eh? Master?" Just then, Li Shiyin noticed something amiss. She tugged Qin Ran''s arm and asked, "Why do you call Senior Uncle Master, uncle master?"


    "Uncle Master is of the same generation as my master, so I call him uncle master. What''s wrong with that?" Qin Ran asked back.


    "Then why do I call him uncle master?" Li Shiyin didn''t understand.


    "Because you and Wenjin, Liu Baixuan are martial siblings of the same batch, so you call him uncle master," Qin Ran exined.


    Li Shiyin repeatedly shook her head, unable toprehend it.


    "Cultivators have long lives. This kind of thing is very normal. Just address him however is appropriate," Qin Ran said.


    "Alright..."


    Li Shiyin was the first to enter and the first toe out of the Dao Sect. Not long after, Ximen Wushang came out, followed closely by Qi Yuan, and then Ye Qingxuan...


    Apart from Li Shiyin being expelled for questioning the Dao Sect''s dao heritage, the others'' length of stay could reflect theirprehension ability and cultivation base.


    Not long after Yao Qingke came out, someone else started undergoing tribtion inside the Dao Sect. Judging from the situation, it was likely Lu Junxing undergoing his Nascent Soul tribtion.


    After that, Tian Wenjin came out having reached the Golden Core stage, followed by Liu Baixuan at the Nascent Soul stage. Once Dong Zhongyuan also came out, only Lu Junxing remained inside the Dao Sect.


    By now, it had been a month since they had first knocked on the Dao Sect''s door.


    After waiting another two days without any sign of Lu Junxinging out, Liu Boxian judged that he might need to be in seclusion for a year or two. Those waiting outside the Dao Sect gradually dispersed after that.


    Dan Peak''s group also packed up and returned to Dan Peak.

 Chapter 270

    Chapter 270


    The people dispersed from outside the Dao Sect''s gates.


    Liu Boxian led his disciples flying towards Sword Peak, but just as they flew halfway into the air, he realized something was wrong. He nced back and did not see Tian Wenjin''s figure. Looking to the side, he found Tian Wenjin among the Dan Peak group.


    ???


    A series of question marks popped up in his mind. Girl, you are a Sword Peak disciple, not a Dan Peak disciple!


    "Wenjin?" He could not help but stop and call out, "Come over, I have something to tell you."


    Tian Wenjin was just describing the differences between the Golden Core stage and the Foundation Establishment stage to Li Shiyin. Hearing Liu Boxian''s words, she quickly stopped and flew over to Liu Boxian, saluting and asking, "Elder, what is the matter?"


    "That..." Liu Boxian was at a loss for words at the moment. He just wanted to call Tian Wenjin back, but he did not know what to say for a while. After a long pause, he finally said, "You just formed your core, it is suitable for you to return to Sword Peak to cultivate, stabilize your cultivation. Do not run around everywhere for now."


    Tian Wenjin looked back at the Dan Peak group still waiting for her over there, somewhat hesitant, but she ultimately did not dare defy Liu Boxian''s will, nodding in agreement, "Yes."


    She added, "Let me tell them."


    "Go on!" Tian Wenjin was so obedient, Liu Boxian was very satisfied, nodding generously.


    Tian Wenjin flew back to the Dan Peak side and said to Li Shiyin, "I need to return to Sword Peak to stabilize my cultivation. I will discuss the Dao with you next time."


    "Wasn''t your cultivation stabilized at the Dao Sect''s gates? Why do you still need to stabilize it?" Li Shiyin did not understand. "Did some new probleme up?"


    Tian Wenjin paused, then said, "The Elder said I still need to stabilize it."


    Li Shiyin immediately understood. She looked at Liu Boxian on the other side and pursed her lips, "Your master doesn''t even manage you, yet he interferes so broadly."


    "What are you saying?" Qin Ran pressed his hand on Li Shiyin''s little head, stopping her from continuing to say such sphemous words. He smiled at Tian Wenjin and said, "Cultivation is the most important. Go back to Sword Peak first. When youe to Dan Peak next time, I will cook something delicious again to celebrate your sessful core formation."


    Tian Wenjin was moved. Looking at Qin Ran, she bowed deeply to express her gratitude, then turned around and flew back to the Sword Peak camp.


    At Sword Peak, the Sword Peak elder who had taken her in as a disciple only cared about his own cultivation and never cared whether she lived or died. The Sword Peak elder only cared about his own face and forcibly wanted her to return to Sword Peak. Yet only the few people from Dan Peak truly cared about her.


    In the vast world of cultivation, it seemed only Dan Peak had some human touch.


    As she watched the Sword Peak group fly away, Li Shiyin sighed, "I was still thinking of drinking with Wenjin, not leaving until we''re drunk!"


    "Drink less alcohol!" Qin Ran pped her lightly,ughing and scolding, "Where did you pick up this bad habit?!"


    "Huh?" Just then, a voice suddenly approached and said, "I heard someone wants to drink alcohol?"


    Everyone looked over to see the elegant, fan-wielding Dong Zhongyuan.


    "Brother Dong..." Li Shiyin quickly greeted, "Do you want to drink?"


    "I''m just in the mood for some wine!" Dong Zhongyuan waved his fan, smiling, "Unfortunately, Lu Junxing is still in secluded cultivation, so I have no drinking buddy for now!"


    "Thene to Dan Peak with us!" Li Shiyin said.


    "I wonder what Uncle thinks about it?" Dong Zhongyuan asked Qin Ran politely, holding his fan.


    "You''re extremely wee!" Qin Ranughed.


    In fact, Qin Ran did not like crowds. Before Li Shiyin came, he only had half a good friend in the Dao Sect and Sword Sect? And not long ago, he had killed that half friend. But Li Shiyin liked making good friends, so he had to be weing. And for Li Shiyin to develop better, making more friends was also necessary.


    Thus, even without Tian Wenjin, it was still a group of five people who arrived at Dan Peak.


    Dong Zhongyuan hade to Dan Peak with nothing to do these past few years, and had be quite familiar with Dan Peak. As soon as he arrived at Dan Peak, he went straight to the waterfall behind the mountain.


    He stood at the edge of the deep pool below the waterfall, gazing up the mountain for a long time, trying to spot that charming figure. But he did not find her in the end, only meeting a venomous snake with a sharp tongue.


    It was June, the height of summer. At this moment, it was noon, with a zing sun in the sky. The waterfall crashed into the deep pool, sshing up pearls and jade-like droplets amidst the rumbling noise. Transparent mist that looked like scattered salt drifted in the air. Gorgeous sunlight shone through, creating a rainbow. The rainbow shifted along with the rising and falling mist, seeming like a living creature.


    In this mist, under the rainbow, in such a romantic environment, instead of a graceful and charming fairy maiden, only a dark little loli leisurely walked over.


    She stood next to Dong Zhongyuan and looked up following his gaze,ughing, "Still didn''t see her today either?"


    "s, no." Dong Zhongyuan sighed. "After seeing her once, all other women in the world lose their color. These years, I haven''t touched another woman again, only focusing single-mindedly on cultivation."


    "..."


    Dragon Qiqi nced at him. No wonder you were so vigorous during the examination at the Dao Sect''s gates! This was the reason?! There was no saving this man.


    "If I can see her one more time this life, I think I would have no regrets even in death." Dong Zhongyuan continued.


    "You''ve fallen under her bewitching arts." Dragon Qiqi mercilessly tore apart the truth and went on, "If you learn the method of absorbing yin to nourish yang one day, I might introduce her to you."


    "Are you speaking true?" Dong Zhongyuan''s eyes lit up brightly.


    "As if that''s true..." Dragon Qiqi rolled her eyes. "I''m telling you, if you don''t learn to absorb yin to nourish yang, sooner orter she will absorb your yang to nourish her yin."


    "If it''s just my cultivation she wants?" Dong Zhongyuan said, "Then please let here absorb me as soon as possible! I''ve cultivated for forty years this life just to wait for her."


    Dragon Qiqi facepalmed. Nevermind, just wait for your death. This man was beyond saving.


    There was another beyond saving one in the kitchen.


    She leaned against the doorframe, watching her master put on an apron and chop ingredients on the cutting board. She thought, master really can do anything, even cooking.


    Master looked so cool in an apron. Master looked cool chopping ingredients, master looked cool holding the wok, master looked cool stir-frying, master looked cool ting the dishes...


    As she watched, she drooled. She walked over to master''s side, picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork rib and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, she mumbled, "Master, let me help you!"


    "Help?" Qin Ran looked back at this little troublemaker disdainfully. "It''ll be good enough if you don''t make a mess."


    "Master!" Li Shiyin refused to give up. She stated facts and reasoned with him, "I''veprehended sword intent already, I''m a genius of the sword Dao. I might not be good at other things, but I can definitely help you chop ingredients."


    Qin Ran put the lid back on the wok and turned around to look at this disciple sneakily eating. Something felt off no matter how he thought about it.


    Oh, so she became a sword immortal just toe help him chop ingredients!


    Thinking this, he took out a few potatoes and handed them to her, saying, "Peel the skins off thinly, without leaving the slightest bit on the flesh. Then cut them carefully into even cubes, with each cube the same size."


    Li Shiyin was just holding a puff pastry in her hand. Hearing this, her eyes widened as she stared at Qin Ran: "Wait, master, you''re serious?"

 Chapter 271

    Chapter 271


    Li Shiyin still could not resist eating without doing any work. Under Qin Ran''s lustful threats, she picked up a kitchen knife and not only cut potatoes, but also cut beef.


    Moreover, with her mastery over swords as a first-ss sword immortal, the dishes she cut turned out quite good.


    Qin Ran was very satisfied andughed, "Very good, from now on leave all vegetable cutting chores to you."


    "Ah?" Only now did Li Shiyin realize what foolish thing she had done.


    As Chasing the Wind grew bigger and bigger, he could no longer eat properly at the table. Mainly because he ate several times more than everyone elsebined.


    So regarding the delicious food Qin Ran cooked, he could only eat the leftovers, the food that was not finished at normal meals, it was all his.


    Now he mostly ate the beast pills that Qin Ran specially refined for him. The beast pills contained the nutrients he needed to grow and the spiritual energy he needed for cultivation.


    In the afternoon, when the sun nted over, in the shade under the old catalpa tree, the four people sitting around the table drinking and eating appeared lively. Only a tigery drooling under the catalpa tree.


    It was truly heartbreaking for spectators and hurtful for onlookers!


    Long Qiqi deliberately teased him by carrying arge bowl of meat and running over to Chasing the Wind, deliberately sitting cross-legged in front of his big head, alternating between eating meat and bones.


    "Oh my! So fragrant!" While eating, she alsoughed and said.


    "Humph!" The big cat turned his head away, refusing to look at the viin, and said, "I don''t like eating meat anyway!"


    "Do you want a piece?"


    The big cat''s eyes suddenly widened, but he still snorted, "I don''t want it!"


    "Really don''t want it?"


    "Don''t want it!"


    Long Qiqi then pointed at his mouth andughed out loud, "Chasing the Wind look at your drool!"


    Chasing the Wind lifted his big head to look down, only to find that he had unknowingly drooled arge area of the grasnd, with quite a patch of wet grass.


    ...Who knows if the grass that received the great demon king''s drool would mutate into demonic beasts; and who knows what they should be called if they really turned into demonic beasts, Tiger Spit Grass? Or Profound Underworld Spirit Grass?


    With a furry face, it was unclear whether Chasing the Wind was blushing, but his eyes were clearly a little panicked. He turned his head away, not daring to look at Long Qiqi, and was at a loss for words.


    "It would be better if you transformed sooner!" Long Qiqi took the opportunity to persuade, "Then you can freely eat human food. And you can y around better."


    "If your cultivation is not enough... you can ask your dad to help you refine a transformation pill..."


    Before she could finish speaking, someone picked her up. She looked back and saw it was Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran said helplessly, "Transformed, then ended up short like you? With distortions in meridians and acupoints, not only being short, but also having extremely poor aptitude for cultivation."


    "Speak properly, we are still friends." Long Qiqi''s face sank.


    "The most suitable body for every creature is always its original body..." Qin Ran said, "Chasing the Wind''s own body is good, why should he damage his cultivation to be a human?"


    "Humph!" Long Qiqi stood up straight, hugging her bowl and returned to the dining table.


    Qin Ran looked at Chasing the Wind and warned, "Never listen to her, you are not allowed to transform."


    "I listen to Dad!" Chasing the Wind was just short of wagging his tail like a dog.


    "Good boy!" Qin Ran patted his big head andughed, "Go get your food bowl."


    "Yes, Dad!!" Chasing the Wind immediately regained his spirit, rushed into the house with a swoosh.


    Qin Ran returned to the table, and Dong Zhongyuanughed and asked Qin Ran, "Chasing the Wind is a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger. Even if he transforms, his physical strength and aptitude will not be worse. You have a proper son, why don''t you let him transform?"


    "The human body is born of nature, while the transformed monster body is man-made. Naturally grown flesh conforms to the Dao, while man-made ones have defects." Qin Ran replied.


    "Isn''t he a spirit pet?" Dong Zhongyuan asked.


    "No."


    Dong Zhongyuan nodded, only then realizing Chasing the Wind''s position at Dan Peak.


    Everything about a spirit pet is to serve its master; while for Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran nned his own growth path, simr to Li Shiyin.


    No wonder this was Dan Peak.


    Dong Zhongyuan drank again and asked Li Shiyin, "Junior sister, why haven''t you formed a core yet?"


    "Why does senior brother see realm as so important?" Li Shiyin asked back.


    Shemented inwardly, thinking Dong Zhongyuan had extraordinary talents, but he was not what she had imagined, just another vulgar person.


    Dong Zhongyuan was startled, carefully looking at Li Shiyin, and was shocked to find Li Shiyin''s realm was no longer on the same level as him.


    "When I was at the early Foundation Establishment stage, I could fight early Golden Core cultivators; now atte Foundation Establishment stage, I can contend againstte Golden Core geniuses. I''m still atte Foundation Establishment stage, but dare I ask senior brother, can you take one sword strike from me?" Li Shiyin spoke lightly.


    Dong Zhongyuan''s fingertips twitched, still unwilling to admit defeat, "Please let junior sister strike."


    "Please drink, senior brother." Li Shiyin picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for Dong Zhongyuan.


    Dong Zhongyuan lowered his head to look at the wine in the cup, the clear wine swirled in the cup like ordinary wine, but he knew this was no ordinary wine. This full cup was all sword qi!


    He was shocked: Just what level of sword cultivation was this?!


    It was not easy to turn sword qi into wine; moreover, to make such sharp sword qi not damage the cup... this was an ordinary cup.


    Dong Zhongyuan did not dare drink this cup.


    "Junior sister''s sword qi cultivation has reached the transformation stage." He sincerely conceded.


    "Still quite far from senior brother Lu Junxing." Li Shiyin changed the wine and poured another cup for Dong Zhongyuan.


    Inwardly shemented that Dong Zhongyuan was still shackled and could not understand the importance of realm.


    "Senior brother Lu..." Dong Zhongyuan hesitated, asking Li Shiyin, "How far away?"


    "So far that his back is barely visible..." Li Shiyin spoke humbly, yet arrogantly, "I can now barely see his back."


    Only now did Dong Zhongyuan realize how profound Lu Junxing was. He silently drank a sip, still feeling bitter.


    He thought himself a genius. After desperately chasing for three years, he cultivated diligently, yet he was still so far from Lu Junxing.


    And now there was also the meteoric rise of Li Shiyin...


    Despite the good wine and food, Dong Zhongyuan was not in the mood,pletely ruining the meal.


    After eating, Qin Ran invited him to y cards, but he shook his head, "I''ve only cultivated these three years, not even paying attention to the Geniuses Ranking. Now that the knock on the path is over, I have to go into seclusion and rearrange."


    Qin Ran''s heart stirred and he asked, "Is it time for a big shuffle?"


    "Yes!" Dong Zhongyuan nodded.


    After Dong Zhongyuan left, Li Shiyin curiously asked Qin Ran, "Master, you have always disdained fame, why do you care about the geniuses ranking?"


    "You already know that the Geniuses Ranking is an artifact... and this artifact needs one genius from each generation to manage it, so you know it''s extraordinary. The geniuses ranking of Dao Sword Sect is actually rted to the real interests of each genius." Qin Ran said.


    7017k

 Chapter 272

    Chapter 272


    Li Shiyin didn''t pay much attention to the practical benefits of the Heavenly Proud List. Those things were of concern to her master, who was always calcting and scheming. What she focused on was what she should focus onying cards!


    "Master! Let''s y cards! Come on, let''s y! This time, I''m going to win all your money!" she eximed, then called out to Qiqi, "Qiqi,e, let''s team up and challenge the champion! Only by joining forces can we defeat him!"


    Qiqi walked over with a look of disdain and said, "I think I have a better chance of winning against him alone."


    "Wow! Qiqi, what are you talking about? Without my assistance, yourbat power will be halved!" Li Shiyin had absolutely no self-awareness.


    "Do we really have to y cards?" Qin Ran hesitated. He had so many things to do.


    The teleportation formation was not yet set up, the Longevity Pill was just starting to show some progress, the Phoenix Wing Blood-Headed Bees hadn''t found their breeding location yet, and the "Nine Extreme Divine Soul Devouring Demon Technique" needed to be adjusted for practical use.


    "Of course, it''s a rare opportunity to rest!" Li Shiyin persuaded.


    "A rare opportunity to rest?" Qin Ran stared at her and raised his voice, "We''ve been resting for over a month!"


    During this month, whether out of courtesy, self-interest, or affection, they had been waiting outside the Daoist sect. During this time, it was not convenient to cultivate or practice, so when they saw that the three little ones were bored, Qin Ran drew ying cards on paper.


    And then he taught them how to y poker... like Landlord.


    The name "Landlord" didn''t fit the specific circumstances of this world and was eventually reced by the name "Champion''s Duel" by the mischievous little girl. And in the end, "Champion''s Duel," aimed at Qin Ran, received unanimous praise from the four, including Tian Wenjin.


    Long Qiqi''s learning ability went without saying, while Li Shiyin was a typical academically challenged genius. When it came to serious studying, she was not good at anything, but once it had nothing to do with studying, whether it was eating, drinking, ying, or wielding knives, guns, and swords, she was naturally talented. It didn''t take long for her to be a master at ying poker.


    So, with Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi, their winning rate against Qin Ran was three out of ten. They had three wins, while Qin Ran had seven losses. This record was already impressive in front of Qin Ran, who had a pure and calcting demeanor.


    As for Tian Wenjin and Chasing the Wind, Tian Wenjin had an average level of skill, he could y, but his skill was not as good as Li Shiyin''s. And as for Chasing the Wind? Chasing the Wind was a big idiot, whoever was his "disciple" would lose.


    "Ah! Master, let''s practice tomorrow!" Li Shiyin used her ultimate skill of acting spoiled.


    Qin Ran suffered a critical hit and surrendered instantly, "Alright, alright, I''ll y a few more rounds with you today, but we must start practicing tomorrow."


    The sky was gettingte, the sun had not yet set behind the western mountains; the tree shadows swayed gently in the evening breeze.


    After tidying up the table, with the orange glow of the setting sun, Qin Ran and the little ones sat around, took out the ying cards, and prepared to dominate the game.


    Li Shiyin sat across from him and took advantage of him shuffling the cards to assert herself, "Master, today I''m definitely going to win all your spirit stones!"


    Behind her, there was arge cat with paws sped, cheering her on.


    "Great!" Qin Ran liked the baseless confidence of her silly disciple. She threw the cleaned cards onto the table and asked, "So, how much are you starting with?"


    "A few pieces?" Li Shiyin shook her head, still arrogant. "I want ten..."


    But she couldn''t finish her arrogant words as Long Qiqi interrupted her in time. "One piece! Just start with one piece, and the maximum bet is ten pieces!"


    "Hey! Qiqi, what are you afraid of?" Li Shiyin was not pleased.


    "I''m different from you. My spirit stones are the result of my hard work and are very valuable," Long Qiqi said.


    Her spirit stones were the reward Qin Ran gave her for helping him with chores and taking care of spiritual medicine.


    Li Shiyin didn''t like Long Qiqi''s conservative approach, but considering that Long Qiqi''s spirit stones were indeed hard-earned, she nodded and said, "Let''s start with one piece then!"


    "Are you sure?" Qin Ran asked with a smile.


    "Sure!" Li Shiyin nodded firmly.


    "Let''s shuffle the cards!"


    Li Shiyin, this person, was the type who was both inexperienced and loved to y. She was the kind of person who made bold ims at the beginning, rambled in the middle, and fell silent in the end.


    After a few rounds, the spirit stones in front of her and Long Qiqi gradually shifted to Qin Ran''s side... She gritted her teeth, her eyes fixed on Qin Ran with deep resentment, and her spiritual sense had long been activated.


    Unfortunately, Qin Ran showed no ws under her gaze.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin through his cards, his eyes filled with a smile, and said, "You''re ying your cards too well!"


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin averted her gaze and suddenly saw Chasing the Wind swaying around. Feeling annoyed, she scolded Chasing the Wind, "Ah, Chasing the Wind, you''re so annoying! It''s because you''ve been behind me all the time that my cards are so bad! Get lost!!"


    Chasing the Wind was inexplicably scolded and felt very wronged, so it ran to Qin Ran''s side.


    It seemed that Chasing the Wind really had a kind of special bad luck. When it was behind Li Shiyin, she always lost, and when it ran behind Qin Ran, the spirit stones in front of Qin Ran slipped away.


    Li Shiyin was ecstatic and asionally made strange faces at Qin Ran.


    At first, Qin Ran really thought that Chasing the Wind had too much bad luck and was affecting him, but after ying for a while, he realized that something was off. Especially when his perfectly timed stealing card was urately blocked by Li Shiyin, he confirmed that something was wrong.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, who was winking at him, pondered for a moment, held the cards in his hand, and asked Chasing the Wind, "Chasing the Wind, how does Dad treat you?"


    Chasing the Wind sat up straight and replied, "Very well."


    Qin Ran turned to look at Chasing the Wind, his gaze profound as he scrutinized it from top to bottom. Chasing the Wind shrank back in fear, and only then did Qin Ran say, "Dad is a bit tired. Why don''t you help me with this round?"


    As he spoke, he closed his cards and gave his seat directly to Chasing the Wind.


    "No! Chasing the Wind can''t y!" Seeing this, Li Shiyin strongly objected before Chasing the Wind could say anything.


    "Why?" Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin with a smile.


    "Because... because..." Faced with Qin Ran''s smiling gaze, Li Shiyin couldn''t hold back and resorted to being childish. "Just can''t let Chasing the Wind win!"


    Qin Ran ignored her and signaled to Chasing the Wind, "Chasing the Wind, it''s your turn!"


    Chasing the Wind had no choice but to reluctantlye forward and touch the tiles. Its two furry paws were still quite agile, so ying a tile was no problem.


    "Dad, keep an eye on me," it politely requested.


    Seeing that Chasing the Wind was really taking part, Li Shiyin knew that the jig was up. She stopped pretending to be a good person and reached into her embrace, pulling out a small pure ck tiger. She angrily threw it at Qin Ran, saying, "You lousy master!"


    Qin Ran caught the small tiger and eximed in protest, "You cheat and then insult me?"


    "Hmph!"


    Qin Ran patted the big cat in his hand and then threw it back to Chasing the Wind, warning, "If you do this again, I''ll eat tiger meat."


    Chasing the Wind was big but cowardly. It cowered and tucked its head, summoning its clone back and forming a ck ring on its tail.


    The Demon King left the table, leaving the remaining three to y more joyfully... Long Qiqi won more, Li Shiyin won less, and Chasing the Wind was a big idiot who not only returned all the winnings Qin Ran had previously won, but also lost even more.


    The card gamested from the afternoon untilte at night, until Li Shiyin''s craving for ying cards was satisfied, and they all went back to their rooms to sleep.


    And then, the next day, they yed cards again...


    7017k

 Chapter 273

    Chapter 273


    Li Shiyin had quite an addiction to ying cards. They had been ying cards non-stop for three days straight, apanied by Long Qiqi and Chasing the Wind, indulging in their gaming frenzy. Qin Ran couldn''t bear to watch any longer and forcibly confiscated the cards, putting an end to their reckless gaming session.


    "Ah, how boring, Chasing the Wind," Li Shiyin rolled around on the cat climbing frame by the Sword Washing Lake.


    Chasing the Wind''s spot was taken, so he stuffed his hands in his pockets and dozed off next to the climbing frame.


    Upon hearing Li Shiyin''s words, he flicked his tail and summoned two fully ck little tigers. The little tigers meowed and jumped onto the frame.


    Li Shiyin sat up from the frame, embracing the two adorable little tigers.


    The cat climbing frame was carved by Li Shiyin from arge stone. If mortals were to see it, they would marvel at its miraculousness, but it was just a cat climbing frame. The frame had some intricate patterns that looked beautiful; those were the formation patterns carved by Qin Ran, intended to reinforce the frame and prevent it from being crushed by Chasing the Wind.


    Initially, Li Shiyin enjoyed ying with the little tigers, they were fluffy and cute, but after a while, she found it uninteresting.


    "Chasing the Wind..." she held one pure ck little tiger and called out to Chasing the Wind beneath the frame.


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind turned over andy on the ground, exposing his big belly, squinting at Li Shiyin, helplessly saying, "What''s wrong again?"


    "Come up and let me beat you up!" Li Shiyin made a serious suggestion.


    Chasing the Wind snorted and turned his head, saying, "Do I look like a fool to you?"


    Li Shiyin stared at Chasing the Wind for a while and nodded seriously, "Yes!"


    "Hey?" Chasing the Wind sat up in annoyance, his big eyes fixed on Li Shiyin, "I told you to be responsible for what you say!"


    "If you''re not a fool, thene up and let me beat you up," Li Shiyin said.


    Chasing the Wind pondered over this sentence for a while but couldn''t quite grasp its meaning. He stood there, carefully thinking for a moment, feeling that it was a trap he shouldn''t fall into.


    "I told you before, my boss taught me a powerful skill," he cleverly changed the subject and said to Li Shiyin, "I''ll show it to you."


    "A new skill?" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up and she eagerly said, "Quick, show me."


    Upon hearing this, Chasing the Wind raised his paw, seemingly about to demonstrate his skill, but suddenly stopped.


    "What''s wrong?" Li Shiyin asked, not noticing Qin Ran, and continued to question Chasing the Wind.


    "Both of you, what mischief are you nning again?" Qin Ran''s voice suddenly rang out, startling Li Shiyin.


    "What mischief?" Li Shiyin turned to look at Qin Ran, "Master, how could you think of me like that? Am I not the most obedient and adorable?"


    Qin Ran sized up Li Shiyin from head to toe, shaking his head and saying, "You have no trace of being well-behaved."


    "Master~"


    "Enough!" Qin Ran quickly halted Li Shiyin''s coquetry and said, "I need to go to Master Peak. You two better not cause trouble!"


    "How could we?!" Li Shiyinughed and asked, "Master, why are you going to Master Peak?"


    "The sect leader has given an order, but I have no idea what it''s about," Qin Ran shook his head and turned to fly towards the outer area of Dan Peak. He was really worried about those two troublemakers, so he turned back and warned, "Don''t do anything bad!"


    "We promise not to do anything bad!" Li Shiyin patted her chest, guaranteeing.


    "Ah!" Qin Ran shook his head and turned away.


    Seeing Qin Ran leave the Guardian Mountain Formation, Li Shiyin quickly turned to Chasing the Wind and said, "Show me your special abilities."


    Chasing the Wind remembered Qin Ran''s warning and hesitated, "But Dad said..."


    "Master is gone, and I''m in charge of Dan Peak!" Li Shiyin waved her hand, interrupting Chasing the Wind and said, "I want you to demonstrate your special abilities, so you better do it."


    In fact, Chasing the Wind also wanted to show off a little. Upon hearing this, he could only nod and say, "Alright then..."


    Qin Ran couldn''t believe that despite his repeated warnings, those two troublemakers would still cause trouble andpletely disregard his warnings. However, at this point, he was already close to reaching Master Peak, and he had no power to stop what was about to happen.


    The sect leader wasn''t in the Grand Hall of Questions, but in his own residence. Calling someone to meet at his home usually meant it was a private matter and not something major. So Qin Ran was mentally prepared, but not overly so.


    Little did he expect that the first words he heard upon entering the sect leader''s residence were, "Jian Yuanjie is dead!"


    Qin Ran''s heart trembled, thinking that he had been exposed. He quickly looked towards the sect leader, only to see him sitting in the main seat with a worried expression. The sect leader wasn''t even looking at him, just sighing like that. It instantly dawned on Qin Ran that his act of killing hadn''t been discovered.


    "Senior Brother Jian is dead?" He pretended to be mournful and shocked.


    The sect leader indeed didn''t focus on Qin Ran, otherwise he would have seen the horrifying speed at which this young man changed his expression.


    From the beginning, he was a carefree and casual young man, then upon hearing the news of "Jian Yuanjie''s death," his pupils were shocked, then he thought he had been exposed and felt fear, then he revealed a fierce expression, prepared to go all out, then he discovered that he hadn''t been exposed and felt relieved, and finally, he pretended to be mournful and shocked. The changes in his expression were seamless and extremely smooth. In just a second, he went through more than ten different expressions. Even a master of face-changing would be impressed.


    "After paying respects at the front door, he disappeared..." The sect leader''s expression was filled with sadness. "We''ve been investigating from various angles these past few days, and we finally confirmed his death. Sigh!"


    Qin Ran covered his forehead and squeezed out a few tears, sighing, "I had a good rtionship with Senior Brother. We used to exchange alchemical pills and medicinal ingredients... We even had a conversation before paying respects at the front door... I never expected that such an unexpected event would ur. The cultivation world is truly treacherous!"


    "Sigh..." Gu Yueming, the head of Dao Sword Sect, sighed once again butposed himself. He called Qin Ran over to sit down and said, "The alchemists of Dao Sword Sect have always had a turbulent fate. They were prosperous and thriving a thousand years ago, but who would have expected it to decline to this extent over the generations? Could it be that some immortal expert has cursed Dao Sword Sect?"


    "It is the nature of time and fate, Headmaster. Please don''tment and harm yourself," Qin Ranforted him.


    Gu Yueming shook his head and looked at Qin Ran, saying, "Previously, there were only two people in Dao Sword Sect who understood alchemy: you and Jian Yuanjie. Now that Jian Yuanjie is dead, you are the only one left in Dao Sword Sect."


    Upon hearing this, Qin Ran suddenly felt a strange weight on his shoulders... He didn''t really feel any sense of belonging to Dao Sword Sect, did he?


    "Before, Dan Peak was responsible for internal alchemy refinement, and Jian Yuanjie was responsible for external herb procurement. Now that Jian Yuanjie is gone..." Gu Yueming sighed, "Today, I called you here to entrust you with the responsibility of external herb procurement as well."


    As he spoke, Gu Yueming took out a thumb-sized token of an alchemy furnace and handed it to Qin Ran, saying, "Originally, as the head of Dan Peak, you were already burdened with the affairs of one peak. This task should not have been assigned to you. However... now I have to entrust you with the position of Elder in charge of medicinal affairs."


    Qin Ran took the token, feeling somewhat puzzled.


    "In a few days, it will be time to go to Zhican Valley to procure herbs," Gu Yueming said, "I just assigned you this task today, and I truly feel reluctant. But... go to Butler Hall now and familiarize yourself with the relevant matters in advance."


    Qin Ran held the token, exchanged a few moreforting words with Gu Yueming, and then turned and left.


    After Qin Ran left, Gu Yueming, who was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, had a serious expression on his face and asked aloud, "Is it him?"


    "Without a doubt," a voice from the air replied.


    7017k

 Chapter 274

    Chapter 274


    "Not right..." Qin Ran walked out of Gu Yueming''s cave and headed to the Main Peak Butler Hall, clutching the token of the Chief Alchemy Elder in his hand. His brain was running at full speed.


    "The Sect Master said they have already investigated Jian Yuanjie''s death from various sources. So, he may not know how Jian Yuanjie died, where he died, or who killed him. But he controls the Mountain Protection Array, so he should at least know when Jian Yuanjie left the sect... He should also know when I entered and left the sect... And Chasing the Wind has been looking for me within the sect. He has every reason to suspect me... And what just happened in his cave..."


    "Not right!" Analyzing up to this point, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "The Sect Master must already know that I killed Jian Yuanjie!"


    A sense of crisis instantly invaded Qin Ran''s heart, urging him to escape.


    "Calm down... Stay calm!" But he quickly realized it and told himself to stay calm in his mind. He continued walking towards the Butler Hall as if nothing had happened. "The Sect Master knows that I killed Jian Yuanjie, but he didn''t take action against me. Instead, he entrusted me with the position of Chief Alchemy Elder. The implication... the implication is that he doesn''t intend to hold me responsible?!"


    "Yes!" Realizing this, Qin Ran breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he was temporarily safe.


    But he had doubts again, why?


    Is it because I am the only alchemist in the Dao Sword Sect, or is it because...


    "The Sect Master has actually already discovered this pawn called Jian Yuanjie!"


    His eyes were deep, like the universe, with stars flickering inside. Grasping some details, he reconstructed the truth of the matter. "The Sect Master discovered Jian Yuanjie a long time ago, but he didn''t make a move... The Sect Master was severely injured and went into seclusion... In fact, the Sect Master had nned all this. It''s a case of feigning weakness, luring the enemy in deep, and inviting the intrusion of the Zhi Shen Valley?!"


    "What a cunning old fox!"


    Qin Ran sorted out the cause and effect clearly and suddenly realized that Jian Yuanjie was just a pawn in the power struggle between the two major sects. Killing Jian Yuanjie, the Sect Master probably wouldn''t pursue it.


    "Wait a minute..."


    At this point, he suddenly realized something: If Jian Yuanjie was a pawn, then now that he had killed this pawn and been pushed into Jian Yuanjie''s position by the Sect Master...


    "I''ve be a pawn!"


    He killed Jian Yuanjie, not without punishment, but now he had be Jian Yuanjie. He was now the pawn in the power struggle between the two sects!


    "This isn''t right..." Qin Ran looked at the alchemy furnace in his hand. "How did things turn out like this? How did I suddenly end up in the center of the whirlpool?"


    He had just wanted to be a low-profile cultivator who survived by practicing immortality!


    ...However, since things hade to this point, he could only take it step by step. At worst, he could leave early. After all, the escape n had always been in his contingency n.


    He finally arrived at the Butler Hall.


    Qin Ran didn''t actually know much about the Butler Hall. His understanding of the Butler Hall was simr to his understanding of the school administration office when he was in school in his previous life. He was familiar with it but didn''t know the internal organizational structure.


    He had to rely on asking for directions to finally find this so-called Chief Alchemy Hall.


    Qin Ran pushed open the door and took a look inside. The space was immense, about the size of a football field, but there were not many people inside, only a dozen or so. Among them, there were only four individuals worth noting.


    On the left side of the Medicinal Hall, rows of medicine cabs filled the space. Medicine apprentices moved about, cleaning and organizing the herbs. On the right side, there were simr cabs, but they contained files, documents, and medical books. There were also disciples performing various tasks among them.


    In the center, right in front of the door, sat four people.


    Facing the door was the main seat with a long table. Behind the table was a position that must belong to Jian Yuanjie. On each side, there were two desks for office work, with each desk apanied by a person.


    The four individuals, two on each side, a man on the left and a woman on the right, were all engrossed in their work, probably disciples in charge of various tasks.


    Upon hearing the door being pushed, the female disciple on the right, closest to the door, raised her head and looked over. She was an elegant and intellectual woman. Seeing Qin Ran, she thought he was a disciple and asked in a gentle voice, "Who are you looking for?"


    When it came to dealing with enemies, Qin Ran could put on an impressive performance, be ruthless and merciless, and appear cold-hearted. However, in reality, he wasn''t particrly skilled at social interactions. This actually suited his delicate and refined appearance.


    "Ahem!" He awkwardly cleared his throat and said softly, "I am the new Chief Alchemy Elder."


    Perhaps she didn''t hear clearly, or maybe Qin Ran''s delicate appearance and youthful demeanor made it difficult to hear, but in any case, the beautiful female disciple asked again, "What?"


    At the same time, the other three disciples also looked over.


    The four pairs of eyes put immense pressure on Qin Ran. It felt as if he was facing Jian Yuanjie himself. But he took a deep breath, straightened his chest, took out the token of the alchemy furnace, raised his voice, and said, "Senior Brother Jian had an ident, and for now, I am temporarily assuming the position of Chief Alchemy Elder."


    This time they heard clearly, but the four individuals still had doubts. They stood up and bowed to Qin Ran, saying, "Greetings, Elder."


    "Um..." Qin Ran felt a bit overwhelmed by the situation and quickly said, "Uh, my name is Qin Ran, the Chief of Dan Peak. You may continue with your tasks."


    "Elder Qin!" The four individuals bowed once again before resuming their seats.


    Once they were seated, Qin Ran went to the main seat and sat down.


    On the main seat, there were neatly arranged books and documents. He picked up a document and flipped through it. It recorded the distribution of elixirs for the current month. He read it carefully. Afterward, he picked up another book, a book that detailed the properties of medicinal herbs. It was a rather ordinary book that he had read before, so he only flipped through a few pages before setting it aside.


    After going through all the documents and books, Qin Ran couldn''t find any reference to the purchase of medicinal herbs.


    He nced at the four individuals below, who were still focused on their own tasks but had their attention on him.


    Qin Ran looked down, casually flipping through a book. After a moment of contemtion, he suddenly stood up, walked over to the desk of the male disciple on the left, and smiled as he asked, "What''s your name?"


    "Disciple Shi Yuan." He put down his pen and respectfully replied.


    "What are you doing?" Qin Ran asked.


    "I''m in charge of purchasing spiritual medicines for the disciples within the sect and handling deliveries," came the reply.


    "Is it rted to the sect''s missions?"


    "Yes, any tasks that involve spiritual medicines usually go through me."


    "Well done, impressive," Qin Ran praised.


    After exchanging a few words with Shi Yuan, Qin Ran approached the desk of a female steward to his right and asked with a smile, "May I know your name?"


    "Disciple Ke Yue," she replied respectfully, setting down her pen.


    "What are your responsibilities?"


    "I am in charge of distributing elixirs to the disciples every month. Generally, all the elixirs needed by the disciples within the sect pass through my hands," Ke Yue answered.


    "Oh..." Qin Ran nced at this sweet-looking female steward and nodded. "It must be quite demanding for you, with so many disciples in the Dao Sword Sect."


    "No, I''m only responsible for keeping records," Ke Yue replied modestly.


    After a brief conversation with Ke Yue, Qin Ran moved on to the desk of a male steward to his left. With a smile, he asked, "And how should I address you?"


    "Just call me Yan Yi, the Chief Steward," he replied.


    When he heard Yan Yi addressing himself as the Chief Steward, Qin Ran asked, "Do you recognize me?"


    "I am from the same generation of disciples. During the examination at the Dao Gate, I was defeated on the questioning tform presided over by the Chief Steward," Yan Yi joked.


    "Oh! So you had bad luck and ran into me," Qin Ran also joked.


    "No, not at all..." Qin Ran''s face and demeanor were not aggressive, but rather approachable. Seeing this, Yan Yi rxed and smiled. "Actually, I''m a big fan of Senior Sister Li Shiyin. She''s truly amazing."


    "Haha..." Qin Ran chuckled twice and said, "If there''s a chance, I''ll take you to Dan Peak to meet your Senior Sister Li."


    Saying that, he also asked Yan Yi, "What are your responsibilities?"


    "I''m in charge of everything rted to alchemy within the sect. Any external disciple who wants to practice alchemy usually goes through me," Yan Yi replied.


    Upon hearing that Yan Yi had such a job, Qin Ran smiled and said, "Well, your job seems quite leisurely."


    In fact, there were no alchemists within the Dao Sword Sect, so it seemed that Yan Yi was the exemry cker of the sect.


    Yan Yi awkwardly scratched the back of his head and replied, "Actually, there are disciples who want to practice alchemy..."


    After chatting with Yan Yi for a while, Qin Ran went to the desk of another female steward to his right, the knowledgeable and intelligent-looking one. Smiling, he asked, "May I know your name?"


    "Feng Feiyan."


    "What a beautiful name," Qin Ran said, his eyes narrowing as he smiled at this elegant and intelligent female steward. "What are your responsibilities?"


    "I am responsible for procuring elixirs and spiritual medicines," Feng Feiyan replied.


    Upon hearing this, Qin Ran''s smiling eyes slowly narrowed.


    7017k

 Chapter 275

    Chapter 275


    Qin Ran asked, "I heard the sect leader say that we need to go to Zhican Valley to purchase supplies in a few days. Is that true?"


    Feng Feiyan said to Qin Ran, "Elder, this matter is usually decided by the Chief Alchemist Elder. I don''t know the details." She looked very knowledgeable and spoke gently, "I just go along each time to urately record the Spirit Stones spent and the pills purchased."


    "Oh!" Qin Ran nodded to show he understood, "So this matter was decided by Jian Senior Brother."


    Seeing how he was easily misled by her, Feng Feiyan''s eyes unintentionally showed some smugness.


    But who knew, the next moment, Qin Ran suddenly put his hand on the table, closing some of the distance between them. Caught off guard, she felt a pressure upon her.


    She heard Qin Ran ask, "So is the timing of your purchasing trips random, whenever Jian Senior Brother says to go you just go; or is there a fixed schedule, like going once a month, once every six months, once a year?"


    Although Qin Ran still had that delicate face, still had a smile in his eyes, his voice was still gentle, but for some reason, Feng Feiyan didn''t feel like refusing his questions.


    She hesitated for a long time before answering, "Elder, we need to resupply every three months."


    "Mm..." Qin Ran nodded with a smile and continued asking, "What time of the month do you usually go - beginning, middle or end?"


    Feng Feiyan didn''t dare look at Qin Ran again. She lowered her head, still answering, "The middle of the month."


    "The middle is the fifteenth of each month?"


    "No."


    "What day is it then?"


    "The twentieth."


    Feng Feiyan had lowered her head now, her expression no longer visible. Qin Ran leaned on the table, getting even closer, now able to smell Feng Feiyan''s warmth. He asked, "What needs to be purchased this time? Herbs? Pills? Which herbs, which pills?"


    "I really don''t know about this." Feng Feiyan felt like a huge boulder was pressing down on her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.


    "Do you know if this purchasing trip is different from usual?"


    Feng Feiyan lowered her head even more, hunching her back, allowing Qin Ran to see her ample chest. She shook her head, her voice almost crying, "Mm."


    Looking at this woman, Qin Ran finally dropped his smile. He stood up, no longer pressuring her, just saying, "Give me a few copies of the previous purchasing records."


    When Qin Ran smiled, Feng Feiyan felt endless pressure, but when he stopped smiling, she suddenly felt the heavy pressure disappear.


    She let out a big sigh of relief, hurriedly got up, and rummaged through the file cab nearby. She then carried over five stacks of records and handed them to Qin Ran, head still lowered, not daring to look at him. She said softly, "These are the records fromst March and all ofst year."


    Qin Ran took the records, a gentle smile appearing on his delicate face again, like a weak schr in green robes standing under a willow by the river.


    "Thank you," he nodded.


    Feng Feiyan squeezed out a smile.


    Qin Ran took the records and walked back to his seat.


    In the process, he noticed Ke Yue and Shi Yuan''s serious and solemn expressions, as well as the shock written all over Yan Yi''s face. This further confirmed his suspicions - out of the five people in charge of the Alchemy Hall, including Jian Yuanjie, amazingly one of them was not a mole!


    Wearing a smile, he took a deep look at Yan Yi before returning to his seat and carefully reading through the records.


    He didn''t know what kind of mindset Jian Yuanjie had when he kept Yan Yi around.


    He also didn''t know what kind of mindset Yan Yi had, working in the Alchemy Hall.


    It would be very interesting if Yan Yi was sent by the sect leader to investigate the moles in the Alchemy Hall, because in the entire Alchemy Hall, he was probably the only one who wasn''t a mole.


    Of course, on further thought, Jian Yuanjie''s reasoning could still be guessed at. The person the sect leader sent over, I''ll keep around, but give him a meaningless job... managing pill refining in a sect without any pill refiners...


    Thinking this, Qin Ran wanted tough again.


    But as he continued looking through the records, the smile faded from his face.


    Qin Ran understood pills, herbs, and math. So he could understand these records and the significance behind them.


    Thus he knew exactly what kind of garbage pills Jian Yuanjie had been feeding the Dao Sword Sect disciples all these years. He knew exactly how many Spirit Stones Jian Yuanjie had embezzled over the years... Jian Yuanjie''s bag must be incredibly fat!


    Most importantly, the only one who really needed spiritual herbs and medicines was Dan Peak... himself. In other words, all these years, Jian Yuanjie had embezzled countless Spirit Stones under the guise of helping him purchase herbs!


    The more Qin Ran read through the records, the moreplicated his emotions became. On one hand, he felt sorrow and indignation for the nation and people, worried for all the Dao Sword Sect disciples and the future of the Dao Sword Sect.


    On the other hand, his intestines were twisting with regret that he hadn''t ransacked Jian Yuanjie''s bag back then!!!


    Because not only had Jian Yuanjie unconscionably embezzled the pill funds of Dao Sword Sect disciples all these years, he had also gained greatly from harming the disciples... Jian Yuanjie''s bag must be incredibly fat from all the kickbacks over the years!!


    While Qin Ran was investigating corruption in the Dao Sword Sect, his heavily reminded Dan Peak had still slipped up.


    What happened was this:


    The shadow stealth technique Li Shiyin wanted to learn from Feng Shizhan was something Feng Shizhan had learned from the dragon Ao Yi. This technique allowed one to turn ck and enter a dark form. Then they could blend into the darkness, burrow into shadows, enter silhouettes, and be impervious to harm. It was simr to Qin Ran''s Dreamlike Illusion.


    Qin Ran''s Dreamlike Illusion turned himself into water. Feng Shizhan''s shadow stealth turned himself into darkness.


    Certainly shadow stealth was a good technique, but the problem was that Feng Shizhan hadn''t learned it yet... At least he didn''t have good control of it...


    Under Li Shiyin''s urging, he forcibly executed it, losing control of the technique.


    The darkness spread...


    With the cat tree as the center, the darkness spread outwards in a circle, not only turning Feng Shizhan and the cat tree into dark forms, but also Li Shiyin, half the creek, half of Sword Washing Lake near the cat tree, the trees by Sword Washing Lake, and even the little demon willow Liu Xiaoji.


    Oh right, on that side, their dining table had also been dragged into the darkness by Feng Shizhan.


    Turning these things dark wasn''t that big of a deal in itself, they just had to change back quickly.


    But the problem was...


    Feng Shizhan had lost control. Turning so many things dark caused massive depletion of his magic power and soul force.


    In other words, not only had Feng Shizhan lost control of the technique, for now he couldn''t change the things he had turned dark back!


    Moreover, Feng Shizhan had fallen into slumber due to overdrawing his magic.


    Leaving only Li Shiyin running around in that patch of darkness, unable to regain her human form no matter how she tried. She cried out loudly for help but her voice didn''t carry out.


    "Qiqi, save me..."


    "Master, save me..."


    "Tushan Youyou, save me..."


    She yelled until her throat was hoarse, but no one heard.

 Chapter 276

    Chapter 276


    At this moment, in the center of Dan Peak, a pitch-ck hole appeared out of thin air. This hole was circr in shape, with a radius of about ten zhang.


    The entire hole was pure ck. Looking in from the outside, nothing could be seen, giving people the feeling that this was a bottomless pit. But in fact, it was not actually a hole at all. The space within those ten zhang had simply been darkened by Chasing the Wind''s magical power, and everything inside was still there, just darkened. The visual effect was that arge hole had appeared out of nowhere.


    Li Shiyin stretched out her hands and looked at them. In this world of pure darkness, her hands were also pure ck, but strangely, she could make out their outline and distinguish them as her own hands. Not only could she make out her own equally dark hands in this dark world, but she could also distinguish other things that had been darkened - the cat tree, the stream, the sword washingke, Chasing the Wind - it was as if everything was normal. She ran to thekeside to look at her reflection in theke, and she could make out her dark reflection in the darkke water.


    It was a mystical world.


    It had no spatial dimensions of up, down, left or right, no flow of past, present or future, no concrete concepts at all... Chasing the Wind was sleeping while hovering in midair. Li Shiyin jumped up and kicked him, but her foot passed straight through his body without impact. Although the space here was strange, looking out from the inside, the outside world seemed to be operating as normal.


    The inside was a ck world devoid of anything, while the outside was a colorful world full of everything. Looking outside from inside...it gave a very mystical feeling.


    Except...


    The outside seemed unable to perceive anything happening inside.


    Li Shiyin had tried for a long time, but found it was impossible for the inside to influence the outside at all. It was as if for the outside, this was just a bottomless pit, or a shadow world.


    Would a person hear soundsing from inside their shadow?


    At least Li Shiyin had shouted until her voice went hoarse, without anyone outside reacting.


    Tired of shouting, Li Shiyiny down somewhere, not on the ground but suspended in midair...in this ce, ground and sky held no meaning anyway.


    "Ah! Chasing the Wind, Stupid Tiger!"


    She held up her hand, spread and closed her shadowy dark fingers. They moved ording to her will, but gave an unreal feeling.


    If Master was here, she''d probably be researching the meridian pathways and systemic changes urring in this state.


    "Huh?"


    Thinking of this, Li Shiyin suddenly wondered - what would sword qi be like in this state?


    She tried rousing her inner power, and to her surprise was able to summon it. With a thought she transformed the power into sword qi in her palm.


    Still lying there, she gazed at the sword qi in her hand.


    It was still sword qi, but more like the shadow of sword qi in its normal state. It swirled in her palm, giving her an inexplicable feeling - though it was an amorphous shadowy ck sword qi, she seemed to glimpse hints of starry purple within, as if it were real sword qi.


    "How strange."


    She turned her palm downwards to let the shadow sword qi cut into the ground. When it met the ground the two shadows passed through each other,cking any solidity.


    "Hey! That''s no fun..."


    She dismissed the sword qi, her little head turning in thought. If the shadow sword qi could pass through the dark ground, could her dark self pass through it too?


    With this thought, she stood up and stretched, then dived into the ground as if jumping into water.


    ...What a novel sensation. Swimming through the ground as if it were water.


    Li Shiyin swam about, burrowing deeper underground. Before long, she arrived at the darkened edge dividing the underground.


    Looking ahead, she saw the underground space, glittering spirit stones piled in the darkness, glowing with rainbow hues and trailing misty multi-colored qi.


    Spirit stone mine!


    Li Shiyin recognized it.


    A few years ago when she''d dug into the earth beneath theke, she''d ruptured a vein and excavated a good sized cavern filled with the gushing spiritual energy. Master had told her that Dao Sword Sect was built on a major spirit stone mine. But this was Li Shiyin''s first time actually seeing the spirit stone mine under Dan Peak, much less in this kind of state.


    The colors over there...the scene beyond...


    It was so fantastical!


    Li Shiyin walked forward, wanting to go over and touch those spirit stones, to grasp them with her own hands. But she couldn''t reach them, as there was still ayer of thick earth separating her from the mine.


    "Chasing the Wind is too weak," she mused. "If he were just a bit stronger, enough to darken thisyer of earth too, I should be able to reach the stones through the darkness. I wonder what it would feel like to touch darkened spirit stones..."


    The spirit stone mine shimmering with rainbow halos was too eye-catching. Li Shiyin lingered there for a while before reluctantly leaving.


    She returned to the surface and gazed at the darkened river and tranquil darkenedke nearby.


    "I wonder what it would feel like to swim in this darkened state..."


    She ran over and dived headfirst into the water.


    Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, the water here was vorless. Swimming through it felt no different than swimming through earth or air.


    Li Shiyin swam from river toke, plucking two dark lotus blossoms. She stuffed the petals into her mouth to taste...vorless.


    Just as she was about to climb out of theke, she suddenly heard a child''s voice in the darkness. "Sister Shiyin?"


    "Who''s there?"


    Li Shiyin''s expression frosted over. Someone else was here in this darkness?


    Shadow sword qi had already appeared in her palm.


    "Liu Xiaoji," the child answered.


    "Oh, Liu Xiaoji!" Li Shiyin rxed, dismissing the sword qi and peering about for the boy. "Where are you?"


    Then before her eyes, a young boy of three or four years crawled out from within the darkened willow tree.


    "I''m here, sister Shiyin!" he called out.


    Li Shiyin climbed onto the shore and sat on the embankment, smiling at Liu Xiaoji. "You got pulled in here too?"


    "What exactly happened?" Liu Xiaoji still didn''t know the reason.


    ncing back casually at the cat tree, where Chasing the Wind was napping in midair, Li Shiyin said, "It''s Chasing the Wind showing off his new magic. He darkened all of us.


    ...Deflecting me nicely.


    "Oh! Brother Chasing the Wind is really too naughty!" Liu Xiaoji gave a mature sigh. He plopped down beside Li Shiyin. "Who knows how long it''ll take for this darkening effect to dispel."


    Though he was talking about Chasing the Wind, for some reason Li Shiyin felt it was directed at her. Being called naughty by a little brat...that didn''t feel very good.


    Li Shiyin gave an awkward cough, smiling wryly. "Let''s let Chasing the Wind sleep for a bit. He should be able to undo it after he wakes up."


    Liu Xiaoji propped up his chin, gazing out at the bright and colorful outside world. "I worry that when Master returns and sees this, she''ll be furious. I fear she will punish you."


    Recalling her master''s angry countenance, even Li Shiyin felt a bit uneasy.


    "No...it can''t be that bad, can it?" she ventured tentatively.


    "Look, Master has returned!" Liu Xiaoji suddenly eximed, pointing outside.


    "What?!" Li Shiyin panicked instantly upon seeing Qin Ran entering from Guardian Mountain Formation. She leapt up in despair and cried out, "We''re doomed!!!"

 Chapter 277

    Chapter 277


    Qin Ran did not bother the undercover trio again after that. He sat in the main seat and quietly read files the whole afternoon, the same way he would read all kinds of books and documents every day at Dan Peak. However, when he was at Dan Peak, his lovely disciple would be sitting beside him.


    When it was 5 oclock, he got up on time, returned the files to Feng Feiyan, and then went straight out the door. There was a sense of clocking out from work on time.


    The undercover trio did not really understand why Qin Ran was inactive. After a few more minutes when Yan Yi also left, they moved their chairs together and seriously discussed the issue.


    "Elder Qin is very powerful," Feng Feiyan said first.


    Ke Yue''s sweet little face was solemn as she nodded, "This person looks very gentle, but he is actually tough at heart, his powerful aura makes people unable to breathe. He is quite crafty.


    "Do you know that he is the chief of Dan Peak?"


    Feng Feiyan shook her head and said, "Although I have to help him purchase spiritual medicines and medicinal materials with Elder Jian every quarter, he lives in seclusion, I had never heard his name at Dao Sword Sect before his personal disciple Li Shiyin became famous." "...Elder Jian personally goes to Dan Peak to deliver medicinal materials and collect elixirs."


    "Elder Jian..." Shi Yuan looked at Ke Yue, then at Feng Feiyan, and asked, "Nothing happened to him, right?"


    "That''s Elder Jian, what could happen to him?" Ke Yue sneered coldly, "I suggest you put away your worries, you know what Elder Jian is capable of."


    Shi Yuan seemed to recall Elder Jian''s methods, and his attitude instantly became restrained. He said, "I''m just worried about Elder Jian... So what should we do now? If we let that guy surnamed Qin take over as the chief pharmacist, we''ll be exposed sooner orter..."


    "There''s no need to be too nervous either. Although this chief of Dan Peak seems crafty, after all he is just an alchemist who lives in seclusion. Living in seclusion as an alchemist means he must be extremely cautious and timid, he may not necessarily dare to expose us." Ke Yue analyzed.


    Feng Feiyan nodded in agreement, "Although he read the files, the recording method in those files was given to me by Elder Jian, he may not necessarily be able to understand them."


    When he recalled Elder Jian''s methods, Shi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.


    "It''s not that I''m afraid..." He ttered with a smile, "I''m just worried about Elder Jian... I mean, what if Elder Jianes back someday and that guy surnamed Qin doesn''t return the position of chief pharmacist to Elder Jian?"


    "It hasn''t been long, Elder Jian has only been away for less than a month..." Ke Yue said, "The elder must have gone herb picking or treasure hunting. A month or two means nothing for a Golden Core cultivator. Their trips canst a year or two. This chief of Dan Peak is only temporarily taking over the position of chief pharmacist."


    Feng Feiyan nodded in agreement, "Even if ites down to thest resort..." The gentle and intelligent Feng Feiyan suddenly said, "If Elder Jian doesn''te back for a long time, or Elder Jian really can''te back, or if Qin discovers something ahead of time, we can still..."


    Her gentle big eyes looked at Shi Yuan and Ke Yue, revealing a bit of fierceness little by little, "Kill, silence!"


    Qin Ran walked back to Dan Peak leisurely andfortably. Going to work at the pharmacy made him feel the happy experience of cking off in his previous life again, putting him in an extremely good mood.


    So he couldn''t have imagined that the existences that he saw as littlembs actually harbored killing intent towards him.


    Of course, it wasn''t important either, because no matter how those littlembs frolicked about, they were still littlembs, still littlembs in the sheep pen.


    What worried him at the moment was how to deal with that bottomless pit that suddenly popped up.


    Or it could be called, a sinkhole? A sinkhole that inexplicably appeared at Dan Peak?


    Does the cultivation world have this kind of thing too?


    "Shiyin! Chasing the Wind! Qi Qi!" He yelled at the ck bottomless pit, afraid that something might have happened to them.


    It was as if there was a bug in the world''s operating system, the hole didn''t fit with the rest of the world, it looked photoshopped in. Seeing it made Qin Ran creeped out.


    After a while, only Long Qi Qi responded to him.


    Long Qi Qi ran out from the research building. Seeing this strange ck hole, she asked Qin Ran, "What weird stuff did you make again?"


    "This has nothing to do with me..." Qin Ran looked everywhere for Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind but didn''t find them. He asked, "Where are those two?"


    "I''ve been in the research building all day, how would I possibly know where those two wild kids ran off to?" Long Qi Qi rolled her eyes, "I''m not a nanny to help you take care of your kids."


    Qin Ran looked at the pitch-ck abyss. It seemed very familiar to him. He suddenly realized and asked Long Qi Qi, "Is it possible that this thing was created by Chasing the Wind?"


    "Very likely!!" Long Qi Qi nodded in agreement.


    "Youyou..." Qin Ran yelled Tushan Youyou again.


    Then Tushan Youyou flew out from the cave abode behind the mountain in a white dress, fairy-like. She came over to this side.


    "What''s this?" Qin Ran asked.


    "It was the ghost made by those two." Tushan Youyou helplessly shook her head, "Chasing the Wind lost control while using his supernatural power, and it became like this. Not only did Li Shiyin go in, Liu Xiaoji also went in."


    "Liu Xiaoji?" Qin Ran looked around. Seeing that a small half of Sword Washing Lake was also included by the ck hole, he was a little dumbfounded, "It''s Chasing the Wind''s Dark Supernatural Power, right?!"


    "They said it was taught by Ao Yi," Tushan Youyou said.


    "Sigh... Why teach little kids such dangerous supernatural powers so casually?"


    Qin Ran feltpletely lost about what to do. He didn''t understand Dark Supernatural Powers at all, so how was he going to deal with this?


    He found a wooden stick and stuck it into the ck hole to test it out. The stick immediately seemed to have entered another dimension, disappearing without a trace. He hurriedly pulled the stick back, and the stick waspletely undamaged.


    "When will this supernatural power lose its effect?" He asked Tushan Youyou.


    Tushan Youyou shook her head and said, "I don''t know... But you''ll probably have to find Ao Yi."


    "I''m barely acquainted with Ao Yi at all..." Qin Ran shook his head.


    Seeing that the wooden stick was fine, he summoned another clone and had the clone stretch its hand into the hole.


    The clone stretched out its hand and instantly lost feeling of that section, so he hurriedly pulled back. The hand was still normal.


    Qin Ran thought for a bit then stuck his head in. And then...


    There was no sign of life, he got sucked in instantly!


    "Damn!" Qin Ran blurted out profanity in shock.


    Is this thing alive? Did it just ambush him?


    But he soon calmed down and concluded: It should be a problem with the whole. When a part goes in, it cane back out, but once the whole gets darkened, it will get darkened and then sucked in.


    The wooden stick and his clone were fine, but there was a problem when his head went in, because the soul in the clone''s brain is split from his main soul. With the whole soul darkened, it got directly pulled in.


    "Does the supernatural power still work?" He tested it with two wooden sticks, and indeed it did. He awkwardlyughed and said, "Are you blind? Can''t you see this pitch ck hole?"


    At the same time inside the dark space, Li Shiyin saw Qin Ran''s clonee in and enthusiastically greeted, "Master, you came in too!"


    When "Qin Ran" looked over, the two ck shadows of Li Shiyin and Liu Xiaoji had already jumped over from the side of theke bank to mock him.

 Chapter 278

    Chapter 278


    Master, youre here? Liu Xiaoji followed Li Shiyin''s bad example and spoke with an odd tone after spending just half a day together.


    Qin Ran red at them and asked, Where is Chasing the Wind?


    Li Shiyin pointed behind her andughed. That big, dark lump over there. Can''t you see it?


    Im blind! Qin Ran rolled his eyes and asked again, Whats wrong with him?


    Based on my analysis... Li Shiyin imitated Qin Rans mannerisms when analyzing problems, speaking in a deep voice. He probably exhausted his spiritual power. He might just...alright, hes tired and needs to sleep for a while.


    Is this his mischief? Qin Ran said as he walked over to Chasing the Wind''s side and quickly checked his condition, discovering that he really was asleep.


    Yes, it''s a new divine ability Chasing the Wind learned, Li Shiyin said.


    What divine ability?


    I dont know, Li Shiyin shook her head. Chasing the Wind didn''t say.


    I told you guys not to make trouble, I told you guys not to make trouble, but you just have to make trouble! Qin Ran said angrily. You can''t go a single day without causing some kind of incident!


    No way. We were cultivating... Li Shiyin corrected him. We were practicing our divine abilities.


    Qin Ran was toozy to spar words with her. He red at her from the side and held out his left hand, separating his little finger, and asked, Can you still use your sword qi? Give me a sword qi."


    "Why?" Li Shiyin summoned a shadow sword qi, not understanding what Qin Ran intended to do.


    "This is my clone..." Qin Ran said. "Let''s see what happens if my finger gets cut off?"


    "It won''t cut through," Li Shiyin shook her head. Her sword qi sliced through Qin Ran''s little finger without leaving a mark. Qin Ran''s little finger waspletely undamaged. "See? I didn''t lie to you!"


    Qin Ran looked at his little finger and then towards the outside world. The real Qin Ran had a grave expression on his face, also looking at his own little finger.


    "You didn''t mess around with your sword qi, did you?" The clone Qin Ran hurriedly asked Li Shiyin.


    "No! I just made one cut towards the ground. The ground here is dark like everything else. My sword qi didn''t even make contact," Li Shiyin replied. As she spoke, she saw the expression on the real Qin Ran''s face outside and suddenly understood what his clone meant. "But I did kick Chasing the Wind. My foot passed right through his body."


    As soon as she said this, the real Qin Ran''s expression drastically changed.


    The clone Qin Ran hurriedly turned back to Chasing the Wind''s side and examined his condition closely.


    "Master...what''s wrong?" Li Shiyin asked fearfully.


    "Just now when you cut my little finger, I couldn''t feel any injury in this dark state," the clone Qin Ran replied. "But...the original body outside felt the pain. In other words, any attacks suffered in the World of Darkness do cause injury even if we can''t feel them."


    Li Shiyin recalled her foot kicking through Chasing the Wind''s waist. She couldn''t help but be greatly shocked. "I didn''t kick Chasing the Wind to death, did I?!"


    "I don''t know..." The clone Qin Ran shook his head. "I can''t detect anything now."


    A chill went down Li Shiyin''s back. Her kick had split Chasing the Wind cleanly in half. While they felt nothing in the World of Darkness, what about outside? Would Chasing the Wind suddenly snap into two pieces when he left this space?!


    The more she thought about it, the more fearful she became until she copsed next to Chasing the Wind in tears. "Chasing the Wind...I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to kill you. I...I...I didn''t know..."


    Just as she cried, Chasing the Wind suddenly yawned having been woken up by her noise. His eyes opened revealing a pair of glowing ck-gold irises. Although nearly the same color as the darkness, it was the only hint of light and color in this dark world. As soon as his eyes opened, he saw Li Shiyin crying while talking to herself. Extremely confused, he said, "Why are you crying? I''m not dead yet!"


    But seeing him like this only made Li Shiyin cry harder. "Chasing the Wind...don''t die!"


    "Eh? What are you doing?" Chasing the Wind sat up from lying down. "Why would I randomly die when I''m perfectly fine?"


    "You''ll die as soon as you leave!" Li Shiyin cried. "You''ll break into two pieces with blood flying everywhere. How terrible, Chasing the Wind! You''ll die so tragically!"


    "Why would I die after I leave?" Chasing the Wind looked at Li Shiyin. "Don''t curse me, alright?"


    "How do you feel right now?" Qin Ran suddenly asked.


    While Li Shiyin''sments about his gruesome death didn''t faze Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran''s voice scared him badly. After all, he knew he had done something wrong. Looking towards Qin Ran, he stammered, "D-Dad?"


    "I asked how you feel," Qin Ran frowned and repeated.


    "How I feel? Not bad. I slept prettyfortably," Chasing the Wind answered honestly. "It''s just, it feels like someone kicked my waist. It hurts a bit."


    "Ah!" Hearing this made Li Shiyin even more certain that Chasing the Wind would die. "Chasing the Wind..."


    However, Qin Ran realized something from this. He clearly had no sensation of pain in this dark space, yet Chasing the Wind could sense being kicked. Of course, as the master of this World of Darkness, he would be an exception.


    Pondering this, he asked, "Chasing the Wind, can you retract this World of Darkness without affecting..."


    But Chasing the Wind was a child who had done something wrong and kept trying to make amends. Hearing only the first half of his words, he eagerly nodded, "I can, I can!"


    Not waiting for Qin Ran to react, he opened his mouth wide and forcefully sucked all the darkness back in.


    "No, that''s not...!" Qin Ran tried to stop him mid-sentence before realizing he had reverted to normal. Looking down, his little finger had indeed disappeared. He hurriedly looked towards Chasing the Wind and saw him standing there perfectly fine with eyes and mouth agape. "Dad, what did you say?"


    "Oh..." Qin Ran let out another sigh before dissipating into a puddle of water. Qin Ran to the side said, "It''s fine now."


    Seeing that Chasing the Wind was alright, Li Shiyin quickly stopped crying and wiped her tears. She ran over to look Chasing the Wind up and down, confused. "How are you totally fine?"


    ncing to the side, she saw a person-sized hole in the ground, pitch-ck and leading to some unknown ce. There were also scattered traces of sword qi cuts that she had tested out earlier. The hole was from when she had burrowed underground while the lingering sword qi were the marks she had sliced.


    "Why wouldn''t I be alright?" Chasing the Wind was also very perplexed.


    Did he not remember the specifics of this divine ability? It was Ao Yi who had taught it to Chasing the Wind to protect his life, allowing him to shadowize his body to avoid attacks and burrow into shadows. For such an ability of which he was the wielder, how could anything happen to him?


    "Ahhh!" Seeing that Chasing the Wind was unharmed, Li Shiyin jumped up and punched him in the nose. "Give me back my tears!"


    Chasing the Wind''s nose was assaulted so he retaliated with kitty punches and yelled, "What''s that got to do with me?!"


    Watching the two start fighting again, Qin Ran looked up at the sky speechlessly.

 Chapter 279

    Chapter 279


    In the dark world, Chasing the Wind did not find anything useful when chasing the wind, but he discovered a new ymate - Liu Xiaoji.


    In the past, Liu Xiaoji always stayed in that thunder-struck willow tree, and Chasing the Wind rarely saw him. This time when he saw him, he realized that Liu Xiaoji had grown so big... he must be three years old already!


    Chasing the Wind is only four years old!


    The two of them should be ymates of the same age.


    "I''m older than you, you have to call me brother."


    Chasing the Wind squatted on the ground, Liu Xiaoji floated in front of his big head, level with him, and he said seriously to Liu Xiaoji, "Brother!"


    Liu Xiaoji was very well-behaved and obediently called out, "Brother!"


    "Hahaha... good good!" Chasing the Wind was very happy. He waved to Li Shiyin who was dancing a sword in midair and shouted, "Shiyin, Shiyin, he called me brother!"


    Li Shiyin was too busy to pay attention to him. He looked at Liu Xiaoji again and asked, "Are you in a primordial spirit state?"


    "Yes."


    "Why aren''t you a tree?"


    "Because I cultivate human methods."


    Chasing the Wind lifted a paw and lightly touched Liu Xiaoji, wondering, "Why do you have a physical form?"


    "Master said my primordial spirit is special."


    Chasing the Wind looked towards theke. Over there, Qin Ran was holding a hoe under the Devouring Demon Willow tree, digging the ground, not knowing what he was going to do.


    "What else is special about you?" He withdrew his gaze and asked Liu Xiaoji.


    "I can turn into many primordial spirits, and I can also devour spirit qi and things containing spirit qi..." Liu Xiaoji said seriously, "My primordial spirit also carries electricity."


    "Wow..." Chasing the Wind was dumbfounded and said, "You were born with lightning!"


    Liu Xiaoji immediately split into two, then blinked into four, then eight. Although Liu Xiaoji was increasing in number, he was getting smaller and smaller, and by the time he split into sixty-four, he was no bigger than Chasing the Wind''s eyes.


    This state reminded Chasing the Wind of Liu Daoji in the past, when Liu Daoji was like this in his ghost space.


    He pointed at Liu Xiaoji with his big paw and shouted at Li Shiyin in the sky, "Shiyin, Shiyin, he... that viin..."


    Li Shiyin still didn''t have time to pay attention to him. He looked at Liu Xiaoji. Liu Xiaoji was trying his best to restore himself into one person. He asked, "Are you a viin?"


    Liu Xiaoji returned to his original state and shook his head. "I''m not a viin. The original Liu Daoji is already dead. I am a newly born primordial spirit. I am Liu Xiaoji. Master gave me this name. I evolved from Liu Daoji''s old primordial spirit."


    It was so convoluted that Chasing the Wind barely understood the gist of it. What he actually cared about was the sentence "I''m not a viin." He nodded and said, "As long as you''re not a viin, that''s good. If you''re not a viin I won''t hit you, don''t be afraid."


    "I''m not afraid," Liu Xiaoji said.


    "Then try devouring some spirit qi again."


    Liu Xiaoji shook his head. "I''m constantly devouring spirit qi all the time, but you can''t see it. If you want to see me devouring spirit stones, I don''t have any spirit stones."


    "Spirit stones?" Chasing the Wind was startled. He raised his fuzzy big paw to his tiger amulet around his neck, wiped it, and took out a spirit stone. He handed it to Liu Xiaoji and said, "Here, try it, I have a spirit stone."


    His amulet had long been reced by Qin Ran with a material that could carry spatial formations, giving him a small universe bag. So that he could store some private... private tiger little stuff.


    Liu Xiaoji took the spirit stone from Chasing the Wind''s big paw, wiped it on himself, then put it in his mouth and took a bite, biting out a gap. He chewed with crunching sounds in his mouth, like eating candy, bite after bite. After just a few bites, he had eaten up the whole spirit stone.


    "Wow... you''re so powerful!" Chasing the Wind''s eyes widened and he shouted to the sky again, "Shiyin, Shiyin, Liu Xiaoji can eat spirit stones!"


    Li Shiyin still didn''t pay any attention to him.


    He looked at Liu Xiaoji again. "What do you mean your primordial spirit also carries electricity?"


    "Hand..." Liu Xiaoji gestured for Chasing the Wind to lift his paw. He pressed his tiny hand on Chasing the Wind''s paw pad. Then his whole body shuddered, with blood-colored lightning rippling.


    The electric current came and went.


    Chasing the Wind''s paw twitched as his hand was numbed by electricity.


    "Interesting." Looking at his electrically burnt paw pads, he couldn''t help but admire, "You were born with lightning!"


    Looking at Chasing the Wind''s paw pad which had only ckened slightly, Liu Xiaoji felt a little frustrated... That blow just now was actually his utmost effort already, but it had only injured Chasing the Winds skin and fur.


    "You''re the one who''s really amazing." He said to Chasing the Wind.


    "Why?" Chasing the Wind didn''t understand. "I don''t even have electricity."


    After chatting for a while, the two three or four year old kiddos walked towards Qin Ran, because Liu Xiaoji sensed that Qin Ran had dug up his roots.


    At this time, Qin Ran had just put down his hoe. He took out a beehive from his universe bag, held it in both hands andpared it to the hole he had dug, as if adjusting the angle.


    "Dad, what are you holding?" Chasing the Wind asked.


    "Beehive." Qin Ran replied.


    "Bees? Why aren''t they flying?"


    "These are just bee pupae, baby bees that can''t fly yet." Qin Ran found the right position and put the whole beehive into the hole.


    "Are they honey bees? Will we have honey to eat in the future?"


    "Not honey bees. They also eat honey."


    "Oh..." Chasing the Wind disappointedly responded.


    Qin Ran took out a porcin bottle from the universe bag, and dripped two drops on each bee pupa.


    "Dad, what are you dripping?"


    "Spirit water..." Qin Ran replied. "Dad uses it to cultivate spirit medicines."


    "Is the beehive a spirit medicine?"


    "It counts!"


    As Qin Ran spoke, he put the spirit water away and took out a dagger. He aimed at the pad of his middle finger, made a cut, and fed each bee pupa a drop of his essence blood.


    "Dad, why are you feeding them blood?"


    "This is the method of cultivating spirit beasts... to turn them into spirit beasts and prevent them from running around freely and harming people randomly."


    Qin Ran put the dagger away, circted his techniques, and the wound quickly healed.


    He turned to look at Liu Xiaoji and said, "Your rootlets absorb spirit qi from the spirit veins under Dan Peak... I buried this bee nest above your rootlets in the hope that you nourish them with the spirit qi. Do you understand?"


    Only then did Liu Xiaoji understand why his roots were dug up. He nodded and replied, "Understand! Master!!"


    Qin Ran used his hands to shovel the dug soil to cover the beehive. Chasing the Wind hurriedlyy down and helped Qin Ran shovel mud with his big paws.


    "Dad, what kind of bees are they?"


    "Don''t messily cover them, leave room for them to breathe..." Qin Ran patted Chasing the Wind''s big paw and heard his words. He raised his head to look at Chasing the Wind''s silly big head, smiled and said, "Tiger Head Wasps. They are called Tiger Head Wasps, Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps."


    "Is it the same tiger head as me?" Chasing the Wind looked at Qin Ran with wide eyes.


    Qin Ranughed loudly and said, "Bigger than your tiger head."


    Chasing the Windpared the size of the beehive and his own head, feeling that Dad was wrong and his own head was still a little bigger.


    Father and son worked together to build a nest for these Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps.

 Chapter 280

    Chapter 280


    Hearing that the swarm was called Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps, Chasing the Wind was as happy as a kid weighing several thousand pounds. Heid by the beehive for several days straight, and didn''t go out to mess around at all.


    Those who didn''t know thought he was beingzy over there. Those who did know all knew he was hatchingrvae.


    After nting the beehive, Qin Ran didn''t care much after that. Other than making blood sacrifices every day, everything else was being taken care of by Chasing the Wind and Liu Xiaozhi. As for Qin Ran himself, he had more important things to do these past few days - going to work!


    It''s not an exaggeration to say he was going to work.


    This guy only wandered over to the Chief Alchemy Hall at 10 AM every day. He would look around here and there, y enough, then pick up a book and sit down in the main seat to read for the entire day. The moment it struck 5 PM, he would promptly get up and leave work.


    This Chief Alchemy Hall elder... gave off the feeling of a corporate veteran who clocked in and out, wandering around with a teacup not doing proper work, going "huff huff huff" while drinking tea and spitting out tea leaves.


    On June 18th, Feng Feiyan gave him an ount book and said the trip to Zhican Valley wasing up in a couple days.


    Qin Ran nodded and epted the ount book. He flipped it open for a look - inside were listed the spiritual medicines and elixirs that needed to be purchased this time, as well as the spiritual stones required for each elixir and spiritual medicine, and the total amount of spiritual stones needed.


    He looked through carefully, then took out a pen and made some edits, before signing his name. Only then did he go find the Chief Finance Elder to retrieve the spiritual stones.


    It was another day of cking off. The moment it struck 5 PM, Qin Ran promptly got up to leave. But this time, he stopped at the door. He thought for a bit, and didn''t directly return to Dan Peak. Instead, he took a detour to the Sect Leader''s residence.


    Since everything was already clear, there was no need to keep up this act. He should justy his cards on the table. After all, he hadn''t wronged the Dao Sword Sect one bit. Now that he had taken on this hot potato, and was about to head to the chopping block, he should at least get some benefits first.


    "Sect Leader..." Gu Yueming was already seated cross-legged on a cushion, with his eyes closed, maintaining a cultivation posture. Qin Ran walked up and bowed with cupped fists, saying, "I will be heading to Zhican Valley the day after tomorrow. This trip is for the sake of all the sect disciples'' cultivation, please excuse the trouble."


    "There''s no trouble to speak of. This is for the sake of the entire sect. I appreciate you undertaking this." Gu Yueming replied.


    "(This isn''t about whether it''s troublesome or not. It''s about life or death.)" Qin Ranughed. "Before leaving, there are two matters I''d like to ask the Sect Leader for help with."


    "(Before dying, I still have twost wishes.)"


    Gu Yueming naturally understood Qin Ran''s hidden meaning, but he was surprised that Qin Ran hade to ask for benefits so directly. He opened his eyes to look at Qin Ran, and nodded. "Tell me and I''ll see what I can do."


    "(I''ll help if I can.)"


    "There are still two children without identity tokens on Dan Peak. I ask that the Sect Leader help make one for them." Qin Ran said.


    "That''s easy... it''s the snake demon and Profound Darkness Spirit Tiger right?" Gu Yueming said. He had tacitly permitted Qin Ran to raise the Profound Darkness Spirit Tiger.


    As he spoke, he took out two identity tokens and asked Qin Ran, "Tell me their names."


    "The snake demon is Long Qiqi, and the Profound Darkness Spirit Tiger is Chasing the Wind. Treat them both as my disciples."


    Gu Yueming imbued his magic as directed and carved the identity information. Then he handed the identity tokens to Qin Ran and said, "Use blood to refine them."


    Qin Ran respectfully epted the tokens. He continued speaking about the second matter:


    "That Profound Darkness Spirit Tiger doesn''t have a Natal Armament yet. Before leaving, I''d like to leave behind the main materials needed to forge his Natal Armament."


    "His mother died by the hands of sect elders three years ago. I''d like to know who still has remains... After all, nothing is better than the blood and bones of loved ones for a Natal Armament."


    Upon hearing this, Gu Yueming raised his head, his profound gaze fixed on Qin Ran''s eyes. Qin Ran calmly returned his gaze.


    Silence filled the residence.


    After a long while, Gu Yueming averted his gaze. He took out a box from his Universe Bag and handed it to Qin Ran, saying, "No need to go through so much trouble. That Profound Darkness Spirit Tiger barely managed to kill several eldersbined. I also helped, and obtained this portion in the end. I''ll give it to you."


    Qin Ran respectfully epted the box and opened it. Inside were a pair of dark gold, jade-like eyeballs with vertical pupils. When he looked at these eyeballs, the pupils also looked back at him. No matter where he looked, those vertical pupils followed his gaze, sending chills down his spine.


    He closed the box, bowed to Gu Yueming again, and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader."


    "Mm." Gu Yueming closed his eyes and asked, "Anything else?"


    "No."


    "You may go."


    Qin Ran turned and left.


    After Qin Ran had gone far away, Gu Yueming opened his eyes again and sighed. "What a smart child. A pity!"


    "Intelligence is always a good thing." Another voice suddenly sounded, speaking to Gu Yueming. "He clearly understands his own position, clearly understands what he''s doing, yet still took on this role and responsibility. This shows that he knows what to do, and also shows that he won''t die. There''s no need for pity."


    "I hope so."


    Qin Ran returned to Dan Peak with the benefits obtained from the Sect Leader. The first thing he did was call Chasing the Wind over to give him the identity token,ughing as he patted his big head. "From now on you''re an official member of Dan Peak."


    Chasing the Wind epted the identity token in his big paws and took a look. He was rather unhappy to discover it only marked him as an Inner Sect Disciple.


    As expected, Li Shiyin noticed right away and came over to mock him. "Haha, just an Inner Sect Disciple! Chasing the Wind, from now on you have to call me Senior Sister!"


    "No." Chasing the Wind shook his head and sneezed to show his disdain.


    "The previous batch already went through the outer sect examination, so Chasing the Wind counts as a disciple of the next batch." Qin Ran helpfully reminded. "In that case, Chasing the Wind might be the senior brother to all disciples of this batch."


    "Wow! So amazing..." Li Shiyin''s eyes went wide with excitement as she eagerly asked, "Will there be a Divine Prodigy Ranking for the next batch of disciples? If you''re not first ce on the Divine Prodigy Ranking, don''te back to Dan Peak. I''ll be too embarrassed."


    "Of course I''ll be first ce..." Chasing the Wind arrogantly dered, another silly child infected by Li Shiyin.


    "There should be a Divine Prodigy Ranking every batch..." Qin Ran said.


    At this time, Long Qiqi walked over. Qin Ran also gave her an identity token.


    Long Qiqi looked over her own token, her expression quite animated...


    She, Long Qiqi, was just an extremely ordinary snake demon. Yet she could join a human sect, and an extremely orthodox one at that.


    She felt a little unreal, like it was a dream.


    "Why am I a disciple?" She asked Qin Ran, somewhat dissatisfied.


    "What did you want to be instead?" Qin Ran asked back. "Chore Disciple? Outer Sect Disciple?"


    "Can''t I be an elder?" Long Qiqi mumbled.


    The clever Chasing the Wind understood at this point. He hurriedly called out to Long Qiqi, "Quick, call me Martial Brother!"


    Long Qiqi shot him a white-eyed re.

 Chapter 281

    Chapter 281


    On June 20th, it was Jian Yuanjie''s time this quarter to go to Zhican Valley for purchasing elixirs. Now Qin Ran was going in his ce.


    At ten o''clock in the morning, Qin Ran arrived at the elixir hall entrance on time. He looked inside and found that there was no change inside, everyone was doing their own jobs as usual.


    So he was very puzzled. They were about to go to Zhican Valley for purchasing elixirs, howe there were no preparations? At least... they needed some guards!


    So he asked Feng Feiyan about this.


    "Purchasing elixirs has long been a conventional trade between Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley. There won''t be much dangering and going. " Feng Feiyan replied, "First, ordinary loose cultivators don''t dare to offend two major sects at the same time; Second, few can rob elixirs from Elder Jian''s hands."


    The implication was that Jian Yuanjie did not need safety guards when purchasing elixirs. Could it be that Qin Ran was not as good as Jian Yuanjie and needed extra people to protect him?


    Qin Ran could naturally hear it out, but...


    He was still a baby, he didn''t want to die.


    "Oh, is that so?" He asked, "Has Elder Jian been robbed before?"


    "Naturally, there are people who are eager for theserge amounts of spirit stones and elixirs." Feng Feiyan replied, "However, regardless of whether they can rob these elixirs or not, they will be liquidated by the sect afterwards... Someone has tried, but no one has managed to rob elixirs from Elder Jian''s hands."


    "Oh..." Qin Ran understood, because they were cultivators, they had cosmos sacks that could transport goods. So with fewer people and a smaller target, it was convenient to escape. Indeed there was no need for guards. He smiled and said, "Elder Jian is indeed amazing."


    He asked Feng Feiyan again, "So, it''s just me going..."


    "The two of us, Elder Qin." Feng Feiyan said gently, "I need to go along to keep trading records."


    "Oh, okay, we''ll go together and watch each other''s backs." Qin Ran nodded, "Are you ready? If you''re ready, let''s go!"


    "I''m ready, Elder Qin." Feng Feiyan responded.


    Qin Ran then turned around and plucked a piece of cloud from the sky to serve as the transportation for this trip.


    While he turned around to cast spells, Feng Feiyan took the opportunity to exchange nces with Ke Yue in the hall, then Feng Feiyan nodded slightly imperceptibly.


    All of this was seen by Yan Yi. When Qin Ran beckoned Feng Feiyan onto the cloud, he suddenly stood up and shouted, "Chief Qin?"


    Qin Ran looked back at him with a smile and asked, "What''s the matter?"


    Yan Yi opened his mouth, but he could feel several ferocious gazes shooting towards him from the elixir hall, which made him feel utterly miserable. He finally just smiled and said, "It will be dangerous over there, Chief must be very careful."


    Qin Ran looked at him deeply and nodded, "Thanks for Yan brother''s reminder, I will be more careful."


    After that, he rode the cloud and sat cross-legged, then closed his eyes and flew out of the sect.


    Soon the two of them came to the mountain protection array in front of the sect. Qin Ran sat in the front but did not intend to take out his identity token to open the array passage. Seeing this, Feng Feiyan consciously stepped forward and took out her outer disciple identity token to open the mountain protection array.


    The cloud they rode continued flying outwards, heading towards Zhican Valley.


    Zhican Valley was known as the number one sect in North Chu Country. Along with Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect, they were all located deep within the vast mountains of the Hengduan Mountains.


    The so-called number one sect in North Chu referred to this sects influence among themon people, not the sects actual hard power, which was its fighting capability.


    After all, although there were many cultivators in Zhican Valley, they were either alchemists or cultivators who needed elixirs to cultivate.


    Could alchemists defeat sword practitioners?


    Could drug-assisted leveling defeat those with extraordinary talents?


    Therefore, although Zhican Valley had the most Nascent Soul stage cultivators among sects in North Chu, it was hard to say whether those Nascent Soul cultivators could defeat the current Li Shiyin.


    Of course, it was hard to tell about power levels without an actual fight.


    The current situation was that Zhican Valley had great influence among themon people due to alchemy, and there were many cultivators and high-level cultivators because of alchemy. On paper, Zhican Valley was the number one sect in North Chu.


    They also believed so themselves.


    Qin Ran and Feng Feiyan set off from Dao Sword Sect at ten o''clock in the morning. Under Feng Feiyan''s guidance, at around five o''clock in the afternoon, the two arrived at the entrance of Zhican Valley.


    Unlike Dao Sword Sect which hid several mountains in the mist, Zhican Valley hid an entire valley in the mist.


    It was surrounded by several majestic high mountains. Together with the rising mist, it formed Zhican Valley.


    The entrance of Zhican Valley was between two mountains. The two mountains guarded Zhican Valley like two ancient gods, leaving an open path between them as the entrance to Zhican Valley.


    Qin Ran stood on the white cloud with a faint smile on his face and his hands sped behind his back, fully exhibiting the demeanor of a superior man.


    The white cloud slowly descended, and some people had been waiting at the gate for a long time. Seeing this, they hurriedly came up to greet Qin Ran. An old voice said, "The elder has travelled a long way. I am ashamed for not weing you earlier. Please ept my apologies."


    Unlike the chaotic scene filled with vendors at Dao Sword Sects entrance, Zhican Valley was very orderly as the number one sect and cared about its image. Its gate was clean without any idlers, exhibiting the atmosphere and imposing sight of an immortal abode.


    Qin Ran cupped his fist and greeted, "Greetings, fellow Taoist."


    Feng Feiyan was also quick-witted and introduced both sides in a timely manner: "Elder Qin, this is Elder Sun who is specifically responsible for liaising with Dao Sword Sect; Elder Sun, this is our newly appointed Elder Qin."


    "Oh! Elder Qin, nice to meet you, nice to meet you!" Elder Sun had the appearance of a robust old man in his fifties with snow white hair. When he saw Qin Ran, he only showed a moment of astonishment. Upon hearing Feng Feiyan''s introduction, he continued to chat amiably with Qin Ran without any hesitation or asking about Jian Yuanjie''s situation.


    It was evident that he was also a scheming old fellow.


    Hearing that this guy was specifically responsible for Dao Sword Sect, Qin Ran immediately understood in his heart and knew that this guy was an executor of the plot against Dao Sword Sect. But he did not show any reaction and continued to chat amiably with Elder Sun.


    The two sly old men who met for the first time talked as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years.


    "I just understand a little bit about elixirs and was sent by the sect to talk with an alchemy-focused immortal sect like Zhican Valley. I''m truly ashamed." Qin Ran said, "Indeed the sect iscking people now. Please don''tugh at me, Elder Sun."


    "Little brother Qin understands alchemy?" Elder Sun asked in surprise, "Speaking of which, I also understand a little bit. Let''s exchangeter."


    As someone who would deliberately plot Qin Ran''s death, did Elder Sun know that Qin Ran could concoct elixirs?


    "No need, no need..." Qin Ran quickly declined, "Actually I only know how to light a fire and cook. To say that I understand alchemy would be boasting shamelessly!"

 Chapter 282

    Chapter 282


    The two were chatting as they passed through the protective mountain formation of Zhican Valley and arrived inside Zhican Valley.


    From the outside, Zhican Valley appeared to be two tall, steep and dangerous mountain peaks. Once inside, there was a feeling of sudden openness, like entering a paradise.


    Before their eyes were filled with colorful flowers and green leaves. With green mountains and clear waters, and sounds of birds and fragrances of flowers. Although called a valley, when looking out, there seemed to be no boundaries, like a prairie.


    Many trees, many flowers, and many spiritual herbs were nted in the valley, with immortal birds and divine beasts appearing among them, and pavilions and towers faintly visible, with cultivators flying about.


    If Dao Sword Sect gave an image of high-flying sword immortals, then Zhican Valley was one of an ethereal aura of immortal maidens.


    After entering the mountain gate, there was a high tform that offered a panoramic view to take in the whole valley. Everyone who entered Zhican Valley would surely be shocked by this picturesque, painting-like, paradise-like scenery before their eyes.


    Especially Qin Ran.


    Seeing this dream-like scene, he couldn''t control his excited heart, and walked forward to the edge of the tform, greedily enjoying the fairnd scenery.


    At least for him, this was the cultivation environment he had been longing for in his dreams. This was what he hoped his Danyun Peak would be.


    Elder Sun walked over, his smile contained some pride as he said, "How is it, very different from Dao Sword Sect right!"


    "It''s so beautiful!" Qin Ran eximed.


    The aroma of Zhican Valley was also very pleasant, with the organic fusion of the fragrances of medicine, grass and flowers. Qin Ran greedily enjoyed the scenery and greedily breathed in the fragrant smells.


    After admiring the scenery for a while on the tform, they flew down under Elder Sun''s lead, entering the picture-like scenery.


    The wide and tidy roads of Zhican Valley criss-crossed the valley, with strange flowers and nts or spiritual trees or herbs nted in open spaces by the roadside. asionally there were servants and medicine ves busying about, or disciples learning in situ, altogether portraying a harmonious scene.


    Continuing inwards, there were more and more disciples. Sometimes there were disciples sitting by the road reciting medicine materials, medicinal theories and pill forms. Sometimes there were disciples practicing supernatural abilities in small squares. Sometimes there were disciples experimenting with spells in the spiritual fields. And even more, there were groups gathered in squares, either showing off or teaching, and starting alchemy lessons right there in the squares. Altogether it portrayed the scene of an alchemy sanctuary.


    "What a great alchemy atmosphere!" Qin Ran praised.


    "Lots of learning, observing and practicing, that is alchemy," Elder Sun said.


    Qin Ran also saw the spiritual fields, and the envy in his eyes overflowed.


    What were spiritual fields? It was a whole stretch ofnd made entirely of spiritual soil.


    Qin Ran had dabbled in pills and medicines for many years, yet it was onlyst year that his silly apprentice had risked his life to obtain a tiny lump of spiritual soil for him. He had treasured it like nothing else.


    Yet others had stretch after stretch of spiritual soil. There was noparison! Really noparison!


    "Cultivating in spiritual soil is indeed excellent," he said dryly.


    Elder Sunughed. "Our Zhican Valley may not have much else, but we have plenty of spiritual soil. The reason the predecessors chose to establish the sect here was because they valued the spiritual soil here. In the past, this whole valley was spiritual soil. The predecessor spent great efforts to clear space for buildings."


    "Incredible!" said Qin Ran. "The predecessors overcame difficulties and started from nothing, it must have been arduous."


    "It''s true Zhican Valley has spiritual soil, that is advantageous. But you of Dao Sword Sect have spiritual stones..." said Elder Sun. "That''s like ournd being able to grow gold, while yournd directly has gold. Dao Sword Sect is still better in the end."


    Qin Ran nodded to show his understanding. So this was the reason you all covet Dao Sword Sect.


    "If possible, I would still prefer spiritual soil," he said to Elder Sun.


    "You''re an alchemist!" Elder Sunughed. "Alchemists tend to prefer spiritual soil more."


    "But Elder Sun, you''re an alchemist too!"


    "Oh? Am I? Hahaha..."


    The two chatted some inconsequential words as they walked to a three-story pavilion at the center of the valley.


    Elder Sun said to Qin Ran, "It''s already veryte today. You definitely can''t return tonight, traveling at night is too dangerous. I also can''t let you travel back at night. Stay overnight at Zhican Valley tonight, and tomorrow I''ll hand over the pills to you. You can head back tomorrow then.


    "That was the process Elder Jian always followed,e one day, rest one night, then leave the next day.


    "Alright?"


    Qin Ran readily agreed, "Elder Sun''s arrangements are reasonable, I''ll listen to you."


    "Then now, let''s drink merrily!" Having obtained agreement, Elder Sun led Qin Ran into the pavilion, "Handing over pills is tomorrow''s matter, tonight we drink till we drop!"


    "So Elder you were waiting for me here. I can''t drink alcohol. Drinking hinders things..." Qin Ran struggled symbolically.


    "Hey! We cultivators, what is there to fear from drink?!"


    In the end, Qin Ran was still dragged up to the second floor by Elder Sun. In the center of the second floor, a table was alreadyid out with exquisite delicacies and fine wine.


    Then, along with Feng Feiyan and two disciples brought by Elder Sun, the five were seated ording to status.


    One cup of wine followed another, the tasty food was barely touched, but the wine was steadily poured down. The wine was spiritual wine, able to intoxicate immortals. Even though Qin Ran was made of water, by the end he had lost awareness and needed to be supported to the guest room.


    Elder Sun''s disciples settled Qin Ran and Feng Feiyan, then fed Elder Sun sobering pills.


    "And Elder Qin?" Elder Sun awoke anddled himself a bowl of soup to rinse his mouth, then asked the disciple behind him.


    "He''s already passed out drunk, settled in Lingzhi Pavilion," the disciple replied.


    "He actually dared to get truly drunk..." Elder Sundled another bowl of soup and shook his headughing. "Should I say he''s gutsy, or foolish?"


    "Refusing to join Zhican Valley despite the invitation... stubbornly sticking to Dao Sword Sect."


    "Not seeming as cautious and wise as Elder Jian described... Could Elder Jian have done it on purpose? To get more spiritual stones?"


    The disciple didn''t dare reply, only took out a slip of paper and handed it to Elder Sun, saying, "This is what Feng Feiyan secretly slipped to the disciple when Elder Qin wasn''t looking."


    Elder Sun took it and saw the graceful writing: "Elder Jian has likely passed away. Elder Qin was sent by the sect leader, quite calcting, fearing he will cause trouble, please assist me in getting rid of him."


    "Jian Yuanjie is dead?" Elder Sun frowned. "That kind of person can also die?!"


    "How did he die? ident or discovered by Dao Sword Sect higher-ups?" He put down the soup bowl, fingers rubbing the paper, pondering deeply. "Has Zhican Valley been exposed after all?"


    After analyzing for a while, a cold light shed in his eyes. He pped the paper on the table. "Looks like I''ll have to control Qin Ran after all, whether to capture or kill him, considerter. If he can be sensible, sparing his life isn''t out of the question."


    "But can''t make a move inside the valley. It''s still not time for direct conflict with Dao Sword Sect, their strength is still decent." He continued. "Could arrange an ambush mid-journey... Since there''s Feng Feiyan as an insider... could also poison..."


    Having decided, he promptly arranged it during the night.

 Chapter 283

    Chapter 283


    Elder Qin? Elder Qin?! Elder Qin...


    The next morning, Qin Ran was woken up by someone calling his name. He opened his eyes to see that it was Feng Feiyan.


    Elder Qin? Feng Feiyan gently called him. Seeing that he was awake, she smiled and said, Come, I got some sober-up soup made for you. Please drink it to sober up!


    She was really gentle and intelligent. Her smile was especially charming.


    Qin Ran did get drunkst night. At the moment, his head was pounding. Seeing Feng Feiyan''s smile, he couldn''t help but stare nkly.


    ...Who would have thought that such a gentle and intelligentdy would also have a vicious heart?


    "Elder Qin?" Seeing Qin Ran staring at her, Feng Feiyan''s cheeks turned red. She called Qin Ran again.


    Only then did Qin Rane back to his senses. He smiled and asked, "Is it already the next day?"


    "Yes! It''s morning now." Feng Feiyan replied, bringing the sober-up soup to Qin Ran''s mouth. "This is a sober-up soup made by the alchemists of Zhican Valley. Why don''t you try it, Elder Qin?"


    Qin Ran felt like he was being treated like a child, having to drink medicine. He quickly sat up and took the soup from Feng Feiyan, taking a small sip himself.


    "Not bad." He smiled at Feng Feiyan, thinking to himself that this must be the legendary charm!


    "Why does the Elder keep looking at me?" Feng Feiyan shyly turned away.


    "Oh, sorry about that." Qin Ran quickly apologized, taking another sip of the nice sober-up soup. Such good poison!


    He wondered what Feng Feiyan and Elder Sun were thinking, trying to poison him with this fusion poison right in front of him. If not for the sober-up soup itself being non-poisonous, mixing it with Feng Feiyan''s perfume would have created a strong poison. Did they not tell him that he was also an alchemist?


    As he thought about it, Qin Ran drank down the entire bowl of soup. He handed the bowl back to Feng Feiyan and praised again, "What a good soup, as expected from an alchemist."


    Feng Feiyan took back the bowl and hugged it to her chest, smiling brightly and said, "Elder, please get up now. We''ll go inspect the pills first, then head back to Dao Sword Sect."


    Qin Ran looked over. Feng Feiyan''s breasts were even bigger than the bowl she was hugging to her chest, surging like waves that stirred his heart. He couldn''t help but shake his head with two quiet sighs.


    Feng Feiyan left the room, still hugging the bowl. Qin Ran got dressed and walked to the window after getting out of bed. Looking out at the fairnd view of Zhican Valley, he let out a sigh despite the beautiful world.


    After washing up and tidying his appearance, Qin Ran walked out the door to the stone roads outside. He asked someone for directions and soon arrived at the tower where they were drinkingst night.


    This tower was basically the cafeteria of Zhican Valley. Dao Sword Sect also had a simr ce on its main peak, but Qin Ran had never been there.


    Some disciples were having breakfast inside the tower. Qin Ran went to the window and ordered some high-quality breakfast as an elder, then found a nice spot to sit down and eat.


    As he was eating, he suddenly heard someone say to him, "Brother, you''re going to die!"


    Hearing this, he looked up to see a slovenly young man with a big beard, messy hair, skinny figure, and ill-fitting clothes talking to him. The only striking feature were his bright eyes.


    "Oh? Why do you say that?" Qin Ran asked with augh.


    Since this person had started a conversation, he sat down right away. Leaning one hand on the table and stroking his chin with the other, he carefully looked over Qin Ran, his expression growing more solemn. He said, "Firstly, your body is frail. Secondly, your soul is weak. Thirdly...you seem to be poisoned."


    Not bad, he really knew some things.


    "Is there a cure?" Qin Ran casually asked, then continued eating.


    "I can solve the frail body and poison, but my level of cultivation is not enough to improve your soul," the young man with the beard said. "And the body and soul are interconnected. To solve it we must solve both, so I can''t do anything for your frail body yet. I can only help you detoxify the poison."


    "You can cure poison?" Qin Ran gave the bearded man some of his food and asked, "Tell me first, what poison did I get infected with?"


    The bearded man took the food and started eating. He said, "It''s atent poison that needs a primer to activate. This kind of poison is probably made from Xueyu flowers, venom of the Hengshan ring snakes..."


    "What are you doing here?" Just as he was exining, an angry shout suddenly came from the side. "How will you make up for disturbing this honored guest?"


    Qin Ran looked over to see that it was Elder Sun.


    As soon as he saw Elder Sun, the bearded young man scurried away like a rat seeing a cat, grabbing the food from the table as he scrambled out.


    Elder Sun red at his receding figure, then turned back to Qin Ran with a smile. "Please pardon me for letting Elder Qin see such an embarrassing scene. He is an outer disciple of our valley. Extremelycking in talent, but has some talent in medicine. Always acting crazilymany people detest him."


    "Oh, he''s harmless." Qin Ran smiled and said, "His medical knowledge is actually quite good. We were just discussing alchemy."


    "What does he know!" Elder Sun said.


    The bearded youth had taken most of the food on the table. Seeing the nearly empty table, Elder Sun quickly asked Qin Ran, "Does the Elder need more food?"


    Qin Ran shook his head. "I''ve already eaten a lot. This will do, no need for more."


    Then Elder Sun said, "Then shall we go inspect the pills now!"


    As he spoke, Elder Sun brought Qin Ran to meet with the same five people fromst night. They quickly made their way through the valley to a tower that stored pills.


    After all, this was an alchemy sect. The pill storage tower was exceptionally tallseven or eight stories high. Elder Sun brought Qin Ran into a floor of the tower. Right there in the main hall, he took a temporary storage bag off a table. With a thought, he took out over a dozen bags of pills and several bags of medicinal ingredients.


    "Here are the pills your sect requiresYuanyuan Pills, Yuyin Pills, Break Barrier Pills... all here." Elder Sun gestured to Qin Ran with a gleeful smile and said, "Elder Qin, please inspect as you wish!"


    "Then I won''t hold back at all." Qin Ranughed and cupped a fist in salute. Then he crouched down to open up a bag of Yuanyuan Pills.


    Seeing Qin Ran was really going to inspect the pills, Elder Sun''s eyes clearly shed with an icy cold re. But his smile remained as he said, "Go ahead, as you should."


    Qin Ran opened the bag, picked up a Yuanyuan Pill and first inspected its appearance. His face slowly tensed up as he carefully looked over the pill again. Then he turned back to Elder Sun with a smile. "Elder, did you get the pills mixed up?"


    "Mixed up?" Elder Sun''s expression drastically changed. He quickly crouched down to pretend to inspect them himself, before angrily shouting, "Which disciple was in charge of packing thesehow could they have packed some inferior quality pills"


    "It was the medicine servant who packed them, Elder." A disciple replied.


    "What does a medicine servant know about pills?" Elder Sun yelled furiously. "Expel the medicine servant from the sect! Demote his master to a regr disciple!"


    "Yes!"


    By now, Qin Ran had inspected the medicinal ingredients as well. His face was also filled with bitterness as he said, "Elder, I''m afraid these medicinal ingredients were incorrectly packed as well."


    What a mess! They didn''t even dare cheat with the ingredients at first. But now that Qin Ran hade to inspect them himself, they had added in fake ingredients too!


    Elder Sun was now furious beyond control. He shouted loudly, "Expel them from the sect! Expel that disciple from the sect too!!!"

 Chapter 284

    Chapter 284


    Zhican Valley, in a certain attic for storing pills, on the first floor lobby, Qin Ran was sitting calmly to one side, holding a cup of tea in his hand, gently blowing the tea leaves.


    The tea was sent by Elder Sun, and like the sobering soup this morning, it contained poison. He drank it very happily.


    Meanwhile, Elder Sun was standing to the side, ring with anger written all over his face.


    However, it was unclear what he was angry about. Was he angry that his disciples had made a mistake? Or that important guests from Dao Sword Sect were slighted? Or that Qin Ran had dared to say the pills had issues? Or that this task had not beenpleted?


    So it could be said, those who understood, understood.


    Elder Sun had already arranged for people to go rece the problematic pills and medicinal ingredients.


    He calcted silently in his heart. The market price of a low-grade wed Gathering Original Pill was 70-90 low-grade Spirit Stones. A qualified low-grade Gathering Original Pill was 110-120 low-grade Spirit Stones. A mid-grade Gathering Original Pill was around 300. A top-grade Gathering Original Pill was 500 and up.


    Originally, he could have soldrge quantities of wed Gathering Original Pills to Dao Sword Sect, but now he had to rece all these wed Gathering Original Pills with low-, mid- and even top-grade Gathering Original Pills.


    So with this transaction, the Spirit Stones he lost could be counted in the tens of thousands.


    Elder Sun''s heart was bleeding! As he pretended to be angry, asionally the look he gave Qin Ran already revealed killing intent.


    It didn''t take long, perhaps Elder Sun had made preparations already, and his disciples brought new pills and medicinal ingredients. Qin Ran carefully examined them one by one, and finally confirmed there were no mistakes.


    Facing Elder Sun''s smiling dagger-behind-a-smile expression, his elegant face revealed a shy smile, and he said, "I''ve made Elderugh. This is my first time doing something like this, sometimes I may be offensive, I hope Elder can be magnanimous about it."


    He even sighed exaggeratedly, "s! I was afraid there might be mistakes."


    Elder Sun replied, "Of course, of course. Us Elders do it all for our disciples, it''s not easy on anyone. Elder Qin is exceptionally responsible!"


    "You tter me!" Qin Ran said modestly.


    He took out a temporary Universe Bag, and after some quick calctions, took out some Spirit Stones. He handed the entire Universe Bag to Elder Sun, and said, "The Spirit Stones are all in here, Elder please calcte if the amount is correct."


    Elder Sun epted the Spirit Stones, and said, "Do I still not trust Elder Qin? What''s there to check!"


    Then he spent a lot of time carefully counting the Spirit Stones in the Universe Bag, and double checked it against his ledger, before confirming there were no mistakes.


    "Elder is so diligent, admirable!" he smiled at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran exchanged a few pleasantries with him, then took out the Spirit Stones he had set aside earlier, and said, "We''re already at such an alchemy holynd like Zhican Valley, as an alchemist, it wouldn''t be proper to leave without some of Zhican Valley''s specialties - spiritual ingredients and herbs."


    He earnestly exined to Elder Sun, "Recently I''ve been researching pills for physical strength, repairing constitution, and nurturing spirit beasts. I''m in need of some medicinal ingredients, I hope Elder Sun can sell me some."


    "So Elder is researching pill forms by himself?" Elder Sun eximed. In his heart he thought, truly fearless from ignorance. Half a bottle of water making waves, even daring to mess with pill forms. As expected, he''s close to death. He said to Qin Ran, "The medicinal ingredients you need for those pills are extremely precious, the valley may not have them."


    "It matters not..." Qin Ranughed and said, "The ingredients I need won''t be too precious, just five hundred year old Ling Ginseng, hundred year old Lingzhi Mushrooms, Jade Dew Immortal Grass, Golden Leaf Peaches..."


    Qin Ran listed a bunch of names, and finally said to Elder Sun, "Elder, just sell me some randomly, I''ll keep them as mementos."


    Elder Sun said it was no trouble, and arranged for a disciple to prepare them for Qin Ran.


    Then, Elder Sun brought Qin Ran and Feng Feiyan out of the attic, to tour the valley and see the sights.


    Of course he wasn''t showing Qin Ran their spirit herb farms and disciples'' alchemy learning areas. He was just slowly walking from the valley''s center towards the outskirts - equivalent to seeing off a guest.


    The meaning was, once his disciples send over the spiritual ingredients Qin Ran requested, Qin Ran could directly get lost.


    As the few people walked, they came again to the small za they passed yesterday, the one where disciples were exhibiting outdoor alchemy processes. Qin Ran was surprised to see it happening today as well.


    He asked Elder Sun, "Does this kind of alchemy exchange happen every day?"


    "The sect does not prohibit alchemy exchanges..." Elder Sun smiled and said, "Actually, the pill forms are right there, but those who can sessfully produce pills are still the minority. Zhican Valley has thousands of disciples, but only a hundred odd can actually concoct pills in the end."


    "Truly an alchemy holynd that inspires yearning!" Qin Ran sincerely eximed in admiration.


    Elder Sun looked at him, suppressed the urge to kill, and extended the invitation again, "Elder Qin is such an alchemy genius, if you joined Zhican Valley, you will definitely be a master of the generation."


    "Haha..." Qin Ran shook his head, smiling as he declined, "You tter me too much, Elder. Dao Sword Sect raised me and guided me onto the path of cultivation, she has treated me well, how can I betray her?"


    Who could have thought he would say such heartfelt words deep in enemy territory?


    "Elder knows kindness..."


    As the two spoke, they unwittingly approached the Zhican Valley disciple concocting pills.


    Today''s alchemist was using fire techniques to refine amon Foundation Establishment Pill.


    He could be seen controlling his own mes, activating the public alchemy furnace in the za, skillfully pouring prepared ingredients into the furnace, then covering the furnace and concentrating on controlling the mes...


    "His fundamentals are great!" Qin Ran praised.


    "Just an ordinary disciple." Elder Sun said modestly.


    Just then, someone in the crowd gossiped, "It''s got to be a direct disciple of an inner sect Elder, this pill concocting technique is almost dao manifestation realm..."


    And so Qin Ran and Elder Sun were rendered speechless for a time.


    As the disciple nurtured the pill, suddenly, Qin Ran sensed an icy gaze. He hurriedly looked up to trace the origin of the gaze, and saw two sword scars slicing across the clouds in the sky.


    That was from supreme sword cultivators riding their swords in flight.


    Qin Ran''s heart sank. He followed the sword scars and looked towards the depths of Zhican Valley, where two familiar ck and red figures disappeared into the shadows of the trees.


    "Boundless Sword Sect!!!" His memory was excellent. Just from the two back views, he recognized the visitors. That man in ck had argued with him whenpeting for the Dao Fruits after the death of the Devouring Demon Willow.


    "What are people from Boundless Sword Sect doing at Zhican Valley at this time?"


    Perhaps realizing Qin Ran had discovered the people from Boundless Sword Sect, Elder Sun smiled and said, "People from Boundless Sword Secte to exchange knowledge and buy pills too."


    Despite Zhican Valley having many alchemists, was it possible they would have two major sectse to purchase pills on the same day?


    Qin Ran knew what was going on.


    He nodded at Elder Sun and said, "I see, so that''s how it is... Those two are old friends of mine."


    After watching the disciple concoct pills, the group continued outwards. Not longter, Elder Sun''s disciple brought the spiritual herbs and ingredients Qin Ran had requested.

 Chapter 285

    Chapter 285


    Qin Ran felt content as he used public funds to purchase spiritual herbs for himself. Saying goodbye to Elder Sun at the gate of Zhican Valley, Qin Ran, apanied by Feng Feiyan, soared into the sky towards Dao Sword Sect.


    Standing with hands behind his back on the clouds, Qin Ran observed the mountains and trees passing swiftly beneath his feet. He thought to himself, "So this is what it feels like to fly on clouds."


    He listened to Feng Feiyan''s gentle guiding voice and remembered the routes they had traveled. He wondered where Feng Feiyan would take him, hoping for a serene and picturesque ce.


    He smelled the fragrance carried by the wind from Feng Feiyan''s body, while also sensing the gradual onset of toxins within himself.


    Hisplexion darkened gradually, feeling weakness creeping over his body. He began to feel dizzy and fearful of heights, his vision blurring as he went from standing to sitting.


    "Elder Jian always praised your alchemy skills," Feng Feiyan''s tender voice echoed in Qin Ran''s ears. "But now, it seems he may have been mistaken."


    Qin Ran, weakened by the poison, slowly turned to look at Feng Feiyan.


    She stood gracefully on the edge of the clouds, her figure elegant and her temperament gentle and knowledgeable. Against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds, with mountains and water in the distance, her hair floated lightly, making her appear unparalleled in beauty.


    "You see, you are already poisoned, yet you are unaware. Doesn''t this show howcking your alchemy skills are?" Feng Feiyan''s affectionate gaze met Qin Ran''s, making him feel as though she were his sister or lover.


    As the poison reached its peak, Qin Ran felt extremely weak.


    He smiled and asked Feng Feiyan, "Throughout my past lives to this one, I''ve never quite understood Stockholm syndrome. Now that I''m near death, can you enlighten me?"


    "What syndrome?" Feng Feiyan didn''t catch it clearly. She smiled gently and said, "Qin Sect Leader, whatever you ask, I will do my best to answer."


    "In simple terms, it''s a strange feeling that urs between the victim and the abuser," Qin Ran softly exined.


    "Applied to you and Elder Jian, it''s like you are Elder Jian''s cauldron, where the finest essence of cultivation is extracted until nothing is left. Your entire cultivation is for Elder Jian''s benefit, your perfect body exists solely to satisfy his desires. In every way, you are exploited by Elder Jian. So, I can''t understand why you still respect him so much, even willing to risk your life for revenge?"


    Upon hearing Qin Ran''s words, Feng Feiyan was momentarily stunned. She hadn''t expected Qin Ran to bring this up on the brink of death.


    After a while, she replied, "Elder Jian guided me onto the path of cultivation, he is like my foster parent in this life. Everything I have is given by Elder Jian. Elder Jian only wants my body... and I willingly give it, longing for it."


    Seeing the infatuation and love in Feng Feiyan''s eyes, Qin Ran shook his head, still unable toprehend. But he had a vague idea that Feng Feiyan was too naive and had been manipted by Elder Jian far too early in life.


    Seeing that he remained silent, Feng Feiyan pressed on with her inquiry, "You seem to understand everything. So, you must know where Elder Jian is, right? Is Elder Jian still alive? Is he?"


    Qin Ran met her increasingly urgent gaze, a smile ying on his darkened face. "Elder Jian was killed by my own hands. Reduced to mere ashes, his soul scattered. I did everything in my power to ensure there was no chance of his survival."


    In an instant, disbelief and resentment shed in Feng Feiyan''s eyes. She stared at Qin Ran and eximed, "Impossible! How could you possibly be a match for Elder Jian?"


    "Unfortunately, I couldn''t let you witness his demise..." Qin Ran apologized sincerely, "I''m sorry."


    "Ahh..." Feng Feiyan''s eyes were now filled only with resentment and fierceness, devoid of any trace of tenderness or intelligence. She lunged at Qin Ran like a vengeful spirit.


    Qin Ran, weakened and unable to dodge, had half of his head torn open by her w.


    As half of his brain rolled down into the clouds, the other half still attached to his neck, he spoke with his mouth, "In fact, you''re a spy from Zhican Valley. I''ve known all along; your messages to Elder Sun, your attempt to poison me, it''s all clear to me. But can you guess why I didn''t expose you?"


    After the attack, Feng Feiyan''s anger subsided slightly, and some rationality returned. She held some nauseating concoction in her hand as she questioned Qin Ran, "Why?"


    "Because I pity you," Qin Ran said, and a misty haze began to form around his half-head, gradually filling it back in.


    The cloud carriage had stopped at some point unknown. Feng Feiyan looked at Qin Ran, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and resumed her gentle and intelligent demeanor, replying, "I''m not pitiable; I''m fine. Killing you avenges Elder Jian, and then I''ll be free, a cultivator who has resolved all karma."


    Hearing approaching footsteps, she smiled softly, her smile tender and captivating. "The pitiable one is you. A prestigious elder, but you lost your life just going out to buy alchemy ingredients."


    Qin Ran looked around at the dozen or so cultivators surrounding them with swords, spears, knives, and strange artifacts. Men and women, all different. They were likely members of some rogue cultivator organization, or perhaps disguised as such.


    "I''ll return to Dao Sword Sect, wounded and iming to have been ambushed by rogue cultivators. Elder Qin, unfortunately, died in battle, but I was fortunate enough to escape under his protection," Feng Feiyan said softly.


    "For the sake of reputation, Dao Sword Sect will seek revenge against this non-existent rogue organization. For your sake, your disciples will seek vengeance, and perhaps one day, one of them will die in a reckless battle. Afterwards, Dan Peak will vanish from history, and eventually, Zhican Valley''s n will seed, and Dao Sword Sect will disappear from the annals of history."


    "Before you plotted to kill me, did you know what I excel at?" Qin Ran looked at the "rogues" surrounding them above and below, asking Feng Feiyan.


    "What?" Feng Feiyan only knew Qin Ran as a reclusive alchemist.


    "First, I excel in alchemy..." Qin Ran replied self-assuredly to Feng Feiyan, "Quite proficient, especially in pharmacology. I''m so skilled that if you were to poison me, I''d be well aware; but if I were to poison you, no one would know."


    Upon hearing this, Feng Feiyan''s expression changed slightly. She examined herself from head to toe but found nothing amiss.


    "Second, I excel in formations, even more than in alchemy..." Qin Ran unsped the Universe Bag from his waist and continued, "So far, my greatest research achievement is integrating formations into alchemy."


    Following Qin Ran''s movements, Feng Feiyan looked towards his waist.


    "Just a Universe Bag?" she raised a finely arched eyebrow, thinking, "Shouldn''t there be two Universe Bags, one for personal use and one for temporarily storing pills?"


    "Third, I excel in escape techniques, surpassing even my proficiency in formations..."


    Qin Ran finished speaking, then suddenly vanished... or not vanished, he was still sitting cross-legged on a white cloud.


    "Fourth..." he sighed with a look in his eyes that Feng Feiyan couldn''tprehend, a sentiment of attachment to the world, "I excel at surviving, abination of the three skills mentioned earlier."


    Feng Feiyan recognized that gaze, an attachment to life. Although she didn''t understand, she sensed danger and shouted, "Run!"


    But as she turned around, she realized her plump thighs had lost movement at some point. It was then that she realized she was poisoned.


    Standing frozen, she felt her body gradually stiffen and turn cold. She saw the Universe Bag Qin Ran held slowly exploding...


    At the moment of death, it seemed like her eyes had a slow-motion capability. She saw red mes mixed with ck mist tearing the Universe Bag apart. ck and red emerged, shockwaves shredded Qin Ran, mes turned him into ashes, and ck mist transformed him into dark vapor...


    Helplessly, she watched as the mes and mist swept towards her.


    Even in death, she couldn''t fathom, "Why would Qin Ran do this?"


    7017k

 Chapter 286

    Chapter 286


    Where Qin Ran''s half-head was grabbed off by Feng Feiyan''s w, another Qin Ran materialized out of thin air. He caught the half-head, then took out a bloody Universe Bag from it.


    Holding the head, he turned and left, moving away from the explosion site. That Universe Bag contained quite a few Death Notice Pills he had put in. With this st, everything within a radius of several hundred meters would be devoid of life for a long time. He had to get farther away.


    The Death Notice Pill was something he came up with when researching the Longevity Pill. He seriously suspected that this pill form had already touched upon the mysteries between life and death, like that so-called life equation or something. Because life and death were intrinsically part of the same realm.


    A real man doesn''t look back at an explosion site, that''s just the way it is. He was afraid he would be poisoned to death by his own pills.


    Qin Ran strode through the forest, hugging his own half head. Behind him, the Death Notice Pills mixed with Earth me Pills exploded in the azure sky, blossoming like a magnificent mand flower.


    Beautiful, alluring, deadly!


    At the same time, it also marked the death of Qin Ran No. 2, the second Nascent Soul split body to die. It had lived at least one more day than the first one.


    So when did Qin Ran make the recement?


    Clearly, the one who first appeared at the Chief Alchemy Hall''s door was a split body. The split body carried a bag of Earth me Pills and Death Notice Pills together with Feng Feiyan, heading to Zhican Valley.


    That was why this Qin Ran didn''t open the mountain-guarding grand array with his own prestigious sect elder identity token. He didn''t have an identity token, the real identity token was on his original body that tailed them on the ground.


    That was also why this Qin Ran was not afraid of heights. This split body didn''t obtain that excellent ability from the original body.


    That was also why this Qin Ran didn''t fear poison. Because he already knew it would be hard for him to survive.


    That was also why this Qin Ran was said by that Zhican Valley disciple to have a weak physique and timid soul. His flesh was just a water-element mystic art of the original body, and his soul merely a bit of the original body''s Nascent Soul.


    That was also why this Qin Ran did not fear death...


    Having travelled the route once, Qin Ran remembered the way. He soon returned to the Dao Sword Sect. Fearing being tailed, he took some detours, but still entered the Chief Alchemy Hall before 5pm.


    He really didn''t go back to check out the explosion site, because he didn''t actually care whether the others lived or died, as long as Feng Feiyan was dead. And Feng Feiyan was undoubtedly dead.


    Qin Ran walked into the Chief Alchemy Hall. Seeing it was him who returned, Ke Yue''s expression changed slightly, realizing something was amiss. She hurriedly asked, "Elder Qin, where is Feiyan?"


    Qin Ran''s footsteps halted, then he stopped and his face gradually revealed grief, followed by tears falling down his cheeks.


    "Feiyan... Feiyan, we were ambushed by bandits..." he cried out, "To cover my escape, Feiyan died in battle!"


    He wept as he came to the main table and flung out a bloody Universe Bag onto it with a "plop" sound.


    Ke Yue looked over. That Universe Bag was drenched in blood, looking like it had indeed gone through a life-and-death struggle. She also noticed Qin Ran''s paleplexion, which also seemed like he was injured internally.


    Seeing Qin Ran''s grieved appearance, she found it hard to judge if they really encountered bandits, or if Feng Feiyan made a move and got killed instead. But given Qin Ran''s consummate acting skills, she leaned towards the former.


    "These damned bandits!" she also cried, recalling Feng Feiyan''s kindness and gentleness, ovee by sorrow. "We haven''t run into bandits for decades, how could we suddenly encounter them? Cursed free cultivators, cursed state of the world!"


    Grief-stricken, she was unable to stand steadily for a while and had to be supported by Shi Yuan before sitting down in Feng Feiyan''s seat, though she continued cursing and wiping her tears.


    Qin Ran only wept twice before stopping. He sat down in his own seat, nced at Ke Yue''s performance, then turned to look at Yan Yi...


    Where was Yan Yi?


    When he first entered, he didn''t see Yan Yi, and still didn''t see him now. He searched the hall again but still couldn''t find Yan Yi.


    Qin Ran always tended to think the worst. He realized something and sat there with a gloomy expression. He asked Shi Yuan, "Where is Yan Yi?"


    "Don''t know. That guy probably skipped work since Elder wasn''t here today." Shi Yuan shook his head.


    Unfortunately, his psychological quality wascking. His eyes darted around when lying, eventually not even daring to meet Qin Ran''s gaze.


    So Qin Ran confirmed in his heart that while nning to kill him, the Chief Alchemy Hall also made a move on Yan Yi who had warned him to be careful... He just didn''t know if it was just teaching him a lesson, or...


    "Where does Yan Yi live?" he asked Shi Yuan.


    "He''s an outer disciple, doesn''t belong to the Master Peak, so I don''t know where he lives either." Shi Yuan replied.


    But they had done something to Yan Yi, how could they not know where he lived?


    Qin Ran wanted to get angry and massacre the entire Chief Alchemy Hall... But ultimately he didn''t do so...


    "I''m going out for a bit." He said, then carried the blood-drenched Universe Bag and left. Ke Yue didn''t know the blood on the Universe Bag was Qin Ran''s blood.


    Qin Ran didn''t go looking for Yan Yi first, but went to see the Sect Leader instead.


    "Sect Leader, I''m back." He greeted the Sect Leader.


    "You returned safely?" Sect Leader Gu Yueming opened his eyes, looked him up and down, and seeing only paleness but no major issues, nodded with a smile. "Not bad, very skillful."


    "There''s nothing else really, just ran into some bandits and lost a Chief Alchemy Hall executive." Qin Ran said.


    "The one responsible for recording for Jian Yuanjie?" Gu Yueming asked. "You can find another one yourself in the future."


    "Sect Leader, you mean..." Qin Ran frowned. "I''ll be in charge of the Chief Alchemist position from now on?"


    "Unwilling?"


    As a shut-in, Qin Ran was very unwilling. He was silent for a good while before saying, "I''ll continue sitting there for now."


    Seeing Qin Ran, Gu Yueming shook his head with augh. He gestured for Qin Ran to show him the pills.


    Qin Ran respectfully presented the Universe Bag to Gu Yueming with both hands. Gu Yueming took the Universe Bag and rummaged inside, taking out a bottle of pills to pour out and look at. Heughed, "Now that''s more like it!"


    Seeing this, Qin Ran secretly ridiculed him for showing off some low-grade pills when he didn''t know anything about pills.


    Gu Yueming checked the pills, and also opened a bag of spiritual herbs, taking out a ginseng root. Looking at Qin Ran, heughed and scolded, "Not bad Chief Alchemist Qin, abusing your power for personal gain!"


    "Oh no, I didn''t put it away right away." Qin Ran''s expression changed slightly. He hurriedly smiled at Gu Yueming, "This is for research, refining new pills."


    Gu Yueming casually rummaged a bit more before putting everything back and tossing the Universe Bag back to Qin Ran. "Distribute these next month then!"


    "Yes, Sect Leader!" Qin Ran saluted. Then he hesitated and asked, "Sect Leader, look, I narrowly escaped death this time. Is there no constion prize for surviving disaster? (I risked life and limb for the Dao Sword Sect, resolving such a huge problem, is there no reward?)"


    "Wanting to wheedle benefits again?" Gu Yuemingughed angrily, pointing at him and scolding, "Good ol'' honest Qin Ran, who would''ve thought you''re also such a scheming viin."


    "How could Sect Leader say that..." Qin Ran was a little embarrassed. "Nevermind, I don''t want anything."


    He headed towards the cave exit as he spoke, but suddenly turned back when he reached the doorway and asked Gu Yueming, "Sect Leader, where does Chief Alchemy Hall clerk Yan Yi live?"

 Chapter 287

    Chapter 287


    Dao Sword Sect isn''t just the ten geniuses on the Geniuses Ranking, nor is it only the direct disciples and inner sect disciples. There are also many outer sect disciples and misceneous disciples.


    Some of these outer sect disciples have been taken in by certain Peak Masters, while others have not. Those taken in as disciples by a Peak Master can say they are outer sect disciples of that Peak Master. They generally have some kind of special talent, whether it be aptitude, disposition, or insight, and have a good chance of bing inner sect disciples of that Peak Master.


    As for those not taken in by a Peak Master, they can say they are disciples of Dao Sword Sect for the time being. After they leave the mountain and sect, they can roam the jianghu in Dao Sword Sect''s name.


    As for the misceneous disciples, Dao Sword Sect does not recognize them at all, and they have no status whatsoever.


    Yan Yi was an outer sect disciple who had not been taken in by any Peak Master. He lived at the foot of the mountain. That is to say, Dao Sword Sect has five tall mountains, and usually everyone flies around the mountain peaks,pletely ignoring the foot of the mountains.


    Walking down from the front of the Master Peak, one could see the mountain valley below was densely packed with wooden and stone houses. The better ones were two stories with a courtyard, while the worse were just thatched huts.


    ...Some people imitated the upper ss people on the mountains by digging simple caves, but these often copsed without proper formations to reinforce them.


    Qin Ran walked down and squeezed through the messy paths, asking passing disciples all the way until he finally found Yan Yi''s residence.


    Although Yan Yi was an outer sect disciple, since he was the steward of the Butler Hall, his residence was rtively nice... He was that kind of sessful outer sect member with a two story house and courtyard.


    Pushing open the gate and walking in, Qin Ran discovered the courtyard only contained items for martial arts practice and swordy, nothing else. He knew Yan Yi was straightforward. Working at the Butler Hall where spirit stones and pills were worthless, he had not been corrupted.


    Qin Ran searched the first floor and didn''t find Yan Yi. Upstairs in the bedroom, he finally found him.


    He was severely injured, without a single unharmed piece of flesh. Many bones were broken, and his brows were still marked by ck energy - it seemed he was also poisoned... But at least he wasn''t dead. (Originally Yan Yi was supposed to be dead, but considering today is Mid-Autumn Festival, it''s better to be more auspicious.)


    He was curled up alone in bed wrapped in a nket, like a terminally ill patient near death.


    Qin Ran pushed open the door, letting in the light from outside. Squinting against the light, he saw an angel.


    "Elder Qin?" His vision wasn''t clear and he didn''t believe the Peak Master woulde see an insignificant outer sect disciple like him.


    "How are you?" Qin Ran casually closed the door behind him and walked over.


    Yan Yi forced a smile and said, "Not very good."


    He struggled to get up, wanting to serve his guest.


    Qin Ran gently patted his nket, stopping his movements, and pulled over a chair to sit by the bed.


    "Give me your hand, let me take a look," he said to Yan Yi.


    Yan Yi hesitated for a moment before stretching out a hand from under the nket for Qin Ran to take his pulse.


    This hand had clearly suffered cruel abuse, crushed and battered by heavy objects until it could hardly be called a human hand anymore. One could extrapte from this hand the extent of torment he had endured.


    That he could still move was only due to his cultivation level.


    Qin Ran had never properly studied medicine, but as an alchemist he was very familiar with the human body''s structures and basic principles. He could take pulses and judge illnesses through the pulse condition. He could also use his spiritual sense to directly examine the body''s interior.


    So before long he had a clear grasp of Yan Yi''s condition. In summary, most were physical injuries from being beaten until severely wounded even internally. A smaller portion was poison - someone had slowly administered him with a chronic toxin.


    The physical injuries, with Yan Yi''s cultivation he could slowly nurture himself back to health over a year or two. But the chronic poison would cause him to gradually die as he tried to heal.


    In conclusion, by the time Yan Yi recovered from his physical wounds, the chronic poison would inexorably take effect and he would die from the toxin.


    ...What vicious, sinister intentions!


    Qin Ran took out medicinal pills for healing external injuries and handed them to Yan Yi.


    "Elder Qin, I can''t ept this." However, Yan Yi adamantly refused to take his medicinal pills.


    "What''s with this wishy-washy attitude? You''re a grown man," Qin Ran shook his head. He crushed the pills into powder and directly administered them into Yan Yi''s skin and meridians.


    As the medicinal effects took hold, Qin Ran identified the type of poison based on his analysis, and rummaged through his Cosmos Sack, taking out some medicinal ingredients. Using his hand as a pill furnace and spiritual liquid as the menstruum, he simplypounded an antidote pill for Yan Yi.


    "Here, they poisoned you so take this detox pill," Qin Ran said.


    Looking at the unsightly mess Qin Ran had just casually concocted before him, Yan Yi couldn''t help but hesitate. But thinking he really had nothing worthy of Qin Ran''s concern, he epted it and swallowed the pill.


    "Dao Sword Sect has been declining for so many years now, the sect is thoroughly rotten," Qin Ran sighed as he looked at Yan Yi''s condition. "For its own disciples to be poisoned to death by petty viins within the sect itself..."


    Hearing this, Yan Yi didn''t dare chime in. This wasn''t something he had the standing to discuss.


    He could feel his body rapidly recovering and hadplex, indescribable emotions.


    How to put this? It''s no exaggeration to say this: In his three years at Dao Sword Sect, all he had seen and experienced was machinations and schemes, no one had treated him with sincerity or kindness.


    Yet the Peak Master, an existence so high above, had personally descended into the mundane world to treat his illness and heal his injuries.


    How could he not be somewhat moved?


    Qin Ran got up and walked to the window, looking outside as he said, "Sometimes I don''t know if it''s just me being pessimistic, but I always feel like Dao Sword Sect is mired in gloom,cking vitality. It doesn''t seem like a sect destined for prosperity, but rather a declining sect nearing its end."


    By this time Yan Yi was feeling a bit better. He sat up in bed watching Qin Ran''s not very tall silhouette and still said, "Dao Sword Sect is extremely powerful. No matter where Dao Sword Sect cultivators go, they receive great respect from others."


    "Powerful..." Qin Ran murmured. "However powerful, can a single person hard resist two sects?"


    "What?" Yan Yi didn''t understand.


    "You don''t know the Three Kingdoms period so you don''t understand the current situation. Right now it''s Sun Liu against Cao Cao," Qin Ranughed and shook his head. "No matter how powerful Cao Cao is, he can''t withstand it!"


    Yan Yi was nowpletely lost.


    But Qin Ran didn''t need him to understand, he was just venting to someone who wouldn''t get it.


    "How are you feeling now?" he asked Yan Yi.


    Yan Yi focused inward again and said, "Thanks to Elder Qin''s miraculous pills, I''m nearly recovered now."


    Critical injuries and poisoning were a huge deal for Yan Yi, yet just two simple pills for Qin Ran.


    "Then remember toe to work tomorrow," Qin Ran said, then walked toward the outside.


    "Go to work?" Although Yan Yi didn''t understand the meaning of the two words, he guessed what Qin Ran meant. "Can I still serve at the Butler Hall?" he asked.


    Qin Ran opened the door and looked back with a smile. "Of course, the Butler Hall is understaffed right now."


    "The Butler Hall is understaffed?" Yan Yi was still puzzled.


    Qin Ran didn''t exin further. He directly walked out the door.


    Just as he casually closed the door behind him and reached the midpoint of the walkway, a golden light suddenly shot toward him, filled with killing intent.


    He was about to look toward the light''s origin when he heard someone shouting, "Look, it''s Prince Lu on a rampage!"

 Chapter 288

    Chapter 288


    Qin Ran stood under the eaves, craning his neck as far as he could to gaze up at the peak of Master Peak. At that very moment, even higher up, halfway up the sky where the evening glow shone, something like a mirage appeared, unfolding a goldenndscape.


    The evening clouds were as red as gold, and their golden red glow shone down on thendscape in the sky, reflecting off every part of it. For thatndscape was made entirely of swordsmanship, and the glow caused it to shine brightly.


    And so a goldenndscape appeared in the sky, which in turn cast a golden glow over the entire Dao Sword Sect.


    Qin Ran was bathed in the golden light as well. As he looked up at the goldenndscape in the sky, he thought to himself: What a pretentious disy; for thousands of years toe the Dao Sword Sect will never forget this scene.


    Just then, a figure in ck and white robes suddenly materialized within the goldenndscape. His eyes were closed as he held a sword aloft in his hand. The golden light had turned him gold as well, making him look every inch an emperor surveying his domain.


    Perhaps it would be fitting to call him the Emperor of Swords, the Sword Emperor!


    "Master Lu Junxing!" Qin Ran eximed in admiration. "One might say he is the Dao Sword Sects once-in-a-millennium genius, one in ten thousand!"


    As he watched Master Lu suspended in mid-air, Qin Ran thought of Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin, Liu Baixuan and Dong Zhongyuan as well. Truly the Dao Sword Sect was blessed with outstanding talents in this generation.


    Its all because of me... Qin Ran finally understood. Despite being in a state of vitality and thriving growth, it is in fact the perfect time for the Dao Sword Sect to prosper.


    In the air, Master Lu opened his eyes. There was a serene calm within them. Releasing his grip, he let go of the sword in his hand - clearly that was his personal weapon, ck and white in color, still untouched by the golden glow. The sword floated upwards of its own ord, and as it rose, the goldenndscape in the sky gradually drained into the de, until when it reached the pinnacle all the river and mountains had been absorbed into this Landscape Sword.


    Finally, only one ck and white sword remained suspended in midair.


    Master Lu took a deep breath and proimed in a carrying voice to the entire Dao Sword Sect: Today, I, Lu Junxing, haveprehended the fourth level of the Way of the Sword, One Sword to Form Landscapes and Rivers. I will leave this Landscape Sword here. My entireprehension of the Way of the Sword resides within it. From now on, any swordsman of the Dao Sword Sect may enter it and gain insight into the qi, spirit, and way of the sword."


    Having said this, his figure vanished, leaving only the ck and white Landscape Sword floating quietly in midair.


    "No way, would anyone really be so generous as to open up their hard-earnedprehension for anyone to take advantage of?" Some were incredulous.


    "What secrets does that sword hold?" Others did not understand what the fourth level of the Way of the Sword meant. "Can we really enter it?"


    "What if it''s a trap? What if the sword qi suddenly erupts when we''re insideprehending it?"


    "Is it safe? The sword qi won''t go haywire without warning, will it?"


    "Is Master Lu just showing off?"


    The outer court was abuzz with all kinds of spection and mor.


    Yet not a single person, whether from the inner or outer court, flew up to enter the Landscape Sword andprehend Master Lus sword qi.


    As darkness fell, Qin Rans face was obscured in shadow. In a soft voice, he muttered: The strongest warrior of the Dao Sword Sect has been supnted!


    Master Lu had clearly already broken through to the Primordial Infant stage. Together withprehending the fourth level of the Way of the Sword, Elder Liu Boxian probably could not defeat him.


    Moreover, Elder Liu had grown old after remaining at the Primordial Infant stage for many years. It was unlikely he would have another chance to advance to the Divine Transformation stage, while Master Lu...


    Master Lu was still in his prime! There was no telling how high he might soar.


    As Qin Ran marveled at this, he descended from Elder Yan Yis pavilion and headed out towards the gates.


    But just as he was about to push the gates open, he sensed something...


    He quickly looked up to see, through the mists shrouding Dan Peak, a female sword immortal dressed in white emerge and fly straight towards the Landscape Sword in the sky. She did not stop, making directly for the suspended sword.


    Shiyin! Qin Rans expression fell drastically as he yelled anxiously, Li Shiyin, stop this instant!


    From his understanding of Master Lus character, Qin Ran knew him to be a true gentleman. His talent and abilities were top-notch, and he lived in a carefree manner, acting with perfect transparency and an open heart and mind. He truly wished to lend the Dao Sword Sect disciples a hand - in fact, he even hoped that all the Sects swordsmen could learn to Form Landscape and Rivers with a Single Sword.


    Qin Ran was very clear that the Landscape Sword floating over the Dao Sword Sect represented a priceless opportunity for all its swordsmen!


    Qin Ran believed this firmly, he truly did.


    However...


    The first to take on this challenge absolutely could not be Li Shiyin!


    "Hmm?" As her master was the person she cared about most, although Qin Ran''s voice was drowned out by the mor from the Outer Court disciples, her sharp ears managed to catch it clearly. "Master?"


    She stopped and looked down to search for Qin Ran''s figure, quickly spotting him flying up from the Outer Court area towards her. She heard her master shouting, "Don''t go over yet!...wait a while before going over!"


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin examined her master''s expression closely. Combining her understanding of him, she instantly grasped what he was worried about. Smiling to herself, she called back, "What? Master I can''t hear you clearly..." Meanwhile she continued flying towards the Landscape Sword. "I''m a bit busy at the moment."


    As they were arguing, someone else had already entered the Landscape Sword before her - it was Liu Baixuan.


    Seeing this, Li Shiyin felt even more urgency. Not bothering to pretend any longer, she hurriedly yelled at Qin Ran: "Master, let''s talk after I emerge!


    Qin Ran had just flown up halfway when he saw Li Shiyin execute the Flying Immortal Seeking the Way, blinking forward with a few shes until she arrived before the Landscape Sword.


    Pausing briefly to stick her tongue out teasingly at Qin Ran, she then turned and flew straight into the heart of the sword.


    Qin Ran halted, his expression gloomy and eyes full of worry. Being cautious by nature, he could not help feeling uneasy that she was the first to venture this.


    But since she was not, strictly speaking, the very first...that offered some slightfort at least. Still, he kept staring fixedly at the ck and white Landscape Sword for a good while before finally turning back towards Dan Peak.


    After all...what''s done was done.


    Just as he arrived before the great protective array shrouding Dan Peak though, he heard a voice calling out from the side, "Uncle need not worry, there is nothing dangerous within the Landscape Sword, merely some insight into the Way of the Sword I have gathered. There is absolutely no risk."


    Qin Ran looked over to see Master Lu sprawledzily atop a cloud within the array''s mist, casually propping his chin up with one hand as he smiled at Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran managed a smile as he replied, "I do trust in Nephews character."


    "I feel Uncle leads far too cautious and weary a life..." Master Lu shook his head. "That''s no good. Ones barely past twenty yet seems older than me in my forties."


    "Not that bad, is it!" Qin Ran responded.


    "Nevermind that for now, I originally came to ask Uncle for some wine..." A grin spread across Master Lu''s face as he sat up amidst the clouds. "I entered the Sect just as the peach blossoms were blooming this year. I know Uncle enjoys producing fine cuisine, so came specially to ask for some of that peach blossom wine."


    "I did brew some..." Qin Ran replied, proceeding to invite Master Lu into Dan Peak.

 Chapter 289

    Chapter 289


    Li Shiyin went towards the Mountain and River Sword, she felt a force guiding her, she did not resist and got closer and closer to the Mountain and River Sword. Suddenly her vision blurred and she arrived at a ce with picturesque mountains and clear waters.


    In front of her was a big, clear river, behind her was a majestic, tall mountain. On the other side of the river was also a mountain range, one mountain connecting to another, extending endlessly into the distance.


    She looked up at the sky, it was murky gray chaos.


    It was evident that Lu Junxing''s Sword Qi World was very iplete. Although the river flowed, it had no beginning or end, unclear where it came from or where it went. The mountain had flowers, grass and trees, but they did not seem alive, appearing no different from the mud on the ground and rocks on the mountain.


    This was a world without logic or life.


    But...


    This was still just the Sword Qi World of a Foundation Building cultivator!


    This was undoubtedly a world, at least a space with substance.


    Li Shiyin crouched down and reached out to touch the mud, closing her eyes to sense it carefully... Sword Qi!


    Everything seen and felt in this world was Sword Qi.


    "Li Shimei!" Li Shiyin heard someone calling her from behind, she turned around and it was Liu Baixuan.


    At that time Liu Baixuan was at a slightly higher position on the mountain. Seeing Li Shiyin look over, he said, "The mountain and river are two different types of Sword Qi - the Great Mountain Sword Qi and the Great River Sword Qi. Walking up the mountain, every step increases understanding of Lu Junxing''s Great Mountain Sword Qi; walking into the river, every foot deeper increases understanding of his Great River Sword Qi."


    "Teacher Lu actually has two types of Sword Qi?!" Li Shiyin said in surprise. She had fought with Lu Junxing many times but did not discover this.


    Liu Baixuan shook his head and said, "This should be a new variation heprehended during this seclusion. His Sword Qi is just the Mountain and River Sword Qi, the Great Mountain and Great River are just variations of the Mountain and River Sword Qi."


    "I see..." Li Shiyin nodded thoughtfully.


    Based on this, wouldn''t her Star Sword Qi also have variations... like Starlight Sword Qi and Night Sky Sword Qi?


    "Does Martial Sister n to climb the mountain or enter the river?" Liu Baixuan asked.


    "Since Martial Brother is climbing the mountain, I will too! So we can support each other." Li Shiyin grinned.


    "Martial Sister has a pure heart, no wonder you have progressed so quickly in the sword path." Liu Baixuan praised.


    If he chose the mountain and Li Shiyin chose the river, it would be apetitive rtionship. Simrly, if he chose the mountain then she said climbing to see who could climb higher, it would also be a subtlepetition.


    But Li Shiyin said to support each other.


    Li Shiyin also walked up the mountain... In fact, she was verypetitive, but also very kind and pure. This was due to her growth experience - first protected by her brother as a mortal, then by her teacher as a cultivator. So she always maintained a pure heart.


    Compared to other sword cultivators, she was more of a pure swordswoman... especially contrasting with Tian Wenjin.


    Li Shiyin walked up the mountain slowly. She remembered her teacher said the cultivation world was about who could go further, not who went faster.


    So she carefully analyzed the Sword Qi underfoot,prehending it clearly with every step. It was as if she walked the path Lu Junxing took toprehend his Mountain and River Sword Qi.


    The gap between Li Shiyin and Liu Baixuan grew bigger and bigger. Liu Baixuan was halfway up the mountain while she had just started at the foot.


    Later, other disciples entered. They walked fast up Sword Mountain and soon overtook her.


    asionally she heard words like "Huh... So this is the Dan Peak Female Sword Immortal? The top scorer? Her aptitude seems inferior to mine."


    But not long after, she was still steadily ascending while Sword Qi had swept those people down.


    So then she would hear words like "Humph! I already circled the mountain peak yet she''s still there. Won''t she still be there after I circle the river ande back?"


    Of course she would still be there. When they were flushed out of Sword River and returned, Li Shiyin had only ascended a few more steps.


    This Sword Mountain represented Lu Junxing''sprehension of the sword path. Simply put, Lu Junxing was considered extremely high among sword cultivators, so the mountain was equally high.


    After some more time, Liu Baixuan was also swept down by Sword Qi. He still could not ovee the Heart Devil.


    Only then was Li Shiyin halfway up the mountain. She still felt at ease and shouted loudly, "Liu Shixiong, have you reached the peak?"


    Standing steadily on the ground, Liu Baixuan looked up at Sword Mountain. His eyes showed traces of fear as he shook his head, "Too high."


    "What a pity!" Li Shiyin felt sorry for Liu Baixuan.


    "Keep at it, martial sister!" Liu Baixuan cheered Li Shiyin on.


    Liu Baixuan left Mountain and River Sword to recuperate. Li Shiyin kept climbing the mountain.


    Gradually, there were fewer and fewer people in this Sword Qi World. Initially many sword cultivators came, curious and interested, but most could not climb the mountain so few people came.


    As people came less and less, Li Shiyin kept ascending.


    When Liu Baixuan finished recuperating and returned to Mountain and River Sword, he saw Li Shiyin had passed the ce he climbed to previously. He could not help but admire her; but he did not dare climb Sword Mountain again, choosing to enter Sword River instead.


    When Liu Baixuan emerged from Sword River, he discovered that Li Shiyin was nearing the peak.


    He suddenly realized something then, stunned where he stood.


    He thought, is there going to be another person above my head?


    Just as he was thinking this, he saw Li Shiyin continue forward with only one step from the summit. But she suddenly stopped, not taking thatst step, instead turning around and descending Sword Mountain.


    "Why didn''t you go up? You could have obtained Teacher Lu''splete Sword Qiprehension!" Liu Baixuan asked, puzzled.


    Li Shiyin looked at him, seeming she wanted to exin but ultimately did not. She just smiled and said, "I exhausted my strength."


    Liu Baixuan did not believe her but tactfully refrained from questioning further.


    Li Shiyin did not enter Sword River either. She turned and exited Mountain and River Sword. She had not seen her teacher for a very long time.


    She entered Mountain and River Sword inte June. Now upon exiting, she saw a huge full moon in the sky.


    Li Shiyin flew back eagerly to Dan Peak, only to discover the peak was very lively with banquets in front of the little wooden houses, no different due to her absence, causing her to feel somewhat sour.


    But when she turned her head, she saw someone waiting under the chinese schr tree, constantly looking towards her flying direction.


    It was her teacher.


    She sped towards him, directlynding in front of her teacher. Her teacher said to her, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"


    "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Teacher!" Disregarding everything, she pounced over and hung onto her teacher.


    Her teacher hugged her.


    Qin Ran brought Li Shiyin back to the little wooden houses. Li Shiyin saw many people there - Long Qiqi, Chasing the Wind, Tushan Youyou, Liu Xiaoji of course, and also Tian Wenjin, Lu Junxing, Dong Zhongyuan, and another man she did not recognize. It was indeed extremely lively.


    "What a heart-to-heart connection between master and disciple!" Dong Zhongyuan ate mooncakes while teasing, "Before Little Martial Sister even arrived, Martial Uncle already said that my Shiyin is here, then went to wait there. Not long after, you arrived right on time."


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin giggled foolishly.


    Lu Junxing walked over while drinking osmanthus wine, smiling as he asked Li Shiyin, "Why didn''t you take thatst step to the top?"


    Li Shiyin hugged her teacher Qin Ran''s arm with her little head leaning against his shoulder. She smiled at Lu Junxing, "That was your Sword Qi, not my Sword Qi."

 Chapter 290

    Chapter 290


    In the azure blue sky there was a golden round moon. Under the moon there was a quietly flowing brook with shallow grass softly swaying on its banks. On the grass stood a two-story little wooden house, and in front of it grew a tall ancient catalpa tree. Under the catalpa a group of people were drinking and making merry.


    In Qin Ran''s memory, Dan Peak had never been so lively before. Previously it was just him and his master depending on each other, andter he was alone and deste.


    How did so many people suddenlye here to apany him in celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival?


    When did all this start to change?


    He looked towards theughing girl in the crowd.


    She could chat casually with people, discuss ssics and principles with them, drink and talk about swords with them. Even in calligraphy and music she seemed well-versed, always easily bing the focus in a crowd.


    Sensing that he was looking at her, she quickly raised her hand and smiled at him. She was so innocent and straightforward, never hiding her fondness for him.


    It was her arrival that changed his life.


    Was this change for good or ill?


    He smiled without giving himself a clear answer, but the answer was actually quite obvious.


    Qin Ran took out the jade flute bought by his Foolish Disciple. Leaning on the ancient catalpa, he tried the tone and then slowly yed out the tune of "When Will the Bright Moon Come".


    At this moment, Li Shiyin was arguing with Lu Junxing over whether soda or fruit wine tasted better.


    Long Qiqi was reasoning with Chasing the Wind, insisting that she should get thest piece of braised pork elbow.


    Tian Wenjin was telling Tushan Youyou the details of hertest mission.


    Dong Zhongyuan was busily fawning over Tushan Youyou.


    Yan Yi sat there awkwardly, forcing an embarrassed smile.


    Hearing the flute music, they all looked towards Qin Ran. In the moonlight under the hazy ancient catalpa a youth in green yed the jade transverse flute.


    Everyone in Dan Peak knew that Qin Ran could y the flute. After all he had tortured them during his flute practice. But Lu Junxing didn''t know. Seeing Qin Ran y, he smiled and softly asked Li Shiyin, "Little martial uncle can y too?"


    "Hehe! Looks nice, doesn''t it!" Li Shiyin didn''t answer him. Instead she bragged smugly with stars in her eyes as she looked at Qin Ran.


    Thepliment was about his flute ying, yet she asked if he looked nice. Momentarily lost for words, Lu Junxing just shook his head with augh.


    As the tune ended, Qin Ran looked up at the bright moon, holding his jade flute and sighing softly: "People have sorrow and joy, partings and reunions. The moon waxes and wanes. Perfection is hard to attain in this world. But may people endure, and the bright moon forever connect thousands of miles."


    "Haha, wonderful poem, wonderful poem!" Lu Junxing called out in praise from his seat. He leapt up and away from Li Shiyin,nding on the moonlit grass. Drunkenly he stretched out a hand and grasped a transparent sword qi sword. With this he danced a piece depicting mountains and rivers for the people under the moon.


    His sword dance incorporated high level sword principles,parable to three or four storeys high. An average sword cultivator seeing this could gain a substantial increase inprehension.


    Amongst the audience, Tian Wenjin watched very attentively, much enlightened.


    But having just emerged from Lu Junxing''s sword qi world, Li Shiyin had no interest in it at all. She moved her stool over to sit beside Dong Zhongyuan, patting his shoulder to stop his fawning behavior as she asked, "Elder Martial Brother Dong, when did youe out of seclusion?"


    "I came out of seclusion several days ago," Dong Zhongyuan replied absently, his mindpletely focused on Tushan Youyou.


    Merely glimpsing her white silhouette had kept him infatuated for many years. Meeting Tushan Youyou properly today for the first time, it showed great fortitude that he hadn''t gonepletely crazy.


    "So the new Peerless Geniuses Ranking has been released?" Li Shiyin continued asking.


    "Yes!"


    "Then..." Li Shiyin blinked her big eyes at him hintingly.


    Unfortunately Dong Zhongyuan only had eyes for Tushan Youyou, totally oblivious to her hint.


    "Oh!" Annoyed, Li Shiyin grabbed Dong Zhongyuan and red as she asked, "What ce am I ranked?"


    Forced to look away from Tushan Youyou, Dong Zhongyuan recovered some presence of mind. ncing at Li Shiyin he calmly replied, "Third".


    "Third?" Li Shiyin was dumbfounded. "Third! Why?"


    Since when could she be ranked third on the Peerless Geniuses Ranking? There were still many stronger than her!


    "Why ask so many whys? I randomly ranked it," Dong Zhongyuan impatiently retorted.


    "What exactly is the new Peerless Geniuses Ranking?" Li Shiyin persisted stubbornly.


    Too pestered to tolerate it, Dong Zhongyuan turned to Li Shiyin and said solemnly, "I''ve updated the ranking to everyone''s current strength levels. Do you want to go in and try?"


    He deliberately looked at Lu Junxing.


    At Lu Junxing''s present level, even with several times Li Shiyin''s strength she still couldn''t beat him. Going to forcefully fight would definitely lead to abuse. She quickly shook her head.


    "There you go then!" Dong Zhongyuan shook his head and went back to ogling Tushan Youyou.


    Just then Tushan Youyou asked, "What''s your newly ranked Peerless Geniuses like? I find it quite interesting."


    Dong Zhongyuan''s spirits stirred. His expression extremely serious, he answered, "The new Peerless Geniuses ranking is like this..."


    Beside him even the well-behaved Yan Yi pricked up his ears. He heard Dong Zhongyuan say:


    "Martial Brother Lu is the undisputed first ce, I don''t think there''s any doubt about that. Second ce is Liu Baixuan. Although he didn''t beat me before in our sect, he secretly formed his Ying soul, bing one of only two Ying stage disciples of our generation. He temporarily ranks second."


    "Third ce goes to Shiyin." Somewhat embarrassed admitting cowardice before his goddess, "Previously I didn''t dare drink Shiyin''s cup of sword qi wine, so following the earlier rankings she was still fourth ce. Fifth ce is Martial Sister Tian. I feel she is actually only slightly weaker than Shiyin. I don''t think Yao Qingke could beat her."


    "Then sixth ce is Yao Qingke, seventh ce Yan Tianxing, eighth ce Ye Qingxuan, ninth ce Qi Yuan, and tenth ce Ximen Wushang."


    "So this is the new ranking of Peerless Geniuses." Having said so, he asked Tushan Youyou, "Are you satisfied?"


    Tushan Youyou casually nodded,pletely indifferent.


    Dong Zhongyuan was thus very happy.


    "I''m fifth ce?" Tian Wenjin withdrew her attention from Lu Junxing with a frown, questioning Dong Zhongyuan. She knew she would be ranked, but didn''t expect to be ced so high at fifth ce...


    The previous fifth ce was Huang Feiyu''s spot. She had reason to suspect Dong Zhongyuan had deliberately done so.


    "As the only sword cultivator who hasprehended both sword qi and Sword Intent, and also condensed Golden Core, you qualify for fifth ce," Dong Zhongyuan gave proper justification.


    The three people behind fifth ce had all achieved Qi Peak. Since Li Shiyin disliked Qi Peak martial artists, she nodded and said, "Wenjin you''re so amazing, of course you''re fifth ce. Yao Qingke and the rest are veryme..."


    Tian Wenjin still looked very skeptical. She didn''t believe Yao Qingke was thatme.


    "Speaking of which..." A key question urred to Li Shiyin and she asked Dong Zhongyuan, "Your Peerless Geniuses Ranking is a mystic artifact. My master said it''s an incredible artifact. So I''m very curious, what does this artifact do and how incredible is it?"


    This time Dong Zhongyuan didn''t answer. He shook his head and said, "I hope you''ll never know what the function of the Peerless Geniuses Ranking is."


    7017k

 Chapter 291

    Chapter 291


    The new Geniuses Ranking caused quite a stir within the Dao Sword Sect.


    First, there were two new entrants who squeezed out two original rankers.


    Second, Qi Peak did not even have anyone in the top five. The prestigious Qi Peak with so many talented cultivators did not have a single genius squeeze into the top five positions. It was said that Qi Peak''s Peak Master, He Daoguang, was furious and vowed to make trouble for Dong Zhongyuan.


    Third, Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin''s rankings were too high. Everyone recognized these two peerless beauties on the Beauty Ranking, and agreed they could make it onto the Geniuses Ranking, but they should only be around the ninth or tenth positions.


    In response to the sect''s doubts about her, Li Shiyin''s reply was - anyone is wee to challenge her.


    However, no one came to challenge her.


    Li Shiyin did not care about those disciples who only dared to criticize behind her back. She cared more about her Master.


    That day, she discovered her Master was not on duty at the Medicine Hall. Instead, he was squatting under the Devouring Demon Willow, fiddling with something. That naughty brat Liu Xiaoji was also lyingzily on the willow branches of the Devouring Demon Willow, watching with great interest.


    "Master, what are you doing?" She ran over to ask.


    Only when she got closer did she see her Master holding a porcin bottle, dripping some white turbid liquid into a pit which contained a honeb.


    "I''m testing the Spirit Water..." Qin Ran replied absently. "The Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps show signs of hatching in recent days. I want to upgrade the Spirit Water."


    "Upgrade?"


    "This Spirit Water was something I casually concocted previously to grow the Crane Crown Immortal Grass. It works for spirit herbs but has little effect on spirit beasts," Qin Ran exined. "I n to rece the nutrients nts need with those animals require. And the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps are ferocious predators that eat meat..."


    Li Shiyin felt dizzy listening to the proper academic knowledge. She did not continue asking for now, and talked about something else instead: "Master, you didn''t go to the Medicine Hall today?"


    "I did go!"


    "Then why did youe back so early?"


    "What''s the point of staying when there''s nothing for me to do there?"


    "Elder of Medicine Hall..." Li Shiyin found it amusing.


    "What are youughing about?" Qin Ran put away the Spirit Water and turned to see Li Shiyin grinning foolishly, puzzled by her reaction.


    "Elder, an elder should be very old. But Master, you don''t look old at all," said Li Shiyin, smiling charmingly. "Every time I hear them address you as Elder, I find it funny."


    "Yet I''m the Peak Master!" Qin Ran alsoughed. "A Peak Master should be very capable. Do you think I''m capable?"


    "Master, you are extremely capable!" Li Shiyin nodded earnestly in agreement.


    "Is that so?" Li Shiyin''s earnest look made Qin Ran pause for a moment, feeling a little proud inside.


    "Yes!"


    Qin Ranughed very happily. Nothing made a man happier than being admired by the girl he liked.


    He shook his head, then took out a wasp pupa that had just been fed Spirit Water from the honeb to observe carefully...


    "Master?"


    Qin Ran understood her unspoken question and exined: "I''m looking at its growth to determine if the Spirit Water has helped it or not.


    "Pay attention to the development of its wings and internal organs in its thorax. Note the time and length when the gold edges appear on the wings, with and without the aid of Spirit Water, andpare between the two.


    "For its abdomen, the sign to look for is..."


    Li Shiyin squatted down beside him and tilted her head, watching her Master attentively. She did not notice what her Master was saying, she just thought he looked very handsome when serious.


    "Master..." She asked softly, "Why do you know everything?"


    "I don''t know everything. But someone out there knows these things. They gained the knowledge, recorded it in books, I read the books, so I know too. This is the inheritance of human civilization," Qin Ran exined.


    "When I wanted to breed the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps, I looked for information rted to them, then integrated that knowledge and extracted what I needed..."


    "Master, you do know everything," Li Shiyin emphasized.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin''s earnest expression and smiled without correcting her again.


    He put the wasp pupa he was observing back and sealed it behind a water membrane to rece the wax.


    He took out his experiment records and documented in detail the Spirit Water used this time, the wasp''s growth conditions, and various other data.


    After he finished recording, he stood up.


    Li Shiyin stood up along with him and asked, "Master, what shall we do now?"


    "The data collected over these days is about enough. I''m going to the Research Building to develop Spirit Water No.2," said Qin Ran.


    "Spirit Water No.2?" The silly disciple obviously did not take in what her Master said.


    "The one just now was Spirit Water No.1, specially catered for spirit herbs," Qin Ran knew his disciple was silly but was very patient as he exined again. "Then based on the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp''s application, I will modify a Spirit Water No.2 suited for it."


    "Oh, I see!" Li Shiyin still seemed clueless.


    Liu Xiaoji had long been unable to endure this and went back into his willow tree.


    Although Li Shiyin did not understand at all, she still followed along closely behind Qin Ran to the Research Building.


    On the second floor of the Research Building''s Medicine Chamber, Long Qiqi was sitting at a table by the side, her petite figure leaning over therge table, holding a pen and scribbling away.


    The sound of Qin Ran and disciple entering made her lift her head. Seeing Li Shiyin tailing behind Qin Ran, she could not help but scoff, "No trouble caused by you trailing pest today?"


    These two bickered all the time. Qin Ran was toozy to respond and went to retrieve what he needed by himself.


    Instead of following him, Li Shiyin leaned against Long Qiqi''s table. This was the table she had read books at when she first arrived, while learning about the Water Overflowing Golden Mountain Temple. But after she started learning the sword, she never came back here.


    Later on, Long Qiqi upied this spot for a long time.


    Seeing Long Qiqi here now, Li Shiyin felt strangely ufortable. She looked condescendingly at Long Qiqi to see what she was writing, andmented mockingly, "What are you doing?"


    Long Qiqi showed Li Shiyin the paper filled with words and bragged, "These are the interactive equations of the effective parts within the medicinal materials. What do you think, can you understand them?"


    The dense lines of words made Li Shiyin dizzy. She avoided looking and retorted proudly instead, "These were all derived by my Master."


    She was well aware this was Qin Ran''s unique pill concocting research methodology.


    "So what does it have to do with you?" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes.


    Li Shiyin sneered, "You don''t even call him Master yet you shamelessly learn his alchemy skills."


    These techniques were unique to Qin Ran. Long Qiqi was clearly aware of this, held some shame for her freeloading, and was momentarily rendered speechless.


    Li Shiyin raised her chin arrogantly like a proud young rooster. She nced at Long Qiqi once before chasing after Qin Ran again.


    "Master, I''ll help carry stuff for you!"


    Long Qiqi looked at the equations on the paper, extremely conflicted, and could only mutter angrily in the end: "Trailing pest!"


    Downstairs at the Alchemy Chamber, based on the data, Qin Ran deleted and modified multiple times until he finally produced Spirit Water No.2 with Li Shiyin.


    Every time Master Alchemist Qin Ran publishes a thesis, there will be Li Shiyin''s name listed as co-author. The female sword immortal Li Shiyin must have outstanding alchemy skills too!

 Chapter 292

    Chapter 292


    Yan Yi noticed that something seemed off at the Chief Alchemy Hall these days.


    In fact, it wasn''t just these recent days; ever since he returned to his position after being severely injured, he sensed that the Chief Alchemy Hall had subtly changed. To be more precise, it changed when Qin Ran took over as the elder of the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    However, when Yan Yi looked at the young man sitting in the main seat of the Chief Alchemy Hall with a delicate appearance, it was hard to believe that he could be responsible for these things. That harmless facecked any aggression or lethality.


    As he observed, Yan Yi suddenly noticed the young man tidying up his position and standing up. Quickly averting his gaze, he saw the young man approaching his table, saying, "The Chief Alchemy Hall is currently short-staffed. I n to recruit some people from the outer sect. Spread the word; on the first day of September, the Chief Alchemy Hall will conduct selection for disciple andborer positions at the Questioning Dao Square. We''ll select... hmm, seven individuals for now, three disciples, and fourborers."


    Upon hearing this, Yan Yi''s mind shook. He discreetly nced at Ke Yue across from him, and sure enough, the lovely girl had a serious expression.


    This was where the Chief Alchemy Hall was going astray.


    Originally, the Chief Alchemy Hall had ample manpower, with many medicine servants andborers. However, over the past two months, the manpower at the Chief Alchemy Hall gradually became insufficient.


    It wasn''t that the Chief Alchemy Hall''s tasks increased; rather, the number of people in the Chief Alchemy Hall decreased.


    The Chief Alchemy Hall''s personnel, Jian Yuanjie''s subordinates, were disappearing one by one!


    "Yes, Elder!" Yan Yi withdrew his gaze, hastily responding, "Is there any specific requirement, Elder?"


    "Since they areing to work at the Chief Alchemy Hall, the primary requirement is to have a certain understanding of alchemy," Qin Ran said.


    "At that time, I will assess some knowledge rted to alchemy and select based on merit. Furthermore, those with a desire and talent for alchemy can be given priority. As it will involve keeping records, it''s preferable for them to be literate and adept at arithmetic."


    Yan Yi noted down Qin Ran''s requirements and asked, "Any other requirements, Elder?"


    "Just these; convey it as soon as possible and give them some time to prepare," Qin Ran replied.


    After giving his instructions, he walked straight out of the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    ... Another day of leaving early.


    Qin Ran had a delicate appearance and a reserved temperament. When he stood there, he was just a harmless boy next door, giving off no oppressive feeling. However, as soon as he left the Chief Alchemy Hall, in the blink of an eye, the entire atmosphere changed. It became gloomy and cold, as if the light had dimmed by a few degrees and the temperature had dropped by a dozen degrees.


    Thus, Yan Yi realized that a person''s authority and demeanor had nothing to do with their appearance and demeanor.


    Even though he had already clung to Qin Ran''s thighs, Yan Yi, who had been excluded and oppressed for a long time, still didn''t dare to make any movements. As soon as Qin Ran left, he immediately lowered his head, focusing on his work, pretending not to see or hear anything happening in the hall.


    And because Qin Ran had just mentioned recruiting three more stewards, the atmosphere in the Chief Alchemy Hall was now even more terrifying than before.


    Thinking for his own life, Yan Yi swiftlypleted the tasks Qin Ran assigned, hastily clutching the recruitment order and fleeing from the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    However, unlike Qin Ran, he was legitimately engaged in propaganda, not considered leaving early.


    Once Yan Yi left, with no outsiders present, the Chief Alchemy Hall became not only cold but also filled with a murderous intent.


    Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered in the hall.


    Ke Yue brought a chair to the center of the crowd, with Shi Yuan standing behind her chair. She surveyed the room, her face dark, and spoke in a deep voice.


    "You all heard it; he is dering war on us! Issuing us an ultimatum!


    "Two months ago, Fei Yan was brutally killed by him. At that time, I said he wouldn''t spare us. Indeed, over these two months, he has secretly killed numerous disciples. Cunning, deceitful, and ruthless, it''s outrageous!


    "Just now, he mentioned recruiting three more stewards... we are also on his assassination list! We are like locusts on the same branch!


    "He won''t spare us until he wipes us out!


    "At this point, we must unite; we must resist."


    "How do we resist?!" a man with a beard interjected, "He is a Peak Master, with profound cultivation, formidable strength, and cruel methods. What do we have to resist him?"


    As soon as he spoke, many others echoed his sentiment. After all, Qin Ran was a Peak Master, a Nascent Soul cultivator, an existence they couldn''t contend with.


    Ke Yue raised her hand to silence their mor and continued, "No matter how formidable he is, he is just one person. We have many people; it''s our choice to fight or flee."


    "If we choose to resist, to kill him..." she suddenly took out a long box from her storage bag, saying coldly, "there is a way."


    "Do you have a trump card?" Shi Yuan frowned; how did he not know?


    Ke Yue gave him a sidelong nce and replied, "This isn''t my trump card; it''s Elder Jian''s trump card."


    As she spoke, she opened the box.


    The people inside the hall looked in and found two itemsa sword covered in runes and a small jade bottle.


    She first lifted the jade bottle, saying, "This is the Immortal ying Pill! Consume it, and you''ll possess the ability to y immortals and extinguish gods."


    "Then, what''s the cost?" someone asked.


    "It will burn all the cultivation and potential of the cultivator... using it will turn you into an ordinary mortal," Ke Yue said with a cold face.


    "And the sword?" Shi Yuan inquired.


    "This rune-covered sword is a one-time-use spiritual treasure, fully activated,parable to a middle-grade spiritual treasure," Ke Yue answered.


    With a stern face, she surveyed the crowd, saying loudly, "Either be silently killed one by one by him; or tonight, disperse and flee under the cover of darkness; or, we y him, Nascent Soul or not."


    The people in the hall fell silent for a while. Finally, someone spoke up, "How about we escape tonight?"


    "He won''t be able to catch up with all of us," someone whispered from within the crowd... the slower ones serving as shields.


    As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent once again.


    "How many Immortal ying Pills do you have?" Shi Yuan inquired after a while.


    "One," came the response.


    "Who will take it?" Shi Yuan asked again, "Who will take the pill, and who will wield the magical treasures?"


    "Of course, it should be the one with the highest cultivation level," someone stated.


    Who among them had the highest cultivation level?


    Shi Yuan held the highest cultivation, having reached the Foundation Establishment stage several decades ago. Following closely was Ke Yue, who recently entered the Foundation Establishment stage.


    "Just relying on me might not be enough to defeat him," Shi Yuan said without any change in expression.


    "He''s just an alchemist after all. It''s well-known that alchemists have extremely lowbat power. With the boost from the Immortal ying Pill, you might have a chance," Ke Yue suggested.


    A burly man with a beard stepped out of the crowd and approached Ke Yue, saying, "We can set a trap."


    Ke Yue looked at him and asked, "How do we set the trap?"


    The big man spoke loudly:


    "First, with so many pills in the Chief Alchemy Hall, we can find an opportunity to feed him somepoison or healing pills, anything works;


    "Second, we can set up a trap outside the sect, using formations and mechanisms;


    "Lastly, we arrange for people to lead him to the trap, with the one who took the Immortal ying Pill in the lead, others as support, and surround and kill him."


    "Very good!" Ke Yue approved of his n and asked, "What''s your name?"


    "You Shi!" the bearded man with a mustache replied.


    "Pills as support. After all, he''s still an alchemist. The main focus should be on formations, mechanisms, and magical tools..." Ke Yue suggested.


    "I''ll provide the formation disk!" someone took out a formation disk.


    "I''ll offer magical tools..."


    "...I''ll summon a spirit beast..."


    7017k

 Chapter 293

    Chapter 293


    Yan Yi returned to the outer gate area and distributed the announcement for the Chief Alchemy Hall''s recruitment of new members.


    For outer gate disciples, recruitment by the Chief Alchemy Hall was a significant event, one that could change their destiny.


    In no time, outer gate disciples spread the word everywhere, and the entire outer gate area buzzed with excitement.


    Bing a steward disciple was not only a qualitative improvement in status but also an opportunity to get closer to the peak of Dan Peak. Those with keen senses perceived the chance to be alchemists from the requirements of this recruitment.


    So, those who were eager to participate began seeking out alchemy-rted study materials from their grandparents and searching for arithmetic or literacy skills to impress. Some, more resourceful, managed to find Yan Yi''s residence through connections.


    But when they stood outside Yan Yi''s residence to knock, they found that he was not at home.


    At that moment, Yan Yi was already standing in the valley between Master Peak and Dan Peak. Standing on the stone path, he looked back at Master Peak, remembering the chilling atmosphere inside the Chief Alchemy Hall, recalling Ke Yue and Shi Yuan''s sinister expressions. He then looked towards Dan Peak, remembering how Qin Ran had pushed open the door when he was seriously injured, bringing light into his dim room.


    "Ke Yue, though sweet in appearance, has a wicked heart. She will not rest until she bes a steward." He thought, "I should warn Chief Qin."


    With that in mind, he quickly used the Longitudinal Ladder technique to reach the summit of Dan Peak.


    Having obtained permission, he traversed the long misty road once again and arrived at Dan Peak.


    Every time he entered Dan Peak, Yan Yi was amazed by its beauty. From here, he could see a vastwn on the left and a beautiful clearke on the right.


    Walking along the stream in the middle, he soon saw a gigantic white tiger and an extraordinarily beautiful woman on thewn.


    He knew the white tiger, named Chasing the Wind, a seventh-level demonic beast, was capable of speech and magical feats. As for the woman, he had seen her at the "Mid-Autumn Banquet"; she was rumored to be the legendary nine-tailed fox, now in human form, with terrifying cultivation strength.


    The white tigery on the grass, while the fox demon, d in a snowy white gown, sat on the ground holding a teaching whip, seemingly instructing something...


    But Yan Yi dared not look too much and kept his head low as he walked closer.


    As he approached, he heard the nine-tailed fox named Tushan Youyou scolding the white tiger, Chasing the Wind, in a voice that could seduce any man''s heart: "Even if you want to use spell formations, you still need to inscribe runes. It''s just converting the inscribed runes into spell formations using mana. You still need to solidify the runes with mana!"


    He heard the extremely terrifying Chasing the Wind ask in a pitiful voice, "Can''t we do without the runes?"


    "How can it be a spell formation without runes?" Just from her voice, one could feel the despair of the extraordinary nine-tailed fox. She pointed her bamboo whip at the white tiger and asked, "How many basic runes have you remembered?"


    Yan Yi, the mysterious spirit tiger, hesitated and dared not answer. Hisrge eyes darted around, and suddenly, he spotted Yan Yi. His eyes lit up, and he lifted his big head, asking, "Hey, what are you doing?"


    Chasing the Wind''s massive head was truly intimidating, and the fierce aura of the tiger n suppressed Yan Yi''s soul. His voice trembled as he replied, "I''m looking for Elder Qin."


    "My dad is over by the Shiji Demon Willow..."


    As Chasing the Wind spoke, he even raised his paw to point Yan Yi in the right direction.


    "Snap!"


    However, at that moment, Tushan Youyou whipped him on the head with a bamboo whip, scolding, "Don''t shift your attention. How many basic formations have you actually memorized!"


    "Oww..."


    The bamboo whip, enchanted by Qin Ran, struck at the painful spot, and even Chasing the Wind howled in pain.


    The roar of the tiger frightened Yan Yi to the point that he almost lost hisposure. Fortunately, the enchanting fox demon was there, whipping him from a distance and guiding him with the bamboo whip, saying, "Go find him yourself."


    "Yes!" Having experienced a near-death encounter, Yan Yi''s head was spinning. He hastily bowed and ran towards theke.


    As he ran towards theke, he heard Chasing the Wind weakly muttering behind him, "Thir... thirty... six..."


    "Snap!" Another whip, and Yan Yi felt his skin tingle. He heard the alluring voice scold, "I told you to memorize the first hundred, but you only remembered thirty-six?!"


    That voice made him wonder, why whip a tiger? Why not whip me...


    Shivering, he dared not dwell on it and quickly ran across the river, no longer paying attention to themotion behind him.


    On this side of the river, under the willow tree by theke, Qin Ran was sitting in a chair, fishing. Behind him stood someone Yan Yi would never have expected - Shi Yuan.


    Shi Yuan!


    How could Shi Yuan be here?


    Yan Yi couldn''tprehend.


    At this moment, Elder Qin turned around and greeted him with a gentle smile, saying, "You''ve arrived?"


    Externally, he seemed deceptive, with that harmless face. Yan Yi recalled the saying: appearances can be deceiving.


    Elder Qin looked gentle and harmless, seemingly without any ill intentions, but...


    "Elder!" Yan Yi felt a deep fear from the bottom of his heart, realizing, perhaps everything was within Elder Qin''s grasp?


    "Just wait a moment..." Elder Qin smiled kindly at him and said, "Shi Yuan hasn''t finished yet."


    "Elder." Shi Yuan acknowledged and continued from where he left off, "In the end, we decided to set up a Soul-Extinguishing Killing Formation ten miles northeast of the Daojian Sect. Four misceneous disciples will perform a blood sacrifice. Outside the formation, a medicinal ve has nurtured a type of Devouring Gold Bug. The medicinal ve will rush into the formation andmit suicide, and the Devouring Gold Bug will attack the Elder...


    "If the Elder breaks out of the formation, I will swallow the Immortal ying Pill, wield the talisman treasure sword, and fight the Elder...


    "But throughout this process, I cannot guarantee that Ke Yue doesn''t have other means."


    Qin Ran sighed at the words, remarking, "Jian Yuanjie indeed possesses remarkable methods. Each cauldron of his is willing to sacrifice itself for him. Seems like he truly has a remarkable influence."


    He nced at Shi Yuan and chuckled, "But he''s probably not into men."


    "Elder, forgive my jest." Shi Yuan bowed deeply, saying, "Please, Elder, save me!"


    Suddenly, the fishing float moved. Qin Ran pulled hard and reeled in a two-pound silver-scaled bream. Holding the fish, he leisurely removed the hook, saying with a smile, "You''re a clever one. You know your only lifeline is with me."


    "I take the poison to assassinate the Elder. Sess means death; failure means death. I don''t take the poison, deathes sooner." Shi Yuan said, "This time, no matter what, I must die."


    "They''re all so loyal to Jian Yuanjie, why are you the only one betraying?" Qin Ran was puzzled.


    He dismantled the fish, ced it in the fish basket, added bait, and continued fishing.


    "In truth, my heart belongs to Dao Sword Sect, and I don''t wish to be a traitor," Shi Yuan said.


    "Hahaha..." Qin Ran couldn''t help butugh heartily at this.


    After a while, he stopped and asked Shi Yuan, "Do you know who proposed the n to kill me?"


    "A disciple named You Shi, a tall, bearded man." Shi Yuan remembered well.


    Qin Ran tapped his chin and asked Shi Yuan, "Was it him?"


    Shi Yuan looked to the side and saw the big-bearded man who proposed the assassination n at the Alchemy Hall appearing on the riverbank, then walking over.


    "You... you too..." He frowned, wanting to ask how "You Shi" surrendered.


    But then, "You Shi" suddenly transformed, taking on his appearance.


    He slowly began to understand. The real "You Shi" had long been dead, reced by Qin Ran.


    Suddenly, he felt fearful. How many others in the Alchemy Hall had not been reced?


    Yan Yi, who had been observing from the sidelines, also understood.


    Qin Ran, the Chief Alchemy Hall, not only controlled the situation but created it himself. The whole situation changed ording to his whim.


    So, he began to doubt life. What in this world is real, and what is false? If Qin Ran, the Chief Alchemy Hall, could easily manipte them, then would higher beings find it even easier?


    Is this world real?


    7017k

 Chapter 294

    Chapter 294


    On the twenty-fifth day of August, Qin Ran, unusually punctual, left work on time to prepare for the assessment interview scheduled in five days. He worked diligently until five o''clock before getting up to organize his files.


    Holding a stack of papers, he approached Yan Yi''s desk and handed the papers to him, saying:


    "These are alchemy exam questions Ipiled based on fundamental alchemical knowledge, along with some basic arithmetic questions. Prepare to use them as the first screening for recruiting disciples. Take a good look, attempt the questions, and note whether they are leaning towards difficulty or simplicity. Record everything truthfully, and I''ll review it tomorrow."


    "Yes," Yan Yi responded respectfully.


    Ever since the terrifying experience on Dan Peak, his respect and fear for Qin Ran had increased exponentially.


    As Yan Yi nced at the paper, he saw a series of questionsbeled as multiple-choice, fill in the nks, and the like. Each question had a designated score, giving him an inexplicable sense of awe.


    Qin Ran then casually left, and Yan Yi, eager to remind Qin Ran about the possible impending actions of Ke Yue in the next few days, raised his hand and stood up. However, he hesitated, realizing that Qin Ran probably didn''t need a reminder.


    Ke Yue did. The cute girl sitting diagonally across from him suddenly seemed pitiful, and he felt it was necessary to caution her to be careful.


    Just then, Qin Ran remembered something, stopped at the door, turned around, and said to him, "Oh, I have something to attend to. Pack your things; we''re leaving together."


    Yan Yi didn''t know what was going on, but he obediently packed up and followed Qin Ran out of the Medicine Hall.


    Strangely, after leaving the Medicine Hall, Qin Ran didn''t mention anything; he simply walked ahead.


    The two walked out of the Disciple Hall, along the stone path, descended from the main peak, and headed towards Dan Peak.


    By this time, Yan Yi couldn''t contain himself and asked, "Elder, what''s going on?"


    "Wait," Qin Ran said. Suddenly, he stopped because he noticed someone in the forest beside the road, watching them.


    "Who''s there?" The person''s gaze was unfriendly, and Qin Ran questioned.


    Yan Yi was startled. Following Qin Ran''s line of sight, he couldn''t help but feel the person in the forest looked familiar. After a closer look, he eximed, "Elder Jian!"


    "Jian Yuanjie?" Qin Ran''s gaze sharpened, recognizing a resemnce to Jian Yuanjie.


    But as he tried to get a clearer look, the person suddenly turned and ran deep into the forest.


    "Halt!" Qin Ran''s expression changed, and he quickly used his body techniques to chase after.


    "Hey, Elder Qin, be careful!" Yan Yi thought this might be Ke Yue''s scheme and hurriedly reminded Qin Ran.


    However, Qin Ran and "Jian Yuanjie" were too fast and disappeared into the forest in the blink of an eye.


    Yan Yi felt anxious. These days were precisely when Ke Yue and her people might make a move. How could Elder Qin act so recklessly?


    The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. He wanted to chase after them, but suddenly he realized, even if he caught up, he would just be a bystander.


    "Senior Sister Li!" He remembered Li Shiyin and swiftly employed his body techniques, rushing towards the peak of Dan Peak.


    He soon arrived outside the mist surrounding Dan Peak and, without catching his breath, shouted, "Help! Senior Sister Li! Help!"


    The mist parted, creating a pathway. He ran inside and saw Li Shiyin flying towards him from a distance. Hastily, he said, "Senior Sister Li, Sect Leader Qin, Sect Leader Qin is in danger! Hurry, go save him!"


    "Master is in danger?" Li Shiyin furrowed her brows, looking puzzled as she nced towards the old Spirit Pagoda Tree. "Where is Master? How could he be in danger?"


    Following her gaze, Yan Yi looked at the swing under the old Spirit Pagoda Tree and saw Qin Ran sitting there, reading a book while arge Xuanming Spirit Tiger gently pushed the swing with its tail.


    "Why is Sect Leader Qin here?" Yan Yi was dumbfounded.


    "Master hasn''t left today, so why wouldn''t he be here?" Li Shiyin wondered.


    "Ah?" Yan Yi was suddenly speechless.


    Qin Ran chased after "Jian Yuanjie," leaving Dao Sword Sect and heading southeast.


    Whether it was intentional on "Jian Yuanjie''s" part or Qin Ran''s, Qin Ran could never catch up, no matter the speed. He always trailed behind "Jian Yuanjie" by several meters.


    And within ten miles, it didn''t take long.


    Suddenly, "Jian Yuanjie" ahead stopped, turned around, and coldly asked the panting Qin Ran, "You didn''t think I was still alive, did you?"


    Qin Ran caught his breath and respectfully said, "You''re indeed alive!"


    "If you''re not dead, how could I be?" "Jian Yuanjie" replied.


    "Hehe! It''s you who killed Elder Jian!!" Ke Yue''s voice suddenly came from the side. Qin Ran looked over, seeing her cute face twisted in anger. "You deserve to die a thousand deaths, daring to harm Elder Jian."


    "You..." Qin Ran couldn''t believe it, shocked. "How do you know?"


    "Humph!" The "Jian Yuanjie" figure transformed into a burly man with a beard, "Alchemy Master, how did you discover my mysterious transformation technique!?"


    "You...you..." Qin Ran pointed at the bearded man and asked, "Who are you!?"


    "You Shi!" The bearded man drew a sword, holding it menacingly. "The one who will kill you!!"


    With his words, the surroundings suddenly darkened, and the figures of Ke Yue and You Shi disappeared.


    "Formation!!!" Qin Ran''s face changed drastically. "You''ve nned this from the beginning?"


    "Die, Qin Ran..." Ke Yue''s voice came from the darkness.


    Following that, there was an atmosphere of solemn killing and blood...


    After experiencing a life-and-death situation, Qin Ran finally broke free from the formation. He was covered in injuries, on the verge of copse.


    At this moment, a dozen people holding magical instruments surrounded him, including Ke Yue, Shi Yuan, and You Shi.


    "We are about to kill a Golden Core cultivator!" Ke Yueughed heartily.


    Looking at the dozen people around him, Qin Ran weakly asked, "Everyone is here?"


    "Of course, united as one, we aim to eliminate you!" Ke Yue smiled, "We will carry your head to Zhican Valley. This great feat will ensure that we neverck cultivation pills again."


    "Now that everyone is here, let''s get started!" Qin Ran weakly spoke, "It saves me the trouble of killing one by one, too troublesome."


    "Get started?" Ke Yue sneered, "Do you even have the ability?"


    "Shi Yuan!" she shouted.


    So Shi Yuan stepped forward, holding a runic sword in one hand and a Kill Immortal Pill in the other. He looked at Qin Ran and then shoved the Kill Immortal Pill into his mouth!


    "?" Qin Ran widened his eyes, puzzled, "What are you doing?!"


    "You... are seriously injured, close to death!" Shi Yuan''s blood and mana boiled, his veins bulging, "Ah! Ah!! Did you really think I would betray Ke Yue? Ah ah ah... I''m going to kill you!!"


    The runic sword in his hand began to charge, transforming into a massive sword...


    Watching Shi Yuan go berserk, Qin Ran was initially puzzled, but soon he figured it out:


    This guy, having only seen his true self and You Shi, probably thought he was the true self? Seeing the true self injured, he probably thought it was an opportunity...


    In reality, he''s just a jumping clown.


    Qin Ran shook his head and said aloud, "I wasn''t asking you to act, I meant... You Shi! It''s your turn to act!!"


    Then, to Ke Yue''s disbelief, You Shi transformed into Qin Ran''s appearance, wielding the sword and performing "Flying Immortal Inquiry." With little effort, he ughtered all these Foundation Building disciples... including Ke Yue.


    If it weren''t for the sake of a clean kill, he really wouldn''t need to act like this...


    As for Shi Yuan?


    A person who took a Kill Immortal Pill, destined to die, why bother fighting him head-on?


    The clone, You Shi, led by the clone Qin Ran, used Flying Immortal Inquiry to leave the scene, leaving Shi Yuan alone to go mad.


    ...Qin Ran No. 3 luckily survived. Congrattions!


    7017k

 Chapter 295

    Chapter 295


    Some people know that Qin Ran has clones, such as Long Qiqi and Tushan Youyou from Dan Peak, and these two have some spections about it.


    But how many clones Qin Ran actually has, only Qin Ran himself knows.


    The cultivation technique Qin Ran practices is called the "Water Flower Heart Sutra," which contains a spell called Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water. The effect of this spell is that Qin Ran can summon several indeterminate water clones. With Qin Ran''s current strength, he can summon around a hundred at once. However, these water clones only have a confusing effect and do not possess actualbat power.


    The Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill by Shiji Mo Liu has two characteristics: one is devouring all things to strengthen oneself, and the other is infinitely erging the primordial spirit, splitting the primordial spirit, and cultivating clones. Shiji Mo Liu has countless clones, and each fluff of his is a clone.


    Qin Ran obtained the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill and dismantled and improved it. Hebined it with the unnamed refining technique that Dan Peak originally had, obtaining his own refining technique called the "Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill  Modified."


    However, because his cultivation has not reached the Nascent Divinity stage, he cannot cultivate clones with independent consciousness and the ability to cultivate independently. So he linked Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water with the "Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill  Modified."


    The split primordial spirit and the water clones summoned by Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water arebined to obtain inferior versions of Nascent Divinity stage clones.


    This is the essence of Qin Ran''s clones.


    Because water clones are originally just blobs of water that can change in various ways to confuse the senses, these inferior Nascent Divinity stage clones also have the ability to change in various ways.  "Jian Yuanjie" clone can change its appearance at will.


    Since water clones have primordial spirits, they also have some thoughts and strength.  Each clone can make decisions for itself and fight independently.


    In the end, the clone and the main body actually share the same primordial spirit, and the senses of the clone are shared with the main body and controlled by the main body.


    In summary, how many clones Qin Ran has depends on how many primordial spirits he can split. And how many primordial spirits Qin Ran can split can also be inferred from the plot Liu Xiaoji demonstrated in front of Chasing the Wind before. Of course, Qin Ran cannot do that yet.


    Okay, back to the main point!


    The time came to the first day of September.


    Still early in the morning, Questioning Dao Square became very noisy, with many outer disciples arriving.


    Some passing inner disciples didn''t understand what was going on and asked around, only to find out that Chief Alchemy Hall was recruiting new disciples.


    "It''s just recruiting a steward disciple, is it necessary to make such a big scene?" They were very puzzled, "In the past, Chief Alchemy Elder used to find people himself. What? The Chief Alchemy Elder of Chief Alchemy Hall has changed? Then it seems that the new Chief Alchemy Elder is not very capable."


    Someone said, "Probably just showing off, but it doesn''t matter. They are all outer disciples."


    They said these words and quickly walked past the crowd, without stopping.


    The noise here continued until ten o''clock in the morning. At a certain moment, someone suddenly shouted, "Elder Qin is here."


    The noise quieted down, and everyone looked in the direction where Elder Qin wasing.


    Before the arrival of people, a gust of evil wind swept in, causing a slight tremor of fear in the hearts of the disciples.


    Upon closer inspection, a huge white tiger was seen flying through the air. The tiger was massive, with a fierce countenance and a terrifying aura. Anyone with a bit of wit knew that it was the demonic king raised by Dan Peak, the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    Looking up, three people could be seen riding on the back of the white tiger. Sitting in the front, clutching the tiger''s ears with both hands, was a chubby little girl. Sitting behind her, one in front and one behind, were a man and a woman. The man was Elder Qin Ran, while the woman was the idol admired by countless disciples of the Sword Sect, Li Shiyin.


    Some btedly realized, "Oh... so the Sword Immortal of Dan Peak is Elder Qin''s disciple."


    Others responded, "Of course! There''s only one master and one disciple at Dan Peak. Naturally, anyone who emerges from Dan Peak as a sword cultivator would be Elder Qin''s disciple!"


    Some were well-informed, "It''s said that the Sword Immortal of Dan Peak belongs to her master''s heart. I wonder if it''s true."


    Someone hurriedly intervened, "Be cautious! How can we dare to speak recklessly?"


    As the wind intensified, many people were forced to step back, creating a vacant space in the crowd where the white tigernded.


    As the white tiger touched down, it raised its head and flicked its tail, revealing a fierce tiger stance that awed all the disciples.


    And then...


    "Lie down!"


    The chubby little girl riding on its neck pped its head with her chubby hand and scolded it.


    It had no choice but to obediently lie down.


    They say you shouldn''t touch a tiger''s behind, dare not touch its whiskers, and that a tiger doesn''t show its might without reason...


    So, does that mean it''s okay to hit a tiger''s head?


    "Who is that?" someone asked, "How dare they bully the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger like this!"


    "It''s terrifying!" someone eximed, "Could it be the new generation genius of Dan Peak?"


    No one answered them because indeed, no one knew that Dan Peak harbored such a sinister snake.


    Long Qiqi jumped down from the tiger''s back, almost stumbling because of the height. She angrily kicked Chasing the Wind and scolded, "Why are you so tall?"


    Chasing the Wind lowered her head, not looking at her.


    Qin Ran also jumped down from the tiger''s back, adjusted his appearance slightly, and then shouted, "Where is Yan Yi?"


    After waiting for a few breaths, Yan Yi squeezed out of the crowd and replied, "Here, I''m here."


    Qin Ran roughly estimated from the air that there were about seven or eight hundred people participating in the assessment. There were even more people than those who knocked on the Dao before. The previous Dao assessment had only five hundred people.


    Of course, there were reasons for this. On the one hand, disciples from previous sessions also participated, and on the other hand, some menial disciples did not qualify to knock on the Dao before.


    "Let''s split the people..." he said to Yan Yi, "into two groups for alchemy and arithmetic basics exams."


    "Yes!" Yan Yi agreed.


    He turned around and shouted, "Alchemy assessment on the left, arithmetic assessment on the right!"


    However, the noisy crowd couldn''t hear his voice at all.


    Since he couldn''t fly, he had to run around and call out one by one, but even so, not many people actually heard him.


    After struggling for a while, the noisy crowd showed no signs of change.


    Just when Yan Yi felt powerless...


    "Roar!"


    Suddenly, a tiger''s roar descended upon the square!


    In an instant, the entire square fell silent.


    The outer disciples generally had low cultivation levels. This tiger''s roar scared the soul out of them.


    Yan Yi was also stunned.


    Chasing the Wind swung his tail over, smacking him, snapping him out of it, saying, "It''s your turn."


    "Oh... oh!" Yan Yi finally came to his senses and hurriedly shouted, "Alchemy on the left, arithmetic on the right!"


    That''s why Qin Ran brought Chasing the Wind here. Who wouldn''t be afraid of a tiger sitting there shoulder-high, two or three meters tall? If someone misbehaved, a tiger''s roar, like now, was more effective than anything else.


    With Chasing the Wind''s help, Yan Yi soon separated the crowd. As per Qin Ran''s request, everyone was spaced out and seated on the ground.


    Once both sides were settled, Qin Ran took out two piles of test papers from the Universe Bag and ced them on the ground, saying to Li Shiyin, "Distribute them."


    "Yes, Master!"


    Li Shiyin summoned about a hundred sword qi, each sword qi picking up a test paper and urately delivering it to a disciple in front of them. In just a few minutes, she had given every disciple a test paper.


    That''s how sword qi was used.


    Qin Ran sat cross-legged, and a cloud appeared beneath him, lifting him up. He was three meters off the ground, looking at these outer disciples, and said loudly:


    "Now, each of you has a test paper in front of you. Your task is to honestly attempt to answer the questions on the test paper within the specified time, including your name and identity information. The time starts now and ends after one hour.


    "It''s worth noting that anyone suspected of cheating will be disqualified."


    "I have a question..." He barely finished speaking when someone raised their hand.


    Qin Ran smiled at the person and asked, "Didn''t understand?"


    "Yes," the person answered seriously, "I feel the exam is too unfair and too rudimentary..."


    But before he could finish, Qin Ran interrupted him: "You, disqualified."


    Qin Ran still smiled and continued, "I don''t want people who can''t understand. You''re too foolish."


    "Why?!" The person''s face changed drastically, standing up and shouting loudly.


    "Roar..."


    But a tiger''s roar came, much louder than his voice. At the same time, a gust of wind blew, urately lifting him up and blowing him straight out of the exam venue.


    He only raised a question and was directly disqualified. The spirits of those present shuddered.


    Among them, especially Li Shiyin. She realized that her master''s tolerance for her was so high!!


    "Elder..." Another person raised their hand, saying, "I''m too nervous and forgot to bring a pen."


    "Come back next time," Qin Ran smiled, "This is a matter that can change your destiny. In the face of such matters, those prone to mistakes... I don''t need."


    The person was also blown away by the strong wind.


    Someone hurried down from the mountain and shouted outside the exam venue, "Elder Qin, please give me a chance."


    Qin Ran nced at him and replied, "You''rete."


    "But you only said it''s today for the assessment, you didn''t specify the exact time," the person said.


    Qin Ran smiled faintly, "Those who arriveter than me have no qualifications."


    After a few moments of silence following his statement, no one dared to speak.


    Even those who forgot to bring their pens sat through the entire hour-long test, hoping someone would lend them one; even those in dire need of a restroom break only left discreetly...


    They eventually realized that this was a world of cultivation, not of civilization.


    The examination continued, with people being expelled from the exam hall midway through due to cheating or suspected cheating. Cheaters had nothing to say if caught; however, those wrongly suspected of cheating protested for justice and fairness.


    Qin Ran emphasized once again, "I''ve said it before, if I sense you''re cheating, then you are. So, please, behave yourselves."


    In the realm of cultivation, fairness has never existed.


    The examsted from twelve noon until two in the afternoon, and when the time was up, Li Shiyin collected the test papers. Using sword qi to collect the papers, no one dared to object.


    7017k

 Chapter 296

    Chapter 296


    Zhou Fu, a woman of seventy-two years, is an outer disciple of Dao Sword Sect, dedicating sixty-four years to her cultivation journey since joining.


    Her aptitude for cultivation is decent, now a senior cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage, just a step away from the legendary Golden Core. Within the outer sect, aside from the asional expert in the Golden Core stage, shemands respect, with fellow disciples addressing her as Senior Zhou.


    This strength and cultivation were the results of her sixty-four years of diligent practice.


    However, despite her considerable time in the Foundation Establishment stage, she feels her cultivation path has reached a teau. Yearning to break through to the next level and achieve Core Formation, she understands that an external catalyst, a significant opportunity, is needed.


    After years of searching, the opportunity finally arrives when she learns that the Chief Alchemy Hall is recruiting new members.


    Chief Alchemy Hall?


    The ce responsible for managing the sect''s elixirs and medicinal herbs, a location rich in various pills, including the coveted Break Barrier Pill!


    This is the opportunity she''s been waiting for.


    Joining the Chief Alchemy Hall to acquire not just one, but at least one Break Barrier Pill.


    She senses that this is a crucial turning point in her life. If seized, her cultivation path ahead will be smooth sailing.


    The recruitment for Chief Alchemy Hall requires disciples skilled in alchemy and mathematics. Many are deterred by these prerequisites, but Zhou Fu realizes that in the past, the Butler Hall never recruited based on alchemy knowledge. Could it be that they are not just recruiting butler disciples?


    She promptly inquires about the current Elder of Chief Alchemy Hall and learns it''s Qin Ran, the Dan Peak Chief.


    "This is to recruit disciples for Dan Peak..."


    Knowing that the extraordinary female sword immortal Li Shiyin is from Dan Peak but practices sword cultivation, not alchemy, she spectes, "Elder Qin must be aiming to revive Dan Peak!"


    What is the trend of the times?


    This is the trend of the times!


    For a disciple like her from the outer sect, a low-ranking member of the sect, when the higher-ups decide to revitalize Dan Peak and recruit the first batch of dedicated alchemy disciples, it''s a monumental shift in the tides.


    "If I can ride this wave, not only Core Formation, but bing an alchemist with an endless supply of pills for Nascent Soul and Divine Transformation stages may not be impossible."


    With determination, Zhou Fu decides that this time, even if it costs her life, she will be within the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    She must seize this opportunity and be a butler disciple under Chief Elder Qin!


    Coming from a humble background, Zhou Fu, with decades of cultivation experience as an outer disciple, has a basic understanding of various oddities. She already possesses a bit of scattered knowledge about alchemy.


    Now, she gathers all the alchemical books she can find, locking herself away, tirelessly and without rest, forsaking food and drink. She memorizes these teachings, going through them not just once but multiple times, until August thirty-first, the final day, when she finally emerges from seclusion.


    On the first day of September, Zhou Fu spent the night preparing herself, ensuring she was in the best possible condition, and appeared early at the Questioning Dao Square. This was her chance for a breakthrough in life, and she wouldn''t allow any setbacks.


    She waited patiently, without a hint of impatience. While othersined or whispered curses about Qin Ran, she remained silent. Even amidst the hustle and bustle around her, she chose not to speak.


    As the autumn sun grew hotter, Qin Ran, riding on his Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger, arrived.


    Zhou Fu gazed up at Qin Ran amidst the crowd, observing the terrifying beast beneath him. She realized she was nowhere near Qin Ran''s level, not even close.


    With just a roar from the tiger, she found rity in her own position. This was the realm of high-level cultivators.


    When someone questioned the fairness and validity of Qin Ran''s examination, Zhou Fu found it amusing.


    There were no fools here who would baselessly question Qin Ran; it was merely an attempt to gain attention and find an alternate path into the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    When Li Shiyin handed her the exam questions with sword qi, Zhou Fu couldn''t help but ponder life. With her understanding, she couldn''t fathom the level of mastery required to control sword qi to such an extent. The sword qi was sharp enough to cause pain on her skin as it pierced the air, yet it couldn''t cut through a thin piece of paper.


    So, these were the direct disciples, the Top Ten Geniuses.


    When someone arrivedte and was promptly dismissed by Qin Ran, Zhou Fu couldn''t help but inwardly sneer. Such a life-changing opportunity, yet the person treated it so carelessly. Such is the nature of facing heavenly trials.


    The alchemy exam questions were challenging, but Zhou Fu remained calm. She knew she had some knowledge of alchemy, and if she found it difficult, others would find it even more so. She calmlypleted all the questions she could, wrote her name and information in the designated ces, and refrained from doing anything she shouldn''t.


    After the exam came the long wait. Zhou Fu didn''t engage in other activities; she simply waited at home, quietly meditating.


    On the third day after the exam, she finally received a note fluttering in from outside, stating: "Tomorrow,e to the Chief Alchemy Hall for the interview."


    There were over fifty participants for the interview.


    Zhou Fu arrived early, standing first outside the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    ...No one dared to cut in line, as the steward, Yan Yi, stood nearby.


    At exactly ten o''clock, when the sunlight streamed out from the hall, Qin Ran, looking youthful and apanied by his sword immortal disciple, appeared at the entrance of the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    Zhou Fu remembered that Qin Ran had also appeared at ten o''clock the previous day, so she knew he would only arrive after ten.


    Qin Ran and Li the Sword Immortal walked into the Chief Alchemy Hall. As they passed by her, Qin Ran said, "Follow me."


    She followed him into the hall and stood obediently in the center.


    Qin Ran took his seat at the head, with Li the Sword Immortal standing beside him, and the door behind her was closed by Yan Yi. At this moment, there was no one else in the hall.


    "Zhou Fu?" Qin Ran took out a booklet from the table and asked her gently.


    He seemed like a youngd one might encounter on a spring outing, casually conversing with her. But the experience of the exam day made Zhou Fu realize he was a smiling tiger.


    "Yes," she made herself appear and sound as respectful as possible.


    "Do you know about Zhican Valley?" Chief Qin suddenly asked her.


    She didn''t understand the meaning and simply replied truthfully, "Yes."


    "Are you from Zhican Valley?" Chief Qin asked again.


    Zhou Fu frowned, shaking her head. "No."


    Chief Qin nced at Li Jianxian, Li Jianxian nodded, and he lowered his head to jot down a few notes, then continued to ask, "Do you enjoy alchemy?"


    "I do."


    "Have you ever practiced it?"


    "..."


    Afterward, Chief Qin asked her many strange questions, and after finishing, he asked her to wait outside the door.


    Zhou Fu stood in the corridor under the eaves of the Chief Alchemy Hall, seeing disciples going in for interviews, then standing behind her with a puzzled expression; she saw people going in for interviews, thening out looking disappointed; she saw people going in for interviews, then noting out...


    Although she had reached this point, it seemed like she had passed, like she was going to be a probationary disciple, but Zhou Fu still didn''t know what Chief Qin''s standards were. The whole process made her feel confused.


    After everyone had finished their interviews, there were a total of six people left behind her, plus her, making seven in total.


    Apart from them, Zhou Fu noticed that out of those who went in but didn''te out, there were as many as four. Thinking of Chief Qin asking her about Zhican Valley, she had some guesses...


    Chief Qin called them into the Chief Alchemy Hall, his voice still calm, and announced to them, "Zhou Fu, Wu Yan, Zheng Jue, three of you are disciple stewards, Wang Yishan, Jian Xun, Li Ergou, Zhang Lu are misceneous disciples..."


    In the end, Zhou Fu became a disciple steward, and her job was to distribute elixirs to the disciples within the sect every month.


    Besides that, the Chief Alchemy Hall conducted a monthly assessment on elixirs...


    So,pared to the monthly distribution of elixirs, Zhou Fu felt that the monthly assessment seemed more important.


    7017k

 Chapter 297

    Chapter 297


    It was already deep autumn.


    The weather was turning cool, and the fox fur on Tushan Youyou was bing lush. When she took on a human form, the clothes she wore were also gradually bing thicker.


    The old spirit tree had lived for so many years, but still followed the cycle of the four seasons and the natural order of things. The autumn wind blew, and its leaves rustled as they fell.


    A withered yellow spirit tree leaf spun in the wind andnded on the swing under the tree. The swing swayed slightly in the autumn breeze, and the leaf was quickly flung off. It rose again with the gentle wind, rising and falling until itnded on the round table under the tree.


    A snow-white beauty with peerless looks sat at the table, with many books stacked on it. Her book, as white as the moon, was covered in dense numbers, letters, and equations. Her slender, beautiful right hand rested on the book, her long fingers turning a pen. Her left hand propped up her chin, ced on the table. She frowned, unable to solve the equation in the book.


    The leafnded on the table, disturbing her thoughts. Annoyed, she picked up the leaf and angrily threw it away.


    The leaf flew up again andnded on the increasingly barren grasnd, tumbling over the yellowing grass.


    Rolling forward, it was suddenly trampled into the grass by arge foot.


    The owner of the big foot walked towards the white-d beauty holding several books. He smiled and asked, "What''s wrong? Can''t solve it again?"


    The sight of a peerless fox demon sitting there seriously solving problems was just like a beautiful senior student diligently studying while sitting on the campuswn.


    Qin Ran had an extremely strong sense of dj vu.


    "How does your brain work? How can youe up with these things? Calculus, integrals, how can humans think of these?" Tushan Youyou frowned and questioned whether Qin Ran was even human.


    Qin Ran sat down opposite her and put the books in his hand on the table. He smiled and replied, "I didn''t think these things up either. I''m also a learner; I''m just teaching you what I''ve learned.


    "But these things are difficult, yet very useful, aren''t they?"


    "Eh!" Tushan Youyou had to admit that in the field of formations, mathematics was indeed useful. She eximed, "Formations used to be ethereal, uncertain, and could only beprehended through some abstruse words relying on talent. But your advanced math and probability theory have materialized formations, made them tangible..."


    "No wonder you could attain such high attainments in formations at such a young age."


    "That''s the charm of math!" Qin Ran said feelingly.


    Nothing could be more reliable than math...even in the cultivation world.


    After sighing feelingly, Tushan Youyou nced at the books Qin Ran had ced on the table. Realizing something, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed again, her face full of disgust. "What''s this?"


    "The homework I assigned to those menial disciples yesterday. I just collected them," Qin Ran separated four books and slid them towards Tushan Youyou. "Hurry up and mark them. I need to hand them out tomorrow."


    As expected!


    p!


    Tushan Youyou mmed her pen on the table and demanded, "Chasing the Wind wants me to teach him, and now there are a few more menial disciples you want me to teach too! You know teaching is difficult so you avoid it yourself and push everything to me."


    "To teach that guy..." she pointed at Chasing the Wind sleeping on the cat tree, "My hair has fallen outpletely! I''ve grown so many more wrinkles! Do you know how much cultivation it takes to recover from that?"


    Chasing the Wind, who was mentioned on the cat tree, was suddenly shocked awake from his dream. He looked back at the old spirit tree, at the two people ring at each other, his big cat face full of confusion.


    What''s going on? Why is there suddenly killing intent?!


    ...But it didn''t seem to have anything to do with him. He was just a harmless little kitty.


    He licked his belly fur a couple of times andy down again, still puzzled.


    "Cough!" Qin Ran was also a little embarrassed.


    He knew that supervising kids on homework was every parent''s nightmare, which was why he had wisely pushed Chasing the Wind to Tushan Youyou from the start.


    Chasing the Wind still wasn''t trained, and now he was making Tushan Youyou share the task of teaching the neers...he was going a bit overboard!


    ...Luckily he had thick enough skin.


    He avoided the issue and simply pointed at the equation Tushan Youyou couldn''t solve. "What about this one? Let me see?"


    Tushan Youyou was angry but notpletely furious. At his words, she directly circled all the questions she didn''t understand and demanded Qin Ran exin all of them to her right there.


    "Ah, this question is very simple. You just need to substitute this form with a, and the whole equation bes easy..." Likeplex formations, they can all be simplified this way. Formations are the same - many lookplicated but their overall logical structure is the same as simpler formations. Sometimes you need to be more flexible..."


    "Oh, this one is also very simple. Look, if you take this and invert both sides at the same time..."


    "Mm, this one is also very simple..."


    In short, the demoness couldn''tprehend no matter how hard she thought about the questions Qin Ran found simple.


    If Long Qiqi was here, she would find this scene extremely familiar.


    In Dan Peak, some people like Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind weren''t clever enough when learning but had maxed out talents in cultivation. Others like Qin Ran weren''t that gifted in cultivation but maxed out talents in learning and theory. Only Long Qiqi neither had Qin Ran''s knowledge reserves and learning talents, nor Chasing the Wind''s cultivation talents.


    So Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin''s cultivation and praised her as a learning god, while Tushan Youyou watched Qin Ran refine pills, set up formations, and solve questions, crying out that he was a learning god. Only Long Qiqi called Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind learning gods when watching them cultivate, and called Qin Ran a learning god when watching him solve questions too.


    s, pitiful Qiqi.


    Qin Ran exined the questions to Tushan Youyou. In exchange, Tushan Youyou very reluctantly took the arithmetic books of the menial disciples.


    After dealing with Tushan Youyou, Qin Ran picked up the other three alchemy books and got up, preparing to hand over the alchemy book tasks to Long Qiqi. But at this moment, Tushan Youyou suddenly spoke up and asked him, "Sometimes I really don''t understand you."


    "What?" Qin Ran turned back to look at Tushan Youyou.


    Tushan Youyou looked at Qin Ran''s solution process on the paper and said slowly:


    "You''re a timid and cautious person who always thinks of self-preservation first - that I know. You''re knowledgeable and proficient in alchemy, formations, and mystic arts - that I know. You''re sinister, ruthless, n far ahead, and are always in the maniptor''s position - that I know.


    "But do you know what you''re doing now? You''re getting involved now! Are you trying to revive Dan Peak? Reform the Chief Alchemy Hall? Shine and devote yourself wholeheartedly for Dao Sword Sect? Tell me, are you that kind of person?"


    "You really understand me well." Qin Ran smiled and picked up the books. Tushan Youyou''s words made him turn and look at the entirety of Dan Peak. But he only left one sentence as he walked towards the research building, "I''ve lived here for twenty-three years."


    Qin Ran was very clear that the current Dao Sword Sect only appeared stable and harmonious on the surface, but was already as fragile as thin ice. Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley had already joined forces, two sects against one...They hadn''t attacked yet only because they were worried about suffering great losses.


    But they couldunch a full-scale offensive anytime.


    He did cherish his life and was preparing a backup n. But...that didn''t prevent him from doing something for Dao Sword Sect while preparing an escape route.


    At this time, the autumn wind was bleak. Qin Ran''s not very tall figure disappeared from Tushan Youyou''s line of sight. She suddenly didn''t know if it was her who didn''t understand humans, or her who didn''t understand Qin Ran.

 Chapter 298

    Chapter 298


    As time came to September and passed the middle of the month, it was time again to go to Zhican Valley for procurement.


    These past few days, Qin Ran had been urgently teaching Yan Yi how to make a procurement n.


    "Each level of cultivation needs to be separated. What kinds of elixirs do Foundation Establishment cultivators need? What kinds of elixirs do Golden Core cultivators need? What kinds of elixirs do Yuan Ying cultivators need... These need to be broken down.


    "The monthly contributions of outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, and personal disciples also need to be put into a new table.


    "The lower, medium and upper quality of each elixir also needs to be separated, because the gap between each quality level is huge, so the price difference is also very big."


    He was already teaching Yan Yi hands-on how to make a procurement n and make tables.


    "The market price of each elixir needs to be investigated clearly beforehand. The materials needed for each elixir need to be clear. The prices of each material also need to be clear. Only then can we know how many spirit stones Zhican Valley has earned from every elixir from us. We can also bargain purposefully with Zhican Valley..."


    Qin Ran was teaching very carefully, almost making it ording to the financial statements from his previous life.


    This really made things difficult for Yan Yi. On one hand, he hadnt taken over this position for long and hadnt figured out which elixirs were important and which were less important. As for the ingredients and prices of the materials for the elixirs, he waspletely in the dark.


    On the other hand, he had just taken over mathematics and had barely gotten a grasp on Arabic numerals in the past few days. Now Qin Ran wanted him to make tables and use them for statistics, which really was asking too much.


    Qin Ran was about to teach things like bar charts and line charts, but seeing that Yan Yi was on the verge of copse, he had no choice but to stop.


    He patted Yan Yi on the shoulder andforted, "There''s still plenty of time. Don''t put too much pressure on yourself, just take it slowly."


    "Yes," Yan Yi replied with a bitter face.


    Although this was what Qin Ran said, what Yan Yi heard was: There''s only a few days left, hurry up and work on it, be more serious, or you''ll run out of time!


    He couldn''t help feeling even more nervous.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran shook his head and left.


    But before he had even walked back to his seat, he suddenly remembered something. He went back to Yan Yi''s desk, his tone a little serious as he asked, "I haven''t asked you yet - do you want to go on the September 20th procurement trip to Zhican Valley or not?"


    "Ah?" Yan Yi was startled. Wasn''t it assumed that he would go since he had taken over this position? Feng Feng Yan had gone every time until she couldn''t go anymore.


    "I should go right?" He answered uncertainly.


    "I won''t hide it from you, I''ll tell you the truth - procurement is actually very dangerous..." Qin Ran said. "Dangerous to the point of losing your life."


    "Are bandits very rampant these days?" Yan Yi asked. They had just killed Feng Feng Yan, and were still going to continue robbing?


    "No, the danger lies elsewhere," Qin Ran said.


    Yan Yi was clever enough not to ask further. He knew there were inside details, and it also involved Qin Ran''s reason for getting rid of the original group from the Medicine Service Hall. It wasn''t something he should pry into.


    After thinking for a good while, he said, "Master, if you''re not afraid of danger, why would I be?"


    "Haha..." Qin Ranughed and shook his head. "It''s not the same.


    "Whether to go or not, choose for yourself. I won''t force you. There''s no need to reply now... Think it over carefully before you say anything..."


    Qin Ran had patience and consideration for those he approved of that went above and beyond just a little bit.


    Hearing this, Yan Yi silently nodded.


    Qin Ran returned to his seat, took out a book, and started working on the procurement n. Of course a newbie like Yan Yi wouldn''t be able to make a viable procurement n. He still had to make one with his own hands this time.


    As he made the n and calcted spirit stones, he felt more and more heartache. The more the n came together, the more he was able to discover just how many spirit stones a sect like Zhican Valley could earn.


    For example, the materials for a single Energy Gathering Pill cost about 20 spirit stones. But one lower quality Energy Gathering Pill could be bought for 20 spirit stones. And with one batch of materials for Energy Gathering Pills, seven or eight Energy Gathering Pills could be sessfully refined...


    ...And this was just for lower quality Energy Gathering Pills.


    As he continued calcting, feeling heartbroken, he suddenly threw down his brush in frustration. Sitting properly at his seat, he asked the four disciples in charge below, "Do any of you have the intention to learn alchemy?"


    For these outer sect disciples, having a cultivation method and some pills was enough for cultivation. As for which path of cultivation to take, that depended on what cultivation methods they could get ahold of.


    Therefore, most outer sect disciples practiced things like the sword or qi, because those two professions had the lowest entry barrier and required the least resources.


    Whereas there were rarely any professions that were extremely resource-consuming like Fu Practitioners, Alchemists, and Array Masters.


    Among them, Alchemists in particr, while being a necessity of the cultivation world, required an ocean of resources to cultivate just one.


    It was not unrted that Dan Peak of Dao Sword Sect declined because it couldn''tpete with Zhican Valley for resources.


    In summary, bing an Alchemist was something these outer sect disciples didn''t even dare dream about.


    And now Qin Ran was asking them if they wanted to learn alchemy...


    Who wouldn''t want to learn alchemy?!


    Especially Zhou Fu!


    This was what she had been waiting for. She joined Medicine Service Hall recklessly just so she could take Qin Ran as her master and learn alchemy.


    So the moment Qin Ran spoke those words, she immediately called out, "Master, I want to learn alchemy!"


    Hearing her words, Medicine Service Hall fell silent. No one else spoke.


    Qin Ran looked at her, this woman with graceful looks and an "olddy''s" age.


    In fact, Zhou Fu''s looks were decent. In the world of cultivators, she could be considered average. It was just thatpared to Qin Ran, her age was too old...


    Of course, age never really mattered in the world of cultivation.


    "What is your cultivation level?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Late Foundation Establishment."


    Qin Ran nodded. Those at Foundation Establishment Stage could refine basic necessities like Foundation Establishment Pills, Energy Gathering Pills, and Fasting Pills, so she was worth cultivating.


    "Other than materials, have you studied alchemy before?" Qin Ran asked again. The previous test had mainly been about materials.


    "I can configure some simple medicine for treating illnesses and healing injuries myself."


    So she had never refined pills before. Qin Ran understood. He asked again, "Do you understand medicine theory?"


    Zhou Fu hesitated, then shook her head.


    Qin Ran then took out a simple book on medicine theory from his interspatial pouch and threw it to her, saying,


    "After I return from Zhican Valley, I will test you. If you can pass, I will teach you alchemy techniques."


    Zhou Fu caught the book, unable to contain her joy. She almost prostrated herself on the spot, insisting on calling him Master. But she still had some shame, so she only cupped her fists and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master!"


    "What about you two?"


    Wu Yan and Zheng Jue kept silent, neither saying they were willing nor unwilling.


    Who didn''t want to learn alchemy?


    But they were afraid there was some scheme behind this. It seemed Zhou Fu was being sent as a pathfinder. They would observe before making a decision.


    Yan Yi stood up and greeted with cupped fists, "I''ll listen to Master''s arrangements."


    Qin Ran looked at Wu Yan and Zheng Jue, a smile at the corner of his lips. He didn''t say much, only, "You two can talk about itter!"


    He also said to Yan Yi, "Focus on finishing the procurement n first. Don''t worry about anything else for now."


    The three of them all cupped their fists and voiced theirpliance.

 Chapter 299

    Chapter 299


    Yan Yi still made a purchase n and handed it to Qin Ran, saying, "First Seat, I still want to go with you!"


    "Aren''t you afraid of death?" Qin Ran looked at the tender purchase n in his hand and asked casually.


    Yan Yi was silent for a good while before saying, "I can''t let you go alone."


    Who is not afraid of death?


    It''s just that people sometimes have something else to pursue.


    For Yan Yi, Qin Ran had saved his life and led him onto apletely different path in life, teaching him many things...


    Yan Yi didn''t have any other skills, but at least he was a grateful person.


    "Ha ha..." Qin Ranughed lightly and said, "Then let''s go together! The scenery of Zhican Valley is quite beautiful."


    The day before going to Zhican Valley, Qin Ran took the spirit stone and then went to the cave mansion of Gu Yueming, the headmaster.


    "Headmaster, I''m going to Zhican Valley again tomorrow for the second time," he said, saluting.


    After interacting with him at close range several times, Gu Yueming gradually understood his temperament and knew what he was here for. He didn''t open his eyes to look at him, just said, "Could it be that every time you go there, you have toe to me for benefits?"


    "No..." With his innocent eyes telling big lies after being caught in the act, Qin Ran said solemnly, "Although Zhican Valley is like a dragon pool and tiger''s den where I could easily die, I came to the headmaster only to report my work schedule, and I absolutely don''t have any thoughts of iming credit."


    Gu Yueming didn''t pay any attention to his words at all. He changed the subject and asked about the Medicine Pavilion: "What''s going on with your Medicine Pavilion? Why have so many people been reced all of a sudden? Where are those previous stewards and disciples? I guess the recent exam was also your doing?"


    "The headmaster doesn''t know that those Medicine Pavilion stewards and disciples were too eager to improve themselves. Their cultivation went too fast and their state of mind couldn''t keep up, resulting in the birth of inner demons and their falling onto the demonic path." Qin Ran said with innocent eyes, "Those demon heads were extremely fierce and arrogant. They actually set up a scheme to kill me. I identally entered that life-and-death situation. Fortunately, I was blessed by the headmaster and narrowly escaped death."


    "What about those disciples?"


    Qin Ran looked grieved. "They were too heavily demonized. In the end, they killed indiscriminately in their chaos. They all died."


    "They killed themselves?"


    Qin Ran bowed and said, "May the headmaster see clearly."


    "You didn''t make a move?"


    "How could I make a move? Headmaster, you are knowledgeable and experienced. You know thatpared to other cultivators, we alchemists have much weakerbat abilities, much weaker." Qin Ran said sincerely, "Among cultivators, alchemists are like schrs among ordinary people, both beingpletely powerless. I unfortunately witnessed that human purgatory and was frightened excessively. I haven''t slept well for over a month now."


    These words made Gu Yueming understand Qin Ran more and more. This guy was typically pure on the surface but extremely sly on the inside. None of his words could be believed, not even the punctuation.


    "I really found the right person by letting you deal with Zhican Valley!" He couldn''t help but exim.


    "???" Qin Ran opened his eyes wide and said solemnly, "Headmaster, what do you mean? What deal with Zhican Valley? My rtionship with Zhican Valley is one of gentlemanly business, absolutely no plots or schemes."


    "Alright!" Gu Yueming didn''t want to talk nonsense with him anymore. He waved him away, "I won''t punish you for the Medicine Pavilion affair. From now on, whether you go to Zhican Valley or not, just don''te disturb this old man''s spiritual cultivation anymore. Recently I sensed the path to transforming into a celestial being. If I don''t achieve that transformation, I''ll me it on you for affecting my enlightenment."


    His words made Qin Ran want to spit out a mouthful of disdain but he didn''t know where to start: You don''t even know the Medicine Pavilion was a den of spies! How can you me me? And you, just a bag of old bones that capped out at the YuanYing stage, im you sensed the path to transform into a celestial being... Who would believe that?


    But in the end, he bowed and said, "Yes, Headmaster."


    He didn''t get any benefits this time. Instead, he got scolded badly. Ever since Qin Ran came to this world, he had never done such an unprofitable deal... No, he had done unprofitable things before, like teaching Jian Yuanjie, Dao Sword Sect''s genius disciple, for free... Oh right, that didn''t seem to be unprofitable.


    On September 20th at 10 am, Qin Ran arrived on time with Yan Yi on his cloud and went to Zhican Valley.


    At 5 pm, they appeared on time at the entrance of Zhican Valley.


    Without mentioning how Yan Yi was shocked by the fairy scenes here that werepletely different from Dao Sword Sect, let''s talk about Qin Ran and Elder Sun.


    Today was the fixed trading date between Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley set by Jian Yuanjie. So Elder Sun was still waiting respectfully, modestly and politely at the entrance with his two disciples, instead of not showing up due to his plot against Qin Ran.


    "Elder Qin!" Seeing Qin Ran, he enthusiastically came up to greet him, as if he didn''t send people to intercept and kill Qin Ran, and as if the people he sent out didn''t get poisoned to death by Qin Ran. He smiled and greeted, "The journey is long. Elder Qin, you had a hard timeing."


    "No no..." Qin Ran also acted as if he didn''t know the ambush and poisoning were done by Elder Sun in front of him. He returned the courtesy with a smile, "I troubled Elder Sun to wait. You had a hard time."


    After the two cunning old foxes finished the pleasantries, Elder Sun led Qin Ran into Zhican Valley.


    Elder Sun casually chatted, "Where is that little friend Feng Feiyan? Why was he reced by this unfamiliar little brother?!"


    "Damn bandits!" As soon as Elder Sun mentioned this, Qin Ran''s emotions instantly red up. He cried loudly, "I only knew there used to be bandits before, but I didn''t expect there would still be bandits nowadays! That day after we bought pills from you, we were happily on our way back when we ran into bandits halfway... Our Feiyan died to protect the sect''s pills... Leaving me as the only survivor to return to the sect..."


    He looked so grieved that one couldn''t tell how deep his feelings were for Feng Feiyan from his performance. Only that it seemed very deep.


    Yan Yi was originally immersed in the beauty of Zhican Valley. He was shocked back by Qin Ran''s wail. He could feel that Feng Feiyan''s death wouldn''t be simple and unrted to Qin Ran.


    But...


    Was it necessary to be so dramatic?


    Elder Sun quicklyforted him with kind words. After a while, Qin Ran finally stopped crying... Acting skills.


    Only then did he introduce Yan Yi to Elder Sun, "This is Yan Yi, my newly epted steward disciple. He will apany me to purchase pills from your esteemed sect from now on."


    Hearing his name, Yan Yi quickly came up and said, "Greetings to Elder Sun."


    Elder Sun smiled and nodded, "Wee, little friend Yan, toe y often."


    The few people chatted as they passed through the mountain-guarding grand formation, and came to the high terrace behind the mountain gate again, overlooking the scenic birdnguage and fragrant flowers of Zhican Valley.


    Although it was his second time seeing it, Qin Ran still felt amazed. Such a beautiful sight, no matter how many times he saw it, he would never get tired of it. It would be enjoyable every time!


    "Zhican Valley is truly beautiful!" He eximed again.


    "Elder Qin is wee toe reside here often." Elder Sun said with augh.


    "I definitely will next time!"

 Chapter 300

    Chapter 300


    Flying down from the high tform with Elder Sun, Qin Ran once again strolled through the picturesque Zhican Valley.


    ncing around, Qin Ran observed the bustling disciples in the herbal fields along the road, and casually remarked to Elder Sun, "The cultivation of medicinal herbs is indeed a profound study."


    "Yes," Elder Sun nodded in agreement, "Many medicinal herbs can only grow in specific environments and cannot be cultivated in herbal fields. Even the best herbalists cannot cultivate them."


    "From this perspective, the cultivation of medicinal herbs does indeed affect the development of alchemy," Qin Ran remarked.


    "Oh, not quite..." Elder Sun paused, chuckled, and said, "From my perspective, since herbal fields cannot cultivate certain herbs, they need to be purchased, which increases the cost of alchemy."


    With rising costs, the profit margins for selling elixirs would decrease. Qin Ran understood his point as he nced at Elder Sun.


    He had intended to discuss the future of herbal cultivation, but Elder Sun''sment prompted him to remain silent.


    Qin Ran gazed at the scenery within the valley and suddenly noticed that there were more peoplepared to hisst visit. Theings and goings seemed busier, and there were more individuals on the benches along the road, reciting about herbs and pharmacology.


    "Is there something significant happening in the valley?" he inquired of Elder Sun.


    "Elder Qin has sharp eyes!" Elder Sun praised. "In a few months, towards the end of the year, it will be the once-in-sixty-years Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony in Zhican Valley. During this time, there will be a month-long assessment to evaluate the abilities of new disciples in academics, alchemy, and martial prowess."


    "Like these..." he gestured towards the diligently studying disciples, "These are thest-minute learners."


    Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony?


    Qin Ran had heard of it, simr to the challenges faced by disciples before the gates of the Sword Sect. However, while the Sword Sect''s method was straightforwardsettling matters with a fightZhican Valley, being alchemists, had more intricate rituals.


    "Another batch of aspiring alchemists is emerging!" he courteously congratted.


    However, upon hearing this news, his mind raced.


    Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony?


    Wasn''t this the perfect opportunity for mischief?!


    If the assessment were to go awry, or worse, if the candidates were poisoned, wouldn''t it disrupt the entire generation of disciples at Zhican Valley?


    At the thought, Qin Ran couldn''t help but feel excited, immediately devising action ns...


    No, this couldn''t be done!


    He halted his thoughts just in time.


    Not because of anything else, but because he suddenly recalled how, during the challenges before the gates of the Sword Sect, Jian Yuanjie had infiltrated to such an extent that he dared not act. It demonstrated the importance the sect ced on such asions.


    At such times, mischief was suitable, he knew, and Zhican Valley knew too, hence their defenses would be unprecedentedly high.


    This idea had to be set aside for now...


    However, Qin Ran suddenly thought of another feasible n with operational potential.


    After the challenges before the gates, the Sword Sect would recruit the new generation of disciples. Therefore, after the Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony, it would undoubtedly be the time for Zhican Valley to extensively recruit disciples.


    Since Zhican Valley could deploy infiltrators to the Sword Sect, why couldn''t he, Qin Ran, do the same to Zhican Valley?


    After the Pharmacist God Worship Ceremony, the peak period for Zhican Valley to ept disciples will follow...


    "Elder Qin? Elder Qin?!"


    Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Elder Sun calling him. Qin Ran quickly snapped out of it, looked at Elder Sun with a smile, and asked, "What''s the matter, Elder Sun?"


    "Elder Qin, what are you thinking about with such a delighted expression? Your smile is a bit unnerving." Elder Sun observed him and said, "I called you several times, but you didn''t respond."


    "Ahahaha, I remembered something joyous." Qin Ran resumed his normal expression.


    Elder Sun was witnessing Qin Ran''s quick change in demeanor for the first time and couldn''t help but be impressed, acknowledging Qin Ran as a formidable opponent.


    He chuckled and asked Qin Ran, "What joyous thing is it? Elder Qin, share it with us to make everyone happy."


    "My wife is expecting... cough! It''s some private matter..." Qin Ran brushed it off, then turned the question back, "Why did Elder Sun call me? What''s the matter?"


    Without pressing further, Elder Sun went along with Qin Ran''s exnation, saying, "If Elder Qin has time, how about we enjoy some drinks tonight and discuss the alchemy matters tomorrow?"


    "As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In Elder Sun''s territory, I naturally follow Elder Sun''s lead." Qin Ran agreed.


    "Elder Qin is straightforward!" Elder Sun genuinely admired Qin Ran. Despite being poisoned by himst time, Qin Ran dared to ept his invitation for a feast this time. Elder Sun praised, "Truly a bold and hearty man!"


    And so, the two conversed while apanied by their respective entourages, heading towards that building... the dining hall.


    During the banquet, they observed the seating arrangement for guests and hosts. Yan Yi sat next to Qin Ran, behaving like a kindergarten child, especially when he folded his hands behind his back.


    Throughout the feast, Yan Yi was nervous and cautious, mirroring every move of Qin Ran. If Qin Ran didn''t drink, he refrained from drinking. If Qin Ran didn''t touch a certain dish, he dared not touch it either.


    All of this stemmed from the instructions Qin Ran gave him before they arrived at Zhican Valley:


    "The danger mainlyes from Zhican Valley. It''s filled with experts in poison. If you can defend against poison, you''re 90% safe.


    "After consuming my Hundred Poisons Pill,mon poisons won''t affect you. However, it''s not foolproof. You still need to be cautious.


    "Anything you consume, be it tea, wine, food, or vegetables, that I haven''t tried, you should avoid. Don''t touch anything in the valleynts, animals, furniture, objects. Don''t engage in casual conversation when I''m not around..."


    "Is it really that dangerous?" Yan Yi couldn''t believe it.


    "For the sake of your life, it''s better to be cautious." Qin Ran cautioned.


    Thus, the entire banquetsted for several hours. Yan Yi didn''t dare to drink a sip of wine because Qin Ran hadn''t drunk it. He only ate a few bites of dishes that Qin Ran had consumed.


    When someone inquired, Qin Ran covered for him, saying, "This kid has been practicing fasting recently, so he can''t eat too much." No one paid much attention to him.


    As the banquet concluded, Qin Ran waspletely drunk. Yan Yi, carrying him on his back, guided by one of Elder Sun''s disciples, took him to the resting ce.


    Yan Yi carefully arranged Qin Ran on the bed, and one of the disciples said to him, "Let''s go, I''ll take you to another room."


    "No need..." Yan Yi refused directly, smiling, "We''re all cultivators, there''s no need to worry too much. If the leader is drunk, then I''ll meditate here tonight and take care of the leader."


    Since Zhican Valley was so dangerous, he couldn''t let the leader who was passed out here alone at this time.


    The disciple looked Yan Yi up and down, didn''t persuade him anymore, just took out a porcin bottle and handed it to Yan Yi, saying, "You''re a good-hearted person, and I feel a connection with you. Take this bottle of Gathering Qi Pill."


    Yan Yi had used Gathering Qi Pills before, although only low-grade ones, but it was enough for him to imagine the efficacy of the middle-grade Gathering Qi Pill.


    He knew that as soon as he epted this bottle of pills, he would break through to the middle stage of foundation building in a very short time.


    He also knew clearly that in the future, he would receive bottles of pills from this person that he had never dared to imagine before.


    To say he wasn''t tempted would be a lie; he couldn''t even deceive himself.


    But he decided to refuse.


    Avoiding eye contact, he didn''t look at the middle-grade Gathering Qi Pill, saying, "This pill is too valuable, and I can''t afford it."


    He added, "It''ste at night, please leave! Don''t disturb the leader''s rest."


    The disciple didn''t take back the pill, casually cing it on the bedside table, and smiled, "Just a small token of appreciation."


    He bowed, exited the room, and wished, "Sweet dreams."


    However, Yan Yi was destined not to have sweet dreams tonight.


    He stared at the bottle of Gathering Qi Pill in the darkness, his mind wavering between gods and demons.

 Chapter 301

    Chapter 301


    "Teacher, should we make a move?" a disciple asked Elder Sun after helping him sober up.


    Elder Sun poured himself soup and shook his head, "No, don''t do anything to him for now. Let''s figure him out first before deciding.


    "There''s something about this kid, and I still can''t figure out how he survived that deadly situationst time. We need to investigate further.


    "Either Jian Yuejie hid some intel from us, or this kid tricked Jian Yuejie. In any case, he''s not simple. We have to get to the bottom of this.


    "Don''t make reckless moves before understanding your enemy."


    "Yes, Teacher!" the disciple responded.


    Just then, the disciple who had escorted Qin Ran back to his room returned. He came over and told Elder Sun, "That Yan Yi will probably not be easy to buy over."


    "What did you offer him?" Elder Sun asked calmly.


    "A mid-grade Qi Gathering Pellet," the disciple answered truthfully.


    "Not bad, a reasonable offer," Elder Sun nodded. "Looks like he''s already been bought over by Elder Qin...but no need to worry.


    "The Dao Sword Sect disciples are all destitute fellows with no experience. Give him a mid-grade Qi Gathering Pellet this time, an advanced Break Barrier Pellet next time, and then an extreme-grade Pellet Condensing Pellet sometimeter. He will betray Qin Ran sooner orter."


    "But..." the disciple hesitated, "This Elder Qin looks hard to deal with. I reckon it won''t even take two times before he finds out. Yan Yi would be in danger then."


    Elder Sun looked at him with an insincere smile and asked, "What does his danger have to do with us?"


    Hearing this, the two disciples were taken aback. They felt somewhat sorry for Yan Yi and silently mourned for him.


    If Yan Yi epted the benefits, Elder Qin would eventually find out, and he would die for sure. If he didn''t ept them, Elder Qin would still find out. Would he believe Yan Yi then... He was doomed to die either way.


    As long as Zhican Valley made a move on him, he was already on the path to destruction.


    At this moment, Yan Yi''s situation was somewhat simr to Qin Ran''s - the contest between the powerful Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley ultimately fell upon Qin Ran, while the contest between Qin Ran and Elder Sun finally fell upon Yan Yi.


    However, Yan Yi''s situation was even worse. Qin Ran could flee at any time, but Yan Yi didn''t even have that capability.


    The next day, Qin Ran woke up and sat up in bed. In his groggy state, he saw someone sitting cross-legged under the window sill at the foot of the bed. He looked closely - it was Yan Yi.


    Yan Yi was in very poor condition with bloodshot eyes and a paleplexion. He sat on the floor, staring intently at a spot next to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran frowned and looked to his side to see a porcin bottle on the bedside table. He reached out and grabbed it. Opening it up, he saw seven mid-grade Qi Gathering Pellets inside.


    What kind of person was he? Just putting himself in Yan Yi''s shoes, he instantly understood the situation.


    "Wow..." he couldn''t help but exim.


    His spy n hadn''t even crossed the Yangtze River, but his opponent was already trying to capture his pawn... What next, his general?


    Qin Ran shook his head. He got out of bed, popped one Qi Gathering Pellet into his mouth, and chewed it like candy as he walked to the window.


    He looked out at Zhican Valley''s morning scenery through the wooden window. The morning light shone through the mist in the valley, illuminating the dewdrops and reflecting a rainbow of colors. The glistening dewdrops slid off the tender leaves and fell. He sighed, "Just a few mid-grade Qi Gathering Pellets reduced you to this state. How will you withstand extreme-grade Pellet Condensing Pellets in the future?"


    "Chief..." Yan Yi stood up from the floor, wanting to confess to Qin Ran about what had happenedst night.


    "No need to say more!" Qin Ran turned to look at him with a smile and said, "It''s already impressive that you didn''t directly ept these Qi Gathering Pellets. Putting myself in your shoes, I wouldn''t have been able to resist such temptation. You have earned my admiration!"


    He patted Yan Yi on the shoulder and said, "You endured the test. Your state of mind and mental state have risen tremendously. That is much more useful than these pills. Relying on pills for cultivation has always been ast resort."


    Yan Yi looked at Qin Ran. He opened his mouth wanting to say something, but he knew Qin Ran already understood everything, so there was no need to exin.


    "Chief..."


    Qin Ran shook his head and looked back out the window, "Actually, these Qi Gathering Pellets don''t taste as good as my homemade candies. I''ll send you some when we return to the sect. Much more delicious."


    This gave Yan Yi an epiphany. That''s right - what kind of character was Chief Qin? Following Chief Qin, what resources would he not enjoy? Pills? Chief Qin was the number one pill master of Dao Sword Sect!


    "Mm!" He nodded vigorously.


    "Get ready, we''re just getting started today!" Qin Ran put the rest of the Qi Gathering Pellets into his Universe Bag.


    After washing up and tidying themselves, the two headed out the door. Under Qin Ran''s lead, they went straight towards Zhican Valley''s...cafeteria.


    Soon, they arrived at the dining area. With Qin Ran''s elder status, he retrieved the best food avable and brought Yan Yi to an empty table to sit down.


    As he ate, Qin Ran kept looking around, seemingly searching for someone.


    "Chief, who are you looking for?" Yan Yi asked.


    Qin Ran brought his gaze back and said, "An interesting person."


    Noticing Yan Yi wasn''t eating, just sitting there, he asked, "Why aren''t you eating?"


    "I wasn''t hungry after you ate, Chief..." Yan Yi said, embarrassed.


    "It''s not poisoned," Qin Ranughed. "They probably don''t n to make a move this time...so it''s safe now."


    "Oh..." Yan Yiughed and started eating as well.


    "Hey! Why aren''t you dead yet?!" Just then, a familiar voice came from the side.


    Qin Ran was alerted. He turned to look - it was the scruffy, skinny man he was searching for.


    "Luckily not dead yet!" heughed and quickly waved the man over, "Come, sit!"


    The man sat down casually and looked Qin Ran up and down with confusion, "How are you still so weak and feeble-looking?"


    "Born this way, can''t change it," Qin Ran said. He then asked the man, "How may I address you, Brother?"


    "Just call me Nangong Xin," the sloppy man answered, not standing on ceremony as he directly grabbed food from Qin Ran''s table and started eating.


    "Brother Nangong!" Knowing he was still under Elder Sun''s surveince, Qin Ran didn''t bother with pleasantries. He directly took out a booklet and handed it to Nangong Xin, saying, "I have considerable understanding regarding meridians, acupoints, medicinal properties and effects. Please provide me some pointers."


    As soon as Nangong Xin heard this, he stopped eating. Hurriedly taking the booklet, he flipped it open eagerly.


    At first nce, his eyes clearly lit up, filled with a terrifying desire...a desire for knowledge.


    "You! It''s you again!" Before he could even flip the page, Elder Sun had arrived, pointing at Nangong Xin and scolding, "No sense of propriety! Here again!"


    Nangong Xin was indeed afraid of Elder Sun. Just hearing his voice made him instinctively hunch his shoulders. Not daring to even look at Elder Sun, he grabbed the food on the table and ran away holding it.


    "Sorry for the disturbance, Elder." After chasing Nangong Xin away, Elder Sun hurriedly apologized to Qin Ran, "Has the Elder been bothered?"


    "Haha..." Qin Ran was in an excellent mood and replied, "No bother."


    He added, "Please help me bring some more food, Elder. I''m still not full."


    Elder Sun ordered his disciples to bring Qin Ran more food, but his eyes held flickering uncertainty. He didn''t know what had happened, but something felt off.


    Yan Yi looked at Qin Ran, then Elder Sun, and finally back at Nangong Xin''s retreating figure. He knew something was up with that booklet.

 Chapter 302

    Chapter 302


    Qin Ran ate some food beautifully, then went with Elder Sun to the ce where elixirs were stored.


    The words yesterday were just idle chatter without discussing the real issues. Today, however, they were going to formally discuss purchasing elixirs.


    Qin Ran and Elder Sun walked side by side. As they walked, he suddenly sighed, "Now that Feiyan is gone, it really feels unfamiliar."


    "Yeah, such a pretty girl," Elder Sun followed along.


    Elder Sun knew that Feng Feiyan was the one killed by Qin Ran. So Qin Ran was just making up his "unfamiliar" feelings. He knew that Qin Ran was just bringing it up for fun. What really mattered were the words he was about to say next.


    "In the past, the purchasing lists and ounts were done by Feiyan. Now I have to do them myself..." said Qin Ran. "Only by getting my hands on it myself did I realize the difficulties involved."


    Although he knew that with this kind of asion, not even half a word from this kind of person like Qin Ran could be believed, when Elder Sun heard Qin Ran say this, he still felt a little happy inside. Because knowing that ounting was difficult meant that Qin Ran might not be good at these things, which also meant that there would still be room for maneuvering afterwards...


    "This matter is indeed difficult..." Elder Sun nodded, but he still pretended to ask Qin Ran, "But don''t you have this Yan Yi friend? Doesn''t he know either?"


    "s!" Qin Ran shook his head and sighed, "Don''t mention him, he understands even less than me, he has to learn everything from scratch."


    Hearing this, Yan Yi bowed his head in shame.


    Elder Sun was delighted andughed, "It''s difficult, but you can still get the hang of it slowly. Fortunately, since you guyse to us for procurement, our two families have been on good terms for hundreds of years, and there are precedents that won''t shortchange you. The ounts will also be easy to do."


    "I naturally trust Elder Sun," Qin Ran nodded. But then he wrinkled his eyebrows, "But some things are really tricky. As a novice, I always make mistakes. For example, some medicines have four or even twelve different price ranges depending on the season of maturity, which is different in each of the four seasons. This will lead to different prices for elixirs of the same quality. I just can''t handle it."


    Hearing this, Elder Sun slowly figured out that Qin Ran was not an easy character to deal with after all.


    Without saying more, just take this heavenly heart grass that he mentioned. In hundreds of years of supplying elixirs to the Dao Sword Sect, there has never been a mention of any elixir having four price ranges in a year... Qin Ran had hidden daggers in his words.


    But he was also an old fox himself, knowing that he couldn''t take this remark straight on. He only said, "On this point, Elder Qin doesn''t need to worry. Our Zhican Valley has arge reserve of medicinal materials that can ensure stable prices for each elixir without fluctuating with external changes. What we give to your Dao Sword Sect has always been the most conscientious price."


    However, Elder Sun didn''t know that Qin Ran had felt heartache for years about the Dao Sword Sect''s annual spending on elixirs in Zhican Valley, and had already made up his mind to suppress prices today no matter what.


    So before Elder Sun could finish speaking, he had already taken out the ount books, insisting on talking things through. He opened the ount books and pointed to a certain medicinal herb, saying to Elder Sun:


    "For example, this Heavenly Heart Grass, although it is a second-grade spiritual medicine, it still follows the seasons, growing in spring and withering in autumn. So in spring and summer, the price is four spirit stones per tael, but in winter, the price of Heavenly Heart Grass soars to seven spirit stones per tael.


    "Heavenly Heart Grass is an essential herb for refining Gathering Qi Pills, so Gathering Qi Pills also show winter and summer price differences. In summer it''s only eighteen spirit stones, but in winter it has already gone up to twenty-one spirit stones."


    Qin Ran''s words left Elder Sun''s disciples puzzled. One of them couldn''t help asking, "But isn''t it winter now? You guys sell Gathering Qi Pills to us at a t rate of twenty spirit stones, so you''re still making a profit!"


    His interjection made Qin Ran and the others nod repeatedly with augh. Qin Ran turned back and said to him, "Exactly, that''s my point. Each Gathering Qi Pill is already selling for twenty-one spirit stones now, but you guys at Zhican Valley only sell for twenty spirit stones, so you''re taking a loss. Our two sects have been on good terms for so long that I just can''t bear to see you at a loss."


    This disciple was just about to add a few more words, feeling proud of himself, when suddenly he saw his master staring grimly at him. He was so startled that he couldn''t get the words out of his mouth.


    "Oh... it''s just a small loss!" To stop his disciple from speaking out of turn, Elder Sun quicklyughed to Qin Ran, "We''ve been on good terms for hundreds of years, there''s no need to speak like outsiders."


    "There''s a saying in my hometown that close siblings should calcte ounts clearly. In money matters like this, one can''t be casual." Qin Ran said earnestly. Without waiting for Elder Sun to speak, he pointed to another medicinal material, "Elder, look, this is Coagted White Fruit. It blooms in spring and bears fruit in autumn, only to be harvested in winter. So this kind of fruit also shows differences between winter and summer.


    "In times when it was less abundant in summer, it could sell for ten spirit stones apiece; but in winter when it became more abundant, it couldn''t even sell for ten spirit stones a jin.


    "Coagted White Fruit is an important medicinal material for refining Barrier Breaking Pill, thus affecting the price of Barrier Breaking Pill. It is said that..."


    The more Qin Ran spoke, the uglier Elder Sun''s face became. By the time Qin Ran spoke of the price, one could already feel the chill around him.


    "It is said that in summer, Barrier Breaking Pill can sell on the market for two hundred spirit stones apiece, but in winter..." Qin Ran didn''t care about Elder Sun''s reaction and went on to say, "in winter it should sell for one hundred spirit stones apiece."


    "One hundred spirit stones?!" That disciple couldn''t help but cry out in surprise again, sneering, "Aren''t you just dreaming?"


    Whether in winter or summer, the price at which the Dao Sword Sect buys inferior Barrier Breaking Pills from Zhican Valley has always been two hundred spirit stones, and hasn''t changed for many years. If there were summer and winter price differences, how much would they have lost?


    "Don''t panic, young one..." Qin Ran said with augh to reassure him, "I''m just stating some facts based on market research."


    Hmm, young one. Elder Sun''s disciple was at least over a hundred years old.


    "Elder Sun, look, there''s also this Ice Mountain Snow Lotus..."


    Qin Ran was about to introduce Elder Sun to more medicinal materials that had different prices in winter and summer, or that had fallen in price recently for various reasons, but Elder Sun suddenly reached out and pressed down on his ount book.


    Elder Sun''s face was extremely ugly, because if Qin Ran kept talking like this, he would lose over a million spirit stones this time.


    There were red veins in his eyes as he stared at Qin Ran and said, "Name your discount."


    "We still follow the standard pricing," Qin Ran replied, pretending not to understand.


    "Twenty percent off!" Elder Sun gritted his teeth.


    "Elder Sun, you look like a molted blood python skin..."


    "Forty percent off!"


    Qin Ran collected the ount books and nodded, "Deal."


    In fact, he didn''t dare push too hard either. After all, Zhican Valley had a monopoly on elixirs here. If he really provoked them, they could just stop selling elixirs to him and leave him dumbfounded. It was wise to quit while he was ahead.


    Moreover... he knew well the threshold principle of making requests. Since he could get a 40% discount this time, next time he could aim for 50%, and the time after that, everything would be priced ording to standard market rules...


    "Phew!" Elder Sun let out of a sigh of relief.

 Chapter 303

    Chapter 303


    Elder Sun was Elder Sun after all. He didn''t need time afterwards, he reacted right there.


    He realized that he had been affected by Qin Ran''s righteous and reasonable bargaining, and felt that his own outrageously high price was problematic and that following the market price was the right thing to do.


    But now he realized one thing, that was...on what basis was Qin Ran being arrogant to him?


    In the entire North Chu Country, the only one who could buyrge quantities of elixirs was Zhican Valley, just them, no one else, if you Qin Ran felt that Zhican Valley''s prices were problematic, then go buy them somewhere else!


    Elder Sun finally understood that his conscience had not yet dissipated, and that deep down in his heart there still remained some good social values.


    This was very problematic, and needed to be corrected in a timely manner.


    "Elder Qin, I feel that just now..." He decided to say something to make up for the loss.


    "Elder Sun!" But Qin Ran spoke up to interrupt his words, directly handing him an ount book, not giving him time to speak, and saying to himself, "We just settled on, this batch of elixirs will be traded at 60% of the price. This is the ount book I have prepared, please take a look to see if there are any issues."


    Elder Sun subconsciously took the ount book, and was just about to open it to take a look, but he immediately reacted, and couldn''t help losing color in fright: "How terrifying Elder Qin is!"


    He had been influenced by Qin Ran again unconsciously, he was still under Qin Ran''s pace, still being led by the nose by Qin Ran. His entire behavior and actions were being controlled by Qin Ran without realizing it.


    And the reason Elder Sun found it terrifying was still because Qin Ran aplished this not through using any illusory techniques or mystic arts, but only through words.


    Elder Sun hurriedly collected his facial expression, suppressed the waves in his heart, casually flipped open the ount book and started reading it.


    And without reading much, he couldn''t help it anymore. He suddenly raised his head, stared at Qin Ran and asked loudly: "Wasn''t it supposed to be 60%? Howe it''s 60% of market price?!"


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was startled for a moment, and asked, "Wasn''t it supposed to be 60% of market price?"


    "It''s..." Elder Sun hesitated for a moment, suppressing the fire in his heart, and slowly enunciated, "60% of previous prices!"


    "Oh oh! That''s right, that''s how it is!" Only then did Qin Ran understand what Elder Sun meant. He took the ount book back from Elder Sun''s hands, then took out another ount book from his Cosmic Bag, handed it to Elder Sun, andughed, "Then it should be this ount book, take a look to see if it''s right." Elder Sun took the new ount book and carefully looked through it, only rxing after confirming it was 60% of previous prices...


    Rx his a**!


    As he looked at the ount book, looking and looking, he suddenly raised his head in fright, looking at Qin Ran. Qin Ran had a faint smile. Then he looked again at the ount book in his hands.


    When was it? When was this ount book prepared? Was it prepared in advance?!


    Could it be that Qin Ran had long calcted that he would eventuallypromise down to 60%?


    And he even had the leisure to prepare two ount books, one with 60% of market price, and one with 60% of previous prices?


    Could it be everything was within Qin Ran''s calctions?!!!


    He pped the ount book shut, unable to stop his heart palpitations......what kind of opponent was he facing?


    "What do you think? Elder Sun, any issues with the ount book?" Seeing him close the ount book, Qin Ran hurriedly asked with a smile.


    Elder Sun again spent great effort to suppress his palpitations and regain his calm. He looked at Qin Ran and nodded, "No issues."


    "Then I can rest assured," Qin Ran seemed truly concerned for Elder Sun.


    Afterwards, on the way to the building storing the elixirs, the entire group spoke no more words. The atmosphere was rather oppressive.


    At the building storing the elixirs, still the usual ce, Qin Ran went forward to inspect the elixirs, inspected them all, confirmed there were no mistakes, before handing over the spirit stones to Elder Sun, and hanging the temporary Cosmic Bag at his own waist.


    With the transactionpleted, it was natural to leave.


    Elder Sun sent off Qin Ran, and afterwards secretly calcted in his heart,pared to trading with Jian Yuanjie previously, he said he lost no less than a million spirit stones this time.


    (Note: When Elder Sun traded with Jian Yuanjie, first, the pricing was fixed, this price was mostly based on the market peak; second, what Elder Sun sold to Jian Yuanjie were inferior quality elixirs, inferior elixirs were very cheap.)


    His heart was bleeding, and at the same time he made up his mind to get rid of Qin Ran as soon as possible.


    "This brat cannot be left alive for long!"


    "Sigh!"


    But he didn''t know that after leaving Zhican Valley, Qin Ran also sighed.


    "Why does Sect Leader sigh?" Yan Yi spoke up and asked. After experiencing this business trip, Yan Yi''s mentality had gone through a round of tempering, and now, his entire being had some fortitude within.


    Qin Ran shook his head, not answering him. Because Qin Ran resented that his previouszy self didn''t carefully study Das Kapital, and couldn''t let someone like Elder Sun witness the horror of capital, that monster.


    "Sect Leader, I don''t understand." Qin Ran remained silent, but Yan Yi looked at his back and raised his own doubts, "Why did you know that Elder Sun would give us a 40% discount?"


    Yan Yi watched the entire process of Qin Ran bargaining with Elder Sun, and was awed by Qin Ran''s godlike performance.


    "I didn''t know at all." However, this was Qin Ran''s reply.


    "Then why..." Yan Yi didn''t understand.


    Qin Ran suddenly took out a thick stack of ount books from his Cosmic Bag and handed them to Yan Yi,ughing, "I only prepared the corresponding ount books for all possibilities."


    "All...all?!" Holding the heavy ount books, Yan Yi waspletely dumbfounded.


    "I''m giving you these ount books to study..." Qin Ran patted Yan Yi on the shoulder encouragingly, "Among them, for the same type of ount book I made four copies. One is the normal type to show Elder Sun and the others, one is the bookkeeping method I taught you,paring them will help you learn faster."


    "Oh, oh..." Yan Yi was too shocked, to the point he couldn''t speak, only knew to nod.


    No more words the rest of the way, and the two did not encounter any bandits either, safely returning to Dao Sword Sect.


    Qin Ran went again to hand over the spirit stones and elixirs,pleting this procurement task.


    At the Chief Finance Hall, Chief Finance Elder held an ount book in one hand, and spirit stones that were returned but stored inside a Cosmic Bag in the other, seeing off Qin Ran leaving until he reached the doors of the Chief Finance Hall. He somewhat doubted life itself.


    "40% discount?" He asked himself again softly, "Is it possible?"


    Since when did Zhican Valley be so easy to talk to? How could the price just drop so drastically out of nowhere?


    "This is..." He first eliminated the possibility that Jian Yuanjie was a traitor, then logically reached an obvious incorrect conclusion. He suspected,


    "Could it be the elixirs the Chief Alchemy Elder purchased are inferior goods? Or is it that Zhican Valley gave Elder Qin special preferential treatment... Did Elder Qin betray the sect?"


    He was shocked: "I must hurry and tell the Sect Leader to deal with Elder Qin as soon as possible."

 Chapter 304

    Chapter 304


    Li Shiyin had been somewhat confused these days, wondering whether her spiritual eye was malfunctioning.


    Previously, whether it was due to psychological factors or because Master was indeed powerful, in any case, under Li Shiyin''s spiritual eye, Master was perfect and wless.


    Buttely, she would sometimes see ws in Master, such ascking strength, having a weak soul, or impure mana; sometimes she felt Master was full of ws, especially weak, as if she could blow Master over with a puff of air; but at other times, Master was indeed wless.


    For example, the Master squatting under the Devouring Demon Willow now waiting for the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp to be born was a wless Master.


    Yes, Master had nted the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp in the soil five months ago. Today, one wasp was finally about to emerge from its pupa.


    Master and Chasing the Wind squatted under the Devouring Demon Willow like two big fools, eagerly waiting for the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp to be born.


    "Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp..." Li Shiyin sat in the fork of a pear tree by theke. Looking at Master and Chasing the Wind, she pouted angrily.


    She heard from Chasing the Wind that the reason this wasp was called Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp was because Master had named it after looking at Chasing the Wind''s big head.


    "Why not call it Phoenix Wing Shiyin Wasp? Or Phoenix Wing Sword Immortal Wasp? Or Shiyin Sound Head Wasp... Humph, stupid Master!" She was very dissatisfied.


    "Dad, look, look, its hand, its hand ising out!" Chasing the Wind shouted there, like the silly young master of andlord''s family.


    "Mm, wait for it to chew through the wax seal and squeeze out from the inside, then it will be an adult insect," Master replied to Chasing the Wind in a very nice, clean voice, looking like a little fool.


    Why was Chasing the Wind a big fool while Master was a little fool? Because Chasing the Wind was too big, making Master look very, very small in front of him.


    "Dad, help it, look, it can''t get out. It has no strength left!" Chasing the Wind suddenly became anxious, pointing at the soil with his big paw and shouting at Master.


    "Did something go wrong?"


    Li Shiyin frowned and walked over from the tree.


    She heard Master say, "This is normal. It has to chew through the wax seal itself to get out. If we help it, it will be a crippled bee."


    "But..." Chasing the Wind couldn''t bear to watch, "It''s going to die."


    "It can''t me anyone else if it dies," Master said. "Think about it, if this happened in the Hengduan Mountains, who would be there to help them?"


    Li Shiyin had just arrived and quickly chimed in, "There could be wild men or demon folk in the Hengduan Mountains to help them!"


    As soon as she said this, Master and Chasing the Wind red at her in unison. Li Shiyin stuck out her little tongue and stood next to Qin Ran, looking into the soil pit at the beehive.


    At this moment, the scene in the beehive was somewhat creepy. The beehive itself was already packed full of bee pupae, plus many pupae were emerging from their cocoons. The little bees crawled about in the hive like worms, gnawing at the wax seals with a scratching, scraping sound.


    "Ew!" She blurted out reflexively, "How disgusting..."


    Before she could finish speaking, Chasing the Wind lowered his head and headbutted her directly.


    "Don''t talk about my treasures like that," Chasing the Wind growled fiercely.


    Li Shiyin''s head was very hard and she was fine after being hit by Chasing the Wind, just a little sore.


    She clutched her head and red back at Chasing the Wind, coldly snorting, "They''re my treasures!"


    "It''s called my name, so it''s my treasure," Chasing the Wind argued reasonably. "They''re called Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps!"


    Li Shiyin was anxious but couldn''t refute him, so she threw her arms around Qin Ran''s head and pleaded, "Master, please change their name to Phoenix Wing Shiyin Wasps!"


    "No changing!" Chasing the Wind hurriedly put his big paws on Qin Ran''s shoulders and shook him. "Dad, don''t change!"


    These two genius fools with off-the-charts martial prowess were not something an average person could withstand. Any ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator squatting here might be torn apart by them.


    "Stop arguing!" Qin Ran couldn''t bear to hit Li Shiyin, but Chasing the Wind had thick skin and was unafraid of beatings. He backhandedly punched Chasing the Wind on his big cat head.


    Then...


    Chasing the Wind didn''t budge an inch.


    With Chasing the Wind''s current skin thickness, even most sword cultivators probably couldn''t cut through it, let alone Qin Ran''s fist without any mana.


    "Chasing the Wind, back off!"


    He yelled again to drive Chasing the Wind away.


    As for his silly apprentice''s fragrant, soft embrace... he could endure it for a while.


    "You''re arguing about what to name them, how childish can you be?" Qin Ran frowned and scolded. "How old are you now? Goofing off every day!"


    "Dad, I''m four years old," Chasing the Wind whispered.


    Qin Ran was so angry he punched him again.


    So Chasing the Wind lowered his cat head, but his cat face showed no trace of remorse.


    Behind his back, Qin Ran also couldn''t see the remorse his silly apprentice should have felt.


    "Master, can they be called Phoenix Wing Shiyin Wasps instead?" Li Shiyin whispered in Qin Ran''s ear, leaning her chin on his head.


    "No!" Qin Ran coldly replied.


    "Oh Master!" Li Shiyin shook Qin Ran''s head back and forth.


    Qin Ran shook along with his silly apprentice, but he stubbornly refused to change the name.


    While they were horsing around, that Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp somehow managed to crawl out normally after all.


    It was the first to be born, basically the healthiest and strongest in this beehive.


    It could be seen shaking its wings on top of the beehive, quickly transforming from a hairy, sticky state into a majestic, fierce little Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp.


    It spread its wings open, the golden threads interwoven like a on its wings, which looked just like phoenix wings at a nce.


    It lifted its head. With the ck head, fiery red eyes, and the me-like burning of the wasp''spound eyes, it looked just like a zing fire.


    It curled its tail, the glossy ck and red stinger contracting and extending. It looked hard and terrifying, as if made of steel nails.


    Looking like this, it was no wonder it was named Phoenix Wing Blood Head Bee, really resembling a fallen, corrupted phoenix.


    "Master..." Watching the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp #1 preening there, Li Shiyin whispered in Qin Ran''s ear, "It''s so beautiful!"


    Then, as if hearing Li Shiyin''s words, the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp #1 stopped fluttering and suddenly pped its wings, flying straight towards them.


    "Ah!"


    Girls have an innate fear of such things. Even Li Shiyin, even though she had just said the tiger head wasp was beautiful, was still afraid when it flew at her face for real. She screamed.


    Then...


    "Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."


    In an instant, hundreds of thin sword qi like little stars flew to meet the tiger head wasp.


    At that time, Li Shiyin was behind Qin Ran. Seeing the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp fly over, she hurriedly buried her head in Qin Ran''s chest, while star sword qi on her body automatically activated and shot towards the wasp.


    Thus, under sword immortal Li Shiyin''s sword qi, unsurprisingly, this Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp #1 lived for nearly two minutes!


    "Master~~~" Li Shiyin didn''t look at the result, still burying her face in Qin Ran''s chest, whimpering in fear.


    "Oh!" Qin Ran helplessly stretched out his hand to hug his silly apprentice''s head, gently stroking her hair tofort her. "It wasing for me. I''m raising them as spirit beasts. So they''re my spirit beasts. It just now wasing to recognize its master."


    "Oh!" Only then did Li Shiyin react.


    But she still clung to Qin Ran in that odd posture without getting up.


    Having heard the frightening sounds of sword qi, Liu Xiaoji emerged from the willow tree. Seeing Li Shiyin''s appearance, he jumped onto Chasing the Wind and whispered, "This woman is so scary!"


    Chasing the Wind solemnly nodded his big head, indicating strong approval.

 Chapter 305

    Chapter 305


    Mid-October has passed, and the weather has turned cold. As expected, Long Qiqi has entered her "hibernation state".


    Years ago, this cunning little lolita somehow obtained a poor quality metamorphic skill. It not only messed up the meridians, acupoints, bones and muscles in her body, but also made it difficult for her to grow up. Although she has been taking bone-tempering pills for so many years, she has only grown a little bit.


    Then, even though she has turned into a human, the habits of snakes still greatly impact her. She''s like a snake - a cold-blooded creature. As it turns cold, she bes limp andzy. When it gets even colder, she wants to hibernate all day.


    Long Qiqi fears the cold a lot. It''s only October, yet she has put on a big coat and nestles under the chair next to the old Linghuai tree.


    If no one else was here, this would be the scene: the bleak autumn wind blows, withered yellow leaves flutter in the wind, Long Qiqi seems to be a lonely, dying old person, waiting alone in the autumn for the winter to arrive.


    Of course, no matter how withered and pitiful the little lolita curling up in the chair appears, Zhou Fu dares not say much more, or even nce at her more.


    Firstly, she has witnessed Long Qiqi''s fierceness and horror. The little lolita is very knowledgeable in alchemy and poison-making.


    Secondly, this is Dan Peak under Qin Shou''s seat. Zhou Fu has no right to speak here.


    Yes, Zhou Fu has passed Qin Ran''s pharmacology assessment to be an outer registered disciple of Dan Peak, gaining the qualification to study alchemy knowledge at Dan Peak.


    It is also obvious that Qin Ran has beenzy again and has handed Zhou Fu''s induction into the alchemy practice to Long Qiqi.


    "How is it going? Have you remembered all the alchemy steps?" The little lolita curling up in the chair suddenly speaks upzily.


    Zhou Fu immediately replies solemnly, "Not yet."


    "Hurry up then!" The little lolita sighs, "You were originally not an alchemist, and the cultivation method you practice is one for warriors. In the future, you won''t be able to gather dan fire. Trying to concoct pills will be countless times more difficult for you than others."


    The little lolita takes on a mature appearance to teach Zhou Fu, "You''ll need to spend more effort on alchemy techniques to control the medicinal potency and essence as well as the external fire mes for alchemy. Others use dan fire, but you have to use external mes. I suppose you should know which is more difficult to control between your own dan fire and external fire."


    "It is also easier for alchemists like you with no dan fire to cause explosions." The little lolita continues, "Explosions during alchemy are extremely dangerous - they could lead to death in serious cases or severe injuries in lighter ones. One cannot be too cautious and prepared."


    "Yes!" Zhou Fu hurries to bow to express her gratitude. She knows this is precious from the experience of her seniors.


    "Pfft..."


    Just then, there is the sound of a woman unable to hold in herughter from the river bank. Zhou Fu looks over to see it is Li Shiyin, the direct disciple of Dan Peak.


    This isn''t Zhou Fu''s first time at Dan Peak seeing this third-ranked sword immortal on the Heavenly Talent Ranking, as she hase to Dan Peak to study many times and has thus seen the female sword immortal many times too.


    Zhou Fu realized long ago that the female sword immortal is quite different from her original impression.


    In her impression, Li Shiyin should have been a frosty beauty, peerless in style and beauty, overthrowing cities with a single sword; but the one she met at Dan Peak is instead an adorable and spirited young girl, with some mischief.


    As Li Shiyin hops and skips adorably, she is cute, yful and very girlish.


    "I pay my respects to Senior Li." Zhou Fu hurriedly bows in greeting.


    Li Shiyin waves a hand at her, signaling there''s no need to be too polite.


    "What are youughing at?" Long Qiqi nces at Li Shiyin and feels annoyed at the sight of her.


    She finds this brat annoying and irritating.


    "In your first time trying alchemy, you blew up the furnace, yet you''re teaching others not to blow up their furnaces." As expected, this brat brings up her ck history right away and hits her where it hurts. "Shame!"


    Long Qiqi''s face immediately turns dark. She suddenly regains her spirit, sits up and argues, "That was an ident, do you understand? ident! How could alchemists call it blowing up furnaces? You ignorant sword cultivator doesn''t understand so don''t spout nonsense!"


    "Someone even cried then..." Li Shiyin further pours oil on the fire.


    "Bang!" Long Qiqi anxiously ms on the table and shouts, "Go, go away! I don''t want to see you!"


    "I won''t leave." Li Shiyin just enjoys seeing the cunning little lolita annoyed by her but unable to defeat her.


    She sits on the swing under the old Linghuai tree, swaying greatly on it. She smiles wickedly as she watches Long Qiqi and Zhou Fu, waiting for Long Qiqi to start her lesson so she can nitpick it.


    "Humph!" Long Qiqi is furious. She wraps herself tighter in her thick clothes, copses back into the chair, flustered and exasperated. "Won''t teach anymore!"


    Li Shiyin continues swaying without budging.


    After losing her alchemy lesson like this, Zhou Fu can''t help throwing a nce at Li Shiyin.


    "Why are you staring at me?" Li Shiyin feels a little embarrassed and looks away. "I don''t know alchemy."


    Oh really, it makes sense that the disciple of the number one alchemy master of the Dao Sword Sect doesn''t know alchemy.


    "Sigh..."


    What can Zhou Fu do?


    She can only sit down obediently to read books, hoping there won''t be any mistakes in tomorrow''s training.


    Silence returns under the old Linghuai tree. The autumn breeze blows gently as Li Shiyin noisily sways on the swing.


    After a while, soundse from outside the protective mountain formation, breaking the silence:


    "The Li Family of Danyang is here to seek an audience with the immortal!"


    The Li Family of Danyang?


    Li Shiyin stops swinging. Isn''t that her family? Could something have happened at home?!


    Thinking so, her body shes and disappears from her spot, only to reappear outside of the fog created by the protective mountain formation.


    "How terrifying speed!" Zhou Fu gets a huge shock. "Almost like teleportation!"


    She remembers that Li Shiyin is at the same post-foundation building stage as her. But... could this also be considered post-foundation building?


    Whose post-foundation building cultivator at home grows like this?!


    No wonder she''s ranked on the Heavenly Talent Ranking. Zhou Fu knows she can''t even block a single move, even though she is a long-time post-foundation building cultivator.


    "Stop looking. She''s not someone from our world." Long Qiqi, curled up in the chair, nces at her and says, "There are still three other geniuses of that level in this little broken sect."


    Zhou Fu hears the thick resentment in Long Qiqi''s voice. After some thought, ordinary people mingling with such supremely talented geniuses would feel resentment towards unfairness of fate. That''s understandable.


    After a pause, she can only squeeze out: "Instructor Long is also amazing."


    "Heh!" Long Qiqi lets out a coldugh.


    Li Shiyin opens the mountain protecting formation to the stone path at the outer gate. She sees a warrior dressed in armor standing by the roadside whom she recognizes as wearing their Li Family army armor.


    "Young miss!" Seeing Li Shiyin, that warrior quicklyes over to bow in greeting.


    Oh, he knows to call her young miss. It seems he''s still one of their trusted family confidants. Li Shiyin nods her head and asks, "Did something happen at home?"


    "All''s well at home." The warrior replies.


    "Then why have youe?"


    The warrior bows again and says, "Eldest Young Master will marry the youngdy of the Yu Chi Family on the eighth day of next month. The general has specially sent me to inform Young Miss."


    "Li Shiwen is getting married?" Li Shiyin''s eyes go wide.

 Chapter 306

    Chapter 306


    Li Shiyin was neen years old this year, and Li Shiwen was four years older than her at twenty-three.


    North Chu Country was a feudal state. Although there were immortals and gods, Li Shiwen was just an ordinary person, so at his age, he should have been married long ago. And that would have been the case, if not for the ident three years ago. Otherwise, Li Shiwen would have married three years ago already.


    But...


    Three years ago, when the Devouring Demon Willow erupted violently, Li Shiwen led the Tian Ce Army to guard the Hengduan Mountains, intercepting the monsters in the mountains. In the end, the entire army was annihted. The southwestern border he guarded also suffered hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties, not to mention the economic losses, which were innumerable.


    He should have paid with his life to apologize to the world.


    But in the end, due to various political interests, he did not die. He only died in spirit.


    A twenty-year-old young general who had the potential to be a marquis or minister met a huge defeat out of the blue, and became a sinner in North Chu, reviled by all under heaven. Only Li Shiwen himself knew what that felt like.


    For such a Li Shiwen, just staying alive felt agonizing, let alone getting married and having a family.


    But now he had to get marriednot because he was too old and had to marry, but because there was going to be a battle, and he had to leave an heir for the Danyang Li Family before going to war.


    On the sixth day of the eleventh month, Li Shiwen got drunk in the snow. He knelt in the snow and knocked his forehead on the ground eighteen times in the direction of the southwest. He knocked until his head bled and he copsed in the snow.


    How simr was tonight''s snowstorm to the willow fluff three years ago?


    He, Li Shiwen, did not die. He still had to marry and have children. But in the southwestern border, seventy-three thousand eight hundred and fourteen soldiers were permanently buried in the heavy snow. They were as young as him, but they didnt get the chance to marry and have children.


    It was his fault for overestimating his ability. It was his arrogance and pride. It was him who led them to their deaths. He owed them. He could never forgive himself.


    He was the one who deserved death the most, but he did not die. So he had to live on with the souls of those seventy-three thousand eight hundred and fourteen soldiers, and carry on their will to continue protecting the country.


    On the seventh day of the eleventh month, with the help of maidservants, Li Shiwen tidied up his hair, shaved, changed into clean clothes, and shed the sloppy image he had maintained over the past three years. He somewhat regained the look of the young general back then.


    Wearing the cheerful wedding attire, right before dawn on the eighth day of the eleventh month, he went to fetch his bride.


    Over the past three years, the Danyang Li Family had experienced turbulent ups and downs. First, the pir of North Chu, General Li Konghe, passed away, dealing a heavy blow to the Li family. Then there was the disgraceful defeat of young General Li Shiwen, leading to the copse of over half of the Li family''s power. Just when it seemed the Li family was about to fall apart, the peerless sword immortal Li Shiyin suddenly emerged, defeating the North Chu Sword God alone with one sword, winning back decades of fortune for the Li family.


    So now, the Danyang Li Family was still the most powerful family in the North Chu court.


    But for such an influential family, the wedding of its sole heir was extremely simple.


    All formalities were simplified, and all guests were rtives.


    The wedding of this noble family was almost equal to that ofmoners.


    As for the guests, basically no civil officials were invited. Among military officials, only confidants and some veterans were invited.


    For the wedding banquet, a few hundred guests in the sprawling Li mansion looked a little empty.


    And the bride Li Shiwen married was not from any prominent family, just from a small household that could barely be considered schrly. The bride''s name was Yu Chi Zhen.


    Li Shiwen wore a bright red gown and rode a tall horse. He was burly in stature and handsome in appearance. Although hecked some spiritpared to before, he still cut an imposing figure.


    He led the wedding procession to the gate of the Li mansion. Amid the sound of firecrackers, he tied the red silk ribbon around his new bride Yu Chi Zhen''s wrist and led her through the gate into the Li mansion.


    The presiding official called out, and Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen paid their respects to heaven and earth, then to both sets of parents, and finally to each other as husband and wife. The ceremony wasplete.


    From this moment on, they were marriedrecognized by both families parents and protected by secrw and heavenly principles.


    After standing up straight from bowing, Li Shiwen looked at the woman on the other end of the red silk ribbon. That woman under the red bridal veil, that woman he did not know at all, that woman he had not even seen yet. But at this moment, as if there was a spark between heaven and earth, their lives became connected.


    It was as if the red silk ribbon in his hand was the thread connecting their fates.


    This was his wife, he thought, and his heart skipped a beat.


    And as he looked at her, he noticed she was also looking back at him from beneath the veil. Through the red veil, he could vaguely see a pair of autumn water eyes looking at him affectionately.


    It made his heart tingle. She must be an exceptionally beautiful woman, he thought.


    "Stop staring. There will be plenty of time for thatter! People are about to have their eyeballs fall out!"


    At this inopportune moment, a teasing voice came from the crowd, interrupting the romantic atmosphere between them. From the voice, he immediately knew it was his reckless sister.


    He nced over and saw his peerless sword immortal sister walking out from the side, a radiant smile on her face. Obviously she was trying to keep a low profile today so as not to steal the spotlight from them. But...


    Ever since she started cultivating, his sister had grown even more beautiful. Even the simplest attire could not conceal her celestial beauty.


    As her brother, he had always found her annoying, but he had to admit his sister was as beautiful as a goddess.


    Li Shiyin came to stand below the wedding stage and asked the newlyweds to face her.


    She scrutinized the bride under the red veil closely. Unlike Li Shiwen, she could see the bride clearly. The bride was very pretty with a gentle, schrly grace that she would never be able to attain even with decades of study.


    "Sister-inw is so gorgeous," sheplimented.


    Then she looked up at Li Shiwen, who stood half a head taller than her. Craning her neck to gaze up at him, she sighed, "Ah, time waits for no one. Can''t believe you''re already getting married. I wasn''t prepared at all. I still have the impression that you were eleven or twelve years old, tugging me along to the teaching bureau to listen to the prettydies sing..."


    Li Shiwens face darkened. He gave Li Shiyin a sharp look and said, "You don''t need to talk when you''ve got nothing to say."


    "All right, all good as long as youre getting married now," Li Shiyin decided to save his face after all and did not borate on his adventures through the brothels and the beatings he got from his father for that, nor did she go back further in time to talk about Li Shiwen wetting himself and ying in the mud.


    After livening up the atmosphere a little bit, Li Shiyin rummaged through the shabby universe pouch at her waist and fished out a light green bead the size of a small finger, which she handed to the bride. She said, "This is a beauty-fixing bead. ording to Tushan Youyou, it can preserve youth forever. It was her who gave it to me, and told me to give it to you so that you would remain gorgeous even after you get married. Oh, by the way, Tushan Youyou is a fox spirit, like those in the storybooks. She has five tails and is very pretty."


    A bead that could preserve youth forever was a priceless immortal object to mortals. Yu Chi Zhen did not dare ept such a precious thing. From beneath her veil, she looked to Li Shiwen, silently asking his opinion.


    Sensing Yu Chi Zhens gaze, Li Shiwens heart pounded. He nodded and said, Go ahead and take it. It wasnt meant as a gift for us anyway, but for Shiyin.


    Having a woman''s undivided attention on him felt different than when he was a general with all the soldiers eyes on him. It made Li Shiwen nervous.


    Hearing Li Shiwens words, Yu Chi Zhen still hesitated for a moment before finally epting the bead.


    With her Heart-Spirit Sight, Li Shiyin clearly saw Li Shiwens nervousness and pounding heart. She held back a smile and winked subtly at Li Shiwen.


    Then, without waiting for his reaction, she fished out a willow branch from her universe pouch and handed it to Yu Chi Zhen as well, exining...


    "This is a branch of the [Dan Peak Sacred Tree], able to calm the mind, dispel evil, exorcise demons, with many wondrous effects," she almost did not react in time and blurt out [Devouring Demon Willow] in front of [Li Shiwen]. "You can hang it in your room, or try nting it. If it takes root, it will be a sacred tree!


    "This is a little tree spirit sent to you by that sacred tree, a very cute little fellow."


    [Li Shiwen] did not hear anything amiss in [Li Shiyin]''s words, only thinking it was really a willow branch from Dan Peak, he let [Yu Chi Zhen] take it.


    After [Yu Chi Zhen] had taken hold of it firmly, [Li Shiyin] took out a small jar of wine, knowing that [Li Shiwen] had taken a liking to drinking recently, and handed it directly to him, clicking her tongue:


    "This is a congrattory gift from [Qi Qi]. [Qi Qi] is the least sincere, this wine was actually gifted by someone else to her, but she then gifted it to you.


    "However, this wine is spiritual wine, able to improve your constitution, very useful. Brother, drink steadily, don''t get drunk dead..."


    Although their rtionship was intimate, at such an asion, she still did not say the word "dead" after all.


    "Wine?" [Li Shiwen] happily took it,ughing. "I really like this."


    "Drink less!" [Li Shiyin] warned again. As she spoke, she took out a porcin bottle, handed it to [Li Shiwen], and exined:


    "Inside is a drop of essence blood, it''s [Chasing the Wind]''s own essence blood. Oh [Chasing the Wind], the most destitute, treating his own blood as a treasure to gift you.


    "[Chasing the Wind] is an eighth-rank demonic beast, this blood really is precious. Brother, you can use it to strengthen your own constitution, or in the future use it to improve your child''s constitution."


    "[Chasing the Wind]?"


    [Li Shiwen] still remembered that leopard on Dan Peak, that leopard shared a name with the dog that had apanied them as they grew up together. He knew it was a name [Li Shiyin] had given.


    "Even [Chasing the Wind] gifted me presents?" he asked.


    The sacred tree of the immortal sect gifted presents, the cat of the immortal sect also gifted presents.


    "If there''s a chance, bring [Chasing the Wind] out to y, let you see the present [Chasing the Wind]. The present [Chasing the Wind] is already nearing a zhang (3.3m) in height..." [Li Shiyin] gestured with her hand demonstrating [Chasing the Wind]''s head height to [Li Shiwen].


    "[Chasing the Wind]?" [Li Shiwen] nodded, that fellow was an eighth-rank demonic beast, he could only imagine how terrifying an eighth-rank demonic beast would be.


    [Li Shiyin] took out another porcin bottle again, pouring out a mung bean-sized flickering cinnabar red elixir from within, handing it to [Yu Chi Zhen], introducing:


    "This is an elixir my master refined, it is said to benefit the next generation. I didn''t really understand, it seems to mean that after you have be pregnant in the future, the baby will receive protection, nurturing its constitution in your belly, then ensuring the safe birth of the baby. It also seems to have said that the mother will also nurture her constitution alongside the baby''s, her health improving."


    Although blessing newlyweds to soon have precious children was normal congrattions, sending such an elixir still made one feel bashful.


    [Yu Chi Zhen] did not dare ask [Li Shiwen]''s opinion, timidly asking on her own: "Take it now?"


    "Mm! Master said to take it as soon as possible, in case someone else snatches it away." [Li Shiyin] nodded, and worried that [Yu Chi Zhen] would not believe her, adding: "My master is very powerful."


    [Yu Chi Zhen]ughed, reaching to take the elixir,pletely without hesitation, directly swallowing it down.


    To her, [Li Shiyin] was like an immortal''s existence. Although this immortal seemed very easy-going, everything she took out were rare and precious treasures. She had only seen such immortal-like personages in her life, she could only feel she had profound blessings, so where would she doubt?


    "Done!" Having finished giving the gifts, [Li Shiyin] did not flip through her cosmic bag again. She ceremoniously congratted her elder brother and sister-inw: "I wish elder brother and sister-inw a happy marriage, a hundred years of harmony, soon birth of noble son, the whole family prosperous, and white-haired apanying to the end of your days..."


    However, before she could finish her chaotic congrattions, [Li Shiwen]''s expressionlessly interrupted her: "So where''s mine?"


    "What''s mine?" [Li Shiyin] feigned ignorance.


    "Your gift to me, where is it?" [Li Shiwen asked. "Everyone else gave gifts, just you didn''t, right?!"


    "Hehe!" [Li Shiyin] let out a sly, mischievousugh, raising her brows at [Li Shiwen], saying: "You silly [Li Shiwen], I''m just teasing you! How could there not be any?!"


    As she spoke, her beautiful right hand rose up, her tender white fingers as lush as spring bamboo shoots interlocking...


    "Pa!"


    She snapped her fingers.


    The great hall instantly darkened, the ceiling suddenly transformed into the night sky. Amidst the panic of all the people in the great hall, two streams of the Milky Way meandered down from that night sky, the two streams of the Milky Way circled about the great hall once, transforming into the form of two swords, then drilled into the bodies of [Li Shiwen] and [Yu Chi Zhen].


    The dark night descended then retreated. [Li Shiyin]''s back facing the other people of the hall, facing her parents and elder brother couple. She spoke loudly:


    "Myprehended sword qi is Star Sword Qi, myprehended sword intent is Guardian Sword Intent. These two primordial sword qi will guard you like the stars. The gxy is endless, the sword qi does not dissipate."


    She raised her head gazing at [Li Shiwen], reaching to grab [Li Shiwen]''s hand, then [Yu Chi Zhen]''s hand, ovepping their hands on her own. She had never been so serious before, resolutely saying: "I will guard you forever."


    Such a silly little sister... [Li Shiwen] was moved, red rimming his tiger eyes, pulling [Li Shiyin] into his embrace for a long time without speaking.


    Only when the master of ceremonies loudly called: "The auspicious timing has arrived, bride and groom enter the nuptial chamber."


    Did he then let go of [Li Shiyin], holding his newly-wedded delicate wife, entering the nuptial chamber.

 Chapter 307

    Chapter 307


    After Li Shiwen got married, Li Shiyin couldn''t stand being in this household for even a day.


    There were parents above her, and... well, there were elder brother and sister-inw in the middle. Every time someone came in or went out of the house, they were always in pairs, while Li Shiyin was the only one left alone.


    The parents were alright, being an old married couple, but they would inadvertently show affection to Li Shiyin.


    For example, when their mother, Yang Yanqi, liked to eat sweets, their father would always ce those sweets in front of her during meals.


    Or when their father stayed upte working, their mother knew to bring him a warm bowl of soup or porridge to his study.


    And when their father, who had injured his leg during his youth while fighting in a war, went up a slope or stepped over a threshold, their mother would consciously support him.


    This kind of understanding between an old married couple was definitely a clear disy of affection.


    On the other hand, Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen, as a newlywed couple, were simply going overboard.


    They say that when a person encounters a joyous event, their spirits are lifted. There are also sayings like "basking in the spring breeze" or "a proud horse with a swift pace," which basically means the same thing. After Li Shiwen got married, it seemed like she had be a different person. In just a few days, she swept away the destion and listlessness of the past few years and instantly transformed into a cheerful, proactive, hopeful, and sunny individual.


    Someone who used to have a negative outlook on life had now be a positive person.


    But looking at that couple, who were currently cuddling in a small pavilion while it snowed heavily outside, they only had a small brazier, yet they didn''t feel cold at all.


    Those who knew could see that they had a book in their hands, so they were reading. But those who didn''t know would think that they were shamelessly engaging in public disys of affection in broad daylight, indulging in their newlywed desires in that pavilion!


    Li Shiyin had excellent vision, and she could see the book in Li Shiwen''s hands. But at the same time, she could also see the despicable intentions in Li Shiwen''s eyes.


    Pah! How could that be reading a book? It was clearly ogling at someone. He couldn''t make out a few characters in the book, but he could count every pearl-like tooth in the beauty''s mouth.


    "If you won''t let me live in peace, then none of us should live!" Li Shiyin thought to herself angrily. She stomped on the snow, making a creaking sound, and swiftly ran into the pavilion.


    "Ah, enjoying a pavilion in the snow, now that''s truly romantic."


    She pretended to stand by the pavilion, hands behind her back, facing away from Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen, and gazed at the heavy snowfall outside, eximing loudly.


    However, after watching the snow for a while, she didn''t receive any response. When she turned around, she saw Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen intimately leaning against each other, with no trace of her in their eyes!


    They huddled together in a shabby fur cloak, reading a book, and one wouldn''t know that they were from the Li family and not penniless!


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin sat down on a chair by the pavilion, crossed her arms over her chest, and shouted again, "Hey, Li Shiwen, where''s your steel spear? Take it out and show off! Weren''t you always fond of showing off your skills with a spear in the snow before? Show us another trick!"


    Upon hearing her own name, Li Shiwen snapped back to reality. He raised his head and asked in surprise, "Shiyin? When did you arrive?"


    Li Shiyin was infuriated. She had put on a performance for quite some time, yet no one noticed her.


    She turned her head and nced at Li Shiwen with disdain, retorting, "I''ve been here for a long time. Before your hand reached out for warmth in someone else''s embrace, I was already here!"


    "Ahem!" Li Shiwen cleared his throat, calmly retracting his hand, and reproached, "You could at least say something when you arrive."


    "I almost had to shout in your ear." Li Shiyin defended herself.


    "Alright..." Yu Chi Zhen blushed and shyly burrowed into Li Shiwen''s embrace. Li Shiwen held her and asked Li Shiyin, "What brings you here?"


    "Can''t Ie to you without a reason?" Li Shiyin frowned and asked in return.


    "Not like that." Li Shiwen said, "It''s just that it''s better if you don''te to me without a reason."


    "You''re such a shallow person!" Li Shiyin huffed.


    "Do you want that steel gun?" Li Shiwen asked, "It''s hanging in my room, you can go get it yourself."


    Oh! So, he did hear it, but he just didn''t want to acknowledge her. Li Shiyin became angry, turned her head to look outside the pavilion, and disdainfully said, "Who needs your lousy gun?"


    "Alright, if you don''t want it, just go away and don''t disturb us while we''re reading!" Li Shiwen hurriedly said.


    "Ah..." Li Shiyin stood up angrily, ready to leave, but she suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask Li Shiwen, "How''s your practice of my master''s sword technique going?"


    "It''s alright, so-so." Li Shiwen said, "It''s truly a divine technique. I''ve improved a lot in the past two years."


    "Oh?" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up, "So, you''re quite powerful now? Let''s practice together? Give me some guidance."


    "No, no, no..." Li Shiwen refused without hesitation.


    When he was a young general, he saw Li Shiyin digging ake and thought his little sister was being mistreated. He, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth, wanted to teach Qin Ran a lesson but ended up being taught a lesson by Li Shiyin, who had just cultivated for a little over a month.


    After that, he experienced the Devouring Demon Willow incident and Li Shiyin''s battle against the North Chu Sword God.


    So he was very clear about the enormous gap between mortals and cultivators. He also understood that he was definitely no match for Li Shiyin.


    "I won''t use sword energy or sword intent." Li Shiyin really wanted to beat Li Shiwen, and was making concessions. Li Shiwen firmly shook his head.


    "I won''t use spells."


    Li Shiwen still didn''t fall for it.


    "I won''t use spiritual energy."


    This time, Li Shiwen didn''t shake his head. He calcted inwardly that if Li Shiyin didn''t use spells, spiritual energy, sword energy, or sword intent, it would be equivalent to fighting him with pure physical strength.


    Immortals were still human... It seemed like he had a chance.


    "You promise not to deceive me!" He confirmed.


    Li Shiyin was delighted, "I promise! I promise!"


    Sheughed, her figure swayed, and then she disappeared from the pavilion.


    "Whoa!" This sudden movement startled Li Shiwen, and he felt like he had been tricked.


    But before he could regret it, Li Shiyin reappeared in the pavilion, raised her hand and threw his steel gun to him, smiling, "Let''s go!"


    "Ugh..." Li Shiwen reached out and gripped the steel gun, reluctantly emerging from his gentle reverie.


    He gently wrapped Yu Chi Zhen''s robe, making sure she was well-covered to prevent her from catching a cold, and softly said, "I''ll be back soon."


    "Mhmm." Yu Chi Zhen''s eyes were filled with infinite tenderness as he looked at Li Shiwen.


    Li Shiyin had never seen Li Shiwen so gentle in her entire life. Jealousy surged within her, prompting her to draw her sword and stomp her feet. She flew out of the pavilion, taking the lead in the snowy field.


    Over the past few years, despite Li Shiwen''s destion, he had been diligently practicing the spear technique taught to him by Qin Ran. It was no exaggeration to say that his physical condition had reached the peak of an ordinary mortal.


    With his talent forbat and his experience in battles, it was highly possible for him to kill an average foundational cultivator if they were not careful.


    "Hah!" With a light shout, he swung his steel spear and gracefullynded outside the pavilion.


    Regardless of whether he could win or not, he had already disyed an imposing presence.


    However, Li Shiwen was still young and somewhat arrogant in his heart. At the same time, he didn''t know what kind of existence his younger sister truly was. He only knew that his sister possessed some talent for cultivation, but he had no idea of the extent of her talent.


    Even more so, he didn''t know that under Qin Ran''s guidance, Li Shiyin had already been climbing towards the pinnacle of the cultivation world.


    Not to mention her physicalbat prowess, even if Li Shiyin didn''t use her physical body at all and just stood there, she possessed an extremely powerful primordial spirit. Even if Li Shiwen were to attack her relentlessly, it wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say that he couldn''t break through her defense.


    Therefore...


    This was a one-sided torture.


    Retribution from the FFF Squad!

 Chapter 308

    Chapter 308


    Li Shiyin beat up Li Shiwen. After that, Li Shiyin felt refreshed and in good spirits. She took out a bottle of high-quality healing elixir from her Universe Bag and threw it to Li Shiwen,ughing loudly, "Take it, take it!"


    Then, with a smile like she was dealing with a viin, she pped her hands and turned away, leaving quite a "after getting things done, hiding one''s merit and fame" feeling.


    Li Shiwen, an honorable man, now looked like a little daughter-inw who got taken advantage of. He hugged himself pitifully and tightened his torn clothes to prevent exposing himself. He looked around sheepishly until Li Shiyin disappeared into the distance, only then did he regain hisposure.


    My younger sister doesn''t know how to treat people gently. She only thinks of how to step on my head and be the older sister. Only my wife knows how to treat me well.


    Seeing Li Shiwen beaten like that, Yu Chi Zhen in the pavilion felt heartache. She jogged over, put her coat over him, and carefully helped Li Shiwen up and slowly walked back into the pavilion.


    Yu Chi Zhen had a normal girls figure. If you looked at her alone, she would actually look rather tall. Converting her height simply, she was about 1.6 meters tall.


    But when she stood in front of Li Shiwen, she looked petite.


    Because Li Shiwen was over 1.9 meters tall and weighed about 190 pounds. And because his body was all muscle, his actual weight was closer to 200 pounds.


    With his physique, how could Yu Chi Zhen support him?


    He was just pretending.


    Rather than Yu Chi Zhen supporting him, it was more like Li Shiwen hugging Yu Chi Zhen; rather than Yu Chi Zhen putting the sable coat on him, it was more like Li Shiwen wrapping Yu Chi Zhen in his arms with the coat.


    When they reached the pavilion, Li Shiwen had Yu Chi Zhen affectionately feed him the healing elixir; he also boldly bared his chest for Yu Chi Zhen to apply medicine...


    They were beaten by Li Shiyin for showing affection, but after getting hit, the affection between them became even more nauseating.


    All this was seen clearly by Li Shiyin in the distance. She clenched her fist, wanting to go back and hit Li Shiwen again.


    But as she thought about it, a feeling of frustration suddenly arose. Seeing Li Shiwen''s experienced romantic style, she couldn''t help but think of her master. If her master had one tenth of Li Shiwen''s skills... No, if her master used one ten thousandth of his resourcefulness and cunning on her, she wouldn''t feel disgusted by the scene in the pavilion now.


    "s!" She sighed.


    Then she turned her thoughts back. If her master was not so simple and lovely in love, she wouldn''t like him either; but with her master''s craftiness, if he really turned his attention to women, she probably wouldn''t have a chance anymore.


    Although she had to think this way, after thinking it, she finally felt a little better.


    She couldn''t happily y with Li Shiwen anymore. Li Shiyin wandered around the house and eventually found her mother. She discovered her mother was in the room reading, so she pushed the door open and went in.


    Outside was freezing cold with ice and snow, but inside was as warm as spring. Her mother had lit incense and made tea. She leaned back in her chair reading, looking peaceful and content.


    Hearing here in, her mother looked up and asked, "No going out to make trouble today?"


    "Mother~" She gently closed the door and trotted happily to her mother''s side, saying coquettishly, "How can you say that about your daughter? I''m a girl!"


    Looking like this, where was the domineering big devil who had just beat up Li Shiwen? There was no trace of the rumored sword immortal either.


    Yang Yanqi poked her forehead with her index finger and scolded, "You''re the most mischievous. What girl. You don''t have any trace of a girl."


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin rested her head on Yang Yanqi''sp like a puppy.


    But in her mind, she wondered if it was because she didn''t have any girlishness that her master didn''t take the initiative to make a move on her.


    But what was a girlish girl like?


    Muddled thoughts in her mind, she remembered when she was little, when Li Shiwen took her to the musical troupe. Were those beautiful older sisters in the musical troupe examples of girlish girls?


    Yang Yanqi''s personal servant girl poured a cup of hot tea for Li Shiyin and put some dried fruits and nuts beside her. She casually picked up a jujube and held it in her mouth. Tilting her head, she looked curiously at the book in Yang Yanqi''s hand and asked, "Mother, what book are you reading?"


    "Just randomly reading to pass the time," Yang Yanqi replied.


    Li Shiyin pulled Yang Yanqi''s hand down to prop up her head and see what was written in Yang Yanqi''s book. She saw words like "soldiers", "terrain", "camping", and so on, so she knew it was about military strategy.


    Shey back down andzily asked, "What are you reading military books for?"


    Yang Yanqi lightly patted her head with the book and asked her, "What does your family do?"


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin thought for a bit, "Fighting wars!"


    "In a general''s home, what can one read if not military books?" said Yang Yanqi.


    "That makes sense..." Li Shiyin nodded.


    Shey on Yang Yanqi''sp like a child, eating snacks and drinking tea. It disturbed Yang Yanqi''s peace so much that she couldn''t continue reading either.


    Yang Yanqi shook her legs, shaking Li Shiyin''s head, and scolded, "You''re so old already. Still like a child."


    "Hehe..." Li Shiyin chuckled foolishly, "I''ll always be a child in front of my mother!"


    Yang Yanqi really had no way to deal with this shameless girl. She put the book on Li Shiyin''s head and paused before asking, "When are you going back to the mountain?"


    "After New Year!" said Li Shiyin.


    "Doesn''t the Dao Sword Sect have any rules for descending the mountain? Can disciples juste and go as they wish?" asked Yang Yanqi.


    "Yup!" Li Shiyin nodded, "I don''t have to go back. I can stay home every day too. But Master said that wouldn''t be good."


    Master...


    Yang Yanqi caught this term. She then asked, "How are things between you and your master? You''re already in your twenties, almost an old spinster."


    "Oh my!" Li Shiyin felt shy yet annoyed. She finally sat up and moved away from Yang Yanqi''sp. Mumbling, she said, "Don''t interfere too much in the affairs of cultivators."


    Yang Yanqi knew her daughter so well that with one look she could see this was probably a case of the flower intentionally flows while the water is heartless. She tentatively asked, "Could it be your master looks down on a little girl like you?"


    "No!" Li Shiyin denied categorically, "Someone as cute as me, my master would be lucky to like me!"


    "Then what''s the situation between you two?" Yang Yanqi wondered, "Don''t you cultivators and immortals also consider the teacher-disciple propriety?"


    "Bullshit teacher-disciple propriety. Those cultivators can live for hundreds or thousands of years. How would they care about something like that?" Li Shiyin scoffed, "Besides, my master is only nine years older than me and looks even younger than Li Shiwen. My brother on the other hand... My master..."


    "Nine years older, twenty-eight or twenty-nine, nearing thirty already. Not young either," said Yang Yanqi.


    Holding a cup of tea in her hand, Li Shiyin listlessly said, "I don''t know why... My master doesn''t actually reject me. When I get intimate with him, he doesn''t refuse either. I know my master also likes me and cares about me. But he also doesn''t take initiative..."


    "Doesn''t reject, also doesn''t take initiative. I don''t know what my master is thinking."

 Chapter 309

    Chapter 309


    It seemed to Li Shiyin that Danyang Citycked its usual festive atmosphere this year, even though the Spring Festival was approaching. The sprawling city was home to several hundred thousand residents, yet felt strangely quiet and subdued. There were many peopleing and going in the streets, but few spoke loudly. There were sounds, but no sense of liveliness.


    "Strange..." Li Shiyin frowned and asked Li Shiwen, who was looking at trinkets at a roadside stall, "Why is everyone so serious?"


    "Hmm?" Li Shiwen picked up a hair essory and turned to Li Shiyin, "What do you think of this? Does it suit Zhen?"


    "Oh, it''s nice, it suits her," Li Shiyin replied dismissively. Pointing at the people on the street, she asked, "Why is everyone so glum? The Spring Festival is almost here, shouldn''t they be happy?"


    Li Shiwen casually put the hair essory on his own head and looked in the direction Li Shiyin was pointing. Seeing the worried expressions on the faces of people filling the streets, he of course knew the reason behind Danyang City residents'' mood.


    Because there was going to be a war.


    The increasingly powerful and ambitious Xuanqin was about to attack the borders, taking advantage of North Chu''s weakened state after its recent upheaval. Xuanqin had also drawn the neighboring countries of Great Yan and Yan Han to put pressure on North Chu. If mishandled, this Xuanqin invasion could spell the end for North Chu.


    Li Shiwen smiled wryly without answering Li Shiyin''s question. Instead, pointing at himself, he jokingly asked, "How do I look?"


    The sight of this six-foot-tall burly man wearing a girl''s hair essory, striking coquettish poses, was as nauseating as it was terrifying.


    "Ew, disgusting!" Li Shiyin grimaced and shook her head. She reached out and took the hair essory off Li Shiwen''s head.


    Li Shiwen let Li Shiyin snatch away the essory and continued rummaging through the stall. As he tried on other hairpieces, he casually asked, "When are you going back to the Dao Sword Sect?"


    "Huh?" Hearing Li Shiwen ask this, Li Shiyin''s brows furrowed. Over the past few days, her mother had also asked when she was going back. Usually they never questioned how long she stayed, because this was her home and she could stay as long as she liked. But this year, everyone was asking when she''d be leaving, which was rather strange.


    "After the New Year," she replied, asking Li Shiwen again, "Why do you ask too?"


    Li Shiwen was taken aback. "Someone else asked you too?" he questioned.


    "Mother did. She also asked before when I''d be going back to the mountain," Li Shiyin exined.


    "Oh..." Li Shiwen smiled. "Everyone cares about you, what''s so odd about that?"


    Li Shiyin shook her head. She picked up a purple hair flower from the stand and put it on. "Buy one for Zhen and buy one for me too," she told Li Shiwen.


    "Ha!" Li Shiwenughed coldly. "Pay for it yourself..."


    But Li Shiyin ignored him. Clutching the hair flower, she immediately slipped into the crowd, leaving Li Shiwen alone in the wind.


    ...Looks like he''d still have to pay.


    The siblings ambled around the streets, ying for the whole morning before finally returning home near noon.


    As soon as they entered the door, they saw the anxious steward waiting in front of the memorial tablet. Before they could even ask, the steward hurriedly said to Li Shiyin, "Young miss, the Sword God has been waiting for you for a long time."


    "Sword God?" The title sounded unfamiliar to Li Shiyin at first. Then she realized there was a North Chu Sword God called Jiang Xiaobai, so she was rather curious. "What''s he waiting for me for?"


    But it was pointless asking the steward such things of course.


    The North Chu Sword Godmanded tremendous prestige and awe among themon folk of North Chu. His presence made the entire Li manor solemn, permeating the air with a murderous quality.


    Every person in the household was on high alert, even the veteran soldiers working as guards and servants gripped their weapons in fear.


    Li Zhan was themander-in-chief of North Chu''s armies, on par with Cheng Lixue. But in the Sword God Jiang Xiaobai''s presence, even he struggled to breathe freely in his own home.


    As they walked towards the main hall, everyone they saw was preparing to confront a formidable foe, leaving Li Shiyin quite puzzled. She whispered to Li Shiwen, "Why are they so afraid?"


    Having witnessed Jiang Xiaobai''s prowess before, Li Shiwen had also turned serious. "He''s the Sword God. Who wouldn''t be afraid?" he replied.


    To North Chu, the words "Sword God" said everything.


    "Didn''t I tell you he''s useless?" Li Shiyin asked, confused.


    "Never forget the sight of thousands of swords flying, killing hundreds of soldiers instantly," Li Shiwen shook his head. "That is the Sword God."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin rolled her eyes. "Are you afraid of me?" she questioned Li Shiwen.


    "Why would I be afraid of you?"


    "I''m much more powerful than him," Li Shiyin stated very seriously.


    Li Shiwen scrutinized his sister. He knew she had some arrogance andcency in her character, so he admonished, "Shiyin, you may have talent and managed to fight Jiang Xiaobai to a draw two years ago through a fluke. But remember to stay humble before stronger cultivators and seniors, and maintain respect and awe."


    "There''s no saving you," Li Shiyin sighed.


    As the siblings talked, they arrived at the door to the main reception hall. Peering inside, they saw only their father Li Zhan and the Sword God Jiang Xiaobai. The two men were conversing.


    Li Shiyin noticed her father Li Zhan was sitting in the master''s seat, yet his bearing was very low in their discussion.


    This made her frown in great annoyance.


    In Li Shiyin''s eyes, Jiang Xiaobai was just a nobody she could crush effortlessly. Yet now this nobody had swaggered into her home and won the respect and fear of her father and brother, people dear to her. How could anyone tolerate this? If the rest of the cultivation world got word of this, where would she put her pretty face?


    So when Li Shiyin entered the hall, she had already assumed the imposing aura not of a young miss, but of an unrivaled female sword immortal.


    Li Shiwen started to go in and pay his respects, when he suddenly sensed killing intent behind him. Before he could turn back to look, he was shoved aside by Li Shiyin who followed him into the room.


    "What is the meaning of this?" Li Shiyin stepped forward, her manner extremely arrogant as she interrogated Jiang Xiaobai.


    Sensing things were going awry, Li Shiwen hurriedly tried to smooth things over. Then he saw his father Li Zhan making gestures at him from the master''s seat. After some hesitation, he withdrew.


    "Our previous battle three years ago...was a draw," facing Li Shiyin''s hostility, Jiang Xiaobai still refused to back down. Maintaining the dignity befitting a Sword God, he raised his chin at her and said, "Three years have passed and I''ve recovered my peak strength. Shall we fight again to decide things?"


    Just listening to Jiang Xiaobai''s words made Li Shiyin want tough. She was barely keeping up the cold and aloof sword immortal facade.


    Firstly, their so-called "draw" meant that in an actual duel between adversaries instead of just sparring, she would have instantly destroyed him. Secondly, it had taken him three whole years to recover from that one setback, reflecting abysmal mental resilience. Andstly, while he may have regained his original strength after three years, just how many times stronger was she now after that same period? She couldn''t even say.


    And he still wanted to fight her?


    Back at the Dao Sword Sect, cultivators of Jiang Xiaobai''s level would have to line up from the Main Peak Debate tform all the way to the sect entrance for a chance to challenge Li Shiyin. But since this was her family home, Li Shiyin decided to throw him a bone. "I''ll give you a chance," she stated.


    Li Shiyin''s arrogance made Jiang Xiaobai frown deeply, but he still nodded. "No better time than the present. Let''s have a match right now!"

 Chapter 310

    Chapter 310


    Happiness is, the cat eats fish, the dog eats meat, Ultraman beats the little monster.


    Although Li Shiyin was only at thete Foundation Establishment realm, it must be emphasized again that for her, realms had lost meaning already. When she fought with Jiang Xiaobai at the mid Gold Core realm, it was like Ultraman beating the little monster.


    At that time there was heavy snow, fluttering down into the courtyard.


    Li Shiyin and Jiang Xiaobai stood three yards apart facing each other. She said to Jiang Xiaobai: "Please draw your sword."


    The snow was heavy, blowing around in disorder, obscuring Jiang Xiaobai''s line of sight. Although the girl across from him was very near, he couldn''t see her clearly.


    He knew his own cultivation was much higher than hers. When he heard her ask him to attack first, he wanted to refuse at first, upholding his senior''s magnanimity, and let her attack first. But in the end he didn''t, because deep down he had a feeling that he probably couldn''t beat her after all.


    Without saying much, he directly used his sword controlling skill, calling out all seventy-two of his lifebound swords.


    When the flying swords hovered in the air, filling the courtyard, even the falling snow was all blocked. The dense sword qi was like cold air, making it even colder.


    The snowkes thatnded on the flying swords also turned them white.


    Jiang Xiaobai couldn''t see the girl across from him, but he clearly felt the contempt emanating from her entire body.


    "Receive my sword!" He shouted.


    The seventy-two flying swords in the air then fell down towards that girl, along with the snowkes.


    And under his seventy-two extremely powerful flying swords, he saw the girl across from him raise her right hand to the sky.


    Her hand opened like the most beautiful lily blossoming in the snow. A dazzling, purple-ck radiance lit up in her palm. Sword qi shaped like fishes flew out from her palm, rising up to meet his seventy-two flying swords.


    He looked up to see the white swords and ck qi shing in the snow, suddenly feeling a destined sense of birds in flight meeting fishes in the sea. He was the fish trapped in the seafloor, while she was the bird soaring in the sky.


    Jiang Xiaobai knew he might not be able to beat her, but he didn''t know there was such a huge gap between them.


    As soon as his lifebound swords touched that sword qi flowing like fishes, the next second, the swords were pierced through, as if sharp des had punctured flesh and blood, as if divine weapons had met ordinary swords. His flying swords and her qi weren''t on the same level at all.


    In one move, he had lost. The other side hadn''t even drawn her sword, only using qi.


    With his lifebound swords destroyed, his mind and spirit were damaged. He sprayed out a mouthful of blood towards the sky. The red blood and white snow intersected in midair, especially beautiful.


    He half-knelt powerlessly down, straining to lift his head to see his destroyed swords falling along with the snow,nding around that girl like the snow. This scene was also especially beautiful.


    The broken swords were densely stuck all around that girl''s body, as if they were surrounding her. He suddenly felt satisfied.


    He lowered his head to watch his blood drip into the snow, drop by drop, like plum blossoms blooming one by one.


    Someone walked over, treading on the snow. Without raising his head, he knew it was that girl approaching, because even in the cold heavy snow when scents were dulled, he could still smell her beauty.


    "To die by your hand is my best resting ce," he said in a low voice.


    Li Shiyin looked at the kneeling swordsman, puzzled. "I didn''t n on taking your life though?"


    Jiang Xiaobai lifted his head to gaze at the girl, revealing a satisfied smile.


    With blood at the corner of his mouth, he smiled and said, "I was going to die anyway. If you make a move now, then it will be you killing me."


    Upon hearing this, Li Shiyin activated her Divine Sight to examine Jiang Xiaobai, and replied, "I only used sword qi and controlled the sword intent. You just suffered bacsh to your mind and spirit. With some days of recuperation you''ll be fine. But with your temperament, it might take a year or half. But you definitely won''t die."


    "So you really don''t know anything." Jiang Xiaobai understood now. The Li family hadn''t told Li Shiyin about the crisis facing Northern Chu at present. He thought for a while, then shook his head and sighed, "Then it''s better this way."


    "What do you mean?" Li Shiyin frowned.


    Somehow she felt everything was weird ever since she returned home this time... Even this iprehensible, silly swordsman was acting strange.


    "Ha!" Jiang Xiaobaiughed bitterly. Struggling to stand up, he staggered forward, circling around Li Shiyin to go pick up his swords.


    While pulling out swords from the snow, he asked, "Even in Daohuang Sword Sect, you must be an unparalleled genius among your peers, right?"


    "There are still many stronger than me among my peers," Li Shiyin didn''t lie however. Lu Junxing, Liu Baiyun, and Dong Zhongyuan could all beat her.


    Jiang Xiaobai turned back while hugging some swords, examining the truth of Li Shiyin''s words.


    Then he obtained the truth. He shook his head by himself, "A sect this powerful is truly unimaginable."


    He kept pulling out swords, murmuring, "I came to challenge you this time, partly to fulfill my life''s desires before death, and partly because my heart held hopes and delusions... I hoped there might be a chance to obtain your favor, Fairy.


    "But after testing it out, I realized the gap between us is truly too great."


    Hearing Jiang Xiaobai''s words, Li Shiyin was greatly shocked. She asked in bewilderment, "You like me?!"


    Jiang Xiaobai grasped a sword hilt, but didn''t have the strength to pull it out. Not turning back, he said, "Is it that weird for me to like you?... Not liking you would be weirder!"


    "But we''ve only met once before. And fought once," Li Shiyin really found it bizarre.


    "There''s no need for reason when liking someone," Jiang Xiaobai pulled out the sword, hugging it in his arms as he kept walking forward to pull out the next one. "Whether immortal or monster, as long as you don''tpletelyck feelings, you''ll end up liking someone... I just happened to like someone I shouldn''t have."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin couldn''t help but think of her own master. When she first met her master, she still disliked him quite a bit, but slowly, unknowingly, she realized she had grown to like her master already.


    She nodded. It seemed there really was no need for reason when liking someone.


    Jiang Xiaobai pulled out his swords one by one, hugging them all in his arms. Shabby and tattered, there were seventy-two swords in total.


    And he himself was also injured, staggering while holding these seventy-two flying swords. He left the Li estate looking destitute.


    He hade as the Sword God, but as Li Shiyin watched his departing figure, she felt he was like a stray dog now.


    Li Shiwen and Li Zhan had been observing the fight from the corridor. Now that Sword God Jiang Xiaobai had been defeated and left, they walked over to Li Shiyin''s side. Li Shiwen asked Li Shiyin in astonishment, "You won just like that?"


    Li Shiyin turned to re at him, "I told you many times I''m very strong!"


    "Who knew you were this strong..." Even after witnessing the battle between immortals with his own eyes, Li Shiwen still found it unbelievable. He kept asking, "Just one move? You guys exchanged one move and he lost?"


    "I guess you can call it one move!" Li Shiyin nodded.


    Only then did Li Shiwen gain some sense of how ridiculously strong his silly little sister was. He silently nodded, and looked towards Li Zhan.


    Li Zhan knew what he meant, but remained silent, shaking his head. So Li Shiwen also let it go.


    "Brother..." But then Li Shiyin asked, "Why did the Sword God say he was going to die?"


    Li Shiwen was silent for a moment, then replied, "Perhaps he has another duel arranged with someone... I don''t understand matters between you cultivators."

 Chapter 311

    Chapter 311


    The first year in the eleventh month they got married. By the second year in January, when the new year had just begun, after Li Shiwen''s hard work farming thend for two months, he finally got Yu Chi Zhen pregnant and the new life came with the new year.


    Li Shiyin looked at Yu Chi Zhen''s belly, feeling the new life inside, with an indescribable, special feeling.


    Then she realized she was going to be an aunt! When that new life appears, she will instantly be a generation older.


    "But I''m going to be an aunt already. No matter how you calcte it, I will be an adult from now on," Li Shiyin said standing next to Yu Chi Zhen, smiling, "On the way to Dao Sword Sect, back to the cultivation world, I can no longer be as willful and naughty as before. I need to be more mature."


    "Brother, what are you talking about?" Li Shiyin felt something was off with Li Shiwen, he seemed a little too sentimental. "I''m always the most obedient and well-behaved one, okay?"


    "Yes, yes..." Li Shiwen nodded, "You are the best behaved."


    He pointed at the child in Yu Chi Zhen''s belly and told Li Shiyin, "If it''s a boy, his name will be Li An; if it''s a girl, her name will be Li Ping. Remember these two names and don''t forget."


    Something was not right. Li Shiyin frowned and asked Li Shiwen again: "Brother, what''s wrong with you?"


    "Nothing. I''m just afraid you are careless and will forget our nephew''s name." Li Shiwen concealed his sadness with a smile.


    After all Li Shiyin was not one to be sad. Although she felt something was off, she only thought he was overly sentimental about her leaving. She tried her best not to show her concern.


    She smiled and said to Li Shiwen: "Actually I can tell if it''s a boy or girl."


    "You don''t need to tell me. Whether it is a boy or girl, they are the continuation of the Li family bloodline," Li Shiwen said shaking his head. "For someone like me who bears children but wasted this life away, what use was it? But for you, my sister, to be an immortal and deity, wouldn''t that be glorious?"


    "Brother... you are amazing too!" Li Shiyin quicklyforted him. She knew Li Shiwen couldn''t get over that one failure.


    Li Shiwen sighed. "If it''s time to leave then hurry. Mother can''t bear to see you go so she''s crying inside, Father is apanying her. Only your brother and sister-inw came to send you off, don''t take it to heart."


    "Weird... I''m not leaving forever. I''ll be back by the end of the year," Li Shiyin said. "Actually I can choose not to go. But I really don''t suit staying at home all the time." The visit from Sword Deity Jiang Xiaobai made Li Shiyin thoroughly understand why her Master said that cultivators cannot stay with mortals for too long.


    Jiang Xiaobai was someone righteous. He wanted to spar with Li Shiyin so he formally went to her house. After fighting and losing, he openly left through the front gate.


    But if there was another evil-doer who also wanted to challenge her and found her family''s home, he could use Li Shiwen, Li Zhan, Yang Yanqi and the others to restrict her abilities, or directly kill off the Li family, to disrupt her state of mind. How would she handle that?


    Li Shiyin was no longer that clueless newbie cultivator from before. She understood long ago that cultivators from the cultivation world have no moral values. Wiping out an entire household was a high probability event.


    Therefore, she couldn''t stay at home for too long.


    "Whether it suits you or not!" Li Shiwen said, "You staying home or leaving home, you just need to know that we all love you and will always remember you."


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin felt goosebumps all over. Her sword pointed and drew out the Falling Star Sword. She lightly leapt onto the sword, crouching on it and smiled at Li Shiwen, "Want to try sword riding? It''s fun!"


    Li Shiwen shook his head, "No need, leave early to get to Dao Sword Sect sooner."


    "Ah, why are you being so serious today?" Li Shiyin felt it was boring. She rode her sword up into the air, but halfway up she remembered something and flew back down, saying to Li Shiwen: "Oh wait... I forgot something."


    "What is it?"


    Li Shiyin pointed at Yu Chi Zhen''s belly and asked Li Shiwen: "Do you want him to walk the cultivation path?"


    "Cultivation?" Li Shiwen was startled but couldn''t decide by himself. He turned to look at Yu Chi Zhen, "Zhen Zhen, what do you think?"


    "Can my baby also be an immortal?" Yu Chi Zhen''s eyes lit up as she asked Li Shiyin.


    "If you want, whether he has high enough aptitude or not, I can make it happen," said Li Shiyin. "But walking the cultivation path has its pros and cons..."


    She looked at Li Shiwen, "Brother probably knows some."


    One was that the cultivation path was not easy to walk; two was that once you step onto the path, from then on, even rtives are strangers. Li Shiyin was purely lucky to have met Qin Ran. In her 4 years of cultivation, she returned still a maiden.


    Li Shiwen kept silent and looked at Yu Chi Zhen again. For big decisions like this he shouldn''t decide alone.


    But Yu Chi Zhen didn''t know the severity of the issue. She only knew immortals were amazing with theiring and going. She excitedly nodded her head, "Of course the immortals are better!"


    "Good!" Li Shiyin deeply inhaled and told Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen: "The first step of cultivation is to sense the energy, find that one strand of innate qi within your body, then use that one strand of innate qi to guide the heaven and earth spiritual qi into the body, integrating the two, settling it at the dantian, bing the seed of magic power, and using that toy your foundation.


    "The seed of magic power is extremely important, influencing the entire cultivation career of a cultivator. And this seed can be from the heaven and earth qi you personally guided in, or some special heaven and earth treasure, it can even be an advanced cultivator''s magic power.


    "What I''m going to do now is guide a strand of my sword qi into the baby''s dantian as the seed for his magic power.


    "This way, after my Master''s pills take effect after he is born, he will be at the Foundation Establishment stage right away. He will be building his foundation on my sword qi, and is innately a sword cultivator."


    She swirled a strand of purple ck Primeval Sword Qi on her fingertip, finally confirming with Li Shiwen: "If he bes exceptional enough in the future, then this strand of sword qi will be his stepping stone to reach even higher heights. If his talent is insufficient, then this sword qi will be his assurance on the cultivation path for a more steady advancement."


    Li Shiwen nodded.


    Li Shiyin pointed her finger and the sword qi on it flew into Yu Chi Zhen''s belly, fusing into the not fully formed baby.


    "Humph, even if he is as formidable as me during the Foundation Building stage, that would be pretty good too!" After finishing, Li Shiyin smugly pped her hands and added: "Consider this my baby gift to him. I won''t being back after he''s born.


    "I will try to rarelye back home."


    "Mm," Li Shiwen nodded and waved goodbye to Li Shiyin, "Take care."


    Li Shiyin formally bowed to Li Shiwen while standing on her sword, but after the bow she couldn''t hold it in anymore and burst outughing. Then she also waved her hand saying, "You guys take care too, see you at the end of the year!"


    After speaking, she rode her sword high into the sky, blinked and she was gone into the far distance.


    Li Shiwen watched Li Shiyin''s disappearing back and slowly tears flowed from the corners of his eyes. Li Shiyin thought this was just an ordinary parting but he knew there was a high chance this was their final parting.


    "Shiyin is so powerful, why not let her stay and fight against the Xuan Qin Army?" Yu Chi Zhen held his hand and wiped away his tears, asking puzzlingly.


    "Because Xuanqin has even more cultivators..." Li Shiwen sighed.

 Chapter 312

    Chapter 312


    Li Shiyin''s current speed was already very fast. It only took her a little over three hours to fly back from Danyang City to Dao Sword Sect.


    She was still in Danyang City in the morning, and by the afternoon she had arrived at Dan Peak.


    She passed through the protective mountain formation of Dao Sword Sect with her identity token, and when she looked up, she saw five tall mountains in front of her - Master Peak, Qi Peak, Sword Peak, Dan Peak, and another mountain whose purpose she did not know. Above these five mountain peaks, there was a sword giving off ck and white sword lights, suspended in midair.


    That was Lu Junxing''s Mountain and River Sword, which had now be a permanent fixture of Dao Sword Sect. The disciples of Dao Sword Sect were already used to it, and the sword cultivators also took it as just another ce to temper their sword qi.


    "Lu Junxing!" Li Shiyin looked at the sword and could not help but admire it.


    She had already climbed Sword Mountain and walked along Sword River,prehending Lu Junxing''s sword qi. Her own sword qi had greatly improved. But she was still far from being Lu Junxing''s match.


    More importantly, other than Lu Junxing, no one else dared to openly disy their sword qi for others to study... not even Li Shiyin herself.


    But this was Lu Junxing.


    After admiring the Mountain and River Sword, Li Shiyin went straight to Dan Peak. She instinctively wanted to pass through the protective mountain formation of Dan Peak with her sword-shaped token, but at that moment, she suddenly remembered something...


    It was about why her master did not take the initiative with her.


    In her analysis, one reason was probably because she did not look at all girly.


    Realizing this point, Li Shiyin hurriedly put away her token andnded on the ground. She could not rudely drop down from the air, that would be too udylike. She should walk back in a gentle, graceful manner befitting a youngdy.


    In front of the mist formed by the protective mountain formation, Li Shiyin tidied herself up to look less unkempt.


    Then she took out her token, opened up a passageway through the mist. Instead of rushing in eagerly like she used to, she imitated her sister-inw''s gait - head bowed demurely, rocking gently in lotus steps, taking tiny steps as she entered Dan Peak.


    In the past, this passageway could barely capture her shadow as she sped through. But today, it took her nearly two whole minutes to traverse the long passageway.


    She swayed with each dainty step, and exited the passageway onto the meadow of Dan Peak. Looking ahead...


    In Li Shiyins imagination, the best scenario would be her master happening to be sitting under the old ginkgo tree reading, and he would coincidentally see her transformation, because her master was now the Chief Apothecary Elder and was very busy every day, so he might not necessarily be around.


    The next best scenario would be her master not being present. She would take this as practice and do it again for him to see when he was around next time.


    But she absolutely did not expect that not only would her master be present... No, not only was her master around, everyone else was around too!


    Dan Peak was extremely lively today!!!


    Of course Dan Peak''s own people were there, but apart from them, Lu Junxing, Dong Zhongyuan, Liu Baiyun, Tian Wenjin, Yan Yi, Zhou Fu and others were also present.


    At that moment, she saw over a dozen pairs of wide open eyes staring at her from the big group of people over there. They were so shocked they couldn''t speak, their eyeballs trembling.


    ...The Female Sword Immortal of Dan Peak, was like this? There must be something wrong with the way the formation was activated!


    For a time, Li Shiyin was also stunned.


    The originally lively and bustling Dan Peak fell dead silent.


    After a long while, it was still her kind master who timely stepped forward towards her, smiling and asking, "Shiyin, you''re back?"


    "Ah!"


    So embarrassing!


    Li Shiyin let out a loud cry, her face flushed crimson. She gave a start and rushed straight into Qin Ran''s arms, burying herselfpletely inside, not wanting to speak or see anyone ever again...


    She had lost all face.


    There was one thing that needed pointing out - Dan Peak''s protective mountain formation actually only obstructed the line of sight looking in from the outside, and did not block the view looking out from the inside. That meant those inside could see clearly outwards.


    Li Shiyin had already been spotted by those inside Dan Peak from the moment she first flew over.


    These people had originally been busy preparing food and items for the Lantern Festival, making tangyuan balls, cooking lotus seed soup, preparing fine wine and the like, when they inadvertently caught sight of Li Shiyin''s performance.


    They watched as Li Shiyin stopped in front of the protective mountain formation, contemted carefully,nded upright, tidied her clothes, opened the passageway, and tottered in daintily like a young girl.


    They had watched it from start to finish...


    On this point, Li Shiyin figured it out herself before too long.


    When she finally collected herself somewhat and sat eating the tangyuan balls her master made for her on the swing, she happened to nce up and saw the blue sky and white clouds...


    "Master..." Looking at Qin Ran, she was tearful with grievance as she pouted, "I don''t want to live anymore."


    Her master handed her a bowl of lotus root pork rib soup, smiling, "Have this then!"


    "Master, are youughing at me too?" She asked aggrievedly, but still epted the pork rib soup.


    Qin Ran absolutely could not admit to that.


    He took the tangyuan from Li Shiyin and said solemnly, "How could that be? My dear Shiyin is lovable and innocent, how could I bear tough at her?"


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran''s serious expression, half believing, and after drinking a mouthful of the tasty soup, she was fully convinced.


    Qin Ran also brought over a bowl of tangyuan to eat. He walked to Li Shiyin''s side and curiously asked, "What made you think to walk like that?"


    As soon as he asked, Li Shiyin was reminded again of the earlier scene. She gave a cold snort, nced at Qin Ran, and said, "It''s all because of you!"


    However clever Qin Ran was, he could not figure out the connection. Bewildered, he said, "What does it have to do with me?"


    "It''s your fault!" Li Shiyin was too embarrassed to clearly exin the reasons behind it, only saying so.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, not wanting to argue further. He figured Li Shiyin must have picked up some strange ideas at home.


    "Is everyone at home well?" He asked Li Shiyin.


    "Yes, all very good," Li Shiyin nodded. "Li Shiwen got married, and they all have babies now."


    "So soon?" Qin Ran was a little surprised. Li Shiwen''s physique really was quite something. "Then you''ll be little auntie now?"


    "Mm-hmm..." said Li Shiyin. "I also gave the baby a sword qi seed, so he''ll also be a sword cultivator in future, already at the Foundation Establishment realm when he''s born."


    "Not bad too." Qin Ran nodded. "If he intends to cultivate, he cane to Dan Peak in future too."


    "Let''s ask Li Shiwen about itter..." said Li Shiyin.


    As she spoke, she thought again of the strange happenings at home, and her brows knitted together. "Actually some things feel odd too."


    "How so?" Qin Ran asked.


    Li Shiyin shook her head. "I can''t say exactly, but it doesn''t feel like a good thing."


    Qin Ran reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling. "Scaring yourself for nothing. It''s the festive new year, say some auspicious things..."

 Chapter 313

    Chapter 313


    Whether one lives or dies for their school doesn''t matter. But because someone at home ate too much dog food, feeling the stirrings of spring in her heart, she still has to make ns to get her master to marry her.


    ...That stinky master, she must find a way to make him her husband.


    And before nning to get her master, there were some things Li Shiyin needed to confirm.


    First and foremost, she had to make clear her own feelings.


    She had to think it through clearly whether she really liked her master, whether she couldn''t live without her master in this life, whether she couldn''t go on without her master.


    Regarding this question, Li Shiyin took three seconds to confirm and got a positive answerwithout her master she would die... A world without her master is an imperfect world... Cultivating not to be an immortal, but only to meet her master in the mortal world...


    Having confirmed her own feelings, next she had to confirm her master''s feelings.


    Although Li Shiyin roughly knew her master liked her, but he was her master after all. She knew her master''s heart, liver, spleen and lungs were all dark. Who could guarantee that her master''s fondness for her wasn''t just an act, a means to an end?


    But for Li Shiyin, trying to figure out what this viin of a master was thinking was just too difficult.


    She thought it over herself for a long time but just couldn''te up with anything. So she decided to go to the back mountains and ask Tushan Youyou. Leave specialized tasks to the experts. Tushan Youyou was a fox spirit, specialized in seducing men. For this kind of thing, seeking her help certainly wouldn''t go wrong.


    "How to confirm whether a man likes you or not?" Hearing Li Shiyin ask this, Tushan Youyou''s attention drifted from the magic array model on her desk. She looked at Li Shiyin strangely and said, "What is it? Is there someone else in the Dao Sword Sect who dares to feel something for you?"


    In Tushan Youyou''s opinion, the feelings between this master and disciple were unambiguous. They pushed and pulled openly without hiding anything. There definitely wouldn''t be any issues.


    The one Li Shiyin wanted to confirm certainly wasn''t Qin Ran.


    And currently in the Dao Sword Sect, not only her, anyone who knew this master and disciple could see their rtionship clearly. No one would make a fool of themselvesing to pursue Li Shiyin. As for those who didn''t know this master and disciple and dared to develop feelings and pursue Li Shiyinthat could be summed up with the word "dare".


    "Oh no, it''s not..." Li Shiyin denied Tushan Youyou''s conjecture. She wanted to exin but felt too embarrassed. Seeing Li Shiyin''s reaction, Tushan Youyou turned around and sat properly, carefully appraising her. Only then did she slowly realize: spring had arrivedthe maiden was feeling the first stirrings of love.


    "Oh..." She immediately broke into a smile, an "I understand" smile of an expert driver. She continued, "To determine if a man likes you and confirm a man''s feelings, outwardly there are many ways, but inwardly, the crux is actually only one."


    Indeed an expert! She hadn''t sought the wrong person.


    Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up and she asked repeatedly, "What is it?"


    "A man''s feelings, look at whether he''s interested in you or not." Tushan Youyou didn''t keep her hanging. She smiled, a very foxy smile, and said meaningfully, "A person''s heart may lie, but the body often betrays honestly!"


    Li Shiyin blinked. She didn''t understand. What heart, what body, lying and honesty...


    "How does the body betray honestly?" she asked again.


    How to evaluate Li Shiyin seeking Tushan Youyou''s guidance in love?


    The answer is she probably sought the wrong person.


    Indeed, Tushan Youyou was a fox spirit, best understanding human desires, most adept at seducing men.


    But!


    Tushan Youyou was a fox spirit! What she wanted was a man''s body, his vital essence, cultivation base, soul, not his feelings.


    All she cared about was a man''s flesh, not his emotions.


    And what did Li Shiyin want? She wanted her master''s feelings. She wanted to know whether her master liked her back when she liked her master.


    One was asking about romance while the other answered with lust.


    If Li Shiyin was an outwardly and inwardly pure and wless little white flower, then Tushan Youyou was a flower with colorful petals on the outside but a simple little yellow flower on the inside.


    Butplete yellowness should also represent purity.


    "How does the body betray honestly?" Tushan Youyou smiled coquettishly and winked at Li Shiyin, saying, "A man''s certain organ can expand to many times its normal size in special circumstances. No matter how righteous he sounds, down there reveals his true thoughts."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin pondered seriously. Soon, she understood what Tushan Youyou was referring to. One must know that with her spirit eyes, no subtle change could escape Li Shiyin''s eyes during battles.


    "The pupils! Right? No matter what nice things they say, when they''re afraid, their pupils will dte dramatically, changing size by times. It greatly impacts their vision during battles." She nodded, indicating she understood Tushan Youyou''s meaning. "Master said the eyes are windows to the soul. Are you telling me I can determine his feelings for me through Master''s eyes?"


    Tushan Youyou was rendered entirely speechless. With Qin Ran''s dead fish eyes, how could the innocent Li Shiyin see anything?


    "It''s the pen..." She was about to reveal the right answer but suddenly recalled something. Sizing up the innocent Li Shiyin again, seemingly pure as a nk sheet of paper, she hesitated and asked outright, "You... do you know how men and women give birth to babies?"


    "I know!" Li Shiyin said confidently. "They get married! When a man and woman get married, the woman will get pregnant. My brother got married at the end ofst year. My sister-inw got pregnant and had a baby early this year. Then they can have children."


    "I knew it!" Tushan Youyou was lost for words.


    It should be noted that up till now, no one had taught Li Shiyin about sex education (she was supposed to marry out at sixteen or seventeen, which was when Yang Yanqi would teach her these things, but at this time she had run off to the Dao Sword Sect), and she also didn''t have ess to rted books, videos etc. to help her learn and understand. So she didn''t know anything about intimacy between men and women.


    "Do you know about consummating the marriage?" Tushan Youyou wouldn''t give up and asked again.


    "Drink wine and sleep with the woman." This was all Li Shiyin had seen and heard.


    "Do you know how to sleep with a woman?"


    "Just sleep like that!" Li Shiyin looked at Tushan Youyou strangely. "What''s there to say about sleeping?"


    A true, world-renowned pure lotus flower!


    Tushan Youyou could converse no further. She felt every word she was about to say would taint Li Shiyin while also exposing her own filth.


    "I cannot teach you..." She said earnestly to Li Shiyin, "Go find Long Qiqi."

 Chapter 314

    Chapter 314


    "Master, do you like Shiyin?"


    In the small wooden house on the second floor of Mount Danfeng, at the door of the study, Li Shiyin pushed open the door of the study and asked Qin Ran straightforwardly.


    Regarding how to determine whether the master likes herself or not, Li Shiyin first went to ask Tushan Youyou, but Tushan Youyou did not give her a solution, only letting her go to ask Long Qiqi.


    She then went to the research building to find Long Qiqi. After careful consideration, Long Qiqi gave her the advice:


    "Your master is extremely terrifying, with sinister schemes and evil tricks. The few of usbined can''tpare to him. If you want to prove it indirectly, you will definitely fail.


    "So you have to abandon all means, bare your heart to him, one-on-one,pletely truthful.


    "Anyway, your skin is thick enough, just go straight and ask him!"


    So Li Shiyin ran straight to ask Qin Ran, not ying tricks, not pretending, only ying it real.


    Qin Ran didn''t know what Li Shiyin was up to this time. He was still sitting at the desk writing. He casually replied, "Of course I like you."


    "Then Master, let''s get married and have children now!" Li Shiyin said directly.


    "Okay...Huh?" Qin Ran was shocked. The pen in his hand was crushed by him in one grab. He looked back to confirm, "What did you say?"


    "Let''s get married!" Li Shiyin''s bright eyes looked straight into Qin Ran''s eyes as she said seriously.


    Qin Ran swallowed, pouring the debris of the pen in his hand onto the desk. He sat up straight, moved the chair, turned the chair to face his silly apprentice.


    "Rebirth: Surfing the Big Era"


    The silly apprentice is twenty years old this year. Her body has fully developed, with long straight legs, plump buttocks, delicate waist, and impressive breasts, a figure that can only be described as perfect.


    Her apricot eyes and peach cheeks havepletely shed the baby fat. Her reduced chin gives her gorgeous beauty. Her fair skin seems fragile as a bubble, and her three thousand strands of ck hair cascade like a waterfall, the contrast between ck and white making her shockingly beautiful.


    However, the most touching thing is her eyes brimming with deep feelings. When she looks at him, the tenderness in them could even melt steel.


    If this was an ordinary world, then by this time Li Shiyin would have developed into perfect maturity, perfect in every aspect.


    She wore a light purple long dress again, which added to her feminine tenderness and innocence. On her left waist hung the magical pouch he gave her, and on her right waist hung the sword-shaped token he gave her. Everything on her proimed her love for him.


    Its impossible for any man to reject the courtship of such an extremely perfect young beauty.


    Qin Rans heart pounded erratically. In his heart he agreed countless times, Alright, lets get married this instant, he opened his mouth, wanting to consent as well, Thats fine, lets go make babies right now.


    But when his throat produced sounds, what he said was: Do you know what marriage is?


    Its holding a wedding ceremony, paying respects to heaven and earth and our parents, husband and wife worshipping each other, then entering the bridal chamber, then... As Li Shiyin spoke, she finally became shy. A flush rose to her cheeks as she lowered her head and mumbled haltingly: Then, then...I...Ill be your...wi-wife, youll be...my husband...


    Thats only the superficial ritual of getting married. Seeing Li Shiyin be even more endearing in her shyness, Qin Rans heart pounded more chaotically. He pretended to stay calm and asked:


    Marriage is more about responsibility. Are you prepared to fulfill the duties of a wife? Are you prepared to fulfill the duties of a mother? If we get married, we would form a new household, the same as what your parents have in Danyang City. Can you manage this household as well as your mother does?


    This barrage of questions stupefied Li Shiyin. How could her simple mind contemte so much? She blinked up at Qin Ran, at the master with the solemn face. Her head was muddled. It was just getting married, was it really soplicated?


    A wife, a mother, half a household. Qin Ran looked at the innocent maiden and continued. Youre clearly not prepared.


    Li Shiyin opened her mouth. Only then did she realize it wasnt as simple as mutually liking each other for marriage. She stared nkly for quite a while before asking, Then what do I need to prepare?


    I dont know... Qin Ran shook his head. Im not a woman.


    Oh... Disappointed, Li Shiyin lowered her head and turned to leave the study again. She walked to the corridor and asked softly, Then Master, you dont want to marry me?


    Watching the dejected maiden, Qin Ran also sighed inwardly.


    It should be emphasized once more that ever since taking Li Shiyin as his disciple, his heart had never been pure towards her.


    As a modern soul, the ethics and morals of teacher-disciple rtionships meant little to him...they just made it more thrilling. From the moment he saw Li Shiyin, all he thought was how wonderful it would be to have an intimate dual cultivation life without shame or embarrassment with such a beautiful young beauty. It would be a blissful death.


    Why then over the four years, had he never made a move on Li Shiyin?


    In the beginning, part of the reason was Li Shiyin was only sixteen then, underage. He felt a little guilty. Though a sixteen-year-old girl was legally capable of consent, within a rtionship of trust like guardian and teacher it was still considered criminal. Of course, this was a different world, so its practical impact wasnt big.


    The real reason was because Qin Ran was a soul from another world. Although he had transmigrated into this body while it was still a fetus, his souls fusion with the body still wasnt a hundred percent. He kept feeling something was off.


    On one hand he kept thinking, would this count as NTR-ing himself? On the other hand, he worried his condition could impact the next generation. If pregnancy and offspring were rted to the soul, his and Li Shiyins child could very likely be affected.


    He wasnt Li Shiyin. He would think far more deeply about many, many matters. Regarding marriage, Li Shiyin only started pondering it now, but he had already contemted it hundreds, thousands of times.


    Did Qin Ran like Li Shiyin?


    How could he not?! She was his painstakingly groomed love interest...he had changed everything for her sake.


    If he were to marry a wife in this life, it could only be Li Shiyin.


    Thus seeing her disappointment also pained him greatly.


    "Shiyin!" He called out.


    Li Shiyin turned back again. Qin Ran stood from his seat to approach her, cupping her face with both hands. He looked into the eyes of his silly disciple, not daring to meet his gaze at such close distance. Then he lowered his eyes to gaze at her alluring lips, and slowly leaned in to gently hold her lips with his own. He nibbled lightly on them with his teeth, then traced them with the tip of his tongue, before cing his lips firmly over hers in a kiss.


    When it ended, he lifted his head and saw that her fair cheeks now held a rosy flush that extended all the way to her snowy neck. In a soft voice he asked: Marrying is stronger by a thousand, ten thousand times than this. Are you prepared? Li Shiyins long eyshes fluttered, opening her eyes to gaze upon the master before her. Still feeling shy, she vaguely registered herself voicing agreement with an Mm. Yet finding no reaction from the master, she knew she hadnt managed to utter it aloud. But when she tried to vocalize again, she felt she nowcked the chance to speak out...


    So she still fled in escape!

 Chapter 315

    Chapter 315


    Qin Ran watched Li Shiyin stumble down the stairs and shook his head, thinking to himself that this must be the so-called high attack but low defense.


    Her attack was so powerful that she wanted to marry and have babies with him right off the bat, catching himpletely off guard. But her defense was so weak that she blushed and ran away after just a kiss.


    Of course, he licked his lips, still tasting the sweet fragrance of the young maiden, the tingling sensation rather enjoyable.


    Qin Ran stood in ce relishing the soft, wet feel of his silly apprentice''s lips for quite a while before heading back to the desk. He looked at the sheets of paperid out and tidied up the debris from the pen he had crushed, then took out a new pen from the drawer and leaned over to start writing.


    The desk had a veryrge piece of paper on it, the most eye-catching part being the huge diagram of the mystical formation, the dense andplex mystical lines and patterns making one''s eyes ze over.


    Above the diagram was the name of this mystical formation - the Long Distance One-way Teleportation Formation. Yes, this was the escape mystical formation that Qin Ran had been researching for the past two years.


    Although he had also been making contributions to the Dao Sword Sect during this time, that did not conflict at all with his escape n.


    This teleportation formation was now already set up underground at Dan Peak, only missing some final touches and calctions before it could operate normally. And the reason why this formation could be set up so quickly was also thanks to Qin Ran''s position as the Chief Alchemy Elder, since he no longercked materials forying formations after assuming that role.


    Somebody actually dared to ask if Qin Ran had embezzled resources?


    Of course he did!


    How could anyone still think Qin Ran was a good person? He only maintained a superficial integrity, but anything deeper was pitch ck. Sitting in such a lucrative position, did anyone think he could still havepletely clean hands?


    Pure nonsense!


    He just wasn''t as brazen and tant about it as Jian Yuanjie.


    He properly recorded all the ounts that needed to be kept, but everything that should have lined his own pockets did not escape either. After all, with the mathematical prowess of this world, who could audit his books?


    He openly used the Sect''s money to buy whatever materials he needed.


    So whenying down the defensive grand formation for the sect, he had begged far and wide for materials, barely scraping together enough; yet when setting up a teleportation formation far moreplex, he did not have any material shortages at all.


    What he was doing now was figuring out what needed to be done after teleporting to an unfamiliar ce.


    And under the diagram were the ns he had made.


    First point: Determine the surroundings after teleporting to ensure the safety of the teleportation point;


    Second point: Conceal and protect the teleportation point;


    Third point...


    There were already sixteen hastily scribbled points above.


    But now, Qin Ran picked up his brush and wrote down the seventeenth point: Find Rong Ling Pills, or easier methods to refine Rong Ling Pills.


    Since his silly apprentice had taken the initiative, he had to prepare to take action too. His own physiological functions had no issues after all, and facing such a peerless beauty, his heart burned with desire, impatient to have Li Shiyin birth him a child immediately. So he had to resolve that little hidden trouble of his quickly.


    Following that, he wrote down point number eighteen on the paper: Collect dual cultivation techniques...


    Li Shiyin ran downstairs and out of the small log cabin, then suddenly came to a halt, stunned.


    Because at this moment, standing neatly in front of the cabin under the study window were four demonsrge and small: Tushan Youyou, Long Qiqi, Chasing the Wind and Liu Xiaoji.


    Seeing Li Shiyin run out covering her face, they all involuntarily cried out in an electrifying, thrilling, and unsatiated manner, wearing expressions that showed they had been peeping and eavesdropping all along.


    Slowly, Li Shiyin realized what was happening. She was utterly humiliated and furious, ring at Long Qiqi only to see her feigning ignorance and indifference, even tilting her head to gaze at the skies while whistling a tune.


    Well!


    Then it dawned upon her that Long Qiqi had done this on purpose! Deliberately getting her to bare her heart to Master just so Long Qiqi could enjoy the show! Grr... this sly little loli was too crafty!!


    "Ahhh.... Qiqi, damn you! I''m going to kill you!" In an instant, the Mu Ran Sword was unsheathed as Li Shiyin charged furiously at Long Qiqi.


    Seeing the Mu Ran Sword drawn, Long Qiqi was badly frightened, almost losing her human form. She leapt nimbly onto Chasing the Wind''srge head, yelling, "Chasing the Wind, run!"


    Chasing the Wind had been engrossed in watching the lively scene unfold. Caught off guard, he suddenly saw Li Shiyin barreling over clutching the Mu Ran Sword, murderous aura billowing.


    "Hey! Don''t drag me into this!" He cried out in dismay.


    But the embarrassed and furious Li Shiyin did not care. With a fierce sh, a meteor sword qi whizzed straight at him and he had no choice but to dodge hastily. "Stupid tiger, run that way!" Long Qiqi mbered atop Chasing the Wind''s neck, clutching both ears to remotely control his direction.


    Left with no time to think, Chasing the Wind could only flee in the direction Long Qiqi had indicated.


    And so, one fled while the other pursued.


    Yet another bloody battle unfolded atop Dan Peak....


    Havingpleted his ns, Qin Ran put the paper away. His expression was tranquil as he stood by the study window gazing outside, seeing the apocalyptic horrors unfolding on Dan Peak.


    A level 8 Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger and unparalleled sword dao genius fighting again, it was truly earth-shattering and devastating....


    Of course, he was not worried in the slightest. It would be concerning instead if these two yful fellows did not brawl some day. Both were top-notch geniuses under his tutge. When they fought, it was extremely restrained with not a shred of power leaking out.


    After all, they knew that with their level of mastery, even the slightest wayward sword qi or w swipe could potentially bring catastrophic damage to Dan Peak.


    They loved Dan Peak too, and could not bear to see it harmed.


    After going at it furiously for a period, Li Shiyin admitted defeat first.


    Sword raised, she descended from the skies and saw Master Qin Ran at the study window. She softly mumbled to herself, "I must learn to be a properdy, learn how to be a wife, learn how to be a mother, be gentle..."


    Muttering thus, shended on the ground, thinking to herself that she must absolutely be Master''s wife, a capable wife.


    "Why''d you stop fighting?" Chasing the Windnded too and asked curiously, "You''re much stronger than this!"


    "I need to be gentle from now on, I can''t be as savage and naughty as you." Li Shiyin slowed her speech, softened her voice, rounding her words.


    Chasing the Wind frowned immediately, raising arge paw to press on Li Shiyin''s forehead. "You didn''t get possessed or something, did you?"


    "Your paws are filthy, don''t touch me!" Li Shiyin pped Chasing the Wind''s paw away. A proper youngdy should be very concerned with cleanliness!


    But the scent was right. Although his paw had been pped away, Chasing the Wind heaved a sigh of relief. It was still Li Shiyin, she had not been possessed...


    Watching this scene unfold on thewn from the window, Qin Ran could not help but sigh. But it was not that which made him sigh, rather it reminded him of his past life. In that other world, everything needed certification - teachers needed teaching credentials, nurses needed nursing licenses, students needed level 4 certificates and graduation certificates, marriages needed marriage certificates, yet ironically bing parents and raising children, the most important things, did not require any proof.

 Chapter 316

    Chapter 316


    Kissing can be addictive. Since Li Shiyin was kissed by Qin Ran once, she had be addicted to the feeling. She would always look for opportunities to try it again, no matter how busy Qin Ran was.


    One day, Qin Ran and Long Qiqi were researching something in the greenhouse. Li Shiyin suddenly walked in with a giggle.


    "Master~" she cooed, "What are you doing?"


    Long Qiqi immediately broke out in goosebumps. She said in disgust, "What are you doing here?"


    "I''vee to learn alchemy..." Li Shiyin justified herself. Her master was an alchemist, so there was no problem with her learning alchemy.


    "You can''t even refine a fart''s worth of pills!" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes.


    Regardless of how much Long Qiqi despised her, Li Shiyin still tiptoed over to them on her toes, sneaking like a dog. Once there, she leaned on Qin Ran''s shoulder as if she had lost her bones.


    From Qin Ran''s shoulder she looked forward to see what Qin Ran and Long Qiqi were researching.


    In front of them was a pot with an orange tree-like nt growing in it. The nt looked just like an orange tree but smaller, able to fit in a pot, and with a mist-like aura lingering on its branches and leaves.


    At first nce, Li Shiyin recognized the soil in the pot. She eximed, "Isn''t this the Spirit Soil?"


    The Spirit Soil had been specially acquired by her for Qin Ran. And that "orange tree" was nted in it.


    "Yes, do you have a problem with that?" Long Qiqi retorted.


    Li Shiyin didn''t have any objections. She just wanted to kiss Qin Ran and hade over to poke her nose around.


    She tilted her head and saw Long Qiqi holding a few folders. On top was a drawing of a small nt with six or seven bright red little fruits growing on it. She looked back at the nt in the Spirit Soil and saw it was the same as the one Long Qiqi had drawn.


    "What kind of spiritual medicine is this?" She ignored Long Qiqi''s attitude and asked directly.


    "Zhu Guo!" Long Qiqi said. "Haven''t you heard of it, idiot?"


    "No..." Li Shiyin shook her head and asked Qin Ran instead, "Master, what is Zhu Guo used for?"


    Before Qin Ran could answer, Long Qiqi had already flipped through the folders and taken out a drawing of a pill to show Li Shiyin. "Here! See for yourself!"


    Li Shiyin looked and saw a pill depicted in intertwining red and yellow, with an ornate pattern. On the yellow side was a dragon, on the red side was a phoenix, and in between them was a Zhu Guo tree like the one in front of her.


    It was another illustration, surrounded by dense tiny words - the full list of ingredients needed to refine this pill, the function of each ingredient, and the processing method for each.


    Li Shiyin only nced at the illustration. Those words were automatically ignored by her.


    "What is this?" She still asked.


    Long Qiqi looked up to meet the eyes of Li Shiyin, who had her head resting on Qin Ran''s shoulder. She said, "This is the Longevity Pill you wanted!"


    "Long... Longevity Pill?!" Li Shiyin was stunned.


    She had originally be Qin Ran''s disciple to learn alchemy. She wanted to refine a Longevity Pill to make her family immortal. Later, as she had no talent for alchemy, her master told her to practice the sword instead, while he would refine a Longevity Pill for her.


    Four years had passed and she had never heard her master mention it again... She had even thought he had forgotten.


    It had to be said, Li Shiyin had been in extreme grief over her grandfather''s death when she came up with the naive idea of refining a Longevity Pill.


    But she didn''t expect... her master had never forgotten. He had actually researched such a pill.


    "Master~" She affectionately called out to Qin Ran, rubbing her head against his ear again.


    "Don''t listen to Qiqi''s nonsense..." Qin Ran put his arm around her and gently patted her arm, smiling. "This is just a conceptual rendering. Whether an actual Longevity Pill can be refined is still uncertain. After all, I haven''t found dragon blood or phoenix blood. I only have this Zhu Guo, brought to life by your Spirit Soil. But it''s not certain whether it can bloom and bear fruit.


    "All I can say is that matters of life and death are extremely difficult. I still don''t fully understand it."


    "Hmph!" Long Qiqi hadined for a long time that she wanted to use the Spirit Soil to grow something else. She didn''t expect to end up eating dog food in the end.


    She was utterly disgusted. She red at Li Shiyin, then stomped off on her little short legs with the folders in her arms.


    With the nuisance gone, Li Shiyin was no longer so refined. From the side she kissed Qin Ran''s earlobe.


    A wet and sensitive wonderful sensation spread from his ear. The girl''s heavy breathing alsonded on his neck, then turned into a faint warm scent that drilled into Qin Ran''s nose.


    He took a deep breath and pulled Li Shiyin in front of him. He stared into her bright watery eyes, seeing them mist over from the heat. The fog in the girl''s eyes was seductive. He was certain there was also fire in his own eyes. He said, "Woman, you''re ying with fire."


    He also asked, "Do you know what ying with fire means?"


    Of course Li Shiyin didn''t know. She lightly jumped up, wrapping her strong, stic long legs around Qin Ran''s waist. Then she put both arms around his neck and foolishly asked, "What fire?"


    With Li Shiyin''s current position, if Qin Ran didn''t exert extreme self-control, she should be wondering what was poking her thigh. Fortunately Qin Ran had top-tier willpower.


    Li Shiyin didn''t notice anything out of the ordinary. She continued to innocent provoke Qin Ran, bringing her lips to kiss his nose first, leaving a wet lip print on it. Then she used her own little nose to nudge his, pressing their noses down so their lips touched.


    The feeling of kissing was sweet, numbness throughout the body, forgetting to breathe, mind going nk, losing all sense of time...


    Li Shiyin didn''t know when she regained awareness. Because she was a cultivator who didn''t need to breathe, it was only an instant where she returned from void to reality. But that feeling was still wonderful, it captivated her, it addicted her.


    She looked intently at her master up close, her voice hoarse as she said, "Master, I want to kiss you forever."


    Qin Ran''s breathing was heavy. With his mind full of dirty thoughts, he was no longer satisfied with this. He shook his head and said, "I''m afraid that''s not possible."


    "Why not?" Li Shiyin pressed her lips to his face and asked, "Don''t you like it, Master?"


    "It''s not that..." Qin Ran said. "Actually, there are things even better than kissing."


    "Ah? What is it?" Li Shiyin hurriedly asked. "Is it getting married?"


    "Mm..." Qin Ran lowered his head to her neck, deeply breathing in the scent of the girl''s body. Then he kissed her neck until her body trembled. He replied, "Probably... more or less!"

 Chapter 317

    Chapter 317


    Apart from pestering her master for kisses and indulging in thrill-seeking when she had nothing else to do, Li Shiyin was also learning what a wife and mother needed to know.


    Of course, she definitely could not look to Tushan Youyou and Long Qiqi to learn how to be a wife and mother. After thest big reveal of everyone''s hand, those two''s performance was extremely unreliable.


    But learning how to be a mother and wife in the cultivation world was a bit weird, so she found some books to read and learn textbook knowledge,bined with remembering what her mother did.


    Putting the two together, she did gain some understanding after all.


    And when she looked back on what her mother did from this perspective, she discovered some more of the great details in their past life that she hadn''t appreciated before.


    When does one truly understand filial duty? When he has children of his own.


    And Li Shiyin was also surprised to discover that she could actually calm down and read books now.


    Here one has to apud hormones.


    On an afternoon inte spring, Chasing the Wind came back from outside. From afar he saw someone sitting in the rocking chair under the old spiritual pagoda tree reading a book with their back facing outwards. He couldn''t see their front and subconsciously assumed it was Qin Ran. He yelled, "Dad, what are we eating for dinner tonight? We haven''t had barbecue in a long time, let''s have that tonight, okay?"


    But when he drew closer and walked around the back of the chair, he was shocked to see that the person sitting there wasn''t Qin Ran but Li Shiyin!


    Li Shiyin was properly leaning against the backrest and reading a book, a tranquil maiden under the tree shade reading...


    "Shi...Shiyin?" Chasing the Wind eximed in surprise, "How can it be you?!"


    Li Shiyin raised her head and looked at the fierce Chasing the Wind. She asked doubtfully, "What''s wrong?"


    "You, you, you..." Chasing the Wind felt like the sun had risen from the west. "Have you really been possessed?!"


    "What nonsense are you talking about?" Li Shiyin reproachfully nced at him. "Master said books contain beauties like jade and golden houses. There''s a lot of knowledge in books. I never used to be able to calm my heart and settle down before, but now that I''ve calmed down and read books, I''ve gained quite a few unusual insights."


    She also advised, "Chasing the Wind, you should read books too."


    "I''ll pass!" Chasing the Wind shook his head again and again.


    The way Li Shiyin spoke now was increasingly simr to Qin Ran. From this point, Chasing the Wind knew that Li Shiyin probably hadn''t been possessed.


    When he heard Li Shiyin say she had new understanding, he hurriedly said, "You''ve gained newprehension? What a coincidence, I just learned a new divine ability technique these past few days. Come,e quickly, let''s fight!"


    "Fight?!" Li Shiyin shook her head and gently sighed, "Chasing the Wind, why do you only know how to fight all day? When will you be able to mature like me? s......"


    Chasing the Wind looked at Li Shiyin again and again. He raised his big paw, clenched it into a fist and rxed it. Finally he stuck it in his mouth and licked it.


    He vaguely felt something was moving farther and farther away from him... If he were in modern society, he would know that the youthful bird calling "master" would nevere back. Unfortunately he wasn''t, he just felt strangely sad for no reason.


    When someone bes mature, should you be happy? Or should you feel sad?


    Seeing Chasing the Wind licking his paw, Li Shiyin felt helpless. She gently admonished, "You''ve been traipsing around with that dirty paw on the ground and you can still put it in your mouth!


    "It''s just that when you were little I didn''t teach you carefully enough... and you developed this terrible habit... s...... From now on, don''t lick your dirty paws anymore. Master said diseasese through the mouth......"


    The way she nagged on and on already bore quite a bit of resemnce to a mother''s manner. With skill level alreadyparable to Yang Yanqi''s. And this level of power was already more than Chasing the Wind could take. He only felt several mosquitoes buzzing around his ears...


    "Huh?" He wondered strangely, "It''s just the beginning of summer, how can there be mosquitoes already?!"


    Puzzled, he searched around, gradually wandering away from under the old spiritual pagoda tree, away from Li Shiyin.


    "Phew..." Seeing Chasing the Wind walk far away, Li Shiyin also breathed a sigh of relief.


    She ced the book in her hand over her face andy down directly on the reclining chair. Reading books and such really wasn''t her, Li Shiyin''s style!


    Qin Ran stood at the second floor study window watching Li Shiyin loaf around as usual. He shook his head and smiled, gently sipping awakening tea, but did not say anything.


    On a summer evening, after Long Qiqi finished up the things she had to do, she walked out of the research building. She enjoyed the cool summer breeze on the mountain and by the stream. Slowly she strolled along the little river.


    Not too longter, she arrived at the ce between the river and the Sword Washing Lake. By the cat climbing frame there she stretchedzily.


    She gazed towards the peach blossom forest on the other side of theke. It was the season for peach blossoms to fall, but also the height of their bloom. Amidst the peach blossom forest, the evening breeze blew and the peach blossoms were like butterflies dancing and fluttering as they fell to the ground, painting an extremely beautiful scene.


    Amidst the flurry of falling petals...


    And in that peach rain of blossoms, she saw a graceful maiden sitting under a peach tree with her back towards this side, head lowered, doing something unknown.


    Long Qiqi recognized that was Li Shiyin''s back, but she truly didn''t know what Li Shiyin was doing. Driven by curiosity, she circled around theke and came up to Li Shiyin''s front.


    "What are you doing?" She saw Li Shiyin holding a long rectangr piece of wood carving it carefully and earnestly, even more unclear about what was happening, she curiously asked.


    Li Shiyin raised her head and smiled gently, "Qiqi? I''m making a guzheng!"


    "Guzheng?" Long Qiqi looked at that long strip of wood whose material she wasn''t clear on. It did seem to resemble the shape of a zither or qin, but...


    "Why are you randomly making a guzheng?"


    She still remembered when Qin Ran started learning the flute. Every evening the entire Danding Peak echoed with groans and wails. If you didn''t know better, you''d think someone was dying on Danding Peak every night. Was she going to have to experience another round of Li Shiyin''s guzheng torture?


    "My father wanted me to learn guzheng so I could have some of a youngdy from a cultured family''s graceful bearing. Recently I felt my father was right, girls who can y guzheng are indeed very gentle." Li Shiyin said, "Master also once said it would be great if I could y guzheng, then we could y ''Smiling Proud Wanderer'' together."


    Long Qiqi looked Li Shiyin up and down, her expression tinged slightly with disdain as she asked, "Can you y guzheng?"


    "I can!" Li Shiyin mysteriously smiled, "I learned guzheng since I was little, just shy of grandmaster level."


    Long Qiqi didn''t believe her, but she still asked, "Shy by what point?''


    "I didn''t like guzheng at that time..." said Li Shiyin.


    Long Qiqi wanted to say more but decided against it in the end. For affairs between the disciples, she would still keep out of them more.


    Although, recently Li Shiyin did seem a little different... At least she hadn''t bickered with her or caused her trouble for a long time.


    "She really changed her sex/gender?" she wondered to herself inwardly. She also sighed feelingly, "The power of love really is formidable."


    Sensing Long Qiqi walk away, Li Shiyin sighed. Her beautiful little face squeezed into a bitter gourd expression as her brows furrowed too.


    She wasn''t lying about being able to y guzheng. But... she didn''t know how to make a guzheng!


    She had originally thought that since Master could y the flute terribly but still figure out how to make one that could produce sound, then with her Li Shiyin''s grandmaster guzheng skills, putting together a guzheng would be no problem.


    Who could expect...


    The guzheng was too difficult!


    She raised her head bathed amidst the fluttering peach blossoms, silently screaming... She had to maintain a graceful demeanor so she didn''t actually scream out loud.


    Holding a red bayberry branch, Qin Ran walked out of the greenhouse. With one nce he immediately saw Li Shiyin tilting her head back to gaze at the heavens on the other shore of Sword Washing Lake. He couldn''t help the smile that crept onto the corners of his lips.


    The silly apprentice was still the same silly looking one, unchanged.


    As autumn was approaching, it was going to be the so-called Mid-Autumn Festival of Qin Ran again. Tushan Youyou had finally made great progress in herprehension of array techniques. She walked out from the back mountain and found Qin Ran under the old spiritual pagoda tree.


    "I have grasped the basics of foundational arrays." She said to Qin Ran, "I want to find a ce to practice."


    "Okay..." Qin Ran sat at the table. There was a te of pastries in front of him. He was holding one in his hand and said to Tushan Youyou, "Make a list of the materials you need. I''ll get them for you tomorrow. Also, where are you going to experiment?"


    After speaking, he frowned and opened his mouth wide to shove the entire pastry into his mouth. Then he quickly rinsed it down with tea.


    Tushan Youyou looked at Qin Ran''s strange actions and said, "How about the peach forest over there? I''ll nt some more to fill up that area and connect it to the protective mountain grand array. I''ll practice inside the peach forest, mainly illusion arrays and trapping arrays."


    "The peach forest?" Qin Ran looked over at the peach blossom forest. He had nted those peach trees himself. They had grown over the past two years and were now bearing peaches and flowers. He nodded, "That works too. But if you start nting now, you won''t see any results until next year."


    After speaking, he picked up another pastry with a bitter expression.


    "That''s fine, time is what I have the most of." Said Tushan Youyou. Seeing Qin Ran''s actions and expression, she really could not refrain from asking, "What are you doing...? Who made these pastries?"


    Before Qin Ran could reply, a clear voice rang out from the room, sounding slightly proud, "I made them!"


    She looked over to see that it was Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin came out from the living room door carrying another te of strangely shaped pastries and walked over with a smile. "It''s almost Mid-Autumn festival, so master is teaching me how to make osmanthus pastries."


    "Osmanthus pastries?" Tushan Youyou looked at the pastries on Li Shiyin''s te dubiously and simply nodded withoutment.


    "Well? Master, is it delicious?" Li Shiyin set the new te of pastries on the table. "Freshly baked! Master, have a taste!"


    "Mm! Delicious!" A look of approval naturally surfaced on Qin Ran''s face. He gave Li Shiyin a thumbs up and said, "Shiyin is getting better and better with each batch. Other than some issues with appearance, this batch has already reached eighty percent of my standard!"


    Tushan Youyou silently watched Qin Ran''s performance, having long since figuratively prostrated in admiration.


    "Hehe..." Li Shiyin bashfully stuck out her tongue, then enthusiastically offered the tter to Tushan Youyou again. "They''re still hot! Youyou,e, have a piece."


    Unable to refuse, Tushan Youyou took a piece and bit off a small portion...


    Then she swiftly made an excuse about needing to collect peach seeds and fled.

 Chapter 318

    Chapter 318


    Spring departed and winter arrived, marking another year entering the winter season.


    Having just entered winter, it had not snowed yet, but the weather had turned cold and gloomy. Thewn in front of the small wooden house at Dan Peak had withered into yellow decayed grass that could no longer be seen; the trees by Sword Washing Lake had shed their leaves among stirring rustles.


    Embedded a few hundred meters deep under thisnd steeped in the bleak winter atmosphere, right next to the spiritual vein, was a small, square chamber approximately seven meters in length and width, and three meters in height.


    Inside the chamber was a circr spell formation spread across the entire floor, etched with dense, arcane patterns. Oilmps were set up on the walls, lighting up the small chamber. At one end stood a tform over a meter in height, with two slots on top justrge enough to fit standard sized spirit stones.


    Without further ado, this intricate spell formation on the chamber floor was none other than Qin Rans Ultra Long-Distance One-Way Teleportation Spell.


    At this moment, Qin Ran stood behind that small tform, eyebrows furrowed and face heavy with solemnness.


    He examined the patterns on the teleportation spell, silently calcting and double checking that there were no ws in the formations.


    After verifying repeatedly that there were no errors in the spell matrices, he circled around the tform to check every element in the important parts of the formation... inspecting that the quality of the materials met the standards.


    After several passes, he finally moved back behind the tform and took out two spirit stones from his cosmic bag... two top-grade spirit stones.


    Cupping the two spirit stones gingerly in his hands, he peered at the spell formation ahead, involuntarily calcting the structural matrices again...


    In truth, this formation had been set up for a long time, yet it had never been activated until today.


    That was because every time Qin Ran came here, he would meticulously inspect for any mistakes.


    Of course, Qin Ran could not be med for this, since each activation of the teleportation spell cost two top-grade spirit stones!


    The exchange ratio between spirit stones was set as such: one mid-grade spirit stone was worth at least one thousand low-grade spirit stones; one top-grade spirit stone was easily worth millions of low-grade spirit stones.


    With Qin Rans penny pinching ways this past year, plus his savings from prior years, he only had two top-grade spirit stones left.


    If the teleportation failed, two million spirit stones would go down the drain.


    Moreover, the avatar he was sending over this time held considerable weight; failure would greatly impact his origin soul. Timid by nature already, facing such immense costs made him even more apprehensive... thus the prolonged hesitation.


    After agonizing for a good while longer, he suddenly heard Li Shiyin asking Tushan Youyou above ground: Youyou, have you seen my master?


    For a period of time now, Tushan Youyou had been nting peach trees by Sword Washing Lake, right above this secret chamber.


    Thoughts of his foolish disciple gave Qin Ran the push he needed. Gritting his teeth, he steeled his resolve: A man dies to the sky; they are but meager spirit stones!


    With this mentality, he raised his hand, ready to activate the teleportation.


    But right then, he heard Li Shiyin exim loudly: Sword qi! Thats...my sword qi!!


    A rare gravity had settled into Li Shiyins voice.


    Trouble! Qin Ran instantly knew something was amiss from Li Shiyins tone. He hurriedly left the spell chamber, employing his earth escape art to return above ground.


    Upon resurfacing, Li Shiyin was already gone. Only a bbergasted Tushan Youyou remained, watching him emerge from the earth.


    Where is Shiyin? Disregarding Tushan Youyous curiosity, he asked aloud.


    Tushan Youyou pointed outside Dao Sword Sect and said, She said she sensed her own sword qi and flew out. I don''t know what happened.


    Shiyins sword qi? Qin Ran''s eyebrows pinched together, his expression also turning solemn.


    To exin the uniqueness of each cultivators sword qi using an imperfect analogy:


    The spiritual power circting within cultivators was no different from the blood flowing through their veins. And examining closely, every persons blood was utterly unique. Although people with matching blood types could donate blood to one another, subtle differences were inevitable due to contrasting physiques. Likewise, despite cultivators training identical mystic arts, the spiritual power produced would still differ based on the individual, akin to blood.


    As such, the sword qi born from spiritual power also carried distinct markers of each cultivator.


    Especially for high level sword cultivators like Li Shiyin, her sword qi was practically peerless. And the higher she reached, the more singr her sword qi would be. Perhaps one day, her Star River Sword Qi would stand unparalleled across the entire history of cultivation.


    In summary, the appearance of Li Shiyins sword qi elsewhere was an immensely significant matter for her.


    Qin Ran gave no further thought and immediately took flight toward the Dao Sword Sect''s exit, his movement art propelling him rapidly.


    But before he even passed Dan Peaks guardian grand spell formation, Li Shiyin had returned... cradling an infant around one to two months old in her arms.


    Her expression was incredibly grave, exuding a seriousness from her very core that Qin Ran had never witnessed from her before.


    In this moment, as Qin Ran regarded Li Shiyin, he truly saw the visage of a peerless sword immortal. He had never seen this side of her.


    He is...? he questioned.


    Meeting her masters eyes, Li Shiyins taut face finally cracked, barely resisting the urge to fling herself into his embrace and cry out her fears and pains. She took a deep breath and approached, cing Li An into Qin Rans arms. Then she tiptoed up and softly pecked Qin Rans lips.


    Stepping back, Li Shiyin summoned her Mu Ran Sword and said to Qin Ran: Master, something terrible must have happened to them! Im going to save them!


    Upon finishing, her body unified with her sword. In a sh, she rocketed out of Dan Peak through the exit of Dao Sword Sect, vanishing into the distant horizon in but a blink.


    In this past year, Li Shiyin had nearly abstained from wielding swords in order to learn gentleness. However, as shed told Zhui Feng, new insights regarding the way of the sword hade to her.


    Though she did not brandish a sword, she had grown stronger. Her first strike instantly fused her body with sword.


    Giving off the aura of ''the sword does not leave its sheath, yet shocks with a cry'' - truly amazing!


    Watching Li Shiyin disappear in an instant, Qin Ran showed no astonishment or attempted to hold her back.


    He lowered his eyes to the Li An in his arms. Little Li An looked to be around one month old. Presently he was peacefully quiet, blinking bright eyes up at Qin Ran without fussing or crying, seemingly not afraid of strangers and aware he meant no harm.


    "An infant arriving by riding sword qi through the air..." Qin Ran imagined that spectacr sight. "This child flew here himself to Dan Peak. He is destined - to be my Dan Peak''s disciple."

 Chapter 319

    Chapter 319


    Qin Ran held Li An and returned to the ground. Tushan Youyou asked him, "Aren''t you going after her? Aren''t you worried that something might happen to Li Shiyin?"


    "Li Shiyin is no longer the neer to the cultivation world that she once was," Qin Ran shook his head. "She should know what''s important."


    Over the years, Li Shiyin had actually gone out on many sect missions. In terms of experience in handling missions, she had much more than Qin Ran.


    "But..." Tushan Youyou said, "Her family is in trouble, it''s inevitable that she would lose herposure. At times like this, you should be by her side."


    Although Qin Ran had considered thingsprehensively, sometimes he also tended to look at issues from an idealistic perspective. He objectively felt that:


    Li Shiyin''sbat power was already sufficient to easily handle Golden Corete stage opponents; Li Shiyin had received years of his prudent education; Li Shiyin also had a lot of experience in the jianghu.


    Taking everything into ount, Li Shiyin should be able to handle most things.


    But after Tushan Youyou''s reminder, he also felt that he should go after her.


    At this moment, Chasing the Wind, noticing the movement here, also ran into the peach forest.


    "Where did Shiyin go?" he asked. Looking at Li An in Qin Ran''s arms, sensing Li Shiyin''s sword qi on him, he asked, "Is he Shiyin''s child?"


    Qin Ran red at him. Children talking nonsense!


    However, now that Chasing the Wind was here, he had a n B. He said to Chasing the Wind, "Shiyin''s family encountered some trouble, she went back to deal with it. But I''m a little worried about Shiyin''s safety. Chasing the Wind, go after her quickly and see..."


    With his keen senses and some strange beast-like perception, although Li Shiyin had gone far away, Chasing the Wind could still catch up.


    Hearing Qin Ran''s words, he quickly nodded and said, "Okay!"


    A wild wind rose up as he stepped on the wind and flew into the air.


    At this moment, Qin Ran suddenly raised his hand and summoned a bubble to envelop Chasing the Wind.


    He exined to Chasing the Wind, "This bubble is for you to be invisible. Your physique is too big. Suddenly appearing among the mortals would easily cause panic. ...Unless necessary, you don''t need to make a move."


    Being enveloped in the bubble was very ufortable, especially when running at full speed. Chasing the Wind disliked it very much, but it was Qin Ran''s order, so he had no choice but to respond, "Yes."


    But at the same time, he was secretly thinking, "Hehehe, once I get over there, things won''t be decided just as you say!"


    With these little thoughts in mind, the little tiger totem on Chasing the Wind''s neck lit up, opening up a passage for him. He rushed out of Danfeng Mountain.


    When he arrived at the guardian grand formation of Daojian Sect, the king character mark on his forehead appeared as an identity token again, opening up a passage for him within Daojian Sect''s guardian grand formation. He rushed out of Daojian Sect almost without pause, following Li Shiyin''s scent and ran after her.


    ...Chasing the Wind already had the identity token of Daojian Sect disciple. He was the big senior brother of this generation''s disciples, if Long Qiqi didn''t object.


    "Chasing the Wind is impulsive and very naive. His character is not as good as Shiyin''s. Why did you let him go to help?" Tushan Youyou didn''t understand. "Why don''t you go yourself?"


    She didn''t suggest going herself in the end, because she knew that Qin Ran didn''t have such a high level of trust in her.


    "I have other things to do," Qin Ran casually replied. "You go mind your own business."


    Holding Li An, he walked into Danfeng Mountain to the little wooden house and found Long Qiqi wrapped in a thick quilt, half dead. Qin Ran directly stuffed Li An into her quilt and said, "Help me keep an eye on him."


    When the quilt opened, Long Qiqi was very unhappy, but seeing Qin Ran''s grave expression, she didn''t throw a tantrum.


    She could also sense Li Shiyin''s sword qi on Li An, but she was smarter than Chasing the Wind by who knows how many times. She asked aloud, "Is this Li Wenv''s son?"


    "Yes." Qin Ran nodded without saying anything else. He directly instructed Long Qiqi, "He''s asleep, watch him sleep; if he''s hungry, make him drink some milk. In short, don''t let him out of your sight. Pay close attention to all eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, bathing and other matters."


    "So... you want me to take care of a baby?" Long Qiqi looked bewildered. "What about you then?"


    "I''m going to help Shiyin. The situation is serious, I may not be back for a while." Qin Ran replied. "Plus it''s reasonable for you children to take care of children."


    Long Qiqi''s face darkened. "Please get the hell out."


    Note: Long Qiqi has been in human form for eleven years now but is still in the body of a seven year old.


    Before Qin Ran left, he emphasized again to Long Qiqi, "Don''t feed him any of your weird pills and potions!"


    "I won''t!" Long Qiqi promised. But who knows if she would have or not, if Qin Ran didn''t warn her.


    Having gotten Long Qiqi''s promise, Qin Ran left the small wooden house.


    After seeing Qin Ran leave, Long Qiqi looked down again at the baby in the quilt. Sensing the turbulent sword qi within him, shemented, "Another genius!"


    Coming out of the small wooden house, Qin Ran went straight to Mount Zhugong without pause and arrived at the Cave Master''s dwelling.


    "What happened in North Chu?" He directly asked Cave Master Gu Yueming.


    "Xuanqin intends to unify the Land of Immortal Legacy. And with North Chu being in disaster, it became Xuanqin''s first target." Gu Yueming replied.


    Having been in charge of the pill concocting house for over a year, the changes in Daojian Sect''s disciples were clearly visible to Qin Ran, so Gu Yueming treated him very nicely.


    Also, from a geographical point of view, the surrounding countries near Hengduan Mountains were considered to be within the Land of Immortal Legacy. People from other ces would call the people here as from the Hengduan Mountain Region, and those a bit more in the know would call them people of the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    "Unify?" Qin Ran frowned, not understanding. "How can a mortal country unify things?"


    After all, this was an immortal cultivation world...


    "They have the support of Cloud Heaven Sect." Gu Yueming said.


    Cloud Heaven Sect was thergest sect within Xuanqin country,parable to North Chu''s severalrgest sects.


    Hearing this, Qin Ran naturally asked, "Why isn''t Daojian Sect making a move?"


    Upon hearing this, Gu Yueming looked at Qin Ran in surprise. He was surprised that Qin Ran didn''t have a clear grasp of the stakes involved.


    "Why should we make a move?" He asked back instead.


    Qin Ran was startled, only then starting to analyze the benefits involved.


    First of all, this was an immortal cultivation world. For therge sects, the changes happening in mortal countries actually didn''t have much impact. Regarding the wars between mortal countries, mostrge sects adopted a hands-off approach. As for why Cloud Heaven Sect chose to back Xuanqin, it naturally was due to some strange backscratching deal that had urred between Xuanqin and Cloud Heaven Sect.


    Secondly, and most importantly, even if the sects on North Chu''s side wanted to help North Chu, it shouldn''t be Daojian Sect... because Daojian Sect itself was currently barely holding on. After all, who knew when Zhican Valley and Boundless Sword Sect wouldunch another attack.


    "Won''t Shenlian Sect make a move either?" Qin Ran was unwilling to give up and asked again.


    "Toe into conflict with Cloud Heaven Sect?" Gu Yueming continued asking back.


    In the end, the teachings of Jiejiao and Chajiao were destroyed from backing Zhou during the time of Shang and Zhou. Qin Ran understood clearly and sighed to himself.


    Finally he asked again, "Does the Cave Master know about the current situation?"


    "Are you nning to make a move?" Gu Yueming looked at him and asked.


    Qin Ran hesitated for a moment before nodding, "It seems likely."


    Gu Yueming shook his head, "Then you must think it through carefully. The sect will not step in to help you. You''ll be acting in your personal capacity."


    "But your opponent could potentially be the entire Cloud Heaven Sect."

 Chapter 320

    Chapter 320


    Xuanqin had started military operations against North Chu after the autumn harvest this year. By now, November, the two countries had been fighting for nearly three months.


    As expected, North Chu''s army was retreating steadily, already losing nearly half of its territory.


    Originally, although Xuanqin''s national strength was stronger than North Chu''s, it was not to the extent of a crushing advantage. This was due to two key points - one was that Xuanqin''s cavalry was unstoppable, and the other was that Xuanqin''s cultivators were undefeatable. As a result, North Chu''s army waspletely no match for Xuanqin''s.


    North Chu originally had a very powerful cavalry that was enough to contain Xuanqin''s cavalry. But that army was buried in the Hengduan Mountains.


    The Tiance Cavalry of a hundred thousand, North Chu''s strongest cavalry! Able to hunt demonic beast wolves in the night! Overnight, buried under willow catkins.


    If the Tiance Cavalry were still around, then even if Xuanqin wanted to wage war against North Chu, they would have to think twice about it... At least it wouldn''t have started so quickly.


    Now with the Tiance army gone, Xuanqin''s Tiger Wolf Cavalry was like entering an uninhabited ce.


    The terrain of North Chu - to the southwest were the Hengduan Mountains, which were hilly areas. And once past the Hengduan Mountains area, it was ins.


    The ins stretched across half of North Chu.


    Xuanqin took advantage of North Chu''sck of readiness at the beginning, disregarding losses and aggressively attacking, directly pushing the battle line to the ins. By then, North Chu was no match in battle on the t ins due to inferior cavalry, and was retreating steadily all the way back to Wuyi City.


    Wuyi City was at the end of the ins after the Hengduan Mountains.


    This Wuyi City was built against the mountains, relying on another mountain range of North Chu, a mountain range across the middle of North Chu, dividing North Chu into two sections.


    Therefore, this Wuyi City was the gateway to this mountain range, and also thest line of defense for North Chu.


    After all, beyond Wuyi City, it was ins again all the way to the capital of North Chu.


    If Wuyi City could not be defended, ording to Xuanqin''s previous offensive momentum, North Chu would have to dere its destruction.


    At this time, night had fallen. In the wartimemand post converted from the town master''s residence in Wuyi City, North Chu''s General Li Zhan was discussing military affairs with a group of subordinates.


    They were discussing Xuanqin''s siege tactics during the day, and deliberating on how to defend against Xuanqin''s next wave of offensive.


    "It''s going to snow soon..." someone said, "Once it snows, Xuanqin will have to withdraw. As long as we can hold on until the snow falls, North Chu will be saved."


    "Hold on?" Someone angrily shouted, "Hold on with what? They have cultivators in the sky and cavalries on the ground, while we are mere mortals... Trying to smash eggs against rocks, nothing but futile attempts!"


    When he mentioned cultivators in the sky, everyone in the room couldn''t help but look dismayed. During the day, when Xuanqin attacked the city in full force, almost all the cultivators North Chu could send to battle had died... Including North Chu''s Sword God Jiang Xiaobai and Older Master Mo, a guest official of the Li family. North Chu had no more cultivators left.


    When he mentioned cavalry on the ground, everyone in the room couldn''t help but look towards the end of the seats, at the silent man there... Li Shiwen, the best cavalryman of North Chu who died at his hands.


    "This offensive, Xuanqin was actually also hurt and lost momentum. They should regroup and fight another day," someone analyzed, "Why don''t we take this opportunity to preserve our strength and secretly transfer the remaining troops. Retreat to Wuling City behind the mountain, trade ground for time, and wait for the snow to fall."


    At his words, many people were moved. Having been defeated again and again, already losing half of the territory, these people only thought, what''s the harm in losing another city?


    "That is a big mistake! We know it''s going to snow, so does Xuanqin!" Someone presented an opposing view, "If they don''t take Wuyi City down, the problem they''ll face is, all their previous efforts would be wasted, and they''ll have to start all over again next spring. Based on this, I assert, they willunch another full-scale attack on the city tonight, maybe even tonight, and it will definitely be absolutely crazy, fighting to the death!"


    At his words, some were cautious, some changed color, some were afraid, and some were determined...


    Someone said, "In a war between countries, the losses are huge. If they can''t take it in one attack, I don''t think they''lle again next year..."


    The discussion below was intense, but General Li Zhan sitting above did not say a word. Until it got more and more intense, and finally suddenly quieted down.


    Li Zhan stood up, leaned on the table with his hands, and looked around at everyone below with bloodshot eyes. His voice was gentle and slow:


    "Since Xuanqin invaded, we have been fighting and retreating all the way, losing more than 70 major cities, countless minor cities, half of North Chu; hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded soldiers, and countless disced and dead civilians. We retreated here. You are all knowledgeable about military affairs. Once Wuyi City is breached, beyond is t ins, more civilians, the capital Danyang..."


    He stopped for a moment, took a light breath, looked around at everyone, and then said word for word, "At this point, no more retreat! No retreat! Only fight to the death! The city stands or falls, we live or die with it!"


    After he finished, everyone below was awe-inspired, no one dared to speak, or even breathe.


    After a long while, Li Shiwen at the very end of the seats stood up. His voice was hoarse from not speaking for too long: "Tonight Xuanqin will definitelyunch the final offensive. I request to guard the city tower!"


    Li Zhan nced at him lightly, with no emotion, and replied: "Granted!"


    Late at night, Li Shiwen wore silver armor, held a silver spear, and sat quietly on the parapet of the city wall, looking into the darkness outside.


    His armor was damaged, with indelible ck bloodstains; his spear was damaged, with irreparable bloodstains and scratches.


    In the cold wind, in the darkness under the city wall, was a beast after beast that preyed on men. His face was expressionless.


    What was he waiting for, it seemed like he was waiting for Xuanqin''s attack, but also as if waiting for... death.


    He didn''t get to wait for Xuanqin''s attack. His wife''ste night meal came first.


    Yu Chi Zhen carried antern and food box, climbed onto the city wall and found Li Shiwen. She stood on the city wall, looking up at Li Shiwen.


    "I heard they''re going to attack again tonight..." she said, "Have something to eat!"


    Li Shiwen jumped down from the parapet, took the food box from Yu Chi Zhen. Looking at this woman who had suffered with him, trembling in the cold wind on the city wall, he said, "It''s cold up here, go back down first."


    Yu Chi Zhen could have stayed in Danyang as a so-called hostage, but she still came with him bringing their child... From Linxian City retreating all the way to Wuyi City.


    After marrying him, she said she heard he was this kind of person - Li Shiwen, the youngest general in North Chu, the undefeated battle god who struck fear into Xuanqin''s heart with his lone army.


    But she didn''t expect that after marrying him, he hadn''t won a single victory... He even forgot what victory felt like.


    Yu Chi Zhen obediently turned to go back downstairs, but after a few steps she suddenly turned back again, looking at him earnestly and said, "You said Xiao Ping''an went to find Shi Yin... But I will be with you forever, in life and death."


    Her voice was still gentle and weak, blown crooked by the cold wind, seeming to take a long time before reaching Li Shiwen''s ears.


    When he heard it, Yu Chi Zhen had already gone down the city wall. He stood alone in the cold wind, holding the food box, with tears streaming down his face.

 Chapter 321

    Chapter 321


    Xuanqin indeed attacked the city in the night.


    This world is just like this. There are dozens of peanuts in the bowl, and they all know that most of them are good, only one is bad, but people will always urately pick up that bad one and stuff it into their mouth.


    The people of North Chu hoped that Xuanqin would rest and attack the city again, hoped that it would snow earlier, and hoped that Xuanqin would withdraw its troops early, but they never hoped that Xuanqin would attack the city in the night...


    But Xuanqin came in the night. Theyunched an attack at around four or five o''clock in the early morning.


    And this world is like this too. It always hits people into the ground just when they think they have reached the bottom of the valley and things couldn''t get any worse. It says, actually it could be even worse.


    Not only did Xuanqin attack the city at night, but alsounched a full assault. There were more than a dozen cultivators flying in the sky, and countless soldiers on the ground, densely packed all the way into the endless darkness, as if they were the endless indestructible demons created by the darkness.


    Li Shiwen had been standing on the top of the city wall from the beginning to fight back Xuanqin''s waves of offensives and killed one Xuanqin soldier after another. His spear was all blood that it became slippery to hold; he had changed spear after spear.


    He was simply incredibly brave with the unstoppable courage of Xiang Yu and L Bu. No matter win or lose, he would have been a fierce man recorded in history books if it was an ordinary world.


    Unfortunately, this world is full of flying immortals...


    When he got tired from the killing and looked down to see the dense ants-like Xuanqin soldiers still under the city, he couldn''t help but feel suffocated. And it was at this moment that a flying sword suddenly flew out from the darkness and went straight for his heart.


    He had long been noticed by Xuanqin''s cultivators because of his bravery. Those cultivators didn''t make a move at the beginning, first to see how fierce he could be and what was the limit of a mortal, and second, when Li Shiwen was in full swing, they might not be able to kill him easily, so as not to lose face, they''d rather wait and see.


    Now he was exhausted and revealed ws, so the flying sword lurking in the dark came as expected.


    Li Shiwen had no time to react to this sword, and he was about to die on the spot!


    But who would have thought...


    "Ding!"


    The sword couldn''t pierce Li Shiwen''s body. Li Shiwen''s body emitted a purple sword light to fight back and shed away the iing flying sword with one sword!


    "What?!" The cultivator in the deep darkness eximed, "Sword qi protection again?"


    "Didn''t the baby who escaped during the day also have this kind of sword qi?" A cultivator said not far away, "It seems the Li family really has a powerful sword cultivator."


    "My flying sword is damaged." This cultivator said, "Which sect is so powerful...?"


    Before they finished speaking, Li Shiwen''s eyes suddenly lit up sharply, and he shouted, "Found you!"


    He raised the steel spear in his hand and stabbed it over!


    "He does have some skills!" The cultivatorughed. Mortals can also do this by listening to locate the enemy and adding strength and uracy?


    He raised his hand and waved it, bringing out a halo of light that swept away the steel spear.


    "But he is still overconfident..." He shook his head.


    But at this moment...


    Li Shiwen on the other side of the city wall suddenly shouted again: "Take my sword!"


    He was seen leaping up from the top of the city wall, holding his hands over his head, grabbing at the void towards this Xuanqin cultivator and shing down.


    As he made the shing motion, a wisp of purple-ck sword qi took shape in his grasped hands. The purple sword qi came out from his hands, reaching as far as the sky. A star lit up in the pitch-ck sky.


    Li Shiwen shed down with one sword!


    "What?!" The Xuanqin cultivator was shocked and horrified. He hurriedly pushed out both hands, summoning protective spells to block in front of him.


    But the sword qi was too sharp. The hastily summoned protection spell was split open, and then he didn''t have time to react before being directly split in half by the purple sword qi!


    The spear was a feint, and the sword qi was the real blow. Show weakness to the enemy, and kill with one strike!


    This is what they called a mortal ying an immortal...


    Li Shiwen fell down from the air, falling into the endless darkness below.


    His armor was damaged, his whole body was covered in blood, both enemies'' and his own, but he felt no pain or fear.


    He thought of his father, mother, wife, children, sister, and felt endless reluctance in his heart, as well as guilt. He failed his parents'' expectations as their son, didn''t fulfill his duty as a husband, couldn''t apany his children growing up, and wasn''t a good brother...


    He also thought of the soldiers who died in Hengduan Mountains...


    What a failure his life had been!


    But luckily, he was finally going to die.


    He closed his eyes and waited quietly for the moment he would hit the ground.


    But for a long time, he did not feel himselfnding...


    "Is the city wall so high?" Thinking that he was going to die, his heart lightened up a lot, "But it didn''t look so high when Xuanqin attacked the city."


    But soon after, he felt that he was not only not falling down, but actually floating up.


    He was wondering and about to open his eyes when he first heard a familiar voice: "Enjoying it, aren''t you?"


    Li Shiyin''s voice!


    "Shiyin?" He opened his eyes to find himself being carried princess style by Li Shiyin and flying quickly towards the top of the city wall, "Why are you here?"


    Li Shiyin didn''t answer, justughed and said, "I knew early on that you have a submissive side. I''ve caught you red-handed today!"


    With full battle armor, Li Shiwen''s whole person looked much bigger, making Li Shiyin carrying him look even more absurd in size ratio.


    But Li Shiwen didn''t care about these things at the moment. He urgently said, "Who let youe here? Hurry up and go!!"


    By this time, Li Shiyin had carried him up to the top of the city wall. She roughly threw him to the ground and even kicked him, yelling, "You''ve been hiding it from me sincest year, right?! You already knew there would be a warst year, didn''t you? "


    Li Shiwen got up from the ground, looked directly at Li Shiyin, and said solemnly, "So what if I didn''t hide it from you? Would you have stayed and died too?


    "We can die for our country, but the Li family bloodline cannot be cut off, and you can survive."


    "Why is it going to your death?" Li Shiyin was very puzzled. She looked at Li Shiwen, "I found out you guys always treat me like a child. You all do this and hide things from me too?"


    "You are very capable, I know. But..." Li Shiwen looked up at the dark sky, where fifteen cultivators were slowly revealing themselves in the darkness. There were sixteen originally, but one was killed by Li Shiwen, "Bare hands are no match for many hands. They have sect support and many, many cultivators."


    "Are you the cultivator of the Li family?" A Xuanqin cultivator asked coldly, "Did you leave those sword qis?"


    Li Shiyin turned around and looked at those cultivators. With her back to Li Shiwen, she shook her head and asked, "It''s just these smelly fish and shrimp that scared you like that?"


    "Smelly fish and shrimp?" Before Li Shiwen could speak, the Xuanqin cultivator was angered to death, "A tiny Foundation Establishment dare to be so arrogant?"


    Li Shiyin looked back at Li Shiwen''s unrestrained fear of the Gold Core cultivators on his face. She took out the Qingxing Sword and said, "Little Gold Core cultivator, I''ll kill them for you to see."

 Chapter 322

    Chapter 322


    In the dark of night, on a battlefield, a young girl looked up at fifteen powerful enemies in the sky from atop a dpidated city wall, silently drawing her sword.


    At that moment, the cold winter wind howled past, blowing the girl''s clothes wildly, making her look very weak, as if she could barely stand steady and would fall over with the slightest gust of wind.


    Below the city towers were the sounds of ughter and mor from the Xuanqin soldiers attacking the city, these soundsing together into a tidal wave that carried with it the smell of blood and stench of corpses, as if the murderous aura from the battlefield was mocking her arrogance and contempt for her overestimating her abilities.


    "Hahaha..."


    A Xuanqin Golden Core cultivator startedughing heartily. A tiny, Foundation Establishment-stage cultivator actually dared to draw her sword against them, fifteen powerful Cloud Heaven Sect cultivators, and even imed that she would kill Golden Core cultivators... this had to be the funniest joke he had heard all year.


    "Hahahaha..."


    His fellow sect members and juniors also found it amusing and ridiculous, and startedughing as well.


    "Hahahahaha..."


    The more they thought about it, the funnier they found it,ughing uproariously and doubling over. The sounds of theirughter grew louder and drowned out even the enormous din from the soldiers attacking the city below.


    As expected of cultivators high above others.


    Fifteen powerful Xuanqin cultivators hovered in midair,ughing crazily, while a single North Chu Foundation Establishment-stage girl stood on the city wall, gazing up at them in silence.


    Suddenly at one moment, the Golden Core cultivators in midair realized that the girl on the city wall had disappeared! Right before their eyes, that weak, insignificant Foundation Establishment cultivator had vanished!


    Theughter slowly died down, one Xuanqin cultivator stopped, then two, then three...


    The sounds of ughter from the battlefield below swelled up once more, the murderous aura making them feel uneasy.


    They could not find where the girl had gone. Theughter in midair disappearedpletely.


    The particrly biting cold wind in high altitudes started howling again...


    For some reason, despite the frenzied fighting and killing from the soldiers on the battlefield below, those fifteen Xuanqin cultivators felt the world had gone very quiet. They had a feeling that their hearts were being suppressed by some kind of terrifying power.


    Suddenly...


    "Shnk!"


    That was the sound of a sword piercing flesh!


    And it was very, very close!


    One Xuanqin cultivator named Qing Yuan felt his scalp go numb. He quickly turned towards the sound and saw that a junior sect brother''s Foundation Establishment stage defensive magic treasure had been pierced through by purple sword qi as brilliant as the stars. The residual purple sword qi remained on the magic treasure, drilling into his body.


    Seeing the residual sword qi... Qing Yuan thought of something and his expression changed greatly. He hurriedly searched for the Foundation Establishment girl again, but in the vast darkness of night he could not catch even a glimpse of her shadow.


    "What movement technique is this?" His heart grew heavier and heavier.


    "Ahhh..."


    Just then, that stabbed junior sect brother let out a miserable scream.


    "?" Qing Yuan looked over, vaguely feeling that something was amiss.


    The next second...


    "Boom!"


    That junior sect brother suddenly exploded, countless purple sword qi shooting out violently from his body, he was instantly sliced into bloody pulp from the inside out by the sharp sword qi.


    In the darkness, countless tiny purple sword qi burst out from the Xuanqin cultivator''s body, the sttering blood droplets spreading the purple color of the sword qi... in that moment, he was like a gorgeous firework.


    Seeing this scene, Qing Yuan couldn''t help but feel a chill run down his spine!


    What kind of sword technique was this?!!


    He had some guesses, but had no time to think further because those exploded purple sword qi did not dissipate at all, instead shooting towards them.


    "Watch out for the sword qi!" He hurriedly warned.


    Five strands of sword qi flew his way. He pinched a technique sign and summoned a ray of light to meet the sword qi head on.


    "Pfft!"


    The ray of light collided with the sword qi. Four strands were extinguished but one strand sliced through his light and continued killing towards him.


    "This is the sword qi of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?" He was shocked to the core and quickly performed another ray of light technique, barely managing to extinguish this sword qi.


    He quickly scanned over his fellow sect members. As a Golden Core cultivator, him dealing with the sword qi was already so difficult, what about the Foundation Establishment cultivators?


    Indeed, the other Golden Core cultivators were also in dire straits defending with all their might, while the Foundation Establishment cultivators had to pour their whole energy into defense... Some of them could not hold out!


    One junior sect brother with a shallow cultivation base was pierced through the chest by an attacking strand of sword qi and looked close to death.


    Qing Yuan took out an elixir and shed over to this junior''s side, force feeding him the pill.


    But...


    This elixir waspletely useless, the wound would not close up and the bleeding would not stop. This junior suffered in extreme pain and agony.


    Qing Yuan tore open his clothes and saw purple sword qi swirling over his wound, the sword qi still frenziedly devouring his flesh!


    "Sword intent! It is sword intent!" As the sword qi would not dissipate, Qing Yuan finally realized and shouted in disbelief, "Heavens, this Foundation Establishment sword cultivator hasprehended sword intent!"


    Such terrifying sword qi, such terrifying sword intent! A sense of fear rose in Qing Yuan''s heart. Tonight, could it be true that a Golden Core cultivator would die at the hands of this Foundation Establishment cultivator?


    "Boom!"


    Qing Yuan was afraid when he suddenly heard another explosion. His whole body shuddered as he hurriedly looked over, another Foundation Establishment cultivator''s pierced defensive treasure exploded... that sharp sword qi, seeminglypletely ignoring their defenses!


    "Master... Mas..ter..." The junior in his arms suddenly called out to him. Lowering his head, this junior pleaded, "Kill... Kill me!"


    Being invaded by sword qi containing sword intent, with the sword qi unrelenting while the body was eaten away bit by bit... this process was extremely agonizing and hopeless.


    On the other side, the purple firework exploded and the fine, snake-like strands of purple sword qi shot over...


    "Ahhh..." Qing Yuan raised his head and howled, then pointed a finger to pierce through the center of the junior sect brother''s brow.


    In his whole life he would never have thought that there woulde a day he would be hunted like prey by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, forced to this extent that he had to personally kill his own junior sect brother.


    "Demon, she is the demon in the darkness!" He heard a junior sect brother mutter.


    He gritted his teeth tightly, blood vessels appearing in his eyes. He swept his gaze inch by inch through the darkness, wanting to find that fiend and tear her into ten thousand pieces!


    "Gather together!" A senior sect brother who was still clear-minded shouted loudly, "She can only ambush, don''t give her another chance."


    As soon as these words came out, the other Xuanqin cultivators subconsciously flew towards him. They basically all agreed with this senior brother''s words - fighting her alone seemed hopeless, but if they banded together, it should be fine.


    Qing Yuan flew to this senior brother''s side and secretly counted - there were only nine people left.


    Two disciples had been killed by that fiend. The sword qi exploding from the first disciple''s body had identally killed one sect brother; the sword qi from the second disciple''s explosion had identally killed three more sect brothers.


    Waves of fear battered his heart, while surges of rage churned violently... In the blink of an eye, that fiend had killed six of their disciples!


    He looked towards the others and saw the same stance in all of them - fear, fury, and silence.


    "When did junior brother Qing Xin die?" Someone asked.


    This was an exceptionally talented Cloud Heaven Sect disciple right at the peak of Foundation Establishment whose strength was extremely formidable, but was seemingly shot dead by the attacking sword qi.


    "We stand together and don''t give her another opening..." said that senior brother again, "Just wait until she shows herself then kill her... She is only thest cultivator of North Chu, a final struggle of a dying person."


    Qing Yuan wanted to say that she was obviously not some rogue cultivator, and must be a core disciple from one of the major sects, but he did not say anything because at this moment, even if the girl was from the Lingnan Immortal Sect, she still had to die!


    In the darkness, in the cold wind, in the silence, in the stillness, nine Xuanqin cultivators huddled together, waiting for something.


    At a certain moment...


    Qing Yuan suddenly felt a sharp edge in the darkness, and his heart skipped a beat as his magic instinctively burst forth!


    "Kill!" He shouted loudly.


    A thick ray of light shot into the darkness!


    As the light entered the darkness, it suddenly stirred the darkness, revealing a delicate figure within, and a streak of purple sword qi pierced through the light, slicing it vertically as it headed straight for Qing Yuan''s face.


    "Ha!" This terrifyingly sharp sword qi shocked Qing Yuan. He quickly cast another spell, pushing forward as the light spread out into a shield to block the sword qi.


    "Snap!"


    The light shield shattered instantly!


    But the sword qi, still carrying its piercing edge, was not destroyed. Though greatly diminished, a tiny sliver continued toward Qing Yuan.


    "My life is over!" Qing Yuan thought, as he had not expected his single move to bepletely ineffective.


    Just then, a flying sword came from behind him, slicing apart the sword qi threatening his face, and flew on toward the girl.


    "Phew!" Still shaken, Qing Yuan looked again to see the flying sword blocking the girl, then heard a "ding" as her sword qi knocked it flying.


    "That''s senior brother''s flying sword!" Qing Yuan realized, surprised that even it could not ovee the Foundation Establishment girl.


    Fortunately, in the next moment, the other sect members also attacked, unleashing spells, magic treasures, all surging forth to submerge the girl.


    "Is she dead?" someone asked.


    "She should not be..." Qing Yuan wanted to reply, but before he could speak, the magic treasures were sliced apart by purple sword qi.


    "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."


    Purple sword qi burst forth everywhere!


    All the magic treasures were sted back!


    The girl stood with sword raised before her, eyes filled with purple like the stars. She looked at the remaining nine Xuanqin cultivators and finally spoke, "Master said, zero multiplied by any number is still zero. No matter how many trash there are, they are still trash! Even together, you are still trash!"


    Her voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.


    Having spoken, she moved forward, sword pointed ahead, and an enormous sword qi condensed from the darkness, the stars in the sky resonating brightly with it.


    "Celestial Sword Flight!" she softly intoned.


    These people had thought their defeat was because they had scattered their attacks, not realizing that evenbined they were no match for her.


    The terrifying sword qi hurtling toward them made the nine cultivators feel an unparalleled oppressive force, as if at this moment they faced an ancient demon in the Primordial Core Realm.


    "A monster, she''s a monster!" One of them even copsed, a Gold Core cultivator ughtered like a pig by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, which exceeded hisprehension, shattering his worldview. Facing this dreadful sword qi, he turned and fled.


    "Qing Ming!" Qing Yuan shouted, but could not stop his retreat, for he had to join the other sect members to resist this sword qi!


    "Boom!"


    A deafening roar!


    Above the bloody, horrifying battlefield outside Wuyi City, in the darkness, a massive purple light collided with and pierced through a colorful light sphere. In that instant, led by purple brilliance, lights of all colors blossomed in the darkness!


    Extremely gorgeous, extremely beautiful!


    The soldiers below, bathed in blood as they fought, looked up to the sky and were dumbstruck...


    What beautiful fireworks!


    ...They did not know how many Gold Core cultivators these fireworks had cost.

 Chapter 323

    Chapter 323


    The fireworks faded, and the sky returned to darkness again. The battlefield resumed its ughter.


    However, the soldiers fighting recklessly below, heedless of life and death, did not know that after this blossom of fireworks, the situation of this battle had quietly changed, with the attackers and defenders switching ces.


    When Li Shiyin held the Cherishing Star Sword and looked back at the other side, there were only four people left on the other side  all of them at the Golden Core realm.


    With one move, Heavenly Flight, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators from Xuanqin had been crushed to death by the terrifying sword qi. Only the Golden Core cultivators survived under the sword qi.


    The consumption of that one firework was four Foundation Establishment cultivators and one Golden Core cultivator.


    This woman had directly confronted five of their Golden Core cultivators and four Foundation Establishment cultivators alone, and then in the confrontation, four Foundation Establishment cultivators and one Golden Core cultivator were directly crushed to death by her sword qi. This was unimaginable to Qing Yuan. Even the most outstanding genius of Cloud Heaven Sect, standing at the pinnacle of all geniuses, could not aplish this... At least that person would have to be at the Golden Core realm to have a chance.


    Not only could she hunt them down in the dark, but she could also face them directly in broad daylight.


    "What kind of monster is this?" The thought emerged in Qing Yuan''s mind again. He felt a hint of despair. Facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, "Could she really be that kind of top genius who came back from Lingnan Immortal Sect?"


    He thought that even in Lingnan Immortal Sect, she should be considered an outstanding genius.


    Another burst of sword qi rose up, and the icy wind brought with it sword intent, hitting Qing Yuan in the face. His skin stung as if cut by the sword qi.


    "Scatter and escape!" That senior brother suddenly shouted and issued new orders.


    As soon as Qing Yuan heard this, he felt it made sense, because he actually wanted to escape too... Though he worried whether they could outrun the woman with her ghostly movement technique.


    ...With the senior brother''s strategy of scattering to escape, they only needed one person to die.


    He was very confident in his own movement technique. He believed he would definitely not be the one caught.


    So as soon as the senior brother finished speaking, Qing Yuan turned into a ray of light and flew away.


    Golden Core cultivators fleeing in terror from Foundation Establishment cultivators. What kind of bizarre humiliation was this? Oh right, this was nothing. Those who had cultivated in the world of cultivation for a long time did not care at all about such moral shame... Because those who had such moral awareness had already died early on.


    As soon as the Cloud Heaven Sect disciple with the highest status shouted, four rays of light immediately shot out in four directions.


    Watching those four escaping rays of light, Li Shiyin did not immediately give chase. She exhaled lightly, stabilizing the vigorous cirction of power within her body, then blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.


    She was injured. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with her hand.


    After all, she was still just a Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    There were limits to the Foundation Establishment realm.


    She had killed ten of the fifteen Xuanqin cultivators within a short time, with five escaping; she had directly shed des with nine Xuanqin cultivators with Heavenly Flight. She had only sustained some internal injuries.


    (Note: The original Heavenly Flight was Li Shiyin gathering all the power in her body, then amplifying it through the Ster Guidance and War Soul techniques, finally attacking outward with sword qi. At that time, the sword qi manifestation was what Lu Junxing called the second stage of sword qi; now, Li Shiyin can already flexibly control the output of power.)


    Li Shiyin was not a god, it was just that those Xuanqin cultivators were too terrified and had obviously deified her.


    In fact, if Qing Yuan and the others did not flee and stayed to continue shing with Li Shiyin, the oue would not be certain.


    Li Shiyin took healing and power-restoring pills, then nced back at the shocked silly Li Shiwen on the city wall. She shook her head with a sigh, then followed one of the escaping cultivators.


    The master said to take advantage when the enemy was weak and seize the opportunity to eliminate them. One must take the chance when the enemy was exhausted to decisively cut the grass and eliminate the root.


    She wanted to beat those Xuanqin cultivators back in one go.


    Zi Yi was the Nascent Soul cultivator sent by Cloud Heaven Sect this time to oversee the rear.


    What did overseeing the rear mean?


    It meant hanging a Nascent Soul senior''s name here; he didn''t need to make a move. His presence here was enough.


    For Zi Yi, he was just changing locations to cultivate, then he would be allotted arge sum of spirit stones from the sect.


    Because for matters between mortal kingdoms,rge sects almost never directly intervened, only small sects would take action, but small sects did not have the strength for him to need to act, let alone those loose cultivators. The number of loose cultivators who could cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage was extremely small, and none would appear in and with immortal legacies like this.


    So Zi Yi had never thought he would need to take action in this battle...


    Until a panicking, deranged disciple ran back crying loudly outside his cultivation chamber:


    "Ghosts Ghosts Devils, it''s a devil...!" "Darkness, sword qi, stars, corpses..."


    "Nascent Soul, Foundation Establishment, mortals, Golden Core..."


    "Ah hahaha, dead, dead! Dead again, exploded! Exploded again!"


    "Golden Core, no match for Foundation Establishment!!"


    It sounded wrong to him. He stopped cultivating, got up and went out, then controlled this deranged disciple.


    "Peace." He pointed at the spot between this disciple''s eyebrows, using his Nascent Soul realm control over souls to calm this disciple''s mind and spirit.


    This disciple had obviously been progressing too fast in his cultivation, yet his heart was too weak, generating inner demons.


    "What is your name, what happened to all of you?" Zi Yi asked.


    The disciple regained his senses. Seeing Zi Yi again, he hastily bowed in greeting. "Disciple Qing Ming. I greet Elder Zi Yi!"


    "What happened to you?" Zi Yi asked again. "And the others?"


    Qing Ming collected himself before replying, "An extremely horrifying Foundation Establishment sword cultivator came from North Chu. Her attainments in sword qi and intent are extremely high. She chased and killed us. We werepletely outmatched. Disciple barely managed to escape alive."


    "Foundation Establishment, sword qi, sword intent?" Hearing these shing terms, Zi Yi nced down at the disciple. Could he still be out of his mind?


    "Everyone else is dead!" Qing Ming''s voice trembled. "That sword qi that pierced heaven and earth, everyone would die from it!"


    With that mentality, no wonder they couldn''t even defeat a Foundation Establishment cultivator; Zi Yi looked down on Qing Ming in his heart.


    "More than ten of you went, now all dead except for you who escaped?" He asked, actually not really believing Qing Ming''s words.


    "Yes!" Qing Ming lowered his head in acknowledgement.


    "With your abilities, it wouldn''t be your turn to escape..." Zi Yi was halfway through speaking when he suddenly perceived a powerful fluctuation of sword qi. He raised his head and gazed into the dark night...


    There in the darkness, a star exploded open! Countless sword qi blossomed.


    "What you said seems to be true." His mind shook as he murmured softly.


    "Huh?" Qing Ming was stunned. He raised his head to look, and realized the Zi Yi before him had vanished.


    He turned back again and saw in the darkness that bone-chilling purple sword qi once more. His body started trembling again.


    "A devil, a devil hase chasing...!"

 Chapter 324

    Chapter 324


    Qing Yuan never imagined that the one-in-four probability would luckily fall on him.


    The four people fled in four directions, yet that terrifying demon chased right after him.


    Originally, his Shenguang Skill was extremely profound and versatile in offense, defense and escape. With power not inferior to those at the same cultivation level, his escape techniques were also unmatched.


    In the past, his escape skills had always worked smoothly - those able to defeat him could not catch him, while those able to catch him could not defeat him... But he never expected that this time, he could neither defeat nor escape his pursuer.


    Not long after Qing Yuan started fleeing, he felt a sharp aura chasing towards him. He looked back and saw an elegant figure flickering indistinctly in the darkness, speeding rapidly closer to him.


    "What speed is this?" His face paled dramatically as he eximed, "What on earth is this monster?!"


    Perhaps he could hardly imagine that the terrifyingly powerful sword cultivator had an extremely prudent master even more adept at escaping than himself. He also could not imagine that her escape art was an Immortal Technique.


    Although Qing Yuan had sped up several times, he did not get very far before the terrifying woman caught up.


    The sword qi arrived before the person.


    One sword qi shot straight towards his back heart. Qing Yuan did not dare continue escaping. Instead, he quickly formed a Shenguang shield behind himself to block the sword qi. Having exchanged moves with the woman before, he knew his Shenguang could not withstand her sword qi. As the Shenguang shield formed, he also dodged sideways to avoid the attack.


    Sure enough, he had just evaded when a sword qi scraped past, cutting off a corner of his clothes as it shot out. His Shenguang shield still could not block it.


    Qing Yuan looked back at the sword-wielding woman charging to kill him. With his experience, he still could not understand why his Golden Core stage Shenguang techniques were inferior to the sword qi of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    But he had no time to analyze it, because that swooping woman suddenly shifted and disappeared before his eyes.


    Swirling Sword Era by Fight Waves


    "Phew!"


    Having fought for many years, Qing Yuan still had some ability. He subconsciously blocked to the side with Shenguang around his hand.


    "p!"


    He blocked the woman''s terrifying sword strike.


    ...Although his Shenguang was still split open by the sword qi, which also managed to injure his arm in the process.


    The sword qi emerged first, then the woman appeared. There was sword qi corroding his injured arm like maggots in the bone. Enduring the pain, he saw another sword stab towards him. He dodged with a sh of light...


    Then, swords rained down as tangible sword qi continuously swiped at him.


    Qing Yuan was surrounded by a glowing Shenguang, shining brightly in the darkness like an immortal god in the heavens. But in the face of the woman''s sword, he could only parry. Her sword qi, movement art, sword art - Qing Yuan discovered she had no weaknesses...


    For the first time, Qing Yuan felt that cultivating suchprehensive skills was a mistake. If he had specialized in escape techniques, perhaps he could have already fled. If he had specialized inbat, there might still be a chance to perish together with the woman. If he had focused on defense, perhaps he could have withstood the terrifying sword qi. But he did none of that, so now he could only stand here taking a beating, or rather, torture!


    Every sword sliced through his Shenguang, producing clear, crisp shattering sounds...


    That crisp sound actually still sounded nice in the darkness.


    But to Qing Yuan, it was torture, death by a thousand cuts.


    Because each shattered defense resulted in the sword qi leaving behind wounds. He desperately endured, but it seemed meaningless - the longer he held out, the more sword injuries covered his body. By now, he had practically turned purple.


    Finally...


    "Crack..."


    "Whoosh!"


    Two brittle sounds.


    Qing Yuan''s Shenguang waspletely obliterated by the sword qi, shatteringpletely. Covered in sword wounds, with blood flowing while intense pain clouded his mind, he was barely conscious.


    In his semi-aware state, he seemed to see an unparalleled beauty walking towards him sword-in-hand, extending her left hand and offering him a star.


    Unable to distinguish good from bad, he could only feel relieved. Thinking it was a blessing from the celestial maiden, he reached out to ept the star...


    "Boom!"


    Purple sword qi exploded in the darkness, as another Golden Core cultivator eternally departed the mortal world.


    Sword qi swirled around Li Shiyin as she sheathed the Qingxing Sword with a light exhale.


    That man had been somewhat tricky to deal with. His extraordinary, odd skills made him highly mobile with strongbat ability and defense, costing her quite some time.


    ...Her master would probably appreciate learning this man''s skills, she mused inwardly.


    Thinking of her master, she turned around, preparing to hunt down her next target.


    But she had just lifted her foot when she abruptly froze in ce!


    Danger!


    Terror!


    Powerful!


    An extremely formidable enemy had arrived!


    Raising her head towards the front, she saw a broad, stalwart back silhouette in the darkness, exuding great oppressive might that obscured his appearance.


    The Heart Divine Eye had failed!


    "Primordial Spirit Stage?" she uttered in surprise.


    "A Foundation Establishment cultivator indeed!" Zi Yi, facing away from Li Shiyin, shook his head and said, "The Land of Immortal Legacy has not seen such a genius in a very long time."


    Recalling Lu Junxing and her own master, Li Shiyin sincerely replied, "You have seen too little."


    "Oh?" Zi Yi was startled, thenughed heartily twice before continuing, "Indeed, I have grown old and my experience isckingpared to before."


    "But do you know, countless geniuses have died under my hand? Talents like you are not umon - I can always remember them for a very long time."


    Li Shiyin stored away the Qingxing Sword in her Cosmic Bag and resolutely stated, "I will not die."


    "You''ve kept your sword... " Zi Yi, still facing away from Li Shiyin, asked, "Are you pleading for your life, hoping I will pardon you?


    "...Although you have killed many of my sect disciples, with your looks and talent I can still give you a chance to refine pills for me."


    "No." Li Shiyin replied. She reached out her hand and a sword filled with stars slowly took form, recing the cosmic luminance in this darkness. She went on, "I mean you are very powerful, so I must be serious."


    "A very decent life-bond sword... must be a Magic Treasure level!" Zi Yi appraised. "But you actually dare attack me?"


    Raising the Mu Ran Sword, Li Shiyin told Zi Yi: "Cultivation realms no longer matter in my eyes. You are just slightly stronger than me, why would I not dare make a move?"


    "What arrogance! As expected of someone so talented!" Zi Yi nodded. "A tiny Foundation Establishment cultivator dares attack a Primordial Spirit cultivator!"


    "What of Primordial Spirit Stage?" Li Shiyin asked back.


    Having said that, she attacked straight towards Zi Yi''s back without further nonsense!


    Activating the Guide the Starlight Technique first, the stars in the sky lit up, empowering her with their strength. Then the War Spirit Artunched, boiling the Qi within her body as each drop cheered in delight. Sword qi circted to its peak - tangible sword qi manifested and shot forth around her as third level sword qi activated.


    Finally, Immortal Seeking the Way!


    Her figure abruptly vanished. The next moment, an enormous sword qi formed from countless tiny strands of sword qi gathered and stabbed straight down from the heavens towards Zi Yi...


    "As expected, formidable!" Raising his head to look at the descending sword qi from above, Zi Yi could sense its sharp, powerful, substantial aurapletely unmatched for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    He felt as if battling a Primordial Spirit opponent.


    Palms pushing up towards the heavens, an identical white silhouette emerged from Zi Yi''s body, also propping up to block this massive sword qi.


    "However..." Zi Yi smiled, just about to speak.


    "Pfft!"


    A sword pierced through his back heart, puncturing the white silhouette, his defensive magic tool, and finally stabbing squarely into his body!

 Chapter 325

    Chapter 325


    Li Shiyin''s fighting style was like this: fearless and ruthless. Once she caught a weakness or broke through the opponent''s defense, she would seize on that opening to attack relentlessly, suppressing them all the way to death.


    Even though Zi Yi was a Primordial Spirit cultivator, once Li Shiyin broke through his defenses at close range, he was still suppressed and beaten down.


    On one hand, such a fierce style seemed inconsistent with Qin Ran''s persona; but on the other hand, having no chance to turn the tables once a weakness was exposed was quite in line with Qin Ran.


    Li Shiyin''s sword was imbued with sword qi. Her sword moves rained down like a storm upon Zi Yi, not giving him any chance to counter attack... After all, no matter how profound Zi Yi''s mystical arts, he still needed time to cast them. Even if his casting time was as quick as a thought, he still needed the time to form that thought.


    At this moment, he had no choice but to brace the huge sword qi above his head - if that sword qi came crashing down, he would be cleaved in two. And he needed to defend against Li Shiyins lightning-fast close-quarter sword qi, because each sword qi thatnded left a bloody hole in his body.


    Zi Yi tried to resist, but it was too forced. In just a fleeting instant, not only was the mystic art he had just unleashed shattered by that treasured sword, his whole body was riddled with sword wounds, blood dripping everywhere as sword qi permeated him.


    Seeing this situation, Zi Yi simply stopped resisting and eximed in praise: Such valor! Such ruthlessness! Nothing like a feminine demeanor!


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin''s sword faltered involuntarily. She wondered in confusion - being attacked like this, how could he still have the leisure to speak?


    She looked at Zi Yi again and saw a smile still on his blood-stained face.


    She sensed something amiss...


    But her sword did not cease.


    As Li Shiyin floated erratically around him, Zi Yi praised again: You really are quite strong.


    But...


    There was that but. Li Shiyins heart sunk as her sword paused briefly once more. She thought: things had alreadye to this, what other tricks could he still have to turn the tables?


    She then heard him continue: But this is still far from enough!


    As these words fell, Zi Yipletely gave up resisting. He not only stopped blocking Li Shiyins sword, he also ignored the giant sword qi above his head. The white figure holding up that sword qi was directly retracted back into his body.


    In that instant, the enormous sword qi carrying potent sword intent pierced down from above his head.


    And in this same instant, fearing that he might not die, Li Shiyin unleashed her full movement technique, stabbing out over a hundred sword strikes toward him!


    Sword qi attacked from all directions. It looked as though Zi Yi was about to be hacked to pieces by Li Shiyin...


    He tore apart first!


    Before the purple sword qi descended and the treasured sword reached him, he split evenly down the middle all on his own. After splitting open, a wisp of white brilliance floated out from inside.


    The thick sword qi passed between his bisected body and stabbed into the ground, plunging deep into the rocks. The boulders were split open by the sharp sword qi, forming a ravine over ten zhang long.


    The purple sword qi was embedded in the rocks, half its length exposed outside, showing no signs of fading... Neither the sword intent nor qi dissipated.


    Li Shiyin turned Zi Yis split body into a sieve. But with sufficient control over her mystic power and sword techniques, she was able to halt her attack at the first sign of trouble.


    She peered ahead in shock and suspicion at the cleaved body...


    Empty!


    It was an empty shell!


    Like a snakes molted skin left behind after shedding, or the cast-off shell of a cicada.


    What kind of mystic art is this? Her heart shook as she quickly looked toward the white glow that flew out.


    The white brilliance that emerged from Zi Yis body came to a stop far away. It elongated and warped in the darkness, then with a sudden blur, transformed into Zi Yis appearance.


    This new Zi Yi appearedpletely unharmed. He smiled radiantly at Li Shiyin and said: This move is called Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell.


    Li Shiyin nced at the distant Zi Yi, her heart growing heavy. With a wave of her sword she cleaved apart what remained of Zi Yis shell, letting it fall to the ground.


    She asked: With an escape art like this, how many more times can you use it?


    Zi Yiughed loudly and proimed: How could a low level cultivator at Foundation Establishment possibly understand the profundities of us Primordial Spirit masters?


    An art like this, I can use thousands or even millions of times!


    Primordial Spirit?


    Li Shiyin remained silent as she recalled her master mentioning what the Primordial Spirit stage was like, and how it differed from Golden Core Foundation Establishment, but she couldn''t remember the specifics.


    What exactly was profound about Primordial Spirit? She couldn''t recall clearly, only that it had something to do with Primordial Spirit.


    Oh well, no point fretting over what she didn''t know. She could always ask masterter - at most she might get scolded a little, then she could take the chance to act cute with her master...


    Her thoughts wandered even as her cold voice rang out: Then Ill kill you a thousand times, ten thousand times!


    The Muran Sword rose again...


    Heaven''s stars resonated together!


    She circted her mystic power and in a sh, her form disappeared.


    Flying Immortal Questioning the Way!


    This wont do, Zi Yi said with a smile and shake of his head. He closed his eyes as a translucent white glow like cicada wings lit up around his body.


    In the darkness, he alone shined with a luminescent white light, hovering in mid-air as if he were the only person left in the world.


    Suddenly at some point, he raised his sleeve and fluttered it. A wisp of white brilliance shot out toward a certain spot in the darkness.


    Pa!


    A Starlight Sword appeared amidst the ckness to parry away that white brilliance, followed by Li Shiyins figure also materializing from that darkness.


    With a single sword strike, Li Shiyin split that white glow in half and frowned deeply. It looked like... Zi Yi could pinpoint her position while she was using Flying Immortal Questioning the Way.


    She pondered briefly before disappearing once more, rushing toward Zi Yi.


    Seeing Li Shiyin stubbornly fly in close once more, Zi Yi shook his head with augh. He sped his palms together, then separated them after a moment. The white glow she had blocked now bubbled continuously forth from his hands like froth, swarming toward the darkness in dense numbers.


    Like they had a homing function, these white wisps all streamed toward the fast-moving Li Shiyin.


    At this moment, Li Shiyin was akin to an airborne bird flitting about at high speeds, while those white glows were like arrows - a whole army of arrows, dense and crushing like a locust swarm as they flew her way.


    The first white glow arrived, and Li Shiyin split it with a sword strike, but this halted her movement. Thus the second white glow reached her even faster, forcing her to stop again and slice it apart. But very quickly, the third, fourth...


    Then countless more white radiances flew at her!


    This wont work!


    These white glows gave her an immense sense of danger. She couldnt touch any of them - the slightest graze would disturb her bnce and undoubtedly lead to certain death!


    Dreamlike Starlight!


    With a wave of her left hand, Li Shiyin detonated five or six Dreamlike Stars. Countless sword qi sshed out to block the encircling white glows!


    But the white radiances were too powerful, and her Dreamlike Starlight sword qi could not contain them for long before dissipating...


    Making a decisive judgment call, Li Shiyin unhesitatingly pointed her Muran Sword forward. Fusing body and de, her entire being instantaneously transformed into a colossal sword that cleaved through the sea of white, charging out!


    Bursting from the glows, she rushed toward Zi Yi without even a backward nce!


    "What?"


    Li Shiyin was surrounded by her own white glow, Zi Yi thought she would undoubtedly die, he never expected that Li Shiyin could still unite with the sword.


    The speed of uniting with the sword was extremely fast, Zi Yi had no time to react at all, and was cut in half again by a sword.


    Li Shiyin separated from the sword, held the Murmuring Sword in her hand, and looked back, only to see another cluster of white glow flying out of Zi Yi''s shell and condensing into a new Zi Yi in the distance. wless, just like the beginning.


    "Still not dead? Really can''t hurt him?" Li Shiyin''s heart was shaken.


    How is it? Do you still want to do it?" Zi Yi asked with a smile, "As for such a sword technique that unites with the sword, how many more times can you use it?"


    "Humph!" Li Shiyin said coldly, "I can use it countless times!"


    In fact, this move to unite with the sword is rted to the primordial spirit, and what is consumed every time it is used is not only mana, but also the power of the primordial spirit.


    Today was the second time Li Shiyin had used this move. Her primordial spirit power had been exhausted by more than half, and she could hardly use the unity with the sword again.


    But she must not show weakness in front of the enemy!


    As she spoke, she continued to rush towards Zi Yi, still stubbornly trying to get close...


    But this time, she had just got up and stopped.


    ...Because someone came!


    Li Shiyin looked to the side, in the darkness in the distance, there were two sword lights rushing towards this side extremely fast. The aura of the master of that sword light was very powerful, probably also a Primordial Spirit cultivator.


    ...There were not many Primordial Spirit cultivators in the entire Land of Immortal Legacy, how could three of them suddenly appear here in an instant?


    Zi Yi also discovered that other Primordial Spirit cultivators hade. He looked over there and saw the two people stop not far away. He recognized them and hurriedly bowed, "Daoist Friend Zhou, Daoist Friend Zhang! Why are you here?"


    "Passing by here, seeing the fluctuation of swordsmanship here, there seem to be experts,e and take a look." Daoist Friend Zhou replied, "I didn''t expect it to be Daoist Friend Zi Yi."


    While the three were chatting, Li Shiyin had also seen the two sword cultivators who hade. And when she saw those two sword cultivators, her expression suddenly became extremely solemn.


    Because the people who came were none other than the Primordial Spirit Cultivators of the Boundless Sword Sect in North Chu Country. These two people had surrounded and attacked them with the ck-clothed boy and red-clothed young woman outside the Land of Immortal Legacy during the Devouring Demon Willow incident.


    They were the main culprits who caused her master''s serious injury and death...


    Li Shiyin remembered grievances very much, so even after four years had passed, she still remembered these two people.


    After the chat over there ended, the ck-clothed boy Zhou Daoist asked Li Shiyin, "This girl is...?"


    Zi Yi was puzzled: "Her talent in swordsmanship is top-notch, and she is also a sword cultivator from your North Chu Country, you should be familiar with her."


    The red-clothed young woman looked at Li Shiyin for a while. Women remember other beautiful women better than men remember beautiful women. Looking at Li Shiyin, she said, "This little sister looks so familiar, have we seen each other somewhere?"


    "If I''m not mistaken..." Facing three Primordial Spirit cultivators, Li Shiyin still had no fear. Her voice was clear and confident, "You should be from the Boundless Sword Sect, right?! Then you are from North Chu Country, please help me kill this Xuanqin primordial spirit cultivator!"


    When they heard her say this, Zhou Daoist in ck clothes and Zhang Daoist in red clothes smiled indifferently. They were from the Boundless Sword Sect, and they were also from North Chu Country, but...


    They were immortals, and mortal affairs had nothing to do with them. How could they help mortals?


    The young woman in red spoke again and asked, "Little sister is so pretty, have we met before?"


    "Land of Immortal Legacy!" Li Shiyin answered her truthfully, there was nothing to conceal, "I am the disciple of Dan Peak Chief Qin Ran of Dao Sword Sect, may I ask your name?"


    Love is love, hate is hate. If these two people helped her kill this Xuanqin primordial spirit cultivator today, she would be willing to give them a chance to reconcile, but obviously they didn''t want to. Then she didn''t have to be polite to them either.


    "Dao Sword Sect... Dan Peak... Qin Ran..."


    When the ck-clothed boy and the red-clothed young woman heard Li Shiyin''s self-introduction, they both smiled meaningfully. This buff was fully stacked.


    "I didn''t expect Qin Ran to have such an outstanding disciple." The young woman in red said with a smile, but did not introduce herself at all, "It really takes resources to cultivate good cultivators... If my Boundless Sword Sect had spirit stones and elixirs..."


    "My master said that rotten mud cannot support walls and rotten wood cannot be carved." Li Shiyin said to her, "If the aptitude itself is not good, just piling on resources will only make it a shy but useless thing, just good-looking. This kind of cultivator will shatter at a touch."


    When she said this, her eyes were fixed on the group of three primordial spirit stage cultivators, and her meaning was too obvious.


    There was a cold light shing on the sword in the hand of the ck-clothed boy. Hearing Li Shiyin say this, he asked, "Did your master ever say you are very arrogant?"


    "No." Li Shiyin was always honest. She replied, "Master said I was simple and cute, sincere when speaking. He loved me dearly."


    "All those with good talents have this attitude." Zi Yimented. "They just don''t know, which high-level cultivator was not a talent with extraordinary natural endowments at first?"


    The young woman in red looked at Li Shiyin''s pretty face and sighed, "What a pity!"


    And with her sigh, the aura of the ck-clothed boy suddenly rose, and the ck evil sword qi on his sword also swelled violently. Staring at Li Shiyin with tiger eyes full of evil spirit.


    The next moment, swirling with darkness and carrying boundless evil qi, he killed Li Shiyin.


    "Humph!!!" Although the opponent was very powerful, and there was no possibility of winning, Li Shiyin was not afraid at all. She still mobilized her magic power, swallowing and spitting out star sword qi, and rushed to meet the ck-clothed boy...


    She didn''t rush up.


    Because just as she got up, a white tiger suddenly appeared in the darkness not far from her side. The white tiger swallowed the darkness around her in one gulp, she was wrapped in the darkness and went into the white tiger''s mouth.


    The white tiger held her in its mouth, jumped back, jumped into the darkness, and disappeared again.


    "Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger?" The ck-clothed boy stopped at the ce where the white tiger disappeared, sheathed his sword, frowning, "It''s been hiding here alone?"


    "What a powerful concealment technique." The young woman in red came over and sighed, "As expected of the king in the darkness."


    Zi Yi came to this side, still in shock: "Is this Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger her guardian beast that has been lying in ambush here?"


    He didn''t notice the figure of the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger at all. If the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger had attacked him just now, he wouldn''t have been able to react in time.


    "It''s not her guardian beast, it''s her master, Qin Ran''s guardian beast." The young woman in red said with a smile.


    "Qin Ran?" Zi Yi asked, "Who is this that you have mentioned several times?"


    "A dying man." The ck-clothed boy said coldly.


    He was not a man with a broad mind either.


    The young woman in red said, "The chief of Dan Peak of Dao Sword Sect, an alchemist, very sly and extremely sinister."


    "Just an alchemist..." Zi Yi said, and suddenly reacted, "So you didn''t just happen to pass by?"


    "I was worried that he might not die thoroughly, so I came specifically to help Daoist Friend Zi Yi lend a hand." The ck-clothed boy said.

 Chapter 326

    Chapter 326


    Chasing the Wind held Li Shiyin in his mouth, rushed into the darkness, and ran desperately toward Wuyi City. As he ran, he kept looking back to see if the three Yuan Ying stage seniors had given chase.


    After running for a good while, seeing that no one was chasing after him, he finally rxed.


    Although Chasing the Wind was very fierce, he was still no match for three Yuan Ying stage opponents... Yes, he ran because he was outnumbered, not because they were in the Yuan Ying stage. That''s right.


    "Chasing the Wind, why did youe?" Li Shiyin spoke up and asked him.


    "Mmm... mmm... mmm..." Chasing the Wind murmured.


    He "mmm-ed" for quite a while, but Li Shiyin only made out the first two characters "Dad", and didn''t understand anything else he said.


    She thought for a moment, then ventured to ask, "Did Master send you?"


    "Mm-hmm!" Chasing the Wind hurriedly nodded.


    "Hey! Don''t shake me!" Li Shiyin was in Chasing the Wind''s mouth. When Chasing the Wind nodded, the up and down shaking was very ufortable. After Chasing the Wind stopped, Li Shiyin sighed and said, "If you hade out earlier, we could have joined forces to first kill that Xuan Qin Yuan Ying cultivator, then kill those two Wu Jin Sword Sect Yuan Ying cultivators as well."


    It was unclear who had influenced whom into developing this habit of pretending.


    Upon hearing this, Chasing the Wind rolled his eyes.


    Taking advantage of the fact that Chasing the Wind couldn''t speak easily, Li Shiyin continued, "It would have been better if you came outter too. I could have killed that Wu Jin Sword Sect guy myself. Sigh... it''s all your fault! You didn''te out early orte, but appeared right at the critical moment."


    "???" Chasing the Wind''s mind was full of question marks, and he started "mmm-ing" again, "If I didn''te out then, you would have been killed!!!"


    "But... Master is still amazing..." Li Shiyin ignored his muffled noises and went on, "He knew in advance that I would run into Yuan Ying cultivators and specially sent you toe save me."


    "..." Chasing the Wind was speechless. In his heart he thought, "Dad didn''t know jack, it was clearly me who saved you!"


    But he was magnanimous and didn''t quibble with Li Shiyin over it.


    Chasing the Wind was a pure white tiger, with only three ck markings - the ck "King" character on his forehead, the four solid ck ring-shaped patterns on his tail, and the pure ck gloves on his paws.


    The "King" character on his forehead gave him the ability of "Evil Spirit Space", the ring patterns on his tail gave him the ability to split into four dark clones, and the ck gloves on his paws gave him the power to control darkness.


    His four ck paws tread upon the darkness as if it were solid ground, allowing him to dash madly through the air even without riding the wind.


    Chasing the Wind had carried Li Shiyin in his mouth for a long time, almost reaching Wuyi City, and could hear the roaring from the battlefield up ahead. Li Shiyin suddenly realized that a peerless Sword Immortal absolutely could not appear in public in this undignified manner.


    She spoke up, "Foolish tiger, don''t you think there might be a possibility of you putting me down so I can fly myself?"


    Oh right! Chasing the Wind also realized: first, Li Shiyin was uninjured; second, those Yuan Ying cultivators hadn''t given chase either.


    He mmed on the brakes and stopped, spitting Li Shiyin out of his mouth.


    Li Shiyin then executed an art in midair, flipped her body with a leap, andnded on Chasing the Wind''s back.


    "Blech blech blech..." After carrying Li Shiyin all that way with her in his mouth, Chasing the Wind''s mouth didn''t feel veryfortable.


    He discovered that Li Shiyin hadn''t flown herself, but had jumped onto his back instead, and his face darkened as he asked, "Didn''t you say you were going to fly yourself?"


    "Humph! This Sword Immortal has bestowed upon you the honor of being my steed!" Li Shiyin haughtily replied. She realized her clothes had been soaked by Chasing the Wind''s drool and came up with another justification, "Your drool got my clothes all wet and filthy, it reeks! You owe mepensation. So you have to be my mount."


    "Yes, yes, I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have saved you, I should have let you get hacked to death there by those Yuan Ying sword cultivators!" Chasing the Wind conceded helplessly.


    In the end, it was still Chasing the Wind treading on the darkness carrying Li Shiyin as he ran back to Wuyi City, although his method had changed from holding her in his mouth to giving her a ride on his back.


    The siege was still continuing, and had not halted due to the absence of the aloof cultivators.


    As Chasing the Wind and Li Shiyin drew closer to Wuyi City, the din from the battlefield grew louder and louder.


    The pungent, bloody smell of blood was carried over by the cold wind...


    Li Shiyin looked down at the ground from midair and saw the ck mass of Xuanqin troops surging forward below.


    This gave her a sense of shock - when gathered together, even weakmoners could erupt with unbelievable power.


    But it also gave her a sense of sadness, because she felt that the soldiers swarming forward below seemed to have lost their souls, bing like beasts that only knew how to ughter mindlessly. They moved forward helplessly, pushed from behind by the men behind them, pushed forward by invisible hands...


    "They don''t actually want to fight this war themselves..." she murmured, suddenly enlightened. "The one who wants to wage war is the Xuanqin Emperor."


    The closer they drew to Wuyi City, the louder the sounds of ughter grew. When the vague shapes of the walls of Wuyi City could be seen up ahead, Li Shiyin noticed something was off.


    There were too many people on the city towers, and most were Xuanqin''s ck armored troops, with very few of North Chu''s red armored troops. She cried out in rm, "Has the city already been breached?!"


    Chasing the Wind looked ahead - the walls were intact, where had any breach urred? He replied, "No!"


    "Go faster!" Li Shiyin urged anxiously.


    Chasing the Wind could only speed up, summoning the wind to aid him as well.


    Wuyi City had indeed fallen... It should have fallen long ago.


    That it had held out until now, aside from the cultivators being killed by Li Shiyin, was firstly due to Li Zhan''s determination to defend the city - the city stands while its people stand, the city perishes when its people perish; secondly, it had to be said, Li Shiwen possessed the valor of ten thousand men, and had stood at the most dangerous spot on the city walls from the very start, beating back every invading enemy. This had eased the pressure on the other city defenders, and also inspired morale to defend the city.


    But...


    Humans have limits.


    No matter how resolute the city defenders were, when faced with the endless tide of Xuanqin troops, their will was prone to copse. As valiant as Li Shiwen was, he was still just one man. Moreover, cultivators were not so easy to kill... What he had left was his final burst of strength.


    Not long after Li Shiyin had chased after Qing Yuan, Li Shiwen could no longer hold on... and the city had also fallen.


    By persisting until now, Li Shiwen had already suffered over ten injuries, and was barely supporting himself through sheer willpower.


    Most of the defending troops had already retreated into the city. Li Shiwen had remained behind to cover the retreat.


    He stood at a critical juncture, drenched in blood, his armor in tatters. With spear and de, he held off hundreds of Xuanqin soldiers.


    The Xuanqin soldiers were filled with dread, and looked left and right. Someone said, "He''s already at the end of his rope, there''s no need to engage him further - he will topple over himself!"


    "I..." Li Shiwen wanted to say he wouldn''t fall, but all that came out when he opened his mouth was blood, so he said no more.


    The two sides were at an impasse, one man versus hundreds, staring each other down. The Xuanqin men were waiting for Li Shiwen to topple over, while Li Shiwen... truly had no more strength to move.


    The Xuanqin troops did not get to witness Li Shiwen''s copse. What came instead was an insect with a white forehead!


    "A tiger... what a huge tiger!" There was initially an uproar among the crowd when someone shouted this.


    Right after, a wild gust blew in, and someone yelled in terror, "A monstrous tiger is flying over!"


    "A monster!!!"


    Li Shiwen''s consciousness was already blurred. He stood there motionless, hearing the Xuanqin soldiers'' frightened cries, and vaguely seeing an enormous tiger over ten meters tall summon a fierce gale as itnded on the city wall. With swipes of its left and right paws, along with the wind, it blew all the Xuanqin troops on the wall down below the city.


    "Big brother?" He seemed to hear someone calling him - it was probably his little sister.


    He felt Li Shiyin stuffing things into his mouth...


    He felt Li Shiyin pick him up...


    He felt...he couldn''t feel anything anymore...

 Chapter 327

    Chapter 327


    Li Shiwen guarded a strategic pass, but there were many other routes up and down the city walls. The Xuanqin troops had already entered the city through other ces, opened the city gates.


    The Xuanqin troops had already surged in from the city gates, and the frontline had already shifted from the top of the city wall to within the city...


    At the top of the Xuanqin main force, under the big g, on the heavily guarded horses and carriages, the Xuanqin Grand Marshal Zhao Li stood high up, watching the endless stream of Xuanqin troops pouring in from the city gates, thinking to himself: "It''s over!"


    Wuyi City was over, and the North Chu nation was over too.


    At this time the city had fallen, it just remained to kill everyone!


    "The greater situation has passed..." He said these four words with a smile at the corner of his mouth.


    But before his words had faded, an abrupt change urred.


    More than a dozen thick purple sword qi suddenly flew out from the top of Wuyi City, slicing wildly several times with a "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh", and cut down all the Xuanqin climbing equipment attached to the city walls.


    After shing the equipment, the sword qi did not stop, it turned and inserted vertically in front of the city gates, sealing all the city gates, separating the Xuanqin troops inside and outside the city into two segments.


    That sword qi was truly terrifying. All the Xuanqin troops who attempted to approach it were shredded into blood mist by the sharp qi.


    For a time, the Xuanqin army halted and fell back in spite of themselves, leaving arge empty space under Wuyi City.


    Then a clear female voice rang out from the top of Wuyi City, spreading through the entire Xuanqin army: "Stop right there!"


    The voice echoed around the ears, striking fear into the heart. Zhao Li looked up towards the top of Wuyi City, and saw an imposing giant white tiger standing on the city wall, and on top of that white tiger''s head, a white-clothed woman holding a sword was shouting. It was that woman who was shouting.


    "Who is that?" He asked left and right.


    Left and right did not know, so someone was sent to the base of the tower to ask: "Who are you?"


    Li Shiyin''s voice rang out in response: "I am Li Shiyin of North Chu! Guardian of North Chu!"


    Her clear voice resounded through the darkness, spreading through the Xuanqin army. That voice was originally extremely pleasant to the ear, but in the ears of the Xuanqin troops, it carried tremendous prestige, striking fear into the Xuanqin soldiers and horses, disturbing their formation as they retreated back several more steps.


    "Li Shiyin, Li Shiwen?" Because the battle horse was startled, the carriage frame shook, and Zhao Li also swayed as he asked aloud, "Could it be she is that cultivator from the Li family... the Li Shiyin that Yan Qing spoke of?!"


    No one knew the answer, nor did anyone reply to him.


    He pondered by himself for a while, and finally realized that a powerful cultivator was indeed not something he could deal with. So he asked his left and right: "Where are the cultivators in the army?"


    Someone came forward, knelt down, and said, "The cultivators who apanied the army today... have all died."


    Zhao Li recalled the purple fireworks that had blossomed in the air earlier, and saw the purple sword qi in front. Only then did he realize that those cultivators had probably all been killed by Li Shiyin.


    Fortunately, he did not care about the life and death of cultivators at all, just like how cultivators did not care about the life and death of ordinary people. He said to his left and right again: "Return to camp... to invite..."


    Whether cultivators live or die is unimportant. Wuyi City must be attacked tonight.


    Then someone rode on horseback to the main camp to invite cultivators over. But before the person inviting the cultivators had returned, someone else rushed over on horseback from behind, handing over military information.


    Upon receiving and looking over the military intelligence from behind, Zhao Li saw that it was actually Elder Ziyi ordering him to retreat.


    "Retreat?!" He almost choked.


    It had developed to this point tonight, the situation was like this, justcking the final blow, just one more step. Yet he was ordering a retreat?!


    Zhao Li burned with rage, the veins at the corners of his eyes bulging out. He tore the written military order into pieces.


    These so-called cultivators, not a single one could be relied upon!


    But... in the end...


    He looked at the few terrifying sword qi in front of Wuyi City, and still gave the order to retreat.


    Now without cultivators, Wuyi City really could not be attacked.


    Watching the Xuanqin troops in front changing from offense to defense, gradually retreating, Li Shiyin also breathed a sigh of relief. If Xuanqin had insisted on continuing the attack despite everything, who knows how many more would have died.


    She didn''t have anything against killing enemies, but still felt meaningless ughter was unnecessary.


    "Have they retreated? They probably won''te again in a short time right?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "You''re asking me?!" Chasing Wind retorted.


    "Alright then..." Asking Chasing Wind was pointless. Li Shiyin jumped down from Chasing Wind''s head, and said, "I''ll go take a look at Li Shiwen, you just stay here and don''t run around."


    "Huh? Just stay here?!" Chasing Wind''s eyes opened wide in disbelief. He couldn''t believe this was the treatment for the lifesaver, who had yed a major role in this battle.


    Li Shiyin felt a little embarrassed, but Chasing Wind was too huge, there was no good ce to amodate him in the city. She thought for a bit, coaxing him like a child, and said, "You look very majestic here. The Xuanqin troops are scared stiff as soon as they see you. Think about it, one person is an entire city."


    Upon thinking it over, Chasing Wind felt she was right too. Him being here to deter the enemies did have quite the imposing manner. It''s just that the city walls were not spacious enough. He would have to stay still to crouch down.


    Having coaxed Chasing Wind, Li Shiyin shed away into the city.


    She had severed the inside and outside of the city with her sword qi. The Xuanqin troops left inside the city were soon killed off, captured, and the battles inside the city had also reached their end.


    She ignored those minor battles, and flew straight into the manor of the city lord at the center of the city, finding Li Shiwen.


    Li Shiwen''s injuries were far too heavy, nearly taking his life. She had pulled him back from the brink of death using elixirs, but he still fell unconscious, currently lying in a bedroom.


    When she arrived, Yu Chi Zhen, who had rushed over to take care of Li Shiwen, had just gotten there.


    Upon seeing Li Shiwen''s state, all of Yu Chi Zhen''s worries and fears, all the emotions over these past few months, burst out in an instant. She copsed weeping onto the bed.


    Seeing Yu Chi Zhen''s state, Li Shiyin also didn''t know what to say for a time, and could only wait for her to finish crying before going over to help her stand up, consoling her: "He only had very serious injuries, he won''t die."


    Yu Chi Zhen sobbed reproachfully: "Yet he wanted to die."


    After crying and gazing at Li Shiwen for a while, she turned back to ask Li Shiyin: "Is little An''an alright?"


    "Li An is very well. I handed him over to my master to take care of," Li Shiyin replied.


    Li Shiyin had great confidence in her master, knowing her master would take good care of the child, but Yu Chi Zhen did not. She wanted to say something more but still didn''t speak out in the end.


    Li Shiyin supported her to a side to sit down,forting her: "Sister-inw, don''t worry. Big brother will wake up very soon, Xuanqin will retreat their troops very soon too. Everything will return to how it was."


    But having followed the retreating North Chu army all the way here, Yu Chi Zhen didn''t have much confidence. She only silently shook her head.


    "With me here, everything will be fine," Li Shiyin guaranteed.


    Yu Chi Zhen was feeling down and didn''t want to speak. Li Shiyin attempted to start a conversation several times but she did not continue it, so Li Shiyin stopped speaking too.


    The two women sat silently in the room. Li Shiyin asionally got up to check on Li Shiwen''s condition. When she discovered something was off she would take out elixirs and make him ingest them. When his condition had stabilized she would sit back down.


    She would asionally pace around the room. She suddenly felt this night was exceptionally long.


    She didn''t know when, but eventually faint light shone in through the window. Li Shiyin sensed it and looked outside. Dawn had broken, with light feathery snow fluttering down from the sky.


    "It''s snowing," she said.

 Chapter 328

    Chapter 328


    Xuanqin''s imperial court had initially formted a high-levelbat n to take down North Chu in one fell swoop before the end of the year.


    Then, unfortunately, Zhao Li encountered Li Zhan''s tactics of defending Wuyi City to the death, and was unable to capture it after a long siege.


    He eventually had to alter thebat n to capture Wuyi City before the snow fell.


    Then, still unfortunately, he encountered Li Shiyin, who did not hesitate to break through the city defenses, but had to retreat because of Li Shiyin''s sword qi.


    Now, the snow has fallen, and he is left with 200,000 Xuanqin troops staying inside North Chu''s territory, in a stalemate with Wuyi City.


    Zhao Li really did not want to be in a stalemate here, but he also really could notmand those cultivators, so he was utterly helpless against those few ster sword qis in front of Wuyi City.


    In this war, he had to rely on those cultivators, so he was at the mercy of those cultivators. When they said they would not advance, they did not advance, and when they said they would not retreat, they did not retreat.


    From the moment he received the message from Elder Ziyi to withdraw the troops, Zhao Li''s anger had not subsided. He was extremely dissatisfied with the cultivators in Xuanqin''s army, but he was utterly helpless.


    The reason this situation urred was:


    Xuanqin wanted to conquer North Chu, but neither the cultivators from Boundless Sword Sect nor those from Cloud Heaven Sect cared!


    "Starting From Fighting Against the Heavens"


    You want to take North Chu, what does that have to do with me? The trivial matters of a mortal kingdom...


    Elder Ziyi did not know the thoughts of Cloud Heaven Sect''s upper echelons. He did not know why the sect would support a mortal kingdom, nor did he want to know. He came here to follow orders, to earn spirit stones.


    He was just someone going along for the ride. He had no loyalty whatsoever to Xuanqin''s imperial family. As an esteemed Yuanying cultivator, he would naturally noty down his life for Xuanqin.


    The moment he realized that Li Shiyin was not easy to deal with and could potentially threaten his life, he had already sounded the retreat.


    As for the two from Boundless Sword Sect, they came to kill Qin Ran, not to help Xuanqin conquer North Chu. Now that Qin Ran had not shown himself, they naturally would not make a move.


    But... they all felt that they could not retreat either. If Ziyi retreated, how would he earn spirit stones? If Boundless Sword Sect retreated, how would they kill Qin Ran?


    Fortunately, not all of Xuanqin''s cultivators were as ruthless and unprincipled as Ziyi. There were still loyalists who loved their country. Although these cultivators could not solve the sword qi problem in front of Wuyi City, they could help resolve the logistical issues for Xuanqin''s troops.


    Cultivators had interspatial bags and could fly, transporting food back and forth with ease. This was also why Zhao Li did not choose to forcibly withdraw the troops despite the extremely long supply lines from Xuanqin to North Chu.


    On Xuanqin''s side, Zhao Li was waiting for spring toe and for the masters in the army to make a move; while on North Chu''s side, although the city was defended, it was still mired in lifelessness, still waiting to die.


    Because the people of Wuyi City still could not see hope for victory.


    This city had essentially already been broken through by Xuanqin, and was only barely hanging on thanks to Li Shiyin.


    When Xuanqin attacked again next time, if Xuanqin sent out high-level cultivators to upy Li Shiyin, North Chu would still be unable to withstand it.


    Therefore, Li Zhan could only frantically deal with domestic and military affairs in the city, while also trying to steady the hearts and minds of the citizens and soldiers...


    So, the white tiger squatting on the city walls, the people of Wuyi City all knew, was a guardian spirit beast that trod upon darkness and swallowed sun and moon, opened its appetite with Golden Core cultivators, and took Yuanying cultivators as food. It would protect North Chu and shelter Wuyi.


    Thus, these past two days, everyday there weremoners from the city who went to the foot of the city walls to burn incense and pray to Chasing the Wind. Chasing the Wind''s snow-white fur was smoked gray.


    Li Shiyin was then touted by Li Zhan as a natural-born sword immortal. It was said that with one sword she could annihte dozens of Golden Core cultivators, and singlehandedly battle three or four Yuanying cultivators.


    Compared to Chasing the Wind who relied entirely on his good looks to gain the trust of Wuyi City''smon people, Li Shiyin relied on those terrifying sword qis in front of Wuyi City that were even higher than the city walls.


    To the people of Wuyi City, those were visible, tangible miracles and hopes.


    There were also rumors spreading in the city, saying that the fireworks that bloomed in the sky from time to time on the night the city was defended were Li Sword Immortal battling the evil cultivators of the enemy side, and each firework represented a Golden Core cultivator killed by Li Sword Immortal.


    Since everyone had witnessed those fireworks with their own eyes that night, not only themon people in the city, even the troops in the city knew that there was a peerless and invincible sword immortal guarding the city, so morale would not remain so low after all.


    Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind did indeed reduce the lifelessness in the city by a lot.


    Inside the City Lord''s residence, in the study, Li Zhan was handling government affairs at the desk, while Li Shiyin pulled up a chair to sit by the bookshelf, randomly taking a book to flip through.


    After Li Zhan finished dealing with the co-defense affairs in the city, he turned back to look at Li Shiyin by the bookshelf. Seeing that Li Shiyin was really reading a book.


    He discovered that the child was truly a little different than when she had left this time.


    This difference was not only referring to how she disyed her shocking and astonishing power before them for the first time, allowing them to thoroughly understand that she really was a very formidable cultivator. More importantly, she was no longer that impulsive little girl, and was much more restrained andposed.


    His daughter had matured and be a youngdy.


    Li Zhan sighed inwardly, but also knew that whether or not North Chu could make it through this cmity still depended on her. "How is your eldest brother?" he asked aloud. These past few days he had been terribly busy and did not have time to check on Li Shiwen''s condition.


    Hearing the voice, Li Shiyin raised her head to look at Li Zhan. This year, Li Zhan was not even fifty years old. She remembered that when she had left home earlier this year, Li Zhan still had ck hair with barely any wrinkles, looking vigorous and youthful. But now, wrinkles covered his face, and almost half his hair had turned white.


    In just over a year, he had aged more than double.


    Li Shiyinmented inwardly. She finally saw her father grow old. Just like she had thought her grandfather would never die, she had also thought her father would never grow old. But her grandfather still passed away, and her father still aged.


    "Eldest Brother''s injuries have recovered, but he overexerted himself and needs more sleep," she replied.


    In fact, Li Shiyin did not actually know her eldest brother''s true condition. She was a sword cultivator, what would she know about healing injuries and illnesses?


    "He''s been sleeping for three days already..." said Li Zhan.


    "Don''t worry, I have immortal pills!" Li Shiyin reassured, "You don''t need to worry."


    Li Zhan looked at her and still decided to believe her.


    He turned back and continued handling affairs with his back facing Li Shiyin''s side, saying: "You don''t need to keep mepany, I''m fine."


    "What if cultivators from Xuanqin''s sidee to assassinate you?" Li Shiyin asked.


    How could this child think of such sinister things?


    Puzzled, Li Zhan answered: "Actually, there''s no need. Because whether they kill me or not has little impact... it would be more trouble than it''s worth."


    It was not that they could not kill him, just that there was no need.


    "Go take a look at your elder brother, keep your sister-inwpany, or go out into the city to rx your mind too..." he said, "Xuanqin won''t attack the city again so soon."


    "Alright..." Li Shiyin nodded.


    She apanied Li Zhan for a while longer, finished reading the book on sword techniques in her hands, then got up to return the book to the shelf and walked out.


    Sitting quietly reading books was, after all, not in her character.


    Li Shiyin pushed open the study door and walked out. She stretchedzily, looked up...


    It had snowed for three days. By now the snow was heavy. In the hazy gray sky, snow was falling like sprinkled salt, light and fluttering.


    This sky really oppressed people, she thought.


    She turned around and slowly walked along the corridor. She had just taken two steps when she saw someone at the corner bend of the corridor. She looked over, her eyes instantly widened, light bursting out, and she smiled and ran over shouting:


    "Master!!"

 Chapter 329

    Chapter 329


    Three days after the defense battle of Wuyi City ended, Qin Ran finally arrived at Wuyi City.


    He was in the corridor, watching his silly female apprentice running over from the other side to give him a hug, hanging on him. Her fondness for him was never concealed, just like the pure white snowkes falling down from the sky outside the corridor.


    Of course, he was also very fond of her, feeling very satisfied in his heart. Needless to say, who wouldn''t want to have a girl like her showing undisguised affection for him, especially when this girl was also the one he was fond of. This was one of the happiest things in the world.


    "Master, why did youe?" Li Shiyin asked in his ear.


    He was worried about her, so he came. Qin Ran didn''t say that. He said, "I came to take a look."


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin giggled, and then she seemed to remember something. She hurriedly got off Qin Ran, grabbed Qin Ran with one hand, and rushed into the study she had juste out of.


    Li Shiyin pulled Qin Ran by the hand and stood in front of Li Zhan''s bookcase. She proudly introduced to Li Zhan in a loud voice: "Dad, this is my master!"


    What kind of situation can determine your position in the heart of the object? Look at how she introduces you to her friends and rtives. Li Shiyin''s proud introduction could tell how satisfied she was with Qin Ran, and it could also tell that she was full of confidence that Qin Ran would satisfy her family.


    However...how to put it?


    At this moment, Qin Ran was stunned.


    Yes, this Qin Ran was sinister, shameless, flexible moral baseline, his mind and schemes were deeper than the Mariana Trench, but...people are always more than one side.


    He was also the master in Li Shiyins memory who was shy, innocent, gentle like the big brother next door.


    In Li Shiyins perspective: On the day she worshipped him as her master, her master gently brushed away all her fears about the cultivation world with the gentlest smile; the first time she looked at the medical book, she fell asleep on the desk, and when she woke up, bright sunshine came in through the window, shining on her master as he quietly sat reading under the sunshine.


    This was also Qin Ran, innocent, shy, gentle, delicate.


    So when his sinister and shameless schemes against someone''s daughter had gone on for four years, and now the girl''s father was facing him, he felt the filth in his heart for the first time. He didn''t dare to look the other person in the eye, and even wanted to turn around and run away.


    He had imagined encountering such a scene before, but...how could a son-inw''s mentality be calm when meeting his father-inw for the first time?


    Upon hearing this, Li Zhan hurriedly put down what was in his hands, stood up from behind the desk. He carefully examined Li Shiyins so-called master, the legendary person like an immortal; the person who, ording to his wife''s analysis, had stolen his daughter''s heart.


    His first impression of Qin Ran was that he had delicate features. With ck hair and white skin, gentle temperament, he looked like a well-read schr. This waspletely unrted to the words he had imagined such as powerful, alchemy, scheming, immortal, etc.


    As for calling him son-inw...looking at his shy appearance nowpared to his daughter''s boldness, it was hard to say whether he was the apprentice or the master...


    It would be better for his daughter to take him as a dependent son-inw!


    So Li Zhan''s first reaction was to look down on this master a little. But fortunately he was no ordinary person and soon reacted. This was his daughters master. With his daughter being so powerful now, this master must be no ordinary man.


    He did not rely on his identity as Li Shiyin''s father, maintained a humble attitude, and saluted Qin Ran very politely, saying: Greetings, Immortal Master!


    Hearing Li Zhan calling himself an immortal master, Qin Ran then suddenly remembered his identity as a cultivator, and his heart finally settled down. Thats right, he was a cultivator, and the other party was just a mortal.


    "Cough!" Qin Ran coughed slightly, but he also did not rely on his identity as a cultivator. He saluted Li Zhan in return and said, "Greetings, General."


    So by this point, the atmosphere of this first meeting between the "future father-inw and son-inw" seemed amiable.


    Li Zhan walked out from behind the desk and smiled at Qin Ran: "I have long heard about the immortal master''s name, and only today have I had the honor of seeing you in person... Immortal master please sit over here."


    As he gestured for Qin Ran to sit down, he also asked someone to serve tea at the same time.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin next to him, calmed himself down again, and sat down with Li Shiyin.


    In front of her father, Li Shiyin still didn''t dare to be too bold after all. But she was still proud and introduced to Li Zhan:


    Dad, Master is the chief of Dan Peak of the Dao Sword Sect! There are only four peaks in the Dao Sword Sect, and Master is the chief of Dan Peak, one of them. And Master is the first alchemist in Dao Sword Sect. Alchemy is very impressive. The elixirs we normally use are refined by Master. And...and, Master knows a lot of things, Master knows everything...


    Listening to Li Shiyin boasting about himself and saying good things about him in front of Li Zhan, Qin Ran still felt a little embarrassed, just smiling awkwardly but politely.


    "I have seen the immortal master''s elixirs before... Old Master Mo once said that the immortal masters alchemy level is at least rank five." Li Zhan said with a smile.


    Qin Ran smiled and humbly said, "I just have some knowledge about elixirs."


    When the topic raised Old Master Mo, the cultivator who sacrificed himself in the city defense battle a few days ago, the atmosphere in the study gradually changed from awkward to somber.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Zhan and said first: The key to the victory or defeat between North Chu and Xuanqin actually lies not in North Chu and Xuanqin, but in Cloud Heaven Sect."


    When Qin Ran started talking about the war, Li Zhan then asked ordingly: What insights does the immortal master have?


    "The general does not need to call me the immortal master, just call me by my name." Qin Ran smiled.


    Li Shiyin also nodded: "Dad, its very strange for you to call Master ''immortal master''. Master is actually only in his twenties, very young. "


    "Haha." Li Zhan strategicallyughed and said, "You also don''t need to call me general, just call me uncle."


    So Qin Ran then called Li Zhan uncle Li, and then went on to say: "The national powers of North Chu and Xuanqin were actually not that different originally. Its just that Xuanqin''s losses were smaller than those of North Chu when the Evil Spirit Willow Rioted. But this bit of damage to national power is still not enough for Xuanqin to develop ambitions to annex North Chu.


    "It is the transaction that the emperor of Xuanqin somehow made with Cloud Heaven Sect that is the key point of the current war.


    "Once the cultivators of Cloud Heaven Sect are dealt with, the current plight of North Chu can be solved."


    I understand the rationale, but what is the solution to dealing with the cultivators of Cloud Heaven Sect? Li Zhan understood the rationale, but what about the solution?


    "I am currently investigating what kind of transaction Xuanqin made with Cloud Heaven Sect..." Qin Ran said, "But rest assured uncle Li, matters between cultivators, just leave them all to me. You just need to be responsible for the military side.


    In front of the future father-inw, this guy was still mentally imbnced after all, promising tedly to take everything upon himself, which was something his normal self would absolutely not do.


    My Healing Game


    If Qin Ran could solve the problem of the cultivators, Li Zhan would be willing to marry not only Li Shiyin to him, but also Li Shiwen.


    He was very happy and said, Then Ill have to trouble you!


    But Master... At this moment, Li Shiyin suddenly raised her hand and said, "There''s not only Cloud Heaven Sect on Xuanqin''s side!"


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran''s expression changed. He hurriedly looked at Li Shiyin and asked, "Who else?"


    "That night when I was fighting the Cloud Heaven Sect cultivators, I ran into people from Boundless Sword Sect." Li Shiyin said, "That is, the two Nascent Soul stage cultivators we met in the Land of Immortal Legacy during the Evil Spirit Willow Riots."


    Hearing this, Qin Ran''s face changed drastically. He instantly knew which two people Li Shiyin was talking about. And as smart as he was, he almost instantly understood that those two people were after him.

 Chapter 330

    Chapter 330


    Li Zhan and Qin Ran talked for quite a while, covering topics from the current war situation, cultivation practices of cultivators, sect divisions in each country, to customs and practices of each country... In short, they had a wide-ranging casual chat.


    In the end, some officers came in, saying they had urgent matters to report to Li Zhan, and their first conversation came to an end.


    Qin Ran led the almost asleep Li Shiyin out of the study, and could not help but heave a sigh of relief, waving away some imaginary sweat.


    Seeing him like this, Li Shiyinughed: "Wow! Master, you were nervous!"


    Qin Ran red at her and did not try to defend himself. He asked, "Where''s your brother?"


    "Li Shiwen is injured and still unconscious," Li Shiyin replied.


    "Take me to see him..."


    Li Shiyin then took Qin Ran to the bedroom where Li Shiwen was.


    Knocking on the door and entering, there was only Yu Chi Zhen inside, who was embroidering by the stove. When Li Shiyin came in, she introduced to her: "Sister-inw, this is my master."


    Yu Chi Zhen got up and bowed, "Greetings, Immortal."


    "Sister-inw, no need to be overly courteous," Qin Ran replied.


    Hearing Qin Ran address her as sister-inw, Yu Chi Zhen looked at Qin Ran a few more times, and then looked at Li Shiyin. With the eyes of someone who knew better, she easily saw that there was something going on between these two.


    She then smiled and said, "The Immortal is really young."


    Qin Ran replied, "Just call me Qin Ran."


    After some polite conversation, Qin Ran walked to the bedside and said to Yu Chi Zhen, "Sister-inw, do you mind if I take a look at Shiwen?"


    Since Qin Ran was a cultivator, Yu Chi Zhen naturally knew, and she had also heard Li Shiwen talk about him. She quickly moved out of the way and said, "Please, Immortal."


    Qin Ran smiled and nodded at her. He had already realized that Li Shiwen''s gentle and delicate little wife was actually very clever, with intricate thoughts.


    He sat down by the bed, first simply examined Li Shiwen''s exterior, then took his pulse to determine Li Shiwen''s interior condition.


    After quite a while, he frowned, turned around, stared at Li Shiyin and asked, "How many elixirs did you give him?"


    Seeing Qin Ran frowning, Li Shiyin knew something was wrong. She stammered, "I...I don''t know."


    "You don''t know?" Qin Ran should have known this would be the answer.


    "I saw his injuries and condition go back and forth, so I gave him many elixirs..." Li Shiyin said.


    "Reckless!" Qin Ran suddenly scolded, "The elixirs I gave you were for you to use. The quality is very high, the spiritual energy and potency in them is simply not something ordinary people can withstand."


    "Ah?" Li Shiyin was shocked and asked, "Then...then...my brother?"


    Qin Ran red at her and scolded, "I''ve always told you to learn about elixir refinement, told you to learn about elixirs, but you just wouldn''t listen. Now look, I gave you elixirs and you don''t even know how to use them!


    "Do you know, if I didn''te, your brother would have been squeezed to death by you with elixirs!"


    Li Shiyin knew how to climb the pole, so she directly ignored the first half of Qin Ran''s words and asked, "Master, my brother can still be saved, right?!"


    This shameless rascal, Qin Ran really wanted to whip her with a leather whip. He pointed at her, too angry to speak, and directly turned back to treat Li Shiwen.


    The elixirs Qin Ran gave Li Shiyin for her own use were all of the highest quality. With Li Shiyin''s physique, both internal and external injuries could heal very quickly. With Li Shiwen''s physique, how could he withstand it?


    Therefore, to treat Li Shiwen, the potency in his body had to be extracted... Fortunately, Qin Ran practiced water-attributed elixir refinement. If he had practiced fire-attributed refinement, Li Shiwen would have been a goner this time.


    ...To persevere on the battlefield for a whole night, kill hundreds of enemies, survive, but ultimately be squeezed to death by elixirs from his own sister, how ridiculous would that be when thought about.


    Qin Ran summoned a bubble and wrapped Li Shiwen in it, then summoned the elixir water in his body to fill the entire bubble space, submerging Li Shiwen.


    He then used elixir refinement techniques, treating Li Shiwen as an ingredient, extracting the potency that had been absorbed into his body and muscles back out...


    It took almost half a quarter hour before Qin Ran finished extracting all the potency. He then released Li Shiwen from the bubble, and shrank the bubble smaller and smaller, drawing out the elixir water, until finally obtaining an elixir the size of a fist that looked strange.


    He flung the elixir at Li Shiyin and asked, "Don''t you feel that elixirs are better than spirit stones?"


    Li Shiyin caught the huge elixir, pursed her lips, and said, "No..."


    This spendthrift wife!


    Qin Ran felt that sooner orter he would be angered to death by Li Shiyin. He red at her and instructed, "His soul is too abundant, currently in an over-awakened state. That is, he is actually awake, but can''t actually control his body. Use your soul to call out to awaken his soul."


    Li Shiyin blinked her big eyes again, trying to get out of punishment by acting cute.


    She tiptoed over to Qin Ran, sat down cross-legged, floating in mid-air, and said, "Master...keep an eye on my physical body..."


    "Mm." Qin Ran grunted, toozy to even look at her.


    Li Shiyin then reassuredly released her soul, going towards Li Shiwen''s sea of consciousness.


    Letting Li Shiyin go call Li Shiwen, Qin Ran found a ce to sit down. Seeing Qin Ran finally free, Yu Chi Zhen came over to ask, "Immortal, have you seen Little Ping''an?"


    She remembered Li Shiyin said she had given Li An to Qin Ran to look after. Now Qin Ran hade here, so where did Li An go?


    "Oh, sister-inw doesn''t need to worry," Qin Ran replied. "I specially arranged for someone to take care of him, he will be fine."


    If she remembered correctly, when she had asked Li Shiyin at the time, Li Shiyin had replied the same to her. Yu Chi Zhen therefore couldn''t help but worry. She was anxious.


    At this time Qin Ran looked at her andughed, "The child is called Li An right? He has great talent in the sword... "


    Yu Chi Zhen was very clever. As soon as Qin Ran started, she knew what he meant. Her gentle gaze was fixed only on Qin Ran.


    "He flew his sword to my Dan Peak by himself, we really have affinity..." Qin Ran went on directly, "Would sister-inw allow him to be my disciple and cultivate under me?"


    Yu Chi Zhen said, "When Ping''an was still in my belly, Shiyin had asked me if Ping''an should cultivate. I agreed at the time. Now...of course he should cultivate too."


    "Then..." Qin Ran was just about to happily agree, when Li Shiyin suddenly spoke up and said, "Master, you don''t even cultivate the sword..."


    Qin Ran and Yu Chi Zhen looked over at her. Her soul had returned to her body and she was standing properly by the bed again. She looked at Qin Ran and continued, "Little Ping''an should take me as Master instead!"


    "Can you teach disciples?" Qin Ran asked.


    "You can, Master!" Li Shiyin shamelessly replied.


    "So you take in the disciple, but I help teach him," Qin Ran continued asking. "Is that what you mean?!"


    Li Shiyin nodded, "Yes!"


    "Why doesn''t he just be my disciple directly then?" Qin Ran didn''t understand.


    Li Shiyin put her hands on her hips, proiming her authority, "You can only have me as your one disciple!"


    Their master-disciple rtionship had already be warped eight hundred years ago. Now, their master and disciple was more like an exclusive term of endearment. How could Li Shiyin allow others to call her master, master?


    For example, Zhuifeng and Long Qi qi were actually both Qin Ran''s disciples, but Zhuifeng considered himself a son, while Long Qi qi had long seen through everything. Therefore, up till now, only Li Shiyin called Qin Ran master.


    It was like this in the past, it was like this now, and it could only be like this in the future.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, suddenly feeling a sense of overbearingness. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but did not get any words out.

 Chapter 331

    Chapter 331


    "Ha ha ha..."


    A heartyugh suddenly rang out from inside the room. Qin Ran hurriedly looked in the direction of the voice - it was Li Shiwen waking up.


    He sat up in bed, looked at Qin Ran mockingly, and said with augh: "Brother Qin, you can''t do that! I see you have no aura of a master at all."


    In the room, only Li Shiyin could not make out that he was mocking Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran could tell, but did not care at all about whether his ears were soft or hard. He smiled and asked Li Shiwen, "So what do you think would give a master''s aura of authority?"


    Li Shiwen did not answer him. Instead, he called out to Yu Chi Zhen, "Zhen Zhen,e here." Yu Chi Zhen obediently walked over to his side.


    "Here, give me a kiss," he pointed to his scruffy, bearded cheek, hinting to Yu Chi Zhen.


    With others present in the room, Yu Chi Zhen was very shy, but still blushed and kissed Li Shiwen on the cheek.


    Li Shiwen raised his eyebrows at Qin Ran, bragging, "That''s authority."


    Watching Li Shiwen demonstrate his masculinity to him, Qin Ran saw it andughed inside.


    Li Shiwen thought he had everything under his grasp. Yu Chi Zhen was very obedient, and he had the final say on big and small matters at home. Little did he know that it was actually Yu Chi Zhen who called the shots in their home.


    Yu Chi Zhen was a typical beauty who could sway hearts with her gentle touch. Li Shiwen had long fallen under Yu Chi Zhen''s control without realizing it.


    On the surface, it seemed that Li Shiwen doted on Yu Chi Zhen, but in reality, it was Yu Chi Zhen who doted on Li Shiwen. In Yu Chi Zhen''s eyes, Li Shiwen was probably just a big boy.


    Qin Ran saw it clearly and smiled, "Not bad."


    But he wasn''t praising Li Shiwen - he was praising Yu Chi Zhen.


    The few continued their casual banter, but there was one dumb person in the room who didn''t get it. She raised a doubt, "But brother, you''re not sister-inw''s master!"


    As soon as she said this, those who understood all understood. Everyone in the room suddenly burst outughing.


    Li Shiwen had been in aa for so long because of an overdose of elixir. His injuries had actually long healed. Now Qin Ran had extracted the excess medicinal power from his body, so he was basically fine.


    On the contrary, he had turned bad luck into good fortune. His physique had improved another step, bing even stronger... Pushing the limits of a mortal''s potential forward another step.


    Yu Chi Zhen helped Li Shiwen put on his coat and shoes, and supported him as he got up from the bed.


    "What is the specific situation in Wuyi City?" Li Shiwen asked aloud.


    As Qin Ran had guessed, although Li Shiwen was still in aa, he was already conscious. He had heard bits and pieces of the conversation in the room, and knew that it was thanks to Li Shiyin that Wuyi City had bought some time.


    But he had only heard snippets. He didn''t know the specifics.


    "The situation is deadlocked," said not Li Shiyin or Qin Ran, but Yu Chi Zhen.


    Li Shiwen frowned and asked, "Wuyi City hasn''t fallen, and the Xuanqin army hasn''t retreated either?"


    "No," said Yu Chi Zhen.


    Li Shiwen''s face turned grave. He walked to the window, opened it, and saw the snow outside. He was very puzzled, "How can Xuanqin''s logistics withstand this?"


    "With cultivators, logistics is not actually a problem," Qin Ran gave him the answer.


    Li Shiwen understood with a sigh.


    He gazed up at the hazy gray sky for a while, then asked Qin Ran, "Logistics... Shiyin is so powerful, can she cut off their logistics?"


    "Too difficult," Qin Ran replied. "It''s not about whether she can beat them or not. It''s about not being able to find them. In this vast world, trying to find a few cultivators transporting supplies..."


    He shook his head. Like trying to fish a needle from the ocean.


    Li Shiyin''sbat power was very high. There were few below the Primordial Infant stage that she couldn''t beat. And Primordial Infant stage powerhouses wouldn''t be transporting supplies for the army. So if they could find people for Li Shiyin to raid supplies, it would be possible...


    Just that there was no one to be found.


    "Could it be..." said Li Shiwen, looking down at the thinyer of snow piled up on the ground. "Heaven wants to destroy my North Chu."


    "Where is this heaven..." Qin Ran was about tofort Li Shiwen - that man can prevail over heaven - but as he suddenly recalled his miserable tribtion when breaking through to the Golden Core stage, he realized that this world did seem to have a heaven. He looked outside at the sky and didn''t continue.


    "Now, Xuanqin has cultivators transporting supplies, while North Chu can only rely on the army for transport. On the contrary, it''s Wuyi City thatcks resources..." Li Shiwen sighed. "How manymoners will freeze to death in this snow?"


    Qin Ran kept silent. He wanted to say that if there were water-attributed cultivators, or cultivators with sufficient attainment, they would be able to control the weather - blocking out the cold air or shattering the cloudyer above... But he didn''t say it, because he was a water-attributed cultivator, yet he couldn''t do it.


    After talking for a while in the room, they tidied up and prepared to go out into the city to see the actual situation. No matter how much they heard and thought about, it wasn''t like seeing it with their own eyes.


    Whether it was because Li Shiwen''s injuries hadn''t fully recovered or the medicinal potency was too strong and damaged his physique, in any case he seemed unable to walk and always needed Yu Chi Zhen''s support beside him.


    And whether it was because Qin Ran also couldn''t walk, in any case Li Shiyin was also holding one of his hands as they walked side by side.


    The four left the city lord''s residence and came out onto the streets.


    The streets were cold and deserted. Only a few sporadic people wereing and going, all hunched over to reduce contact between their bodies and the cold wind, then ran quickly past.


    But the streets were not without people - on the contrary, there were many people on the streets!


    One emaciated, shabbily clothed refugee after another crowded the sidewalks, piled up like a chaotic graveyard, cramming the streets.


    Some had tattered coarse cloth quilts wrapped around them for warmth - but there was snow piled on the quilts; some had nothing covering them at all, huddling together for warmth, but there was snow on their bodies too. Some shivered violently in the cold wind; some were no longer shivering.


    These were all North Chumoners who had been chased by Xuanqin all the way to Wuyi City. Somemoners had been sent far to the rear; these were all those who hadn''t been sent away for various reasons.


    This sight was truly hell on earth.


    As people passed by, they would numbly stretch out their hands begging for food, drink, clothes - anything.


    Li Shiwen had nothing on him, so he took off his coat and handed it out. When more people asked, thinking that he was impervious to cold anyway, he took off his inner garments until only a pair of pants remained to cover himself.


    But Li Shiyin could not take off her own clothes to give away. From one end of the street to the other, her cosmos pouch had emptied as she handed out every edible, usable, drinkable thing inside.


    Yu Chi Zhen had nothing to give. But of the four, she was the most ordinary. Shivering in the cold wind like the rest, she could empathize with these people the most.


    As for Qin Ran, he stayed silent throughout without distributing supplies or stopping the Li siblings'' naive charity. He had thought himself numb to the various human states, only realizing now that he was not.


    The four passed through streets until they finally arrived under the city wall. Chasing the Wind was draped over the wall, hisrge buttocks and long tail hanging off the edge, scorched yellow by the incense burners below the wall.


    They climbed onto the wall and looked towards the Xuanqin camp in the distance. Across the great distance, cooking smoke could be seen rising over there.


    Only then did Qin Ran truly understand what war was.

 Chapter 332

    Chapter 332


    At the same time Qin Ran''s main body arrived in Wuyi City, his water clone had already reached the Xuanqin Military Camp.


    First, he turned invisible by utilizing the transparency of his water form to sneak into the Xuanqin camp. Then, he took the opportunity to kill a soldier on patrol and transformed into that soldier to blend in with the patrol unit, infiltrating the military camp disguised as one of them.


    Qin Ran''s water clone basically possessed near limitless shapeshifting abilities. Moreover, what he did was actual transformation instead of illusion or concealment. That meant that even Foundation Establishment cultivators would find it hard to see through his disguises, let alone ordinary people.


    Without a Yuanying, Foundation Establishment cultivators'' naked eyes perceived the world much the same as low-level cultivators.


    For Qin Ran to infiltrate an army of mortals with his water clone, it was practically effortless, like walking into an uninhabitednd, allowing him to do as he wished.


    He mixed in with the patrol squad, wandering the camp collecting all kinds of intelligence.


    A general leading troops into battle... Most people thought "leading troops to do battle" was a set phrase, but actually they were two separate actions: leading troops, and doing battle. The difficulty of leading troops was hardly less than that of doing battle itself.


    An armed force of 10,000bat troops needed at least 20,000-30,000 logistical personnel. That meant if a general led 10,000 men to fight, he had to be responsible for the food, shelter, transportation and more of at least 30,000-40,000 people. And because they were fighting a war, he also needed to handle their weapons, armor, horses and vehicles.


    Being able to provide well for those 30,000 people, keeping things orderly without major incidents, bringing back as many people as he took out... that made a qualified general. Being able to take those 30,000 and lead them anywhere he wanted, ready to enter battle, that was what made an exceptional general.


    As for actually fighting, that was another matter entirely.


    ...Consider this - Qin Ran was apanied by just one Danfeng Peak disciple, Yan Yi and Zhou Fu included, so four people and four monsters in total. Just eight lives, and not of one mind. If Qin Ran led those eight on a sect mission, it was uncertain whether all eight would return alive.


    (PS: If you were ss monitor, charged with taking your entire ss on a field trip, forget everything else, could you mobilize everyone to set out together and then bring them all back safely? And that''s just a few dozen students.)


    I mention this to illustrate how exceptionally capable Zhao Li was as a general, deserving to be called a formidablemander. This armed force of 200,000bat troops and correspondingly massive logistical personnel, encamped together in a gigantic barracks constructed here, had been arranged by him in perfect order without any problems arising.


    At this time, Qin Ran was patrolling around with the squad, and everywhere they went was t, orderly ground with neat barracks, no dirt or mess in sight, which could be called a miraculous feat.


    This offered a glimpse into Zhao Li''s capabilities at leading troops.


    Moreover, that Zhao Li was able to conquer nearly half of North Chu''s territory within three months demonstrated his prowess at waging war.


    In summary, Zhao Li was an extremely mightymander, someone even worth rousing killing intent towards in Qin Ran''s eyes.


    "If there''s a chance, take out Zhao Li while retreating," Qin Ran pondered thusly.


    Just then, the patrol squad walked past a barracks, outside of which four soldiers were squatting in the snow drinking wine.


    The wine was from a single jar, and the drinking snacks were peanuts. Each person clutched a few peanuts, passing the wine jar around between them.


    As they drank, they chatted idly.


    From a distance, Qin Ran heard one man with chops say, "The North Chu people here are so weak and fragile, even the snowfall is fine and light. The North Chu men are probably the same."


    Speaking of such matters prompted knowing chuckles from them all.


    Then a square-faced guy who''d just taken a drink sighed, "Ah, it''s snowing now. At this rate, looks like we''ll be spending New Year''s here this year."


    "Can''t be helped..." A dark-skinned man picked up the thread of conversation. "Don''t know what Command is thinking, not attacking, not retreating, just leaving us here drinking in the northwest wind."


    "Right, the North Chu army is soft as mush, they can''t withstand one fierce assault from us." A skinny man chimed in. "We could just charge right in and be done with it!"


    The chops-faced man took up the wine jar and pointed at the gxy sword qi before Wuyi City, scoffing, "You want to try breaking that immortal magic?"


    "That kind of immortal magic still takes an immortal to counter it..." The square-faced man nced towards those bands of sword qi, unease apparent in his eyes. "Where are our Xuanqin immortals?"


    When he said that, the skinny man seemed to recall something. Lowering his voice, he said, "I heard thatst time we attacked the city, we lost more than a few immortals. Remember those shes of light in the night sky? That was Xuanqin immortals dying."


    "Shh!" The dark-skinned man red at him. "Don''t talk nonsense, how could immortals die?"


    But the original chops-faced man continued off the skinny man''s words in a low voice, "I heard about that too..."


    The others all looked towards him as he went on, "The tale is too many immortals died, they fell out with the general. He wants to take the city, so we can go back sooner, but the immortals fear death..."


    "Right, right..." The skinny man said, "I heard the general is looking for other immortals, wanting to deal with North Chu''s Sword Immortal himself."


    Upon hearing this, the dark-skinned man popped a peanut into his mouth and said, "I heard that Lady Yaqing has returned to the Zhao n too..."


    "Quiet over there!" Just then, a female voice shouted sharply, interrupting them.


    The four were badly startled, hastily looking towards the origin of the voice. Approaching them was an elegant, beautiful maiden leading a bewitchingly pretty matron.


    The shouter was the matron.


    "Princess Yaqing!" The dark-faced man eximed in panic.


    Abandoning peanuts and wine, the four men leapt to their feet, bowing to Princess Yaqing.


    Princess Yaqing arrived with her female protector, surveying the men briefly. Then she dered coldly with the haughtiness of a superior, "Firstly, you vite militaryw by drinking. Secondly, youmit sphemy discussing state secrets so rashly. Both offenses are punishable by execution!"


    The four paled in fright, quickly kneeling down. "Princess, spare us!"


    Yaqing shot them a disdainful look and called to the patrol squad who''d already walked some ways off, "You''re not going to do anything about these offenders?"


    The patrol squad had no choice but to double back and salute Yaqing.


    The patrol captain stepped forward to say politely, "Esteemed Princess, may you be lenient and allow this humble officer to take them for disciplinary action."


    Drinking in the army was against regtions indeed, but... given the freezing winter, most turned a blind eye. As for loosely discussing state secrets, who didn''t gossip privately? The ones kneeling before Yaqing just happened to encounter her, when she was in a bad mood.


    And why was Yaqing in a bad mood? Look at the sword qi before Wuyi City! A detested man had be so powerful, how could she possibly be happy?


    "You will handle it?" Clearly Yaqing saw through his perfunctory manner. If this captain took away the offenders where she couldn''t see, he would surely secretly release them. Her mood fouled further as she shouted, "Humph! Come, take these people to my tent. I will carry out the punishment personally!"

 Chapter 333

    Chapter 333


    Ten people in a line, led by Zhao Yaqing, walked towards the center of the camp. Soon they arrived at Zhao Yaqing''s tent.


    Zhao Yaqing ordered the four patrol team members to tie up the four unlucky men and have them stand about ten meters away from her.


    She took out a sword from her Universe Bag, drew it out, looked at the cold sword light and said to those four men: "It just so happens that I''ve had some insights into sword qi these past few days. You are fortunate enough to let me experiment with sword qi. If I canprehend sword qi because of this, then your deaths will not be in vain. Who knows, I might even remember you for it..."


    Weren''t they being punished? How did it escte to losing their lives? The four patrol team members silently moved away from the four men and stood farther away.


    The four unlucky men instantly felt their legs go soft. The skinny man knelt down with soft legs and pleaded to Zhao Yaqing: "Princess, please spare my life. I will never run my mouth again in the future."


    "You think you have a future?" Zhao Yaqing sneered coldly. Then she closed her eyes. She manipted her internal energy, following the method of sword qi release she hadprehended. Her energy surged into the sword in a specific pattern, and she fiercely pointed at the skinny man...


    "Pa!"


    A soft sound of air explosion rang out from her sword tip.


    "Ahhh!"


    The skinny man let out a miserable scream, falling face down into the snow, thinking he was dead.


    After a good while, he realized there was no pain in his body. Only then did he get up and look at Zhao Yaqing, seeing that her face was ugly. Zhao Yaqing had failed to utilize her technique.


    He let out a breath of relief, his soul finally returning to his body.


    "Sword qi!"


    Zhao Yaqing looked at the tip of her sword, her eyes fierce.


    She could clearly feel her energy condensing into sword qi shooting out from the sword tip! But! Every time the sword qi left the sword, it would instantly dissipate into the air, never able to form sword qi!


    "How dare such insignificant sword qi defy me so?!"


    She still remembered her humiliating defeat at the hands of a crazy girl who had only cultivated for a few months, four years ago. It was because of sword qi!


    That crazy girl, a few months, sword qi!


    While she, Zhao Yaqing, had cultivated for seven whole years, three years in the past and another four years recently, adding up to seven full years! She was still in thete Foundation Establishment stage. Even now she had notprehended sword qi!


    How shameful was this!


    As she prided herself on being a genius, this sense of humiliation was even more intense.


    Zhao Yaqing looked back towards Wuyi City, those few strands of sword qi that made her fearful just further strengthened the fear and humiliation in her heart.


    A crude country bumpkin that she looked down upon, actually had superior talent andprehension ability than her! This was enough to torture her endlessly.


    She remembered when she went to see Elder Ziyi a couple days ago, she heard from Elder Ziyi that Li Shiyin had fought evenly against Elder Ziyi for several exchanges...


    What kind of existence was Elder Ziyi? A Primordial Spirit Master! His single finger could crush Zhao Yaqing t! He was someone Zhao Yaqing didn''t even dare look up at or look straight at!


    Yet Li Shiyin could fight evenly against such an existence?!


    "Ah!!!!" The more Zhao Yaqing thought about it, the angrier she got. She suddenly stirred her whole body''s energy, channeling it all into her sword, then released it out fiercely following the method to unleash sword qi.


    Then...


    "Boom!"


    An even louder sound rang out in the air!


    But still no sword qi appeared.


    Things would y out as they were meant to be. Reality would not change ording to her personal emotions or anger.


    Herprehension towards sword qi was shallow and her talent in the Dao of the sword wascking - thus she simply could not unleash sword qi.


    This final all out failure finally made Zhao Yaqingpletely lose her mind. Her prided scheming andposure had long vanished amidst jealousy and humiliation. She leapt in front of the skinny man, then rained down strikes with her sword...


    In an instant, the skinny man became a bloodied mess.


    At this moment, in front of this soldier who could not resist at all, Zhao Yaqing disyed the bearing fitting of ate Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    Qin Ran had been standing at the side watching this the entire time.


    He hade to try and kill these two women - four years ago they had snatched away their lifebound weapons. But now, he suddenly felt there was no need. He would just focus on finding a way to kill Zhao Li.


    Oh, don''t doubt it. The patrol team member who stood out first earlier was Qin Ran... Having doppelgangers allowed him such freedom to do as he pleased.


    After leaving enough sword wounds on the skinny man, Zhao Yaqing''s anger finally faded away. She sheathed her sword, the skinny man''s body falling down into the snow.


    "You all may leave now!" Her tone was once again calm like theposed Zhao family''s eldest daughter. She spoke tly to the three remaining soldiers.


    "Thank you for sparing us, Princess!" These three were already scared out of their wits, hurriedly kowtowing.


    Qin Ran stepped forward, untying them and helping them up one by one, then led them out of the tent.


    But after just a few steps, Zhao Yaqing''s voice suddenly rang out: "Halt!"


    Qin Ran clearly sensed that the six people by his side all shuddered at the same time from fear.


    But they still obeyed, stopping and even turning back to bow respectfully towards Zhao Yaqing.


    "You''re not bad. Follow me for a period of time!" Zhao Yaqing said. She saw that this man understood subtle cues (he executed her order the moment she gave it) and had courage (he showed no fear when she erupted in rage and killed someone) - he would be good for serving tea, pouring water and running errands.


    At this side, after they raised their heads, Qin Ran understood upon seeing Zhao Yaqing looking straight at him. Out of everyone, Zhao Yaqing had chosen none other than him - this person who originally wanted to kill her.


    Hmm...not bad.


    Qin Ran hurriedly lowered his head again and paid his respects to Zhao Yaqing: "Thank you, Princess!"


    So eight people came, six people left.


    Zhao Yaqing had killed someone and was covered in blood. She kept her sword and turned to enter the tent for a bath, without instructing anything to Qin Ran.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran did not leave or enter the tent, only standing at the tent entrance.


    He naturally would not enter the tent. But why didn''t Zhao Yaqing''s Dao protector enter either? This was rather strange.


    Qin Ran faintly sensed that the rtionship between this Dao protector and Zhao Yaqing was not quite that between a Dao protector and chosen prodigy. Rather, it was more like servant and master.


    One could tell from that time four years ago when they snatched the lifebound weapons. It seemed Zhao Yaqing was the one leading that operation.


    Most importantly, Zhao Yaqing''s talent did not seem like that of a chosen prodigy. She also did not qualify to have a Dao protector.


    One must know that incredible talents like Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing did not even have Dao protectors.


    "How odd..." Qin Ran thought to himself, but he did not dare look at the Dao protector either, only pondering in his heart.


    After a long while, Zhao Yaqing washed the blood off her body and changed into fresh new clothes, restoring her previous beauty. She gracefully walked out from the tent.


    The snow kept falling. The skinny man''s corpse had already been dealt with, the bloodstains covered by the snow. The world was a stretch of white amongst the heavy snowfall. It was as if nothing had happened.


    "My uncle has summoned me to discuss affairs..." She stood in front of Qin Ran without directly looking at him, only saying faintly: "Don''t speak out of turn once we''re in the main tent."


    "Yes." Qin Ran acknowledged.

 Chapter 334

    Chapter 334


    Qin Ran failed to get into therge tent, stopped outside the camp tent.


    But for him, whether inside or outside the tent didn''t seem to make much difference. Outside the tent, he could still hear the conversation inside.


    At this time, inside the tent, there were four people.


    A man in his fifties sat in the main seat, Zhao Li;


    A beautiful woman in her twenties sat to Zhao Li''s left, Zhao Yaqing;


    A young housewife who looked to be in her thirties sat next to Zhao Yaqing, she was Zhao Yaqing''s dao protector.


    In addition to the three of them, there was another person in the tent. This person was wrapped in a ck cloak, with an eerie and terrifying aura, sitting in the seat to the right of Zhao Li, gender indistinguishable.


    "There are a total of three cultivators in the city..." Zhao Li spoke first, saying to Zhao Yaqing, "Sword cultivator Li Shiyin, the white tiger on the city wall, and Li Shiyin''s master Qin Ran, who just arrived at Wuyi City.


    "Among them, only Li Shiyin''s strength is clear, she is extremely terrifying, able to confront Yuan Ying cultivators head on. As for that white tiger and Qin Ran, we really don''t know their strength."


    Hearing Zhao Li''s evaluation of Li Shiyin''s strength, the jealousy in Zhao Yaqing''s eyes could not be suppressed, turning into hatred spinning in her eyes.


    She gritted her teeth and said, "Li Shiyin and Qin Ran, Aunt Mei and I fought them four years ago. At that time, they were far from being our opponents."


    She paused, sorted out her emotions, and continued, "At that time, Li Shiyin had just started building her foundation, and Qin Ran was only at the stage ofpleting his foundation building. Li Shiyin is very talented, her cultivation and strength improve very quickly, but her master''s talent is not that good. At most, Qin Ran has the strength of the Golden Core realm.


    "As for that white tiger, I don''t know it. But we can infer its strength. It is probably Qin Ran''s spirit beast, a spirit beast''s cultivation and strength will not exceed the cultivator''s own, Qin Ran is at most early Golden Core realm, so the white tiger is also at the Foundation Establishment stage."


    After listening to Zhao Yaqing''s analysis, Zhao Li nodded, but did notment, instead looking at the ck cloak, wanting to hear his opinion.


    "That is a sub-adult Profound Yin Spirit Tiger..." The ck cloak spoke in a hoarse male voice, correcting Zhao Yaqing, "Its strength is at least at the Golden Core stage."


    "Even if it''s Golden Core stage, even if we put Qin Ran at Golden Core stage, then there are only three Golden Core cultivators in the city." Zhao Yaqing said,


    "You can definitely deal with Li Shiyin and that Profound whatever White Tiger, leave Qin Ran for me and Aunt Mei to deal with. In fact, we don''t have to care about Elder Ziyi''s attitude."


    "I have the Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation..." The cloaked man gave a different n, "The three don''t have to fight them separately, just need to lure them into my formation, and they will undoubtedly die."


    "It''s just..." The cloaked man said their limitation, "Killing them is not difficult. The difficulty is the sword qi in front of Wuyi City, that sword qi contains sword intent, it won''t dissipate with the death of the cultivator. That is to say, even if we kill that sword cultivator, the sword qi will still be there."


    Listening to this, Zhao Li asked, "Then what do you suggest, Immortal?"


    "Anyway, the Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation has to be used, why don''t I just use the formation to refine Wuyi City..." The hoarse-voiced man said, "Once the entire Wuyi City is refined, there is no need to worry about the sword qi."


    None of those present were virtuous people, especially Zhao Li who had been on the battlefield for many years, but even he was shocked when he heard the cloaked man''s n.


    The cloaked man wanted to refine the nearly one million living beings in the entire Wuyi City, turning them all into part of his Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation.


    How inhuman!


    Those in the tent were frightened by the cloaked man''s words, silent for a good while, before Zhao Li spoke up, "This method is feasible, but it would damage the natural order too much, better not use it casually."


    The cloaked man did notment, just sitting there, as if he had not said those horrifying words earlier.


    "Li Shiyin can be killed, but the sword qi cannot be broken..." Zhao Yaqing frowned, "Could it be that for such a trivial matter, we have to call back the Grand Priest from the pce?"


    Zhao Li rubbed his fingers, looked at the few people in the tent, and suddenly looked at Zhao Yaqing and asked, "I have a question, does His Majesty''s n require unifying the entire Land of Immortal Legacy?"


    "Yes!" Zhao Yaqing nodded.


    "Unifying the entire Land of Immortal Legacy?" Hearing this, Qin Ran was surprised outside the tent. The Land of Immortal Legacy included the seven countries of Xuanqin, North Chu, Great Yan, and Yan Han. The Xuanqin Emperor was so ambitious?


    "And that n requires unifying the Land of Immortal Legacy as a prerequisite, what is that n?!"


    He suddenly felt that he had touched upon some earth-shattering secret, or rather, taboo.


    ...That n was probably the reason why the Xuanqin Emperor could persuade the Cloud Heaven Sect to help Xuanqin!


    "What a pity then!" Zhao Li sighed, "I thought we could take it one city ornd at a time, this way, with you here, we don''t have to worry about that sword qi."


    "I understand uncle''s meaning..." Zhao Yaqing said, "But this method really won''t work."


    Uncle? Qin Ran realized, Zhao Li and Zhao Yaqing must be from the Zhao family of Xuanqin!


    "If not for Elder Ziyi, how would we havee to this?!" Zhao Li said angrily again, "His Majesty''s side has also been unresponsive, I wonder what he is thinking."


    The people inside discussed for a while longer, but still did note up with specifics for the next step. They just said to wait for the Xuanqin Emperor''s notice and have Zhao Yaqing contact the Boundless Sword Sect cultivators. If that led nowhere, they would try the ck-robed man''s proposal...


    The meeting ended and Zhao Yaqing came out of the tent.


    Having eavesdropped on this meeting, Qin Ran roughly understood the strange rtionship between Zhao Yaqing and her dao protector. The dao protector was indeed there to protect Zhao Yaqing, because Zhao Yaqing seemed to be a very important part of the Xuanqin Emperor''s n.


    "In that case..." Qin Ran understood, "Zhao Yaqing must die as well."


    Zhao Yaqing didn''t notice Qin Ran, only walking forward. Qin Ran cleverly followed behind her.


    As he walked, he casually threw out a peanut-sized pill onto the ground. The pill disintegrated upon touching the ground, instantly disappearing into the air.


    Zhao Yaqing had to die, Zhao Li must perish as well.


    After throwing it, he followed Zhao Yaqing out of the tent area.


    But at this moment, a hoarse shout came from the tent behind: "Who''s poisoning?!"


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran was surprised, discovered so quickly?!

 Chapter 335

    Chapter 335


    To know, the toxic pellet that Qin Ran threw away is a kind of slow-acting vtile toxin. It takes effect very slowly, all very slowly, only the result is certain death.


    Such a covert poisoning was discovered so quickly...


    It can only be said that this time Qin Ran met a fellow daoist.


    The Zhao Yaqing in front heard the sound and stopped. Qin Ran who was following her also stopped in confusion.


    They looked back and saw a man shrouded in a ck cloak walking quickly out of the military tent.


    He stood at the entrance of the tent, took a deep breath, first sucked back the toxins that had diffused, to prevent others from being poisoned, before looking around to find the poisoner.


    But as he swept around, all he saw were guards and patrols, no poisoner.


    "Hmm..." Seeing that the cloaked man couldn''t identify the poisoner, Qin Ran secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    But at this moment, the cloaked man suddenly focused his gaze on him.


    "Who are you?" the cloaked man shouted, and with a wave of his hand, a mass of dark gloomy evil spirit rushed towards Qin Ran.


    "What? Found out?" Qin Ran was shocked, but had to dodge that mass of evil spirit with a sway of his figure.


    "How was I discovered?" This was what he couldn''t figure out at all.


    Missing a hit, the cloaked man didn''t approach Qin Ran either. He looked at Qin Ran and suddenly asked, "Qin Ran?!"


    "Ah?!!" Qin Ran was even more panicked. How did this cloaked man even know his identity?!


    For a moment, Qin Ran felt like he waspletely under control, a kind of unprecedented panic suddenly rushed at him.


    He looked left and right, quickly nning an escape route, and no longer had the idea of not wanting to kill anyone. Whether it was killing Zhao Yaqing or Zhao Li or the Xuan Qin Emperor, it was all pushed back a little.


    Just as Qin Ran was panicking on one side and suppressing the panic to forcibly calm down, he saw the cloaked man standing upright at the entrance of the tent, raising his hand high, and heavily bowing down. He shouted loudly: "Lord Qin Ran, please ept my bow!"


    "???" Qin Ran was stunned. What is this situation again?


    Double agent? Mole? North Chu''s undercover in Xuan Qin?


    He couldn''t figure it out for a while, and his mind frantically searched for relevant information. But suddenly, his head ached, and then, that inexplicable tiny pain in his head quickly blossomed, from a pinprick-like pain, it quickly spread within a short time, hundreds of needles madly pricking in his head...


    Pain! Headache!


    No, it''s not a headache, but, the Primordial Spirit''s pain!


    In an instant, Qin Ran''s water clone couldn''t maintain its form, and the soldier''s figure quickly distorted and shook, rapidly transforming back into the water form.


    So a human-shaped water man was holding his head and crying out in pain in the snow...


    "Ah..." Qin Ran even groaned in pain.


    "It really is you, Qin Ran!" Seeing Qin Ran holding his head in pain there, the cloaked man sneered triumphantly. He then cast another spell, and a skull head made of magic rushed towards the immobilized Qin Ran.


    "Boom!"


    Qin Ran''s body was shattered by the explosion, and a faint gray figure emerged from his head. The gray was not the gray that belonged to the Primordial Spirit, but was dyed gray by some inexplicable force.


    "Primordial Spirit?" The cloaked man murmured, seeming quite surprised.


    The next moment, the gray figure shrank into a ball and flew quickly towards the distant sky. The speed was extraordinarily fast, notparable to ordinary escape techniques, because it was the avatar being pulled back by the main body, the speed of being sucked back.


    The cloaked man looked up at the Primordial Spirit flying away and said, "Interesting."


    "That was really Qin Ran?!" Only then did Zhao Yaqing awaken from the shock that the soldier she had randomly chosen was Qin Ran, and asked the cloaked man.


    "My Bow to the Gods Great Law has taken effect..." The cloaked man took back his gaze, proud, and said, "That must be the Qin Ran you mentioned."


    "Then why don''t you chase after him?" Zhao Yaqing wondered, "Take the opportunity while he is injured to eliminate himpletely."


    The cloaked man shook his head and said, "He is cursed by me, he won''t live for long."


    When the avatar suffered the Bow to the Gods Great Law, Qin Ran''s main body was having dinner at the Wuyi City Lord''s Mansion.


    There were simply three or four dishes on the table, and some rice in the bowl. Eating around the table were the three Li Zhan father and son and Qin Ran, a total of four people. The food was very rough, just barely a meal given the special circumstances.


    And while eating, Qin Ran suddenly shuddered, his head ached sharply, and the bowl in his hand snapped onto the table, his hands involuntarily grabbing his head.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin was the first to see Qin Ran''s appearance and asked in surprise, "What''s wrong with you?"


    "It''s nothing..." Qin Ran shook his head. Because the acute pain came suddenly and went fast, it was fleeting, and he was no longer in pain now.


    The memories of the avatar were shared with the main body. Recalling what had just happened, he couldn''t figure out what kind of divine power it was, that it could affect the main body while the avatar suffered greatly.


    "That''s good if it''s nothing..." Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran in shock and suspicion, then continued eating.


    But Qin Ran could no longer eat. He casually put down his chopsticks, got up and walked out, saying to them: "I''ll go out for a while." Because the avatar that carried the curse had returned.


    Without waiting for them to answer, he hurried out.


    "What''s up with your master?" Li Shiwen asked Li Shiyin.


    "I don''t know either." Li Shiyin shook her head.


    "Then why don''t you go after him to take a look?" Li Shiwen looked at Li Shiyin resentfully, "It''s obvious something is going on with him."


    "Oh? Oh oh oh! Right!" Li Shiyin hurriedly got up and ran after him.


    Qin Ran went to the courtyard, looked up at the distant sky, and waited for something.


    Soon, the gray mass flew swiftly towards him from the distant sky. As it approached, Qin Ran quickly used his Primordial Spirit power to immobilize it.


    He didn''t dare let this thing get close. This thing no longer looked like his original Primordial Spirit form, it waspletely gray, all the divine powers of the ck-robed man.


    "Curse?" Looking at the gray mass, Qin Ran was very puzzled.


    His research on curses was almost zero, he didn''t dare mess around at all.


    After thinking about it, he took out a soul-affinity box from his Cosmic Bag, and controlled the gray mass to put it inside.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin ran to his side, seeing Qin Ran covering the box, asked, "What is that thing, it looks so disgusting."


    Qin Ran shook his head and said, "I don''t know." As he spoke, he put the box away in his Cosmic Bag.


    "Master, you don''t know?" Li Shiyin''s eyes widened, she rarely heard her master say these three words.


    "The sea is boundless for the mayfly..." Qin Ran looked in the direction of the Xuan Qin military camp and sighed, "This world is too big, what I know is only a tiny, tiny bit."


    The more one knows, the more one realizes how much one doesn''t know.


    This trip to the Xuan Qin military camp gave Qin Ran a big lesson.

 Chapter 336

    Chapter 336


    Arriving at the Xuanqin military camp, Qin Ran''s original n was to first gather some intelligence, then find an opportunity to take out Zhao Li. This could greatly dy Xuanqin''s offensive.


    Then he met Zhao Yaqing, and what he was thinking in his heart was, while he was at it, he might as well take out Zhao Yaqing as well. Then he heard about the terribleness of the Xuanqin Emperor, and felt that if there was still a chance, he could run to the Xuanqin Imperial Pce and take out the Xuanqin Emperor as well.


    If even the Xuanqin Emperor was gone, then there would be no need to continue his cause of unifying the Land of Immortal Legacy. Thus, the crisis facing North Chu would naturally be resolved.


    However, he only aplished the first goal, and gathered a bit of intelligence.


    He did not kill Zhao Li, nor did he kill Zhao Yaqing. Now that he thought about it, he could not go to the Xuanqin Imperial Pce either. Because ording to what Zhao Yaqing said, there was a High Priest in the Xuanqin Imperial Pce, a very terrifying High Priest.


    At night, in the room, Qin Ran was holding a brush, organizing the intelligence he had obtained during the day.


    He thought while he wrote, and so the paper was filled with words, which upon closer inspection, were:


    First, Zhao Li is a very capablemander, worth spending effort to take out;


    Second, there are diverging opinions within the Xuanqin military camp, those cultivators do not listen to Zhao Li''smands, while Zhao Li is dissatisfied with the cultivators and has found other cultivators himself, attempting to break the situation on his own;


    Third, there are at least three Nascent Soul stage cultivators in the Xuanqin military camp, Zi Yi and the Boundless Sword Sect''s twin masters, the cloaked man is still undetermined, because the cloaked man could also be an extremely powerful Golden Core cultivator;


    Fourth, the Boundless Sword Sect''s twin masters came for him, it is still unknown what method they will use to try to kill him;


    Fifth, the Xuanqin Emperor intends to unify the Land of Immortal Legacy, for a certain purpose, and for now North Chu is only the beginning;


    Sixth, the Xuanqin Emperor''s special purpose is rted to the cultivation world, he persuaded the Cloud Heaven Sect''s higher-ups to help him, and furthermore, he is still trying to unite other major sects;


    Seventh, Zi Yi does not know that the Cloud Heaven Sect''s higher-ups have struck a deal with the Xuanqin Emperor (or perhaps he knows but does not care, this possibility is small, because a deal that could attract the Cloud Heaven Sect''s higher-ups could certainly also attract Zi Yi);


    Eighth, Zhao Li and Zhao Yaqing have a close rtionship, both of them know the Xuanqin Emperor''s n, Zhao Yaqing is even a key figure in it, this also shows that they have a close rtionship with the Xuanqin Emperor (thinking to this point, Qin Ran suddenly realized that he still does not know what the Xuanqin Emperor is called, or what the imperial n''s surname is);


    Ninth, there are three or even four factions in the Xuanqin military camp, the Xuanqin military, the Cloud Heaven Sect cultivators, the Boundless Sword Sect cultivators, and the group of ck-robed men;


    Tenth, a terrifying formation, the Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation.


    Organizing up to this point, Qin Ran''s eyebrows were tightly knitted and did not rx, because the enemy''s strength was too great, and no matter how he looked at it, it was a losing situation.


    Inparison, his own side''s strength, cultivators: himself, initial Golden Core stage; Li Shiyin,te Foundation Establishment stage; Chasing the Wind, probably Golden Core stage, and that was it.


    The military: ording to what Li Zhan said, there were still over 80,000 soldiers and officers who could fight in the city, still less than half of Xuanqin''s, so there was no chance.


    "Can we escape?" he first asked himself, "we can escape, but there is a high probability I would lose my silly disciple."


    There was no way Li Shiyin would watch Li Zhan and Li Shiwen die in battle while escaping alone, so she would probably die in battle at Wuyi City as well.


    "Can we fight?" He pressed on his tightly knitted eyebrows, "a head-on confrontation is definitely hopeless, let''s not even talk about that bizarre and unpredictable cloaked man, we just need those two from the Boundless Sword Sect to make a move, and we''re finished here."


    He continued to analyze his train of thought, "However, powerful and invincible forces often copse from internal dissolution, there are multiple factions in the Xuanqin military camp, we can still try to find a way to give it a try."


    "It would be great if we knew what the Xuanqin Emperor''s ultimate goal is......involving the entire cultivation world of the whole Land of Immortal Legacy, in the end, pulling all of the sects in the Land of Immortal Legacy down into an unprecedented chaos..."


    "As such, I still have to take a trip to the Xuanqin Capital City."


    The next day, Qin Ran found Li Shiwen and asked, "Up until now in your fight against Xuanqin, only these troops are left in the city?"


    Li Shiwen sighed and nodded, "The entirety of the southwestern troops, are indeed only these left in the city."


    "Southwest..." So Qin Ran did not understand, "If we can''t win here, North Chu is done for, why don''t you pull troops from other ces? Don''t tell me at this point, your North Chu higher-ups are still ying politics and withholding resources?"


    "That''s not it at all...actually, troops from Danyang Protection Army have already been dispatched." Li Shiwen shook his head, "It''s not that we don''t want to reallocate troops, it''s that we don''t dare. Because in addition to Xuanqin, Great Yan and Yan Han have both built up forces along the borders. As soon as we reallocate our troops, they would be happy to take advantage of the fire and plunder."


    "What?" Upon hearing this, Qin Ran was shocked, "Great Yan and Yan Han are not pressuring Xuanqin, but are instead pressuring North Chu?"


    "We still do not know what deal Xuanqin made with them." Li Shiwen said.


    Making deals with cultivation sects, to get cultivation sects to help him unify; making deals with other countries, to get them to not hinder and even assist his unification process (these countries are the kind that even after being sold out by him would still help him count his money) through all kinds of transactions and means, in order to achieve his goals, based on Qin Ran''s current understanding...this Xuanqin Emperor was too terrifying.


    Originally, Qin Ran thought that the toughest battle he would face this time was at most a fight with the Cloud Heaven Sect''s Nascent Soul cultivators, but he did not expect that the Xuanqin Emperor was even more terrifying than the Cloud Heaven Sect''s Nascent Soul cultivators...he felt like he was provoking a terrifying monster.


    "From the intelligence I have obtained now, Xuanqin''s ambitions do not lie with North Chu... but the entire Land of Immortal Legacy. I can confirm, after Xuanqin takes North Chu, their next target will be Great Yan, followed by Yan Han."


    "Perhaps you should tell Great Yan and Yan Han about the dangers of watching from the sidelines."


    "Where did you get this news?" Li Shiwen was shocked and suspicious, "How urate is it?"


    "I went to the Xuanqin military camp myself to investigate." Qin Ran said.


    Li Shiwen''s expression shook intensely, and he immediately wanted to report this shocking news to Li Zhan.


    "Wait, don''t rush." Qin Ran stopped him again, and asked, "What is Xuanqin''s imperial n''s surname?"


    "Zhao." Li Shiwen said.


    Qin Ran instantly understood why it was Zhao Li leading the troops, and why Zhao Yaqing held such a high position. Xuanqin''s Zhao n was the imperial n.


    "What is the Xuanqin Emperor called?" He asked again. He was rather curious about this person who shocked him with just bits and pieces that he had heard.


    "Zhao Zheng."


    "Zhao Zheng?" Qin Ran softly repeated and nodded.


    He said to Li Shiwen again, "Remember to give me a detailed map of the Land of Immortal Legacy; also, during this period, pay attention at any time to any strange things happening inside and outside the city. Any objects in particr, especially anything with patterns on thempromptly notify me if discovered."


    "Okay!" Li Shiwen nodded in agreement and left.

 Chapter 337

    Chapter 337


    A wise man once said, make as many friends as possible, and as few enemies as possible. Unite all forces that can be united.


    Since Xuanqin''s goal is the entire Land of Immortal Legacy, then the other five countries in the Land of Immortal Legacy should all be North Chu''s friends, forces that North Chu can unite with. At least, they shouldn''t be like the foolish Yan Han and Great Yan, dragging North Chu down.


    And since the forces within the Xuanqin army camp areplex, this also fits the situation. Why not operate a little? Bring in two friends?


    For example...


    Those two foolish ones from Boundless Sword Sect.


    Those two only want Qin Ran''s life, that''s not a big deal. They still don''t know what the ultimate goal of Xuanqin starting this war really is. If they knew, Qin Ran''s life would probably seem like a small matter.


    What?


    Qin Ran also doesn''t know what the Xuanqin Emperor is up to?


    It doesn''t matter, this isn''t important... What''s important is that those two from Boundless Sword Sect don''t know.


    So before Xuanqin takes the initiative to attack, Qin Ran decides to take the initiative.


    He goes to Li Shiyin and asks her: "Are you afraid of death?"


    Li Shiyin blinks her big eyes, not understanding why her cunning master is suddenly asking this. She looks at him and replies: "I don''t know if I''m afraid of death, but I know you must be afraid of death, Master."


    "...": Qin Ran is speechless.


    "So Master, what do you want me to do?"


    Alright, Qin Ran understands now. He shouldn''t care about all that extra stuff, just take Li Shiyin and do it.


    "Let''s go, Master will take you to fight," he replies.


    "Fight?" There is excitement in Li Shiyin''s eyes. She hurriedly asks, "Where are we going to fight?"


    "The Xuanqin army camp," Qin Ran says.


    "The Xuanqin army camp?!!!"


    Qin Ran takes Li Shiyin out of Wuyi City, flying toward the Xuanqin army camp.


    On the way, he exins to Li Shiyin: "We can''t wait for Xuanqin to take the initiative to attack the city, because by then they will be fully prepared and we will have no chance. Right now, we should take the initiative to attack, to create that slim chance."


    Li Shiyin tilts her head, seeing her master''s hair fluttering in the wind and snow. She smiles and says, "But Master, this isn''t your style!"


    "What do you think my style is?" Qin Ran asks back. He doesn''t let Li Shiyin answer, but answers himself, "Actually I have no particr style. Everything I do is just trying to live a little longer. I''ll do whatever it takes to survive longer."


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin thinks for a bit, pretending to contemte it, then speaks up again when they are about to arrive at the Xuanqin army camp: "Master, what if they don''t listen to reason and just capture us outright? What do we do then?"


    "When ites to escaping with my life, I''m second to none in this world," Qin Ran says very confidently.


    "Alright..."


    Master and disciple arrive at the open ground in front of the Xuanqin army camp''s fence,nding on the ground.


    Qin Ran circtes his spiritual power and calls out loudly towards the Xuanqin army camp: "Junior Qin Ran has brought my disciple Li Shiyin to pay our respects and ask for advice from the Boundless Sword Sect seniors on the sword arts. Please instruct this foolish disciple of mine in the way of the sword."


    His voice continuously echoes and repeats throughout the entire Xuanqin army camp.


    "Master..." Hearing this, Li Shiyin whispers again, "What sword arts do you know?"


    "I don''t know any," Qin Ran says with a straight face, looking into the Xuanqin army camp and waiting for someone toe out.


    "So it''s just me fighting the Boundless Sword Sect by myself? One against two?!" Li Shiyin realizes.


    "Why else would I bring you here?" Qin Ran''s face is expressionless, only his lips are moving.


    "But I''m only at the Foundation Establishment stage! How can you make me fight Yuan Ying masters?!" Li Shiyin is shocked. "Master, you are heartless!"


    "Cough! Don''t talk, someone''sing," Qin Ran promptly reminds her.


    Li Shiyin quicklyposes herself and stands obediently next to Qin Ran, looking ahead.


    Several rays of light fly out from the Xuanqin army camp, all stopping in front of them one by one.


    The people within reveal their forms. In front are the two Yuan Ying cultivators from Boundless Sword Sect, one a ck-robed youth and one a red-robed mature woman. Behind them are Zhao Yaqing and her escort, as well as three Cloud Heaven Sect cultivators that Qin Ran doesn''t recognize.


    Seven people in total.


    "Junior Qin Ran pays his respects to the seniors and fellow daoists," Qin Ran greets them first.


    Li Shiyin also performs a shallow bow.


    The two from Boundless Sword Sect give an indifferent nod, while the rest just look on coldly, all wondering what Qin Ran is recklessly doing here.


    Among them, Zhao Yaqing sneers coldly, "You''re not dead yet? You sure have luck."


    Qin Ran smiles and replies, "I''m very good at self-preservation."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin frowns slightly. She looks at Zhao Yaqing, then tilts her head to look at her master... From his words, it sounds like he and her crossed hands before? But when was that? Hasn''t Master been with her the whole time?


    The ck-robed Boundless Sword Sect youth asks expressionlessly, "You said you want to ask for advice on the sword arts?"


    "Everyone in North Chu knows Boundless Sword Sect''s sword arts are unparalleled under heaven. When I happened to find out two seniors were here, I hurriedly came thick-skinnedly bringing my disciple to ask for advice. Please instruct my foolish disciple in the sword arts," Qin Ran says respectfully. "She also cultivates the sword dao, I hope the seniors will not be stingy with your teachings."


    The ck-robed youth coldlyughs. "Of course I know my Boundless Sword Sect is formidable. But why should I instruct her?"


    "My disciple has great talent in the sword arts, and some unique insights," Qin Ran gives a reason. "I think this might provide some inspiration for the senior."


    "What unique insights could a tiny Foundation Establishment cultivator have?" The ck-robed youth disdains.


    Qin Ran asks, "I wonder if senior hasprehended sword intent?"


    "The sword arts I cultivate do not emphasize sword intent," the ck-robed youth replies.


    Qin Ran continues, "My disciple says the qi of the sword has four levels of transformation. I wonder if senior knows of this?"


    The ck-robed youth responds, "The dao of the sword''s qi is vast and profound, how could it be encapsted by just four levels of transformation? This shows her understanding is mistaken."


    "s, very well then!" Qin Ran sighs regretfully, looking very disappointed. "It seems she stillcks the qualifications to discuss with the senior."


    Saying this, he cups his fists towards the ck-robed youth, "Junior rashly came to disturb the senior''s rest, I deeply apologize. I will take my leave now."


    After saying this, he pulls Li Shiyin''s arm to lead her away.


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin is confused. They''re leaving already without fighting?


    Master went through so much trouble to solemnly bring her here, just to say these few sentences?


    They''ve only taken a few steps back when the mature woman''s slightly husky voice calls out from behind: "Daoist Qin, please wait."


    Qin Ran stops ordingly, turning back around. He sees it''s the red-robed woman who called them to stop. He politely smiles and asks, "I wonder what else the senior needs?"


    "I''m rather interested in your disciple''s sword arts... Why don''t we exchange some ideas?" the red-robed woman replies.


    "Wonderful," Qin Ran readily nods.


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin feels dizzy, unable to understand what just happened in this short time.

 Chapter 338

    Chapter 338


    Zhican Valley and Boundless Sword Sect wanted to kill Qin Ran and continue executing their n to weaken Dao Sword Sect with elixirs.


    ......They were not unable to defeat Dao Sword Sect, it was just that a direct confrontation woulde at too great a cost.


    However, since they had not openly turned against Dao Sword Sect yet, they could not directly assassinate the sect master of Dao Sword Sect or act too brazenly. It was not about saving face, but rather that they did not want to be enemies with Dao Sword Sect yet.


    Therefore, when Qin Ran took the initiative to request an exchange in the sword dao, the two cultivators from Boundless Sword Sect were already overjoyed internally. This was just what they needed in their time of difficulty.


    ......An exchange in the sword dao resulting in a death was pretty normal right?!


    Thus, there was no possibility of them not agreeing and simply letting Qin Ran leave like that.


    Qin Ran naturally also understood this logic, so his squabble with the ck-d youth was only superficial. He was not worried at all that they would not agree to his request.


    "As this unworthy disciple is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, my strength is surely beneath the notice of the two seniors..." Qin Ran led Li Shiyin back and spoke up, "Why don''t we have an exchange between gentlemen!"


    Now that the human was right in front of them and the duck had already been cooked through, the woman in red was in no hurry at all. After all, once the two started exchanging pointers in the sword dao, the situation would no longer be under Qin Ran''s control.


    She asked with a smile, "An exchange between gentlemen? What do you mean by that?"


    Qin Ran tilted his head to look at Li Shiyin and said, "Shiyin, show the seniors your first stage sword qi."


    Li Shiyin exchanged looks with Qin Ran, instantly understanding her master''s intentions.


    She nodded obediently and took out her Qi Xing sword. Stepping forward, she circted her spiritual power and used the Receive the Guiding Star technique to summon a weakened version of "Fairy Beyond the Skies".


    A sword qi that looked like a shooting star streaked across the grey sky and shot straight at the woman in red.


    "Interesting," the woman in redmented as she watched the descending sword qi.


    With a flip of her hand, a sword appeared in her grasp. With another sword flick, a sword qi formed from flower petals condensed on the snowy ground.


    The flower petal sword qi weed the iing "Fairy Beyond the Skies".


    The two sword qis collided in midair. In an instant, the flower petal sword qi was directly smashed apart...


    "What substantial and sharp sword qi!" The woman in red couldn''t help but praise.


    Li Shiyin gave a faint smile, as if it was nothing worth mentioning.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Yaqian watching from the side saw the changes in the sword qi in the air and heard the woman in red''s praises. Her eyes were ame and her teeth were clenched tightly.


    The flower petal sword qi in the air was sted apart, but it did not disappear. As if it really was made up of flower petals, the scattered petals were still petals. Going with the momentum, they wrapped around "Fairy Beyond the Skies" and shed with the sword qi.


    The two sword qis tangled in midair, and before long, both dissipated.


    "Senior''s control over sword qi is truly exquisite..." Li Shiyin remarked when she saw this. She then held her sword in a fist salute and said to the woman in red, "Junior Li Shiyin pays her respects to senior and requests guidance in the dao of the sword. Please advise me."


    The woman in red was astonished. Was this meaning that she had gained Li Shiyin''s approval just by blocking one sword qi?


    How interesting. She couldn''t bear to kill her now.


    "Zhang Yan," she responded.


    After they exchanged pleasantries, Qin Ran said to Li Shiyin again, "Second stage change in sword qi."


    Li Shiyin circted her spiritual power, and ster radiance lit up from within her Qi Xing sword. Tiny ster sword qis flew out from it, all shooting towards Zhang Yan.


    "Second stage change?" Zhang Yanughed when she saw the agile sword qis that were slender like fish, "So the second stage change in your four stages of sword qi transformation focuses on nimbleness and fluid changes.


    "What a coincidence. My sword qi just happens to specialize in this aspect."


    As she spoke, vivid red rose petals emerged around her body. Each petal was a sword qi. Every single petal took to the wind and snow as it flew towards the tiny sword qis that looked like stars in the sky.


    The petals and stars met amidst the snow. In an instant, the sharp ster sword qis sliced apart the petals!


    The petals split and fluttered down, dissipating into the snowkes. The ster sword qis passed through petals and snowkes alike as they continued shooting at Zhang Yan.


    "Such tiny sword qi can have this much power?!" Zhang Yan''s expression slightly changed.


    She discovered that Li Shiyin''s ster sword qi seemed different from her flower petal sword qi. Although her flower petal sword qi was more agile and varied, its power had decreased. On the other hand, Li Shiyin''s ster sword qi was merely the normal sword qi shrunk down in size. Its power had not diminished one bit!


    "How is this possible?" She couldn''t understand it in her heart, "Could this truly be the so-called second stage sword qi?"


    As the ster sword qi closed in on her, Zhang Yan waspletely unflustered. In an instant, some rose vines grew out from her body. These vines were also made of sword qi. Different from the flower petal sword qi, one vine after another bored out from within her and curled as they bound all of the iing ster sword qi, stopping them beside her.


    The vines shed with the ster sword qi. Before long, the ster sword qi, being disconnected from origin sword qi, quickly eroded away and disappeared.


    "Such powerful sword qi!" Although she was still voicing praises, her smile was clearly forced now.


    In the first round, she had been evenly matched with Li Shiyin, but in this second round, she had substantively fallen behind.


    "The path is different..." Zhang Yan opened her mouth, only managing to say thus much.


    After they finished exchanging pointers, Qin Ran said to Li Shiyin again, "Third stage change in sword qi."


    "Hm?" Upon hearing this, Li Shiyin turned back to look at Qin Ran with a full face of puzzlement. Then she tiptoed back to Qin Ran''s side and said softly, "Master, I have notprehended the third stage change yet."


    "Hm?" Qin Ran was also confused. "You have notprehended the third stage change?"


    "That''s not it..." Li Shiyin held up her little hand and counted off with her fingers as she exined to Qin Ran, "Senior Brother Lu said there were four stages - Initial Comprehension of Sword Qi, Lift Heavy as Light, Lift Light as Heavy, Sword Qi World. I thought Initial Comprehension of Sword Qi didn''t need any exchange, so the first stage change should be Lift Heavy as Light."


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin and asked softly, "So your first disy was already Lift Heavy as Light?"


    "Yes!" Li Shiyin nodded. "Master, your memory getting muddled? Fairy Beyond the Skies is the second stage change!"


    "Cough!" Qin Ran was not embarrassed in the slightest. He nodded and said, "Then show the seniors your sword intent!"


    "Alright." Li Shiyin agreed and turned back around to step forward again.


    She circted her spiritual power, held her breath and focused her mind. Pointing her Qi Xing Sword between her and Zhang Yan, another ster sword qi flew out. This sword qi was about the size of a regrpanion sword. It stabbed straight into the snowy ground, glimmering dark purple like a dream, yet it did not dissipate.


    Zhang Yan looked at the sword qi in the snow, then lifted her head to gaze into the distance at the sword qi in front of Wuyi City. The sword qi before her eyes was like a shrunken version of the one in front of Wuyi City.


    She flicked her finger and a flower petal drifted out, fluttering slowly towards that ster sword qi amidst the falling snow. It floated closer in a graceful solo dance, extremely picturesque. Then the moment it touched the sword qi, it vanishedpletely.


    The petal disappeared, yet the sword qi remained unharmed.


    "This is sword intent?" she asked aloud.


    "This is junior''s sword intent," Li Shiyin answered as she sheathed her sword.


    Zhang Yan approached the ster sword qi. She reached out a hand towards it but did not make contact, only closing her eyes to perceive this sword intent.


    The sword intent did not have a shred of aggression, the qi brought along the sword intent, and the sharpness of the qi was instead reduced. The sharp Star Sword qi presented a restrained, rounded feeling.


    Also, she did not know why, but she felt the sword intent here was somewhat different from the one in Wuyi City.


    She asked: "What is this sword intent of yours?"


    For a good while, no one answered her. She opened her eyes to see Li Shiyin looking at her smiling.


    Oh, Zhang Yan understood, Li Shiyin was on guard against her.


    ...She had thought this was a silly, innocent girl who had not left her ivory tower.

 Chapter 339

    Chapter 339


    "Humph! I have lost," Zhang Yan said with a bewildered look on her face as she gazed at the starsword qi before her. That sword qi was like a gxy emerging from the snowy ground. She murmured,


    "I cannot counter your sword intent withparable means."


    "Sword intent is but a manifestation of a swordsman''s will," seeing that Zhang Yan had admitted defeat with grace, Li Shiyin remarked, "Senior''s cultivation is profound and unfathomable. I believe you will soonprehend a sword intent that belongs to you."


    Seeing that the two had finished speaking, this round was over, so Qin Ran said,


    "This is the enhancement that sword intent provides to the second realm of sword qi. Next is the enhancement that sword intent provides to the third realm of sword qi. I will also let Senior see what a sword formation is."


    "Sword formation?" Zhang Yan was rather surprised. "Could it be qi arrayed into a formation?"


    "Sword formation..." Li Shiyin was also very surprised. She hurriedly turned her head back to look at Qin Ran, blinking herrge eyes as she wordlessly asked him, "Master, when did I ever learn any formations?!"


    Qin Ran smiled and blinked his eyes back at her, then said with his divine sense, "Just summon your sword qi, I will set up the formation for you."


    Li Shiyin felt relieved and looked back at Zhang Yan with a smile. "My master is very skilled with formations. I also study them sometimes.


    "Master often tells me that all things under heaven and earth are formations. The channels and textures of the human body are formations. Cultivation methods and mystic abilities are formations.


    "He taught me tobine sword qi and formations to obtain sword formations. Using sword qi enhanced by sword intent as the material for formations and setting up formations with it. Since it is sword qi, when the sword qi changes, so do the formations. I believe this is a path of limitless potential.


    "Senior, please observe..."


    As she spoke, over a hundred strands of sword qi flew out from her body, dancing chaotically like a swarm of bees, like a flying flock of migratory birds.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin recounting with a straight face before them and could not help his strange expression. Because these were actually his words. And he had indeed worked together with Li Shiyin to research this, but...this silly girl Li Shiyin had not learned formations for even a day!


    The sky filled with sword qi that flew out and danced in midair. At a certain moment, the sword qi seemed to gain awareness and began to systematically arrange itself between the two people from Wulin Sword Sect and Qin Ran''s master and disciple.


    As more and more sword qi arranged itself, their figures grew more and more blurred. Suddenly at one point, their figures and the sword qi all disappeared into thin air, leaving only the snowy ground behind. It was as if they had never appeared there or had been teleported away.


    "They..." Zhao Ya Qing''s expression changed and she stepped forward, carefully searching around her. "Did they teleport away?"


    She still remembered that Qin Ran knew how to set up teleportation formations.


    Aunt Mei stopped her and said, "They are still here. It is just that the formation has been activated."


    Only then did Zhao Ya Qing breathe a sigh of relief.


    But...as she looked at the open space before her, as she kept looking, she felt something was off. Li Shiyin was showing a sword formation to Zhang Yan, but the four of them had all entered the formation?


    Within the formation, Zhang Yan and the youth in ck were looking at their surroundings in astonishment. They had already entered the formation. And this formation was indeed set up with sword qi.


    This was unheard of!


    "What do you think?" Qin Ranughed and asked, "If the two of you are interested, I can give you the diagram for this formation."


    Zhang Yan and the ck-clothed youth were startled. They retracted their gazes to look at Qin Ran. Could it be that Qin Ran was the one who set up this formation to create an environment to kill them?


    "Are you..." The eyes of the youth in ck narrowed. Setting up such a great formation, was it to kill them?


    "I have a monumental piece of intelligence to share with you two..." Qin Ran held his fists together courteously and said, "It involves the lives, families, and sects of you both!"


    Zhang Yan looked at Li Shiyin, beginning to understand a little.


    "You all disregard the danger to your lives, circling around toe here, just to deliver us intelligence?" she asked. "You all are so kindly disposed?!"


    "Since it involves your lives, families, and sects, it naturally also involves our lives, families, and sects," Qin Ran slowly replied. "In the current state of affairs, if we divide, both sides lose; if we unite, both sides benefit!"


    "Could it be..." The youth in ck seemed to have heard an enormous joke, and heughed loudly. "Are you saying we should cooperate?"


    Qin Ran did not mind at all. He looked at Zhang Yan and asked further, "Do you know why Xuanqin invaded North Chu?"


    "The rise and fall of mortal kingdoms has cycled back and forth every few hundred years since ancient times. They are always the same old business. Why would I care to know the details?" Zhang Yan was utterly indifferent. "Perhaps by the time I finish my next seclusion, Xuanqin will be no more."


    "Then..." Qin Ran went on to ask, "Do you know why the Cloud Heaven Sect is making full effort to aid Xuanqin?"


    Zhang Yan was stunned. She furrowed her brows slightly. She also did not know that.


    She was a cultivator, with a long lifespan, and she did not care about mortal matters. But...Cloud Heaven Sect was also an immortal cultivation sect. Shouldn''t they also look down on mortal affairs?


    "Perhaps..." she guessed, "There is some great kindness between the Xuanqin Court and the Cloud Heaven Sect''s Sect Leader?"


    "What kind of great kindness would be worth the Cloud Heaven Sect dispatching Nascent Soul stage cultivators to assist?" Qin Ranughed and questioned further. "They even had several Golden Core cultivators die. Yet the Cloud Heaven Sect still shows no intention to withdraw? In fact, newer cultivators have arrived. What is this great kindness between them?"


    Even trading a promise from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator would be priceless...it would take countless top-grade spirit stones to buy one. Let alone dispatching one to serve asmanded.


    These words made Zhang Yan realize something seemed fishy here.


    "But what if, between them, it is not kindness, but equal cooperation aimed at a shared monumental ambition?" Qin Ran looked at Zhang Yan and posed a further question. "It is the Xuanqin Court and Cloud Heaven Sect cooperating together for an earth-shattering plot!"


    "You mean..." Zhang Yan thought and asked, "Could the Cloud Heaven Sect be coveting the sects of North Chu?"


    "Too small!" Qin Ran shook his head. "It is not just Xuanqin and North Chu, but the entire Land of Immortal Legacy!


    "Xuanqin''s ambition is to unify the entire Land of Immortal Legacy; the Cloud Heaven Sect''s ambition is to unite all cultivation sects. Xuanqin will take care of the mortal world; Cloud Heaven Sect will take care of the cultivation world. Xuanqin will be a super empire, supporting Cloud Heaven Sect, providing them all the resources they need, including poption; Cloud Heaven Sect will be the super sect, sheltering Xuanqin.


    "Their ambition is to unify all of the Land of Immortal Legacy''s resources to create a super sect!"


    These words directly stunned Zhang Yan and the youth in ck. They did not dare to believe it, yet somehow felt it was possible at the same time.


    "They...they..." The youth in ck was so frightened he stammered. "A tiny sect like Cloud Heaven Sect, how can they possibly defeat all the sects across the Land of Immortal Legacy?"


    "When the Xuanqin Emperor unifies the mortal kingdoms, not a single cultivator cares. But once unified, tilting all the mortal resources of the Land of Immortal Legacy to Cloud Heaven Sect, undoubtedly, Cloud Heaven Sect will only grow stronger and stronger.


    "By then, Cloud Heaven Sect will swallow up sect after sect. Given cultivators'' mentality of aloof indifference, they will certainly sweep across thend like an avnche. "


    Qin Ran looked at him with a mocking yet meaningful look, and added, "Moreover, they need not aplish this in a short period of time. They can slowly unify over a very, very long period."


    This remark struck at their Achilles heel. Because this was precisely Wulin Sword Sect and Zhiren Valley Sword Sect''s strategy. The youth in ck and Zhang Yan fell into endless silence.

 Chapter 340

    Chapter 340


    The Xuanqin army camp''s battle formation disappeared in an instant, and two figures, one red and one ck, appeared out of thin air in the snowy ground.


    Zhao Yaqing walked forward and looked around carefully, but could not find any other people''s figures. She couldn''t help frowning and asked respectfully to Zhang Yan, "May I ask senior, where are Li Shiyin and her apprentice?"


    "They have left," Zhang Yan looked towards Wuyi City, her expression filled with sadness and loss. She was still immersed in tremendous shock.


    "They left?!" Zhao Yaqing''s voice unintentionally rose by two degrees. "How could you let them leave?!"


    This voice brought Zhang Yan back to her senses. She looked back at Zhao Yaqing lightly and said, "They came here to exchange swordsmanship. Li Shiyin''s teachings have benefited me greatly. On the path of cultivation, the aplished shoulde first. Li Shiyin is my mentor in passing down the dao. How could I harm her?


    "If you have such despicable thoughts every time there is an exchange of swordsmanship, how can swordsmanship progress here?" She admonished Zhao Yaqing, "A true swordsman should have a pure heart and be loyal to the way of the sword. A swordsman should disdain the use of despicable means."


    "You think too much, no wonder you can''t evenprehend sword qi."


    Zhao Yaqing was admonished out of the blue, with Li Shiyin used to admonish her at that. The fiery anger and hatred in her heart almost set herself aze. The resentment in her eyes simply could not be concealed, so she lowered her head to prevent Zhang Yan from seeing it.


    She bowed and replied, "Senior''s teaching is right, junior will bear it in mind!"


    Zhang Yan looked at Zhao Yaqing disdainfully once more, then flicked her sleeve and strode away, heading deeper into the military camp.


    As a Nascent Soul sword cultivator, Zhao Yaqing, this Foundation Establishment sword cultivator with poor talent, was no different from an ant in her eyes. The only reason she would bother with this ant just now was probably because she felt a little apologetic for letting Qin Ran and his apprentice get away.


    ...So, cultivators are still human after all. Sometimes they still retain universal moral values from when they were human.


    Zhao Yaqing stood upright, raised her eyes to look at the two Nascent Soul cultivators flying back to the camp. She gritted her teeth tightly, still feeling humiliated.


    "Something is not right..." Guardian Mei walked to her side, looking at the starry sword qi left by Li Shiyin in the snow that had not been taken back yet, and said, "This sudden swordsmanship exchange, and its abrupt end, I feel there''s something fishy about it."


    Zhao Yaqing came to her senses and also looked at the purple sword qi stuck in the snow, feeling terrified by the aura it exuded. She also felt something was amiss but asked coldly, "What''s fishy about it? If not an exchange of swordsmanship, could it be that she came to unt her cultivation base in swordsmanship to me?"


    Seeing that Zhao Yaqing was not herself, Aunt Mei''s lips moved but eventually did not say anything more.


    "While the universe has yet to settle, everything is unknown!" Zhao Yaqing looked up at Wuyi City as she gnashed her teeth, "Cultivation in the way of the sword is but a side path. ...Let her becent for a few days first!"


    Master and disciple moved stealthily through the snow and once they were far enough, Li Shiyin asked, "Master, was what you said just now all true?"


    "Which part?"


    "The one about Xuanqin wanting to unify the Land of Immortal Legacy, and Cloud Heaven Sect wanting to engulf all the sects in the Land of Immortal Legacy," said Li Shiyin.


    "That''s two things..." Qin Ran smiled and said, "Xuanqin wanting to unify the Land of Immortal Legacy is true; Cloud Heaven Sect wanting to swallow all sects is made up by me."


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin was shocked. "So Master, you lied to them?"


    "Yup!" Qin Ran reached out and ruffled Li Shiyin''s hair, teaching her, "This is called the art of lying. The truth is true, the lies are deduced based on the truth."


    "When they go to verify, they will know that Cloud Heaven Sect is indeed fully supporting Xuanqin; And Xuanqin does indeed want to unify the Land of Immortal Legacy. So they will use this to prove the lies are also correct, believing them even more than I do..."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin was shocked, unable to speak for a long time.


    When she came to her senses, she couldn''t help but sigh, "Master, you''re so sinister!"


    After a pause, she added, "And you''re very gutsy too..."


    Using lies to deceive two Nascent Soul cultivators was something Li Shiyin didn''t dare imagine. She dared to fight a Nascent Soul cultivator, and at worst would just be defeated and die. But scheming like this to such an extent was beyond her.


    Qin Ran just smiled proudly to himself.


    Master and disciple safely returned to Wuyi City, stopping at the city head.


    Chasing the Wind turned his big head around. Seeing them, he asked in surprise, "Huh? Dad, where did you guys go?"


    "We went to the Xuanqin army camp to y," Li Shiyin smiled and showcased proudly, "Just now I even fought with a Nascent Soul stage cultivator from Xuanqin, fought until heavens and earth lost their colors, mountains and rivers copsed, stars fell!"


    Chasing the Wind rolled his huge white eyes at her, quite speechless.


    "Do you think I''m blind?" he asked, "The Xuanqin camp is so near, with just one look, I can see everything clearly. Would I not know if you guys fought or not?"


    "Then you must really be blind..." said Li Shiyin. She pointed at Qin Ran, "If you don''t believe me you can ask Master."


    "Dad?" Chasing the Wind looked to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran nodded and said, "It can be considered fighting, I guess?"


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind stood up to look towards the Xuanqin side, still not seeing anything out of the ordinary. "How could there be fighting? Am I really blind?"


    "Hey! Stupid tiger, do you know how to set up formations now?" Li Shiyin suddenly asked.


    "Cough..." Chasing the Wind''s eyes shifted around as he looked at the Xuanqin camp and replied, "Of course I do!"


    "Ha! One look and I can tell you don''t!" Li Shiyin walked to Chasing the Wind''s side and punched him. "You''re so stupid!"


    "Who... who said I don''t know yet?"


    "Hmph..." Li Shiyin said proudly, "You''ve been learning about formations every day, and still don''t know how to set them up. But... I know how to set up formations now. Sword formations! Pretty awesome right?"


    Chasing the Wind nced at her and said, "You can''t even set up crap!"


    "Hehehe, yes I can..." Li Shiyin shook her cute little head charmingly.


    "Alright, I''ll ask you, how many basic formation glyphs are there?" Chasing the Wind asked.


    "I don''t know!" Li Shiyin replied righteously.


    Chasing the Wind turned around andy down again, toozy to talk to this person.


    In his interspatial pouch, Qin Ran took out a jade slip and handed it to Chasing the Wind, saying, "This is shapeshifting technique, hurry up and learn it. With your current physique, it''s ultimately still inconvenient here..."


    Chasing the Wind took the jade slip from Qin Ran''s hand with his big paw and held it against his forehead over the "king" character, "looking" at the contents within the jade slip.


    "But Dad..." As he read, he said, "With how I look now, Wuyi City needs me more."


    Hearing this, Qin Ran turned back to look down at the city walls, seeing there were still people kneeling down there, worshiping. Quite a number of Wuyi City residents really regarded Chasing the Wind as their guardian deity beast now.


    "Practice it first, you don''t necessarily need to use it yet," he sighed to Chasing the Wind. "The situation will changeter on..."

 Chapter 341

    Chapter 341


    After being routed at the Hengduan Mountains, Li Shiwen lost all his official positions and honors.


    At the beginning of this war, he had participated as an ordinary soldier. But first, he was exceptionally brave and had distinguished himself many times since the war started. Second, as North Chu kept losing and generals kept dying, he had actually be a general.


    Now that Xuanqin and North Chu were in a stalemate, with few battles, Li Shiwen was responsible for defending Wuyi City.


    When Qin Ran and Li Shiyin found him, he was inspecting the city walls with a contingent of troops.


    ...He did keep Qin Ran''s words in mind, inspecting the area around Wuyi City daily to prevent enemy forces from establishing positions nearby.


    Qin Ran called him over and said, "We went to the Xuanqin camp today and secured the Yuanying stage cultivators from Boundless Sword Sect. Xuanqin won''t attack the city in the short term."


    "You went to the Xuanqin camp?" Li Shiwen frowned. He looked at Qin Ran and Li Shiyin standing side by side, both looking rxed. He asked, "Were you hurt?"


    "How could we be hurt?" Li Shiyin went to his side and brushed the snow off his armor, bragging, "I''m so powerful, it was them who got hurt, right!"


    Hearing this, Li Shiwen nced at her, toozy to respond.


    "There really were no injuries. I know my limits," Qin Ran said with a smile.


    Li Shiwen believed Qin Ran''s words. He nodded, reassured.


    After a pause, he looked at Qin Ran and still asked, "I''m just a minor general now, not involved in military affairs. Why tell me all this intelligence? You could have reported it directly to the Commander-in-Chief. I''ll still have to ry it to himter."


    Last time, Qin Ran had also told him the crucial intelligence that Xuanqin was determined to conquer North Chu, not just stop at it.


    Li Shiwen was a little puzzled.


    "We''re of the same generation, so it''s easier to talk..." Qin Ran coughed and said frankly, "The Commander-in-Chief makes me nervous. There''s no particr reason."


    "Ah?" Hearing this, Li Shiwen was dumbfounded.


    In his mind, Qin Ran was a transcendent, saintly figure. At least he had the bearing of a strategist with excellent ns whomanded thousands of miles from his tent. He had imagined dark reasons why Qin Ran didn''t want to meet with Li Zhan.


    But he never expected this reason!


    Reacting, he suddenly realized he had unconsciously overlooked Qin Ran''s age due to his cultivator status. He had always thought Qin Ran was much older. But now it struck him that Qin Ran was only a few years older.


    Looking at Qin Ran again - hair in a topknot, refined schr''s garb, standing in the snow - he was just a youth.


    Li Shiwen didn''t know what to say for a moment.


    "Hey, daddy''s scary. Who likes talking to him?" Li Shiyin chimed in at this time.


    Hearing this, Li Shiwen also felt it made sense. Although he had his own family now, with a child, he still found Li Zhan very intimidating.


    "With Shiyin guarding Wuyi City, Xuanqin won''t attack before spring," Qin Ran said, leaning against the wall. "Because her sword intent-infused aura is still too much for them."


    Li Shiwen looked at the towering purple starry sword aura before the city gate, amazed once again. He knew his sister was formidable, but each time, she showed him she was even more formidable than he realized.


    "This sword aura and intent, it''s really powerful, right?" he asked.


    "Sword aura is quitemon. Most swordsmen with a bit of talent canprehend it. Sword intent is rarer but not that rare," Qin Ran said with a smile. "But sword intent reinforcing sword aura is lessmon."


    Li Shiyin patted Li Shiwen on the shoulder and leaned on him, gazing at the sword aura outside the city, proud of herself. "Now you know how powerful I am!"


    "Yes, yes, you''re the most powerful," Li Shiwen said perfunctorily.


    Light flurries were falling from the hazy sky. The lone starry sword aura seemed to emanate an ancient bleakness amidst the snow.


    Qin Ran looked up at the snow drifting down from the leaden sky and suddenly sighed, "But no matter how powerful Shiyin is, she can only ensure they won''t attack the city before spring, not make them retreat. Even if we wait until next spring when they attack, the situation would still be dire."


    "His Majesty has sent envoys to Great Yan and Yan Han. They''re all highly capable people..." Li Shiwen said. "With your intelligence, I believe the enemy will retreat soon. Wuyi City will have reinforcements soon."


    "That''s just one aspect..." Qin Ran said. "The other key point is, if the stalemate drags on, Xuanqin will definitely send more cultivators from Cloud Heaven Sect, certainly Yuanying sword cultivators.


    "So we''re on a time limit," he sighed. "Before spring, before Cloud Heaven Sect sends Yuanying sword cultivators, this is actually our window to attack, our chance to break the deadlock. If we miss this opportunity, North Chu will be in danger."


    Qin Ran had turned two Yuanying cultivators from Boundless Sword Sect, who would sabotage Xuanqin''s first two attacks. But when Cloud Heaven Sect sent more Yuanying cultivators, they would certainly withdraw.


    By then, it would be impossible to defend. Qin Ran would likely use the pretext of deceiving those two Boundless Sword Sect cultivators to deceive other sects to make a move.


    He knew it would spur North Chu''s other sects to act. But by then, North Chu would probably already be finished.


    Qin Ran turned, looking out from the ramparts, and sighed, "All the world knows Xuanqin is ambitious, with ns to conquer thend under heaven. But in the end, they were unable to stop Xuanqin from destroying their countries. Xuanqin conquered them one by one and unified the realm.


    "Was Xuanqin''s power greater than all six countriesbined? No.


    "You could call this the trend of the times, historical inevitability.


    "But you could also call it a domino effect, an avnche. Have you seen an avnche? Snow umtes bit by bit, rolls down the mountain, getting bigger and fiercer, finally bing an irresistible torrent."


    He reached out his hand to catch the falling snowkes. "Xuanqin conquering North Chu is the first snowke, the beginning of the avnche. Once Xuanqin crosses Wuyi City, the momentum will be set, the situation fixed. The avnche downward cannot be stopped - not just North Chu, the other five countries in thisnd of immortals will not be able to stop it either."


    "Wuyi City is the crux for Xuanqin''s emperor in this game. He will expend everything on it!" The snowkes melted in his hand. "And the most wonderful thing is, this point is unknown to others in the immortal legacy realm. The lofty immortal sects don''t care at all right now.


    "This is an opportune sneak attack, yet also an obvious y. "


    Li Shiwen suddenly couldn''t follow what Qin Ran was saying. He only vaguely understood Wuyi City was critical.


    Frowning, he asked, "Are you saying Wuyi City is destined to fall?"


    "No, I''m saying victory lies in seizing the moment," Qin Ran turned his palm downward. "There''s only one way to win - suppress Xuanqin before they gain momentum!"


    Snow flurried down from the leaden sky. Qin Ran stood atop the city, reaching out his hand, pressing down with his palm. The world was in his hands.

 Chapter 342

    Chapter 342


    Although knowing that the possibility of assassinating the Xuan Qin Emperor was not big, Qin Ran still felt that he should go take a look at that man called Zhao Zheng...He was curiously tight.


    This man who intended to unify thend of immortal remnants made him think of the man in his previous life who had unified Huaxia, he could not see the man in his previous life anymore, but he could see this man at first sight.


    He took the map and set off from Wuyi City, following the nearest route towards Xuanqin flying.


    All the way flying by, under his feet were all the ces in North Chu upied by Xuanqin. Heavy snow and rarely seen people. The people seen were either the exposed corpses of North Chu soldiers in the wilderness, no one to collect the corpses, or the women, children and old people who froze to death by the roadside.


    Under the so-called war, ten rooms and nine emptinesses, floating corpses for thousands of miles.


    Qin Ran couldnt bear to look more, he flew high, and elerated towards Xuanqin. Finally, when it was near dusk, he flew into the territory of Xuanqin.


    After flying in the Xuanqin country for not long, the night color gradually thickened, and he stopped.


    In the ck and fuzzy sky, it was snowing, the sky was already dark, and he couldnt see his fingers when he stretched out his hand. At that time, it was extremely cold and the cold wind was blowing.


    Qin Ran thought in the snow:


    He still didnt know what the situation was in the capital of Xuanqin, but he was going to find the Emperor of Xuanqin. In all probability there would be a fight. He hurried in the dark, hurried slowly to hurry to an unfamiliar ce, and the situation was unclear. It was too dangerous. If he was not in good condition, he might directly send his head.


    It is better to find a ce to rest first, take things slowly, and discuss long-term ns.


    He lowered his altitude and flew while searching for low-altitude smoke, looking for a good while before finally finding a ce with smoke from cooking fires.


    Over there in the valley, there were chicken and dog cries, and he could also see the smoke from cooking fires in the night, probably still a not small vige.


    As he approached the vige, hended on the ground, changed his body shape, and turned into an old man who was on the road, holding a crutch, coughing, staggering, and walking pitifully into the vige.


    Strangely, although there were chicken and dog cries in the vige, as well as the smell of cooking smoke and firewood, and even the faint yellow light in the houses by the road, you could still see the silhouette of people through the windows, and hear human voices, but on the road outside the houses, you couldnt see a single living thing, no one was walking, not even a cat or a dog.


    In this situation, Qin Ran was doubtful in his heart, and he also had guesses.


    He knocked on the door of a household not far away where there were voices inside, and said, "Cough cough, host, the old man is from Anlu City, on his way to Mo City this time. But it was dark and heavy snow, I had to stop here on the way and want to stay overnight. Please do me a favor, host."


    Then, as soon as he knocked on the door, the voices in the room stopped immediately. Originally there was talking andughing inside the house, lively, but now there was no sound at all, as if there was no one in the room.


    He frowned, knocked on the door again. This time, before he had time to speak, the light in the house went out.


    His hand stopped awkwardly in front of the door.


    Qin Ran stood in front of the door for a while, then changed to another house, but still no one responded to him. Even after knocking on several doors in a row, the results were almost the same. Either hold their breath and blow out the lights, or let the dogs bark, or the host family urges them directly, and no one is willing to take him in.


    After going through four or five families in a row, atst, when he was about to slip away and wander in the snow for one night, someone finally took him in.


    This house had a very small door, a small courtyard, and several rammed earth houses. The light in the house was dim, which looked particrly bleak on the cold night.


    There were only chickens in the yard, no dogs. Qin Ran knocked on the door. The chickens who had already entered the chicken coop were disturbed by the sound and clucked noisily for a while. After not long, the door of the rammed earth house in the yard was opened,mplight shone out from the house, and through the low mud wall fence he could see a woman walking out of the house.


    She crossed the yard, came over to open the yard door, saw Qin Ran, and asked gently, "Old man, what''s the matter?"


    Qin Ran looked at this woman, she was a woman in herte twenties, dignified in appearance, rough skin, tied up hair, wearing thick cotton clothes, with a gentle feminine charm, a very beautiful vige woman image.


    "It''s dark and the road is slippery. The old man wants to stay overnight," Qin Ran said hoarsely.


    When the woman heard this, she hesitated for a good while, she also wanted to refuse at first, but seeing that Qin Ran was an old man in his twilight years, she still nodded her head, reached out to support him, and said, "Old man, pleasee in quickly."


    What a kind woman! Qin Ran sighed.


    In this situation, in such a night scene, if there is a strangering to lodge, if something goes wrong, if the person whoes is vicious... then it would be a disaster from heaven for her.


    She knew, because she hesitated, but she still led Qin Ran into the house, because she was indeed kind.


    In troubled times, I only hope that such kind people live a little longer.


    Following the woman through the tidy courtyard into the house with the oilmp lit.


    There was a stove in this house, a fire bed, the stove was still hot, the fire had been lit, rice had been cooked; there was a fire on the fire bed, with a pot on the fire, and vegetables were still being cooked in the pot. On the fire bed, around the firewood, there was a six or seven-year-old boy with a tiger head, he was wrapped up warmly, sitting on a small stool, holding a bowl and eating.


    When the little boy saw Qin Rane in, his bright eyes just looked at Qin Ran without saying a word, not afraid, just curious.


    The woman led Qin Ran to sit by the fire, scooped a bowl of hot water from the pot on the stove, and smiled, "There is no wine in the family. Please have a bowl of hot water to warm up your body first, old man."


    Qin Ran thanked her and took a sip of hot water.


    The woman went to serve another bowl of rice, which was overly enthusiastic, treating Qin Ran as a guest.


    "The old man is lucky, the food has just cooked," sheughed. "The food is very simple, no oil, I hope the old man doesn''t mind."


    Qin Ran looked into the pot. The pot was cooking oil dregs, carrots and cabbage. It was simple to say, but not simple to say. For a woman like her to feed her child such food in the cold winter month, it was indeed not simple.


    "No problem. At this time, this is like mountain delicacies and seafood," heughed. "I have walked all the way, every family closes their doors, as if I am some beast, demonic cultivator, and does not receive me. Fortunately, little mother, you are kind at heart and entertained me, otherwise I would have to sleep in the snow tonight. With these old bones of mine, maybe I wouldn''t wake up tomorrow. Little mother, you saved my life!"


    "Haha..." The woman smiled shyly, handed the rice to Qin Ran, went to get chopsticks, and exined, "In the cold winter month, there are no young men in the vige, only the old, weak, women and children. Everyone is very careful, goes to bed early at night, and sleeps early too. At this time, it is even more dare not to entertain strangers. The situation is special, I hope the old man doesn''t mind."


    "No young men?" Qin Ran''s mood became moreplicated for a while.


    Because the young men of Xuanqin were all in front of Wuyi City in North Chu.


    He took the chopsticks and couldn''t help sighing, "When the country prospers, the people suffer; when the country perishes, the people suffer. For ordinarymoners like us, war is always suffering."


    When the woman heard this, she went to get her own rice bowl, sat down next to the little boy, and said, "After all, it is to serve the country and be loyal to His Majesty. But those things are too far away from me, I just hope hees back safely."


    "Is your husband also at the front?" Qin Ran asked.


    "My dad is a war hero!" Before the woman could answer, the little boy raised his head and shouted loudly, "He opened up territory for Xuanqin, made great achievements in battle, and is admired by everyone. A great hero!!"


    Qin Ran and the woman both looked at the little boy. The little boy''s face was full of pride, and his eyes shone with glorious light.


    Your hero is a demon in someone else''s eyes. Qin Ran''s heart became even moreplicated.


    "My husband went to war at the beginning of the year and has not returned," said the woman as she reached out and stroked the little boy''s head, her eyes full ofpassion. "The army sent word a few days ago that the front lines are tight on supplies and even the expeditionary forces won''t being home for New Year''s. Ultimately, I just hope he returns home safely. It''s been hard on the poor child not having seen his father for over half a year... I want my son to always have his father''spany."


    As she spoke, they ate their meal and sat by the fire. The woman heated more water for Qin Ran to soak his feet, then showed him to a guest room where he could sleep. Worried that Qin Ran would be cold, she brought him two extra nkets.


    The next morning at first light, when the sky had just begun to brighten, Qin Ran heard amotion break out in the yard.


    There were angry shouts from men mixed with women and children crying and dogs barking, the noise rising sharply.


    Listening closely, he could make out that some young vige men had dodged the draft and officers hade to forcibly take them away to serve.


    ...It was like a scene straight out of The Stone Moat Official.


    Qin Ran couldn''t help but sigh. He got up, got dressed, and prepared to go outside to see what was happening.


    But just as he had finished getting dressed and went to open the door, the woman fromst night hurried over and led him swiftly around the back of the house, telling him urgently as they went, "I heard the front lines are strained and the officers havee again to collect taxes. You mustn''t let them see you."


    With hundreds of thousands of soldiers facing off on the front lines, the daily burn rate of supplies in Xuanqin would be astronomical. It was normal for the government to collect taxes frequently. Qin Ran understood this, but still...


    "Why?" he asked as they walked. "What does it have to do with me? I''m just a passing old man."


    "If they see you, they''ll count you as part of our household and tax us more," exined the woman. "What''s more, with the tense domestic situation, ordinary people are forbidden from traveling around freely. If they catch you, they''ll charge you with vagrancy and take you away..."


    Before she could finish, they heard the main gate of the yard shoved open roughly, followed by a loud shout: "Where are you hiding?! Come out!"


    "Old man, hurry and run for your life!" the woman told him. She hastily stuffed a hard steamed bun into Qin Ran''s hands then turned and rushed back into the house.


    Qin Ran watched her retreating figure, the steamed bun in his hand. For some reason, he sighed again.


    Soon the mor drifted out from the house:


    "There''s someone else in their family..."


    "I saw her hide that man insidest night."


    "There isn''t anyone else..."


    "Don''t talk nonsense!"


    Before long, the woman was shoved back out to the yard by the officers, but in the end they did not find the old man the vigers had described.


    One bystander piped up, "Where did he go? That old fellow knocked on half the doors in the vigest night, and she took him in..."

 Chapter 343

    Chapter 343


    After leaving the vige, Qin Ran changed into another appearance. Without pausing, he continued rushing towards Mo, the capital city of Xuanqin.


    Rushing all the way, after another day, he was nearing Mo. He stopped.


    He remembered that Zhao Yaqing had said that there was a grand priest at the imperial court who was very powerful. Therefore, he could not just swagger into Mo.


    The best choice for him was to disguise himself as an ordinary person to sneak in, then wait for an opportunity to act.


    By now, it was already afternoon and the daylight was dim. Although it was no longer snowing, the sky was still gloomy.


    At the city gate of Mo, there was a very long line of people who wanted to enter the city. Most of them were elderly and women.


    He walked over and stealthily transformed into an old man as he silently joined the end of the line.


    The ground was cold and wet, the sky was murky, and the long line was quiet without anyone speaking, but it also made Qin Ran feel that it was deathly still.


    The line moved steadily and rhythmically forward bit by bit. This very civilized, orderly, no-cutting-in-line quality gave Qin Ran the feeling that he was in modern times.


    Aftering to Xuanqin Country''s territory and taking a look around, he keenly felt that Xuanqin, this country, was very different from North Chu.


    North Chu was just an ordinary feudal dynasty, but Xuanqin seemed more orderly and traditional...perhaps it could be said that she had morews.


    When he was close to the front of the line, Qin Ran noticed that everyone entering the city would hand over a letter and a ck object he didn''t recognize to the city gate guards. The guards would carefully read the letter and inspect the ck object. Finally, they would ask the person entering the city some questions. Only after confirming everything was correct would they return the letter and ck object and allow the person to enter the city.


    "What is that stuff? It''s so strict just to enter a city?!" Qin Ran knitted his brows. This gave him the feeling that he was not entering an ancient city gate, but rather going through a security checkpoint at a modern train station. One needed ID, train ticket, and to be checked for banned knives, mmables, and explosives. "Are Xuanqin''sws and regtions this strict?"


    But either way, he didn''t have those two things. As the line moved forward, he kept a close eye on what the people in front of him handed over to understand:


    The letter was a letter of introduction exining what business the person entering the city had. The letter of introduction was written by someone with some authority like the vige chief or county magistrate. The ck object was an identity badge, truly simr to an ID card. It contained the person''s basic information - name, gender, date of birth, ce of residence, etc. The questioning was to confirm whether the information you provided was urate. Then they would also check if you were carrying any weapons.


    "Is this something that would appear in a feudal dynasty?" Qin Ran felt somewhat nk.


    Soon it was his turn. He pretended to fumble inside his clothes. At one point, he suddenly looked up, eyes brightening, as he silently activated the Phantasm Realm technique.


    The city gate guard looked at him and saw him holding a letter of introduction and identity badge. Very naturally he took them and carefully inspected them, confirming there were no issues. Following procedure, he asked loudly:


    "Are you carrying any knives, swords, or weapons?"


    "No."


    "Where are you from?"


    "Anlu City."


    "What business do you have here?"


    "Seeking refuge with a rtive."


    "What rtive?"


    "A steamed bun seller in the West City, called Wu Dng."


    ...


    The guard asked some more simr questions and confirmed everything before letting Qin Ran enter the city.


    Qin Ran walked past him and there was another guard who came to do a simple body check on him before finally allowing him fully into the city.


    He had just walked through the city gate when he heard someone asking behind him: "General, why did that person not need an entry permit, identity badge, and letter of introduction?"


    Earlier, he had cast the Phantasm Realm on the city gate guards, but did not cast it on themon people behind him.


    "What do you mean he didn''t have an identity badge? He had one! I checked it and confirmed it was correct! I''m doing everything ording to thews and regtions promulgated by His Majesty! Don''t spout nonsense!" the guard yelled loudly.


    But another person said, "I clearly saw he didn''t have anything in his hands! You didn''t look at anything!"


    Seeing that quite a few people were adamant, the guard couldn''t help but hesitate. Unsure, he turned back to call that person, but when he turned around, he discovered that person had already disappeared into the crowds.


    "Don''t spout nonsense, I personally checked it..." He could only turn back to scold those ignorant and quarrelsomemon people.


    Qin Ran had already entered the city, but on the main streets he saw that although there were people, most were elderly. There was little noiseing and going, not even peddlers'' shouts. After walking for a while, theings and goings were like zombies, giving the fleeting impression that this was a ghost town.


    "What''s going on with this Xuanqin..." He knitted his brows in thought. It was a good while before he came up with the descriptive word, "No vitality!"


    This didn''t seem like a prosperous and flourishing, formidable feudal empire, nor an ambitious country. Rather, it appeared wooden, traditional, overly orderly and stale, devoid of liveliness.


    In his previous life, he had heard that golden ages in history were full of singing and dancing, talented schrs and beautifuldies, flourishing culture and thriving martial spirit...


    But he did not see any prosperity in Mo, the capital city of the legendary Xuanqin Empire...The supposed prodigal sons, dandies, schrs, he didn''t see any.


    After wandering this decaying city for a while, most of what he saw and heard were elderly people - very boring. Seeing that the sky had also darkened, Qin Ran found a random inn and went inside.


    Unsurprisingly, the inn also required an identity badge to register information before one could check in. He had to use the Phantasm Realm to bewitch the owner before he could stay at the inn.


    Night fell and the darkness gradually deepened. The cold wind blew snowkes once more. The snow that had paused for half a day merrily floated down againte at night.


    Qin Ran slipped out of the inn through the window and came to the streets outside. Pulling his cloak tightly around him, he got his bearings and rushed swiftly towards the imperial pce.


    As the capital of Xuanqin, Mo City also did not have a colorful nightlife. Right after the curfew at 9 pm, not a single person could be seen on the streets Qin Ran walked. The long, wide streets were apanied only by the cold wind and snow.


    This was the territory of that grand priest. He didn''t dare casually use any techniques, so his speed of travel wasn''t too fast either, at most ghostwalking rapidly in the shadows of dark corners. Travelling like this, it took him over an hour before he neared the solemn and majestic ck imperial pce.


    Xuanqin valued ck. Its military took pride in wearing ck armor. Its officials pursued having a trace of ck in their clothes. The emperor''s dragon robe was ck and gold. Presently, this imperial pce was also predominantly ck.


    Standing some distance away, Qin Ran looked at the imperial pce. He suddenly felt as if it were a demon pce - the kind of ce a demon king in stories would live, looking at it made one apprehensive.


    ...So was he the hero in the story?


    "Hope not!" he sighed to himself. Nowadays, hero and warrior were no longer words of praise.


    Qin Ran stood there surveying, looking for a way into the imperial pce. After quite a while, he finally confirmed that with the imperial pce''s level of security, if he didn''t use any techniques, he really wouldn''t be able to get in. He sighed, looks like he still had to use mystic arts...might as well go in through the front gate!


    Just as he regained hisposure and started moving forward, a voice suddenly called out from behind him, "Who goes there?"


    He looked back to see it was a patrol squad dressed in ck and gold armor and extremely luxurious equipment - clearly the imperial guards of the imperial city.


    The one who yelled at him was the leader of the patrol squad.


    Seeing that he didn''t immediately respond, the leader waved his hand. Immediately someone behind him pulled out a crossbow and took aim at him.


    "Halt where you are! Don''t move!" the leader shouted, also signaling his men to surround Qin Ran.


    "s!"


    Qin Ran sighed. He had just stood there for a while, yet he was discovered. Were the defenses of this imperial city really so outrageous?


    He shook his head and unfurled his cloak, utilizing his movement technique to vanish like water before the eyes of this squad of guards.


    "A cultivator?!" The leader frowned.


    "General, should we notify the Bureau of Spirit Control?" A guard asked him.


    "The High Priest will know on his own..." He spoke, but paused for a moment before calling someone over, "Go notify the Bureau of Spirit Control."


    His subordinate acknowledged the order and ran straight into the imperial pce.


    Qin Ran had arrived at the foot of the imperial city. He was in a hidden state, imperceptible to themon eye. He stood at the base of the wall, craning his head up to look at the city wall... This wall was over thirty meters tall. Looking up at it from here, one could only feel that it stretched straight into the heavens.


    Antique and majestic, this was another aura that Mo City exuded.


    Qin Ran used his techniques to fly towards the top of the wall. When he had just flown halfway, he suddenly felt a sense of urgency. He vaguely sensed that there was something terrifying at the top of the city wall, a warning from his spiritual sense not to continue upwards.


    He couldn''t help but stop in ce.


    If this was his true body, he wouldn''t have hesitated in the slightest, and would''ve fled far away already. But this was just an avatar.


    He steadied his mind and continued flying upwards, suppressing his misgivings and pushing through to fly to the top of the city wall in one go.


    Standing on the wide, nearly one zhang thick wall, Qin Ran looked ahead at the magnificent, majestic, solemn and reverent imperial pce. This mortal city gave him a sense of awe-inspiring might that made him feel fearful.


    ...It was this imperial city that made him afraid.


    He took a step forward but didn''t dare take another. Because there was something in front of him.


    He raised his hand and slowly reached out. Very quickly, he touched something like a membrane. The instant he touched the membrane, it shocked him, sending the spiritual energy and magic power in his body boiling, making him feel as if he had been electrocuted. He subconsciously leapt backwards, almost falling off the city wall.


    "A formation!" His expression changed greatly as he recognized this as a protective formation enveloping the entire city that specifically targeted magic power and spiritual energy. Any being with spiritual energy or magic power would be unable to pass through this formation. "What an exquisite formation!"


    Qin Feng would never have imagined encountering a formation of this level in the mortal world! It was not far off from the protective mountain formation of the Daosword Sect!


    "Who?!" Just then, he suddenly sensed a voice descend from the gloomy sky, piercing into his ears.


    It was perceived rather than heard. The voice was targeted directly at him, as if the master of this sky was questioning him.


    "Nascent Soul?!" Qin Ran was horrified. No longer daring to have any thoughts of entering the imperial city, he turned and jumped off the city wall, diving into the moat and disappearing.

 Chapter 344

    Chapter 344


    There was actually a Dao Integration Stage senior in the Xuanqin Imperial Pce. Now Qin Ran was even more unsure of what Xuanqin Emperor was plotting... One should know, even Qin Ran was not too sure if a sect like Dao Sword Sect had anyone at the Dao Integration Stage inside.


    Thus, he did not dare get close to the imperial pce anymore. He could only wander in Mo City and hide, waiting for another chance.


    He hid for over a month... By the end of the twelfth month when he still did not find a chance to see Zhao Zheng, and was nning to cause some trouble himself, New Years Eve arrived.


    Xuanqin and North Chu were indeed at war. The two countries had over 100,000 elite soldiers confronting each other at Wuyi City. The atmosphere was tense, and a slight mishap could lead to battle. Every soldier from both sides was nervous all day, afraid of not seeing the sun rise the next day.


    But the changes of events and the flow of time never altered ording to mans will.


    Although there were no signs of the New Year in or outside Wuyi City, ...ording to the date, it really was almost New Year.


    In fact, even Qin Ran did not expect that the first time he met his girlfriend''s parents would be during such tense wartime, and he did not expect the first time he spent New Year at his girlfriend''s home would be in an army camp.


    ...ording to Qin Ran''s own reckoning, although the rtionship with Li Shiyin''s mother was not explicit, it was highly likely they were boyfriend and girlfriend. After all, between them, intimate actions like kisses, hugs, and carrying each other had all happened. They had done everything except some more intimate interactions between husband and wife. In fact, he, Qin, was the passive party. He was the one who was pushed along by that rebellious apprentice.


    There was no New Year atmosphere in or outside the city, but in fact, when people cared about such an atmosphere, theck of New Year atmosphere itself was a kind of New Year atmosphere.


    Every holiday made one miss their family even more. On the actual day of New Year, whether inside or outside the city, the atmosphere was even more gloomy and serious than usual... This was Wuyi City''s new year customs.


    Qin Ran was someone who ced great importance on rituals. From how he still insisted on celebrating various traditional holidays from his previous world even when alone in a different world, this could be seen. Therefore, even though there was no desire to celebrate New Year inside or outside the city, he still decided to make some effort to celebrate it.


    ...Even if he had to defend this city with his life, even if he had to die in this city, he would let himself get through this new year first before anything else.


    He had been in Wuyi City for over a month already. Qin had never made things special for himself. He ate whatever the people in the city ate. With the shortage of supplies in the city, he could even go without eating.


    But today, he must make things special for himself... Ultimately, he was a cultivator.


    Early in the morning, he had already pulled Li Shiyin along into the kitchen of the city lords residence. He was determined to make amon New Year''s Eve dinner from his hometown for his girlfriend''s family.


    He nned to have chicken, duck, fish, stew chicken soup, roast duck, red braised crucian carp, also pork knuckle in sauce, lotus root ribs, as well as crispy fried pork, dumplings, and rice cakes.


    In summary, all kinds of home-cooked dishes from his previous world that were eaten during New Year, he made some of each.


    In the kitchen, he was the head chef. His foolish apprentice was his sous chef, helping him wash vegetables, cut meat, stoke the fire, scrub pots and so on. He had thought the foolish apprentice would be one of those "kitchen killers who tires me out even though she didn''t do anything (or even created more work)", but surprisingly, the foolish apprentice helped orderly with each task. If she didn''t know how to do something, she would ask him, but overall she worked skillfully.


    Earlier in the year, she had sworn to learn to be a virtuous wife and mother, to prepare for marrying her master. It seemed she had taken it very seriously, judging by the results now.


    Qin Ran added more firewood to the stove to boil the pork knuckle in sauce on high heat until the sauce reduced and the dish was done.


    As he got up from the stove, he nced over and saw his foolish apprentice seriously washing vegetables. She looked extremely skilled. He truly felt somewhat emotional in his heart.


    At this moment, the two of them really had a warm vibe like an ordinary married couple. You work the fields and I weave cloth, you cook and I tend the fire, it was just like an ordinary farming couple.


    As he looked at her, the current foolish apprentice had less impetuousness and more gentle restraint, also more feminine charm, which attracted him even more. He watched her, enthralled.


    After a while, Li Shiyin finished washing the vegetables and turned around. Seeing her master staring fixedly at her, she was not shy at all. Extremely delighted, she immediately ced her hands on her hips and cocked her hips, striking a pose. She also foolishly smiled, revealing a few pearly white teeth like little shells, and asked in a tender voice, "Master, do I look good?"


    Qin Ran regained his senses and saw his foolish apprentice''s smug look. She still had some of her old temperament after all. But he nodded and said with a smile, "Mm, good looking."


    "Hee hee..." Only then did Li Shiyin seem somewhat bashful. Extremely happy in her heart, she ran over to Qin Ran''s side with a "whoosh" and kissed his cheek. Then she smugly said, "I think I look good too."


    His cheek was still moist, making Qin Ran''s heart itch. Looking at her moistened lips, he wanted to hold her close and taste them in his mouth, but he endured. He jokingly said, "You smug girl, of course you would think you look good."


    "Mm hm hm..." Li Shiyin adorably tilted her little head left and right, smiling radiantly at Qin Ran as she said, "I think Master looks good too."


    "Master looks good my ass!" Qin Ran rolled his eyes and reached out to pinch her cheek, saying, "Alright, hurry and chop the ribs. It''s gettingte. After stewing the ribs we can eat."


    He had just added firewood so his hand was covered in ashes. With this pinch, he left a handprint on Li Shiyin''s face...like a calico cat.


    The foolish Li Shiyin was oblivious. She continued saying, "Master really does look good! My master is the best looking..."


    As she turned to look for the ribs, she started bragging again, "Master, this sword immortal will chop the ribs for you and guarantee they''ll be evenly cut with each piece the same size."


    "Yes, yes..." Seeing the calico cat-like Li Shiyin, Qin Ran could not help grinning as he replied, "Your sword skills are the most precise."


    "Hmph! Of course!" Li Shiyin found the ribs, picked them up to wash them, then looked back and saw Master stillughing. Very puzzled, she said, "Master, what are youughing at again?"


    "You look so good, seeing you makes me happy in my heart, so of course I wouldugh." Qin Ran said seriously.


    Li Shiyin was skeptical, but the reason Master gavepletely matched the facts. She nodded, "Of course, I''m lovable to everyone who sees me, flowers bloom when they see me. I''m the cutest, most amazing Li Shiyin."


    And so, at dinnertime, the handprint was still on Li Shiyin''s face.


    Qin Ran and Li Shiyin had been busy the entire day, and finally they had a table full of dishes. They went to call Li Zhan and Li Shiwen over. The five people sat at the table.


    Seeing thevish spread, Li Zhan was quite hesitant. With the shortage of supplies in the city, for them to be so extravagant, was it inappropriate?


    But the ones who cooked were Li Shiyin and Qin Ran. It seemed he did not have the right to say anything, nor was it good for him to say anything...


    Disregarding their rtionship, these were two cultivators with vast supernatural powers who had established great merit for North Chu. Moreover, they had not received any rewards or special treatment this entire time over the past month. They ate the same as the soldiers and never made things special for themselves. It was only special for this New Year''s Eve night, and it was food they made themselves. He truly did not have the right to criticize.


    Thus, he said nothing, only feeling somewhat awkward... The soldiers were suffering hardships outside while he enjoyed himself at the table.


    Seeing Li Zhan''s expression, Qin Ran spoke up, "These are actually some simple meals from my hometown. When I left, I brought some down from the mountains. There really isn''t much. Uncle, please don''t me us."


    Li Zhan shook his head without speaking.


    Li Shiwen saw the situation and said, "I didn''t expect Brother Qin Ran to have this up your sleeve. Very impressive!"


    "You think everyone is like you, only knowing how to eat," Yu Chi Zhen whispered sarcastically.


    But the atmosphere at the table lightened up a lot because of this.


    "Being able to eat is also a skill..." Li Shiwen refuted without blushing at all, "When we used to select superior soldiers, we''d look at their teeth. Good teeth means they can eat more, eat more means the body is better! Eating is not easy!"


    "Yes, yes, pigs eat the most, so pigs are also very skilled!" Li Shiyin chimed in.


    Qin Ran served chicken soup and dumplings to everyone at the table. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Pigs are indeed very skilled. In fact, pigs have high intelligence. Pigs'' gene sequences differ from humans'' by only a few percentage points. Sometimes, after developing a pill, they can test it on pigs first before humans take it, to reduce the risk."


    "What are gene sequences?" Li Shiwen ate a dumpling and said, "Oh! The taste is really good!"


    "Um... it''s our alchemists'' insider lingo," Qin Ran replied.


    "Oh!" Li Shiwen focused on eating and nodded.


    "I wrapped the dumplings!" Li Shiyin raised her hand and said, "Although Master made the filling and rolled out the wrappers."


    "This thing is called dumplings?" Hearing Li Shiyin''s words, Li Shiwen said disdainfully, "No wonder they look so ugly."


    "If you think they''re ugly then don''t eat them." Li Shiyin red at him.


    Li Shiwen looked up at Li Shiyin. In themplight he saw her cat-faced appearance and couldn''t help bursting outughing. With a mouthful of dumplings, he didn''t spit them out but choked badly.


    "Hey! What are you doing?" Li Shiwen''s actions caused quite amotion. Li Shiyin couldn''t help scolding, "You''re grown up but still make people worry. You can''t even eat properly."


    The choking made Li Shiwen very ufortable. He pointed at Li Shiyin''s face, then went out to clean up.


    "What?" Li Shiyin touched her own face but didn''t notice anything wrong. Yu Chi Zhen and Li Zhan looked at her and saw her cat face, both trying hard not tough.


    Only then did Li Shiyin realize something was wrong with her face. She turned and asked Qin Ran, "Master, what''s wrong with my face?"


    Qin Ran had a straight face and said, "It''s good, your skin is good. No problems at all."


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran, disbelief in her eyes. She took out a small mirror to look...


    "Ah! Master!!!" She immediately realized it was her beloved master''s handiwork!


    "Cough!" Qin Ran lowered his head to look at the dumplings in his bowl. He felt the dumplings were very dumpling-like.


    Li Shiyin harrumphed angrily and went out with Li Shiwen to wash her face.


    "Actually, everything today was thanks to Shiyin''s help..." Seeing Li Shiyin leave, Qin Ran finally praised her, "Otherwise I couldn''t have handled it alone."


    "You could have called me for help," Yu Chi Zhen said. "Although my cooking skills aren''t good, I did receive basic training."


    "Why call you?" Li Shiwen came back, drying his face with a towel. Heughed, "Would she be cooking? She''d be ruining rtionships!"


    Yu Chi Zhen smiled. He understood that was the case.


    Li Shiyin also came back in. Hearing this, she was not shy at all and eagerly fanned the mes, "Cooking together is fun... Sister-inw, you should have Li Shiwen learn to cook too, then you can cook together..."


    Yu Chi Zhen imagined that heartwarming scene and was moved. He looked towards Li Shiwen.


    "Cough!" Li Shiwen became nervous. "I''m just a big oaf. How would I know how to cook?"


    "My master knows how..." Li Shiyin sat back in her spot next to Qin Ran and continued fanning the mes. "My master is much more amazing than you. Hmph hmph!"


    At least she doesn''t hold grudges against her master.


    "Your master isn''t a big oaf. He has at least a basketful of schemes..." Li Shiwen stumbled over his words. He hurriedly grabbed a jug of wine and said, "This is the wine Seven Seven gave Li Zhan. You should all try it..."


    "Bro, don''t change the subject!" Li Shiyin said, "I''ll teach you to cook tomorrow, how about it?"


    "I...I don''t have time!" Li Shiwen replied, looking for cups to pour the wine.


    The siblings bickered noisily, and the atmosphere became more lively and felt more like New Year.


    The food was delicious and thepany pleasant. Li Zhan didn''t try to ruin the atmosphere after all. His attitude became mild and he blended in, eating and drinking wine. After drinking quite a bit, he even chatted casually.


    "It''s a pity Mother isn''t in Wuyi City."


    After the New Year''s Eve dinner, master and disciple sat on the battlements, blowing in the cold wind and looking towards the Xuanqin army camp. Snuggling in Qin Ran''s arms, looking into the darkness ahead, Li Shiyin murmured softly.


    The wine they drank during dinner was the spiritual wine Lu Junxing had given to Long Qiqi, who then passed it to Li Shiwen. Li Shiyin had drunk some and was a little tipsy.


    "Next year during New Year, we''ll cook another New Year''s Eve dinner for your mother in Danyang," Qin Ran held Li Shiyin and gently caressed her face, enjoying the warmth under his fingertips and blocking gusts of cold night wind for her.


    "Next year..." Li Shiyin changed position, turned around and wrapped her arms around Qin Ran''s waist. In a low voice she asked, "Master, can we win? Master... are we going to die?"


    Qin Ran thought of the Nirvanic Realm cultivator in the Xuanqin Imperial Pce again. Without that Nirvanic cultivator, he had a 90% chance of winning, but...


    "We will definitely win. We won''t die." He said firmly, then asked, "Do you believe in your Master?"


    Li Shiyin closed her eyes, inhaling the wonderful scent from her Master''s body, feeling his fingertips gliding across her cheeks.


    In her heart, her Master was omnipotent. Her Master had always been amazing. He would unknowingly make all the proper arrangements. He always gave her endless reassurance.


    But...


    Her Master would never ask "do you believe in your Master?" like this. Her Master actually wasn''t certain this time.


    She nuzzled his warm chest with her forehead, finding afortable spot. After a while, she made a nasal sound and whispered softly, "Master, if we really can''t defend... then go ahead and leave."


    Hearing this, Qin Ran looked at the darkness ahead, and farther away, the fires over the Xuanqin army camp... If he wanted to leave, he would have left long ago.


    "Shiyin..." he gently called her name, "You are your Master''s only one. You are the gift this world has given me. You are who I awaited in my past and present lives.


    "Your Master will never leave you."


    Li Shiyin hugged Qin Ran tightly. Her little head pressed against his chest. Soon, the tears wetted the front of his clothes.

 Chapter 345

    Chapter 345


    There is at least one fairness in this world - everyone is in the same space, and time flows at the same speed for all. This seems to be two points of fairness.


    As North Chu Wuyi City celebrated the new year, Xuanqin Mo City also celebrated the new year.


    However, Mo City was originally a rigid, stubborn, and lifeless city. Usually the markets were not very lively. Now the situation was even more quiet.


    To collect intelligence and find opportunities to meet and assassinate the Xuanqin Emperor, Qin Ran had walked through most of Mo City, but had seen few brothels.


    Cao Boss once had a theory that the state of brothels in a city could reflect that city''s military power, culture, and strength. Everywhere Cao Boss went, he would first ask "Are there prostitutes in this city?".


    Since there were few prostitutes in Mo City, it could not be said that the men of Mo Citycked those needs, nor that Mo Citycked power. It could only be said that the Xuanqin Emperor was a man who had transcended base desires.


    Mo City was right under his nose. Everything followed his will.


    And he was a man with ambitions to unify the immortal legacynds, or even greater ambitions. He was absolutely qualified to say "men obsessed with women are the most pathetic". He would not allow the men of Xuanqin to vent their excess energy on women. He needed those people to keep their strength to serve the court and build Xuanqin.


    This was why Mo City was so rigid and dull... Anything not beneficial to national development and strengthening was discarded by the Xuanqin Emperor.


    This was also why the new year atmosphere in Mo City had never been particrly lively in previous years.


    Moreover this year. With the front line pushed to North Chu''s borders, and the two countries confronting each other, how could the capital still sing and dance merrily?


    On thest day of the year, as Qin Ran walked the streets of Mo City, all he saw and heard was solemnity.


    Compared to the negativity of the Danyangmonersst year, the Mo Citymoners were more solemn this year.


    Qin Ran returned to his current lodging from the streets... He would not stay at the same inn for more than three days. Over the past month, he had already changed inns many times. This inn was one he had just checked into yesterday.


    Speaking of which,pared to other inns, there was nothing special about this inn, except that the owner was a woman, a very beautiful woman.


    And today he seemed very lucky. As soon as he entered the inn, he saw the charming and passionate ownering down the stairs.


    The owner was very beautiful, especially her waist and hips. Her willowy waist and full hips undted, causing heart-stopping tremors. Shaky and unsteady, making one afraid they would break, and want to help support them. And when she swayed her waist and hips, it was like waves at sea, surging billows. Men were the sailboats on that sea, rocking along with those waves.


    Qin Ran entered the inn, the owner descended the stairs, and with one nce he took in the beauty of her figure.


    He had thought it was by chance, just as randomly choosing this inn from the many inns in Mo City.


    But when he pretended not to notice the owner''s charm, withdrew his gaze, and walked forward, the owner came down the stairs and straight towards him. She smiled charmingly and said softly in his ear, "Someone wants to see you."


    "Boom!"


    With one sentence, in an instant, it was like a thunderp exploded in Qin Ran''s mind and soul, sting away everything he thought was coincidence, sting away all the owner''s alluring beauty, making all the hairs on his body stand on end.


    In this unfamiliar country, this unfamiliar city, he knew no one, and no one knew him. Who would be looking for him?


    The answer was obvious.


    This country, this city, operated ording to that man''s will. If someone could still find him, it could only be him.


    Qin Ran''s first reaction was to run!


    He had been exposed, he didn''t know when he had been exposed long ago. His only way to survive was to run immediately.


    But as he turned back, circting his power, his figure flickering...


    "Bang!"


    He smashed head first into the open doorway!


    "Formation!" He bounced back, recognizing what was at the doorway midair, "The same formation as the imperial pce."


    "My master said, why not talk?" Seeing Qin Ran fall to the ground, the owner spoke again.


    Qin Ran knew he had been caught. He calmly climbed up off the ground, dusted off his clothes, tidied his cor and corners, smoothing out all the wrinkles, and smiled at the owner, "Please lead the way."


    The owner looked at him interestedly, then swayed her hips as she led the way upstairs.


    A plump, infinitely alluring butt swayed right before Qin Ran''s eyes, but he didn''t look, right now his heart was calm as still water.


    He wondered when exactly he had been exposed, he wondered what that man wanted to talk to him about, he wondered if he still had a way out.


    On the top floor, the most luxurious room, the owner went up and knocked on the door, respectfully saying, "Master, I''ve brought the person."


    A low voice responded from inside, "Bring him in."


    Only then did the owner open the door and lead Qin Ran inside.


    The room was very warm. Two people were making tea by the window. One was a youth of about thirty, with thick brows and tiger eyes, containing supreme majesty. His temperament and bearing were obviously superior. The other was an old man with the looks of a child, at a nce seeming ordinary. Looking again, he seemed empty and void. Looking for a long time, one would feel he had supreme, abstruse, and indiscernible dao rhythms around him.


    After indicating for Qin Ran to enter, the owner closed the door and withdrew.


    Qin Ran looked around the furnishings of the room, before he could speak, a voice sounded:


    "Nothing that happens in Mo City escapes my eyes. Do you know? Your every word and deed, your every move, I know them all."


    Qin Ran looked towards the window. The youth was surveying him, and said in a low voice, "When a big fish like you jumps in and swims around Mo City''s tiny territory, what do you think you can hide?"


    "Your Majesty, greetings!" Qin Ran cupped his fist and bowed to him.


    "Chief Qin..." Seated at the tea table, Xuanqin Emperor Zhao Zheng nodded to him, "I think we can talk."


    Hearing this, Qin Ran couldn''t help falling silent. Even his background had been thoroughly investigated... He said he had discovered him long ago. He hadn''te looking for him before, only investigating him.


    "Chief,e have tea. Let''s talk slowly." Zhao Zheng said.

 Chapter 346

    Chapter 346


    Qin Ran wandered around Mo City for over a month, thinking about how to sneak into the Imperial Pce and be the emperor of Xuanqin.


    Just as Zhang Liang thought, the entire vast empire existed because of that one man. As long as that man was removed, the entire powerful empire would copse instantly. Thus came the assassination attempt by Bng Sha.


    And Xuanqin was also a highly centralized feudal dynasty, with an ambitious emperor. So as long as Zhao Zheng was killed, all the crises would dissipate on their own.


    But...


    He never expected that before he could even think of a way to get into the pce, the Emperor of Xuanqin took the initiative toe looking for him.


    At this moment, as Qin Ran stood before Zhao Zheng, he finally realized that he had made a terrible mistake... He was still too arrogant.


    Indeed, weakness and ignorance were not the most fatal things, arrogance was.


    He thought he was a cultivator, he thought he was just a water clone, he thought he was careful enough. But deep down, he still felt that this was just a mortal kingdom. Apart from that Divine Transformation cultivator, there was nothing worth noting about it. He looked down on Mo City from a condescending perspective.


    So he brought this disaster upon himself.


    Who said the emperor of a mortal dynasty must be a mortal?


    Was there such a rule? No.


    It was just that people had always thought so, that the ruler of a mortal kingdom would only be a mortal, and cultivators rarely had interest in mortal power. Qin Ran also subconsciously thought so. Coming from a world without supernatural powers, the question of whether cultivators would be emperors had almost escaped his mind. He hadn''t even considered it before.


    But just because things had always been so, was it right?


    Yes, the man sitting at the tea table, Zhao Zheng, was a cultivator. Qin Ran could see clearly that he was at thete Foundation Establishment stage, with a very solid foundation, no weaker than the top disciples of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Zhao Zheng brewed a cup of tea for Qin Ran and said,


    "In this world, mortal lives are not lives. Cultivators fight, sword qi and mystic arts run amok, moving mountains and overturning seas, destroying cities and exterminating countries at a whim, killing hundreds of thousands, millions, even billions of mortals. Mortal lives are like ants. What does Fellow Daoist Qin think about this?"


    Qin Ran walked over to the tea table and sat down, taking the teacup handed over by Zhao Zheng. He didn''t know what Zhao Zheng was getting at for a moment, so he remained silent.


    "Let''s put aside idental injuries from battles for now. If a cultivator is unhappy, and destroys a mortal city on a whim; if a cultivator wants to cultivate demonic arts, and randomly captures hundreds or thousands of mortals for blood sacrifices. What does Fellow Daoist Qin, who was once a mortal himself, think of this?" Zhao Zheng asked again.


    Qin Ran still couldn''t grasp what Zhao Zheng was trying to say. He wouldn''t be saying that mortal lives were also lives, would he?


    After some guesses, he finally spoke, "The rules of this world are like this. Golden Core cultivators'' physical bodies havepletely transcended, and Divine Transformation cultivators'' souls havepletely transcended. The moment a Golden Core is swallowed, cultivators and mortals are no longer of the same species. Cultivators do see mortals as mortals see ants."


    Upon hearing Qin Ran''s scientific and dialectical words, Zhao Zheng was also stunned for a moment.


    He asked again, "Cultivators were all once mortals. The gifted ones, like Fellow Daoist Qin, be Golden Core cultivators before thirty. At this time, your parents are still alive, your siblings are still alive. So do you see them as ants? No longer of the same species as you?"


    Qin Ran didn''t have much real emotional connection with his rtives in this world, so he wasn''t deeply affected. But when he thought of the rtionship between Li Shiyin and her family, he couldn''t help shaking his head.


    "Even gangs in the mortal world have rules not to harm family members, yet cultivators don''t," Zhao Zheng continued. "As such, the cultivators with the best temperament, in order not to affect mortals, at best remain aloof from fame and fortune and live in seclusion in the deep mountains."


    At this point, Qin Ran could no longer hold back and asked, "What exactly is Your Majesty trying to say?"


    Two countries at war, and you capture a spy but don''t ask about military affairs, instead asking about cultivators... What a Xuanqin Emperor, one who doesn''t care for themon people but only asks about ghosts and gods?


    "Cultivators should have rules, and mortals should have dignity," Zhao Zheng poured himself a cup of tea.


    Qin Ran vaguely grasped something, because he remembered that the Emperor of Xuanqin had something he wanted to do after unifying the Land of Immortal Legacy, but he still couldn''t figure out what exactly he was trying to do.


    He looked at Zhao Zheng, waiting for him to continue speaking.


    Zhao Zheng sipped the hot tea, put down the cup on the table, and continued pouring tea for himself. While gesturing for Qin Ran to drink tea, he said,


    "If not for you, North Chu would have already been incorporated into Xuanqin by now. Cloud Heaven Sect would have been fully integrated into Mo City. I would only have needed tobine the national strength and sects of the two countries, and then the general trend would have been set, unstoppable from then on. Even if the other five countries and other sects realized itter, they would no longer have had the strength to resist. It would be like a horse carriage already set in motion. All the mantises spreading open their hands to block the wheels would be crushed to dust.


    "You''re not the first person to guess my thoughts, but those fools either didn''t care or gambled that I wouldn''t seed. No one took it seriously. You''re the first to see the whole process, to know how I would unify the Land of Immortal Legacy. You, a cultivator, have such foresight into the affairs of the mortal world, very impressive."


    Qin Ran thought to himself, "Because I know someone who did just that."


    He asked, "I want to know what you n to do after unifying the Land of Immortal Legacy? How will you get cultivators to have rules and give mortals dignity?"


    Zhao Zheng put down his teacup and pondered his words before saying, "The way of cultivation today requires spiritual roots. But among mortals, one in ten thousand has spiritual roots. And these people, they merely have spiritual roots, their moral character and temperament cannot be determined. A child brought into a dog-eat-dog world from a young age, how he will turn out when grown can be inferred. He will merely be another demon with great power and indifference to life.


    "The talented and virtuous are mortals; the fatherless and masterless are cultivators.


    "To get cultivators to have rules and give mortals dignity, this state of affairs must change. And to change this state of affairs, cultivation must not emphasize spiritual roots.


    "Instead of spiritual roots, emphasize morality and knowledge. For example, schrs, wise and proper, the higher their learning the higher their cultivation, eventually able to attain sainthood through virtue; for example, soldiers, protecting home and country, the greater their contributions and battle prowess the higher their cultivation, eventually able to attain the dao through martial arts; for example, officials, governing justly, the higher their office the higher their cultivation, eventually able to be immortal through prestige.


    Qin Ran listened and grasped Zhao Zheng''s ideas a little.


    "That is the result, but how will you achieve the first step?"


    Zhao Zheng drank another cup of hot tea and said, "I n to turn the Land of Immortal Legacy into an integral whole, gathering all the spiritual qi, and use the Will of the Heavens to realize what I just described."


    "How does one control the Will of the Heavens?"


    "By creating a new Will of the Heavens." Zhao Zheng said lightly.


    "How does one create the Will of the Heavens?"


    "Through formations..." Zhao Zheng put down his teacup and looked at Qin Ran. "Sect Leader Qin, use formations. Deploy a grand formation enveloping the entire Land of Immortal Legacy."


    Qin Ran picked up his teacup, his hands trembling uncontrobly. After a long time, he finally managed to drink a cup of hot tea.

 Chapter 347

    Chapter 347


    Zhao Zheng spoke for a long time about his ideas, which shook Qin Ran to the core. In fact, it could be summed up in one sentence... He wanted to change the sect''s cultivation of immortals to the dynasty''s cultivation of immortals.


    He wanted to gather the spiritual energy of the Land of Immortal Legacy and redistribute it through the dynasty. This was just like a great government gathering the country''s resources and distributing them ording to certain rules.


    If spiritual energy was a kind of resource, and if the dynasty was strong enough, it could indeed be done.


    An idealist deserves admiration. A capable idealist is terrifying. And a capable idealist with extremely high motivation could make the whole world tremble.


    It took Qin Ran a long time to recover. He realized that he had finished the tea in his cup... He looked up at Zhao Zheng and felt only terror.


    "Your Majesty!" He spoke respectfully, "It is indeed feasible to use formations to gather spiritual energy... Yourbat n is also wless. Unifying the six countries before the sects react, then building formation bases in thend of the six countries, and finally activating the great formation to plunder spiritual energy and have it under your control. By reaching this point, those cultivation sects would naturally fall under your control as well.


    "But...why did you tell me? I''m just a minor Golden Core cultivator, unable to help or hinder you."


    "No," Zhao Zheng shook his head. "Brother Qin, you are very capable. You have knowledge and foresight, able to see through myyout and ns. You are adept at pill refining, formation building, and teaching. Your cultivation is high, yet such knowledge of pill refining and formation building is rare. You are very talented. Why not join me and realize this great dream together?"


    So...


    Qin Ran thought, was this an olive branch? Or a plot to entrap him?


    "What if I refuse?" he asked.


    Zhao Zheng nced across at him. Sitting there was the Xuanqin High Priest.


    "I do not fear death," said Qin Ran.


    ...He was just a clone.


    The High Priest smiled and asked, "Is it because you are just a clone?"


    Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat as he looked at the High Priest.


    This master at the Divine Transformation realm had not uttered a word earlier when Zhao Zheng spoke to him, as if he did not exist. Now that he spoke, his tone and demeanor felt familiar to Qin Ran. "Try sensing your original body," the High Priest said.


    rmed, Qin Ran hastily tried to connect with his original body... Indeed, there was no response.


    "Although exquisite, your clone has a Primordial Spirit as its core," the High Priest said. "I don''t know how you obtained this technique, but as someone at the Divine Transformation realm, I understand Primordial Spirits and clones better than you.


    "You thought being a clone made you unafraid of death. But I can sever your connection to your original body and even kill your original body through you."


    Qin Ran recalled how a cultivator in ck had greeted his clone with a bow, killing it instantly and nearly affecting his original body.


    Now he felt true fear.


    Taking a deep breath to suppress his fear, he looked at the High Priest, then Zhao Zheng, and suddenly understood: "A clone? You''re not Zhao Zheng?!"


    "No, I am Zhao Zheng," Zhao Zheng smiled and exined to Qin Ran, "It took me five hundred years to find this way of building a cultivation dynasty. Hence, two hundred years ago, I returned to the Land of Immortal Legacy and established Xuanqin... For two hundred years, Iprehended thispletely - how to build a cultivation dynasty. Only then did I begin nning with a clone."


    So the Xuanqin Emperor and the Xuanqin High Priest were the same person.


    Having learned such a shocking secret, Qin Ran fully understood now that he only had two options today - join them or die. He knew too much for Zhao Zheng to let him live.


    Resigned to his death, Qin Ranpletely rxed. Tapping his fingers lightly on the tea table, he said, "Before I die, I have three questions left."


    "Go ahead," Zhao Zheng nodded.


    "First..." Qin Ran asked, "Why don''t you start from Xuanqin? Transform Xuanqin into a cultivation dynasty first, gain sufficient strength, then steadily expand outward?"


    Zhao Zheng replied, "The spiritual energy of just Xuanqin would be insufficient for the dynasty to contend against even arge sect. It would also expose me too early, allowing other major sects in the Land of Immortal Legacy to ally against me. But the Land of Immortal Legacy is rtively remote and independent. If I can integrate the whole ce at the right moment, I will obtain a dynasty of supreme power, able to handle external enemies then."


    "A dynasty of supreme power, could it also have masters at the Realm of Ascension?"


    "Dynasty, empire, celestial dynasty. And at the celestial dynasty stage, it would beparable to the South Ridge Immortal Sect."


    Qin Ran understood. He nodded and asked again, "Second, you know I have some grasp of formations. So I understand the manpower and resources required for such a grand formation are immeasurable. It cannot bepleted in a short period... During this time, how will you guard against the sects?"


    "I have arrangements for that..." Zhao Zheng replied, clearly unwilling to borate.


    Seeing that, Qin Ran moved on, "Third, although I''m just a clone, I know myself very well. When I cannot defend Wuyi City, when I die identally, when all is irredeemable, I will do something extreme."


    As he spoke, he took out a porcin bottle from his cosmos pouch and ced it on the table. "This pill is called the Death Pill. If I throw one of these into the moat of Mo City,e morning you''ll see a city full of corpses. So you may win, but your armies in North Chu will die; your people in Xuanqin will be killed by the Death Pills I''ve secretly left behind. What will you do then?"


    Zhao Zheng''s expression changed slightly. "How many of such pills do you have?"


    "As many as I want - I refined them myself," Qin Ran said candidly.


    After long silence, Zhao Zheng finally said, "You don''t want to die or serve me, so name your terms."


    "I''m very awed by your ns, very respectful of your character. I didn''t think there could still be someone like you in this dog-eat-dog world." Qin Ran said,


    "I really want to join you, but thinking of the endless challenges that would follow this grand endeavor makes me feel tired. I''m just a shut-in, such pioneering work can only be done by people like you.


    "So I don''t want to hinder your ns. Equality for all, immortality for all, all living freely like dragons - that is what I want to see. No wonder the Cloud Heaven Sect supports you, you really are remarkable.


    "But I also cannot let you destroy North Chu..."


    "So I have to shamefully use this Death Pill to negotiate terms with you. Please spare North Chu. I will have North Chu help you build the necessary formations within its borders. How about that?"


    ...Qin Ran''s clone disappeared from his perception after that. Three dayster, his original body in Wuyi City received a message from the clone:


    "Xuanqin is withdrawing its troops!"

 Chapter 348

    Chapter 348


    The new year had just passed, and the situation inside and outside Wuyi City had suddenly be abnormal.


    Troops were being increased inside Wuyi City, because with the withdrawal of the troops from Great Yan and Yan Han, North Chu finally had the strength to support Wuyi City.


    However, troops were being withdrawn outside Wuyi City, which was very strange. The Xuanqin army had endured the winter cold and frosts to camp here, just for the chance to attack the city. But now as the weather was about to warm, there were signs of Xuanqin withdrawing.


    Inside the lord''s residence in Wuyi City, Li Zhan was analyzing the current situation in Wuyi City with a group of North Chu generals and strategists.


    "From the intelligence we have obtained, Xuanqin is indeed withdrawing troops..." A strategist spoke up, "Our scouts have seen that the smoke from Xuanqin''s camps has clearly lessened, there are indeed empty tents, and we have found wheel ruts in the direction of their withdrawal. This does not seem like Xuanqin trying to confuse us, they are truly withdrawing troops."


    Someone analyzed: "News from Pill say that Great Yan is putting pressure on Xuanqin, this may be too much for Xuanqin to handle; Or perhaps, the consumption of supplies over this winter has been too much for Xuanqin, they have to withdraw to return for spring plowing."


    "I think those cowardly dogs of Xuanqin are afraid after seeing us increase our troops," a general said.


    Li Zhan did not speak, he was lost in thought, frowning. He stood high with broader vision, and long knew that the key point between North Chu and Xuanqin was not the number of troops, but the strength of cultivators.


    With the support of Cloud Heaven Sect, Xuanqin had countless cultivators, while for their North Chu, after the original cultivators had died, there was only Li Shiyin and Qin Ran left.


    Speaking of Qin Ran, he suddenly felt that this withdrawal of troops should be closely rted to this unfathomable prospective son-inw.


    The snow had stopped, and in the past two days with the cloud cover in the skies dispersing, a few stars could be seen twinkling in the pitch-ck night sky.


    Qin Ran stood on top of Wuyi Citys walls, looking at Xuanqins military camp, thinking about the information from his clone:


    "Xuanqin will soon withdraw its troops."


    And as this information emerged in his mind, his connection with the clone also disappeared along with it.


    So who exactly did his clone meet at that inn? And what happened inside?


    He had some guesses in his mind, but couldnt analyze the specifics.


    "Does Xuanqin withdrawing troops have something to do with you?" Li Shiwen''s voice came from beside.


    Qin Ran nodded, readily admitting: "It should be rted." "What do you mean it should be rted? Li Shiwen frowned, Just what exactly did you do?!"


    "The clone I sent to assassinate Xuanqin''s emperor...died...or rather, disappeared..." Qin Ran wasn''t too sure either, "But I guess he must have met with Xuanqin''s emperor...there was likely some deal reached between my clone and Xuanqin''s emperor."


    "Clone? This immortal art of yours...don''t you have a connection with your clone?" Li Shiwen asked.


    "There''s a connection, but I lost perception a few days ago..." Qin Ran said, "Earlier before that, I discovered there was a Deity Transformation stage cultivator in Xuanqin''s imperial pce, likely very skilled in spell formations, he should have done it."


    "Deity Transformation stage?" Li Shiwen wasn''t a cultivator, but the image of Golden Core stage cultivators was already close to that of deities in his mind. So the Deity Transformation stage in his mind was nothing more than just another realm, having lost the tangible sense.


    "So, just what kind of deal did your clone reach with Xuanqin''s emperor?" This was what he cared about.


    "The clone went to assassinate Xuanqin''s emperor in the past...I knew beforehand there were experts in Xuanqin''s imperial pce, so I prepared several contingency ns. One of them was..." Qin Ran took out a porcin bottle from his Cosmic Bag, showing it to Li Shiwen, "If the assassination failed, or if he was nearing death, or met with some hopeless situation, mutual destruction was possible."


    Li Shiwen reached out to grab the bottle, asking: "What is this?"


    Qin Ran pulled back his hand, not letting him touch it, replying: "This is known as a Death Pill. A pill that signals death."


    "Death?" Li Shiwen instinctively didn''t believe that such a tiny pill could have great power.


    "Inside this contains a single Death Pill, but..." Qin Ran said, "It''s enough to poison to death all living beings inside Wuyi City. It signifies death, thus all living beings fall before it."


    Li Shiwen was frightened, his hand recoiling as if struck by lightning, crying out: "That terrifying?!"


    Qin Ran put away the pill into his Cosmic Bag, sighing: "I was originally researching pills for immortality, but unexpectedly through a twist of fate concocted such a pill leading to death. s, I still haven''t researched the principle behind why this pill causes death. However, when I do uncover the secrets behind it, that will likely be when I sessfully refine the longevity pill."


    Hearing this, Li Shiwen silently moved farther away from Qin Ran: "So this Death Pill was something you refined?"


    Seeing Li Shiwen''s frightened appearance, Qin Ranughed: "You also needn''t be so afraid. In truth, many great inventions of this world were chanced upon by ident. For example, explosives were something alchemists stumbled upon when concocting pills. Penicillin was discovered when people found moldy items had bacteria-killing effects..."


    Li Shiwen didn''t understand any of this. He only felt Qin Ran was more terrifying than before. He silently left, he still had matters to attend to, patrols to continue.


    Seeing Li Shiwen leaving, Qin Ran suddenly recalled something, casually asking: "Have you seen any strange markings recently?"


    Li Shiwen shook his head. "No."


    The next morning, Li Shiwen suddenly sent someone to find Qin Ran, saying: "Someone from Xuanqin''s army is looking for you."


    "Xuanqin is looking for me?" Qin Ran was startled, realizing this was likely the deal reached between his clone and Xuanqin''s emperor. He hurriedly rushed outside the city.


    Outside Wuyi City, Li Shiwen was facing off against Xuanqin troops with five hundred elite cavalries. This side had five hundred elite troops in ck and red armor, while the other side had five hundred in profound-colored armor. One ck, one red, giving off an aura of killing.


    Qin Ran flew down from atop the city wall,nding between both armies, facing Xuanqin''s side.


    He looked up, and the leader of the Xuanqin side was actually Zhao Yaqing.


    "What business do you have looking for me?" He asked Zhao Yaqing.


    Zhao Yaqing lightly nced at him, raising her hand to toss over a letter, but did not speak.


    Qin Ran frowned, as a transparent water clone emerged from within his body to catch the letter. He looked from afar, seeing the envelope was addressed "Esteemed Brother Qin", sent by Zhao Zheng.


    "A letter from Xuanqin''s emperor? So the one my clone met at the inn was indeed Zhao Zheng." He thought to himself.


    "You got lucky this time..."


    Zhao Yaqing was only here to deliver the letter. Seeing Qin Ran had received it, she coldly sneered, turning her horse around to return to Xuanqin''s military camp.


    The North Chu elite cavalry also did not have any intention to attack, watching as Xuanqin turned their horses around towards their military camp.


    But just then...


    "Boom!!!"


    The skies suddenly changed, withrge swathes of clouds rushing here from some unknown ce. In the blink of an eye, daylight faded and sun and moon lost their light.


    "It''s a trap!"


    "Be careful!"


    Such rmed cries rang out from both armies simultaneously...

 Chapter 349

    Chapter 349


    The wild winds howled furiously, dark clouds nketed the skies, the sun and the moon shone no light, the colors of heaven and earth were lost!


    On the battlefield, war horses neighed in fright, soldiers drew their swords...


    In an extremely short period of time, Wuyi City inside and out had gone from a ce of spring''s revival to a hell where gloomy winds blew.


    Dust storms swirled up by the raging winds, Qin Ran stood in the wind and looked up at the skies.


    In the skies, ck clouds roiled. With his attainments in the field of formations, he recognized at a nce that this was a formation at y - this was the root cause of all these abnormal events!


    Someone in this corner of heaven and earth had set up a formation, one massive enough to blot out the sun and cover thend.


    This was no ordinary formation. It epassed the entire Wuyi City behind him as well as the Xuanqin Military Camp ahead.


    With his Eye Technique Illusory Realm, Qin Ran could also see that amidst the churning cloudyer were resentful, evil, demonic and other eerie auroras. From this, he vaguely guessed that this could very possibly be the infamous Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation.


    The ck-robed man from the Xuanqin camp had previously wanted to take away the entire Wuyi City to fuel his formation...but Zhao Li had rejected him citing it would be too damaging.


    And Qin Ran had always assumed the worst of others'' intentions - even though Zhao Li did not adopt the ck-robed man''s formation, he still kept reminding Li Shiwen to keep an eye on the perimeter of Wuyi City. If any odd formations appeared, notify him immediately to prevent the ck-robed man from secretly setting up the Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation.


    He had been careful enough already, but it was difficult for him to anticipate that after being rejected by Zhao Li, the ck-robed man would include the Xuanqin Military Camp as well. The scale of this formation exceeded his expectations - not only was Wuyi City epassed, but the Xuanqin camp was also trapped within.


    However, thinking back now - while the identity of the ck-robed man remained unknown, as well as his ties to the Xuanqin camp, he was undoubtedly a cultivator, and one from an unorthodox demonic path at that,pletely devoid of moral principles and human nature. So the current unexpected situation wasn''t too much of a surprise.


    It remained to be seen whether the Xuanqin Emperor was aware of this.


    The thousand elite soldiers outside the city were veterans, so although the war horses were startled, the men managed to steady themselves.


    But Li Shiwen thought it was an ambush by Zhao Yaqing, while Zhao Yaqing believed it to be a deceitful trick by Qin Ran. Both sides steadied their battalions and were about to charge out in ughter.


    Qin Ran was conveniently located between both armies. If he did not act quickly, he was afraid he would be trampled into meat paste by the horses hooves.


    He immediately yelled loudly in the direction of Xuanqins five hundred elite cavalry: Miss Zhao, are you familiar with this formation?


    Formation? Zhao Yaqing was startled, looked up and vaguely discerned what was going on, realizing some formations had been activated. While she did not have much knowledge about formations herself, she had at least witnessed the ck-robed mans Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation before.


    Halt! She hurriedly ordered for the Xuanqin cavalry to stop, peering up at the sky with bewilderment and anger. How dare he....he even means to harm me!


    The dense clouds obscured the skies, thends were drained of color. Winds raged violently on the grounds and screams of ghosts and spirits echoed from amidst the clouds and winds. As if they were trapped in limitless purgatory hell.


    The wailing and screams were so terrifying, it could shake ones heart and soul. People trapped within the formation were slowly losing their senses...


    Outside Wuyi City, the war armors ttered noisily and the scraping of des against metal rang out. The thousand elite soldiers confronting each other were preparing to wage a battle to the death.


    Li Shiyin flew out from within Wuyi City, arriving by Qin Rans side. She asked her teacher, Master, whats happening?


    Someones set up a formation, Qin Ran replied casually.


    By then, he had already left the confrontation happening between both armies and found himself a t area to sit down cross-legged, with pen and paper on his knees, scribbling and drawing something.


    Set up a formation? Li Shiyin looked back towards the Xuanqin camp then back at Wuyi City in disbelief. Who set up such a massive formation?


    An Yuanbing stage cultivator from the Xuanqin camp, he had the intention of using Wuyi City for sacrificial offerings in his formation from the very start...but was rejected by Zhao Li, Qin Ran replied while still writing. This is likely an innate formation from some artifact. Even though he spent over two monthsying it out, thats why its so huge.


    Innate formations referred to those carved onto and originating from artifacts.


    Sacrificial offerings? Li Shiyin eximed. He wants to massacre everyone in Wuyi City?


    Qin Ran nced at his silly disciple and said, Not Wuyi City. The people of Wuyi City and the Xuanqin Military Camp.


    Thats too cruel!


    Cruel? Qin Ran murmured the word softly. How should he put this? Things like this were probably just everyday urrences in the cultivator world.


    He looked towards Zhao Yaqings side. Aunt Mei from the Cloud Heaven Sect had already brought some disciples over and they were also asking Zhao Yaqing about the situation.


    They were helpers brought by Xuanqin....I wonder if they know that mans background or not, he sighed.


    Li Shiyin was already like this. The circumstances of other cultivators would not be much better.


    So the people brought by Xuanqin betrayed Xuanqin? Li Shiyin rified. Not only do they want to kill the people of Wuyi City, but the people of Xuanqin as well?


    As she spoke, she suddenly reacted, Is the formation master also at the Yuanbaby stage? Doesnt the Xuanqin Military Camp have several Yuanbaby stage cultivators? Where have they gone? Why arent they breaking the formation?


    Who said Yuanbaby stage cultivators will know how to break formations? Qin Ran rolled his eyes at her and retorted, Try slicing out some sword qi.


    Li Shiyin obeyed and drew her sword, sending out a streak of sword qi towards the sky. The sword qi easily sliced apart the dark clouds, but quickly vanished amidst them. The ck clouds swiftly reformed, as if the sword qi had never been there at all.


    Your abilities aren''t weak. Thebined battle power of the Sword Sects two Yuanbaby stage cultivators is much stronger than you, but the oue wouldnt be too different. As for the Cloud Heaven Sects Yuanbaby cultivator, from what you told me he seems to cherish his life more than anything - his battle prowess is even weaker than yours... Qin Ran analyzed. So while you are totally clueless about this formation, they arent much better off than you.


    Forget about Yuanbaby stage. Unless one understands formations, even a Soul Transformation stage cultivator would be useless here.


    The saying goes that those in separate trades appear as strangers to one another. While Li Shiyin was an absolute genius in the dao of the sword, having far surpassed many peers, her attainments in formations were...


    And Li Shiyin was already like this. Other cultivators would not be better off.


    Then what about Master... She retracted her gaze back to Qin Ran who was lecturing her while still scribbling away. What are you doing? Breaking the formation?


    She knew her senior martial brother Changyou spent his days drawing formations in the back mountain cave abode, trying to learn about formations.


    Mm... Qin Ran nodded. Impletely unfamiliar with this formation, so I have to deduce what kind ofposite formation it is based on the effects its disying, then trace back to infer the underlying base formations and formation runes.


    Only by discerning the base formation runes can I then construct a new corresponding formation to counter it based on the restraining rtionships between formations, thereby achieving the effect of breaking it.


    ...After all, Im not a grandmaster of formations. I cant simte formations using spiritual power so I have to rely on pen and paper instead.


    Li Shiyin knew her Master was formidable so she was at ease leaving formation breaking to him.


    She barely understood half of what her teacher said, simply nodding in acknowledgment. Clutching her sword, she sat down cross-legged beside her teacher to stand guard for him while he broke the formation.


    Yet not long after watching her teacher calcte formations, she suddenly sensed something amiss around them...


    The sounds of shing des rang loudly!


    She looked up to see the five hundred Xuanqin elites and five hundred Northern Chu elites fighting among themselves.

 Chapter 350

    Chapter 350


    Li Shiyin stood up, unsheathing her Xingchen sword, about to rush over to stop them as she saw the situation.


    "Don''t move," Qin Ran stopped her, "This formation is called the ''Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation''. The ghosts haven''t even appeared yet, the formation isn''t activated yet... You need to help me break the formation."


    Li Shiyin looked at the soldiers fighting and killing each other, gripping her sword tighter and tighter, but still listened to her master''s words and sat down cross-legged.


    The thousand elite riders confronting each other today, whether Xuanqin''s five hundred or North Chu''s five hundred, were all battle-hardened veterans capable of fighting ten men alone. The willpower of these people was actually extremely tenacious, but they were all like this now, so themon people in the city...


    She dared not think further.


    The longer it took, the more affected the soldiers were by the formation, and the more frenzied they became, fighting and killing each other more fiercely. In just a short time, hundreds of people had already been killed or injured out of the total thousand elite soldiers.


    Because Li Shiwen had cultivated the body tempering techniques given to him by Qin Ran and experienced great ups and downs, his mental willpower was much stronger than that of ordinary soldiers.


    As the soldiers in the formation fought and killed each other, he still had the energy to reach out and try to stop them.


    Relying on his strong martial prowess, he pulled many soldiers apart and prevented many tragedies.


    But...


    After all, he was just an ordinary mortal. His soul and Primordial Spirit were no different. He gradually realized that something was wrong with himself too.


    Sometimes he didn''t want to pull apart the soldiers who were about to kill each other, sometimes he also wanted their des and spears to stab him, sometimes he would unconsciously use too much force...


    He was also bing more and more abnormal.


    Then...


    He saw another brother''s de about to sh towards another brother''s neck again. He was very anxious and stretched out his own de to block this sh, then forcefully swung back, intending to deflect this sh.


    He did deflect this sh.


    But he didn''t restrain his power.


    His strength was many times greater than that of this soldier.


    "ng!"


    "Pfft!"


    For some reason, half of this soldier''s brain flew out.


    Holding the de in his hand, he stared nkly at the robe-d brother who was slowly falling down. This brother, who had fought Xuanqin for half a year from Mount Hengduan to Mount Wuyi without dying, had died at his hands.


    He deserved to die ten thousand...


    Just then someone charged at him from the side. With agile movements he turned and blocked, then powerfully kicked, sending this brother flying dozens of feet away, clearly unable to survive.


    "No..." He cried out.


    Then he joined the battle.


    Li Shiyin watched this scene and shouted again, "Master!"


    Qin Ran looked up at Li Shiwen. Li Shiwen was controlling his own hand with difficulty while revealing a pained expression, and at the same time...


    Hacking and shing!


    "s, you go..."


    Before he could finish speaking, there was a sudden change on the battlefield.


    On Xuanqin''s side, someone with cultivator aura had unleashed their power and was activating their magic power, casting magic!


    His heart skipped a beat as he hastily looked over, only to see Zhao Yaqing soloing happily with her sword.


    ... Aunt Mei and the other Cloud Heaven Sect cultivators didn''t know whether to stop her for fear of harming her.


    As Foundation Establishment cultivators of simr level, Li Shiyin''s Primordial Spirit was overbearing andpletely unaffected by the formation. But Zhao Yaqing had already gone berserk in madness!


    "Such a mentality..." He sighed to himself.


    "Boom!"


    Finally, two sword lights that shot to the sky came from Xuanqin''s military camp, killing towards the air.


    "The Yuanying cultivators of Boundless Sword Sect have made their move," Li Shiyin said somewhat eagerly.


    In an instant, the sky was filled with scattered sword qi that sliced open and shredded all the ck clouds in this piece of sky. More sword qi drifted down, stilling the raging winds.


    As the ck clouds dispersed, finally some light leaked out from between them. The people below who were either desperately struggling or wielding des to kill were illuminated by this light, and they suddenly sobered up, awakening from their frenzied state.


    The de Li Shiwen had hacked out also abruptly stopped.


    The soldier under his de couldn''t help but feel as if he had survived death and cried out to him, "Thank you, General, for not killing me!"


    Li Shiwen looked at him, squeezing out a smile and nodding. He turned back and saw over a dozen people lying askew behind him...


    All killed by him with his own hands.


    He thought again of the Tian Ce Army soldiers who had died because of him in the Hengduan Mountains...


    "Master, look!"


    Li Shiyin pointed at the two Boundless Sword Sect cultivators driving away the dark clouds in the sky, rather delighted. As expected, sword cultivators needed to forge ahead dauntlessly. What use were formations? Violent destruction would settle things.


    But she didn''t see a smile on Qin Ran''s face. Qin Ran sighed and said to her, "These are people who don''t understand formations.


    "You only know how to recklessly spill magic power, as if raving madly at empty ground. Other than wasting magic power, it''spletely useless."


    "But..." Li Shiyin didn''t agree with Qin Ran''s words and pointed at the sky.


    Then...


    She saw that the clouds that had been stirred up by their sword qi were slowly recovering, and the winds on the ground that had been stilled by the sword qi were slowly picking up again.


    "These are all just external forms, like smoke, fog, and air. Such destruction has a negligible effect on the formation," Qin Ran exined to Li Shiyin.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin pursed her lips and asked, "Then what should we do?"


    "While the effect is tiny, it''s not nonexistent," Qin Ran shook his head. "At least it allowed me to see more variations of this formation, so I can infer more about the underlying formations."


    The two people from Boundless Sword Sect in the air saw that the winds and clouds they had driven away were slowly restoring themselves. They knitted their brows but could only continue using their sword qi to still the winds and disperse the clouds.


    Although what they were doing had little effect on the formation itself and basically no chance of breaking it like this, their persistent disruption of the external manifestation of the formation in the air did at least stop the minds and souls of living beings within it from being influenced again.


    In the end, Li Shiwen didn''t stab himself with the de and casually stabbed it into the ground as he silently bandaged the wounded soldiers.


    Seeing this, Li Shiyin sheathed her sword and sat cross-legged next to Qin Ran.


    She watched the two people slicing through the clouds for quite a while and knew theirprehension of the sword dao was inferior to her own, so she was no longer concerned about such useless deeds. She drew her gaze back to look at her master busily calcting and deduced that what her master was doing was useful work.


    There was amon saying that earnest men were the most handsome.


    Although her master had always been the best looking one in Li Shiyin''s eyes, at this moment as he earnestly calcted, he did seem to have a bit more charm.


    The expression on his face wasn''t the usual gentle smile, nor the insincere smile when he was scheming against others, but rather an earnest look, containing a kind of innocent passion towards knowledge, an obsession. He waspletely immersed in his own world.


    This obsession captivated her.


    She thought that she could just quietly watch her master like this for a whole lifetime without ever tiring of it.


    At a certain moment, Master stopped calcting. He picked up the draft paper and stood up, turning around in circles as he looked everywhere, alsoparing with the draft paper in his hand, seemingly looking for some location.


    He searched for quite a while before suddenly pointing to the empty space on the left side of Xuanqin''s military camp and said to Li Shiyin, "That spot over there. Shiyin, use your sword qi to immobilize that area."


    "As expected, Master is the strongest to have found the method to break the formation so quickly," Li Shiyin thought. "What use is the higher martial strength of those two Yuanying cultivators in the sky? They''re still just reckless sword-wielders!"


    Thinking this, she stood up, drew her sword, circted her magic power, and condensed a strand of sword qi, urately stabbing towards the location pointed out by Master.


    As the sword qi shot out, there was star power in the sky hooked by the Xingchen sword qi that fell on that empty ground over there, making the sword qi on the ground even more magnificent.


    "Power of the stars?" Qin Ran noticed this scene, he looked up at the sky, murmuring, "This formation doesn''t even block the power of the stars, which means itsplexity is lower than I imagined... At least it doesn''t involve spatial formations."


    Qian Kun formations are already difficult in themselves, if Qian Kun formations arebined intopound formations, then the difficulty would geometrically increase.


    "Master, what else should we do?" Li Shiyin asked.


    Qin Ran held a pen, modifying on the paper, after a while, he finally instructed Li Shiyin: "Over there, that small mountain, fix its peak in ce."


    Purple sword qi pierced through the mountain peak, fixing it in ce.


    As this sword qi flew out, the wind in the formation, suddenly stopped.


    "This is the formation base!" Qin Ran was somewhat excited, "Shiyin, we found one of the formation bases!"


    Seeing Qin Ran so happy, Li Shiyin was also very happy.


    "Yes master, we really are amazing!"


    With one formation base destroyed, the master of the formation was angered. Suddenly, there was a ghostly, demonic roar between heaven and earth, followed by sounds of "squeaky screaming" roars, everywhere between heaven and earth, transparent creatures were struggling, they were like outside a thin film, wanting to break through the film ande into this world.


    "Master, what are these things?!"


    Li Shiyin looking at the indefinite, unnamable things floating in midair, she felt strangely horrified, and her skin crawled.


    "Myriad Ghosts Life-Reaping Formation..." Seeing this, Qin Ran actually smiled instead, only when the formation appeared like this did he say, "Naturally those are the myriad ghosts!"


    "Ghosts... Ghosts?!" What girl isn''t afraid of ghosts? Even the powerful Li Shiyin was so scared her tongue twisted.

 Chapter 351

    Chapter 351


    In one''s lifetime, there are always a few brilliant geniuses that shine like meteors. They appear in the lives of others, causing them to look up in awe. They pass through others'' lives like shooting stars, leaving no trace behind.


    Li Shiyin is one such meteor in the lives of countless cultivators.


    Some people admire her, some look up to her, some chase after her, and some feel inferior because of her. People like Zhao Yaqing, driven by jealousy, have their Dao hearts shattered, kneeling on the ground and gazing up at her as she freely wields her sword energy in the sky.


    Perhaps it was the influence of a formation, or perhaps Li Shiyin was truly so strong that it left Zhao Yaqing in despair. In any case, at this moment, she suddenly understood that even if the Emperor established a Cultivation Dynasty in the future and she became the Princess of the dynasty, attaining the status of a princess and the abundant spiritual power that came with it, she still wouldn''t be able to catch up to Li Shiyin.


    The fortune of a dynasty couldn''t catch up to one person? But that''s how she felt.


    "Yaqing?" Aunt Mei walked over and reached out to support her.


    She turned to look up at Aunt Mei and asked, "Am I reallycking in talent?"


    "No..." Aunt Mei shook her head and said to her as always, "You are exceptional."


    Zhao Yaqing smiled and looked at Li Shiyin. By now, Li Shiyin had already been chasing and killing evil spirits. She said, "I was affected by the formation, and my state of mind became unstable for a moment, causing some issues."


    Aunt Mei helped her up and also looked up at the sky. There were two Nascent Soul cultivators in the sky, preventing the ck clouds from gathering. And it was those ck clouds that affected the creatures'' states of mind within the formation...


    The evil spirits were being killed one by one by her own younger sister, Li Shiwen. Li Shiyin stood beside her warhorse, looking up.


    He realized that his younger sister was bing stronger and stronger. She effortlessly defeated Jiang Xiaobai, defended Wuyi City alone with her sword, and now she could even battle countless ghosts on her own. In his heart, Li Shiyin''s image grew higher and higher, reaching the clouds and bing a deity.


    His little sister had be a deity, while he was still a mortal.


    The thing he had always feared finally happened. He finally confirmed deep down in his heart that there was a gap between him and his little sister, a gap as wide as a chasm, and they were no longer from the same world.


    There should be no distinction between family members, but once it appeared... he was not worthy of being her older brother. He wasn''t her older brother anymore.


    He knew that Li Shiyin never cared about such things, but he knew that this objective reality couldn''t be ignored.


    He began to wonder, what would have happened if he had really brought Shiyin down the mountain back then? Or if he had guarded her more strictly and not let her escape from the military camp and join the Dao Sword Sect? Perhaps he wouldn''t have lost his little sister?


    Li Shiwen watched Li Shiyin ying ghosts, his mind filled with random thoughts.


    "Roar..."


    At a certain moment, a terrifying roar suddenly reached his ears. The sound was close, as if it wasing from the ground.


    He was startled and quickly looked down, only to see the ground churning and something crawling out from the soil.


    The soil sttered, and a hand reached out, followed by a head. It was pitch ck and misty, making it impossible to see the face clearly. Before long, that monster crawled out from the ground.


    Li Shiwen immediately understood that they were also ghosts, but unlike the flying ones in the air that couldn''t be touched by mortal bodies, these were corporeal ghosts, like zombies.


    They crawled out of the soil, not just one, but...


    Countless!


    The entire ground, the entire earth, was dug open, and one after another, densely packed, thousands upon thousands of ghostly corpses emerged from the soil.


    Li Shiwen felt the soil beneath his feet loosening, and he quickly stepped back. Another ghost was crawling out from there, and in a short time, a head emerged from the very spot where he had just stood.


    Without hesitation, he swung the battle sword in his hand and beheaded the ghost, sending its head flying.


    Even without a head, the ghost didn''t die. It reached out its hand, searching around, trying to find its own head.


    Li Shiwen approached and cut off the ghost''s hands with two more strikes.


    The remaining three hundred elite cavalry behind him, also facing their fears, began to y the nearby ghosts.


    "Another change?" Qin Ran''s eyes flickered with light as he rapidly calcted.


    While stooping down to record, he simultaneously cast spells, summoning three clones, all wielding swords, and killing the surrounding ghosts.


    The demonic ghosts that appeared in the air numbered over ten thousand. They could fly and had no physical form, making it impossible to harm them with techniques rted to the soul or spirit. On the other hand, the ghosts that crawled out of the ground numbered over a hundred thousand, and they had physical forms. Ordinary swords and des could harm them.


    "Is there another change?" Qin Ran looked at the formation and array method he had calcted on the paper, feeling somewhat worried. "If there is another change, I might not be able to handle it."


    After all, he was not an expert in formations; he relied purely on calctions to break them, and he did it with a pen and paper. Hisputational power was limited, and there was a limit to the formations he could break.


    "Ah! Ahaha..." Just as he was worrying, a man''s suppressed and despairing roar suddenly echoed across the battlefield.


    Qin Ran recognized that voiceit was Li Shiwen''s voice.


    "What happened?" He looked towards the direction the voice came from but could only see a dense wall of ghosts, and couldn''t see what was happening on Li Shiwen''s side.


    With a thought, one of his clones soared into the air, flying towards Li Shiwen''s direction.


    Initially, he didn''t pay much attention since breaking the formation was the primary concern. However, as he stooped down to continue his calctions, he suddenly noticed something...


    Even he was taken aback, his face frozen, and his eyes filled with disbelief.


    He raised his head and looked out, towards the ghosts that crawled out of the ground, and realized that they were all wearing armor, battle armor, ck and red battle armorthe battle armor of the North Chu Country!


    All the ghosts that emerged from the ground were soldiers of the North Chu Country!


    Moreover...


    From the direction where Li Shiwen''s voice came, he saw the battle armor of the Tian Ce Army!


    After beheading a ghost that hadn''t fully crawled out of the ground, Li Shiwen saw countless more ghosts emerging from the ground. He couldn''t help but feel a chill down his spine. He turned around, drew a long spear from his warhorse, and prepared to face the enemy.


    However, as each fully emerged ghost came into view, his gaze gradually turned nk... He could never forget the standard battle armor of the Tian Ce Army.


    Emerging from the vicinity of the elite cavalry of North Chu Country, there were apparitions dressed in the battle armor of the Tian Ce Army! They were all the restless spirits of the soldiers of the Tian Ce Army.


    As they closed in on him, it seemed as though he could hear them speaking:


    "Give us back our lives!"


    "It was you who caused our deaths..."


    "We all perished, so why are you still alive? Why are you still alive? Join us!!"


    "It''s all your fault, all your fault!"


    "..."


    "Ah...!"


    Li Shiwen''s eyes turned bloodshot, and he let out a roar to the heavens, thence in his hand falling weakly to the ground.


    Li Shiyin, soaring through the air and vanquishing evil spirits, heard Li Shiwen''s roar. She leaned forward and looked down, only to witness countless malevolent spirits closing in on Li Shiwen.


    "Brother!"


    She shouted out and rushed toward the location where Li Shiwen stood.

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 352


    "Not right..."


    Qin Ran quickly discovered a loophole. He knew that most of the Tian Ce Army had died from being devoured by the Extreme Demonic Willow''s fluff. When the Extreme Demonic Willow devoured them, there would be no remnants of their souls.


    Even if there were remnants of their souls, there should only be a few, not thousands.


    At that moment, Li Shiyin descended from the sky, and suddenly everything became clear to him.


    This was a living formation, controlled by someone from the outside.


    The ck-robed man manipting the formation outside already knew that only Li Shiyin could effectively harm the airborne malevolent spirits.


    (Note: Aside from Li Shiyin, Qin Ran and Chasing the Wind can also harm ghosts. However, Qin Ran is breaking the formation, and Chasing the Wind is inside Wuyi City.)


    He needed to divert Li Shiyin''s attention away from the sky!


    ...Even if he couldn''t divert Li Shiyin, he could quickly turn Li Shiwen into his corpse puppet. Given Li Shiwen''s strength, perhaps she could be his most powerful puppet.


    Thinking of this, Qin Ran knew he had to wake Li Shiwen up.


    Purple sword energy rained down, shattering the corpse puppets surrounding Li Shiwen into pieces. Li Shiyinnded and pulled Li Shiwen up from the ground, scolding her, "Li Shiwen, what are you doing?"


    But Li Shiwen remained steadfast, not responding or even looking at her.


    Seeing his condition, Li Shiyin seethed with anger and couldn''t help but want to strike him.


    Just as she was about to rush over, their master suddenly appeared.


    "Leave him to me. You go deal with the malevolent spirits in the air," their master said to her.


    She nced at their master, who had a w on his body, hesitating. Then she looked at the other master in the distance, who had no w, and he nodded at her. Only then did she respond, "Alright!"


    Until now, the person in this world she trusted the most was undoubtedly their master...the master without any ws.


    She turned around and flew into the air, continuing to destroy the ghosts and break the formation.


    Qin Ran raised his hand and created a thin bubble film, enveloping himself and Li Shiwen within it. He sat next to Li Shiwen and said, "I always thought you were a very strong man."


    Li Shiwen remained silent.


    "But I never expected you to be a coward."


    Li Shiwen nced at him.


    "Before the incident at the Hengduan Mountains, I advised you to leave, but you didn''t. You said you wanted to protect the people at the Hengduan Mountains with the Tian Ce Army." Qin Ran''s tone was calm. "...You led your hundred thousand Tian Ce Army to die in the Hengduan Mountains.


    "Whose fault is that? It''s your fault."


    He continued, "Xuanqin received the news and the army withdrew from the Hengduan Mountains early. As a result, Xuanqin''s army was intact while North Chu lost a hundred thousand elite cavalry. Xuanqin invaded North Chu and its cavalry ran rampant on North Chu''snd. North Chu had no way to deal with it.


    "Whose fault is that? It''s your fault."


    He took a deep breath. "The Tian Ce Army was annihted by the demonic creature Shi Ji Mo L, and after you survived, instead of seeking revenge or rebuilding the Tian Ce Army, you wasted away in decadence, living aimlessly for three years.


    "When Xuanqin invaded North Chu, you had no cavalry to counter their cavalry, and there were no cultivators to withstand their cultivators. You didn''t think about how to deal with Xuanqin''s cavalry or how to persuade the major sects in North Chu to help. You only wanted to seek death."


    "You are not a man," Qin Ran concluded, shaking his head.


    Li Shiwen looked up at Qin Ran, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground. He also sat on the ground, and when he looked up and sat upright, he was two sizesrger than Qin Ran.


    But his size didn''t make him imposing in the slightest.


    Qin Ran gazed calmly at him and continued his mild verbal abuse, saying, "You may appear strong, but in reality, you are weak. You are even weaker than Shi Yin, and you are not as manly as Yu Chi Zhen."


    Leaving aside Li Shi Yin for now, Yu Chi Zhen was delicate and weak, as if a gust of wind could knock him over. Li Shiwen''s lips moved, wanting to offer some defense.


    "I thought that after experiencing so much, you would have grown, be a great general, and left your name in history. But you haven''t. You''ve been beaten down," Qin Ran sneered and asked Li Shiwen, "Tell me, what kind of man are you?"


    Li Shiwen didn''t want to answer such a boring question.


    Qin Ran provided his own answer: "A man is someone who takes responsibility and carries the burden! Do you have responsibility and do you shoulder it?"


    "What is responsibility? What is carrying the burden?"


    Qin Ran''s voice grew impassioned. "It''s rectifying the mistakes you''ve made by yourself! It''s bringing happiness to your wife as a husband, instead of dragging her through the mes of war. It''s bringing happiness to your son as a father, instead of letting him only know his mother and not his father, living a life of cowardice. It''s leading your troops to win the war, to survive on the battlefield, instead of seeking death here and letting them be devoured by countless demons!"


    As he spoke, he pointed outside the bubble to the five hundred elite riders Li Shiwen led out of the city. Now, there were only a hundred or so left. They formed a circle amidst the horde of corpse demons, resisting them like rocks in the sea. But every second, someone was dragged away by the corpse demons and eaten.


    "As a general of North Chu, in the time of crisis, it should be you who steps forward, not meing to wipe your ass!


    "Now, we''re trapped in this formation. I''m breaking the formation, Shiyin is ying the evil spirits. What should you do? Make things harder for us? I have my own tasks to attend to. I shouldn''t be hereforting someone who seeks death and isn''t a man."


    At this point, Qin Ran had already said too much, and too many people had died outside the bubble. He didn''t want to say anymore.


    He took out a long spear from his Qiankun bag and ced it next to Li Shiwen, finally saying, "Life is fragile, and death is too easy to seek. The world is filled with hardship, and death brings release. But... if you give up on life because you can''t bear the suffering, someone else will bear that suffering."


    Who will bear it?


    He pointed at himself, then pointed at Li Shiyin in the sky, and gestured towards Wuyi City. Finally, he pointed towards the remaining dozens of Northern Chu elite cavalry.


    As his words fell and the speech bubble disappeared, he unfurled his figure and rushed towards the corpse demons.


    The corpse demons closed in on this side, gradually obscuring Li Shiwen''s figure.


    Qin Ran looked at the spot where Li Shiwen was, his expressionplex. Pity? Disdain? Regret? Hatred? Perhaps it was a mix of all these emotions.


    He shook his head, preparing to annihte the forming Corpse Demon King...


    "Boom!"


    At that moment, the corpse demons on the other side were suddenly sted away by a tremendous force. Li Shiwen emerged, wielding the gun he had given her, rampaging through the midst of the corpse demons. In no time at all, she hacked and smashed the corpse demons d in Tian Ce Army armor into pieces.


    Qin Ran watched her, seeing that although she was covered in injuries, there was a trace of vitality within her body. He inwardly sighed, "She''s notpletely beyond saving."


    It wasn''t until this point, amidst the Hengduan Mountains, that Li Shiwen truly came back to life.


    Although there were a hundred thousand corpse demons, there were many cultivators in the formation with profound cultivation bases. Although there were over ten thousand evil spirits, Li Shiyin''s sword energy cut through them like slicing melons and vegetables.


    Therefore, after some time, both the corpse demons and evil spirits noticeably decreased. Qin Ran could sense that the formation was weakening.


    Yet, the man in the ck robe still didn''t disy any further changes. Qin Ran then understood that this was probably the entirety of the "Ten Thousand Ghosts Seek Life Formation."


    It was time to break the formation.


    He took out numerous formation materials from his Qiankun Bag, engraved with arrays or other markings. After preparing and distributing them to his clones, they scattered and went to various critical positions within the formation, arranging the formation materials as required.


    As the number of corpse demons and evil spirits decreased once again, Qin Ran calcted the time and realized that it would soon be dark.


    He knew he couldn''t dy any longer and called out to Li Shiyin in the sky, "Shiyin,e back!"


    Li Shiyin broke free from the evil spirits with her sword energy and returned to her physical body.


    "Master, there are still many evil spirits in the sky." She was puzzled.


    "It''s almost done," Qin Ran said.


    He pointed at four positions in the Xuanqin army camp and then pointed in the four directions of Wuyi City, saying, "You need to release eight sword energies imbued with sword intent to suppress these eight locations."


    Li Shiyin estimated silently and replied, "Master, I can release eight sword energies, but once I do, my mana will be greatly depleted."


    Her foundation was solid, and her talent was high, but it didn''t mean her mana wouldn''t be consumed.


    Qin Ran hesitated and asked, "Do you still have the strength to fight?"


    Although the man in the ck robe hadn''t made any more changes, Qin Ran couldn''t help but feel uneasy.


    "I can manage," Li Shiyin nodded.


    Qin Ran looked at Wuyi City, thinking about the people there, and sighed, "If we don''t break the formation soon, they will all die. Let''s give it a try!"


    Considering the people in Wuyi City, Li Shiyin no longer hesitated. She nodded and activated her mana, summoning a series of eight sword energies of the "Heavenly Transcendent Immortal" level. As the sword energies appeared, the stars in the sky shone brightly, and the sword energies, carrying the power of those stars, descended from the heavens, guarding the eight positions that Qin Ran had indicated.


    The sword energies locked the formation''s core, and in an instant, the ghosts within the formation were immobilized.


    Qin Ran quickly rose into the air upon seeing the situation. With his magical powers, he connected the materials of the formation that his clones had arranged and began outlining the formation patterns in the air. The patterns spread and gradually formed a rough formation, with a faint glow visible beyond the formation outline.


    "Eradicating a formation with a formation?!" Elder Ziyi, who was guarding the Xuanqin military camp, observed Qin Ran''s actions from a distance and was quite astonished. "His proficiency in formations is remarkably high." Elder Ziyi expressed his admiration, and others followed suit.


    Just as the formation was about to break, the dark clouds in the sky suddenly shifted under the influence of some force, evading the sword qi of the two sword cultivators from the Boundless Sword Sect. It transformed into a face suspended in the air.


    The eyes on the face opened, and it stared fiercely at Qin Ran, filled with boundless hatred and anger. It spoke with a voice that resonated like the voice of the Great Dao, "How dare you break the formation?!!"


    "Spurt!"


    The face in the sky was the master of the formation. Its voice sounded as if it was the voice of the Great Dao. Its furious rebuke caused Qin Ran to be unable to withstand the mental pressure, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.


    The formation in his hand seemed to be losing stability.


    As expected, there was another unexpected change... the man in the ck robe was skilled in soul techniques!


    Qin Ran was aware of this, but if he didn''t break the formation, the hundreds of thousands of people, including civilians and soldiers, inside the formation would likely die.


    He had no choice...


    "Master!"


    Li Shiyin called out, watching her master from the ground with great anxiety. She wanted to fly up and embrace him. However, she looked at her master and then at the face in the sky. She made a resolute decision and suddenly soared into the air on her flying sword, heading straight into the dark clouds.


    She activated the remaining trace of her mana, enveloping herself with purple sword qi. She transformed into a massive sword, piercing through the ck clouds.


    "Shiyin!" Qin Ran shouted, but Li Shiyin''s flying speed was incredibly fast, and she had already reached the mid-air.


    He looked up and saw the intense battle in the sky. He gritted his teeth and decided to trust his foolish disciple. He no longer looked at the sky, but continued to outline the formation patterns.


    Without the influence of the will of the man in the ck robe, he rapidly outlined the patterns, pouring out his mana without considering the cost. Each pattern he created was controlled by his will, forming one basic formation after another. These formationsposed of patterns surrounded him, densely packed,pletely submerging him.


    "Boom!"


    At a certain moment, a loud explosion urred.


    The dark face in the sky dissipated, and Li Shiyin descended from the air...


    Qin Ran shouted, "Activate!"


    The densely packed white patterns around him suddenly dispersed, flying in all directions into the void.


    With each dissipating white pattern in the void, the illusory nature of the formation increased.


    The formation wasplete, and Qin Ran paid no further attention to it. Within the world of white patterns, he flew over to catch Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin''s face was pale, heavily injured, and devoid of any mana.


    She smiled weakly in Qin Ran''s arms and asked softly, "Master, did he fail to defeat Shiyin? Is Shiyin powerful?"


    "Shiyin is very powerful," Qin Ran nodded.


    "Master, did you seed?"


    "Mm..."


    Li Shiyin was in Qin Ran''s embrace, looking out through his hair at the white patterns spreading in the sky, resembling white snowkes. It reminded her of the white willow catkins from that time when she realized that Master also had feelings for her.


    She asked, "Master, do you like Shiyin?"


    "I do!"


    "Master, shall we get married?"


    "Alright."


    Qin Rannded on the ground, holding Li Shiyin. He had been in the air for too long, causing his legs to feel weak and nauseous, so he sat down with Li Shiyin in his arms.


    The formation was broken, and the malevolent ghosts in the air and the corpse ghosts on the ground disappeared. Only a ck-robed man not far away, holding a tattered Soul Banner, remained.


    The ck-robed man sat on the ground, head lowered, clearly heavily injured.


    Li Shiwen approached Qin Ran with the remaining thirty or so soldiers and asked him while looking at the ck-robed man in the distance, "What should we do?"


    "What do you think?" Qin Ran replied, countering her with a question, "Should we spare him for the New Year?"


    Li Shiwen raised her hand and aimed her gun at the ck-robed man.


    The bullet failed to pierce the ck-robed man and was caught by Zhao Yaqing''s protector, Aunt Mei.


    Zhao Yaqing and Aunt Mei, apanied by several disciples from the Cloud Heaven Sect, appeared beside the ck-robed man and said to Qin Ran, "He is one of our Xuanqin''s people. Whether he is guilty or not will be determined by our Xuanqin."


    Qin Ran nced at her without responding, then looked up at the sky and said, "Please trouble the two seniors."


    Soon, a petal sword energy and a ck malevolent sword energy crossed in the air, cleaving the ck-robed man into four.


    "You!" Zhao Yaqing clenched her teeth, ring at Qin Ran.


    After a while, she snorted coldly and picked up the "Soul Banner of Thousand Ghosts" belonging to the ck-robed man. Turning around, she said to Qin Ran, "We''ll see about this!"


    After she finished speaking, Zhao Yaqing flew back to the Xuanqin military camp with the disciples of the Cloud Heaven Sect.


    Qin Ran frowned as he watched Zhao Yaqing leave. "We''ll see?" He had a feeling that there was more to Zhao Yaqing''s words than met the eye.

 Chapter 353

    Chapter 353


    After breaking through the enemy formation, the sky had already darkened.


    Zhao Yaqing left with the "Banner of Ten Thousand Ghosts iming Lives." As a cultivator, she wasn''t interested in the soldiers who died here. Li Shiwen, on the other hand, led the remaining thirty-some soldiers from North Chu to clean up the battlefield, collect the bodies of the fallen, and bring the survivors back to the city for treatment.


    He approached Qin Ran and saw that Li Shiyin, who was in Qin Ran''s arms, had fallen asleep. He asked in a low voice, "How is Shiyin? Are her injuries serious?"


    "She''s been injured..." Qin Ran replied, "but it''s not too serious."


    Li Shiwen felt relieved and asked, "And how about you?"


    "Just a bit weak," Qin Ran said.


    "Huh?"


    "My legs are weak."


    Li Shiwen didn''t understand what Qin Ran meant by his legs being weak, but he still reached out and helped him up.


    "How about this, should Shiyin be with me?" Although he had multiple injuries, they were mostly external, and his body was strong enough to support himself.


    Qin Ran didn''t hesitate and shook his head in refusal. He didn''t care about being embraced by a soft and beautiful young girl, even if he were an emperor. Not to mention that right now, he was only afraid of heights and weak in the legs. Even if he were severely injured and only had half a breath left, he wouldn''t say such a thing.


    "Let''s go over there and take a look." He gestured to Li Shiwen, and they both went to the ce where the ck-robed man had died... When Zhao Yaqing left, she only took away the "Banner of Ten Thousand Ghosts iming Lives" and didn''t care at all about the ck-robed man''s corpse.


    Previously, after killing someone, Qin Ran never bothered to conceal the body. That was to prevent his whereabouts and identity from being exposed. But now that it was known that he was the one who killed the ck-robed man, there was no need to hide it.


    How could he not inspect the body?


    The ck-robed man had been cut into two halves vertically, with one half on each side, making for an extremely tragic sight.


    Li Shiwen was ustomed to seeing such gruesome scenes. He squatted down, intending to move the ck-robed man''s body and at least piece it together to give him aplete corpse.


    But before his hand could touch the ck-robed man, Qin Ran spoke up to stop him, saying, "You better not touch him."


    Li Shiwen immediately withdrew his hand, turned to look at Qin Ran, and asked, "What''s wrong?"


    "This guy is skilled in soul techniques. Currently, he has only died physically, and it''s unknown whether his soul is dead or not," Qin Ran replied. "Moreover, it seems that he''s also skilled in using poison. His body might contain a poison that kills upon contact."


    Li Shiwen stood up at once, took several steps back, and came to Qin Ran''s side, keeping a safe distance from the ck-robed man''s body.


    He nced at Qin Ran and asked, "What about you?"


    Qin Ran didn''t answer that question. His figure flickered, and he summoned a transparent water clone.


    The water clone approached and reached out to move the ck-robed man''s body. As expected, the moment its hand touched the ck-robed man''s body, it immediately turned pitch ck. The ck color spread from its hand to its entire body in an instant.


    Qin Ran nced at Li Shiwen and noticed that his face had turned deathly pale... This guy no longer wanted to die; instead, he was afraid of death.


    The water clone pieced together the ck-robed man''s body and then carefully searched it up and down with its hand. However, it didn''t find anything. It then removed the ck-robed man''s storage bag and checked inside, but there were only some pills, medicinal herbs, and spirit stones, and nothing else.


    Especially concerning Qin Ran, he was particrly interested in soul-based cultivation techniques.


    When the ck-robed man bowed to him that day, he directly killed his doppelgnger... He bowed to death the primordial spirit residing within his water doppelgnger. Qin Ran found this strange and powerful soul-based cultivation technique fascinating.


    However, it was unfortunate that the ck-robed man didn''t possess such techniques.


    Qin Ran looked at the corpse of the ck-robed man from a distance, his mind racing:


    What is the rtionship between this ck-robed man and Xuanqin? And Xuanqin... His mysterious disappearance into Xuanqin''s doppelgnger and the unknown causes and consequences of it all. Xuanqin''s actions were still shrouded in strangeness. The cultivators in the Xuanqin Court seemed to extend beyond the disciples of the Cloud Heaven Sect...


    What exactly does Xuanqin intend to do?


    As he pondered, Qin Ran approached the water doppelgnger, which had turned pitch ck, and lifted the ck cloak covering the face of the ck-robed man. It revealed a face covered in festering sores, devoid of any natural color.


    This face was so horrifying that it would frighten children into calling for spirits and make adults lose their appetite for three days.


    "No wonder it was so well concealed," Qin Ran muttered.


    Generally, cultivators have the cirction of spiritual energy between heaven and earth within their bodies. While not every cultivator possesses an otherworldly beauty, at the very least, most cultivators have clean and wless skin.


    "I''m afraid this has something to do with his cultivation technique," Qin Ran felt a sense ofplexity in his heart.


    He regretted not finding that technique, yet he also regretted its potential costs.


    At that moment, the decaying face, which had already split in half, revealed a crevice, exposing a pair of eerie ck pupils...


    These pupils stared fixedly at the water doppelgnger in front of them, and a force seemingly materialized out of thin air, immobilizing the water doppelgnger. Subsequently, an illusory shadow drifted out from those ck pupils and directly entered the water doppelgnger''s body.


    "Phew..." Having experienced the previous poisoning, Li Shiwen wasn''t as startled by this possession, but he nced at Qin Ran and said, "How does this guy know so much about all this?"


    "As expected, there''s another trick up your sleeve..." Qin Ran smiled faintly. "I''m prepared for you!"


    Although the water doppelgnger was invaded by the ck-robed man''s soul, it was under the control of a certain power and immediately sat cross-legged.


    After a moment, the pitch-ck watery figure gradually solidified, transforming into an ordinary-looking man.


    Although the possession was sessful, he wore an expression of terror. "No... something''s wrong with this body! This isn''t a human body..."


    "You''re right..." Qin Ran replied.


    A solid figure emerged from his spiritual center, dressed in white like snow, and bearing a striking resemnce to him. It was his primordial spirit. The primordial spirit flickered forward and arrived in front of the ck-robed man, who was restrained by the water doppelgnger. Opening its mouth wide, it sucked in both the water doppelgnger and the ck-robed man''s soul.


    This was the second effect of the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skilldevouring!


    This cultivation technique had two major effects: splitting the spirit and devouring. Splitting the spirit allowed for infinite doppelgngers, while devouring relied on a formidable primordial spirit.


    Naturally, Qin Ran had mastered both aspects of this technique, but he had only disyed the doppelgnger aspect before and had never revealed its devouring side.


    This was his first time devouring a soul.


    The primordial spirit returned, entering his spiritual center, and Qin Ran exhaled lightly. He looked at Li Shiwen, who was standing beside him.


    Li Shiwen had been stunned. He never expected Qin Ran to devour the soul of the ck-robed man right in front of him.


    "You... This..." he stammered.


    He looked at Qin Ran, a young man with a gentle temperament and handsome appearance, holding a stunningly beautiful girl in his arms. Was this something that should be done in your current image andbination?


    "It''s amon urrence in the cultivation world," Qin Ran replied.


    Li Shiwen paused for a moment but ultimately didn''t say much.


    "Well then, let''s leave him with the corpses of the Xuanqin soldiers and burn them together," Qin Ran said. "He''s probably a Xuanqin person too."


    Late at night, in a bedroom of the City Lord''s Mansion, Li Shiyin was peacefully sleeping on a bed.


    There was a table by the bed with a litmp, and Qin Ran sat at the table, taking out a letter from his spatial bag.


    This letter was delivered during the day by Zhao Yaqing. However, right after receiving the letter, he was attacked by the "Soul-Devouring Array of Ten Thousand Ghosts" set up by the ck-robed man. He hadn''t had a chance to read it until now.


    The letter was still addressed to "Qin Ran" and sent by Zhao Zheng.


    He carefully inspected the envelope but found nothing out of the ordinary... no poison, no fluctuation of mana, no formations, no traces of divine consciousness, soul, or mana. It was just an ordinary letter.


    However, the fact that there was nothing unusual was the most unusual thing!


    Why would Zhao Zheng send him a letter?


    Were they close?!


    Why would he write to him?


    Thinking about the inexplicable withdrawal of the Xuanqin troops, Qin Ran was filled with doubts...


    He opened the envelope and took out the letter. The first line he read was, "Dear original self:"


    "??? What on earth is this!!!" Qin Ran widened his eyes in disbelief.


    He quickly realized something and suppressed theplexity in his heart, continuing to read:


    "Dear original self:


    When you receive this letter, it means that I am free!


    And you also know a fact clearlyI have betrayed you. It''s that kind of feeling when ''one thought arises, and the world expands in an instant,'' you get it, right?


    Honestly, I really didn''t want to do such a treacherous thing. I would have preferred to die in Mo City, but what he offered was just too tempting.


    Zhao Zheng has a great dream, a dream so magnificent that when I heard it, I felt a tremendous surge and thought that staying in thefort zone of Dan Peak was extremely despicable. I felt that I should break out of thefort zone and help him realize this dream. I believe that if you knew what this dream is, you would support me in doing so.


    After all, I am you.


    Unfortunately, I can''t tell you what this dream is right now.


    But we have also thought about it. Coming to this world, it would be best to do something, leave something behind, rather than always being so cowardly. If you can''t do this thing, then let me do it on your behalf.


    The withdrawal of the Xuanqin troops was a deal between Zhao Zheng and me, so you don''t need to have too many doubts. But don''t think that everything is fine and dandy. Xuanqin must unify the Land of Immortal Legacy, but for North Chu, there can be preferential treatment. Even if it''s unified in the future, we can adopt two different political systems. You understand what I mean, right?


    Now, North Chu can form an alliance with Xuanqin, but eventually, it will definitely be assimted into Xuanqin. This process doesn''t have to involve warfare; it can be a peaceful transition. Trust me, this is undoubtedly a good thing for North Chu. It can even help realize the evesting dream that Shiyin mentioned, and it can also resolve the crisis faced by the Daojian Sect during this process.


    In short, you have to believe me. Essentially, it means believing in yourself.


    That''s how things stand, no matter what actions we take, we ultimately helped North Chu out of its predicament.


    Here''s what you still need to do: Firstly, I will send someone to deliver formation diagrams, design ns, and geographical maps to you. You need to persuade North Chu to construct corresponding formations at the designated locations on the map. Secondly, you need to persuade North Chu to submit to Xuanqin.


    I know you will surely study the formations and deduce what we need to do through them. But my suggestion is that it''s not necessary because it would be a waste of effort without much reward.


    Alright, that''s all I wanted to say. We should meet again in the future.


    I wish you and Shiyin a happy life!


    I, alone, am toiling away to help you chase your dream. Sob, sob, sob...


    - Qin Ran''s fourth clone, recorded in the Imperial Pce of Mo City on January 2nd.


    After reading the letter, Qin Ran stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the darkness outside, enduring a night of cold winds (as there was no tobo).

 Chapter 354

    Chapter 354


    "The ebb and flow of the world''s tides - unity after prolonged division, and division after prolonged unity."


    Amidst the gentle spring breeze, on a broad road, Qin Ran spoke thoughtfully to Li Shiwen as they rode on horseback, "The Land of Immortal Legacy has been divided for far too long. The time for unification has arrived.


    "Xuanqin''s unification of the Land of Immortal Legacy is the inevitable trend of the times."


    Li Shiwen, riding beside him, gave him a sidelong nce. "So, is this your justification for making North Chu submit to Xuanqin?"


    Qin Ran did not answer but countered with a question of his own: "Would you like to hear the story of King Goujian''s bitter perseverance?"


    "Tell me," said Li Shiwen.


    Qin Ran then narrated the tale of King Goujian of Yue and King Fuchai of Wu. At the end, he concluded with "The diligent shall prevail under Heaven''s grace; three thousand Yue soldiers can swallow Wu whole," encouraging Li Shiwen that North Chu too might have a chance in the future.


    "You and your grand philosophies..." Li Shiwen scoffed in disbelief. "Just like those impoverished schrs - better at talking than doing."


    "Those impoverished schrs could not have made a million Xuanqin troops retreat," Qin Ran retorted.


    Xuanqin''s elite troops numbered over two hundred thousand, with nearly six hundred thousand logistics personnel serving them. Adding the soldiers stationed in the upied cities of North Chu, the total force likely exceeded a million - a conservative estimate.


    They were on their way back to Danyang.


    After the ck-Robed Man''s ghastly assault, Xuanqin''s retreat had only elerated. It did not take long for their troops to withdraw from Wuyi City in North Chu all the way back to Anlu City in Xuanqin territory.


    Li Zhan needed to restore order in the war-torn Wuyi City, so he arranged for a small detachment to trail behind the Xuanqin army and observe while dispatching Li Shiwen''s team to return to Danyang and report back.


    Sending Li Shiwen back to the capital served two purposes: to update the North Chu Emperor on the current war situation and to persuade him to ept the terms proposed by Qin Ran''s clone and Xuanqin.


    Additionally, since Li Shiyin had been injured and had not fully recovered, she had been whining and begging to return home to see her mother. Thus, Qin Ran brought her along on the journey back to Danyang.


    He and Li Shiwen rode at the front, while Li Shiyin and Yu Chi Zhen rode in a carriage in the middle.


    "So, how do you n to convince your North Chu Emperor to be Xuanqin''s son?" Qin Ran asked casually as they chatted along the way.


    "As a fellow North Chu native, could you watch your words?" Li Shiwen shot Qin Ran a nce before replying, "His Majesty is no foolish or stubborn ruler. He can read the situation and needs no persuasion from me.


    "In fact, from what I know, amid our sessive defeats, His Majesty has already sought peace with Xuanqin multiple times, but Xuanqin ignored him. With such lenient terms this time, His Majesty will likely be too stunned to close his mouth for half a year."


    "Fair enough, if you''re confident," Qin Ran said indifferently.


    "However, I don''t quite understand why I have to be the ''viin'' again," Li Shiwen recalled, feeling resentful. "After the Hengduan Mountains incident, I''ve already been ndered enough. This time, I don''t know what new insults I''ll face."


    "What do you care about such things when you''ve already endured so much?" Qin Ran asked. "Or did you expect me to go in person?"


    Li Shiwen nodded. "It would be better if you went. With your cunning and shrewdness, you''d make the perfect Prime Minister for North Chu."


    "The word ''shrewdness'' is not quite urate..." Qin Ran pondered, recalling that his clone had joined Xuanqin and was likely serving as their Prime Minister. The thought irritated him. "A more tactful term would be better."


    "At least you have some self-awareness..." Li Shiwen was about to continue when he suddenly noticed a bright light streaking towards them from the distant sky. Squinting, he saw it was a cultivator riding a sword, flying straight towards them.


    He quickly halted, waiting for the cultivator to approach.


    Soon, the cultivator arrived, and Li Shiwen''s eyes widened in recognition - it was none other than Cheng Nan, an acquaintance.


    "What are you doing here?" Cheng Nan hovered in mid-air, frowning at Li Shiwen. "The war rages on at the front, yet you linger here? Have you deserted?!"


    Li Shiwen narrowed his eyes, looking up at Cheng Nan. This brat, who used to follow him around addressing him as ''Brother Wen'' in his youth, now spoke with such arrogance after gaining some cultivation.


    "And where might you be going, old friend?" Li Shiwen asked with a sardonic smile.


    "Upon hearing that North Chu was invaded by Xuanqin andcked cultivators, I hurried back from the sect to join the war effort!" Cheng Nan dered loftily. "Imagine my surprise at encountering you here. I had such high hopes for a talent like you...


    "Has Li Shiyin returned to defend our homnd?"


    Despite his self-serving attitude and arriving only after the war had concluded, Cheng Nan possessed genuine patriotism, returning in the nation''s time of need... He was not entirely without merit.


    Li Shiwen saluted Cheng Nan respectfully from atop his horse. "It warms my heart to see a cultivator like yourself still cherishing loyalty to our sovereign."


    He nced pointedly at Qin Ran. "However, there is no longer a need to proceed to the frontlines."


    "No need to go to the frontlines?" Cheng Nan mumbled, his face falling. "Don''t tell me we have been defeated? Could you be..." He eyed their procession. "...the remnants of a routed army?"


    "What makes you think we''re the remnants of a defeated force?" Li Shiwen said, perplexed. Their troops appeared orderly and disciplined - in no way resembling a routed army. "Xuanqin has withdrawn their forces."


    "Huh?" Cheng Nan blinked in confusion.


    "You should''vee back sooner - North Chu would''ve been long gone by then," Li Shiyin''s voice suddenly chimed in from behind.


    They turned to see her peeking out from the carriage, her pale face visible as she addressed them.


    "Shiyin?!" Cheng Nan seemed pleasantly surprised, apparently forgetting her previous rejection of his marriage proposal. Seeing her pallidplexion, he asked with concern, "Are you injured?"


    Cheng Nan rummaged through his spatial bag and retrieved a bottle of medicinal pills. Preparing to fly over, he said, "I have healing pills here. Take them quickly, Shiyin."


    "Who wants your pills?" Li Shiyin rolled her eyes.


    Her master had an ample supply of pills. If she wanted medication, she would have taken it long ago. But she had not... because once her injuries healed, how could she find excuses to cuddle with her master?


    "Why don''t youe down from that sword..." She addressed Cheng Nan. "You act as if riding a sword is such a great feat."


    Cheng Nan dismounted, smiling humbly. "You''re right, all sword cultivators can ride swords. It''s nothing special."


    "How long have you been able to sword-fly?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "A little over a month," Cheng Nan replied.


    "Not bad..." Li Shiyin nodded approvingly, sounding quite mature. "Your speed and stability are quite decent. To achieve this in just over a month shows remarkable talent."


    "My master said the same about my talent..." Cheng Nan beamed with pride. "Since you''re injured, Shiyin, would you like me to carry you for a while? Are you heading back to Danyang City?"


    "You think I can''t sword-fly myself?" Li Shiyin pouted. "I don''t want to sword-fly."


    Then, suddenly raising her voice to a whiny pitch, she said sweetly, "Master... Can youe over and let me ride with you?"


    "???"


    Qin Ran was addressed, and the pitiful tone of his disciple''s voice sent shivers down his spine. He nced at Li Shiwen, who was also rubbing his arms, clearly just as disgusted by Li Shiyin''s cloying act.


    He had no intention of indulging his foolish disciple, but seeing Cheng Nan... a desire to show off welled up within him.


    "Master?" Cheng Nan looked bewildered. "Your master is here? Where?"


    Then he saw beneath his eyelids that Qin Ran turned his horse around and went towards Li Shiyin''s carriage.


    "You... you are Master Shiyin?!" He couldn''t believe it.


    This guy who looked like General Li Shiwen, but didn''t have an ounce of cultivation aura, was actually Master Shiyin?!


    Qin Ran ignored him and went straight to the carriage. He red at Li Shiyin and asked, "Weren''t you in so much pain that you couldn''t even lift a finger?"


    "Hehehe!" Li Shiyin giggled foolishly. She was just pretending so her master would feed her.


    She crawled out of the curtain, nimble and graceful, diving into Qin Ran''s embrace and straddling the horse, not looking injured at all.


    She even said, "Master, I''ll teach you how to ride a horse."


    The silly disciple might be silly, but she often had mischievous ideas.


    "Hmph!" With this increasingly mischievous silly disciple, Qin Ran didn''t want to y along. Holding her in his arms, he tugged on the reins and headed back to the front of the group.


    At the front, Li Shiwen was already used to this. He knew Li Shiyin''s nature too well. This girl had never been an obedient child. Now that she had a cunning master, she was bing more and more like him - utterly naughty.


    But Cheng Nan was so shocked that his mouth hung open, wide enough to fit a fist. Pointing at the master and disciple pair exuding a pungent odor, he stuttered, "You... you... Mas... Master, you... like... your master???"


    He finally remembered that the reason Li Shiyin had rejected his marriage proposal years ago was because she had someone else in her heart. He had thought it was some senior brother... but he never expected...


    "Yes, my master, Qin Ran!" She introduced Qin Ran to Cheng Nan, hugging Qin Ran''s arm over his shoulder.


    This was hardly an introduction to her master!


    Cheng Nan saw everything clearly and didn''t want to say anything more. Li Shiyin had broken his heart once again. Watching the affectionate pair, he took out his sword and flew toward Wuyi City.


    Qin Ran pinched Li Shiyin''s cheek and whispered in her ear, "The disciples of the Dao Sword Sect were right about their evaluation of you."


    "What evaluation?" Li Shiyin widened her innocent eyes and turned to look at Qin Ran.


    "They said you''re a demon, and someone gave you a nickname - the Sword Demon." Qin Ran leaned in and nibbled her ear. "You''re just a little witch!"


    The silly disciple was clearly doing this on purpose for Cheng Nan to see, aiming topletely dispel Cheng Nan''s thoughts... or perhaps, to also show off a bit.


    She loved her master so much, of course she wanted everyone in the world to know!


    "No, I''m not!" Li Shiyin''s ear tickled, and she quickly moved away from Qin Ran''s mouth, showing him only the back of her head as she giggled, "Shiyin is the cutest, Shiyin is just master''s silly disciple!"

 Chapter 355

    Chapter 355


    The little witch Li Shiyin ran off to cuddle with her master, leaving Yu Chi Zhen alone in the carriage... well, not entirely alone - there was still a cat.


    Chaswind had mastered his shapeshifting ability and could now change his body size at will. At the moment, he had transformed into a cat-sized form and was napping in the carriage.


    That''s just how felines are - no matter how powerful, mighty, or fierce they may be, they always maintain azy demeanor. As the saying goes: why walk when you can ride, why sit when you can lie down, and why stay awake when you can sleep?


    ... In fact, apart from humans, all living creatures behave this way. Other than hunting and reproducing, they''re reluctant to do anything that wastes energy.


    After Cheng Nan''s departure, the caravan continued on its journey.


    When Li Shiyin was in the carriage, Yu Chi Zhen could casually chat with her and listen to interesting stories about the cultivation world. Now that Li Shiyin had slipped away, she felt bored.


    She took out a book to read, but the poor quality of the carriage made it shake and sway, making reading ufortable. After a while, she finally gave up.


    Bored, she looked around, even lifting the curtains to peek outside at themoners busy with spring plowing by the roadside. After a while, finding little interest there, she withdrew her gaze and looked around the carriage interior, finally settling on Chaswind.


    Imagine, a snow-white, fluffy, adorable big cat - who wouldn''t love it? Especially girls.Just looking at it made her feel at ease, and she wanted to hug and pet it. Thinking about the soft, fluffy, smooth, and warm feeling of a cat in her arms, with such a cat right before her eyes, she couldn''t resist reaching out her hand.


    But she stopped herself, remembering this cat''s previous form - a white tiger as big as a small house, powerful, majestic, and imposing. It had stood guard on the city walls for two months, bing the guardian deity of Wuyi City, imbued with a sense of holiness.


    Such a divine guardian beast, and now she wanted to hold it in her arms and y with it. This was sphemy... sacrilege! She was truly unforgivable!


    So after another moment, she reached out and touched the cat...


    "Wow!" Her eyes immediately lit up. Indeed, it was warm and soft, feeling wonderful, exactly as she had imagined, or perhaps even better.


    Most importantly, this powerful guardian deity (adorable cat) didn''t mind her touch, allowing her to pet it freely.


    "Hmm... is this okay?" she wondered hesitantly, while petting more boldly, running her palm over the cat''s body, rubbing its belly, ying with its paws, and even gently swinging its tail... truly treating it like an obedient, lovable cat.


    Finally, feeling unsatisfied, she picked up the cat and hugged it to her chest.


    Themotion seemed to have woken the cat up. Itzily opened its eyes and looked at Yu Chi Zhen.


    Yu Chi Zhen was startled, realizing how presumptuous and irreverent she had been, actually holding a divine beast in her arms to y with... Surely the divine beast would be displeased and bring divine punishment upon her! She quickly lowered her head, waiting for the divine retribution to descend.


    Chaswind nced at her, then paid her no more attention, closing his eyes and falling back asleep with a purr.


    Since he had grown up, it had been a long time since his father had petted him like this. Now, after many years, a gentle and beautiful woman with a motherly aura was giving him a massage... It felt so good, meow!


    "Eh?" Yu Chi Zhen was puzzled by this reaction. "No punishment?"


    After a while, she tentatively ced her hand back on Chaswind, and soon she was ying with him again...


    In the chilly early spring, holding a warm, big cat on herp like a living heater that she could freely pet - wasn''t this one of life''s great pleasures?


    As the carriage convoy leisurely continued its journey, not yet reaching Danyang, Cheng Nan was already approaching Wuyi City on his flying sword.


    In fact, even before reaching Wuyi City, while still quite far away, Cheng Nan could see the four pirs of starry sword energy towering around the city.


    The sword energy rose far above the city walls, seemingly connecting to the sky.


    As a sword cultivator, although his sword cultivation level was low, years of familiarity with swords allowed Cheng Nan to sense the power of those sword energy pirs, the profound understanding of the sword dao contained within them, and a gentle intent... sword intent?


    The sharp aura of the sword energy affected Cheng Nan even from a great distance, filling him with awe. Yet within that sharpness was also a gentle, protective intent.


    "Which sword dao expert left behind this sword energy?" Cheng Nan wondered. "It must be a North Chu sword expert, as the protective intent is directed towards the people of North Chu."


    He could sense the power of the sword energy, and also that it harbored no hostility towards him.


    "If there''s a chance..." he yearned, "how wonderful it would be to seek guidance on sword dao from them."


    Cheng Nan arrived at Wuyi City on his flying sword and found the city bustling with activity.


    Inside the city, many people were engaged in post-war reconstruction, clearing away debris. Outside the city was also lively, with many people tilling the fields in preparation for spring nting.


    Overall, there was an air of enthusiastic post-war rebuilding.


    "So the war really is over," he thought, feeling conflicted. On one hand, he was happy about this, but on the other hand, he was disappointed that he hade all this way for nothing.


    But he was also puzzled, "I heard that the sect''s upper echelons fully supported Xuan Qin, so how did North Chu manage to win?"


    - He was a disciple of the Cloud Heaven Sect.


    Cheng Nan flew over Wuyi City andnded in the courtyard of the city lord''s mansion.


    Flying at low altitude through the city, he noticed that the citizens were neither curious nor afraid of him, but rather seemed somewhat respectful. He vaguely understood that this might be rted to the sword energy outside the city.


    "When did North Chu produce such a powerful sword cultivator?" he wondered.


    Standing in the city, gazing at the sword energy outside, he faintly discerned its protective effect on Wuyi City. In his mind, he couldn''t help but imagine that senior expert, single-handedly with one sword, "stemming the tide at the point of copse, supporting the great edifice on the verge of falling," defeating the Cloud Heaven Sect''s cultivators alone in a disy of unparalleled prowess. With one sword strike, deterring enemy cultivators from daring to invade again.


    "This is how we sword cultivators should aspire to be!" he sighed. "What a pity I couldn''t meet them."


    Cheng Nan walked through the city lord''s mansion, intending to find the person in charge... he knew it was likely Li Shiyin''s father, Li Zhan.


    Making his way to the study, before he could knock, his keen hearing caught voices from inside.


    It was Li Zhan''s voice, saying:


    "...Erecting a statue for the divine beast White Tiger is indeed appropriate. But for Shiyin, let''s not. She is my daughter, Li Zhan''s child, and ultimately a person of North Chu. Fighting for North Chu is only natural and expected."


    Someone else said, "There''s a suggestion to rename Wuyi City tomemorate the Sword Immortal''s contributions."


    "What name?" Li Zhan asked.


    "The Sword Immortal left four pirs of sword energy in the city, so this city will nurture the Sword Immortal''s sword energy from now on..." the person said, "How about calling it Sword Pavilion City?"


    Li Zhan considered that this name didn''t involve Li Shiyin''s name directly and wasn''t too exaggerated, so he agreed, "That''s fine."


    "Regarding the renovation of the city walls..."


    While the people inside continued discussing North Chu''s post-war reconstruction, Cheng Nan stood outside, dumbfounded. He wasn''t a fool; hearing their conversation, he realized that the key to victory in this battle was Li Shiyin...


    In other words, the sword cultivator expert who had left him in awe and filled him with admiration was Li Shiyin.


    "Li Shiyin... Li Shiyin..." he murmured, feeling as if life was a dream, like he had crossed into another world. This world was too fantastical, too mystical, too... cultivationy!


    "Who''s out there?!" His low muttering was heard by those inside, and someone hurriedly came out to check.


    But when they emerged, all they saw was a sword light flying off into the distance. The sword light wavered unsteadily among the clouds.


    "So it was another Sword Immortal..." someone sighed, "Truly a blessing for North Chu."


    "A blessing for North Chu?" Li Zhan watched the departing sword light and sighed. North Chu, North Chu, there might not be a North Chu anymore, "This is North Chu''s sorrow."


    Tomemorate Li Shiyin''s single-handed defense of Wuyi City, the city was officially renamed Sword Pavilion City. Tomemorate the White Tiger''s two-month vigil on the city walls, protecting Wuyi City, a statue of a crouching White Tiger was erected in the city.


    From then on, Sword Pavilion City took the White Tiger as its patron deity. The White Tiger represents warfare, and warfare is governed by the sword dao.


    Due to the sword qi and sword intent outside Sword Pavilion City, many sword cultivators came toprehend the Sword Dao and pay homage to the legendary guardian sword immortal.


    Because of the blessing of intermingling sword qi, many children within Sword Pavilion City were born with exceptional talent in the Sword Dao.


    As thousands and tens of thousands of years passed, sword cultivators in Sword Pavilion City grew more numerous, living up to the city''s name and gradually bing the center of swordsmanship in the world.


    Once, a sword immortal who had attained profound mastery of the Sword Dao came to Sword Pavilion City to pay his respects. Standing atop the city walls, gazing at the eternal starry sword qi beyond the city, he sighed in admiration: "Sword Pavilion stands lofty and majestic, where one man can guard the pass against ten thousand."


    This was to praise the great sword immortal ancestor, Li Shiyin.

 Chapter 356

    Chapter 356


    Although traveling by carriage and horse was not as convenient or quick as flying on a sword, as long as one kept moving forward, they would eventually reach their destination. On this evening, Li Shiwen finally arrived with his convoy at Danyang City.


    Upon reaching Baqiao Bridge, court officials came to wee them, following North Chu etiquette. Li Shiwen dismounted and went through the formalities before directly entering the pce to have an audience with the emperor. Meanwhile, the Li family matriarch Yang Yanqi came to greet the others. Except for Li Shiwen, the rest of the Li family members including Li Shiyin, Qin Ran, and Yu Chi Zhen followed Yang Yanqi to the Li residence.


    As they arrived at the gates of the Li residence, before Qin Ran could react, Li Shiyin jumped down from his arms and reached out to pull him, saying with a smile, "Master, Master,e down quickly."


    He roughly knew what his silly disciple was up to, as it was the same thing she didst time in Wuyi City, directly pulling him to meet Li Zhan. He didn''t resist and followed her lead, dismounting and running with her to Yang Yanqi''s carriage.


    The silly disciple climbed onto the carriage to help Yang Yanqi, with her upper body inside the carriage and her lower half outside, her long legs and plump bottom right in front of him. That bottom was quite voluptuous, and Qin Ran thought... what would happen if he gave it a smack right now.


    Li Shiyin quickly helped Yang Yanqi out of the carriage, and excitedly introduced Qin Ran: "Mother, this is my master!"


    She presented Qin Ran as if showing off a treasure.


    Qin Ran felt a sense of unexpected honor... Was he really that precious?


    He nced at Yang Yanqi and immediately realized that Li Shiwen and Li Shiyin had inherited their looks from her.Li Shiwen was very tall, but the guy actually had a handsome face with sharp features. Tall, handsome, strong, and from a good family, he was originally a perfect winner in life. Li Shiyin was the same - tall with long legs, curvaceous, beautiful, with meat in all the right ces and none where it shouldn''t be.


    ... He just didn''t know where these two inherited their brains from, as Li Zhan was clearly not stupid.


    He bowed to Yang Yanqi and said, "Greetings, Aunt."


    Yang Yanqi stepped down from the carriage with Li Shiyin''s help and looked Qin Ran up and down.


    Unlike Qin Ran''s discreet nce, she was like a mother-inw examining a potential son-inw, scrutinizing him from head to toe, taking in every detail.


    Qin Ran had the appearance of a schr, without the arrogant air of an immortal or expert. Instead, he had a gentle and profound demeanor, looking as if he had read extensively. Qin Ran''s appearance pleased her very much.


    Their Li family was a military family, but she had no intention of finding another son-inw from a military background. Because if everyone in the family was rough, what was the point of bringing in another rough person? Would they just fight at home all day?


    They precisely needed someone more cultured.


    Just look at the names Li Zhan chose for Li Shiwen and Li Shiyin - both containing "shi" (poetry). And look at Li Shiwen''s wife, Yu Chi Zhen, a youngdy from a schrly family.


    Qin Ran''s schrly air greatly satisfied Yang Yanqi.


    ... Come to think of it, it was precisely this family atmosphere that made Li Shiyin fall for Qin Ran.


    Yang Yanqi could also see that Qin Ran was actually nervous, which she found amusing.


    Her daughter had been taught so well, so obviously her master wouldn''t be a simple cultivator. But how could one tell that this young man before her was an immortal expert? He looked just like a youngd meeting his girlfriend''s parents for the first time. This made Yang Yanqi like Qin Ran even more.


    His nervousness showed that he cared a lot about Shiyin, so Yang Yanqi knew that Qin Ran truly liked her daughter.


    She smiled and said to Qin Ran, "You are Shiyin''s master and an immortal from the Sword Path Sect. I should address you as Immortal, while you should call me by my name."


    Hearing this, the genuinely nervous Qin Ran thought Yang Yanqi didn''t like him. He frowned and looked at Yang Yanqi, only to see her smiling. He then realized it wasn''t what he had thought.


    ... Just look at Li Shiyin''s unruly little devil personality, and one could deduce what kind of person Yang Yanqi was. She was clearly joking with Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran couldn''t see through it at the time and replied stiffly, "Given my rtionship with Shiyin, I''d still prefer to call you Aunt."


    "Your rtionship with Shiyin? Aren''t you master and disciple?" Yang Yanqi asked.


    Qin Ran was at a loss for words.


    "Oh, Mom..." Li Shiyin red at Yang Yanqi, not allowing her mother to bully her master.


    Yang Yanqi looked at her silly daughter and couldn''t help but want tough. She shook her head and said, "Call me whatever you like. I don''t understand the affairs between you cultivators, which are different from the mortal world.


    "But let''s not stand here anymore, let''s go inside."


    As she spoke, she began to lead everyone inside.


    At this moment, Yu Chi Zhen came down from the carriage behind, carrying Chasing the Wind, and walked over to them.


    Li Shiyin saw this andughed, "Wow, Chasing the Wind, you''re sozy! Such a big guy and still needs to be carried."


    Chasing the Wind, lyingzily in Yu Chi Zhen''s arms, opened his eyes with a face full of disdain, nced at Li Shiyin, and said, "I''m only four years old. Oh, the new year has passed, so I''m only five. I''m still a baby."


    "Shame on you!" Li Shiyin teased, pinching Chasing the Wind''s face.


    Hearing the cat in Yu Chi Zhen''s arms speak, and hearing Li Shiyin call him Chasing the Wind, Yang Yanqi realized this must be the great white tiger from Dan Peak that Li Shiyin had always talked about.


    She looked closely at Chasing the Wind and found that this cat was also very handsome.


    "Isn''t Chasing the Wind supposed to be a tiger?" she asked in confusion. "How did he turn into a cat?"


    "Mom, you don''t know, he''s a divine beast!" It was Yu Chi Zhen who exined to Yang Yanqi, "When Chasing the Wind was in Wuyi City, he was huge, even taller than a house. But he knows magic and can shrink himself."


    "So Chasing the Wind is that powerful?" Yang Yanqi marveled.


    Thezy little cat couldn''t help but show a smug smile.


    Yang Yanqi found him really adorable and wanted to hold him too. She reached out and said, "Come, let this old woman hold you too."


    Chasing the Wind was not shy around strangers. Seeing that he was popr, he was overjoyed and was about to jump into Yang Yanqi''s arms himself.


    It was Yu Chi Zhen who had good reflexes, quickly handing him over to Yang Yanqi.


    Yang Yanqi had an even more spacious bosom, and Chasing the Wind felt even morefortable, his cat eyes narrowing in contentment.


    Yang Yanqi stroked him lovingly and smiled at Qin Ran, "When the siblings were little, there was a big dog at home, also named Chasing the Wind. That Chasing the Wind yed with them and grew up with them, but in the year Shiyin turned ten, Chasing the Wind died of old age..."


    Qin Ran felt that Chasing the Wind was much more popr than himself, and he felt a bit jealous.


    Hearing Yang Yanqi''s words, he looked at Li Shiyin, understanding why she had unhesitatingly named Chasing the Wind when he asked her to give him a name back then.


    No wonder he thought at the time that it sounded more like a dog''s name than a cat''s - it really was a dog''s name.


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin giggled and ran over to hug his arm.


    "Oh, so I''m a dog..." Chasing the Wind mumbled with narrowed eyes.


    "Wrong!" Li Shiyinughed. "You''re not even as good as a dog!"


    "Woof!" Chasing the Wind barked fiercely at her.


    The group entered the Li residence withughter and chatter. As for the carriages and horses, the servants would take care of them.


    They had just returned from the battlefield, and the Li family, being a military family, had their own set of rituals to dispel the blood energy, evil energy, and other inauspicious energies from the battlefield. Of course, these were simr to stepping over fire basins and sprinkling willow branch water.


    After going through a simple version of these rituals, they proceeded with the weing ceremony for their triumphant return.


    In fact, Li Shiyin and Qin Ran were cultivators and didn''t believe in these things, because whatever blood energy or evil energy, those negative things might not even be as powerful as they were. But this was just a custom, a ritual, so they didn''t say anything and went along with it.


    Yang Yanqi had prepared a sumptuous dinner in advance. After driving away the evil, they all sat down in the main hall and formally began the dinner.


    Although the Li family was a military family without too many formalities, they were still one of the top families in North Chu. Even if many rules were omitted, on an asion like this, when taken seriously, there were still some things to observe.


    Qin Ran, in this life, was born into a family of ordinary North Chumoners. Although the Qin family had moved from the vige to the town in recent years thanks to his behind-the-scenes support, they were still far from a prestigious family like the Li''s.


    So tonight''s dinner gave him a feeling of being like Lin Daiyu entering the Jia family mansion.


    ... In a daze, he had be Lin Daiyu, dazzled by the Li family''s fancy banquet.


    Fortunately, his silly disciple was always by his side, quietly teaching him, so he wouldn''t appear out of ce.


    "Could it be that you were also born with jade in your mouth?" Qin Ran whispered in Li Shiyin''s ear.


    "No..." Li Shiyin smiled and whispered back to Qin Ran, "Master, you''re silly. Of course, I was born holding a sword!"


    "That person is called Baoyu, and you''re called Baojian," Qin Ran replied softly.


    "What Baojian? That sounds awful!" Li Shiyin wrinkled her nose. Unfortunately, she didn''t understand Qin Ran''s reference, otherwise she could have retorted with "Qin Daiyu."


    Watching the master and disciple whispering in front of her, Yang Yanqi smiled and asked, "Where are you from, young Qin?"


    She had just called him Immortal, and now she was calling him young Qin. Now you know where Li Shiyin''s silly deer personality (little witch personality, muddle-headed personality) came from, right?


    "I''m from Qingyuan," Qin Ran replied. Although he joked about being Lin Daiyu entering the Jia family, he wasn''t actually Lin Daiyu. He not only had a delicate mind but also possessed real powerful abilities. Now, meeting his mother-inw, despite a moment of shyness, he responded quiteposedly. "I wonder if Auntie knows of it."


    "Qingyuan? Is it near the Hengduan Mountains?" Yang Yanqi asked. "Shiwen was stationed nearby before."


    "Yes, it''s in that area."


    "In recent years, that ce has often suffered cmities..." Yang Yanqi said with concern. "Is your family doing alright?"


    Qin Ran nodded and replied, "I keep in touch with my family regrly. They''re all fine."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin realized that Qingyuan had been upied by Xuan Qin, and asked Qin Ran, "Master, are they... really okay?"


    "Before I came to Wuyi City, I went to Qingyuan first and made arrangements for them," Qin Ran replied. "You don''t need to worry."


    "Master, you should have taken me to see them," Li Shiyin said. "If we''re going to get... married..."


    She blushed, her voice trailing off, unable to continue.


    "To avoid bringing them trouble, I actually haven''t been back for many years..." Qin Ran shook his head. "Even if... they don''t need to know."


    Li Shiyin looked at Qin Ran, suddenly feeling that her master seemed to have a very distant rtionship with his family.


    "You''ve already decided to get married?!" Yang Yanqi, who had caught Li Shiyin''s words, suddenly asked.


    Li Shiyin was startled. Marriage? Her face immediately turned red, and she lowered her head without answering.


    Qin Ran met Yang Yanqi''s gaze and smiled, "We are cultivators... whether we get married or not isn''t that important. There''s no need to rush."


    As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain in his waist. He looked down to see Li Shiyin, face red and turned away, pinching his flesh.


    This truly is a woman''s innate skill! He couldn''t help but marvel.


    "It''s still better to get married..." Yang Yanqi pretended not to see their little interaction and asked, "How old are you, young Qin?"


    "I''m thirty in nominal age," Qin Ran replied.


    "That''s indeed not young..." Yang Yanqi said. "You can hold the wedding at our Li family. If you don''t object, I''ll go and ask for an auspicious date tomorrow."


    So fast? Qin Ran was also surprised and quickly said, "There''s no need to rush."


    His waist was attacked again.


    Gritting his teeth, he continued, "Firstly, we''re still young and have a long life ahead; secondly, Shiyin hasn''t formed her Core yet. It would be better to get married after she forms her Core."


    "I can form my Core anytime!" Li Shiyin said through clenched teeth.


    Qin Ran red at her. Form a Core my ass.


    "What''s getting married?" At this moment, Chasing the Wind, who was squatting next to Yang Yanqi and eating heartily, asked.


    Chasing the Wind could eat a lot, and Yang Yanqi liked it very much, constantly giving Chasing the Wind meat. She just loved children with good appetites... otherwise, how could Li Shiwen have grown so big?


    "You''re too stupid, it''s hard for me to exin clearly!" Li Shiyin hurriedly replied with a red face.


    Yang Yanqi filled Chasing the Wind''s bowl with dishes and smiled, "Do you call him dad? Dad means father, which means your father is going to find you a mother."


    Chasing the Wind blinked its big eyes and pretended to be innocent, asking, "Is mom mother?"


    "Hm?" Yang Yanqi didn''t quite understand. She looked at Qin Ran, who seemed to know what was about to happen and covered his face. She then understood and replied to Chasing the Wind, "I suppose so!"


    "Then isn''t Shiyin mom!" Chasing the Wind smiled. "When dad taught me to speak, he told me to call Shiyin mom."


    "Swish swish swish..."


    Several gazes in the room turned towards Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran''s face immediately turned as red as a monkey''s bottom. His powerful physique granted him powerful toes, and he dug out a small vi with his toes on the ground.

 Chapter 357

    Chapter 357


    Li Shiwen wasn''t so lucky. By the time he returned from the pce to his home, the Li family''s dinner had just ended.


    As he entered through the outer gate, he saw the servants inside busy clearing the tables and serving dessert.


    "Did you all already eat?" He was a bit dumbfounded, having rushed back as fast as he could, but still missing the tail end of the feast.


    Li Shiyin picked up a pastry from the table, intending to feed one to Qin Ran, who felt a bit shy and reached out to take it himself. Holding a pastry in her own hand, she nced at Li Shiwen at the door and asked, "Didn''t you eat?"


    A maidservant came over to help Li Shiwen remove his armor. He remained standing at the door and replied, "When would I have had time to eat?"


    "We held off the Xuanqin army at Wuyi City, a great victory. Wouldn''t the Emperor reward you handsomely?" Li Shiyin leaned against Qin Ran as she ate her pastry and spoke to Li Shiwen, "You had a grand imperial banquet at the pce and you chose to rush home. Who can you me for that?"


    Li Shiwen changed into casual clothes and came over to sit beside Yu Chi Zhen. He red at Qin Ran and said coldly, "That''s something you should ask your good master."


    "What does my master have to do with this?" Li Shiyin couldn''t stand Li Shiwen ndering her master.


    "Heh heh!" Li Shiwen let out a coldugh, took the hot soup handed to him by Yu Chi Zhen, and took a sip before saying, "I sat at the imperial banquet, and those people looked at me as if their eyes could kill, ''whoosh whoosh whoosh,'' piercing me like a sieve. How could I eat?"He snorted coldly again, "All the benefits went to you and your master, while all the me fell on me. So, what does your master have to do with this?"


    It was only then that Li Shiyin turned to look at Qin Ran, her expressive eyes questioning.


    "It''s about the peace talks between North Chu and Xuanqin," Qin Ran exined softly to her.


    "Oh..." Li Shiyin understood, "So Li Shiwen went to the pce to discuss this with the Emperor?"


    Chasing the Wind, with his clean and handsome appearance and good appetite, was quite liked by Yang Yanqi. After dinner, she yed with Chasing the Wind, which made her very happy.


    Hearing the conversation between the few people at the table, she picked up Chasing the Wind and asked, "So what exactly happened this time? Why did Xuanqin suddenly withdraw their troops?"


    As the mistress of the Li family, she was naturally knowledgeable about military affairs. She could see clearly that North Chu and Xuanqin had a disparity in national strength, with one side growing stronger and the other weaker. Even with the help of Great Yan and Yan Han, Wuyi City might not have been defensible. She had thought North Chu was on the brink of copse.


    The situation had been very favorable, but Xuanqin suddenly withdrew, which was too unreasonable and hard to understand.


    Servants began to bring new dishes to the table. Li Shiwen, under Yu Chi Zhen''s service, ate while exining to his mother, "This is all thanks to Brother Qin.


    "We were able to hold out in Wuyi City because of him; the one who judged that Xuanqin would unify the six kingdoms was him; and the one who went alone to the Xuanqin capital to persuade Zhao Zheng was also him."


    "Xuanqin''s withdrawal and the opportunity for peace talks with North Chu are all his achievements. And the conditions Xuanqin offered..." He shook his head, "Too simple. The Emperor was even worried that the Xuanqin envoys might change their minds..."


    As Li Shiwen spoke, Yang Yanqi''s eyes grew brighter, looking at Qin Ran more and more favorably, her gaze gradually bing fervent. She hadn''t expected this seemingly schrly prospective son-inw to be so capable, a schr who could n the fate of the world and control the situation.


    ...The Li family needed someone like this.


    "You went alone to the Xuanqin pce, persuaded Zhao Zheng, and then returned safely?" she asked.


    Qin Ran shook his head. None of Yang Yanqi''s guesses were correct. He hadn''t been able to enter the pce, nor persuade Zhao Zheng, and in fact, he had been persuaded by Zhao Zheng himself. He hadn''t returned unscathed either.


    "Unscathed..." He paused, then smiled bitterly, "Not quite."


    "?" Yang Yanqi looked puzzled.


    "Mother, you don''t know, these cultivators..." Li Shiwen, eating noisily, his din louder than the previous five peoplebined, exined to Yang Yanqi, "They all have some strange abilities. Look, Shiyin is a sword cultivator, so her swordsmanship is excellent; her master is a pill cultivator, so he knows all sorts of weird things. He can create a doppelg?nger, he sent his doppelg?nger to Xuanqin."


    "Oh! Impressive, avoiding danger and nning from afar." Yang Yanqi was even more impressed. She was graduallying to see Qin Ran as her ideal son-inw.


    "How is it? My master is amazing, right!" Li Shiyin was even more ted, seeing Qin Ran praised by her brother and mother.


    "Amazing!" Yang Yanqi sighed in admiration. "Hmm?" At this point, Li Shiwen felt something was off. He looked up from his bowl at Qin Ran. What was going on? Wasn''t he supposed to be scolding him?


    The peace talks were indeed Qin Ran''s doing, but the me was on him!


    But seeing his mother and sister''s reactions, he opened his mouth, then closed it again. He just took the meat handed to him by Yu Chi Zhen and bit into it fiercely.


    Yang Yanqi and Li Shiyin took turns praising Qin Ran, lifting him up to the heavens. Qin Ran himself was a bit embarrassed by the praise.


    After a satisfying meal and a long chat, it was finally time to retire to their respective rooms.


    However, while others had their own rooms to return to, Qin Ran, being a guest, could only go to the guest room.


    Li Shiyin, caring for her master, was eager and led Qin Ran towards the guest courtyard.


    Li Shiwen was originally going to return to his own courtyard with Yu Chi Zhen for some private time, but as he was about to leave, Yang Yanqi tugged at his sleeve.


    He turned back to see Yang Yanqi signaling with her eyes towards Li Shiyin and Qin Ran ahead.


    Mother and son were in tune, and he immediately understood. Yang Yanqi was worried that Li Shiyin, this naive girl, might end up sharing a room with Qin Ran, making it too easy for him to get what he wanted.


    Yang Yanqi appreciated Qin Ran, but she still believed that basic moral and social norms should be upheld.


    The two were not young anymore, and their feelings were strong. If they wanted to consummate their rtionship... they should first get married.


    So she asked Li Shiwen to keep an eye on things.


    Although Li Shiwen didn''t think much of it¡ªhe could see that it was Li Shiyin who was the more proactive one. If Qin Ran had any intentions, Li Shiyin would have beenpletely taken by now.


    But since his mother had spoken, he sighed, let go of his little wife, instructed her to go back to their room, and followed Li Shiyin and Qin Ran.


    "Master, this way... You see, that''s Father''s study, much bigger than our Dan Peak''s study, with lots of books. Master, you can go read there... That way leads to the back garden, remember? I said Father grows flowers just like you grow herbs, the back garden is very beautiful... And this way is the training ground, where you can practice martial arts and spar..."


    As Li Shiwen approached, he heard Li Shiyin giving Qin Ran a detailed tour of the Li residence.


    "Master, look over there, that''s where I live. See, the prettiest one is my courtyard." Li Shiyin pointed with her toes, "You cane find me in that courtyard..."


    "So, Master, do you want to sleep in your courtyard?" Li Shiwen asked from behind in a deep voice.


    "Sure!" Li Shiyin nodded, "Actually, that''s what I was thinking. No need to be so troublesome. There''s also a guest room in my courtyard. Master can sleep in my room, and I can sleep in the guest room."


    Li Shiwen''s face darkened as he scolded, "A youngdy, not knowing any shame! Where did all the books you studied go?"


    "Forgot!" Li Shiyin retorted boldly, then turned to ask Li Shiwen, "Do you remember?"


    "I..." Of course, he didn''t remember either. Li Shiwen snorted coldly, "A girl not knowing modesty, wonder who would like her."


    "My master likes me!" Li Shiyin stuck her tongue out at Li Shiwen.


    "Thankfully your master is also a strange fellow," Li Shiwen said.


    "Hey?" Qin Ran felt wronged, "Don''t drag me into your argument!"


    "Hmph! I''m so amazing, there are plenty of people who like me! I just don''t fancy them... Master, oh."


    "Yes, yes, you''re the most conceited. All the men in the world like you." Li Shiwen rolled his eyes.


    "No, women like me too," Li Shiyin grinned mischievously.


    Now that Li Shiwen''s Dao heart has been rebuilt, he no longer feels depressed or inferior, and his rtionship with Li Shiyin has returned to normal. He doesn''t feel a sense of disparity because Li Shiyin is overwhelmingly powerful; he interacts with her the same way he always has.


    Brother and sister, should fight or not, they fight; should scold or not, they scold. Bickering and teasing have be daily routines again.


    "By the way, you''ve once again taken on the me for betraying the country..." Qin Ran asked curiously, "Has your official position been stripped away again?"


    Li Shiwen shook his head and said, "Although many people are scolding me, most of them actually understand the interests of the two countries. Some are scolding just for the sake of it, some because of differing stances, some because they were ready to surrender and are now frustrated that they can''t, only a few are truly scolding me for moral issues...


    "I didn''t get demoted; instead, I got promoted and am now back to being the Left General. In a few days, I''ll have to guard the pce."


    "Guard the pce?" Qin Ran nodded, understanding that Li Shiwen had indeed been promoted.


    His rudimentary knowledge of political history still allowed him to grasp one thing: only trusted generals are qualified to guard the imperial city, and in this wicked feudal dynasty, being trusted by the emperor is everything.


    He chuckled, "So you''re turning misfortune into fortune. Hmm, being scolded has made you famous, ck and red is still red."


    As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the small courtyard arranged for Qin Ran''s rest.


    Li Shiyin pulled Qin Ran around the courtyard, introducing everything to him in great detail, like a chirping little sparrow.


    Tonight, she was introducing her master to this home, just as her master had once introduced her to Dan Peak.


    Finally, they reached the bedroom, where Li Shiyin took out the bedding from the cab, skillfully making the bed.


    Li Shiwen watched her actions with some surprise, "When did this silly girl learn such skills?"


    "She did all this herself on the mountain," Qin Ranughed, "Last year she was still learning embroidery... Maybe by the New Year, she''ll be able to give you a new outfit."


    "Amazing, amazing!" Li Shiwen shook his head repeatedly, "One should look at people with new eyes after three days. Who would have thought Li Shiyin could have a girl''s demeanor."


    Qin Ran chuckled, feeling a bit proud. He had invested a lot in his silly disciple, and she had changed a lot because of him.


    After a flurry of activity, Li Shiyin tidied up the room, made the bed, and turned around, hands on her hips, looking at Li Shiwen and Qin Ran, and said proudly, "How is it? Impressive, right?"


    "Shiyin is the best," Qin Ran praised.


    But at the same time, an unharmonious voice sounded: "Not bad! I didn''t expect you to be so girly. Tsk tsk tsk!"


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin red at Li Shiwen, then smiled at Qin Ran, "Master, I''ll go get you a few maids tomorrow to serve you."


    "..." Qin Ran wanted to, but reason made him shake his head. Heughed, "No need, Master is used to doing things himself."


    This silly disciple didn''t know where she had learned all these mischievous tricks, actually trying to test him.


    It must be Qi Qi''s fault. When they go back, he''ll have to teach Qi Qi a lesson for turning his sweet and lovely disciple into this.


    "Well, that''s good too..." Li Shiyin nodded in satisfaction, "Then Master, I''ll personally serve you tomorrow."


    Li Shiwen leaned against the doorframe and said gloomily, "You can do it today... Or you could go warm the bed first."


    "You talk too much!" Li Shiyin red at Li Shiwen with murderous intent. Why was this person so annoying?


    It made her lose the mood to tease her master, so she said, "Ah, Master, it''ste, you should rest first. We''re leaving."


    "Don''t go, it''s still early, let''s talk more!" Li Shiwen said sarcastically, "Get closer."


    Li Shiyin "tut tut tut" walked over to him, then "bang" stomped down!


    "Hehe!" Li Shiwen had anticipated it and quickly pulled back his foot, grinning, "Can''t step on it."


    But Li Shiyin jumped up and headbutted him...


    "Ah!" Li Shiwen let out a cry of pain, covering his nose and crouching down.


    Qin Ran walked over and saw Li Shiyin waving at him before disappearing through the courtyard gate. He looked down at Li Shiwen and saw blood on the ground, knowing Li Shiwen''s nose was probably broken.


    "Ah, poor guy," he sighed, casually tossing a handkerchief to Li Shiwen.


    Then...


    "Bang!" He shut the door on Li Shiwen.


    "Not...," Li Shiwen covered his nose and looked up to the sky, "Who did I offend?"


    Not embracing his soft and fragrant wife, but running here to get beaten up... Ah! How pitiful!

 Chapter 358

    Chapter 358


    Qin Ran slept soundly on the bed his foolish disciple had prepared.


    The next morning, while still in his dream, he vaguely heard someone calling near his ear, "Master Lazybones, time to wake up!"


    He looked down at his foolish disciple in his arms, who suddenly gave him a mischievous grin. With a "whoosh," she transformed into a demoness with horns and fangs on her head, then opened her bloody maw and bit his nose.


    "Ah!" He was startled awake from his dream.


    He opened his eyes to find his foolish disciple leaning over his bed, also grinning mischievously, with one hand propping up her chin and the other reaching out to pinch his nose.


    ...Ah! No wonder he had such a nightmare. His foolish disciple really was a horned demoness!


    Seeing him awake, the foolish disciple casually withdrew her hand. She propped up her chin with both hands, just looking at him and giggling.


    "Master, are you awake?" she asked with a smile.


    Qin Ran took a moment to collect himself, looking up at his foolish disciple who was right before his eyes. He frowned and asked, "Why are you here?""I knocked, but you didn''t answer..." the little demoness replied innocently. "So I just came in."


    "But... Master, you were sleeping like the dead! You used to teach me how to be cautious in unfamiliar environments..."


    "Sleeping like the dead?" Qin Ran''s expression turned serious at her words. "How is that possible?! As cultivators, we always sleep with one eye open. Not even the slightest change in our surroundings can escape our perception."


    "Yes, yes, yes, Master, you''re absolutely right." Li Shiyin stood up and turned to pour some hot water into the washbasin. She dampened a towel, wrung it out, then turned back, smiling yfully as she said to Qin Ran, "Just now when I pushed the door open and came in, you didn''t react at all; when I yed with your face, you still didn''t react; then I pinched your nose for quite a while before you finally woke up."


    She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, holding the towel to wipe Qin Ran''s face. She lowered her voice, "Master, were you just dreaming about me?"


    Qin Ran took the towel and wiped his own face, denying as he did so, "Of course not! Why would I dream about you? Haha..."


    "Really?" Li Shiyin asked doubtfully. "Then why did you murmur ''Shiyin'' several times just now? Do you know another Shiyin?!"


    Her eyes narrowed.


    Qin Ran handed the towel back to Li Shiyin, his face full of righteousness, and said, "You must have misheard!"


    "Oh... alright then!" Li Shiyin nodded and got up to wash the towel. As she washed, she asked again, "Then what are stockings, Master?"


    "What?!" Qin Ran was shocked. Did he not only dream but also have the bad habit of sleep-talking?


    "You told me not to take them off... said they looked better on. Are stockings some kind of socks? What do they look like?" Li Shiyin said, turning her head to look at Qin Ran. Seeing sweat pouring down his face, she eximed, "Wow! Master, what''s wrong? Why are you sweating so much?"


    She quickly wrung out the towel and came over. Taking advantage of Qin Ran''s shocked state before he could react, she extended the towel to his face, gently wiping.


    ...She had saidst night that she would personally attend to her master, so naturally, she couldn''t go back on her word.


    Qin Ran came to his senses, feeling ufortable being waited on at first. He reached out to take the towel, but as he turned his gaze, he suddenly saw his foolish disciple so close to him.


    His foolish disciple''s beautiful face was so near, her expression so serious and her eyes so gentle, truly captivating; her breath, carrying the warmth from the towel, entered his nostrils.


    "So fragrant..."


    Early in the morning, he felt his heart pounding and his throat going dry.


    "Gulp!"


    He swallowed, trying to moisten his throat, but in this extremely quiet environment, the sound was incredibly loud.


    "Shiyin..." he called out, his voice still hoarse even after moistening it with saliva.


    Li Shiyin''s eyes turned slightly downward, her eyelids lowering. She saw her master''s face flushed red from the warm towel in her hand, she saw the hot mes leaping in her master''s eyes. She pursed her lips and squeezed out a sound from her nose: "Mm?"


    This trembling sound was like the spark that fell onto gasoline. Qin Ran''s heart suddenly throbbed, and he raised his upper body, his mouth seeking his foolish disciple''s lips.


    Li Shiyin slowly closed her eyes, waiting for her master''s kiss.


    Qin Ran tilted his head and kissed his foolish disciple''s lips, his nose pressed against hers, inhaling her warm fragrance.


    Li Shiyin''s hand on Qin Ran''s face unconsciously moved down, holding the warm, damp towel around his neck.


    Qin Ran straightened up, half-suspended in the air, and reached out to embrace Li Shiyin''s waist.


    As if a snake had been grabbed by its vital spot, Li Shiyin''s body instantly went soft, her world-shaking battle prowess vanishing without a trace. She sat on the bed, falling into her master''s arms.


    Qin Ran''s hand on his foolish disciple''s waist gently caressed, his fingertips feeling the silky texture of her clothes.


    At this crucial moment...


    "Ahem!!" Suddenly, someone coughed at the doorway.


    The two powerful cultivators, engrossed in their kiss, hadn''t noticed the person at the door at all. So the person at the door coughed loudly several more times: "Cough cough cough, hem hem!!"


    Qin Ran''s "keen" senses finally perceived the danger. He quickly stopped, his eyes darting from his foolish disciple''s fair cheeks to see Li Shiwen standing at the door with his arms crossed, looking serious.


    "Have we been caught in the act?!" His heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly pulled his foolish disciple away.


    "Master?" Li Shiyin still didn''t know what was happening, her face wearing a dazed expression, her eyes misty... looking utterly alluring.


    "Ahem!" Qin Ran coughed dryly, smacking his lips. He nced at Li Shiwen but felt too guilty to look directly at him. Looking elsewhere, he said, "We were cultivating, yes, cultivating. I was teaching Shiyin about the cirction and use of qi."


    Li Shiyin only then realized something was amiss. She turned her head to look outside and saw Li Shiwen with his serious face.


    "Ah?!" She let out a shriek, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and quickly buried her face in Qin Ran''s neck.


    "Qi, cultivation?" Li Shiwen sneered. Did they think he was an idiot? He red at Qin Ran and said, "In broad daylight, and not even considering the impact!"


    As he spoke, he walked out, saying, "Get up and have breakfast... Now that you''re in Danyang City, you''re not nning to stay in your room all day, are you? Hurry up, this young master will show you the splendors of Danyang."


    The viinous Li Shiwen came quietly and left quietly, not taking a single cloud with him.


    Qin Ran sat up on the bed, still holding Li Shiyin. Li Shiyin''s face was buried in his neck, and he buried his face too, his chin resting lightly on Li Shiyin''s shoulder, his nose in her hair, inhaling its fragrance.


    "Shiyin..." he called softly.


    "Mm?" Li Shiyin responded.


    "When you form your Golden Core, shall we get married?" he asked.


    Li Shiyin struggled a bit in his arms. He let her go, and she sat sideways on the edge of the bed, reaching out to cup his face, looking into his eyes as she said, "Master, I can form my Golden Core right now."


    His foolish disciple''s face was flushed, and stars twinkled in her misty eyes. Qin Ran smiled, reaching out to pinch the nose of this mischievous little demoness, saying, "You know what I mean."


    He had calcted that there were limits to cultivation realms, with each realm having its own limit. He had once wanted to explore the limits of Foundation Establishment, but Li Shiyin''s arrival had caused him to form his Golden Core early.


    Now Li Shiyin was very, very close to the limit of Foundation Establishment. He really wanted to know what it would be like to reach the extreme limit of a realm.


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin, still cupping Qin Ran''s face, gently squeezed, making Qin Ran''s mouth pucker. She shook her head, freeing herself from Qin Ran''s hand on her nose, then leaned in and nted a quick "mwah" on Qin Ran''s lips.


    She got up, bouncing off the bed, andughed, "Alright! Master!!"


    But she hadn''t ounted for her still-weakened body that hadn''t recovered its strength. Unable to support herself, she let out an "Ah!" and fell back down, tumbling into Qin Ran''s arms.


    Qin Ranughed and held her close, preventing this always absent-minded foolish disciple from falling... and getting hurt.


    After cuddling for quite a while, Qin Ran finally got out of bed.


    After breakfast, Li Shiwen suddenly came over and snatched him away from Li Shiyin, saying, "Hang out with your big brother for these few days. Don''t spend all your time indulging in puppy love, it''s unbing..."

 Chapter 359

    Chapter 359


    "So..." Qin Ran asked Li Shiwen on the wide street of Danyang City, "Where exactly are you taking me?"


    "This Danyang City..." Li Shiwen put his arm around Qin Ran''s shoulders, "It''s my territory! What can''t we do here? Whatever you want to do, I''ll take you to do it."


    As he spoke, he wiggled his eyebrows at Qin Ran, shing a smile that all men would understand.


    You thick-browed, big-eyed Li Shiwen, you''re actually this kind of person, Qin Ran thought as he side-eyed him and asked, "Give me an example?"


    "Eating, drinking, ying, having fun - anything Danyang City has to offer, I can take you there. As the young master of the Li family, I''ve got that much clout at least." Li Shiwen said rather proudly, "Although your intelligence, wisdom, and cultivation skills surpass mine by leaps and bounds, brother Qin... when ites to these worldly entertainments, you surely haven''t experienced as much as I have."


    Qin Ran blinked at him, wondering where this guy got the confidence to talk about entertainment with someone from the modern world.


    "So..." he asked again.


    Truthfully, he was now quite curious to see what kind of eye-opening experiences Li Shiwen could offer.


    Li Shiwen put his arm around him, bent down, and lowered his voice to a whisper: "ording to reliable sources, the newest top courtesan at Tianxiang House, Chen Shishi, is still a virgin... She''s extremely beautiful and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting... Her hands are like silk, her feet like golden lotuses..."Hmm, Qin Ran heard clearly, this was an invitation to visit a brothel... So he just stared silently at Li Shiwen, hoping he would realize that he was his future brother-inw. He was trying to take his future brother-inw to a brothel!


    "With my status as the young master of the Li family, plus some silver, you might even have a chance to experience her charms firsthand." Li Shiwen raised his eyebrows lecherously, "How about it?"


    "Not interested!" Qin Ran rolled his eyes and said righteously, "Do I look like someone who would go to such a ce of ill repute?"


    Li Shiwen looked Qin Ran up and down, then nodded, "You schrly types are all full of lecherous thoughts inside, just repressed. You all like to show off and throw money around in brothels. Are you not the same?"


    "I''m not!" Qin Ran''s gaze was very determined.


    "Ah!" Seeing this, Li Shiwen sighed and let go of Qin Ran.


    They walked a bit further down the street, when Li Shiwen suddenly remembered something. He propped his elbow on Qin Ran''s shoulder and said with a smile, "Speaking of schrs, I recall that Tang Yin is hosting a poetry gathering today, a spring outing poetry meeting... Oh, Tang Yin is the eldest son of the Minister of Personnel. A poetry gathering, are you interested in that?"


    Qin Ran rolled his eyes. A poetry gathering? Asking a homebody from the mountains to attend a social event... That wasn''t attending an event, that was asking for his death!


    He couldn''t even be bothered to respond.


    Li Shiwen asked curiously, "This is a poetry gathering organized by the Minister of Personnel''s family. Many highly talented students from the Imperial College and Hanlin Academy will be attending. You''re quite learned yourself, and also quite cunning. You could exchange knowledge with them,pose poems together. Wouldn''t that be nice? Don''t you schrs love to show off in front of others by stepping on other schrs'' heads?"


    What exchange of knowledge, what poemposition, this was just asking him to giarize! Qin Ran shook his head repeatedly. He didn''t want to let down those great figures from his past life.


    "Let me tell you, that''s a stereotype. Not all schrs are like that. There are true gentlemen among schrs, not all are hypocrites. Besides, I''m not even a schr!" he told Li Shiwen, "I get annoyed just looking at schrs."


    "Not a schr..." Li Shiwen looked at him, but still said, "There will be many talented young men and beautiful women at the poetry gathering. If you''re not interested in the talented men, what about the beautiful women? These spring outingsbined with poetry gatherings are very popr among the daughters of officials and famous courtesans."


    Qin Ran stopped and stared at him seriously for a while, then admonished, "You''re a married man with a child, and you''re Li Shiyin''s brother. Do you think it''s appropriate to say these things to me?"


    "Come on! Men should be more open-minded!" Li Shiwen seemed unconcerned, patting Qin Ran''s chest with the back of his hand, "It''s not like we''re bringing them home. Just looking and ying around a bit won''t affect anything."


    Hearing this, Qin Ran rummaged in his spatial pouch and found a bottle of pills. He handed it to Li Shiwen with a serious expression, "I think you''re bound to catch a venereal disease sooner orter. This bottle of pills is for you. It might save your life when the timees."


    "It''s not that serious..." Li Shiwen said as he took the pills... A cultivator''s pills were not to be refused.


    "The spring outing poetry gathering will also invite musicians and dancers. That guy Gao Yuanshan is going too. There will be elegant music, vulgar tunes, graceful dances, beautiful performers." He pocketed the pills and continued asking, "Are you not interested in any of this?"


    Li Shiwen''s enthusiasm made Qin Ran slowly realize something. This guy actually wanted to go to the brothel himself and was looking for an aplice; he also wanted to go to the spring poetry gathering to ogle girls, but as a crude fellow, he felt embarrassed to go to a poetry gathering alone... That''s why he kept trying to drag Qin Ran along.


    "It''s you who wants to go, isn''t it?" he asked Li Shiwen righteously.


    "Hey!" Li Shiwen shook his head in denial, "If you don''t want to go, then we won''t go! How could it be that I want to go? I''m just thinking of you."


    "I am a cultivator, indifferent to worldly desires. These mundane affairs don''t interest me at all," Qin Ran said with a righteous face. "Don''t try to corrupt my Dao heart with these things... It''s just a waste of effort."


    He had already run off with his sister, and the two of them were being all lovey-dovey in broad daylight. Now he was talking about being indifferent to worldly desires? Li Shiwen didn''t believe a word of it.


    But suddenly, he thought of something. He looked at Qin Ran carefully, feeling that something was off about him today... When had Qin Ran ever been this righteous?


    He lowered his voice and whispered, "Shiyin?"


    Qin Ran gave him an approving look, thinking to himself, "Not too stupid after all."


    With a sword immortal sister at home, daring to take her husband out to flirt with other women - one could only say that Li Shiwen was like an old man hanging himself - he had lived long enough.


    Seeing Qin Ran''s tacit approval, Li Shiwen immediately became flustered. He looked around, trying to locate Li Shiyin.


    But how could he possibly find Li Shiyin? Even many high-level cultivators couldn''t do that.


    He struggled for a while, unable to find Li Shiyin, but eventually calmed down. It was just a beating at worst, Li Shiyin wouldn''t kill him, right?


    Thinking this, the thick-browed, big-eyed, sharp-featured Li Shiwen also put on a righteous air. He said to Qin Ran, "I once heard Shiyin mention that you, brother Ran, have practiced the flute and your flute music is quite beautiful. Brother Ran has knowledge of music. As it happens, I know some people in the Danyang Opera Troupe. Why don''t we go to the opera house to listen to some music and watch some dances?"


    This was a refined activity, not likely to get him in trouble with Li Shiyin. Qin Ran finally nodded and said, "Very well."


    And so, on the first day of Qin Ran''s experience as a yboy, they went to the opera house to listen to music.


    Then on the second day, they went on a spring outing and fishing.


    On the third day, they went to a teahouse to listen to storytelling.


    ...They didn''t even dare to go to a gambling house.


    On this particr afternoon, Li Shiwen brought a few of his good-for-nothing friends along with Qin Ran to drink tea and listen to storytelling at the Ximeng Teahouse in Danyang City.


    Actually, Qin Ran wasn''t very interested in storytelling either. But firstly, they had nowhere else to go, and secondly, the stories being told at this teahouse these days were about the legendary deeds of North Chu cultivators during the recent war against the Xuanqin invasion. He was very curious to know if there were any stories about him and his foolish disciple, so he found it somewhat interesting.


    Today''s story was about the legendary sword immortal of North Chu, Jiang Xiaobai, and it was reaching its conclusion:


    "...It is said that on that night, heavy clouds hung low in the sky, as if thousands of pounds of raw iron were suspended above.


    Snow fell like goose feathers! Jiang Xiaobai sat alone with his sword atop the walls of Wuyi City.


    He was drinking. The alcohol was as sharp as an ice de, cutting down his throat.


    He was waiting for someone, an enemy, a fierce opponenting to take his life.


    He knew he would die today, but he didn''t leave. He was very calm.


    Because he was guarding the Wuyi City behind him.


    A cold wind blew, and the enemy army sent nine cultivators. All were terrifying experts who had formed their Nascent Souls.


    Among them was also a swordsman, who asked the Sword Immortal: ''You are not from North Chu, nor do you have any grudge against Xuanqin. Why sacrifice your life here for mere mortals?''


    The Sword Immortal looked up at the swordsman and replied: ''I am the number one Sword Immortal of North Chu.''


    ''After you die today, no one will remember you.''"


    The Sword God drank and sighed: "There are many who are not remembered, I''m just one of them; so many have died in this city, I''m just one more. Others have died, and so have I."


    A man with invincible divine light from Xuanqin advised the Sword God: "I admire you. I''ll give you a chance to join Xuanqin."


    The Sword God looked at him, spat at him, and said: "A man can be killed, but not humiliated. Why do you insult me?"


    The controller of divine light spoke no more.


    One from Xuanqin with infinite vitality, who had fought a hundred battles without dying, asked the Sword God: "No regrets?"


    "No regrets."


    The Sword God said: "If I retreat today, my heart will die; if I fight, my body will die. It''s death whether I advance or retreat. Should I wait for death as the country falls?"


    Then came the great battle.


    The Sword God had seventy-two flying swords, the enemy had nine generals. Eight flying swords fought one cultivator, while the Sword God alone fought nine.


    Flying swords filled the sky, shing through the heavens, as snow fell, rain poured, and the great sun descended; countless divine abilities shook the earth, dragons turned in the ground, and beasts fled in chaos.


    The Sword God struck one hundred and eighty sword blows, but even he had his limits, and finally perished as his magical power was exhausted.


    That day, blood-colored snowkes fell on Wuyi City for an entire day."


    After telling of Sword God Jiang Xiaobai''s death, everyone in the teahouse felt a pang in their hearts, silent for a moment, all grieving.


    Qin Ran turned to look at Li Shiwen, and saw that he too had a solemn expression, his eyes filled with sorrow, probably recalling the real scene of Jiang Xiaobai''s death that night.


    The storyteller in the hall, having reached this point, took a sip of tea, struck his wooden block with a "p", and said: "Heroes emerge in every age, seeding one another for North Chu. The Sword God''s death grieved heaven and earth, but as the darkest houres before dawn, just as Xuanqin was about to breach Wuyi City..."


    He paused, then loudly proimed, "The Sword Immortal descended!"


    This exmation seemed to sweep away the sorrow in the hall, as hope and light returned to the teahouse. Who didn''t know about their North Chu''s invincible Sword Immortal Li?


    "The torch is passed! This old man will continue with the story of Sword Immortal Li Shiyin!" The storyteller''s lips curled into a smile.


    "Now, this Li Shiyin was quite young, a girl from our Danyang City. Some of you might have seen her mischievous antics..."


    As the story turned to Li Shiyin, the atmosphere in the teahouse suddenly became lively.


    Qin Ran listened, thinking of his foolish disciple''s confused appearance, and felt a strange sensation. The silly disciple he saw was the peerless Sword Immortal in others'' eyes.


    In his eyes, she was a silly, simple-minded fool, but in others'' eyes, she was a hero who saved the country and lives.


    This feeling... was beautiful, causing a constant smile to y on his lips.


    Then...


    The beautiful day ended when he saw Cheng Nan.


    Cheng Nan was escorted into the teahouse by several people. They were dressed in fine silks and jade ornaments, clearly not ordinary people, but Qin Ran didn''t recognize them. He only knew Cheng Nan.


    The entry of these young masters caused a greatmotion in the teahouse. Li Shiwen frowned as he looked over, immediately recognizing their identities.


    On stage, the story of how his sister saved the country and its people was being told. He didn''t want to bother with this group of young masters, but unfortunately... they were heading straight for him.


    As soon as they entered the teahouse, they looked around, quickly locating Li Shiwen and Qin Ran''s private room, and headed directly towards them.


    Qin Ran frowned and asked Li Shiwen: "Are they looking for you?"


    "They''re all spoiled brats from Danyang City..." Li Shiwen introduced to Qin Ran, "The one being fawned over in front, you''ve met before, is the son of Prime Minister Cheng Lixue, Cheng Nan. He used to be engaged to Shiyin, but because of you, Shiyin unterally broke off the engagement four years ago;


    "Following him is General Xiang Ji''s brother, Xiang Hui. The Emperor promoted Xiang Ji to Grand General to bnce our Li family''s power, so the Xiang family is naturally opposed to us. My rtionship with Xiang Hui is like fire and water. I used to easily suppress him, but after the Hengduan Mountains incident, I was in decline for years, and he gained some momentum;


    "Next to Xiang Hui is Tang Yin, who hosted the Spring Outing Poetry Meeting a few days ago. Then there''s the Crown Prince Mi Hua, and the Hanlin Academy schr Tian Boming.


    "In short, they''re all wastes I used to suppress, but in the past two years, they''ve found a sense of superiority over me and their momentum has picked up.


    "I suppose they''ve heard I''m back and havee to put me down... heh, and they''ve even brought Cheng Nan along."


    Li Shiwen might seem unreliable, a fool like Li Shiyin, but he''s actually not a fool.


    Firstly, he was the number one bad boy in the capital, the most outstanding of their generation; secondly, he had a clear understanding of politics and the situation, not a simple character at all.


    ... Among these young masters and misses who grew up under the emperor''s feet, perhaps only Li Shiyin was truly a fool. But after years of Qin Ran''s training, even Li Shiyin was no longer a fool.


    Qin Ran wasn''t interested in the other young masters from the capital. He looked at Cheng Nan a bit longer, only now realizing that this guy was the legendary "Xiao Yan" who had been rejected. He also realized that four years ago, his foolish disciple had already yed "Lan Yanzhen" for him.


    It seemed that while he had ulterior motives, his seemingly foolish disciple''s thoughts weren''t so simple either.


    She had even fooled him... yes, that''s how it was.


    The group of Danyang bad boys pushed Cheng Nan to this private room, violently kicked open the door, and poured in, filling the room.


    Li Shiwen''s pig and dog friends immediately stood up, confronting Xiang Hui and the others who had barged in.


    Xiang Hui leisurely stepped past Cheng Nan to stand beside him, resting his hand on Cheng Nan''s shoulder. He looked at Li Shiwen with a smile and said, "Ah! Young Master Li, it''s been so long! How''s your health?"


    "Thanks to His Majesty''s blessing, I''m in good health," Li Shiwen leaned back in his chair and said to Xiang Hui, "So, Young Master Xiang, may I ask what brings you here?"


    "As I was passing by the teahouse, I heard them telling the story of Sword Immortal Li Shiyin inside..."


    At this moment, the storyteller was saying: "The young Sword Immortal secretly left the Tian Ce Army camp, overcame countless difficulties, crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, and arrived at the gate of the Dao Sword Sect.


    "At that time, the Dao Sword Sect was holding its grand ceremony of seeking the Dao, which urs once every fifty years..."


    "...Shiyin and I have been childhood ymates, so I hurried in to show support." Xiang Hui smiled, then pointed at Cheng Nan, "Besides, Brother Cheng here is still engaged to Shiyin!"


    Hearing this, Cheng Nan''s face changed slightly, and he secretly nced at Qin Ran. However, he saw that Qin Ran''s face was calm, as if he hadn''t heard Xiang Hui''s words. He quietly pulled at Xiang Hui, hoping that when Xiang Hui wanted to die, he wouldn''t drag him along.


    But how could Xiang Hui possibly heed his opinion?


    They let Cheng Nan be the leader, probably because he was a cultivator with strongbat power. They granted him the position of their leader.


    In essence, Cheng Nan was merely their sword and shield.


    "As soon as I entered the teahouse, I saw Brother Wen, and immediately came with Little Nan to pay our respects," Xiang Hui said with a fake smile.


    "You''ve paid your respects now. I''m fine," Li Shiwen said. "You can leave now."


    Xiang Hui paced over, saying, "It''s been so long since we''ve met, why not catch up? I see Brother Wen is in a different state than before, which makes me very happy."


    Did Li Shiwen have a good temper? Obviously not. This guy, the first time he met Qin Ran, dared to fly into a rage for his sister''s sake and raise a gun against a powerful cultivator.


    If it were the Li Shiwen from before the Hengduan Mountains incident, if Xiang Hui dared to be so provocative and pushy, he would have been thrown downstairs long ago; the current Li Shiwen had been tempered by great ups and downs, he had be more steady, and was very calm at this moment.


    But being steady was one thing, causing trouble when necessary was another.


    With anger in his heart but no expression on his face, he asked Xiang Hui, "How do you want to catch up?"


    Xiang Hui walked up to Li Shiwen. He stood while Li Shiwen sat, looking down at Li Shiwen. He put his hand on Li Shiwen''s shoulder, showing concern: "I heard Brother Wen fought bravely on the battlefield, charging to the front lines. ... Did you get hurt?"


    This gesture, of a superior showing concern for a subordinate, when done between Xiang Hui and Li Shiwen, carried quite a humiliating meaning.


    Li Shiwen looked up at Xiang Hui and smiled, cing his other hand on Xiang Hui''s hand on his shoulder. His mindset was really good now, and he gave Xiang Hui onest chance, asking, "Do you want to know if I can still fight?"


    Xiang Hui and his three buddies behind him were the type who had been suppressed by Li Shiwen for twenty years, then when Li Shiwen suddenly suffered a setback and became depressed, they turned around and suppressed him for four years.


    These four years had made them forget how Li Shiwen had beaten them for the previous twenty years, and they even forgot their own names.


    Xiang Hui alsoughed and asked, "Brother Wen, can you still fight?"


    "Crack!!!"


    Before he finished speaking, this sound suddenly rang out in the private room.


    The sound came abruptly and frighteningly, causing a moment of silence in the room.


    They heard the storyteller outside say, "After numerous trials, Swordsman Li passed the final test and entered the core area of the Dao Sword Sect, the Hall of Seeking the Way..."


    "Ahhh..."


    After the silence came screams of pain. Xiang Hui, who had been arrogant just a second ago, was now kneeling before Li Shiwen, clutching his hand.


    ...Li Shiwen had crushed the bones in his hand with one grip!


    What was Li Shiwen''s currentbat power?


    It was the limit of mortals!


    Give him a pair of wings, and he could defeat the vast majority of Foundation Establishment cultivators!


    How could Xiang Hui dare to provoke him?!


    But Xiang Hui was, after all, a young ruffian from the capital. Although he was in so much pain that he was breaking out in a cold sweat and screaming loudly, he could still give orders after his screams: "Cheng Nan, what are you waiting for?!"


    Cheng Nan looked at Qin Ran, whose expression remained calm, and said nothing.


    Li Shiwen stood up from his chair, his tall figure intimidating everyone in the private room, including Cheng Nan. They finally remembered the terror of being dominated by Li Shiwen.


    He looked down at Xiang Hui kneeling on the ground and asked, "Young Master Xiang, can you still fight?"


    "If you still want to win back Li Shiyin, Li Shiwen is your only hope," Tang Yin suddenly spoke to Cheng Nan, "All women are cheap. You can''t win back her heart by crying, begging, or kneeling. You can only force her, coerce her with your power, threaten her with benefits, and constrain her with emotions. Since you can''t get her heart, you can use various means to get her body."


    He whispered in Cheng Nan''s ear like a demon, "A forced melon may not be sweet, but it can quench your thirst. You can control Li Shiwen and use him to threaten Li Shiyin. You''re a cultivator... a powerful cultivator. Can''t you even get a woman?"


    Cheng Nan looked back at him, feeling as if something suppressed in his heart had been uncovered, and darkness was escaping from within.


    But then he looked at Qin Ran again, gritted his teeth, and desperately tried to suppress the darkness in his heart.


    "Do you know why Li Shiyin doesn''t like you and wants to abandon you?" Tang Yin continued, "It''s because of your weak, indecisive, cowardly appearance. She''s the woman you love most in this life, the most precious person in your life. If you''re not willing to change and give your all for someone like her...


    "Tell me, what else can you do?"


    Cheng Nan''s eyes reddened. He looked at Qin Ran, thinking, I could fight him to the death.


    "It''s fortunate that Li Shiyin didn''t marry you..." Tang Yin said, "Such a heavenly beauty submitting to you would be a waste of God''s gifts!"


    Cheng Nan clenched his fists, his mind in turmoil...


    At this moment, the storyteller outside said, "At first, Swordsman Li became an apprentice under the master of Dan Peak to learn the art of alchemy;ter, she suddenly mastered swordsmanship on her own..."


    "Dan Peak? Alchemy?" Cheng Nan suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes looking at Qin Ran, and asked, "An alchemist?!"


    He saw a sh of panic in Qin Ran''s eyes, although Qin Ran hid it well, he still noticed it.


    Qin Ran maintained his calm expression and said, "I... I''m a Golden Core cultivator!"


    It would have been better if he hadn''t said anything; his words only made him seem more guilty. This instantly ignited the darkness in Cheng Nan''s heart!


    "ng..."


    A sword was unsheathed!


    Cheng Nan''s figure shed, and he thrust his sword towards Qin Ran.


    And then...


    "Ding!"


    His sword stopped.


    He looked closely and saw that Qin Ran had caught his sword between the index and middle fingers of his left hand!


    He tried to use force but found that he could neither advance nor retreat.


    "The first cultivator I''ve ever seen who was fooled by a mortal..." Qin Ran looked at Cheng Nan, his eyes filled with amusement, "You''ve really broadened my horizons.


    "Well... not entirely. Cultivators are just mortals with supernatural powers. If their mentality can''t keep up with their power, they can indeed be easily corrupted by their inner darkness. This should be within my understanding."


    "ng!"


    He exerted force with his fingers, breaking Cheng Nan''s sword. He then turned to Tang Yin and smiled, "I must say, I admire this gentleman. You''ve aplished something I''ve always wanted to do. A mortal defeating a cultivator with words alone."


    "Another expert?!" Tang Yin''s face turned cold as he looked at Qin Ran, feeling fear rising in his heart.


    "Interesting!" Qin Ran smiled, but shook his head regretfully.


    He stood up and walked out of the teahouse with Li Shiwen.


    Behind them, the storyteller was still saying: "Swordsman Li grew from a naive young sword cultivator. With her master''s careful guidance, he forged a sword for her. It is said that forging a sword for the hand is easy, but forging a sword for the heart is difficult. Yet her master, on the path of forging a sword for her hand, also forged a sword for her heart..."


    In the days that followed, Xiang Ji''s younger brother Xiang Hui, the son of the Minister of Personnel Tang Yin, the crown prince Mi Hua, and several schrs from the Hanlin Academy all fell ill. No medicine could cure them, and after a month, they died in agony from their illnesses.

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 360


    After spending a few days ying the role of a young wastrel (correction: street urchin) with Qin Ran, Li Shiwen went off to work at the imperial pce. Qin Ran reverted back to being a homebody, spending all day at home reading books.


    However, as Li Shiyin had imagined, he became a frequent visitor to her father''s study.


    On this day, as he was reading, he was pondering:


    The war between North Chu and Xuanqin hade to an end. The two countries had sessfully negotiated peace, and North Chu was about to pledge allegiance to Xuanqin. ording to Li Shiyin, the troops that Xuanqin had withdrawn from North Chu had now headed north to Great Yan...


    He had already met his foolish disciple''s family. Li Zhan and Yang Yanqi hadn''t raised any objections to the rtionship between him and his silly disciple. How they would develop in the future was up to them.


    So... he thought, it was time to return to the Dao Sword Sect.


    The crisis here had ended, but a new one was brewing at the Dao Sword Sect.


    Although he had taken over the medicine hall, normalizing the supply of pills to the Dao Sword Sect, the pills were still being purchased from Zhican Valley. The Dao Sword Sect itself stillcked the ability to refine pills.


    Despite his attempts over the past two years to cultivate the Dao Sword Sect''s own pill refiners, his efforts were like a drop in the oceanpared to what was needed for an entire sect''s pill supply.If given time to develop slowly, adding a few more pill refiners and spirit nt cultivators each year, it would only take one or two hundred years for the Dao Sword Sect to achieve pill self-sufficiency.


    But Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect certainly wouldn''t give him that much time. They wouldn''t allow the Dao Sword Sect to develop freely.


    He just didn''t know where the next wave of attacks woulde from. Internal? External? Or would they simply turn hostile and cut off the pill supply? Or even...unch an all-out attack, regardless of the cost?


    Qin Ran was thinking about these things while reading his book.


    "Creak!"


    At that moment, the door of the study was gently pushed open from the outside. He looked over and saw Li Shiyin tiptoeing in.


    "Master?" she looked at him.


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran raised an eyebrow inquiringly.


    His silly disciple had indeed changed a lot, at least bing much gentler. In the past, when she opened doors, it would only be with "boom," "bang," or "crash" sounds. She rarely opened or closed doors gently.


    "Don''t you like the flute?" Li Shiyin opened the door and walked in, her hands behind her back, standing at the entrance of the study. The bright light from outside shone on her, revealing a beautiful young girl in her prime.


    "It''s alright..." Qin Ran replied. He looked at his obedient and pretty disciple, not knowing what she meant.


    In fact, years ago, he had only wanted to learn an instrument, and then thought the flute suited his immortal cultivator image, so he learned the flute. It wasn''t that he particrly liked the flute.


    However, after blindly learning for three or four years, he could y some tunes.


    "Then Master, do you remember that there was a very skilled musician in Danyang City called Yuanshan?" Li Shiyin said, looking a bit embarrassed as she turned her gaze outward.


    "Gao Yuanshan?" Qin Ran pondered.


    A few days ago, Li Shiyin had mentioned to him that Gao Yuanshan had performed music at that spring poetry gathering. Of course, he remembered more clearly that when he first started learning the flute, Li Shiyin had mentioned this person, saying he was very handsome and that she had failed in an attempt to "snatch" him as a husband.


    "I have some impression, what about him?" he asked.


    "Didn''t I say I would have him teach you to y the flute?" Li Shiyin said.


    "?" Looking at his silly disciple''s embarrassed expression, Qin Ran gradually realized that the direction of this conversation seemed a bit off. If he remembered correctly, his silly disciple had said back then that she would kidnap Gao Yuanshan to teach him to y the flute.


    ... Kidnap!


    "Ahem!" Li Shiyin lowered her head, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and said softly, "Master, I''ve kidnap... no, no, no, I''ve invited him to our home."


    "???"


    As! Expected!!


    So-called "The leopard can''t change its spots!"


    His disciple couldn''t possibly be that gentle.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath, closed his book, stood up, and asked Li Shiyin, "Where is he?"


    "In the reception hall..." Li Shiyin raised her head to look at her master, saw the seriousness in his eyes, and quickly lowered her head again, saying, "I''ve had the servants receive him with proper guest etiquette."


    ... "Qin Ran looked exasperated, wanting to scold her, but finally only said, "Take me to see him."


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin ran over, grabbed Qin Ran''s arm, and led him to the reception hall.


    Arriving at the reception hall, Qin Ran saw a man sitting inside wearing a white round-cored robe with gold trim. He was about thirty-five years old, with his hair tied up and a light beard. He indeed had an extremely handsome face. Combined with his inherent elegant temperament and the steady demeanor of a middle-aged man, he could truly be called a "young girl yer."


    Looking at his face, one could imagine how devastatingly handsome Gao Yuanshan must have been four years ago at just thirty... No wonder his silly disciple had wanted to "snatch" him as a husband.


    "Musician Gao!" Qin Ran entered the room and cupped his hands in apology to Gao Yuanshan, "My apologies, my deepest apologies, I''m truly sorry for the discourtesy!"


    Gao Yuanshan was drinking tea. Hearing this, he put down the tea lid, turned around, and saw the schrly Qin Ran and the peculiar, spirited (crossed out) Li Shiyin.


    When he saw Li Shiyin, his eyes showed panic and evasion, but Qin Ran''s demeanor made him feel at ease. He returned the greeting, saying, "It''s no trouble at all. I''m actually fine, the Sword Immortal was just joking with me."


    "My unruly disciple is crude and has offended you greatly," Qin Ran said, sitting down opposite Gao Yuanshan.


    "Haha..." Gao Yuanshan forced augh, nced at Li Shiyin standing behind Qin Ran, and still asked, "The Sword Immortal told me that her master is proficient in music and the bamboo flute, and specially invited me to exchange ideas. May I ask if you are the Sword Immortal''s master?"


    "I am her master..." Qin Ran nodded, but then shook his head, saying, "I enjoy music and can y the flute, but I''m far from proficient."


    "So immortals also enjoy music!" Gao Yuanshan smiled but sighed, "I thought you all pursued longevity andbat power, and wouldn''t care about these misceneous skills."


    "Actually, immortals are still human. Music, dance, fine food can move people''s hearts, so naturally, they also move the hearts of cultivators," Qin Ran replied. "Moreover... music and dance are not misceneous skills, but grand paths. As they say, ''Music moves people''s hearts, and the heart is the Dao.''"


    Gao Yuanshan''s eyes lit up, and he asked, "Could there really be those who enter the Dao through music?"


    "Of course there are..." Qin Ran nodded, "Cultivators who enter the Dao through music are often far stronger than ordinary cultivators. Firstly, sound waves themselves have extremely strong destructive power. Secondly, music can influence a cultivator''s Dao heart, state of mind, soul, and primordial spirit, which is very powerful."


    "Immortal..." Gao Yuanshan asked Qin Ran, "Is it possible for me to cultivate?"


    "If you have spirit roots, of course you can cultivate," Qin Ran replied.


    "Do I have spirit roots?" Gao Yuanshan asked again.


    Qin Ran used his eye technique to look Gao Yuanshan up and down, then said, "Mr. Gao has considerable spiritual energy, so you naturally have spirit roots."


    "Would the Immortal Master be willing to ept me as a disciple?" Gao Yuanshan immediately knelt down.


    "???" Li Shiyin''s eyes widened. This plot development wasn''t right, howe he was here topete with her for her master?!


    She hurriedly stepped forward, pulled Gao Yuanshan up from the ground, and said with a sour face, "I am Master''s direct disciple, my master isn''t epting any more disciples!"


    "?" Gao Yuanshan''s face was filled with disappointment.


    "Besides, I asked you toe to teach my master to y the flute, not for you to learn cultivation from my master," Li Shiyin added.


    "s!" Gao Yuanshan sighed and said to Qin Ran, "Immortal Master, let''s just discuss music then!"


    Li Shiyin''s actions made Qin Ran want tough. He watched as his silly disciple huffily walked back, and gave her a mock re.


    He smiled and said to Gao Yuanshan, "My unworthy disciple invited you here to exchange ideas. Let''s exchange then. You teach me to y the flute, music theory and instruments; I''ll teach you the essence and principles of cultivation. This is also an exchange."


    "In the future, I can cultivate my temperament through music, and you can enter the Dao and cultivate based on music theory."


    Gao Yuanshan was very pleased and repeatedly said, "Good, good! Exchange, this is indeed an exchange. Good! Very good. Hahaha..."


    Li Shiyin saw her master ring at her, and she wrinkled her nose at him in return, expressing her dissatisfaction with Gao Yuanshan.


    "Didn''t you like him very much?" Qin Ran smiled and secretly transmitted a message to Li Shiyin using divine sense.


    "I did not..." Li Shiyin remembered the foolish things she did when she was younger, her face reddening slightly as she transmitted back, "I only like Master."


    Qin Ran was very happy inside... It seemed he was more handsome than Gao Yuanshan.


    "The flute is easy to understand but difficult to master. There are many aspects worth paying attention to..." Gao Yuanshan, unaware of the exchange between master and disciple, began to earnestly discuss the flute with Qin Ran. "You are a divine immortal, with some advantages over us mortals. Certainly, you don''t need to worry about breath control..."


    Gao Yuanshan indeed had great attainments in music theory and flute ying. Under his guidance, the flute sounds produced by Qin Ran gradually became less unpleasant, slowly gaining the characteristic melodiousness of the instrument. Eventually, he truly mastered the flute.


    Of course, with Qin Ran''s instructions, Gao Yuanshan also began to cultivate his vital energy and sense the world''s energy through music, embarking on an alternative path of cultivation.


    As for many yearster, when Gao Yuanshan achieved enlightenment through music and became one of the Immortal Qin Empire''s soul immortal masters, that''s a story for another time.

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 361


    Although Qin Ran appeared to have a strong personality and capabilities,pared to Chasing the Wind, his poprity was significantly less.


    Ask yourself, who wouldn''t love a cute little kitten that can even talk?


    In their free time, they would y with the beautiful cat; they could even chat with it to alleviate boredom - was this not a heavenly pet?


    Thus, whenever Chasing the Wind roamed within the residence, he was universally loved.


    Life here for Chasing the Wind,pared to Dan Peak, was infinitely better.


    So when Qin Ran talked about returning to the Dao Sword Sect, the one who was most reluctant to leave was not Li Yin, but Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind, with tears welling up in his eyes clung to Qin Ran''s leg, pleading, "Dad, can we not return to Dan Peak?"


    Enraged, Qin Ran kicked him away, cursing, "So you''ve decided to freeload off other people and refuse to leave? I''ve never seen such a thick-skinned act. Out!"


    "This isn''t someone else''s home..." Chasing the Wind rolled on the ground unscathed, stubbornly defended himself, "It''s Shiyin''s home."Qin Ran was at a loss for words. It was difficult to exin to this simpleton that there was a difference between Shiyin''s home and his own.


    "Think about this, you eat so much every day, meat isn''t free," he advised, "Is anyone else able to afford to take care of you?"


    "I can stop eating meat." Chasing the Wind even offered this concession, he really wanted to stay here.


    "You''re a monster beast, others will be afraid of you." Qin Ran continued, "There''ll be monster hunters who wille to cause trouble."


    "Monster hunters can''t defeat me." Chasing the Wind stated, "And besides, I only asionally talk, without revealing my true form. No one will know."


    "And what about when the monster hunters cause trouble for Shiyin''s family?"


    Chasing the Wind pounded his chest: "I will protect them."


    "Ah! Debating with a four or five-year-old child," Qin Ran felt he must be losing his mind. He stepped forward and scolded the young kitten again, "Quickly return to your true form, we''re leaving soon."


    "Whimper..." Chasing the Wind rolled around on the ground, covered in dust, pitifully saying, "Dad, why don''t you just go back? I''m not going."


    "?" Qin Ran was livid!


    This was like, after raising a thankless wretch for four years, someone effortlessly whisked it away. His feelings were akin to raising a daughter for twenty years with blood, sweat, and tears, just to have her stolen away with a couple of lollipops. He wanted to give the ungrateful child another kick.


    Carrying packages big and small, Yang Yanqi walked over. Seeing the state of Chasing the Wind, she felt sorry for him, dropped her parcels on the ground, hurriedly picked up Chasing the Wind, and gently dusted him off. After which, she berated Qin Ran, "If you want to leave, just leave! Why do you have to drag Chasing the Wind into it?"


    "Chasing the Wind is so well-behaved, how could you kick him?" She red at Qin Ran, "I never realized you could be so heartless!"


    Is this the so-called favoritism... or what?


    Helpless, Qin Ran looked to Li Shiyin for assistance.


    But this clueless apprentice, upon seeing her master at a disadvantage, instead of helping, covered her mouth giggling.


    "!" Qin Ran raised his eyes to the heavens, he couldn''t possibly spend another day here.


    At this moment, Li Shiwen walked over hand in hand with Yu Chi Zhen, the two gazed adoringly into each others'' eyes, appearing as if they were reluctant to part.


    "Once you have picked up Li An,e back as soon as possible," Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen instructed, "I miss you, and I am worried about him."


    "Mmm..." Yu Chi Zhen obediently nodded, "I wille back early."


    "Two hours..." Li Shiyin could not help butment as she watched their melodramatic farewell, "It only takes me two hours to fly from Dan Peak to home. If my sister-inw is anxious, I can pick up my lovely nephew today, and I can bring you back tonight."


    Li Shiwen looked at Li Shi, the tactless sister, and decided to ignore her, continuing tofort the pitifully adorable Yu Chi Zhen.


    Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen''s son was named Li An, a name chosen for its peaceful implications. Last November, during the first full-scale siege by Xuanqin, at a critical moment, Li An, who had just reached one month of age, activated the Sword Qi Seed given to him by Li Shiyin and drove back the Xuanqin monks. He then flew south, controlling his sword qi, all the way to the Dao Sword Sect.


    Li Shiyin found out that Li Shiwen was in danger.


    He entrusted Li An to Qin Ran and then merged himself with his sword, rushing to provide support. Eventually, at the critical moment, he reached Wuyi City, saving Li Shiwen, Wuyi City, and even North Chu.


    Later, Qin Ran handed over Li An to Long Qiqi, and following Li Shiyin''s trail, he arrived in Wuyi City. After that, he sundry calctions were made to broker peace for North Chu.


    From a certain perspective, it can be said that Li An saved North Chu.


    To this day, little Li An had been away from his parents, Li Shiwen and Yu Chi Zhen, for more than three months.


    The saying goes, "A mother''s heart is linked to her child''s." Compared to Chasing the Wind, who didn''t want to return home, Yu Chi Zhen had been long looking forward to picking up her son from Dan Peak.


    ... Li Shiwen had to patrol the pce for the Emperor of North Chu and wasn''t able to go. Additionally, Li An was still young, so it was his mother, Yu Chi Zhen, who went to fetch him.


    Moreover, although Li An had chosen the path of cultivation, he was still very young. It was more appropriate for him to stay with his parents.


    Of course, with Li Shiyin and Qin Ran around, even if he stays with his parents, it would not hinder his cultivation.


    One wanted to leave, the other did not. Qin Ran red at Chasing the Wind and finally asked, "Are you leaving or not?!"


    Chasing the Wind, hiding in Yang Yanqi''s arms, timidly nced at Qin Ran. Seeing that Qin Ran seemed genuinely angry, he grew scared and finally, with all his might, jumped down from Yang Yanqi''s arms.


    "Why leave when it''s so good here?" Yang Yanqi tried to persuade, "They''re going back for a reason, you have nothing to do back there, why go?


    Chasing the Wind sighed wisely, shook his head, and said, "Dan Peak can''t do without me..."


    He signaled Yang Yanqi to move aside, saying, "Granny, move further away. I''m about to perform magic and transform."


    Yang Yanqi was unhappy and reluctant to part with Chasing the Wind but had no choice but to move aside.


    Everyone else knew that Chasing the Wind''s true form wasrge, so they all quietly made room for him.


    This ce was the Li Family training ground. Qin Ran chose to say goodbye here specifically to make room for Chasing the Wind''s transformation.


    Yang Yanqi gazed at the adorable cat she daily cradled in her arms as its eyes became wide with anger; its body was engirdled by a loop of ck qi that seemed to grow incessantly. With each circle, the kitten grewrger, and after about ten loops, the cat had already be about a yard tall.


    The greatly heightened, white colossal tiger suddenly filled the school.


    Yanqi was dumbstruck, looking upwards towards Chasing the Wind, she called out unbelievingly, "Cha... Chasing the Wind?"


    "Granny! Chasing the Wind, in his true form, seems pleased, thinking he''s a baby, happily dancing towards Yang Yanqi.


    But he was sorge, the oppressive feeling was just too intense. When he started hopping around, it made the ground feel as if it was shaking. This caused Yanqi to fear that she might be stepped on.


    Yang Yanqi took two deep breaths, suppressed her fear, and decided to step back a little.


    Looking up at him again, she was able to see that though the face of "Chasing the Wind" had grownrger, it was still the face she was familiar with.


    "He''s still handsome!" She sighed, "And has a domineering presence! Truly worthy of being our Chasing the Wind."


    Chasing the Wind wagged his tail happily, theny down, hisrge head in front of Yanqi. He squinted his eyes in an ingratiating manner and chuckled.


    Yang Yanqi hesitated for a moment, but eventually reached out and patted Chasing the Wind''s head, like one might pat a dog... This gesture brought great joy to Wind Chaser.


    Except for Yang Yanqi, everyone else had seen Chasing the Wind''s true form and thus were not overly amazed.


    Suddenly, Qin Ran leaped onto Chasing the Wind''s back, followed by Li Shiyin, who also rode there with Yu Chi Zhen.


    Before they left, Qin Ran looked at Li Shiwen, and admonished him:


    "It was long expected that Xuanqin would unify the Land of Immortal Legacy, it is inevitable. North Chu doesn''t have the ability to resist. I hope you are prepared in advance. It''s not that you have to betray your country and join Xuanqin, but rather seize this...opportunity. Maybe, this will lead you onto the path of cultivation."


    Hearing this advice, Shiwen nodded, "I understand."


    Seeing Li agrees, Qin added, ¡°The construction that Xuanqin asked North Chu to build is extremely crucial. If possible, I hope you can take on the contract. It might be the leverage for the Li family to maintain their high-standing position.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡± Li Shiwen agreed, "No one else in court is willing to undertake this..."


    Conversations stopped here; Qin Ran didn''t say anything more.


    Because he knew that, even if the regime of North Chu perishes, Li''s family will survive. He has a clone in Xuanqin, and that ¡°he¡± will certainly ensure Li family''s safety.


    "Chasing Wind!" He called.


    "Goodbye Granny!" Chasing the Wind stood up.


    "Goodbye, Chasing Wind." Yanqi waved, "Visit when you have time and don''t always listen to your dad."


    With his ''dad'' right behind him, Chasing Wind didn''t dare to respond. He gave a slight nod and said to Li Shiwen, "Goodbye, Bighead."


    "?" Li Shiwen looked at Chasing Wind''s build, then at his own, falling into confusion.


    He waved at Chi Zhen.


    Chasing the Wind crouched and jumped, soaring into the air, summoning gusty wind under his feet, and hurried towards the Dao Sword Sect.


    Due to Yu Chi Zhen''s frail stature, Chasing the Wind wasn''t able to move too quickly. After over four hours, when dusk fell, they finally arrived at Dan Peak.


    Crossing the protective arrays of Dao Sword Sect, then passing through the array of Dan Peak, Chasing the Wind descended towards the ground.


    But before he reached the ground, he detected something in the air above Dan Peak...


    Not an object, but a sword qi, not just any sword qi, but Li Shiyin''s Star Sword Qi.


    But wasn''t Li Shiyin still on his back?


    Unable to hold back his curiosity, he halted to examine the sword qi. What he saw was a naked toddler with a pacifier in his mouth and a sword in his hands, flying around in the air.


    Upon seeing a strange creature suddenly appearing at Dan Peak, Li An, the toddler, curiously flew around the creature and then stopped in front of it.


    His eyes were like ck gemstones, wide open in awe of the big creature. He called out, "Auntie, there''s... big, big!"


    "Big? What''s big?" Long Qiqi''s voice echoed from a small cabin below.


    Out she came, a slight figure with a ponytail, donning an apron, a kitchen knife in one hand and a baby bottle in the other.


    Her appearance, both heartbreaking and amusing, stirred a chuckle.


    Standing at the doorway, Long Qiqi raised her gaze towards the sky and saw what was in front of Li An...


    "Chasing the Wind!!!" Her excited voice echoed across the sky, shattering the clouds and waking up Yu Chi Zhen.


    This was Yu Chi Zhen''s first ride on "Flying Tiger". Despite Chasing the Wind''s efforts to control the speed, her sickness prevailed, causing her to pass out early.


    Now woken up, she opened her eyes and saw a little boy, naked buttocked, a pacifier in his mouth, holding a sword. She recognized him at first nce. It was her son.


    "Peace... Li An!" She eximed, about to get up to hold Li An.


    But Li Shiyin did not let go of her, preventing her from getting up.


    "Let''s go down first." Li Shiyin said.


    Only then did Chasing the Wind continue his descent to the ground.


    Once on the ground, Qin Ran opened his eyes. As he dismounted, he saw the toddler Li An, his buttocks exposed, holding a sword, tracing a beautiful arc in the air,nding in front of Long Qiqi.


    This child... is destined for greatness, he thought. At such a young age, he already possesses a dream ability ¡ª flying with a sword.


    "Li An!" The moment Yu Chi Zhennded, she sprinted towards Li An.


    But yet again, Li Shiyin held her back.


    This was because the sword qi on Li An had not dissipated. If she hugged him now, she might end up dead.


    Most importantly, Li An did not seem familiar with Yu Chi Zhen. Looking at this woman charging at him, he was filled with confusion. His babylike voice asked Long Qiqi: "Auntie, who... are they?"

 Chapter 362

    Chapter 362


    "Who else could it be?!"


    Long Qiqi huffed angrily, throwing the kitchen knife "swish" towards Qin Ran and coldly said,


    "That''s your master!"


    Qin Ran caught the knife, blinked, and didn''t know what to say.


    Long Qiqi then pointed at Li Shiyin and Li An, "That''s your aunt."


    Finally, pointing at Yu Chi Zhen, she hadn''t met Yu Chi Zhen before, but she could guess, "That''s your birth mother."


    However, for Li An, he wasn''t interested in masters, aunts, or birth mothers. He waited for a while, not hearing the introduction he was interested in, and blinked his big ck eyes in confusion, pointing at Chasing the Wind and asking Long Qiqi, "Big... big, big monsou..."


    Obviously, he preferred the fluffy big kitty.


    "His name is Chasing the Wind, he''s a pet cat!" Long Qiqi said impatiently.Chasing the Windplied, his figure "whoosh" shrinking small, asking Long Qiqi, "Is this what a pet cat looks like?"


    "Wow!!" Chasing the Wind''s move stunned Li An, who pped his hands repeatedly while lying on the sword.


    At this moment, Li Shiyin stretched out her hand, and Li An, lying on the sword, flew to her side along with the sword.


    Aunt and nephew stared at each other, Li Shiyin said to Li An, "Call me Auntie!"


    Li An could feel the familiarity from Li Shiyin''s sword aura, so after a moment''s hesitation, he called out, "Call Auntie..."


    "Auntie!!!" Li Shiyin corrected.


    This scared Li An, whose ck eyes trembled, and quickly said, "Auntie!"


    "Mmh!" Li Shiyin nodded in satisfaction, stretching out her hand to Li An, "Come, let Auntie hold you."


    For some reason, besides the familiarity Li An felt from Li Shiyin, there was also an inexplicable sense of oppression¡ªa bloodline oppression, a natural suppression from an aunt to her nephew¡ªhe didn''t dare to resist, awkwardly climbed up from the sword, and wobbled into Li Shiyin''s embrace.


    Li An''s uncontroble sword aura naturally couldn''t harm Li Shiyin.


    Li Shiyin roughly held Li An in her arms. This bare-bottomed nephew of hers gave her a veryplicated feeling...


    He was her brother''s child, she felt close to him, but at the same time, she felt that she had suddenly grown old, be an adult, and was now an aunt.


    She held the child, gently and tenderly stroking him. Li An also found a sense of security and familiarity in Li Shiyin''s embrace,fortably lying in her arms, enjoying her gentle stroking.


    Seeing Li An in Li Shiyin''s arms, Yu Chi Zhen couldn''t help but reach out to touch her own child.


    The sword aura was restrained by Li Shiyin, and at this moment, she finally touched her four-month-old child, who had been separated from her for three months.


    Watching this "warm" moment of mother and son reuniting, Qin Ran, holding the knife Long Qiqi threw at him, walked over to Long Qiqi and asked, "Why didn''t you dress him?"


    "How to dress him?!!" It was clear that Long Qiqi, who had been tormented by the baby for three months, was very irritable, and Qin Ran couldn''t see any good in her. She exined, but her voice was loud, "The sword aura on his body is something he can''t control at all, the clothes turn to dust as soon as they''re put on!"


    "Look..." She lifted her clothes, showing Qin Ran the sword wounds on her body and hands, "These are all his doing!"


    "Cough!" With so many sword wounds, no one knew what Long Qiqi had gone through in these three months. Qin Ran felt quite apologetic. He looked at the rtively primitive baby bottle in her hand, coughed dryly, and asked, "Did you design that yourself?"


    "Otherwise?!?!" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes, counter-asking, "If it weren''t for this, he would have starved to death a million times!!"


    "Truly a groundbreaking invention..." Qin Ranmented, "If you were to promote this in the mortal world, you could be a billionaire in a very short time."


    Long Qiqi looked disdainful, as a cultivator, what use were more gold and silver to her?


    She didn''t even bother to pay attention to Qin Ran.


    "What did you feed him?" Qin Ran pointed at the contents of the baby bottle.


    Hearing this, Long Qiqi immediately burst into anger, as she knew Qin Ran was asking if she had fed Li An anything strange. If it were before, she might have pretended, but now...


    "Smack!"


    She directly smashed the baby bottle at Qin Ran, saying, "Look for yourself!"


    "Cough!" Qin Ran felt he had gone too far and was ashamed of his own malice and darkness. But he still caught the baby bottle, opened it, and used his divine sense to carefully analyze theposition of the milk inside.


    It was just the milk of the triangr red python cow that wasmonly drunk on Dan Peak, with some other tonics and nutrients added, such as ginseng, pilose antler, and leopard fetus, all of which Long Qiqi had refined using alchemical techniques. It was clear that Long Qiqi had put a lot of effort into this.


    Qin Ran felt even more guilty for doubting her. "Very good, you''ve worked hard," he said.


    "Hmph!" Long Qiqi snorted coldly, not wanting to speak anymore.


    Just touching was not enough to relieve Yu Chi Zhen''s longing for her child, she wanted to hold her child, so she said to Li Shiyin, "Can I hold him?"


    "Sure." Li Shiyin held Li An and sent him into Yu Chi Zhen''s arms.


    Yu Chi Zhen received Li An with professional hands, exuding a maternal glow, her eyes so gentle they could melt steel, she softly soothed Li An.


    When she was holding him steadily, Li Shiyin''s hands slowly withdrew.


    And then...


    At the moment Li Shiyin''s hands left Li An''s body!


    "Hum!"


    The sword aura on Li An''s body, suppressed by Li Shiyin, instantly rebounded...


    "Be careful!"


    Li Shiyin reacted quickly, turning pale with fright, instantly snatching Li An from Yu Chi Zhen''s arms.


    But although her action was fast, it was only a moment''s work to suppress the sword aura on Li An''s body, her Star Sword Qi was too sharp, and countless tiny sword wounds appeared on Yu Chi Zhen''s body, seeing her covered in blood.


    Li Shiyin was scared out of her wits, if Yu Chi Zhen died because of this... she didn''t dare to imagine, she quickly took out a pill from her Universe Bag with one hand while holding Li An.


    Qin Ran noticed themotion here in time, crossed the short distance with his body, and fed the healing pill Li Shiyin had found to Yu Chi Zhen.


    "Don''t panic, it''s okay, just external injuries," heforted Li Shiyin, and found clothes to put on Yu Chi Zhen... her clothes had also been cut to shreds by the sword aura.


    Covered in wounds and blood, Yu Chi Zhen didn''t feel the pain, she stared nkly at Li An in Li Shiyin''s arms, tears unconsciously streaming down her cheeks, she murmured, "This is the punishment I deserve, I cruelly abandoned him, it''s the heavens punishing me."


    She felt it was her fault, abandoning her one-month-old son.


    Li Shiyin took a deep breath, steadied her mind, andforted Yu Chi Zhen, "No, sister-inw, it''s just that An An''s sword aura seed was prematurely activated, which caused the sword aura to be out of control. It''s not your fault."


    Yu Chi Zhen cried and shook her head, not listening.


    "The sword aura can be controlled..." Li Shiyin said again, "Sister-inw, believe me, I will quickly teach An An to control the sword aura. This won''t happen again."

 Chapter 363

    Chapter 363


    What should have been a heartwarming moment of mother and son reuniting, no one expected such an event to ur.


    Yu Chi Zhen was severely injured. Despite taking medicinal pills, she was still a mortal after all. The fatigue from the journey and the mental strain left her exhausted.


    Li Shiyin directly took her to a room to rest, while she temporarily looked after Li An... Only she could control the sword energy in Li An''s body.


    As night fell, Long Qiqi finallypleted her task and had long since fallen into a deep slumber, her bottom sticking up in the air. She likely wouldn''t wake up for a day or two. Meanwhile, Chasing the Wind, being a feline, took advantage of the night to run out and warn the spirit beasts of Dan Peak that their master had returned.


    Qin Ran sat back down in his familiar and cozy little study. At his desk, he held a brush, transcribing a cultivation technique.


    The name of this technique was...


    "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method."


    It was precisely the technique practiced by the ck-robed Man beneath Wuyi City!


    That day, when the ck-robed Man''s Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Array was broken, his physical body was killed by the sword energy of two Nascent Soul cultivators from the Boundless Sword Sect. His magical treasure was taken away by Zhao Yaqing, and his soul, originally intending to possess Qin Ran''s body, was outmaneuvered by Qin Ran and devoured using the "Nine Extremes Demon-Devouring Technique."Qin Ran devoured his soul not for the soul power it contained, although the soul of a Golden Core cultivator did strengthen Qin Ran''s primordial spirit considerably. He did it for the ck-robed Man''s memories, or more precisely, for the ck-robed Man''s cultivation technique.


    That is, this peculiar soul technique, "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method."


    This technique was extremely simr to the nameless spirit-refining incantation passed down through generations on Dan Peak.


    The nameless spirit-refining incantation was iplete, only retaining the function of condensing the primordial spirit.


    But "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method" wasplete. It gave the ck-robed Man the ability to harm souls, to refine and control souls, and also... the ability to possess bodies.


    Not every cultivator can harm souls. Without condensing a primordial spirit, the means to harm souls are extremely limited.


    At what stage do cultivatorse into contact with souls?


    The Golden Core stage.


    The Golden Core stage is the process of unconsciously condensing the soul within the golden core in the body. But this stage is unconscious; cultivators don''t actually have the ability to control souls.


    The real ability to harm souls onlyes at the Nascent Soul stage and above.


    As for possession, not every cultivator can do it either. For a cultivator to possess another body, they need something to upy the other''s shell, such as a Nascent Soul or primordial spirit. Below the Nascent Soul stage, there''s no ability to possess.


    Yet the ck-robed Man, merely at the Golden Core stage, could defeat Qin Ran''s primordial spirit avatar with one move, and could also possess bodies with his soul.


    From this, one can see the power of "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method."


    When Qin Ran obtained the ck-robed Man''s technique, he also briefly browsed through his other memories...


    The ck-robed Man, named Zhao Pu, was originally a close eunuch to Zhao Zheng. Later, Zhao Zheng saw his loyalty and bestowed upon him the name Zhao Pu, leading him onto the path of cultivation, and also bestowing upon him "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method."


    Due to the special nature of the technique, Zhao Pu then went underground, specifically doing some shady tasks for Zhao Zheng.


    But as time passed, as Zhao Pu gained more and more of Zhao Zheng''s trust and his cultivation grew higher, the desires in his heart also gradually swelled.


    He began to be unsatisfied with his current status and position, unsatisfied with his current strength and power.


    This is what''smonly called a demon in one''s heart.


    So, he wanted to refine the million soldiers of North Chu and the million citizens and soldiers of Wuyi City, turning them into his ghosts and cultivation power.


    At the same time, it was also the reason why he recklessly trapped three Nascent Soul cultivators and over a dozen Golden Core cultivators in his array.


    Zhao Pu was overwhelmed by the demon in his heart, inting to the extreme, thinking that with the "Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Banner," even Nascent Soul cultivators were nothing in his eyes.


    He ultimately didn''t know that there are always greater heights to climb, he didn''t understand his own position... he didn''t know that he was never special, that if he could master soul power early on, others could too.


    Moreover, others'' opportunities and talents far surpassed his countless times over.


    ... He encountered Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, and then met his demise.


    Organizing the ck-robed Man''s memories, apart from regretting the loss of that "Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Banner," Qin Ran had another doubt...


    That is, Zhao Zheng, wasn''t he supposed to be a mortal emperor? How did he have cultivation? How could he casually bestow such a formidable technique to a eunuch by his side?


    Thus, the man Zhao Zheng became shrouded in more mystery in the eyes of Qin Ran''s main body.


    But he could roughly guess that this was the reason why his avatar chose to join Zhao Zheng.


    Zhao Zheng and his group could even sever the connection between the avatar and the main body, allowing the avatar to be independent. This kind of profound and mysterious technique was beyond Qin Ran''s current understanding. So he roughly knew how terrifying Zhao Zheng and the Xuan Qin imperial court were.


    After recording "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method," Qin Ran didn''t intend to practice this technique. Although it was special and powerful, its side effects were actually too great.


    Qin Ran was more interested in the spells within this technique. How could he not be tempted by spells that could harm souls? He wanted to break down these spells and enrich Dan Peak''s technique library.


    So after a busy night, Qin Ran finally finished organizing "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method," and he derived several usable spells:


    The first was a spell for collecting souls and refining souls. The soul-collecting spell would make it more convenient for him to destroy bodies and erase traces in the future.


    As for the soul-refining spell, it was what the ck-robed Man had demonstrated that day - the two types of evil ghosts and corpse ghosts. There was also a type called resentful ghost, very powerful, but the ck-robed Man hadn''t been able to refine it.


    This soul-refining technique required practicing this method, which Qin Ran couldn''t do, which was quite a pity.


    However, Chasing the Wind had a wolf spirit space and could control souls, so Qin Ran could show it to Chasing the Wind.


    The second was a soul-searching technique, which could forcibly search through someone''s memories.


    It was equivalent to Qin Ran devouring the ck-robed Man''s soul to obtain his memories, but the soul-searching technique didn''t require devouring someone''s soul like this.


    However, being forcibly searched by the soul-searching technique was extremely painful, even worse than being devoured.


    The third was the soul-worshipping technique, which was the spell the ck-robed Man used to directly "worship" Qin Ran''s avatar to death.


    In fact, this move had extreme limitations: First, the caster''s cultivation level needed to be higher than the recipient''s. Second, at least the recipient''s true name needed to be known. Third, the recipient needed to be unprepared.


    So, this was a technique that could only be used to ambush those with lower cultivation... The limitations were extreme, actually making it quite useless. Most crucially, it could only be used by those who cultivated this technique.


    Fourth was the soul-fusion technique. This was perhaps the most valuable spell Qin Ran gained from his busy night. Because the effect of this spell... was to allow a cultivator''s soul to quickly merge with the physical body after possession.


    After finishing his records, Qin Ran put away the book and ced it on the bookshelf above the right side of his desk. On this bookshelf, there were many other techniques he had collected over the years, such as the Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique cultivated by Li Shiyin, the Water Flower Heart Sutra he himself practiced, the previously obtained "Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon-Devouring Technique," and so on.


    Now "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Seizing Grand Method" was added to the collection.


    He put away the new book, activated an array to hide thisyer of the bookshelf, revealing ordinary books on the outside.


    Qin Ran stretched, feeling generally excited and happy.


    Then...


    He looked out the window of his study and saw, early in the morning, another four or five-month-old infant riding a sword, chasing a white cat across the sky in front of his window.


    "???" He felt something wasn''t quite right...

 Chapter 364

    Chapter 364


    They say, if you have children at home, it''s best not to keep pets.


    ...Because it''s not good for the pets.


    When human cubs are two, three, four, or five years old, they are truly disliked by both people and dogs - troublesome and not cute at all. Especially when ying with cats and dogs, they don''t know how to be gentle, and can easily hurt the animals or themselves.


    But Li An was different. This fellow had an innate sword aura, and could fly around the world on sword energy at just one month old. So his period of being disliked by all came earlier, and was far more terrifying.


    Just look outside - the mighty Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger, a level seven or perhaps even level eight beast, was being chased all around by him wielding a sword.


    One can only say: How terrifying!


    It made Qin Ran draw in a sharp breath.


    He opened the door of the study and went out. Outside Li Shiyin''s room, in the corridor, Li Shiyin and Yu Chi Zhen were watching the chase scene in the air, their faces full of concern.


    ...Though it wasn''t clear if they were worried for Chasing the Wind.Li Shiyin sensed Qin Ran''s gaze and looked over. Seeing Qin Rane out of the study, she frowned and asked, "Master, did you spend all night in the study again?"


    "Mm, there were some urgent matters to deal with," Qin Ran nodded.


    "You''re always like this..." Li Shiyin said, "What can''t be handled during the day?"


    Qin Ran looked at his foolish disciple''s expression - ah, there was that familiar look. He smiled and replied, "It just happened to need handling, so I took care of it all. What''s the problem?"


    "Staying up all night isn''t good!" Li Shiyin said.


    "..." Qin Ran responded, "We''re cultivating immortality here!"


    As he spoke, he nced at Yu Chi Zhen and asked with concern, "Has sister-inw''s injury healed?"


    Yu Chi Zhen nodded: "It''s nothing serious."


    Qin Ran rxed a bit. If Yu Chi Zhen had been killed by her son while in his care, he truly wouldn''t know how to exin it to the Li family.


    He looked up at Li An chasing Chasing the Wind through the air and sighed, "This child''s innate sword talent is quite high... able to control Shiyin''s sword energy."


    "So Master, what do we do now?" Li Shiyin was a bit worried, "How can we send him back like this?"


    "Didn''t you say you were going to teach him to control the sword energy?" Qin Ran asked. "Once he can control it, he can go home."


    Li Shiyin was still conflicted and helpless, expressing her difficulty: "Master, look at him - he can''t even speak yet and doesn''t understand reason. How can I teach him?"


    "Is he harder to teach than you were?" Qin Ran asked in surprise. When his foolish disciple first started cultivating, she couldn''t grasp any theory or techniques at all. If not for him as her master, she would have gone mad with cultivation deviation and died hundreds of times over by now.


    "Oh, Master! I''m trying to discuss something serious here!"


    "I am being serious!" Qin Ran pretended to be solemn, then said to Li Shiyin, "Think about how I taught you to cultivate back then. And think about how I taught Chasing the Wind to speak."


    Li Shiyin was originally a sword prodigy, so Qin Ran only needed to guide her from a macro perspective, without needing to teach her every specific sword technique or cultivation method. As for sword moves and forms, he didn''t need to bother with those at all.


    As for Chasing the Wind, he was originally a beast without a humannguage system, so it was impossible for him to speak. Qin Ran used his Divine Soul to directlymunicate with Chasing the Wind''s soul, then gradually adjusted his physiological structure to teach him how to speak bit by bit.


    Li An''s current situation was abination of the two - he was also a sword prodigy, and also couldn''t speak.


    So, Li Shiyin needed to use her divine sense tomunicate with him and teach him how to control his power.


    Li Shiyin, who had gradually be more mature and steady, followed her master''s words and recalled scenes of him teaching her and Chasing the Wind in the past. She slowly understood her master''s meaning.


    She nodded to Qin Ran: "Mm! Master, I understand now."


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin, his eyes full of pride and a sense of aplishment.


    He watched his foolish disciple grow from aplete novice to a genius in the cultivation world, and now finally to someone steady, with the bearing of a great master. He had guided her step by step along this path.


    He couldn''t help but think back to the girl in the Hall of Seeking the Dao years ago - that cold, stubborn, goddess-like top-tier metal attribute spirit root Li Shiyin. Then he thought of how her disguise fell away, revealing his silly, adorable female disciple. Finally, he looked at the mature, steady woman before him who was about to be his wife...


    So much had happened in between.


    Li Shiyin noticed her master staring at her and met his gaze. Seeing the warmth and reminiscence in his eyes, she grinned, giggling "hehe".


    "Silly disciple!" Qin Ran called out affectionately, smiling indulgently.


    Li Shiyin wasn''t ashamed at all, but rather proud. Her silly giggle gradually turned into a smugugh.


    It must be said that in love, it''s hard to tell who is the hunter and who is the prey.


    To call Li Shiyin silly - she wasn''t silly at all, but rather clever as a fox. To call Qin Ran smart - he sometimes made mistakes too, and could be quite dense.


    Master and disciple gazed at each other across the corridor, their eyes conveying deep emotion,pletely disregarding Yu Chi Zhen''s presence beside Li Shiyin. This was the so-called turning of the tables. Who does heaven spare? Back when she and Li Shiwen were feeding Li Shiyin dog food, they showed no mercy either.


    Before long, Chasing the Wind came whooshing back from the distance.


    "Shiyin, save me!" he shouted, diving straight into Li Shiyin''s arms.


    The simple-minded Chasing the Wind was actually quite clever - he knew that in this situation, Dad couldn''t save him, only Shiyin could.


    He had barely caught his breath in Li Shiyin''s arms when a purple Star Sword Qi came shing in from afar...


    "Big... big... big monster... no... run... y..."


    Along with the sword energy came a child''s milky babbling.


    Those who hadn''t directly faced Li Shiyin''s Star Sword Qi couldn''t know how terrifying it was. Now Yu Chi Zhen and Qin Ran in the corridor watched Li An riding Li Shiyin''s sword energy flying straight towards them, feeling tense inside.


    The weight of that sword energy, the sharpness of that sword energy!


    "Foolish disciple..." Qin Ran sighed inwardly again.


    Facing the terrifying sword energy, Li Shiyin raised her hand and made a gesture. Li An immediately curved with the sword energy and flew into her hand.


    "Ah... ya... ya... yi..." Once again caught by Li Shiyin, Li An was still not used to it. He stood up in Li Shiyin''s hand, looking confused as to why his treasure no longer obeyed his control.


    "Bad... bad..." he mumbled, looking at Li Shiyin.


    "Auntie!" Li Shiyin said sternly, once again teaching Li An how to address her.


    Hmm, even his silly disciple could put on a stern face to discipline someone now. Qin Ran watched, finding it oddly amusing, yet also thinking... she seemed a bit fierce.


    "Goo... goo!?" Li An tilted his head.


    "Auntie!" Li Shiyin said.


    "Auntie..."


    "Good!" Li Shiyin nodded and said, "Today, I''ll formally teach you swordsmanship."


    "Hm?" Li An didn''t understand.


    Then Li Shiyin''s brow glowed, and a beam of Divine Soul power shot out, flying directly into Li An''s Sea of Wisdom.


    "Sword techniques are just the external manifestation of a sword cultivator. What''s important is mastery over power." Li Shiyin''s first lesson in cultivation for little Li An, the first sentence imprinted in little Li An''s mind was, "You must be the master of power, not be controlled by power."


    Li An only felt Auntie''s voice in his head, but didn''t know what she was saying. He opened his eyes wide, confused yet adorable.


    But that sentence was indeed imprinted in his mind.

 Chapter 365

    Chapter 365


    At Dan Peak, in front of a small wooden cabin, under an old locust tree, on the grass.


    Li Shiyin sat cross-legged on the grass, her pretty face very serious, eyes fixed on Li An who was about ten feet away from her.


    Little Li An stood there trembling, his face looking aggrieved. He wanted to lie down but didn''t dare move... This aunt was too fierce.


    Although little Li An could already fly through the sky riding on Sword Qi, and even chase the eighth-grade demon king Chasing Wind all over the mountains, he actually couldn''t even stand steadily.


    Because even though his Sword Qi seed had awakened, drawing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into his body and strengthening his physical form, and even though he had been carefully fed Spirit Beast Milk by Long Qiqi, which had also strengthened his body, making him much stronger than a normal infant, in the end, he was still just a four-month-old baby.


    No matter how amazing he was, there was a limit.


    So, to teach him how to control the Sword Qi inside his body, they first had to teach him to stand, to walk, to move his hands and feet, to use his own strength.


    They had to take it step by step.


    Seeing that Li An really couldn''t stand anymore, Li Shiyin reached out her hand to him, gesturing: "Come, walk over here. Come to auntie."However, Li An''s legs were wobbly, and he pouted, not wanting to move.


    Seeing him not moving for a long time, Li Shiyin furrowed her brows and lightly scolded: "Come here!"


    Li An was startled, tears "plop plop" falling from his eyes, but he still moved his chubby little legs, taking one step at a time, swaying towards Li Shiyin.


    Auntie is so scary!


    His birth mother Yu Chi Zhen was right beside him. Li An''s state made her heart ache, as he wobbled, seeming like he might fall at any moment. As she watched, she wanted to reach out and support him, but the sharp Sword Qi around Li An made her hesitate to act rashly.


    She looked up at Li Shiyin, wanting to ask her not to be so fierce, but she opened her mouth and still didn''t say anything.


    Although he was unsteady and stumbling, Li An didn''t fall after all. He walked while crying, reaching Li Shiyin''s side, stretching out his chubby hands to grab Li Shiyin''s hand, then taking a few quick "toddling" steps to crash into Li Shiyin''s embrace.


    "Great job! Our An''an is so amazing!" Li Shiyin immediately changed her expression, smiling broadly, continuously praising Li An. She then took out a handful of breakfast candy beans she had swiped from her master, spreading them out in front of Li An, "Here, auntie gives you candy to eat."


    Li An''s eyes brightened, thinking this aunt wasn''t so bad after all. He picked up the candy beans to eat while still crying, his expression rxing.


    The carrot and stick approach really worked wonders. Little Li An waspletely under control. Training needed to be strict, but rewards were necessary after training. The reward mechanism was the best training mechanism. ¡ª This was what her master had told her.


    Li Shiyin gently hugged Li An, letting him rest, and smiled at Yu Chi Zhen, giving her a reassuring look.


    Qin Ran walked out of the small wooden cabin, saw Li Shiyin methodically training Li An, and advised: "Although training should be strict, don''t be too fierce. You also need to let him rest... He really needs sleep right now."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded, "I understand, Master."


    She looked at Qin Ran, seeing he was dressed as if going out, and asked, "Master, where are you going?"


    "To the Chief Alchemy Hall! I haven''t been there for three months, don''t know how it''s doing." Qin Ran replied, "Your master is still the Chief Alchemy Elder!"


    "Oh right..." Li Shiyin suddenly realized, "I had forgotten if you didn''t mention it."


    Qin Ran nced at her, thinking she was still absent-minded even when trying to act fierce.


    Ignoring his silly disciple training his nephew like a pet, he activated his divine walking step and headed towards the Chief Alchemy Hall.


    He had reorganized the Chief Alchemy Hall, removing Jian Yuanjie''s old faction, bringing in all new people, and it was now on the right track.


    And a Butler Hall that was on the right track didn''t need him that much.


    ...At least not for a short while.


    So he wasn''t too worried.


    Walking into the Chief Alchemy Hall, he looked around. Yan Yi, Zhou Fu, Zheng Jue, Wu Yan were all there, as well as four menial disciples. Indeed, everything was as usual.


    Because there were fewer people than in Jian Yuanjie''s team, it was busier than in Jian Yuanjie''s time, especially for those responsible for medicinal herbs and pills.


    The atmosphere in the hall was originally rxed, with disciples organizing herbs and pills looking at ease, chatting andughing. But as he walked into the Chief Alchemy Hall, the atmosphere instantly became serious.


    He sat down in the main seat, and the breathing of the eight people inside collectively tightened.


    After waiting for a while, he spoke up and asked: "Has anything major happened in the Chief Alchemy Hall during the days I was away?"


    Zhou Fu, responsible for pill distribution, quickly found several scrolls, stood up and walked over, respectfully handing them to him, saying: "These are the records of pill distribution over the past few months."


    Qin Ran took them but didn''t immediately look, his calm gaze on Zhou Fu as he asked: "Has anything else important happened?"


    "No," Zhou Fu replied.


    "Medicinal herbs, pharmacology, pill refining techniques, these..." Qin Ran asked again, "How''s the learning going?"


    "Regarding medicinal herbs, I''ve memorized over a thousand types. I have some understanding of pharmacology, but this disciple''sprehension is poor, and there''s much I don''t understand. As for pill refining techniques..." Zhou Fu lowered her head, "There''s been no progress."


    Qin Ran frowned and asked: "Have you refined any pills?"


    Zhou Fu''s body trembled as she replied: "No."


    "Hmm?!" Qin Ran was about to reprimand her when he suddenly realized why Zhou Fu had made no progress in pharmacology and pill refining techniques.


    ...Because Long Qiqi had been taking care of the child these past few months and had no time to teach her.


    He paused, suppressed his anger, nodded and said: "Alright, focus on it in the future."


    "Yes, Elder." Zhou Fu let out a big sigh of relief and quickly retreated to her seat.


    After Zhou Fu withdrew, Yan Yi came up with another scroll and said to Qin Ran: "Sect Leader, these are the procurement records for December."


    Qin Ran took it, opened it to look, and casually asked: "Did you go procurement alone?"


    "I asked Senior Brother Lu Junxing for help..." Yan Yi said, "I was responsible for pill procurement, Senior Brother Lu was responsible for safety."


    "You''re quite clever!" Qin Ran praised, then said, "Later, give me a sample of the pills you procured. I want to see if Zhican Valley has been up to any tricks."


    "Yes."


    Then, just like a "homeroom teacher checking on studies", he questioned Yan Yi until he was sweating profusely before finally letting him go.


    Qin Ran then questioned Wu Yan and Zheng Jue in turn. Zheng Jue had nothing to report, but Wu Yan mentioned one important matter.


    Wu Yan''s current responsibility was what Yan Yi had been responsible for before, which was the training of new pill refining disciples within the Dao Sword Sect.


    She said to Qin Ran: "A few days ago, a young man came to the Dao Sword Sect, bringing spirit herbs, saying he wanted to exchange them for the qualification to join our immortal sect."


    "What kind of spirit herb?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Spirit Fuling, of entering-grade quality." Wu Yan took out a ck wooden box from her Universe Bag and handed it to him.


    Qin Ran took it, opened it to look, and saw that the Spirit Fuling inside the box was vibrant and bright, without any loss. He couldn''t help but be surprised.


    Because spirit herbs contain Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and essence, they are not easily collected, and the spiritual Qi and essence inside can easily be lost.


    Even when alchemists collect spirit herbs, they need to be extremely careful, let alone ordinary people.


    He looked at the spirit herb in the box, pondering whether it was collected by an ordinary person or if Zhican Valley was pulling strings behind the scenes...


    "How old?" he asked.


    "About thirteen years old."


    "What''s his name?"


    "Zhang Junyi."

 Chapter 366

    Chapter 366


    "You are Zhang Junyi?"


    Qin Ran sat in his chair, looking at the timid young boy in front of him, and asked the question.


    The boy''s body was indeed frail, looking severely malnourished. Wu Yan said he was thirteen years old, but at first nce, he looked more like eight or nine.


    "Yes, Immortal Master, I am Zhang Junyi," the boy bowed respectfully. He had only one pair of eyes that would catch attention, exceptionally bright.


    "I hear you want to join the Dao Sword Sect?" Qin Ran asked, "Why do you want to join the Dao Sword Sect?"


    "I want to learn alchemy," Zhang Junyi replied.


    "?" Qin Ran was silent for a moment, another oneing to the Dao Sword Sect to learn alchemy?


    He thought of his foolish disciple and chuckled, "You should go to Zhican Valley to learn alchemy."


    Zhang Junyi looked up at Qin Ran, his bright eyes filled with hesitation, but he eventually replied:"Because Zhican Valley is an alchemy sect, they certainly wouldn''t look at a single Lingfuling. But the Dao Sword Sect, I''m sure I can exchange the Lingfuling for entry qualifications, and after entering, I''m likely to be treated favorably."


    Qin Ran praised, "Very clever."


    But he quickly shook his head, "Unfortunately, you''re mistaken about one thing."


    Zhang Junyi asked, "What is it?"


    "The sect recruits disciples primarily based on aptitude, among which the most important is the Spirit Root; not on the benefits you provide to the sect, such as spiritual herbs or treasures. If you have a Spirit Root, especially if it''s of good quality, the sect is actually more willing to ept you than you imagine," Qin Ran exined to him, "A disciple with sufficient talent and a sectplement each other, mutually beneficial. Except in special cases, Zhican Valley wouldn''t reject you."


    Zhang Junyi fell silent upon hearing this.


    "You''re clearly very smart..." Qin Ran was puzzled, "But where did you learn such transactional values?"


    This was clearly the routine of bribery in the mortal world.


    Seeing Zhang Junyi still silent, Qin Ran asked, "What quality is your Spirit Root?"


    Zhang Junyi extended his hand, indicating Qin Ran to check his aptitude, and said, "High-grade Water Spirit Root."


    "High-grade Water Spirit Root?" Qin Ran ced his fingers on Zhang Junyi''s arm, sending his spiritual power in to check, thenughed,


    "You see, you don''t understand the concept of Spirit Root in the cultivation world. You don''t know that a disciple with a High-grade Water Spirit Root, Zhican Valley woulde to personally recruit you, even without you going to Zhican Valley to seek discipleship. Plus, you seem to be from a medicinal family... Zhican Valley wouldn''t reject you."


    Qin Ran''s words were always calm, but Zhang Junyi felt wave after wave of turmoil hitting his heart.


    Regarding this statement, he keenly sensed a threat to his life, although he didn''t know why, he knew that if he didn''t speak the truth, the terrifying man in front of him would smile and send him away.


    He finally spoke up: "Immortal Master, please be discerning!"


    His voice was as calm as water, adding, "My parents were killed by cultivators from Zhican Valley."


    The murder of parents was an irreconcble hatred, but he spoke of it as if it were a story.


    Qin Ran withdrew his hand, confirming Zhang Junyi''s High-grade Water Spirit Root, his tone as indifferent as ever, and asked, "Why?"


    Although the cultivation world was a ce of the strong preying on the weak, without human morals, most cultivators wouldn''t kill for no reason... What''s the point of doing it if there''s no benefit?


    "Because of spiritual herbs," Zhang Junyi replied, "The medical scriptures passed down in my family record methods of using and collecting spiritual herbs, so my family had many spiritual herbs."


    A man is not guilty; a treasure is the crime.


    Qin Ran nodded, this gave Zhican Valley a reason to kill Zhang Junyi''s entire family.


    "You''re from a medicinal family, and your family had spiritual herbs..." But he still didn''t understand, "Why are you so frail, malnourished?"


    "Could it be that the Immortal Master thinks..." Zhang Junyi asked, "That Zhican Valley killed my parents just yesterday?"


    Qin Ran suddenly understood, that made sense. No wonder Zhang Junyi was smart but naive in some matters. He must have been struggling alone in the mortal world since he was very young.


    "When I was seven years old, Zhican Valley came to my home to buy spiritual herbs, my father couldn''t resist, and sold the herbs to Zhican Valley..." Zhang Junyi said indifferently, "But for me, he decided to hide a thousand-year ginseng. Then Zhican Valley found out."


    "So how did you survive?" Qin Ran asked.


    "They killed people, found the hidden me. They were going to kill me too..." Zhang Junyi said, "But the leader among them discovered I had a Spirit Root, and hatred, so he told me to go to another immortal sect, and then seek revenge on him."


    Qin Ran looked at Zhang Junyi and asked, "So you thought it would be difficult to join an immortal sect?"


    "Yes," Zhang Junyi replied, "I searched for six years to get this Lingfuling."


    "Then why didn''t you learn swordsmanship, or formations, Dao arts, body cultivation to take revenge?" Qin Ran asked again.


    "Immortal Master, I want to destroy Zhican Valley through alchemy," Zhang Junyi said, "Zhican Valley is mainly an alchemy sect, so I''ll destroy them in alchemy."


    "Good!" Qin Ran nodded, "Then you can follow me!"


    Zhang Junyi knelt on the ground, not getting up for a long time.


    In the morning, he left Dan Peak alone, and in the afternoon, he returned with two people.


    Li Shiyin widened her eyes and looked at Qin Ran, pointing at Zhang Junyi and asked, "Master... who is he?"


    "He''s your junior brother," Qin Ran said.


    "Huh?" Li Shiyin looked at Zhang Junyi, then asked again, "You want him to be my junior brother?!!"


    "He has considerable talent in alchemy..." Qin Ran exined.


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin shouted loudly, "Qiqi?!"


    After a while, Long Qiqi came out of her room with sleepy eyes, leaning on the doorframe, helplessly asking Li Shiyin, "What is it? Are you going to let me sleep or not?"


    "I''m giving you a disciple!" Li Shiyin said, "My master says he''s very talented and can be your direct disciple."


    Long Qiqi was shocked, half awake, she looked towards Li Shiyin and saw Zhang Junyi following Qin Ran, quickly replied, "No, I don''t take disciples."


    Li Shiyin wouldn''t let her refuse, directly telling Zhang Junyi, "That''s your master. From now on, you''re her closed-door disciple."


    Long Qiqi turned around and went back into the room, "Boom" closing the door tightly, and a voice came out, "I won''t ept you," and there was no more sound.


    Watching all these changes, Zhang Junyi kept his head down, eyes on his nose, nose on his heart, pretending to be a stone.


    "Uh, cough..." Qin Ran was about to exin, he was nning to take Zhang Junyi as his real direct disciple, not like Li Shiyin, who went to practice swordsmanship, nor Long Qiqi, who learned things but didn''t acknowledge them, but to inherit his alchemy, and even be the head of Dan Peakter.


    But Li Shiyin stared coldly at him, making him unable to speak.


    "Master!" Li Shiyin warned, "You, can only have me as your one and only disciple!!!"


    "Ah, no, Shiyin..."


    Li Shiyin didn''t care, she couldn''t imagine another person calling her master, she said, "Either he bes Long Qiqi''s disciple, or I''ll stab him with a sword."


    So Qin Ran took Zhang Junyi to the shed outside the Sword Washing Lake and told him, "There''s no extra space on Dan Peak. If you want to stay on Dan Peak, you need to build a ce to live here yourself. Then... you''ll start as a medicinal servant, taking care of the spiritual herbs for me."


    Zhang Junyi had no objections.

 Chapter 367

    Chapter 367


    That silly, obedient disciple of his seemed to have disappeared.


    Qin Rany on his reclining chair, watching Li Shiyin taking care of Li An, and pondered deeply.


    The silly disciple seemed to havepletely slipped out of his control, no longer so easily fooled... not listening to his words anymore.


    When exactly did things go wrong?


    He thought for a long time and vaguely came up with an answer. The answer was probably that the obedience itself was just an act by the silly disciple.


    You see, before she became his disciple, she was the notorious tyrant of Danyang... After bing his disciple, she still maintained her tyrant demeanor, and harbored intentions towards him, even tricking him into her schemes.


    Yes, the silly disciple was the most scheming of them all. He finally realized.


    And so, he began to doubt his own life.


    He doubted whether he had been schemed by the silly disciple from the very beginning.How does that saying go? High-level hunters often appear as prey.


    He had always thought he was in control of everything, secretly luring the silly disciple tomit patricide; but in fact, it was the silly disciple who was seducing him, unknowingly, seducing him to secretly lure the silly disciple tomit patricide!


    Qin Ran understood, it turned out that he and the silly disciple were like spies within spies within spies.


    "How was it?" he was lost in his chaotic thoughts when a voice suddenly asked him, "Was this trip down the mountain smooth? Did you handle the affairs in Beichu?"


    The voice was alluring, familiar,zy and charming, unmistakably Tushan Youyou''s.


    Qin Ran turned to look, and indeed saw Tushan Youyou, dressed in snow-white robes like a fairy, without a trace of her usual seductive charm. She was clearly a fox spirit, and inside she was still a fox spirit, but to the unknowing, just looking at her appearance, one would think she was truly a fairy.


    "Yes, everything was handled," he nodded.


    His answer was perfunctory, showing no intention to delve deeper, and Tushan Youyou understood, so she didn''t ask further.


    She stood beside Qin Ran, looking at Li An sleeping on Zhui Feng''s back, and suddenly chuckled.


    "What are youughing at?" Qin Ran was puzzled.


    "I remember before I came to Dan Peak, there were only you and Shiyin on the peak, plus a snake and a cat. The Sword Washing Lake over there was still a muddy pit. The entire Dan Peak was quite shabby, not at all like a sacred ce for cultivation," Tushan Youyou said with a smile,


    "But now, the pit has be ake, with trees by theke, flowers and fruits on the trees, flourishing and thriving. The spiritual energy is abundant, with the Guardian Mountain Formation, truly a ce for cultivation. There are also more people now, Liu Xiaoji, Tushan Youyou, Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasp, Li An, and that neer over there. It''s be lively."


    She sighed, "Bit by bit, without noticing, Dan Peak has changed so much."


    Qin Ran also smiled, feeling a lot of aplishment because this was something he had built step by step.


    "This is life, doing things bit by bit, always moving forward, and one day when you look back, you''ll find you''vee a long way," he said with a smile, "Just walk the path ahead, without asking where it leads."


    "Just walk the path ahead, without asking where it leads?" Tushan Youyou nodded.


    Qin Ran looked at the peach grove across the Sword Washing Lake and asked Tushan Youyou with a smile, "So, how far along is your Peach Grove Formation?"


    "Just the framework," Tushan Youyou replied, "It still needs a lot of design, and many peach trees with spiritual energy."


    She said, taking out a stack of papers from her Universe Bag and handing them to Qin Ran, "This is my current conception, you can take a look when you have time."


    Qin Ran took Tushan Youyou''s formation design, flipped through it, and found it wasn''t a rough draft, but a very neat schematic diagram of the formation. The ideas were clear, the formation concepts wereid out step by step.


    It meant that Tushan Youyou had been prepared for a long time, this formation design was for him to see, hoping he could help review and improve it.


    Qin Ran understood and nodded, "I''ll take a look."


    "Thank you," Tushan Youyou thanked him.


    Li An was still just a baby, eating and sleeping all day, and before, he used to fly all over Dan Peak with his excess energy, but now, whenever he had time, Li Shiyin would take him to practice.


    When Qin Ran and the others weren''t back, he slept wrapped in Long Qiqi''s magic; now that Qin Ran and the others were back, he could sleep with Zhui Feng or with Li Shiyin.


    Zhui Feng was tough-skinned and thick-furred, immune to ordinary sword qi; Li Shiyin, needless to say, could control sword qi at will.


    And needless to say, Li An naturally preferred to sleep with Zhui Feng.


    Zhui Feng had grown bigger, curling up, and he slept on it, warm andfortable... and when he woke up, he could y with the big kitty.


    ...Although Zhui Feng might not necessarily like ying with him.


    In short, regarding sleeping, Li An slept however he feltfortable, and everyone let him.


    But, that night, while Li An sleptfortably, someone else couldn''t sleep.


    The moonlight was bright, shining through the window onto someone''s bed, and she stared at the moonlight, unable to sleep, her mind filled with strange thoughts.


    Then at some point, she asked, "Sister-inw, how do men and women have babies?"


    Her senses were sharp, and she knew her sister-inw wasn''t asleep either.


    "Hmm?" her sister-inw''s voice was surprised, but she was experienced and quickly understood why the person would ask such a question. She thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know that men and women''s bodies are different?"


    The person nodded and replied, "I think so?"


    Her sister-inw thought the person might not know very well, so she said, "Come, turn around."


    "What for?" the person was puzzled but turned around to face her sister-inw.


    The moonlight was bright, the room was well-lit, and they were close, so they could see each other clearly.


    Her sister-inw reached out and pressed on the parts of the person''s body that were different from a man''s, saying, "These are the parts where women are different from men."


    These parts were sensitive, and the person quickly pushed her sister-inw''s hand away, blushing and asking, "But what does this have to do with having babies?"


    "It does!" her sister-inw said with a deep smile, then exined in detail how she could have a baby with a man.


    The content was detailed, all the understanding her sister-inw had gained over the years, all passed on to the person, making her grow up overnight.


    Some postures, incantations, techniques, all unique secrets, from her sister-inw''s mouth to the person''s ear, disappearing into the night.


    No one else knew.


    In short, the crucial education the person''s mother hadn''t given her was finally taken care of by her sister-inw.


    Only...


    Next door, Qin Ran, listening to the soft whispers from their room, couldn''t sleep all night. From the Big Bang to the Rise of the of the Apes, from the ancient mighty ones moving mountains and overturning seas, to the evolution of contemporary magic...


    Finally, he thought, as a master, these things should be taught by him. But he hesitated, afraid of this and that, and in his life, he had missed out on a lot of fun.


    That night, the moon was very round, and at least three people on Dan Peak stayed up all night.

 Chapter 368

    Chapter 368


    Qin Ran''s Divine Soul avatar''s strength was primarily rted to the power of the Divine Soul residing in the Water Avatar. The stronger the Divine Soul, the stronger the avatar. After all, the water he used to create the Water Avatar couldn''t always be elixir water; most of the time, he used ordinary water.


    The strength of the Divine Soul he separated each time was something he could decide for himself.


    So far, he had used two types of Divine Soul avatars.


    The first type, which was also the most basic, only separated a tiny portion of the Divine Soul to control the Water Avatar.


    This type of Divine Soul avatar essentially only had the thinking ability of the main body, without the ability to control the Water Avatar inbat. Compared to the Water Avatar, this Divine Soul avatar merely had the added ability of independent thought.


    Therefore, if this type of avatar died, the impact on the main body was negligible, about the same as the physical body being pricked by a needle - very painful, but harmless, fully recovering after a couple of days of rest.


    The second type was a step further from the first type of Divine Soul avatar. Qin Ran separated more of his Divine Soul into the Water Avatar.


    This type of Divine Soul avatar, besides having independent thinking ability, also possessed somebat power. Its Divine Soul was strong enough to control the Water Avatar to cast spells that the main body knew.


    While powerful, if this type of avatar died, the impact on Qin Ran would be quite significant. If one died, Qin Ran would be weakened for at least a month.These two types of avatars had different uses.


    The former was mostly used for scouting and deception. For example, when pursuing Jian Yuanjie, he mostly used this type of avatar for scouting, not minding if they died. Another example was when clearing out the Medicinal Hall, where several avatars appeared, most of which were this type of avatar used only for deception.


    Thetter was mostly used in scenarios that required somebat capability. For instance, when finally tricking Jian Yuanjie,bat might ur; or when going to Zhican Valley to purchase elixirs, to ensure the safety of the medicines; or when exploring the Xuan Qin military camp and sending a double agent to the Xuan Qin pce - these all used thetter type of avatar.


    As can be seen, if one of these avatars was destroyed, Qin Ran''s main body would be weakened for a long time, and he basically wouldn''t take the initiative to cause trouble again.


    The distinction between Qin Ran''s Divine Soul avatars is mentioned here to exin whates next.


    Qin Ran decided to separate an avatar to send through the "ultra-long-distance one-way transmission array" he had constructed, to explore the situation at the array''s destination.


    This was his important backup n, his guarantee for helping the Dao Sword Sect deal with Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect. It couldn''t go wrong, so he needed to separate enough of his Divine Soul to construct a sufficiently powerful avatar.


    He nned to separate one-tenth of his Divine Soul for this task. One-tenth of the Divine Soul could basically be considered a main Divine Soul.


    Apart from the resource consumption, this was also why Qin Ran had been hesitating and unable to decide whether to activate the transmission array.


    But now, with North Chu''s affairs settled, he had returned to the sect, dealt with the umted matters in the Medicinal Hall, and Dan Peak was gradually getting on track. He had no choice but to restart this matter.


    In the secret chamber beneath Dan Peak, two Qin Rans stood facing each other.


    One Qin Ran was energetic, while the other was weak and frail.


    The weak and frail Qin Ran was pale-faced, supporting himself on the tform that activated the array; the energetic Qin Ran stood in the center of the array pattern on the ground.


    The two Qin Rans exchanged a nce, everything was understood without need for furthermunication. Havinge this far, there was no turning back.


    The energetic Qin Ran picked up the Universe Bag, carefully checking its contents. These were the things he would take to the other side of the transmission array; his life of luxury after going over depended on what was in here. It contained everything, including spirit stones, magical treasures, materials, elixirs, talismans, and so on.


    The dispirited Qin Ran, extremely pained, took out two high-grade spirit stones and iid them into two gaps on the tform.


    With the spirit stones iid and the supplies checked, the energetic Qin Ran looked at the dispirited Qin Ran and nodded, everything was ready.


    The dispirited Qin Ran sighed, holding the array seal, and asked the energetic Qin Ran, "Are you ready?"


    The energetic Qin Ran patted his chest, gave a salute, and said, "Ready at any time!!"


    A dazzling white light shed, and Qin Ran disappeared from the underground secret chamber.


    Qin Ran emerged, mentally exhausted.


    Now in the study, outside the study, Li Shiyin was knocking on the door: "Master? Are you in the study?"


    He walked over, unlocked the door, pulled it open, and replied weakly at the same time, "Ye... Yes... I am."


    As he spoke, the words in his mouth suddenly stopped, and so did the movement of his hand.


    It was because of Li Shiyin outside the door.


    She had put up her hair, adorned with the coquettish hairpin of a married woman, her ck hair cascading over her left shoulder, falling onto her snow-white skin like a wedding dress.


    She was wearing a white dress, very beautiful, but... very thin. So thin that it couldn''t hide her fair skin, which was faintly visible through the dress.


    Qin Ran could even clearly see the corset inside her dress, and her figure was so good that the corset''s ability was quite limited...


    Endless temptation.


    This sight stunned Qin Ran! What... was going on?


    Extremely shy, Li Shiyin lowered her head, her hands crossed in front of her body, fidgeting with each other. The usually confident girl''s voice was smaller than a mosquito''s.


    She asked, "Master, do I look good?"


    Qin Ran came to his senses, unconsciously looking his silly disciple up and down, then back to her face that was red as if dripping blood. He swallowed and replied, "You... you look good!"


    Li Shiyin slowly raised her head, her gaze inexperienced yet alluring. She looked at Qin Ran, but seeing her master''s dumbfounded expression, she felt a bit annoyed and said again, "Ma... Master?"


    Qin Ran felt a fire burning in his body, his blood boiling in his veins, his physical body celebrating wildly, urging him to do something human; but at the same time, his Divine Soul was extremely empty and weak, making him want to retreat and lie down to sleep.


    As his physical body became more and more excited, his Divine Soul became weaker and weaker.


    He raised his hand, wanting to caress his silly disciple, her hand or shoulder, anywhere would do, but as soon as he raised it, he froze.


    His hand stopped in mid-air, but he moved his body aside, saying, "Come in quickly... Don''t, don''t catch a cold."


    Li Shiyin felt confused. Why was this different from what sister-inw had said? Why hadn''t her master turned into a beast and pounced on her?


    She frowned slightly, thinking that her master wanted to be more reserved, so she took the initiative again, reaching out to hold her master''s hand.


    After holding his hand, she remembered what sister-inw had taught her, and then inteced her fingers with her master''s one by one.


    "Buzz!"


    Feeling the soft and smooth fingers of his silly disciple, Qin Ran''s blood instantly surged, his long hair "whoosh" stood on end, and his nose began to bleed.


    But at the same time, he couldn''t keep his eyes open, he was so tired...


    He exerted force, pulling his silly disciple into the study.


    Then, unable to control his strength, he fell backward helplessly with his own momentum.


    Li Shiyin was an invincible prodigy, at this moment she had ten thousand ways to support her master.


    But she didn''t.


    Her long legs hooked the study door closed, and she fell down together with her master.


    They were about the same height, so she pressed her whole body and heart onto her master.


    "Master?" She called out to her master in a hoarse voice.


    But after waiting for a while, she received no response from her master.


    She opened her eyes and looked down...


    Only to find that her master had fainted.

 Chapter 369

    Chapter 369


    Pain!


    Excruciating pain!!


    It felt as if his entire body was being slowly sliced apart. The agony surged from every part of him, rushing towards his brain, threatening to burst it open. This intense pain jolted Qin Ran awake from his unconscious state.


    As awareness returned to his mind, the first thing he experienced was confusion and chaos¡ªaplete void. Then, in the next moment, his mind was assaulted by blinding white light, shattered spaces, raging whirlwinds, turbulent ocean waves, and an endless void, all dancing wildly in his consciousness.


    Following that, he felt the sensation of being helplessly tossed about in the chaotic currents of space.


    Fighting through the pain, he opened his eyes to find himself face-down in muddy sand. He could see water flowing past his face, while his mouth and nose were filled with grit.


    "Where am I?" This question bubbled up in his mind.


    Then...


    "Who am I?""What am I doing?"


    After posing these questions, it took a while for his memories to drift back from the distant chaos.


    He finally remembered: his name was Qin Ran, he was a Divine Soul Avatar, and he had been transported here through an extremely long-distance teleportation array. His purpose was to scout this location for safety on behalf of his main body and to establish a potential escape route.


    His mind gradually transitioned fromplete emptiness to recalling his past lives and present existence, understanding who he was and why he hade here.


    Now, only one question remained: where exactly was "here"?


    Where had the teleportation array sent him... what was the destination of that one-way transport?


    Qin Ran attempted to control his limbs and stand up, but found himself unable to do so. It was as if he were paralyzed, his bodypletely unresponsive to his mentalmands.


    "So..." he thought, looking at the muddy sand beneath his face and enduring the pain coursing through his body, "Am I destined to die such a pitiful death, drowning right here?"


    But soon, the pain throughout his body made him realize that he wasn''t actually paralyzed. His brain was still receiving pain signals from his body.


    Then it dawned on him. He was a Divine Soul Avatar, essentiallyposed of a divine soul and a Water Avatar. He didn''t have a physical human body in the traditional sense, so concepts like nerves and paralysis didn''t apply to him.


    "My thinking is so slow..." he gradually understood, "It seems my divine soul was also damaged during the teleportation process!"


    "The divine soul is essentially my brain, and since it''s damaged, I''m basically brain-damaged right now."


    "If a Water Avatar drowns in water, would that be an unsolved mystery in the world of cultivation? It could certainly be added to a collection of jokes."


    "Hmm, during the teleportation, my brain was damaged and my memories are problematic. So, am I really Qin Ran? Or am I someone who transmigrated from the modern world? Is it possible that I''m actually the main body, but was somehow usurped by an avatar?"


    "The memories in my mind could all be false, perhaps imnted by someone with ulterior motives..."


    As these random thoughts flitted through his mind, Qin Ran felt his brain gradually bing more agile, and the pain in his body began to subside. When he tried to control his limbs again, he finally got a response.


    It seemed his divine soul was slowly healing.


    "Is there a possibility that this is a multiverse setting, and I''m just a minor viin who got stranded in a cultivation world?"


    "Or perhaps I''m the eighteenth reincarnation of some unfortunate soul, destined to die a miserable death by drowning in this life?"


    "Or maybe this is just a part of my memory, and I''m actually in a vegetative state?"


    "I might even be insane..."


    His limbs slowly began to move, progressing fromplete immobility to slight movement, from utter weakness to gradually gaining strength.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, Qin Ran finally managed to use both his arms and legs to turn himself over, transitioning from lying face-down in the muddy sand to lying on his back in the wet sand.


    "The salted fish has turned over... from face-down to face-up..."


    He looked up at the sky. It was a brilliant blue, with a few streaks of pure white clouds stretched across the azure backdrop, drifting like the flowing sleeves of celestial maidens.


    "Oh, it''s broad daylight, nice weather."


    "But I''m still a salted fish."


    After another long while, Qin Ran finally managed to sit up in the sand.


    It was then that he realized he hadn''t fallen into some small muddy pit, but rather...


    He hadnded in an immense, immeasurable ocean!!


    His current position was on a beach.


    Looking ahead, he saw grass, lush green forests, and... an ind.


    Struggling to turn around, he confirmed that behind him was indeed a vast, boundless sea.


    The howling of the sea breeze, the crashing of ocean waves, and the cries of seabirds flying overhead reached his ears, convincing him that all of this was real.


    "Is this a game?" he wondered again, "When I hadn''t realized this was an ind, I couldn''t hear any sounds or get any clues. But as soon as I understood where I was, I suddenly received a flood of information."


    Now, he could taste as well, detecting the saltiness of seawater in his mouth. His sense of smell had also returned, allowing him to catch the briny scent carried by the sea breeze.


    "So..." he pondered, "Am I an NPC or a yer?"


    Sitting on the edge of the beach where the wavespped at the shore, Qin Ran rested for a while longer, gathering strength before struggling to his feet and out of the water.


    However, his divine soul was still injured, causing him to walk as if he had a damaged cerebellum or was suffering from a severe hangover. He staggered about, his legs constantly failing to find purchase.


    He tried his best to move towards drynd, but the waves behind him repeatedly knocked him down. It took him a long time to cover the mere ten meters or so to reach the dry part of the shore.


    Sitting cross-legged on the beach, facing the vast ocean but feeling far from serene, Qin Ran wondered, "Where is this ce?"


    This clearly wasn''t the Lingnan Region, as there was no sea there.


    He sat there nkly for a while before remembering to look for his map. Before the teleportation, all these things had been prepared.


    But when he looked down, he realized he waspletely naked. Forget about his Universe Bag, even his clothes were gone, all lost in the spatial turbulence.


    Even his nakedness wasn''t perfect, as his body was covered in numerous wounds, some still raw and unhealed.


    "Ah! Perfect!!" hemented inwardly, "A ''heaven-forsaken'' start, without even a bowl or clothes. I can''t even be a beggar."


    This beginning was so dire that even the great Emperor Hongwu would exim, "What the hell!"


    As these mncholic thoughts ran through his mind, he suddenly noticed something glinting in the seawater, reflecting the sunlight and catching his eye several times.


    He couldn''t help but stand up: "Damn it, even dogs will bully a tiger that''s fallen from its mountain!" For a Golden Core Cultivator to be stranded on a deserted ind and then taunted by some sea creature¡ªwho could tolerate such a thing?


    Qin Ran, fuming, stumbled back into the seawater and reached out to grab the shiny object...


    "Hey! At least I have a bowl!"


    The object was none other than the protective magical artifact his main body had prepared for him before the teleportation¡ªthe Water Flower Pearl. It was a water-based magical tool crafted ording to the standards of the Water Flower Heart Sutra, a top-grade artifact bordering on a magical treasure.


    Standing on the beach, Qin Ran held up the Water Flower Pearl, looking through it at the azure sky and dazzling sunlight...


    "Brother Zhuba,e back quickly, there''s still hope!"

 Chapter 370

    Chapter 370


    The Ghost-Eating Sea Eagle is a seabird that likes to eat carrion, or rather, it also eats carrion.


    The reason for this is that theirbat ability far exceeds what their size would suggest.


    In this sea area, they can always catch prey muchrger than themselves. They cannot eat these prey quickly, so they have to store them. As the weather here is extreme, corpses rot easily, so over time, they have developed a habit of eating carrion.


    At this moment, a Ghost-Eating Sea Eagle flew overhead, suddenly discovering a severely injured bipedal creature on the ind below.


    Its eagle eyes gave it super strong long-distance vision. Even from thousands of meters high in the sky, it could see the creature on the ground clearly.


    It saw that the creature was covered in blood, head lowered, sitting there weakly.


    The basic rule of living beings is that excessive blood loss leads to death. The Ghost-Eating Sea Eagle''s hunter instinct told it that the creature below wouldn''t live much longer.


    Happy that it could easily hunt food today, it slowly circled in the high sky, waiting for the creature below to die.


    It was very patient, waiting for a long, long time, until the sun had drifted over its head, approaching the sea level, about to sink into the sea.By this time, it finally waited for that creature to copse into the seawater.


    It was called the Ghost-Eating Sea Eagle, and it had a pair of eyes that could see through the realms of yin and yang. It saw that inside that creature, a soul was slowly floating out.


    "It''s really dead," it confirmed. When the soul leaves the body, it must be dead.


    Without any hesitation, it immediately dove down from thousands of meters high in the sky, its sharp talons open, reaching for that creature.


    It waited for the creature in the sea to die, not because it couldn''t defeat it, but simply to conserve energy as much as possible.


    The terrifying diving force brought by the thousands of meters of altitude in an instant, coupled with its sharp talons, meant very few prey could escape from its grasp.


    Unless it was a beast with a bloodline far superior to its own... But there were none in the nearby seas!


    It was close now!


    Its eyes allowed it to see the corpse on the beach very clearly.


    "Just need to grab him, and smash him once more..." it thought simply, "then there can''t be any danger."


    Before reaching the corpse, it had to pass through that soul...


    But it didn''t pay attention to the soul, because souls couldn''t fill its stomach.


    So it flew past the soul carelessly.


    And then...


    "Poof!"


    It was split in two.


    It didn''t even feel pain before it died.


    "?" It was confused as its soul flew out of its corpse. It opened its eyes and saw that soul holding a water de formed from water, with a pearl as its hilt.


    The water de wasn''t sharp. It seemed... it had crashed itself into two halves.


    Then...


    It saw that soul look towards its soul, and that soul smiled at it:


    "Ah! A level one beast soul, very nourishing!"


    That soul opened its mouth and sucked, and it couldn''t resist, being sucked into the mouth.


    "Burp!" Qin Ran belched, feeling his primordial spirit''s injuries recover a bit more.


    He dispersed the water de, holding the water pearl, and returned to the water clone body below that he had used as bait.


    He stood up, moved a little in the seawater, and did a set of radio calisthenics.


    "Hmm, that''s about right, it basically doesn''t affect movement now."


    The primordial spirit''s injuries had recovered greatly, there were no problems controlling the body, and he could also use simple spells.


    Obviously, this wasn''t the first "fish" Qin Ran had caught here.


    In fact, around the surrounding beach, there were some fish or birds he had buried, which had rotted, serving as scent and aura bait.


    He had been in this ce for a full day, from sunrise to sunset, and it had taken great effort to barely recover his ability to move.


    And the measure he took to recover his strength was naturally to restore his primordial spirit power!


    Because the focus of the primordial spirit clone had always been on the primordial spirit, not the water clone.


    But the primordial spirit-rted pills he had prepared were lost in the void, so he could only take this fishing measure...


    Because the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill had two overpowered abilities: one was splitting the spirit, and the other was devouring!!


    The primordial spirit clone was split out by the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill, so the primordial spirit clone naturally had the ability to devour other souls... By that time, the Demon-Devouring Willow could devour spiritual energy, flesh and blood, anything with energy.


    It wasn''t a problem for him to devour the souls of some ordinary creatures.


    With his strength somewhat recovered, Qin Ran first searched nearby, hoping to find more scattered items from the Universe Bag, but unfortunately, he found nothing.


    So he went to search inside the ind...


    After spending about a short while, Qin Ran had roughly searched the ind once.


    He found that this was an extremely simple small ind, definitely less than 20 square kilometers in area; there were no powerful creatures on it, that Ghost-Eating Sea Eagle was a rtively powerful level one beast, and it had already stood at the top of the food chain on this small ind; spiritual energy wasn''t abundant, there were no treasures.


    Returning to the beach, Qin Ran pondered. He had woken up on this ind, so the ce that Dan Peak''s teleportation array could reach was probably this ce.


    So this ce was probably the destination of Dan Peak''s teleportation array. If there was no danger on this ind, then this ind would be his base in this realm.


    At least he needed to ensure that when his main body escaped from Dan Peak to this ce, it wouldn''t encounter any danger.


    Now, there was no danger on the ind, so he just needed to confirm the situation around the ind.


    Was this ind truly just a deserted ind in the vast ocean, or was it under the control of some force, or would there be some powerful creatures, cultivators or beasts or other beings nearby?


    Thinking of this, Qin Ran stepped on the water, left the shore, and went to search in the sea.


    Speaking of which, this ce was the sea, with abundant water vapor, and he had a water spirit root... a clone made of water, this ce was quite suitable for him. On the sea surface, his strength increased by more than one level.


    "When the main body arrives here, the cultivation speed will certainly be very fast..." Just as he was thinking this, suddenly, in the darkness ahead, there was a powerful energy fluctuation, rapidly flying towards this direction.


    Qin Ran was startled and quickly stopped. Starting from the soles of his feet standing on the sea surface, he silently turned into water, using the Flowing Water Technique, his entire person merging into the seawater.


    Just as he had disappeared into the seawater, from where he had been, a ck wing-like thing rapidly flew past.


    "A seabird?" Qin Ran thought. It had wings, what else could it be if not a bird?


    Were there other beasts here?


    Was that beast just one of them?


    But soon, he was surprised to discover that beyond the wing was not a bird''s body, but a fish''s body!


    On the wings were not feathers, but scales!


    It had wings, but it was a fish!


    "What on earth is this thing?"


    Qin Ran watched that monster rapidly flying towards the small ind he hade from, his heart filled with shock and doubt.

 Chapter 371

    Chapter 371


    The winged monstrous fish was enormous, measuring about two and a half meters in length and over a meter in radius, far toorge to be stewed in a single pot.


    Its belly was white and its back blue, with its wingspletely covered in pure ck scales, exuding a sense of heaviness and terror.


    When its wings spread, they nearly reached six meters in length. As it swam, it resembled a bird in flight, and with a single p, it could block out the sun, "boom" and in an instant, it would shoot forward dozens of meters.


    From its swimming posture, one could roughly deduce that it was a formidable beast with exceptionalbat abilities. It was impossible for it to ambush its prey; it could only confront them head-on.


    Its hunting process was roughly as follows: it would first catch up with its prey at an extreme speed, then crush it with straightforward power.


    In the darkness, Qin Ran blended with the sea, not daring to move.


    Just by sensing its aura, he felt that the monstrous fish was at least a fourth-level beast, which meant it was at least a Golden Core cultivator... a Golden Core body cultivator.


    And if the fish had any strange divine beast bloodline, it would be even more troublesome.


    His own cultivation was at the early stage of the Golden Core, although his strength was not low, it was less than one-tenth of his true self''s, and now he was injured.He most likely couldn''t take on the monstrous fish.


    So he could only watch as the monstrous fish circled the ind again and again.


    What was it looking for? Qin Ran could sense that the fish''s target seemed very clear.


    Could it be that this ind had some special feature that he couldn''t see?


    He carefully examined the small ind again, but during the day he hadn''t found any issues, and now in the pitch-ck night, he couldn''t see anything more.


    He thought for a moment, then activated his Divine Soul, preparing to investigate with his Divine Soul power.


    Then...


    As soon as his Divine Soul power extended out, the monstrous fish suddenly became agitated, "boom, boom" swimming towards him.


    "What the hell?" Qin Ran was startled and quickly retracted his Divine Soul power, hiding his body in the water, no longer daring to move.


    Fortunately, as soon as he retracted his Divine Soul power, the monstrous fish gradually calmed down.


    "Can it sense the Divine Soul?" He was puzzled.


    Thus, he couldn''t help but make a guess, a guess that might not be true, that is, could this monstrous fish have been drawn here by him.


    Was it now circling the ind not to search for possible treasures, but to find him?


    Impossible... should be impossible...


    He denied it in his heart, but felt that if there was even a slight possibility that the monstrous fish was indeed after him, he needed to prepare early.


    First, he needed to find a way to escape, as he might not be able to handle the monstrous fish now; second, he needed to leave a mark, so he coulde back and clean it upter, as the transmission array of the Dan Peak might connect here.


    Cleaning up was a future matter, while escaping was a present one.


    "Should I just leave like this?" Watching the monstrous fish still arrogantly swimming, Qin Ran suddenly felt too cowardly, "Should I give it a shot?"


    With this thought, he became eager to try, thinking he should find a way to test it first. Whether he could win or not, he would fight first.


    Then, he recalled the divine techniques and spells he had mastered, searching for a starting move. He thought through one technique after another, the Water Flower Heart Sutra, the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill, the Immortal Seeking the Way...


    After thinking through them, he couldn''t help but curse: "Damn it, my true self is too cowardly, all these techniques are for survival. What a waste!"


    The Water Flower Heart Sutra contained evasion techniques, shield techniques, and illusion techniques, the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill was for creating avatars, with a barely offensive ability to devour, and the Immortal Seeking the Way was for escaping.


    If forced to count, only the War Spirit Art could be considered abat technique.


    But the War Spirit Art was essentially for boosting status, not an attack skill.


    So, after searching through his memory, he couldn''t find a single move to start with.


    His true self''s mastery of these skills was fine because that guy had some ck-tech pills, arrays, and if all else failed, he could use his lifebound artifact to fight; but now, his Universe Bag was destroyed, he didn''t even have a single piece of clothing on him, only a bead in his hand.


    What could this bead do?


    It could control water.


    It could create water des like during the day, causing the seabird to crash; more than that, well, it was simr.


    "Damn it, don''t let me go back!" He cursed, "Or I''ll beat you up every time I see you."


    He made threats, turned his body, and prepared to flee.


    But just then, a beam of light suddenly shot over from the distant dark sea, passing over his head and hitting the swimming monstrous fish.


    Following that, there was a "boom, boom" loud noise, and from afar, Qin Ran saw a huge ship breaking through the sea towards them. "A ship?" Qin Ran stopped again, "Cultivators?"


    What was going on with this ce? Why was it so attractive?


    The monstrous fish was angered by the light beam, it "wailed" twice, furiously pped its wings, creating huge waves, "boom, boom" charging towards the ship.


    So easily provoked?


    "Strong in power, but brainless." Qin Ran evaluated.


    Taking advantage of the waves stirred up by the monstrous fish, Qin Ran blended into them, following the monstrous fish towards the sea ship.


    Arriving in thispletely unfamiliar ce, finally encountering people, no matter whether they were malicious or kind, no matter what their purpose here was, he felt he should interact with them.


    He didn''t get too close, he wanted to observe first, and the monstrous fish had already started fighting with the ship.


    The monstrous fish pped its wings, and the surrounding seawater obeyed its call, suddenly raising waves over ten meters high, all pouring down on the sea ship.


    The ship belonged to cultivators, with a protective shield set up on the hull, the seawater was blocked outside and slid back into the sea.


    The seawater here was stirred up by the monstrous fish, Qin Ran felt like he was in a cradle, rocking with the waves. He looked at the thin protective shield on the ship''s hull, making a judgment in his heart:


    "It''s a defensive artifact, not an array."


    Seeing this move didn''t work, the monstrous fish became even more agitated, it suddenly pped the water, raising waves several meters high, riding the waves, it flew out of the sea.


    Its wings spread, the thick body over two meters wide took off, and with another p, it shot towards the ship like an arrow.


    "Boom!"


    It mmed into the ship''s side!


    Compared to the ship, its body was too small, but this collision made therge ship sway.


    Much more effective than the waves it raised.


    "What a huge force!"


    Qin Ran was secretly shocked, this was not the strength of an ordinary Golden Core body cultivator, the monstrous fish was probably a bit stronger than an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.


    At this point, the monstrous fish was attached to the ship, and finally, someone came out from the ship.


    In the dark, too far away, Qin Ran couldn''t see clearly, but he distinctly heard a woman''s voice, she shouted: "Beast!!"


    Then she jumped down from the deck with a cow-tailed saber, shing at the monstrous fish!


    "A female cultivator with a saber?" Qin Ran raised an eyebrow, "A body cultivator?"

 Chapter 372

    Chapter 372


    A female cultivator flew from the ship, wielding arge de, and engaged in battle with the monster fish.


    The monster fish was a beast with a powerful physical body, while the female cultivator was a body-refining practitioner. Both possessed extremely strong physical forms.


    The female cultivator brandished her great de, while the monster fish used its fins. They shed violently near the ship''s hull, with a cacophony of "ngs" and "tters" ringing out. Sparks flew in the dark night, falling into the vast sea.


    Watching the shing des and grand, sweeping battle movements, hearing the "ding-ding-dang-dang" of de meeting scales, Qin Ran felt his blood begin to boil.


    ...Indeed, close-quartersbat with fist meeting flesh was the most authentic form of battle.


    He couldn''t help but think of Li Shiyin... Fortunately, his foolish disciple hadprehended sword energy, otherwise her battle scenes wouldn''t be much better than this female cultivator''s.


    The female cultivator''s speed and strength were surprisingly not inferior to the monster fish. The two hacked at each other on the ship''s hull, then flew into the air, before plummeting back into the water.


    They battled in the water for a while before the surface exploded. It was the monster fish, pping its fins as it flew out of the water...


    But Qin Ran could see clearly that it was actually escaping.In the water, it couldn''t beat the female cultivator.


    Qin Ran, merged with the water, could sense the taste of blood, but it wasn''t human blood. The monster fish had been injured.


    That female cultivator was too fierce!


    She was excessively violent, bursting out of the water again to sh hard with the monster fish in mid-air. Her de was broken by the fish''s head, so she resorted to using her fists. Finally, she mounted the monster fish''s neck, raining down punch after punch, beating it from the sky back into the sea.


    Huge waves spread out in all directions from where they were fighting.


    But...


    As time passed, the waves gradually weakened until no more were produced.


    The sea surface became calm.


    The seawater falling like rain from the sky, the still-rocking ship, and the fish floating belly-up on the surface all bore witness to the extremely violent battle that had just urred.


    The ship gradually steadied, and the rain slowly lessened...


    A graceful figure flew out of the seawater, holding the monster fish in one hand.


    ...She had beaten the monster fish to death with her bare hands.


    She flew to the deck and tossed down the fish.


    "Wow, ohhh..."


    Cheers immediately erupted from the ship.


    The battle was over, and Qin Ran couldn''t help but sigh at how passionate it had been.


    He listened carefully to the cheers on the ship, judging the number of people aboard. Slowly, he revealed his form from the seawater. The Water Flower Pearl flew out, using water to form a set of clothes on his body. With a thought, he made numerous wounds appear on his body - knife wounds, abrasions, injuries from fish fin strikes, and so on. His clothes were correspondingly damaged, creating a miserable appearance of someone who had been adrift and injured.


    "There should be about twenty people."


    Having made his judgment, he swam towards the ship''s hull.


    As he got closer, he heard someone shouting "Captain Iron is mighty," while others cheered "Ruonan is unrivaled among her peers."


    "That female cultivator is probably called Tie Ruonan."


    Someone else was saying: "This winning fish was indeed formidable. If Captain Iron hadn''t been traveling with us this time, we wouldn''t have had any way to deal with it."


    "So that monster fish is called a winning fish."


    He also learned that the female cultivator called Tie Ruonan was likely the topbatant on this ship, which meant that the highest level of strength on board was below the Golden Core Stage.


    Another person said: "Even the winning fish chased all the way here. It seems the spatial fluctuations that appeared in this area truly indicate the presence of an extraordinary treasure."


    "?"


    Qin Ran was startled. Spatial fluctuations? Could it be that they were caused by his teleportation to this ce?


    So, these people and that winning fish were all drawn here because of him?


    "Winning fish love disaster and are fond of magical treasures, especially this kind of..."


    "Who''s there?!"


    The people on the ship were still talking when they were suddenly interrupted by a light shout.


    "There''s someone else?"


    There was a "ng" sound from the ship as people drew their weapons.


    The next second, the light that had been shining on the winning fish was now directed at Qin Ran.


    He floated on the sea surface, facing the light, unable to open his eyes or see anything.


    Soon after, he was fished out of the water by the people on the ship.


    On the deck, Qin Ran was soaking wet all over. His cyan robe had suffered many "disasters," with seventeen or eighteen wounds turning it into tattered cloth. Through the tatters, one could see sword wounds, irregr abrasions, and other injuries on his body. These wounds were still seeping blood, turning the cyan robe into a blood-stained garment.


    About twenty people surrounded him, looking at his miserable state.


    Qin Ran''s face waspletely pale, swollen from being in the water. He weakly turned his eyes, sweeping a nce across the people on the deck - men and women, indeed about twenty in number.


    A big-bearded, bare-chested man with skin tanned dark by sea winds and sun stepped out from the crowd. He stood in front of Qin Ran and asked in a rough voice:


    "Who are you?"


    "This humble one is Li Feiyu," Qin Ran replied weakly.


    "Where are you from?"


    "Little Bamboo Peak."


    "Little Bamboo Peak?" The burly man looked around and asked, "Does anyone know which ind Little Bamboo Peak is on?"


    Everyone on the deck shook their heads.


    "Our ce is very small," Qin Ran exined vaguely, his voice weak. "It''s a very small ce."


    "Oh!" The burly man nodded. "It''s a small ind."


    "Why did you appear here?" he asked again.


    "I was passing through this area when I sensed an anomaly in heaven and earth. I thought some heavenly treasure might have appeared, so I came to seek an opportunity," Qin Ran said. "Who would have thought I''d encounter a winning fish."


    "Hah!" The burly man sneered, "The cultivation world is full of people like you, seeking opportunities, snatching treasures, taking advantage. If you hadn''t run into me, you''d be dead for sure this time!"


    "Yes, yes..." As Qin Ran spoke, more blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.


    "Damn it, he looks like he''s about to die!" Seeing Qin Ran''s condition, the burly man spat in annoyance and asked those around him, "Give him a fairy fruit!"


    A man came forward, took out a ck, finger-sized pill, and roughly stuffed it into Qin Ran''s mouth.


    As the pill entered his mouth, the taste was bitter and indescribable. Qin Ran was an alchemist and could tell that this was a kind of healing pill, but of extremely low quality. Forget about the essence of the medicine, even the dregs hadn''t been properly cleaned out.


    He, the great Qin, had never eaten such an awful pill before.


    "Find a room..." The burly man nced at Qin Ran. "Throw him in there."


    Two men came over, lifted Qin Ran from front and back, walked into the ship''s cabin, found a room that could barely be called such, and tossed him inside.


    In the room, there was a narrow bed, a narrow passage, and a small table on the bed. That was all.


    The two men carelessly threw Qin Ran onto the bed, then left,ughing and joking.


    "The boss is really too damn kind..."


    "Yeah, even taking in this kind of damn trash..."


    After they had walked far away, Qin Ran, who had been carelessly thrown onto the bed, slowly opened his eyes.


    He covertly scanned the environment, finding nothing strange or dangerous, before slowly closing his eyes again.


    The vignce of the people on this ship was lower than he had imagined, and it had been much, much easier to get on board than he had expected.


    Thinking about how the highestbat power on the ship was at the Golden Core Stage, he couldn''t help but suspect that he had arrived in a very remote ce, perhaps even more remote than the Land of Immortal Legacy was to the Lingnan Region.


    "However..." A slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "The lower the cultivation, the better. The lower the vignce, the better. The more remote the location, the better."


    It might have started as a hellish beginning, but things were slowly improving.

 Chapter 373

    Chapter 373


    After splitting off one-tenth of his Divine Soul, Qin Ran felt as if he had lost half his life. He was extremely drained, and then his split soul encountered spatial turbulence, which made things even worse.


    So when his foolish disciple packaged herself up and delivered herself to him, he didn''t even have the strength to unwrap the package.


    "Heavens above! Earth below!" When Qin Ran woke up from his unconsciousness and realized what he had missed, he couldn''t help but cover his face and look to the sky.


    "Master, what''s wrong with you?" The clear, melodious voice of his foolish disciple sounded beside him.


    Qin Ran turned his head and found that he was in his room, with his foolish disciple sitting properly by his bedside. It seemed she had been taking care of him.


    "It''s... nothing," he managed to smile.


    Although his heart was bleeding, and he wanted to get up and stamp his feet in frustration.


    "Master, how did you suddenly faint?" Li Shiyin was very confused. Looking at Qin Ran''s pale face, she said, "You scared me to death. I thought..."


    She thought she had that disease mentioned in books that would make men die from intimacy."It was... an ident," Qin Ran could only say.


    "Here, Master, I made you some soup," Li Shiyin suddenly produced a bowl from behind her back, as if by magic. The bowl contained hot, thick soup.


    Qin Ran looked at the color of the soup, felt it was drinkable, and asked, "You made this?"


    "Mm-hmm!" Li Shiyin raised her tone, lifting her chin proudly.


    Qin Ran looked at his foolish disciple. Her raised, jade-like round chin was so tempting that he wanted to bite it. He smiled and asked, "When did you make it?"


    "I made it this morning."


    Qin Ran looked at the lighting through the window and realized it was already afternoon.


    "Made this morning?" He stared at the little lying witch.


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin wrinkled her little nose and said coquettishly, "I did make it in the morning. I wanted Master to have hot soup as soon as he woke up! But I''ve been using my magic to keep it warm, so it''s still hot now."


    Qin Ran suddenly understood.


    Now he was lying in bed, with his foolish disciple sitting sideways on the edge. The light from outside the window shone in, and her tender white face radiated a fairy-like glow.


    His heart felt warm and fuzzy.


    "Feed me..." he said, "Let your master see if your cooking skills have improved."


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin carefully brought the soup to Qin Ran''s front, stirred it with a spoon, and a waft of steam drifted towards Qin Ran''s nose.


    "Master, does it smell good?" she asked.


    Smelling the soup, Qin Ran''s expression gradually became strange. As an alchemist, he only needed to smell it to know what medicinal ingredients were in the soup...


    "It smells very good," he replied.


    Then he asked, "What kind of soup did you make?"


    "Soft-shelled turtle, wolfberry, and lily bulb soup," Li Shiyin giggled. "Sister-inw taught me!"


    Good heavens!


    Was it... because of his unexpected fainting yesterday that his foolish disciple suspected he was impotent?


    "This soup is too nourishing. It''s not suitable for me to drink now," Qin Ran said tactfully.


    "It''s good because it''s nourishing," Li Shiyin scooped up a spoonful and gently fed it to Qin Ran. In her innocence, she obviously didn''t know what this soup was for, probably thinking it was for general health. She smiled and said, "I secretly stewed Qiqi''s alligator snapping turtle. Don''t tell her, Master."


    Qin Ran couldn''t refuse his foolish disciple''s gentleness. He obediently drank a mouthful and asked in return, "Do you think Qiqi doesn''t know herself?"


    Thest time hemitted a crime while testing the Death Notice Pill, it was Long Qiqi who exposed him.


    "She doesn''t know..." Li Shiyin replied, "She''s been sleepingtely."


    Long Qiqi had indeed been tormented enough by Li An.


    "Alright," Qin Ran asked again, "But have you thought about what to do if Qiqi finds outter?"


    "Hmm!" Li Shiyin tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Then I''ll buy her one in advance..."


    The master and disciple pair, one feeding and one drinking, chatted casually, and soon finished the soup.


    Li Shiyin then helped Qin Ran get up and assisted him in getting dressed.


    Qin Ran wanted to say that he was only a little weak, not so sick that he couldn''t move. He could sit, stand, and walk, and even engage in small battles if needed.


    Yesterday he couldn''t... mainly because it was too stimting. It had stunned him for a moment.


    But he couldn''t refuse such a gentle foolish disciple.


    He watched her help him dress with tender smiles in her eyes, feeling that his life was nowplete.


    His hand unconsciously moved to her waist, holding her gently, and he leaned in to kiss her beautiful cheek.


    With their height difference, such an intimate gesture was quite convenient.


    "Master!" Li Shiyin pretended to dodge, but then snuggled closer like a little cat,ining, "I''m trying to help you get dressed!"


    Qin Ran''s hand on her waist gave a little squeeze. His foolish disciple''s waist was firm yet soft, feeling incredibly good. As her waist was kneaded, the foolish disciple suddenly went weak, falling into his embrace, and the dressing was no longer possible.


    "Master..." she said coyly, "You''re naughty!" She felt ticklish at her waist and squirmed in Qin Ran''s arms.


    Qin Ran lowered his head to bite her nose tip, asking in a low voice, "Aren''t you the naughtiest one?"


    To dare to seduce him so boldly.


    "Mmm..." Li Shiyin would never admit it. She made a heavy nasal sound, "I''m not naughty, Master is naughty."


    "What did your sister-inw teach you that night?" Qin Ran asked in a low voice.


    Li Shiyin blushed and buried her face in Qin Ran''s embrace, pretending not to hear the question.


    "Master actually knows much more..." he whispered in her ear.


    But Li Shiyin didn''t believe this. She looked up from Qin Ran''s embrace, meeting his gaze, and smiled brightly, showing her white little teeth: "Master is boasting!"


    Master had been on the mountain since childhood and had hardly seen any women, how could he possibly understand the matters between men and women?


    Qin Ran''s hand on Li Shiyin''s waist moved slightly, wanting to teach her a lesson, but he ultimately held back. Because moving up or down would make him lose control.


    He let out a light snort, lowered his head until his nose tip touched his foolish disciple''s, and said fiercely, "You''ll know in the future!"


    "I want to know now..." Li Shiyin tilted her head, her face now pressed against her master''s, the heat from her cheeks transferring to his. She didn''t blush, but said in a husky voice, "Master, why don''t you teach me now!"


    The heat on Qin Ran''s face sank into his heart, suddenly causing magma to boil...


    But, he raised his head, forcibly separating from his foolish disciple, and sighed, "Not yet...


    "It has to be after you form your Golden Core. Losing your virginity will affect your cultivation level and realm."


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin headbutted her master''s chest.


    She snuggled in her master''s embrace for a good while longer before continuing to help him get dressed.


    After dressing, they walked out of the room. In the corridor, Qin Ran saw four little brats gathered under the man-eating demon willow tree by Sword-Washing Lake, mumbling about something.


    He pointed at the slightlyrger little brat and said to Li Shiyin, "Find time to investigate him."


    He could do this himself, but he wanted Li Shiyin to do it.


    Li Shiyin looked at Zhang Junyi and asked questioningly, "Is there something wrong with his background?"


    "Whether there''s a problem or not, we need to investigate," Qin Ran said seriously to Li Shiyin. "From his birth, even his parents and ancestors, to when he joined Dan Peak, during this period, everything that can be found out, you need to investigate. Finally, summarize it for me."


    Li Shiyin understood the seriousness of the matter and formally replied, "Yes, Master!"

 Chapter 374

    Chapter 374


    Under the Devouring Demon Willow tree were four little ones, from youngest to oldest: Li An, Liu Xiaoji, Chasing the Wind, and Zhang Junyi. Li An was five months old, Liu Xiaoji was four years old, Chasing the Wind was five years old, and Zhang Junyi was thirteen years old.


    Although Zhang Junyi was already thirteen, he was extremely thin and weak. His size was actually simr to that of Chasing the Wind when shrunk down, or Liu Xiaoji in his normal state.


    Chasing the Wind had shrunk his body to the size of arge dog, cradling Li An who slept peacefully in his arms. He looked at Zhang Junyi and smiled, "You could actually sleep with us, me and Peace. We don''t need to build a new house."


    He turned and pointed to his cat''s nest under the old spiritual locust tree, indicating it to Zhang Junyi.


    For the past two days, Zhang Junyi had no ce to sleep and had been barely getting by in the greenhouse.


    Zhang Junyi looked at Chasing the Wind. Although this talking tiger demon was smiling and had shrunk in size, the beastly aura he unintentionally emitted made Zhang Junyi feel oppressed.


    Seeing him invite himself to his tiger den, Zhang Junyi felt a sense of crisis all over. He forced a smile and said, "Peak Chief Qin asked me to take care of the spiritual herbs, so it''s actually more convenient for me to sleep over here. Besides, it''s very warm inside, and quitefortable to sleep in."


    What he said was actually true. The environment in the greenhouse was iparably better than when he had been sleeping rough on the streets or in the deep mountains.


    This neer was somewhat ungrateful. He had lowered himself to invite him, yet he dared to refuse?!Chasing the Wind didn''t want to invite him again. After all, he was the great king of Dan Peak and had his pride to maintain.


    He looked at the open space outside the greenhouse and said with a cold smile, "Dad told you to build your own house...


    "Do you know how to build a house?"


    Having wandered for many years, Zhang Junyi actually knew a little bit about many things. Carpentry, masonry,ying foundations - he knew a bit about all of these.


    But seeing that this tiger demon seemed to have some hidden depths, he shook his head and said, "How would I know how?"


    He had just refused, offending the tiger demon''s pride, so now he was feigning weakness to gain sympathy.


    He doesn''t even know how to build a house!


    Chasing the Wind looked down on him somewhat. He raised his paw, pointed to the Sword Washing Lake nearby, then pointed to the greenhouse on the other side, with a rather show-off attitude: "I know how! You know what? I... built both the Sword Washing Lake and the spiritual herb greenhouse."


    Zhang Junyi widened his eyes, half shocked and half ttering, "Senior, you''re really amazing!"


    A demon beast that could build human structures? This was indeed beyond his expectations... Peak Chief Qin''s spiritual pet was quite extraordinary.


    "It''s nothing really..." Chasing the Wind''s words were modest, but he held his head high, "This is actually a tradition of our Dan Peak!


    "When Shiyin first came, she built the Sword Washing Lake. When Qi Qi came, she built our houses, those few under the old spiritual locust tree... Every time a new persones, Dan Peak gets a new building."


    Shiyin? Sword Washing Lake? Zhang Junyi knew that Shiyin seemed to be Peak Chief Qin''s personal disciple, with considerable status at Dan Peak, and very powerful.


    Qi Qi? He knew that was his master. Although his master hadn''t officially epted him yet, and they hadn''t even spoken.


    "Hey! What kind of house are you nning to build?" Chasing the Wind asked again, very much like a senior, "If you want to build something like the Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake, you''ll need to find a fire-attribute cultivator to help you fire the bricks.


    "You probably don''t know! Dan Peak used to have a senior brother who turned into fire, he was especially powerful. The bricks and tiles used for theke embankment and theke pavilion were all fired by him."


    A senior brother who turned into fire? Zhang Junyi wondered what kind of state that would be.


    "I n to use wood to build a thatched hut," he respectfully replied to the tiger demon senior.


    "Wood?" Chasing the Wind paused, then boasted, "Back when we were building the houses, all the wood was cut by me and dad from the forest over there. I was still very small then, but I could already help.


    "If you need to cut wood, you can ask me for help."


    "Ya ya! Help..." Li An on his belly raised his hand and called out in his sleep.


    "No need, I''ll just cut some wood casually," Zhang Junyi said, his eyes unconsciously looking towards the willow tree nearby. He knew the little one on the tree was the tree spirit of the willow, and he felt it wasn''t right to cut trees to build a house, "I just need a ce to sleep."


    But that nce he cast made Liu Xiaoji swing down on a willow branch and ask him, "You want to cut trees to build a house? Thinking of cutting me?"


    "No, no!" Zhang Junyi hurriedly shook his head and said, "I was going to cut trees from the forest over there."


    "Let me tell you, don''t mess with him, he''s the most terrifying," Chasing the Wind "kindly" warned Zhang Junyi.


    Come to think of it, he had personally experienced the Willow Tribtion of the Devouring Demon Willow, and had also personally in the remnant soul of Liu Daoji. He indeed knew how terrifying Liu Xiaoji could be.


    "Senior, are you a tree spirit?" Zhang Junyi respectfully asked Liu Xiaoji.


    "Mm..." Liu Xiaoji nodded. He raised his hand and pointed to the bamboo forest on the back mountain, suggesting to Zhang Junyi, "Why don''t you cut bamboo to build your house? Don''t cut trees."


    Zhang Junyi turned to look at the bamboo forest on the back mountain, knowing in his heart that cutting bamboo from the back mountain would require much more effort; moreover, building a house with bamboo would require higher craftsmanship.


    But he nodded and agreed, "Alright."


    The people of Dan Peak were strange, one after another. He had to be cautious and careful. This kind of request, he could agree to.


    "You should be careful of him!" Liu Xiaoji suddenly pointed at Chasing the Wind and said seriously to Zhang Junyi, "Look, he''s a tiger demon. You know tiger demons are best at bewitching people''s hearts, and you know tiger demons love to eat people the most. And when he eats people, it''s one mouthful at a time. He hasn''t eaten you now because you''re too skinny, the texture wouldn''t be good. He''s nning to fatten you up a bit before eating you."


    Zhang Junyi thought about how Chasing the Wind could grow to a veryrge size, which was indeed terrifying, and then saw how Chasing the Wind had now shrunk to such a small size to talk to him with a friendly face.


    His heart trembled, and Chasing the Wind''s smiling face suddenly became full of terror.


    But he said, "Senior is a divine beast, how could he eat people?"


    "Divine beast? Demon beast!" Liu Xiaoji corrected, "He''s a demon beast. Humans are the spirit of all things, demon beasts gain the most cultivation by eating humans.


    "And pay attention to Dan Peak, are there more humans or demon beasts? Actually, Dan Peak used to have humans, this was a human sect..."


    There used to be humans, but now there weren''t. Where did all the humans go? They were all eaten by this seemingly simple-minded tiger demon. Zhang Junyi automatically filled in the words Liu Xiaoji hadn''t finished, secretly scared half to death.


    He looked at the seemingly naive Chasing the Wind, always feeling that under that tiger face hid cunning and deceit.


    "You... you''re talking nonsense!" Chasing the Wind was angry. This Liu Xiaoji, in order to get revenge for his earlier joke, was maliciously ndering him. He raised his paw and pped Liu Xiaoji back into the Devouring Demon Willow, then threatened, "One day I''ll chop you down!"


    Liu Xiaoji poked his head out from the trunk of the Devouring Demon Willow and continued to say to Zhang Junyi, "See, see, I exposed his intentions and he''s angry out of embarrassment. You must be very careful..."


    "Peace!" Seeing Liu Xiaoji still talking nonsense, Chasing the Wind called out Li An''s nickname loudly, raising his paw to point at Liu Xiaoji.


    Li An was awakened in his arms, opened his eyes, saw the direction Chasing the Wind''s paw was pointing, and in his half-asleep state, a sword energy "whooshed" out.


    This was Li Shiyin''s sword energy, containing sword intent, capable of harming the soul. As the sword energy approached, Liu Xiaoji was also scared. He quickly retracted his head, retreating back into the Devouring Demon Willow.


    The starry sword energy didn''t hit Liu Xiaoji, but struck the tree trunk, making a crisp "ding" sound.


    Liu Xiaoji''s voice came out muffled from inside the tree again: "That''s not a child, that''s an old demon. He loves to sleep, and eats people when he wakes up. You should be careful of him too."


    Zhang Junyi thought to himself, how could an infant have such powerful sword energy... perhaps it really was an old demon.


    So this Dan Peak had a talking tiger demon, a tree demon containing a tree spirit, an infant possessing sword energy...


    It turned out that Dan Peak was actually a den of monsters!


    He was terrified in his heart and started thinking about how to escape.

 Chapter 375

    Chapter 375


    Chasing the Wind was quite clever. He had noticed early on that his father''s attitude towards Zhang Junyi was different, not like his attitude towards Yan Yi, Zhou Fu, and the others. It was an attitude of serious consideration.


    He guessed that Zhang Junyi might be a regr resident of Dan Peak in the future, bing one of its people.


    Therefore, he deliberately brought Li An to look after him.


    He wanted to take on the responsibility of being the king of Dan Peak mountain and bring this young man under his wing as soon as possible.


    Who knew that Liu Xiaoji would deliberately cause trouble!


    He pointed at the Devouring Demon Willow and said to Li An on his back, "That''s a bad guy. We need to beat up bad guys."


    "Bad... bad?" Li An asked, his clear ck and white eyes wide with curiosity.


    "Yes, that''s right. He''s very bad. You need to use your sword energy to chop him..." Chasing the Wind continued to instigate, "Chopping trees is fun."


    "Sword... energy?" Li An asked.Chasing the Wind pointed to the sword energy on Li An''s body and said, "This is it."


    Li An followed the instruction and unleashed a de of sword energy. It struck the trunk of the Devouring Demon Willow, producing another crisp sound like metal striking stone.


    "The leaves," Chasing the Wind mischievously directed.


    Li An swung his sword again, and a section of the Devouring Demon Willow''s branch was sliced off and flew away.


    "Chasing the Wind!!" Liu Xiaoji''s angry voice came from inside the tree trunk.


    Chasing the Wind ignored him and continued to let Li An chop at the branches.


    Several more sword energy des flew out in session, and willow branches and leaves began to fall like rain in the area.


    Themotion was so great that it caused the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps under the tree to fly out, buzzing incessantly.


    Li An was unleashing sword energy at will, having great fun, giggling non-stop.


    "Is it fun?" Chasing the Wind asked Li An.


    "It''s fun!" someone answered.


    "Great, let''s give him a bald head..." Chasing the Wind said excitedly.


    But before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly realized that the voice didn''t sound quite right.


    He turned his head to look and saw his father standing behind him with a gloomy face.


    Chasing the Wind''s heart skipped a beat. He stood up and was about to run, but Qin Ran was quick. He grabbed the back of Chasing the Wind''s neck and lifted him up.


    "Hehe... Dad... hehe!" He grinned stupidly at Qin Ran.


    "How old are you?" Qin Ran asked with a dark face.


    "Five... years old."


    "Five years old!" Qin Ran said, "You''re a big boy now, and still so mischievous? Not sensible at all."


    "Dad, I''m still little," Chasing the Wind argued with a silly grin.


    "Still little? How dare you?!" Qin Ran red at him, "Now Li An follows you around every day. Is this how you set an example for him?"


    "Ahem!" Chasing the Wind mumbled, unable to find words.


    Qin Ran gripped the back of his neck and tossed him up. Li An fell off his back, and Qin Ran caught him. Then, he assumed a ser kick pose.


    Chasing the Wind fell...


    "Bang!"


    With a heavy kick, Chasing the Wind was sent flying.


    Qin Ran thoughtfully opened the Guardian Mountain Formation, allowing Chasing the Wind to fly out and disappear into the distance.


    Zhang Junyi, watching the tiger demon that terrified him get kicked away by Sect Leader Qin, finally realized that Sect Leader Qin was the true boss of Dan Peak.


    No longer concerned about Chasing the Wind, Qin Ran turned to Zhang Junyi while holding Li An, and asked, "How have you been these past two days?"


    Zhang Junyi was silent for a moment before answering, "Not bad."


    Qin Ran took out a manual from his storage bag and handed it to him, saying, "This is called ''Basic Techniques''. Take a look at it yourself."


    Zhang Junyi nodded and epted it with both hands.


    "I won''t arrange any other tasks for you in the next two days," Qin Ran said. "Focus on setting up your living quarters."


    "Yes..." Zhang Junyi bowed in acknowledgment.


    Qin Ran left, carrying Li An.


    Zhang Junyi stood in ce, watching Sect Leader Qin leave, his mind pondering:


    It had been two days, and he still didn''t know if he could learn advanced techniques here, if he could learn alchemy here, if he could... rely on Dan Peak to destroy Zhican Valley.


    But he felt it wasn''t very promising.


    The people of Dan Peak all seemed naive and childish, giving him a sense that they were inexperienced in the ways of the world.


    Perhaps only Sect Leader Qin had the vor of a cultivator as he had imagined.


    But...


    He had no other paths to take.


    "Take one step..." he sighed. The terrifying horse bees flying around made him irritated with their buzzing. "And see what happens!"


    He tucked the "Basic Techniques" manual Qin Ran had given him into his chest and returned to the greenhouse to find the sickle. The sickle was given to him by Sect Leader Qin yesterday morning, and he hadn''t used it yet. Now he was preparing to go cut some trees to n for building a house.


    He walked out of the greenhouse and saw the willow tree by theke. After a moment''s hesitation, he still headed towards the back mountain.


    He should listen to the willow tree spirit''s words and build a bamboo house.


    On the back mountain of Dan Peak, there was a small waterfall in the middle, with clearly visible cave dwellings on both sides. Zhang Junyi was worried there might be strange cultivators in the caves, so he didn''t dare to get too close. Instead, he took a detour and climbed up the mountain from a farther point.


    The back mountain seemed to have few visitors... or perhaps not, it might just be because the residents were cultivators, and if they wanted to go to the back mountain, they would mostly fly up. In any case, there was no path on the back mountain.


    However, over the years, Zhang Junyi had spent a lot of time in deep mountains and old forests searching for spiritual herbs, so this small situation didn''t pose much difficulty for him.


    He carried the sickle, neatly and efficiently clearing a path as he went, moving at a rapid pace. Soon, he arrived at the bamboo forest on the back mountain.


    Once in the bamboo forest, Zhang Junyi looked around and found a thriving bamboo as thick as a bowl, which he thought would be suitable as a beam for his house.


    He approached it, aimed at the base of the bamboo, mustered his strength, and swung the sickle down.


    "ng!"


    To his surprise, when the de struck, it felt as if he had hit a stone. His hand went numb from the vibration, and the sickle flew out of his grasp.


    "What on earth!"


    Zhang Junyi was startled, thinking he had encountered some mischievous demon again.


    But as he looked around in rm, he found only the usual calls of birds and beasts, the afternoon sunlight, and the gentle breeze in the bamboo grove. There was nothing else unusual.


    He steadied his nerves and then crouched down to examine the bamboo. He saw that where he had struck with all his might, there was only a shallow white mark.


    "This?!" Zhang Junyi furrowed his brow.


    He went to retrieve the sickle and found that a small piece had chipped off the de, leaving a tiny notch.


    "Is this bamboo not ordinary either?" He thought of this, then immediately chuckled at himself. "This is a celestial blessednd, rich in spiritual energy. How could anything here be ordinary?"


    "However, this sickle is just an ordinary sickle, not some overlooked magical treasure."


    Unable to cut it, he decided toe back tomorrow.


    Zhang Junyi took the sickle and started to head back, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and raised the sickle in his hand to look at it.


    Qin Ran must have known that the bamboo here wasn''t ordinary, yet he still gave him thismon sickle...


    So, Zhang Junyi understood. This was a test for him.


    He hesitated for a moment, then turned back and searched the bamboo forest again, finding a bamboo as thick as a thumb.


    This bamboo was young and hadn''t been nourished by too much spiritual energy, so he could cut it down with one stroke.


    Thus, Zhang Junyi spent the entire afternoon cutting bamboo. When the sun was setting, he finally packed up to go down the mountain.


    He tucked the sickle into the back of his waist and gathered the bamboo he had cut all afternoon with both hands. There were six bamboo poles in total, all no thicker than a thumb. Moreover, the branches and leaves hadn''t been trimmed off.


    He trudged along, dragging these leafy bamboo poles with both hands, struggling through the weeds and thorns on the path.


    In particr, he had been cutting bamboo all afternoon, and although he had only cut six poles, he was indeed exhausted and starving.


    However, he didn''t dare to rest on his way down the mountain, because he knew clearly that once he stopped, muscle soreness and fatigue would prevent him from getting up again.


    There was no more sweat flowing from his face, not because he wasn''t as hot, but because he was too thirsty and his sweat had dried up.


    But when he reached the middle of the back mountain, he suddenly heard the roar of the waterfall. He was unbearably thirsty and couldn''t resist anymore, so he walked towards the waterfall.


    After clearing the path with his sickle again, it took him a little while to reach the edge of the waterfall.


    By the waterfall, mist was diffusing, finally bringing some cool refreshment.


    He dropped the sickle and bamboo, jumped onto a stable rock, crouched down, and reached out to catch water from the waterfall.


    Cupping water in his hands to drink, he took seven or eight mouthfuls of the sweet, clear waterfall water before his thirst was quenched. Then he washed his face, feeling the coolness on his skin.


    Still not satisfied, he caught more water and poured it down his neck...


    The cool water pouring down his neck was so refreshing that he couldn''t help but squint his eyes and let out a moan.


    Then he went to fetch water again. His squinting eyes suddenly caught sight of a white figure on the other side of the waterfall.


    Even with his eyes narrowed, even across the four or five zhang of waterfall, Zhang Junyi still felt it was a woman, and an extremely beautiful one at that, probably a celestial maiden descended from heaven.


    He abruptly opened his eyes wide and looked carefully.


    Indeed, there was a woman in snow-white clothes, exuding an ethereal aura, strolling to the edge of the waterfall on the opposite side.


    At that moment, the waterfall''s spray rose, creating a misty haze. She seemed to have descended from the realm of immortals, her body appearing to glow, causing a rainbow to appear over the waterfall.


    Zhang Junyi had never seen such a beautiful woman... He swore that even in his wildest dreams, he couldn''t have imagined a woman could be this beautiful.


    He greedily gazed at the woman opposite, frozen in ce, his outstretched hand still being washed by the waterfall,pletely unaware.


    The celestial maiden approached with a furrowed brow, he thought. Perhaps she had something troubling her.


    Maybe because he had been staring for too long, the fairy sister across noticed him watching her. She raised her head to look at him, her eyes as cold and clear as the moon meeting his gaze, the clear light in her eyes piercing his soul.


    He stood up, trembling, on the rock by the waterfall.


    When the fairy saw him, her furrowed brow slowly smoothed out, the cold light in her eyes gradually softened, and the corners of her lips seemed to curl into a smile.


    "She''s smiling at me..." Zhang Junyi''s heart leapt again. He couldn''t control himself anymore, nor did he want to.


    He wanted to go to the fairy''s side, to get close to the celestial sister.


    He lifted his foot, taking a step forward.


    And then...


    He fell into the waterfall, swept away by the current.


    "Oh right, I was at the edge of the waterfall..." He finally realized, "Am I going to die? I should have taken the path from below."


    He also thought, "At least I''m dying on the path towards the fairy. No regrets in life."


    He hadpletely forgotten about the blood feud he bore.


    As he was falling, he suddenly felt his body lighten, as if something had fished him out. When he came to his senses and tried to see what had saved him, he found himself back on the rock where he had been standing.


    He couldn''t help feeling a sense of loss.


    His nose caught a whiff of a refreshing, otherworldly fragrance. He looked to the side and saw the graceful figure in snow-white clothes right behind him.


    "The fairy sister saved me!" He was overjoyed.


    He looked up again to see the fairy sister''s eyes twinkling with amusement as she shook her head at him.


    He didn''t understand what it meant, but in the next second, the fairy sister vanished into thin air.


    "Fairy sister!" He shouted, reaching out to grab her, but grasped only emptiness.


    He quickly turned around, looking towards the opposite shore. Through the mist of the waterfall, he saw the fairy''s graceful white silhouette disappear on the other side.


    He stared dazedly, thinking: "She smiled at me, she likes me. She saved my life, she cares about me."


    He gazed for a long time, until dusk fell, before he came back to his senses.


    He turned back, dragging the bamboo branches, and walked down the mountain, but his steps were much lighter now.


    Returning to the foot of the mountain, he had just reached the edge of Sword Washing Lake when the tiger demon called Chasing the Wind shouted at him: "Hurry up, dinner''s ready!"


    He quickly threw the bamboo branches back in front of the shed and ran to the Old Spirit Pagoda Tree.


    At the dining table under the Spirit Pagoda Tree, several people were already seated:


    His master; the little girl who hadn''t spoken to him yet, now dozing off tilted in her chair; a mortal woman with a schrly air but also an air of nobility, probably from some wealthy family; as for Chasing the Wind, Li An, and the others, they need not be mentioned.


    However, he didn''t see the very pretty girl called Li Shiyin, not knowing where she had gone.


    As soon as he arrived, Chasing the Wind grabbed him and made him sit next to him.


    Soon after, Senior Qin brought out thest dish, ced it on the table, and also took his seat.


    Zhang Junyi didn''t know if it was the same elsewhere, for a senior to personally cook for his disciples, but...


    If nothing else, Senior Qin''s culinary skills were truly excellent.


    At least he had never eaten anything so delicious before.


    As they were eating, Senior Qin suddenly spoke up and asked, "Did you see anything by the waterfall?"


    Zhang Junyi was taken aback, thinking of the white figure. He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "No."


    "Hmm." Senior Qin didn''t say anything more, just nodded.


    After dinner, Zhang Junyi walked back to the shed. He found afortable spot to lie down, closed his eyes, and thought again of the beautiful figure by the waterfall, his heart burning with passion.


    "Who is she?" he wondered.


    If he could marry her, he''d be willing to die.


    As he was thinking, he remembered how Senior Qin had casually inquired about this during dinner.


    "Senior Qin must know who she is..." He chuckled self-mockingly, "He''s the head of Dan Peak, how could he not know? Could she be Senior Qin''s forbidden love?"


    Thinking about this made him feel agitated again, so he reached into his pocket and pulled out the "Basic Cultivation Manual" that Senior Qin had given him earlier that day.


    Looking at the crudely made manual in his hand, he sighed inwardly: "They really look down on me, giving me this kind of manual. Basic Cultivation Manual?"


    He shook his head, feeling quite humiliated...


    "I must rise up, for the sake of the fairy sister, to make Senior Qin regret looking down on me like this, and also to avenge my parents and eradicate Zhican Valley."


    With these thoughts, he still opened the "Basic Cultivation Manual".


    "The human body has innate qi, and the world has spiritual energy... nting the seed of magical power..."


    "Qihai Point... Baihui Point... Surging Spring Acupoint..."


    "Great Heavenly Cycle... Lesser Heavenly Cycle... Eighteen Meridians..."


    "?" Zhang Junyi was dumbfounded, "What is all this?"

 Chapter 376

    Chapter 376


    The ship had been anchored at sea for a night, and themotion hadsted just as long. People had been boarding and disembarking continuously.


    Qin Rany on the ship, hearing everything clearly. He knew the people on board were searching that deste ind... even more thoroughly than when he had searched it, probably truly digging three feet deep.


    It wasn''t until daybreak that things finally quieted down.


    When the first ray of morning light shone through the window into the narrow room, someone pushed open the door.


    The visitor stood in front of the narrow bed, scrutinizing Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran could feel it clearly - the person''s gaze was arrogant, looking him up and down, examining him inch by inch.


    He also knew who this person was. That powerful aura, that sharp de-like presence - it must be the female cultivator who had fiercely battled the monster fishst night - Tie Ruonan.


    But he showed no reaction, pretending to be asleep, knowing nothing.


    The narrow room remained silent for a long time, until the air seemed to solidify with Tie Ruonan''s presence. Finally, a thick and hoarse female voice spoke, asking, "Who exactly are you?"Knowing the question was directed at him, Qin Ran realized pretending to be asleep was useless. He stopped feigning and opened his eyes, looking towards the source of the voice.


    At the doorway, leaning against the door, stood a female cultivator... indeed a female cultivator, although she was unbelievably strong, with arms that could rival his legs in size.


    If one ignored her darkplexion, her features could be considered quite proper.


    Qin Ran got up from the bed... His injuries, under his deliberate control, had already recovered considerably, as if he had truly been injured and then taken some medicinal pills.


    He sat up on the bed, leaning against the wall, and smiled slightly at Tie Ruonan, saying, "I am Li Feiyu."


    Tie Ruonan''s eyebrows furrowed: "Your real name!"


    Qin Ran''s eyes were full of sincerity as he replied, "I never change my name or surname. I am indeed called Li Feiyu."


    Tie Ruonan''s de-sharp eyes stared at Qin Ran for a good while. Seeing Qin Ran''s unwavering smile, she asked again, "Where are you from?"


    "Little Bamboo Peak," Qin Ran stuck to his story fromst night.


    "I''m asking you which sea region, which ind you''re from!!" Tie Ruonan''s voice grew heavier.


    Which sea region? Which ind?


    Not a sect, not a country, not some ce, but some ind.


    Could it be that this ce had no continents, only inds in the vast ocean?


    These thoughts shed through his mind in an instant, but Qin Ran maintained his smile and sincere expression, saying, "Hainan Ind."


    "Hmph!" Upon hearing this, Tie Ruonan stopped wasting words. She reached behind her back and drew arge sword out of thin air. Pointing the sword at Qin Ran, her voice as cold as the de, she said, "Nothing but lies, not a single truth from your mouth!"


    "I''ll ask you again, who are you? Where are you from? What are you doing here? Was the spatial disturbance caused by you?!" She channeled her power, causing cold light to flow along the de. "If you don''t tell the truth, I''ll cleave you in two with one stroke!"


    "The spatial disturbance was probably caused by me..." Qin Ran smiled, not intimidated by Tie Ruonan in the slightest. He met her gaze, remained silent for a moment, then asked, "If I told you that during the array transmission, my mind was injured and I lost most of my memories - that I don''t know where I came from, don''t know where this is, don''t know what I''m supposed to do - would you believe me?"


    "Once a transmission array is activated, if there''s even the slightest problem midway, you''d have been reduced to ashes!" Tie Ruonan retorted. "Do you think I''d believe that?"


    Seeing that Tie Ruonan''s sword hadn''t immediately cleaved him, Qin Ran understood. She was trying to scare him; she didn''t actually want to kill him.


    He replied, "Luck is a strange thing, hard to predict."


    Tie Ruonan looked Qin Ran up and down again, taking in his slender frame, and asked, "You managed to survive the spatial turbulence. What''s your cultivation level?"


    "Gold..." Qin Ran suddenly caught himself, changing his words mid-sentence, "I''ve just entered the world of cultivation."


    This ce was very different from the Lingnan Region; he had to be cautious.


    "Just entered the world of cultivation, first rank?" Tie Ruonan sneered, "Then your luck really is good."


    But Qin Ran''s low cultivation level also put her more at ease.


    "You don''t look like a body cultivator..." she continued, "But your mind was injured during the transmission, and you still survived. Could you be a mind cultivator?"


    Impressive, body cultivators, mind cultivators - the cultivation system had indeed changed. Qin Ran was secretly shocked. Where on earth had he been transmitted to?!


    But he understood the implication and replied to Tie Ruonan, "I am a mind cultivator."


    His primordial spirit avatar was primarily based on the primordial spirit, so he wasn''t lying.


    "A mind cultivator?" Tie Ruonan''s attitude visibly became more respectful. She withdrew her sword, holding it in her hand, and said, "Even if you''re a mind cultivator, you''re still only first rank. What could you possibly do in the Tian Sea Region?" It seemed that mind cultivators held a high status...


    "So I''ve only reached the Tian Sea Region?" he asked with surprise.


    "Only reached the Tian Sea Region?" Tie Ruonanughed coldly, "The Tian Sea Region is already the border region of the Celestial Sea Realm! Where else did you want to go? Were you nning to enter the neighboring Demon Region?"


    Celestial Sea Realm?


    So he had arrived at the Celestial Sea Realm.


    This name rang a bell for Qin Ran. He remembered seeing it on the map he had found, in the lower left corner.


    However, between the Celestial Sea Realm and the Lingnan Region, there was still the Demon Region. He never imagined he would be transmitted to the Celestial Sea Realm.


    He had crossed an entire Demon Region!!


    "Although I can''t remember where I was supposed to go, I feel it wasn''t the Tian Sea Region," Qin Ran shook his head and said solemnly, "I''m afraid there was a deviation in the transmission array."


    "Afraid?" Tie Ruonan stated with certainty, "Your transmission array must have deviated! Because transmission arrays almost never make mistakes, let alone injure people. And yours even damaged your mind... tsk!"


    Transmission arrays don''t make mistakes? Tie Ruonan''s tone was so certain... It seemed that the Celestial Sea Realm must have great achievements in arrays, or at least in transmission arrays.


    Qin Ran pondered, proposing a guess: "Could it be that someone tampered with my transmission array?"


    "That, I don''t know..." Tie Ruonan shook her head, sliding her sword behind her back where it instantly disappeared.


    She spoke as she walked towards the door: "When we get back to Dragon Whale Ind, you can seek out a qi cultivator for pills to treat your primordial spirit. Once your primordial spirit is healed, you might recover your memories."


    Qi cultivator? Primordial spirit?


    Qin Ran was starting to grasp the cultivation system of the Celestial Sea Realm. Mind cultivators, qi cultivators, and body cultivators corresponded to primordial spirit, magical power, and physical body respectively.


    "Seek pills?" he asked Tie Ruonan with surprise, "I think I remember that I can refine pills myself."


    He needed to show some bargaining chips to gain more.


    At this point, Tie Ruonan had just reached the doorway. Hearing this, she suddenly turned around, staring at Qin Ran, and eximed, "Refine pills, qi cultivator?! Are you a dual cultivator?! Mind and qi dual cultivation?!!"


    "Probably!" Qin Ran frowned and shook his head, "My mind isn''t very clear, I just feel like I can refine pills."


    Tie Ruonan stared at Qin Ran for a long time, thenughed meaningfully before turning to

 Chapter 377

    Chapter 377


    As Tie Ruonan left, Qin Ran sat back on the narrow bed, organizing the information he had gleaned.


    First, the teleportation array had transported him from the Lingnan Region to the Tian Sea Region, a remote and peripheral sea area within the vast Sea Domain. The entire Sea Domain seemed to be primarilyposed of seas, with inds serving as the main habitable areas.


    Second, the cultivation system in the Sea Domain differed from that of the Lingnan Region. It was divided into spirit cultivation, qi cultivation, and body cultivation. ording to Tie Ruonan, he was a first-rank spirit cultivator, suggesting a ranking system that went from first rank, second rank, third rank, and upwards to an unknown extent.


    Third, due to geographical and cultivation system differences, the development direction of cultivation in the Sea Domain surely differed from that of the Lingnan Region. However, it appeared that each had its own merits, with different areas of expertise.


    For instance, using long-distance teleportation arrays was considered extraordinary in the Lingnan Region, but seemedmonce in the Sea Domain. Conversely, the "celestial fruit" he had eaten the previous night was crafted using rather primitive and inferior alchemy techniques.


    Fourth, both the captain fromst night and Tie Ruonan had asked which ind he came from, indicating that power in the Sea Domain was likely divided primarily by inds.


    Fifth, this ce called the Tian Sea Region was quite remote, and its overall strength was unlikely to be very high.


    Sixth, Tie Ruonan came from a ce called Dragon Whale Ind.


    Seventh, alchemy still held great importance...After organizing his thoughts, Qin Ran still had some pressing questions that needed answers.


    For example: Howrge was the Tian Sea Region exactly? How many factions were in the vicinity? And now that Tie Ruonan knew he was not only a spirit cultivator but also an alchemist and qi practitioner, what would her next move be?


    Of course, the most important question was where he should go and how to develop this deste ind that might be thending point of Dan Peak''s teleportation array.


    Pondering these questions, he got out of bed, briefly tended to his injuries and appearance, and left the room.


    He hadn''t been confined, after all.


    The ship''s hold was dark without any lighting, and the vessel was quiterge. He fumbled around for quite some time before finally emerging from the hold onto the deck.


    It was just dawn, with the sun barely peeking above the horizon. Its reddish morning light nted across the deck and sails, draping everything in a thin veil of crimson that lent an air of allure to the scene.


    However, as Qin Ran looked out from the cabin door, he sensed an inexplicable aura of ruthlessness.


    Over thirty people bustled about the deck, each upied with their own tasks. Some were cleaning, others practicing martial arts, while a few were boarding or disembarking at the ship''s rail. Some had gathered in groups, engaged in discussion.


    Among them, Tie Ruonan, who had just left Qin Ran''s room, was conferring with others. Beside her stood the burly, bearded man fromst night who had decided to take Qin Ran in ¨C apparently the ship''s captain.


    Qin Ran''s hearing was excellent, and carried by the morning breeze, he heard the Captain say, "...This really is a godforsaken ce, with no spiritual energy fluctuations. There''s nothing valuable here. What that guy said is probably true ¨C the spatial disturbance was caused by him. ...Did we rush out here in such a hurry just toe up empty-handed?"


    Hearing himself mentioned, Qin Ran''s interest was piqued. He casually leaned against the doorframe, pretending to gaze at the rising sun in the distance.


    "How am I supposed to exin this to the Ind Lord?" the Captain continued. "From here, we either head to Flying Fish Gorge to catch a big fish, or try our luck in the Gloomy Forest Sea Region ¨C even if we just stick to the outskirts."


    "Empty-handed?" Tie Ruonan shook her head, turning to look at Qin Ran with a smile. "How can you call thising up empty-handed?"


    Qin Ran silently calcted that the bargaining chip he had offered seemed to have had an effect.


    The Captain followed Tie Ruonan''s gaze to Qin Ran. Although he had saved Qin Ran, he still didn''t think much of him, shaking his head as he asked, "Him?"


    "He knows alchemy," Tie Ruonan said.


    "Hah, these days, anyone with a Water Spirit Root can practice alchemy," the Captain retorted.


    "He says he''s a spirit cultivator."


    "First rank, nothing more!" the Captain said dismissively.


    "The spatial disturbance was caused by the teleportation array that brought him here..." Tie Ruonan smiled as she looked at Qin Ran. "So the treasure you were looking for was him all along."


    As the two discussed him like amodity, Qin Ran couldn''t help but turn his gaze from the sunrise to look at them.


    "Did you find out anything about his background?" the Captain asked Tie Ruonan after exchanging a nce with Qin Ran.


    "The teleportation array injured him, and he''s lost his memory," Tie Ruonan replied. "But only major inds have ess to long-distance teleportation arrays. His status can''t be low."


    "You dare to use someone with such a mysterious background?" the Captain questioned.


    "Dare?" Tie Ruonanughed. "Captain, is there anyone I wouldn''t dare to use?"


    The Captain suddenly caught on, shifting his gaze from Qin Ran back to Tie Ruonan. "Thatd''s all soft and delicate. Don''t tell me you''ve taken a fancy to him?"


    "And why not?" Tie Ruonan made no attempt to hide her interest, her eyes sparkling. "I''ve never tasted such a tender man before!"


    "I fear he won''t be able to withstand your... enthusiasm!" The Captain shook his head and propositioned Tie Ruonan, "Why don''t we meet at the usual ce for another round?"


    "Hah! You always use the same two moves. It''s boring..."


    Looking at Tie Ruonan''s robust physique, Qin Ran unconsciously hugged himself protectively.


    Those who had disembarked gradually returned, and the Captain called for the sails to be raised, preparing to set off for the ind.


    Starting such arge ship was no simple task. At the Captain''smand, the entire crew sprang into action.


    With nothing to do, Qin Ran made his way through the busy crowd to the ship''s rail. He gazed down at the deste ind, secretly leaving a spirit mark on a rock by the shore.


    The vast, boundless sea contained countless such ordinary inds. Without leaving a mark, he might not be able to find this particr one again when he returned.


    The ship was set in motion, its sails unfurling as it gradually pulled away from the shore.


    Standing on the deck, Qin Ran watched the ind grow smaller, his heart filled with a mix of emotions: sighs, apprehension about the unknown world ahead, but also excitement and a thrill...


    He wasn''t the coward his main body was. This colorful and brand new world was waiting for him to grace it with his presence.


    Wasn''t that exhrating?


    "What''s wrong?" Tie Ruonan''s voice came from behind. "Feeling reluctant to leave?"


    Qin Ran turned his head slightly to look at Tie Ruonan, her robust physique giving him a sense of great pressure.


    He replied, "After all, this is where I was reborn."


    "To think you''d feel such mncholy at parting..." Tie Ruonan patted Qin Ran''s shoulder, then leaned against the railing, smiling. "You really are a sensitive man, aren''t you?"


    Such men were as rare as finding a needle in this vast ocean. She hadn''t yed with one before.


    "But a change of scenery brings a change of heart. When we reach Dragon Whale Ind, it''ll be a whole new ce..." Tie Ruonan consoled him. "A brand new beginning."


    Qin Ran imperceptibly nced at his shoulder where she had patted him, feeling thoroughly ufortable. He smiled and replied, "It''s not so much about being sensitive. In the world of cultivation, one must always be meticulous."


    "Meticulous?" Tie Ruonan sneered. If you were so meticulous, how did you end up being ambushed, causing the array to malfunction and strand you on a deste ind?


    But since she wanted to lure Qin Ran to her bed, she responded, "Indeed, one must be cautious in the world of cultivation, and in battle as well..."

 Chapter 378

    Chapter 378


    The ship drifted in the vast ocean, a scene Qin Ran had never witnessed before, neither in his previous life nor in this one.


    The vessel was already quiterge, Qin Ran conservatively estimated it to be about 300 meters from bow to stern. Yet this size seemed insignificant in the boundless sea, like a mere grain in the vast ocean!


    Standing at the bow and looking around, he saw nothing but the sea extending to the horizon in all directions, with no discernible differences. The sky and the earth appeared the same, and the ship swayed gently with the sails, as if it hadn''t moved at all.


    It was then that he truly understood the meaning of "the vastness of heaven and earth, and the brevity of one''s existence."


    What level of cultivation would one need to challenge the heavens and earth with this mortal body?


    Qin Ran leaned on the railing, gazing at the sea''s surface. He actually wanted to ask Tie Ruonan: When everything looks the same, how do they navigate and determine directions while sailing?


    But since the Celestial Sea Domain was full of inds, the locals probably didn''t have this confusion. He refrained from asking.


    "You said you can refine pills..." Tie Ruonan stood beside him with her arms crossed, looking imposing as she asked, "What level would you say you''re at?"


    "The art of pill refining is vast and profound. I''d say I''ve just stepped through the door of alchemy, a mere servant in the field," Qin Ran replied.Tie Ruonan looked at him and said, "Well, it seems your pill refining skills are not bad then."


    "Hm?" Qin Ran was puzzled, "What do you mean?"


    "Generally, those who are humble are the ones with real ability," Tie Ruonan exined. "You speak so modestly. It indicates that your pill refining skills are quite high."


    "That''s an interesting logic," Qin Ran shook his head. "Unfortunately, you''ve misjudged. My pill refining skills really aren''t that high."


    "Whether I''ve misjudged or not, why don''t we put it to the test?" Tie Ruonan smiled.


    "A test?" Qin Ran pondered.


    Before he could respond, Tie Ruonan called over the ship''s physician and instructed, "Give him a set of ingredients for the ''Immortal Fruit'' pill."


    The Immortal Fruit was the inferior pill that the ship''s crew had fed Qin Ran the night before. It was a healing pill,parable to Qin Ran''s Blood Activating Muscle Pill.


    The physician was a Qi practitioner who could refine pills and traveled with the ship. Unlike Qin Ran who could refine various types of pills, this physician specialized in making healing medicines.


    The physician didn''t particrly like this slender young man. Firstly, because the aesthetics of the open sea didn''t favor delicate features, and secondly, because he had learned that this young man might know how to refine pills.


    If he could refine pills... and if he could do it better than him, the physician''s job might be at risk. However, bound by Tie Ruonan''s order, he had no choice but toply. He reached into his waist pouch, simr to a Universe Bag, and took out a set of ingredients for refining the "Immortal Fruit" pill, handing them to Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran looked at the physician, aware of his hostility and knowing that the inferior pill he had eatenst night was refined by this very man.


    He had a good grasp of the physician''s pill refining skills.


    He reached out to take the ingredients, examining them one by one. He found that he didn''t recognize many of them, as they were all marine herbs. He had no choice but to take a small bite of each, personally tasting to determine their medicinal properties.


    Seeing his actions, the physician couldn''t help butugh, "What''s this? You don''t even recognize the ingredients?"


    He felt somewhat relieved.


    Qin Ran ignored him and continued tasting the herbs. In his mind, he silently deduced, matching the medicinal effects of these herbs, calcting various forms, and quickly arrived at the recipe for the "Immortal Fruit" pill he had eaten the night before.


    Seeing him taste the herbs and then fall silent, the physician found it amusing and asked, "Don''t tell me you don''t even know how to refine the ''Immortal Fruit''?"


    "Can you refine pills?"


    Qin Ran snapped back to reality, smiled, and replied, "I know, I know. I can do a bit, just a bit."


    As he spoke, he used his spiritual power to separate the ingredients one by one, dividing each into appropriate portions.


    But after preparing the herbs, as he was about to start refining, he suddenly realized: he wasn''t in his main body, just an avatar, and he didn''t have pill water. Using the water method for pill refining wouldn''t be very effective.


    So he gave an awkward smile and asked the physician, "I wonder if there''s a pill furnace and heavenly fire on the ship?"


    "Pill furnace?" The physician squinted at him and asked, "Fire method pill refining?!"


    The physician''s reaction made Qin Ran realize that the Celestial Sea Domain was all ocean. In this vast sea, with abundant water vapor, fire method pill refining would certainly be lessmon than in the Lingnan Region.


    But since he had already spoken, he could only ask in return, "Is there a problem?"


    Since the physician had mentioned fire method pill refining, it meant that it did exist in the Celestial Sea Domain, though probably as a niche technique.


    Sure enough, the physician shook his head and said, "No, it''s just that fire method pill refining is rarely seen... at least I''ve never seen it."


    "Moreover..." he smiled, "There''s no pill furnace on the ship, nor any heavenly fire."


    He wanted to see how Qin Ran would refine the pill.


    "No pill furnace?" Qin Ran sighed and said, "Then I''ll have to use the water method for pill refining."


    Without pill water, he could only use ordinary water, but the effect of ordinary water would be too poor...


    "Water method pill refining is the best," the physician nodded approvingly. "I didn''t expect you to be proficient in both fire and water methods of pill refining. Truly, the younger generation is formidable."


    Ignoring the physician''s sarcasm, Qin Ran took a deep breath and summoned a stream of water from within his body. He separated it, enveloping all the ingredients, and sent out his spiritual power, using it in ce of magical power to extract the medicinal properties.


    "What an arrogant refining technique!" Seeing Qin Ran attempting to extract all the ingredients at once, the physician couldn''t help but sneer.


    Tie Ruonan, observing Qin Ran''s ability to control so many ingredients simultaneously, thought to herself, "His level isn''t just at the first grade, he must be a second-grade Spirit Refiner."


    Because it was ordinary water, the extraction effect was much worse, and Qin Ran took a long time to obtain the pill essence.


    He casually tossed the herb residue into the sea and began tobine the various herbal essences ording to his deductions, following the appropriate medicinal principles to merge the pill essence.


    Seeing this, the physicianmented again, "To extract only once and then discard the residue, how terrifying!"


    Hearing this, Qin Ran recalled the Immortal Fruit fromst night and suddenly understood. This physician, when refining pills, must have been worried about iplete extraction of the medicinal essence, which is why he mixed the residue back into the ingredients.


    He couldn''t help but wonder, was it this physician''s pill refining skills that werecking? Or was it the general level of pill refining in the Celestial Sea Domain that was subpar?


    After mixing the essence, Qin Ran began to extract the water from the pill essence.


    The physician shook his head: "This kid is either a pill refining master or aplete novice. But given his age, he''s more likely to be a reckless neer."


    Because it wasn''t pill water, the process of extracting the water became slower. It took another long while before Qin Ran finished removing the water from the pill, finally obtaining a finished product.


    The pill was dark yellowish, with a smooth luster and an aura of spiritual energy emanating from it. It was a pill that had achieved a grade.


    However, this clearly wasn''t the same as the physician''s so-called Immortal Fruit.


    "Are you sure this isn''t a poison pill?!" the physician sneered.


    Qin Ran looked at the pill in his hand and replied, "It has just achieved a grade, it''s a low-grade pill."


    He turned to the physician and asked, "Would you like to try it?"


    "I wouldn''t dare," the physician shook his head.


    Qin Ran then looked at Tie Ruonan and asked, "How about you?"


    In fact, Tie Ruonan knew nothing about pill refining, but she had been impressed by Qin Ran''s shy operations. Sheughed casually, "Why not? I''m not afraid."


    She took the pill and popped it into her

 Chapter 379

    Chapter 379


    Although the violent battle with Ying Yust night was exhrating, Tie Ruonan had actually sustained multiple injuries. While she had taken medicinal pills to heal her external wounds, there were still internal injuries lingering.


    Now, as she swallowed the pill casually refined by Qin Ran, the medicinal power spread throughout her body. She immediately felt a warm sensation all over, not only healing the injuries fromst night but also showing signs of treating old, residual internal wounds.


    "Ahh!" The intense feeling offort made her moan involuntarily.


    Seeing her in this state, the Doctor, who was unwilling to believe in Qin Ran''s pill-refining skills, thought Tie Ruonan was moaning in pain. His face changed dramatically as he shouted, "Poison! Poisonous pill! Captain Tie has been poisoned!!"


    Hearing that Tie Ruonan had been poisoned, many sailors immediately gathered around.


    But when they saw Tie Ruonan, they found her face turned towards the sky, eyes half-closed, with an expression of ecstasy. Her lips were slightly parted as she moaned, lookingpletely blissful. They were unsure how to react.


    "It''s this guy!" The Doctor pointed at Qin Ran, shouting with false bravado, "He refined a poisonous pill, intending to harm Captain Tie. Quick, kill him!"


    Although uncertain, some sailors still moved behind Qin Ran, preparing to restrain him, as he was a stranger who had juste aboard.


    Qin Ran smiled gently and said to the sailors behind him before they could act, "There''s no need for that, brother. I''m just a mere pill refiner, I can''t run away. Why don''t we wait for Captain Tie to recover and rify things?"His calm demeanor was clearly more convincing than the Doctor''s aggressive manner. The sailors hesitated and didn''t make a move.


    Though feeling veryfortable, Tie Ruonan wasn''t so incapacitated that she couldn''t speak. She remained silent intentionally to see how Qin Ran would handle the situation.


    And Qin Ran''s calm handling of the matter pleased her greatly... As expected of the man she wanted to bed.


    She slowly returned to normal, giving Qin Ran an approving look before smiling and saying, "The quality of this pill is unbelievably good,parable to those from the Water Origin Sect!"


    "Water Origin Sect?!" Upon hearing this name, the surrounding sailors immediately showed reverence, and their gazes towards Qin Ran also carried a hint of respect.


    The Doctor knew he had lost his chance. He sighed inwardly, looking at Qin Ran with aplex expression... So he really was a pill-refining master, not just some reckless youth.


    "So it turns out we have a pill-refining expert before us!" He quickly bowed and said, "I was truly blind and spoke nonsense. I must apologize to the master and beg for your forgiveness."


    Qin Ran looked at him with a smile, thinking to himself that this was quite an adaptable character - he''d need to find an opportunity to eliminate him early. Such people were the most likely to cause trouble in secret.


    "No, no, I don''t deserve such praise!" he replied with a smile, "I''m no master, I just know a bit about pill refining."


    "I told you you were being modest!" Tie Ruonan pped Qin Ran''s shoulder, leaving her hand there as sheughed loudly, "My judgment has always been good."


    Qin Ran nced at the sailors and asked Tie Ruonan, "You mentioned the Water Origin Sect earlier?"


    Using the motion of turning, he discreetly avoided Tie Ruonan''s grasp.


    "The Water Origin Sect is on Water Origin Ind," Tie Ruonan exined with a carefree smile, thinking to herself that he wouldn''t escape her grasp so easily. "It''s thergest ind in the Tian Sea Region, and they''re the best at pill refining. The pills they produce are renowned even among the Seven Great Inds in the central area of the Tian Sea Region."


    Water Origin Sect? So there were sects in the Tian Sea Region too.


    The Seven Great Inds in the central area? Qin Ran guessed these were probably the seven most powerful forces in the Tian Sea Region, likely simr to the status of the Lingnan Immortal Sect in the Lingnan Region.


    "Oh, I see!" Qin Ran nodded in understanding, inwardly considering how he might visit the Water Origin Sect to learn about the high-level pill refining techniques of the Tian Sea Region.


    The misunderstanding here had been cleared up, and the sailors dispersed.


    The Doctor looked at Qin Ran, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately left without saying anything.


    "With your pill-refining skills... you must be from the central region," Tie Ruonan said to Qin Ran.


    This Tie Ruonan was really trying to seduce him as if he were a "girl"... Qin Ran shook his head and replied, "My pill-refining skills really aren''t that great."


    Tie Ruonan was experienced in matters of the heart. Seeing that ttery wasn''t working, she immediately changed tactics and asked, "Come to think of it, you ended up here because someone set you up, right? You''ll want to go back for revenge eventually. But in your current state, you can''t return yet... Why not join us on Dragon Whale Ind?"


    "My identity is unclear, and it might bring trouble," Qin Ran refused, "I''m afraid it would cause problems for Dragon Whale Ind."


    Before the smile could disappear from Tie Ruonan''s face, he added, "However, if you need pills, I can refine them for you. I''ll probably be staying on Dragon Whale Ind for quite a while."


    At this, the smile didn''tpletely fade from Tie Ruonan''s face. "We''re very hospitable. Dragon Whale Ind will always wee you," she told Qin Ran.


    Inwardly, sheughed coldly. Once on Dragon Whale Ind, you won''t have any say in the matter.


    They chatted casually by the deck railing for a while longer, with Tie Ruonan taking some liberties here and there before finally leaving.


    Qin Ran leaned against the railing, his eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that Tie Ruonan was going to report his abilities and value in detail to the captain so they could strategize about him.


    In this ce, even more remote than the Land of Immortal Legacy, a second-rank Spirit Refining Master who could also refine pills would certainly be worth recruiting for their faction.


    But Qin Ran had his own ns. As an outsider, he obviously wouldn''t join a group whose background he wasn''t clear about. Or rather, he didn''t want to join any faction at all. He preferred the idea of roaming freely in the Tian Sea Region.


    ... Wasn''t it enough that his main body was restricted to the Dao Sword Sect? Now that his avatar had finally gotten out, why would he want to join another sect?


    Spirit Refining techniques... pill-refining methods... these were what interested him.


    He might temporarily join Dragon Whale Ind as a stopgap measure, but once he had a decent understanding of the Tian Sea Region, he would definitely slip away. If possible, wouldn''t it be better to go y at the Water Origin Sect, known for its pill refining?


    What kind of small fry was Dragon Whale Ind to think they could keep him?


    As these thoughts ran through his mind, Qin Ran opened his palm, revealing medicinal ingredients moving within his flesh...


    These were the remaining ingredients from refining the Immortal Fruit pill earlier. When refining the Immortal Fruit, he had only used a portion of the ingredients, secretly hiding the rest.


    For a pill refiner like him who was well-versed in pharmacology, even though these were ingredients for refining healing pills, he could certainly use them to create other interesting concoctions. With the right ingredients, anything was possible.


    It took Tie Ruonan and her group about a day to sail from Dragon Whale Ind to Qin Ran''s deserted ind, and the return journey took about the same time. Perhaps due to favorable winds or ocean currents, the return trip was slightly faster, and they reached Dragon Whale Ind before nightfall.


    Standing at the bow of the ship, Qin Ran gazed at the vast continent before him, with its coastline stretching endlessly into the distance. He shook his head and smiled.


    This should have been expected, right? Inds in the cultivation world should naturally be thisrge, befitting the scale of such a world.


    As thend drew closer, the unique buildings on the ind became clearer, and the bustling sounds from the dock reached his ears. He took a deep breath and said with a smile, "A brand new world, here I

 Chapter 380

    Chapter 380


    Tie Ruonan was a direct subordinate of the Ind Lord of Dragon Whale Ind, so the city they were heading to was naturally the one where the Ind Lord resided... which was also the economic and cultural center of the ind, its most important city.


    As such, the dock they arrived at was the busiest on Dragon Whale Ind. It was afternoon, the busiest time of day, and Qin Ran''s ship, being a routine patrol vessel of no great importance, had to wait quite a while before finding an open berth to dock.


    During this time, the Captain gave Qin Ran a taste of what constituted the basic qualities of an old sea dog, never ceasing his stream of profanities from start to finish, yet never repeating himself... It truly dazzled Qin Ran, allowing him to experience the local culture of this maritime realm. Pirate culture, most likely.


    After disembarking and leaving the dock, the sailors from the ship either went home or headed off to drink, eat, and visit brothels. In any case, they quickly dispersed. Only the Captain and Tie Ruonan apanied Qin Ran as they walked into the city.


    The overall tone of this city was dark and damp.


    The reason for this was likely that the stones used to build the city had been dredged from the sea. The color of the stones was rather dark, and they always seemed to retain a lingering dampness.


    Not only the city walls, but even the buildings were constructed from these stones.


    One could imagine that the entire city was dark in color, made of stone, and permeated with moisture, giving an overall unpleasant impression.


    "Whale Fall City."Qin Ran learned the name of this city as he looked at the city walls, which appeared cold and bore some inexplicably terrifying patterns.


    He could roughly guess the nature of those patterns - they were variants of formation markings, simr to the talismanic scripts written on paper when creating talismans. These patterns likely served to reinforce and bind the structures together.


    Perhaps whenbined, they would form arge-scale formation. Seeing that all the buildings in the city shared this style and bore these patterns, Qin Ran, with his deep knowledge of formations, naturally came to this realization.


    The aesthetic design of this city did not agree with him, and the building patterns made him feel uneasy... In short, this port city called Whale Fall City made him very ufortable.


    Being a port city, and considering it was just an ind, the buildings within the city seemed a bit cramped, and the streets were rather narrow... It fell far short whenpared to national cities like Wuyi City or Mo City.


    The Captain and Tie Ruonan led the way, quickly passing through the outer city and arriving at the inner city.


    Perhaps it shouldn''t be called the inner city, but rather use the corresponding term "imperial city" to describe it. If the emperor''s residence is called the imperial city, then the Ind Lord''s residence should be called the ind city. This was a very peculiarly styled ind city... or rather, building.


    Previously, there must have been a rather tall stone mountain here. But now the mountain had been hollowed out, the entire mountain carved into a building.


    The principle was probably simr to how cultivators in the Lingnan Region built their cave dwellings. But this pure stone structure gave Qin Ran a feeling reminiscent of the dark Gothic castles of the Western world from his previous life. While castles were built up, this structure was directly carved out of the mountain rock.


    It was indeed quite unique.


    Around the stone mountain, or rather around this "castle," a few low buildings were scattered about, and walls had been erected, roughly forming the "imperial city"... or ind city.


    At the city gate, the Captain stepped forward to exin the situation. Someone went inside to report, and after a long wait, that person came back out to lead the three of them into the city.


    ...It did feel very much like entering a pce for an imperial audience.


    Following their guide through many twists and turns within the "ind city," the three of them finally arrived at a ce that resembled a training ground.


    Many guards with swords surrounded the training ground. Qin Ran observed that all the guards had fluctuations of spiritual energy, indicating they were all cultivators with some level of attainment.


    In the training ground, a shirtless man was tossing around a huge boulder. The boulder was cuboid in shape, significantlyrger than Qin Ran. It seemed he was tempering his strength... training his body.


    The three of them entered the training ground and stood to one side, waiting.


    Qin Ran watched the man juggling the boulder, forming a guess in his mind that this was probably, possibly, likely the Ind Lord of Dragon Whale Ind. It was just a guess, not necessarily correct.


    After tossing the boulder several more times, the shirtless man seemed satisfied and threw it to the side.


    There were other boulders of various sizes but simr shapes nearby. Qin Ran looked over and saw weight markings in front of those stones, ranging from thousands of catties, tens of thousands of catties, to two hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, and even a million catties for the heaviest ones.


    In the middle, there was an empty space marked... one hundred thousand catties.


    So this Ind Lord was a body cultivator who could casually toss around a hundred-thousand-catty stone.


    What level of cultivation would this represent? Qin Ran silently calcted that this was probably a third-grade body cultivator. This would correspond to the Nascent Soul stage in the Lingnan Region.


    Having finished tempering his strength, the shirtless man was covered in sweat. An attendant handed him a towel, and he wiped his body while walking towards Qin Ran and the others.


    Before he even arrived, a strong odor of sweat reached them first.


    His piercing tiger-like eyes immediately fell on Qin Ran. He jerked his chin and asked in a rough voice, still panting, "Who''s this?!"


    "Reporting to the Ind Lord, his name is Li Feiyu. He''s a cultivator who practices both mental and qi cultivation, and his alchemy skills are also very high," Tie Ruonan bowed with sped hands, quickly introducing Qin Ran in the simplest terms. "The spatial fluctuation this time was caused by him."


    So it really was the Ind Lord.


    "Mental and qi cultivation..." The man sneered, looking Qin Ran up and down. "You traveled all this way just to find him? How good can his alchemy skills really be?"


    The Captain and Tie Ruonan actually didn''t know much about alchemy, so they weren''t sure just how high Qin Ran''s alchemy skills were.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran cupped his hands in salute and replied neither humbly nor proudly, "Third-grade pills are no problem for me."


    By his estimation, so-called first grade probably corresponded to the Foundation Establishment stage in the Lingnan Region, second grade to Core Formation, and third grade to Nascent Soul. He could indeed refine pills rted to the Nascent Soul stage.


    "Third-grade pills?!" Only now did the Ind Lord truly look at Qin Ran with respect. Seeing that Qin Ran didn''t seem to be lying, he waved over an attendant and said, "Find Mr. Zhai and bring a set of materials for third-grade body tempering pills."


    It seemed he was going to have to demonstrate his pill refining skills again. Qin Ran quickly said, "It would be best to have an alchemy furnace and some heaven and earth anomalous fire. I''m ustomed to refining pills using the fire method."


    "Alright!" The Ind Lord waved his hand magnanimously and said with a smile, "Whether you use the water method or the fire method, as long as you can refine pills, that''s what matters."


    Qin Ran''s eyes flickered. It seemed this ind wascking in alchemists... or at least,cking high-level alchemists like himself.


    The Ind Lord personally led the way, and they went directly to an alchemy room within the ind city.


    In the alchemy room was a man who appeared to be in his forties, with a goatee. He had a schrly air about him, and even the Ind Lord showed him respect, addressing him as "Mr. Zhai."


    Qin Ran nced at him, recognizing him as an alchemist, probably the Ind Lord''s personal alchemist.


    Without saying much, he epted the medicinal ingredients handed to him, tested their efficacy, then stepped forward and directly opened the furnace. With practiced ease, he spent a short time refining a batch of body tempering pills.


    He showed the body tempering pills to Mr. Zhai, whose face was full of approval. Then he had the Ind Lord try them, and he too showed respect towards Qin Ran.


    The Ind Lord said to Qin Ran, "Mr. Li, you may stay here in my ind lord''s mansion from now on. If you have any requests, feel free to let us know."


    Qin Ran bowed deeply, not refusing, and epted the Ind Lord''s invitation.


    "Thank you, Ind Lord," he said.


    Thus, within this "ind city," Qin Ran had also found his

 Chapter 381

    At Dan Peak, by the shore of Sword Washing Lake, under the Devouring Demon Willow tree, on a warm spring day with a gentle breeze, Qin Ran lounged in a reclining chair, reading an alchemy manual.


    The damage caused by separating one-tenth of his Divine Soul was greater than Qin Ran had imagined. For several days, he couldn''t muster any energy. Alchemy, cultivation, managing the medicine hall - he had put all these tasks aside, entering an ultimate cking mode.


    Every day he just listlessly read books and slept, at most cooking a little something to eat. He was quite simr to Long Qiqi in this regard.


    As he nestled in the chair reading, a small child was hanging from a willow branch behind him, sprawled across the back of his chair, reading along with him.


    The soft spring breeze rippled theke''s surface, gently swaying the willow branches. The little one swung back and forth with the wind.


    "Do you want to learn alchemy?" Qin Ran suddenly asked.


    Liu Xiaoji looked around and, seeing no one else except the buzzing phoenix-winged tiger-headed bees, realized the question was indeed directed at him.


    "I can learn alchemy too?" he asked in return.


    It''s worth noting that he was just a tree, without Dan Fire or Dan Water, without hands or feet... A tree practicing alchemy seemed too strange."You can," Qin Ran confirmed.


    His avatar, who had identally ended up in the Celestial Sea Domain, had demonstrated on the ship how to refine pills using only the Divine Soul.


    Liu Xiaoji considered this, then shook his head, "I''d rather not."


    For him, focusing on cultivation and increasing his power was the main priority. He was just a tree, already slow in cultivation, so he had no time for such odd pursuits.


    "What a pity," Qin Ran sighed.


    If Liu Xiaoji had learned alchemy, he could have split into millions of avatarster, with one person... one tree practicing alchemy, enough to supply the entire Dao Sword Sect.


    Bored, Qin Ran teased Liu Xiaoji while half-heartedly reading his book.


    Just then, there was a sudden disturbance in the Guardian Mountain Formation. Both Qin Ran and Liu Xiaoji immediately looked towards the source of the disturbance.


    One was the formation master, the other the core of the formation - no movement in the array could escape their perception.


    They saw a white-robed sword cultivator using a token to open the formation''s mist, flying in from outside on a sword. It was, of course, Dan Peak''s silly disciple, Li Shiyin.


    After entering the formation, she hovered in mid-air, scanning the surroundings. Spotting Qin Ran, she flew straight over.


    "Master, I''vepleted the investigation," she said, neatly putting away her sword and crouching beside Qin Ran''s chair, looking obedient as she reported in a low voice.


    Not having seen her for several days, Qin Ran had missed her dearly. He reached out to gently stroke her hair, smiling as he asked, "Did you find any problems?"


    "No," Li Shiyin shook her head.


    "You''ve worked hard," Qin Ran said, stroking her silky hair and pinching her cheek, which felt as soft as ever.


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin giggled stupidly. "It wasn''t hard."


    Seeing his silly disciple like this, Qin Ran also smiled, but his narrowed eyes looked fox-like. He asked with a mischievous grin, "Really not hard?"


    Her master''s expression made Li Shiyin sense danger. She grew alert, leaning her little head back to avoid her master''s wolfish paw, asking, "Master, what are you up to?"


    "Don''t you remember what I said?" Qin Ran replied, "I told you topile all the information you found into a dossier and submit it to me. Now that you''ve finished investigating, where''s thepiled dossier? So, now, immediately, go andpile a dossier!"


    "Ah?!!" Li Shiyin''s eyes widened, "Master, you can''t be serious?!"


    "Go quickly..." Qin Ran urged, "If too much time passes, you might misremember things."


    "Master~" Li Shiyin raised her hand, grabbing Qin Ran''s sleeve and shaking it, pouting as she wheedled.


    Qin Ran cupped her face in his hands, giving it a good squeeze as heughed, "Go on!"


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin wrinkled her little nose as she stood up. "Mean master!"


    But before she left to write the report, she saw Zhang Junyi walking out of the greenhouse. She looked at him a bit longer, her eyes showing a hint of pity.


    Zhang Junyi felt Li Shiyin''s gaze and looked back, but only saw her retreating figure.


    He didn''t know why Li Shiyin had looked at him, nor did he have the right to know. He nced at Qin Ran, saw that he wasn''t paying attention to him, and then pulled out a book from his pocket, leaning against the house foundation to read.


    His house was still at the foundation stage these days, so he looked a bit disheveled.


    But he didn''t seem to notice at all, engrossed in his book. The book in his hand was a detailed guide to human meridians and acupoints - the one Qin Ran had given to Li Shiyin earlier but she hadn''t used. Qin Ran said he was lending it to Zhang Junyi to help with his cultivation, but he only had seven days. After seven days, he had to return the book.


    So to aid his cultivation, Zhang Junyi had to memorize the meridians and acupoints from the book as quickly as possible.


    Qin Ran secretly nced at Zhang Junyi reading in the dirt pile and shook his head with a smile.


    This was probably... what they called raising a son in poverty?


    Li Shiyin spent most of the day recording all the information she had found about Zhang Junyi. Although it wasn''t systematic, she managed to write down everything.


    In the evening, she found Qin Ran in the study and handed him Zhang Junyi''s information.


    "Ah, Master, his life has been so hard!" she sighed.


    Qin Ran opened the file to read and discovered that what Zhang Junyi had told him that day was actually true.


    "Master, you should be nicer to him..." she advised, noticing how differently her master treated Zhang Junyipared to her. "He''s had such a pitiful journey."


    "What''s that got to do with me? He''s not my disciple," Qin Ran said teasingly to Li Shiyin as he continued reading.


    "Oh, Master! I''m trying to talk to you about something serious!" Li Shiyin only disliked others calling her ''Master'', but she could see clearly that her master intended to groom Zhang Junyi as Dan Peak''s sessor.


    "You should stay out of these matters," Qin Ran said, shaking his head with a smile. "Master knows what he''s doing."


    Li Shiyin angrily ruffled Qin Ran''s hair, messing it up thoroughly, before turning and leaving the study.


    Qin Ran read through Li Shiyin''s disorganized report, then pulled out a nk dossier and began recording chronologically, starting from Zhang Junyi''s ancestors eighteen generations back, all the way to his arrival at the Dao Sword Sect to be a disciple.


    After finishing, hepared it with the original report once more. Confirming there were no mistakes, he made a pulling motion towards the bookshelf beside his desk, revealing a hidden space in mid-air. The space was small, containing a few dossiers.


    The topmost dossier was titled "Anti-Tushan Youyou n".


    He ced Zhang Junyi''s dossier inside, shuffling the files within. A few other titles became visible:


    "Anti-Chasing the Wind n", "Anti-Liu Xiaoji n", "Anti-Li Shiyin n"...


    "Master, where did Chasing the Wind go?"


    The next day, as Qin Ran was inspecting the Zhu Guo in the greenhouse, Li Shiyin suddenly ran in and asked.

 Chapter 382

    The next day, as Qin Ran was inspecting the Zhu Guo in the greenhouse, Li Shiyin suddenly ran in and asked him, "Master, where did Chasing the Wind go?"


    "That guy is like a wild man, as if someone''s always poking him with a needle at home. He can''t stay still for a moment. How would I know where he went?" Qin Ran replied casually.


    The Zhu Guo had been nted for two years now, and under Long Qiqi''s careful care, it had grown lush with stems and leaves. But it showed no signs of flowering, and Qin Ran was trying to find out why.


    "Sigh!" Li Shiyin let out a breath. "I don''t really care where he went. But he took Ping''an with him."


    "Took Ping''an?" Qin Ran shook his head and smiled. "No need to worry about that. Those two little troublemakers together - we should be thankful if they don''t bully others. What''s there to worry about?"


    Although Chasing the Wind seemed simple-minded, once he reached adulthood, he would conservatively be a level seven beast, equivalent to the battle power of a cultivator in the early Nascent Soul stage.


    He was currently in his sub-adult phase, but with some mystical abilities learned from Ao Yi, the Dao Sword Sect''s guardian beast dragon, he had about the battle power of a Golden Core cultivator.


    In this Land of Immortal Legacy, there weren''t many Golden Core cultivators to begin with, and even fewer who ventured out. Chasing the Wind was practically invincible outside the mountain.


    "I''m afraid Chasing the Wind will be a bad influence on Ping''an," Li Shiyin sighed.She stood next to her master, imitating him by reaching out to stroke the leaves of the Zhu Guo.


    Qin Ran thought for a moment and realized she had a point. Li An was born with sword energy, already a bit of a troublemaker. If he spent his days being led around by thewless mountain king Chasing the Wind, there was no telling what kind of person he''d turn out to be.


    "That''s true," he said. "Find a chance to bring them back. But more importantly, focus on teaching Li An to control his sword energy, so he can go down the mountain sooner. Infants should grow up in a normal family environment, otherwise they might develop psychological issues."


    "Yes. I''m doing my best to teach him, and he''s making progress. He should be able to freely control his sword energy soon," Li Shiyin responded.


    She turned to look at her master and noticed his expression wasn''t great. She asked, "Is there a problem with the Zhu Guo? You look worried, Master."


    "Actually, it''s growing well..." Qin Ran sighed, "But it''s showing no signs of flowering or bearing fruit."


    "Flowering?" Li Shiyin looked at her master''s face, pondered for a moment, and then ventured, "Master, is it possible that... this Zhu Guo simply hasn''t grown up yet? That it''s not time for it to bear fruit?"


    "Huh?" Qin Ran was taken aback. He looked down at the Zhu Guo, which was less than a meter tall, and fell into deep thought.


    It seemed he had not only be weak, but his mind wasn''t working well either.


    Could it be...


    Was there a side effect to the infinite avatar ability of the Nine Extremes Primordial Spirit Demon Devouring Skill?


    Within the great protective array of the Dao Sword Sect, Chasing the Wind, carrying a naked Li An on his back, was shouting towards the kaleidoscopic darkness in the sky: "Big Brother... Big Brother..."


    Li An, sitting on his neck, raised both hands and imitated him, also shouting: "Big Bwo... Big Bwo..."


    They shouted for quite a while. The darkness churned, and something awakened from within. A majestic ck dragon head emerged from the darkness, appearing above Chasing the Wind and Li An. With sleepy eyes, it asked, "What''s all this noise about?"


    "Wow!!" Upon seeing the majestic ck dragon head, Li An found it incredibly cool. He became extremely excited, babbling "Ya ya" and constantly patting Chasing the Wind''s tiger head.


    Ao Yi sensed him and opened his sleepy eyes a bit more, revealing a pair of soul-stirring dark golden vertical pupils. Seeing this infant wrapped in sword energy, he asked Chasing the Wind, "Who is this?"


    "Big Brother, this is my new little brother!" Chasing the Wind said proudly, quickly introducing him to Ao Yi. "I brought him specially to meet you... Born with sword energy, isn''t he amazing?"


    Ao Yi looked at Li An. He recognized the sword energy around him - it was the sword energy of that girl from Dan Peak with extremely high sword talent.


    "What''s his name?" he asked.


    "Ping''an..." Chasing the Wind replied, "Li An!"


    So he''s also surnamed Li...


    Ao Yi pondered for a moment, then suddenly flicked his tail from within the darkness, sending out a pitch-ck scale that fell in front of Chasing the Wind. He said, "Consider it my weing gift to him."


    "Hehe!" Chasing the Wind quickly opened his mouth to catch the millstone-sized ck dragon scale, muttering to Li An, "Another one."


    Beforeing to the protective array, he had already taken Li An to Master Peak to meet Lu Junxing and Dong Zhongyuan, and had already secured two weing gifts for little Li An.


    "Thank you, Big Brother!" He raised his two front paws, bowing to Ao Yi in a rather human-like manner. "May you be a full dragon soon!"


    "Big Bwo... Dwagon!" Li An, on Chasing the Wind''s back, also cupped his hands adorably towards Ao Yi.


    "Alright!" Ao Yi, still not fully awake, couldn''t be bothered with these two jokers. He said, "If there''s nothing else, you may leave now... This old one needs to sleep."


    "Yes, Big Brother. Sorry to disturb you. We''ll be on our way!" Chasing the Wind said with a smile. Having obtained another gift, he pranced away on his four paws, extremely happy, heading out of the array.


    He taught Li An, "Say goodbye to Big Brother."


    "Big Bwo... Bye-bye..." Li An said unclearly.


    Ao Yi watched the departing Li An with half-closed eyes, thinking to himself: "Another seedling with good sword talent, and even better resources. The Dao Sword Sect is bound to prosper! The Dao Sword Sect is bound to prosper indeed!"


    Chasing the Wind took Li An outside the array and began calcting with him: "Senior Brother Lu carved a sword energy origin into your bones, saying it was to forge your sword bones; Senior Brother Dong gave you a jade pendant that nurtures your foundation; Big Brother Ao Yi gave you a dragon scale, which will be material for forging your life-bound sword in the future."


    "Ya ya..." But Li An didn''t understand anything, justughing and making strange noises.


    "Where should we go now?" Chasing the Wind stood outside the array, looking into the Dao Sword Sect. "Shall we go y in the Mountain and River Sword?"


    He shook his head, "You''re still too young, you can''t withstand Senior Brother Lu''s sword energy."


    He looked around and suddenly spotted Sword Peak, towering into the clouds. Remembering he had a few good friends up there, his eyes lit up and he smiled, "Let''s go to Sword Peak. Your Aunt Tian Wenjin is there. Aunt Wenjin values rtionships, she''ll definitely like you and give you lots of treasures. We can also find Senior Brother Liu Baixuan, he''s the head disciple of Sword Peak, he won''t be stingy..."


    With that, he stepped on the wind and flew towards Sword Peak.


    On the way to Sword Peak, he spotted Qi Peak. His eyes rolled as he said to Li An, "After we leave Sword Peak, let''s go ambush Qi Peak... Qi Peak doesn''t get along with your aunt, so we''ll go beat them up..."


    He calcted in his mind that Li An was just a baby, so he wouldn''t be held responsible for such mischief. Qi Peak would have no way toin... They couldn''t possibly say they were beaten up by an infant!


    But he didn''t consider...


    If they really did go ambush Qi Peak, Li An wouldn''t be held responsible. But who would

 Chapter 383

    Chasing the Wind and his humanpanion quickly arrived at Sword Peak.


    The rtionship between their Dan Peak and Qi Peak was fairly good, so Chasing the Wind didn''t act too arrogantly. He stopped at the sword practice za halfway up the mountain, then trotted towards Tian Wenjin''s residence.


    He had a restless nature,pletely unlike his father, and there were few ces in the Dao Sword Sect he hadn''t been to.


    Of course, he had visited Tian Wenjin''s cave dwelling before.


    But he had barely pranced a few steps, not yet leaving the practice za, when his ears caught a few sentences from the noisy discussions there.


    He heard a voice say: "...it''s a baby qilin, a divine beast. They say qilins carry sacred light, and mortals who smell their aura can cure all illnesses and live to be a hundred years old. Cultivators only need to look at one for a moment to be blessed with good fortune. From then on, their cultivation path will be free of mental demons, and they''ll face no obstacles in breaking through realms..."


    Another voice added: "...it''s from a ce extremely far from the Land of Immortal Legacy... if you keep going southwest, cross the Hengduan Mountains, and continue southwest, there''s a ce called the Demon Region. It''s a realm dominated by beast demons, where humans are lower-ss beings. It has all kinds of divine beasts and mythical creatures - they say there are phoenixes, dragons, qilins, celestial cranes, and even ancient evil beasts like taotie, chaos beasts, and torch dragons..."


    "This baby qilin came from the Demon Region."


    Someone asked: "If it''s so far away, how did a baby qilin end up in the Land of Immortal Legacy?""Who knows?" someone replied, "But rumor has it that there''s been a big change in the Demon Region. Some lower-bloodline beasts who achieved the Dao are questioning the status of the Four Divine Beasts and have issued a challenge..."


    "Four Divine Beasts?"


    "Dragon, Phoenix, White Tiger, and ck Tortoise."


    "No Qilin?"


    "The Qilin is an auspicious beast."


    "What''s an auspicious beast?"


    "An auspicious beast is..."


    As they spoke, the group flew off on their swords towards the outside of the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Qilin?" Chasing the Wind murmured, "Divine beast? White Tiger?"


    ...He seemed to have White Tiger bloodline himself.


    The strength of demon beasts was ssified by bloodline potency. From level one to nine,pared to human cultivators from Foundation Building to Great Perfection, a level one demon beast was only slightly stronger than an ordinary wild animal, but a level nine demon beast could rival a Great Perfection realm cultivator.


    Bloodlines stronger than level nine demon beasts were considered divine beasts. Divine beasts and celestial creatures wereparable to human cultivators in the Immortal realm, beyond Great Perfection.


    Chasing the Wind''s bloodline was originally that of a level seven demon beast, the Xuanming Spirit Tiger... which had some divine White Tiger bloodline mixed in. But Chasing the Wind had experienced some fortuitous encounters:


    For instance, he went through the Golden Core Tribtion with Qin Ran, taking the lightning tribtion in Qin Ran''s ce, and then ate a bei wind, strengthening his physical body and refining his bloodline. Another time, when the Extreme Devouring Demon Willow fell, its spiritual energy dispersed, andbined with the world''spensation for this disaster-stricken area, a wind of life blew up. Chasing the Wind''s innate wind-controlling ability allowed him to devour most of this life wind,prehensively strengthening his body, bloodline, and soul. He also befriended the flood dragon Ao Yi, who taught him many divine abilities and secret techniques...


    His bloodline now was close to the strength of a level eight demon beast.


    And now a divine beast qilin had appeared in the world?


    Chasing the Wind looked back at Li An, his big eyes full of mirth, and said: "Come on, big brother will take you to see a qilin."


    "Qilin?" Li An expressed confusion.


    "A divine beast!"


    Chasing the Wind rode the wind and flew up, following that group of people out of the Dao Sword Sect.


    The group was flying towards the depths of the Hengduan Mountains, but not towards the central core area of the Land of Immortal Legacy. They were heading off-center, more towards the direction of the highest peak in the Hengduan Mountains, the snow-capped Hengduan Peak.


    As they flew towards the snowy mountain, people came flying from other directions as well, and the closer they got to the snow mountain, the more people there were.


    Chasing the Wind noticed that it wasn''t just disciples from the Dao Sword Sect, but also disciples from other sects like Zhican Valley, Boundless Sword Sect, and even smaller sects, all flying towards the snow mountain.


    However, no matter how many people there were, thebination of a white tiger and a baby was truly strange.


    Those with lower cultivation levels kept their distance, fearing that the white tiger might go berserk and eat them;


    Those with higher cultivation recognized the Dao Sword Sect identity token hanging around Chasing the Wind''s neck and knew this wasn''t an ordinary beast, but a disciple of the Dao Sword Sect;


    Some from the three major sects even recognized Chasing the Wind and Li An''s identities from the purple starry sword aura around them.


    Over the years, Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind had actually built up quite a reputation in the Hengduan Mountains region.


    After flying for a long time, Chasing the Wind brought Li An to the foot of the snow mountain. Hundreds of cultivators had already gathered here, creating a lively atmosphere. They stopped in the air and on the ground, all looking up the mountain. It seemed the qilin was up there.


    But when Chasing the Wind looked up the mountain following their gazes, he couldn''t see anything.


    He brought Li An closer to the crowd, hearing asionalmotion arise from within.


    ...Every time a prodigy arrived, whether they were a true prodigy or a false one, whether they had such a great reputation or had secretly paid for supporters, the crowd would erupt with voices like this:


    "Look! That''s Hua Wuji from the Flying Immortal Sect. They say when he built his Foundation, it caused heaven and earth to resound and the wind and clouds to change color, triggering countless unusual phenomena. He''s the strongest of the younger generation in the Flying Immortal Sect,parable to the core disciples of the three major sects."


    A wave of agreeing voices would rise, and a jade-faced young master with extremely good looks would bow to everyone, seeming to be very popr.


    "Quick, look, that''s Fairy Miaoyi from Zhican Valley. Her alchemy skills are extremely high, able to revive the dead and regrow flesh on bare bones, achieving instant ascension. Moreover, herbat power is also extremely high. It''s said she once received a sword strike from Lu Junxing of the Dao Sword Sect. She''s an incredibly formidable person."


    Fairy Miaoyi was not only very beautiful but also a disciple of Zhican Valley and an alchemist, so her arrival caused no small stir. The crowd buzzed with excitement as if the qilin had appeared again.


    "The War God Body from the Divine Body Sect!! He actually came too! Could he be nning to take the qilin''s blood to further refine his War God Body?"


    Someone asked who that was, what a War God Body was, and which sect the Divine Body Sect was. After receiving exnations, they were also bewildered and shocked.


    "It''s actually the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son from the Dao Sword Sect! It''s said he once contended for the top spot on the Dao Sword Sect''s Prodigy Ranking and is an extremely terrifying figure."


    Someone asked: "How does the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Sonpare to Lu Junxing?"


    No one answered.


    From the Dao Sword Sect? Chasing the Wind looked far into the distance and saw a cold-faced male cultivator holding a sword, but he didn''t recognize him. Chasing the Wind had met most of the prodigies in the Dao Sword Sect, but he had no impression of this one at all. He didn''t know who it was.


    Ignoring these famous prodigies, Chasing the Wind slightly reduced his size and squeezed into the crowd.


    He reached out a paw and tapped the cultivator in front of him, asking: "Hey! Brother! Wasn''t there supposed to be a qilin? Where''s the qilin?"


    "Ah, don''t be impatient! That''s a qilin, not just any demon beast," this cultivator replied, "How could it be seen so easily?"


    As he spoke, he turned around and saw a huge tiger head. In an instant, he was scared out of his wits and fled in a panic.


    "Was that really necessary?" Chasing the Wind scoffed, "I was just asking about the qilin!"


    He tapped another cultivator on the back: "Fellow Daoist, where''s the qilin?"


    "It was just up there a moment ago, but it disappeared..." this Daoist pointed for Chasing the Wind, "But it''s a divine beast, after all! It''s understandable if it has some abilities beyond our mortalprehension, right?"


    As he spoke, he also turned around to look, but there was nothing behind him.


    "Strange..." he muttered in puzzlement.

 Chapter 384

    Chasing the Wind made himself as small as possible, just enough for Li An to lie on his back. He weaved through the crowd like a fish, moving towards the front, closer to the snow-capped mountain.


    "An''an, can you sense the aura of the divine beast?" he asked Li An as he pushed forward.


    Of course, he couldn''t get an answer. Not only could Li An not sense it, he didn''t even know what a divine beast was. Even if he could sense it, he wouldn''t be able to exin it.


    But in fact, Chasing the Wind himself had a vague sense of the divine beast''s aura.


    However, the aura was weak and faint, like a phantom. It didn''t seem like a divine beast was actually present here.


    "Hmm?" Thinking of this, Chasing the Wind suddenly stopped.


    He thought further, if a divine beast cub really came to a ce like the Land of Immortal Legacy, how much of amotion would it cause?


    That year, a ninth-grade Devouring Demon Willow nearly destroyed the Land of Immortal Legacy, let alone a divine beast?


    He flew a bit higher, above the crowd, to see if any powerful individuals had arrived.After waiting for a while, he finally heard someone shouting in the crowd:


    "That''s Fu Ming, the sessor of the Boundless Sword Path from the Boundless Sword Sect! He once fought against a Nascent Soul cultivator with just Golden Core cultivation in Linxian City!!"


    Fu Ming?


    He quickly looked over and saw a man in cyan robes with flowing long hair, carrying a sword on his back. Unlike the previous prodigies he had never heard of, this was a genuine talent, a sword cultivator from the Boundless Sword Sect withbat prowess ranking at least in the top ten of his generation.


    Li Shiyin had encountered him before and they had crossed swords. Li Shiyin said she wasn''t confident in defeating him.


    But so far, among the renowned experts who had appeared here, apart from himself, Chasing the Wind, he had only heard of this Fu Ming.


    Other prodigies and high-level cultivators were nowhere to be seen.


    If there really was a divine beast cub... was this possible?


    Chasing the Wind suddenly understood that this couldn''t be a divine beast.


    "Not a divine beast..." he asked Li An, "Then what could it be?"


    Li An: "Ya yi!"


    Gradually, more people arrived, and bursts of mor could be heard from all directions.


    As time passed, Chasing the Wind suddenly noticed something interesting:


    He wasn''t familiar with the prodigies from other sects, like the small sects, Zhican Valley, or the Dao Sword Sect, but most of the talents from the Boundless Sword Sect were genuine prodigies. At least three of the top ten hade.


    He thought about it and understood the reason, which made him grin.


    The Dao Sword Sect''s foundation was the spirit vein beneath their sect. Others had mines, but the Dao Sword Sect was built on a spirit vein mine. Zhican Valley''s foundation was a valley full of spirit soil, which they used to cultivate spirit herbs and refine pills. So what was the foundation of the Boundless Sword Sect? It was their profound and exquisite sword techniques and their famous swords that had been passed down for thousands of years.


    But...


    They were poor!


    The Boundless Sword Sect was the poorest of the three major sects in the Hengduan Mountains.


    So this strange news about a qilin appearing would attract so many prodigies from the Boundless Sword Sect... but not those from the Dao Sword Sect or Zhican Valley.


    Smiling, he continued to weave through the crowd with Li An, waiting for the so-called qilin to appear again.


    But as they were happily moving about, the qilin didn''t appear, yet there was suddenly amotion in the crowd.


    "A fight broke out, a fight broke out over there..."


    "Fu Ming attacked the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son!"


    "Hmm?" Chasing the Wind stopped. If he remembered correctly, that Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son was a disciple of the Dao Sword Sect.


    He thought for a moment, then headed towards the direction of themotion.


    Arge space had cleared in the middle of the crowd, with three people in the center - two men and a woman. The two men were fighting, while the beautiful woman stood at the edge with a faint smile on her lips.


    Chasing the Wind arrived and nced at the woman, vaguely remembering her as Fairy Miaoyi from Zhican Valley.


    Fighting over a woman? He frowned. Was it necessary?


    ...He was still underage.


    Fu Ming was a genuine prodigy disciple, while the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son was just an unknown... or rather, a disciple of the Dao Sword Sect with only an empty reputation. The oue was obvious at a nce.


    Before Chasing the Wind arrived, Fu Ming, who practiced the most orthodox Boundless Sword Path of the Boundless Sword Sect, was dominating the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son. Shortly after Chasing the Wind arrived, the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son could no longer hold on and was sent flying by Fu Ming''s sword.


    The Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son was buried several meters deep in the snow mountain. It took him a while to gather the strength to crawl out, but as soon as he emerged from the snow pit, Fu Ming, who had been waiting outside, stepped on him and thrust a sword into his mouth.


    With murderous intent in his eyes, Fu Ming sneered and asked, "Fairy Miaoyi is a peerless beauty in this world. How dare a lowly person like you try to sully her?"


    "Mmph... mmph..." The Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son''s eyes were filled with fear and panic. He clearly wanted to exin something, but with a sword in his mouth, he couldn''t say anything.


    "The Dao Sword Sect is full of people like you!" Fu Ming shouted, "Low, despicable, seeking empty fame, neglecting cultivation, with shallow cultivation, only thinking about lewd matters! People like you shouldn''t exist in the world of cultivation."


    As he spoke, he raised his sword and addressed the onlookers, "You all witnessed him trying tomit indecent acts against Fairy Miaoyi, and you''ve seen his pathetic cultivation. Today, I''m carrying out heaven''s will!"


    There was some discussion among the crowd, but most were indifferent or confused. What was this all about?


    "No... not... true!" The Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son tried to exin, but Fu Ming''s sword was alreadying down. Watching the sword get closer and closer, he was too scared to speak.


    "ng!"


    Fu Ming''s sword came down, but it didn''t kill the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son. A sword qi appeared out of nowhere, deflecting his sword.


    "Who?!" He shouted, quickly looking in the direction the sword qi came from, only to see a... white tiger? About the size of arge dog.


    That should be a white tiger, right?


    "It''s your grandpa Chasing the Wind!" The white tiger raised its head and introduced itself.


    Fu Ming nced at him, frowned, and ignored him, continuing to ask, "Who unleashed that sword? Dare to act but not to show yourself? Are you even a sword cultivator?!"


    Seeing Fu Ming ignore him, Chasing the Wind became angry: "It was your grandpa Chasing the Wind who unleashed that sword!"


    "You unleashed the sword?" Fu Ming finally looked back at Chasing the Wind and asked, "Who are you?"


    Chasing the Wind widened his eyes and pointed at his own nose with his paw: "You don''t even know me, Chasing the Wind?"


    Fu Ming looked at Chasing the Wind carefully and shook his head, "I don''t know you."


    "!!" Chasing the Wind took a deep breath and asked, "Are you familiar with this sword qi?"


    He raised his paw and pointed, and a purple Star Sword Qi flew from his back towards Fu Ming.


    "Hmm?" Fu Ming frowned. He deflected the sword qi with his sword and asked, "Li Shiyin''s Star Sword Qi?"


    The Hengduan Mountains weren''t that big, and there weren''t many formidable peers.


    "Hmph!" Chasing the Wind snorted coldly, "At least you have some knowledge."


    He pointed at the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son on the ground and said, "He''s from my Dao Sword Sect. We''ll handle him ourselves."


    "How do you know Li Shiyin''s Star Sword Qi?" Fu Ming sheathed his sword and asked.


    "That''s none of your business," Chasing the Wind replied.


    He gestured excitedly for the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son to run away quickly, then asked Fu Ming, "What did he do wrong? Why are you trying to kill him?"


    Fu Ming nced at Fairy Miaoyi without saying a word.


    Chasing the Wind looked towards Fairy Miaoyi, who slowly retreated into the crowd and disappeared.


    He frowned, feeling that something was amiss.


    Just then, there was anothermotion in the crowd. Another fight had broken out.


    "Sword Immortal Kong Xuan from the Boundless Sword Sect and someone from the Dao Sword Sect..."


    Another fight between the Boundless Sword Sect and the Dao Sword Sect?


    Chasing the Wind nced at the Sorrowful Sword Saint''s Son who had already fled, then turned and dove into the crowd, running towards the newmotion.


    As he turned, Fu Ming caught sight of the infant lying on his back, an infant surrounded by sword qi.


    "I was driven back by an infant?!" Fu Ming''s face darkened.

 Chapter 385

    Sword Immortal Kong Xuan was also a prodigy of the Boundless Sword Sect, even stronger than Fu Ming. Ifpared horizontally with the Dao Sword Sect, this Sword Immortal Kong Xuan would be on par with Huang Feiyu from years ago... that is, one of the top five strongest in the sect.


    His Kong Xuan Sword Way was another powerful sword technique of the Boundless Sword Sect, focusing on the concepts of "emptiness" and "mystery". Emptiness means nothingness, while mystery implies the extraordinary. It is invisible yet omnipresent; being unseen and everywhere leads to an endless array of marvelous moves.


    When facing him in battle, opponents often feel he is slightly weaker, that his techniques arecking and without offensive power. In reality, practitioners of this sword way automatically appear weaker against most opponents. They are ustomed to putting themselves at a disadvantage, then using that weakness to ovee strength.


    For instance, at this moment, the outer disciple of the Dao Sword Sect seemed to have the upper hand, his scorching mes forcing Kong Xuan to constantly retreat. However, Kong Xuan had alreadyid countless strands of Kong Xuan Sword Qi throughout the area, waiting for the right moment to turn the tables and defeat the Dao Sword Sect disciple in one move.


    Chasing the Wind ran over, hisrge tiger eyes immediately seeing the danger. He hurriedly shouted at the Dao Sword Sect disciple, "Hey! You fool, stop chasing! You''ll die if you keep going!"


    The Dao Sword Sect disciple, who had been fiercely pursuing his opponent, heard these words and looked back. Seeing it was Chasing the Wind, he actually gave up his advantageous position and quickly stopped his attack.


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind blinked, his face full of confusion. "Since when did my words be so effective?"


    How did that person just believe him immediately?


    He couldn''t help feeling a bit smug, thinking that he, Chasing the Wind, must truly be an impressive figure.Sword Immortal Kong Xuan, seeing his killing move foiled by Chasing the Wind''s shout, was quite displeased. He coldly asked, "Who are you?"


    "Are you blind?" Chasing the Wind spat. "I''m a tiger, okay? I''m not a person!"


    Sword Immortal Kong Xuan didn''t bother arguing with Chasing the Wind. Noticing the identity token around Chasing the Wind''s neck, he realized Chasing the Wind was also from the Dao Sword Sect. He raised his sword again, with illusory Kong Xuan Sword Qi flickering around the de.


    At the same time, the Kong Xuan Sword Qi he hadid out in the air was poised to strike, aimed at Chasing the Wind.


    Chasing the Wind saw it clearly but wasn''t afraid at all. He nodded his chin towards the Dao Sword Sect disciple and asked, "So how did you two end up fighting?"


    "End up?" Hearing Chasing the Wind''s question, the Dao Sword Sect disciple''s brow furrowed as he sensed something amiss.


    Why had he started fighting with the renowned Sword Immortal Kong Xuan? Didn''t he know he was a prodigy from the Boundless Sword Sect?


    "This senior from the Boundless Sword Sect said I provoked him..." he exined to Chasing the Wind.


    "How did you provoke him?" Chasing the Wind pressed.


    "He said my gaze was full of killing intent..."


    Before the disciple could finish, Sword Immortal Kong Xuan made his move. A strand of Kong Xuan Sword Qi shed towards Chasing the Wind first, and the hidden Kong Xuan Sword Qi all around rushed towards Chasing the Wind, having found their target.


    "Ptui!" Chasing the Wind spat disdainfully and shouted, "Li An, cut him down!"


    Then two purple Star Sword Qi flew out from his back towards Sword Immortal Kong Xuan''s sword qi...


    "Why only two?" Chasing the Wind frowned.


    Others had set up hundreds of sword qi flying over after preparing for so long, and you think two sword qi can block them?


    He turned his head to look and saw Li An on his back yawning, then flopping down and grabbing his fur with both hands, falling asleep.


    "?!!!"


    Hey! We''re in a fight here! It''s a life-or-death moment! How can you just fall asleep?


    Chasing the Wind was dumbfounded. "How can you drop the ball at such a critical moment?"


    But Li An was just a baby. How could he care about such things? When he''s sleepy, he sleeps - that''s what he should do!


    Watching the Star Sword Qi that flew out get instantly shredded by the Kong Xuan Sword Qi, while the sky full of Kong Xuan Sword Qi continued flying towards them.


    Seeing this, Chasing the Wind sighed, "Li An, you''re so unreliable!"


    Not realizing that relying on a four-month-old infant was unreliable, he was even more unreliable than Li An.


    Then darkness rose from Chasing the Wind''s four paws. Carrying Li An on his back, he leaped forward, jumping directly into the shadows cast by the iing sword qi. He made several transitions, weaving through the shadows, and after just a few jumps, he appeared in front of Sword Immortal Kong Xuan.


    He raised his paw and swatted down. Sword Immortal Kong Xuan raised his sword to block, but how could he withstand Chasing the Wind''s strength? He was sent flying, along with his sword, by a single swat.


    Sword Immortal Kong Xuan rolled over a hundred meters on the ground, suffering quite a few external injuries.


    "Such tremendous strength!"


    Kong Xuan was shocked. He steadied himself against a huge rock, then used it to flip like a swallow, adjusting his posture to prepare for another round.


    But suddenly, his vision blurred, and that white tiger was already right in front of him. Another paw came down, even faster than before. He couldn''t keep up at all, and that big paw pressed him, embedding his entire body into the huge rock!


    "Roar!"


    The white tiger opened its mouth and let out a roar. A fierce, soul-shaking gale blew towards his face. His soul trembled instantly, his limbs went weak, and his precious sword fell to the ground. He had no strength left to fight.


    "Dare to attack your grandpa Chasing the Wind?" The white tiger''s mouth twisted in disdain. "Seems like you don''t want to live anymore." Chasing the Wind released his paw, but didn''t take Sword Immortal Kong Xuan''s life.


    He turned around and heard praises from all around:


    "What kind of tiger is it? It defeated Sword Immortal Kong Xuan in just three moves?!"


    "Such a handsome little tiger. Having such a tiger in life, what more could one ask for?"


    "The token hanging around its neck... that''s a spirit beast of the Dao Sword Sect..."


    His body instantly felt several pounds lighter as he trotted towards the Dao Sword Sect disciple.


    "Thank you, Senior Brother Chasing the Wind, for saving my life," the Dao Sword Sect disciple bowed in gratitude.


    Chasing the Wind looked at him and asked, "You know me?"


    "This junior disciple is Xiao Bufan, an outer sect disciple. I saw Senior Brother during the entrance examination at the sect gate, and have also seen Senior Brother several times on Sword Peak," Xiao Bufan replied.


    Xiao Bufan? Chasing the Wind had some impression now. He seemed to be a formidable outer sect disciple. No wonder he could face Sword Immortal Kong Xuan head-on.


    "Oh..." He realized something else, "Aren''t you the one who often goes to find Wen Jin?"


    Xiao Bufan smiled, "Senior Brother still remembers me."


    "s!" Chasing the Wind sighed, raising his paw to pat Xiao Bufan''s shoulder, speaking rather maturely, "Wen Jin isn''t suitable for you."


    "Matters of the heart are hard to exin clearly," Xiao Bufan replied with a smile. (What would a tiger know about love?)


    "Sigh!" Chasing the Wind shook his head, preparing to try and persuade Xiao Bufan further. With his keen perception, he felt that the chemistry between Tian Wenjin and Xiao Bufan was far lower than that between Tian Wenjin and Li Shiyin.


    But before he could speak, there was suddenly amotion on the snowy mountain...


    "Roar..."


    A dragon''s cry suddenly rang out halfway up the mountain.


    He quickly turned to look up the mountain and saw a small avnche starting, with snow "whooshing" down. But the avnche didn''t capture his attention; his gaze was fixed on something in mid-air.


    As the snow rolled down, sshing like shattered jade and scattered pearls, refracting seven-colored light in the sunlight. Amidst the rainbow light, there was a beast covered in scales, with four legs and a dragon''s head, standing proudly in the air. It stood about ten feet tall at the shoulder, majestic and awe-inspiring, holy and pure, with an icy aura surrounding its body.


    "A qilin!!" Exmations of shock erupted from the crowd, "There really is a qilin!!!"


    The cultivators all surged forward frantically, riding the wind and their swords, heading towards the snowy mountain despite the avnche, intent on capturing the divine beast qilin.


    "An ice qilin?" Chasing the Wind frowned. He looked at the qilin in the air, feeling something was off...


    This qilin''s aura was too

 Chapter 386

    Of course, regardless of whether the aura was strong or weak, Chasing the Wind could still sense it clearly. The qilin in the sky was indeed emanating the aura of a divine beast... which had an obvious suppressive effect on him.


    So, he still wanted to go over and take a look. What if? What if there really was a little qilin cub crying out for food?


    The thought of raising a little qilin as a pet excited him.


    He said to Xiao Bufan, "We''ll visit Dan Peak another time! Now we''re going to find a baby qilin."


    Without waiting for Xiao Bufan''s response, he took Li An and rode the wind out.


    "Senior brother! Be careful of the Boundless Sword Sect..." Xiao Bufan hurriedly warned.


    But when he looked up, in just a short moment, Chasing the Wind had already dived into someone''s shadow, switching between shadows several times, reaching the foremost position.


    "What terrifying speed!" he marveled inwardly.


    But he wasn''t nning to rush over and fight for this opportunity. Whether it was a qilin or not, one had to be alive to im it, right? Now that he sensed the killing intent from the Boundless Sword Sect, he had to quickly slip away.Chasing the Wind''s short-range burst speed was iparable to the cultivators who hade here. Even though he had let those cultivators run ahead by several hundred meters, he still arrived at the position beneath the qilin before them.


    The qilin was in mid-air. He looked up and felt the obvious suppressive force of the high-level bloodline on him.


    "Is it really a qilin?" he wondered, and wind gathered at his feet as he prepared to go up and investigate.


    But just as he moved, his nose suddenly caught a special scent. He quickly stopped, his nose twitching...


    "The smell of blood?"


    He looked up at the qilin in the sky again, vaguely understanding something.


    He no longer went up into the air, but suddenlyy t on the ground, as if he had been suppressed by the qilin''s divine beast bloodline and couldn''t move.


    The cultivators following behind him saw his state and couldn''t help but reveal mocking smiles.


    "A beast is just a beast, always limited by bloodline!" Fu Ming, who was very fast and among the first batch following Chasing the Wind, looked down at him from the air with disdain and continued flying towards the qilin in the sky. "That''s why the master of this world can only be the human race!"


    While these cultivators were feeling smug and mocking, they didn''t notice that as they flew up towards the qilin, their shadows were cast on the ground, forming darkness right in front of Chasing the Wind.


    And the moment the shadows formed, Chasing the Wind opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of darkness onto the shadows. The darkness immediately spread within the shadows. In the blink of an eye, arge patch of pitch-ck darkness appeared on the snow-white ground.


    "Pfft! Idiots!"


    Chasing the Wind raised his paw and gave a middle finger to those guys flying towards the qilin in the sky. Then he took Li An and plunged into the darkness on the ground, burrowing underground.


    The first batch of cultivators who approached the qilin still held reverence for such an auspicious beast as they looked at the majestic, noble, and divine qilin. They didn''t immediately go forward to do anything disrespectful.


    They even bowed to the qilin under Fu Ming''s lead.


    Fu Ming stepped forward and said to the qilin radiating divine light, "Senior, I am Fu Ming from the Boundless Sword Sect of the Lingnan Region, here to pay respects to the divine beast."


    However, the qilin just stood there proudly and solemnly, looking in the direction of the sun.


    Fu Ming bowed again and said, "I apologize for disturbing the divine beast..."


    As he spoke, he finally realized something. Although the qilin before him had the divine aura and presence of a divine beast, it had no life force. It seemed more like a painting, a sculpture, a shadow, an exquisite work of art, rather than a real qilin.


    His expression darkened as he slowly walked forward, reaching out to touch the scales on the qilin''s leg. Unsurprisingly, his hand passed right through.


    He then leaped forward, charging... and his entire body passed through the divine beast.


    It was indeed just a projection!


    "A shadow!!" discussions erupted among the crowd.


    "It''s not a qilin..." someone said, "It just has the aura of a qilin."


    "But... what created this shadow?" A clever person quickly thought of this question.


    The qilin in the sky was just an illusion, so what had created this qilin illusion?


    Fu Ming realized something and quickly looked down at the ground. Sure enough, that white tiger was gone!


    Amidst the rolling snow waves, a patch of pitch-ck darkness was undting on the surface out of nowhere.


    "The treasure is underground!" he shouted.


    The other cultivators also looked down at the ground and saw that patch of darkness. Being as clever as they were, they instantly understood the situation.


    There was no qilin, but there was a treasure rted to the qilin. And now someone had already taken the lead...


    They jolted and quickly flew towards the ground.


    Among them, the fastest ones dove into the darkness on the ground in the blink of an eye.


    However... Fu Ming, who was the fastest, remained motionless in mid-air. He narrowed his eyes, coldly watching those cultivators who were rushing into the darkness.


    "Why isn''t Senior Brother going?" a crisp female voice asked him.


    Fu Ming turned around to see Fairy Miaoyi from Zhican Valley. He smiled and replied, "The darkness on the ground is that white tiger''s spell. Only fools beyond redemption would recklessly dive into someone else''s spell without any precautions."


    "But it''s a qilin!" Fairy Miaoyi said, "It''s worth taking some risks."


    Fu Ming shook his head, "I don''t need to go in. I just need to wait outside, monitoring the ground. That white tiger will surely return to the surface after obtaining the treasure. Isn''t it lovely to wait for the rabbit by the tree stump?"


    "Senior Brother is so wise!" Fairy Miaoyi praised.


    ...What about marking the boat to find the sword?


    In the darkness underground, Chasing the Wind was freely roaming in his dark domain. He sensed that divine aura and swam towards it with a dog paddle.


    Soon, he saw the treasure.


    Just like thest time he used this divine ability, spiritual veins and spirit stones weren''t assimted by the darkness, and neither was this treasure.


    It emitted a seven-colored radiance in the darkness.


    It shone with seven colors in this dark domain, like a gemstone under sunlight.


    Chasing the Wind stared at the colorful radiance in a daze, dog-paddling to its side.


    His nose twitched, smelling that bloody scent amidst the divine aura. He reached out with his paw and touched the seven-colored light.


    The colorful light disappeared, revealing its true form...


    Blood, a drop of qilin blood.


    "So this is that qilin cub?" he murmured, his tiger face smiling in the colorful light, "An''an, how about I give you this qilin blood as a wee gift?"


    Li An was sleeping soundly, hugging his neck.


    Chasing the Wind held this drop of qilin blood with his paw. He wanted to put it into the Universe Bag, but the Universe Bag couldn''t contain this drop of qilin blood, so he had to hold it with his paw.


    By this time, those cultivators had already chased down. They saw a tiger shadow holding a seven-colored light from afar.


    "He''s got the treasure!" someone shouted.


    "Qilin, my qilin!" someone swam towards that direction with all their might.


    Chasing the Wind looked back, seeing those cultivators struggling to swim in the dark domain. His tiger mouth twisted into a sneer, "All idiots!"


    The next second, all the darkness contracted towards him as the center. In an instant, the darkness disappeared, and this ce returned to its original state of underground soil and rocks, with all the cultivators trapped within.


    Chasing the Wind, wrapped in darkness, turned and rushed out of the ground.


    Then, the moment he burst out of the ground, a sharp sword energy flew towards him.

 Chapter 387

    "I..."


    Chasing the Wind was so frightened that his tiger fur stood on end, pricking Li An awake from his drowsy state.


    Fortunately, unlike most infants, he didn''t cry upon waking. Instead, he smiled at the sight of the iing sword qi.


    Chasing the Wind managed to dodge the sword qi with his ultra-extreme turning ability, but the qi was exceptionally sharp and still cost him two whiskers.


    He looked in the direction the sword qi came from and saw Fu Ming floating in the air, smiling with sword in hand.


    Fu Ming practiced the Boundless Sword Technique, the gship sword art of the Boundless Sword Sect. This Boundless Sword Qi carried a chaotic intent, mysterious, heavy, and sharp.


    In terms of sharpness alone, Li Shiyin''s Star Sword Qi was far inferior to the Boundless Sword Qi.


    So even Chasing the Wind, who was intimately familiar with Li Shiyin''s Star Sword Qi, broke out in a cold sweat when faced with this sneak attack of Boundless Sword Qi.


    "You''re really not human!" he couldn''t help but curse, "Resorting to sneak attacks?"As he cursed, he immediately whipped up a gale, charging straight at Fu Ming.


    Fu Ming had observed the entire battle between Kong Xuan and Chasing the Wind. He knew Chasing the Wind''s physical body was terrifyingly strong and couldn''t be engaged in closebat. He hurriedly employed his sword technique, shing out sword qi while using his movement skills to maintain distance from Chasing the Wind.


    "ying ''walk the dog'', are we?"


    Seeing Fu Ming''s tactics, Chasing the Wind couldn''t help but sneer.


    Because no matter how fast Fu Ming was, he couldn''t possibly be faster than Li Shiyin''s divine body technique, Immortal Seeking the Way. By keeping his distance like this, he''d be better off fighting in close quarters. He might even stand a chance of victory relying on the sharpness of his sword qi.


    "Who do you think you are?" Chasing the Wind asked.


    How could the great Chasing the Wind be so easily led around?


    He was seen constantly dodging sword qi, using gales to deflect it, then diving into the shadow of the sword qi, continuously closing in on Fu Ming.


    Watching Chasing the Wind draw ever closer, Fu Ming found himself in a dilemma. If he released more sword qi, Chasing the Wind would use it to close in. If he didn''t...


    Remembering the force of Chasing the Wind''s paw that had stunned Kong Xuan the Sword Immortal, Fu Ming hesitated.


    At this moment, Chasing the Wind suddenly made a "tiger''s fierce charge", no longer relying on the shadow of the sword qi, but directly rushing to Fu Ming''s front.


    First came a soul-shaking tiger roar...


    Fu Ming was prepared for this, however. He deployed his sword technique, shing out sword qi that split the tiger''s roar.


    Chasing the Wind didn''t care and pounced as usual, swiping down with his paw.


    Tigers only have those three moves in closebat...


    Fu Ming didn''t dare to directly block his paw. He quickly sidestepped, and taking advantage of Chasing the Wind''s pounce, he slid and raised his sword towards the tiger''s belly, its weakest point.


    But before his sword qi could fully form, a tiger tail like an iron whipshed towards him. He hurriedly turned his sword tip towards the tail. The tail and sword shed with a loud "ng".


    The force of the tail was too great, making his hand go numb.


    As Chasing the Wind pounced, he quickly got up...


    But suddenly, as Chasing the Wind''s body lunged forward, his tail whipped around again, striking Fu Ming''s hand and sending his sword flying.


    "Still thinking of sneak attacks? Still thinking of sliding tackles?" Chasing the Wind sneered, "This is the trap your great Chasing the Wind set for you! How do you like this ''returning tiger tail''?"


    A swordsman without his sword is basically done for. Fu Ming had nothing left to say.


    Chasing the Wind turned and struck him with a paw, sending him flying.


    Before Fu Ming couldnd, Chasing the Wind leapt up, opened his huge maw, and caught him in his mouth.


    Learning from Kong Xuan the Sword Immortal''s earlier example, Fu Mingsted a few more moves, but only a few. He didn''t realize that between him and this seemingly silly little tiger, there might be a slight difference in strength.


    Chasing the Windnded in a cool pose.


    Just then, the ground rumbled "boom boom boom" like fireworks, and hundreds of cultivators flew out from underground, kicking up countless particles of soil, snow, and ice shards that danced in the air.


    This served as a backdrop for Chasing the Wind''snding, making him look even cooler.


    "Where is it?!" Cultivators in the air brandished their swords, searching everywhere for Chasing the Wind.


    "I''ll kill that beast!!" A female cultivator cursed loudly, "How dare it trap me in the soil!"


    "The treasure, it took the treasure away!" Someone reminded.


    But the loudmotion in the air gradually quieted down. Amidst the fluttering ice shards, Chasing the Wind spat out Fu Ming from his mouth and signaled to Li An behind him: "Little one, sword qi!"


    Li An then unleashed a streak of sword qi, pointing at Fu Ming on the ground as Chasing the Wind intended.


    "Want the treasure?" Chasing the Wind stood on the ground, looking up at the cultivators in the air, and shouted, "Come on,e down and fight me! If you win, it''s yours."


    The sight of Fu Ming lying like a dead dog at his feet was truly intimidating, and for a moment, no one in the air dared to move.


    "Come on, who else?!!" Chasing the Wind shouted again, "It''s gettingte, I''m in a hurry, I need to go home for dinner..."


    Still, no one dared to make a move.


    Seeing this, Chasing the Wind suddenly opened his huge mouth:


    "Roar..."


    A tiger''s roar erupted from the ground towards the sky, like a tiger''s roar echoing through the mountains and forests, terrifying all beasts. This single roar from Chasing the Wind left the hundreds of cultivators in the air paralyzed with fear.


    As he roared, he gradually grewrger, returning to his original size, standing about ten feet tall at the shoulder.


    "Bunch of cowards," he left with these words, then turned and rode the wind away.


    Some cultivators in the air were indignant and wanted to use their magic to chase after him, but when they saw Chasing the Wind''s current form, it was as if they saw the qilin from earlier in the sky. They hesitated for a moment and ultimately didn''t give chase.


    They watched as the white tiger, carrying an infant on its back, stepped on the wind and slowly disappeared from their sight.


    Chasing the Wind ran for over half an hour before looking back. The group of cultivators hadn''t pursued.


    "Phew..." he let out a sigh of relief.


    Although he was very powerful, he might not be able to defeat so many cultivators, especially with an infant on his back. Li An might possess sword qi, but he was still a baby after all. In a proper cultivator battle, even a slight brush or bump could potentially harm him. He didn''t dare to take the risk.


    "Hey!" After rxing, he became proud again. He raised his paw, tossing the jewel-like qilin blood, and boasted to Li An, "Look, isn''t your big brother Chasing the Wind awesome? I scared them off so easily. This drop of qilin blood is ours now."


    Li An naturally wouldn''t respond, but someone else did: "You took Li An on a treasure hunt?!!"


    "Who''s there?" Chasing the Wind was startled. He looked towards the voice and saw Li Shiyin holding a sword, standing on the tip of arge tree.


    "Shiyin?" He grinned proudly again, showing Li Shiyin the qilin blood in his paw, "This is what we snatched, qilin blood!"


    Li Shiyin rolled her eyes at him, flew to his side, took Li An into her arms, and said, "You took Li An to do such a dangerous thing, I wonder how you''ll exin this to your father."


    Thinking of his father''s cautious nature, Chasing the Wind hesitated and said uncertainly, "We got the qilin blood and didn''t get hurt. Surely I won''t be scolded, right?"


    "What do you think?" Li Shiyin asked in return.


    Chasing the Wind scratched his head with his paw, then held out the qilin blood to Li Shiyin, saying, "Then I won''t go back for now. You give the qilin blood to Dad. Let Dad use the qilin blood to refine a pill for Li An to strengthen his body. It must be very nourishing."


    Li Shiyin didn''t take the qilin blood from him. She looked him up and down, sneering, "So you''re nning not to go back at all?"


    "..." Chasing the Wind let out a sigh.


    They still returned to Dan Peak, but the consequences weren''t as severe. Qin Ran knew this fellow was mischievous, but this level... wasn''t so outrageous.


    In fact,pared to the qilin blood Chasing the Wind had snatched, Qin Ran was more interested in how Chasing the Wind had prevented the Boundless Sword Sect disciples from targeting the Dao Sword Sect disciples.


    "Can''t wait any longer?" he muttered to

 Chapter 388

    After living in this strange Ind Lord''s mansion for two days, Qin Ran felt somewhat ufortable, but not unbearably so.


    This wretched ce, aside from feeling oppressive and damp, alsocked regr meals... There was no guarantee of three meals a day.


    Although... in the world of cultivators, not eating or not consuming grains was considered normal, for Qin Ran personally, he still preferred to maintain some mortal habits, eating when it was time to eat, sleeping when it was time to sleep.


    Apart from these issues, Qin Ran hadn''t encountered any other problems... Surprisingly, no local cultivators hade to challenge him.


    The Ind Lord hadn''t restricted his movements or limited his travel; he was quite free both inside and outside the mansion, feeling somewhat like... a house guest.


    Of course, the Ind Lord''s mansion was actually heavily guarded, with a sense of outwardxity but inner vignce. There were many ces he wasn''t allowed to enter. For instance, areas storing cultivation techniques, medicinal herbs, pills, magical tools, secret documents, and such things were certainly off-limits to him... He wouldn''t risk his life by going to such ces.


    In the morning, after tidying up his appearance, Qin Ran prepared to leave the Ind Lord''s mansion to explore Whale Fall City.


    He objectively wanted to experience the local customs and practices, making his journey of thousands of miles worthwhile; observe the city''s terrain to facilitate future escapes if needed; and exercise his skill as a cultivation technique scavenger to find some local specialties of the sea realm.


    But before he could leave, someone knocked on his door, summoning him to meet the Ind Lord at the training grounds."Hmm... so, is a mission finally being assigned?" he thought to himself.


    He had stayed in this dpidated mansion for a few days, and apart from meeting the Ind Lord once when he first arrived, he hadn''t seen him since.


    He was beginning to think he might just slip away unnoticed...


    Actually, Qin Ran was somewhat puzzled. Why would the Ind Lord recruit a new... talent, without investigating his background, testing his allegiances, understanding his personality and habits, assessing his work capabilities, or even assigning him work, instead just leaving him idle? What was the point?


    Was it some unique management style?


    It seemed he wouldn''t be able to slip away so easily after all.


    Qin Ran opened the door and followed the Ind Lord''s subordinate, quickly arriving at the training grounds.


    The Ind Lord was still at the training grounds, still surrounded by many armed guards, and Qin Ran still humbly waited at the edge of the field.


    Today, the Ind Lord wasn''t tossing stones to build strength, but was bare-chested, practicing his techniques with punches and kicks.


    Qin Ran couldn''t understand exactly what technique he was practicing, but he could roughly guess it was a body tempering method.


    With each punch and kick the Ind Lord threw, the air rippled as if ocean waves were crashing; with each shoulder and hip movement, the ground shook; his breathing in and out produced sounds like whale calls and dragon roars.


    Themotion from his practice was truly frightening.


    "Is this what a body cultivator from the sea realm is like?" Qin Ran thought to himself.


    He hadn''t yet acquired any body tempering techniques from the sea realm, so he couldn''t study it in detail. But just from watching the Dragon Whale Ind Lord''s practice, he felt that in terms of pure physical strength, not just in the entire Lingnan Region, but even in the Land of Immortal Legacy, few body cultivators could match this Ind Lord.


    As the Ind Lord''s technique progressed, the disturbance grew even greater. The ground of the training field became like waves manipted by his movements, undting outward with each punch and kick.


    The amplitude was so great that it was almost impossible to stand steady.


    Between the Ind Lord''s inhtions and exhtions, he seemed to transform into a giant whale hundreds of meters long, with two dragon-like breaths entering and exiting his nostrils. They took on the true form of dragons!


    The air was filled with constant dragon roars and whale calls, each sound causing one''s heart to tremble.


    This terrifying disy continued for a long while until the Ind Lord finished his technique. Qin Ran saw a whale descend from the sky, enveloping his body, while a true dragon coiled around him, its majestic form truly frightening. The true dragon and giant whale persisted for a moment before both returned to his body.


    The spatial tremors subsided, and the dragon roars and whale calls faded away.


    The Ind Lord suddenly opened his eyes, a sh of blue-gold light passing through them. When Qin Ran looked over, he seemed to see a golden dragon lunging at him, giving him an overwhelming sense of pressure.


    "What do you think of my Dragon Whale Breathing Technique?" the Ind Lord asked. "Master Qines from the central seven inds, so your knowledge must be vast. Please give me your evaluation."


    Breathing technique?


    Could it be that the cultivation techniques of the sea realm were called breathing techniques?


    Qin Ran pondered this while bowing respectfully and smiling at the Ind Lord, "Your Lordship''s breathing technique is profound and exquisite, with boundless power. The dragon spirit and whale energy temper the body ¨C it''s an excellent breathing technique."


    Hearing this, the Ind Lord realized these were just vague words, and knew that this Master Qin either didn''t understand body tempering techniques or was deliberately ying dumb.


    He shook his head repeatedly and said, "It seems you don''t understand breathing techniques very well... which is understandable, as spirit cultivators often look down on body cultivators."


    Spirit cultivators don''t understand breathing techniques?


    Qin Ran nodded, understanding that the techniques practiced by spirit cultivators were not breathing techniques.


    It seemed that only those who practiced breathing techniques were considered body cultivators.


    "My breathing technique..." the Ind Lord said loudly, "uses whale breath to nourish the internal organs and dragon breath to temper the flesh. When inhaling, it has the power of a giant whale; when exhaling, the power of a true dragon. When I extend my arms, it''s the power of both dragon and whale."


    Dragons were divine beasts, and if this technique truly had the power of dragons, his Dragon Whale Breathing Technique might be considered an immortal-grade technique, Qin Ran mused. But unfortunately, he guessed this was probably just a figure of speech.


    "Your Lordship''s breathing technique is indeed exquisite," he smiled, ttering him.


    "This is nothing," the Ind Lord shook his head. "In the seven inds, there are the Kun Peng Breathing Technique, the Yin Yang Breathing Technique, the Heaven and Earth Breathing Technique, and the Infinite Breathing Technique. Those are truly exquisite breathing techniques. Once mastered, one can battle heaven and earth, and even kill ancient fierce beasts barehanded."


    "Wow! Impressive, impressive..." Qin Ran cheered inwardly with a nk expression.


    Of course, he didn''t understand any of it, so he remained silent.


    Finally, the Ind Lord wiped his sweat and walked towards Qin Ran, getting to the point: "The reason I''ve asked you here today is that I have an important matter to discuss."


    Qin Ran was mentally prepared and nodded with a smile, "Please, Your Lordship, go ahead."


    "To be frank with you, I''ve been at the peak of the third rank for a long time, and the fourth rank seems just within reach," the Ind Lord said, looking at Qin Ran. "However, I''ve been unable to break through to the fourth rank.


    "This is because the Dragon Whale Breathing Technique I practice requires a Dragon Whale Pill for each breakthrough. At the first rank, I needed a first-rank Dragon Whale Pill; at the second rank, a second-rank pill; and now, to advance to the fourth rank, I need a fourth-rank Dragon Whale Pill."


    Fourth rank?


    Qin Ran made a quick calction. If the fourth rank was equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm in the Lingnan Region, then a fourth-rank pill would be one that only Nascent Soul cultivators could refine.


    He was currently only at the second rank, equivalent to the Golden Core stage. Although he could barely refine third-rank pills due to his unique understanding of pill refining, a fourth-rank pill was beyond his capabilities.


    He thought for a moment, not immediately refusing, and asked the Ind Lord, "Your Lordship, if you need pills, why not ask Mr. Zhai? Mr. Zhai''s attainments in pill refining far surpass mine, and he could refine better quality pills for you."


    "Haha..." The Ind Lordughed upon hearing this and exined, "You don''t understand, Master Qin. Just as the Dragon Whale Breathing Technique is divided into dragon breath and whale breath, the Dragon Whale Pill is also divided into Dragon Breath Pill and Whale Breath Pill. Moreover, since dragon breath is external and whale breath is internal, the two pills require different refining methods. In other words, two different alchemists are needed to refine the Dragon Breath Pill and the Whale Breath Pill separately."


    "How... extraordinary!" Qin Ran eximed.


    "In the past, other alchemists on the ind could refine lower-rank Dragon Whale Pills for me, but now, for this fourth-rank Dragon Whale Pill, no one but Mr. Zhai can refine it," the Ind Lord sighed. "Fortunately, you have arrived.


    "The other day, Mr. Zhai examined the third-rank body tempering pill you refined and said its structure was exquisite and its quality remarkably high. He believes you have the ability to refine fourth-rank pills."


    ...So this was the reason he had been so easily allowed to stay, Qin Ran realized.


    However, he knew his own capabilities, and he truly didn''t have the ability to refine fourth-rank pills!


    After some thought, he still decided to decline.


    However, the Ind Lord seemed to know he was about to refuse. He reached behind him and took a piece of paper from his subordinate''s hand, extending it to Qin Ran as he said, "Please take a look, sir. This is the form for the fourth-grade Dragon Breath Pill."


    Qin Ran opened his mouth but didn''t speak. He exchanged a nce with the Ind Lord, then looked at the form in the Ind Lord''s hand before finally epting it.


    And then...


    He saw that among the ingredients listed in the form, there was something called dragon blood.


    Dragon blood!!


    It was the most crucial ingredient in the longevity pill he had been trying to deduce.


    "Ind Lord, I need some time to consider this..." He steadied himself and returned the form to the Ind Lord, though he had alreadymitted it to memory. He said, "I''ll give you an answer in a couple of days."


    "Please do so as soon as possible, sir," the Ind Lord replied with a slight

 Chapter 389

    Before bidding farewell to the Ind Lord, Qin Ran made a request:


    "I have always been fond of reading. Yesterday, while wandering around your residence, I noticed that you have an entire tower filled with books. You must be a book lover as well. Would you be so kind as to allow me the honor of visiting your library?"


    The Ind Lord, who needed a favor from him, naturally wouldn''t refuse such a "small" request. He replied with a smile, "Those old books were bought to be read. If you''re interested, I''ll issue a verbal order right away."


    It seemed Qin Ran could get a benefit without having to go out and scavenge. He bowed to the Ind Lord and said, "Thank you, Ind Lord."


    Qin Ran was intensely curious about the Tian Sea Region, but he couldn''t go around asking people. Thus, books would be his best teachers.


    Now that he had the Ind Lord''s permission, he didn''t go out or return to his lodgings. He did nothing else but went straight to the library.


    The library was vast, upying three floors in an imposing building. One could imagine the wealth of books it must contain.


    However, there was an interesting point to note...


    The Ind Lord of Dragon Whale Ind was merely a body cultivator. What is a body cultivator? A brute, nothing more!Why would a brute build such a luxurious library? Of course, it was to affect an air of sophistication, to feign culture and refinement.


    So in this spacious and luxurious library, as Qin Ran walked through, he didn''t see a single person... at least not on the first floor.


    He had entered from the first floor and searched for a while, finally finding a book at the end of a bookshelf that systematically exined the cultivation system of the Tian Sea Region.


    He took it, squatted down by the bookshelf, opened it, and read carefully. Only then did he understand how the cultivation system of the Tian Sea Region worked.


    The so-called body cultivators are practitioners who use breathing techniques to refine heavenly and earthly spiritual energy into their physical bodies. They purely enhance their physical form, believing in breaking through with sheer force.


    Compared to the body cultivators of the Lingnan Region, regardless of their profession, all cultivators in the Lingnan Region essentially follow the path of Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Dao Fusion, and Great Perfection. Even body cultivators need to form a Golden Core, though they focus more on using the Golden Core to refine their bodies... the Golden Core itself has the function of body refinement.


    However, the body cultivators of the Tian Sea Region don''t need to form a Golden Core or Nascent Soul. For them, the physical body is the Golden Core, and they just need to keep enhancing their physical form.


    As for the so-called spirit cultivators, they are practitioners who fuse heavenly and earthly spiritual energy into their souls through visualization techniques. They purely enhance their souls to obtain the power of the primordial spirit.


    Simrly,pared to the cultivators of the Lingnan Region, many professions like alchemists, array masters, and puppet masters greatly need primordial spirits, but they still essentially follow the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core system. They only obtain a primordial spirit when they reach the Spirit Transformation stage.


    However, in the Tian Sea Region, spirit cultivators have primordial spirits from the first rank.


    Seeing these two paths, Qin Ran quickly understood the difficulties involved.


    Body cultivators, because they don''t have a Golden Core, would be limited by lifespan; spirit cultivators, because they start with soul and primordial spirit cultivation right away, would inevitably be limited by talent.


    He then thought of the nameless spirit cultivation mantra from Dan Peak... could it have been transmitted from the Tian Sea Region?


    At the same time, he finally realized how much the nameless spirit cultivation mantra from Dan Peak had helped him. It allowed him to possess a primordial spirit early on... its effect was even greater than he had imagined.


    Because he was both an alchemist and an array master, two professions that heavily rely on the primordial spirit.


    The Qi cultivators of the Tian Sea Region were probably the most simr to the cultivators of the Lingnan Region. They don''t fuse spiritual energy into their physical bodies or souls; instead, they directly absorb spiritual energy into their dantian.


    Of course, there were differences, as they don''t need to form a Golden Core. They only need to keep absorbing spiritual energy into their dantian.


    For Qi cultivators in the Tian Sea Region, cultivation means umting spiritual energy to strengthen the dantian, and as the dantian expands, it can hold more spiritual energy. When the dantian reaches its limit, spiritual energy turns into spiritual liquid, and spiritual liquid turns into spiritual pills.


    As he read on, Qin Ran suddenly realized...


    This seemed to be the limit he had envisioned!


    The limit of the Foundation Establishment stage!


    If one reaches the limit of the Foundation Establishment stage without forming a Golden Core, they be a Qi cultivator; if one reaches the limit of the Golden Core stage (using the physical body as the Golden Core) without forming a Nascent Soul, they be a body cultivator; if one reaches the limit of the Nascent Soul stage and obtains a primordial spirit, they be a spirit cultivator.


    The cultivation system of the Tian Sea Region gave Qin Ran a feeling that the cultivation system of the Lingnan Region seemed to have integrated the Tian Sea Region''s system and advanced it further.


    However, in some aspects, such as alchemy and arrays, it didn''t seem to have advanced further. Because obtaining a primordial spirit earlier would allow one to go further in these paths... if one''s talent was sufficient.


    "To simplify cultivation, someone integrated the original cultivation systems and created a new one. In this process, some things had to be sacrificed," Qin Ran slowly came to this conclusion. "To aplish such a world-shaking feat, it couldn''t have been the work of just one person, but rather a group of people. It must have been a group effort to make cultivation simpler and more essible, to allow more people to cultivate, to make the path of cultivation less difficult..."


    "What a magnificent history that must have been," he couldn''t help but marvel and sigh.


    If Xuan Qin''s avatar were here, he would have another perspective... because Emperor Zhao Zheng of Xuan Qin is currently working on establishing an immortal dynasty''s cultivation system, aiming to advance cultivation further, making it simpler and more essible.


    To give cultivators rules and mortals dignity.


    This world has never been one of raw meat and blood, of junglew, of a dark forest. Humans have always been different from other species; there have always been people who care for the masses, who are willing to dedicate their lives for the weak.


    People are different. There are those like Qin Ran who seek their own peace, and those like Zhao Zheng who work for the greater good; there are those like Jian Yuanjie who are selfish, and those like Lu Junxing who are generous and righteous...


    Qin Ran closed the book, pushing the admiration and praise out of his mind. He put the book back on the shelf and got up to find more books to read.


    He had already understood the cultivation system of the Tian Sea Region, so now he needed to learn about its power structures, geography, customs, and so on.


    This would help him survive and develop in the Tian Sea Region.


    Most importantly, he wanted the dragon blood in the possession of the Ind Lord of Dragon Whale Ind... He didn''t have the ability to refine the Dragon Breath Pill, but he wanted the dragon blood.


    In this short time, Qin Ran had actually made many ns, but most of them had been eliminated.


    First, the option of forcefully taking it was definitely not feasible. Although he was confident in his ability to escape, it was just confidence, not arrogance. The task of stealing something from someone''sir and escaping unscathed would be incredibly difficult.


    More importantly, based on his actual observations in Whale Fall City over the past few days, he had a feeling that although the cultivation system of the Tian Sea Region was behind that of the Lingnan Region, their alchemy and array techniques were more advanced than those of the Lingnan Region.


    So, if he tried to take it by force, once the arrays on the ind were activated, he probably wouldn''t be able to break through them and would end up captured.


    As for the option of deceiving... it was actually quite tempting to Qin Ran.


    Because for an alchemist, refining pills depends on sess rate, and it''s not always sessful. If he took the Ind Lord''s medicinal materials, used up the dragon blood, and then imed the refinement failed, the sess rate of this n would be higher than forcefully taking it.


    However, before doing this, there was an important thing to consider carefully. That is, why couldn''t a second fourth-rank alchemist be found on the entire Dragon Whale Ind?


    It''s worth noting that the alchemy of the Tian Sea Region was stronger than that of the Lingnan Region.


    The answer could be that either many fourth-rank alchemists had already died trying to refine the Dragon Breath Pill, or other alchemists didn''t dare to try, unable to bear the consequences of failure.


    Otherwise, why would the Ind Lord of Dragon Whale Ind ask Qin Ran, aplete stranger, to refine such an important pill right away?


    It certainly wasn''t because Qin Ran had a more handsome face!


    It was only because if Qin Ran failed in refining the pill and turned the materials containing dragon blood into ashes, it would be easier to deal with.


    Underhanded methods were definitely not an option, so Qin Ran could only consider the proper way.


    What was the proper way? It was to legitimately find a way to refine this Dragon Breath Pill that required a Spirit Transformation stage cultivator to create.


    So he needed to think clearly about what he stillcked to refine such a pill.


    He had the technique, the understanding, and even a divine spirit that ordinary cultivatorscked. What he was missing was only magical power... and dan water.


    If he had dan water... if his true body were here, he could really give it a try.


    But he was only an avatar. So he needed dan water, and preferably dan water imbued with spiritual energy.


    Regarding dan water, besides alchemy, Qin Ran had another idea: since his entire body was made of water, what if he could find a special type of otherworldly water, and use it to form his physical body? Would his strength increase dramatically?


    If his avatar could also cultivate and grow stronger through the divine spirit visualization diagram of the celestial sea realm... then wouldn''t he, this avatar that originally couldn''t cultivate and improve, be able to cultivate as well?!


    With this in mind, Qin Ran spent seven or eight consecutive days reading books in the Ind Lord''s library. This not only gave him a general understanding of the celestial sea realm but also led him to discover a type of special water... or rather, divine water!


    A divine water called Divine Essence Condensation!


    Legend had it that 70,000 years ago, a legendary qi cultivator of ambiguous immortal or demonic nature emerged in the Tian Sea Region. He not only dominated the entire era of the Tian Sea Region but also ventured out of it, making a great name for himself in the central area of the celestial sea realm, the Seven Inds territory. What he relied on was precisely the Divine Essence Condensation!


    ording to the book, it was because of this figure that even now, the Seven Inds territory dared not encroach upon the Tian Sea Region.


    Qin Ran was skeptical about thistter im. Because if the Tian Sea Region was equivalent to the Immortal Remnant Lands, it would mean that an extraordinary genius from the Immortal Remnant Lands went to the Lingnan Immortal Sect and scared them off... it sounded like a tall tale, an exaggeration.


    This legendary figure called himself the Divine Essence Demon Lord, and hisst known appearance was when he returned to the Tian Sea Region to seclude himself for a breakthrough.


    What level was he trying to break through? Nobody knew.


    Did he seed in his breakthrough? Nobody knew either.


    In any case, he hadn''t been seen for 70,000 years.


    The book recorded that some said he was still in seclusion; some said he had already seeded in his breakthrough and was now establishing a sect in the Seven Inds territory; of course, more people said he had already passed away.


    After all...


    ording to another book, someone had already found his ce of passing.


    However, the fact that they found this ce but didn''t "borrow" his numerous treasures wasn''t because the cultivators of the Tian Sea Region were all of high moral character and held great respect for this legendary figure, not wanting to disturb him. It was because he had sealed off his ce of passing.


    To this day, no one had broken his seal.


    So, how does one break his seal and obtain his legacy?


    Pills...


    Because this legendary qi cultivator who possessed the Divine Essence Condensation was undoubtedly an alchemist.


    To break his seal, one had to offer seven pills outside his seal. If the pills could resonate with the seal, it would open on its own. As for what kind of pills were needed? Nobody knew that either.


    By doing so, one could obtain the Divine Essence Demon Lord''s entire legacy and countless treasures.


    "Hmm..." Looking at the records in the book, Qin Ran fell into deep thought again. He seemed to have fallen into a legendary logical loop:


    "Sorry, our position requires work experience."


    "How can I have work experience if I don''t work?"


    "Then go find a job!"


    "Isn''t that why I''m here looking for a job?"


    "Sorry, our position requires work experience..."


    He needed dan water to refine the Dragon Breath Pill, to find dan water he needed to break the Divine Essence Demon Lord''s seal, to break the seal he needed to refine pills, and to refine pills he needed dan water...


    Closing the book, Qin Ran looked out the window, narrowing his eyes. No matter what, he had to give it a try, whether it was dragon blood or Divine Essence Condensation.

 Chapter 390

    After leaving the library, Qin Ran immediately ran to ask the Ind Lord:


    "When do you need the Dragon Breath Pill?"


    "The sooner the better, of course!" replied the Ind Lord.


    Qin Ran hesitated, then asked again: "Could the Ind Lord please give a specific timeframe..."


    After thinking carefully, the Ind Lord replied: "How about one or two years? I''m in my prime, with abundant vitality, so I can wait a year or two."


    He looked at Qin Ran, "Does the gentleman have any difficulties?"


    "Well... To be honest with the Ind Lord, a fourth-grade Dragon Breath Pill is quite challenging for me," Qin Ran said seriously. "So I need more time to prepare, to ensure a higher sess rate."


    Hearing that Qin Ran found the fourth-grade pill difficult, the Ind Lord smiled instead. He said to Qin Ran: "Fourth-grade pills are indeed very challenging."


    He gave Qin Ran some advice, "Why don''t you go seek out Mr. Zhai? He has extensive experience in refining Whale Breath Pills. If you discuss with him, it might inspire your understanding of refining Dragon Breath Pills."Mr. Zhai has extensive experience in refining Whale Breath Pills...


    Qin Ran fell silent upon hearing this. It was just as he had guessed - the Ind Lord had already attempted to refine Dragon Whale Pills many times before.


    In other words, several alchemists who tried to refine Dragon Breath Pills may have already died.


    He sighed inwardly, realizing this job was truly not easy to ept.


    However, it just so happened that he wanted to ask Mr. Zhai about clues regarding the Divine Essence Condensation.


    "The Ind Lord makes a good point..." he agreed, then asked, "May I know where Mr. Zhai is?"


    "Mr. Zhai usually stays on the third floor of the library. You can go find him there," the Ind Lord replied. "If he''s not in the library, he must be in the alchemy room."


    The third floor of the library?


    Qin Ran was stunned. There were people in the library, but he had stayed there for so many days and hadn''t noticed at all!


    After bidding farewell to the Ind Lord, Qin Ran went straight back to the library.


    He suddenly realized that now he seemed more like a cultivator. Not needing sleep or food, living an extremely pure life, hustling every day just for cultivation resources, researching, finding clues, scheming and plotting.


    This extremely dark life... But, strangely, he enjoyed it. Once he eliminated the fear in his heart and no longer feared death, he felt he belonged to such a world.


    With a smile on his lips, he casually pushed open the door to the third floor of the library.


    The third floor wasn''trge; Qin Ran estimated it to be about a hundred square meters. There were two rows of bookshelves on each side of the room, holding about a thousand books; the middle was empty, and directly opposite the door by the window was a desk with a chair on each side.


    At the moment, a person was sitting in the left chair. He was dressed as a schr, wearing a headband, with a light beard, exuding an elegant demeanor.


    He was reading a book.


    On the table in front of him were incense for calming the mind, tea, and fruit.


    Qin Ran''s entrance startled him. He turned his head, saw Qin Ran, smiled, and greeted him: "Brother Li! Please,e sit."


    "Mr. Zhai." Qin Ran cupped his hands in greeting and sat down in the chair to the right of the desk.


    "Come, Brother Li, have some tea." Mr. Zhai put down his book and poured tea for Qin Ran.


    "How is it that Brother Li has time toe to the library?" he casually asked.


    "I too am a lover of books," Qin Ran smiled.


    "Hehe, I heard from others that Brother Li is a cultivator from the Seven Inds region..." Mr. Zhai chatted casually while pouring tea, "In my youth, I once visited the Seven Inds region. But that time I barely set foot on the Tiangang Continent, finished my business and hurried back, without a chance to appreciate the demeanor of the cultivators on the Tiangang Continent. This has been a regret of my life. After all these years, I still often think that if I have the chance, I must visit the Seven Inds region again."


    "Mr. Zhai has been to Tiangang Ind?" Qin Ran''s expression was surprised as he spoke, "To be honest with you, I was born on Tiangang Ind and grew up on Origin Ind. My Li family n is on Tiangang Ind..."


    Tiangang Ind and Origin Ind were two of the inds in the Seven Inds region, which he had learned about from reading earlier. Because the inds were sorge, they were sometimes referred to as continents.


    As he spoke, his expression became sad, "But when I was using a teleportation array, there was a problem with the array that injured my divine soul, causing me to lose many memories. Now I can''t remember what the Li family was like. I can''t even remember if my parents are still alive."


    "Don''t be sad, Brother Li." Mr. Zhai quicklyforted him, "Although the cost of traveling to the Seven Inds region is quite expensive, as long as you''re still alive, Brother Li will surely return to the Tiangang Continent one day."


    "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Zhai."


    "s..." Mr. Zhai sighed again, "It''s a pity that Brother Li has ended up in this harshnd."


    "How can Mr. Zhai say that? The Tian Sea Region is and of outstanding people and beautiful scenery..." The two exchanged some meaningless pleasantries.


    During their casual conversation, Qin Ran noticed that the book Mr. Zhai was reading was about medicinal herbs. When the timing seemed right, he asked Mr. Zhai: "What book is Mr. Zhai reading?"


    "Just a book on herbs," Mr. Zhai showed it to Qin Ran, smiling, "It talks about the peerless medicines that cultivators have obtained from the sea throughout history. Some are true, some are false. I''m just reading it as leisure reading when I have nothing else to do."


    "Peerless medicines?" Qin Ran asked, puzzled, "What kind of medicine would be considered peerless? Would the Divine Essence Condensation be considered a peerless medicine?"


    Hearing this, Mr. Zhai thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head: "Although the Divine Essence Condensation is powerful, it still falls shortpared to immortal medicines like the Great Dao Coral or the Immortal Jellyfish.


    "The power of the Divine Essence Condensation lies in its divine breath and immortal dew, which allow cultivators to gain the power, enlightenment, and aura of immortals and gods before actually bing immortals. This is very helpful for cultivators who haven''t be immortals yet, but if a cultivator has already be an immortal, then the Divine Essence Condensation would seem rather useless."


    "The number of cultivators in the world is like sand on a beach, countless. But those who have be immortals, throughout history, can be counted on one''s fingers," Qin Ran smiled. "From this perspective, the Divine Essence Condensation seems incredibly powerful."


    "It depends on how Brother Li looks at it," Mr. Zhai said. "My point is that if there really were those with extraordinary talent, they would certainly not be interested in the Divine Essence Condensation.


    "Do you know that the most recent cultivator to possess the Divine Essence Condensation was the Divine Essence Old Demon?" Mr. Zhai voluntarily brought up the Divine Essence Old Demon. "In fact, the Divine Essence Old Demon was one of those with extraordinary talent. If not for the Divine Essence Condensation, he might have had a chance to be an immortal and attain the Dao. But precisely because of the Divine Essence Condensation, he ultimately died of old age on Divine Essence Mountain, never achieving the Dao."


    "Has the Divine Essence Old Demon already died?" Qin Ran asked.


    "Without bing an immortal, all is in vain," Mr. Zhai sighed. "Just like sand on a beach, no matter how brilliant or unparalleled in your era, there''s no difference in the end."


    Qin Ran''s face showed sorrow as he let out a long sigh, "What a pity."


    He paused, then asked, "Has the Divine Essence Condensation not appeared in the world again?"


    "The Divine Essence Condensation was sealed by the Divine Essence Old Demon on Divine Essence Mountain..." Mr. Zhai replied, "The Divine Essence Old Demon called himself an old demon, but he was actually a righteous person. His chance of bing an immortal was restricted by the Divine Essence Condensation, so how could he allow others to be restricted by it as well?"


    "Has no one broken the seal?"


    "The great Dao has fifty principles, heaven''s calctions cover forty-nine, always leaving a glimmer of hope. Although the Divine Essence Old Demon sealed the Divine Essence Condensation, he still provided a way to break the seal..." Mr. Zhai answered, "One needs to refine sevenpletely different pills of a higher alchemy level than his to break the seal."


    "But..." he shook his head, "The Divine Essence Old Demon himself was already a top-tier alchemist, he was only restricted by the Divine Essence Condensation and couldn''t refine immortal pills. So, the meaning of this condition is that it requires sevenpletely different immortal pills to break the seal!"


    Qin Ran fell silent upon hearing this.


    "Is Brother Li interested in the Divine Essence Condensation?" At this point, Mr. Zhai finally asked Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran shook his head: "I just feel regret for the Divine Essence Old Demon who was unrivaled in his era."


    "As do I."

 Chapter 391

    The topic of Divine Essence Condensation came to an end. Qin Ran and Mr. Zhai drank several cups of tea, ate some snacks and fruits, and chatted about other subjects.


    Perhaps it had been a long time since anyone had conversed so freely with Mr. Zhai, as he seemed quite enthusiastic. He even brought out a chess board and began ying a leisurely game with Qin Ran.


    "Mr. Zhai can refine fourth-grade pills..." Qin Ran inquired, "Does that mean you''re already a fourth-grade qi cultivator?"


    "No," Mr. Zhai sighed. "We alchemists face the agony of breaking through barriers throughout our lives. Using pills to enhance our cultivation always results in a weak foundation, inevitably leading to insufficient momentum when breaking through. I''ve been stuck at the third-grade qi cultivator level for over a hundred years now."


    "Sir, you look very young..." Qin Ran started to say, then realized and smiled, "Actually, sir, you are very young. There''s still plenty of time. You''ll definitely break through in the future."


    In the cultivation system of the Celestial Sea Domain, only body cultivators were limited by lifespan. First and second grades were no different from ordinary people, and it wasn''t until the third and fourth grades, equivalent to the Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages, that lifespan showed a significant increase.


    Qi cultivators generally had very long lifespans, no different from cultivators in the Lingnan Region.


    As for mind cultivators... they cultivated their souls, so they didn''t care about physical lifespan at all.


    Therefore, even if Mr. Zhai might be several hundred years old, he was still very young. Wasn''t several hundred years old just the prime of youth for someone at the Core Formation stage?"Actually, that''s not the case..." Mr. Zhai sighed, "I''m already old."


    Qin Ran didn''t pursue this topic further. After cing a piece on the chessboard, he asked, "Sir''s ability to refine fourth-grade pills with third-grade cultivation must be truly remarkable... May I ask, sir, how does one refine a fourth-grade Dragon Breath Pill?"


    Mr. Zhai''s hand, holding a chess piece, trembled at these words. He looked up at Qin Ran: "Does the Ind Lord really want Brother Li to help refine the Dragon Breath Pill?"


    "Haha... Nothing escapes Mr. Zhai''s eyes," Qin Ranughed.


    Mr. Zhai ced his chess piece and sighed, saying, "Actually, with my peak third-grade qi cultivator''s power, I still find it challenging to refine a fourth-grade Whale Breath Pill. Brother Li, with your second-grade cultivation, even though you practice both qi and mind cultivation, I''m afraid it would be difficult to refine a fourth-grade Dragon Breath Pill?"


    If Qin Ran remembered correctly, the Ind Lord had said that Mr. Zhai judged he could refine fourth-grade pills, which was why the Ind Lord came to ask him to refine the Dragon Breath Pill.


    But he smiled as he ced his piece, sighing, "When the Ind Lord makes a request, I cannot refuse. So I have no choice but to seek Mr. Zhai''s help."


    Mr. Zhai picked up a white chess piece and fidgeted with it, his expression quite grave.


    "If Brother Li really wants to refine the Dragon Breath Pill..." After a long while, he finally spoke slowly, "you face two major challenges."


    He looked at Qin Ran and ced the piece on the board, "First, how to handle dragon blood. True dragons are divine beasts, and even a single drop of their blood is not something you or I can easily withstand. How will you manage to extract all the impurities rted to the dragon''s ferocity, divinity, and other qualities from the dragon blood while being suppressed by the true dragon''s power? If even a tiny bit isn''t purifiedpletely, forget about sessfully refining the pill - the other spiritual herbs will also be contaminated by the dragon blood.


    "Second, this pill is called the Dragon Whale Pill. Why isn''t it called the Dragon Breath Pill and Whale Breath Pill? It''s because after these two pills are refined, they must be used as ingredients to refine a new pill. And because these two pills need to merge into one, the potency, properties, and quality of both pills must be absolutelypatible. If there''s any mistake, the pill will fail."


    Finally, he said, "When merging the pills, you''ll need to withstand the pressure from both dragon breath and whale breath simultaneously... Although I canplete this step, if you make a mistake in your part, not only will the pill be ruined, but I might also face the possibility of death."


    Qin Ran''s expression became serious.


    But... whether Mr. Zhai lived or died was none of his concern. What he was thinking was that using pills as ingredients to refine another pill was an innovative approach worth studying.


    "The key seems to be purifying the dragon blood..." he said aloud. "Besides using alchemy techniques and pill water to purify the dragon blood, is it not possible to use other herbs to bnce the dragon blood?"


    Mr. Zhai shook his head and exined to Qin Ran: "This pill itself requires ensuring that the properties and potency of other herbs are not suppressed by the dragon blood. The proportions, herbs, and ages are all precisely calcted. If we add herbs to suppress the dragon blood at this point, the interactions between the new herbs and the original herbs be unpredictable.


    "The resulting changes would be an astronomical number impossible to calcte."


    Qin Ran, being someone who often yed with pharmacology, understood very well what Mr. Zhai meant.


    "It seems there are too many difficulties for me to refine the Dragon Breath Pill," he sighed.


    "I don''t know how much time the Ind Lord has given you, but if it''s long enough, I suggest you first reach the third grade of qi cultivation," Mr. Zhai said. "Or if you can find a way to suppress the dragon blood without affecting the other medicinal properties."


    Qin Ran replied, "The Ind Lord mentioned one or two years..."


    Mr. Zhai looked at Qin Ran after hearing this, and after ying several more moves, he said softly, "You needn''t worry, he can wait eight or ten years if necessary."


    "..." Qin Ran was speechless.


    Mr. Zhai''s chess skills were profound. After several games where Qin Ran was thoroughly defeated, both lost interest.


    After conceding defeat in onest game, Qin Ran stood up and looked at the bookshelves on both sides. To his surprise, he found that the bookshelves on the third floor were filled with cultivation manuals. There were visualization methods, breathing techniques, qi cultivation methods, and everything in between.


    He pointed to the books on the shelf and asked Mr. Zhai, "Sir, may I take a look at the books on the shelves?"


    Mr. Zhai looked up, smiled at Qin Ran, and said, "Brother Lies from the Seven Inds region, so you must have seen countless amazing techniques. I''m sure you wouldn''t be interested in these crude methods."


    ...This was essentially a refusal.


    Indeed, how could someone casually show their treasured techniques to others?


    Qin Ran sighed inwardly and secretly cursed, "I''m from the Land of Immortal Legacy! I''ve never seen the techniques from your region! I don''t have much knowledge..."


    "How can you say these techniques are crude?" He shook his head and said, "Mr. Zhai, you''re mistaken. Actually, there''s no superiority or inferiority among techniques, only among the people who practice them."


    "Then go ahead and look!" Mr. Zhaiughed, "But be careful, looking at too many techniques can lead to cultivation deviation."


    "..."


    Qin Ran looked at Mr. Zhai and saw the faint smile on his face, realizing that this usually serious Mr. Zhai was joking with him.


    He shook his head and reached out to take a book on guiding techniques from the shelf.


    Guiding techniques were the cultivation methods used by qi cultivators.


    The method Qin Ran held in his hand was called "Tidal Guiding Technique."


    He stood by the bookshelf reading the book, and it didn''t take long for him to finish this qi guiding technique.


    Putting the book back on the shelf, he frowned, unsure whether it was because this technique was too low-level or if the qi guiding techniques of the Celestial Sea Domain were inherently inferior. This "Tidal Guiding Technique" was far less sophisticated than the cultivation methods of the Lingnan Region.


    After a pause, he picked up another qi guiding technique, and after reading it, found it to be equally crude.


    After going through four or five books like this, Qin Ran could draw a general conclusion that the guiding techniques of the Celestial Sea Domain were far inferior to the cultivation methods of the Lingnan Region.


    So he gave up on continuing to read the guiding techniques.


    After carefully searching the bookshelves again, Qin Ran finally found a legendary visualization method specifically for cultivating the soul, used by mind cultivators.


    The visualization method he found was called the "Great Sun Visualization Method." Opening the first page, he saw a painting spread across two pages - a huge sun rising from the sea horizon.


    The painting was extremely vivid, truly lifelike. Moreover, it must have been painted using special techniques, because even though it was just a painting in a book, Qin Ran could feel its warmth and even perceive its brightness.


    He turned to the second page, which contained instructions on how to practice using the visualization image.


    After carefully reading the second page, Qin Ran turned back to the first page. He looked at the painting on the page and slowly closed his eyes, recreating the image in his mind.


    As he outlined the painting in his mind, his sea of consciousness seemed to truly be an ocean, and at the edge of his consciousness, a huge sun began to rise.


    ...Exactly like the painting on the book''s page.


    After the sun rose in his sea of consciousness, the primordial spirit residing there was bathed in its light. Suddenly, he felt a warm, cozy sensation throughout his being, as if his true body was basking in sunlight.


    "I''m getting stronger!!"


    Qin Ran could sense it - under the illumination of the great sun in his sea of consciousness, his primordial spirit was gradually strengthening. Although the rate of improvement was small, he was undeniably growing stronger.


    His heart swelled with wild joy.


    "Even though I''m just an avatar, I can still cultivate and be stronger... On this vast sea, I might even be able to shout ''One Piece!'' and aim to be the Pirate King!"


    However...


    His tionsted barely two seconds before he suddenly felt a burning sensation on his body. Then, it was as if he had been thrown into a fire - his entire being was scorched with pain!


    "What''s going on?!"


    He was shocked and dismayed. As he had thought, he was merely an avatar, this body just water - how could he feel pain?


    He quickly realized it wasn''t his body that hurt, but his primordial spirit!


    In the radiance of the great sun in his sea of consciousness, his primordial spirit seemed to be engulfed in mes. "What''s happening?" His thoughts raced. "Have I gone astray in my cultivation? Is my primordial spirit too strong?"


    Then it dawned on him...


    The Great Sun, the Great Sun Visualization Method! It must be the purest fire-attribute visualization technique. And he was of the water attribute!


    He had actually cultivated the Great Sun Visualization Method!


    Understanding this, Qin Ran immediately forced himself to exit the visualization state.


    But for some reason, while entering the visualization state had been extremely easy, exiting proved incredibly difficult. Even after opening his eyes, that great sun would appear intentionally or unintentionally in his sea of consciousness, scorching his primordial spirit.


    Standing before the bookshelf, he struggled for a long time before finally managing to banish that sun from his mindpletely.


    "It''s said that every spirit cultivator is exceptionally cautious when viewing their first visualization method. This is because the first visualization image a spirit cultivator sees is more easily imprinted in their sea of consciousness. Generally speaking, the first visualization method a spirit cultivator encounters bes their innate visualization method."


    Mr. Zhai''s voice suddenly rang out. Qin Ran turned to look and saw Mr. Zhai sitting by the window, smiling gently at him.


    "???"


    That smile made Qin Ran feel a surge of crisis: Had Mr. Zhai discovered something from what he just said?!


    Seeing Qin Ran''s gaze, Mr. Zhai nodded politely and asked with a smile, "I personally don''t have a talent for spirit cultivation and have never practiced visualization methods. I''ve only read about these things elsewhere, so I''m not sure if what I said is urate?"


    Qin Ran came to his senses and smiled back at Mr. Zhai, saying, "Mr. Zhai, your knowledge is truly profound. In fact, spirit cultivators refer to this phenomenon as the ''first impression.'' It indeed benefits a spirit cultivator''s initial practice."


    After speaking, he turned back and reced the Great Sun Visualization Method on the shelf. Though his face still wore a smile, his eyes had grown deep and pensive.


    After searching the bookshelf for a while longer, Qin Ran found a Tai Yin Visualization Method and a Raging Waves Visualization Method.


    He held the two visualization methods in his hands, hesitating for a long time before finally choosing the Raging Waves.


    Waves, after all, should be a water attribute no matter how one looked at it.


    Putting back the Tai Yin Visualization Method, Qin Ran opened the Raging Waves Visualization Method. As usual, the first page of the technique contained the first visualization image - a vast, boundless sea. The sky was overcast, fierce winds howled, and the seawater began to slowly churn.


    Was this the beginning of waves?


    Qin Ran thought of the Great Sun Visualization Method from earlier, where the first image had been a sunrise. He suddenly began to understand these visualization methods a little better.


    Turning to the second page, he read the introduction to the technique, then carefully examined the first visualization image again,mitting every detail to memory before slowly closing his eyes.


    Simrly, he pictured that visualization image in his mind. Gradually, his sea of consciousness once again became an ocean, with dark clouds pressing down from above, thunder and lightning shing, and waves slowly beginning to form in the sea...


    The primordial spirit in his sea of consciousness immediately sensed that the entire space had be humid, as if he had truly arrived at the seaside. He could feel the moist air brushing against his skin, bringing with it a refreshing sensation.


    Looking at the activity in his sea of consciousness, he knew this was the calm before the storm.


    This time, it was right.


    Qin Ran waited for quite a while, and when no side effects appeared, he opened his eyes and continued flipping through the visualization method in his hands.


    The first image showed the waves about to rise, the second showed the waves gradually rising, the third depicted wind and waves in full force, the fourth showed raging waves, and the fifth depicted the clearing of clouds and cessation of rain.


    Image by image, it described the process from the rise of waves to their subsidence, epassing five levels of mastery.


    Qin Ran examined them carefully,mitting all to memory.


    After returning the Raging Waves Visualization Method, he found a Starry Sky Visualization Method. He expended some effort to memorize it but didn''t dare to cultivate it at all.


    Having obtained spirit cultivation techniques, Qin Ran had no further desires and decided it was time to seek out the Divine Essence Condensation.


    He bid farewell to Mr. Zhai, saying, "Regarding the Ind Lord''s Dragon Breath Pill, I still need to go down and contemte it further. I hope Mr. Zhai won''t take offense."


    Mr. Zhai smiled and said, "Not at all! Young Brother Li''s youthful spirit is truly admirable. Go on, go on!"


    Qin Ran bowed respectfully, then opened the door and left.


    Mr. Zhai, sitting by the window, watched as Qin Ran exited and closed the door. After a while, he tilted his head to look out the window, observing Qin Ran as he walked away from the library.


    He narrowed his eyes, and with a flick of the ring on his hand, several books appeared - the same ones Qin Ran had looked at during his previous visit to the library.


    "Li Feiyu..." he murmured, "Who exactly are you? Where do you reallye from? And what is your true

 Chapter 392

    When Chasing the Wind returned that day, he described to Qin Ran the detailed process of their qilin blood heist. Qin Ran thus deduced that the disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect were deliberately targeting the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Over the next few days, Qin Ran conducted a covert investigation and discovered that conflicts between the Dao Sword Sect disciples and those from the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley had notably increased recently. This confirmed his suspicions.


    As a result, he realized that after the failure of the pill n and multiple unsessful attempts to kill him, Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect had decided to adopt a more aggressive strategy.


    After pondering in his study for several days, Qin Ran finally made up his mind. He left Dan Peak and went to the cave dwelling of the sect leader on Master Peak.


    "Sect Leader, have you heard of the Three Kingdoms?" he asked Gu Yueming.


    "What Three Kingdoms?"


    "The Dao Sword Sect, Boundless Sword Sect, and Zhican Valley," Qin Ran replied. "These three powers have divided the Hengduan Mountains for thousands of years, with little change to this day. Do you know the reason behind this, Sect Leader?"


    Gu Yueming still didn''t understand Qin Ran''s point and asked, "What reason?"


    "Because triangles are inherently stable," Qin Ran exined. "With three powers, each pair keeps the other in check. As long as no single power bes strong enough to face the other two alone, the situation will persist, no matter how dire it bes.""What exactly are you trying to say?" Gu Yueming asked with a frown.


    "Sect Leader, you must be well aware of Zhican Valley''s intentions towards the Dao Sword Sect," Qin Ran continued calmly. "So let me ask you, is Zhican Valley stronger than the Dao Sword Sect? Is Zhican Valley stronger than the Dao Sword Sect and the Boundless Sword Sectbined?"


    Gu Yueming shook his head, "Although Zhican Valley is rich in resources and talented individuals, boasting the title of North Chu''s premier sect, I don''t agree that they are definitely stronger than the Dao Sword Sect. As for Zhican Valley being stronger than the Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sectbined, that''s simply absurd."


    "Then here''s the question: why does Zhican Valley dare to covet the Dao Sword Sect?"


    After a moment''s thought, Gu Yueming looked at Qin Ran and tentatively asked, "Aren''t they operating in secret? Their attempt to weaken the Dao Sword Sect with pills shows that Zhican Valley knows they''re not our match at present. They don''t dare to make an open move."


    "Sect Leader, whether it''s covert or overt, you''re aware of Zhican Valley''s wolfish ambitions. So there''s no difference between hidden or open actions," Qin Ran said, stepping forward and staring at Gu Yueming. "So, aren''t they afraid of ying with fire? Aren''t they afraid of us forcefully turning against them? If we do, how will they deal with us?"


    Following Qin Ran''s train of thought and recalling his earlier words, Gu Yueming finally arrived at the conclusion he dared not believe: "Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect have allied?!"


    "Not only have they long since allied, but they''ve also already taken action against the Dao Sword Sect," Qin Ran said gravely to Gu Yueming. "They''re hunting our disciples, consuming our resources, and driving wedges between the Dao Sword Sect and its subordinate sects. Sect Leader, the Dao Sword Sect is already in imminent danger!"


    "How dare they?!" Gu Yueming eximed in shock.


    "They dare. They started covertly, attempting to weaken the Dao Sword Sect with pills before proceeding further, but I thwarted that n. When covert methods failed, they switched to overt ones. Their current strategy is to work gradually, like boiling a frog in slowly heating water," Qin Ran exined. "Once the Dao Sword Sect is sufficiently weakened and the time is ripe, the two sects will unite andunch a full-scale attack! The Dao Sword Sect will surely fall!"


    Gu Yueming finally stood up from his meditation mat. He carefully recalled the subtle changes within and outside the sect over the past few days and realized that Qin Ran was right ¨C the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley had indeed allied and taken action.


    The alliance of two sects against the Dao Sword Sect was an open stratagem. If the Dao Sword Sect were to confront them directly, how could they possibly defeat two sects? It would surely end in destruction. If the Dao Sword Sect tried to appease them, it would only grow weaker over time, eventually leading to its demise.


    Realizing the dark situation before them, Gu Yueming became anxious, pacing back and forth in the room, his mind in chaos.


    After a long while, he remembered that Qin Ran hade specifically to discuss this matter, which meant he must have a countermeasure in mind.


    He stopped and looked at Qin Ran, urgently asking, "Does Senior Qin have a strategy to deal with this?!"


    He used an honorific title.


    Qin Ran smiled calmly, gesturing for the sect leader not to panic, and said, "Sect Leader, if we wait passively, the longer we dy, the more dangerous it bes for the Dao Sword Sect. Therefore, our only option is to take the initiative and strike first!"


    "Do you mean to pit our single sect against two?" Gu Yueming asked.


    This was an approach he had considered. Although the Boundless Sword Sect was poor, their entire sect consisted of sword cultivators, making theirbat strength formidable. If they were further enhanced by Zhican Valley''s pills, the Dao Sword Sect wouldn''t stand a chance.


    "Sect Leader, we don''t need to face both sects," Qin Ran said. "Remember when I said that three sects are the most stable? The Hengduan Mountains have been peaceful for thousands of years."


    "So, Senior Qin..." Gu Yueming''s tone became more respectful, "what exactly is your grand strategy?"


    "If, Sect Leader ¨C and I stress if ¨C if the Dao Sword Sect were truly destroyed, which sect do you think would ultimately remain in the Hengduan Mountains?" Qin Ran asked.


    "One sect?" Gu Yueming frowned. "Shouldn''t it be both Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect..."


    As he spoke, he realized the implications. With three sects in opposition, they kept each other in check, preventing easy conflicts. But if only two sects remained, the situation would be entirely different.


    Two tigers cannot share the same mountain. After a brief honeymoon period, the remaining two sects would quickly enter into a new conflict.


    And if Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect were to go to war, although the Boundless Sword Sect''sbat strength might be superior to Zhican Valley''s, however...


    Gu Yueming voiced his conclusion to Qin Ran: "Zhican Valley would ultimately emerge victorious."


    "An astute observation, Sect Leader," Qin Ran smiled.


    "Zhican Valley would only need to employ the same tactics they used against the Dao Sword Sect to deal with the Boundless Sword Sect. Before long, the Boundless Sword Sect would be forced to initiate a war against Zhican Valley. At that point, Zhican Valley would only need to adopt a defensive stance, dragging the conflict into a war of attrition. The Boundless Sword Sect, with its weak foundation, would inevitably be worn down by Zhican Valley."


    Gu Yueming began to understand Qin Ran''s intent and asked, "So, Senior Qin''s suggestion is?"


    "We can use this to turn the Boundless Sword Sect against Zhican Valley!" Qin Ran dered. "If that''s not enough, we can add another weight to the scale."


    "What weight?"


    Qin Ran exined, "Sect Leader, why would the Boundless Sword Sect help Zhican Valley against the Dao Sword Sect? It''s because the Boundless Sword Sect is too poor. After destroying the Dao Sword Sect, they would gain a constant supply of spirit stones to develop their sect.


    "Whatever Zhican Valley has offered the Boundless Sword Sect, we can offer double. This way, the Boundless Sword Sect will surely turn against them."


    Gu Yueming followed Qin Ran''s reasoning and suddenly saw the possibility ¨C this n could actually work!


    But he immediately thought of another question: "Why not turn Zhican Valley against them instead? Or sow discord between these two sects so they can no longer attack the Dao Sword Sect?"


    Qin Ran gave Gu Yueming a meaningful look and asked, "How does the Sect Leader propose to turn Zhican Valley?"


    "The Boundless Sword Sect has countless sword ssics and famous swords," Gu Yueming offered his suggestion. "Wouldn''t that tempt Zhican Valley?"


    "How many sword cultivators does Zhican Valley have?" Qin Ran shook his head. "Even if they have sword cultivators, they wouldn''t crave the Boundless Sword Sect''s sword techniques and famous swords as much as the Boundless Sword Sect craves spirit stones and pills."


    "Turning the Boundless Sword Sect is clearly much easier than turning Zhican Valley," he smiled. "And do you know what''s most brilliant, Sect Leader? Zhican Valley is aware of this too.


    "So to answer your question about sowing discord between these two sects, my answer is yes, we can. And it''s quite simple."


    Hearing Qin Ran''s words, Gu Yueming finally felt relieved that the Dao Sword Sect would not perish under his leadership.


    But just as he rxed, he heard Qin Ran mutter, "Sect Leader, have you considered that the difficulty of the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect uniting to destroy Zhican Valley is much lower than that of the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley uniting to destroy the Dao Sword Sect?"


    Gu Yueming suddenly drew in a sharp breath. He abruptly raised his head to look at Qin Ran, just in time to see the bloodthirsty gleam in Qin Ran''s eyes.


    [Avable on Android and iOS.]


    "Master, this is an opportunity..." Qin Ran said with a smile on his face. "They''ve started this war, so why can''t the Dao Sword Sect be thest sect standing in the Hengduan Mountains?"


    Gu Yueming''s heart trembled. He looked at Qin Ran, seeing the smile in his eyes¡ªa confidence that seemed to y with the world at his fingertips. He had never seen a cultivator like this before.


    But after some thought, he asked, "If we use the strategy of pitting two tigers against each other to turn the Boundless Sword Sect, how will we convince them to ally with us against Zhican Valley?"


    "The Boundless Sword Sect is too poor," Qin Ran smiled. "I''ll give them a reason they can''t refuse."


    "We can first exin the current situation to the Boundless Sword Sect, revealing Zhican Valley''s plot. This will make them hesitate. Then, we''ll promise the Boundless Sword Sect twice the benefits that Zhican Valley offered them, or even more¡ªnine or ten times as much if necessary, until they''re tempted."


    He carefully exined his thoughts to Gu Yueming, "Finally, we''ll outline how the Dao Sword Sect will peacefully coexist with the Boundless Sword Sect after eliminating Zhican Valley.


    "My initial idea is this: the Dao Sword Sect and the Boundless Sword Sect can jointly control Zhican Valley, or rather, the two sects can establish a puppet sect specializing in alchemy, dedicated to refining pills for both sects.


    "If there are conflicts between disciples of the two sects, we can hold a Sword Dao Exchange Conference every fifty years to resolve sectarian disputes.


    "As long as we can get the Boundless Sword Sect to act, we can offer them any benefits; to ay their doubts, the Dao Sword Sect can make as many concessions as possible. After all..."


    He chuckled softly, not finishing his sentence.


    Gu Yueming looked at the smile on Qin Ran''s face and couldn''t help but feel afraid. Why had he never realized how terrifying this man was?


    "So, Master, what''s your choice?" Qin Ran finally asked. "Do we sow discord between the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley, or... eliminate them

 Chapter 393

    It was noon when Qin Ran entered the sect leader''s cave dwelling, and the sun was already setting when he came out.


    What exactly the two of them said inside the cave, no third... or fourth person knew.


    But one could clearly see that when Qin Ran emerged from the sect leader''s dwelling, he cast a slight contemptuous smile towards the setting sun.


    Qin Ran went straight back to Dan Peak.


    He had just walked out of the mist formed by the Guardian Mountain Formation when he saw Li An being pulled by Chasing the Wind''s tail, swooping past him with a "whoosh," only a white blur visible.


    At the same time, Li An''s giggles of "hee-hee-hee" trailed behind, chasing after them as they flew by.


    Chasing the Wind truly loved Li An, taking him to y and cause mischief every day. It was unclear whether this was affection for a junior, a ymate, or a toy.


    Of course, regardless, Li An indeed enjoyed ying with Chasing the Wind very much, having a great time.


    "Chasing the Wind!" But as a parent, Qin Ran had to reprimand them when he saw this dangerous y, "Be careful, what if you hurt Li An?!""It won''t happen, Dad! Don''t worry, Dad!" Chasing the Wind flew into the air, flicked its tail to toss Li An high up, then rushed up to catch him with its head.


    After catching Li An, it looked at Qin Ran with a silly "hee-hee-hee" grin, its big cat face looking quiteical.


    Li An, standing on its big head, alsoughed "yi-yi-ya-ya" with raised hands, extremely delighted.


    "Sigh!"


    Qin Ran was exhausted, but seeing these two perfect foils, he couldn''t bring himself to scold them, only shaking his head and giving up.


    Actually, Chasing the Wind took quite good care of Li An. Li An could now stand up. And because Chasing the Wind often took Li An around to fight, Li An''s mastery of sword energy was quite proficient. He no longer randomly released sword energy to hurt people, though he still couldn''t fully retract it back to his dantian.


    In short, it was much better than that fierce aunt''s teaching.


    Oh... except, Li An''s speech system seemed to have regressed. It had almost reverted to the level of a normal six-month-old infant.


    Qin Ran walked on the newly sprouting grass towards the old spiritual locust tree and the small wooden cabin.


    At this moment, Zhang Junyi was sitting upright at a table under the old spiritual locust tree, reading a book.


    Zhang Junyi had not yet officially begun Foundation Building, so the book he was currently reading was about the realm of Foundation Building.


    Obviously, the path Zhang Junyi wanted to take was the same as Qin Ran''s. They were probably people with the same kind of talent, the type who needed to fully understand what something was before they could begin doing it. For example, they needed to fully understand what Foundation Building was before they could start building their foundation.


    There were also two other types of people: one like Li Shiyin who didn''t need to know how to do it and could just do it directly; the other type... couldn''t learn the theory and didn''t know how to do it either.


    Meanwhile, on the other side, directly under the old spiritual locust tree, on that swing, Zhang Junyi''s nominal master Long Qiqi was listlessly swaying on the swing.


    As spring deepened, Long Qiqi, who had been sleeping for many days, finally had some energy. Although not much, just a little bit, it was there nheless.


    Qin Ran walked over, patted Long Qiqi''s drooping head, and said with a smile, "Cheer up, don''t fall asleep. You''ll cry if you fall offter."


    Long Qiqi raised her head limply, like a boneless snake. She stared at Qin Ran with lifeless eyes, then nced at Zhang Junyi from the corner of her eye.


    This meant that although she hadn''t spoken to Zhang Junyi yet, he was still her disciple... the closed-door kind, so she had to save face. "None of your business." So she rolled her eyes at Qin Ran and lowered her head again.


    "I''m worried you''ll cry!" Qin Ran gave her swing a push.


    "You''re the one who''ll cry!" Long Qiqi replied weakly.


    No longer teasing Long Qiqi, Qin Ran sat back on his recliner under the old spiritual locust tree.


    Hey down, looking at the sky. The sky and clouds of a spring evening were faint, with a light, sketchy feeling, like a few light strokes when painting andscape. Very light, very faint, very impressionistic, like a gentle fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.


    "It must be celestial immortals drunk, carelessly crumpling white clouds."


    He sighed deeply.


    "Master!!"


    At this moment, Li Shiyin''s clear voice came from behind the small wooden cabin. He turned his head while lying down to see his silly disciple running out of the living room door with a te.


    Like a lively and cheerful girl.


    She ran to the side of the recliner and squatted down, disying the contents of the te before his eyes, quite proudly:


    "Master, master, look, this is a new dish I learned to make!"


    Qin Ran looked at his silly disciple''s beautiful face with an adorable smile, then looked at the contents of the te. It was a portion of white sliced meat and a dipping sauce.


    "This is Li Swordsaint''s White Sliced Meat!" the silly disciple introduced smugly, "It''s a supreme delicacy made by the great Li Swordsaint using sword energy!"


    Qin Ran sat up curled on the recliner, looking at his silly disciple''s proud smile, and asked, "Did you make the dipping sauce too?"


    "Mm-hmm!" Li Shiyin nodded repeatedly, "Although sister-inw taught me, this portion was indeed made by myself."


    Now Qin Ran was truly surprised. He gestured for his silly disciple to give him the chopsticks, wanting to try it.


    But Li Shiyin didn''t give them to him. She picked up a piece of meat with the chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and raised her hand to feed him.


    Qin Ran looked at the expectation in his silly disciple''s eyes and ate the meat with a smile.


    Surprisingly... or perhaps not so surprisingly, because Li Shiyin had been learning about cooking for years, this white sliced meat was truly delicious.


    Moreover, the Li Swordsaint''s gimmick wasn''t just for show. One could taste the toughness and smoothness of sword energy in the meat. As for the sauce, it was something Yu Chi Zhen had developed herself after encountering Qin Ran''s tomato and chili seasonings on Dan Peak, and it had its own merits.


    Meeting his silly disciple''s watery big eyes, he nodded and gave a thumbs up, smiling, "Very delicious!"


    "Yay!" Li Shiyin jumped up in joy.


    She hugged the te and ran back to the small wooden cabin''s kitchen, leaving these words, "Master, wait a bit longer, dinner will be ready soon."


    "Chopsticks," Qin Ran said helplessly.


    Li Shiyin ran out again, took the chopsticks from Qin Ran''s hand, stuck out her tongue, and then ran back to the kitchen.


    "Sigh!" Qin Ran shook his head.


    His silly disciple had changed a lot, but some things hadn''t changed... and couldn''t be changed.


    Like her cuteness, her beauty, her fondness for him...


    As he was smugly thinking about these things in his mind, he suddenly shifted his gaze towards Zhang Junyi.


    Just now, this guy had been intentionally or unintentionally looking at him... them. This guy seemed to have not yet adapted to the intimate interactions between them as master and disciple, appearing very surprised. Of course, he wouldn''t have any thoughts about Li Shiyin... right?


    And looking at Long Qiqi, who was on the verge of death on the swing, she was already quite calm, unfazed by their dog food-unting behavior.


    "How much do you understand about Foundation Building?" he asked Zhang Junyi in a serious tone.


    As he asked this, Long Qiqi on the swing behind couldn''t help but raise her head and look at him with disdain. This guy was a sore loser, too petty, unable to let go of his pride and torturing her disciple instead.


    "I understand some!" Zhang Junyi instantly stiffened his body and answered seriously. His posture, if he had put his hands behind his back, would have been no different from a kindergartener, "Foundation Building is the basic stage of cultivation, the foundation for all future realms. Foundation Building requires sensing qi, opening meridians, achieving resonance between heaven and man, condensing the seed of magical power... and then determining the path of cultivation, as for sensing objects..."


    After he finished stammering through his exnation, Qin Ran asked in a deep voice, "Then what is sensing qi?"


    "Living beings... are born with a primordial qi, this qi is scattered throughout the mechanisms and meridians... one needs to perceive it with inner consciousness... then drive it with willpower... only then can one begin cultivation..."


    "What about meridians? What are the attributes of the human body? And how are they ssified?"


    "...The heart meridian belongs to fire, the kidney meridian belongs to water... feet treading theherworld... hands grasping yin and yang... eyes like lightning..."


    "How does one achieve resonance between heaven and man?"


    "When the primordial qi within the body is abundant... and the cultivator''s mental state reaches a profound level... at that time, they will draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth through the Baihui Point..."


    "The seed of magical power?"


    "The first wisp of celestial energy entering the bodybines with the innate energy, forming the seed of magical power. The seed of magical power has many special forms..."


    Although stuttering and iplete, he could answer most of what Qin Ran asked, showing that he indeed hadn''t beenzy and had been studying hard.


    As he was answering, Chasing the Wind brought Li An to their side. Qin Ran suddenly pointed at Li An on Chasing the Wind''s back and asked Zhang Junyi, "Do you know what his situation is?"


    Zhang Junyi looked at Li An, hesitated for a moment, but still shook his head.


    He probably knew, but didn''t dare to answer.


    "If I were to give you a sword energy seed..." Qin Ran said calmly, "would you want it?"


    Zhang Junyi suddenly looked up at Qin Ran. Seeing that Qin Ran''s expression didn''t seem to be lying, he couldn''t help but hesitate.


    He opened his mouth, clearly pronouncing the syble "want."


    That was Li Shiyin''s sword energy, not only at the third realm level but also with a clear sword intent. If he could get such sword energy as a foundation, it would save him no less than thirty years of cultivation.


    "Hmph!"


    But at this moment, Long Qiqi, who was on the swing, suddenly jumped down with a pout. She ran to the side of Qin Ran''s lounge chair, stared at him for a while, kicked his chair once, then nced back at Zhang Junyi before walking towards the kitchen of the small wooden house.


    Long Qiqi''s series of actions brought Zhang Junyi back to his senses. Before Qin Ran could speak, he hastily said solemnly, "The seed of magical power still needs to be condensed by oneself. Moreover, this disciple wishes to pursue the path of alchemy, which is not suitable for a sword energy seed."


    Qin Ran looked at him with a half-smile for a while, and finally decided not to pursue the matter, only asking, "How many bamboos did you cut today?"


    "I cut onerge bamboo," Zhang Junyi replied. "It can be used as a beam."


    "How many more days do you n to spend building that shabby house of yours?"


    "It still needs about a month..."


    They continued their question and answer exchange, time flying by quickly.


    Before long, Long Qiqi and Li Shiyin came out of the house carrying dishes and ced them on the table. Chasing the Wind brought Li An out, bncing rice bowls on his back...


    As evening fell, a gentle breeze blew, the sky tinged with faint ink. The leaves of the old locust tree rustled, and beneath it, Dan Peak began their evening meal.

 Chapter 394

    After dinner, Li Shiyin took Qin Ran''s hand and ran to the roof of the small wooden cabin. They sat side by side on the ridge, and she nestled against her master, gazing into the darkness of Dan Peak.


    In the darkness of Dan Peak, there was the Sword Washing Lake she had dug bit by bit, and the trees her master had nted one by one along thekeshore. The small creatures in Sword Washing Lake frolicked in the darkness, while the trees by theke breathed in the spring breeze.


    Looking at the thriving Dan Peak, Li Shiyin''s heart was full of sweetness. This was what she and her master had built up little by little with their own hands.


    Like birds building a nest, bringing twigs and grass one by one, they finally created a beautiful home.


    At first, there was nothing. Now, they had everything.


    "Master?" she called softly, leaning in his embrace.


    "Hmm?" Her master''s cheek pressed against her head, gently nuzzling her hair.


    "Master?" she called again.


    "What is it?""Master!"


    Qin Ran lightly nudged the little troublemaker''s head with his chin.


    "Qin Ran?" Li Shiyin suddenly called out his name.


    This direct use of his name made Qin Ran''s heart tremble. He looked down and saw his silly disciple''s eyes, bright even in the darkness. His silly disciple... Li Shiyin''s eyes were brimming with infinite tenderness. He also saw Li Shiyin''s pretty face flushed red.


    She knew what it meant to call him by his name, and it took great courage.


    It meant she had broken through that barrier, and they hade to an equal position - as a woman and a man, not as a disciple and master.


    "Yes?" he responded, then lowered his head and gently touched her thin lips.


    The spring night wind blew, bringing a hint of coolness, but when the two embraced, their body heat didn''t dissipate into the spring breeze. Instead, it passed between them, making them both feel warm.


    The world was cold, but they were warm.


    And their lips were sweet, with the breeze carrying a hint of sweetness.


    The most essential nutrient and energy source for the human body is sugar, and sugar is sweet. So sweetness is the most addictive taste for humans. It''s ingrained in the soul, in the genes, impossible to quit.


    People can''t resist it; they can only enjoy the deadly delightful taste that sweetness brings.


    So they kissed for a long, long time before their lips reluctantly parted. Even when their lips separated, their owners hadn''t yet - they were still nuzzling each other.


    Li Shiyin sat in Qin Ran''s arms, her hands around his neck, her flushed cheek pressed against his ear and neck.


    Despite her profound cultivation, she was left breathless by the kiss. Panting, she spokezily, her voice nasally and soft against Qin Ran''s ear: "Master, I need to go into seclusion."


    Qin Ran, eyes closed, inhaling the young girl''s fragrance from Li Shiyin''s jade-like neck and hair, heard this and slowly opened his eyes. He knew why she needed to go into seclusion.


    "Are you going to form your Golden Core?" he asked.


    "Mm-hmm."


    "Do you need my help?" he asked again.


    Li Shiyin suddenly remembered the day she became his disciple when her master told her not to worry about passing tribtions and to focus on improving her cultivation, saying he had ways to ensure her safety. At the time, she thought the young man with his innocent appearance was just boasting.


    But after so many years, she knew what a big promise her master had made then. Her master had the ability to guarantee her safety during tribtions and had certainly made many preparations for it.


    Thinking of her master''s innocence, his hidden depths, and how the terrifying master was exceptionally attentive only to her, she giggled.


    Laughing happily, she lowered her head and bit her master''s shoulder. But unwilling to hurt him, she didn''t leave teeth marks, only a wet spot from her saliva.


    "I don''t want your help at all!" she said coquettishly.


    Her voice suddenly lowered, "Master, you''ve already helped me more than enough."


    "You''re my disciple. This is how a master treats his disciple!" Qin Ran said with a smile, inhaling the young girl''s fresh scent.


    "Is this really how you treat a disciple?" Li Shiyin asked teasingly, gently stroking Qin Ran''s Adam''s apple.


    Qin Ran tickled her waist lightly and asked in return, "Is this how you show respect for your master?"


    Li Shiyin, ticklish,ughed and squirmed in Qin Ran''s arms until he stopped tickling her. Then, catching her breath, she said, "Hmph! I''ve always been a bad child, running wild and throwing my weight around in Danyang City. No one dared to mess with me. I''ve never cared about worldly etiquette."


    She propped herself up with her soft body, puckered her lips, and gave Qin Ran''s cheek a "mwah," asserting confidently, "This is how I show respect for my master!"


    "As for you, Master..." She poked Qin Ran''s left chest, drawing circles over his heart. Her eyes were alluring, and the corners of her mouth curved in a mischievous smile. "Why are you so naughty, daring to make a move on your own disciple? Not just making a move, but premeditated too."


    Faced with this little vixen whose face was thicker than a city wall''s corner and who was shamelessly unapologetic, Qin Ran naturally couldn''t indulge her. He kissed her back and replied, "Your master is just that naughty. Don''t you know how devious your master is?"


    Li Shiyin hugged Qin Ran''s neck, hanging on him, tilting her head to look into his eyes, and said with a wicked smile, "I really don''t know."


    It was maddening. They weren''t even married or had consummated their rtionship, yet this girl was already so good at teasing. Tonight, he had been on the back foot the whole time.


    Qin Ran''s eyes reddened a bit, and his breathing became heavier. But he only squeezed Li Shiyin''s waist firmly and said in a hoarse voice, "After you finish your seclusion, Master will teach you."


    With her waist squeezed, Li Shiyin copsed softly, only to be embraced again by Qin Ran.


    It was quite miraculous how Li Shiyin, despite being almost the same height as Qin Ran, could now, all soft and pliant, stuff herself entirely into Qin Ran''s arms.


    "I thought seducing Master would be difficult..." sheughed, "but I found out Master is also a bad guy. No need for seduction, hees on his own."


    "So you admit you''re a bad girl?" he asked.


    "I''ve always been bad, wanting to eat Master up in one bite!" she replied.


    "Hmph! Who told you to be so beautiful?!" Qin Ran retorted, "If Master doesn''t eat you up himself, what if some foolish boy tricks you away? Wouldn''t I lose out big time?"


    "Is that your reason for personally tricking your disciple?" she asked.


    "No..." Qin Ran shook his head and said seriously, "It''s the disciple who tricked me. I was a pure little Taoist cultivating alone in the deep mountains, and you, this evil little vixen from the mundane world, yed with my feelings."


    "Actually..." Li Shiyin corrected, "I was an innocent little flower just entering the world of cultivation, and you, the great demon of the cultivation world, schemed against me. Now I''ve fallen into the demonic path, trapped and unable to escape!"


    "Poor me!" she finished, her eyes still twinkling withughter as she started to cry, "Boo-hoo-hoo."


    On the roof of the small wooden cabin, they gazed into the darkness, at the night sky where stars and moon were hidden, cuddling for quite a while.


    "Regarding passing the tribtion, how confident are you?" Qin Ran asked, returning to serious matters.


    "Hmm..." Li Shiyin pondered for a moment, then replied with a smile, "Ny-eight percent!"


    Qin Ran reached out to pinch the cheek of this little mischief-maker,ughing and scolding, "What ny-eight percent nonsense! How did you calcte that?"


    This girl might have some confidence in her abilities, but she absolutely had no understanding of the lightning tribtion.


    "Ha!" Sure enough, the silly girl raised her chin proudly and said, "If even I can''t pass the Golden Core tribtion, then there wouldn''t be many in the entire cultivation world who could."


    "Look how smug you are!" Qin Ran shook his head repeatedly.


    "Don''t worry, Master. Once I sessfully form my Golden Core, mybat power will greatly increase. Passing the tribtion won''t be a problem," Li Shiyin reassured him. "Then I can even help you catch a few lightning snakes to raise."


    "Can lightning snakes be raised?" Qin Ran asked with a smile.


    "Lightning snakes are still snakes. They can be raised, and they''ll definitely be more obedient than Qi Qi."


    "Qi Qi would bite you to death if she heard that," Qin Ran lowered his voice. "Qi Qi is the most petty. Watch what you say."


    "Okay..." Li Shiyin also lowered her voice, "After we raise lightning snakes, let''s throw Qi Qi away, okay? We won''t want her anymore."


    "Mm, whatever you say," Qin Ran nodded.


    "Hahaha..." Li Shiyin found it amusing and burst intoughter.

 Chapter 395

    Chapter 395


    Li Shiyin went into seclusion.


    Early the next morning, she entered the secluded chamber built specifically for her cultivation under the old locust tree by Qin Ran.


    This room had arrays for gathering spiritual energy and concentrating starlight, tailored specifically for Li Shiyin''s Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique.


    So for Li Shiyin to break through to the next realm, this was the best choice.


    Watching Li Shiyin enter the secluded chamber, Qin Ran slowly suppressed the me of desire and anticipation in his eyes, reced by a look ofplex calctions.


    If Li Shiyin seeded in forming her golden core, it would not only significantly improve her ownbat ability, but also notably enhance the strength of Dan Peak and the Dao Sword Sect.


    Because even though it was just the Golden Core stage, Li Shiyin''s Golden Core stage might very well be stronger than Lu Junxing''s.


    "If my silly disciple seeds in forming her golden core, then with Lu Junxing added, this trip to the Boundless Sword Sect will be even more secure," Qin Ran thought to himself. "I don''t believe there''s anyone stronger than these two prodigies in this Land of Immortal Legacy."


    To turn the Boundless Sword Sect, regardless of how it''s done, someone needs to go there to do it.So, among Gu Yueming, Qin Ran, and the man hidden behind Gu Yueming, who is most suitable to do this?


    Naturally, it''s Qin Ran.


    Going to the Boundless Sword Sect to turn them is equivalent to going to their doorstep to p their face. How could it be done without some real strength?


    Moreover, going to a sword sect like the Boundless Sword Sect to negotiate and turn them, a show of martial prowess is inevitable.


    Therefore, if they could overpower the Boundless Sword Sect in terms of strength, the subsequent negotiations for turning them would obviously be much easier.


    Qin Ran had originally nned to bring Lu Junxing and Liu Baixuan along, but now that Li Shiyin was about to form her golden core, she was clearly more suitable than Liu Baixuan.


    Because Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing, one at the Golden Core stage and one at the Nascent Soul stage, would be perfect for two matches at the same realm with the Boundless Sword Sect.


    "Two matches?" Qin Ran pondered, "Three would be better, with a Foundation Establishment disciple, making it best two out of three, plus a face-saving match. I wonder who''s the strongest among the current Foundation Establishment disciples of the Dao Sword Sect."


    As he contemted these matters, sensing that Li Shiyin had formally begun her cultivation in the secluded chamber, he used his divine walking step, turned around and left Dan Peak, heading towards the Master Peak.


    Li Shiyin was his disciple, so when the time came, he could just bring her along. But for Lu Junxing, he needed to personally invite and discuss, and also give advance notice.


    Forming a golden core is a big deal, but for Li Shiyin... surely no one would believe that Li Shiyin couldn''t form a golden core?


    Chasing the Wind, that silly boy, had already gone out to have fun with Li An, Long Qiqi wasn''t around either, and Tushan Youyou hadn''te down the mountain to watch. Under the old locust tree, there were only Qin Ran, Yu Chi Zhen, and Zhang Junyi.


    Qin Ran went to the Master Peak, Yu Chi Zhen quickly returned to her room, so only Zhang Junyi remained under the old locust tree.


    He sat at the table reading a book, but his eyes would asionally nce towards the secluded chamber where Li Shiyin was in seclusion.


    He was quite curious.


    Zhang Junyi knew that the very beautiful young woman was the disciple of Dan Peak''s head, and also knew that the rtionship between her and the head was somewhat peculiar, and that this young woman''s talent and strength were both top-notch.


    But, firstly, he was curious about how a disciple could be, um, like that with her master, and secondly, he was curious about just how strong Li Shiyin''s talent and strength really were.


    He knew that he himself had a high-grade water spirit root, which could already be considered as having outstanding talent. But he felt that he still seemed to be quite far behind Li Shiyin.


    At the same time, he had never seen seclusion or breakthrough before, this was his first time watching, so it was indeed quite novel.


    Was Li Shiyin breaking through to the Golden Core or the Nascent Soul stage?


    "What are you looking at?!" Suddenly, an angry voice berated him from behind. He turned around to see his nominal master, who hadn''t spoken to him until this moment.


    "Nothing!" He quickly lowered his head and replied.


    "You think she''s pretty and have thoughts about her, right?!" Long Qiqi sneered, "You humans are just so shallow."


    We humans? Zhang Junyi looked at Long Qiqi, could it be that this small-statured master wasn''t human? Oh, she looked so small but was so powerful, indeed she shouldn''t be human.


    As for whether he had any thoughts about Li Shiyin... Zhang Junyi shook his head inwardly. Because he had given all the love in his life to that white figure, he would never fall in love with another woman.


    "No!" He replied, his voice was soft but his tone was firm.


    Long Qiqi could hear the certainty in his voice, and she couldn''t help but look Zhang Junyi up and down with surprise. Li Shiyin was so beautiful, yet Zhang Junyi had no thoughts about her, could it be that this boy wasn''t interested in women?


    Or was his willpower so strong?


    She thought about how this guy was brought back by Qin Ran, and was even going to be taken as a personal disciple, but was stopped by Li Shiyin and became her nominal disciple instead. And that Qin Ran could resist the temptation of Tushan Youyou, so for him to take notice...


    She felt that Zhang Junyi was someone with strong willpower, and couldn''t help but give him an approving look.


    "It''s best that you have no thoughts. When shees out of seclusion, she''ll be the mistress of Dan Peak, the wife of your sect head!" she said coldly with augh.


    Although Zhang Junyi had his head lowered, he had been secretly watching Long Qiqi''s reactions from the corner of his eye, and seeing her approval of him, he was a bit confused.


    Because in his view, while Li Shiyin was beautiful, she was far inferior to his white-robed immortal sister.


    "Moreover, I want to solemnly tell you. That Li Shiyin is a person of extraordinary talent, a one-in-a-million, or even one-in-ten-million sword prodigy, someone you''ll look up to for your entire life," Long Qiqi warned sternly, fearing that Zhang Junyi might develop some inappropriate thoughts. "Do you know that in this generation''s genius rankings of the Dao Sword Sect, Li Shiyin ranks third at the Foundation Establishment stage? Those ranked above her are legendary Nascent Soul cultivators, and those ranked below her are Golden Core cultivators who believe their fate is in their own hands.


    "The longer you stay in the Dao Sword Sect, the more you''ll realize how formidable she is."


    Zhang Junyi listened with a shock in his heart. He had already estimated Li Shiyin''s abilities as high as possible. But he still hadn''t imagined that the girl who smiled so brightly and ran around Dan Peak was such a terrifying existence.


    She was far stronger than him.


    "Do you know..." The tiny Long Qiqi stood with her hands behind her back, looking up towards Qi Peak, and sighed, "The entire generation of disciples on Qi Peak has been suppressed by Li Shiyin alone."


    Zhang Junyi followed her gaze to look at Qi Peak, that distant mountain range. An entire generation suppressed by one person?


    There was admiration and fervor in his eyes.


    "When shees out after forming her golden core, who knows what kind of spectacle it will be," Long Qiqi added.


    This Li Shiyin must have half the grace of his immortal sister, Zhang Junyi thought to himself.


    "If you could have half her grace... no, even a tenth of her grace, I''d have to kneel and thank Qin Ran," Long Qiqi said. "Living alongside such a genius truly makes one feel desperate."


    A tenth? Half? Zhang Junyi gritted his teeth inwardly. He was going to be a peerless, world-ss alchemist.


    "So stop looking, and don''t aim too high," Long Qiqi withdrew her gaze and looked at the book in Zhang Junyi''s hands. "Focus on memorizing all those medicinal herbs, start from the very basics."


    As she finished speaking, she turned to leave, while tossing a bottle of pills onto the herbal book in front of Zhang Junyi, "These are Bone Tempering Pills, used for nourishing one''s constitution and bone structure. Take a couple whenever you have the chance."


    Zhang Junyi was stunned. He looked at the pill bottle in front of him, then turned to look at his small master heading towards the Research Building, feeling a strange mix of emotions.


    To be honest, after being on Dan Peak for over ten days, he had discovered that this peak was much better than he had imagined.


    That white tiger called Chasing the Wind, although he wanted to be his boss, did indeed take good care of him; that Li Shiyin, whom his master called a peerless genius, was actually very friendly to him; the tree spirit in that willow tree was a bit mischievous, but was ultimately an adorable child; although the sect head had always been fierce towards him, he could feel that it was strictness, that he was being trained.


    And his master, who had always rejected him before and never spoken to him, now seemed to be just cold on the outside but warm on the inside.


    Everyone on Dan Peak was very nice. Regardless of whether the sect head could help him take revenge and destroy Zhican Valley, at least Dan Peak was quite good.


    As he watched the young master disappear towards the Research Building, Zhang Junyi withdrew his gaze and picked up the medicinal pills in front of him, breaking the jade seal to pour one out.


    The pill fell into his palm, warm and almost hot to the touch.


    "?"


    Zhang Junyi was stunned. This bottle of pills wasn''t just casually given to him by the young master to win him over, but a bottle of pills specially refined for him. The master hadn''te to send off Li Shiyin earlier because he was helping refine pills for him.


    A warm current flowed through his heart, filling it with warmth, and he felt his eyes sting a little. Since his family was destroyed by Zhican Valley seven years ago, he had wandered the mortal world for six or seven years, experiencing all kinds of human warmth and coldness. It had been a very long time since he had felt such kindness.


    Holding the pills in his hands, he turned back to stare at the Research Building, where the master cultivated, for a long while.


    Zhang Junyi''s bamboo house had not yet been built. Mainly because Qin Ran required him to build it himself. Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind were initially very enthusiastic, but were ordered by Qin Ran not to help, so not only was his house not built, it barely had a foundation.


    After reading books all morning and finding something to eat in the kitchen at noon, he took a sickle and went up the mountain to cut bamboo.


    The main beam for the bamboo house was still missing, so he needed to cut a thicker bamboo pole.


    Once the main beam was in ce, he could begin to build the basic structure of the bamboo house. After the basic structure was set up, the remaining tasks would be much simpler.


    The path up the mountain had been walked so many times by Zhang Junyi that a faint trail had appeared. There was originally no path up the mountain, but one formed from his frequent trips.


    Like going up the mountain, cutting bamboo was initially unfamiliar to Zhang Junyi, but with practice, he became skilled at it.


    When he first started cutting bamboo, his sickle would break after just one cut. After struggling all day, exhausting himself, he''d only manage to cut three or four finger-thick bamboo poles.


    But now he could quickly find the bamboo he needed for the day, approach with his de, find the right angle, apply the right force, and in no time at all, cut down a bamboo pole as thick as arge bowl.


    Moreover,pared to when he first came to Dan Peak, his body had greatly improved.


    Although he was still very thin, he had actually started to gain weight. His figure didn''t appear to have changed, but by his own conservative estimate, he had gained at least ten pounds.


    After felling the bamboo, he skillfully cleaned off the branches, cut off the unnecessary section at the end, and dragged the bare bamboo pole down the mountain.


    Halfway down the mountain, at a spot where he could hear the roar of the waterfall, he stopped. Looking at the shallow path leading to the waterfall by his feet, which he had also created, he hesitated for a moment before putting down the bamboo and following the path towards the waterfall.


    Actually, apart from identally encountering the fairy sister on the first day, Zhang Junyi hadn''t seen her again since. Although he came here every day to wait for a while.


    Today he was just walking over out of habit. Although he very much wanted to meet the fairy sister, he no longer had such high hopes.


    If the fairy sister could be encountered so easily, would she be a fairy sister?


    Then, as he approached the waterfall''s edge, he saw the fairy sister standing on the opposite bank, lost in thought.


    Zhang Junyi was excited and ran over, raising his hands and shouting, "Fairy sister!"


    Unexpectedly, the fairy sister looked up, saw it was him, frowned, and directly turned to leave.


    "Ah!" Zhang Junyi shouted again, not knowing why the fairy sister would treat him like this, "Fairy sister, it''s me! Don''t you remember me?"


    However, the fairy sister didn''t pause at all and quickly disappeared into the mist raised by the waterfall.


    Zhang Junyi stood there with his hands raised, stunned. He didn''t know what he had done wrong, nor did he understand why the fairy sister was ignoring him now.


    Clearly... she had been moved by him before, hadn''t she?!


    He couldn''t understand: "Why would she treat me like this?"


    Are women really so heartless? Are they truly so fickle and ungrateful?


    He felt he had no love left. Life seemed meaningless. Watching the waterfall rushing down, he had quite an impulse to jump.


    Tushan Youyou had been feeling troubledtely because her array formations kept having errors in their derivations, making progress slow.


    What troubled her more was that in the past, when she encountered unsolvable array formation problems, she would go to the waterfall to rest for a while, enjoy the scenery, feel nature, and rx.


    But now suddenly there was an inexplicable person waiting for her there every day.


    If she hadn''t known he was Qin Ran''s new disciple, she would have dealt with him long ago.


    Now she couldn''t even go to the waterfall anymore.


    "Sigh... there are so many annoying people, and this one is especially annoying!" She covered her face and

 Chapter 396

    At some point, a rumor began circting again in Whale Fall City:


    "The seal on Divine Essence Mountain has been broken, the legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon has reappeared in the world, and the Divine Essence Condensation will finally choose its master."


    The reason it''s described as "circting again" is because this kind of rumor tends to resurface every few decades. It has been circted countless times since the Divine Essence Old Demon passed away on Divine Essence Mountain.


    A few decades is the time it takes for a new generation of cultivators to grow up from scratch.


    In other words, whenever a new batch of cultivators grows up and bes capable of researching the legend of the Divine Essence Old Demon from various sources and learning about the legacy seal on Divine Essence Mountain, the rumor starts circting again in Whale Fall City, Dragon Whale Ind, and the Tian Sea Region.


    The most interesting part is that every time this rumor resurfaces, it causes the entire Tian Sea Region to boil with excitement. This excitement leads countless young cultivators to eagerly rush off to try and break the seal on Divine Essence Mountain.


    So when does their excitement finally subside?


    Usually, it''s when they''ve gone through countless hardships only to discover that breaking the seal on Divine Essence Mountain truly does require seven celestial pills.


    So why does every resurgence of this rumor cause the entire Tian Sea Region to boil with excitement?On the surface, it''s because the legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon and the Divine Essence Condensation are truly enticing.


    Nowadays, slightly older cultivators aren''t surprised by the phenomenon of this rumor circting again in the streets.


    The only thing that might be considered strange is that this wave of rumors hase a bit earlier than usual.


    Because thest wave of secrets about Divine Essence Mountain had just passed ten years ago.


    Of course, cultivators have always been tireless when ites to these kinds of things.


    The cultivators in Whale Fall City say things like "Divine Essence Mountain? The legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon? I went there ten years ago, there''s no damn legacy", "It''s starting again? That crappy legacy, that damned Divine Essence Condensation, it needs celestial pills, seven of them! Who the hell cares?", "The killing has started again, who knows how many people will die this time", "There''s a good show to watch now". While saying these things, they gather their cultivation friends, find arge ship to go to Divine Essence Mountain together, and set off again with a group of inexperienced young men.


    On the vast sea, there''s arge wooden ship with white sails called "Shark yer" floating along. Although its sails aren''t raised, it''s moving at an incredibly fast speed,parable to the speed of an ordinary cultivator... because it''s not mainly propelled by waves and wind, it''s a cultivator''s ship.


    On the deck, Tie Ruonan, who was wandering aimlessly, suddenly noticed a familiar-looking man standing by the railing. The aura of his silhouette seemed familiar to her, and she wondered if he was one of the men she had slept with but hadn''t paid.


    The journey at sea was long and boring, and she had been wanting to find a man to y chess with for a while. But this mission was important, and they were at sea, so she didn''t want to waste too much energy getting to know a new man.


    So if there was a familiar man who could help her rx, that would be perfect.


    She didn''t think too much about it and walked straight to the man''s side.


    Standing beside this man and looking at the sea for a while, Tie Ruonan noticed that he had an inherent aura of mncholy and loneliness, which quite attracted her. So she found it strange that she couldn''t remember his name, given how special he seemed.


    She looked at the man beside her carefully again and was sure she hadn''t met him before.


    "Young master..." her affected voice made even herself nauseated. She smiled and asked, "May I know your name?"


    The man turned his deep eyes towards her and smiled, with a bit of a gentlemanly air. He answered softly, "Greetings, miss. I am Han Li."


    This refined aura made Tie Ruonan''s heart itch, making her want to hug the man in front of her tightly and squeeze him into her body.


    "Oh, my name is Tie Ruonan, I''m the captain of the first escort team of the Ind Lord''s Mansion in Whale Fall City," the robust and powerful Tie Ruonan said coquettishly. "Have you heard of me, young master?"


    "So it''s Captain Tie in person!" The man who called himself Han Li immediately bowed to Tie Ruonan, "Captain Tie''s unparalleledbat power and illustrious reputation are truly well-known to me!"


    Tie Ruonan covered her mouth and smiled lightly, saying shyly, "It''s just an empty reputation, not worth mentioning."


    "How could it be an empty reputation?" Han Li''s eyes lit up, as if full of admiration, "I heard just a few days ago that Captain Tie single-handedly slew a Ying Yu. A Ying Yu, a fourth-grade beast, how terrifying is that? Yet Captain Tie easily slew it. Suchbat power is beyond my imagination."


    This person admires me, it seems very promising!


    Tie Ruonan raised her hand and patted Han Li''s shoulder, smiling, "Actually, you could also..."


    "How could I possibly?!" Han Li hurriedly shook his head and sighed, "My foundation is weak, and cultivation has been difficult for me since childhood. I''ve been on the path of cultivation for twenty years, yet I''m still only at the first level."


    "So this time I had no choice but to go to Divine Essence Mountain, hoping to obtain the Divine Essence Condensation topensate for my weak foundation. But Divine Essence Mountain is fraught with danger, one wrong move and I could lose my life. That''s why I''m worried."


    So he''s a delicate beauty. Tie Ruonan''s tiger-like eyes looked at Han Li with affection, shaking her head, "If you''re going to seek the Divine Essence Condensation... this concubine suggests you leave early. Divine Essence Mountain is indeed very dangerous."


    "Captain Tie?!" But Han Li seemed to suddenly think of something, his eyes brightened, and he grabbed Tie Ruonan''s hand, asking eagerly, "You''re from the Ind Lord''s Mansion, you must be well-informed. Do you have any inside information about this trip to Divine Essence Mountain? Will the Divine Essence Condensation appear this time?"


    With her hand being held, feeling the warmth of Han Li''s palm, Tie Ruonan''s whole body itched, so she hesitated.


    After a while, she still shook her head and said, "How could there be any inside information? Isn''t it always like this?"


    But as she spoke, seeing Han Li''s hopeful eyes, she couldn''t bear it and lowered her head, "However, I do have a map of Divine Essence Mountain in my room. If you''re interested, you cane with me to take a look."


    Han Li was overjoyed and said, "Captain Tie, you have such a treasure? Please, show me quickly!"


    Tie Ruonan was also delighted. Her tiger-like eyes looked at Han Li with a spring-like glow, then she took Han Li''s hand and led the way with her head down.


    As she walked, she said coquettishly, "That map was given to me by the Ind Lord, it''s absolutely confidential. We can only look at it in the room, and it''s best if we cover ourselves with a nket..."


    Han Li... or rather Qin Ran, stood by the railing, watching Tie Ruonan pretending to be a woman, walking in front, holding a transparent water person, all the way into the cabin.


    He watched this scene expressionlessly, while thoughts constantly shifted in his deep eyes. "Even Tie Ruonan hase..." he analyzed, "Could it be that the force behind this event is the Ind Lord, not Mr. Zhai?"


    The sudden rise of this Divine Essence Mountain event, and its appearance just as he was beginning to plot for the Divine Essence Condensation, seemed odd.


    To say this was a coincidence, a trend, or a pattern, he wouldn''t believe it for a moment. He knew there must be a driving force behind it.


    This driving force wasn''t himself.


    He had originally suspected Mr. Zhai the most, as Mr. Zhai was the only one who knew he would be seeking the Divine Essence Condensation, but now it seemed it could also be the Ind Lord, or other forces unknown to him.


    Qin Ran never believed in coincidences. He didn''t believe that other forces just happened to have ns that he stumbled upon.


    He was more inclined to believe that this was Mr. Zhai''s handiwork. And then Mr. Zhai had influenced the Ind Lord...


    Thinking of Mr. Zhai''s deep and elegant appearance, reading books, ying chess, tasting tea, burning incense, Qin Ran couldn''t help but smile coldly, and then his figure slowly disappeared from the railing.


    Alchemists who can livefortably enough in the cultivation world are, without exception, individuals with minds as deep as sea trenches.


    Some say that every cultivator in the cultivation world needs pills, so the status of an excellent alchemist is bound to be incredibly high, loved and respected by everyone, and a honored guest wherever they go. They would be cherished like treasures by others.


    But...


    Has anyone considered that the more excellent an alchemist is, the weaker their actualbat power tends to be? Human energy has its limits, and the further an alchemist goes on the path of alchemy, the less they progress on the path ofbat power.


    So, what is it like for an excellent alchemist to walk in the cultivation world? It''s like a three-year-old child carrying a gold brick through a bustling market.


    Some might ask, can''t they use the gold brick in their arms to hire cultivators?


    In a cultivation world where even blood brothers might backstab each other, and parents might refine their own children into spirit tools, what kind of person would an alchemist be willing to employ?


    Of course, it''s not to say that some alchemists can''t find suitablepanions or be protected by sects, but such people are few and far between.


    Therefore, for an exceptional alchemist to thrive in the cultivation world, they must have methods topensate for theirck ofbat power.


    And the simplest way to make up forbat power is through one''s own intelligence.


    Basically, every independent alchemist wandering the cultivation world is a cunning old fox.


    When Tie Ruonan discovered that she had been following a water clone and returned to the deck, she didn''t see that detestable man by the railing. She furiously searched the deck once more but still couldn''t find him.


    When she returned to her room, she found that someone had ransacked it. Her map was missing.


    Tie Ruonan was beyond furious.


    Her face was as cold as water, her teeth clenched, but the fire in her eyes was about to burst forth. She stood at the doorway, her hands clenched into fists, veins bulging on her skin. A battle de flickered in and out of existence in her hand, murderous intent surging throughout the entire ship...


    She didn''t shout or scream, nor did she be hysterical. She just knew very clearly that the next time she saw that man called Han Li, she would personally chop him into pieces!!!


    Everyone can try it soon.¡¿


    82 Chinese Website

 Chapter 397

    The ship departing from Whale Fall City had been sailing for two days when it arrived at Divine Essence Mountain, or as it could also be called, Divine Essence Ind.


    From a great distance, someone standing at the bow of the ship pointed at the towering mountain in the sea and shouted, "Divine Essence Mountain!!!" His excited tone and hopeful gaze made it seem as if the Divine Essence Condensation on the mountain was beckoning to him.


    Soon after, people couldn''t wait for the ship to dock and took flight, soaring directly from the deck towards Divine Essence Mountain. As one person flew up, countless others followed suit. The deck became like a bird colony, with people taking off one after another, darkening the sky as over a hundred individuals flew towards Divine Essence Mountain.


    At this time, Qin Ran had already changed his appearance and facial features, relying on the unique properties of his water clone.


    He stood on the deck and waited for a while, observing that the first batch of people who flew to the ind didn''t suffer any attacks or encounter any dangers. Only then did he use his movement technique to fly towards the ind, blending in with the equally cautious group of cultivators.


    Divine Essence Mountain truly was a mountain, not just some small mound peeking out of the sea, but a towering peak rising thousands of meters above sea level, stretching into the clouds.


    The mountain''s girth was also impressive. Looking from one side, one could see its outline extending to where the sea met the sky. The hundred-plus people who had flown from the ship seemed insignificant uponnding on the ind. To find these people, one would have to pay close attention.


    Clearly, this ship wasn''t the first to arrive at Divine Essence Mountain. At the foot of the mountain and along the shore, over a dozenrge ships were already docked.


    Not all cultivators seeking opportunities on Divine Essence Mountain had arrived by ship; many had flown or swum there.So, in addition to the hundred-plus people from this ship, there were already quite a few people on the ind mountain.


    Qin Ran took a discreet aerial survey and saw people at the base of the ind, on the mountainside, and at the summit. He conservatively estimated that from the side he could see alone, there must be over a thousand people.


    The fame of Divine Essence Mountain, the legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon, and the allure of the Divine Essence Condensation were evident. Many people came even if they couldn''t break the seal themselves... What if someone else broke it? They might be able to pick up some leftovers.


    Qin Ran searched for a while before finding a secluded spot with no one around. Afternding, he cautiously surveyed the surrounding area, then returned and created a bubble to envelop himself.


    Inside his bubble, he took out a map from his Universe Bag.


    This map was the one he had taken from Tie Ruonan. While on the ship, he had kept it sealed, fearing there might be some kind of spirit imprint on it, and hadn''t dared to look at it. Only now did he open it for the first time.


    Although he had no idea what the map was for, it was the map Tie Ruonan had brought with her to Divine Essence Ind. It must have a significant connection to the ind.


    So rather than blindly starting to study the seal on Divine Essence Ind like a headless fly, he might as well follow Tie Ruonan''s map and see where it led. There might be some gains.


    Qin Ran removed his spirit seal and inspected the map once more to ensure there were no problems before opening it.


    When he looked at it, he saw an extremely simple map. It was like a child''s doodle, with lines drawn crudely. One could barely make out that the wavy lines represented water, and the triangles in the water were mountains. As for what the red dot on the mountain signified, nobody could tell.


    This map required bold guesswork to deduce that it depicted the Divine Essence Mountain before them, and a bit of brainpower to figure out that the destination was the red dot on the mountain.


    But that was the extent of it.


    To be honest, the drawing was quite abstract.


    Even as Qin Ranpared it to the Divine Essence Mountain in front of him, he couldn''t make out what exactly was drawn on it.


    He frowned, staring at it for a good while, but still couldn''t discern any hidden meaning in the map.


    "I thought I had a starting point, but I can''t even understand the map," Qin Ran chuckled self-deprecatingly, shaking his head as he sealed the map again and casually tossed it back into his Universe Bag.


    It seemed he would have to start from scratch in studying the seal on Divine Essence Mountain after all.


    But just as he put the map away, he suddenly realized something... It wasn''t that he was underestimating Tie Ruonan, but if he couldn''t understand this map, how could she?


    Unless there was more to this map than met the eye!


    Unless it was a map that only Tie Ruonan could understand!


    As this thought struck him, his hair suddenly stood on end! If this map was designed for only Tie Ruonan to understand, then it must have markers that only she could detect, marks that only she could discover.


    He quickly used his "Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water" technique. His form shimmered, and another figure leapt out from his body, diving straight out of the bubble and burrowing into the ground.


    Meanwhile, Qin Ran''s original form took out the map and continued to pretend to study it in ce.


    He hadn''t been studying for long when a de of light shed towards him from afar. Perhaps due to its overwhelming power, the de cut through the bubble and cleaved the Qin Ran inside in half, leaving him no chance to resist.


    As the de struck, it split open the rocky ground, creating a fissure. Close behind the de of light, a sturdy woman flew in. Shended with a "thud," holding a battle de in her hand, her tiger-like eyes as cold as ice as she stared at the bisected Qin Ran on the ground.


    "You dare to trick your aunty?!"


    She approached with her de, using its tip to poke at the two halves of Qin Ran''s corpse, confirming he was dead. Then she picked up the map from the ground.


    She sensed it briefly, confirming it was her map, then opened it and raised her finger, squeezing out a drop of blood onto the map.


    As her blood fell, the simple line drawing instantly transformed into a clear ink painting. The mountains and waters on the map became distinct, every de of grass, every tree, every stone and bird as vivid as reality.


    Thendscape depicted was none other than the Divine Essence Mountain before them. On this map, there was also a red dot, but this one was clear and precise, marking a tform indentation halfway up the mountain, corresponding exactly to the Divine Essence Mountain in front of them.


    This was indeed her map, and the sturdy woman, Tie Ruonan, couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. If she had lost this map, dying ten thousand times wouldn''t have been enough.


    At this moment, several cultivators flew in behind her. Sensing their approach, she quickly reverted the map in her hand to its crude line drawing state and rolled it up.


    As the groupnded, a man in a blood-red robe nced at the corpse on the ground, then narrowed his eyes at Tie Ruonan and asked in a hoarse voice, "Is it him?"


    Tie Ruonan replied, "It''s him. I''ve already killed him."


    As she spoke, she swung her de again. The de light whirled, and the two halves of the corpse on the ground instantly became countless pieces.


    She had fulfilled her promise to cut this map thief into ten thousand pieces.


    "I hope you haven''t leaked anything," the Man in Red Robe said with a cold smile.


    "That''s none of your business!" Tie Ruonan turned and flew up towards the mountain.


    The Man in Red Robe gave a sinisterugh but said nothing more. He took flight, following Tie Ruonan along with the others.


    After Tie Ruonan and her group had flown far away, the fragments of the corpse on the ground slowly turned to water, flowing outwards and soaking into the ground.


    Soon, apart from the damp ground, there was no other trace.


    Then, from this wet ground, a figure slowly emerged.


    He looked up in the direction Tie Ruonan had flown and chuckled lightly, "Throwing a stone... to find the way."


    He closed his eyes, his spirit crystal clear.


    Night fell on Divine Essence Mountain, at a certain spot halfway up the mountainside. This area was covered with flowers, grass, and trees, with birds and insects making their sounds. It looked no different from any other ce. When the wind blew, the flora swayed, and the insect and bird calls briefly paused.


    Tie Ruonan led the Man in Red Robe and the others, flying in from afar andnding beneath an ancient pine tree. Afternding, they continued forward, but as they walked, their forms disappeared into the open space ahead. It was as if they had entered another dimension, or as if their forms had faded away.


    "The spirit imprint has vanished?" Qin Ran frowned, quickening his pace to approach the spot where Tie Ruonan had disappeared.


    He crouched on the branch of arge tree, watching the open space from afar.


    "Was I discovered?" he wondered. "Impossible. Why would Tie Ruonan show that map to others? And none of them are spirit cultivators."


    "A formation?" He looked at the open space, faintly sensing the aura of formation runes. "A trapping formation? An illusion formation? A killing formation? Or simply a concealment formation?"


    Being too far away, he couldn''t determine what kind of formation it was.


    "Wait, wait..." Qin Ran rubbed his brow and reorganized his thoughts. "The lord of Dragon Whale Ind has a map pointing to a location on Divine Essence Mountain, and this ce is deliberately concealed by an array formation."


    "So what could be inside this formation?"


    A lord setting up an array formation at such a distant ce certainly wasn''t for leisure and entertainment.


    What was it for then? It was easy to guess.


    What did Divine Essence Mountain have? The legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon, the Divine Essence Condensation.


    "Ah!" Realizing this, Qin Ran couldn''t help but p his forehead. "I''m such an idiot! I knew the Divine Essence Old Demon''s seal was difficult to break, and gathering seven celestial pills was practically impossible. But I never thought deeply about how tempting the contents would be to cultivators."


    "I actually forgot that when the temptation is great enough, oppressors will stop at nothing."


    Would these ind lords just leave this treasure mountain here, able to see but not use?


    Obviously not!


    Unable to gather seven celestial pills?


    Okay, so we won''t gather them. There are countless unorthodox methods. There must be one that can break the seal of Divine Essence Mountain!


    "This is clearly the Dragon Whale Ind lord''s arrangement for Divine Essence Mountain," he realized. "If the Dragon Whale Ind lord can make arrangements, then other powers in the Tian Sea Region must be able to as well. In fact, none of the powers have given up on the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy."


    Thinking of this, he couldn''t help but draw in a sharp breath. Hadn''t he just stepped into the arena where these great powers were vying for control?


    Moreover, this time, he had a feeling that he was the one who triggered this Divine Essence Mountain incident. He was the butterfly that pped its wings.


    He had intentionally sought the Divine Essence Condensation and had to ask Mr. Zhai for information, so he knew that old schemer Mr. Zhai would cause trouble behind the scenes. But now it seemed that as soon as Mr. Zhai made his move, the Dragon Whale Ind lord sensed something amiss and immediately seized the opportunity, pushing this incident to ferment, and then other inds... other powers joined in the fray.


    Thus, it triggered this Divine Essence Mountain incident.


    "There''s one more thing..." Qin Ran pondered, "They''ve been seeking the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy and have had arrangements on Divine Essence Mountain all along. But why let so many peoplee to Divine Essence Mountain? This obviously affects their arrangements. Unless..."


    He thought of a possibility, "Some of them need these rogue cultivators for their arrangements. But what can rogue cultivators do? How can they be of help?"


    Just then, from the forest nearby, Tie Ruonan emerged from thin air onto the clearing, holding her battle de. Her eyes were bloodshot, exuding a murderous aura. Behind her were more than a dozen pitch-ck cultivators, also holding des and emanating killing intent.


    Qin Ran''s heart tightened. He looked up; the sky was about to darken.


    He suddenly recalled a piece of information he had subconsciously overlooked: each Divine Essence Mountain incident was apanied by ughter, with many people dying. He had assumed that since it was a ce of legacy with dangers, and cultivators gathered to fight for treasures, deaths were normal.


    But now it seemed...


    Something wasn''t right. At least Divine Essence Mountain didn''t have the typical dangers of a legacy site.

 Chapter 398

    The inheritance of the Divine Essence Old Demon held an immense allure for the cultivators of the Tian Sea Region.


    Even knowing that breaking the seal required seven celestial pills, even knowing the dangers of Divine Essence Mountain, thousands upon thousands of cultivators still flocked there every time a Divine Essence event arose.


    These independent cultivators of the Tian Sea Region had not given up their desire for the opportunities at Divine Essence Mountain, and neither had the major powers of the region.


    Or rather, it was precisely because the major powers had not given up that the independent cultivators were reminded time and time again of the Divine Essence Mountain inheritance in the Tian Sea Region.


    Their schemes and calctions, overt and covert, continuing for hundreds or thousands of years or even longer, were all for the sake of the Divine Essence Mountain inheritance.


    So what exactly were the arrangements made by the Dragon Whale Ind Lord?


    How did he intend to break the seal ced by the Divine Essence Old Demon - a being who was infinitely close to immortality - using his very life force?


    Qin Ran pondered these questions as he watched the ck-robed cultivators disappear into the darkness with their des drawn.


    What was hidden in that formation? What were these ck-robed cultivators going to do?Qin Ran closed his eyes, sensing that the soul imprint he had left on Tie Ruonan''s map was still very clear. Without hesitation, he followed in the direction of the imprint.


    The soul imprint moved swiftly down Divine Essence Mountain, indicating that Tie Ruonan was in a state of rapid movement. This state of haste continued for a while before suddenly stopping without warning and beginning to vibrate in ce. It was clear that Tie Ruonan had stopped halfway up Divine Essence Mountain.


    Qin Ran slightly increased his speed, flying towards the direction where Tie Ruonan had stopped.


    When he was still some distance away, a sea breeze suddenly blew up the mountain from below. As Qin Ran inhaled, he caught the scent of both sea salt and blood in the wind.


    "Ah! As expected..." Qin Ran was not at all surprised by the smell of blood.


    When he had seen that group of ck-robed figures earlier, their murderous aura had already given him an inkling of what they were up to in the dark of night.


    A moonless, windy night perfect for killing!


    Killing!


    "What is the purpose of this killing?" Qin Ran pondered as he employed his Flowing Water Technique to conceal himself in the air, continuing to move towards the source of the bloody smell. "Does the Dragon Whale Ind Lord''s arrangement require corpses? Is it the bodies themselves, or the souls of the dead? Or perhaps the blood?


    "But when a cultivator dies, doesn''t the spiritual energy in their dantian automatically dissipate? A cultivator''s corpse with its spiritual energy gone isn''t much different from an ordinary person''s. Why specifically lure cultivators here to kill?"


    As he was thinking, he suddenly realized that in the Tian Sea Region, there was a type of cultivator whose spiritual energy was not stored in the dantian, but throughout their body and muscles! Even after death, the spiritual energy would remain locked in their physical form... unless the body itself decayed.


    Those were... body cultivators!


    "Could it be that they''re only killing body cultivators?" He continued to analyze as he walked. "Are they using cultivators'' corpses for some kind of sacrifice? Or for a formation? Or to craft magical items? Or for some bizarre spell or supernatural ability?"


    As these thoughts raced through his mind, he had already crept close to the scene. Crouching on the top of a tall tree, he could see intense fighting still going on in the darkness ahead.


    And indeed, as he had analyzed, it was a battle between body cultivators.


    It was Tie Ruonan alone, wielding a battle de, engaged in closebat with three cultivators who were either armed with swords or fighting barehanded.


    Qin Ran looked on, and despite using his eye technique, he could only make out that the ck-robed, de-wielding figure was Tie Ruonan, but couldn''t clearly see her specific appearance or build.


    "She''s using some method to conceal her identity?" he nodded to himself. "That makes sense."


    Tie Ruonan was indeed formidable. Even though it was one against three, she didn''t seem to be at a disadvantage at all.


    Not only that, Qin Ran could clearly see two corpses lying on the ground, both with de wounds, cultivators who had already been cut down by Tie Ruonan.


    There were also three cultivators with severed hands and feet, likely Qi cultivators, lying on the ground groaning, no longer capable of fighting.


    The de wounds on these people were all on their backs, suggesting that Tie Ruonan had begun with a sneak attack. She had first ambushed them, her de moving in a flurry, killing two body cultivators, then instantly closed in to disable the three Qi cultivators, and finally engaged in directbat with the three remaining body cultivators.


    The difference in strength between the two sides was apparent, and after a brief period of close-quartersbat, the three body cultivators were also cut down by Tie Ruonan.


    Qin Ran, crouching far away on the treetop, witnessed Tie Ruonan''s ferocity and recalled how this woman had tried to seduce him multiple times. A chill ran down his spine.


    With the battle over, Tie Ruonan briefly tended to her own wounds before tying up the still-living but incapacitated Qi cultivators, as well as the dead cultivators. Then, with one hand carrying the three living Qi cultivators and the other dragging the five dead body cultivators, she began to retrace her steps.


    Qin Ran watched, suppressing the disgust in his heart and regaining his usual calm demeanor, continuing to ponder:


    It seemed to align with his earlier thoughts - for body cultivators, only the corpses were needed, as all their cultivation was within their physical bodies. For Qi cultivators, they needed to be alive, as dead Qi cultivators were not much different from ordinary people.


    ...This didn''t necessarily mean that Qi cultivators were better off than body cultivators, as it was still unknown what fate awaited them after being taken back.


    Qin Ran followed Tie Ruonan from a distance back to the formation site, where he could see that other ck-robed cultivators whose faces were equally indistinct had already returned. However, their "prey" from this outing was only one or two at most, far less impressive than Tie Ruonan''s haul.


    They gathered outside the formation area, all silent. There was a strange tacit understanding among them, indicating that they had done this many times before.


    After a short wait, everyone who had gone out returned. Tie Ruonan counted the numbers, and once confirmed, the group disappeared into the formation together.


    "Such tant killing..." Qin Ran continued to analyze, "After so many years, hasn''t anyone noticed anything unusual?


    "Logically, killing so many at once, anyone would realize something was wrong in this area. Add to that the possibility of other factions also killing in secret, and the number of deaths during each Divine Essence Mountain event must be astronomical. Yet, it seems no one in the entire Tian Sea Region has noticed anything amiss."


    He rubbed his brow, feeling that he didn''t quite understand the current situation.


    Could it be that because so many people die each time, as the deaths umte, it''s gradually epted as normal?


    Qin Ran waited for a while but didn''t see Tie Ruonan and the otherse out again.


    "Only one killing spree per night?"


    He began to understand a bit. If they only killed a few people or a dozen or so each night, it might not be so noticeable among the tens of thousands of people on Divine Essence Mountain, especially if they kept their actions as brief as possible...


    Indeed, Qin Ran waited outside the formation area for a whole night, but Tie Ruonan and her group did not act again.


    It wasn''t until the next day had passed and night fell again that the ck-robed squad reappeared.


    Qin Ran had been hiding there waiting for a day and a night. Seeing them skillfully disperse into the darkness, he decided not to follow Tie Ruonan this time. Instead, he randomly chose one of the ck-robed cultivators and followed behind him.


    This fellow appeared to be a second-rank body cultivator. He moved stealthily through the darkness with his de,pletely unaware of Qin Ran''s presence.


    He was walking along the mountain path, and after a short while, he spotted a roaring campfire on arge rock by the cliff in the distance. There were five cultivators, both male and female, gathered around the fire.


    Seeing this, he didn''t hesitate at all. With his de in hand... he turned and took a detour, giving the five people a wide berth and continuing up the mountain through the forest.


    After walking for a while longer, he finally found his target for this mission: a body cultivator resting with a sword in his arms, sitting in a tree.


    He approached silently, de in hand, creeping closer to the tree. When he was right beneath it, he suddenly leaped up, a sh of his de aimed directly at the cultivator in the tree.


    This sudden ambush in the darkness was something few could senseing.


    However...


    "I''ve been waiting for you!"


    The cultivator in the tree had reacted, or rather, he had been prepared. His eyes snapped open with a "swoosh," and the sword in his arms was unsheathed in an instant. A sh of sword light cut through the darkness, with a faint trace of sword energy visible. With a loud "ng," the sword light parried the ck-robed cultivator''s de.


    The sword-wielding cultivator didn''t pause for a moment. After deflecting the ck-robed cultivator''s attack and leaving him wide open, he thrust his sword straight at the attacker''s chest.


    "You night prowlers are getting more and more brazen, daring toe after even me?!" The cold snort of the sword-wielding cultivator reached Qin Ran''s ears.


    Watching the battle from a distance, Qin Ran saw the ck-robed cultivator narrowly avoid the sword-wielder''s thrust. Then, swinging his battle de back around, he engaged in fiercebat with the sword-wielding cultivator.


    The sh of des rang out in the darkness; countless sparks flew as swords and knives collided.


    Although the swordsman was powerful, nearly reaching the level of sword qi, the ck-robed knife-wielder sent by the Dragon Whale Ind Lord for this task was clearly no weakling either. Most importantly, he was a seasoned killer with a bloodthirsty, death-seeking fighting style.


    As a result, their battle reached a fierce stalemate.


    "Night Walker?" Qin Ran thought about the deeds of these ck-robed men and found the name fitting. "So the cultivators of Divine Essence Mountain are aware of these stealthy killers and even gave them a name." He wondered how this Night Walker would handle meeting such a tough opponent.


    When two body cultivators of equal strength engage in closebat, the sh of des is extremely dangerous. The darkness and cold edges of their weapons only added to the peril.


    In the darkness, the sound of colliding des grew faster and faster, like a thousand drums beating chaotically, making Qin Ran''s scalp tingle. Blood sttered, propelled by the force of sword and knife qi, and he felt wetness on his face.


    Just as the intense battle seemed about to reach its climax, torchlight suddenly shone from the forest. morous voices arose as cultivators leapt from tree to tree, rapidly approaching.


    Qin Ran quickly looked back, realizing it was likely the five people from the boulder earlier,ing to investigate themotion.


    He turned back to thebatants, who were still fighting fiercely. Using his eye technique "Phantasm Realm," he could see that both men were covered in wounds, bleeding profusely with injuries deep to the bone.


    "Night Walker, how will you handle this situation?" Qin Ran opened and closed his right hand, summoning the Water Flower Pearl.


    The pearl condensed water vapor, extending to both ends and slowly transforming into a sword.


    Both fighters noticed the approaching group. In an instant, the Night Walker''s qi and blood surged violently. Hisbat power suddenly increased by over 70%, each knife strike aimed to kill, every move an exchange of injury, fighting the swordsman with utter disregard for his own life.


    "Medicine?" Qin Ran could tell the Night Walker must have had pills ready in his mouth for such unexpected situations. Moreover, these pills surely boostedbat power at the cost of severe bodily damage.


    It was live or die!


    However, the swordsman indeed had some skill. Even with the Night Walker''s strength increased by 70%, he still couldn''t defeat him quickly.


    Qin Ran looked back, seeing the torches draw ever closer...


    "No more time!" he said softly.


    "Immortal Seeking the Way!"


    He shed forward, instantly appearing behind the Night Walker. Taking advantage of the moment when the Night Walker was fully engaged with the swordsman and unable to defend, Qin Ran''s sword sliced off his head.


    The swordsman, suddenly freed from the pressure of imminent death, opened his eyes to see the sudden appearance of a sword cultivator who had killed the Night Walker. He let out a great sigh of relief, saved and alive.


    He hurriedly said, "Thank you! Thank you for saving my life, fellow Daoist."


    Qin Ran smiled at him and replied, "No need for thanks!"


    Then he raised his hand and swung his sword at the swordsman''s head.


    Startled, the swordsman quickly raised his sword in defense, twirling it to block Qin Ran''s sneak attack.


    However, having just fought a life-or-death battle, he was already at his limit. This sudden rxation meant this parry was his "final ripple."


    Qin Ran suddenly shed again, his broken sword reforming and plunging into the swordsman''s heart.


    The swordsman instantly lost his strength. He looked at Qin Ran in confusion, not understanding why he would kill him.


    Qin Ran offered no exnation. To be safe, he cut off the swordsman''s sword hand, then casually thrust his sword into the swordsman''s brain.


    He looked back to see the boulder team very close now.


    The sword stuck in the swordsman''s brain melted, turning to water and reverting to its pearl form before jumping back into Qin Ran''s body.


    Then, Qin Ran grabbed a corpse in each hand and used Immortal Seeking the Way. With a few shes, he disappeared into the swaying trees.


    From far away, he faintly heard someone say, "That looked like the young lord of Evil Shark Ind..."


    "Young lord?" He immediately understood. "No wonder he was so powerful and knew about Night Walkers. His death wasn''t entirely in vain."


    After running quite far, Qin Ran finally stopped. He searched the Night Walker''s body and found nothing but an identity token imprinted with a giant whale.


    He thought for a moment, then stripped off the clothes and put them on himself. He discovered the clothing was a magical item with the ability to conceal one''s form.


    He then took the Night Walker''s knife and used "Water Births All Things" to draw all the water from the Night Walker''s body, reducing it to white bones, which he then crushed to powder with the knife.


    "I should have brought some corpse-dissolving powder. Disposing of bodies is very inconvenient."


    As he pondered this, he hoisted the swordsman''s corpse onto his shoulder. He changed his appearance to match the Night Walker''s, even altering his body to disy wounds corresponding to those on the clothes. Then, with a sh, he set off towards the formation

 Chapter 399

    Tonight''s hunting operation was not very sessful.


    It wasn''t that they couldn''t find people, but that there were too many people around.


    Tie Ruonan searched up and down the mountain for a long time before finally catching someone alone.


    However, she had already spent enough time tonight. When she returned to the formation site, she found that the time she spent was actually considered short.


    Hardly anyone had returned to the formation site.


    Even when they waited at the edge of the formation until the time limit, not all team members returned. Tie Ruonan finally counted the numbers and found that tonight''s losses were heavy, with four team members missing.


    And even among those who returned, several were seriously injured, especially one who was covered in sword wounds, bleeding profusely.


    Of course, she felt no emotional response to this situation. After all, doing this kind of work, they deserved to die, and it was easy to die.


    If not tonight, then tomorrow night. They were prepared for this, knowing they would be food for that thing, just like their prey.Tie Ruonan remained silent as she walked towards the formation.


    But just as she turned, she suddenly felt that the corpse carried on the shoulder of the heavily wounded team member looked somewhat familiar. She turned back for a closer look and was surprised, because she recognized it as the Young Master of Evil Shark Ind, the sworn enemy of Dragon Whale Ind.


    She looked at that team member and couldn''t help but ask, "Did you kill him yourself?"


    The team member lowered his head and replied in a hoarse voice, "Yes!"


    Tie Ruonan nodded approvingly and said, "Very good."


    Then she turned and walked into the formation.


    Following Tie Ruonan, Qin Ran blended into this team of night walkers and entered the formation together.


    His spiritual sense detected that the identity token with the giant whale imprint on his body had automatically reacted, interacting with the surrounding formation to create a protectiveyer around him, preventing him from getting trapped in the formation and allowing him to walk through it as if walking normally.


    "This is indeed a token for entering and exiting the formation..." he thought, feeling relieved yet frowning at the same time.


    He frowned because he hadn''t been able to detect the formation runes on the giant whale identity token.


    At the same time, as the identity token interacted with the formation, he quietly observed the surrounding formation, trying to deduce its basic structure from its disyed effects.


    But soon, he discovered that while this formation''s identity token was more advanced than the Lingnan Region''s, the formation itself was not as good.


    This formation itself seemed to be in a state of confusion and crudeness. He couldn''t find traces of the basic formation, and the fundamental array patterns had no specific category, still in a chaotic state.


    Of course, for now, this chaotic state of the formation was better. Because Qin Ran couldn''t figure out how to break this formation in a short time, like at a nce.


    The group of night walkers passed through the formation and arrived at the entrance of a cave.


    Qin Ran observed discreetly and found that this was an earthen cave, man-made, quite old, with the cave walls showing signs of age.


    Despite its age, the cave was still quite rough. Its walls were very crude, just rough earth surfaces with only some spirit energy patterns used to stabilize the walls.


    ...The reason for not calling them formation runes was because those patterns were also very crude, even cruder than the formation arranged outside.


    From this point of view, the formation of this cave predated the formation outside.


    The cave extended forward, with a visible slope to the naked eye, ultimately winding downwards.


    Obviously, there were no lighting tools on the cave walls, and with the wet, muddy ground underfoot, the group truly became night walkers, advancing into the depths of the cave in the darkness with the sound of "plop plop" footsteps.


    Darkness, humidity, the smell of blood, footsteps, plus going downward, all made Qin Ran feel like hell was ahead.


    After walking for a long time in silence, light suddenly appeared ahead.


    Light should normally bring brightness and hope, but the light ahead,bined with the smell of blood and the aura of death in the air, gave Qin Ran a sense of deathly stillness.


    Ahead was extremely dangerous, probably truly hell.


    At this moment, Qin Ran finally had the thought of running away.


    And when he had this thought, he realized that he hadn''t left himself an escape route. He hadn''t made enough preparations and had rushed here headlong.


    "No wonder the main body makes so many preparations before taking action... No wonder the main body sent me here to scout first." It wasn''t until this moment that Qin Ran understood the importance of having escape methods. "A person only has one life. And I''m just a clone. Is this the reason?"


    But havinge this far, he no longer had the chance to retreat. He could only steel himself and move forward.


    "I abandoned the main body''s timidity and cowardice, but also lost his steadiness and caution." He shouldn''t have just casually blended in like this, entering the enemy''sir.


    Regardless of what feeling that light gave Qin Ran, when they actually walked to this ce, there was still a sense of "suddenly opening up."


    Because this ce was so vast.


    Looking from this end to the other, the people on the opposite side seemed truly tiny.


    And this ce only had light, but the light was not bright, appearing dim.


    A crude, dim, veryrge cave - this was Qin Ran''s first impression.


    Tie Ruonan continued walking forward, the shadowy visual misdirection on her body disappearing, revealing her true appearance. The others around did the same. Qin Ran secretly controlled the ck clothes on his body, following suit to reveal his face... of course, it was the face of the original owner of these ck clothes.


    As they walked towards the opposite side of the cave, a man in a red robe came to meet them from that direction.


    Seeing that the night walkers had few prey today, and even four people were missing, he looked at Tie Ruonan and said coldly, "What happened today?"


    "There were too many people today," Tie Ruonan replied expressionlessly.


    The man in red robe sneered, "At your progress today, who knows when you''ll be able to contaminate the seal. I hear Evil Shark Ind is close to sess."


    "Evil Shark Ind?" Tie Ruonan gave him a cold nce, then pointed back at Qin Ran and said, "The Young Master of Evil Shark Ind is right here."


    The man in red robe frowned, "Why did you kill him?"


    "We killed him, what''s the big deal?" Tie Ruonan said indifferently.


    She no longer spoke with the man in red robe and led the group of night walkers past him to the innermost part of the cave.


    At the very back of the cave was a very tall, broad, and thick wall, also in its primitive earthen state. And at the foot of this wall was a huge pit.


    Tie Ruonan led the night walkers to throw all the corpses into this huge pit.


    There were already corpses in the huge pit, some intact, some iplete. Qin Ran nced and recognized the qi cultivator that Tie Ruonan didn''t killst night; it was an intact corpse.


    Some people were iplete, some were not. Those who were not iplete were qi cultivators, probably because they were still alive when thrown in.


    Qin Ran casually threw the so-called "Young Master of Evil Shark Ind" into the pit, and then inadvertently observed this huge pit and the wall behind.


    The huge pit was obviously part of some formation. Across from it, a group of cultivators sat cross-legged at the edge of the pit, casting spells that had some connection with the huge pit.


    This was not much different from what Qin Ran had guessedst night. It was used to collect things like spirit energy, magical power, and blood essence from the cultivators'' bodies. Cultivators were like spirit stones or food, and this huge pit was the stomach. The pit digested the cultivators, and the useful parts were transported to other parts of the formation to be stored or undergo further changes.


    Qin Ran didn''t look much at this pit, nor did he look much at the people across from it.


    He didn''t know how long this huge pit had existed... and thus didn''t know how many cultivators had died in this huge pit.


    He casually looked up, observing the wall behind.


    Then he realized that this cave being dug to this point was not by chance...


    Because there was an extremely terrifying sealing power on the wall.


    Without guessing, he knew directly that this was the seal left by the Divine Essence Old Demon, spread throughout the entire Divine Essence

 Chapter 400

    The array symbols in the Celestial Sea Domain originally differed from those in the Lingnan Region. Moreover, what the Divine Essence Old Demon had set up on Divine Essence Mountain was a seal, and seals were different from arrays. Thus, the seal before them was something entirely newpared to the arrays of the Lingnan Region.


    Qin Ran activated his Eye Technique Illusory Realm, gazing at theplex, strange, and unfamiliar symbol patterns on the mountain wall before him, and felt a sense of despair.


    In his previous life, his mathematical knowledge had allowed him to progress easily and far in the field of arrays.


    If learning arrays for ordinary people was like a baby learning to walk, for him it was like Usain Bolt sprinting 100 meters.


    This was because his method of learning arrays was fundamentally different from that of ordinary people.


    For the people of this world, arrays were simr to traditional Chinese medicine in Qin Ran''s previous world - an empirical discipline.


    The ancients would try one medicine after another, discovering the effects of each; they would try one method after another, finding out which method was effective for which illness.


    Then they would record their findings and pass them on to future generations. Their descendants would rely on these records, experiences, and prescriptions to treat illnesses and save lives, eventually forming their own experiences.


    Very few people would study in detail the specific mechanisms of each medicine. What happened when it entered the human body? What effects did it produce? This was a ck box.Arrays were simr to this.


    Initially, there were no arrays in the cultivation world. Until cultivators identally discovered that certain natural environments with the ability to concentrate spiritual energy from heaven and earth had somemon factors, they noted thesemonalities. They would go elsewhere and find that wherever these characteristics were present, spiritual energy could be concentrated;ter, they artificially arranged such environments and found they could also concentrate spiritual energy.


    This was the primitive form of the Spirit Gathering Formation.


    Simrly, more and more terrains with other effects were discovered, and these terrains were named arrays.


    Then, people abstracted the characteristics of these terrains, obtained array diagrams, simplified the diagrams, and turned them into array symbols... basic array patterns.


    Cultivators created more and more array patterns, and more array patterns appeared in the cultivation world. Arrays developed.


    During this process, simr to traditional Chinese medicine, most cultivators only knew what effects certain arrays or basic array patterns had, but not why thebination of certain array patterns produced a particr array.


    They learned arrays one by one, rather than learning array patterns one by one.


    If a master knew an array, like the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, they would teach this array to their disciple, and the disciple would only know this array.


    If the master held back something, or if their own understanding or memory of the array was problematic, then the array learned by the disciple would have issues, and they wouldn''t know how to fix it.


    Using mathematics as an analogy, it''s like a teacher only teaching how to solve the current problem, without teaching problem-solving strategies or analyzing what type of problem it is and how to solve this type of problem.


    Students would remember how to solve this particr problem, but when faced with a slightly different problem in an exam, they wouldn''t know how to solve it. In extreme cases, even if only the numbers changed while the form remained the same, students would be at a loss.


    This could be attributed to the students'' dullness orck of flexibility in learning, but it could also be said that the teacher waszy in their teaching. Arrays should be learned starting from basic array patterns, then using array patterns to derive arrays. But this was too difficult; disciples couldn''t learn it, and teachers couldn''t exin it, so they just memorizedplete arrays as they were.


    Qin Ran was just a student who learned more flexibly. He had the innate advantage brought by mathematics, starting to learn from basic symbols, and could use mathematics to derive arrays from symbols and derive formed arrays from basic arrays.


    In the field of arrays, Qin Ran was like a student who could derive forms on his own.


    But the situation he faced now was that the basic array patterns in the Celestial Sea Domain had developed more wildly than in the Lingnan Region and were not systematic. He didn''t recognize the basic array patterns in this seal.


    A huge arrayposed of basic array patterns he didn''t recognize, one he had never seen before - the difficulty of breaking this array was simply too great.


    He would first have to learn all the array patterns involved in this seal, then deduce the array based on these patterns. Only then could he break the array.


    Not to mention that hisputing power was far from enough to calcte the level of this seal, just finding out all the basic array patterns of this seal... this entire Divine Essence Mountain was not something he could do in a short time.


    So at this moment, Qin Ran looked at the array patterns hidden in this mountain wall and felt momentarily desperate.


    "Using my method to break the seal, it''s not that it can''t be done, but it would take too long," he suppressed the despair in his heart and looked towards the giant pit beside him. "It seems I''ll have to rely on the Ind Master''s arrangements over these many years.


    "But how exactly are the Ind Master''s arrangements supposed to break the seal? And how am I supposed to get this thing? This still needs to be nned from scratch..."


    He withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the other night walkers, finding that they had already dispersed in the cave, each tending to their own injuries.


    "No matter how to break the seal, these people are all obstacles."


    He looked at the night walkers scattered throughout the cave, considering in his mind how he could kill them all.


    "If ites to a direct confrontation, I might not have a chance even in a one-on-one fight. In the end, I''ll still have to resort to poison."


    To poison, one needs poison.


    "Fortunately, I secretly kept some medicinal herbs when I was refining pills earlier," he felt grateful for this traditional virtue of alchemists. "Although I can''t refine other potent poisons, based on the pharmacological structure of the Death Notice Pill, I can still use these herbs to refine a simplified version of it. It doesn''t have to be lethal, just enough to weaken theirbat ability."


    While nning in his mind, he surveyed the night walkers in the cave, looking at them like prey.


    Four night walkers had died in tonight''s operation. Now there were twenty-seven night walkers left in the cave, plus nine cultivators of unknown purpose sitting cross-legged at the edge of the giant pit, and then Tie Ruonan and the Man in Red Robe. In total, there were thirty-eight people in this cave.


    "The herbs are a bit scarce, the pills I can refine probably won''t be enough to take out so many people..."


    As he was looking, he suddenly noticed that the night walkers in this cave didn''t seem very familiar with each other. There was even wariness between them.


    This reminded him thatst night and tonight, when the night walkers went out to do their killing missions, they were all acting alone. He hadn''t seen any cooperation in killing... even though cooperative hunting would be more efficient.


    Even now, as they were treating their wounds, they were doing it alone.


    He thought for a moment, looked at the slowly disappearing corpses in the giant pit beside him, and understood: this giant pit only needed the corpses of body refiners, whose corpses they were, it didn''t discriminate.


    "If that''s the case, it''s not bad. It''ll be more convenient for me to deal withter."


    It was a rare piece of good news.


    After scanning the cave a few times, Qin Ran also found a spot where no one was.


    However, just as he walked over and sat down, he heard someone calling out to him: "Hey! That guy..."


    He looked towards the voice and saw it was Tie Ruonan speaking in his direction. He wasn''t sure if she was talking to him, so he double-checked before getting up and walking towards Tie Ruonan.


    "Captain!" he asked, "What''s the matter?"


    He didn''t pretend to be servile, because his persona was that of a death soldier, or assassin, who came to Divine Essence Mountain specifically to kill. Such a person was a desperate character and wouldn''t be subservient.


    Tie Ruonan nced at him and asked, "What''s your name?"


    Hearing this question, Qin Ran cautiously called out, "Captain!" and then quietly gestured with his eyes towards the other night walkers.


    Tie Ruonan was taken aback for a moment, then realized that although everyone here was a death soldier, it was still best to conceal their identities. She nodded to show she understood, and smiled, "Quite cautious, aren''t you."


    "I have a wife and children at home, I have no choice," Qin Ran made up a story on the spot.


    This wasn''t because he was worried about exposing the identity of his substitute, but because he simply didn''t know what name his substitute went by, so he spoke this way.


    ...The situation was urgent when he killed the person, he didn''t have time to search their soul.


    "Your strength is very impressive," Tie Ruonan said. "Although the young ind master of Evil Shark Ind is a good-for-nothing yboy, he''s still quite strong at the level of a second-grade body refiner. The fact that you could kill him ande back alive is truly remarkable."


    "I''m still far behind you, Captain," Qin Ran replied.


    "Hah!" Tie Ruonan smiled coldly, her face not matching herughter. "You''re actually trying to tter me... I didn''t expect to find someone like you who knows how to brown-nose here."


    Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat, but he just smiled and didn''t respond further.


    Tie Ruonan casually pulled out a porcin bottle and handed it to Qin Ran, saying, "Here''s a bottle of Blood Replenishing Pills for you. I hope you survive until the end of this mission."


    "?"


    Qin Ran was puzzled. He had just been worrying about not having enough medicinal ingredients, and now Tie Ruonan was giving him pills... Did she not know that pills could also be used as ingredients to refine more pills?


    Could Tie Ruonan be a traitor to Dragon Whale Ind?


    He quickly thanked her, his gratitude genuine: "Thank you, Captain."


    "Don''t mention it..." Tie Ruonan responded offhandedly.


    The two weren''t close, and this wasn''t an appropriate ce for chatting.


    Qin Ran, having received the pills, returned to his previous position.


    As soon as he sat down cross-legged against the wall, he noticed that the other night walkers were eyeing the pills in his hand, either intentionally or unintentionally. They were probably considering how to snatch this bottle of healing pills from him.


    Seeing this, heughed coldly in his heart.


    "You want the pills?" He took out one pill, tossing it into his mouth. "I''ll give them to you."


    But the bottle vanished from his hand.


    82 Chinese Website

 Chapter 401

    Qin Ran sat down cross-legged, pretending to be healing and cultivating. The injuries on his body were slowly recovering under his control... just like a normal person recovering from injuries after taking medicinal pills.


    Seeing that his injuries were too severe, Tie Ruonan didn''t ask him to participate in the hunting operation on the third night. By the fourth night, when someone else was even more seriously injured, they called on him to continue carrying out the mission.


    He picked up his battle knife, activated the concealment effect of his ck clothes, and blended in with the night walkers, following Tie Ruonan out of the cave and to the area outside the formation.


    No one spoke a word. The group of night walkers silently split up, each choosing a direction where no one else was going, and darted off.


    Qin Ran was different from the other night walkers. The others were going to find people to kill, but he wasn''t. His task today was to find a ce where no one was around and refine a weakened version of the Death Notice Pill.


    He pushed his speed to the limit, heading down Divine Essence Mountain all the way to the seaside. Seeing no one around, he plunged into the sea.


    Diving about twenty meters underwater, he cast the spell "Dreamlike Bubble" to create a bubble that isted the surrounding seawater, enclosing him inside.


    The reason he only dove twenty-some meters was due to time constraints.


    The night walkers had a very short time to carry out their tasks each night. Once they exceeded that time, the others wouldn''t wait for them anymore. They would assume that any night walker who didn''t return on time had died, and they would go straight back into the cave.Given the nature of the night walker group, if someone truly didn''t return within the specified time, there was likely some special method that would cause the night walker to actually die.


    The bubble interacted with the seawater, stabilizing in the water.


    Inside the bubble, Qin Ran''s physical body convulsed, and medicinal herbs flew out of his body one by one, also floating in the bubble.


    These were all the herbs he had hidden away.


    After taking out the herbs, Qin Ran didn''t hesitate. He also took out the bottle of Blood Replenishing Pills given by Tie Ruonan, then set about refining the Death Notice Pill.


    He stretched out his hand, and balls of water flew out from his body. Each ball of water enveloped a type of herb, extracting the essence of its medicinal power under the control of his primordial spirit.


    He couldn''t be more familiar with the Death Notice Pill, and he had used all these herbs before, so he knew their individual medicinal properties. Therefore, refining this batch of simplified Death Notice Pills wasn''t exactly a piece of cake for him, but it didn''t pose much difficulty either.


    The only issue was that he had never used pills as ingredients to refine other pills before. This was his first attempt...


    Sure enough, there was a problem!


    Using pills as ingredients to refine other pills is actually quite challenging, because it requires not only understanding the medicinal properties andponents of the herbal pills but also understanding the medicinal properties andpositional structure of the pills being refined.


    Qin Ran didn''t understand this, so he started by trying to break down the Blood Replenishing Pill.


    He didn''t even know what herbs were used to refine the Blood Replenishing Pills in this Heavenly Sea Domain. As soon as he tried to break it down, "pop", the medicinal power bnce of the pill was disrupted, instantly ruining it and turning it into a waste pill.


    "This won''t work..."


    Qin Ran looked at the ruined Blood Replenishing Pill and shook his head.


    "There''s not enough time to start learning how to refine pills using other pills now. However... these Blood Replenishing Pills shouldn''t go to waste." He looked at the various refined medicinal essences on the other side. "I can infuse the medicinal power of the Death Notice Pill into these Blood Replenishing Pills."


    His powerful primordial spirit instantly flew out. He formed a crude pill embryo ording to the medicinal power structure rules of the Death Notice Pill using the extracted medicinal essences, and then violently extracted the water from it, obtaining a simplified version of the Death Notice Pill.


    However, even after using all the medicinal herbs he had kept for himself to refine this simplified version of the Death Notice Pill, he only managed to produce five pills.


    "Five simplified Death Notice Pills won''t be enough to kill thirty-some cultivators."


    He thought for a moment, then directly crushed three of the Death Notice Pills. He poured out all the Blood Replenishing Pills from the bottle and then coated them with the powdered Death Notice Pills.


    Tie Ruonan had given him twelve Blood Replenishing Pills in total. He had eaten onest night, leaving eleven. Now he kneaded the powder from three Death Notice Pills into these eleven Blood Replenishing Pills, ultimately producing eleven Death Notice-Blood Replenishing Pills.


    "There are still twenty-six night walkers, but only thirteen pills..." he sighed inwardly. "Adding in powerful individuals like Tie Ruonan and the Red-Clothed Man, it''s still not going to be easy."


    ...Another night walker had diedst night.


    But whether it would be easy or not was a matter forter. Now, he had to hurry back.


    Dispelling the bubble, Qin Ran returned to the shore and quickly made a round along the coast. He soon found a lone small cultivator. He approached using Immortal Seeking the Way and easily dispatched him with a single sh of his knife.


    Then he repeatedly used Immortal Seeking the Way, barely making it back to the formation area just as Tie Ruonan was counting heads.


    Tie Ruonan nced at him, recognizing him through the concealment effect of his ck clothes, and asked, "Why so slow?"


    "My injuries haven''t fully healed," Qin Ran replied.


    Tie Ruonan epted this reason without saying much more, and led everyone back into the cave.


    Entering the cave, Qin Ran felt that this ce had be even more terrifying, bloodier, and more oppressive. The scent of death hung in the air, almost tangible.


    He looked at the opposite cave wall, the giant pit at its base, and the eerie cultivators around the pit, feeling as if this was the holynd of some evil cult.


    This ce that resembled hell. If the Divine Essence Old Demon''s seal were to be opened in such a horrifying manner, what would the Divine Essence Old Demon think?


    "But, humans are like this..."


    Qin Ran threw the innocent, ignorant small cultivator from his shoulder into the giant pit, feeling somewhat conflicted.


    He hadn''tpletely lost his humanity after all. When sacrificing thispletely innocent small cultivator to the giant pit, he still felt a pang of reluctance in his heart.


    "This damned world of cultivation is just like this..." he sighed inwardly.


    But he immediately had doubts, "Is it really that this world is like this, or is it just me who''s like this?"


    However, he didn''t have much time for reluctance and doubt, because he needed to quickly turn around with an expressionless face and leave the edge of the giant pit as if nothing had happened.


    "I''ll try to kill as quickly as possible!"


    He turned his back on the giant pit and walked towards the cave wall, inwardly promising the innocent small cultivator in the pit.


    Finding a spot to sit cross-legged, Qin Ran quickly counted and found that two more night walkers were missing. It seemed two more had died tonight.


    "Twenty-four night walkers left."


    He had sat down facing the inside of the cave, towards the sealed cave wall next to the giant pit. So even though he closed his eyes, his primordial spirit flickered faintly between his eyebrows, looking at the seal on the cave wall, carefully decoding the basic array patterns within the seal.


    He had to study both the Ind Lord''s arrangements and plots in this cave, as well as the seal that the Divine Essence Old Demon had ced on Divine Essence Mountain. He had to work on both...


    Time flew by, and on Qin Ran''s fifth night on Divine Essence Mountain, he awoke from his meditative state of decoding array patterns.


    After a day and night of decoding, he hadn''t managed to decipher a single array pattern. Instead, he was somewhat confused by the Divine Essence Old Demon''s seal... but he didn''t mind, because this was the expected process of learning something new.


    He stood up with his battle knife and walked over to Tie Ruonan along with the other night walkers who were about to carry out their tasks.


    Seeing him, Tie Ruonan asked, "Are your injuries healed?"


    "Yes," Qin Ran nodded, "They won''t affect my actions now."


    Tie Ruonan didn''t ask any further questions. She counted the people and led them out of the cave.


    As usual, after leaving the cave and the formation, the night walkers scattered in all directions, each carrying a knife, looking as terrifying as ck impermanence walking in the darkness.


    Qin Ran ran in one direction for a while, and when he saw that everyone had scattered, he chased after the nearest night walker.


    Before long, he was discovered by that night walker. The night walker immediately stopped, turned to face him, his battle knife gleaming, ready to strike at any moment.


    "Why are you following me? If you can''t exin clearly, you die!" he said emotionlessly.


    Qin Ran stood still, slowly and without hostility took out the bottle of pills from his bosom, poured out one pill, and tossed it to the night walker.


    "No other reason. I just hope you''ll die a littleter," he replied. "The longer you live, the longer I can live too."


    The Night Walker caught the pill and examined it, but being just a crude body cultivator, how could he detect any problems with it? He looked at Qin Ran again, feeling that Qin Ran''s exnation made sense... Of course, the most crucial point was that Tie Ruonan had handed the pill to Qin Ran right in front of them, so he didn''t think any further and put the pill away.


    "Stop following me!" He turned and left.


    Qin Ran stood in ce watching him leave, without any extreme reactions.


    Night Walkers were in the business of killing. Those who kill will be killed in turn. So some deaths were only natural. Moreover, as the Divine Essence Mountain incident progressed, with continuous night battles, more and more Night Walkers would die. This was also normal.


    However, despite this, Tie Ruonan still felt that the casualties among the Night Walkers had been a bit too high recently.


    For three consecutive days, at least three Night Walkers failed to return each day.


    Now, when she went to count the numbers, she found that there were only twelve Night Walkers left in the cave.


    She realized something was wrong, as if someone was specifically targeting them.


    She saw the Night Walker who had killed the Young Master of Evil Shark Ind open his eyes and stand up, walking towards her. She noticed that this Night Walker truly had some strength. Night Walkers suffered casualties every night, and he had been so severely injured, yet after executing missions for so many consecutive days, hisplexion was getting better and better.


    When that Night Walker came over, she warned all the Night Walkers: "Be careful. Things haven''t been right these past few days. It might be other inds deliberately targeting us. Everyone stay alert."


    The Night Walkers nodded silently.


    Qin Ran nodded along with them.


    And just as Tie Ruonan had observed, hisplexion was indeed getting better and better, because not only were there only twelve Night Walkers left, he still had six Death Notice-Blood Replenishing Pills and two weakened Death Notice Pills remaining.


    Not only were the Night Walkers in the cave decreasing ording to n, but just now, he had also made a breakthrough in deciphering the Divine Essence Old Demon''s seal... unraveling the first basic rune of the formation.


    And since the beginning is always the hardest, deciphering the subsequent basic runes of the seal would presumably be much easier.


    Even though only twelve Night Walkers remained, Tie Ruonan still led them out to execute missions. Qin Ran, while marveling at the oppressor''s cold-heartedness, followed the same method and approached one of the Night Walkers.


    When that Night Walker stopped, he tossed a Death Notice-Blood Replenishing Pill to him.


    As time passed and the number of hunts increased, the Night Walkers sustained more and more injuries, so their demand for pills grew greater and greater.


    Qin Ran''s pills became easier and easier to distribute.


    However, tonight, this Night Walker didn''t catch his pill.


    The Night Walker let the pill fall to the ground and coldly stared at Qin Ran, saying, "It''s you, isn''t it?"


    "What?" Qin Ran asked, confused.


    "The one secretly hunting Night Walkers is you, right?! You''re the mole!" the Night Walker said coldly.


    "What mole? How could I kill Night Walkers..." Qin Ran innocently defended himself.


    But just then, he suddenly noticed that in the surrounding darkness, people were dragging swords and surrounding him.


    His expression gradually sank as he activated his Pupil Technique Illusion Realm.


    Right in front of him, walking towards him with a cold face and wielding a battle sword, was none other than Tie Ruonan!


    And the remaining eleven Night Walkers were all surrounding him as

 Chapter 402

    "So..." Qin Ran raised the knife in his hand, pondering, "When was I exposed?"


    He reviewed his actions over the past few days, searching for details that might have given him away.


    "Captain, what''s this about?" While reviewing, he asked aloud.


    "Are you from Evil Shark Ind?" Tie Ruonan continued to approach, now nearly within her optimal attack range. She asked coldly, "Or are you actually the young master of Evil Shark Ind?"


    "Hmm? Did she start suspecting me from the day I carried back that corpse?" Qin Ran analyzed her words, but then realized, "No, that night Tie Ruonan even gave me medicinal pills, and besides, she doesn''t have the brains for that."


    He nced around at the other Night Walkers, "And they weren''t in the mood to consider whether I was from Evil Shark Ind or not."


    "It must have been him." He thought of the man in red.


    "Captain, what are you talking about, Captain?" He asked with an innocent and confused expression, "How could I possibly be from Evil Shark Ind?!"


    "You''re not from Evil Shark Ind? Then why did you kill our Night Walkers?" Tie Ruonan had reached her optimal attack position. She stopped advancing, raised her war de, andpletely locked her energy onto Qin Ran.At this moment, although Tie Ruonan had stopped moving, Qin Ran instantly felt as if the world had frozen. All of his attention was drawn to the edge of Tie Ruonan''s war de. He felt that Tie Ruonan''s de could show him his own brain matter at any moment.


    His body stiffened because of the de''s edge, his skin raised goosebumps due to the killing intent.


    But Qin Ran''s expression remained calm as he defended himself: "I didn''t kill any Night Walkers!"


    "You didn''t kill Night Walkers? Then why has your performance these past few days beenpletely inconsistent with thebat ability needed to kill the young master of Evil Shark Ind? Every night, you''ve only had one prey." Tie Ruonan lowered her head, looking at the de''s edge, her voice still cold and expressionless, "This isn''t thebat ability you should be disying."


    "Because the battle to kill the young master of Evil Shark Ind that night was too dangerous, I didn''t want to take such risks again," Qin Ran exined.


    "A very convincing exnation," Tie Ruonan nodded.


    Although Tie Ruonan verbally agreed with him, Qin Ran didn''t rx, because the edge of the de in Tie Ruonan''s hand gleamed coldly in the darkness.


    "I originally didn''t believe you were a traitor, but now I do. Do you know why?" Tie Ruonan didn''t wait for Qin Ran''s answer, she answered herself, "Because, although your mind is trying to remain calm, your body, every inch of your flesh, is speaking of fear."


    "Who wouldn''t be afraid when facing the Captain''s war de?" Qin Ran replied.


    "Still quibbling!" Tie Ruonan suddenly shouted.


    In an instant, the calm suppressed by Tie Ruonan''s energy erupted. In the darkness, all the killing intent burst forth with this shout.


    "Swoosh!"


    A snow-white strip of light exploded, the de''s light split the darkness, instantly reaching Qin Ran''s face!


    Although Qin Ran had been quibbling, he had also been on full alert. When the de light came, he raised his knife to defend.


    But unfortunately, his spirit was willing but his flesh was weak. He wasn''t a body cultivator, nor a body refiner, and he wasn''t even skilled inbat. So although he managed to intercept the path of the de light through prediction, he still couldn''t withstand Tie Ruonan''s furious strike.


    The knife in his hand shattered with a ng.


    He managed to dodge in the midst of extreme danger, with only his shoulder and the hand holding the knife being severed by Tie Ruonan''s de light.


    "Not bad!" Tie Ruonan praised coldly.


    But, when she spoke, she was already within ten feet of Qin Ran, and before her words had even fallen, she was already in front of him.


    The de in her hand was even more ruthless and unfeeling, shing down!


    Facing Tie Ruonan directly, Qin Ran finally understood just how strong she was. Not through observation, not through others'' praise, not through spoils of war, but through the very real threat to his life.


    In the darkness, he clearly saw Tie Ruonan''s war de suddenly burst into his field of vision from far away, then getting closer and closer to his eyes, closer and closer, until it entered his brain...


    She then pulled downwards!


    "sh!"


    He was cleaved in two with a single strike!!


    "What a swift de!" he praised.


    Tie Ruonan stood before Qin Ran, holding her de. She wasn''t pleased about cleaving Qin Ran in two with a single strike, nor was she honored by Qin Ran''s praise. Her expression remained grave, even more so than when she had discovered that Qin Ran was indeed a traitor, an insider.


    Because, although the person before her had been split in two by her, he was still standing.


    Although she had dismembered one of his arms and split him in two, there was no blood.


    No blood spurting out, no blood raining down to drench her entire body.


    She very much enjoyed bathing in the blood of her enemies, watching their blood spurt out like a whale''s spout. She found it beautiful. It was her only romance.


    But this person was still standing, his face showing no pain, regret, or any other expression. Instead, he started to smile.


    The situation had subtly reversed.


    "Who are you?" She raised her head, ring at the two eyes of the bisected Qin Ran.


    "Actually, we''re quite familiar," Qin Ran smiled gently, but his current appearance paired with his smile was truly eerie. He addressed her respectfully, "Captain Tie!"


    As he smiled and spoke, his two halves began to melt like snow.


    "Captain Tie, we''ll meet again," his body melted into water, he gradually shrank down, but he raised his head, looking up at Tie Ruonan, smiling as he promised, "I will kill all of you."


    "You?"


    Who was Tie Ruonan? What kind of eeriness or threat could intimidate her?


    She swung her de again, with a sh of de light, Qin Ran''s already shortened two halves became four pieces. He no longer had the strength to stand and fell to the ground, continuing to melt.


    "You won''t leave Divine Essence Mountain alive," the four pieces of body lying on the ground melted faster, soon turningpletely into water, seeping into the earth, emitting a voice, "Just by me alone."


    "Trying to scare me?!!"


    Tie Ruonan summoned her energy, "Boom boom boom" swinging out more than ten strikes, directly chopping out a regrrge pit where Qin Ran had disappeared.


    But still no sign of Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran had indeed likely escaped, right under her nose, in this bizarre manner.


    She held her war de, standing at the edge of the pit, her eyes blood-red, breathing deeply repeatedly.


    When she had calmed down a bit, a Night Walker came over and asked, "Captain, are we still carrying out the mission tonight?"


    Tie Ruonan turned her head and coldly red at him, asking in return, "What? Are you afraid of him? Are you afraid of death?"


    "No, I''m not," this Night Walker replied.


    "He''s clearly not a body cultivator, just knows some shy techniques," Tie Ruonan snorted coldly, "Be a bit more careful, what other tricks can he pull? Continue the mission!"


    "Yes!"


    The Night Walkers responded in unison, then disappeared into the darkness, continuing to carry out tonight''s mission.


    Tie Ruonan cast a murderous nce at the huge pit she had chopped out, and then began to carry out tonight''s mission as well.


    When the Night Walkerspleted their mission and returned to the formation ground, they found that they were still missing one person when counting their numbers.


    Tie Ruonan didn''t know if the Night Walker had been killed while carrying out the mission or if he had been killed by the traitor. But she assumed that the Night Walker had been killed while carrying out the mission.


    The second night they still went out on their mission as usual, not taking the traitor''s warning to heart.


    So when they returned and counted their numbers afterpleting the mission, only nine Night Walkers remained.


    The third night, seven.


    The fourth night, six.


    Tie Ruonan was sitting cross-legged on the ground, cleaning her de. She was using a cloth covered in runes, dipped in a strange liquid, to wipe the de.


    Her face expressionless, she only asked, "Are you afraid?"


    "No."


    "Are you afraid of him?"


    "I''m not afraid of him!"


    Tie Ruonan nced at this Night Walker, seeing his dark face without a beard, with two horrific scars on his left cheek.


    She lowered her head, continuing to clean her de, saying in a calm voice, "We are the reapers in the darkness, hunting cultivators in the night. The cultivators of Divine Essence Mountain fear us, respectfully calling us Night Walkers. It has been so for thousands of years.


    "Have you ever seen sharks being hunted as prey? It''s always the sharks hunting other fish.


    "We are Night Walkers, we are the hunters! If we don''t kill him now, what face do we have to continue existing in this world?!"


    She tossed aside the cloth for wiping her de, picked up her sword, and pointed it at the remaining six Night Walkers. With a cold voice, she asked, "Are you afraid?"


    "Shing! Shing! Shing!"


    The six Night Walkers all drew their swords. The ck-faced Night Walker spoke, "Death is all that awaits us. What is there to fear?!"


    "Polish your des!" Tie Ruonanmanded, "Tonight, we are the hunters!"


    The Night Walkers also wiped their des with that special liquid.


    Then the group of seven set out from their base.


    Tie Ruonan held her sword, carefully searching in the darkness, cautiously exploring Divine Essence Mountain. Tonight, she didn''t care about anyone else; she only wanted to find that traitor.


    After searching for half the night, when it was deep into the night hours with the bright moon high in the sky, she came to the seaside. There, on a rock by the shore, she saw a man in ck sitting with his back to her.


    The ck clothes were the Night Walkers'' attire, and judging by his build and aura, she thought she hadn''t forgotten him so quickly.


    "Were you waiting for me?" Tie Ruonan silently moved to the optimal striking distance, her energy locked onto the man on the rock. She spoke, "You were waiting for death!"


    The man on the rock turned around, revealing the face of the traitor. He asked Tie Ruonan, "You came alone?"


    "To kill you, I only need one hand. What does it matter if I''m alone?" Tie Ruonan replied.


    "You can''t do it," the man on the rock shook his head. "You may be able to defeat me, but you cannot kill me."


    Tie Ruonan raised her sword, showing it to the man on the rock. The cloth and mysterious liquid she had used to polish her de earlier had given her sword a special effect.


    She said, "This sword can cut through the soul. No matter how many magical transformations you have, you only have one soul."


    "Very well," the man on the rock nodded in agreement. "You now have a weapon capable of killing me. But how will you keep me here?"


    "Why do you think I''ve been talking to you for so long?" Tie Ruonan said.


    The man on the rock realized and looked around. Sure enough, the remaining six Night Walkers had surrounded him, including from the sea.


    "You were waiting for them?" His expression finally changed.


    "You''re too arrogant," Tie Ruonan said. "Just because you managed to kill a few Night Walkers with your despicable methods, you''ve forgotten who you are!"


    With that, she gripped her sword tightly, her form suddenly shing as she rushed towards the rock.


    In the moonlight, her shadow stretched long due to her incredible speed.


    At the same moment, the other Night Walkers also closed in on the rock in a surrounding formation.


    Tie Ruonan, being the strongest and fastest, reached the rock first. She swung her sword down, and the traitor, offering no resistance, was split in half by her de.


    And then...


    The traitor still didn''t die!


    Just like that night, the man split in two stood steadily, eerily, in the moonlight on the rock.


    But her sword was supposed to be able to cut through souls now! Had the man in red clothes deceived her?


    She looked at her sword, then couldn''t help but ask the traitor split in two, "Why aren''t you dead?"


    "Why?" The traitor smiled and still gave Tie Ruonan an answer, "Because I have no soul."


    By this time, the other six Night Walkers had also reached the rock.


    Tie Ruonan looked closely at the traitor in front of her, suddenly feeling he was somewhat transparent. She realized something was wrong and hurriedly shouted, "Retreat! Quick, retreat!!"


    But it was toote.


    With a loud "boom," the traitor exploded.


    In the clear moonlight, the exploding traitor looked like a wave blooming on the shore.


    The water from his explosion sshed onto the rock and onto the seven Night Walkers, including Tie Ruonan.


    "Hmm?" Tie Ruonan stuck out her tongue to taste the liquid that had flowed to her lips. Not tasting blood, she was confused, "Water?!"


    "No," the Night Walker who had rushed over from the sea spoke up, exining to her, "It''s poison."


    "What?" Tie Ruonan was shocked. She looked up at the Night Walker opposite her, recognizing him as the ck-faced Night Walker who had suggested she abort the mission.


    At this moment, under her gaze, she saw the ck-faced Night Walker''s form slowly change, transforming into the familiar appearance of the traitor.


    "It''s you?!" She eximed in surprise, raising her sword to strike at the traitor.


    But for some reason, as she swung her sword, she suddenly felt weak all over. A feeling of being neither alive nor dead rose from within her heart.


    She suddenly only wanted to die, not live, and her hand lost all strength.


    "ng!"


    Her sword blow was caught by the traitor, who then vanished from in front of her in a sh.


    She was stunned, and in the next moment, she felt a sword pierce through her back into her heart...


    "When did my reactions be so slow?" The thought urred btedly in her mind.


    "If I could infiltrate your group once, why couldn''t I do it again?"


    The traitor''s voice came to her. She turned towards it and saw the traitor hovering in mid-air above the sea. The clear moonlight shone on him as he smiled gently, looking refined and even somewhat holy.


    ...It would have been perfect if he wasn''t sttered with her blood.


    The traitor''s smile seemed somewhat familiar to her. As she was slowly trying to recall why, she saw the hovering traitor change his form again, bing the man named Han Li whom she had killed with her own hands on the day theynded on the ind.


    "It''s you?!" She cried out in shock.


    "It''s not me," Qin Ran shook his head and smiled, then mischievously changed back to his true form. "It''s me."


    "!!!!" Shocking Tie Ruonan for life, as the Death Notice Pill invaded her heart and soul, she used herst breath to cry out venomously, in disbelief and loudly, "Li Feiyu?!!"


    Her shrill voice carried far across the sea and under the moonlight.


    Qin Ran watched as Tie Ruonan slowly fell, along with the other Night Walkers, onto the rock he had carefully chosen for them.


    The sky was azure, the moonlight clear. He smiled gently, shaking his head slightly, and softly corrected her, "Not that either. My name is Qin Ran."


    82 Chinese Network

 Chapter 403

    Seven went out, one returned.


    The Red-Clothed Man looked at Tie Ruonan before him, severely poisoned and heavily wounded, in disbelief: "You all... are... are dead? All seven of you Night Walkers were killed by one person?!"


    "He used poison," Tie Ruonan said, unable to support herself and sitting down. "We were caught off guard and all fell for his trap."


    She paused, then continued, "Thinking back now, he must have used poison to hunt Night Walkers before."


    "What kind of poison? Is it that powerful?" The Red-Clothed Man took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and asked.


    Tie Ruonan weakly raised her hand, gesturing for the Red-Clothed Man to see for himself, and said, "How would I know what poison it is? You check it for me. You must save me."


    She was just a crude body cultivator.


    The Red-Clothed Man came to his senses, took Tie Ruonan''s hand, and began to check her pulse.


    "Then how did you manage to survive?" he asked while checking her pulse."His actualbat strength isn''t that high..." Tie Ruonan gasped for breath, "He thought we were all dead from the poison. But he didn''t know I could seal my heart meridians, trapping the poison inside. I took the chance when he wasn''t paying attention and killed him with one sh."


    The Red-Clothed Man nodded, looked at Tie Ruonan, and asked again, "With such heavy casualties in this mission, how will you exin it to the Dragon Whale Ind Lord?"


    Tie Ruonan remained silent.


    After checking her pulse and understanding the condition of Tie Ruonan''s body, the Red-Clothed Man frowned and said, "No wonder even you fell for it. This poison is indeed formidable. It''s apound toxin that can both seal blood and weaken cultivation. Very tricky."


    "Tricky? Do you have a way to detoxify it?" Although weakened, Tie Ruonan''s eyes were still fierce. She stared at the Red-Clothed Man and asked, "It''s constantly eroding my cultivation. I can''t seal it for too long. I feel my strength draining every moment."


    "Of course I have a way to detoxify it..." The Red-Clothed Man found it strange and asked Tie Ruonan in return, "Have you forgotten that I''m an alchemist?"


    Tie Ruonan''s heartbeat suddenly quickened, as if excited by the hope of survival. Her fierce demeanor softened, and she let out a sigh of relief, smiling, "I forgot."


    She repeated twice, "It''s good that you''re an alchemist, it''s good that you''re an alchemist."


    The Red-Clothed Man looked at Tie Ruonan with suspicion, assuming that she was confused due to her near-death experience and the poison affecting her not-so-intelligent mind. So he didn''t dwell on it further.


    "Although this poison is ingenious, there''s a way to neutralize it," he said. "Don''t speak anymore. First, take two healing pills to stop your external wounds, then meditate to heal yourself. Leave the poison to me."


    "Hurry," Tie Ruonan urged, "I can''t control the poison anymore."


    "I''m aware," the Red-Clothed Man stood up and quickly walked towards the cave''s depths, to that rock wall.


    Tie Ruonan sat cross-legged weakly behind him, her eyes following his movements. She watched him walk to the rock wall, then turn towards the huge pit, and as he walked, his entire person disappeared above the pit.


    "Just as I expected, the huge pit is indeed only part of the formation!" Tie Ruonan raised an eyebrow and closed her eyes.


    The huge pit had consumed the corpses, and it must have obtained something that could affect the seal. But this cave was spacious and vast, with everything visible at a nce, and there was no ce to store the pit''s products in sight.


    So it was clear that the huge pit was only part of that formation. The more important part of the formation was hidden.


    The Red-Clothed Man''s actions now confirmed his guess.


    This Tie Ruonan was, of course, not the real Tie Ruonan, but Qin Ran who had transformed into her appearance.


    The real Tie Ruonan had already beenpletely destroyed, her soul scattered and her body turned to ashes, vanishing into the vast, boundless sea.


    The poison in his body was certainly not the poison from the Death Notice Pill, but a poison he had simted using his extensive knowledge of alchemy and his water-form body that could transform in countless ways.


    The Night Walkers had already been dealt with by Qin Ran, so he only needed to take care of the people guarding the formation in the cave, and then whatever was in the huge pit - whatever it produced that could affect the seal - would be his.


    "But there''s no need to rush. I can stay here for a long time under the pretext of recovery," Qin Ran calcted in his mind. "The Divine Essence Mountain incident is about to pass, and the cultivators have all left. With fewer cultivators remaining on Divine Essence Mountain, it''s bing safer. I have plenty of time."


    "So what needs to be done next?" He began to organize his thoughts. "Kill those guarding the formation, break the formation above the huge pit or find a way to enter the hidden space. How to kill them? There''s only one Death Notice Pill left."


    "And... why is that Red-Clothed Man an alchemist? And not a formation master? Is there something else going on?"


    "What''s in that hidden formation space? Are there more people?"


    While organizing his thoughts, he let his primordial spirit emerge from between his eyebrows, raising his eyes to look at the seal on the rock wall, and began to decipher the basic formation patterns.


    The Dragon Whale Ind Lord had been working on this for so many years but hadn''t obtained the legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon from Divine Essence Mountain. So he couldn''t have too high hopes for the current arrangement. There was a high probability that he would have to do it himself.


    Therefore, deciphering the basic formation patterns was also something he had to do.


    He had already deciphered one basic formation pattern before, like finding the end of a tangled ball of yarn. The subsequent deciphering work became much simpler.


    These past few days, he had been hunting Night Walkers at night, and during the day, he hadn''t been idle either, busy deciphering the basic formation patterns.


    So by now, he had actually mastered elevenpletely different basic formation patterns.


    "I wonder how many basic formation patterns this seal actually uses..." he thought while deciphering. "But this is a seal from 70,000 years ago, and there must have been fewer basic formation patterns then than there are now."


    In 70,000 years of formation development, many new basic formation patterns must have emerged.


    Time passed slowly, and a night quickly went by. Qin Ran had deciphered two more new basic formation patterns.


    By now, he could understand the part of the seal he had been deciphering recently.


    With thirteen basic formation patterns, he could actually use these thirteen to arrange,bine, and set up formations.


    At noon, the Red-Clothed Man finally emerged from the hidden space, bringing a pill - the antidote for Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran took it and looked at it, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.


    With his current level of alchemy, he could determine most of a pill''s properties just from its color, smell, and the distribution of spiritual energy within it.


    And this pill...


    It was very interesting.


    "What''s wrong? Captain Tie, is there a problem with the pill?" The Red-Clothed Man frowned and asked.


    Qin Ran quickly shook his head and smiled weakly, "I''m just a mere body cultivator, how could I tell the quality of a pill?"


    With that, he tossed the pill into his mouth.


    Seeing Qin Ran take the pill, the Red-Clothed Man''s expression softened, and he smiled, saying, "This is an antidote pill I specially concocted for you, Captain Tie, using many precious spiritual herbs. It''s even considered a low-grade pill!"


    "I see!" Qin Ran smiled at the Red-Clothed Man, cupping his hands in gratitude, "Thank you, sir! I''ve just taken the pill and already feel much better."


    "Good that you understand." The Red-Clothed Man nced at him and turned to walk back to the hidden space. "This is today''s dose. I''m going to concoct tomorrow''s now. The poison you''ve been afflicted with is truly potent; it might take about ten days topletely neutralize it."


    "I''m really troubling you too much, sir!" Qin Ran said apologetically, but as he watched the Red-Clothed Man''s slowly disappearing figure, a glint of killing intent flickered in the depths of his eyes.


    The antidote pill was indeed an antidote pill, capable of neutralizing the poison he had simted in his body. However, this antidote pill contained something else - another type of poison. A slow-acting, conceble poison.


    "Why would he poison Tie Ruonan?" He was somewhat puzzled. "Has he already discovered me?"


    "No... If he had discovered me, he should have gathered people to deal with me directly; even if he was worried about not being able to defeat me, he should have used a more potent poison. This is clearly a backup n or a poison to ckmail Tie Ruonan."


    "... Does he have feelings for a woman like Tie Ruonan?"


    "But if he hasn''t discovered me, he intends to poison Tie Ruonan. Could he have a grudge against Tie Ruonan? But Tie Ruonan is already a core confidant of the Dragon Whale Ind Lord..."


    "Is it possible that he''s a true traitor, a mole! Could he actually be from another faction?"


    Analyzing to this point, he shook his head, "It doesn''t matter. Whether or not he''s from another faction, I must kill him. Whether or not he poisoned me has no effect on my ns."


    So he tossed the Red-Clothed Man aside and focused on decoding the seal.


    Over the next ten days, Qin Ran decoded one hundred and one basic array patterns and consumed ten antidote pills from the Red-Clothed Man.


    The poison in his body gradually disappeared under his control, and the symptoms of poisoning and injury slowly alleviated. Of course, he thoughtfully gathered the toxins from the Red-Clothed Man.


    "Captain Tie, how are you feeling?" the Red-Clothed Man asked considerately after Qin Ran took the tenth antidote pill he had carefully concocted.


    Qin Ran pretended to assess himself and replied, "At least seventy percent better. Sir, your pill-making skills are truly impressive! I''m genuinely in awe."


    The Red-Clothed Man nced at him and gestured for him to offer his wrist for pulse-taking.


    "Hmm!" He nodded and said, "The toxins have actually been cleared. Only the internal organs damaged by the poison haven''t recovered yet. Now it''s just a matter of recuperation."


    "The poison is already gone?" Qin Ran eximed with feigned joy, quickly saying, "Thank you, sir! Your divine medicine and immortal pills have saved my life. From now on, if you have any requests, just let me know. I won''t even furrow my brow."


    The Red-Clothed Man nced at him and said, "We both serve the Ind Lord, Captain. No need for such formalities." "I''ll go make a few more healing pills for you..." He said as he stood up, then asked, "When does Captain Tie n to return?"


    "Now that the toxins are cleared, I''ll return to Dragon Whale Ind in the next couple of days," Qin Ran replied.


    The Red-Clothed Man considered briefly, then said, "Captain Tie should stay for another five days! So I can use pills to help you recuperate fully."


    Qin Ran naturally knew what the Red-Clothed Man was calcting. He needed five more days to thoroughly poison him.


    So he smiled and said, "That''s fine, but I''m troubling you too much, sir."


    The Red-Clothed Man''s lips curved into a smile as he shook his head and said, "It''s no trouble." Then he disappeared into the hidden space again.


    Watching the Red-Clothed Man''s retreating figure, Qin Ran''s lips also curved into a smile.


    "You don''t want me to leave, and I don''t want to leave either. You need time to poison me, and I need time to break the array."


    He closed his eyes, his divine soul flying out from between his eyebrows. At a certain height, he could see the full extent of the giant pit. His divine soul power activated, and he began to decode the basic array patterns of the giant pit.


    It was time for him to break the array surrounding the giant pit.


    The giant pit array was specifically designed for the seal, and the basic array patterns used were the same as those in the seal.


    Qin Ran had already mastered over a hundred basic array patterns of the seal, so decoding this much simpler giant pit array was incredibly easy for him now.


    It felt like breaking the simple arrays in the Lingnan Region. He just needed to find the basic array patterns, deduce the basic arrays, and then arrange andbine them.


    Or rather, he had been doing the most challenging problems all along, and now he was going back to do the easy, point-scoring questions...


    In two days, he hadpletely decoded the array surrounding the giant pit. In another day and a half, he had deduced all the basic arrays of the giant pit using the basic array patterns he had mastered.


    And by the moment he was about to ept thest healing pill from the Red-Clothed Man, he had already figured out how to break the giant pit array, as well as...


    How to enter the hidden space!


    So he took the pill and casually grasped the Red-Clothed Man''s hand.


    "Ca-Captain Tie!" The Red-Clothed Man was startled when his hand was gripped by Tie Ruonan''s rough hand. He knew Tie Ruonan was notoriously promiscuous but never imagined she would make a move on him in such circumstances. He hurriedly tried to pull his hand away but couldn''t, so he said, "Captain, please control yourself!"


    He was also calcting that if Tie Ruonan really tried to force herself on him, he would make her poison re up.


    But when he saw the seated Tie Ruonan raise her head, her eyes slowly lifting, with an eerie smile on her face as she looked at him.


    "Captain?!" He realized something was wrong. He tried to pull his hand away again but still couldn''t.


    He was an alchemist, the most standard type of alchemist, the kind with terrifyingly lowbat power.


    "Was poisoning fun?" The Tie Captain before him spoke, her rough female voice mixed with a male tone.


    "What?" The Red-Clothed Man was shocked. Had his poisoning been discovered?


    "Who are you?" He reacted, realizing the person before him didn''t seem to be Tie Ruonan.


    "Who I am doesn''t matter," the person before him raised their headpletely, looking up at him with a crazed smile and fierce eyes, saying, "What''s important is...


    "You''re already dead!!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, terror struck the Red-Clothed Man''s brain. Before he could speak, he felt his body rapidly weakening, quickly bing hollow.


    He looked down and saw that the hand Tie Ruonan was holding had be withered; he looked back at himself and saw the water in his body, as if boiling, being evaporated and controlled by Tie Ruonan, floating in the air.


    "You are..." he asked, "Who?!"


    These were hisst words as a human.


    As soon as he finished speaking, he fell powerlessly towards Tie Ruonan.


    Hisst blurry sensations felt Tie Ruonan embracing him, the other hand pressed against his forehead, whispering in his ear: "I am Li Feiyu."


    He heard it was a clear male voice, and then he felt himself flying.


    He flew into the air, confused, opened his eyes and saw a man he had never seen before in front of him.


    "Soul Cultivator?" he asked.


    The man didn''t speak, just smiled at him, then opened his mouth. His mouth grew bigger and bigger until it swallowed him in one gulp.


    Qin Ran stood up supporting the Red-Clothed Man''s withered corpse, freeing the hand that had been gripping his. He took out the Water Essence Pearl and used the water extracted from the man''s body to condense a sword.


    He closed his eyes, a slight smile on his lips, carefully savoring the Red-Clothed Man''s memories.


    But soon after, the smile on his face visibly disappeared at an rming rate, instantly bing extremely serious.


    He enunciated each word, his voice even containing fear:


    "Yuan! Orga! nization!!!"


    82ChineseWebsite

 Chapter 404

    Between the Lingnan Region and the Tian Sea Region, there was still the Demon Region.


    And now, the "Yuan Organization," which existed in a remote corner of the Lingnan Region, a Land of Immortal Legacy, had suddenly appeared in a remote corner of the Tian Sea Region, the Tian Sea Area.


    Was this a coincidence, or...


    In fact, this was the same organization. Was this an extremelyrge, terrifying dark organization lurking in the cultivation world, existing by kidnapping alchemists, artificers, and other craftsmen of the cultivation world?


    Qin Ran closed his eyes and carefully read the memories of the Red-Clothed Man.


    Unsurprisingly, the Red-Clothed Man was a wild alchemist who had been kidnapped by the "Yuan Organization" and, after being brainwashed within the organization, had submitted to the "Yuan Organization." He became one of thoseckeys who helped the tiger devour its prey.


    His mission ining to the Tian Sea Area was to obtain the Divine Essence Condensation from Divine Essence Mountain for the "Yuan Organization."


    The "Yuan Organization" was an organization that existed by controlling alchemists, artificers, and other craftsmen. The Tian Sea Region was an area where water-based alchemy was extremely developed.


    Therefore, the Divine Essence Condensation, which was viewed as a divine artifact and sacred object by the alchemists of the Tian Sea Region, was something the ''Yuan Organization'' very much wanted to obtain.So, the setup in this cave, the so-called arrangement of the Dragon Whale Ind''s master, was actually the arrangement of the ''Yuan Organization.''


    It was a method that the ''Yuan Organization'' had researched for many years to break the seal of Divine Essence Mountain without needing immortal pills. Then they cooperated with various powers in the Tian Sea Region to break the seal, which led to this cave, the night walkers, and the Divine Essence Mountain incident.


    Yes, it wasn''t just Dragon Whale Ind that was cooperating with the ''Yuan Organization.'' Dragon Whale Ind was just one of the powers involved. In fact, all the major powers in the Tian Sea Region had cooperated with the ''Yuan Organization.''


    At this time, the arrangements of various forces on Divine Essence Mountain targeting the seal were mostly the arrangements of the ''Yuan Organization.''


    As for what exactly the "Yuan Organization''s" method of breaking the seal was, the Red-Clothed Man didn''t know. He only knew that the arrangement in this cave was for producing something called ''Demon Soul Evil Blood.''


    From its name alone, one could tell that "Demon Soul Evil Blood" was aimed at the ''Divine Essence Condensation.''


    And its purpose was to break the seal of Divine Essence Mountain. The Red-Clothed Man didn''t know the specific operation or effects.


    As for its production process, it used a giant pit formation to collect cultivators'' spiritual energy, blood, grieving souls, and remains ording to the predetermined method of the formation. Then a special magical treasure was used to transform the things collected by the giant pit formation into "Demon Soul Evil Blood."


    The difficulty of producing this thing... not to mention other forces, just talking about Dragon Whale Ind here. Each Divine Essence Mountain incident only umted about ten drops.


    As Qin Ran was reading the Red-Clothed Man''s memories, the formation masters responsible for the giant pit formation over there noticed something was wrong on their side.


    Someone stood up to look this way, some were secretly making hand seals, preparing to set up formations.


    Someone tentatively asked, "Alchemist? Are you feeling unwell?"


    But the Red-Clothed Man had his back to them, falling onto Tie Ruonan''s broad chest. They only sensed something was wrong but hadn''t really discovered the problem, so they didn''t take action immediately.


    So they saw that the moment the question was asked, the night walker captain Tie Ruonan vanished into thin air!


    "Enemy attack..." Someone reacted, hurriedly shouting out.


    But before he could finish the word "attack," a colorless and formless sword made of water pierced through his throat, silencing him forever.


    Alchemists, formation masters, and night walkers were the three professions that existed in this cave.


    Among them, alchemists were responsible for the final maintenance of magical treasures and the collection of the product "Demon Soul Evil Blood"; formation masters were responsible for maintaining all the formations in the cave; night walkers were responsible for hunting cultivators and protecting the cave''s safety.


    However, the night walkers who were supposed to provide protection had all been killed. So, the alchemists and formation masters were actually likembs waiting for ughter.


    One thing worth noting:


    On this Divine Essence Mountain, all the major powers were there to refine "Demon Soul Evil Blood," and there was actually a kind of unspoken rule of harmony, which was that everyone didn''t interfere with each other and only focused on hunting the scattered cultivators who came to Divine Essence Mountain.


    There had been almost no offensive actions between the major powers. Over thousands of years, there had only been a few incidents in total.


    So, although all the night walkers were dead, the people here didn''t actually have such a strong sense of crisis. Especially since this Divine Essence Mountain incident had already passed, and the traitor had been killed by Tie Ruonan...


    Based on all of the above, Qin Ran, this alchemist with not very highbat power, could now hold a knife in his left hand and a sword in his right hand, using Immortal Seeking the Way to move freely among these formation masters, killing people as easily as killing chickens.


    He passed through the crowd like a phantom, and the formation masters didn''t even have time to construct basic runes before they lost their lives one by one.


    Qin Ran put away his knife and dispersed the water on the Divine Essence Pearl. He turned back to clean up each formation master, especially their formation materials. After cleaning up, he threw all these formation masters into the giant pit.


    He stood at the edge of the giant pit, looking at the bodies of the formation masters being swallowed by the giant pit, silently contemting.


    Perhaps it was a bit hypocritical, but he was indeed mourning, mourning for these innocent cultivators he had killed over the past few days.


    He had once promised them that he would kill everyone here.


    In this world, one must keep their word. If you say you''ll kill someone''s entire family, then you kill their entire family.


    Now, he had fulfilled his promise.


    After the moment of silence, Qin Ran went to strip the Red-Clothed Man''s clothes and searched him thoroughly.


    Remarkably, the Red-Clothed Man had a storage space on him... Perhaps because the artifice development in the Tian Sea Region wasn''t very good, he had rarely seen anyone use qiankun bags sinceing here. Those who could use qiankun bags were truly either rich or noble.


    After throwing the Red-Clothed Man into the giant pit as well and putting the formation materials into the storage space, Qin Ran took out the spirit herbs from the Red-Clothed Man''s storage space and refined them into Death Notice Pills.


    He took more than ten low-quality Death Notice Pills and used the magic "Illusory as Flowers in the Mirror, Moon Reflected in the Water" to condense a water clone in front of him, giving all the Death Notice Pills to the water clone.


    The water clone stood up, transformed into the appearance of the Red-Clothed Man, put on the Red-Clothed Man''s clothes, and wore the Red-Clothed Man''s identity token.


    With all preparationsplete, it stood straight, gave Qin Ran a military salute as if ready to die, then turned and walked towards the giant pit.


    As it walked, the Red-Clothed Man''s identity token was activated by the formation, interacting with the formation above the giant pit, causing a staircase leading upwards to appear in front of it. It walked over and climbed the stairs step by step.


    Qin Ran stood with his hands behind his back in front of the giant pit, watching the clone disappear above the giant pit. He looked up, silently waiting, waiting for the people hidden in the formation space up there to die.


    There were naturally still people in the hidden formation space, responsible for guarding that magical treasure and collecting the "Demon Soul Evil Blood."


    So for safety, Qin Ran had to let the clone go and scout first.


    After waiting for a day and a night, he felt the time was about right, then he took out the formation materials collected from the formation masters and set up a formation-breaking array in front of the hidden formation space.


    He had already calcted the formation-breaking array long ago, now it was just a matter of setting it up. It didn''t take much time, and he set up the formation.


    The moment the formation took shape, a huge formation covering the entire cave appeared faintly above the giant pit, revealing a grid woven by formation lines.


    So it was only then that he discovered that the hidden space above the giant pit was not a space opened up by qiankun formations, but just a space hidden by illusion formations.


    What was hidden was the upper half of this cave that originally existed, just concealed by illusion formations.


    The cave looked transparent, but in reality, it was two levels, upper and lower.


    The formation lines broke, and above the giant pit, a staircase made of earth appeared out of thin air. The staircase led upwards, and at its end was a stone door.


    Qin Ran drew his battle knife, his face expressionless as he walked forward, stepped onto the earthen stairs, and climbed up step by step. He came to the stone door, raised his hand to press against it, then pushed hard.


    The stone door opened with the force.


    The moment the stone door opened, a beam of light shot out from inside, heading straight for Qin Ran.


    Faced with this kind of door-opening kill, Qin Ran remained expressionless. He was mentally prepared, and the moment the light beam appeared, he dodged away.


    "Sure enough, there are still people who didn''t die," he sighed. "The Death Notice Pill is not omnipotent."


    The stone door opened wide, revealing the situation inside.


    He looked over and saw a giant cauldron stored there. The cauldron was about seven feet tall with a circumference of ten feet, connected to the stone chamber at the bottom and further linked to the massive pit formation below.


    It was clear that this giant cauldron was the magical treasure for transforming the "Demon Soul Evil Blood".


    Around the cauldrony fifteen cultivators, alchemists or artifact refiners, sprawled in disarray, evidently killed by the poison of the Death Notice Pill.


    Directly in front of the cauldron, facing the stone door, sat a tall, thin middle-aged man with a long beard. He was cross-legged, raising his right palm towards Qin Ran, clearly the one who had just attacked. He too had been poisoned by the Death Notice Pill but hadn''t died.


    "Elder Zuo..." Qin Ran recognized the man from the Red-Clothed Man''s memories. He knew this was the guarantee left here by the Yuan Organization, a top-tier Qi Practitioner of the third rank, equivalent to ate-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. "I only want the ''Demon Soul Evil Blood''."


    "Who are you? Which ind are you from?!" Elder Zuo shouted, trying to sound strong despite his weakened state.


    "Who I am is not important," Qin Ran said. "I have no grudge against you. Step aside, and I''ll take the ''Demon Soul Evil Blood'' and leave."


    "What if I don''t?" Elder Zuo said coldly. "You sneaking, vicious thief!"


    Qin Ran''s face remained expressionless. He spoke calmly, "My poison is a poison between life and death. You''ve managed to survive due to your cultivation, but you certainly can''t move. If you can''t move, I have ten thousand ways to kill you. I''m proficient in formations and alchemy."


    Elder Zuo''s face changed slightly.


    But just then, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed in the cave.


    Now there were only two of them in the cave, and the footsteps were amplified by the silent environment.


    Someone wasing. At this critical moment.


    Elder Zuo''s face brightened with joy. He smiled, "Someone''sing. You''re doomed."


    Qin Ran took a deep breath and sighed, "So they''vee after all."


    He knew who it was. The mastermind behind this Divine Essence Mountain incident, who had helped hime here, was a person who hadn''t shown up until now.


    Mr. Zhai!


    The footsteps grew closer, and the person entered the cave. Qin Ran turned to look, and sure enough, it was Mr. Zhai.


    "Brother Qin..." The cultured and refined Mr. Zhai stood at the entrance, bowing to Qin Ran. "I trust you''ve been well!"


    "Not bad," Qin Ran smiled faintly.


    But as soon as he finished smiling, he suddenly turned, using the Immortal Seeking the Way technique. His entire body vanished instantly, rushing towards Elder Zuo.


    "You insolent thief!" Elder Zuo shouted loudly, sword-shaped phantoms appearing around him, firmly protecting him.


    However, after flying towards him for a short distance, Qin Ran suddenly changed direction, heading for the giant cauldron in the stone chamber. His goal wasn''t Elder Zuo, but the cauldron.


    Arriving above the cauldron, he used "Water Births All Things" to draw out the "Demon Soul Evil Blood" stored within. With a reverse point of his finger, all the "Demon Soul Evil Blood" flew out, crashing directly into the cave wall.


    "You dare!" Mr. Zhai finally changed his expression. He hurriedly mobilized his true qi, and a flying sword shot out from his waist, killing towards Qin Ran.


    Qin Ran allowed the sword to leave holes in his body, focusing on sttering all the "Demon Soul Evil Blood" onto the cave wall.


    The next moment, the entire Divine Essence Mountain began to shake.


    Inside this cave, that section of the wall seemed to be corroded by something. The hidden seal became faintly visible, with formation lines interweaving. Slowly, where the "Demon Soul Evil Blood" had hit the wall, a dim void appeared.


    Qin Ran''s body was pierced by over a dozen holes from Mr. Zhai''s flying sword, but he paid no attention. He spread his arms, looking at Mr. Zhai with a smile appearing on his face. He said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhai!"


    Then, his body fell lifelessly from the cauldron.


    However, as he fell, his body slowly dispersed, changing from colored to colorless, from tangible to intangible, bing a water-like model that sshed onto the stone chamber and Elder Zuo.


    "Another fake?" Elder Zuo questioned in surprise.


    Mr. Zhai walked over with a grim face. As an alchemist, his perception was keen. He sensed something fly out from Qin Ran''s body and enter the void in the cave wall.


    He recalled that this alchemist who called himself Li Feiyu had said he practiced both Qi cultivation and Spirit cultivation. Now it seemed he hadn''t lied.


    "It wasn''t fake..." Mr. Zhai said.


    He leaped up, heading towards the void.


    But he crashed headfirst into the cave wall.


    The void that existed on the wall wasn''t an actual void, but a formation void!


    Mr. Zhai stood in front of the void, his facepletely darkened.


    "What is this?" Elder Zuo asked.


    "He''s entered the formation..." Mr. Zhai said, "Fortunately, he didn''t directly enter the inheritance ground."


    At this moment, Qin Ran stood before a light door, lost in thought...


    Watch my daily cultivation life with my muddleheaded female disciple.

 Chapter 405

    Whether it was due to the great distance between the Tianhai Domain and the Lingnan Region, there seemed to be a dy in information transmission between the avatar and the main body. The visualization diagrams and pill refining methods obtained by the avatar in the Tianhai Domain were only received by the main body two dayster.


    "Spiritual Refinement Master... visualization method? The ''Raging Waves Visualization Method''?" Qin Ran pondered briefly, not cultivating it immediately.


    He spent the night recording both the "Raging Waves Visualization Method" and the "Starry Sky Visualization Method", drawing diagrams, and writing down cultivation methods based on his avatar''s cultivation insights.


    Early the next morning, he went outside the greenhouse and found Zhang Junyi, who was reciting his lessons.


    When Qin Ran arrived, Zhang Junyi was hugging a book, walking back and forth at the greenhouse entrance while softly reciting.


    He was so engrossed in his recitation that he didn''t even notice Qin Ran''s arrival.


    Qin Ran could hear that he was reciting knowledge rted to spiritual herb cultivation, not about Foundation Establishment, so he asked, "Have you memorized everything about Foundation Establishment?"


    His sudden voice startled Zhang Junyi. When he came to his senses and saw Qin Ran, he hurriedly bowed and replied, "I''ve memorized most of it."


    "Then you can prepare for Foundation Establishment," Qin Ran nodded, not testing him further. He continued, "Later, go find your master to prepare a medicinal bath to nourish your body, and have her teach you a body-strengthening technique. Now that you know about Foundation Establishment, you should understand the importance of physical cultivation."Foundation Establishment already?! Zhang Junyi was excited inwardly, but he didn''t show it outwardly. He only respectfully said to Qin Ran, "Yes, I understand, Senior."


    "You sensed qi using the ''Basic Cultivation Technique'', so you''ll need another cultivation method for Foundation Establishment," Qin Ran said, taking out a book from his storage ring and handing it to Zhang Junyi. "Today, I''m passing on to you the ''Water Flower Heart Sutra'' as your foundational cultivation method going forward."


    Zhang Junyi now understood the importance of gentle and pure spiritual power during Foundation Establishment, and he knew the significance of the "Basic Cultivation Technique" for someone just entering the world of cultivation. His feelings of apology and gratitude towards Qin Ran need not be borated.


    Now that Qin Ran was passing on another cultivation method to him, he was nearly moved to tears. He extended both hands and respectfully epted the manual.


    "Thank you, Senior!" he said sincerely.


    When he straightened up and looked at Qin Ran, thetter had already turned his back, presenting a distant and profound silhouette.


    Qin Ran spoke again, "Now, you need to prepare for Foundation Establishment,prehend the basic cultivation technique, learn about spiritual herbs, and build your residence. Time is tight, and the tasks are heavy. It''s quite a challenge for you.


    "You''re only thirteen. Can you handle it?"


    Challenge? Whether he could handle it or not?!


    Zhang Junyi smiled. Although he was only thirteen, he had already experienced countless hardships in life. Challenges were what Zhang Junyi feared least.


    Moreover, how was this a challenge to him? This was clearly a broad path to grow bigger, stronger, and advance forward and upward.


    "Senior, this is nothing," he chuckled. "Of course I can handle it."


    "Nothing?" Qin Ran seemed tough softly, then continued, "Are you sure it''s nothing?


    "But your cultivation journey has just begun, so the challenges have just begun too. As you progress further on the path of cultivation, the challenges you''ll face in the future will be increasingly difficult.


    "You must understand that life is always like this. When you feel that the present is the most difficult, the future is actually the real challenge. The present is always the easiest."


    Zhang Junyi thought about his goal ofpletely destroying Zhican Valley. He understood what the Senior was saying. Because destroying such arge sect would inevitablye at a great cost, his future path would certainly not be easy.


    "I''m not afraid!" he guaranteed, patting his chest. "I love challenges!"


    "Good that you''re not afraid," Qin Ran shook his head and walked forward, saying, "You need to hurry. Currently, your master is taking care of the spiritual herbs. You need to quickly gain some understanding of spiritual herbs to take over your master''s tasks. The sooner you take over the tasks, the happier your master will be. Your master is petty; if you''rete, she''ll be unhappy..."


    As he spoke, he walked to thekeside and stood on the shore. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned and walked back.


    He walked up to Zhang Junyi and stared at him intently. After a while, he asked, "How do you find Dan Peak?"


    Hearing this, Zhang Junyi''s memories shed through his experiences at Dan Peak these days.


    This time at Dan Peak had been the happiest and most joyful period since his family''s demise. Except for being disliked by the fairy sister on the back mountain, everyone else at Dan Peak had been very kind to him. Even this inscrutable Senior before him treated him quite well.


    "It''s very nice!" he replied with a smile in his eyes, and repeated, "Dan Peak is all very good."


    As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed that the Senior''s gaze towards him had softened considerably.


    He saw the Senior take out another book from that magical storage ring and hand it to him. The Senior''s expression became very serious as he looked at him and said solemnly:


    "This cultivation method is Dan Peak''s ancestral spiritual refinement technique. Thousands of years ago, Dan Peak''s ability to stand at the pinnacle of the Land of Immortal Legacy relied on this technique. Now Dan Peak has declined, and many things have disappeared in the river of time, but only this cultivation method has been preserved. This is Dan Peak''s deepest secret, and this method has always been passed down only to Dan Peak''s direct disciples. Today, I''m passing it on to you."


    "Senior!" Zhang Junyi was overwhelmed with emotion. He extended both hands and bowed again, respectfully receiving the "Dan Peak''s ancestral spiritual refinement technique" from Qin Ran''s hands.


    He lowered his head and saw "Raging Waves Visualization Method" written on the book''s cover. His heart couldn''t help but skip a beat. He had read many books about Foundation Establishment, which mentioned many cultivation methods, but none had mentioned a visualization method.


    Visualization method? What kind of technique was this?


    He had never heard of or seen it before, thinking to himself that it truly was Dan Peak''s deepest secret.


    At this moment, he felt a warmth flowing through his heart. Once again, he felt Dan Peak''s goodwill towards him. Dan Peak was treating him as one of their own, as family.


    He felt the sense of home at Dan Peak.


    As he was feeling moved, the Senior patted his shoulder and sighed, "The future of reviving Dan Peak and the task of destroying Zhican Valley are now entrusted to you."


    So he felt trust and importance again, and was even more moved, his eyes brimming with tears. He raised his head, already teary-eyed, looked at the Senior, and nodded heavily.


    "Mm!" he responded, making the heaviest promise of his life.


    Qin Ran turned and left, walking towards the wooden cabin. As he walked, he disappeared from Zhang Junyi''s sight.


    Zhang Junyi gripped the visualization method tightly in his hand, his excited heart unable to calm for a long time. Tears kept falling from his eyes as he thought, "From now on, Dan Peak will be my second home!"


    After reciting his lessons and having breakfast, Zhang Junyi began his busy day.


    It wasn''t untilte at night, when everything was quiet, that he finally had time to take out the Dan Peak''s secret manual¡ªthe "Raging Waves Visualization Method"¡ªthat the Senior had given him.


    He steadied his palpitating heart and, with trembling hands, opened the first page of the visualization method.


    On the first page of the visualization method was a picture of rising winds and clouds, with waves beginning to surge. He looked at it for a while but didn''t see anything unusual. He casually turned to the second page. The second page contained text, instructions on how cultivators should practice ording to the visualization diagram on the first page.


    "Visualization diagram? Cultivation?" Zhang Junyi kept praising, truly an ingenious technique. This amazing method actually involved cultivating by looking at a picture.


    He turned back to the first page, looked at the visualization diagram, and following the method recorded on the second page, slowly closed his eyes, trying to construct that "wave-rising picture" in his mind.


    This was not simple, as it required a great deal of memory and spatial imagination. That night, Zhang Junyi tried for a long time but couldn''t construct it.


    It took nearly half a month before he could vividly construct that picture in his mind.


    The visualization diagram had taken shape in his mind, but...


    How to put it?


    It might be a bit disrespectful to the Senior, but it''s the truth: this technique seemed useless.


    ording to the manual, during the process of constructing the visualization diagram, the cultivator should see their sea of consciousness opening up as the visualization diagram is constructed.


    The moment the visualization diagram takes shape, the sea of consciousness should also be opened. Then the visualization diagram should transfer into the sea of consciousness.


    Now the visualization image had taken shape, but Zhang Junyi felt no change.


    "Perhaps it''s different for everyone," he thought.


    Following this train of thought, he strictly adhered to the instructions in the method and began to visualize the image in his mind.


    Then he discovered that it still had no effect. He seemed to feel no change at all.


    "Maybe it''s my problem?"


    He continued visualizing for another half month, but still got no response.


    So he had no choice but to go find the sect leader.


    "Sect Leader, I''ve failed to meet your expectations," he said dejectedly, returning the visualization method to the sect leader with a sigh. "This disciple has been visualizing for over a month, tried several visualization images, but there''s been no response, let alone any sign of a divine soul."


    "No effect?" Qin Ran took back the visualization method, pondering, but not particrly surprised.


    In the Celestial Sea Domain, among the three cultivation paths of body refiners, qi practitioners, and divine soul cultivators, the divine soul path was the most demanding in terms of talent.


    For body refiners, ack of talent at most meant they couldn''t reach higher realms, but they could still enter the path. For divine soul cultivators, without talent, they couldn''t even touch the door to cultivation.


    The conditions for cultivation were too harsh, which was why the Lingnan Region changed their cultivation system.


    "If there''s no effect, then so be it..." Qin Ran let out a pretend sigh, "There''s no need to be discouraged. This method''s requirement for talent is too high. It''s not about spiritual roots, but talent in the soul aspect."


    Soul?


    Hearing this, Zhang Junyi could only sigh, ming himself for not having the right destiny.


    He then withdrew to study the Water Flower Heart Sutra.


    Originally nning to use Zhang Junyi as a guinea pig to practice the visualization method first, now this idea had to be abandoned.


    Qin Ran frowned, looking at the visualization method in his hand: "Do I have to cultivate it directly?"


    He couldn''t make up his mind and hesitated for a day. When he was about to cultivate at night, he suddenly felt something was off...


    "Visualization image, visualization image..." He recalled the moment when his avatar first saw the original method, at that moment, the avatar could perceive the unique charm of the visualization image, "Is it possible that it''s not Zhang Junyi''s problem, but that the image I drew is a fake, a pirated version?"


    Realizing this possibility, the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. So the next day, he found Zhang Junyi again and directly shared the memory of the original visualization image seen by his avatar through divine soul transmission, asking Zhang Junyi to visualize using that image again.


    Seeing the sect leader put so much effort into his cultivation, Zhang Junyi was deeply moved and visualized through the night.


    He had already constructed the pirated visualization image in his mind before, so now visualizing the authentic image came naturally and smoothly.


    By dawn the next day, he saw his sea of consciousness.


    His sea of consciousness opened a line for him.


    The method...


    It worked!


    He hadn''t failed the sect leader''s expectations.


    He immediately shared this good news with the sect leader, and after another month of cultivation, he opened his sea of consciousness, his consciousness entered it, gave birth to a divine soul, and constructed the image of raging waves in his sea of consciousness.


    The sect leader said that the cultivation path bes more difficult as one progresses, with greater challenges ahead. However, Zhang Junyi clearly felt that his path was bing wider and broader.


    Sinceing to Dan Peak, his life had been filled with light.


    He built a bamboo house, having his own home; he gradually took over the task of tending to spiritual herbs from his master, having a job; he opened his sea of consciousness, cultivated a divine soul, obtaining a great opportunity; after all this, he alsoprehended the foundation-building part of the Water Flower Heart Sutra, and his body was ready for foundation building.


    Nearly half a year after entering the cultivation world, he had made all preparations and was finally ready to build his foundation!


    On this day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.


    Zhang Junyi sat cross-legged by theke, under the Devouring Demon Willow, as the spiritual energy of Dan Peak gathered towards him. He skillfully and methodically guided the spiritual energy into his body, starting the foundation-building process.


    Unlike the careless Li Shiyin, he had thoroughly read various foundation-building ssics, was familiar with various meridians and acupoints, understood different situations during the foundation-building process, and mastered both the greater and lesser heavenly circuits...


    People like him, like him and Qin Ran, once they start doing something, it''s hard for them to make mistakes.


    So, when he was building his foundation, something unexpected indeed happened.


    The moment his spiritual seed just took root in his dantian, a sudden thunderp rang out in the sky!


    "Boom!!"


    The sound was intense, the thunder majestic and awe-inspiring.


    In an instant, the weather changed dramatically, dark clouds pressed down on the mountains, and a terrifying aura descended from the sky...


    "Thunder tribtion!"


    Zhang Junyi was shocked. He knew that foundation building could possibly trigger heavenly tribtion, but such urrences were rare even in the entire cultivation world.


    How could it happen to him?


    He hurriedly opened his eyes and looked up at the sky. He saw a vast expanse of darkness above, clouds like ck iron hanging in the air, the entire Dao Sword Sect territory had turned dark. Golden, red, ck, and white lightning snakes weaved through the dark clouds.


    Such a spectacle...


    Wasn''t this tribtion a bit too intense for foundation building?!


    Was this really a foundation-building tribtion?


    As a neer on the path of cultivation, he didn''t understand heavenly tribtions and didn''t know if this was a normal situation.


    "Continue with your foundation building..." At this moment, the sect leader''s voice came over, "This isn''t about you!"


    He looked over and saw the sect leader with a grave expression, floating on the surface of Sword Washing Lake, looking at the closed cultivation room under the old spirit locust tree.


    He immediately understood that it wasn''t his tribtion, but Li Shiyin''s.


    After nearly three months of closed cultivation, Li Shiyin had finally made a breakthrough. Her Golden Core tribtion had arrived... or had it?

 Chapter 406

    Chapter 406


    At that moment, the sky transformed dramatically. Dark clouds gathered like surging waves, instantly obscuring the sun and moon, turning the bright day into a gloomy night. Spiritual energy converged towards the Dan Peak of the Dao Sword Sect, stirring up fierce winds and causing the mountains to roar.


    Chasing the Wind, who had been napping on the cat tree, was awakened by the thunderous sh of clouds. He opened his eyes to find that day had turned to night.


    "It''s dark? Did I oversleep again? I don''t feel like I slept that long," he mumbled groggily. "I haven''t had dinner, and I''m feeling a bit hungry."


    He stood up, stretching, and noticed the howling winds around him. There were people above the Sword Washing Lake, not just his father and Long Qiqi, but also the usually reclusive Tushan Youyou.


    "Dad, did you save any food for me?" he asked with a yawn. "Looks like it''s going to rain, Dad. You should bring in theundry..."


    As he finished speaking, he noticed Long Qiqi giving him a look as if he were an idiot.


    "What?" Chasing the Wind was confused.


    "Keep an eye on Li An and your Aunt Yu Chi Zhen," Qin Ran casually assigned him a task.


    "Keep an eye?" Chasing the Wind was suddenly alert. Was this scene before him some kind of enemy attack?He cautiously asked Qin Ran, "Dad, what''s going on?"


    Qin Ran nced at him, nodding towards the old spirit locust tree, and said, "Shiyin is about to undergo her tribtion."


    Chasing the Wind looked over and saw the sky seeming to press down like a ck curtain, with rolling thunder and shing lightning. It looked like doomsday, striking fear into one''s heart!


    He also noticed the ancient spirit locust tree on Dan Peak, which had grown for thousands of years, swaying uncontrobly in the darkness and fierce winds, its branches and leaves flying wildly. He worried the old tree might not withstand the storm and break.


    Amidst this terrifying scene, a graceful figure quietly appeared at the top of the old spirit locust tree.


    She sat cross-legged, slowly rising from the treetop towards the sky. Her ck hair and white clothes fluttered in the wind, giving her an ethereal appearance. A sharp, concealed sword intent flickered around her, pressing down on the surroundings, making even Chasing the Wind''s face sting.


    "Oh, undergoing tribtion," Chasing the Wind nodded, suddenly unconcerned.


    He looked up at the sky above him and realized it was the same scene as where Li Shiyin was.


    Then he noticed stars twinkling in the sky, all the stars in the dark sky blinking at the same frequency, creating quite a spectacr sight. He looked towards Li Shiyin, knowing that the frequency of the stars'' blinking matched the flickering sword intent around her body.


    The stars in the sky resonated with the sword intent around her.


    Yu Chi Zhen appeared on the second-floor corridor of the small wooden house, holding Li An. Mother and son watched Li Shiyin in the air with confused and worried expressions.


    Chasing the Wind swished his tail, transformed into a small cat, and darted to the corridor railing. He said to Yu Chi Zhen, "Auntie, don''t worry. It''s just a cultivation tribtion, a simple matter."


    "Mm, yes," Yu Chi Zhen smiled perfunctorily at Chasing the Wind, then continued to watch the sky with concern.


    Li Shiyin kept floating upwards until she stopped high above Dan Peak. She opened her eyes, which were filled with purple sword energy, making them appear purple.


    She looked down at Qin Ran on the surface of the Sword Washing Lake with her purple eyes, her voice as cold as sword energy, and asked, "Master, I''ve reached the limit of Qi Condensation. I can form my core at any time now. However, I sense that there''s still a path to walk after Qi Condensation. Master, should I form my core?"


    From Li Shiyin''s perspective: There was still a path to walk after Qi Condensation, meaning that if she didn''t form her core and instead walked thatpletely unfamiliar path, she might pioneer a brand new cultivation path for future generations.


    This would be an immeasurable merit!


    And for such a choice, she asked her master.


    From Qin Ran''s perspective: He knew that if one continued with Qi Condensation without forming a core, that would lead to bing a Qi Practitioner of the Celestial Sea Realm. This wasn''t a new cultivation path, but an old one. The Golden Core and Nascent Soul were the new cultivation paths.


    Between old and new, there was no definitive answer as to which path was better.


    However, in the Lingnan Region, without a doubt, following the new cultivation path was better. Because this path had already developed sufficiently well and matured in the Lingnan Region.


    So Qin Ran''s answer was not unexpected.


    "Form your core," he replied with just these two words.


    "Alright," Li Shiyin responded cleanly and decisively, then closed her eyes to form her core.


    Qin Ran''s expression remained calm, casually deciding Li Shiyin''s future cultivation path as if it were an ordinary matter.


    In his heart, he only worried about this lightning tribtion, because he clearly recognized the colorful lightning within the dark clouds as the sign of the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion.


    "Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion?"


    It was within expectations, yet beyond reason. He knew Li Shiyin might very likely face the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion, but he didn''t want her to.


    Six years ago, the Devouring Extreme Demon Willow had undergone this type of tribtion.


    The difference was, one was the Nine Heavens Divine Dragon Tribtion, the other was the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion; one was an Ascension Tribtion, the other was a Golden Core Tribtion.


    Ordinary lightning tribtions, from the Jingxiao Heaven Thunder Tribtion, Mysterious Heaven Thunder Tribtion to the Jade Firmament Divine Thunder Tribtion, and Divine Heaven Thunder Tribtion, had a total of nine levels, with Jingxiao being the weakest and Divine Heaven the strongest.


    The tribtion clouds would match ording to the cultivator''s personal strength and luck, providing a corresponding level of lightning tribtion.


    ... Golden Core Tribtion, Nascent Soul Tribtion, Deity Transformation Tribtion, Ascension Tribtion, etc., all underwent the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion. The only difference was in the specifics, such as Golden Core Jingxiao Lightning Tribtion, Nascent Soul Jingxiao Lightning Tribtion, and so on.


    As for tribtions like the Nine Layers of Something Something Lightning Tribtion, it meant that the cultivator undergoing the tribtion was no ordinary person. A single type of lightning tribtion couldn''t satisfy them; all nine types had toe together to suffice. Nine types, hence Nine Layers.


    Regarding the Nine Heavens Divine Dragon Tribtion and the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion, the Divine Dragon and Celestial Lightning were merely variations of the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion. There were also things like the Nine Layers of Mysterious Lightning Tribtion, Nine Layers of Divine Lightning Tribtion, Nine Layers of Chaos Lightning Tribtion, and so on.


    Generally speaking, the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion was the ultimate lightning tribtion that cultivators could encounter. While it was a test, it also represented the recognition of the cultivator''s talent and strength by the will of heaven.


    As for the Sanjiu Disaster Tribtion that Qin Ran faced when forming his core, that was because his soul came from another world, and the will of heaven in this world rejected him, intentionally making things difficult for him.


    Although he was confident in Li Shiyin''s strength, this was still the Nine Layers of Lightning Tribtion after all, so Qin Ran couldn''t help but worry.


    To draw aparison, it was like knowing your child is a top student but still worrying about them failing their college entrance exams.


    Especially for Qin Ran, with his cautious personality, he always tended to think of the worst-case scenario. He constantly worried about Li Shiyin failing her tribtion.


    If there was any sign of trouble in the sky, he would intervene immediately.


    "What are you doing..." Tushan Youyou looked at Qin Ran juggling so many items andughed, "Are you undergoing the tribtion or is she?"


    ...When Qin Ran himself underwent tribtion, his heart was as steady as an old dog''s.


    Long Qiqi pouted and teased, "Sister Youyou, you just don''t understand. This is called ''anxiety born from care''!"


    Qin Ran nced at these two, ignoring them.


    Forming a core takes some time. And Li Shiyin causing such amotion naturally drew the attention of other cultivators in the Dao Sword Sect, especially those familiar with Dan Peak.


    So, one by one, cultivators appeared in the sky above Dan Peak:


    "Sword Peak''s new talent Tian Wenjin, Sword Peak''s senior brother Liu Baixuan, Dao Sword Sect''s number one Lu Junxing, the keeper of the Geniuses Ranking Dong Zhongyuan, the Sect Leader, the chief elders of various peaks, the elders of various peaks..."


    They watched the sky with various expressions. There was worry like Tian Wenjin''s, admiration like Liu Baixuan''s, appreciation like Lu Junxing''s, and gratification like the Sect Leader''s. As for the displeasure from Qi Peak and the jealousy from Sword Peak, there''s no need to borate.


    In the sky, the lightning tribtion changed in correspondence with the progress of core formation. The clouds rolled, the tribtion lightning gathered, and the first bolt of lightning slowly formed. It became increasingly apparent, moving back and forth within the clouds as if it were alive, looking at Li Shiyin sitting cross-legged in mid-air below with an eager anticipation.


    At a certain moment, a profound and mysterious aura, with Li Shiyin at its center, rippled outwards like waves on water.


    Instantly, the expressions of the Nascent Soul cultivators changed. They knew this meant the core had formed, and they knew that the grand show was about to begin!


    Li Shiyin suddenly opened her eyes in mid-air. In an instant, this world felt a powerful sword intent. This sword intent was extremely proud, looking down from above, reigning over all, causing the world to submit. The world stood still, the fierce winds stirred by spiritual energy fluctuations halted, and the lightning tribtion eager to strike in the sky was subdued.


    The apocalyptic mor quieted in an instant.


    She stood up in the air, causing wind and clouds to move with her. In the dark sky, stars appeared, bing extremely bright as she rose, as if recing the light shed by the sun and moon.


    Thousands of stars showered down light, converging into a pir of light from the heavens, shining upon her like a spotlight on a stage.


    The great wind rose again! Spiritual energy surged forth.


    Starlight strengthened her physical body, while spiritual energy filled the void in her dantian.


    Stars illuminated her from the sky; great winds blew towards her from all directions.


    And then, the tribtion lightning...


    Fell!


    "Boom!!!"


    It struck her at the center of the world.


    Tribtion lightning, fierce winds, and starlight - all focused on her at this moment.


    Her clothes fluttered gently, a faint purple light appeared around her, and her face, cold as frost, remained calm. She regarded the lightning tribtion as nothing. She was a sword immortal descending from the heavens, untouched by any tribtion.


    The purple light was sword radiance. As the purple light slowly faded, so did the first pale blue-white Jingxiao Heaven Thunder Tribtion.


    In the afterglow of the lightning tribtion, under the starlight, amidst the fierce winds, she turned to look at her master. Her sword-sharp eyes and frost-cold face revealed a mischievous, sweet smile.


    "Master..." She didn''t care about her image or the asion, she just wanted to shout loudly. The affection in her voice was evident to all as she called out, "I''ll go catch a lightning snake for you."


    Seeing his foolish disciple pass through the first lightning tribtion so easily, Qin Ran had just begun to calm his worried heart when he heard her say this to him.


    Realizing what she meant, he eximed in rm, "Li Shiyin, stop right there!"


    But how could his foolish disciple listen to him?


    She raised her hand and grasped, instantly condensing the beam of starlight shining upon her from the sky into a sword of starlight that prated heaven and earth.


    Wielding the star sword, she took flight, soaring up towards the tribtion clouds in the sky.


    Spiritual energy continued to pour into her body, so the fierce winds did not cease. The winds embraced her, apanying her as she charged into the tribtion clouds high in the nine heavens!


    "What is she trying to do?" Liu Baixuan eximed in shock, unable to understand Li Shiyin''s actions.


    Lu Junxing looked back at him and smiled, saying, "This is where you fall short in vision!"


    Smiling, he took out a jug of wine from his Universe Bag, took a big drink, and tossed it to Liu Baixuan. He dered loudly, "We cultivators defy the heavens and contend with fate. How can we always let the heavenly tribtion punish us? It''s time to rise against the heavens, wield our swords, and cleave this treacherous sky with one strike.


    "How exhrating! Ha ha ha... Let''s drink to this!"


    Only then did Liu Baixuan understand what Li Shiyin was trying to do. She wasn''t going to passively endure the tribtion; she was going to kill it. Instead of waiting for the lightning tribtion to strike her, she was actively seeking to battle the lightning tribtion in the tribtion clouds.


    He couldn''t help but gape, his mouth hanging open for a long time. He held the wine jug in his hand but didn''t take a single sip for quite a while.


    How grand must one''s vision be to dare to actively attack the nine heavens?


    At least Liu Baixuan couldn''t do it; he wouldn''t even dare to think of it.


    On this day, Li Shiyin, wielding her sword of starlight, attacked the nine heavens above, charging into the birthce of tribtion lightning. She slew countless lightning bolts, drank deeply from the lightning pool, and captured a colorful Nine Heavens lightning snake.


    The ck tribtion clouds were swept away by her star sword qi, and the all-epassing fierce winds were calmed. As bright sunlight reappeared in the world, a white-robed sword immortal slowly descended from the azure sky, one hand holding the star sword, the other grasping the Nine Heavens divine lightning. She passed through the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain-protecting formation and Dan Peak''s mountain-protecting formation,nding before her master.


    The star sword in her hand disappeared. With both hands, she presented the Nine Heavens divine lightning "colorful ribbon" to her master. Her face beamed with a radiant smile, her eyes as bright as stars, as she said, "Master, the lightning snake."


    Her master stared at her in a daze for a while, then suddenly burst intoughter. Afterughing, he looked towards the Yin Sha Extreme Climbing Snake beside the Devouring Extreme Demon Willow, above the Sword Washing Lake. Pointing at the lightning snake in Li Shiyin''s hands, he said with a smile, "Qiqi, that''s your nemesis."


    "How boring!" Long Qiqi rolled her eyes at the master-disciple pair and left in a huff.

 Chapter 407

    The Sect Leader descended upon Dan Peak with a group of Dao Sword Sect disciples. Looking at Dan Peak, which now showed signs of revival, he couldn''t help but recall its heyday many years ago, as well as itspletely dpidated state in recent years. His feelings were quiteplex.


    He nced at the master and disciple pair cuddling unprofessionally under the phoenix tree, and his feelings remained...plex.


    For several hundred years, Dan Peak had been declining. Despite his many attempts, he couldn''t save it, hindered by the fact that alchemy was only a side business for the Dao Sword Sect, unable topete with Zhican Valley, which made a living from alchemy. He had no choice but to give up.


    Dan Peak had been passed down through single disciples for generations, and Wang Yuanyi had even died early. He had truly given up on Dan Peak. He genuinely thought Qin Ran would be the Dao Sword Sect''sst alchemist, especially since Qin Ran had shown no outstanding qualities in his twenty years at the sect.


    He had sent Li Shiyin to Dan Peak as a casual move. If Qin Ran had the ability to train Li Shiyin, that would be good no matter what; if Qin Ran couldn''t train her, having a young man and woman alone on a peak, he could at least trick her into bing his wife - that would be his final act of kindness for Dan Peak; if Qin Ran couldn''t even manage that... well, she was just an older disciple with a Golden Spirit Root.


    Geniuses were rare, but not non-existent. Geniuses who failed to develop were nothing.


    But he never expected this casual move to be a turning point, bringing life from death and fortune from misfortune. Dan Peak changed because of it, and the Dao Sword Sect was reborn.


    He also knew that the change in Dan Peak wasn''t due to Qin Ran, but to Li Shiyin. Yet it wasn''t because of Li Shiyin''s talent, but because she had activated Qin Ran, and the two had produced some strange effects together.


    His thoughts racing, Sect Leader Gu Yueming couldn''t help but silently praise himself for his brilliant decision back then. With this move, he had gained a sword prodigy with maxed-out talent; gained an alchemist and formation master with maxed-out intelligence... and even, would gain a Dan Peak at its peak, a Hengduan Mountains!"Congrattions to our Dan Peak Sword Immortal on sessfully forming her golden core..." he approached the master-disciple pair, smiling as he congratted them, "Today''s tribtion truly lived up to your Sword Immortal style! Our Dao Sword Sect has gained another peerless sword cultivator."


    Li Shiyin had one hand around her master''s arm and the other grasping the colorful lightning snake.


    Seeing this, she let go of her master, pulled the colorful lightning snake forward, and bowed to the Sect Leader. Facing the dozen or so people who hade to Dan Peak to congratte her, she smiled gracefully, "It''s all thanks to the sect''s nurturing that I have achieved my current cultivation. I should be thanking the Sect Leader."


    She looked back at her master, her eyes filled with affection and a smile, and added, "For letting me meet my master."


    Gu Yueming looked at Li Shiyin, seeing the sharpness of sword intent in her demeanor, along with gentle warmth. He saw her graceful yet neither servile nor overbearing manner. He saw her open-mindedness, yet clear likes and dislikes. Her every move was polite and proper.


    She had already be a unique individual in the world, with the bearing of a master.


    If she were a man, she would undoubtedly be a free-spirited, generous, sword-wielding immortal hero. Of course, being a woman made no difference.


    She could already be mentioned in the same breath as Lu Junxing.


    Gu Yueming looked back at Lu Junxing, his heart stirring.


    The next generation of the Dao Sword Sect had top-tier geniuses like Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin in martial arts, as well as pirs like Liu Baixuan, Tian Wenjin, and Yao Qingke; in academics, they had great strategists like Qin Ran who could n within the tent, and... clever people like Dong Zhongyuan.


    He knew for certain that the Dao Sword Sect was destined to flourish!


    The others who hade along looked at Li Shiyin, also marveling. This was a genius they had watched grow up. They had seen her restless and jumpy, seen her riding a white tiger arrogantly in and out of the Dao Sword Sect, and often carried out sect missions together.


    Even Tian Wenjin had seen her covered in mud and tanned dark by the sun; seen her pouting after being scolded by her master. They had also shared their hearts on snowy nights.


    Drinking together, discussing swords together, debating the sword dao together, carrying out missions together, cultivating together, growing up together.


    Now, they watched her step onto the golden core path alone with her sword, shing through heavenly tribtion with an invincible bearing.


    They all came forward to sincerely congratte her.


    In fact, apart from Qi Peak, which Li Shiyin had intentionally targeted, with her looks and personality, she actually had few enemies within the sect.


    Who doesn''t like a bright and generous pretty girl?


    On such an asion, with the presence of a drunkard like Lu Junxing, drinking was naturally unavoidable.


    Qin Ran was also very happy today, bringing out the wine he had brewed over the past two years, and personally cooking some dishes to go with the alcohol, determined to make sure all of today''s guests ate and drank their fill, not leaving until they were drunk.


    And at Dan Peak, with the presence of infatuatedckeys like Dong Zhongyuan and Zhang Junyi around Tushan Youyou, there was naturally no shortage of stories.


    As soon as Dong Zhongyuan arrived at Dan Peak, he didn''t see Li Shiyin wielding the Colorful Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, but first saw Tushan Youyou in mid-air, her white clothes fluttering, looking even more immortal than an immortal. His eyes immediately went wide, his mouth agape, and as he stared, drool began to flow out. Very much like a dog.


    While Lu Junxing was calling for people to drink, he had already shamelessly run to Tushan Youyou''s side.


    "Immortal Lady, it''s been a long time since we''ve met, you''ve be even more beautiful."


    After so many years, Dong Zhongyuan actually knew that Tushan Youyou was a fox spirit.


    But, as cultivators, what''s there to fear in a battle?


    Mere racial differences, how could they hinder great love?


    ...Humans could, at least they should try.


    "Look at the peach blossoms on the shore that have withered, surely it''s because they saw you and felt ashamed of their inferiority." He smiled, thinking himself charming and romantic.


    Tushan Youyou nced at him sideways, saying expressionlessly, "The peach blossom grove is where I practice the Ten Thousand Miles Peach Blossom Formation. Now that the peach blossoms have withered, I can no longer practice setting up the formation. I''ll have to wait until next year."


    Dong Zhongyuan paused, then smiled ingratiatingly, "Mere peach blossoms, Immortal Lady need not worry. I''ll go right away and call someone to help you nt peach blossoms; we''ll set up a formation to ensure the peach blossoms never wither all year round."


    "Those peach blossoms were all carefully selected varieties to meet the needs of various formation situations. They''re not ordinary peach blossoms," Tushan Youyou said. "Besides, if youe to Dan Peak to nt trees and set up formations, guess whether Qin Ran will chop you down?"


    "It doesn''t matter if he chops me down, as long as the peach blossoms meet Immortal Lady''s requirements," Dong Zhongyuan quickly said. "I can plead with Junior Uncle..."


    While Dong Zhongyuan was having a "pleasant conversation" with Tushan Youyou, there was a forgotten little cultivator standing humbly by the river, grieving alone. On this hot day, he was shivering from a cold wind.


    Originally, the weather was very nice today, and Zhang Junyi had sessfully built his foundation, which was a huge event in his life; he had also seen the immortal sister who haunted his dreams, which was another huge event.


    But unexpectedly, his achievement of building his foundation couldn''t evenpare to a fraction of Senior Sister Li Shiyin''s. Everyone from the sect hade to Dan Peak, all important figures, all to congratte Senior Sister Li. No one remembered him. The sect leader didn''t remember him, his master didn''t remember him either.


    Of course, this was actually bearable, because it was Senior Sister Li, someone he greatly respected, and forming a golden core was indeed more important than building a foundation. Not to mention someone like Senior Sister Li who was heaven''s chosen one.


    But thetter event, he couldn''t bear... he couldn''t take it!


    The immortal sister who had been in love with him for hundreds of years in his dreams was actually chatting andughing with another man. She even frowned coquettishly, even lowered her eyes impatiently, as if they were flirting.


    This...


    How was a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy, just beginning to feel the stirrings of love, supposed to handle this?


    "Crack!"


    Zhang Junyi felt his world shatter at this moment. His dream was broken, his soul was lost.


    The one talking with the immortal sister was also a senior with profound cultivation. The senior was handsome and dashing, romantic and graceful, with quite a noble air and bearing. Compared to him, Zhang Junyi was so down-and-out, so humble.


    He had just built his foundation.


    A prince and a beggar.


    He shouldn''t be on the riverbank, he should drown at the bottom of the river.


    He didn''t even have the right to look one more time at the scene of their joyful conversation. He wasn''t worthy.


    "Yes, they are so well-matched," he turned to look at his own reflection in the river, feeling his heart breaking piece by piece, the pain making it hard for him to breathe. "How dare I desecrate her in my heart?!"


    Life, ah, is nothing more than this. He had just gained a bright life, and now it was dark again.


    He took a step forward, the river water wetting his shoes.


    "Hey! What are you doing over here?" Suddenly, someone pped him on the shoulder and asked, "There''s lots of delicious food over there, aren''t you going to eat?"


    He turned around to see a white tiger standing upright, slightly taller than him. The little white tiger was gnawing on a cow leg with one paw while the other paw rested on his shoulder. The paw on his shoulder was also covered in grease, soaking his shoulder with oil.


    "I... I''m not hungry," he replied softly.


    "Not hungry?" The little white tiger mumbled with its mouth full, "You can still eat even if you''re not hungry! Who says you can''t eat meat just because you''re not hungry?"


    "...I don''t have much appetite."


    "Ohe on!" The white tiger grabbed him, turning his body halfway around, and led him towards the old spiritual locust tree. "Your appetite will improve as you eat. If you want to hang out with your big bro Feng, you''ve got to be able to eat properly."


    He had just built his foundation and thought he had some strength, but under Feng''s paw, he had no resistance at all. Feng yed with him as easily as ying with locust leaves. He was forced toe to the old spiritual locust tree. Closer to Fairy Sister... and her men.


    It was lively here, but it had nothing to do with him; he was closer to Fairy Sister now, but that also had nothing to do with him... or perhaps it did, making his heart ache even more.


    "Here! This crystal pork trotter is a reward from big bro Feng!" While he was still wallowing in his sorrow, Feng''s greasy paw thrust a pork trotter at him. He passively epted it.


    "Eat more, grow stronger, don''t be a tiny thing like your master," Feng said. As he spoke, he was smacked on the back of the head by his master, but Feng was unfazed and continued, "You should be like your big bro Feng, and grow as big as me in the future. Then you can pin down those tiny ones with one paw. She''s not even as big as one of your big bro Feng''s paws."


    His master delivered another flying kick, jumping up to hit Feng on the chin. Feng suddenly realized something and said to him, "She''s your master, so you shouldn''t call me big bro Feng. You should call me Uncle Feng... no, no, you should call me Elder Feng!"


    Zhang Junyi listened to Zhui Feng Uncle''s ramblings as he stuffed the pork trotter into his mouth. It tasted quite good. He gnawed on it while watching Zhui Feng Uncle being beaten by his master.


    He admired Zhui Feng Uncle, who remained unmoved like a mountain no matter how his master hit him, continuing to gnaw on his cow leg without being affected at all.


    When his master got tired of hitting, she walked over to him and warned, "In the future, you''ll call him big bro Feng."


    Before he could agree, Zhui Feng Uncle pushed over a ss of unknown ck liquid, saying, "Dan Peak''s special happy water, Uncle Feng is treating you. From now on, you''ll call me Zhui Feng Uncle."


    He hesitated.


    "Look, in what way am I not bigger than her?" Zhui Feng Uncle quickly lowered his voice to ask.


    Zhang Junyi''s expression became serious, showing deep agreement. When Zhui Feng Uncle resumed his normal form, he was as tall as a building. And his master? About the size of a seven-year-old child.


    He couldn''t help but nod.


    "Hmm, not bad!" Zhui Feng Uncle nodded with a smile, saying, "Dad says this is called... called, something-zi can be taught."


    "What''s something-zi?" Zhang Junyi asked, wondering who would be called something-zi.


    "Forgot," Zhui Feng Uncle said casually, turning to walk on all fours towards the wooden cabin, clearly going to get more food.


    However, Zhang Junyi looked at Zhui Feng Uncle''s front paws pressed against the ground as he walked, and his mouth, still biting the pork trotter, paused. He lowered his gaze and saw locust flower branches and soil on the pork trotter...


    "You nodded just now, didn''t you?!"


    As if misfortune neveres alone, his master''s sinister voice came from beside him. He looked over to see his master sipping peach juice through a straw, her eyes turned to vertical pupils, staring at him intently.


    Venomous


    This feeling was like being stared at by a snake... Was his master really not human?


    Cold sweat ran down his back as he nodded, then quickly shook his head.


    "What does nodding then shaking your head mean? Have you gone stupid?!" His master gave him a sideways nce, not wanting to bother with an idiot, and turned to leave. "Don''t hang around with that stupid tiger too much! You''ll be stupid!"


    Zhang Junyi stared nkly as his master walked away, unconsciously gnawing on the pork trotter.


    There were many interesting people on Dan Peak, and that person in white was just one of them.


    "Come, let''s see your current strength," someone suddenly called out loudly from the crowd, then flew up into the sky.


    He looked up, knowing that person was called Lu Junxing, who was very impressive, as formidable as Elder Li.


    As Lu Junxing flew up, his Elder Li also flew out from the crowd, drawing his sword. The two began to sh in midair.


    It seemed to be apetition, a sparring match, or even a performance-like battle. The sky was filled with sword energy, creating images of mountains, waters, starry night skies, very beautiful, without a hint of killing intent or sharpness.


    To think sword energy could achieve this level!


    He was shocked, feeling as if his world had been refreshed.


    "Here, have some meatballs..." Zhui Feng Uncle''s voice came over. He tilted his head to see a te being held in front of him. "Quick, I stole these when Dad wasn''t looking. They''re delicious."


    He took the te and saw that Zhui Feng Uncle''s other paw was holding a whole roastedmb.


    Zhui Feng Uncle sat down next to him like a human, gnawing on the wholemb while watching the sword energy sh in the sky. He said to Zhang Junyi, "All this is just for show, practicing dead force, no real killing power. Let me tell you, I could take on both of them at once."


    He looked back to see Zhui Feng Uncle''s tiger face covered in grease, his long whiskers quivering and sttering oil droplets as he crunched onmb bones.


    Looking at this scene, he couldn''t believe a word of it.


    Especially when at that moment, the Sect Leader called from behind, "Zhui Feng, did you steal themb leg again? It''s not even cooked yet..."

 Chapter 408

    Li Shiyin''s breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm was a momentous asion for Dan Peak. The entire peak celebrated jubntly throughout the afternoon until the moon began to rise, and the festivities gradually dispersed.


    Those who came to congratte Li Shiyin on her breakthrough were all cultivators, so naturally, there was no shortage of sparring andpetitions. This one wanted to spar, that one wanted topete, and another wanted to learn sword techniques. Li Shiyin weed all challengers, engaging in matches with everyone, even crossing swords with an infant barely six months old who wielded sword energy.


    In such friendly matches, there was no real concept of winning or losing. However, after crossing swords, everyone had a clear sense of their rtive strengths.


    For Li Shiyin at this point, the strength of most Dao Sword Sect cultivators had be a visible, quantifiable value to her. Even for those stronger than her, she had a rough idea of when she might catch up to them.


    Only Lu Junxing remained unfathomable to her.


    "Senior Brother Lu is truly incredible," Li Shiyin sighed, lying on her back on the roof of the small cabin, her head resting on Qin Ran''sp as she gazed at the starry sky.


    "The stronger Lu Junxing is, the more beneficial it is for you," Qin Ran said, one hand resting on her body, the other gently running through her silky hair. "Having a goal ahead of you means you''ll neverck motivation to move forward. What''s truly frightening is if there''s no one stronger than you in the Dao Sword Sect or this Land of Immortal Legacy. That would be a terrifying situation."


    "If there''s no one here, there must be elsewhere!" Li Shiyin said with augh. "The Land of Immortal Legacy is just a remote area in the Lingnan Region. Maybe Senior Brother Lu and I are formidable here, but we might actually be weak once we leave?"


    "Elsewhere, huh?" Qin Ran looked up into the darkness and sighed, "Do you remember Su Changqing and Bai Ruoxi? They were prodigious disciples of the Lingnan Immortal Sect. In this world, their strength sets the benchmark. They represent the highest tier of power.""Of course I remember. Bai Ruoxi taught me the Immortal Seeking the Way and the War Spirit Art! How could I forget?" Li Shiyin recalled that brilliant pair of senior disciples who had profoundly influenced her early stages of cultivation. She knew she would never forget them. "I think I''m about as strong as Bai Ruoxi now, maybe a little stronger. But I''m still far from Su Changqing''s level. Oh! Does that mean Senior Brother Lu is as powerful as Su Changqing?"


    She realized this with a sense of shock.


    "Lu Junxing is a typical case of being limited by resources," Qin Ran exined. "If he had also built his foundation on the Dao Scripture, he would indeed be as formidable as Su Changqing."


    Who was Su Changqing? Someone who couldprehend sword energy and sword intent without even cultivating the sword path. Someone who could contend with the Devouring Demon Willow on the verge of Merger while still at the Foundation Establishment realm, and even stop its already rampaging willow catkins.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin grabbed Qin Ran''s hand resting on her body, hugging it to her chest and counting his fingers. She asked softly, "Are you worried about me leaving the Dao Sword Sect, leaving the Land of Immortal Legacy, and going out into the wider world?"


    She could sense it from her master''s expression and tone.


    Before Li Shiyin had reached Foundation Establishment, even when she could contend with Nascent Soul cultivators, she knew there was still some gap between her and her master. But now that she had broken through, she was at early Foundation Establishment, and her master was also at early Foundation Establishment. It was hard to say who was stronger now.


    Previously, her master couldpletely control her. If he told her to go east, she wouldn''t dare go west. If she dared to go west, her master would... be very angry. When Su Changqing gave him that "Immortal Spirit Scroll," he didn''t even ask her opinion before giving it to Huang Feiyu. But now, she felt that she was bing a bit less controlled by her master. Although, she had never been very obedient to begin with.


    "Ah!" Qin Ran sighed again, his hand running through Li Shiyin''s silky hair, feeling it slip through his palm, then gently caressing her smooth cheek, feeling its warmth. He lightly pinched her cheek.


    In fact, from the moment he first epted this exceptionally talented disciple, he had considered this issue. But initially, he had thought that if she wanted to leave, he would just let her go. She was just a disciple after all. The sooner she left, the sooner he would have peace. But who could have anticipated that this foolish disciple would fall in love with him?


    Fall in love with someone like him.


    He couldn''t bear to part with her now.


    "You know that your master fears this world... I''m very afraid of death. I don''t dare to leave this familiar, safefort zone. Before you came, I had never thought about leaving the Dao Sword Sect, or even Dan Peak," he murmured, his gaze unfocused.


    "But actually, I''ve long since figured it out. Whening to a new world, one always needs a home. Before I had you, Dan Peak was my home; after having you, wherever you are is my home.


    "We still have a long future ahead, and I know you won''t be confined to the Land of Immortal Legacy. You''re bound to venture out. You don''t need to hold yourself back because of me, forcibly staying in the Land of Immortal Legacy. Your master won''t be a burden to you..."


    Hearing these words, Li Shiyin suddenly panicked. She quickly sat up, hugging Qin Ran''s hand and asking anxiously, "Master, are you trying to send me away? Don''t you want me anymore?!"


    Qin Ran shook his head, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers, and said softly, "Silly disciple, how could I ever part with you?


    "I''m saying thatter, after we''ve settled matters with the Dao Sword Sect, we can go out together. How could someone as silly as you manage without me? A fool like you wouldn''tst three episodes out in the wider world."


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin finally rxed, gently bumping her forehead against Qin Ran''s, then giving him a quick kiss on the lips before lying back down in his arms. "Master, I understand. From now on, I''ll protect you with my sword, and you''ll protect me with your brain. We''re the most perfectbination in the world."


    "Master, Master..." Her mind was full of peculiar thoughts. "When we roam the jianghu in the future, we''ll need a catchy title. I''ve heard that those wanderers from North Chu all have impressive nicknames, like ''Blood-Handed Butcher,'' ''Invincible Loner,'' ''Little Flying Dagger Li,'' or ''North Chu Sword Saint.'' We need a powerful, resounding title too.


    "Master, how about we call ourselves the ''Deadly Couple''? When people hear it, they''ll know we''re a married couple, one man and one woman, and that we''re terrifying."


    Qin Ran shook his head repeatedly, saying, "That sounds terrible. We might as well call ourselves the ''Divine Eagle and Heroic Couple.''"


    "Do we have an eagle?" Li Shiyin asked, puzzled.


    "We have Chasing the Wind..." Qin Ran pondered, "How about the ''Mystic Tiger Couple''?"


    "Are we taking Chasing the Wind with us when we go out?" Li Shiyin asked, then quickly lowered her voice, "I mean, are we not taking Qi Qi, Liu Xiaoji, and You You?"


    "Chasing the Wind looks good, it can help us maintain our image," Qin Ran said seriously. "Chasing the Wind is also very powerful. If someone tries to rob us, we can let Chasing the Wind deal with them. How can we easily show our hand?"


    "But Chasing the Wind eats a lot," Li Shiyin pointed out another concern.


    Qin Ran hesitated, "That''s true..."


    "And also..." Li Shiyin tried to hold back herughter as she raised another point, "Master, you''re such a big bad guy, how can you call yourself a hero?"


    "I''m a big bad guy, and you''re a little bad guy!" The big bad guy Qin Ran pinched the little bad guy Li Shiyin''s nose, speaking nonsense with a straight face, "Besides, you don''t understand. This is what I call chaotic justice. Although I''m cunning and treacherous, kill without mercy,mit heinous crimes, and am unforgivable, I''m actually a good person. I aspire to justice in my heart. Someone like me can also be called a dark hero."


    "Master, you''re talking nonsense again..."


    "How about ''Gotham''s Guardian''?"


    "No way!"


    The two continued to whisper and chat on the rooftop untilte into the night, until the moon rose from the east and climbed to its zenith overhead, never separating.


    There was a strange emotion in the air, an odd atmosphere between them, as if they were waiting for something...


    Li Shiyin had reached Foundation Establishment, fully embarking on the path of cultivation. There was no longer any need to worry about losing cultivation by breaking her virginity.


    Moreover, she clearly remembered her master saying that after she reached Foundation Establishment...


    "Master..." In the end, it was the emboldened lover who spoke first. Li Shiyin sat in Qin Ran''s arms, hugging his waist, her small face buried in his neck. Her voice was softer than a mosquito''s buzz as she murmured, "You said... you said... after I reached Foundation Establishment... Now I''ve reached Foundation Establishment."


    As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Ran''s heart began to flutter. However, he was still concerned that his soul and body had not fully merged, leaving a knot in his heart.


    After some thought, he said, "You''ve only just formed your Golden Core today. Your cultivation isn''t stable yet. Let''s wait until it stabilizes."


    He thought to himself, "Let''s put it off a bit longer! Perhaps after practicing the Raging Waves Visualization Method, my soul and body will fully merge."


    Hearing this, Li Shiyin paused, then said, "My Foundation Building cultivation is solid, and I''ve been in closed-door cultivation for three months. Even though I''ve just formed my Golden Core, it shows no signs of instability. Besides, you saw me cleave through the lightning tribtion with my sword today, Master."


    "I see your cultivation is so solid," Qin Ran sighed, as if he had just realized this. He continued to make excuses, "Although we''re both cultivators, our parents are still alive. We should meet our parents, match our birth charts, choose an auspicious date, pay respects to Heaven and Earth and our elders, and only then can we enter the bridal chamber."


    Li Shiyin couldn''t take it anymore. She lifted her little head from Qin Ran''s shoulder, still hugging his waist, her starry eyes fixed on his face as she said in a cool voice:


    "Master, you''ve already met my parents and brother, and they have no objections to you. In fact, they hope we''ll marry soon. I''ve been asking to meet your parents for years now, not just once or twice, but you always make excuses. As for birth charts, auspicious dates, and Heaven and Earth - can they stand against my sword? Master, you''re a Golden Core cultivator, and so am I. You say that cultivation is about defying entropy, going against the heavens. Do you really respect Heaven and Earth?"


    Qin Ran''s eyes darted about, unable to meet Li Shiyin''s gaze.


    "Even as cultivators, we should still report to the sect and inform our friends and family," he said, his voicecking conviction. Li Shiyin didn''t reply. Her eyes were colder than moonlight, her gaze carrying a hint of sword intent. She had lost her patience and asked directly, "Master, are you impotent?"


    Qin Ran''s head snapped up. How dare this silly child ask such a thing?!


    "What do you mean, impotent? How am I impotent?!" When ites to such matters, any man would panic.


    "Then why do you ignore all my hints, smart as you are? I''ve shamelessly thrown myself at you multiple times, and you always find excuses! If it''s not impotence, what is it?" Li Shiyin demanded. "Even if you are, I don''t mind. I love you for who you are. But you should tell me, it''s not a big deal. Besides, in the world of cultivation, there are many miraculous techniques. We could find one to reshape your body. Just be honest with me!"


    "Shh... Keep your voice down!" Qin Ran covered Li Shiyin''s mouth with his hand, saying quickly, "Alright, alright, I''m not impotent. I can do it. I''m perfectly healthy."


    "Good!" Li Shiyin grabbed Qin Ran''s hand away and continued, "So you can do it, but you won''t consummate our rtionship. Do you find me unattractive? Do you not like me?"


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin and sighed, "Can''t you feel whether I like you or not?"


    "Master, you''re too deep. You could easily be deceiving me," Li Shiyin said. She took Qin Ran''s hand and pressed it against her full left breast. "Feel my heart, then you''ll know what it means to like someone!"


    She ced her other hand on Qin Ran''s chest... She thought she would hear a calm heartbeat, but instead, she heard a heart pounding like war drums, like the mor of a battlefield.


    She looked up into Qin Ran''s eyes and saw him gazing at her tenderly, saying softly, "Our hearts beat as one. As much as you love me, I love you just as much."


    Her hand unconsciously loosened its grip.


    "If you trust me, let''s wait a little longer. Sex is part of love... an important part, but not everything," Qin Ran seized the opportunity to say. "We''re just one step away from that."


    Li Shiyin''s excited heart slowly calmed down. She thought, perhaps Master truly has some unspeakable difficulty?


    She took a deep breath and stood up from Qin Ran''s embrace.


    In the moonlight, she stood with her back to Qin Ran, looking ahead at the stone sculpture of Qin Ran next to the cabin, which she had carved five years ago as a scratching post for Chasing the Wind.


    Her memories began to churn, quickly retracing the five years since she first met her master.


    Her heart began to boil again.


    "You know now, I''m a normal man. What normal man wouldn''t want to sleep with the woman he loves..." Qin Ran was still making excuses.


    "Qin Ran," Li Shiyin called out tly.


    Qin Ran instantly fell silent.


    "That year, I was only sixteen. I ran away from an arranged marriage and came to my brother''s Tian Ce Army camp. When I heard the Dao Sword Sect was recruiting, I snuck away again to join. After going through numerous trials, I finally stood in the Dao Sword Sect''s main hall, bing your disciple," Li Shiyin said, looking up at the azure sky.


    Qin Ran also looked up, gazing at Li Shiyin''s cool, graceful silhouette in the moonlight before him. He didn''t know what she was trying to say.


    "I was sixteen that year. This year, I''m twenty-two," Li Shiyin said, her words carrying no deep meaning, just a simple statement: "I''ve loved you for five years."


    She turned back, looking down at Qin Ran sitting on the roof ridge. Her figure blocked the moonlight, leaving Qin Ran entirely in her shadow. "In North Chu, girls can marry at thirteen. By eighteen, they''re considered old maids. If we had married five years ago, our child would already be running around the mountain, chasing after me..."


    Qin Ran inexplicably felt the woman before him seemed unfamiliar and terrifying. He weakly said, "Sixteen to twenty-two are the most beautiful years of a woman''s youth. There''s no need to waste them on having children..."


    "I''ve spent the most beautiful years of my youth loving you!" Li Shiyin suddenly bent down, grabbing Qin Ran''s cor, and said coldly, "So I don''t want to wait anymore!"


    "What are you doing?!" Qin Ran eximed in shock. "Stop! I''m your master!"


    "Master?" Li Shiyin sneered disdainfully. She exerted force, tossing Qin Ran into the air. She stepped forward, extending her arms, and caught him horizontally in her embrace. "Is this the first day you''ve known me? Don''t you know I''ve always disregarded authority and never respected teachers or elders?"


    "Today, whether you can or can''t, it doesn''t matter! You don''t have a choice anymore!"


    "Li Shiyin! You''ve gone too far!" Qin Ran shouted in Li Shiyin''s arms, but his words carried no hint of intimidation.


    "Qin Ran!!!" Li Shiyin responded even louder, clearly more intimidating. "I''m going to defy the heavens!"


    With that, she carried Qin Ran and jumped off the roof. In the clear moonlight, their shadows merged as they disappeared into Qin Ran''s room.

 Chapter 409

    The moonlight was clear and bright, shining through the window into the room, illuminating the bed sheets and nkets in a pristine white glow.


    "Bang!"


    Suddenly, the door was violently thrown open from the outside. A beautiful woman with a tall, graceful figure entered, carrying a handsome young man in her arms. Her face was cold as frost, but her eyes burned with intensity. With a surge of energy, she mmed the door shut behind her.


    In the pure moonlight, she carried him to the bed and tossed him onto it, blocking out the light. The moonbeams now fell upon him instead.


    Not giving him time to react, she swiftly straddled him, pinning him down to prevent any escape.


    In the cool moonlight, her beauty surpassed that of flowers, the snow-white glow making her even more enchanting. There was a kind of cold yet passionate beauty to their tableau in the moonlight.


    "Li Shiyin! Stop this at once!" the man beneath her cried out, trying to halt the impending vition.


    But the unruly disciple paid him no heed. She reached out, using the moonlight streaming through the window to undo his belt. He could only raise his hands to try and stop her actions.


    The two Golden Core Cultivators engaged in an intense struggle over the waistband using only their physical strength. In the end, the master prevailed due to having reached the Golden Core stage a few years earlier, giving him greater bodily power. He managed to grab hold of his disciple''s wrists.Holding both her wrists, hey on his back, looking up at the rebellious disciple straddling him. The moonlight cast half her face in cool light and half in shadow, making her appear like a demonic cultivator who had fallen to darkness. He berated her, "Haven''t you had enough of this nonsense?!"


    The disciple''s face remained expressionless. Seeing that her hands were restrained and her struggles fruitless, she raised her eyes to re at her master, then let out a cold snort. Suddenly, a sh of sword intent gleamed in her eyes.


    "Swoosh!"


    A sharp sword energy darted through the narrow bedroom.


    The master was stunned for a moment before realizing what had happened. He looked down at himself to see the clothes on his body sliding off in pieces. Each fragment of fabric had been cut with perfect precision by the sword energy.


    The cloth fragments, propelled by the air disturbed by the sword energy, danced about the bedroom in the moonlight like flower petals or snowkes.


    The master never imagined his disciple would fight so dirty, resorting to sword energy when overpowered... and third-level sword energy at that.


    "Have you gone mad?!" he shouted.


    The disciple snorted coldly and asked in an icy tone, "You''re clearly aroused, so why do you keep pretending to be so clearheaded?"


    With his clothes gone and nothing left to hide behind, the master was at a loss for words. He awkwardly turned his head to the side.


    The disciple, following techniques her sister-inw had taught her, leaned down to kiss her master, but he turned his head away, denying her.


    So she kissed his cheek instead.


    As she continued kissing him, she suddenly noticed a tear sliding down her master''s face.


    She paused, sitting up to see that her master was indeed crying pitifully.


    A manly man shedding tears was truly heart-wrenching... but she only smiled wickedly and sneered, "Go ahead and cry. You can scream too. Let''s see if any female heroes to save you!"


    With that, she leaned down again and licked the tears from his face with the tip of her tongue.


    "Tsk, how bitter!" she remarked.


    Seeing that even this act wouldn''t work, the master knew there was no escaping his fate today - he was done for.


    So be it...


    "Close the window and curtains," he sighed,pletely resigned to his fate. He added, "And activate the sound barrier array..."


    In the moonlight, the Sword Immortal on the bed smiled triumphantly. She patted the Alchemist''s face, gloating, "See how much easier it is when you just cooperate? Did you really think an alchemist like you could escape the clutches of a sword cultivator like me?"


    With that, she waved her hand, using sword energy to shred her own clothes as well. The fragments scattered like snowkes. Another surge of magical energy drew the curtains closed, hiding the intimate scene within.


    The Alchemist beneath her quietly activated his powers, turning on the array formations in the bedroom to block all sound and spiritual sense from escaping to the outside world.


    But just before the array fully activated, the Sword Immortal could be heard asking naively, "Master, where exactly is it? How do I get it in?"


    And the Alchemist''s mockingughter in response: "Weren''t you so cocky earlier? Figure it out yourself..."


    But what transpired after that, with the curtains drawn and all sound, aura, and spiritual sense blocked, outsiders could only guess.


    Some hints could be gleaned from subtle changes, however. For instance, the small wooden cabin on Dan Peak shook rhythmically all night long, shattering many of its roof tiles. The mother and son, Yu Chi Zhen and Li An, sleeping in the next room were kept awake all night by the noise, with Li An crying incessantly. The branches and leaves of the old locust tree outside the window kept swaying without any wind. Even the moon in the sky seemed inexplicably shy, pulling a cloud over to hide its blushing face.


    Beneath the Devouring Demon Willow tree, a group of children were having a serious academic discussion.


    Chasing the Wind sat leaning against the Devouring Demon Willow like a person, his tiger brows furrowed in concentration. Moonlight filtered through the willow branches, dappling his face and lending him an air of profundity and mystery.


    He looked at the small wooden cabin shaking with a steady rhythm in the distance. Stroking his chin with a tiger paw, he asked in a low, rumbling voice, "If Li Shiyin and Dad are fighting, who should I help?"


    Long Qiqi, perched on his left shoulder, watched the roof tiles dancing on the eaves. As she watched, one tile danced its way right off the roof.


    "Crack!" A crisp sound rang out in the moonlight.


    She exined, "ording to North Chuws, there''s a mandatory legal rtionship between father and son, but not between friends. If your dad gets into a fight - no, I mean if your dad is in danger and you don''t help him, you''d be breaking thew and could go to jail. But there''s no such obligation to help between friends.


    "North Chu governs through filial piety and righteousness, so you should help your dad."


    "Oh, I see!" Chasing the Wind nodded in understanding.


    Liu Xiaoji, floating above Chasing the Wind''s head, quivered and spoke in a trembling young boy''s voice. He curiously asked Chasing the Wind, "Then why haven''t you gone to help yet?"


    "You think I''m really that stupid?" Chasing the Wind looked up at Liu Xiaoji. "I know what they''re doing. When I was a divine beast in Wuyi City, people often prayed to me for things like having children, maintaining virility, or a night of passion - you know, that stuff between men and women! But they were asking the wrong deity. I''m still a child myself, without even a wife. How could I bless them with children?"


    He noticed Liu Xiaoji was shaking and asked curiously, "Hey, why are you trembling? Are you sick?"


    "My main body is shaking. What can I do about it?" Liu Xiaoji replied helplessly.


    Chasing the Wind turned around to find that the Devouring Demon Willow he was leaning against was indeed quivering non-stop.


    "Golden Core Cultivators, truly terrifying!" Zhang Junyi, sitting next to Chasing the Wind''s right side, shook his head repeatedly in awe as he felt the ground trembling.


    "You''re just a little brat. What do you know?" Chasing the Wind scoffed upon hearing this.


    Zhang Junyi answered seriously, "Uncle Chasing the Wind, I may be young, but I''ve experienced a lot. When I was wandering in the mortal world, I saw all kinds of things. It''s just consummation, how could I not understand?"


    "Hmph!" Chasing the Wind snorted disdainfully. "No wonder your cultivation is so slow, with your mind full of such things. Let me tell you, cultivators must sever all emotional ties to advance. Women can only slow down your w speed."


    Zhang Junyi opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but thinking of that figure in white robes, he fell silent. Because that woman truly had affected him.


    "Smack!"


    Suddenly, Long Qiqi pped Chasing the Wind, saying, "Who are you to teach my disciple?!"


    Chasing the Wind nced at her, not bothering to respond. This great tiger wouldn''t quarrel with a little snake... mainly because he was afraid he might identally kill her with one swipe of his paw.


    "You''d better worry about yourself..." Long Qiqi sneered. "Tomorrow when Li Shiyines out of your dad''s room, are you going to call her ''mom'' or ''mother''?"


    "What''s the big deal?" Chasing the Wind grumbled, unconcerned. "In the cultivation world, everyone minds their own business. Why bother with such formalities? Li Shiyin is Li Shiyin, Dad is Dad. What''s the problem?"


    "Hah!" Long Qiqi folded her arms and tilted her head to one side.


    Whether it was Yu Chi Zhen and her son in Li Shiyin''s room, or the four little ones under the Devouring Demon Willow, or Tushan Youyou in her cave dwelling on the back mountain, none could find peace that night.


    After all, Golden Core Cultivators were truly terrifying.

 Chapter 410

    Chapter 410


    In the early summer morning, the sunlight had just the right brightness and temperature, not yet scorching. Combined with the refreshing breeze blowing through the mountains and forests, it could be considered one of life''s great pleasures.


    When the first ray of morning sunlight illuminated Qin Ran''s bedroom door, it was pushed open from inside. Out came a beautiful woman with loose hair and anguid demeanor.


    She wore a man''s white inner robe, whichpletely failed to conceal her graceful figure. The bottom barely covered her jade-like calves, while the top wouldn''t close properly, offering teasing glimpses of her snow-white d¨¦colletage.


    The sunlight fell upon her, highlighting her curved bottom through the white silk fabric, creating an ethereal effect. She was the embodiment of temptation.


    She squinted her eyes,zily looking up at the sun, only to be dazzled by it. Her delicate jade-like hand rose to shield her eyes.


    The bright light cast shadows on her face, making her skin appear even whiter and more three-dimensional.


    The mountain breeze gently blew, making her clothes flutter and revealing more of her skin; her hair danced in the wind, brushing against her face, adding to her allure.


    She pulled her clothes tighter and looked around, spotting a broom and trash bin outside the room to her left. She walked toward the broom on her tender white feet, each toe as perfect as crystal.


    Due to weakness in her legs, her walk required more movement from her waist and hips, causing her body and clothes to sway in attractive waves.As she moved left, the door opened wider, revealing the scene inside the room.


    From the doorway, the entire room was covered with perfectly square, cleanly cut pieces of fabric. Upon closer inspection, one could see men''s blue and white clothing materials, women''s pink and white fabrics,ce, trim, and patterned materials - all clothes had been shredded into tiny pieces by sword energy.


    Among these fabric pieces were various stains: sweat, blood, and other bodily fluids that hadn''t yet dried in the morning sun. Mixed in with the fabric and stains were wooden splinters.


    These splinters were nothing but the remains of the copsed bed.


    In the middle of the bedroom, among the ruins, broken wood, sheets, and nkets,y a naked man reading a bamboo scroll.


    When the woman opened the door, letting in brilliant sunlight, he casually grabbed a sheet to cover his vital areas, preventing any awkward encounters with unexpected visitors.


    As expected of a Golden Core cultivator! Even after a night of passionate battle, he still emanated an air of refreshing vitality, as if bathed in spring breeze.


    Although...


    His lips were cracked and he had dark circles under his eyes. The woman brought the broom into the room and began sweeping up the fabric pieces and wood splinters while asking, "Master, where did you get that dual cultivation technique from? Something seems off about it. Look at you - you''re exhausted, and I have no strength left either."


    "I''m still reviewing it..." Qin Ran replied casually, "I bought it before but hadn''t studied it, so I didn''t know if there were any issues. I only used it impromptust night. Let me study it some more before saying anything."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded, "Master, please study it carefully. I''ve heard that dual cultivation techniques are supposed to advance both partners'' cultivation. Yours must have some problems."


    Hearing this, Qin Ran looked up from his scroll at Li Shiyin sweeping the floor.


    This girl, newly married, possessed a unique blend of womanly maturity and youthful freshness, making her doubly alluring as both maiden and woman. She was at one of the most captivating moments in a woman''s life.


    Her hair swayed naturally as she bent to sweep, much of it crimped and tangled from their night''s activities, some strands clumped together with bodily fluids. Though disheveled, this unkempt state only enhanced her beauty... or rather, her sexual appeal.


    Her beautiful face showed fatigue, but it was intermingled with such allure that to Qin Ran, she was like a walking aphrodisiac. From now on, her beautiful face would never be simply beautiful - it had be irresistibly tempting.


    She constantly made his heart flutter.


    She wore his clothes, which hung loose and barely served their purpose of covering her body. As she swept, they moved even more, failing to conceal her beautiful figure.


    Thus creating a tantalizing game of peek-a-boo.


    To him, every inch of her body and every movement was seductive.


    A wife is most alluring perhaps when, after a night of passion, she wears your shirt while cooking breakfast at the stove. You stand at the kitchen door, watching her partially revealed body and seductive silhouette.


    At such times, you don''t want breakfast - you want her.


    "Why are you sweeping?" Qin Ran said, "Once our spiritual power recovers, it''s just a matter of one spell."


    "But we made such a mess..." Li Shiyin''s face wasn''t as thick-skinned as Qin Ran''s. Maiden shyness made her blush, and she lowered her head, letting her hair hide her reddened face as she said softly, "We made so much noisest night, they must all know. If they see our room in this state, won''t theyugh themselves to death?"


    Qin Ran sat up, grabbed her hand, and with a gentle tug, pulled her into his embrace.


    Hey back down with her in his arms, inhaling her scent and sighing, "So fragrant!" He smiled and asked, "Why weren''t you thinking about today when you were being so boldst night?"


    "It''s all your fault!" Li Shiyin made tiny fists and lightly punched Qin Ran''s shoulders, "Bad master, evil master, you big viin! You''re the most cunning and devious of all!"


    Qin Ran sniffed her hair yfully and replied with augh: "Yes, yes, yes, I''m the one who forcefully carried you to bed, then used sword energy to tear your clothes, and then... Ouch! Are you a dog?"


    Li Shiyin had lowered her head and bitten his chest.


    She said softly, "This was your responsibility to begin with."


    Qin Ran gently stroked Li Shiyin''s back and sighed.


    After a while, he mused: "Men and women are like the yin and yang of the Tai Chi, each upying half of heaven and earth."


    Li Shiyin tilted her head, lying in Qin Ran''s arms while watching his face, waiting to see what peculiar logic he would present next.


    "If each is half, then naturally they are equal. Therefore, men and women are equal. There''s no rule saying only men must initiate intimacy with women, right?" Qin Ran said seriously, "Men can initiate, and women can initiate. Every couple''s situation is different and should be analyzed individually. Between us, it just happens that you need to take the initiative. This is thew of the great Dao!"


    "Pah! Twisted logic!" Li Shiyin spat, "It''s always been men who initiate. If it weren''t specifically me, you''d definitely grow old alone on Dan Peak."


    "Does tradition make it right?" Qin Ran replied smugly, then smiled, "And who says I just happened to meet you?"


    "Awoooo~~~"


    Suddenly, a strange wolf howl came from outside. It followed a wolf''s howling pattern but had a tiger''s voice.


    One listen and anyone would know it was Chasing the Wind up to his tricks.


    "Little Li An, time to get up!" Chasing the Wind called out, "The sun''s high enough to shine on your bottom!"


    Soon after, the door next door opened, and Yu Chi Zhen''s voice came through: "Stop making noise, Ping''an just fell asleep."


    "Oh!" Chasing the Wind responded.


    Looking from the grass outside, on the second-floor corridor of the wooden house were two adjacent rooms. Before Yu Chi Zhen opened her door, one room was open and one closed - the open one being Qin Ran''s and the closed one being Li Shiyin''s. So it was clear who Chasing the Wind was calling to.


    Li Shiyin realized this without Qin Ran having to point it out.


    "This guy dares tough at me!" She angrily struggled out of Qin Ran''s embrace, her embarrassment turning to fury as she dered, "Master, I''m going to skin you a tiger coat!"


    "Awoooo~~~"


    Another arrogant howl came from outside, along with words like "I dare to defy the heavens" and such.

 Chapter 411

    Yu Chi Zhen had been living at Dan Peak for almost half a year now. She was feeling homesick and missing Li Shiwen, especially in recent days.


    Li An could now control the sword energy within his body with ease. She no longer wished to stay at Dan Peak and thought about returning to Danyang City.


    No matter how wonderful Dan Peak was, no matter how much it was a ce of immortals or how rich it was in spiritual energy, it wasn''t her home. In her heart, nothing couldpare to Danyang City.


    Often, home is simply where a certain person is. It could be father, mother, lover, or child. For Yu Chi Zhen, home was where Li Shiwen and Li An were.


    "Brother Qin, I want to go back," Yu Chi Zhen said to Qin Ran after breakfast that day. "Peace can control his power now and won''t identally hurt others anymore. It''s time for us to return."


    Qin Ran was tilting his head, watching Li Shiyin cleaning dishes in the kitchen. His Sword Immortal of Dan Peak had finally developed a virtuous and gentle demeanor, wearing an apron that gave her a unique charm.


    The current Li Shiyin could handle both formal asions and household chores. With an apron on, she was his silly disciple; with a sword in hand, she was the peerless sword immortal.


    Hearing Yu Chi Zhen''s words, Qin Ran turned his head to see her sitting on the sofa with Li An in her arms.


    Li An was restless in her embrace, wielding a wooden sword and practicing sword techniques.The wooden sword was carved by his aunt, and the sword techniques were taught by her too. Though his aunt could be fierce at times, she treated him well in the end.


    Oh, he finally had clothes on and wasn''t running around naked anymore. Since he could control his sword energy and wouldn''t easily tear his clothes apart, Yu Chi Zhen had promptly dressed him.


    As for his experiences running around naked everywhere...


    Perhaps he was too young to remember, but the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect would surely remember and help preserve these memories. Some might record it with light arrays or light-storing stones, others might paint it, and so on.


    In any case, when he grows up and faces important moments in life, there would be no shortage of embarrassing material.


    "Yes, he can indeed control his sword energy now. He learned quite quickly," Qin Ran smiled, reaching out to touch Li An''s chubby cheeks, praising him, "He''s an excellent child."


    Although Li An was quite mischievous, causing trouble everywhere in the Dao Sword Sect with Chasing the Wind, leaving few ces unscathed, he could still be called a good child.


    His sword energy seed was nted by Li Shiyin, with the purpose of gradually transforming his body before he began cultivation, making it easier for him to practice the sword path; and once he started cultivating, the sword energy seed would serve as his foundation.


    This sword energy seed in his dantian should have beenpletely fine.


    But when Xuanqinunched a fierce attack on Wuyi City, he, barely a month old, sensed his father was in mortal danger and forcefully activated the sword energy seed to save his father.


    The consequence of forcefully activating the sword energy seed was that the sword energy leaked out, and he couldn''t control it.


    Since he activated the sword energy seed out of filial piety, even if he was naughty and used his sword energy to cause trouble, it was understandable.


    Even if it wasn''t understandable, the me should fall on Chasing the Wind who led him to cause trouble.


    Moreover, after half a year of effort, he had mastered control of the sword energy... what more could one ask from a six-month-old infant?


    He truly was as good a child as one could hope for.


    "He should go back to see his father too. I won''t keep you mother and son any longer," Qin Ran continued with a smile. "Otherwise, when he''s old enough to recognize people but doesn''t know his own father, when he can speak but doesn''t know how to call him dad, Li Shiwen would be devastated."


    "That won''t happen, Peace is very well-behaved," Yu Chi Zhen pressed her face against Li An''s and smiled, "Peace,e on, say ''mother.''"


    "Mother~" Li An, busy practicing his sword to be a great hero, perfunctorily called out once, just to humor these boring adults.


    Qin Ran looked at Yu Chi Zhen''s expression and felt relieved. As a mother, she hadn''t been left with any psychological trauma from her initial encounters with Li An.


    When they first returned to Dan Peak, Yu Chi Zhen unknowingly went to hug Li An and was cut all over by the sword energy surrounding him.


    "For the past half year, I''ve been living at Dan Peak, enjoying your hospitality and care, and I''m truly grateful for the trouble," Yu Chi Zhen began making polite farewell thanks. "And regarding Peace''s situation, I''m especially thankful to Brother Qin. Particrly Chasing the Wind, who has been most attentive to Li An."


    Well, forget about the rest, but that fellow Chasing the Wind being attentive? He just thought it was fun...


    "We''re all family, sister-inw, no need for such formalities," Qin Ran replied politely. "Consider Dan Peak your own home. This time you''re leaving because you''ve been away too long, so I won''t keep you. In the future, feel free to visit Dan Peak anytime. Have Shiyin bring you by sword flight, it takes but a blink of an eye. The spiritual energy at Dan Peak is abundant, good for the body, with life-extending effects..."


    As they were talking, Li Shiyin finished cleaning the dishes and walked over. With her long hair tied back and wearing an apron, she had the gentle and virtuous air of a housewife.


    "Sister-inw is leaving?" she asked while removing her apron and naturally leaning against Qin Ran.


    "Yes, I''ve been away too long, it''s time to go back. Find some time to take us back," Yu Chi Zhen nodded.


    "Find some time? Why wait?" Li Shiyin blinked and smiled, "There''s no time like the present, let''s go today!"


    "Today?" Yu Chi Zhen was startled, not expecting Li Shiyin to be so direct, but she nodded, "That works too."


    Li Shiyin stood up and went upstairs while tying her hair, saying, "Let me change clothes, and we''ll head back soon. Sister-inw, you should pack your things too..."


    Seeing her like this, Yu Chi Zhen shook her head and smiled, "Still as impetuous as ever."


    "Isn''t that just who she is?" Qin Ran''s eyes were full of fondness.


    As noon approached, Chasing the Wind was called back to serve as transportation. He transformed into his original form, a huge white tiger lying on the grass in front of the small wooden house. One might wonder which wasrger, him or the house.


    Beside him, under the old spirit locust tree, Long Qiqi was saying a reluctant goodbye to Li An.


    Before Qin Ran and the others returned, Long Qiqi had been solely responsible for looking after Li An, and those months had exhausted the poor snake to the point of stupor. After handing over her duties, she slept for seven or eight days straight before recovering.


    But now, when it came time to properly bid farewell to Li An, she was quite reluctant, with reddened eyes, constantly reminding Li An to "remember auntie," afraid he would forget her as soon as he left.


    Meanwhile, Qin Ran was by Sword Washing Lake, discussing uing study and cultivation tasks with Zhang Junyi, and nning future arrangements for the Chief Alchemy Hall with Yan Yi.


    Yes, Qin Ran was also going back with Yu Chi Zhen.


    Not just him, Li Shiyin was going too.


    What were they going to do?


    He wanted to visit Li Zhan and his wife, Li Shiyin wanted to see her parents in this world, and afterward, they would hold a wedding ceremony.


    Although they had already consummated their rtionship, they still needed to make it official. Even though they were cultivators who could fly, they shouldn''t skip the simple formalities.


    Particrly since Qin Ran was someone who valued ceremony.


    Tushan Youyou stood on Chasing the Wind''s back, neatly arrangingrge red festive gift boxes.


    The boxes contained things like pills, medicinal materials, medicinal wine, spirit stones, gold, and fabrics. Previously, when Qin Ran met Li''s family, he had casually handed out pills and spiritual wine like they were candies or cigarettes.


    However, since this visit was to present gifts and propose marriage, proper packaging was necessary.


    ...The gift boxes were actually made on the spot by Tushan Youyou using magic, with peach wood as the material. Standing close, one could still smell the fragrant scent of peach wood.


    "Fly steadily when you''re in the air, don''t drop anything," she warned Chasing the Wind while arranging the boxes.


    "Rest assured, my flying technique is rock solid," Chasing the Wind replied carelessly.


    "If you drop even one..." However, Tushan Youyou didn''t quite trust Chasing the Wind, squinting her eyes threateningly, "See how I''ll deal with you!"


    Chasing the Wind''s neck tensed as he suddenly remembered learning arrays under Tushan Youyou''s stick.


    His array learning wasn''t great, but he had certainly taken enough beatings.


    "You''re ady, you should be gentle," he said weakly.


    "I''m a fox spirit!"


    After Qin Ran finished giving instructions, he climbed onto Chasing the Wind''s back and looked toward the Spiritual Locust tree, only to find Long Qiqi still crying inconsbly.


    And now she wasn''t crying alone - she had sessfully made Li An and Yu Chi Zhen cry along with her.


    Li Shiyin watched the scene from the side, feeling quite helpless, and could only turn back to look at him pleadingly.


    Qin Ran shook his head, sighed, and said, "It''s not like Li An won''te back. He''ll return in a few years to continue his cultivation. What are you crying about?"


    "Children are forgetful. Who knows, once he goes back, he might forget about me tomorrow," Long Qiqi said through her tears.


    "Ah!" Qin Ran looked up at the sky, thought for a moment, and said, "Thene with us. We actually need someone to be our flower girl."


    "Eh?" Long Qiqi suddenly stopped crying mid-sob. She just realized that she wasn''t confined to Dan Peak, and could freelye and go as she pleased. Perhaps only Tushan Youyou had some restrictions.


    She immediately cheered up, picked up Li An, kissed him on the cheek, and started jumping around excitedly, "Yay! We can go back together..."


    And so, Chasing the Wind''s back gained another passenger... a snake.


    "So, can''t you fly by yourself?" Chasing the Wind sighed and asked Long Qiqi, "If you want to go, just fly there yourself! It''s not like you can''t fly."


    "I won''t!" Long Qiqi said smugly, bouncing up and down on Chasing the Wind''s back.


    "You really have no idea how heavy you are..." Chasing the Windined.


    "Didn''t you say that just one of your ws is bigger than my entire body?" Long Qiqi asked.


    "Forget I said that..."


    Because there were quite a few people, and Chasing the Wind was genuinely worried about his father''s betrothal gifts getting thrown off, he flew very slowly and steadily. They departed at noon and didn''t arrive at the Li family residence in Danyang until dusk.


    The massive white tiger descending from the sky over the Li family training ground had already caught everyone''s attention.


    Li Zhan hurriedly called Yang Yanqi to receive the gifts and ordered the butler to prepare to receive them with the highest courtesy... just for Chasing the Wind alone, his role in Wuyi City warranted the Li family''s highest reception.


    However, before Li Zhan and his group arrived, someone had already "received" them at the training ground... Li Shiwen happened to be practicing there.


    "What''s this?" Li Shiwen walked over bare-chested after Chasing the Windnded, seeing the group of people on his back, and joked with Qin Ran, "Bringing the whole family along? What''s going on? Acting like it''s your own home?"


    After jumping down from Chasing the Wind''s back, Qin Ran pointed at Yu Chi Zhen and Li An,ughing, "Well, isn''t this your own family?"


    "Ah!" Li Shiwen''s eyes lit up when he saw Yu Chi Zhen and Li An, eximing joyfully, "Isn''t that my big boy?"


    He quickly walked over and embraced his... wife, Yu Chi Zhen.


    As for his son, his aunt was holding him. It had been a full six months since he''d embraced his wife.


    However, while he wasn''t so particr about propriety and wanted to kiss her right there in broad daylight, Yu Chi Zhen, being a well-breddy, only returned the embrace briefly and firmly stopped his further advances.


    Only then did he take his son from Li Shiyin''s arms and shower him with affection.


    After that, he finally noticed the red gift boxes on Chasing the Wind''s back and immediately understood their meaning. He raised an eyebrow, looked at Qin Ran, and eximed, "Oh! Brother, you''re really doing this?"


    Qin Ran shook his head and sighed, "I had no choice. I was forced into this."


    "Hmm?" Li Shiyin, holding Qin Ran''s arm, gave it a firm squeeze, secretly threatening him, "What kind of talk is that?"


    That''s the good thing about being cultivators - no need to resort to pinching waists.


    "Our destined rtionship has matured, and the timing is perfect," Qin Ran said seriously. "As they say, when conditions are right, things naturally progress. It''s time for us to take the next step and enter a new phase of life."


    Li Shiwen couldn''t help but smile watching them like this.


    His usually deeply scheming brother-inw waspletely under the control of his pure-hearted sister. Remembering Qin Ran''s demeanor in Wuyi City, he sighed and patted Qin Ran''s shoulder: "Brother, you''ve suffered."


    He leaned closer to Qin Ran and whispered, "When we get a chance, I''ll teach you some techniques for managing your wife, guarantee you''ll be the master of the house."


    Qin Ran maintained a serious face and shook his head, saying, "Brother''s words are mistaken. We are men who respect our wives, not fear them."


    Li Shiyin secretly nodded in approval. Li Shiwen secretly shook his head.


    Soon after, Li Zhan arrived with his group to receive the gifts. Seeing the presents on Chasing the Wind''s back, he also understood Qin Ran''s intentions and arranged for people to receive the gifts while he discussed matters with Qin Ran.


    Regarding Qin Ran and Li Shiyin, they had no objections. What they discussed now was the timing of the wedding, the specific processes, and other details.


    Qin Ran''s previous words to Li Shiyin weren''t entirely false - they really needed to meet the parents, match their birth charts, choose an auspicious date, prepare the wedding feast, and follow all the procedures.


    And since he valued ceremony, as a mighty Golden Core cultivator specificallying to the mortal realm to hold a wedding, he naturally didn''t mind any trouble, agreeing to all the customs, traditions, and procedures. As long as the wedding was done properly, everything else could be discussed.


    Finally, they set a series of dates and made all the necessary preparations.


    Qin Ran took Li Shiyin to Qingyuan to meet his parents, and theypleted all the other required procedures step by step. In the end, wearing a grand red robe, he formally married Li Shiyin at the Li family residence in Danyang, bing husband and wife through the traditional ceremony.


    It was proper, reasonable, and legitimate, witnessed by both sets of parents, heaven and earth, the matchmaker deity, and all their reader friends.

 Chapter 412

    Li Shiyin had sessfully formed her Golden Core, so it was time to put the negotiation with the Boundless Sword Sect on the agenda.


    After their wedding, the couple rested for half a month in Danyang City before returning to Dan Peak.


    Upon returning, Qin Ran spent some time making arrangements and preparations before seeking out the Sect Leader.


    "Sect Leader..." he bowed to Sect Leader Gu Yueming, "I will be departing for the Boundless Sword Sect soon."


    Gu Yueming looked up at him and asked, "Why so soon?"


    "The sooner the better," Qin Ran replied, "Moving quickly will both effectively preserve our fighting force and give Zhican Valley less time to react."


    After pondering for a moment, Gu Yueming inquired: "Whether it''s fast or slow isn''t crucial. What concerns me is what we''ll do if the Boundless Sword Sect rejects our proposal?"


    "Sect Leader, it would merely mean revealing our true positions earlier. Given the current situation between the three sects, a battle is inevitable," Qin Ran said gravely. "We''re being targeted by two sects - the Boundless Sword Sect killing our disciples intentionally or not, and Zhican Valley restricting us in terms of medicinal pills. If we dy, we''ll be at a disadvantage. Escting the conflict early works in our favor. We can either consolidate our defenses or fight to the death to drag down one of the sects - either option is better than our current situation."


    "Very well, if the negotiations fail, you''ve considered the sect''s position..." Gu Yueming continued, "But what about yourselves? They won''t let you leave easily once you''re in their territory.""I''ve made detailed arrangements for the safety of our negotiating party," Qin Ran exined to Gu Yueming. "First, I''m skilled in teleportation arrays and will set one up outside the Boundless Sword Sect beforehand.


    "Second, I''m skilled in alchemy. Those who excel in medicine also excel in poisons. Once we enter their sect, I''ll poison their disciples as leverage.


    "Third, if both ns fail..." he gave a coldugh, "If I die outside their sect, so be it. But if I die inside their sect, I guarantee their strength will be halved.


    "So, if I die on this mission - if it''s outside their sect, Sect Leader can focus on defense and perhaps seek help from the Xuanqin Imperial Pce, where the Dao Sword Sect might find salvation. If I die inside their sect, you can mobilize our forces to take advantage and destroy the Boundless Sword Sect."


    Hearing this, Gu Yueming felt both shocked and moved - shocked that Qin Ran had such terrifying measures prepared, and moved that he was willing to die for the sect while making such meticulous ns.


    Suppressing his emotions, he continued asking: "You''ve prepared for failure. But how will you ensure the negotiations seed? Especially with a sect like the Boundless Sword Sect - if you can''t earn their respect through strength, no matter how persuasive your words are, you won''t convince them."


    He looked at Qin Ran, "How have you arranged for this?"


    "Since this is a negotiation, I won''t bring many people - just three disciples to the Boundless Sword Sect," Qin Ran had already thought this through. "One each at Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages. So if they propose friendly matches, it will definitely be one match at each level. Of the three matches, we only need to - and can only - win two.


    "We''ll definitely win two matches. Sect Leader, can you guess who I''m bringing?"


    Gu Yueming frowned and asked, "Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin?"


    Qin Ran nodded.


    "Those two..." Gu Yueming was truly worried, "If all three of you die at the Boundless Sword Sect, wouldn''t that be the end of the Dao Sword Sect?!"


    "Death is only a possibility," Qin Ran smiled. "Sect Leader, look at it another way - with Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin''s strength, once they''re inside the Boundless Sword Sect, if they suddenly unleash their power, the Boundless Sword Sect should be the ones afraid. So even if negotiations fail, they might not dare to move against us."


    Gu Yueming understood the principle of finding life in the midst of death. Finally relieved, he asked with concern: "Li Shiyin has just formed her Golden Core - is her realm stable?"


    Qin Ran nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. Shiyin''s realm is stable, and she now has few equals at the Golden Core stage."


    Gu Yueming suddenly nced at Qin Ran''splexion and teased: "Although you''re both young, you should practice moderation. Too much indulgence can affect your cultivation."


    "Ahem!" Qin Ran''s face reddened, and he even coughed.


    "I hadn''t noticed earlier..." Gu Yueming smiled, "Congrattions on your marriage!"


    "Thank you, Sect Leader." Qin Ran replied, then looked at Gu Yueming with blinking eyes - we just got married, and all you have is verbal congrattions? Nothing else?


    Gu Yueming pretended not to notice and continued with business: "You and Lu Junxing are close, you can discuss with him yourself... As for the teleportation array you''ll set up, I''ll ask our Nascent Soul elders to guard it."


    Looking at Qin Ran, he suddenly sighed, "Having you is truly the Dao Sword Sect''s fortune."


    "So stingy!!" Qin Ran grumbled internally, all talk and no action.


    So he replied: "Master took me as his disciple when I was very young and treated me like his own son. He taught me cultivation and alchemy without holding anything back. The Dao Sword Sect has never meant me harm. Joining the Dao Sword Sect was actually my fortune. I should protect the Dao Sword Sect."


    Gu Yueming stared at Qin Ran for a while, then smiled and shook his head. His eyes welled up with tears as he casually turned away.


    "You mentioned bringing three disciples earlier. Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin can guarantee absolute victory, but who do you n to bring at the Foundation Establishment stage?" he asked.


    "Long Qiqi..." Qin Ran looked smugly at Gu Yueming - trying to y the emotion card with me?


    He smiled and said, "She''s just an ordinary snake spirit studying alchemy under me. Her strength is minimal - she can''t beat anyone."


    "Long Qiqi?" Gu Yueming recalled that always-cocky little girl and smiled after some thought, "Taking her would make the loss too obvious."


    He turned to Qin Ran and said, "Let me rmend someone - it would be good training for them."


    "Them?" Qin Ran frowned.


    The next day, looking at the two girls the Sect Leader brought, Qin Ran pondered for a moment before pulling the Sect Leader aside and quietly asking, "Are they your illegitimate daughters?"


    "No," the Sect Leader shook his head, "They''re just regr disciples."


    "Then..." Qin Ran looked the Sect Leader up and down, confused, "You old pervert, are you into little girls?"


    The Sect Leader gave Qin Ran a p,ughing and scolding: "What are you thinking, you brat?! I''m old enough to be their ancestor. Is this because you just got married and have only one thing on your mind?"


    "For cultivators..." Qin Ran said slowly, "Age means nothing. Eighteen years can pass in the snap of a finger, a nap, or a period of closed-door cultivation."


    The Sect Leader gave Qin Ran another p,ughing: "They just have good talent and likable personalities. I''m considering taking them as myst disciples - nothing like what you''re imagining!"


    "Then I''m relieved," Qin Ran sighed in relief.


    "You''re one to talk," Gu Yueming nced at him, "You who seduced your own disciple."


    Qin Ran secretly nced at Li Shiyin and whispered, "She was the one who made the first move. I''m actually the victim."


    "You with your heart full of holes..." Gu Yueming looked at him sideways, "Do you think I believe you?"


    "You don''t know how fierce she can be..." Qin Ran suddenly felt a sharp gaze and hurriedly stopped, coughing once before saying seriously, "They''ll do fine. Let''s head to the Boundless Sword Sect!"


    The Foundation Establishment disciples Gu Yueming brought were the sisters Jiang Qin and Jiang Ran. They were the twins who, years ago, were known as the Dao Sword Sect''s Five Great Beauties of their generation along with Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin, and Liu Piaoxu.


    That year they were eight years old. Five years had passed, and they were only thirteen now.


    On an ordinary summer morning, Qin Ran led his group flying out of the Dao Sword Sect toward the Boundless Sword Sect, embarking on a mission that would determine the future fate of the Hengduan Mountains.


    He rode at the front on Pursuing Wind, who had transformed to the size of an ordinary tiger, and casually asked the sisters Jiang Qin and Jiang Ran, "Do you know what we''re going to do?"


    The elder sister Jiang Ran was more outgoing, while the younger sister Jiang Qin was more reserved. They both rode on flying artifacts that were red Rainbow Silks.


    Jiang Ran replied, "The Sect Leader said we''re going to the Boundless Sword Sect to discuss important sect matters, and there might be sword duels. We''re responsible for the Foundation Establishment realm exchanges."


    "Oh, so we''re just going to fight," Qin Ran nodded and asked, "Did the Sect Leader tell you what would happen if the sect matters discussion goes wrong?"


    Flying Wind carried Qin Ran at the front, moving slowly with a rxed expression. Behind them followed not only the Jiang sisters, Jiang Qin and Jiang Ran, but also Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin, along with a mysterious man in ck robes - the Core Formation cultivator assigned by the Sect Leader to guard the formation.


    The sisters exchanged nces, and Jiang Ran asked, "What would happen?"


    Qin Ran turned back to look at the pair of blossoming twins, shook his head, and spoke cryptically: "Since the Sect Leader hasn''t told you, I shouldn''t either."


    Hearing this, Jiang Qin secretly observed those around her. She noticed that the mysterious man in ck was a veteran Core Formation cultivator from the main peak, Lu Junxing was rumored to be the strongest fighter in the Dao Sword Sect these past two years, and Li Shiyin had just achieved a magnificent Core Formation breakthrough two days ago - herbat prowess needed no exnation.


    Except for the unremarkable Dan Peak Head at the front, everyone else, including White Tiger Flying Wind beneath the Peak Head, were extremely powerful fighters.


    With such a lineup going to discuss sect matters...


    Her heart trembled as she keenly sensed danger.


    "Uncle Qin..." she spoke softly, finding ''uncle'' more endearing than ''Peak Head'', "You''re in charge of discussing these sect matters. Could you tell little Qin what exactly we''re going to discuss?"


    Hearing Jiang Qin''s words, Qin Ran immediately knew how to tell apart the identical twin sisters. The elder sister was more innocent, while the younger one was more calcting.


    "It concerns the sect''s survival and future, I cannot tell you," he said, intentionally trying to frighten the children, "But if the negotiations fail, we''ll all die at the Boundless Sword Sect."


    Both sisters were startled by his words, with Jiang Ran''s face turning pale.


    Jiang Qin, being moreposed, quickly calmed herself. She thought about how Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin were truly the future of the Dao Sword Sect, far more precious than herself and her sister. Their deaths wouldn''t matter, but these talents must not die.


    "Uncle, please don''t joke about this," she maintained herposure, holding Jiang Ran''s hand tofort her, and said to Qin Ran, "I''ve heard that even in war, envoys are not killed. No matter how bad the rtionship between the Boundless Sword Sect and our Dao Sword Sect, they wouldn''t kill us."


    "You''re still too young," Qin Ran smiled, continuing to tease the young girl, "If you want to live, you''ll have to work hard. The better you perform in the exchanges, the easier my negotiations will be, and the less likely we''ll all die for nothing."


    Hearing this, Jiang Qin felt that Qin Ran definitely wasn''t lying to them, and squeezed Jiang Ran''s hand encouragingly. Jiang Ran nodded in response, indicating she would try her best.


    "Ahem!" Li Shiyin, seeing her master deceiving the young girls right in front of her, cleared her throat with a cold expression as a reminder.


    At this, Qin Ran stopped teasing Jiang Qin and Jiang Ran.

 Chapter 413

    Qin Ran stopped talking and flew ahead riding Chasing the Wind.


    As they were flying, they suddenly rounded a small hillside. Qin Ran signaled Chasing the Wind to stop, and he walked up to the hilltop to measure positions and distances.


    The others didn''t know what Qin Ran was doing, but no one asked. Perhaps only Li Shiyin knew what her master was up to, but she stood coolly in mid-air with her arms crossed, standing on her sword, saying nothing.


    Afterpleting his measurements, Qin Ran moved about to various spots, dropping different formation materials. Then, he channeled his spiritual power to draw formation patterns, linking the materials together. In no time, he hadid down aplete formation.


    After setting up the formation, he continued forward riding Chasing the Wind. When passing arge tree, he stopped again and dug holes down the trunk at intervals, stuffing them with pills of unknown effects. He used several dozen pills in total.


    And so Qin Ran continued, setting up formations as he went, sometimes taking detours to ce his arrangements. Heid down formations, pills, magical tools, and duplicates - some for protection, some for deception, some for killing power - all sorts of preparations.


    When Qin Ran was setting up another formation by a river, Jiang Ran finally couldn''t hold back anymore and asked, "Uncle Master, what exactly are you doing?"


    As she spoke up, the others who had been wondering but hadn''t asked also looked toward Qin Ran.


    The sweet girlish voice reminded Qin Ran of five years ago when he took Li Shiyin to forge swords. Back then, his silly disciple had asked him the same way. He couldn''t help but look at Li Shiyin with a smile in his eyes.Li Shiyin understood his look and remembered how naive she had been back then, and she smiled too.


    Qin Ran turned to Jiang Ran and exined to the sisters, "When I told you earlier that this negotiation would be life-threatening, I wasn''t trying to scare you. The danger is real, but we can take steps to eliminate it. All these preparations I''m making are to minimize the risks as much as possible."


    "But..." Jiang Ran hesitated, "isn''t this a bit too much preparation?"


    "Exactly!" Jiang Qin nodded, "If the Boundless Sword Sect doesn''t make a move, all these preparations will be useless, and all these resources will be wasted."


    Lu Junxing silently agreed with the sisters. Personally, he disdained making backup ns, though he understood the concept. But understanding aside, Qin Ran''s constant preparations along the way seemed a bit excessive.


    "What do you kids know? This is called insurance," Qin Ran exined. "As long as just one of these preparations proves useful, it won''t be a waste. Besides, what''s a little wastepared to your lives?"


    "I can understand one or two preparations," Jiang Qin shook her head repeatedly, "but you''re doing far too much."


    "When something unexpected happens, you won''t think the preparations are too many," Qin Ran insisted stubbornly. "I can''t fully predict how things will unfold, so I have to prepare more."


    As he continued making preparations, he exined everything to them, especially the teleportation formations and the most lethal arrangements. He wanted to make sure they knew how to use them in case something happened to him.


    After many more preparations, they finally stopped when they were within ten miles of the Boundless Sword Sect.


    ...He still had a bit of face to maintain, just a bit, not too much. It was eptable to let his own sect members know about his cautious nature - that would only be a small loss of face. But if the enemy camp knew how careful he was being, that would be truly embarrassing and could damage his reputation.


    Besides, setting up formations right under someone''s nose would be rather impolite.


    He adjusted his appearance and attire to look properly like a sect representative before continuing toward the Boundless Sword Sect on his majestic Chasing the Wind.


    Zhican Valley was a spiritnd valley, the Dao Sword Sect had a spirit stone vein with four or five peaks, but the Boundless Sword Sect was purely a sword mountain - a single, precipitous mountain.


    The Boundless Sword Sect was just one mountain.


    From afar, that steep and treacherous mountain reaching into the azure clouds looked like a sword thrust from the earth toward the sky. Even from a great distance, one could feel its piercing sword energy.


    After passing through endless lush forests and the small town at the foot of the mountain, they arrived before this straight rocky peak. One had to crane their neck to the limit to see its infinite summit.


    "How do lower-level disciples who can''t fly manage with such a mountain?" Jiang Ran noticed the issue. The mountain was too steep with no paths at all. Ordinary people could never climb it.


    "They die on the sword mountain!" Jiang Qin said with a sneer. She was quite knowledgeable. "I read in books about a type of eagle that builds nests on steep cliffs. They raise their children there, and when the chicks are old enough, they push them out of the nest. That''s how the little eagles learn to fly.


    "What happens if the little eagles can''t fly? They die from the fall."


    Jiang Ran''s expression turned solemn, feeling awe for these eagles and fear for this type of human sect.


    "If Boundless Sword Sect disciples can''t learn to ride swords, they can nevere down from the mountain," Jiang Qin added.


    Qin Ran looked at Jiang Qin approvingly and nodded, "This is why although the Boundless Sword Sect is the poorest, their overall strength subtly surpasses the Dao Sword Sect."


    "Tch!" Li Shiyin looked up at the sharp, straight, steep peak before them and smiled meaningfully, "It''s a good thing you didn''t be a disciple of the Boundless Sword Sect back then, Master."


    She was quietly mocking his fear of heights.


    Qin Ran gave Li Shiyin a sidelong nce and said, "If you have nothing nice to say, don''t say anything."


    "Dad..." At this moment, the clever Chasing the Wind concernedly twisted the knife, "This mountain is so high. When we get up there, will you be scared? Maybe we shouldn''t go up?"


    Qin Ran promptly gave him a smack on the head.


    Given the strength of Qin Ran''s group, the Boundless Sword Sect naturally detected their arrival at the mountain''s foot. They didn''t wait long before more than ten sword lights swooped down from the mountain with whooshing sounds. As the sword lightsnded before them and their radiance faded, the cultivators within were revealed.


    Qin Ran jumped down from Chasing the Wind, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am Qin Ran, Head Elder of Dan Peak of the Dao Sword Sect, here to pay respects to the Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect."


    The cultivator at the front wore a sword crown and had a face like warm jade, appearing about fifty years old with a mustache and short beard on his chin. Compared to the other Boundless Sword Sect members who always disyed their sharp edges, he seemed much gentler.


    He stepped forward to return the greeting, firstughing "Ha ha ha" to show goodwill, then spoke: "So it is Head Elder Qin in person. I am Xu Jinwen, External Affairs Elder of the Boundless Sword Sect. Wee to our sword sect."


    Qin Ran joined in with a few "Ha ha ha"ughs, stepped forward, and bowed again, "Elder Xu, my respects."


    "Head Elder Qin, my respects," Xu Jinwen warmly returned the bow before asking, "What brings Head Elder Qin to our Boundless Sword Sect?" Although these two were acting extremely warm, as if they were old friends who hadn''t met in years, they had never actually met before this moment.


    Qin Ran was fine since he had gathered intelligence about the Boundless Sword Sect beforehand and roughly knew about Xu Jinwen. But to Xu Jinwen, Qin Ran''s name was far less famous than Lu Junxing behind him, or even his disciple-wife Li Shiyin.


    Hearing Xu Jinwen''s polite inquiry, Qin Ran smiled and said, "The matter is of great importance and must be discussed with the Sect Leader in person."


    "Oh?" Xu Jinwen''s expression grew serious as he said in a deep voice, "So serious that it requires the Sect Leader''s personal attention!"


    After brief contemtion, he summoned his flying sword and gestured for Qin Ran''s group to follow, "Then please, Head Elder, let us discuss this up on the mountain."


    "No trouble at all, no trouble," Qin Ran smiled kindly. Although he wanted to annihte their entire sect, not a hint of it showed on his face as he replied, "The matter is significant and can''t be exined quickly. We should discuss it inside the sect."


    For them, being inside the Boundless Sword Sect would actually be much safer than being outside it.


    As he spoke, he turned back to mount Chasing the Wind.


    Xu Jinwen looked at Chasing the Wind and barely recognized it as a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    He pondered silently: for someone to have a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger as a mount, this Qin Ran must be quite remarkable - why hadn''t he heard of him before?


    "Please," he thought as he stepped onto his flying sword to lead the way. The Boundless Sword Sect disciples who hade with him also mounted their swords and flew ahead to guide them.


    Qin Ran rode Chasing the Wind, leading the group from Dao Sword Sect as they followed Xu Jinwen up the mountain.


    The Boundless Sword Sect naturally had its own mountain-protecting formation, and the formation reflected the sect''s nature - it was a sword formation with formidable killing power.


    Unlike the Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley, whose protective formations wereprehensive systems incorporating killing power, illusions, and entrapment arrays, the Boundless Sword Sect''s was different.


    Of course, perhaps the Boundless Sword Sect had no choice in the matter, as no one in the sect was proficient in formation techniques...


    After flying for a short while, the group passed through the Boundless Sword Sect''s protective formation andnded in the sect''s main square. Under Xu Jinwen''s guidance, they arrived at the sect''s reception hall.


    "Senior Qin, please wait here while I go report to the Sect Master," Xu Jinwen said before leaving, after arranging for disciples to attend to Qin Ran''s group.


    The attending disciples quickly brought fruits, snacks, and tea. Qin Ran sat down to drink tea, gesturing for others to be seated as well.


    Li Shiyin quietly waited while feeding snacks to Chasing the Wind, who had shrunk to the size of a dog.


    After quite a while, just as Jiang Qin was growing impatient, Xu Jinwen returned.


    However, he came back alone - the Boundless Sword Sect Master hadn''te with him.


    Smiling, he said, "The Sect Master has gone out on business."


    He then led Qin Ran''s group to the guest quarters of the Boundless Sword Sect and arranged suitable amodations for them.


    On the second day, Qin Ran still hadn''t met the Boundless Sword Sect Master. Xu Jinwen came to offer exnations andfort, saying the Sect Master hadn''t returned yet.


    On the third day, the Boundless Sword Sect Master was still absent.


    On the fourth day, Xu Jinwen was very busy.


    After that, they couldn''t even catch a glimpse of Xu Jinwen anymore.


    It was as if the Boundless Sword Sect had forgotten about them entirely.

 Chapter 414

    The Heaven-Mending Pill is a medicinal pill that repairs one''s innate talent and constitution.


    The concept of repairing one''s innate qualities, though simple in words, is enough to drive cultivators throughout the entire Sea Region into a frenzy... One might even boldly im it would drive the entire cultivation world mad.


    Generally speaking, when a living being is born, their innate bone structure and natural talents are predetermined, extremely difficult to alterter in life. It requires thousands or even tens of thousands times more resources topensate for innate deficiencies.


    Take a simple example: Long Qiqi has been taking Bone Tempering Pills for four to five years, consuming countless precious spiritual medicines. Yet has there been any significant improvement in her innate constitution? She hasn''t even recovered from her congenital injuries - she remains as she was.


    This is the impact of innate deficiencies and imperfect heavenly dao.


    The Heaven-Mending Pill repairs exactly these innate qualities - it mends the heavenly dao within living beings.


    The cultivation system in the Lingnan Region is more advanced than the Sea Region''s, with lower requirements for innate talent. However, even there, the impact of one''s innate qualities on cultivation progress remains evident.


    Take Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi as examples. They began foundation building in the same year, yet the gap in their cultivation levels is as vast as that between clouds and mud.


    In a direct confrontation between Li Shiyin and Long Qiqi, how many Long Qiqis would it take to defeat Li Shiyin?Though this is an extreme example, it demonstrates the terrifying impact that innate talent has on cultivators.


    If things are already this way in the Lingnan Region, imagine the despair caused by talent differences in the Sea Region''s cultivation system, where innate qualities and talent requirements are even higher?


    Thus, one can understand just how tempting the Heaven-Mending Pill is to cultivators of the Sea Region.


    One could say that for those powers in the Tian Sea Region coveting the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy, obtaining just the pill form for the Heaven-Mending Pill would make all their years of scheming worthwhile.


    The Heaven-Mending Pill, mending heaven itself, repairing the ws in the heavenly dao. Though it may not be ssified as an immortal pill, calling it one would not be an exaggeration.


    Qin Ran stood before the light screen, reading the pill form word by word. Only after a long while, when he was certain he had understood and memorized itpletely, did he turn around.


    He was currently in an alchemy room.


    The light screen disying the Heaven-Mending Pill form served as a door to the next alchemy room.


    The light screen showed the form for the Heaven-Mending Pill, and below it were three pill-sized indentations.


    The meaning was clear: to open the light screen and ess the next alchemy room, one must learn to refine the Heaven-Mending Pill and ce three sessfully refined pills in the indentations.


    In the center of the alchemy room stood a pill furnace suitable for both fire and water methods of pill refinement.


    To the left of the furnace was a cab filled with drawers containing spiritual medicines, all ingredients necessary for refining the Heaven-Mending Pill.


    To the right was a table with bookshelves beside it, containing books rted to pill refinement.


    Clearly, the Divine Essence Old Demon had considered that cultivators reaching this ce might not be alchemists and had prepared everything needed to learn alchemy from scratch. Quite thoughtful indeed.


    This ce was an alchemy room, but it was also part of the Divine Essence Old Demon''s sealed space.


    It remained under seal, a sealed space rather than a real location.


    Though everything appeared real - the bookshelves and their books containing genuine alchemy techniques, the functional pill furnace that would automatically repair itself if destroyed, the medicine cab with endless supplies that replenished themselves when used - it was all confined to this sealed space.


    Like respawning resources in a game, the only limitation was that these items could only be used within this sealed space and couldn''t be taken out.


    After surveying the room, Qin Ran didn''t immediately gather ingredients to start refining pills. Instead, he went to the bookshelf, took some alchemy books, sat at the table, and began studying from the beginning.


    It wasn''t that he couldn''t refine the Heaven-Mending Pill; he wanted to systematically study the Sea Region''s alchemy techniques.


    Having spent time here, he had gradually realized that while it was difficult to say whether the Sea Region''s or Lingnan Region''s alchemy was superior overall, the Sea Region''s water method of pill refinement was definitely more advanced.


    One of his few virtues was his patience. Steady as an old hand, he spent half a month reading through all the alchemy books without rest, sleep, food, or drink, gaining a systematic understanding of the Sea Region''s alchemy techniques.


    Strangely - or perhaps not so strangely - the Sea Region''s water method of pill refinement wasn''t vastly different from the Lingnan Region''s. This made sense considering that the Lingnan Region''s cultivation system was derived from the Sea Region''s, so their water method of pill refinement likely originated from there as well.


    Whether due to the Sea Region''s moreplete water method or because this was the Divine Essence Old Demon''s alchemy legacy, Qin Ran''s alchemy skills improved significantly as he filled gaps in his knowledge while studying.


    For instance, the Sea Region''s exnation and application of pill water was much moreprehensive. Somehow, the Lingnan Region had lost all knowledge of pill water usage. Qin Ran was able toplete his understanding of these minor pill water techniques.


    After his initial reading, he spent another ten-plus days studying the materials in detail, gaining even more insights.


    By now, he felt that by the Sea Region''s standards, he would at least qualify as a fourth-rank alchemist.


    Only after finishing his studies did he begin pill refinement.


    Though the Heaven-Mending Pill wasn''t ssified as an immortal pill, its quality reached the Nascent Soul or Dao Integration realm, equivalent to fourth or fifth-grade pills in the Sea Region''s system.


    Despite his newly improved alchemy skills and confidence as a fourth-rank alchemist, Qin Ran stillcked pill water.


    Moreover, he was still only at the Nascent Soul realm.


    So even with his improved alchemy skills and a suitable water method pill furnace, refining the Heaven-Mending Pill remained extremely challenging.


    Furthermore, as this was only his avatar, his Nascent Soul couldn''tpare to those of true Nascent Soul cultivators, making the pill refinement process extremely draining. He had to rest after each attempt.


    He would practice the Raging Waves Visualization Method to recover his Nascent Soul''s energy.


    Once recovered, he would begin another attempt.


    This way, it took eleven attempts before he barely managed to produce one Heaven-Mending Pill.


    That batch yielded seven pills, but six were ruined, leaving only one survivor. Even that one was merely an ungraded, impure pill.


    Fortunately, this being a sealed space, spiritual medicines were unlimited and free for him to use.


    He made seven more attempts. Though pills formed each time, none were of sufficient grade.


    Whether due to the Heaven-Mending Pill''s difficulty, his unfamiliarity with the Sea Region''s spiritual medicines, or perhaps because the abundant resources were beyond his experience as a humble practitioner, this marked one of the lowest points in his alchemy career.


    It wasn''t until his neenth attempt that he produced a batch of low-grade Heaven-Mending Pills.


    By the twenty-first attempt, he finally saw medium-grade pills.


    At the thirtieth attempt, he produced supreme-grade pills.


    By the thirty-sixth attempt, his pill quality stabilized, fluctuating around high grade.


    Perhaps due to never having such abundant resources before, Qin Ran''s continuous practice actually strengthened his Nascent Soul considerably. This experience reminded him once again that alchemy was an extremely resource-intensive profession.


    He had previously graduated from his apprenticeship and begun earning money, reducing his resource consumption.


    Yet in this sealed space, he indulged extravagantly.


    Seeing that the space''s resources were renewable, Qin Ran, following the principle of not wasting free resources, began taking out spiritual medicines to create his ownbinations.


    He familiarized himself with these medicines, researched new medicinalbinations, and explored ways to use local ingredients to recreate Lingnan Region pills.


    Like a child with a new toy, he becamepletely absorbed, continuing to refine pills for three months afterpleting the Heaven-Mending Pills.


    By this time, through constant consumption and recovery, his Nascent Soul had notably strengthened. He had also gainedplete mastery over the local spiritual medicines.


    His strength had increased, his pill refinement skills had improved, and his knowledge of medicinal ingredients had deepened...


    "This is truly my blessednd!" Qin Ran sighed with emotion. "Fighting tooth and nail to get here was absolutely worth it!"


    With that, he ced three supreme-grade Heaven-Mending Pills into the indentation on the light screen.


    The Heaven-Mending Pills vanished into the indentation, and the light screen parted to both sides. After the screen opened, three Heaven-Mending Pills appeared where the indentation had been, floating in mid-air.


    "?"


    Qin Ran mentally drew a question mark, frozen in shock as a terrifying possibility urred to him.


    He reached out and took the three Heaven-Mending Pills... He could clearly sense that these were real Heaven-Mending Pills, three genuine, supreme-grade Heaven-Mending Pills!


    What did a supreme-grade Heaven-Mending Pill mean?


    One pill was enough to transform Long Qiqi into someone with talentparable to Li Shiyin... in terms of aptitude alone.


    "This is..."


    Qin Ran stood rooted to the spot.


    Divine Essence Old Demon, Divine Essence Old Demon - this brother''s style wasn''t demonic at all.


    He was too righteous!


    Everything Qin Ran had heard about the Divine Essence Old Demon indicated that he was genuinely a good person.


    He had left his legacy here, thoughtfully teaching others how to refine pills, offering rewards after passing tests... He was someone who educated others and passed on knowledge - a truly great person!


    Qin Ran felt ashamed - such a great person everywhere, yet he himself was so base inparison.


    Thinking this, he took out his natal magical treasure, the Water Flower Pearl. The pearl sprayed water, forming a spherical bubble that enveloped the three supreme-grade Heaven-Mending Pills.


    "These were Heaven-Mending Pills, so what''s next?" Qin Ran walked through the doorway into the next refining room as the light screen closed behind him. He approached the light screen ahead, "Dust-Clearing Pills..."


    The Dust-Clearing Pill helped qi practitioners increase their true qi.


    The extraordinary thing was that it worked regardless of cultivation level. Meaning both first-rank and seventh-rank qi practitioners could use it.


    Next was the Primordial Pill, which strengthened the physical body.


    Then the Soul-Extreme Pill, which strengthened the soul.


    The Divine Splendor Pill and Immortal Essence Pill were special pills refined using divine essence and immortal condensation.


    Qin Ran learned the pill refinement techniques in each room while refining pills, strengthening his divine spirit, and passing tests.


    After consuming three supreme-grade Soul-Extreme Pills, his divine spirit strength had reached the peak of third rank, surpassing his physical body. After refining the Immortal Essence Pill, his pill refinement skills had nearly reached sixth rank.


    He took the Immortal Essence Pill and entered the seventh refinement room, walking forward to the light screen, where he saw the final pill...


    An immortal pill!


    The Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill.

 Chapter 415

    The "Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill" - its effect: when yin and yang converge, it umtes immortal essence.


    "Yin and yang convergence?" Qin Ran read about the effects of this immortal pill, shaking his head. "Immortal essence?"


    It wasn''t entirely useless, yet wasn''tpletely useful either. After all, besides some secondary effects, the main purpose of this immortal pill was to increase one''s chances of achieving immortality.


    It seemed useful, yet wasn''t really - firstly, he was merely a Golden Core cultivator, and achieving immortality was like taking just the first step of the Great Wall''s ten thousand steps. Who knew when he would actually need the Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill? Secondly, even though his pill-refining skills had greatly improved, he stillcked the ability to refine immortal pills.


    Thirdly, taking this pill required the convergence of yin and yang, which meant he needed a Dao partner.


    But his avatar had traveled thousands of miles to reach the Celestial Sea Region - how the hell would he have a Dao partner? Most crucially, he wasn''t even sure if he had "that capability."


    "Looks like my original body will benefit from this..." He felt somewhat disappointed, but then another thought struck him. "Benefit my ass! That guy doesn''t look like he could achieve immortality... Li Shiyin would be more suitable."


    Who would ultimately benefit from this immortal pill remained uncertain, but there was a more pressing matter at hand. Which was...


    This was a damn immortal pill!An immortal pill!!


    He couldn''t refine it!!!


    On the light screen before him, the Divine Essence Old Demon had very thoughtfully left just one slot, indicating that examinees only needed to refine one immortal pill to pass.


    But there seemed to be a hint of mockery in this.


    "The Divine Essence Old Demon himself probably couldn''t even refine an immortal pill!" Qin Ran rolled his eyes.


    He turned around and walked toward the desk in this pill-refining room.


    He had learned the pill-refining techniques from the previous six rooms. The Heaven-Mending Pill room contained rtively basic techniques, and each subsequent room''s techniques were more advanced than thest. The difficulty increased gradually from low to high - the Divine Essence Old Demon was being quite considerate.


    [Trantion continues due to length...]


    Having studied diligently along the way,bined with his already decent foundation in pill refining, his current pill-refining skills had undergone a qualitative changepared to before.


    With his current cultivation level, he could attempt to refine sixth-grade pills. In other words, his pill-refining ability was now limited by his cultivation level.


    If his cultivation level were to increase, he should be able to refine most pills below immortal grade.


    Therefore, unsurprisingly, this Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill room contained techniques for refining immortal-grade pills.


    And again unsurprisingly, Qin Ran couldn''t understand it. He encountered that situation where the text had characters, the characters had meaning, he recognized the characters, but couldn''tprehend what they meant.


    To make an analogy, Qin Ran was like a brilliant middle school student who had self-studied high school material, but when faced with university-level knowledge, though familiar, it was iprehensible.


    After hesitating for a while, he still lowered his head and forced himself to read. It didn''t matter if he couldn''t understand - he would memorize it first. This was, after all, the technique for refining immortal pills.


    Heaven finally showed mercy - the situation that Li Shiyin, Long Qiqi, Chasing the Wind, Tushan Youyou, and other Pill Peak disciples had faced before, he finally encountered today.


    Just memorizing without seeking understanding took Qin Ran almost six days topletely record everything here.


    After finishing the books, he still got up and went to the medicine cab to prepare the spiritual medicines for the Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill.


    "The main ingredients are one Yin-Pole Dark Sea Lotus, five qian of Yang-Pole Lightning-Struck Rock, five liang of ten-thousand-year Chaos Golden Ginseng..." he muttered while gathering the medicines. "Supporting ingredients, two Blood Sea Galldders, Dragon Tail Whale tail..."


    If these weren''t spiritual medicines simted by the sealed space, he wouldn''t even be able to cut and separate the materials, let alone measure them urately.


    Finally, after preparing all the medicines, he started the furnace to refine the pill, but the first problem he encountered made him loseposure.


    He threw the Yang-Pole Lightning-Struck Rock into the furnace''s inherent celestial strange water, used his divine consciousness to activate the furnace, and then after half a day, the rock hadn''t moved at all.


    Forget about extracting the medicinal properties from the Yang-Pole Lightning-Struck Rock - this piece of stone hadn''t shown the slightest change after soaking in the celestial strange water for half a day.


    So Qin Ran knew that he could never refine this immortal pill.


    If he couldn''t even process the raw materials, how could he refine the pill?


    "Is this how it ends?" He gave up on refining the immortal pill and returned to the light screen, reconsidering this test.


    This was indeed a test, and passing it would bring extremely generous rewards. He had passed six stages consecutively, and although there were difficulties and setbacks, he had ovee them all and passed the tests, receiving rewards.


    But...


    Now that he was certain he couldn''t refine an immortal pill, and there was no way to pass this stage, he had to face a problem:


    How would he leave this pill-refining room? How would he escape this test? How would he leave this sealed space?


    When he couldn''t pass through the light screen, he realized that this pill-refining room was less like an examination room and more like a prison.


    He wasn''t a student taking a test; he was a prisoner trapped here.


    Qin Ran took a deep breath and walked back to the light screen that had led him to this pill-refining room. After several attempts, he couldn''t return to the previous room either.


    He was trapped in this small pill-refining room.


    Although... even if he could return to the previous room, or even the very first room, he still couldn''t leave the sealed space.


    "Am I going to die trapped here?"


    Qin Ran realized this problem.


    He suddenly found himself like a mouse in a jar. The mouse discovered rice in the jar and excitedly climbed in. It ate all the rice, then discovered a problem - it had reached the bottom of the jar, but the walls were too steep and slippery to climb out.


    "How ridiculous have I be?"


    He looked up and around at this small pill-refining room, which was about the size of a normal one. Like a prison cell, and also like...


    "This square little room has be my coffin."


    He couldn''t help butugh bitterly at himself. "A pill-refining room, dying in a pill-refining room, it''s quite fitting. The Divine Essence Old Demon has quite a twisted sense of humor."


    Qin Ran walked around the pill-refining room again and again, thoroughly checking every corner up and down, but found no mechanisms or secret doors.


    The ce was so small that no matter how much he tried, he couldn''t find anything new.


    He sighed and finally sat back down at the desk.


    He took out the immortal pill-refining technique to read again, but couldn''t focus anymore. It now seemed more like bait that had lured him into a trap rather than an immortal technique.


    Putting down the book and looking around, he strangely thought of Brother Xun''s iron room theory.


    "Fortunately, I''m in my divine consciousness state, so I don''t need to breathe and don''t have to worry about suffocation," he smiled, then thought, "But because I don''t need to breathe, I''ll never think about breaking out of this iron room."


    As he was smiling, he suddenly froze.


    "Breaking the iron room..." Recently immersed in pill refining, and because of it, his mind wasn''t working at full capacity. Only now did he react, "This..."


    He would surely go mad, and then die in his madness. He knew this would be his final fate.


    "So this was waiting for me!" Qin Ran despaired,menting, "I thought you, Divine Essence Old Demon, were a good person... you really are just a demon who toys with people''s hearts!"


    "Immortal pill..." he couldn''t help butugh coldly, "You, Divine Essence Old Demon, probably couldn''t even refine it yourself."


    "Ah..."


    He copsed to the ground, sighing.


    But before he could finish sighing, he suddenly realized something:


    "The Divine Essence Old Demon failed to ascend and died on Divine Essence Mountain!"


    The Divine Essence Old Demon had died, which meant he must never have sessfully refined the Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill!!


    He jolted up and walked to the light screen, looking at the slot on it.


    In the previous pill-refining rooms, each light screen had three slots. When he ced supreme-grade pills in them, the light screen would reward him with three real supreme-grade pills.


    But here there was one slot, indicating that after sessfully refining and cing an immortal pill, he would be rewarded with one immortal pill.


    But...


    The Divine Essence Old Demon himself didn''t have an immortal pill, so what would he use as a reward?


    Wasn''t this contradictory?


    There must be something wrong here!


    Qin Ran raised his hand slowly, reaching toward the light screen...


    His hand passed through the light screen without any resistance!!!


    This light screen was different from the previous one - it was merely ayer of light with no blocking effect!


    Great joy and sorrow, sorrow and joy, ups and downs, light at the end of the tunnel...


    Qin Ran stood there, stunned.


    At this moment, a deep and majestic voice echoed in his ears:


    "Cultivation is an act of defying heaven! To defy heaven, you need the courage to challenge the heavens, to struggle against earth! You need the courage to break free from all mortal shackles! To be immortal, you must have the courage to reject all the golden rules left by those who came before!


    "Young man, you need to be braver! You need more courage! Courage..."


    Qin Ran knew this was the voice of Divine Essence Old Demon. It was his voice left within this light screen.


    Standing there, he thought about his true self, or rather, himself...


    He always thought too much, always hesitating and considering the consequences,cking the courage to forge ahead. He was too timid. Hecked courage.


    "Huff..."


    Qin Ran let out a soft breath, stepped forward, and passed through the light screen.

 Chapter 416

    Passing through the luminous curtain, Qin Ran''s vision brightened and then darkened, and he found himself in a dark, damp, and narrow cave.


    He widened his eyes and carefully observed the cave before him. The small cave was extremely crude, as if it were a natural, untouched ancient cavern. He couldn''t help but turn back to look, seeing the moss-covered cave wall where the array patterns were fading, proving that he had indeed emerged from the final alchemy chamber, and this ce was indeed outside the seal, within Divine Essence Mountain.


    Thus, he fell into deep doubt.


    Could this be the inheritance site of Elder Shenhua?


    Elder Shenhua, tens of thousands of years ago, the peerless powerhouse who dominated his era and was renowned throughout the Seven Inds.


    Could his inheritance site look like this?


    Could the major forces of the entire Heavenly Sea Region, who have schemed for countless years and killed countless lives, be seeking such a ce?


    He doubted that he hade to the wrong ce.


    The cave Qin Ran saw before him was far smaller than the one arranged by the Ind Master of Dragon Whale Ind. The size of this cave was about the same as an ordinary room, no more than four zhang high and fifty square meters in area. It felt somewhat oppressive and narrow.The ce where he appeared was a cave wall. Standing there, he looked forward to see the entire cave, which was empty and devoid of anything, except for a skeleton on the opposite wall, slightly in the middle.


    The skeleton sat on a white cushion, facing away, bowing towards the wall; this skeleton didn''t seem particrly special at first nce, but in its abdominal cavity, there was a brilliantly colorful, me-like water.


    Although it felt incredible and he didn''t want to admit it, even feeling a bit of a shattered dream, Qin Ran still knew:


    This was the inheritance site of the Divine Essence Old Demon; this was where the Divine Essence Old Demon had made his final retreat, seeking to be an immortal; the skeleton opposite was the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    The Divine Essence Old Demon was now just a skeleton, indistinguishable; but the powerful and sacred aura within it was undoubtedly Divine Essence Condensation.


    Looking at the skeleton, Qin Ran''s emotions wereplex, difficult to express.


    After all, no matter how heroic or peerless one is, they cannot withstand the passage of time and the ravages of years. In the end, they are just a pile of bones and dust.


    "s!" Qin Ran sighed.


    He stepped on the damp ground of the cave, the wet echoes of "st st" resounding, as he walked to the opposite side. He didn''t go behind the Divine Essence Old Demon nor directly take the Divine Essence Condensation. Instead, he stood in front of the skeleton of the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    To be honest, he had received too much from the Divine Essence Old Demon, and in reason and emotion, he should show some respect to the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    Qin Ran looked at the skeleton before him, feeling no strong aura from it, just a skeleton.


    The bones had no flesh, no skin, no clothes, no powerful artifacts. The skeleton only had the Divine Essence Condensation within its body, a storage ring on its finger, and the cushion beneath it.


    It was somewhat deste, mournful, and piteous.


    He recalled the deep and authoritative voice of the Divine Essence Old Demon in the final curtain of light, which must have belonged to a tall, strong, extremely vital, and fearless warrior who dared to challenge the heavens and the earth.


    But now...


    A tear slid down Qin Ran''s cheek.


    After a while, Qin Ran raised his head to survey the cave.


    From this crude and unadorned cave, it could be known that in his final moments, the Divine Essence Old Demon had merely found a random mountain by the sea, dug out a cave on it, and conducted hisst retreat in life.


    It was unknown what kind of mentality he had when he closed his eyes at the end of his life; but it was known that he was still cultivating at thest moment of his life.


    However, such a figure...


    He had not be an immortal.


    Not bing an immortal meant bing a pile of white bones.


    A generation of pride, born from Divine Essence Condensation, and defeated by it.


    Pitiable! Regrettable!! And also pitiful.


    Qin Ran looked at the brilliantly colored Divine Essence Condensation within the skeleton. Standing there, he clearly sensed its power and also saw its shackles.


    The Divine Essence Old Demon had not be an immortal in the end.


    "s!"


    He sighed, not knowing how many times he had sighed since entering the cave.


    He summoned the Water Flower Pearl, took out a Divine Splendor Pill and an Immortal Essence Pill, and swallowed them.


    The Divine Splendor Pill and Immortal Essence Pill were pills based on Divine Essence Condensation. When collecting Divine Essence Condensation, taking these two pills would greatly reduce the difficulty and pain.


    Although he was in a spirit form, as soon as the two pills entered his stomach, the medicinal power spread, like ink drops blooming in his spirit. Divine Splendor and Immortal Essence intertwined, making him feel as if he possessed the power of gods and immortals, almost unable to control himself.


    He used his strong willpower to control his mind, calmed himself, and reached out to directly take the Divine Essence Condensation from the skeleton.


    He had nned for so long, gone through so many things, and although he had gained many resources in the process, all he wanted was the Divine Essence Condensation before him.


    He wanted to use Divine Essence Condensation to reshape his body and turn it into the elixir water for his avatar.


    Now that Divine Essence Condensation was right in front of him, even with his strong willpower, he couldn''t help but get excited.


    But just as his fingers were about to touch the skeleton of the Divine Essence Old Demon, he controlled himself and stopped.


    Because he suddenly realized something: if he took the Divine Essence Condensation like this, what would happen to the skeleton of the Divine Essence Old Demon?


    This skeleton had been here for tens of thousands of years, and even if the Divine Essence Old Demon''s cultivation was close to that of a god... Once he took the Divine Essence Condensation, the skeleton would surely turn to dust instantly.


    So he hesitated.


    He looked at the Divine Essence Old Demon. This predecessor, named Demon but acted like an immortal, had given him too many benefits.


    He had taught him theplete water alchemy technique, even the immortal alchemy technique, a whole set; given him over ten high-level pills and pill recipes; indirectly taught him the array techniques of the Heavenly Sea Region.


    The Divine Essence Old Demon was no less than his master.


    Was he really going to treat his master like this?


    He thought for a while, retracted his hand, tidied up the ground in front of him, and then knelt down.


    He was determined to get the Divine Essence Condensation, but before taking it, he could apologize to this "master." It was also a way to thank him for what he had taught him.


    Three bows and nine kowtows were the greatest apology and respect he could give to the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    "I know I''m a bit of a beast... Master, I''m sorry."


    After kowtowing, Qin Ran looked at the skeleton of the Divine Essence Old Demon, still feeling ashamed of his shamelessness.


    But he still stood up and reached out his hand towards the skeleton of the Divine Essence Old Demon again.


    And this time, he still stopped just as his hand was about to touch the skeleton, because at that moment, the entire cave suddenly began to shake!


    "?" Qin Ran was startled and quickly retreated, looking around, "What''s happening now?"


    As the cave continued to shake, the ground behind the Divine Essence Old Demon split open and slowly opened to reveal a dazzling pit.


    Qin Ran frowned, not understanding the situation, and looked into the pit, seeing a crystal-like transparent coffin, surrounded by dolls, artifacts, books, silk cloths, and other funerary objects.


    He realized that this was the coffin and tomb prepared by the Divine Essence Old Demon for himself.


    As the pit opened, the light revealed the skeleton of the Divine Essence Old Demon, which turned to dust, either by a sudden gust of wind or under some strange force, the bone dust floated and entered the crystal coffin in the pit.


    Then, the coffin automatically closed.


    When the crystal coffin opened, it was transparent and visible, but now that it was closed, although it was still a crystal coffin, it was no longer visible from the outside. After the coffin closed, the pit had no further changes.


    "Even prepared a tomb for himself..." Qin Ran thought, "Is this asking me to fill the soil for him, to show filial piety?"


    But when he saw the funerary objects in the pit, greed suddenly arose in his heart.


    It wasn''t his fault, because the books in the pit were probably the essence of the Divine Essence Old Demon''s life''s work; the artifacts were undoubtedly the Divine Essence Old Demon''s treasures.


    Such an incalcble wealth was bound to arouse people''s greed.


    But he didn''t rush down immediately. He suppressed his greed, cursing himself for being inhumane... hesitating.


    He forced himself to look away and turned his gaze to what remained after Elder Shenhua''s withered bones turned to dust: the Divine Essence Condensation hovered in mid-air, its water seemingly alive and boiling; the storage ring also floated, containing unknown treasures; the white mat on the ground had yet to disappear.


    Staring at these three items, a peculiar thought suddenly crossed his mind:


    The bones crumbled into powder only after he had bowed. What would have happened if he had skipped the bowing and directly taken the Divine Essence Condensation or the storage ring?


    He had a vague feeling that something bad would have urred.


    At that moment, the cave began to shake again.


    He looked forward and saw the tomb pit slowly closing.


    As he watched the closing tomb pit, he suddenly realized something...


    The tomb pit hadn''t closed immediately earlier, it was waiting for someone to descend and take the funerary objects. And once someone actually took them, the consequences would be unpredictable.


    As he thought about it, a chill ran down his spine.


    Because it wasn''t just the tomb pit in front of him; when he reviewed everything he had encountered along the way, it seemed to be the same.


    If someone who didn''t understand alchemy had entered, they would have to start learning from scratch. How long would that take?


    If an alchemist who entered the sealed space didn''t follow the steps of learning alchemy and then practicing it, what would happen?


    If the alchemist''s skills were a bitcking and they couldn''t produce the required pills, what would happen?


    If they reached the alchemy chamber where the Yin-Yang Immortal Essence Pill was located and failed to realize that the light screen was an illusion, what would happen?


    If he had rushed straight to the bones upon entering the cave, he would have stepped on the tomb pit of the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    If he had skipped the bowing and reached out to take the Divine Essence Condensation, what would have happened?


    Adding to the temptation of the funerary objects in the tomb pit...


    Plus, if he had used low-grade pills to open the light screen earlier, he would have received low-grade pills...


    Only then did he understand why the Divine Essence Old Demon was called the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    He wasn''t a demonic figure, nor was he a righteous one; he was a chaotic, evil figure.


    A genuine chaotic justice.


    He would generously bestow his heritage and warmly guide his inheritors, but at the same time, he would leave behind some small traps, mischievous pranks... deadly pranks.


    Qin Ran couldn''t help but look up, as he suddenly suspected that the Divine Essence Old Demon had been watching him from behind the scenes. This old demon who had manipted the hearts of people tens of thousands of yearster from tens of thousands of years ago.


    But he didn''t see any other living beings in the damp cave except himself.


    "Phew..." He exhaled, steadied his nerves, and forced himself to regainposure.


    He looked at the Divine Essence Condensation again, feeling a bit suspicious, wondering if this was yet another prank by the Divine Essence Old Demon, a fake Divine Essence Condensation.


    But then he recalled the journey so far; he hadn''t been at a disadvantage. As long as he followed the rules set by the Divine Essence Old Demon, the rewards had always been generous. There was no need to tamper with the Divine Essence Condensation.


    He stared at the Divine Essence Condensation, hesitating, and finally, just as the effects of the Divine Splendor Pill and Immortal Essence Pill in his body were about to wear off, he leaped forward and plunged into the Divine Essence Condensation.

 Chapter 417

    Chapter 417


    Several days passed in the blink of an eye.


    In the center of Divine Essence Mountain, within a dark and damp cave, a dazzling red and blue water sphere floated in mid-air.


    The sphere was massive, about the size of several chickens or basketballsbined, toorge for a grown man to wrap his arms around. It hovered three feet above the ground, expanding and contracting rhythmically like breathing.


    The cave was empty except for the sphere, cold and silent.


    At one moment, it began to transform silently. Stretching and elongating, it grew limbs, a head, and a fifth appendage, gradually taking human form.


    Then, its face began to shift and change, features appearing one by one, eventually forming a handsome yet refined face. The rest of the body seemed to be sculpted, automatically developing the characteristics of each body part.


    Soon, a naked adult male with an extremely muscr build appeared in the dark, damp cave.


    He had a refined face but stood over two meters tall, with extremely thick arms and legs, his muscles bulging prominently. He had the kind of physique that could stop a horse with a flexed arm and kill a bull with one punch.


    He kept his eyes closed, slowly standing up, continuing to control the internal changes in his body.After some time, he opened his eyes, having finally reconstructed his physical form ande back to life.


    "After all these twists and turns..." Qin Ran clenched his fist, looking down at his build that was even more exaggerated than Li Shiwen''s, feeling the terrifying power of the Divine Essence Condensation within his body, and excitedly said, "I finally obtained the Divine Essence Condensation."


    "What level of cultivation am I at now?" A violent impulse surged within him as he turned and punched the cave wall, directly smashing a deep pit into the sealed wall, making the entire Divine Essence Mountain tremble with his single punch.


    "Hahahahaha..." He threw his head back andughed wildly, feeling that no one in the world could match him. "With just this Divine Essence Condensation, even Divine Transformation Stage cultivators couldn''t withstand a single punch from me?!"


    He clenched his fist and struck the cave wall behind him again, causing Divine Essence Mountain to shake once more.


    But after throwing this punch, he suddenly realized something was wrong...


    "This is bad, my power increased too quickly, my mental state can''t keep up, I can''t maintain stability." He hurriedly took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated heart. "Indeed, when holding a powerful weapon, the urge to kill naturally arises. After mastering the Divine Essence Condensation, I''ve be too arrogant, too bloodthirsty, losing my true self."


    He forcefully contracted his power, reshaping his body, reducing his exaggerated arm and leg muscles, returning to his original thin appearance...


    "So this is why the original form always looks like a frail schr. This appearance serves two purposes: first, it makes others underestimate you based on your appearance, and second, it serves as a reminder when you see yourself, not to be inted with power. Don''t be a ve to power!"


    "Next, I need to cultivate my mind, and it will take a very, very long time. I can''t allow any more increase in power."


    He took deep breaths, repeatedly, closing and opening his eyes, the arrogance in them reced by his usual calmness.


    Although his heart still surged with excitement from the power, difficult to calm, his exterior had finally settled down.


    After stabilizing his mental state, Qin Ran turned his attention to the storage ring left by the Divine Essence Old Demon.


    "Given the Divine Essence Old Demon''s style, this storage ring probably contains the reward he left for me."


    Thinking this, he reached for the storage ring.


    Then...


    Just as his hand touched the ring, it silently turned to ash, scattering on the ground.


    He was stunned, then realized what had happened.


    After tens of thousands of years, even a cultivator as powerful as the Divine Essence Old Demon had turned to bones, and those bones had turned to ash, so what was a small storage ring worth?


    What could withstand the passage of time?


    However...


    "Ah!"


    That was, after all, the reward left by the Divine Essence Old Demon, and it must have been incredibly valuable.


    Superior spirit herbs? Premium pills? High-grade magical tools? Powerful techniques?


    It must have had all of these.


    Because he couldn''t obtain them, the contents of the ring began to grow limitlessly in Qin Ran''s imagination.


    "There might have been immortal artifacts... immortal techniques..."


    The biggest fish a fisherman encounters is always the one that got away.


    Qin Ran''s recently stabilized heart began to stir again. He felt regret and anger, his muscles beginning to bulge once more. He clenched his fists, his eyes gradually turning red...


    Just as he was losing control, suddenly, something flickered before his eyes and materialized from where the storage ring had turned to ash, then fell toward the ground.


    Qin Ran''s body moved faster than his consciousness; before his mind could react, his hand had already caught the object that appeared out of nowhere.


    After raising his hand, his consciousness caught up, and he turned his gaze to look at his palm.


    In his hand were two jade-like objects, simr to jade slips, but even in his agitated state, he knew they weren''t ordinary bamboo slips.


    Because, if he wasn''t mistaken, these two slips had fallen from the destroyed storage ring.


    Storage rings were created by engraving spatial array formations onto special materials, involving space itself.


    Therefore, once a ring was destroyed, the items inside would be crushed to dust by the terrifying spatial forces and disappear.


    Very few things could withstand spatialpression and erosion. If a storage ring was destroyed, its contents were presumed lost.


    Yet these two jade slips had survived the spatial destruction and fallen out. This proved their special nature.


    Qin Ran held the two jade slips, examining them but finding no visible inscriptions, then randomly ced one against his forehead.


    He closed his eyes and extended his divine sense into it.


    Sure enough, in his divine sense''s view, he entered the jade slip and saw numerous glowing characters.


    "Divine Brilliance Demonic Scripture?"


    Obviously, this jade slip contained the cultivation technique of the Divine Essence Old Demon, and judging by the name, it was a technique he had created himself.


    Qin Ran briefly scanned through it; the technique covered everything from Qi Cultivation First Level to Seventh Level, from basic techniques to various magical arts and divine abilities. It was clearly aprehensive Qi cultivation method.


    But since he was ultimately just an avatar, without the ability to cultivate Qi, he wasn''t very interested and put it aside after just a nce.


    He then ced the other jade slip against his forehead.


    "Water Method Spirit nt Technique?"


    Qin Ran frowned, wondering what this was.


    But as he read on, his expression became increasingly serious, while his eyes couldn''t hide their growing excitement and began to shine.


    What was the Water Method Spirit nt Technique?


    As the name suggested, it was a method for cultivating spirit herbs using pill water.


    As someone with farming ingrained in his soul, Qin Ran''s basic understanding was that grain grows from soil, and spirit herbs grow from Spirit Soil.


    His main body in the Lingnan Region had spent years trying unsessfully to obtain even a handful of Spirit Soil. The only Spirit Soil he currently possessed came from Li Shiyin''s previous mission, when she cleared out a branch of the "Yuan" organization.


    To cultivate spirit herbs, he had innovatively developed some kind of spirit water, but it hadn''t produced any results. Spirit Soil...


    In fact, the key reason for Dan Peak''s decline was itsck of Spirit Soil, making it impossible to cultivate spirit herbs independently, forcing them to purchase them instead. Meanwhile, Zhican Valley was filled with Spirit Soil.


    Spirit Soil.


    If Qin Ran didn''t have Spirit Soil to cultivate spirit herbs, and Dan Peak didn''t have Spirit Soil to cultivate spirit herbs, did the Sea Region have Spirit Soil to cultivate spirit herbs?


    Obviously, in a region dominated by seas, there wasn''t enough Spirit Soil to cultivate sufficient spirit herbs.


    They had no Spirit Soil, but their demand for pills was even greater than in the Lingnan Region. What could they do?


    They could only find another way, using other methods to cultivate spirit herbs.


    This Water Method Spirit nt Technique documented how to use cultivators'' pill water instead of Spirit Soil to cultivate spirit herbs.


    In other words, this was a spirit nting technique that, while useless to this avatar, had unlimited potential for his main body.


    One could even say that the avatar''s journey to the Sea Region to build one of three refuges was less valuable than finding this Water Method Spirit nt Technique.


    With this spirit nting technique, Dan Peak''s rise was within reach, and there was no need for otherplicated schemes; even the fate of Zhican Valley didn''t matter anymore.


    Qin Ran stood there, carefully memorizing the Water Method Spirit nt Technique word by word, ensuring that when his main body received his memories, the technique would be transmitted without any errors.


    "Whew!"


    Given the gravity of the situation, he ignored the violence in his heart while memorizing the Water Method Spirit nt Technique.


    "I hope things go smoothly on your end. There''s not much I can do."


    He let out a gentle breath, steadied his mind, summoned the Water Flower Pearl, and tossed both jade slips into the space created by it.


    By now, Qin Ran had obtained everything he should and shouldn''t have. It was time for him to leave this ce.


    He took onest look around the dark, damp cave, then bowed once more toward Divine Essence Old Demon''s tomb, before finally employing his movement technique and charging straight into the rock wall behind him.


    A sh of red and blue light emanated from his body, and he vanished into the mountain. The seal that Divine Essence Old Demon had ced on Divine Essence Mountain did not stop him.


    The Divine Essence Condensation was Divine Essence Old Demon''s life essence, and the seal itself was based on this Divine Essence Condensation - how could it possibly obstruct him, who was transformed by the Divine Essence Condensation?


    In no time, Qin Ran passed through the mountain from the cave and emerged on the surface of Divine Essence Mountain.


    The bright light dazzled his eyes.


    Without a doubt, it was a gloriously sunny day!


    The sky was vast and the sun brilliant.


    Qin Ran appeared on the high cliff at the edge of Divine Essence Mountain.


    The sea breeze blew up from the mountain''s base, bringing fresh, moist air.


    The humid sea breeze struck his face, making him feelpletely refreshed.


    The warm sunlight pouring down from above brightened his mood further.


    Now he could truly say he waspletely reborn.


    He was an entirely different person from when he first came to Divine Essence Mountain. He had reconstructed his physical body using the Divine Essence Condensation, achieved alchemy skills beyond the fifth rank, his spiritual essence was at the peak of the third rank, and he possessed extremely advanced formation techniques. Perhaps, he felt, he was even stronger than his original self.


    Now he could truly say to this sea domain: The sky is high and the sea is vast - I am free to roam as I please.


    Next, he could easilyplete the tasks his original self had entrusted to him, and afterward, apletely new life different from his original self would unfold before him.


    One could imagine that his future would surely be an extraordinarily brilliant story, perhaps no less spectacr than that of Divine Essence Old Demon.

 Chapter 418

    Qin Ran stood naked at the cliff''s edge, and after a while, he began to feel somewhat embarrassed.


    After all, he wasn''t a native of thisnd, and despite his untamed nature, he didn''t need to express it through such exhibitionism.


    Having just acquired the Divine Essence Condensation, he wasn''t entirelyfortable controlling it yet, so he used the seawater below the cliff to fashion himself some clothing.


    Then, after determining his direction, he headed deep into Divine Essence Mountain. Moving at incredible speed, he soon arrived at Dragon Whale Ind''s formation site on the mountain.


    "Hmm?"


    Upon reaching the formation site, he noticed significant changes. Using his eye technique, he discovered that the original formation had been upgraded, bing moreplex and challenging.


    "They''veid new formations... understandable, given what happened here, they needed to upgrade their defenses."


    However, with his Divine Soul strength and formation knowledge now greatly improved, even though the formation was moreplex, breaking through it was much easier than before.


    Moving swiftly, he entered the formation without breaking or alerting its master.Inside the cave, he used the Flowing Water Technique to conceal himself in the damp air, returning to the cavern established by Dragon Whale Ind and the Yuan Organization.


    The ce was now deserted.


    When he had entered the seal, he had killed everyone in the cave except for Elder Zuo, who was stationed there by the Yuan Organization, and Mr. Zhai, who had arrivedter hoping to profit from the situation.


    As Qin Ran walked through the cave, he wondered what had happened afterward - whether they had fought, made peace, or left to report the situation to the higher-ups of both the Yuan Organization and Dragon Whale Ind.


    Or perhaps...


    Mr. Zhai had simply betrayed him.


    Lost in thought, he walked forward to the cave wall and looked up, discovering that the seal he had broken using the Demon Soul Evil Blood was now covered by a new formation.


    "Elder Zuo wasn''t known for formations, could it be that Mr. Zhai, besides being exceptional at alchemy, was also skilled in formations?" he analyzed. "Though it''s more likely they reported to their superiors, who sent formation masters toy new arrays."


    "This raises two questions: first, how long was I inside the seal; and second, did Mr. Zhai betray me?"


    "Which leads to another question - should I return to Dragon Whale Ind?" he pondered. "Or rather, is dragon blood worth this risk?"


    If Mr. Zhai had betrayed him, returning would mean facing pursuit from the entire Dragon Whale Ind; if not, he''d still have to deal with Mr. Zhai''s schemes.


    The truth was, he didn''t actually need dragon blood, and neither did his original self.


    His original self wanted dragon blood to create longevity pills that could grant mortals the lifespan of Golden Core Stage cultivators - specifically, to give Li Shiyin''s family such longevity.


    More importantly, even if he obtained the dragon blood, he couldn''t send it back to the Lingnan Region. He could only study it and create a prototype for his original self.


    Furthermore, even with dragon blood, he stillcked phoenix blood. He still couldn''t create the longevity pills his original self had theorized.


    And even if he somehow obtained both dragon and phoenix blood and created the longevity pills, he had to question whether his original self''s pill form was even correct!


    His current self somewhat looked down on his original self''s alchemy skills.


    As Qin Ran hesitated at the cave wall, a sudden violent impulse arose within him: "Damn it, being afraid of this and that, aren''t I just bing like my original self? I''m not that coward. Whether it''s useful or not, not diving into something this exciting and fun would drive me crazy."


    "Besides, I just obtained the Divine Essence Condensation. Not putting it to use would be like wearing fine clothes in the dark!"


    His hesitation ended there, and Qin Ran resolved to return to Dragon Whale Ind. He left the cave and headed toward the sea.


    To return to Dragon Whale Ind, taking a ship would be best, with flying or swimming beingst resorts.


    Speaking of transportation in the Tian Sea Region, cultivators used teleportation formations for long distances and ships for short ones. Besides teleportation arrays, ships were the main mode of transport. It was rare to see cultivators flying or swimming between inds.


    There were several reasons for this:


    First, the vast ocean was boundless, making it easy to lose direction while traveling;


    Second, the sea was unpredictable - no one knew what might emerge from the waters at any moment;


    Third, due to the cultivation system, except for qi practitioners whose flying techniques were rtively simple, both body cultivators and divine soul practitioners faced strict conditions for flight.


    Ships were an extremelymon mode of transportation in the Tian Sea Region, suitable for both cultivators and ordinary people.


    Qin Ran searched along the coast and found several ships, all seeking fortune at Divine Essence Mountain, but none from Dragon Whale Ind. Finally, he spotted a ship that had just arrived from Dragon Whale Ind.


    After the ship docked, he struck up conversations with the passengers and soon joined them under the guise of being an alchemist from Dragon Whale Ind. He learned that this group belonged to a family from Dragon Whale Ind who hade to Divine Essence Mountain for training.


    Divine Essence Mountain had quite a reputation in the Tian Sea Region. Even without the legendary Divine Essence Mountain incident, cultivators regrly visited, either for training or leisure, and families came for adventures and sightseeing.


    Not all cultivators came seeking the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy; most came to rx, make friends, and essentially vacation.


    This family was clearly here for a holiday.


    From the coast up the mountain, they moved at a leisurely pace, making frequent stops. At noon, they found a t area and started a pic.


    Some gathered to drink and make merry, others yed chess under trees, some discussed techniques with friends, and some explored local cuisine.


    At the cliff''s edge, three people were exploring and chatting.


    A man in gray robesughed, "The scenery of Divine Essence Mountain truly is unique. Such beauty makes this journey worthwhile."


    A woman in green agreed, "As the legacy site of the Divine Essence Old Demon, it''s naturally extraordinary."


    "It''s a pity the seal hasn''t opened, preventing us from witnessing the legacy," said a man in blue robes.


    "Nobody has obtained the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy for thousands of years. It''s perfectly normal that we haven''t seen it," the gray-robed man said.


    The woman in green hesitated before asking, "Could it be that the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy is actually fake? Either the Divine Essence Old Demon isn''t dead, or left no legacy, or the legacy isn''t here."


    At her words, the gray-robed man immediately nced around furtively, only seeing a slender young man with a reserved demeanor - the alchemist who had recently joined their group. Deeming him harmless, he lowered his voice and exined to the green-robed woman:


    "The Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy is definitely here. There have always been rumors in the Tian Sea Region, and every significant power secretly seeks the mountain''s legacy. Have you heard of the Night Walkers?"


    "Night Walkers?"


    "They''re assassins who hunt and kill Divine Essence Mountain cultivators at night."


    "Kill cultivators?!" The green-robed woman was shocked. "Who would dare?"


    The gray-robed man, though somewhat fearful himself - talking about Night Walkers here was like discussing ghosts in a graveyard - whispered, "All major powers in the Tian Sea Region!"


    "All major powers?" The green-robed woman was horrified.


    The gray-robed man nodded, leaving the woman questioning everything she knew.


    "Does... Dragon Whale Ind have Night Walkers too?" she asked incredulously.


    "Of course..." the blue-robed man took over, "You must know Captain Tie Ruonan - she''s actually the leader of Dragon Whale Ind''s Night Walkers."


    "Tie Ruonan is a Night Walker?" The green-robed woman was shocked again.


    "Shh!" The gray-robed man immediately urged her to lower her voice. "Quiet! Do you have a death wish?"


    The blue-robed man sighed, "No wonder I haven''t seen Tie Ruonan for so long. So she''s been here at Divine Essence Mountain as a Night Walker."


    "With the Divine Essence Mountain incident just passed, Tie Ruonan must be on the mountain kill-" The gray-robed man suddenly stopped, realizing that if Tie Ruonan was indeed on the mountain and overheard him, he would be in serious trouble.


    He quickly changed the subject, "I thought of a method the other day that could make body refinement more effective. When using breathing techniques, one must coordinate with corresponding movements to ensure that every bit of spiritual energy taken into the abdomen is absorbed as much as possible..."


    "What?" The green-robed person hadn''t yet processed this.


    "Would you like to know how? Watch my demonstration..." the gray-robed person continued.


    "The Divine Essence Mountain incident just passed?" Qin Ran, who was eavesdropping nearby, furrowed his brows.


    When he entered the sealed space, the Divine Essence Mountain incident was about to end. Then he spent time in the sealed space learning pill refinement, practicing visualization techniques, and deconstructing formations. Although he lost track of time due to the absence of day and night cycles inside, he conservatively estimated that he had spent at least a year in each pill refinement chamber. With seven chambers, that meant he had spent at least seven years in the sealed space.


    How could the Divine Essence Mountain incident have just passed?


    "Could a new Divine Essence Mountain incident have arisen?" he analyzed, "It shouldn''t happen this quickly!"


    But he suddenly recalled how Dragon Whale Ind looked in the cave at Divine Essence Mountain, and it didn''t appear as though it had gone through another incident. That cave didn''t look like seven years had passed.


    "Did my imprisonment make me confused, causing a time discrepancy?"


    "Or... is there something wrong with this sealed space?" he continued analyzing, "Are there any formations I haven''t decoded yet... formations involving time?!"


    With these questions in mind, he began deliberately gathering information from this group.


    They climbed up Divine Essence Mountain from this beach, descended from the other side, and circled back via that beach, traveling leisurely, indeed much like a camping trip.


    During this time, Qin Ran finally calcted through various pieces of information that he had been in the sealed space for about three months. Meanwhile, he also deduced from various details that Mr. Zhai hadn''t reported him... at least there was no bounty posted for him on Dragon Whale Ind.


    This reinforced his decision to return to Dragon Whale Ind.


    After two days of sailing on the sea, Qin Ran returned to Dragon Whale Ind. He disguised himself and spent several days gathering information in Whale Fall City, bing about seventy to eighty percent certain that Mr. Zhai hadn''t reported him.


    "What does he want to do?"


    Putting himself in the other''s shoes, Qin Ran felt that Mr. Zhai wanted to obtain the Divine Essence Old Demon''s legacy from him.


    "If that''s the case..." he smiled, with the Divine Essence Old Demon''s pill refinement techniques in his mind and the Divine Essence Condensation transformed into his physical body, "you''re going to be disappointed."


    That evening, Qin Ran transformed back into Li Feiyu''s appearance and strode confidently back to the Ind Lord''s Mansion.

 Chapter 419

    "Mr. Zhai, how have you beentely?"


    On the third floor of the Ind Lord''s Mansion''s library, Qin Ran pushed open the door and greeted Mr. Zhai with a smile, who was sitting by the window.


    Mr. Zhai had been reading when he heard the movement. The book in his hands fell onto the table as he turned his head. Seeing Qin Ran, his eyes showed unmistakable shock that he struggled to conceal.


    He hadn''t expected Qin Ran to actually escape from Divine Essence Mountain''s sealed space; even more surprising was that Qin Ran dared toe to Dragon Whale Ind to find him afterward.


    Such boldness, such arrogance!


    After taking considerable effort to calm his racing heart, he finally managed a smile and returned the greeting: "Brother Li, you''ve returned."


    Though they had faced each other in a life-or-death situation in that cave, now they both pretended nothing had happened, exchanging pleasant smiles.


    Mr. Zhai''s thoughts raced quickly. Once his initial shock subsided, he immediately realized that Qin Ran''s escape from the sealed space likely meant he had obtained the ancient demon''s legacy from Divine Essence Mountain. Moreover, Qin Ran''s boldness in returning suggested either he desperately needed something from the Ind Lord''s Mansion, or his powers had grown so significantly that he feared nothing.


    If he truly obtained the ancient demon''s legacy... then his strength must have increased dramatically...Understanding dawning, he gestured to another seat by the window and said with a smile, "Please, Brother Li, have a seat."


    He then asked, "Did you find any opportunities during your journey? Perhaps learn new alchemy techniques?"


    "Regarding alchemy, I have indeed made some progress," Qin Ran replied politely as he sat across from Mr. Zhai. "Given my modest abilities, I had to work extra hard for the Ind Lord''s Dragon Whale Pill."


    Mr. Zhai poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it toward him, saying, "The Ind Lord would surely be pleased to know how dedicated you are to his matters."


    Thisment subtly alluded to how Qin Ran had consumed all of the Ind Lord''s Demon Soul Evil Blood in one go.


    "I assume you''vee to see me about crafting the Dragon Whale Pill?" he inquired.


    He was trying to probe Qin Ran''s true purpose for returning to Dragon Whale Ind.


    Qin Ran took the tea without hesitation and drank it in one gulp.


    "Mr. Zhai''s tea ceremony skills are truly admirable," he praised first, then continued, "The Ind Lord''s Dragon Whale Pill is a crucial matter that cannot afford mistakes. We must discuss it thoroughly beforehand. The more preparation we do, the higher our chances of sess. This matter requires our utmost attention."


    So Qin Ran truly intends to craft the Dragon Whale Pill... Could he want it for himself? Or does he wish to help the Ind Lord break through?


    Mr. Zhai pondered this while noting how Qin Ran unhesitatingly drank his tea, which made him regard Qin Ran with even more gravity.


    For someone to carelessly drink an alchemist''s offerings, they must either be foolish or supremely confident in their abilities. Since Qin Ran was an alchemist himself, it meant he was very confident in his strength.


    "Brother Li speaks wisely!" he nodded, pouring more tea. "Alchemy requires strength, luck, and preparation - all three are essential. Strength is set and cannot be changed quickly; luck is fickle and beyond our control; only through diligent preparation can we make a real difference."


    "I''ve attempted the Dragon Whale Pill several times and gained some experience." The green gemstone ring on his middle finger shed, and a thin book appeared in his hand, which he passed to Qin Ran. "These are my insights about the Dragon Whale Pill. Please take a look."


    Qin Ran epted the book, flipped it open for a quick nce, and confirmed it contained insights about crafting the Dragon Whale Pill. He closed it and smiled, "I''ll study this first, then return to discuss pill harmonization with you."


    The Dragon Whale Pill was crafted bybining the Dragon Breath Pill and Whale Breath Pill. The better these two pills harmonized before crafting, the higher the sess rate of creating the Dragon Whale Pill.


    The harmonization process involved two alchemists checking each other''s skill levels and crafting habits to ensure maximumpatibility between the two pills during creation.


    "If you have any questions, feel free to ask," Mr. Zhai said. "I''m always here on the third floor of the library."


    Always on the third floor?


    Qin Ran gave him a knowing smile - who was it then that had pursued him to Divine Essence Mountain to reap the benefits?


    But he didn''t bother with subtle sarcasm.


    He simply nodded with a smile.


    "While practicing my alchemy, I discovered many interesting things..." he changed the subject, making casual conversation.


    Qin Ran and Mr. Zhai chatted at length in the library''s third floor. Mr. Zhai even brought out a chess board, and they yed several games, with Qin Ran losing every match.


    As evening approached, Qin Ran finally took his leave.


    Mr. Zhai watched through the third-floor window as Qin Ran walked away, book in hand, asionally pping his thigh. His expression turned gloomy.


    "You obtained the legacy, fine, but why did you have toe back?" he muttered. "Are you showing off?


    "Or are you so arrogant that you think I can''t kill you?"


    After leaving the library''s third floor, Qin Ran went straight to see the Ind Lord.


    The Ind Lord was eating, or rather, feasting.


    On his dining table, to the left was a steamed blue-fin tuna weighing over two hundred pounds, its fragrant steam filling the entire room;


    To the right sat a golden lobster with ws as thick as his arms;


    What he was currently eating was some kind of raw marinated meat. The terrifying blood essence contained within told Qin Ran this was no ordinary meat.


    Seeing Qin Ran arrive, the Ind Lord took two more big bites of the marinated meat, barely chewing before swallowing. He epted a towel from a maid and wiped his mouth, saying, "Master Li, you''re back? Come, join me for dinner."


    "My Lord, I''m fasting," Qin Ran bowed, declining the Ind Lord''s kind offer.


    "Fasting?" The Ind Lord smirked with slight mockery, "That''s the problem with you qi practitioners. All this talk about keeping your spirit pure, avoiding the five grains. Cultivation, cultivation, until you''re barely human anymore. You''ve cut yourselves off from all the world''s delicious foods. In my opinion, body tempering is the most orthodox way to cultivate. The more you eat, the stronger your physical body bes."


    While Qin Ran agreed with the Ind Lord''s mockery of qi practitioners, he didn''t quite agree with his assessment of body tempering.


    Cultivation through eating... that was the path of pursuit of wind. It was the most primitive way - the way of magical beasts.


    "Body tempering relies too heavily on natural talent," Qin Ran shook his head and sighed, "Without good talent, one can''t go far. Just look at my frail body - I''m clearly not suited for body tempering."


    The Ind Lord nced at Qin Ran but said nothing, epting his words.


    He casually tore off one of the golden lobster''srge ws, crushed it open with one hand, and poured the meat into his mouth.


    Watching the Ind Lord eat like Zhu Bajie devouring a ginseng fruit, Qin Ran felt slightly ufortable.


    He quickly spoke with a smile: "My Lord, during my journey, I gained some new insights into alchemy. I just met with Mr. Zhai, and we confirmed that we can choose a date to craft the Dragon Whale Pill."


    The Ind Lord calmly finished the w meat, and just as Qin Ran was thinking hisposure was impressive, he threw the w onto the floor with a "bang" and stood up abruptly. His eyes widened as he stared at Qin Ran, asking, "Do you speak truly?"


    Though Qin Ran''s nominal strength now exceeded the Ind Lord''s, thetter''s intimidating gaze still made him inwardly shudder, marveling at the vitality of body tempering practitioners.


    "Of course," he replied. "After a few more harmonization sessions, our sess rate should be quite high."


    "Bang!" The Ind Lord was overjoyed, punching the table so hard he left arge hole.


    "Excellent! Wonderful!!" heughed heartily. "You truly are my lucky star!"


    He had been facing setbacks recently, with nothing going his way. This was the first piece of good news he''d heard in quite some time.


    Thinking of this, he couldn''t help butugh even more wildly.


    He grabbed the tuna and offered it to Qin Ran, saying, "Have some fish."


    "My Lord, I''m fasting," Qin Ran reminded him.


    "Hahaha... right, you''re fasting, I forgot." The Ind Lordughed awkwardly, taking the fish back. "I''ll eat it myself."


    The Ind Lord had a huge appetite, poor table manners, but excellent teeth. He stood there with one foot up on the table, head tilted back, holding the tuna with both hands. Chomping away noisily, bones and all, he managed to stuff the hundred-pound fish into his stomach in no time at all.


    After that, he didn''t even burp, wiped his mouth and hands before sitting down, andughed heartily: "Wonderful!"


    He then ordered his attendants, "Give extra rewards to today''s chef!"


    Seeing that his excitement had mostly subsided, Qin Ran bowed again and asked, "Ind Lord, when I returned, I heard rumors that Captain Tie met with an ident. Is this true?"


    Whether Tie Ruonan had met with an ident or not, he knew best. After all, he was the one who killed her and disposed of her body.


    He asked this now to gauge how much the Ind Lord knew. At this question, the excited smile on the Ind Lord''s face instantly froze, and he looked up at Qin Ran with murderous intent in his eyes.


    Seeing this reaction, Qin Ran still wasn''t entirely certain, so he quickly put on a sorrowful expression and sighed, "Back when I was stranded on that deserted ind, it was Captain Tie who took me aboard her ship and gave me shelter. Otherwise, I would still be lost at sea. She showed me great kindness. When I heard about Captain Tie''s ident, I couldn''t bring myself to believe it."


    His eyes showed grief, almost brimming with tears, as he sought confirmation from the Ind Lord, "Ind Lord, the rumors outside must be false, right?"


    The Ind Lord stared at him for a while before slowly shifting his gaze away. Though still filled with murderous rage and fury, at least it wasn''t directed at him anymore.


    He looked at thepletely darkened sky outside for a long while before grinding out through clenched teeth, "Tie Ruonan is indeed dead. There''s no point hiding it!"


    Qin Ran took a deep breath, appearing so ovee with grief that he was about to cry.


    In reality, he was relieved because he confirmed that the Ind Lord knew almost nothing. He probably only knew that someone had attacked his setup at Divine Essence Mountain, killed Tie Ruonan, and stolen his "Demon Soul Evil Blood." He was unaware of the other inside details.


    This made him feel relieved, as there would be fewer obstacles and schemes to worry about in his quest for the dragon blood.


    "How could this happen?" he asked in apparent disbelief, his voice low, "How could this happen?! How did ite to this!"


    Looking at the Ind Lord, he said sorrowfully, "When I left the ind, Captain Tie shared drinks with me to bid me farewell. She even knocked down five drunk troublemakers with one punch. Ind Lord, what exactly happened to make someone as powerful as Captain Tie lose her life?!"


    The Ind Lord turned back to look at him, taking a while topose himself before saying coldly, "This is not something you should concern yourself with. Don''t ask too many questions. Just focus on your pill refinement."


    Qin Ran''s expression grew solemn as he put away his grief and bowed to the Ind Lord, saying, "Yes, Ind Lord."


    After leaving the Ind Lord''s presence, Qin Ran didn''t go anywhere else but returned directly to his quarters in the Ind Lord''s Mansion.


    Afterward, he stayed indoors and seriously studied the Dragon Whale Pill.


    The Dragon Whale Pill was a fourth-grade medicinal pill.


    For him before going to Divine Essence Mountain, it would have been quite challenging, but for him after returning from Divine Essence Mountain, it was child''s y.


    Even handling dragon blood and whale essence was a minor issue for someone who possessed the Divine Essence Condensation.


    However, his study of the Dragon Whale Pill wasn''t aimed at actually refining this pill - where would he get dragon blood from? He was merely preparing for the uing pillbination, so thatter the Ind Lord would confidently bring out the dragon blood.


    Time flew by, and a month passed.


    On this day, in the most luxurious pill refinement room of the Ind Lord''s Mansion, Qin Ran, Mr. Zhai, and the Ind Lord stood in different positions.


    Qin Ran and Mr. Zhai each had a pill furnace in front of them and a cab of spiritual medicines behind them; the Ind Lord stood between the two furnaces, holding two boxes.


    The medicine cabs contained all the auxiliary spiritual medicines for the Dragon Breath Pill and Whale Breath Pill; the boxes contained the main ingredients - dragon blood for the Dragon Breath Pill and whale essence for the Whale Breath Pill.


    "Gentlemen, I''m entrusting my future cultivation, wealth, and life to you both," the Ind Lord''s deep voice rang out. "Are you confident you can refine a Dragon Whale Pill for me?"


    Qin Ran looked at the boxes in the Ind Lord''s arms, his eyes burning with eagerness as he smiled and said, "Rest assured, Ind Lord. Mr. Zhai and I havebined pills many times, and we have an 80% sess rate with the Dragon Whale Pill."


    He had waited so long for this day, and now the dragon blood was just one step away, within reach.


    As long as he got the dragon blood and then dealt with Mr. Zhai...


    He turned to look at Mr. Zhai, only to see his eyes were calm as still water, quietly meeting his gaze.


    Seeing Mr. Zhai''s calm expression, Qin Ran''s heart skipped a beat, as that look made him very ufortable.


    It wasn''t about other issues... he had long known Mr. Zhai would make some move... rather, this gaze made him realize his own problem.


    Those calm eyes - he should have had the same expression and gaze.


    His eyes, his mindset, should have been as calm as Mr. Zhai''s. They were the same type of person.


    But now he wasn''t - he could feel his heart boiling with excitement for what was about to happen; his eyes were eager, almost shooting mes as he looked at the dragon blood.


    His mental state had be problematic!


    Although he had been careful about cultivating his character, his mental state had still deteriorated!!


    The immense power granted by the Divine Essence Condensation was slowly affecting him, making him lose the coolness he had relied on for survival for decades.


    And most terrifying of all was that now, his mind had be aware of this fact. Yet, he subconsciously dismissed it, not feeling there would be any problem.


    He tried to stir up a sense of crisis within himself, but his heart remained indifferent.


    His heart, made powerful by the Divine Essence Condensation, didn''t sense any danger.


    "Something''s going to go wrong."


    His brain coolly recognized this fact, but his heart, his blood, were gradually beginning to boil.


    "Rest assured, Ind Lord, we will do our utmost to refine this Dragon Whale Pill for you," Mr. Zhai said with his usual gentle smile.


    "Good!" The Ind Lord barked, "Gentlemen, catch!"


    Then, with a box in each hand, he threw them to Qin Ran and Mr. Zhai respectively.


    Qin Ran''s eyes were bloodshot as he watched the box approach him, feeling the powerful force within it grow stronger as it got closer¡ªdragon blood!


    The dragon blood made his blood boil more intensely! He could feel the power of the Divine Essence Condensation surging and restlessly stirring within him!


    "Thump!"


    He caught the box. In that moment, his heart stopped.


    The powerful dragon blood was in his hands.


    His brain seemed to stop as well. He forgot all his ns, forgot that the dragon blood was meant for researching the immortality pill.


    He heard a call, urging him to open the box.


    He didn''t resist the call, opening the box directly.


    Instantly, a powerful, divine, yet violent aura exploded from the box.


    The box had been restraining the dragon blood, and now, he had opened it.


    This aura directly invaded his brain, and he offered no resistance, weing itpletely.


    His eyes grew redder, and gradually gained a blue tinge.


    He looked down at a crystal bottle inside the box, containing a single drop of blood-red liquid with golden highlights.


    Dragon blood!


    The legendary blood of dragons!


    In this drop of blood, Qin Ran sensed the divinity of a sacred beast, the violence of a demon beast, the transcendent nature that rose above the mortal realm, and...


    The temptation that came with overwhelming power.


    Looking at the dragon blood, the blue pupils in Qin Ran''s blood-red eyes fully formed.


    At this moment, his entire being craved this drop of dragon blood, craved its immense power!


    His body issued amand, fighting for control with his brain, and he heard a voice telling him: "Possess it, consume it, be stronger."


    From a fundamental perspective, no living being can resist the urge to be stronger.


    Qin Ran had originally been able to resist - he had spent over twenty years at the pill peak, enduring loneliness and monotony, painstakingly building his foundation, choosing not to pursue power in order to go further.


    But now he couldn''t resist anymore.


    His mental state had already been broken by power.


    His recent efforts at cultivating his character werepletely swept away by the dragon blood''s influence.


    "Eat it!"


    "Possess it!"


    He heard it - his own voice.


    "There''s nothing that can''t be solved with one punch," he found his excuse, "and if there is, then use two punches!"


    "Crack!"


    He squeezed his hand, instantly crushing the box.


    He raised the crystal bottle containing the dragon blood, holding it up to the light and looking up at it. The golden-red dragon blood, refracted through the crystal, looked like a work of art.


    "Master Li?"


    This sudden movement startled the Dragon Whale Ind Lord, who looked at Qin Ran and noticed something was wrong.


    He drew his battle de, holding it ready, ensuring that if Qin Ran made any further moves, one sh would leave nothing of him.


    That was his dragon blood.


    Qin Ran sensed the Ind Lord''s movement and turned to look.


    At this moment, his eyes had transformed¡ªthe whites had turned deep red, while his pupils became deep blue. He looked terrifying, violent, and otherworldly. "Ind Lord?" he asked with a smile.


    "You, right now! This instant! Put down the dragon blood!" the Ind Lordmanded coldly, holding his de with a stern voice.


    "You want me to put down the dragon blood?" Qin Ran began tough, his smile both brilliant and maniacal.


    Seeing his unusual state, the Ind Lord didn''t hesitate. He stepped forward with his de, swinging it at Qin Ran.


    And as the Ind Lord took that step...


    "Crack!"


    The sound of breaking crystal echoed through the luxurious alchemy room.


    The crystal vial of dragon blood that Qin Ran was holding fell, and both the vial and the dragon blood went into his mouth. His teeth, gleaming with red and blue light, crunched down as the crystal vial shattered and the dragon blood slid down his throat.


    Or rather, the dragon blood merged with his physical form.


    "Hahaha..."


    Heughed madly as his thin frame began to expand. His limbs grew longer and thicker, his torso broadened, and muscles grotesquely intertwined across his body.


    In an instant, he looked more like a body cultivator than the Ind Lord himself.


    "You thief!!!"


    Seeing his dragon blood disappear just like that, the Ind Lord''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He roared in fury, his voice carrying hints of dragon''s cry and whale''s song. He brought his de down, carrying the power of dragon and whale, striking directly at Qin Ran.


    "Whoosh!"


    The de cut through space itself, making even the air seem to tremble.


    But...


    "Bang!"


    Before the de could reach Qin Ran''s body, Qin Ran''s fist had already struck the Ind Lord.


    The Ind Lord, who had appeared before Qin Ran in an instant, was sent flying back in the next moment. He crashed through the alchemy room''s wall and disappeared into the horizon.


    "Too slow..." Qin Ran sneered, "And too weak!"


    He withdrew his fist and turned to look at Mr. Zhai, who was standing calmly in front of the alchemy furnace across the room. Looking at the box in his hands, Qin Ran smiled eerily, "The whale essence, please and thank you."


    Mr. Zhai raised the box toward Qin Ran.


    But he spoke: "Do you know why you''re finding it harder than usual to control yourself?"


    "What?"


    Qin Ran''s crazed eyes were fixed on the box in Mr. Zhai''s hands, unable toprehend his words.


    "This ce has been poisoned by me," Mr. Zhai said calmly. "It''s a very ordinary poison, one that makes people excited. With your temperament and alchemy skills, you should have noticed it long ago. But you didn''t.


    "I wasn''t wrong in my guess¡ªyou received the Evil Demon''s legacy. Your cultivation and power have increased tremendously. But your mental state can''t handle them. You''ve gone into qi deviation!


    "Everything has gone ording to my n. In the end, I still won."


    "Hmph!" Qin Ran scoffed, "You won?"


    He walked up to Mr. Zhai and reached for the box.


    "If you hadn''t gone into qi deviation, you wouldn''t so carelessly reach for something in my hands," Mr. Zhai said.


    With the whale essence right before his eyes, Qin Ran acted as if he couldn''t hear a thing.


    He reached out and snatched the box.


    "So what if I take it?" he sneered, mocking Mr. Zhai, "You''re nothing but an alchemist!"


    "Crack!"


    He crushed the wooden box.


    However...


    As the sound of the box being crushed rang out, a beam of red and ck light shot down from above his head.


    He was startled and looked up, seeing a disc-like object on the ceiling.


    "What is that thing?" he asked.


    "The Spirit Bewitching Disc!" Mr. Zhai exined patiently. "It can bewitch your primordial spirit.


    "I knew your mental state waspromised, so I used poison to induce qi deviation, then used the Spirit Bewitching Disc to bewitch your primordial spirit."


    If Qin Ran had been clear-headed, he would have recognized something very familiar about Mr. Zhai... something that reminded him of himself.


    But now, as Mr. Zhai spoke, his mind gradually became muddled. His consciousness slowly became turbid and heavy. His brain felt like it was sinking into mud, unable to think clearly anymore.


    He had be a frenzied fool.


    "Farewell!"


    Mr. Zhai smiled faintly, everything indeed within his control.


    He circted his internal arts and extended his hand, forming a de of condensed water.


    "Soul-Severing Ice de, specially designed to cut primordial spirits! I prepared this just for you."


    As he spoke, he shed forward with the ice de, cutting diagonally from Qin Ran''s cheek to his shoulder, pulling outward to slice him diagonally in half.


    "Did you really think I couldn''t kill you?" The ice de slowly disappeared from Mr. Zhai''s hand. "You were too arrogant!"


    "Hmm?" Suddenly, Qin Ran responded sluggishly, "I... don''t... know..."


    "What?!" Mr. Zhai was shocked and quickly looked at Qin Ran. "You''re not dead?"


    "Dead?" Qin Ran tilted his head to look at him. "Why... would... I... be?"


    He spoke slowly, but his hand moved with extreme speed. Though his primordial spirit was controlled, his physical body wasn''t.


    "Bang!"


    One punch!


    His fist pierced through Mr. Zhai''s heart.


    "You..." he said, "Die!"


    Red and blue light glowed on his arm, and Mr. Zhai began to dissolve, starting from where Qin Ran''s arm had pierced his chest.


    Looking down at Qin Ran''s arm, then up at his strange eyes, Mr. Zhai slowly understood. He spoke one word at a time: "Divine... Essence... Condensation!!"


    He finally understood what it meant to bepletely outmatched. Everything had been within his calctions, but he had no way of knowing just how overwhelming the Divine Essence Condensation truly was.


    In truth, he had already won.


    But even in death, he had onest scheme.


    He opened one hand, shooting a beam of light from his palm through the ceiling, which burst like fireworks in the sky.


    Then, his entire body was vaporized by the Divine Essence Condensation, disappearingpletely.


    Mr. Zhai had died, killed by an overpowered ability.


    With Mr. Zhai''s death, the Spirit Bewitching Disc above Qin Ran''s head lost its control, the red and ck light beam vanished, and what little intelligence he had returned.


    He looked at the whale essence in his hand, hesitated briefly, but still ate it. His entire body grew evenrger as a result.


    At this moment, he sensed more than ten powerful auras approaching from the distance.


    "More experts?"


    He jumped forcefully, breaking through the roof to stand atop the alchemy room, looking into the distance.


    There, more than ten people were using movement techniques to surround him.


    He roughly knew that these were the people summoned by Mr. Zhai''s final firework signal.


    Looking down, he saw countless people from the Ind Lord''s Mansion also surrounding him.


    He sneered, then jumped forcefully toward the ten-plus powerful auras.


    These dozen or so people were all at the third-rank cultivation level, but none were his match. With just three punches and two kicks, he dispatched them all.


    Then, as he prepared to return to the Ind Lord''s Mansion for a satisfying killing spree, something unexpected happened. From the bodies of the third-rank cultivators he had killed, beams of light shot out, flying into the distance.


    Qin Ran was stunned. Sensing something wrong, he quickly chased after the dozen or so light beams, but they were too fast¡ªhe only managed to intercept four or five.


    The lights were actually jade pendants that were glowing.


    Qin Ran held one up to look at it and saw the character "Yuan" clearly inscribed on it.


    Instantly, Qin Ran became more clear-headed.


    He wasn''tpletely foolish; he had just been overwhelmed by the powerful force of the Divine Essence Condensation. Now, the Yuan Organization finally brought some rity to his mind.


    "The Yuan Organization?!!"


    This was a taboo carved into the depths of his soul when he had still been calm and clear-headed. This terrifying organization that spanned three domains was enough to make his arrogant heart grow cold.


    He looked back to see people from the Ind Lord''s Mansion forming battle formations to attack him, and in the distance, the furious figure of the Dragon Whale Ind''s Ind Lord was charging toward him.


    "Forget it..."


    "I actually don''t have any real grudge with you all, I''ll let you live."


    Thinking this, he made a diving motion and plunged from mid-air into the sea.


    Then, deploying "Time Like Flowing Water," he vanished into the vast ocean.

 Chapter 420

    Qin Ran had been at the Boundless Sword Sect for half a month, but the sect master still hadn''t returned.


    He wondered if the sect master had also gone to the Celestial Sea Domain.


    However, even without meeting the sect master, Qin Ran wasn''t anxious. He had settledfortably into the Boundless Sword Sect, feeling as if he had returned home.


    After all, he wasn''t the imbnced clone. He nevercked patience. He was as steady as an old dog.


    In his room, Qin Ran sat at a table by the window, organizing the "Water Spirit Cultivation Technique" transmitted from his clone.


    He first transcribed the original version of the Water Spirit Cultivation Technique from his mind, then added his own annotations andmentary based on his understanding.


    This additionalprehension would allow him to start experimenting with the technique as soon as he returned to Sword Gate.


    On his table, besides the "Water Spirit Cultivation Technique" he was organizing, there were two thick books: "Complete Guide to Water Method Pill Refinement" and "Introduction to Celestial Sea Domain Arrays," as well as a thinner book he had carefully set aside, titled "Proposals for Training Alchemists in Array Virtual Spaces."


    During his half-month stay at the Boundless Sword Sect, Qin Ran had been continuously receiving memories and information transmitted from his clone in the Celestial Sea Domain, giving him a sense of gaining skills while sitting at home.The clone was, after all, his clone, and its divine soul was his divine soul. What the clone learned, he learned. If the clone couldn''t aplish even this much, what would be the point of learning these techniques?


    So besides the actual physical resources obtained by the clone, he could receive everything else, including insights, memories, and ideas.


    The clone was mistaken in thinking that his pill refining and array skills had surpassed the original body. When his level improved, the original body improved with him; when the original body''s level improved... it had nothing to do with him.


    The clone was also wrong about another thing: the most useful thing for Dan Peak might not be the "Water Spirit Cultivation Technique," but rather the sealed space that Old Demon Shenhua used to test him. That sealed space itself.


    After all, that sealed space could refine pills, facilitate learning, conduct assessments, and continuously regenerate medicinal materials - wasn''t it essentially an array space specifically designed for training alchemists?


    With such a space, what kind of alchemist couldn''t be trained?


    Though the idea was good, when reviewing it here, the original body discovered that the array space might not be purelyposed of arrays, but likely involved other techniques, possibly some high-level magical treasure. Therefore, replicating such an array space would still be quite challenging.


    As he was organizing, someone suddenly knocked on his door.


    "Come in," he called out, casually putting the books on the table into his Universe Bag, though his hand remained on the book he was writing in.


    As his words fell, someone pushed open the door, entered, closed it, and walked toward him.


    Just from the footsteps, he knew who it was, so he didn''t put away the book under his hand.


    The visitor ced a food box on the table beside him, then moved behind him. Soon after, two soft, warm things pressed against his shoulders, and finally, a pair of white, soft, and tender hands reached forward to gently cover his eyes.


    "Master, guess who I am?" asked a crisp voice with a hint of sweetness.


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran hesitated, thought seriously for a moment, and asked, "Chasing the Wind?"


    "Wrong!" That voice held back augh, perhaps thinking how silly her master was for not being able to guess.


    "Could it be..." Qin Ran said seriously, "Jiang Qin?!"


    "One more chance." Mentioning other women?! That voice became crisper, losing its sweetness. She was clearly a bit angry.


    "It couldn''t be You You?!" Qin Ran eximed in shock.


    "Master!!" that voice shouted, "What are you guessing? You You hasn''t evene to the Boundless Sword Sect!"


    "Oh! Then who could it be?" Qin Ran thought for a moment, shaking his head, "I can''t guess."


    "Hmph!" The voice huffed angrily, removing her hands from Qin Ran''s eyes. The owner of the voice ran from behind him to the opposite side of the table.


    She presented her graceful, charming figure before Qin Ran, her beautiful, gentle face puffed up as she stared at him with wide eyes.


    "Ah!!" Qin Ran eximed in great surprise, finally realizing, "So it''s my precious Shiyin?!"


    "How did I not think of that?"


    "You did it on purpose!" Li Shiyin red at Qin Ran.


    His silly disciple looked so adorable when angry that Qin Ran couldn''t help but smile.


    Not only had his silly disciple started with the ridiculous question "Master, guess who I am," but he could recognize her footsteps when she entered the door; the fragrance in the room was distinctly hers; when she leaned against his back, the soft sensation was familiar to him.


    Most importantly, who else besides his silly disciple would he not hide the "Water Spirit Cultivation Technique" from?


    For some reason, girls always liked to y these silly games, so he yed along. And sure enough, girls couldn''t handle losing.


    "Hmph! Master is so mean!" Li Shiyin red at Qin Ran twice before giving up.


    She crouched down at the table, resting her head on it, her hands ying with Qin Ran''s inkstone, pushing it back and forth.


    Though she was already a married woman, she remained excessively cute. In fact, her added womanly charm made her even more adorable than when she was a young girl.


    Qin Ran took his brush and precisely dotted her small nose, giving her a jet-ck nose tip.


    His silly disciple puffed up her cheeks in anger and narrowed her eyes in warning. But this expression,bined with the ck nose, was just too yful. Qin Ran couldn''t help but burst outughing.


    "Master, you''re so boring!" Li Shiyin could have dodged, but there was no need. She took the opportunity to scold Qin Ran, "You''re getting on in years, can''t you be more mature? So childish!"


    Qin Ran tilted his head smugly, then put his brush on the inkstone, stopping his silly disciple''s bad habit of ying with it.


    He pushed the ink stick toward his silly disciple andmanded: "Here, grind some ink for Master."


    "Who wants to grind ink for you?" Li Shiyin said, taking the ink stick, carefully cing the brush on its rest, then half-heartedly grinding the ink stick in the inkstone with one hand while resting her head on the table, both eyes fixed on her master.


    "What good food did you bring me?" Qin Ran took the food box Li Shiyin had brought, ced it in front of him and opened it, releasing a sweet fragrance.


    "Lotus root soup..." Li Shiyin said with pouted lips and smiling eyes, looking proudly at her master, "I made it in their kitchen, but used lotus roots from our Dan Peak."


    "How did you be so shameless?" Qin Ran asked Li Shiyin with augh as he poured himself a bowl of hot soup, "Do you know you''re a guest? Running into someone else''s kitchen to cook, what kind of behavior is that? This is called a cuckoo taking over a magpie''s nest, turning from guest to host."


    "Then don''t drink it." Li Shiyin rolled her eyes.


    Qin Ran took a sip, the sweet taste filling his entire mouth. He smacked his lips in satisfaction and replied, "Why shouldn''t I drink soup made by my precious disciple?"


    He scooped up another spoonful of soup and held it to Li Shiyin''s lips, asking, "Would you like to taste the soup made by my disciple?"


    Li Shiyin gave him a helpless look and opened her small mouth, taking the entire spoon in.


    "Hey, aren''t you worried about germs? I used that spoon," Qin Ran said disapprovingly, then eagerly asked, "Is the soup made by my disciple tasty?"


    Li Shiyin removed the spoon from her mouth and asked, "Your disciple''s soup? Then who am I?"


    "Aren''t you my wife?" Qin Ran asked puzzled.


    He scooped up another spoonful from the bowl, blew on it, and prepared to drink.


    "Hey, aren''t you worried about germs? I had that spoon in my mouth," Li Shiyin watched him disapprovingly.


    "My wife is fragrant from head to toe, I don''t mind," Qin Ran replied with a chuckle.


    Li Shiyin rolled her eyes again: "You always have an answer for everything."


    "We came here to fight, why are you still carrying lotus roots?" Qin Ran said while sipping soup and chewing on lotus root. "Tsk! The lotus roots from Dan Peak are really sweet. Next time you should send some to your mother."


    "Isn''t this what you taught me, Master?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Of all the things I taught you, you only learned how to cook?" Qin Ran retorted.


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin protested, "What else haven''t I learned? I''m a genius."


    Qin Ran pushed the "Water Spirit nt Cultivation Technique" book in front of her and asked, "Do you know this?"


    Li Shiyin nced at the book, seeing the densely packed characters and simple sketches of spirit herbs, and immediately felt her eyes hurt.


    "Ah!" she cried out dramatically, "Master, my eyes hurt, I can''t see what''s written... Master, Master, quick, take it away, I''m going blind!"


    Watching Li Shiyin''s theatrical performance with closed eyes, Qin Ran said, "Ah yes, acting is another thing you''ve learned well."


    He took the book back.


    After grinding some ink, Li Shiyin casually stood up and perched sideways on the table, her voluptuous figure on disy. Her delicate white finger dipped into the inkstone, and she leaned forward, bringing her ink-stained finger to Qin Ran''s face, saying in a coquettish voice, "Husband, your wife has ground the ink for you. Would you like to taste it?"


    Qin Ran looked up, his gaze sweeping over Li Shiyin''s deliberately alluring pose, meeting her bewitchingly yful eyes. His heart thumped forcefully, pumping hot blood through his veins.


    "Is it better than the soup?" he asked.


    "Try it and you''ll know," Li Shiyin raised an eyebrow.


    Qin Ran then took her index finger into his mouth, leaving a spot of ck ink on his lips.


    The charming and beautiful young woman sat sideways on the desk, her graceful figure leaning towards him, feeding him ink with her scallion-root-like finger. Qin Ran held her finger in his mouth, looking up to meet her gaze. Anticipation built between them.


    As his tongue moved against her finger, it created a ticklish sensation that seemed to flutter in her heart. Li Shiyin lowered her gaze to meet her husband''s eyes, her body growing soft.


    A chance meeting of phoenix and jade dew...


    Between newlyweds, a single nce could ignite passion like lightning striking the earth.


    Qin Ran stood up while still holding Li Shiyin''s finger in his mouth, hands pressed against the desk, one leg following, knee climbing up.


    It was foreseeable that, barring any interruptions, something rather unsuitable for the dignified atmosphere of the Sword Sect was about to ur atop this lofty peak.


    "Dad!!"


    Of course, interruptions were inevitable.


    A dim-wittedrge tiger burst through Qin Ran''s door, shouting, "The Boundless Sword Sect Master has re...turn...ed?"


    He opened his tiger eyes wide to see the scene inside:


    "Shiyin sitting sideways on the table, body twisted, one hand supporting herself on the desk, one finger inserted into Dad''s mouth, her eyes watery, cheeks flushed red."


    But that wasn''t the main point. The main point was:


    "His father had Shiyin''s finger in his mouth, both hands on the desk, one knee on the table, one foot on the ground..."


    In short, his father''s posture was very strange. Like a dog, or rather, like himself.


    Chasing the Wind froze, as did everyone in the room, for quite a while...


    "Ahhh... why can''t I see anything?" Chasing the Wind raised a paw to cover his eyes, turning around and limping away on three legs, "Ah! I didn''t see anything, Dad, I promise!"


    He pulled the door closed behind him.


    Li Shiyin came to her senses, quickly withdrew her finger from Qin Ran''s grasp, and turned her head away, too embarrassed to know what to do.


    Being caught in such an intimate moment by their tiger child in broad daylight was truly awkward.


    Qin Ran, thick-skinned as he was, only blushed slightly as he stepped back and stood properly, asking, "Shall we continue?"


    "Continue your head!" Li Shiyin raised her hand and smacked his head.


    But Qin Ran was quick, catching her retreating hand, and with his other hand supporting her bottom, he lifted her up with one swift motion.


    "Master!" Li Shiyin eximed, "What are you doing?"


    "What''s the big deal? Why are you still being shy?" Qin Ran held her in his arms, lowering his head to nt a precious kiss on her flushed cheek.


    Li Shiyin struggled in his embrace: "What do you mean shy? I''m not!"


    She added, "The Boundless Sword Sect Master has returned, he surely wants to see you. You should hurry over."


    "Heh, he wants to see me and I just have to go? Wouldn''t that make me lose face?" Qin Ran scoffed, tightening his embrace slightly. Li Shiyin stopped struggling as he sat down in the chair with her in his arms. "Isn''t it nice to hold my fragrant wife while reading, with her adding a touch of romance to my studies?"


    "What if it dys important matters?" Li Shiyin hesitated, "Master, don''t let momentary anger disrupt important affairs."


    "Oh! Now you''re lecturing your master?" Qin Ran looked down at the serious Li Shiyin in his arms, then buried his face in her embrace, nuzzling, "My Shiyin has grown capable."


    Li Shiyin felt ticklish and giggled continuously. After a while, she held Qin Ran''s head still, preventing his movement, her flushed face turning serious: "I''m not just a sword immortal, I''m also a worthy wife!"


    Qin Ran tilted his head to rest in Li Shiyin''s soft embrace, her soft hands draped across his face. Looking at the sincerity in her smiling eyes, he found her utterly adorable.


    She was adorable when being silly, and adorable when being serious.


    "Silly girl," he smiled, "Would your master be someone who forgets greater righteousness for small gains?


    "Master has a purpose, this is a negotiation strategy. Tomorrow you should watch carefully and learn well."


    Li Shiyin straightened up, cupped Qin Ran''s face, and nted a quick kiss on his lips, giggling, "I knew it, my master is the most capable."


    Qin Ran felt as if honey was flowing through his heart, sweet and warm. He leaned down and kissed Li Shiyin.


    Inside the room was warm as spring with tender words, while outside the window, the thousand-foot cliff faced bitter winds sharp as knives.


    The cold wind passed by the window without entering, making it rattle and ng.

 Chapter 421

    The next day, in the reception hall of the Boundless Sword Sect.


    Qin Ran sat in the guest seat, with Li Shiyin standing behind him holding the Qingxing Sword. Sun Yicheng sat in the opposite guest seat, with two personal disciples standing behind him.


    Both men wore smiles with unclear intentions.


    Yes, Sun Yicheng - Elder Sun of Zhican Valley, the elder responsible for selling medicinal pills to outsiders.


    The Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect had kept Qin Ran waiting for half a month, just waiting for him - waiting for someone from Zhican Valley to arrive.


    After all, the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley were allies, like one family.


    "Elder Sun, it''s been a while," Qin Ran smiled at Sun Yicheng.


    "Elder Qin..." Sun Yicheng, cunning as an old fox, replied, "Who would have thought we''d meet at the Boundless Sword Sect? What a fateful encounter."


    "I''m honored!" Qin Ran said earnestly, "Elder Sun, given this fated meeting, you must give me a five percent discount next time Ie to Zhican Valley for pills.""Of course!" Sun Yicheng waved his hand grandly, "No problem at all. Elder Qin, given our rtionship, a ten or twenty percent discount is nothing!"


    Next time? After this visit to the Boundless Sword Sect, they both knew that the rtionship between the three sects would likely deteriorate rapidly. Whether there would be a next time was uncertain.


    "Thank you in advance, Elder Sun..."


    A man sat in the main seat - dressed in dark martial clothes with his hair tied back at his waist. Among his jet-ck hair were a few white strands. With his sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, he cut an imposing middle-aged figure.


    Without introduction, this was clearly Jian Wuming, the Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect.


    After Qin Ran and Sun Yicheng finished their pleasantries, Jian Wuming spoke:


    "I heard from the sect elders that Brother Qin is the Head Seat of Dan Peak, one of the four peaks of the Dao Sword Sect. Given your position, you must have important matters to discuss after waiting here for half a month. Please speak."


    Qin Ran rose and gave a formal bow to Jian Wuming, replying: "Indeed, I have urgent business. It concerns the survival of our sects. It''s a matter of life and death for the three major sects of the Hengduan Mountains."


    He nced at Sun Yicheng, hinting, "It may concern Zhican Valley as well."


    Jian Wuming''s sword-like eyebrows nted sharply upward, his whole person emanating sharpness. Hearing this, he leaned forward, narrowing his eyes, and a sharp sword intent shot toward Qin Ran.


    "Head Seat, what matter could affect the life and death of the three major sects?" he asked.


    He was using his presence to pressure Qin Ran, trying to overwhelm his momentum.


    But as his sword intent approached, Li Shiyin raised her eyes from her master to look at Jian Wuming. The Qingxing Sword in her arms trembled, and her protective sword intent enveloped Qin Ran.


    The iing sword intent dispersed on either side of Qin Ran, not affecting him in the slightest.


    Jian Wuming looked at Li Shiyin, his narrowed eyes opening wide in surprise.


    "Who is this sword fairy? Head Seat hasn''t introduced us."


    Qin Ran smiled slightly, gesturing to Li Shiyin, and said: "My wife, Li Shiyin."


    "So you''re Li Shiyin!" Jian Wuming became solemn upon hearing this, "I often hear my disciples speak of you. I know you''ve defeated countless prodigies of my sword sect, and your sword dao achievements are extraordinary. Meeting you in person surpasses your reputation - truly a sword fairy''s bearing thatmands admiration!"


    He stood up and extended his hand toward Li Shiyin, asking, "Fairy Li, with such sword dao talent, would you consider joining my sword sect to cultivate superior sword techniques?"


    This was poaching someone''s disciple right in front of them... no, trying to steal someone''s wife - what kind of move was this?


    This could not be tolerated!


    "Shing!"


    The Qingxing Sword in Li Shiyin''s arms unsheathed halfway, a sharp ster sword energy pointing directly at Jian Wuming. The energy was so powerful that Jian Wuming dared not receive it casually and could only dodge to the side.


    Her eyes cold as frost and snow, she looked at Jian Wuming and said: "Sect Leader, please show some restraint."


    "Such concentrated sword energy!" Jian Wuming praised, then turned away from Li Shiyin to look at the still-smiling Qin Ran, saying, "Head Seat, I was too forward."


    "I see the Sect Leader has an eye for talent," Qin Ran smiled, "I personally trained Shiyin in swordsmanship. If the Sect Leader is interested, you can send your disciples to study under me. I''ll train them into sword dao prodigies for you."


    Jian Wuming sized up Qin Ran, noting that he seemed to have no connection to swordsmanship at all, and asked, "What path does Head Seat follow?"


    "Sect Leader, I am the Head Seat of Dan Peak," Qin Ran reminded him.


    "Oh!" Jian Wuming realized, "So you''re just an alchemist."


    Just an alchemist... just a beggar... just a menial worker...


    Even Li Shiyin could hear the arrogance and contempt in Jian Wuming''s tone.


    She stepped out from behind Qin Ran''s seat to stand beside him, drawing the Qingxing Sword, and addressed Jian Wuming: "Sect Leader, why do you repeatedly insult my husband?


    "You''re nothing but a sword practitioner yourself. I challenge you."


    Nothing but a sword practitioner?


    Jian Wuming''s expression turned cold.


    The sword dao was supreme.


    All other pursuits were inferior; only the sword dao was eternal.


    He looked at Li Shiyin with the expression one might give a traitor.


    "You challenge me?" he sneered.


    Li Shiyin''s sharp sword practitioner''s aura spread out as she said coolly: "All your disciples are worthless, not one understands the sword. I want to see if it''s their problem or yours."


    "Heh heh heh..." Jian Wumingughed coldly repeatedly. He raised his hand and summoned a sword from his Universe Bag, pointing it at Li Shiyin, saying, "Such arrogance! It''s been a long time since I''ve seen such an arrogant young sword practitioner."


    "Do you know why?" Li Shiyin said, "Arrogance requires capital. None of your disciples have the capital to be arrogant."


    "Good!" Jian Wuming was so angry that veins bulged at his temples, and sword energy rose from his de, "I''ll give you one chance!"


    "Sect Leader, wait!"


    Just as the atmosphere was escting and they were about to fight, a voice suddenly interrupted.


    Jian Wuming coldly looked over - it was that alchemist Head Seat Qin.


    He gave a dismissive nce and turned back to Li Shiyin.


    Qin Ran showed no sign of anger, speaking in a measured tone: "I taught Shiyin her sword dao. She is actually a new generation disciple of the Dao Sword Sect. Sect Leader, are you sure you want topete with an ordinary disciple?"


    Hearing this, Jian Wuming realized that Li Shiyin was only of the disciple generation. Given his status and position, fighting her would definitely be disadvantageous, and his momentum slightly weakened.


    "Or are you saying that there truly isn''t a single disciple in the Boundless Sword Sect who can match Shiyin?" Qin Ran asked further.


    "Ridiculous!" Jian Wuming turned sharply to look at him, snorting coldly, "My sword sect has countless prodigies, and those proficient in sword dao are everywhere. Defeat her? As easy as turning over my palm!"


    "Good!" Qin Ran nodded and smiled, "In that case, why doesn''t the Sect Leader find a disciple to defeat her?


    "Shiyin has just formed her Golden Core. Sect Leader can choose any Golden Core realm disciple to spar with her, early orte stage doesn''t matter. How about it?"


    "Early orte stage doesn''t matter?" Jian Wuming had some sword integrity and was about to refuse, not wanting to take unfair advantage, but after looking at Li Shiyin''s sword energy and feeling that it would be difficult for an early Golden Core stage to ovee this sword energy, he agreed, "Fine!"


    He had sword integrity, but not much.


    "Why wait for another day when we can do it today!" Qin Ran said.


    Jian Wuming withdrew his sword and said: "Today it is!"


    "Sect Leader, why resort to sword duels?" Sun Yicheng spoke up timely, "I think we can skip thepetition? We should prioritize harmony."


    As an observer, he could see clearly that Jian Wuming had been led by the nose by Qin Ran the whole time. Thepetition wasn''t Jian Wuming''s idea, but Qin Ran''s.


    Although he didn''t know why Qin Ran wanted topete with the Boundless Sword Sect, he knew one principle: whatever the enemy wants to do should be prevented.


    However, he probably didn''t realize his own position - in Jian Wuming''s eyes, he was probably just another alchemist too.


    So Jian Wuming just nced at him without speaking.


    "How about this..." Qin Ran, seeing this, was inwardly amused and pressed his advantage, saying, "I brought four disciples with me to the sword sect, why don''t we have four matches? Since we''vee all the way to the sword sect, our two sects should indeed have some exchange and interaction."


    "Four matches?" Jian Wuming pondered briefly, his eyes revealing a clear-minded perception that saw through everything. "Three matches! I know you deliberately brought Lu Junxing and Gu Yueming''s direct disciples here for a friendlypetition. I''ll give you a chance.


    "It works out perfectly - one match each at Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul realms. You''vee to my Sword Sect, do you think I''d be afraid of you?"


    Qin Ran bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "The Sect Master speaks wisely."

 Chapter 422

    That morning, the main square of the Boundless Sword Sect was packed with people.


    Earlier that morning, news had spread throughout the entire Boundless Sword Sect like wildfire:


    "Disciples from the Dao Sword Sect havee to challenge us. They im everyone in the Boundless Sword Sect is worthless and knows nothing about swordsmanship. They say there isn''t a single worthy opponent among us."


    In an instant, emotions ran high, and the entire Boundless Sword Sect was in uproar.


    You can say our Boundless Sword Sect is poor, that we can''t even afford proper spirit swords, but... you can''t say we can''t fight.


    How dare theye to our doorstep with such arrogance?


    This was a p in the face to every cultivator in the Boundless Sword Sect! They were dancing in dangerous territory.


    This couldn''t be tolerated!


    This was absolutely uneptable!This battle concerned the sect''s honor, determining whether the Boundless Sword Sect or the Dao Sword Sect was superior. The Boundless Sword Sect absolutely could not lose.


    If they didn''t thoroughly defeat these challengers, if they didn''t win decisively, if they didn''t make all the provocateurs submit, it would count as the Boundless Sword Sect''s loss.


    The Boundless Sword Sect was the strongest sect in the Land of Immortal Legacy!


    If they lost this battle, their disciples wouldn''t be able to hold their heads high in the Land of Immortal Legacy for at least fifty years.


    It was time to fight for the Boundless Sword Sect!


    Looking at the fired-up and enraged Dao Sword Sect cultivators around her, Li Shiyin quietly moved closer to her master, held his arm, and whispered in his ear, "Master, you''re behind this, aren''t you?"


    It was just a sparring match, so why was everyone so worked up? Why had it escted to a matter of sect honor and survival?


    She knew someone must have been stirring things up behind the scenes.


    And her master was notorious for such behind-the-scenes maniption.


    Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin with approval. His foolish disciple had grown clever.


    Why did he fan the mes? Why did he elevate the enemy''s momentum?


    Because the higher the stakes of thispetition, the more serious its implications, the greater the blow would be to the Boundless Sword Sect when they lost.


    The higher they stood, the harder they would fall.


    This was psychological warfare.


    And his water clones, which weren''t much use inbat, were perfect for such tasks.


    "It wasn''t me," he shook his head solemnly.


    But Li Shiyin knew her master too well. One look at his eyes told her he must have had a hand in this.


    She looked around nervously, feeling guilty, as if the crowd might rush over and finish them off at any moment.


    "Are you afraid?" Qin Ran suddenly leaned in and whispered in her ear.


    "Afraid?"


    "Are you afraid you won''t win and these trash will mock you?"


    Li Shiyin gave her master a sidelong nce, seeing right through his attempt to provoke her, but...


    "I''m just saying they''re too noisy. I''ll make them quiet down soon!"


    She still fell for it.


    "Tsk~"


    Qin Ran kissed her ear and whispered, "That''s my precious disciple!"


    "Hmph!"


    There were too many people around, and Li Shiyin, blushing, didn''t dare resist.


    While master and disciple were whispering intimately at the sidelines, there were already people in the arena.


    Following the order of Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Primordial Spirit, the ones standing in the arena now were naturally the sisters Jiang Ran and Jiang Qin.


    They stood in the center, surrounded by disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect - hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands!


    Looking at the grimacing Boundless Sword Sect cultivators on the sidelines, watching them jump excitedly as if they might rush in at any moment for a fight to the death, hearing their cheers and curses, feeling the waves of sound crashing over them like physical force...


    They were all enemies. The sisters were outsiders, facing an entire sect.


    Jiang Qin was steadier, slightly better off, but Jiang Ran was already at her limit.


    She was both scared and nervous. Her hands holding the Rainbow Silk began to tremble.


    Their opponents, whether intentionally or truly upied, had yet to arrive.


    After standing in the arena for so long, even Jiang Qin started to lose herposure.


    "Master, they''re doing this on purpose," Li Shiyin frowned.


    Qin Ran looked at the two beautiful young women''s suffering expressions in the arena and felt some pity for them, but...


    He shook his head and said, "This is nothing. It seems the Sect Leader''s teaching methods are inadequate. This is a necessary part of their cultivation journey. Compared to life-and-death situations, what''s this home field pressure? When they face real life-or-death battles in the future, should they justmit suicide because the enemy outnumbers them?"


    Li Shiyin sighed and said nothing more.


    She remembered when she challenged the prodigy of Qi Peak, Song Ze, he had used the same tactic.


    But it had no effect on her. Instead, it showed her that Song Ze was afraid. When they formally fought, her momentum far exceeded Song Ze''s, and with one Flying Immortal Sword technique, she defeated him.


    Qin Ran could certainly protest to Jian Wuming, change the venue, or make the match start immediately, but he didn''t.


    He just stood outside the arena, watching as the two delicate young women went from nervous to scared, to psychological copse, to barely being able to hold their spiritual weapons...


    Lu Junxing wasn''t far away either. He could see clearly too. Though it pained him, he maintained a stern face and didn''t intervene.


    After what seemed like forever, just as Jiang Ran and Jiang Qin looked ready to cry, a couple flew up from the crowd andnded in the arena.


    They were a young Dao couple who practiced a set of Mandarin Duck Sword techniques, their hearts connected as husband and wife, perfectly matched against the twin sisters'' telepathic connection.


    Jiang Ran and Jiang Qin originally practiced the Dao Sword Sect''s secret art, the "Divine Spirit Resonance Method," a technique only suitable for twins, especially identical twins.


    Twins naturally share a connection, and when practicing the same technique with special buffs, their fighting prowess became more than just twice as strong.


    Although their opponents were strong, specifically chosen by Jian Wuming from among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, their paper strength was still inferior to the sisters.


    But battles were never just aboutparing numbers. It wasn''t as simple as whoever had better stats would win.


    If battles were that simple, Qin Ran wouldn''t need to fight at all.


    A battle was rted to too many factors.


    And psychological factors yed a huge part.


    Between someone full of fighting spirit and someone seeking death, even if their strengths were equal, the winner would be obvious.


    Someone like Li Shiyin, who feared nothing, naturally wouldn''t suffer from low morale. She was always full of fighting spirit - what did it matter if she faced a Primordial Spirit cultivator? Fight first, thinkter.


    But for someone like Jiang Ran, with her pure and innocent mindset, fighting in such hostile territory, it would be impressive if she could disy even fifty percent of her true strength.


    Although this battle wasn''tpletely one-sided, and the sisters fought admirably under pressure and disadvantage, those with discerning eyes could see that they were doomed to lose before the battle even began.


    The sisters''bined defense with the Rainbow Silk was split apart by the couple''s Mandarin Duck swords attacking from front and back. Just as the sword tips were about to reach their flower-like faces, someone grabbed the sword hilts.


    The sisters opened their eyes, still in shock, to see their senior sister Li Shiyin, with her cold demeanor and serious expression.


    Li Shiyin threw the two swords back at the couple and said, "You can leave now! I''ll take over from here."


    The sisters supported each other as they stood up. Jiang Qin, looking at Li Shiyin''s reassuring back, trembled and said through tears, "We''re... we''re sorry."


    Li Shiyin turned back to look at her andforted her, "Winning or losing isn''t important, I lose often too. Just win it back next time, it''s not a big deal."


    The sisters walked towards the edge of the arena, dragging their Rainbow Silk on the ground, lookingpletely defeated.


    "Is that all?!"


    "Such delicate, disgusting appearances, go back to your mother''s milk!"


    "They''re pretty though, probably came to the Boundless Sword Sect looking for dao partners?"


    Having easily won the first match, the Boundless Sword Sect disciples immediately started their mockery.


    "I thought they''d be more impressive!"


    "Arrogant? Provocative? Going to defeat the Boundless Sword Sect? This is the funniest joke I''ve heard all year!"


    "I see the Dao Sword Sect isn''t all that..."


    "Has the Dao Sword Sect run out of men? First two women, now another one!"


    "Well, they''re all pretty... is the Dao Sword Sect changing into the Harmony Sect?"


    "Thud!"


    Amidst the mor outside the arena, a sudden dull sound rang out from within.


    Li Shiyin drew her Qingxing Sword, nted it with its scabbard on the ground, and facing all the disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect, she spoke calmly: "Li Shiyin of the Dao Sword Sect requests battle."


    The woman in the arena stood at five feet seven inches tall, but her aura towered like a mountain.


    As she stood there silently, the disciples below fell into a hush. The Boundless Sword Sect, which had been bustling with noise moments ago, finally descended into silence at this moment.

 Chapter 423

    Outside the arena, Sun Yicheng pointed at the excited Boundless Sword Sect disciples and said to Jian Wuming, "Sect Master, Elder Qin is scheming behind the scenes."


    Jian Wuming nced at him and replied, "I''m not blind. I can see very clearly.


    "It''s nothing but underhanded tricks. Stirring up public outrage, creating conflict, maximizing the importance of thispetition. This way, if we lose, it will deal a devastating blow to our Sword Sect and suppress us."


    "Why doesn''t Sect Master intervene?" Sun Yicheng asked in confusion. They knew the enemy was causing trouble, yet you won''t stop it. What kind of attitude is this? Waiting to die?


    Jian Wuming sneered with disdain, "The disciples he brought from the Dao Sword Sect - Lu Junxing, Li Shiyin, and Gu Yueming''s personal disciples - are the strongest of their generation. He''s confident they''ll win. That''s why he''s resorting to these petty tricks.


    "But is his victory certain? What''s so special about Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin? Do they think our Sword Sect has no talents? Do they think we can''t defeat them?


    "Look at Gu Yueming''s personal disciple - nothing extraordinary.


    "He''s using Dao Sword Sect''s strongest disciples to pressure our Boundless Sword Sect disciples. If they win, we''ll ept it. But if his people lose, then this generation of Dao Sword Sect will forever kneel before our Boundless Sword Sect!


    "It''s just a gamble, why should our Sword Sect fear them?!"Sun Yicheng pondered, realizing that Jian Wuming saw everything clearly - he had underestimated this sword-practicing brute.


    After some thought, he reminded, "I heard Lu Junxing is undefeated among his peers."


    "Undefeated? That''s because our Sword Sect disciples didn''t bother to challenge him." Jian Wuming showed contempt, "And precisely because he''s never lost, he can''t afford to lose. Once he''s defeated, he''ll be destroyed."


    Sun Yicheng didn''t quite agree with Jian Wuming''s statement.


    He knew Lu Junxing''s undefeated reputation was earned throughbat, not empty talk.


    Since Lu Junxing''s debut, he had dominated the Land of Immortal Legacy for decades, and everyone acknowledged his supremacy among peers. If your Sword Sect had someone capable of defeating Lu Junxing, why hadn''t they done it earlier? Wasn''t the title of being first among peers, being undefeated, appealing enough?


    He shook his head internally and looked at Li Shiyin.


    While defeating Lu Junxing might be impossible, Li Shiyin was a different story.


    And if they could defeat Li Shiyin, even if they couldn''t beat Lu Junxing, they would still win with two victories against one loss. The Boundless Sword Sect would still emerge victorious.


    So he asked, "Who have you arranged to deal with Li Shiyin?"


    "Have you heard of the Sword Core technique?" Jian Wuming nced at him sideways.


    "Sword Core!" Sun Yicheng was startled. With his vast knowledge, he naturally knew about the so-called Sword Core technique.


    Sword Core was essentially Golden Core, but it was a sword cultivator''s method of using a sword instead of forming a Golden Core. Instead of cultivating a Golden Core, they cultivated only their primary sword - the purest path of sword cultivation.


    The sword was inherently meant for killing, and using it as a Golden Core... therefore, this cultivation method sought the ultimate sword-killing power.


    While gaining ultimatebat power, they would lose something in return. They would lose the chance to form a Primordial Spirit, only able to form a Sword Embryo with their Sword Core.


    However, forming a Sword Embryo was countless times more difficult than forming a simple Primordial Spirit.


    Therefore, the Sword Core path was essentially sacrificing a sword cultivator''s future in exchange for tremendous power during the Golden Core stage. It was the ultimate path of killing.


    "Your sect actually has someone practicing the Sword Core technique?" he asked.


    "Hmph! Sword Core is the purest path of sword cultivation!!" Jian Wuming dered, "Our Sword Sect has countless disciples practicing Sword Core every year.


    "Li Shiyin may be strong, but against my top Sword Core disciple, she''s nothing but a vain female cultivator ying with refinement."


    The strongest Sword Core disciple under Jian Wuming...


    Sun Yicheng''s expression changed as he probed, "Could it be Sikong Changhen, who''s said to be invincible below the Primordial Spirit realm?"


    "Heh!" Jian Wuming''s face showed pride.


    "So Sikong Changhen practices the Sword Core technique!" Sun Yicheng realized, "No wonder he could be invincible below the Primordial Spirit realm, even able to fight against Primordial Spirit cultivators with just a Golden Core."


    At this moment, Li Shiyin entered the arena, her presence alone overwhelming all the Sword Sect disciples, making Jian Wuming''s expression turn somewhat ugly.


    Sun Yicheng nced at him and said, "The previous method probably won''t work on Li Shiyin."


    "What method?" Jian Wuming nced at him and said, "My Sword Sect disciples never stoop to using such underhanded tactics! We always face our opponents head-on, victory or defeat is decided by a single sword strike!" As he finished speaking, someone flew up from the crowd. With one rise and fall, theynded several zhang away from Li Shiyin in the arena.


    This was a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with ordinary and low-key features,cking the typical sword-bone pride of Boundless Sword Sect disciples, appearing very peaceful.


    He wore in cyan robes, exhibiting the state of returning to simplicity that marked true masters.


    Obviously, he had quite a reputation within the Boundless Sword Sect. As soon as he stood in the arena, the crowd outside erupted in cheers, as if he had already won.


    "It''s Senior Brother Sikong! Senior Brother Sikong himself hase to deal with that woman."


    "Hah! What a waste of talent!"


    Someone shouted: "Go, Senior Brother Sikong, defeat her and take her as your Daopanion!"


    "Senior Brother Sikong is invincible below the Primordial Spirit realm, I don''t even know how he could lose..." someone sighed, "I hope he doesn''t make another opponent cry!"


    Someoneughed, "Don''t go too far, what if she wins?"


    Before he could finishughing, he was "killed" by others who dressed him in enemy clothing.


    "Ah, how lonely it is to be invincible. They came all the way from Dao Sword Sect to challenge us, if they end up not winning a single match, how will they go back?!"


    "They''ll have to walk back..."


    "If it were me, I wouldn''t have the face to return."


    "Dao Sword Sect, Li Shiyin, greets Senior Brother." Li Shiyin picked up her sword that was nted in the ground and bowed with her sword to Sikong Changhen.


    "Boundless Sword Sect, Sikong Changhen, greets Senior Sister Li." Sikong Changhen''s face bore a faint smile, one of confidence.


    Li Shiyinpleted her greeting, expressionless, slowly drew her sword, and said softly, "They have great confidence in you."


    "Sword Sect disciples have always been full of fighting spirit, they''re just a bit more enthusiastic today." Sikong Changhen smiled, his right hand struck his chest and made a sword-drawing posture, pulling out a sword from within his body that emanated powerful sword qi, "Of course, I have never disappointed their enthusiasm."


    Li Shiyin held the scabbard in her left hand at her side, raised the sword in her right hand before her, she seriously looked at this sword she didn''t particrly like but had used for five years, and asked Sikong Changhen, "Is this the Sword Core technique?"


    Her master was well-versed in all texts and had taught her about this cultivation method; she had richbat experience and had seen the Sword Core technique before.


    And she remembered her master''s evaluation: it was a method of self-destruction, a path for those with no other options.


    "Senior Sister has good eyes." Sikong Changhen held his sword in one hand and ced the other behind his back, appearing quite casual and elegant as he nodded with a smile.


    "The Sword Core technique is indeed powerful." Li Shiyin acknowledged first, then asked, "So how many of my sword strikes do you think you can handle?"


    "Senior Sister need not be afraid." Sikong Changhen replied, "I always show mercy to the fairer sex, I won''t use lethal force."


    "Why are they chatting?" Outside the arena, Jiang Ran was still weakly wiping tears, while Jiang Qin asked Qin Ran with red eyes, confused.


    Qin Ran nced at her and exined, "Actually, it''s simr to the situation you encountered earlier. It''s also a psychological battle. Earlier, you were in the arena while that couple was below. Now they''re both in the arena, both have drawn their swords. They appear to be making small talk, but they''re actually shing in spirit. They''re both waiting for the moment when the other can''t hold on and shows an opening."


    "Really?" Jiang Qin looked again but only saw that Li Shiyin and the Boundless Sword Sect cultivator both seemed rxed, as if they were just acquaintances running into each other on the street and chatting.


    Qin Ran looked at her and exined seriously, "When you were in the arena earlier, that couple was actually outside. They deliberately didn''t appear, using these thousands of Boundless Sword Sect disciples to pressure you. In the arena, you were constantly disturbed by the disciples outside, you became anxious, your hands shook, you got nervous, felt the enemy was looking down on you, felt indignant, experiencing extreme pressure every moment, and as time went on, you became more and more flustered, finally unable to bear the psychological pressure, defeating yourselves."


    "Think about it now - if you remained calm and steady as a mountain in the arena, how do you think that couple using such underhanded tactics below the stage would feel? When the Boundless Sword Sect disciples see you rxed in the arena while your opponents hide below, what do you think they would think and do?


    "Public opinion is a double-edged sword. Home field advantage is also a double-edged sword. The Boundless Sword Sect disciples will encourage their fellow disciples, but also pressure them.


    "Both sides are under immense pressure - it''s just a matter of whose mental fortitude is stronger."


    Hearing this, Jiang Qin pondered thoughtfully: "So Senior Sister Li and Sikong Changhen chatting casually now - they''re putting pressure on each other?"


    Jiang Ran asked through tears: "What mountain is as steady as that?"


    "..." Qin Ran nced at her and shook his head, "This child is truly unteachable!"


    Boom!


    Just as he finished speaking, the sky suddenly transformed.


    "Li Shiyin has made her move..." he said, "Li Shiyin has won."


    The three of them looked up together as the sky darkened. The wind scattered the clouds, and in the dark sky, countless stars sparkled with brilliant light.


    Those rays of light converged in mid-air, and a massive white sword made of starlight began forming bit by bit, though at an incredibly fast pace, in the darkness.


    In the arena, Sikong Changhen''s expression grew heavy. Looking at the sword energy in the sky, he knew that if it fully formed, he likely couldn''t block it.


    "Mutual destruction!"


    Without hesitation, he unleashed his killing move.


    His sword immediately lit up with red light. His form flickered, drawing an ethereal red line as he instantly appeared before Li Shiyin.


    He thrust his sword toward Li Shiyin''s chest... where the Golden Core was located. His first move was already a fatal strike.


    Moreover, this move was designed to break through formations and defenses - an unavoidable death strike.


    "Die!" Blood trickled from his eyes, his face twisted grotesquely, showing none of the tranquil demeanor of a true master.


    However...


    Li Shiyin didn''t even try to block. She continued casting the Celestial Soaring Immortal in the sky while gathering sword energy in her Qingxing Sword, multitasking as she swung to meet Sikong Changhen''s fatal strike.


    "Bang!"


    The two swords shed with a tremendous sound.


    Sikong Changhen was sent flying backward, while Li Shiyin stood unmoved in her original position.


    The wind from their sh whipped up her robes, and the massive force transmitted through her body into the ground, causing it to cave in as cracks spread in all directions.


    Holding the Qingxing Sword in her right hand, she raised her left hand toward Sikong Changhen who was flying through the air, her cold, clear voice resonating throughout the arena:


    "Celestial Soaring Immortal."


    The huge white sword of light that had formed in the sky, like a white-robed immortal descending from the heavens, flew toward Sikong Changhen.


    Everyone could see clearly that without external intervention, Sikong Changhen would certainly be unable to block this massive sword of light, and the consequence of failing to block would be...


    Death!


    And so external intervention came.


    Suddenly, someone leaped from the crowd, kicked Sikong Changhen away, and extended their sword energy several hundred feet long, striking the star-bright sword energy that resembled a celestial being.


    The sword energy formed by the Celestial Soaring Immortal was deflected, slicing off a small peak of the Boundless Sword Sect, letting it fall into the thousand-foot deep abyss, before crashing into the sect''s protective formation and disappearing.


    The person who intercepted the sword took the full force of the Celestial Soaring Immortal, their internal energy rapidly circting to dissipate the vast majority of the power. The remaining force drove them into the ground, their legs sinking deep into the earth, making onlookers concerned about potential injury.


    The darkness receded, the stars vanished, and the sun reappeared.


    Li Shiyin stood in the arena holding her sword, looking toward the person who had intercepted her attack. The Boundless Sword Sect disciples between her and the interceptor unconsciously scattered, not daring to block her line of sight.


    "Do you wish to fight me?" she asked.


    The person rose from the ground, apparently unharmed despite their disheveled appearance, still maintaining some dignity.


    "Are you worthy?" He looked down at Li Shiyin from mid-air with contempt. "Call Lu Junxing out."


    "I''m not worthy?" Li Shiyinughed, sheathed the Qingxing Sword, took a deep breath, and drew the Mu Ran Sword from within her body. "All you rely on is your Primordial Spirit cultivation level. Is that really so impressive?


    "Come down, and let''s fight before we discuss further."


    "Are all Dao Sword Sect people this arrogant?" The man sneered and flew toward the arena. "Fine, I''ll teach you a lesson first, then deal with Lu Junxing."


    But just as he entered the arena, Lu Junxing''s figure appeared before Li Shiyin, blocking the man''s path.


    "Shiyin, Master Uncle said one fight per person. You''ve had yours, so let me handle this one," Lu Junxing said with a smile.


    Li Shiyin looked at the now-stationary Boundless Sword Sect cultivator, then at Lu Junxing''s back, and decided to sheathe the Mu Ran Sword.


    Whatever else might be said, she had to give Senior Brother Lu face.


    She turned and left the arena, returning to Qin Ran''s side.

 Chapter 424

    The invincible Sikong Changhen, who was below the Primordial Spirit realm, was defeated - beaten by a cultivator at the Golden Core Stage with a single sword strike.


    One strike!


    ...Actually, it was two strikes.


    The disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect couldn''t believe it. They were stunned, everyone was dumbfounded.


    They... they had just been mocking, their faces still wore smiles, those smiles hadn''t even faded when Sikong Changhen was defeated.


    Lightning-fast defeat.


    They were stunned, the entire venue fell silent, not even a single person demanded a refund.


    The greatest sorrow is silence.


    And the greatest respect for Li Shiyin was also silence.She said she would strike them all silent, and she did exactly that.


    As Lu Junxing and that disciple faced each other in the arena, the vast courtyard of the Boundless Sword Sect fellpletely silent.


    "Everyone says Lu Junxing is unrivaled among his peers, the foremost sword expert of our generation. I never agreed with this assessment. That''s because he never met me."


    Breaking the silence, the suddenly appeared Boundless Sword Sect disciple spoke, "I''ve waited decades for this chance. I want to prove a point. Not to show how extraordinary I am, but to tell everyone in the world that the holynd of sword cultivation is the Boundless Sword Sect! The foremost sword expert can only be a cultivator from the Boundless Sword Sect!"


    "Now, this opportunity hase. From today onwards, everyone in the world will know that I am the strongest - that the Boundless Sword Sect is the strongest sect!!!"


    His voice echoed through the clouds, moving the Boundless Sword Sect disciples, and finally breaking the deathly silence outside the arena.


    Lu Junxing carefully observed him, noting his rugged features, fierce eyes, ck robes, and the terrifying killing intent surrounding him.


    He was clearly a ruthless, killing-type cultivator.


    With a gentle smile, Lu Junxing bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist, I am Lu Junxing of the Dao Sword Sect. May I know your name?"


    "?"


    This fierce Boundless Sword Sect sword cultivator was momentarily stunned by this question.


    He had targeted Lu Junxing as his rival, considering himself the Boundless Sword Sect''s number one and Lu Junxing as the Dao Sword Sect''s number one, putting them on equal footing. Dismissing the entire Zhican Valley as trash. They should have been the two supreme talents in the Hengduan Mountains region, the two strongest of their generation.


    He thought that once he defeated Lu Junxing today, he would be the only strongest one left.


    Who knew...


    Lu Junxing actually didn''t recognize him!?


    "How arrogant!" The previously quiet disciples outside the arena couldn''t contain their indignation and shouted, "Lu Junxing is so dismissive of others!!"


    "He doesn''t even know our Senior Brother Bu Tianming?!"


    "This is too much."


    "Such arrogance, what kind of person is Lu Junxing really? I don''t approve."


    "Lu Junxing is nothing special. Without moral character, he won''t go far!"


    Hearing these voices rising from all around, Lu Junxing finally understood and quickly apologized: "So it''s Brother Bu Tianming before me. Please forgive my ignorance."


    Lu Junxing truly didn''t recognize Bu Tianming. He had heard there was a formidable sword cultivator named Bu Tianming in the Boundless Sword Sect, but he had never seen him in person. So when Bu Tianming appeared before him, he couldn''t connect the person in front of him with the name Bu Tianming.


    Bu Tianming''s face remained cold as he raised his sword and announced: "I am Bu Tianming, and this is the Jingming Immortal Sword!"


    Lu Junxing took out a sword from his storage bag, quietly nced at its name, and said: "Lu Junxing, Qingyun Sword."


    "Hmm? Qingyun Sword?" Bu Tianming almost lost hisposure again and coldly asked, "Where is your Mountain and River Sword?"


    Lu Junxing exined: "I left the Mountain and River Sword at the Dao Sword Sect. I left in a hurry and forgot to bring it."


    He then reassured Bu Tianming, "Brother Bu, don''t worry. My sword dao has reached such a level that whether I use my primary sword or another, there won''t be much difference inbat power. You''ll still be able to fight to your heart''s content."


    Bu Tianming''s blood surged. He let out a light breath, slowly closed his eyes, took another deep breath, then suddenly opened his eyes. Blood-red and void-like sword energy instantly filled his body. He stared at Lu Junxing and shouted in anger: "Lu Junxing, you''re too much!!"


    Then he vanished from his spot and charged at Lu Junxing to kill.


    Seeing Li Shiyin defeat Sikong Changhen with two strikes, Jian Wuming''s expression became quite difficult. ording to his n, thispetition should have been undefeated, and won cleanly and decisively.


    How could Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing''s group be stronger than his disciples?


    But now, not only had Sikong Changhen been easily defeated by the sword hero Li Shiyin, but even his favorite disciple Bu Tianming was being looked down upon to such an extent by Lu Junxing.


    "Sect Leader, even if Li Shiyin won by luck, it''s just one win and one loss. The Primordial Spirit battle is what really matters," Sun Yicheng observed Jian Wuming''s expression and said, "I see Lu Junxing is too arrogant, not bringing his primary sword. In this match, Bu Tianming has the advantage. Sect Leader need not worry."


    He could see clearly that in these three matches, Qin Ran hade prepared, so it was impossible for Lu Junxing to have "left his primary sword at home." It could only mean that Lu Junxing didn''t think anyone in the Boundless Sword Sect was worthy of him using his primary sword.


    Some people''s arrogance shows on the surface, while others'' is buried in their bones and soul.


    Jian Wuming gave Sun Yicheng a cold nce, his eyes showing some contempt and disdain. What would an alchemist like you know about matters between sword cultivators?


    But since Sun Yicheng was from Zhican Valley, he didn''t directly rebuke him, only saying:


    "Bu Tianming is my most talented disciple. He practices the Boundless Sword Technique and has also mastered the Void Sword Technique. These two sword manuals are the supreme teachings of our Boundless Sword Sect. Bu Tianming has the highest sword dao talent in our sect, and he may surpass me one day. His strength is not far from Lu Junxing''s; this is an evenly matched battle."


    Sun Yicheng watched the field where Lu Junxing, concerned about the battle''s aftermath harming spectators, gradually drew the fight from the ground into the sky.


    Hearing Jian Wuming''s words, he only caught two words: stubborn pride.


    Bu Tianming had the best talent, Bu Tianming practiced the best techniques, so Bu Tianming''s strength wasn''t far from Lu Junxing''s.


    What kind of nonsense logic was this?


    Bu Tianming was bound to lose... just like the twin sisters in the first match were bound to lose.


    "I never thought..." he sighed inwardly, "Lu Junxing''s existence would put such pressure on the Boundless Sword Sect. One person making the entire Boundless Sword Sect unable to breathe."


    "It''s understandable. The Boundless Sword Sect ims to be the holynd of sword dao from the immortal legacy, yet not one person can defeat Lu Junxing of the Dao Sword Sect."


    "No wonder the Boundless Sword Sect is anxious. Lu Junxing has reached the Primordial Spirit realm; if they don''t act now, they''ll truly have no chance to turn things around."


    Watching Lu Junxing trading blows with Bu Tianming in the sky, Sun Yicheng suddenly understood the Boundless Sword Sect''s feelings.


    If someone surpassed Zhican Valley in the dao of alchemy, he probably wouldn''t be able to ept it either.


    "However..." he discreetly nced at Qin Ran, "Now everything is going ording to his wishes, so what exactly does he want to do?"


    No matter how strong Lu Junxing was, he was just a warrior, not worth worrying about. If one Primordial Spirit cultivator couldn''t defeat you, what about ten? If ten Primordial Spirit cultivators couldn''t win, they could use poison, set up formations, or bring in a Transformation Stage expert - they would win eventually.


    But someone like Qin Ran, an old fox, was different - you never knew what kind of surprise an old fox might give you at any moment. This was what worried him.


    If everything was going ording to Qin Ran''s n, it was truly terrifying.


    As Lu Junxing and Bu Tianming fought their way into the sky, the sisters Jiang Ran and Jiang Qin stood on either side of Li Shiyin. Jiang Qin asked, "Senior Sister Li, can Senior Brother Lu win?"


    Li Shiyin''s earlier performance of single-handedly dominating the scene and defeating Sikong Changhen with one sword strike had left a tremendous impression on the two sisters. They were already showing signs of idolizing her.


    "Senior Brother Lu is very strong..." Li Shiyin watched the battle in the sky, secretly learning from it as she replied, "Senior Brother Lu won''t lose."


    "Is Senior Brother Lu even stronger than you, Senior Sister Li?" Jiang Ran''s eyes widened.


    Li Shiyin looked down at her, saw the admiring stars in Jiang Ran''s eyes, and couldn''t help but smile. She looked toward her master, feeling a strange sense of pride.


    "Senior Brother Lu is much stronger than me," she replied with a subtle smile.


    "Wow!" Jiang Qin eximed, "Senior Sister, you look so beautiful when you smile."


    Li Shiyin nced up at the battle in the sky, though her eyes asionally darted to Qin Ran with pride and showing off, unable to suppress a smile at the corner of her mouth.


    In the air, Bu Tianming wielded ethereal sword energy, continuously attacking Lu Junxing from all directions. Lu Junxing remained unmoved like a mountain, responding to the ever-changing attacks with unwavering defense, deflecting Bu Tianming''s strikes from every angle with single sword moves.


    On the surface, Bu Tianming appeared to have absolute control of the situation, being the one constantly attacking while Lu Junxing seemed to be forced into retreat, only able to defend.


    The disciples in the sect''s za regained some spirit: "What''s the big deal! Lu Junxing isn''t all that great, he''s being forced into pure defense by Senior Brother Bu."


    "Senior Brother Bu has won, which means we''re at two wins and one loss. We''re still victorious overall. We just let them have one match."


    "Right, we took pity on them and let them win one."


    "Senior Brother Bu..."


    Actually, at the beginning, Bu Tianming did feel he had a slight advantage, but he gradually realized that somehow every defensive sword energy from Lu Junxing was exactly enough to counter his attacking sword energy.


    Not a bit less to allow him to break through, not a bit more to turn the defense into a counter-attack.


    What did this mean?


    It meant that Lu Junxing waspletely superior to him. This was the posture of a master teaching a lesser skilled practitioner!


    When Bu Tianming realized this, he felt deeply insulted.


    He immediately created distance between them, channeled his spiritual power, and swung his Jingming Immortal Sword forward, shouting: "Boundless Sword, Sword of Chaos!"


    Instantly, a hazy chaotic energy appeared between heaven and earth, flowing toward Lu Junxing like cotton or mist.


    In the blink of an eye, the chaospletely enveloped Lu Junxing. Then, streams of grey, blood-tinged sword energy formed within the chaos, shing toward Lu Junxing at its center.


    Lu Junxing held his sword, deflecting the sword energy one after another. But those energies would reform in the chaos after being deflected, endlessly attacking him again.


    He tried to use movement techniques to escape the chaos, only to find that the chaos hadpletely locked him in, making escape impossible.


    "Sword of Chaos?" The Boundless Sword Sect disciples below immediately cheered, "Lu Junxing fell for it so easily?"


    "Who can survive after being caught in Senior Brother Bu''s Sword of Chaos?"


    "Lu Junxing? The number one of this generation?"


    "Not so great after all!"


    "Senior Sister?" Jiang Qin tugged at Li Shiyin''s sleeve, her expression full of worry.


    Li Shiyin nced at her and smiled, shaking her head: "Don''t worry."


    Just as she finished speaking, Lu Junxing''s clear voice rang out in the sky: "Painting of All Mountains and Rivers."


    From around Lu Junxing, streams of ck and white sword energy suddenly burst forth, interweaving to gradually sketch out a small mountain of ck and white colors in the air, like a Chinese ink painting.


    The mountain appeared surrounding Lu Junxing, and as it manifested, it carried sword energy expanding outward, blocking Bu Tianming''s boundless sword energy and pushing back the chaos from his Sword of Chaos.


    Seeing this, Bu Tianming employed more sword techniques, making the chaos expand and press against Lu Junxing''s ck and white mountain.


    However, Lu Junxing was like a masterndscape painter working methodically. Though his movements appeared slow, drawing stroke by stroke, nothing could stop him, and Bu Tianming couldn''t prevent this painting from taking form.


    Streams of sword energy continuously emerged from Lu Junxing''s body, unaffected by the chaos and boundless sword energy, parting the chaos to form mountains. As the mountains spread, a river appeared, its waters flowing, leading to another mountain, which spread further...


    Mountains after mountains, river after river, like a scroll gradually unfurling in the sky above the Boundless Sword Sect, forming aplete Painting of All Mountains and Rivers!


    Bu Tianming''s chaos had already been silently pushed apart and dispersed by the mountain and river painting, and his boundless sword energy slowly dissipated as well. This painting of mountains and rivers filled the entire sky above the Boundless Sword Sect, epassing Bu Tianming within it.


    Below, the Boundless Sword Sect disciples were stunned, their mouths agape, unable to speak.


    "Brother Bu..." Lu Junxing smiled, "How do you find thisndscape painting?"


    Bu Tianming snapped back to his senses, nced at Lu Junxing, and gritted his teeth, unwilling to admit he was overwhelmed. He stepped forward, trying to leave thendscape painting.


    But his movement only made things worse - every stroke forming thendscape painting was made of sword energy, and his movement triggered them all to attack him.


    He deployed his sword techniques to defend with all his might, but still took several hits, bleeding continuously.


    "Senior Brother Bu is trapped!" someone cried out.


    "Is Senior Brother Bu going to lose too?" someone began to cry.


    "Even our invincible Senior Brother Bu is going to lose?"


    "Is this the day of disaster for the Boundless Sword Sect?"


    In the sect''s za, an atmosphere of grief and anger spread among the Boundless Sword Sect disciples.


    Bu Tianming ignored the disciples below and stopped moving, standing properly in ce.


    He looked up at Lu Junxing and snorted coldly: "Lu Junxing, this is far from enough!"


    He employed another sword technique: "Boundless Sword, Heaven''s Gate Opens!"


    A narrow line appeared between heaven and earth, like the brilliant dawn breaking behind mountains at sunrise. The light expanded into a sword energy that seemed to cleave heaven and earth, starting from him and cutting through thendscape painting before him, advancing toward Lu Junxing.


    "It''s Heaven''s Gate Opens!" The Boundless Sword Sect disciples immediately rekindled hope.


    "Can it kill Lu Junxing in one strike?"


    "Excellent sword technique!" Lu Junxing praised with a smile, stepping forward and saying softly, "Sword Walking Through Mountains and Rivers!"


    In an instant, the entirendscape painting came alive, as if real mountains and rivers were weing the arrival of their true god. Streams of sword energy emerged from Lu Junxing''s body and from within thendscape painting, all gathering on his sword. He met the approaching line that cut through heaven and earth with a horizontal sh, cleaving it apart.


    He received an enormous force that pushed him back several steps.


    "Not bad!" he praised again.


    Bu Tianming hadn''t expected his move to only push Lu Junxing back a few steps, and he could no longer bear the blow to his pride.


    "Ah!" He threw his head back and shouted, "Boundless Sword Path, Heaven and Earth Blood Massacre!"


    Suddenly, a blood flower bloomed on his body, spraying blood filled with sword energy; another blood flower bloomed, spreading outward and staining Lu Junxing''s ck and whitendscape painting.


    When Lu Junxing saw Bu Tianming''s technique, he immediately understood it was a death move, a blood sacrifice technique. Greatly rmed, he shouted: "Brother Bu, don''t!"


    He moved so quickly Bu Tianming couldn''t react, appearing before him and thrusting his sword into Bu Tianming''s body. Countless streams of ck and white sword energy emerged from his sword, enveloping Bu Tianming.


    The ck and white sword energy locked Bu Tianming tight from inside out, preventing him from executing his Heaven and Earth Blood Massacre.


    "Brother Bu, this is just a friendly match, there''s no need to risk your life." Having stopped Bu Tianming, Lu Junxing sighed in relief. He withdrew his sword and added, as if remembering something, "This sword move is called Thousand Mountains and Waters."


    He looked at Bu Tianming, nodding and smiling encouragingly, "You''re actually very strong already. Keep going, the road ahead is still long."


    With that, he turned and descended toward the sect''s za on the mountain.


    Bu Tianming watched Lu Junxing''s retreating figure, momentarily considering a sneak attack, but he didn''t follow through. He looked down at the sect''s za, seeing all the Boundless Sword Sect disciples in grief and dejection, and noticed the Sect Master was nowhere to be seen.


    "Boundless Sword Sect..."


    "Sect Master..."


    "The Sect Master must be so disappointed!"


    "I lost!"


    "Lost so miserably!"


    He couldn''t help but cover his face, falling to his knees in the air.


    Blood flowers were still blooming on his body, ck and white sword energy still surrounded him, and the ck and whitendscape painting he was in slowly faded away like an old painting with the passage of time.

 Chapter 425

    "Master, the Boundless Sword Sect is in danger!"


    In the reception hall where everything began, Qin Ran bowed respectfully to the sect master of the Boundless Sword Sect.


    Unlike his arrogant demeanor and proud swordsmanship from the morning, Jian Wuming now appeared dejected with a gloomy expression, looking as if a hailstorm was about to break loose.


    He nced sideways at Qin Ran and said coldly, "What? You think just because you won today, my Boundless Sword Sect is going to be destroyed? Senior Qin, you''re really underestimating our sect!"


    "Not at all," Qin Ran maintained the same faint smile he had worn in the morning. Looking toward Sun Yicheng who sat in the guest seat, he addressed Jian Wuming, "The grave matter concerning the sect''s safety is what I mentioned before thepetition."


    This expression of Qin Ran''s, which Jian Wuming had found merely disgusting like that of a scheming viin in the morning, now seemedden with mockery... making it even more repulsive to him.


    He didn''t want to see Qin Ran''s face for even a moment longer. He looked toward Sun Yicheng... well, another disgusting fellow.


    "As you wished, the fight is over. My sword sect epts the loss," he asked, "What do you have to say? Say it quickly."


    And then get lost! he thought to himself."Master, you don''t really think we were unaware of how you ''secretly ordered the sect''s prodigies to target ordinary disciples of the Dao Sword Sect,'' do you?" Qin Ran said with a slight smile.


    His words not only shocked Jian Wuming, whose face had already been unsightly, but even Sun Yicheng couldn''t maintain his calm expression.


    Here ites, Qin Ran still brought up this matter, he still decided to tear off all pretenses. Sun Yicheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Qin Ran.


    Despite his strong aversion to looking at Qin Ran''s irritating face, Jian Wuming turned to face him.


    "Senior Qin, do you realize what you''re saying?" he asked.


    "Master''s proud swordsmanship naturally means he dares to own up to his actions," Qin Ran said. "Whether what I''m saying is true, false, or fabricated, Master knows in his heart. Would you like me to list in detail the innocent disciples from the Dao Sword Sect who have lost their lives during this period?"


    As he spoke, he pulled out a document from his Universe Bag, about to hand it to Jian Wuming.


    Jian Wuming sat in his seat, his sword-like eyes coldly staring down at Qin Ran, who stood below, calmly meeting his gaze.


    After a while, Jian Wuming spoke: "Someone as deceitful as you should have noticed."


    But he sneered, "Since you know so much, then you should also know... it''s not the Boundless Sword Sect that''s in danger, but rather, the Dao Sword Sect!"


    Hearing this, Qin Ran smiled and raised his hand, using water to create a model of a tripod cauldron in mid-air, in front of Jian Wuming.


    "Please look, Master. This tripod has three legs, which rely on and support each other, making it extremely stable. This is the principle of tripod stability, far more secure than ordinary structures," he pointed out to Jian Wuming, then suddenly wiped away one of the legs. The previously stable tripod immediately tilted to one side and fell to the ground, sshing water everywhere. "When one of the stable three legs is lost, the entire situation immediately copses, and the remaining two legs can hardly sustain it."


    He looked at Jian Wuming and asked, "Master, am I clear enough?"


    When the tripod fell, one of the water droplets sshed onto Jian Wuming''s face, making him feel a slight chill.


    All other expressions disappeared from his face, leaving only gravity. He wiped away the water droplet and looked up at Sun Yicheng.


    The smile had vanished from Sun Yicheng''s face as well, reced by solemnity.


    No one is truly a fool; more often, it''s just a matter of personality that leads some people to prefer using their minds while others don''t.


    A sword cultivator finds a single sword strike far more useful than speaking ten reasons, so sword cultivators don''t like to think; an alchemist finds speaking one sentence far more effective than throwing ten punches, so alchemists are ustomed to thinking.


    So when a sword cultivator''s sword isn''t sharp enough, they too can use their minds.


    At this moment, Jian Wuming saw things he had never considered before.


    How could he have thought so far ahead before?


    Previously, he had only thought about how to destroy the Dao Sword Sect.


    Because the Dao Sword Sect was truly powerful, requiring all his mental effort... and even that wasn''t enough, necessitating advice from Zhican Valley''s cultivators.


    And now, Qin Ran had shown him what would happen if they really destroyed the Dao Sword Sect.


    If only the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley remained in the Hengduan Mountains, would there be peace and stability? No!


    The friction between the two sects would only be more intense than it is now.


    If the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley were to fight then, could the Boundless Sword Sect win?


    They couldn''t!


    Unlike Qin Ran''s uncertain answer, Jian Wuming knew his own sect''s capabilities well, and he knew the Boundless Sword Sect definitely couldn''t defeat Zhican Valley.


    Why?


    The Hengduan Mountains didn''t just have these three major sects; there were many smaller sects as well. When the two sects would fight, these smaller sects would definitely side with Zhican Valley. Because Zhican Valley was an alchemy sect, regrly bestowing benefits through medicinal pills, they had built strong rtionships with the smaller sects. Meanwhile, the Boundless Sword Sect was a sword sect, typically arrogant and overbearing, having offended practically everyone they could in the Hengduan Mountains.


    After a long silence in the reception hall, Jian Wuming, having cleared up the key points, spoke: "Elder Sun, I have important matters to discuss with Senior Qin. Please go rest."


    If Jian Wuming could understand this, naturally Sun Yicheng could too.


    Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and bowed to Jian Wuming, saying: "This youth speaks deceptive words and sows discord. Please execute him immediately, Master!"


    "I have my own considerations," Jian Wuming said expressionlessly.


    "Master, our two houses, thebination of sword and alchemy, is the most suitable alliance," Sun Yicheng quickly said. "May the friendship between our sectsst forever!"


    "Elder, please excuse yourself," Jian Wuming said again.


    Sun Yicheng opened his mouth but didn''t know what else to say. Everything had happened too suddenly, and he couldn''t think of any effective solutions at the moment.


    He nced at Qin Ran, who stood thereposed as ever, rxed and calm in his schr''s robe.


    But once again, he felt terror.


    He sighed, cupped his hands toward Jian Wuming, and turned to leave the reception hall.


    "Senior Qin..." Jian Wuming now looked at Qin Ran directly, no longer ncing sideways or squinting or ring. Looking at him properly for the first time, he realized Qin Ran was quite talented in appearance. He continued, "The situation here is clear to anyone with eyes."


    As if he hadn''t just realized it after Qin Ran''s reminder.


    "I know the danger facing the Boundless Sword Sect," he said. "But seeing clearly and understanding doesn''t help. How to resolve this dangerous situation is the key."


    Qin Ran bowed to Jian Wuming again and smiled, "Master now knows Zhican Valley''s plots and wild ambitions, knows that the Boundless Sword Sect has been used as a weapon by Zhican Valley, betrayed by them.


    "So Master, how should the Boundless Sword Sect deal with these traitors?"


    Jian Wuming answered, "Strip them of their cultivation, remove their sword bones, and ban them from the cultivation world forever."


    "Master..." Qin Ran asked, "Between the Dao Sword Sect and Zhican Valley, which is stronger?"


    Zhican Valley was very wealthy, had medicinal pills, cultivators, and influence, but when it came to actual strength, to fighting, Jian Wuming stated firmly: "The Dao Sword Sect is stronger."


    "Then why does Master choose to ally with Zhican Valley instead of the Dao Sword Sect?" Qin Ran asked.


    Jian Wuming narrowed his eyes, thinking he was being yed for a fool. Was he being asked to jump from the tiger''s den into the wolf''sir?


    "Is this your solution?" his voice turned cold, feeling he was being mocked.


    "Master, Zhican Valley is different from us. It''s an extremely wealthy merchant, rich beyond measure, not a true sect. It doesn''t have the power to protect itself," Qin Ran said. "While both our houses are proper sects. If we destroy Zhican Valley, we can split its abundant resources."


    "What makes you think our two houses could maintain stability?" Jian Wuming sneered.


    If the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley couldn''t coexist peacefully, the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect would be even less likely to do so.


    Qin Ran smiled, clearly prepared. He took out another document from his Universe Bag and sent it to Jian Wuming with his spiritual power.


    Jian Wuming took it and saw the words "Regarding the New Order of the Hengduan Mountains After the War" written on the document. He looked at Qin Ran''s smiling face and opened the document, with the first item being:


    "Regarding the establishment of a new alchemy sect. A lower-ranking alchemy sect, fully controlled by the higher-ranking sects, will be established on the former territory of Zhican Valley..."


    Various details followed.


    The second item stated:


    "Regarding the hosting of the Sword Arts Exchange Conference in the Hengduan Mountains. Peace is the main theme after the war, and in peacetime, other methods can be employed to resolve conflicts between the various sects within the Hengduan Mountains. Upholding principles of justice, openness, and fairness, the allied sects led by the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect will host a Sword Arts Exchange Conference."


    Various details followed.


    The third item:


    "Based on the Sword Arts Exchange Conference, a management organization can be established, led by the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect..."


    Various details followed.


    The fourth item:


    "Based on the Sword Arts Exchange Conference management organization, regarding the new resource allocation n for the Hengduan Mountains..."


    The fifth item:


    "..."


    Jian Wuming read through each item, finding them impressive yet bewildering, only understanding that the post-war Hengduan Mountains would develop peacefully. The region would be better without Zhican Valley.


    However, he didn''t really understand what was written in the document.


    It was like the concept of "Dao" - everyone knows it exists everywhere, but few can exin exactly what it is.


    He felt that the contents of the document were simr - impressive, but he couldn''t understand why or how.


    He closed the document and shook his head, saying to Qin Ran with a cold smile: "This new post-war arrangement you speak of, establishing a Sword Arts Exchange Conference, can be done with or without Zhican Valley. Simrly, such nning can be done with or without the Dao Sword Sect."


    "Sect Leader..." Qin Ran looked at Jian Wuming and reminded him, "The new resource allocation mentioned in the document is about distributing Zhican Valley''s resources. Are you sure Zhican Valley would willingly share their resources?"


    Jian Wuming was momentarily speechless.


    Qin Ran continued: "The Dao Sword Sect only has spirit stones. But spirit stones can''tpare to pills and spiritual herbs. Spirit stones are like money, while spiritual herbs and pills are like food. You can live without money, but not without food. Zhican Valley can let us make new resource ns, but the Dao Sword Sect cannot."


    Jian Wuming had already been confused while reading the document, and now Qin Ran''s words made him even more bewildered.


    After some thought, he said, "I''ll agree to your terms, but I have one condition."


    "Please speak, Sect Leader."


    "I want Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin."


    Qin Ran was startled, then smiled. "Sect Leader must be joking."


    "Then I refuse." Since he couldn''t understand theplexities, Jian Wuming decided to be stubborn.


    "Are you sure about this, Sect Leader?" Qin Ran maintained his confident smile.


    "What do you n to do? Join forces with Zhican Valley against me?" Jian Wuming said bluntly, "My Boundless Sword Sect is just this bare mountain. Take whatever you want from it."


    "Sect Leader..." Qin Ran said, "I will give you several reasons you cannot refuse."


    "Speak."


    "First, I told my Sect Master that if this negotiation fails, the Dao Sword Sect willunch a death attack on the Boundless Sword Sect, preferring to die fighting rather than submit, trading life for life.


    "Second, while the Sect Master knows how powerful Lu Junxing and Li Shiyin are and wants to keep them, has he considered what would happen if cultivators as powerful as Li Shiyin and Lu Junxing were to go on a killing spree within the Boundless Sword Sect?


    "Third, during these days when the Sect Master has been avoiding me, I left something in the Boundless Sword Sect..." As he spoke, Qin Ran tossed a pill to Jian Wuming, "This is a Clear Mind Pill, for mental rity, and it''s harmless. However, when ites in contact with the Soul-Returning Powder I''ve scattered in the air of the Boundless Sword Sect, it bes a deadly poison that dissolves blood and melts bones. Anyone below the Golden Core realm will certainly die."


    Jian Wuming''s expression grew increasingly grim. He brought the Clear Mind Pill to his nose and sniffed it, immediately feeling changes in his body, confirming Qin Ran''s words were true. He had indeed poisoned the Boundless Sword Sect.


    Qin Ran tossed another pill to Jian Wuming, saying, "This is the antidote."


    He kindly reminded Jian Wuming, "If I can do this much, what about Zhican Valley?


    "Sect Leader, what is your answer?"


    First analyzing the pros and cons, letting Jian Wuming know that following Zhican Valley meant certain death; then enticement, establishing an "imaginary" new post-war order to distribute the Hengduan Mountains'' resources; followed by threats, using poison and force; finally, maniption, taking advantage of Jian Wuming''s inability to understand what he had written.


    So Jian Wuming had no choice; he waspletely at Qin Ran''s mercy.


    He could only nod.


    "Good!"

 Chapter 426

    Qin Ran left the reception hall of the Boundless Sword Sect, found Li Shiyin, Lu Junxing, and others, mounted Chasing the Wind, and headed straight out of the Boundless Sword Sect.


    They took off directly from the mountain thousands of meters high where the Boundless Sword Sect was located, flying quickly toward the Dao Sword Sect.


    Halfway through, Lu Junxing looked at Qin Ran and asked, "Uncle-Master, why are you in such a hurry? Did the negotiations fall through?"


    "No..." Qin Ran had been smiling when he left the reception hall, but now that they had left the Boundless Sword Sect, his expression gradually darkened. By now, it had be unusually grim. He replied to Lu Junxing, "The negotiations were sessful. The Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect decided to ally with us."


    "Then?" Lu Junxing was very confused.


    "Something unexpected happened..." Qin Ran said, "I didn''t expect Jian Wuming to be so foolish as to directly invite people from Zhican Valley. Now that Zhican Valley knows about our negotiations, things will definitely not go as I nned."


    "What will happen?"


    As Chasing the Wind ran swiftly, Qin Ran sat on its back, watching the mountains, waters, and trees rapidly receding behind them. With a grave expression, he exined, "Zhican Valley will receive the news and prepare in advance, and even..."


    He emphasized each word, "They might make desperate moves."Shortly after Qin Ran left the reception hall, Sun Yicheng was brought back by the Sect''s people.


    Jian Wuming was still sitting in the main seat. He looked at Sun Yicheng as he walked in and smiled, asking, "Do you know what Qin Ran discussed with me?"


    "Nothing more than trying to win you over," Sun Yicheng said. "I hope you''ve thought it through. Zhican Valley has medicinal pills, spirit stones, and endless resources. Cooperating with the Dao Sword Sect can''tpare to cooperating with Zhican Valley."


    Jian Wuming wore a cold smile as he said, "I''ve already agreed to Qin Ran''s proposal."


    "What?!" Sun Yicheng was shocked, "Do you know what you''re doing? This is unwise! Whatever the Dao Sword Sect can give you, Zhican Valley can match; what the Dao Sword Sect can''t provide, Zhican Valley can still offer. If you don''t believe this, consider our years of cooperation. How can you betray us without reason? How will you maintain your standing in the cultivation world after this?!"


    "If you don''t tell and I don''t tell, who will know?" Jian Wuming said, "Besides, when has the cultivation world ever cared about loyalty?"


    Even Sun Yicheng, known for his deep scheming, was panicking now. Because with Jian Wuming''s words, it wasn''t just Zhican Valley that was in danger ¨C he was in even greater peril. Whether he could leave the Boundless Sword Sect alive today was now uncertain.


    "What did Qin Ran discuss with you?" Sun Yicheng stared at Jian Wuming and asked, "Zhican Valley can give you all the spirit stones that the Dao Sword Sect has. What more do you want?!"


    Seeing Sun Yicheng''s panic, Jian Wuming appeared more rxed. He leaned back in his chair and said, "Qin Ran said that it would be easier for the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect to unite and destroy Zhican Valley than for the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley to unite and destroy the Dao Sword Sect. I think he''s right."


    Sun Yicheng tried to keep himself calm. Remembering the previous cauldron incident, he hurriedly asked, "Then how can your two sects coexist peacefully? Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect can coexist because we focus on different aspects ¨C one on medicine, one on martial arts. But how can the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect maintain peace? When two tigers fight, one must die!"


    Jian Wuming took out the scroll Qin Ran had given him from his Universe Bag, showing it to Sun Yicheng while smiling, "Senior Qin is truly talented. He has already madeprehensive ns. After Zhican Valley''s destruction, the Hengduan Mountains will enter a new era."


    Sun Yicheng suffered another heavy blow, almost unable to stand steady.


    He asked yfully, "ns... since you have ns, why not cooperate with Zhican Valley using them? After all, we had agreed first."


    "For this n to work, Zhican Valley must die," Jian Wuming replied, putting away the ns.


    Could Zhican Valley really be facing its end? Sun Yicheng stepped back twice.


    "Sect Leader, how has Zhican Valley treated you?" he asked hopefully.


    "Very well," Jian Wuming said. "That''s why I''m telling you that at the end of this month, we willunch a full-scale attack on Zhican Valley.


    "This is out of consideration for the years of friendship between Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect. I''m telling you so you can prepare and minimize casualties." ??£Á????????


    "End of the month?" Sun Yicheng was stunned and asked, "What date is it today?"


    "The sixteenth!"


    "Fourteen days left..." Sun Yicheng turned around and rushed out of the reception hall, heading straight back to Zhican Valley.


    "Sect Leader?" someone in the reception hall asked Jian Wuming, "Why didn''t you kill him?"


    "Kill him?" Jian Wuming looked at his shadow and sneered, "Why should I kill him?


    "Zhican Valley wants to use the Boundless Sword Sect as a pawn, nning to destroy us after eliminating the Dao Sword Sect, to rule the Hengduan Mountains alone. The Dao Sword Sect also wants to use us as a pawn, nning to destroy us after eliminating Zhican Valley, also wanting to dominate the Hengduan Mountains. They all want to be the hegemon of the Hengduan Mountains...


    "Since the Hengduan Mountains is destined to have a hegemon, destined to have a victor, why can''t it be our Boundless Sword Sect?"


    "The Dao Sword Sect also wants to destroy the Boundless Sword Sect?" the shadow asked, confused. "But didn''t Qin Ran provide aprehensive n?"


    "n?" Jian Wuming took out Qin Ran''s scroll and destroyed it with sword energy, turning it to ash. "That''s just child''s y. They really think I''m that easily fooled."


    The shadow paused, then asked, "How will the Boundless Sword Sect be the final winner?"


    "They all look down on our Boundless Sword Sect, thinking we''re the weakest," Jian Wuming looked out the window, his eyes full of calction. "Now that I''ve leaked the information to Zhican Valley, they will surely fight to the death. Tell me, will theye to the Boundless Sword Sect or go to the Dao Sword Sect?"


    "More likely the Boundless Sword Sect," the shadow said. "Because we have the weakest overall strength..."


    "No!" Jian Wuming sneered, "They will definitely go to the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Because if Zhican Valley attacks the Boundless Sword Sect, the Dao Sword Sect mighte to our aid. But if Zhican Valley attacks the Dao Sword Sect, I''ve promised Zhican Valley that I''ll act as their inside man and switch sides at the right moment."


    He stood up, looking at the setting red sun outside, and said in a deep voice, "When the snipe and the m fight, the fisherman benefits. Since they don''t take us seriously, let them fight among themselves!"


    Qin Ran returned to the Dao Sword Sect and went straight to the Sect Leader''s cave dwelling.


    "Sect Leader, there''s been a change," he said gravely.


    "Did it fail?" Gu Yueming asked in surprise.


    "No..." Qin Ran hesitated, then said, "But it could be considered a failure."


    "What exactly happened?" Gu Yueming asked.


    "Zhican Valley''s people were at the Boundless Sword Sect..." Qin Ran said, "I''m worried Zhican Valley will fight desperately."


    After thinking for a moment, he said, "So, Sect Leader, it''s time to mobilize all the sect''s cultivators. Everyone needs to return and prepare for defense. We must be ready for battle at any moment."


    "Defense?"


    "Yes..." Qin Ran sighed, "I agreed with the Boundless Sword Sect on the end of the month. But before then, we must prepare our defenses."


    Hearing his tone, Gu Yueming frowned and asked, "What about you?"


    "I must go into seclusion for a while to develop new methods for spiritual medicine cultivation and true formations..." Qin Ran said, "If the new spiritual medicine cultivation method is sessful, Zhican Valley will no longer matter."


    Gu Yueming looked at him, knowing that even if he stayed, he wasn''t suited for directbat, and could only say, "Go ahead with your seclusion..."

 Chapter 427

    Author''s Note: This chapter contains the author''s random thoughts and musings, please read with discretion.


    As a new author with a new book, I''ve finally reached one million words, which feels quite remarkable. It''s like climbing a steep and tall mountain - when you look up from the foot of the mountain, you feel intimidated and want to retreat. But once you gather the courage to take that first step forward, then another, and another, suddenly you realize you''ve climbed so high. That''s exactly this wonderful feeling.


    How did this book begin? An idea popped into my head - it would be interesting to write a love story set in a cultivation world. Having these immortal cultivators who can move mountains and seas, who can defy the heavens, experience an ordinary, mundane romance - ordinary cultivators having ordinary love stories and trying to survive in the cultivation world. I showed the initial draft to my editor, who said it had potential, so I started writing.


    So this book started with a simple idea, and then I gradually added more elements to it: an ordinary rtionship between a man and woman wouldn''t be interesting enough, so I needed to add some taboo and ethical elements. It could have been between senior and junior disciples, but that wasn''t necessary - a master and disciple rtionship would obviously be more interesting. The main characters could be casual andid-back, but that wouldn''t be enough vor. The cultivation world needed its essential elements: there had to be geniuses, there had to be mediocre talents, there had to be the ssic sectpetitions, the dark jungle rules, the dangerous treasure hunting and killing. While the main characters could live peacefully, all the major events typical of a cultivation world had to be present. The main characters needed some interaction, so I created a mature, steady, and secretly cunning master alongside a carefree genius who acts like a fool.


    Yes, that''s how it went - writing and adding elements as I went along, adding whatever I found interesting. That''s how it evolved into its current form.


    Most readers seemed to enjoy the plot, but there were some parts that made people ufortable. Particrly the sword-forging section, which I roughly estimate caused this book to lose one-third of its readers. Let me share some thoughts about these various aspects.


    Regarding the sword-forging section, there are things that can be said and things that can''t. What can''t be said is that when I look back at that plot myself, I also feel it was too idealistic and the plot was a bit rough. What I can say, or rather my excuse is, firstly, when I started writing this book, I never imagined many people would read it. I thought only one friend plus maybe one or two new friends would read it, I never expected more than ten people would see this book, so I wrote quite freely. I wrote whatever I found interesting, without considering if the plot made sense. A chunni little snake girl? Interesting, so let''s not kill her. The protagonist would kill her, but as the author, I said no, you don''t want to kill. Camping? Interesting. Let''s have the brother-inw see it and misunderstand? Interesting. So I just wrote it without thinking too much. The protagonist says "I''m not that kind of person," but as the author, I say, "No, you are." The female lead shouts "Starlight, st them!" - ying with memes, interesting. Being too idealistic? What''s that? The author didn''t think that far.


    Another thing I can say is (with a serious face), this plot arc is called sword-forging, forging both the physical sword in her hand and the metaphorical sword in her heart. The physical sword is the Lifebound Sword, the tangible de; the sword in her heart teaches her the survival ways of the cultivation world, an intangible de. She''s a fifteen or sixteen-year-old privileged youngdy, and transforming her into a Sword Immortal who wields sword energy requires a process. Think about it - what are fifteen or sixteen-year-old modern girls doing? They''re in their third year of middle school or first year of high school. Getting them to take up a sword and kill isn''t something that happens easily.


    Besides this, there are many who criticize the female lead for being too stupid, too idiotic, needing the male lead to teach her everything. About this, I want to say, if the female lead started out being cunning, sophisticated, intelligent, calm, and decisive, what would we need the male lead for?There are also those who criticize the male lead for being sneaky and sleazy, and for having a fear of heights... well... Whether it''s being cautious or stable, it''s ying on Li Changshou''s character trait, and the fear of heights is ying on Song Shuhang''s trait. I thought it was fun and added it, but when readers seriously point out these as ws, I don''t know what to say. Actually, except for the sleaziness which I wrote seriously, the fear of heights was purely for fun and had zero impact on the plot.


    There are also those who criticize the male lead for being a simp and the female lead for being too idealistic. Onement section was full of such criticism, which made me feel quite dejected. From Qin Ran''s character perspective, he probably never imagined in his life that he would be called a simp... What I can say is, whether it''s about this book or my personal life experience, never just look at what someone does on the surface. Don''t just listen to what someone says, look at what they do and what their purpose is. For someone like Qin Ran, his initial kindness to Li Shiyin clearly had impure motives. If, if Li Shiyin wasn''t this naive personality, and I''ve hinted at this before, if it was Tian Wenjin who became Qin Ran''s disciple, things would have been very different... When Qin Ran kills people, he doesn''t even flinch.


    There are also those who apply worldbuilding concepts from other worlds... like having the Qi Condensation stage before Foundation Establishment, or having Spirit Movement and Fasting stages after Foundation Establishment, or concepts like Merging with Dao and Void Return, or what the status of alchemists should be in the cultivation world, or what makes a qualified sect leader, patriarch, parent, etc.


    Of course, besides the criticism, there are more people who like this book. This makes me very happy. It''s truly a joyful and honorable thing when something you''ve written is enjoyed by others.


    Some say the plot logic is good, some say the pacing isfortable, some say the story is gentle and smooth, some enjoy the sweet moments... In short, you all are really too kind, always able to find good points in this story. You really... I''m crying!


    Actually, I know the writing isn''t that good, the writing style is immature, the plot is rough - it''s your great tolerance and excellent readingprehension that found some points of interest and merit to keep reading. I''m very moved.


    In particr, I''ve seen some readers''ments that make me feel like I''ve found kindred spirits and teachers. They say this story has good pacing, being calm when it should be calm and intense when it should be intense; they say the story has a good core, showing ordinary people and ordinary cultivators against the backdrop of an era of natural and human disasters; they say the character building is good, showing both thepetition between geniuses and the struggles of ordinary cultivators in the cultivation world; they say it captures the true mentality of transmigrators; they say it shows what should be done after transmigrating, and so on. There are many very thoughtful and wonderful friends.


    How should I put it? I''m a bit embarrassed. Because I did want to write the things you mentioned in your reviews, but due to my poor writing skills, insufficient philosophical understanding and life experience, these things weren''t written clearly. In other words, I only intended to write this way and tried to move in this direction, only managing to write something vague, and your discerning eyes have already seen through my little thoughts.


    Above are some author responses to everyone''s reviews of this book. Whether good or bad, praise or criticism, I''ve quietly read them all. Except for those that are purely abusive or emotional venting, most criticism, although I''m not happy about it, I actually know these are problems with the book. So I still thank them, without them (them, because they probably won''t read this far) pointing these out, I wouldn''t know about these problems. Just like I never expected someone like me would write an idealistic female lead.


    Then what you need to know is, this isn''t a book about leveling up by fighting monsters, it''s not aboutpleting the expanded map, it''s not about the main characters reaching the peak of the world. Many friends have said this is a romance novel. When does a romance end? When the main characters get married. So... you understand.


    Finally, I''m very happy that people are reading this book, and I hope you''re happy while reading it and happy in your life. Without doubt, I will work hard to learn and make sure your reading experience is always positive.


    Love you all! Here''s wishing you an early Happy New Year!!

 Chapter 428

    Qin Ran returned to Dan Peak and saw Li Shiyin practicing sword dance on the surface of Sword Washing Lake.


    Before their marriage, his silly disciple loved wearing white robes because the flowing white garments made her look like an immortal, and she enjoyed being called a sword fairy. However, after their marriage, his silly disciple began wearing more borate clothes and started adorning herself with essories.


    At this moment, she wore an outer garment primarily in crimson red, decorated with pure white peonies, with a light-colored inner garment beneath. Her jade-colored beltplemented the white peonies on her outer garment, adding a touch of elegance to her ornate appearance. At her waist hung the sword-shaped token he had given her and the Universe Bag that reflected his straightforward male aesthetic. Her hair was styled in a married woman''s fashion, adorned with a jade hairpin.


    Her entire demeanor had transformed from that of a typical young girl''s innocence and liveliness to that of a mature, elegant, and extraordinarily skilled swordswoman who appeared to be just an ordinary housewife. She could no longer be called his silly disciple; "wife" or "madam" better suited her transformed character.


    Li Shiyin danced with her sword, each move perfectly paced, the transitions between techniques as smooth as Dove chocte.


    Her garments flowed with her movements, and her graceful figure moved freely throughout. She appeared to be dancing, like a butterfly fluttering among flowers, like a white cloud drifting beneath the pure moonlight, like a lotus flower in Sword Washing Lake swaying with hundreds of other lotus flowers in the wind.


    If Qin Ran remembered correctly, Du Fu had written a poem about Aunt Gongsun''s sword dance, saying "Swift as Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful as imperial dragons soaring in flight. Arriving like thunder''s angry roar, ending like clear light settling on calm seas." Though Qin Ran had never seen Aunt Gongsun''s sword dance, he knew that no matter how beautiful it was, it couldn''tpare to his Li Shiyin''s performance. It was also a shame that Du Fu never saw Li Shiyin''s sword dance, or he would surely have written even more romantic and exaggerated descriptions... perhaps Li Bai would have too.


    Li Shiyin danced with her sword, then stopped, standing on theke''s surface, looking down at the water in contemtion. When she became still, theke''s gentle breeze rustled her clothes, her celestial beauty and graceful figure resembling a jade statue standing on the water''s surface... a living, breathing jade statue with a soul.


    Looking at Li Shiyin, Qin Ran suddenly felt that words could hardly describe her."You are perfect, I wouldn''t trade you for anything."


    Li Shiyin thought for a while, seemingly having figured something out, and began dancing with her sword again to verify her insights.


    As she danced this time, she noticed Qin Ran standing there and broke into a happy smile, her almond-shaped eyes filled with joy. Seeing him made her whole being radiate happiness from within.


    "Master!" she called out loudly.


    She continued her sword dance without stopping.


    "How does this move look?" she asked.


    "Beautiful," Qin Ran nodded and asked, "Is this a new sword technique you''veprehended?"


    It seemed his silly disciple had gained some insights from her visit to the Boundless Sword Sect.


    "Yes!" Li Shiyin was delighted, "Master, you could tell?"


    "..." How could Qin Ran possibly understand Li Shiyin''s current sword realm? He hadn''t been able toprehend it for a long time. He had merely guessed because these moves weren''t part of her usual practice routine. ?


    "Mm!" he responded.


    "Then Master, you have to help name it!" Li Shiyin said, "Once this move is perfected, it will definitely be powerful."


    "Alright," Qin Ran nodded.


    To avoid disturbing Li Shiyin''s practice, Qin Ran watched for a while longer before leaving Sword Washing Lake.


    He arrived outside the wooden cabin and saw arge white tiger standing under an old spiritual locust tree, head tilted up, using itsrge mouth to search for locust flowers among the branches.


    If outsiders saw this, they would surely exim how it was like a fierce tiger delicately sniffing roses!


    But he knew very well that the silly tiger just wanted to eat some locust flowers. It was like a cow chewing on peonies.


    The "fierce tiger" found a branch full of pure white locust flowers, opened itsrge mouth, bit and pulled, bringing the bountiful branch of locust flowers into its mouth. In the process, it also pulled down countless branches, leaves, and other white locust flower petals.


    More fell to the ground than stayed in its mouth. It was quite a clumsy operation.


    The white tiger turned its head with the white flower branch in its mouth, saw Qin Ran, and called out foolishly, "Papa!"


    As it called out, the flower branch fell from its mouth, and it hurriedly lowered its head to catch it. Though it caught the branch, its whole demeanor was filled with silliness.


    "Hehe..." itughed stupidly with the branch in its mouth, padding over to Qin Ran with cat-like steps, and mumbled while showing him the branch, "Papa, help me make that thing, the fried locust flower with egg whites..."


    Qin Ran gave its big head a p and pointed at the scattered flowers and leaves on the ground, saying with augh, "How about I fry you instead?!"


    Chasing the Wind looked back, unfazed, and smiled, "That works too."


    "Clean up the ground..." Qin Ran really had no way to deal with this thick-skinned, fearless creature, "All you do is eat all day, eat eat eat, one of these days we''ll eat you instead."


    Chasing the Wind swished its tail, stirring up a breeze that scattered the flower petals and leaves everywhere, making the mess spread beyond just under the tree.


    "I heard from Seven that tiger meat doesn''t taste good."


    Qin Ran gave it a kick, saying angrily, "Clean it properly! If you don''t clean it well, you won''t get any food today."


    "Ah!" Chasing the Wind sighed. A cat''s life is hard.


    Qin Ran walked through the swirling flower petals and branches, went around the wooden cabin, walked to the riverside, and then headed towards the back mountain.


    Chasing the Wind was ying with the wind and branches on this side, but when it caught sight of Qin Ran heading to the back mountain from the corner of its eye, it quickly called out alertly, "Papa, what are you going to do at the back mountain?"


    Qin Ran couldn''t be bothered to answer.


    "Only Youyou is at the back mountain..." Chasing the Wind shouted again, "I''m going to tell Shiyin!"


    A sock flew from behind the wooden cabin, heading straight for its mouth. It reacted quickly, catching the sock with its paw, sniffed it, and realized it was the sock Papa had just taken off.


    The back mountain had many cave dwellings, one after another, like a honeb. Dan Peak had declined for hundreds of years, and perhaps only these "honebs" could prove that Dan Peak once had many inhabitants.


    Qin Ran stood by the waterfall, sensing his surroundings, then leaped up and entered a cave dwelling near the waterfall, its entrance decorated with pink peach blossoms.


    He knocked on the main door, which opened automatically. He entered, and the door closed behind him. In the main hall of the cave, papers were scattered everywhere, covered with mathematics and formation arrays, ranging from elementary to university-level mathematics, and from basic to advanced arrays. Papers were piled up in heaps, some scattered by the wind across the entire hall. It looked exactly like a male science student''sboratory.


    Qin Ran found Tushan Youyou in one of the rooms in the cave.


    While the outer hall was chaotic, Tushan Youyou''s "boudoir" was neat and clean. Pink, cozy, and romantic, just like a young girl''s room.


    The room had a window through which natural light streamed in, and Tushan Youyou had ced a desk by the window where she studied.


    Tushan Youyou''s chair was a soft seat woven from bamboo strips, with a soft cushion underneath. If Qin Ran wasn''t mistaken, the chair was woven by Zhang Junyi, and the cushion was a magical item given by Dong Zhongyuan.


    "Hah! How dare youe to my ce?" Tushan Youyou teased. She had lived on the back mountain for so many years, but this was the first time Qin Ran had ever visited.


    She had apparently been writing something when Qin Ran interrupted her. Now that he had entered the room, she sat in her chair, holding a pen in one hand, twisting her waist to look back at him.


    She was already a fox spirit, with beauty and figure surpassing even Li Shiyin''s, and this twist made her appear even more enchanting and seductive.


    Qin Ran walked to her desk and looked out the window, discovering that this spot offered a perfect view of all of Dan Peak, without the wooden cabin below blocking the view. Usually, Tushan Youyou must observe everything happening on Dan Peak from this vantage point.


    "You''ve got a nice spot here," Qin Ran said, "I''m tempted to move to the back mountain myself."


    "The cave dwelling next door is empty, I had cleaned it up earlier, nning to use it for storing array materials," Tushan Youyou leaned back in her chair, twirling her pen on the desk as she smiled at Qin Ran, "You could live next door, be my neighbor. I''ve heard that after human men get married, they have studies and guest rooms, and when they can''t handle their wives'' excessive demands, they make excuses to sleep in their studies. You''ve only just gotten married, and you''re already at your limit?"


    Qin Ran shifted his gaze back to the fox spirit and asked, "Are you still a virgin?"


    "I''m a fox spirit," Tushan Youyou replied. "I''ve sampled at least a hundred men."


    "I''m not talking about the men you''ve seduced and whose souls you''ve devoured," Qin Ran said. "I mean, have you actually slept with any men?"


    "Oh?" Tushan Youyou shook her upper body, making her magnificent breasts wave like the ocean. Her face took on an alluring expression as she smiled, "Finally interested in me? Come right ahead, I''ve been waiting for this day for a long time!"


    Qin Ran shook his head, leaning against the table, and replied, "I''m physically weak, I couldn''t satisfy you. You should find yourself a robust man, preferably a Yuan Ying stage body cultivator - that would be more suitable for you."


    "Those crude, lowly body cultivators, how could they be as interesting as a man like you?" Tushan Youyou said seductively. "Men are all more or less the same in that department, I''ve seen plenty. What''s inside is what truly matters."


    "Ah..." Qin Ran understood. "So that''s why fox spirits prefer schrs. Since no man can satisfy you physically anyway, might as well find one with something in his head."


    "Where did you get that idea from?" Tushan Youyou asked, puzzled. "I''ve never heard of such a thing."


    "That''s how all the supernatural tales write it," Qin Ran said.


    "That must be the schrs'' own fantasy!" Tushan Youyou urately pointed out.


    Not wanting to continue this pointless conversation, Qin Ran looked at her desk, which somewhat resembled his own, covered with books on arrays, mathematics, and materials.


    Where Tushan Youyou''s ample chest pointed, she had been writing the basic structure of an array, apparently a containment array.


    "How''s your Peach Blossom Arraying along?" he asked.


    "It already has illusion effects," Tushan Youyouy on the desk, her chest pressing against the papers, pointing through the window for Qin Ran. "That area, wherever there are peach blossoms, it''s all part of the illusion array."


    "Just illusion effects?" Qin Ran asked.


    "For now, yes," Tushan Youyou said. "Later, I''ll add containment and killing arrays."


    She added, "If you don''t object, I n to nt peach blossoms all around your mountain protection array."


    "Heh!" Qin Ran chuckled, "We''ll see about thatter!"


    "By the way..." he asked, "You''re not really a beast from the Land of Immortal Legacy, are you?"


    "Why wouldn''t I be?" Tushan Youyou said, "I am."


    "You''re a nine-tailed fox from the Demon Region," Qin Ran said. "Not the same species as the fox spirits from the Land of Immortal Legacy."


    "You investigated me?" Tushan Youyou frowned.


    Qin Ran looked at her and smiled, "Is that strange? It would be stranger if I hadn''t investigated you."


    Tushan Youyou realized this and oddly felt relieved - this was indeed typical of Qin Ran''s style.


    "What difference does it make where I''m from?" she asked.


    "Why did youe to Lingnan Region?" Qin Ran asked. "And why aren''t you nning to go back?"


    "I don''t want to go back."


    "Your bloodline is very pure," Qin Ran said. "You''re not an ordinary nine-tailed fox."


    Tushan Youyou remained silent for a while, then looked at Qin Ran and asked, "So, what are you trying to say? That I''m harmful to Dan Peak? Are you nning to deal with me?"


    Qin Ran looked out the window, suddenly sighed, and said, "No, I''m saying you can find an opportunity to go back now."

 Chapter 429

    "What do you mean?" Tushan Youyou looked at Qin Ran. "Are you trying to make me leave?"


    Qin Ran stood at the table, gazing through the window behind it at Sword Washing Lake, where emerald lotus leaves and fresh lotus flowers dotted the surface. Li Shiyin was still practicing her swordy on theke. Outside the wooden cabin, the old spiritual locust tree bore tender green branches and pure white locust flowers, while Chasing the Wind was searching for locust flowers beneath it.


    "War ising," Qin Ran said softly. "The Hengduan Mountains, the entire Land of Immortal Legacy - chaos is about to break out across the realm. If you don''t leave now, you won''t be able to leave at all."


    "What happened?" Tushan Youyou followed his gaze outside, seeing Dan Peak still peaceful and serene, showing no signs of impending war.


    "The Hengduan Mountains have never truly been peaceful. Zhican Valley, perhaps spoiled by constant ttery, truly believes they''re the strongest sect and no longer wishes to share power with the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect. They''ve been stirring up trouble constantly. After they thoroughly destroyed Dan Peak''s alchemy traditions, Zhican Valley became undisputedly the strongest in alchemy throughout the Land of Immortal Legacy. So they initially nned to use pills to gradually and secretly weaken the Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect''s power. But I disrupted that n.


    "So they changed their strategy, allying with the Boundless Sword Sect to iste the Dao Sword Sect, specifically targeting their next generation of disciples to weaken their future strength. But I discovered that too.


    "Now, I''ve deliberately intensified the conflicts... so war will break out soon. Tomorrow at the earliest, by the end of the month at thetest."


    "So..." Tushan Youyou turned her gaze from the window to Qin Ran, "if I understand correctly, you''re the one who instigated this conflict?"


    "Hmm?" Qin Ran smiled, still looking at Sword Washing Lake. "You could say that.""If you started the fight, then you should go fight it yourself!" Tushan Youyou demanded. "Why do you have to make me leave? Am I taking up too much space at Dan Peak?"


    "Because I''m afraid..." Qin Ran suddenly sighed. "When the three sects go to war, it will affect the entire Hengduan Mountains, even the mortal kingdoms beyond. I can''t read the situation anymore; I don''t know who will ultimately win.


    "I''m panicking, and I want to run away too."


    "What?" Tushan Youyouughed in disbelief. She suddenly remembered her first encounter with Qin Ran - even though he had been enchanted by her, his cowardice kept him from leaving the tree hollow. Sure enough, you''re still the same coward, haven''t changed a bit. "You create this huge mess, and then you''re nning to just walk away and abandon everything?"


    "That''s why my conscience is troubled," Qin Ran said. "I don''t know what the mindset was of those strategists who manipted affairs during the Spring and Autumn Period. But right now, I feel very ufortable, like vengeful spirits mighte knocking at my door at night."


    Tushan Youyou looked at him, contempt flickering in her eyes, and asked, "Aren''t you more frightening than vengeful spirits?


    "Even vengeful spirits would help close the door for you when they see you."


    "Haha..." Qin Ranughed heartily at her words, then stood up and walked toward the door, saying, "Alright, I just came to tell you this today. If you want to leave, leave soon."


    Tushan Youyou twisted her waist, her eyes following him to the door, and asked, "Didn''t youe today to study bedroom arts with me?"


    "Watch what you say. You might not be able to beat Shiyin now," Qin Ran said at the doorway, looking back at Tushan Youyou. "That girl is possessive; she might cut you down at any moment. Your death wouldn''t matter, but don''t drag me into it. I value my life."


    With that, he closed the door and left.


    Tushan Youyou stared at the door Qin Ran had closed, her eyes - capable of enchanting all beings under heaven - fixed on it for a long while before she murmured to herself: "How many schrs in the world are like you?"


    He made her feel afraid, made her unconsciously respectful, made her feel controlled, gave her a sense of submission, made her infatuated and unwilling to leave.


    Dan Peak was nice... but what was nice had always been a certain person.


    She turned back to look through the window, at Sword Washing Lake, at the woman practicing swordy on its surface, at the peach blossom grove by theke, looking for that woman in the grove...


    But that woman wasn''t in the peach blossom grove. The grove wasn''t called Youyou''s Peach Blossom Grove.


    "I want to fill the mountain with peach blossoms." Thus, someone sighed in this chamber.


    Qin Ran left the cave dwelling, jumped back to the waterfall''s edge, and walked through the mist along the stream to the small bridge.


    Standing at the bridge, he looked back at Chasing the Wind under the old spiritual locust tree, finding that silly child perched on the tree, secretly watching him to see if he had done anything to betray Shiyin.


    Annoyed, he lifted his foot, took off his other sock, and threw it at Chasing the Wind.


    Crossing the small wooden bridge to the research building, Qin Ran stood below, looking up at this modern structure where every brick and tile had been refined and built by his own hands... this was one of his few remaining modern memories.


    He entered the building and found Long Qiqi in the first-floor alchemy room.


    The cunning little loli was leaning against an alchemy furnace much taller than herself, studying a pill form.


    "What form are you studying?" he asked as he walked in.


    Long Qiqi nced at him, continued reading her form, and replied, "The Annihtion Pill."


    "The Annihtion Pill?" Qin Ran walked to Long Qiqi''s side, took the form, scanned it up and down, and pointed out her mistake, "The order of Spirit White Astragalus and Snow-Viewing Flower is reversed."


    He asked curiously, "Why are you studying the Annihtion Pill already?"


    Long Qiqi took out her little notebook from her storage bag, turned and pressed it against the alchemy furnace to correct the pill-making steps, saying, "Preparing early for Core Formation. The earlier the preparation, the higher the sess rate."


    Qin Ran held back hisughter as he looked the chubby cunning little loli up and down, saying, "You''re only at early Foundation Establishment now, quite far from mid Foundation Establishment. Isn''t this preparation a bit too early?"


    "My Core Formation is still far off..." Long Qiqi started to say, then suddenly stopped.


    But Qin Ran understood. Her Core Formation might be far off, but Zhang Junyi''s might not be - with his superior spirit root, he could reach Core Formation in less than ten years at a fast pace.


    "But Zhang Junyi won''t need the Annihtion Pill, will he?" he questioned.


    Long Qiqi became flustered, turning to re at Qin Ran, "What does it matter to me whether he needs the Annihtion Pill or not? I''m preparing it for myself!"


    "Yes, yes, of course..." Qin Ran nodded teasingly.


    "Believe what you want!" Long Qiqi turned back huffily, but inexplicably put away the pill-making steps.


    Qin Ran stopped teasing the tsundere loli and took out a pill form from his storage bag, handing it to her, "If you have time, you might as well study this form instead."


    Long Qiqi turned to take the form, and when she looked at it closely, she saw threerge characters on the cover reading "Heaven-Mending Pill," with a line of smaller text below reading "repairs cultivators'' innate qualities." She immediately became excited, looked up at Qin Ran, and asked with pursed lips, "There''s such a wonderful thing? Why didn''t you bring it out earlier?!"


    With that, she opened the form.


    The first sentence she saw made her almost loseposure - "This pill is refined using water-method alchemy."


    She was a fire-method alchemist!


    She held herself back and continued reading, but when she saw the first ingredient, shepletely lost it - "Requires a pair of fine-scaled long-tailed sea dragons, sun-dried and finely ground into powder as the pill base."


    What on earth is a fine-scaled long-tailed sea dragon?!


    She looked up to see Qin Ran standing there with his arms crossed, trying to hold back hisughter, his face full of amusement at her expense.


    "You came specifically to make fun of me, didn''t you?!" she asked angrily.


    "No!" Qin Ran shook his head and said seriously, "I swear, this pill form is absolutely genuine. I''m not deceiving you at all."


    "You swear?" Long Qiqi smiled. "If oaths from someone like you were worth anything, the sun would have risen in the west long ago."


    But she still skeptically put away the form.


    "This is a recently acquired form..." Qin Ran exined to her, "It really is the ''Heaven-Mending Pill,'' but it''s a form from the sea region, so all the required ingredients are from the sea.


    "What you need to do is simply rece the ingredients in the form with ones we have here."


    Long Qiqi rolled her eyes and asked, "How can I make substitutions when I don''t even know what the original ingredients are?"


    Qin Ran looked smug, tilted his head to look at her, and smiled, "I know! And I can help you find substitute ingredients."


    Ah! Long Qiqi finally understood - this guy was just ying with her like a child.


    She didn''t want to deal with him anymore and angrily turned around...


    "Bang!"


    She bumped her head right into the alchemy furnace.


    "Ouch! That hurts!" She crouched down again, holding her forehead.


    Crouching there, she looked like a tiny ball, both pitiful and adorable.


    "Hahaha..." Qin Ran pointed at her andughed heartlessly.


    After a while, he took out a book and poked Long Qiqi''s shoulder with its spine, saying, "Help me figure this out, and I''ll give you a copy of the Heaven-Mending Pill form from the Lingnan Region."


    "I''d be a fool to believe you again!" Long Qiqi cried.


    "How about trusting me onest time?" Qin Ran negotiated.


    "No way..."


    "Ah! What a pity!" Qin Ran sighed and turned to walk towards the door.


    Just as he reached the doorway, a pitiful voice came from beneath the alchemy furnace: "Let me take a look first..."


    Qin Ran tossed the book to her.


    "Water Spirit nt Arts?" Long Qiqi looked at the cover, furrowing her brows as she stared at Qin Ran, "Are you really just here to mess with me today? I''m a fire alchemy master! My dantian contains alchemy fire, not water!"


    Qin Ran smiled, "I don''t need you to study it, I need your help. Be my assistant. I want to conduct some research experiments."


    "Assistant?" Long Qiqi flipped through a few pages, hesitantly replied, "Fine!"


    "Take a look first, we''ll start the experiments in the next few days," Qin Ran said as he left the alchemy room.


    Watching Qin Ran''s retreating figure, Long Qiqi''s brows furrowed deeply. She felt something was off about him today.


    Unable to figure it out, she leaned against the alchemy furnace, sat cross-legged, and began reading the "Water Spirit nt Arts."


    After leaving the research building, Qin Ran walked along the stream until he reached the Devouring Demon Willow.


    Zhang Junyi was leaning against the tree reading a book about medicinal herbs, with several samples he''d collected from the greenhouse beside him. Liu Xiaoji sat on his shoulder, reading along with him.


    "This is the Crane Crown Immortal Grass..." Zhang Junyi exined to Liu Xiaoji, "See how it''s drawn in the book, but this is how it actually grows. Dan Peak doesn''t have spirit soil, so they don''t grow well."


    Qin Ran sat down under the Devouring Demon Willow, watching the Phoenix Wing Tiger Head Wasps pushing soil below, going in and out of their nest, apparently expanding their hive.


    "Peak... Peak Master..." Zhang Junyi finally noticed Qin Ran and immediately stood up with his book. Seeing the spirit herbs in his hands, he unconsciously tried to hide them behind his back, stammering, "These few are extras that need to be removed. Peak Master, as you said, too many in one nest will affect the growth of other spirit herbs..."


    "Hmm! You''re learning well," Qin Ran nodded.


    Looking up at the nervous Zhang Junyi, he asked kindly, "Has your qi vortex stabilized?"


    "Yes, Peak Master!" Zhang Junyi nodded quickly, "Master taught me many methods and experiences that were very helpful."


    "Your master indeed has experience!" Qin Ran smiled, "What about the visualization technique? Is it effective? Have you developed your spirit form yet?"


    "The visualization technique..." Zhang Junyi looked around cautiously and whispered, "Peak Master, I practice the visualization technique every night, and my spirit form appeared a few days ago."


    "Seems you have quite a talent for this," Qin Ran praised, "But don''t let your spirit form leave your body too early, or it might get damaged."


    "Yes, Peak Master."


    Qin Ran looked toward the woman practicing sword by theke and asked Zhang Junyi, "You said you wanted to destroy Zhican Valley?"


    Zhang Junyi was startled, then nodded, "Yes."


    After waiting until Li Shiyin finished her sword practice and fell into contemtion, Qin Ran continued, "We might not be able to wait for you."


    He sighed, "Zhican Valley is about to attack."


    "What?!" Zhang Junyi was shocked, thinking he had misheard.


    "Life rarely goes as nned..." Qin Ran stood up, patted Zhang Junyi''s shoulder, and smiled, "We can''t wait for you to grow up and destroy Zhican Valley in your way."


    "Peak Master..." Zhang Junyi was stunned by this sudden news, unable to process it.


    "I hope you can contribute something to this war!"


    Qin Ran walked forward to the edge of Sword Washing Lake, watching Li Shiyin''s beautiful figure as she stood in contemtion, leaving Zhang Junyi with just his back view.


    Zhang Junyi stood frozen in ce, looking up at Qin Ran''s silhouette by theke.


    As he watched, he suddenly noticed Qin Ran''s figure bing transparent. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but thekeside was empty except for the woman who had resumed her sword dance. Qin Ran had vanished into thin air before his eyes.


    Qin Ran appeared in the underground secret chamber, sitting cross-legged in the center of the teleportation array, still pondering that question: to run or not to run!


    Could he really bear to abandon Dan Peak?


    Should he risk his life to fight for the Dao Sword Sect?


    He closed his eyes, supporting his head with one hand, sensing the condition of his avatar in the Celestial Sea Region, and found that the foolish thing was still drifting aimlessly with the waves.


    He suddenly felt relieved, thinking: "It''s unreliable.


    "It wouldn''t be safe even if I went there. Perhaps I should stay here."

 Chapter 430

    Late at night, in the imperial study within the pce of Xuanqin Capital, Emperor Zhao Zheng was reviewing official memorials.


    The memorial currently in his hands was quite unique. Its title was written horizontally at the top, rather than vertically on the left as was customary. The title read "A Discussion on the Productive Forces and Rtions in the World of Cultivation." The format differed from traditional memorials.


    The content was also written horizontally from left to right, rather than vertically from right to left, and the writing style was more colloquial.


    The author clearly prioritized conveying their reasoning over literary elegance.


    His vermillion brush was hovering over the end of the memorial, identally marking the characters that read "Gods serve man." His attention, however, was not on these words.


    Instead, he was focused on several proposals listed below those words:


    "If water-attribute cultivators were unified under state control, then the weather and climate within our borders would be under human control. Droughts and floods would vanish, every year would bring favorable weather, and the people would never suffer from famine again.


    "If earth-attribute cultivators were unified under state control, then building bridges, paving roads, and constructing cities would be effortless tasks. The pace of national development would be unprecedented.


    "If metal-attribute cultivators were unified under state control, then we could militarize the cultivators. With hundreds of thousands of professional cultivator soldiers, who would dare defy us? The sects would only be responsible for cultivation training, while the state apparatus would provide proper deployment of cultivatorbat power."If fire-attribute cultivators were unified under state control, then we could produce our own magical artifacts and pills, no longer relying on others..."


    "If wood-attribute cultivators were unified under state control, then the nation''s vegetation could be controlled at will, and the people''s illnesses could be cured..."


    "..."


    As Zhao Zheng read, his emotions surged. Gods serve man - what a grand vision for the empire!


    Suddenly, a eunuch announced: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince''s Junior Mentor has arrived."


    He looked up to see a handsome young man in ck robes enter from outside, who bowed and said, "Qin Ran pays respects to Your Majesty."


    "No need for such formality, Minister Qin." He put down the memorial and looked at the young man with satisfaction, saying, "Calling you here sote was unavoidable. I have urgent news to share."


    "It''s no trouble," Qin Ran smiled, "Please tell me, Your Majesty."


    Zhao Zheng replied: "News hase from Zhican Valley. They are gathering sect forces from the Land of Immortal Legacy to form a ''Hengduan Mountain Alliance'' in opposition to Dao Sword Sect''s tyranny in the Hengduan Mountains.


    "As the alliance''s initiator, Zhican Valley hasmitted almost all their pills, spirit stones, and magical treasures, mobilizing their entire sect with a fight-to-the-death attitude against Dao Sword Sect."


    "They''re fighting already? How did it happen so quickly?!" Qin Ran was shocked, his smile vanishing as he anxiously asked, "What about news from Dao Sword Sect?"


    "Dao Sword Sect is naturally gathering their disciples..." Zhao Zheng said, "But ording to my intelligence, they will primarily focus on defense, seemingly waiting for Boundless Sword Sect''s stance."


    "Defense?" Qin Ran furrowed his brow, lowering his head in deep thought.


    "Is it a defensive counter-attack strategy? That would match my original body''s fighting style. If this strategy was proposed by my original body, it seems he has already infiltrated Dao Sword Sect''s upper ranks and gained some decision-making power.


    "Considering Zhican Valley''s previous underhanded, petty tactics of using pills and targeting sect descendants, this war might have been instigated by my original body. Could this be a war orchestrated by him?


    "No, he''s too cowardly, how would he dare to confront Zhican Valley head-on? Perhaps he''s already fled. He previously set up an ultra-long-distance teleportation array, though I don''t know how that turned out. Did he seed or fail? Did he use the array or slip away through other means? Has he prepared new contingencies during this time? Should I bring him to Xuanqin? What about Poetry Sound and Chasing the Wind?


    "That''s not right either. Master treated him well. While Dao Sword Sect is questionable, he has deep emotional ties to Dan Peak. Though he''s a cold-blooded killer who doesn''t blink at taking lives, he''s actually indecisive and deeply sentimental. He definitely couldn''t abandon Chasing the Wind and Poetry Sound, and he must be attached to Dan Peak. Although he''s always thinking about escaping, he still wants to help Master revitalize Dan Peak.


    "He might have already decided to defend Dao Sword Sect to the death... Could he have made no preparations during this time..."


    "Minister Qin? Minister Qin?!" Lost in his frantic thoughts, he suddenly heard Zhao Zheng calling out to him and looked up to see the emperor urgently trying to get his attention.


    "What were you thinking about?" Zhao Zheng asked.


    "Your Majesty..." he replied, "I was considering how to handle this situation."


    "Tell me your thoughts," Zhao Zheng said.


    Qin Ran straightened his posture, bowed to Zhao Zheng, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I believe this is an opportunity."


    "Oh?" Zhao Zheng smiled, asking, "Do exin."


    Qin Ran spoke clearly: "The sects in the Hengduan Mountains are led by three main powers: Dao Sword Sect, Zhican Valley, and Boundless Sword Sect. They maintained a stable tripod arrangement. Internally, they checked each other''s power; externally, they presented a united front.


    "If we wanted to im the Hengduan Mountains in the future, a direct confrontation would be difficult. We would have needed to find ways to destabilize the region anyway. Now they''re doing it themselves.


    "Your Majesty, it''s easier to fish in troubled waters. This is our opportunity. Although it''s earlier than we''d nned, before we could fully develop our strength, when does everything in the world go exactly ording to n? Should we wait until we''repletely ready to act?"


    "Then in your opinion..." Zhao Zheng continued smiling, "How should we proceed?"


    "We should lurk in the shadows, closely monitor the war''s developments, and strike when the time is right," Qin Ran said. "But we should prioritize aligning with Dao Sword Sect."


    "Dao Sword Sect?" Zhao Zheng was puzzled. "Wouldn''t it be better to help Zhican Valley? They''re a pill-making sect, and gaining their goodwill would secure Xuanqin''s future pill supply without having to develop our own. We could even consider making them the state religion."


    "Your Majesty..." Qin Ran calmly exined, "I have three reasons."


    "Speak."


    A smile returned to Qin Ran''s face as he listed his points:


    "First, Zhican Valley consists of short-sighted individuals unworthy of Your Majesty''s consideration. The current chaos in the Hengduan Mountains is their doing, and the region''s eventual downfall will be their fault. From what I know, their previous tactics against Dao Sword Sect were petty and underhanded. Such a sect, with their narrow-mindedness, sees small gains but misses the bigger picture. Working with them would only lead to trouble.


    "Second, helping those in need is better than adding flowers to brocade. Supporting Zhican Valley would be like thetter - they won''t remember our kindness and it would expose our strength. But helping Dao Sword Sect would be aiding those in dire need. They would see us as their salvation, and after the Hengduan Mountains be part of Xuanqin''s territory, Dao Sword Sect would be at our disposal.


    "Third, my original body is still within Dao Sword Sect. That person is extremely calcting and ruthless, with countless hidden cards and contingencies. Although Zhican Valley appears powerful, I don''t favor their chances. It will likely end in mutual destruction."


    "Hahaha..." Zhao Zhengughed heartily, "Have you ever seen someone criticize themselves like this?"


    "I''m different from him..." Qin Ran shook his head in denial, "I am open-minded and righteous, thinking only of the realm''s fate and the people''s welfare. We parted ways long ago.


    "If Your Majesty doubts my intentions, I have an alternative strategy. We could lurk in the shadows and aid both sides, helping whichever side is weaker. We could instigate multiple conflicts, drawing the entire Hengduan Mountains into the chaos. Fight until the region copses and no cultivator remains."


    Zhao Zheng pointed at Qin Ran andughed, "Look at you! You im to be righteous and upright, but is there anything righteous about these schemes?!"


    "That''s why it''s the inferior strategy," Qin Ran replied. "We want the Hengduan Mountains'' resources and cultivators, not a devastated wastnd."


    Zhao Zheng nodded but didn''t respond to Qin Ran about what strategy he would adopt. He simply said, "I have noted everything you said. You may leave now."


    "Yes, Your Majesty," Qin Ran bowed respectfully and added, "Your Majesty should rest early and not overtax yourself."


    Around the same time, outside the Hengduan Mountains, in Linxian City, at the "Yuan" Tea House, in a private room on the top floor by the window, an elegantly dressed young noble was drinking tea.


    While sipping his tea, he watched the scene outside the window with amusement. On the streets of Linxian City at night, humans, immortals, demons, and ghosts mingled together, disying all facets of life¡ªtruly a spectacle worth watching.


    As he was watching, the teahouse manager suddenly pushed open the door, hurried to his side, and whispered, "Young Master, something major has happened."


    "Something major?" Young Master Yang turned his head casually to look at the manager, unimpressed. "What major event could possibly ur in this small Linxian City?"


    "Zhican Valley is gathering forces, preparing for arge-scale attack on the Dao Sword Sect," the manager said gravely. "The Hengduan Mountains will be thrown into chaos!"


    Upon hearing this, Young Master Yang''s eyes lit up, his excitement clearly visible.


    "Zhican Valley is going to fight with the Dao Sword Sect?" he sought confirmation.


    "Yes, Young Master."


    "Zhican Valley..." his excited expression gradually turned sinister, "Alchemists?!"


    He sat up straight, ced his hand on the table, and instructed the manager, "Gather all the forces we can muster in the Land of Immortal Legacy... With so many alchemists, such an entertaining event¡ªI must personally participate in this game. We mustpletely destroy Zhican Valley, leaving nothing behind!"


    "Young Master, we cannot kill the people," the manager reminded.


    "Right, we can''t kill them. Capture every single alchemist, make them all obediently refine pills for me," Young Master Yangughed heartily. "Aplete small-scale alchemy sect¡ªthis should count as quite an achievement."


    The manager smiled sycophantically, "With this achievement, Young Master can return home."


    Young Master Yang nced at him but didn''t respond to hisment.


    He looked out the window again and suddenly pointed at a woman who was trying to trade her body for cultivation techniques, "Go give her a third-grade cultivation method."


    He shook his head sympathetically, "She''s truly too pitiful, and this young master cannot bear to see such scenes... After giving her the technique, drive her away, far away. I don''t want to see her again."


    "Yes, Young Master," the manager bowed and left.

 Chapter 431

    At noon on May 17th, inside the spiritual herb greenhouse by the Sword Washing Lake at Dan Peak of the Dao Sword Sect, Qin Ran took several Crane Crown Immortal Grass seeds from his Universe Bag and showed them to Long Qiqi, saying:


    "Let''s start with the Crane Crown Immortal Grass. To verify the authenticity of the water-based spiritual nt technique, we''ll first try its rapid germination method to see if we can use dan water to sprout the Crane Crown Immortal Grass."


    "Alright," Long Qiqi responded.


    She held a notebook as big as her head in her left hand while quickly writing with a small brush in her right hand. She was recording this first experiment.


    The notebook read:


    "Time: Noon, May 17th; Location: Dan Peak spiritual herb greenhouse cultivation area; Temperature: 24 degrees; Weather: Sunny; Experiment content: Verifying rapid germination authenticity; Seeds: Crane Crown Immortal Grass; Quantity: Four..."


    While writing, she signaled to Qin Ran: "You can begin."


    "Are you keeping time?" Qin Ran confirmed.


    "I am.""Good, I''m ready." Qin Ran took a deep breath and, following the technique recorded in the water-based spiritual nt manual, circted his spiritual power through specific meridians while controlling the dan water in his dantian, letting them flow together and gather at his palm''s acupoints, ready but not released.


    "Ready..." Long Qiqi called out while writing, "Begin!"


    "Huff~" Qin Ran exhaled, and immediately his spiritual power intertwined with the dan water, flowing from his meridians into his palm. Under his control, they enveloped the four Crane Crown Immortal Grass seeds.


    In an instant, a transparent white water sphere containing the four seeds appeared above his palm.


    He continued controlling his spiritual power output, gradually infusing the dan water into the seeds.


    ording to the manual, once the dan waterpletely permeates the seeds, the practitioner can activate them with the technique, making them rapidly absorb nutrients along with the dan water and spiritual power to quickly germinate.


    Clearly, the core of this method was using the spiritual energy and essence in dan water to rece spiritual soil.


    Qin Ran''s control over spiritual power and dan water was impable - he could output exactly the amount he wanted, never erring by even a fraction. So this delicate work of infiltrating seeds with minute amounts of spiritual power was child''s y for him.


    And then...


    "Pop!"


    "Pop! Pop!"


    In quick session, three of the seeds in the dan water burst.


    The sound startled Long Qiqi, who quickly looked up to see the tragic scene in Qin Ran''s palm.


    In the blink of an eye, three of the four seeds were ruined, with only one trembling and struggling to survive in the water sphere.


    Shocked and flustered, she couldn''t help but cry out: "Hold on, keep it steady, don''t shake!"


    Her shout only made things worse - thest seed couldn''t hold on either and exploded.


    Qin Ran rxed his tense nerves, and the dan water in his hand fell through his palm, sshing onto the ground with a "ssh ssh" sound, even getting Long Qiqi''s skirt wet.


    "Hey..." Long Qiqiined while patting her skirt, "What happened? I hadn''t even finished writing the pre-experiment records, and you''ve already failed?!"


    Qin Ran shook the water from his hand, shaking his head, at a loss for words.


    "So..." Long Qiqi looked at him, "Was the method fake?"


    "The method isn''t fake..." Qin Ran shook his head, pondering the experiment process, "During the experiment, I could definitely feel life force stirring within the seeds.


    "I think the problem is due to the different cultivation systems between the Lingnan Region and the Ocean Region - our spiritual power is different from their true qi. The timing, quantity, and speed recorded in the method are for true qi and don''t apply to spiritual power. We need to readjust."


    As he spoke, he took out another four Crane Crown Immortal Grass seeds.


    "Wait!" Long Qiqi stopped him, "Let me record the failed experiment first."


    Qin Ran paused, waiting for her to make her notes.


    "Germination times: first seed, 29 seconds... third seed, 30 seconds, and fourth seed, 36 seconds," Long Qiqi wrote while reading aloud, "Qin Ran observed signs of life force awakening, Qin Ran''s hypothesis for failure: difference between spiritual power and true qi..."


    As she wrote, she couldn''t help but tease, "Such a grown man, and you onlysted 30 seconds."


    Qin Ran''s face darkened, "Can you please speak properly?"


    "Did you even make it to 40 seconds?" Long Qiqi looked up, giving him a disdainful nce. Qin Ran couldn''t be bothered to answer.


    After Long Qiqi finished recording, Qin Ran began circting his spiritual power again, preparing for the second experiment. He reminded her, "Ready to time."


    Long Qiqi looked at him again and asked, "Are you sure you want to keep using Crane Crown Immortal Grass seeds?"


    "Why?"


    "Crane Crown Immortal Grass is quite expensive..." Long Qiqi said, "Why not try some radish seeds instead?"


    Qin Ran gave her a helpless look, saying, "I may not be rich, but I''m not so poor that I can''t afford spiritual herb seeds for experiments."


    "What if you can''t get the right amount right away and keep failing?" Long Qiqi asked, "Wouldn''t that waste a lot of precious herb seeds?"


    Qin Ran''s helpless expression froze. After some thought, he quietly put away the Crane Crown Immortal Grass seeds and pulled out a handful of radish seeds from his Universe Bag.


    "Starting now..." Long Qiqi said with a suppressed smile, counting down, "Three, two, one, wait!"


    "What?!" Qin Ran''s spiritual power had just reached his wrist, and his momentarypse of attention nearly burst his meridians.


    "The identity token is reacting..." Long Qiqi replied.


    Ignoring Qin Ran, she tucked her brush behind her ear and took out an identity token from her Universe Bag... the Dao Sword Sect identity token that Qin Ran had acquired for her through trading.


    The token was trembling continuously. She held it firmly in her hand and looked carefully, seeing five blood-red characters appear: "Sect in danger, return immediately."


    She raised her head nkly, looking at Qin Ran and asked, "What''s happening to the Dao Sword Sect?"


    Qin Ran took out his own identity token, nced at it, tossed it back into his Universe Bag, and replied to Long Qiqi, "It''s going down."


    "What?"


    "There''s going to be a fight," Qin Ran said, "Ah, it''s not your concern, don''t worry about it."


    Long Qiqi tilted her head and thought for a moment, realizing it really wasn''t her business. After all, with her low cultivation level and small stature, there were taller people to handle such matters.


    "Alright..." she put away her identity token and said, "I didn''t know the Dao Sword Sect identity tokens had this function."


    "It''s a magical tool, a multi-functionalposite one. In dangerous situations, it can even be used as a defensive artifact," Qin Ran exined, "What did you think it was?"


    "I hadn''t noticed..." Long Qiqi genuinely didn''t know, "Okay, let''s continue our radish seed germination experiment!"


    Naturally, Long Qiqi wasn''t the only one who received this urgent notification. Every cultivator who possessed a Dao Sword Sect identity token received it.


    Chasing Wind, who was napping on the cat-climbing frame by theke, received it; Li Shiyin, who wasprehending sword techniques while standing on theke surface, received it; Liu Baixuan, who was teaching sword techniques to sect disciples in the Sword Peak za, received it; Yan Yi, who was recording the sect''s remaining medicinal pills in the Chief Alchemy Hall, received it; Tian Wenjin, who was executing sect missions outside, received it...


    At this moment, anyone who possessed a Dao Sword Sect identity token, no matter how far away they were or where they were, saw these characters appear on their token.


    "Sect in danger, return immediately!"


    These days, Tian Wenjin had taken on a new sect mission to escort a box to Great Yan.


    This box was clearly special, as she wasn''t the only one assigned to this task - there were five people including her.


    Sure enough, as soon as they entered Great Yan territory, they were ambushed by enemies.


    Currently, they were in the heat of battle.


    There were eleven people trying to steal the box, including four Golden Core stage cultivators, with one even at thete Golden Core stage.


    Tian Wenjin''s group of five only had three Golden Core stage cultivators, with the other two atte Foundation Building stage. So even though Tian Wenjin was formidable in battle, they were only managing to hold their own.


    Tian Wenjin alone was fighting three Golden Core cultivators, including thete Golden Core stage master.


    Two of the Golden Core cultivators were body cultivators, while thete Golden Core stage one was a qi cultivator. The two body cultivators engaged Tian Wenjin in closebat while the qi cultivator stayed at a distance, controlling a golden ring to attack.


    The golden ring was extraordinarily hard, impervious even to Tian Wenjin''s sword strikes. It could change size at will - expanding to the width of a water bucket or shrinking to the size of an eyeball. Most troublesome was its ability to split into dozens or even hundreds of rings tounch coordinated attacks.


    Tian Wenjin found herself struggling against this onught.


    At that moment, her identity token began to vibrate, warning of impending danger.


    She first shed apart more than ten connected golden rings with her sword, then forced back two closebat cultivators who had approached her. After creating some safe distance, she finally took out her identity token to check.


    "Sect in danger, return immediately!"


    Five blood-red characters cast their crimson glow upon her beautiful face. She looked up at the other four people, who had also seen the characters on their tokens. The five of them tacitly acknowledged Tian Wenjin as their leader. Seeing the situation, they exchanged nces, and Tian Wenjin stepped forward to address the eleven cultivators who were preparing tounch another attack. She spoke coldly, "I''ll give you one chance - leave now, and we''ll let bygones be bygones."


    During the previous fighting, both sides had traded blows fairly evenly, with the eleven even having a slight upper hand. Being eleven against five, they didn''t believe they could lose and thought Tian Wenjin was just bluffing.


    Thete Golden Core stage cultivator controlling the golden ringsughed, "Little girl, don''t make empty threats. You might bite your tongue."


    "You seem half-asleep, unable to see the situation clearly," someone mockingly said.


    A pale-faced man with a degenerate air sneered, "Girl, you think too highly of yourself! I must say, you''re quite beautiful. If you be my Dao partner and leave the box behind, I might consider letting you all go."


    Following his lead, the others began directing vulgarments at the beautiful Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin took a deep breath, giving up on persuasion.


    "Divine Thunder... Sword of Lightning!" she called out, raising her Imperial Thunder Sword.


    As she spoke, crackling blue electric arcs began appearing around her, one by one.


    Seeing this, her four fellow Dao Sword Sect disciples instinctively backed away. Feeling that even that wasn''t safe enough, they retreated more than thirty meters.


    An oppressive force began to fill the air, and the eleven opponents sensed something was wrong.


    "Intent!" thete Golden Core cultivator eximed, feeling the cold pressure weighing on his heart, "It''s Sword Intent!!"


    He hurriedly cast his spell, hurling his golden rings at Li Shiyin.


    Some sought a chance for survival, while others, sensing the subtle yet sharp intent in the air, turned to flee.


    But... whether they ran or fought, it was toote.


    Tian Wenjin shouted, "Thunder, Ten Thousand Miles of Flying Snow!" and brought her sword down.


    "BOOM!"


    A thunderp exploded in the sky out of nowhere.


    The sound startled the eleven, who were already preparing for death. However, after waiting a moment, they noticed that apart from the exceptionally loud thunder, this sword strike seemed to have no effect.


    The pale-faced man who had run halfway turned back,ughing, "All thunder and no rain, little girl. Could it be you''re not up to it?! Come, let brother teach you."


    Tian Wenjin didn''t even nce at him. She casually sheathed her sword on her back. Her Imperial Thunder Sword had some issues during its forging that prevented it from being stored inside her body for nurturing. Later, with Qin Ran''s help, this was improved, and she could now store it freely, but she had grown to prefer carrying it on her back.


    She turned and called to her teammates in the distance, "Let''s go. The sooner we deliver it, the sooner we can return."


    "Still thinking of leaving?" the pale-faced man sneered, preparing to use his unique movement technique to chase Tian Wenjin.


    But as he took a step, he suddenly noticed something wrong...


    Around them, throughout this space, blue snow was floating everywhere, densely packed both above and below. More blue snow was falling from the sky.


    He finally noticed theirte Golden Core stage leader standing frozen, trembling for some unknown reason.


    "What is this?" he asked.


    No one answered.


    A single blue snowkended on his hand.


    "Bzzt!"


    In an instant, lightning coursed through his entire arm.


    He felt no pain, only curiosity. Looking down at his arm, he discovered it had beenpletely ckened by electricity, and the ckened surface was covered in countless sword marks.


    He couldn''t tell if his arm had been sliced by sword energy or struck by lightning.


    Or perhaps it had been sliced while being electrocuted.


    "So cold..." someone cried out - a cultivator sensitive enough to feel the merciless sword intent permeating the space.


    "Ah!" Another person screamed as snownded on them.


    Thunder, sword energy, sword intent, cold, snowkes...


    Tangible sword energy and intangible sword intent.


    All contained within this single sword strike.


    As the snow fell, the eleven people, amid screams of agony, were reduced to eleven mutted, charred corpses.

 Chapter 432

    Although the situation was urgent, since they didn''t know exactly how urgent it was, Tian Wenjin and herpanions first delivered the box to its destination before using their flying techniques at full speed to head towards the Dao Sword Sect.


    Speaking of flying at full speed, like how a bucket''s capacity is determined by its shortest nk, their group''s flying speed was limited by the slowest among the five.


    Among the five, two were at the Foundation Establishment realm, low-level cultivators who were following the stronger ones to gain experience. They were slow and couldn''t maintain continuous flight back to the Dao Sword Sect.


    Therefore, they not only moved slowly but also had to stop along the way to rest and recover their spiritual power.


    On the morning of the eighteenth day, after the two Foundation Establishment disciples barely managed to fly past Mount Wuyi in North Chu''s central region, they couldn''t hold on any longer. The group found a t grasnd on a nearby deste mountain to rest.


    "Long-distance flying really drains too much spiritual power..." one of the Foundation Establishment disciples said while sitting cross-legged on the grass, panting. "I wonder what''s happening at the sect that they need to recall us in such a manner."


    A Golden Core disciple sat down on a nearby rock to rest and nced at him, saying, "Once you reach the Nascent Soul realm and achieve unity with heaven, the world''s spiritual energy bes your own. You can use external spiritual energy at will, and you won''t have to worry about depleting your power anymore."


    "Nascent Soul realm?" The Foundation Establishment disciple shook his head. He couldn''t even think about things like the Break Barrier Pill yet, and his understanding of the Golden Core was still vague. He couldn''t even see hope for forming a Golden Core. "I don''t even know if I can form a Golden Core, let alone reach Nascent Soul."


    The other Foundation Establishment disciple took the opportunity to ask, "Senior Brother, what''s the real difference between Golden Core and Foundation Establishment stages? Books say we need to condense the Qi Swirl into a Golden Core. But how do we condense it? How do we control the spiritual power in our dantian?"Hearing this, the Golden Core disciple smiled mysteriously and said, "Cultivation goes against heaven''s will, and each step is like climbing to a new heaven. The gap between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core is like a vast chasm. Golden Core is apletely different realm from Foundation Establishment. You need moreprehension. Understanding life, nature, and cultivation techniques - the Dao needs to beprehended. But how much youprehend depends on your own enlightenment."


    "Oh, so that''s how it is!" The two Foundation Establishment disciples nodded as if they had gained some insight. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."


    The Golden Core disciple smiled self-importantly, saying, "I haven''t really said anything special; you''veprehended it yourselves."


    Tian Wenjin, who hadn''t expended much energy, was keeping watch nearby. Hearing the Golden Core disciple''s nonsense, she looked over and coldly said to the Foundation Establishment disciples, "How can you talk about forming a Golden Core when you can''t even control your spiritual power and Qi Swirl? Your foundation is too weak. You''d be better off tempering your spiritual power, strengthening your physical body, and stabilizing your mental state. Build a solid foundation and cultivate with a calm mind - that''s better than anything else."


    The Foundation Establishment disciple felt ufortable being criticized out of nowhere, but after ncing at Tian Wenjin, he didn''t dare to talk back.


    The other Foundation Establishment disciple thought Tian Wenjin not only refused to guide them but also prevented others from doing so, and couldn''t help feeling resentful.


    Though Tian Wenjin was very beautiful, she was too cold, unapproachable. She wasn''t very popr. Especially after others heard she hadprehended the Emotionless Sword Intent, they became even more reluctant to associate deeply with her.


    Tian Wenjin noticed the changes in the two Foundation Establishment disciples'' expressions but didn''t care. She withdrew her gaze and continued keeping watch for them.


    Tian Wenjin had good talent, and having been influenced by Qin Ran over the years, she also paid great attention to building her foundation. Therefore, her cultivation was very profound. For ordinary journeys like this, her energy consumption was minimal, and she didn''t need to specifically sit down to recover spiritual power.


    But the other two Golden Core disciples were different; they had consumed quite a bit and needed to meditate to recover their spiritual power.


    So four people meditated while one kept watch.


    Soon, an hour passed.


    At this time, Tian Wenjin sat on a branch of a nearbyrge tree.


    Her slender fingers were holding a Ghost-faced Spider''s fang as she gazed at it in a daze. Her eyes were distant, her mind recalling that snowy night, that vige cabin, that dim oilmp... those were moments of beauty she could never touch again in this life.


    The spider fang was from a Ghost-faced Spider, which she had gone to great lengths to obtain from the Butler Hall... to keep as a memento.


    Suddenly, more than ten streaks of light flew by in the distance, bringing Tian Wenjin back to her senses. She casually nced at them without much concern.


    Although major sects stayed away from the mortal world, smaller sects weren''t so particr. It wasn''t unusual to see cultivators asionally passing through the sky. ?


    She returned her gaze to the spider fang, thinking of that person again... What was she doing now? Stillprehending new sword techniques at Sword Washing Lake? Or was she with Master... or perhaps...


    Thinking of the word "danger" on the identity token, her heart trembled with worry. Coming back to her senses, she prepared to call those junior brothers to resume their journey.


    But before she could move, she saw those dozen or so streaks of light from earlier flying back. Not only did they return, but they also descended.


    Theynded on the ground in front of her tree, and she heard a young cultivator quietly say to the elderly leader, "It''s her, I''ve seen her before, one of the Dao Sword Sect''s Five Beauties. I can''t be wrong."


    The leader looked up at Tian Wenjin in the tree, knowing that such a beautiful female cultivator would be unforgettable once seen, so he didn''t question further and believed the young cultivator''s words.


    He stepped forward, first giving a procedural, standard "Ha ha ha"ugh, then cupped his hands towards Tian Wenjin and said, "I am Wang Qi, Sect Master of Spirit Sword Mountain. Greetings to Senior Sister Tian Wenjin of the Dao Sword Sect."


    Tian Wenjin unhurriedly put the spider fang away in her clothes, tilting her head without directly facing the dozen or so people from Spirit Sword Mountain, only giving them a cold nce.


    She spoke, "If you''re smart enough, you should leave immediately. Knowing my name, you shouldn''t havee back, shouldn''t have had that thought.


    "You still have a chance to leave with your disciples, and I won''t pursue the matter."


    "Fellow Daoist Tian..." Wang Qi ignored Tian Wenjin''s warning and said with his hands behind his back, "I am going to visit Zhican Valley, but I''m still missing a gift. Would you... and these four Dao Sword Sect fellows be willing to serve as our gift? Heads, Golden Cores, or natal artifacts would all do."


    At this moment, the two Golden Core cultivators from the Dao Sword Sect awakened. They stood up, taking out their natal artifacts with serious expressions, preparing for battle.


    Meanwhile, Tian Wenjin flicked her fingers, sending out two weak electric sparks thatnded on the heads of the two Foundation Establishment sect members, forcefully awakening them.


    Ignoring their anger and confusion at being forcefully awakened, Tian Wenjin coldly asked Wang Qi, "Your disciple knows I''m one of the Dao Sword Sect''s Five Beauties, but does he know I''m also one of the Dao Sword Sect''s Ten Prodigies?"


    A prodigious disciple?!


    Wang Qi was visibly stunned. Such prodigies from major sects could very well be stronger than small sect masters like himself. He nced at that disciple, who looked confused, obviously only knowing about Tian Wenjin''s beautiful face.


    But he thought, though Tian Wenjin might be strong, he was already at thete stage of Golden Core. How much stronger could she be than him?


    So he still smiled and said, "Zhican Valley has shown great kindness to our sect, so for this aid to Zhican Valley, I have brought most of Spirit Sword Mountain''s strength. No matter how strong you are, can you really stand against an entire sect?"


    "Zhican Valley, Zhican Valley..." Tian Wenjin roughly understood where the Dao Sword Sect''s crisis originated from. She stood up on the tree branch but still faced the Spirit Sword Mountain crowd sideways. She said,


    "The Junior Uncle from Dan Peak once told me a story called ''A Frog in a Well.'' A frog born at the bottom of a well looked up at the sky from the well bottom, seeing only as much sky as the well''s opening showed, so it thought that was how big the sky was."


    She ced her hand on the hilt of the Imperial Thunder Sword on her back and continued, "You being a small sect''s master isn''t a problem. But you shouldn''t think that most of Spirit Sword Mountain''s strength is impressive, nor should you think that being Spirit Sword Mountain''s master makes you formidable."


    "Bzz bzz..."


    She began to draw her sword, and thin blue electric arcs silently appeared in the air.


    And as the blue electric arcs appeared, a sword intent that shocked people''s hearts, a coldness that prated their souls, simultaneously appeared indiscriminately among everyone present.


    The Imperial Thunder Sword was unsheathed!


    "Bzz~Bang!"


    There was a sound of electric arcs piercing through the air. The branches swayed, and Tian Wenjin, who had been perched on the tree fork, vanished.


    "Watch out!"


    Wang Qi had been keeping his eyes on Tian Wenjin. The moment she employed her movement technique, he rushed forward with his life-bound sword while shouting urgently, "I''ll hold her off! Form the sword formation!"


    The disciples of Spirit Sword Mountain struggled to suppress the influence of the sword intent. They steadied their minds, quickly spread out, found their positions, and began to deploy their sect''s ultimate sword formation.


    But...


    At that moment, they suddenly realized their sect master had been struck by a blue lightning bolt and plummeted from mid-air. Hey embedded in the grass, blue electricity dancing across his body, temporarily immobilized.


    When the sect master went to intercept Tian Wenjin, they had spread out to form the formation. Just as they were about to make their hand seals, the sect master was already defeated, rendered incapable of fighting.


    So, how many moves did the sect master exchange with Tian Wenjin?


    That was a question they would need another lifetime to contemte.


    After defeating Wang Qi, Tian Wenjin transformed into a blue lightning bolt and charged toward them.


    Trying to form a formation on the spot against a sword cultivator of Tian Wenjin''s caliber - even with Qin Ran''s mastery of formations, he wouldn''t dare attempt such a thing.


    This was a matter of experience.


    Small sects with their limited exposure failed toprehend the true might of powerful cultivators.


    Wang Qi thought he could hold off Tian Wenjin while his disciples formed the formation at their leisure. With the sword formation in ce, if not a guaranteed victory, they would have had an eighty percent chance of winning.


    But he had overestimated his own strength.


    He never considered what would happen if he failed to stop Tian Wenjin... To say it was like a wolf among sheep would be an understatement - it was more like a tiger among sheep.


    Wang Qi''s body was numb as he struggled to contain the chaotic sword energy coursing through him.


    Lying in the dirt, he watched a blue lightning bolt pass through his disciples in an instant. Was it several breaths? Several blinks? Or just a few moments? He couldn''t tell. He only knew it was brief, very brief.


    The disciples he had carefully selected were all reduced to charred remains.


    ...They hadn''t even reached Zhican Valley.


    His vision blurred, and that coldly beautiful woman appeared before him, pointing her sword between his eyebrows. Her voice was colder than ice:


    "You knew there was a gap in our strength, but numbers gave you a false sense of security. You knew you couldn''t defeat me, but your sect''s powerful sword formation made you hopeful. You measured my strength against your own,pared my speed to yours. This was your path to death!"


    Wang Qi struggled to dispel the numbness in his body and shakily raised his sword to thrust at Tian Wenjin.


    Tian Wenjin''s sword casually deflected Wang Qi''s de to the side.


    At the same time, the blue lightningposed of sword energy on her de traveled along Wang Qi''s sword and into his body.


    Wang Qi was electrocuted again, losing his grip on his sword.


    His sword fell to the grass, rolling like a piece of scrap metal.


    "You spent hundreds of painstaking years grinding your way tote Golden Core stage, no small feat..." Tian Wenjin coldly looked at Wang Qi and said, "But you shouldn''t have involved yourself in the affairs of major sects. You should have stayed content at Spirit Sword Mountain - that was your stage."


    Wang Qi struggled to look at Tian Wenjin as she raised her sword and severed his head with one strike. He would never know how powerful a Golden Core cultivator could truly be.


    "And your greatest mistake was disturbing me while I was thinking of her."


    Thisst thought, Tian Wenjin kept to herself.


    She flicked her sword into the air, then rode the blue lightning up to stand upon it. Looking back, shemanded: "Return to the sect."


    The four members of the Dao Sword Sect, who had been indiscriminately attacked by the sword intent, finally came to their senses. They looked up at the cold and proud figure in the sky, feeling waves of coldness wash over their hearts.


    The two Foundation Establishment disciples swallowed hard as they regained theirposure. They exchanged nces, thinking: "Perhaps Senior Sister Tian was right all along."

 Chapter 433

    Zhican Valley had won over the hearts of many small sects through their medicinal diplomacy.


    When they raised their arms and issuedmands, it was like "one arrow piercing the clouds, bringing thousands of troops to gather."


    Throughout the Land of Immortal Legacy, countless small sects flocked to Zhican Valley, their followers as numerous as clouds.


    Of course, not all these sects came to help Zhican Valley with pure intentions... or rather, only a few foolish sects had pure intentions.


    While some small sects indeed came to help Zhican Valley out of gratitude, more came with the intention of currying favor.


    Regardless of their reasons for helping Zhican Valley, from their perspective, one thing was clear: Zhican Valley''s strength surpassed that of both the Dao Sword Sect and the Boundless Sword Sect.


    ...This was the core reason they helped Zhican Valley. Haven''t you heard the saying "they help whoever''s winning"?


    They reasoned that since Zhican Valley was already stronger than the other two sects, with their additional support, victory would be certain.


    So these small sects all saw this as a sure win - a chance to witness one major sect destroying another. Who wouldn''t want to participate in such a guaranteed victory? Who wouldn''t want to take part in the operation and experience the thrill of domination?Even if they couldn''t actively participate, just being present would be worthwhile.


    Thus, as one side grew, the other diminished - more people went to Zhican Valley while fewer came to the Dao Sword Sect.


    When Tian Wenjin flew on her sword into the Dao Sword Sect, she saw only scattered figures.


    Though people moved with the heavy, hurried manner befitting an impending war, their small numbers - mostly just Dao Sword Sect''s own members with few disciples from other sects - made the scene appear deste and tragic.


    "Can we win?"


    Seeing this scene, Tian Wenjin, as an elite disciple of the Dao Sword Sect, couldn''t help but ask herself.


    Not long ago, while simply traveling back to the Dao Sword Sect, she had encountered a sect rushing to aid Zhican Valley. From this, she could hardly imagine how many sects would help Zhican Valley.


    Could the Dao Sword Sect handle this alone with just their own strength?


    As a sword cultivator, she was proud, but even she felt this was beyond their capabilities.


    She was strong, and as she looked up at the Mountain and River Sword floating in the sky above the Dao Sword Sect, she knew Lu Junxing was even stronger, but even a cultivator''s power has its limits. When facing thousands of Golden Core cultivators and hundreds of Nascent Soul masters, they would be powerless.


    "How can we break through such a dire situation? Who could possibly solve this?" she pondered while hovering in mid-air.


    She clearly knew that in a direct confrontation, the Dao Sword Sect''s chances of victory were minimal, almost zero.


    As she thought, her gaze suddenly turned toward Dan Peak.


    "Perhaps Little Master has a solution."


    Little Master always had solutions, although Little Master was... quite ordinary?


    "Hm?" Tian Wenjin was startled - why did she instinctively feel Little Master would have a solution? He was just an ordinary alchemist, wasn''t he?


    Little Master was steady, sophisticated, knowledgeable, calcting, skilled in alchemy and cooking... but could he face thousands of cultivators?


    True, she knew he was involved in many behind-the-scenes matters during the Devouring Demon Willow incident; she had her suspicions about the sudden disappearance of the Chief Alchemy Hall elder and the subsequent reorganization; she knew Little Master had recently taken Li Shiyin and Senior Brother Lu to the Boundless Sword Sect...


    Thinking about this, she suddenly felt that perhaps the current crisis facing the Dao Sword Sect was rted to Little Master.


    "Little Master..." as she pondered, she suddenly realized that she had never truly understood this man, this man to whom a genius like Li Shiyin had willingly married.


    She had always envied him, feeling that Li Shiyin had settled for less - how could she be his Dao partner? They interacted frequently and had many encounters; she was familiar with him.


    But she had never truly understood him.


    This man seemed ordinary.


    When she thought of Little Master, the first thing that came to mind was his calm,posed smile - he always smiled gently, neither hurried nor sluggish, neither warm nor cold;


    Then she thought of the endless stream of delicacies from Dan Peak;


    Then, how Little Master seemed to know a little about everything;


    But when she tried to think about things rted to cultivation - Little Master''s cultivation level, his techniques, hisbat ability - she realized she knew nothing beyond the fact that he was an alchemist.


    After five years of knowing him, she only knew that Little Master was a water-attribute cultivator and an alchemist.


    This man was too mysterious.


    "Perhaps Little Master really does have a solution to the Dao Sword Sect''s crisis." She flew directly toward Dan Peak, "I wonder what kind of rtionship Little Master has with the Sect Leader and others, and if they know how capable Little Master really is."


    The one who helped her open the formation passage was Chasing the Wind, that extremely humanized rascal tiger. He was personally trained by Little Master... transformed from beast to near-human.


    Chasing the Wind, with his kitten-sized body, bounced along in front, asking in his tiger''s raspy voice: "The Dao Sword Sect is about to fight with others, why are you heading to Dan Peak?"


    "I''m looking for Little Master," she replied.


    "What do you want with my dad?" The white cat turned his head to eye Tian Wenjin suspiciously.


    Li Shiyin was too naive, not knowing to be cautious. It was bad enough having a fox spirit eyeing the house, but now this noble and beautiful woman kepting to Dan Peak. As a good friend, he had to help guard against such threats.


    "My dad happens to be in closed cultivation," he said.


    "Closed cultivation?" Tian Wenjin frowned, "Since when?!"


    "Bad timing..." the white cat''s eyes showed a hint of smugness, "He just started yesterday."


    Tian Wenjin gave the white cat''s smiling face an odd look, not understanding what he was so pleased about.


    Little Master had just entered closed cultivation yesterday... she immediately sensed something fishy about this timing - why choose this particr moment for closed cultivation?


    "What is Little Master doing in closed cultivation?" she quickly asked.


    "How would I know?" The white cat jumped out of the formation passage, stood on the sunlit grass, turned back to her while standing on his hind legs, and spread his paws, saying, "Dad''s an alchemist, I''m not... I''m just a formation master."


    Formation master...


    Tian Wenjin gave him a strange look. She knew Chasing the Wind had studied formations for many years, but until now, he couldn''t set up anything decent. He''d been scolded plenty by Little Master for that.


    "Is Little Master''s closed cultivation rted to alchemy?" she pressed.


    The white cat turned and hopped away, sneering, "Don''t try to trick information out of me, the Great Chasing the Wind is too clever for that."


    Was that trying to trick information?


    Tian Wenjin immediately understood that Little Master''s closed cultivation was indeed rted to alchemy.


    She walked out of the formation passage and looked up at the peaceful, gentle breeze of Dan Peak... Little Master''s Dan Peak, unchanged since her childhood.


    No matter when, Dan Peak always seemed different from the outside world. While others were cultivating, fighting for resources, battling, and bloodying themselves, Dan Peak remained beautiful and isted, like a paradise.


    That peach grove still had pink peach blossoms floating gently in the breeze.


    The petals drifted to the parasol tree by theke, its heart-shaped leaves swaying gently.


    Behind the parasol tree was Sword Washing Lake, its waters as clear as jewels, dotted with lotus flowers and leaves.


    Standing on the clearke surface was a woman more beautiful than the lotus flowers. Her robes moved with the wind, like the ripples on the jewel-likeke surface. She looked like ake goddess who might fly away with the wind at any moment.


    Tian Wenjin was mesmerized. She walked across the grass, slowly approaching, passing under the parasol tree, stopping beside the Sword Washing Lake monument, staring fixedly at the woman on theke.


    The white cat walked along the grass with his head down, negotiating with Tian Wenjin: "Seven Seven is also in closed cultivation, and I''m dying of boredom. If you y with me, I''ll tell you what dad is doing..."


    But as he walked, he suddenly noticed Tian Wenjin step over his head and walk ahead of him. She went straight to thekeside and stared into theke, ignoring him.


    "?"


    Chasing the Wind was stunned - even the great Chasing the Wind, master of Dan Peak, was being ignored?


    He bounced over with a few jumps, reaching Tian Wenjin''s feet, and pulled at her skirt with his paw, but Tian Wenjin showed no reaction; he then jumped onto the Sword Washing Lake monument, looked up at Tian Wenjin, and saw that she now looked just like Zhang Junyi when he saw You You. He waspletely baffled.


    He followed her gaze to theke surface... wasn''t it just Shiyin there?


    What was the meaning of Tian Wenjin''s expression?


    "Hey!" he called out, but Tian Wenjin didn''t respond.


    So he jumped up...


    However, as he leaped into the air, before he could make a sound, he suddenly sensed a terrifying sword intent.


    Not just one, but many - numerous sword energies!


    The sword energies weren''ting from in front of him, but from behind.


    He was very familiar with them - they were Li Shiyin''s sword energies.


    He quickly turned around and saw Li Shiyin by theke had begun to move. She was gracefully wielding her sword, dancing like she was performing a sword dance, her movements exceptionally beautiful. As she danced, star-like swords appeared around her, one after another.


    Not mere sword energy, but seemingly substantial swords.


    "What is this?" Chasing the Wind couldn''t process it, "Sword energy?"


    Had Li Shiyinprehended a sword technique simr to sword energy in just two or three days?


    But before he could think it through, he had already descended,nding on the Sword Washing Lake monument.


    "Chasing the Wind, Wenjin!" Li Shiyin called out from the other side, "Take my sword strike..."


    Whether they were sword energy or not, Chasing the Wind wasn''t sure, but he could clearly sense the sharpness and pressure emanating from those star swords... Li Shiyin was serious - this was her serious sword strike.


    "Roar!"


    The little white cat on the Sword Washing Lake monument let out a mighty roar, leaping forward and growing with the wind, instantly transforming into a terrifying beast standing ten feet tall at the shoulder.


    Even he, the great Chasing the Wind, had to take Li Shiyin''s serious strike seriously.


    In an instant, fierce winds arose as the giant beast charged forward, toward the countless star swords appearing above theke''s surface.


    His father had specifically taught him mathematics, so he was good at it, but he couldn''t count exactly how many star swords there were at that moment. He was only certain that there were over a hundred of them.


    "Shing! Shing! Shing!"


    The ws on all four of his paws extended, gleaming and cold like daggers.


    He faced one star sword and struck out with his paw...


    "Ding!"


    The sword and w met with a crisp sound, as if they were solid objects.


    The star sword was batted away by his paw into the mountainside behind, creating a small hole.


    "Are they real?" The sharpness and texture of the sword energy made Chasing the Wind momentarily dazed.


    As one star sword was deflected, another dozen shot toward him.


    Chasing the Wind used his tail like a whip, swinging it around with "ding ding dang dang" sounds, batting away all the star swords that shot at him.


    "?"


    Chasing the Wind couldn''t help but frown. These star swords were very sharp and had substance -pared to normal sword energy, they were harder to destroy, but... their power hadn''t increased. They were essentially just materialized sword energy.


    He couldn''t see what use this technique had, at least not against him.


    He looked to the side where Tian Wenjin was wielding her sword so effectively that not even a drop of ink could get through - these sword energies were ineffective against her as well.


    Soon after, Li Shiyin stopped her sword dance, and the star swords ceased. After Chasing the Wind had deflected all the star swords, he flew over to Li Shiyin.


    As he flew, he shrank, bing the size of a small dog by the time he reached Li Shiyin.


    "What''s the use of this technique?" the cat frowned.


    Li Shiyin smiled slightly without exining, then looked toward Tian Wenjin and said, "Wenjin, you''vee."


    Tian Wenjin nodded in response.


    She seemed to know what this technique was for and asked, "It''s preparation for the uing battle, isn''t it?"


    "Wenjin is clever," Li Shiyin smiled sweetly in praise.


    This technique wasn''t meant for dealing with strong enemies, but for handling weaker ones. It was a mob-clearing skill.


    "What?" Chasing the Wind still didn''t understand.


    "Does this technique have any other variations?" suddenly another voice asked.


    They all looked toward the voice and saw Qin Ran by thekeside.


    "Master?!" Li Shiyin''s eyes lit up, and she shed to Qin Ran''s side.


    Unlike before, she didn''t throw herself into her master''s arms, but simply stood beside him and gently took his hand.


    "Of course it does," she said proudly.


    "Oh?" Qin Ran inquired.


    "Now I can deploy them one by one, or release over three hundred at once," Li Shiyin said. "Later, I n to merge them together as a technique for dealing with strong enemies."


    Qin Ran nodded in understanding, "These swords are difficult to destroy, so even if they''re knocked back, you can gather them for reuse, or merge them for surprise attacks. It has good potential."


    "That''s right!" Li Shiyin smiled and asked, "So, Master, what should we call this technique?"


    "Hmm..." Qin Ran recalled the dense swarm of flying swords from earlier and smiled, "How about ''Return of Ten Thousand Swords''?"


    "Hehe!" Li Shiyin giggled and agreed.


    "Master-Uncle has emerged from seclusion?" Tian Wenjin asked coldly.


    "Actually, it wasn''t really seclusion... and I haven''t really emerged," Qin Ran smiled.


    "?" Tian Wenjin was confused.


    "I was conducting experiments..." Qin Ran exined, "Now that I''ve achieved some progress, I''m taking a break."


    Tian Wenjin was even more puzzled: "Wouldn''t you want to continue researching after making progress?"


    "Ah..." Qin Ran sighed. He looked up toward the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect flying outside Dan Peak, each one a vibrant life, his fellow disciples, and sighed, "I still feel guilty."


    "Conscience?" Li Shiyin whispered, "Master, do you have such a thing?"


    Ignoring her, Qin Ran took flight toward the main peak.


    "I know why you''re here," he turned back in mid-air to address Tian Wenjin. "Don''t worry, I will take action."

 Chapter 434

    "Master, I''ve received news that the Shenlian Sect has reached a deal with Zhican Valley..."


    In the main hall of Dao Sword Sect''s main peak, an elder was reporting thetest intelligence to Gu Yueming, who sat in the high seat.


    "They will provide Zhican Valley with arge quantity of high-grade magical tools, and even low-level magical treasures. By our conservative estimate, when the war begins, each disciple of Zhican Valley will possess at least two high-grade magical tools. The smaller sects supporting Zhican Valley are also likely to receive some magical tools."


    "Master, sects from Yan Han Country have also risen to support Zhican Valley..." Liu Boxian said to Gu Yueming, "Combining various sources of intelligence, we conservatively estimate that Zhican Valley will ultimately have over fifty Nascent Soul cultivators and more than a thousand Golden Core cultivators."


    "Master, Zhican Valley has announced..." He Daoguang spoke up, "For this war, sects that assist Zhican Valley will receive a 20% discount on medicinal pills for the next five years. Moreover, Zhican Valley guarantees that any cultivator who actually fights in this battle will notck medicinal supplies."


    "Master..." he continued, "In contrast, our sect''s medicinal pills are depleted, with only next month''s regr distribution remaining. We don''t have enough pills to sustain a war. If we can''t purchase pills from Zhican Valley, we''ll have no medicinal support when fighting breaks out. The casualties then... I dare not imagine."


    "Master!" he looked at Gu Yueming and asked, "Where is our Medicine Elder?!"


    With no good news so far, Gu Yueming''s expression darkened as he looked at He Daoguang and said: "Elder Qin is in closed-door cultivation."


    "Closed-door cultivation?!" He Daoguang grew furious upon hearing this, "At such a crucial time? Master, why not strip him of his position as Medicine Elder?""Medicine Elder - the title says it all. When the sect desperately needs medicinal pills, he can''t produce a single one. What use is such a Medicine Elder?"


    "How about removing Elder Qin and letting you be Medicine Elder instead?" Liu Boxian asked, "Can you produce any pills?"


    He Daoguang looked at Liu Boxian with a cold smile and said: "At least this old man would do better than that greenhorn!"


    "Can you conjure medicinal herbs out of thin air? Can you conjure alchemists out of nothing?" Liu Boxian pressed.


    "Everyone knows our Dao Sword Sect has four main peaks. Qi Peak maintains sect order, Sword Peak defends sect security. May I ask, what are Dan Peak''s duties and obligations?" He Daoguang countered, "Dan Peak exists to provide pills for the sect. So does Dan Peak have any herbs? Does Dan Peak have any alchemists?!"


    Liu Boxian sneered and asked: "Back when Dan Peak had that conflict with Zhican Valley, your Qi Peak did..."


    "Enough!" Gu Yueming suddenly interrupted, "We face a great enemy, why are we fighting among ourselves? How inappropriate!"


    Liu Boxian and He Daoguang finally fell silent.


    "What''s the situation with Boundless Sword Sect?" Gu Yueming asked another elder, "Are they defensive or offensive?"


    "Boundless Sword Sect is also actively preparing for war," the elder replied. "Jian Wuming said they would stand with Dao Sword Sect. He has organized some battle-hardened cultivators and dered that if Zhican Valleyes for Dao Sword Sect, he will provide full support."


    Gu Yueming nodded without expressing an opinion.


    "How noble and righteous Boundless Sword Sect is!" He Daoguang sneered again, "Yet we don''t see that Dan Peak leader, deliberately taking people to show off at their sect, damaging the friendship between our sects. Is he trying to prove how strong he is? What does Lu Junxing''s defeat have to do with him?"


    Hearing this, Liu Boxian mmed the table and stood up: "What damage to friendship? It''s just that their Boundless Sword Sect has never beaten our Dao Sword Sect! Our Dao Sword Sect is simply stronger than Boundless Sword Sect! Is there a problem with that?"


    "I only regret that it wasn''t my Sword Peak disciples who went to Boundless Sword Sect. Qin Ran owes me an exnation."


    Gu Yueming helplessly patted the table, gesturing for Liu Boxian to sit down.


    "How are our sect''s magical tools and treasures?" he asked Liu Boxian, "If there are suitable ones, distribute them quickly so our disciples can familiarize themselves for battle."


    "Everyone has at least one sword," Liu Boxian said. "Master need not worry, Dao Sword Sect disciples can fight as long as they have a sword. Why fear Zhican Valley?"


    "Yes, you with your broken sword, while others have treasure swords, magical treasures, armor, gloves, boots, essories, armed to the teeth," He Daoguang said. "Like mountain bandits against elite regr troops..."


    "Bang!"


    Liu Boxian could no longer contain himself. He smashed the table before him to pieces, stood up and pointed at He Daoguang, cursing:


    "I''ve tolerated you for too long! You counter everything I say, what exactly do you mean? Should we just give up fighting and surrender to Zhican Valley? Should we go support Zhican Valley too?!"


    Faced with Liu Boxian''s fury, He Daoguang remained calm and smiled coldly: "That''s not impossible."


    "We cultivators seek immortality. What''s the difference between cultivating in Dao Sword Sect or Zhican Valley?"


    "Once war breaks out, countless will die. Must we wait until Dao Sword Sect is destroyed and everyone is dead? When the power difference is so vast and defeat is certain, why fight? To seek death?"


    "We are cultivators, not mortals. Mortals need benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trust to maintain social order and stability, need to be loyal to their country, but we don''t need to be loyal to our sect."


    "Besides, how many mortals have betrayed their countries?"


    "I''ll kill you!" Liu Boxian exploded in rage, summoning his natal sword and shing at He Daoguang.


    He Daoguang was startled and jumped back, but didn''t notice the chair behind him. He tripped and fell along with the chair.


    The surrounding elders rushed to restrain Liu Boxian, repeatedly trying to calm him: "Peak Master Liu, Peak Master Liu, don''t be angry, don''t be angry..."


    Restrained, Liu Boxian threw his sword at He Daoguang.


    In his panic, He Daoguang grabbed the chair to block, stopping Liu Boxian''s natal sword.


    To prevent the conflict from escting, the elders pulled Liu Boxian towards the door.


    As Liu Boxian was dragged backwards towards the exit, he pointed at He Daoguang and cursed:


    "You''ve been in Dao Sword Sect for thousands of years, even a rock would have gained spirit by now. I can''t believe I''ve walked the same path as such a shameless traitor for so many years..."


    The elders pulled Liu Boxian out the door, and as his voice faded, only Gu Yueming and He Daoguang remained in the hall.


    Gu Yueming stood up, walked to He Daoguang, helped him up, and pulled Liu Boxian''s natal sword from the chair, saying with a smile: "Daoguang, don''t take it to heart. Boxian was just ying around."


    He Daoguang straightened his clothes and sneered: "I know he wasn''t really attacking, otherwise why would I y along? In a real fight, he might not be my match."


    "Foolish brute, no brain!"


    Gu Yueming looked at Liu Boxian''s sword, which had "Protect the Dao" clearly engraved on the de.


    This sword was called the Dao-Protecting Sword.


    The "Dao" of Dao Sword Sect.


    The "Dao Sword" of Dao Sword Sect.


    "How did ite to this?" he asked aloud.


    The three of them had entered Dao Sword Sect around the same time, cultivated together, sought opportunities together, watched each other''s backs.


    After years of wandering, they returned to Dao Sword Sect together, wanting to protect it, wanting to revitalize it...


    Why... how... did it be like this?


    "Master, I''ve thought it through carefully," He Daoguang said. "Zhican Valley will have over fifty Nascent Soul cultivators, while we only have about ten. So even if other cultivators don''t act, just these fifty-plus Nascent Souls - one sneeze from each of them and Dao Sword Sect couldn''t withstand it."


    "We really must negotiate peace with Zhican Valley. As long as we preserve Dao Sword Sect''s name, what''s wrong with bing their subsidiary sect?"


    "I can go negotiate this with Zhican Valley. You know I have some connection with Valley Lord Wan."


    Gu Yueming''s gaze moved from the "Protect the Dao" inscription to He Daoguang. His eyes were deep and showed no emotional fluctuation.


    "We''ll discuss thister," he said.


    "Master! Time waits for no one," He Daoguang urged again. "Once all the supporting sects arrive at Zhican Valley, their power will be unprecedented, and they might not ept our peace offering!"


    "Return to Qi Peak first and check if all the disciples and elders in closed-door cultivation or away have returned," Gu Yueming said. "Have them prepare for battle."


    "Master!"


    He Daoguang wanted to say more, but after looking at Gu Yueming''s expression, he bowed and withdrew.


    "s!" Watching He Daoguang''s silhouette disappear through the doorway, Gu Yueming let out a deep sigh, feeling powerless once again.


    He sat down on the ground, holding the sect''s guardian sword.


    Dao Sword Sect, Dao Sword Sect.


    He had given everything to this sect, yet he had barely managed to keep it alive. He couldn''t do more for it.


    He hadn''t made it stronger.


    He might even witness its demise under his leadership.


    Suddenly, light cast shadows through the doorway. Thinking it was Liu Boxian returning for the guardian sword, he raised the weapon to hand it over, but kept his head lowered as he advised:


    "Senior He''s proposal was just one option. Even if it''s ill-timed, you needn''t be angry. He is, after all, a Yuan Ying cultivator, and at this critical moment, every Yuan Ying cultivator is crucial. Sometimes you need to control your temper."


    He felt ashamed to say these words to Liu Boxian''s face.


    But after waiting a while without Liu Boxian taking the guardian sword, he looked up to see a handsome young man standing before him, smiling.


    "Qin Ran?" He frowned. "Weren''t you in closed cultivation?"


    Qin Ran smiled and asked, "I guess Senior He''s proposal must have been to surrender to Zhican Valley!"


    Gu Yueming pulled back the sword, holding it close like an old man.


    He remained silent, offering no response.


    "No matter the time, ce, or situation, there will always be such people," Qin Ran sat down on the ground before Gu Yueming, smiling as he continued,


    "In the face of a mighty enemy, if this were the mortal world, those who suggest surrender would be executed immediately. The damage to morale might be no less severe than losing a Yuan Ying cultivator."


    Gu Yueming nced at him and said, "Let''s not speak of this anymore."


    "Very well." Qin Ran nodded and changed the subject, asking, "Does the Sect Leader know how to conquer an impregnable fortress?"


    If Gu Yueming knew, he wouldn''t be so pessimistic.


    "Its exterior may be imprable, impossible to breach..." Qin Ran hinted, "But what about its interior?"


    Gu Yueming''s eyes lit up, vaguely grasping Qin Ran''s meaning.


    "Is its interior truly unified? Are all its people clones or puppets, thinking exactly the same thoughts?" Qin Ran pressed.


    "What do you mean?" Gu Yueming asked.


    "Its interior consists of many different individuals. Each person has their own thoughts. Various, different thoughts," Qin Ran exined. "It may be extremely powerful, it may be impregnable, but they are all separate individuals.


    "Where there are differences, there are opportunities to divide.


    "All impregnable fortresses are broken from within; all powerful, invincible forces are dismantled from the inside."


    Gu Yueming suddenly smiled.


    "Zhican Valley has formed some kind of alliance. This alliance is naturally very powerful, the most powerful force you can find in the Land of Immortal Legacy. However..." Qin Ran smiled confidently as he told Gu Yueming,


    "This alliance is merely a temporary coalition of various sects and forces. Not only is it impossible for these forces to be free of old grudges, even if they were, new ones can be created.


    "Sect Leader, in my view, this alliance is nothing but a paper tiger. The stronger it appears, the more fragile it is. It''s like a tall building without a foundation - the taller it stands, the more dangerous it bes," he said. "It only appears strong, perhaps needing just a gentle breeze to copse on its own."


    "Hahaha..." Someone burst intoughter, but it wasn''t Gu Yueming - it was Liu Boxian entering through the doorway.


    Qin Ran turned to look as Liu Boxian walked in,ughing.


    Liu Boxian pointed at him andughed, "I knew you had a mind full of tricks, kid! I wasn''t wrong about you!"


    "Uncle Liu!" Qin Ran smiled and bowed respectfully.


    Liu Boxian walked over, took his guardian sword back from Gu Yueming, nted it before him, and asked Qin Ran, "Tell us, what should we do?!"


    "We need to proceed in three steps..." Qin Ran began.

 Chapter 435

    The Cangjiang Sect is a body cultivation sect.


    The sect is located at the most turbulent section of the Cang River. They established their sect in such a dangerous location to use the rushing river waters to temper their bodies and practice their powerful sect technique¡ªthe "Cang River Water God Body Tempering Method."


    The Cangjiang Sect was founded on the "Cang River Water God Body Tempering Method." When mastered topletion and reaching the Golden Core realm, this technique grants immense power, making one invulnerable to weapons and incredibly strong. Even splitting the Cang River bes an effortless feat.


    It''s worth noting that the current Cangjiang Sect leader, Wang Fang, has split the Cang River three times, earning him great renown in North Chu Country.


    Regarding body cultivation, the cultivation world has severalmon understandings:


    First, body cultivators are thick-skinned and muscr, generally considered simple-minded and crude;


    Second, body cultivators are indeed formidable inbat, with top-tier body cultivators being stronger than top-tier sword cultivators;


    Third, body cultivation takes a severe toll on the body, and only those with exceptional talent and abundant resources should attempt it.


    How does one strengthen the physical body?Simple¡ªthrough intense training.


    One must temper the body, causing the originally weak muscles and tissues to break down, then use cultivation techniques and medicines to repair and restore the body, achieving greater strength.


    This cycle repeats: training, destruction, recovery, strengthening¡ªthis is the path of body cultivation.


    From this, we can see that body cultivation is indeed harsh on the body.


    It''s also clear that for body cultivators, medicinal pills are invaluable.


    Pills can both elerate a body cultivator''s recovery from physical damage, allowing them to grow stronger and quickly begin the next round of training, and heal various internal injuries acquired during cultivation.


    The Cangjiang Sect, being a body cultivation sect, desperately needs medicinal pills.


    They were fortunate to receive help from the alchemists of Zhican Valley many years ago, who specially designed a pill for their founding technique¡ªthe "Water God Protection Pill."


    The Water God Protection Pill enhances the effects of the "Cang River Water God Body Tempering Method," quickly repairs damage from body tempering, and eliminates internal injuries from cultivation. This fundamentally ensures that Cangjiang Sect disciples can cultivate without worry.


    Since then, Cangjiang Sect disciples have used the Water God Protection Pill in their cultivation, and while their progress might not be described as advancing a thousand miles in a day, it could certainly be called advancing nine hundred and ny-nine miles.


    Thus, the Cangjiang Sect''s rising fame in North Chu Country these years can bergely attributed to the Water God Protection Pill.


    For them, Zhican Valley, which specially designed and refined the Water God Protection Pills, is undoubtedly like a second parent.


    When Zhican Valley sent word requesting their help, the entire Cangjiang Sect immediately stirred with excitement.


    Repaying kindness is what a true man does; failing to repay kindness is what beasts do!


    Whatever Zhican Valley needed, the Cangjiang Sect would help even if it meant sacrificing their lives.


    Sect Leader Wang Fang immediately gathered twenty powerful cultivators: five Golden Core disciples and fifteen Foundation Establishment disciples. They would depart immediately for Zhican Valley to lend their aid. ?


    Li Yi, a core disciple of the Cangjiang Sect, had been with the sect for over thirty years. He had personally witnessed the sect''s transformation before and after receiving the Water God Protection Pills.


    Before obtaining the Water God Protection Pills, the Cangjiang Sect was merely a minor sect barely surviving and at risk of extinction. After obtaining the pills, in just over ten years, they rose to be a renowned sect in North Chu Country, full of vitality and potential for further growth.


    Li Yi''s talent for body cultivation was exceptional. Even without the Water God Protection Pills, he reached Foundation Establishment in just five years.


    However, that would have been his limit. He would have struggled to break through to Golden Core during his prime years. For a body cultivator, failing to reach Golden Core during one''s physical peak usually meant never achieving it at all.


    Fortunately, they received help from the masters of Zhican Valley, who refined the Water God Protection Pills for them.


    After beginning to take the Water God Protection Pills, Li Yi''s cultivation speed became iparable to before. While it had taken him five years to reach Foundation Establishment, he achieved Golden Core in just ten years.


    Now, he was on the verge of reaching mid-stage Golden Core, perhaps needing just a few more years to achieve it.


    Without exaggeration, everything he had now was thanks to those Water God Protection Pills.


    Li Yi knew he wasn''t particrly clever, and his cultivation level was nothingpared to Zhican Valley, but he thought that at least he had strength and his life to offer. Now that Zhican Valley needed help, he would contribute whatever he could.


    The moment the sect leader announced this news, he rushed to the leader''s cave dwelling, determined to go to Zhican Valley.


    However, when he arrived, he found many other disciples had already gathered there, all equally excited and determined to help Zhican Valley.


    Li Yi worried that he had arrived toote and wouldn''t be chosen by the sect leader, unable to repay Zhican Valley''s kindness.


    However, he was fortunate, blessed by the Water God, and was chosen by the sect leader as one of the five Golden Core cultivators to travel to Zhican Valley.


    After selecting the team, Sect Leader Wang Fang piloted their sect treasure, the Cangjiang Cloud Boat, to take them to Zhican Valley.


    "Sect Leader..." aboard the cloud boat, Li Yi asked Wang Fang, "Our Cangjiang Sect has over ten Golden Core cultivators, why not bring more to Zhican Valley?"


    Wang Fang, focused on controlling the cloud boat, nced at Li Yi and countered, "If we bring everyone to Zhican Valley, what about our own sect?"


    He continued, "I am our sect''s only Nascent Soul cultivator, and I''m going. Adding you all makes up most of our sect''s strength. This is enough to repay Zhican Valley''s kindness."


    Li Yi heard this and looked at Wang Fang, wanting to speak but holding back.


    He felt it wasn''t enough.


    He thought the sect leader was being too mercenary. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring¡ªgiven Zhican Valley''s help to the Cangjiang Sect, what would be wrong with offering their entire sect''s strength? How could they haggle like petty merchants?


    But he ultimately kept these thoughts to himself.


    A newly promoted core disciple approached Li Yi and said, "Senior Brother, I heard that this time Zhican Valley is going to war with the Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect..."


    He hesitated, then continued, "The Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect are such major sects¡ªshould we really go to war with them?"


    Li Yi felt indignant hearing this, thinking the new disciples were too ignorant.


    He couldn''t understand what the younger generation was thinking, unable to distinguish between friends and enemies, showing no sense of righteousness.


    The Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect sat high above others, wielding their power arbitrarily and taking most of North Chu Country''s cultivation resources¡ªhad they ever looked down to help others?


    Only Zhican Valley, who cared about lower-ranked cultivators, would help small sects like them.


    It was clear as day who was friend and who was foe.


    Such ignorance!


    Li Yi coldly looked at this disciple.


    Zhican Valley had been refining pills for the Cangjiang Sect for so many years¡ªhad they ever asked anything in return?! Now they only needed the Cangjiang Sect to contribute some effort...


    "What''s so special about the Dao Sword Sect?" he said coldly. "They''re just Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators, are they any stronger than you and me? Body cultivators are invincible at the same realm¡ªthe higher you go, the clearer you''ll see this."


    He continued lecturing, "As body cultivators, we should be fearless and charge forward. How can you be so timid and afraid?"


    "I''m not afraid..." the disciple exined, despite Li Yi''s pressure.


    "I''m just thinking, what if the Dao Sword Sect still exists after the war? What if the major sects suddenly reconcile¡ªwhat will happen to small sects like us?


    "Suddenly making enemies of two major sects, in the future in North Chu Country, I fear..."


    "Think? Why spend all day thinking about such useless things? Is that what you should be thinking about? Instead of thinking about these things, why not think about how to practice body cultivation and improve? You don''t think about cultivation techniques and divine abilities, but focus on all these irrelevant matters!"


    Li Yi scolded, "Zhican Valley has shown great kindness to our Cangjiang Sect. The Water God Protection Pills you take every day are refined by Zhican Valley for our sect. What does it matter if we offend two major sects?!"


    "..."


    The disciple looked at Li Yi, not knowing what to say¡ªafter all, the Cangjiang Sect had paid spirit stones to Zhican Valley¡ªhe could only turn away and go to the edge of the cloud boat to look at the scenery.


    "Today''s disciples are getting worse with each generation, their character is concerning. If the Cangjiang Sect has to rely on them in the future..." Li Yi shook his head and sighed, "The Cangjiang Sect will be doomed!"


    Wang Fang ignored Li Yi and turned to look at the disciples standing by the cloud boat,mitting their faces to memory. It was rare to find people who used their brains in a body cultivation sect like theirs - these ones would need special attention for future development.


    The Cangjiang Sect wasn''t too far from Zhican Valley, about half the distance across North Chu Country. Unlike the Pure Sword Mountain sect who relied solely on flying, they had their cloud boat. Without any incidents along the way, they managed to arrive at Zhican Valley before nightfall.


    At the entrance of Zhican Valley, elders were specifically assigned to receive these small sects who hade to help.


    Wang Fang stepped forward and exchanged humble pleasantries, then followed a Zhican Valley disciple into the valley.


    Just as they passed through the valley''s protective formation, another small sect arrived behind them.


    Wang Fang nced back and, listening to the exchanges between the valley elder and the neers, learned that they were the Beast Taming Spirit Sect from Xuanqin Country.


    After their greetings, the Beast Taming Spirit Sect didn''t immediately enter but continued discussing something with the elder.


    Wang Fang only caught fragments of their conversation - words like "corpse," "ambush," and "unknown forces."


    But he couldn''t hear more to guess the full context.


    The Cangjiang Sect group passed through the protective formation and arrived at the valley''s observation tform, where they could take in the full view of Zhican Valley''s beauty. The valley''s splendor needed no borate description - anyone visiting for the first time couldn''t help but be amazed. The Cangjiang Sect members were no exception.


    After waiting for their amazement to subside, their guide spoke up: "Given therge number of visitors these past two days, there are some rules we need to exin in advance. This will help you avoid unnecessary punishment.


    "First, flying is prohibited within the valley;


    "Second,rge-scale destructive spells and divine abilities are forbidden;


    "Third, no wandering around the valley, especially in restricted areas - many ces are dangerous;


    "Fourth, daily food and medicinal pills are distributed at the dining hall at fixed times - note collections;


    "Fifth, standby for battle preparation notifications..."


    He listed over ten rules, impressing the Cangjiang Sect members with his memory.


    After he finished, Wang Fang smiled and said, "Major sects have many rules, I understand. I will ensure our disciplesply."


    "Good that you understand." The guide was satisfied with his sensible attitude. He nodded, flew down into the valley, and said, "Come, I''ll show you to your quarters."


    The Golden Core cultivators from Cangjiang Sect each carried several Foundation Building disciples who couldn''t fly, creating a somewhat ungraceful scene. When theynded on the valley path, they could hear mockingughter from the spiritual herb fields on both sides.


    Everyone''s faces reddened slightly.


    "Are you a body cultivation sect?" the guide asked as he led the way.


    "Yes," Wang Fang replied, "You have good eyes, young friend."


    "What good eyes? When Foundation Building cultivators can''t fly, they must be body cultivators," the guideughed.


    "I know you use your spiritual energy to strengthen your physical bodies, leaving little in your spiritual sea, so you can''t use most cultivators'' spells. There are few flying spells suitable for you.


    "I''ll report your situation to the higher-ups. They might grant you one or two flying spells suited to your needs."


    Hearing this, Wang Fang''s eyes lit up. Despite being a sect leader and Nascent Soul cultivator, he bowed to this young guide: "Many thanks, young friend."


    "No need for thanks, it''s for everyone''s benefit," the guide waved dismissively.


    Wang Fang chatted with the guide as they walked deeper into Zhican Valley, encountering many disciples from other sects along the way, some familiar and others unknown. There were certainly many people around.


    The valley was quite lively, more like a marketce than a pre-war military camp.


    Soon, the Cangjiang Sect group arrived at their assigned quarters - two small courtyards. Though it was somewhat cramped for their group of twenty-one, they epted it given the special circumstances.


    Wang Fang arranged amodations for all disciples and settled down in Zhican Valley, quietly awaiting the start of the war.

 Chapter 436

    The Tian Spirit Sect was a Qi cultivation sect, founded on the cultivation method known as the Tian Heart Scripture. Their "Azure Cloud Sword Technique" held some renown in Xuanqin.


    Legend has it that the sect once had a brilliant disciple who cultivated the Tian Heart Scripture to the Yuan Ying realm, and during that period created the Azure Cloud Sword Technique. This legend was widely circted within the Tian Spirit Sect and remains a source of pride for its members to this day.


    The sect was located in northern Xuanqin, close to North Chu, and maintained intimate connections with North Chu''s cultivation world.


    As a Qi cultivation sect, the Tian Spirit Sect possessed considerable pill-refining capabilities. Generally speaking, they could be self-sufficient in terms of the pills they refined.


    However, when it came to crucial pills like the Foundation Establishing Pill for building foundation or the Break Barrier Pill for core formation, which tested one''s pill-refining expertise, they weren''t very proficient and didn''t dare to refine them themselves. Instead, they had to purchase these fromrger pill-refining sects.


    In the Land of Immortal Legacy, thergest pill-refining sect was naturally the Zhican Valley.


    By chance, the Tian Spirit Sect established connections with Zhican Valley, securing a stable supply channel for Foundation Establishing Pills and Break Barrier Pills.


    Being a pill-refining sect themselves, their frequent interactions with Zhican Valley allowed them to learn much about pill refinement.


    Thus, Zhican Valley became not only a source for important pills but also something of a superior sect to the Tian Spirit Sect.Currently, many disciples in Zhican Valley had been promoted from the Tian Spirit Sect.


    After receiving Zhican Valley''s request for help, the sect leader of the Tian Spirit Sect, after careful consideration, decided to send an elder with several disciples to show their loyalty to Zhican Valley.


    Zhang Zong, an inner elder of the Tian Spirit Sect, was widely disliked within the sect due to his gloomy personality and preference for using living beings in pill refinement. Thus, the sect leader ordered him to lead ten Foundation Establishment disciples and two Golden Core disciples, thirteen people in total, to assist Zhican Valley.


    Zhang Zong was reluctant to leave as it would waste his pill-refining time, but considering it was Zhican Valley, a holynd of pill refinement, he decided to go and see.


    They received the message on the seventeenth, Zhang Zong departed at dawn on the eighteenth, and by dusk on the neenth, they barely managed to reach the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains.


    Their slow progress was due to two factors: first, the sect leader hadn''t provided them with a flying vessel like a cloud ship, and second, the Foundation Establishment disciples weren''t core members of the Tian Spirit Sect. Though they were at middle andte stages, their cultivation was merely superficial.


    Zhang Zong possessed the basic qualities of an alchemist, with meticulous attention to detail.


    Although Zhican Valley was on the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains, given the mountain range''s vastness, they probably couldn''t reach Zhican Valley immediately.


    And how dangerous would it be to enter the primordial forest at night?


    Therefore, Zhang Zong decided to rest for the night outside the Hengduan Mountains and enter the forest at daybreak.


    "Get down!" he ordered. "We''ll camp here tonight and head to Zhican Valley tomorrow morning."


    "Elder Zhang, Zhican Valley is just on the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains. Why don''t we push on through the night to reach it?" one of the Golden Core disciples questioned.


    "When I say rest, we rest!" Zhang Zong snapped, unwilling to exin. "Are you questioning my decision?"


    Considering the terrifying rumors about Zhang Zong within the sect, the disciple nced at him and dared not say more, though he harbored resentment in his heart.


    The group of thirteen cultivators didn''t need much consideration; they simply found arge tree for shelter. They sat cross-legged around the tree to meditate and recover their spiritual energy while taking a brief rest.


    Time passed slowly, and soon it was deep night. Many of the meditating disciples had fallen into deep cultivation states.


    In the ethereal night, silence bred terror.


    At one moment, Zhang Zong suddenly opened his eyes on the boulder by therge tree, while a talisman silently slipped from his sleeve into his palm.


    He looked into the darkness ahead and saw a figure standing there with a sword on their back, facing away from him.


    The night was too dark to discern whether it was a man or woman; he could only vaguely see the figure''s hair floating in the night wind.


    Being a Golden Core cultivator, he calmly stood up from the boulder and cautiously asked, "Who are you? Why are you ying tricks here?!"


    He didn''t know when this person had appeared; his spiritual sense could only detect the cold wind, unable to sense the actual person.


    Their strength far exceeded his.


    The sword-carrying figure remained silent, with only a gentle breeze blowing from that direction. But this breeze seemed toe from an iceyer, bone-chillingly cold.


    Perhaps it was theherworld wind from the underworld.


    Zhang Zong quietly took out his natal magical treasure and held it behind his back.


    "Youe here without reason and remain silent. What exactly do you want?" he spoke again, adding a warning, "If you don''t speak, I''ll have to take action."


    The warning before attacking wasn''t due to Zhang Zong''s gentlemanly nature, but because he knew the opponent''s strength exceeded his, and he dared not act rashly.


    He was stalling for time, waiting for the disciples behind the tree to wake up, especially the two Golden Core disciples. Only by attacking together might they have a chance.


    The sword-carrying figure remained silent.


    However, at some point, Zhang Zong suddenly realized he could see the figure clearly - ck clothes, long hair, slender shoulders, it was a woman''s silhouette!


    Something was wrong...


    Not good!


    Zhang Zong was startled - it wasn''t that his vision had improved, but that the sword-carrying figure had drawn closer!


    The figure had been continuously approaching him, but because they were facing away and moving so slowly without any obvious movement, he hadn''t noticed.


    "Take this!" Without further words, he activated the talisman in his palm, sending a palm lightning bolt striking the figure.


    The figure neither dodged nor blocked, taking the palm lightning head-on.


    "What?" Zhang Zong was shocked. There was no reaction after being hit by the palm lightning. "What kind of monster is this?"


    He had no time to think further, as the monster''s speed suddenly increased after being struck by his palm lightning.


    "Wake up!" he quickly turned to shout at the disciples.


    But when he nced back, he saw none of the disciples stirring. In an instant, he realized these fools were trying to use this mysteriously appearing monster to kill him.


    No one in the Tian Spirit Sect was close to him.


    "Fools!!" he roared, turning back and biting his tongue to spray heart blood onto his natal magical treasure, fully activating it.


    In the darkness, his magical treasure cut through the air with a "po" sound, heading toward the figure.


    Just as his treasure was about to hit the figure, Zhang Zong''s vision blurred, and the approaching figure vanished.


    "Hmm?" he was stunned, his first thought being, "Could it have been an illusion?"


    But before this thought could be reced by others, he heard the sound of a sword being drawn.


    The sound was so crisp...


    "Chi-ying~"


    Like the final moan of a young maiden dying in his pill furnace.


    While the sound still echoed in his ears, he felt something pass through his body.


    He looked down, and in the darkness, he clearly saw blood seeping from his body.


    Making a "zi zi..." sound.


    But he felt no pain.


    "I heard someone say that if a sword is fast enough, the blood spurting from the wound sounds like the wind, very pleasant to hear."


    In the darkness, suddenly a man''s voice came with the wind.


    Zhang Zong looked up and saw four people walking towards him, stepping on the tips of the dense wild grass.


    The speaker was a rtively delicate-looking man walking in the middle. "Master, who said this?" a woman beside him asked.


    "Wong Kar-wai said it," he replied.


    "Who is Wong Kar-wai? Is he a sword cultivator with a high realm?" she inquired further.


    "He doesn''t know swordsmanship."


    "Then how does he know blood sounds like wind and is pleasant to hear?"


    "Doesn''t it?" the man asked in return.


    "No," the woman shook her head, "I''ve never seen it."


    "Perhaps your sword isn''t fast enough," the man said.


    "Senior Brother Lu, have you seen it?" the woman asked.


    Another tall and straight man shook his head, saying, "I haven''t seen it either."


    "What about Senior Brother Liu?"


    The man suddenly pped the woman''s head and scolded, "How many times have I told you not to call names directly! Don''t call names directly! We are East Evil, West Poison, South Emperor, North Beggar, and Central Divine - can''t you remember that?!"


    The woman rubbed her head innocently and said, "I just forgot..."


    "Remember, you are the East Evil Sword Immortal!"


    As they spoke, they walked up to Zhang Zong. Zhang Zong could see clearly now - there were three men and one woman.


    "Do you know why your disciples haven''te to help you?" asked the refined-looking man in the middle with a smile. His smile was so warm, like a spring breeze.


    Zhang Zong had thought they wanted to eliminate him using enemy hands, but now he realized - they had died before him.


    He nodded.


    For some reason, he suddenly felt relieved - he hadn''t been abandoned... they were just dead.


    Then he split apart. His body was divided evenly in half, the wound neat and clean. The Central Divine Sword Immortal''s sword was clearly fast enough.


    In his final moments before life slipped away, he heard the warmly smiling man say softly:


    "Remember, I am the West Poison Sword Immortal of the Boundless Sword Sect. The one who killed you is the Central Divine Sword Immortal of the Boundless Sword Sect. We repay all grudges and grievances - the Boundless Sword Sect never kills wrongly. We will kill all cultivators who dare to help Zhican Valley..."


    Zhang Zong remembered clearly, and would never forget even in death.


    When the cultivators from Zhican Valley found this ce, several days had already passed.


    They discovered the elder of the Tian Spirit Sect had been cleanly split in half by sharp sword energy. Under arge tree, they found twelve disciples of the Tian Spirit Sect, all with sword energy pierced through their chests and dantian. Their dantian seas were destroyed - they had all died unnatural deaths while meditating.


    On the front of thatrge tree, they saw words written in blood with a sword: "Death to all who dare aid Zhican Valley!"


    On the back of the tree: "First eliminate Zhican Valley, then destroy the Dao Sword Sect!"


    "Boundless Sword Sect!" someone shouted in rage, striking through the tree with a palm strike.


    As soon as he cursed, an extremely unpleasant sound responded from the huge rock: "Boundless Sword Sect, Boundless Sword Sect! Sword Immortal, West Poison! Boundless Sword Sect..."


    Ghost wails! The people from Zhican Valley were instantly overjoyed - soul fragments still remained.


    They hurried over and cast spells to collect the lingering souls.


    "Who killed you all?" someone urgently asked.


    "Boundless Sword Sect... Boundless Sword Sect..." the remnant soul murmured, "West Poison, South Emperor, Sword Immortal... Boundless Sword Sect... kill all of Zhican Valley..."


    "Was it really the Boundless Sword Sect?" A Zhican Valley cultivator who knew their internal affairs asked skeptically with furrowed brows, "Which members of the Boundless Sword Sect?"


    "South Emperor, Central Divine, Central Divine, Sword Immortal, Sword Immortal... Boundless Sword Sect... kill all of Zhican Valley..." Then the remnant soul could only repeat this one phrase.


    "Can the remnant soul be restored?" someone asked.


    Someone answered: "No, too much time has passed. It should have dispersed long ago - it only remained due to resentment and Golden Core cultivation level..."


    "Why did the Boundless Sword Sect go back on their word?" someone asked in confusion.

 Chapter 437

    "First step, we''ll take advantage of the small sects traveling to Zhican Valley to weaken the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s strength and disrupt both morale and the situation," Qin Ran exined to Gu Yueming and Liu Boxian. "The Hengduan Mountain Alliance is a coalition of small sects led by Zhican Valley. While we can''t touch Zhican Valley yet, we can eliminate some of these small sects on their way there."


    "Divide and conquer," Gu Yueming nodded in agreement with Qin Ran''s strategy, but raised his concerns. "However, I have two questions.


    "First, when we target the small sects, Zhican Valley will surely intervene. How will you prevent their interference? If they do intervene, we''ll end up in a direct confrontation with them, resulting in the same casualties;


    "Second, assassinating these small sects will involve too much bloodshed, severely damaging our sect''s reputation. After the war, won''t the Dao Sword Sect be an enemy of the entire Land of Immortal Legacy? How will we maintain our foothold there?"


    "Master, you jest," Qin Ran replied. "Regarding your second point, these small sects have already joined Zhican Valley with the intention of destroying the Dao Sword Sect, yet you''re still concerned about reputation and righteousness? Master, this is a fight to the death. Either we perish, or Zhican Valley falls."


    Gu Yueming was stunned for a moment before shaking his head with a bitter smile. "I was overthinking it."


    "It''s natural to have such concerns under such pressure, don''t worry about it," Qin Ran consoled him, then continued, "Besides, warfare is about deception. Webine conventional methods with unexpected tactics. In war, we must use every means necessary to achieve victory. Any strategy that leads to victory is a good strategy. Nobody cares about reputation."


    Liu Boxian looked at Qin Ran and asked, "Where did you learn all this? Are these teachings in our sect''s library?"


    "Yes," Qin Ran nodded, confident that someone like Liu Boxian would never bother checking the library.He continued, "As for your first concern, Master, I''ve considered it. My strategy will be to use special forces tactics, taking a small number of elite disciples for these assassination missions.


    "We''ll keep the frequency of attacks low to avoid triggering an immediate response from Zhican Valley. Like cutting flesh with a dull de. If they respond, they won''t find us, making it not worth their effort; if they don''t respond, we''ll eliminate a few sects.


    "Moreover, we can pin our actions on the Boundless Sword Sect. Whether people believe it or not, they''ll me the Boundless Sword Sect, not the Dao Sword Sect."


    "You rascal!" Liu Boxianughed and scolded, "How did youe up with all these underhanded tactics?"


    "In warfare, webine the orthodox with the unexpected," Qin Ran said seriously. "When we can''t win through direct confrontation, we must resort to unexpected moves.


    "This method will reduce the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s strength, create chaos, and discourage other small sects from getting involved in this mess."


    Finally, he instructed Gu Yueming, "To achieve precise and safe assassinations, we need sufficient intelligence. Master, I need you to establish a wartime intelligence department to collect all information about Hengduan Mountain and ry it to me.


    "I will personally lead a team of sword cultivators, disguised as Boundless Sword Sect disciples, to carry out these assassination missions..."


    At noon on May 20th, five people were perched in a giant tree within the dense forest of the Hengduan Mountains.


    "Master, which sect is our target today?" Li Shiyin asked Qin Ran.


    Li Shiyin was wearing ck clothes, with her hair tied back and an ordinary appearance, quite different from her usual look and temperament. She had clearly undergone disguise treatment.


    She sat on a tree branch, swinging her feet casually, one hand propping up her face as she tilted her head to look at Qin Ran beside her.


    Qin Ran had also undergone disguise treatment, and since he had previously cultivated disguise-rted techniques, his transformation was more thorough. He had made himself taller, more muscr, and ordinary-looking,pletely different from his original appearance.


    He was focused on studying a map when he heard Li Shiyin''s question. He looked up and red at her, correcting, "Call me Western Poison!"


    "Oh right, you''re Western Poison, the Sword Immortal," Li Shiyin stuck out her tongue. It was truly difficult for her not to call her master ''master,'' considering she didn''t even like using terms of endearment like ''husband.'' "So, Western Poison, Western Evil, what are we doing today?"


    "ording to today''s intelligence analysis..." Qin Ran pointed at the map while exining to Li Shiyin and the others, "Today, approximately seven sects will arrive at the Hengduan Mountains, including the Beast Form Sect from North Chu, the Mystic Spirit Gate and Fire Cloud Sect from Xuanqin, and the Empty Water Gate from Yan Han.


    "The Fire Cloud Sect, Empty Water Gate, and two other sects will enter the Hengduan Mountains during the day, while the Beast Form Sect, Mystic Spirit Gate, and one other sect will arrive at night."


    "Fire Cloud Sect and Empty Water Gate?" Li Shiyin asked, "Are they our targets?"


    "No!" Qin Ran shook his head. "Last night we intercepted three sects and that was exhausting. Today we''ll rest during the day and act at night. Today''s targets are the Beast Form Sect and Mystic Spirit Gate."


    "Exhausting?" Li Shiyin looked at the other three people and asked, "Are you tired?"


    Lu Junxing, Liu Baixuan, and Tian Wenjin all shook their heads.


    "Master, these small sects are too weak to challenge us seriously," Li Shiyin said. "Last night was about as demanding as a regr sect mission. We''re not tired at all."


    "We''re not just intercepting for a day or two," Qin Ran exined. "We''ll continue these interceptions until Zhican Valleyunches theirrge-scale attack on the Dao Sword Sect, which should be around the end of the month.


    "The duration of the mission is one thing, but more importantly, I need to ensure your safety; none of you can afford any idents."


    "But given these sects'' strength levels, it''s hard for them to pose any threat to us?" Li Shiyin was confused.


    Qin Ran wanted to knock some sense into his foolish disciple''s head. But with Lu Junxing and the others present, he decided to spare her dignity.


    He continued exining: "What if our target is actually a trap set by Zhican Valley? What if a sect has some suicide technique? What if a sect has specialmunication methods? These are all things we need to consider. I must ensure our targets aren''t traps, don''t have suicide techniques ormunication methods, or at least can''t use them.


    "Remember, assassination is only part of our mission objectives."


    "Oh!" Li Shiyin nodded, looking at the others. Seeing that they understood, she stopped asking what might have seemed like foolish questions.


    Qin Ran observed this and suddenly realized his foolish disciple wasn''t actually failing to understand ¨C she simply didn''t feel the need to understand when it came to him. She had been asking for the benefit of the others.


    He felt a sudden warmth in his heart.


    Having received Qin Ran''s exnation, the others settled down, sitting cross-legged on the tree to rest and meditate.


    Meanwhile, Qin Ran kept his eyes on the map and identity token (which had messaging capabilities), analyzing the situation and information throughout the day.


    As night fell, Qin Ran led the four who had rested all day away from the tree, flying toward the outskirts of the Hengduan Mountains.


    "This time our target is the Beast Form Sect.


    "This sect is primarily focused on body cultivation, using beast cores to strengthen their physical forms. They absorb beast cores to temper their bodies, and during battle, they can transform parts of their bodies to resemble beasts. ording to their cultivation technique''s characteristics, the more parts of their body they can transform, the better their talent and stronger their power."


    Qin Ran continued briefing the four while flying, "They''ve sent four Golden Core cultivators and twenty Foundation Building cultivators this time. Among the Golden Core cultivators, two primarily absorbed wolf spirits, one eagle, and one tiger; among the Foundation Building cultivators, ten are wolf-type, six tiger-type, two leopard-type, and two snake-type. Only the eagle-type is worth your attention ¨C don''t let that one escape."


    "Is this sect particrly strong?" Lu Junxing asked, puzzled. "They sent four Golden Core cultivators."


    "No..." Qin Ran shook his head. "If they haven''t hidden their strength, they only have five Golden Core cultivators in total."


    Liu Baixuan couldn''t help but sigh, "The more focused on body cultivation they are, the more they rely on pills, and the more eager they are to support Zhican Valley."


    "Actually, it''s not that ¨C it''s just that the conscience of the cultivation world lies with the body cultivators," Qin Ran quipped.


    "This time, Shiyin and Baixuan will take action, while Junxing and Wenjin stand guard," he began arranging the mission details.


    "Let me emphasize once more: you cannot use sword qi or sword intent. Any techniques that might leave traces cannot be used! Preferably, don''t even use magical power. Complete the mission using only physical strength and basic sword techniques. Don''t let anyone realize it was you who killed them."


    "Understood!" Li Shiyin and Liu Baixuan nodded in unison.


    Qin Ran led the group to search briefly along the edge of the Hengduan Mountains, and they soon found the Beast Form Sect members.


    This mission proved even simpler thanst night''s task, as when they arrived, they found the twenty-some Beast Form Sect members having a merry time, roasting meat and drinking wine.


    They waited silently in the treetops until the people below finished drinking and passed out drunk. Then Li Shiyin and Liu Baixuan drew ordinary swords and used their movement techniques to sneak over.


    Lu Junxing and Tian Wenjin instinctively stood guard, each drawing their swords to prevent any unexpected situations.


    Qin Ran monitored the entire scene, waiting for them toplete the kills.


    Nothing unexpected urred.


    This was because these elite disciples, with their exceptional talents and abilities, were far superior to these third-rate small sect practitioners. Moreover, they fought dirty, carrying out organized, premeditated, nned ambushes and assassinations.


    As a result, the Beast Form Sect members ascended to heaven without putting up any effective resistance.


    Qin Ran approached with a sword in hand, and while still in mid-air, used the bloodied sword tip to write these words on the grass: "First eliminate Zhican Valley, then destroy the Dao Sword Sect!"


    Afterpleting everything, they briefly inspected the scene before swiftly departing.


    Having carried outst night''s operation, they appeared even more well-trained today.


    "Junior Uncle..." During their search for the Mystic Spirit Gate, Lu Junxing couldn''t help but ask, "Will this really work? Will it make them think the Boundless Sword Sect was behind this?"


    "Those are two separate questions," Qin Ran replied. "First, this approach is very effective. It will weaken the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s strength, create panic, discourage other sects froming to Zhican Valley, and allow us to proceed smoothly with our next phase of the n.


    "Second, Zhican Valley likely has connections with the Boundless Sword Sect, so they might know it wasn''t their doing. However, this might nt seeds of doubt between them. Other sects will most likely believe it was the Boundless Sword Sect''s work.


    "Most importantly, very few will suspect the Dao Sword Sect''s involvement. Because there''s no evidence."


    Lu Junxing nodded thoughtfully.


    He discovered that the more time he spent with Junior Uncle, the more he realized that in the cultivation world, intelligence was also crucial.


    Previously, he had always believed that there was nothing that couldn''t be solved with a sword strike, and if it couldn''t be solved, it was only because he wasn''t strong enough.


    Now he gradually understood that strength was always rtive. When he was at the Golden Core realm, his enemies were at the Golden Core realm; when he reached the Nascent Soul realm, his enemies were at the Nascent Soul realm too. So, he and his enemies were always roughly equal in strength. When powers were evenly matched, schemes and tactics became very effective.


    The saying that "when one reaches a certain level of power, all schemes beughable" only meant that when he was at the Nascent Soul realm, Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators couldn''t scheme against him. However, other Nascent Soul cultivators could still plot against him.


    Mortals scheme against mortals, Foundation Establishment against Foundation Establishment, Nascent Soul against Nascent Soul, immortals against immortals, nations against nations, sects against sects - among these equal forces, schemes and tactics would always exist.


    Just as he was pondering these thoughts, Junior Uncle suddenly stopped ahead and said in a grave voice, "Stop!"


    Lu Junxing snapped back to reality and was about to ask what was wrong when his keen sense of smell detected the scent of blood in the air.


    The smell of blood was overwhelming!


    People had died, many people had died!


    In front of them, Junior Uncle''s figure flickered, and a water clone appeared before him, moving forward to scout. Soon after, Junior Uncle''s expression grew even darker, and he flew forward using his movement technique.


    Lu Junxing and the other three followed Qin Ran''s flight. After flying through dense tree shadows, their vision suddenly cleared. Lu Junxing looked forward from mid-air and saw corpses and blood covering the ground.


    The Mystic Spirit Gate members were already dead!


    They had died before our group could act!


    Someone else was also intercepting and killing the sectsing to aid Zhican Valley!


    Unknown whether friend or foe.


    "Is this a coincidence?" Lu Junxing asked.


    "At a time like this, it can''t be coincidence," Qin Ran replied gravely.


    "Was it the Boundless Sword Sect''s doing?" Liu Baixuan asked. "Copying our method of framing the Dao Sword Sect?"


    Qin Ran shook his head, "The Boundless Sword Sect only has sword cultivators, but the Mystic Spirit Gate members weren''t killed by swords."


    "Then who''s helping us?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "Help?" Qin Ran''s expression turned terrifyingly dark. "It might not be help... but another powerful, mysterious force has entered the game."


    The situation had be even moreplex!

 Chapter 438

    "Elder, I heard there are sword cultivators ambushing those who are rushing to aid Zhican Valley in the primitive forests of the Hengduan Mountains..."


    In the azure sky, over twenty sword cultivators were flying swiftly on their swords.


    As they flew across the sky, they left behind more than twenty arc-shaped sword trails of various colors, along with twenty streaks of pure white cloud vapor. The sight was quite magnificent and beautiful.


    Among them, a young sword cultivator spoke to the leader, "ording to reports, the Boundless Sword Sect has sent their core disciples to conduct indiscriminate killings. They intend to eliminate all sectsing to aid Zhican Valley."


    "Killings?" The leading sword cultivator, a tall and robust man, sneered upon hearing this and said, "To resort to such underhanded tactics... The more the Boundless Sword Sect acts this way, the more it shows they''re afraid. They know their strength isn''t enough to face the Hengduan Mountain Alliance head-on, so they''re forced to use such methods."


    "So this is the Boundless Sword Sect?" He sneered, "It seems the position of the strongest sword cultivation sect in the Land of Immortal Legacy should belong to our Celestial Sword Sect now."


    "Perhaps our Celestial Sword Sect has already surpassed the Boundless Sword Sect," the questioning disciple replied confidently. "It''s just that the Boundless Sword Sect is lucky to be so far from us, with rare sword art exchanges, which is why people still think they''re stronger than the Celestial Sword Sect."


    "Actually, the Boundless Sword Sect disciples I''ve encountered in recent years are quite average. They don''t deserve to be called the strongest."


    The Celestial Sword Sect was the strongest sword cultivation sect in Yan Han Country.Many years ago, they had fought against the Boundless Sword Sect and narrowly lost. Since then, they had remained in second ce among the sword sects in the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    Obviously, Zhican Valley understood the art of diplomatic maneuvering, maintaining good rtions with this major sect far away in Yan Han Country.


    It was also clear that the Celestial Sword Sect''s purpose in helping Zhican Valley wasn''t purely altruistic.


    The Celestial Sword Sect was indeed powerful, sending twenty-five people to aid Zhican Valley. Among these twenty-five, there were three Yuan Ying realm sword cultivators, seven Golden Core realm sword cultivators, and fifteen Foundation Establishment sword cultivators.


    Their lineup was truly among the strongest among the reinforcing sects.


    By now, evening was approaching, with the distant sunset nearing the western mountains, its amber light soft enough to look at directly.


    The questioning disciple, named Yu Qingshan, looked at the distant sunlight, then nced down at the approaching primitive forest below, and asked the leading elder, "Elder Wu, shall we push straight through to Zhican Valley?"


    As sword cultivators with solid cultivation bases, even if they forced their way to Zhican Valley, they would only need to travel through the night for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.


    "No..." Elder Wu, whose full name was Wu Lan, shook his head and said with a grin, "Tonight we''ll camp in the forest. I want to see if the Boundless Sword Sect people have the courage toe ambush us."


    Yu Qingshanughed along, saying, "The fact that the Boundless Sword Sect sends people to ambush smaller sects shows their strength is quite considerable. I''m also curious to see just how powerful their core disciples really are."


    "Senior Brother Yu is overestimating them!" disciples behind him chimed in, "If they daree, we''ll handle them ourselves. No need for Senior Brother Yu to act!"


    Yu Qingshan was consistently ranked in the top three of the Celestial Ranking of the Celestial Sword Sect.


    The Celestial Ranking was equivalent to the Geniuses Ranking of the Dao Sword Sect. Ifparing the Celestial Sword Sect to the Dao Sword Sect, then Yu Qingshan would be equivalent to someone like Li Shiyin, or more precisely, Liu Baixuan.


    "Hahaha..." Yu Qingshanughed heartily at this, "Remember what you said - you absolutely can''tpete with me, I want to test the Boundless Sword Sect''s strength myself."


    The group descended into the primitive forest while chatting andughing, riding their swords.


    They found a t area in the forest, cleared some trees to make a clean space, and stopped to rest.


    Most Foundation Establishment disciples meditated to recover their spiritual energy, while the Golden Core disciples took time to hunt some bird-like and deer-like demon beasts. Using the cut trees, they started a fire and began barbecuing.


    "The Hengduan Mountains truly live up to their name, the resources here are so abundant!" a discipleughed, "Just a short walk around and we can hunt such delicious demon beasts."


    "Demon beasts are just one aspect, wild spiritual herbs are the key," someone added, "I heard the entire valley of Zhican Valley is spiritual soil... That''s how they became the number one in alchemy in the Land of Immortal Legacy."


    Someone else pointed out: "The Dao Sword Sect is also incredible, their entire mountain is made of spirit stones!"


    "Ah, when will we be able to enjoy these resources of the Hengduan Mountains?"


    Yu Qingshan, who was preparing deer meat, smiled and replied: "Once we destroy the Dao Sword Sect and our Celestial Sword Sect moves in, won''t we be able to enjoy these endless cultivation resources?"


    "Senior Brother speaks truly!" disciples quickly agreed, "After we destroy the Boundless Sword Sect, we can also obtain their sword manuals, sword dao insights, and legendary swords."


    "I think you''re all dreaming..." someone criticized with augh.


    Amidst theughter, night gradually fell.


    Everywhere else was pitch ck, only their two bonfires dispelled the darkness, illuminating the surroundings. The Celestial Sword Sect disciples ate, yed,ughed, and made merry in the firelight.


    Suddenly someone called out: "Wine, does anyone still have wine? Let''s warm it up."


    "Do you still have meat over there?"


    "No more, go get some yourself... Remember to get plenty."


    A Foundation Establishment disciple stood up drunkenly, took out a sword from his storage bag, and stumbled into the pitch-ck forest to hunt.


    Because there were many people, few paid attention to him, until...


    "Bang!"


    He was suddenly thrown back by an enormous force, flying backward through the crowd and crashing into the bonfire.


    The festive atmosphere instantly vanished, and sudden silence fell around the bonfire.


    Only the "crack-pop" of the wood from the other bonfire seemed particrly loud.


    But the silence came as suddenly as it went.


    "Boom!"


    The crowd erupted with a magnificentbined aura!


    "Enemy attack!" someone shouted.


    "Shing shing shing..."


    More than ten precious swords were drawn simultaneously, and more than ten Celestial Sword Sect disciples turned in unison to face the enemy''s direction.


    There were four people there, two men and two women, two at Yuan Ying realm and two at Golden Core realm, all carrying swords, emerging silently from the darkness, each standing on a branch of arge tree.


    They all wore expressionless faces, coldly and disdainfully looking down at them.


    Wu Lan walked forward to the front, looked up at the four people,ughed "Hahaha," and asked, "Boundless Sword Sect?"


    No one answered.


    "Since you''ve suddenly visited, might I know your esteemed names?" Wu Lan asked again.


    "I am the emperor among swordsmen, known as the South Emperor Sword Immortal..." one of them, a man of ordinary appearance but extraordinary bearing and straight posture, spoke up, "This is my junior brother North Beggar Sword God, junior sisters Central Divine Power and Eastern Evil Sword Immortal. Along with Western Poison Old Freak who''s resting tonight, we are known as the Eastern Evil, Western Poison, South Emperor, North Beggar, and Central Divine Power of the Boundless Sword Sect."


    "Eastern Evil and Western Poison?" Wu Lan frowned. He knew something about the Boundless Sword Sect but had never heard of thisbination.


    Of course, given the great distance, poormunication was normal.


    He didn''t dwell on it too much.


    "I am Wu Lan of the Celestial Sword Sect, and behind me are all disciples of our Celestial Sword Sect," he introduced.


    "I know," the South Emperor Sword Immortal nodded and asked, "Do you know why we''vee tonight?"


    Behind Wu Lan, Yu Qingshan pulled up the disciple who had crashed into the bonfire and asked, "How are you?"


    The disciple''s face was pale, very weak, clutching his chest, but shook his head and said, "It''s nothing, I can handle it."


    Yu Qingshan smiled and patted his shoulder, praising, "Not bad!"


    Then asked, "What''s your name?"


    "Leng... Leng Ya," the disciple gasped, "Senior Brother, I''m Leng Ya!"


    "Good!" Yu Qingshan stood up, handed him to a nearby disciple, and smiled, "I''ll remember you."


    He took out a sword from his storage bag, turned to stand beside Wu Lan, and looked up at the four people in the trees, especially the leading South Emperor Sword Immortal.


    This person was very powerful; he couldn''t see through his strength at a nce.


    "I don''t care why you''re here," he spoke up, "I only know that tonight, you''ll die here."


    The South Emperor Sword Immortal looked at him, studied him carefully for a moment, then nodded in approval: "Not bad cultivation!"


    "Not bad?" Yu Qingshanughed. This was the first time in his cultivation journey that he had received such an evaluation. He raised his sword, pointing it at the South Emperor Sword Immortal, and said, "Before you die, I can give you a chance - a chance to fight me one-on-one."


    "Oh?" The South Emperor Sword Immortal pondered briefly before nodding, "Very well!"


    After their exchange, both fighters soared into the sky, engaging in fiercebat in the pitch-ck night.


    Yu Qingshan practiced the Celestial Sword Sect''s foundational sword technique - the "Nine Suns Sky-splitting Sword Art."


    Each move was like a zing sun, with sword energy as magnificent as a rainbow, and techniques of unmatched power. Every sword strike seemed capable of tearing apart the night sky. His sword energy rippled through the darkness, emanating heat so intense that those on the ground could feel its scorching presence.


    "This man is formidable," the Eastern Evil Sword Immortal couldn''t help butment.


    The North Beggar Sword God nodded in agreement, but then suddenly shook his head for some unknown reason.


    "He ranks among the top three on our Celestial Ranking. How dare you presume to judge him?" a Celestial Sword Sect disciple mockingly called out.


    "I wonder how many moves the South Emperor Sword Immortal canst?" another person questioned.


    While the Celestial Sword Sect disciples were gleefully trash-talking below, Yu Qingshan fought above with growing frustration.


    It wasn''t that he was losing or at a disadvantage, but rather...


    The fight felt strange.


    It seemed as if the South Emperor Sword Immortal wasn''t using his full power.


    After more than ten exchanges, facing such an opponent, the South Emperor Sword Immortal hadn''t released any sword energy, and his sword intent was nowhere to be seen. Yu Qingshan couldn''t even determine what type of cultivation technique his opponent practiced.


    Yet facing this situation, Yu Qingshan only found it peculiar, assuming his opponent wasn''t giving it his all because...


    His opponent was facing him!


    How dare they not fight at full strength?


    Surely the opponent was just practicing some special technique... that must be it!


    After another dozen exchanges, Yu Qingshan forced back the South Emperor Sword Immortal with a sword strike and coldly dered, "An opponent like you isn''t worth fighting!"


    With that, he flew back to the ground.


    The South Emperor Sword Immortal, calcting that the time was about right, followed him down.


    "How did it go?" Wu Lan, seeing both return unscathed, asked with furrowed brows.


    "He must have practiced some special technique that''s all defense and no offense. Fighting him was pointless," Yu Qingshan replied.


    "A sword technique that only defends but never attacks?" The Celestial Sword Sect disciples burst intoughter. "In all the world, we''ve never heard of such a sword technique!"


    However, only the four people on the other side knew the true situation. The Eastern Evil, North Beggar, and Central Divine Power looked at Yu Qingshan with pity.


    "Move!"


    Suddenly, the Eastern Evil Sword Immortal shouted, and four sword lights burst forth!


    The Celestial Sword Sect side was startled and released various sword energies, preparing to meet the attack.


    But in the next moment, the four figures in the trees turned in unison, mounted their swords, and vanished into the darkness.


    Voices drifted back from the darkness: "They actually have three Yuan Ying cultivators!"


    "To think they had someone ranked in the top three of the Celestial Ranking..."


    "The Celestial Sword Sect''s power is truly terrifying!"


    Their voices grew fainter until they disappearedpletely into the darkness.


    "???"


    The Celestial Sword Sect cultivators were dumbfounded, unable to process what had just happened.


    "They... ran away?"


    "What''s going on?!"


    "Weren''t they here to ambush us?" someone asked. "They just left like that?"


    "Seems they''re the type to bully the weak and fear the strong..." someone concluded. "Seeing our strength was too great, they didn''t dare to fight."


    "Elder Wu, should we pursue them?"


    Wu Lan shook his head grimly: "No pursuit. Be wary of traps."


    "Hah!" someone sneered. "So this is the caliber of Boundless Sword Sect disciples?"


    "Looks like the Boundless Sword Sect isn''t all that special."


    "The Celestial Sword Sect can rece them!"


    "Senior Brother..." Leng Ya stumbled to Yu Qingshan''s side and asked, "You weren''t injured, were you?"


    Yu Qingshan shook his head: "The South Emperor Sword Immortal was no match for me... I just couldn''t be bothered to fight him."


    "That''s good..." Leng Ya looked up toward the direction where the four had disappeared into the darkness, frowning with unspoken words.


    Seeing this, Yu Qingshan asked, "Did you notice something?"


    "They could have killed me, but didn''t..." Leng Ya hesitated. "They were very powerful and could have killed many of our disciples, but didn''t... Something feels strange about all this."


    Yu Qingshan recalled how the South Emperor Sword Immortal had seemed unfathomable at first, yet fought so differently in reality. It was indeed strange.


    He narrowed his eyes, analyzing the darkness: "Could they have been Dao Sword Sect disciples? Are the three sects of the Hengduan Mountains engaged in some kind of power y?"


    "Be careful..." Wu Lan warned, "There might be more toe."


    However, there were no further developments - not until dawn, not even until they reached Zhican Valley. Nothing else unusual urred.

 Chapter 439

    At the entrance of Zhican Valley, Wu Lan led the members of the Celestial Sword Sect to meet the elder responsible for receiving them.


    "Elder, I am Wu Lan, the Sword-wielding Elder of the Celestial Sword Sect," he greeted the Zhican Valley elder with a formal sword salute.


    The disciples behind him all bowed to the Zhican Valley elder.


    The Zhican Valley elder nodded and returned the greeting: "I am Zhang Wei. Wee to Zhican Valley, Celestial Sword Sect."


    "Elder Zhang is too kind," Wu Lan smiled, maintaining a respectful demeanor as he made small talk, "May I ask how many sects have arrived at the valley?"


    "Several dozens," Zhang Wei replied vaguely with a smile. "We are deeply honored that the Celestial Sword Sect has traveled such a great distance to assist Zhican Valley. Elder Wu, was your journey smooth?"


    "The journey went well," Wu Lan replied, then added with praise, "Zhican Valley, the sacrednd of alchemy in the Land of Immortal Legacy! Which cultivator doesn''t need elixirs? And which sect wouldn''te to aid Zhican Valley?"


    "Elder Wu jests," Zhang Wei smiled with pride, then asked, "Recently, the Hengduan Mountains have been quite dangerous, with many sects falling victim to ambushes. Zhican Valley has sent people to pursue the culprits multiple times but to no avail. It''s quite distressing. Did the Celestial Sword Sect encounter any such viins?"


    "Ambushes?" Upon hearing this, Wu Lan shook his head repeatedly andughed mockingly, "To think that someone would resort to such despicable acts during what should be honorable battles between sects!"However, despicable people do despicable things. We of the Celestial Sword Sect are all sword cultivators with formidablebat power. Such vermin wouldn''t dare to ambush us. Elder need not worry."


    Zhang Wei suddenly realized: "Ah, I was being overcautious. How would those rat-like cowards dare to face the magnificent sword energy of the Celestial Sword Sect?!"


    Just as he finished speaking, someone in the Celestial Sword Sect''s group suddenly began coughing violently, with "bang bang bang" sounds as if their internal organs were about to be coughed out.


    Zhang Wei looked into the crowd and saw a young cultivator covering his mouth while coughing fiercely, his hands stained red.


    rmed, he asked with concern: "What''s wrong with that young friend?"


    Wu Lan turned to look, saw it was Leng Ya, and his expression darkened slightly. However, he quickly smiled again and exined, "It''s nothing. Just an impatient youngster who deviated from the proper path during his cultivation. After a couple days of rest and recovery, he won''t miss the uing battle."


    "Oh! What are you saying?" Zhang Wei waved his hand dismissively, "Elder, you''re mistaken! Life is paramount. The health and safety of disciples should be the top priority. How can you not take this seriously?"


    He took out a bottle of pills from his storage bag and handed it to Wu Lan, saying, "These are Qi Harmonizing Pills, which can help regte spiritual power and meridians. They should help him."


    "This is too kind," Wu Lan smiled as he epted the medicine, "Thank you for your concern, Elder Zhang."


    Zhang Wei waved to indicate it was nothing, then called two disciples from behind him and said to Wu Lan with a smile: "Elder Wu, as you know, there are quite a few cultivators who havee to assist Zhican Valley. With so many people, we''re worried about potential chaos, so we must, regrettably, keep a record of everyone."


    At this development, although Wu Lan was still smiling, it was clearly forced. His eyes flickered with changing emotions, trending towards displeasure.


    What did Zhican Valley mean by this? They didn''t trust the Celestial Sword Sect? They wanted to register them like criminals?


    They had traveled thousands of miles to help, and this was how they were being treated?!


    What kind of logic was this?


    Was this how a major sect, Zhican Valley, treated its guests?


    Such arrogance! Such condescension! Such contempt!!


    Wu Lan''s heart was filled with anger, his eyes burning with rage.


    Seeing this, Zhang Wei added: "Elder Wu, please don''t take offense. This is required for every sect."


    The situation was beyond his control, and this was the task given to him by the Sect Master.


    Wu Lan took a deep breath, suppressing his indignation, and forced a smile, saying: "Very well!"


    The Zhican Valley disciples came forward with brush and paper, ready to record the Celestial Sword Sect''s information.


    The disciple wrote down the name of the Celestial Sword Sect.


    "Leading Elder, Wu Lan of the Celestial Sword Sect..." Wu Lan suppressed his anger and forced a smile as he introduced the Celestial Sword Sect members one by one, "This is Yu Qingshan, the Sect Master''s disciple, ranked third on the Celestial Ranking... This is Leng Ya, an inner disciple of the Celestial Sword Sect..."


    After the Zhican Valley disciples finished recording, they had the Celestial Sword Sect members leave blood marks next to their names, ensuring they could be identified by their names.


    Only after suffering this great humiliation were the Celestial Sword Sect members led into Zhican Valley.


    After all the Celestial Sword Sect members had entered the mountain protection formation, Zhang Wei smiled and quietly instructed the disciple who had recorded the information: "Mark the Celestial Sword Sect for special observation."


    "Are there people from the Dao Sword Sect mixed among them?" the disciple asked with a grave expression, drawing a red mark of attention next to the Celestial Sword Sect''s name.


    "That disciple who was coughing blood clearly had internal injuries from battle, not from cultivation. How could they fool my eyes?" Zhang Wei said with narrowed eyes, "The Celestial Sword Sect must have fought with the Five Sword Cultivators in the Hengduan Mountains. To emerge from a battle with such powerful sword cultivators with only one minor injury and no casualties, plus their attempt to hide it - something must be wrong."


    "I understand," the disciple nodded, "Our previous verification wasn''t strict enough, allowing many unrted cultivators to infiltrate Zhican Valley, especially those from the Dao Sword Sect. From now on, I won''t let a single Dao Sword Sect cultivator sneak into Zhican Valley!"


    "Hmph! The Dao Sword Sect..." Zhang Wei sneered, "They only know how to y tricks behind people''s backs. Schemes and plots? Just underhanded methods! They''re a joke in the face of absolute power!"


    Inside Zhican Valley, in Wu Lan''s room in the building assigned to the Celestial Sword Sect.


    Wu Lan sat in his chair, looking at Leng Ya standing before him, and asked, "How are your injuries?"


    Leng Ya shook his head weakly, "That sword strikest night severely injured my internal organs, and I haven''t been able to recover properly. It''s still the same now."


    "Then why didn''t you say something earlier?" Wu Lan almost lost hisposure but managed to control his emotions, then asked, "If you had told us about your severe injury earlier, the sect would have provided medicine for your treatment."


    "I thought I could suppress it..." Leng Ya replied softly.


    "You thought you could suppress it?" Wu Lan closed his eyes, and after a while, he said, "Go now! Focus on recovery and try to be ready for the uing war."


    "Yes..." Leng Ya responded and turned to leave, but before departing, he turned back to ask, "Elder, will Zhican Valley suspect us?"


    "Suspect what?" Wu Lan opened his eyes to look at Leng Ya.


    "Suspect that we''re with the Dao Sword Sect," Leng Ya frowned as he analyzed, "Then they''ll monitor us, target us. And if war breaks out, they might assign us dangerous missions."


    "Are we members of the Dao Sword Sect?" Wu Lan asked.


    "No," Leng Ya shook his head.


    "Then what are you worried about?"


    Leng Ya understood. It was about having a clear conscience.


    "We sword cultivators can only advance further with pure sword hearts," Wu Lan criticized Leng Ya, "Your heart is too cluttered!


    "Go into seclusion, and don''te out until your mind is free of distractions!"


    "Yes!" Leng Ya bowed, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder."


    After bowing, he turned and left.


    Behind him, Wu Lan watched his retreating figure and silently shook his head. This disciple''s mind was tooplicated; he wouldn''t go far.


    In the Dao Sword Sect, in Sect Master Gu Yueming''s cave dwelling on the main peak, Qin Ran, who was sitting in a chair to the side, suddenly opened his eyes and reported to Gu Yueming, who was sitting cross-legged on a meditation mat: "Sect Master, news from the main body - another divine soul clone has infiltrated Zhican Valley."


    Hearing this, Gu Yuemingughed heartily: "Excellent! With you sneaking into Zhican Valley, it''s guaranteed to be aplete mess!"


    "Zhican Valley has actually be somewhat aware, and what I can do will be limited," Qin Ran shook his head. "It would be good enough if we canplete phase two of the n."


    "No matter, I''m at ease with you there. Zhican Valley is nothing but a paper tiger," Gu Yueming repeated Qin Ran''s previous boastful words.


    Qin Ran paused upon hearing this, wanting to say that those were just words offort, but in the end, he didn''t contradict.


    Instead, he continued his report: "Sect Master, the main body says that very few sects are stilling to Zhican Valley now, and their forces are almost fully gathered. So our first phase is alsoplete.


    "The main body is returning with Jun Xing and the others. Once he returns, we''ll begin phase two of the n."


    "You''re back?" Gu Yueming nodded. "It''s good that you''re back. He carried with him the hope of the next generation of Dao Sword Sect. We couldn''t afford any idents. I''ve been so worried I couldn''t sleep."


    "It''s time for the second step..." After saying this, he asked, "How many avatars do you have in Zhican Valley now?"


    "Four spiritual avatars," Qin Ran replied, "and twelve water avatars."


    "Excellent, excellent!" Gu Yuemingughed heartily again. "With sixteen Qin Rans in Zhican Valley, won''t it be turned upside down?"


    "Sect Leader!" Qin Ran had to remind him, "My actualbat power is quite low, and my avatars are even weaker. So no matter how many avatars I send in, they can''t make any real impact on Zhican Valley throughbat. The reason I deployed so many avatars was merely to create confusion and prevent idents."


    He asked solemnly, "Sect Leader, do you remember what the key to our second step is?"


    "The key to the second step?" Gu Yueming finally came to his senses and remembered the important matter. "Pills! The key to the second step is pills. Zhican Valley uses pills to win people''s hearts, so we''ll use pills to sow discord."


    "Exactly!" Qin Ran nodded. "I sent my avatars into Zhican Valley to concoct pills that will divide the Hengduan Mountain Alliance, further weakening Zhican Valley''s power."


    "My pill-making skills are no worse than Zhican Valley''s. I will deconstruct the pills they distribute, then create identical poisoned versions, and mix them into Zhican Valley''s pill distribution."


    "We don''t need many - just a few cultivators dying from Zhican Valley''s pills will destroy most of their credibility. Their pills will no longer serve their original purpose of buying loyalty. Everyone will wonder, when taking Zhican Valley''s pills, whether this one might be the lethal poison."


    "Building trust takes tremendous time, manpower, and resources, but destroying it takes just an instant. Right now, Zhican Valley has gathered most of the sects from the Land of Immortal Legacy - this is when they''re at their peak influence. But as things reach their extreme, they reverse - this is also when they''re most vulnerable."


    Hearing this, Gu Yueming couldn''t help but sigh for Zhican Valley. What a devious scheme. How did they end up with an enemy like Qin Ran?


    But there was still something he couldn''t understand: "Why are your pill-making skills so advanced? You can deconstruct and replicate pills in such a short time? Doesn''t that mean your skills far surpass Zhican Valley''s?"


    Qin Ran smiled at this, with a hint of contempt in his expression. Calling Zhican Valley''s strength negligible might have been somewhat boastful, but saying their pill-making skills were negligible was the absolute truth.


    Though his original pill-making skills were not low, they were only on par with Zhican Valley''s best alchemists. However... ever since his avatar in the Celestial Sea Domain received the legacy of the Divine Splendor Demon, his pill-making abilities had skyrocketed. Now, he couldpletely dominate Zhican Valley.


    At present, the only things limiting his ability to make immortal pills were spiritual herbs and cultivation level.


    "Regarding pill-making, I do have some confidence," he told Gu Yueming.


    Gu Yueming looked at Qin Ran, shaking his head unconsciously. He found himself understanding Qin Ran less and less.


    Initially, Qin Ran had seemed simple - he saw through him at a nce, just a somewhat talented pill maker from the Pill Peak. But as he began interacting with Qin Ran, he discovered that Qin Ran was deeply hidden, a cunning and crafty - or perhaps strategically brilliant - alchemist. Then upon further interaction, he realized his understanding was still shallow; Qin Ran''s pill-making abilities far exceeded his imagination.


    Every time he thought he understood Qin Ran, Qin Ran would show him that no, he was far from understanding him.


    As he was pondering this, Qin Ran spoke again...


    "In war, figuring out how to kill your enemies is one aspect, but another is finding ways to strengthen your own side," Qin Ran continued. "I can''t help with fighting, and it''s toote for pill-making. But there''s one more thing I can help with."


    There''s more?


    Gu Yueming felt somewhat numb.


    Just how many surprises were there that he didn''t know about?


    "What is it?" he asked.


    "Formation arrays!" Qin Ran said. "I also know a bit about formation arrays. My main body rushed back to set up formations. Sect Leader, please prepare the materials needed for setting up the formations in advance."


    "Oh!" Gu Yueming nodded woodenly. "Very good, excellent."

 Chapter 440

    (To be revised after posting)


    Wen Le was an outer disciple of Zhican Valley, currently serving as a steward in the dining hall.


    Since Zhican Valley issued the recruitment order, he... along with other steward disciples had been distributing medicinal pills to disciples from other sects.


    If asked about his opinion of those visiting disciples from other sects, his view aligned with most members of Zhican Valley:


    What kind of country bumpkins were these? Coming to beg at their Zhican Valley!


    ...They were just some lower-ranked sects trying their utmost to tter and curry favor with Zhican Valley.


    On May 28th, Wen Le awoke from his meditation. He got up and looked out the window, seeing the sky was gloomy, appearing as if heavy rain was imminent.


    He thought this weather quite fitting for the Dao Sword Sect''s current mood.


    The announcement hade down yesterday, stating that they had gathered sufficient cultivators and would soonunch the campaign against the Dao Sword Sect.Although those disciples from rural sects were crude, barbaric, and ignorant...


    Now Zhican Valley indeed had over a thousand Golden Core cultivators within its grounds.


    Over a thousand Golden Core cultivators! How could the Dao Sword Sect possibly resist such mighty force?


    Looking at the gloomy sky outside, Wen Le felt rather pleased and satisfied.


    He tidied himself up a bit before leaving his residence, heading toward the dining hall building he was responsible for.


    It was still early, the sun hadn''t risen yet, with just a hint of light showing at the mountain horizon.


    Walking along the stone path with fresh air and lush flowers and grass, Wen Le looked at those country bumpkins from other sects and felt a surge of pride and honor.


    What defined a holynd of pill refinement?


    What made them the number one sect in thisnd of immortal legacy?


    This was his sect. How could he not love and take pride in it?


    He had always known Zhican Valleymanded respect, but without other sects as contrast, he hadn''t realized just how prestigious they were.


    Even though he was merely a humble outer disciple.


    As Wen Le walked, a cultivator suddenly approached from ahead, lookingpletely unsophisticated - clearly a disciple from another sect.


    Sure enough, the person came over holding a medicinal pill and asked, "Excuse me, are you a disciple of Zhican Valley?"


    "Yes!" Though he looked down on disciples from other sects, the sect had instructed them to treat outside disciples courteously, so Wen Le nodded with a smile and warmly asked, "Which... sect are you from? What can I help you with?" ?


    "I am Zhang Xiaofan from Xuanqin Spirit Gate," the outside disciple respectfully said. "I received this pill from the dining hall yesterday, but there seems to be an issue. After taking it, not only did my cultivation not improve, but my dantian started hurting. Could you help me check what might be wrong?"


    "No improvement in cultivation?" Wen Le thought to himself, it must be that your aptitude is too poor and you''ve taken too many pills, developing resistance - that''s why it had no effect!


    But remembering to be courteous to outside disciples, he didn''t say this directly. He reached out to take the pill, intending to pretend to examine it.


    Why pretend?


    If he could actually understand medicinal pills, he wouldn''t be just an outer disciple steward, let alone one managing the dining hall.


    He was just nning to fake examining it before making up some exnation to brush off this country bumpkin from another sect.


    But something strange happened.


    As soon as Wen Le took the pill, what appeared to be a Qi Replenishing Pill melted in his hand.


    "?" He didn''t understand why it suddenly melted.


    However, the melting was just the beginning. Next, the melted pill directly seeped into his palm,pletely disappearing.


    "This..." Wen Le, a disciple of the holynd of pill refinement, hadn''t yet realized the danger. He looked puzzledly at the outside disciple called Zhang Xiaofan and asked, "Your pill... how did it... the pill must be... exp...ired..."


    As he spoke, his head began to feel dizzy, and before he could finish speaking, drowsiness overcame him, causing his eyes to close as he fell asleep.


    "Senior Brother? Senior Brother?" Zhang Xiaofan anxiously stepped forward, smoothly supporting him while putting on an act, saying loudly, "Ah, I told you this pill''s effects were very powerful! You wouldn''t believe me, and now look what''s happened!"


    While shaking his head and sighing, he supported Wen Le like a fellow disciple would, carrying him back to Wen Le''s residence.


    To be safe, he didn''t kill Wen Le outright, worried about triggering identity tokens or simr items. He just ced Wen Le in his meditation spot and administered another pill for deep sleep, ensuring he wouldn''t wake for ten to fifteen days.


    After dealing with Wen Le, Zhang Xiaofan stood up and walked out, his appearance changing as he moved. By the time he opened the door, he hadpletely transformed into Wen Le''s appearance.


    Wen Le was just an outer disciple steward, and his job at the dining hall was simple - essentially a cafeteria server.


    Qin Ran had been observing him for several days, and now impersonating Wen Le was, if not effortless, at least smooth sailing. No one would notice any discrepancies.


    Zhican Valley''s process for distributing pills to other sects worked like this: dedicated elders would lead inner disciples to retrieve pills from storage, then escort them to the dining hall where dining hall disciples would distribute them. Though idents were impossible within Zhican Valley, the elder still needed to watch the entire distribution process untilpletion.


    Previously, when regr outer disciples distributed pills, this process couldn''t go wrong, but now Qin Ran was handling the distribution. He didn''t do anything borate - he simply added some of his own refined pills to the ones being distributed. His pills were identical-looking poison pills. He added them randomly without causing other trouble, so even with the supervising elder right beside him, nothing would seem amiss.


    As one of the first sects to aid Zhican Valley, the Cangjiang Sect had been here for over ten days. Their initial confidence and enthusiasm, swearing to follow Zhican Valley''s lead and charge forward to repay their kindness, had now changed to... considering whether to leave directly.


    They watched as more and more people filled Zhican Valley, as the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s strength gradually grew; they experienced the arrogance of Zhican Valley''s disciples who held their noses high, and felt theplex emotions within the Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    This alliance, in their straightforward minds as body cultivators, was simply a powerful but chaotic force.


    Li Yi had initially been most loyal to Zhican Valley,ing with the intention of dedicating his remaining life to repay their kindness. But when met with cold shoulders despite his warm approaches, the warmer his attitude, the colder their response felt.


    These past ten-plus days, he had swallowed plenty of anger.


    This morning, as he was practicing in the courtyard, Lin Han, a disciple favored by the sect leader, came over and asked, "Senior Brother, are you going to collect today''s pills?"


    "Collect?" Li Yi snorted coldly, "Collect what?! They''re distributing pills like feeding beggars. Are you so poor you need to be a beggar?!"


    Lin Han paused, then said, "But... we really need the pills."


    "''Here, eat this!'' Li Yi said, "Feeding us like dogs, and you still want it? Have you no self-respect?!"


    "But..." Lin Han thought for a moment and asked, "Senior Brother, when the fighting startster, are you going to join the battle?"


    "Of course I will," Li Yi replied. "But I came to repay kindness, not to eat handouts and be treated like a dog!"


    "You''ll be fighting for themter, so taking their pills now is just receiving military provisions," Lin Han said. "It''s like a transaction - we provide the effort, they provide the pills. Why think so much about it, Senior Brother?"


    "I came for righteousness!" Li Yi emphasized.


    "Even if it''s for righteousness, you still need to cultivate," Lin Han said. "Besides, you haven''t collected pills for three days. Zhican Valley is stingy and records every pill distributed. Your behavior might make them suspicious."


    Only then did Li Yi stop his practice and look at Lin Han, saying: "I just can''t stand seeing Zhican Valley''s disgusting attitude!"


    "Then don''t look at it that way," Lin Han said. "They''re using pills to employ us - you get what you pay for. We''re equals in this exchange. That''s all you need to think about, Senior Brother."


    At Lin Han''s persuasion, Li Yi put on his clothes and followed him to the dining hall of Zhican Valley.


    The dining hall was incredibly crowded, packed with people pushing forward, all eager to receive their daily portion of medicinal pills.


    Not everyone valued honor and self-respect as Li Yi did. In fact, many sects came to Zhican Valley solely attracted by their promise of never-ending supply of medicinal pills.


    "Hah!" Seeing this scene, Li Yi sneered with obvious contempt, "Like dogs and chickens!"


    "Senior Brother, watch your words!" Lin Han hurriedly advised, then grabbed Li Yi''s shoulder, preparing to squeeze through the crowd.


    Truth be told, as body cultivators, they had an overwhelming physical advantage in such situations.


    But Li Yi shrugged his shoulder, causing Lin Han to stumble. He coldly asked Lin Han, "We''re here already, but why must you make me act like a dog fighting for food?"


    Lin Han steadied himself and looked at Li Yi with aplicated expression. Then he sighed, saying, "Fine, we''ll wait slowly. After everyone gets theirs, there will still be pills for us."


    So the two tall men stood at the outskirts of the crowd, nning to follow behind everyone else to receive their qi-cultivation and body-strengthening pills.


    However, they hadn''t waited long, not even reaching the dining hall''s entrance, when trouble erupted.


    "Dead!!" The crowd suddenly burst into chaos, voices moring, "Someone died! Poisoned to death!"


    "Zhican Valley''s pills are poisoned!" someone shouted.


    "I saw it with my own eyes - he took Zhican Valley''s pill and then died!"


    "It''s Zhican Valley''s conspiracy!" someone cried in terror, "Zhican Valley wants to kill us all!"


    "Ahhhhh... another person died!"


    "The pills, the pills are poisoned! Deathes to all who take them!"


    "Zhican Valley is trying to kill us! They want to poison us all to death!!"


    "Zhican Valley gave us poison pills!!"


    "Zhican Valley... Zhican Valley..."


    Lin Han and Li Yi understood the reason for the crowd''s chaos. Li Yi looked at Lin Han with a cold smile: "No wonder! How could such a petty sect give away free pills? So they were poison pills - that exins everything!"


    Having endured many contemptuous looks from Zhican Valley disciples that day, Li Yi wasn''t surprised at all by what was happening.


    "No, that''s not right!" But Lin Han keenly sensed something wrong, shaking his head, "Zhican Valley has no reason, no need to do this. They wouldn''t dare! This is inside Zhican Valley - they absolutely couldn''t bear the consequences if all these sects erupted in anger."


    "People have already been poisoned to death! What wouldn''t they dare?" Li Yi challenged.


    Lin Han opened his mouth but didn''t know what to say. He truly couldn''t make sense of it.


    Zhican Valley''s leadership quickly arrived, clearing people out of the dining hall. They discovered seventeen people had been poisoned - ten Foundation Building cultivators had died instantly, while seven Golden Core cultivators still clung to life.


    They attempted to treat the Golden Core cultivators, but they couldn''t understand the poison''s nature. They could only quickly recall all the pills distributed that day.


    They also sealed away the pills that hadn''t yet been distributed.


    However, their action of recalling distributed pills... in this generally selfish cultivation world, it only sowed unknown amounts of resentment.


    Moreover, their announcement that they would suspend free pill distribution until they found the cause of this incident...


    This triggered a new wave of public opinion. Some believed this was Zhican Valley''s conspiracy to stop distributing pills; others were disgusted by Zhican Valley''s high-handed attitude in handling the incident, refusing to admit their own fault, neither acknowledging problems with pill refinement nor management issues.


    For a time, Zhican Valley was in turmoil... or rather, in this cultivation world thatcked social morality, Zhican Valley had be like a powder keg ready to explode.


    To manage ten thousand people without incident makes one a qualified general; to lead ten thousand people on an expedition and bring them back intact makes one an excellent general; to lead ten thousand people into battle makes one a famous general of the era; to lead ten thousand people with absolutemand, wielding them like one''s own arm, and achieve victory in battle makes one a legendary general. As for those who canmand hundreds of thousands of soldiers and say "the more the better," there have only been a handful in all of human history.


    Obviously, Zhican Valley had no such person.


    Before inviting over ten thousand cultivators from other sects to Zhican Valley, they had considered potential problems, but they hadn''t thought deeply enough, hadn''t anticipated the problems would be so severe.


    Thus, the current situation in Zhican Valley was even more serious than Qin Ran had predicted.

 Chapter 441

    "What''s the situation? What exactly is the problem? Was someone poisoned, or was there an issue with the pills themselves?"


    Qiu Huahui, the Valley Master of Zhican Valley, asked the alchemist in charge of investigating the incident.


    The alchemist''s expression was grave as he replied, "What we know so far is that someone has poisoned them. I discovered that among the retrieved pills, several had incorrect medicinal properties. Although they look identical to the normal pills, they are actually poison pills."


    "Which type of pill waspromised?" Qiu Huahui pressed.


    "Every type of pill we distributed has a corresponding poisoned version. Every single type was affected," the alchemist sighed. "The poisoner nned this meticulously and came prepared."


    "Every type was affected?" Qiu Huahui''s face darkened.


    But the bad news didn''t end there. The alchemist observed her expression but continued, "Valley Master, whoever crafted these poison pills has extremely advanced pill-crafting skills.


    "They infiltrated the valley, first learned what pills we were distributing, then created the corresponding poison pills. They crafted them in an incredibly short time.


    "Moreover, the poison pills are incrediblyplex. I can''t understand them. I can only identify which pills are problematic, but I don''t know why they''re poisonous. I couldn''t recreate these poison pills if I tried.""You''re the valley''s most skilled poison alchemist, and even you don''t understand this poison?" Qiu Huahui looked as if she''d seen a ghost. "Is there anyone in the Land of Immortal Legacy who''s better at crafting poisons than you?"


    Not only was there someone better, but they were far, far superior.


    "The poison''s properties are strange. While it targets the physical body, it simultaneously causes cultivators to lose their spiritual power as it corrupts their flesh. And the medicinal properties that cause the flesh to decay actuallye from ingredients that should strengthen and benefit the body."


    The alchemist described the poison pills to Qiu Huahui in detail, his eyes gleaming slightly as he disregarded her reaction,


    "The person who created this poison has an understanding of toxins far beyond mine. Their research into the rtionship between spiritual power and physical form also far exceeds current understanding. This must be the work of a great and knowledgeable poison master..."


    His tone was full of admiration, treating this unseen alchemist almost like an idol he longed to meet and get an autograph from.


    But he wouldn''t get the chance to meet his idol - instead, he could see Qiu Huahui''s murderous re right now.


    "This isn''t ordinary poison if even you can''t recreate it," Qiu Huahui red at the alchemist and asked, "So how did it end up in the hands of outer sect disciples?"


    "Valley Master!"


    The alchemist''s expression turned serious as he replied, "Pills undergo strict inspection before storage, and stored pills cannot bepromised. After storage, the storage room ispletely sealed off and no unauthorized personnel can approach, so problems couldn''t arise there either.


    "The issue must have urred after the pills left storage."


    Qiu Huahui nodded and began giving orders: "Detain everyone involved in removing pills from storage, transportation, and distribution. Question them one by one..."


    "No need!" At this moment, the elder in charge of pill transportation entered and bowed to Qiu Huahui. "We know how the poisoning was done."


    Qiu Huahui looked at him.


    "The outer sect executive disciple Wen Le..." the elder sighed, "was reced by an impostor."


    "Where is Wen Le? Bring him to me!"


    "When we found Wen Le, he was already dead," the elder sighed. "Died from poison."


    "It seems we didn''tpletely clear out those Dao Sword Sect cultivators who infiltrated Zhican Valley..." Sun Yicheng hurriedly walked in from outside and said to the elder, "This was done by an outsider. The poisoner is still within Zhican Valley - go find them quickly!"


    Hearing this, the elder shot Sun Yicheng a grateful look before bowing to Qiu Huahui: "Valley Master, I''ll go search for the poisoner right away."


    He was responsible for the pills, and if this wasn''t handled well, he might have to pay with his life. Elder Sun''s words had given him a way out.


    Qiu Huahui remained silent, tacitly approving. The elder then took his leave.


    Sun Yicheng gave the alchemist a look, and he also excused himself.


    "What other bad news is there?" Qiu Huahui asked with a sigh, seeing Sun Yicheng''s actions.


    "The poisoner has extremely high pill-crafting skills and is likely from the Dao Sword Sect. The culprit should be clear - it must be Qin Ran," Sun Yicheng said.


    "Qin Ran?" Qiu Huahui frowned, "That little thief who keeps surviving our attempts to kill him?"


    "Sigh! Who did the poisoning doesn''t matter anymore. Qin Ran is hiding in the valley, and given howplex the situation is here, we probably won''t find him anytime soon.


    "The urgent matter is that we can''t maintain stability in the valley anymore!" Sun Yicheng said worriedly,


    "There was already tension and frequent conflicts between core disciples and outer sect disciples, and now with this poisoned pill incident...


    "The sects of those disciples who died from poison want an exnation; some sects with ulterior motives want to profit from this and stir up trouble; other sects want to take this opportunity to leave..."


    Qiu Huahui massaged her temples, feeling that Zhican Valley was now like a tangled mess, with chaos everywhere. She didn''t know where to begin sorting it out.


    "If they want an exnation, give them one; those who want to leave, let them leave and face the consequences," she told Sun Yicheng wearily. "Just stabilize the situation in the valley as quickly as possible."


    "Valley Master..." Sun Yicheng called to Qiu Huahui, then sighed, "I don''t think anyone can handle the valley''s situation now. Whether it''s giving exnations, letting people leave, or finding the poisoner - none of these are the key points. The situation is too chaotic, there''s no way to reconcile all the conflicts!"


    "What do you mean?" Qiu Huahui looked at Sun Yicheng and asked, "Not reconcile? Let them cause chaos in the valley?"


    "Valley Master, what was our original goal?" Sun Yicheng asked Qiu Huahui.


    Without waiting for her answer, he continued: "Our goal was to eliminate the Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect! We gathered these sects here to reduce our casualties and make things easier."


    He continued analyzing for Qiu Huahui, "We weren''t trying to recruit these outer sect cultivators as Zhican Valley disciples, we just wanted to use them for battle.


    "We were always nning to lead them into battle, so why not just take them there directly?!


    "When internal conflicts can''t be resolved, then establish a powerful external enemy. We already have designated enemies, so why not make use of them?"


    "You''re saying we should ignore this mess in the valley," Qiu Huahui understood. "Take them directly to attack the Dao Sword Sect, without any more schemes or ns?"


    "Exactly!" Sun Yicheng nodded, "We didn''t anticipate managing outer sect disciples would be this difficult... Since we can''t manage them, can''t proceed ording to n, taking them to the Dao Sword Sect means we don''t have to manage them anymore. We don''t need to care about their survival.


    "When mortals siege cities, the attacking side always drives masses of refugees to assault the city. If we can''t use them as elite troops, we''ll use them as cannon fodder!"


    "Good!" Qiu Huahui nodded - this was their only option now.


    But since it wasn''t core disciples dying, why worry about it so much?


    "Moreover..." Sun Yicheng smiled, "Valley Master, we have powerful reinforcements."


    "You mean?"


    "The Boundless Sword Sect!!" Sun Yicheng said, "I know they''re not the ones hunting small sects in the Hengduan Mountains, but... I can pretend not to know that! In this war, no one in the Hengduan Mountains can remain neutral!"


    Leng Ya left his meditation chamber and found Wu Lan, approaching to pay his respects: "Elder Wu!"


    Wu Lan looked at Leng Ya and scolded, "Didn''t I tell you to meditate and calm your mind?! If your mind isn''t calm, you''re not allowed to end meditation! Don''t you understand?"


    "Elder..." Leng Ya said, "I''m afraid I cannot calm my mind anymore."


    "What do you mean?!" Wu Lan frowned.


    "Surely Elder knows about the chaos in Zhican Valley right now?" Leng Ya asked.


    At these words, Wu Lan immediately narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice: "How did you learn about the chaos in Zhican Valley?"


    Leng Ya didn''t answer but smiled and said, "Elder, a tremendous opportunity is right before our eyes. Instead of caring about how to make the Celestial Sword Sect great and be the premier sword sect in the Land of Immortal Legacy, you''re asking me why I''m concerned about the chaos in Zhican Valley. How foolish of you!"


    "You''re not Leng Ya!" Wu Lan raised his hand, materializing a sword that he pointed at Leng Ya. "Who are you?"


    "For the Celestial Sword Sect of Yan Han Country, what difference does it make whether we destroy the Dao Sword Sect or Zhican Valley?" Facing Wu Lan''s sword, Leng Ya remained fearless and even smiled as he persuaded,


    "Elder, in Zhican Valley, every inch of soil is spiritual earth, and every inch grows spiritual herbs. Every building is constructed with spiritual wood, and within each building lie countless medicinal pills. Zhican Valley is the wealthiest sect in the Land of Immortal Legacy, with endless supplies of pills, magical artifacts, and cultivation techniques.


    "Elder, you''ve entered a treasure mountain yet refuse to im its riches. Instead, you choose to wag your tail like a dog, begging for scraps from your masters, letting them drive you like a horse to attack another powerful enemy?"


    "Swoosh!"


    Wu Lan thrust his sword into Leng Ya''s chest, shouting: "You insolent fool! How dare you try to corrupt my dao heart?!"


    "Elder, right now Zhican Valley is like a powder keg. It only needs a single spark to explode," Leng Ya continued persuading,pletely ignoring the sword piercing his chest.


    "Why shouldn''t the Celestial Sword Sect be the one to raise the banner? With one call to arms, we could take Zhican Valley and seize their countless treasures. Why bother risking our lives fighting the Dao Sword Sect?


    "If the Celestial Sword Sect wishes to be the premier sword sect, there are ways other than suppressing the Boundless Sword Sect - we can surpass them. With Zhican Valley''s wealth in our hands, how could we not exceed the Boundless Sword Sect?"


    Wu Lan pulled out his sword and grabbed Leng Ya''s throat. With bloodshot eyes fixed on him, he asked through gritted teeth: "Do you understand what you''re saying?"


    "Everyone is here for profit. No one truly cares whether we attack Zhican Valley, the Dao Sword Sect, or the Boundless Sword Sect. You know how the cultivation world works, don''t you? They''ll attack whoever offers the greatest benefit. Zhican Valley has invited wolves into their home - it would be a shame if these wolves didn''t act."


    Though struggling to breathe and bleeding from seven orifices, Leng Ya still smiled calmly and said, "Besides, you know how Zhican Valley has been treating everyely. If you were to raise the banner now, wouldn''t you like to know how many would follow?"


    Wu Lan gripped Leng Ya''s throat, staring intently into his eyes for a long while before finally letting out a sigh and releasing him.


    He turned to face the greenery outside the window and asked, "Such skill at maniption, such deep calctions! This has been your scheme since the sect hunting began, hasn''t it? The hunting, the poisoning, stirring up chaos - it was all you. Are you from the Dao Sword Sect?!"


    "No..." Leng Ya firmly shook his head.


    Indeed, he wasn''t. From the very beginning, since Zhican Valley''s pill plot against the Dao Sword Sect, he had been the one secretly manipting events.


    The current chaos in Zhican Valley, the turmoil among the three sects of the Hengduan Mountains, the disorder in the Land of Immortal Legacy - he had orchestrated it all.


    He replied to Wu Lan: "I''m just a humble disciple of the Celestial Sword Sect. How could I possibly scheme such things?"


    "Our Celestial Sword Sect couldn''t possibly have someone like you," Wu Lan shook his head.


    "Elder, we must act quickly..." Leng Ya wiped the blood from his face and reminded him, "Don''t let Zhican Valley''s people realize what''s happening."


    Wu Lan sighed and sheathed his sword.


    Then his expression darkened, and with a movement, he flew out of the room.


    Soon, someone shouted in the skies above Zhican Valley: "Debts must be repaid, lives must be answered for! Zhican Valley must give us an exnation!"


    Others quickly joined in: "Zhican Valley''s poisoned pills have chilled our hearts!"


    "Heaven knows, these poison pills must be destroyed!"


    "Seven died today, who knows how many will die tomorrow."


    Three factions responded.


    Once someone takes the first step, and the second, third, and fourth follow, many more will join.


    Before long, righteous people demanding answers from Zhican Valley filled the skies above!

 Chapter 442

    Li Yi was suddenly awakened by themotion outside. He ended his cultivation session, got up, and walked into the courtyard. Looking up, he saw the sky filled with murderous cultivators.


    "What''s going on?" he asked Lin Han, who was in the courtyard.


    Lin Han had been watching the sky for a while already.


    He sighed and said to Li Yi: "Zhican Valley tried to drive out wolves and tigers, but ended up letting wolves into their house, and now they''re being bitten by those wolves."


    Li Yi listened carefully to the shouts of the cultivators in the sky. After a while, he realized they were seeking justice for cultivators who had died from poisoning in the morning.


    So he didn''t understand Lin Han''s words. What wolves biting back? It seemedpletely unrted.


    Frowning, he asked: "Aren''t they just asking Zhican Valley for an exnation? Zhican Valley should give them one."


    Lin Han looked at him, thinking his naivety wasn''t a good thing.


    "Their goal isn''t to get an exnation. They want to rebel against Zhican Valley," Lin Han spoke more inly, "Or rather, they''re using justice as an excuse to extort benefits from Zhican Valley.""What?!" Li Yi couldn''t believe it at first. After thinking for a moment and understanding, he was shocked and eximed, "How dare they do such a thing?!!!"


    In his subconscious mind, he thought of Zhican Valley as a father figure!


    Even if Zhican Valley had countless faults, they still provided the pills needed for cultivation. One could show attitude orin, but shouldn''t rebel against authority or resort to violence.


    "Ah!" Lin Han sighed upon hearing this, unclear whether he wasmenting the moral decay of the cultivation world or Li Yi''s innocence. He continued, "Cultivators are all desperate ouws who live by the de, with no parents, no heaven, and no earth - why wouldn''t they dare?"


    "No..." Li Yi watched the terrifying formation in the sky and took out his life-bound magical weapon, a golden staff. He said angrily, "I must stop them. Though Zhican Valley is arrogant and irritating, they don''t deserve this."


    Lin Han quickly grabbed him and advised: "Senior Brother, are you going up there to die?


    "Look at those people blinded by greed, with red eyes, seeing only Zhican Valley''s pills. They''ll kill anyone who tries to stop them. Once greedy desires are stirred up, only killing and wealth can quell them."


    Li Yi finally heeded the advice and stopped. He asked Lin Han: "So we just watch them attack Zhican Valley and plunder their treasures?"


    After a brief silence, Lin Han spoke: "We could join them."


    "What?" Li Yi thought he had misheard. He turned and pointed his golden staff at Lin Han, unable to believe Lin Han was such a person. "Say that again."


    Seeing his senior brother''s golden staff, Lin Han chose to back down.


    He said: "If Zhican Valley is smart enough, they''ll give up some wealth to avoid disaster. They''re wealthy anyway, losing a bit won''t hurt them.


    "It probably won''te to fighting.


    "Let''s wait and see how Zhican Valley handles this. This is their home base after all... Senior Brother, if you rush up there rashly, you might lose your life for nothing."


    Li Yi took these words to heart. He tapped Lin Han''s chest with his golden staff and lectured: "As cultivators, we must stay true to our hearts and keep our feet on the ground. Don''t harbor evil thoughts. Only then can we go further on the path of cultivation."


    Lin Han looked up at the dense crowd of cultivators in the sky, seeing that Zhican Valley had sent people up to negotiate with the justice-seekers. He asked quietly: "Stay true to our hearts? What if someone''s true nature is evil? Wouldn''t staying true to that heart mean embracing evil?"


    "Hmm?" Li Yi was furious upon hearing this.


    "Bang!"


    He sent Lin Han flying with his staff, teaching him about senior brother''s educational methods.


    In the sky, Zhican Valley''s Law Enforcement Elder led his people and shouted at the enraged cultivators: "Silence! Are you trying to rebel?!"


    From among the cultivators, a well-built sword cultivator flew out. He bowed to the Law Enforcement Elder with his sword and respectfully said: "Sir, we''re not rebelling, we just want an exnation."


    This person was naturally Wu Lan from the Celestial Sword Sect. As the initiator, he temporarily acted as the leader of this group.


    As for why he hadn''t directly led this group to ransack Zhican Valley and was merely causing trouble, waiting for Zhican Valley''s people to give them an "exnation," it was naturally because... he didn''t want to burn all bridges yet.


    He had his own considerations and hadn''t followed Qin Ran''s advice to directly revolt. He just wanted benefits.


    To get benefits, one didn''t have topletely fall out with Zhican Valley. His current method could work... as long as Zhican Valley offered sufficient benefits, everything could be discussed, and they would immediately back down and actively help Zhican Valley prepare for war.


    "Who are you? What exnation do you want?!" However, the Law Enforcement Elder didn''t give him face. The Elder carried an intimidating aura of authority and killing intent. He red at Wu Lan quite menacingly and demanded, "Since when does Zhican Valley need your approval for its actions? Do you know your ce?"


    This was Zhican Valley - arrogant and overbearing!


    "It''s over!" Down in a courtyard, Lin Han hadn''t gotten up from the ground yet. Hearing the Law Enforcement Elder''s words, he immediately knew trouble wasing.


    Wu Lan had some self-control. Still smiling, he properly replied to the Law Enforcement Elder: "I am Wu Lan of the Celestial Sword Sect, here to seek justice for the seven fellow cultivators who died wrongfully from consuming Zhican Valley''s pills."


    He looked back at the five or six hundred cultivators behind him and continued, "We want to know whether Zhican Valley intentionally poisoned us, or if there was a management issue that mixed poisoned pills with spiritual pills, or if enemies had infiltrated Zhican Valley and poisoned us. Please give us an exnation so our deceased friends can rest in peace."


    Lin Han covered his face and sighed upon hearing this.


    If you want benefits, just ask for them directly! Why insist on pushing the me to Zhican Valley and making them admit fault? How could Zhican Valley admit to that? Sure enough, the Law Enforcement Elder''s thick eyebrows rose as he coldly shouted: "Zhican Valley''s pills absolutely cannot have problems! And Zhican Valley isn''t a ce where just anyone can enter.


    "It must be their improper method of taking the pills; either their constitution wasn''t suitable, or they took other pills that had conflicting properties!


    "If you choose to take our Zhican Valley''s pills, you must ept the risks!"


    Zhican Valley couldn''t be wrong.


    The fault could only lie with the dead!


    Lin Han remained lying on the ground and said to Li Yi: "Bloodshed is now inevitable."


    In the sky, as soon as the Elder spoke these words, the crowd erupted, especially the sects whose disciples had been poisoned to death. Someone jumped out and cursed: "Old dog! What did you say!"


    "You go too far!"


    "What a joke, we poisoned ourselves? Why don''t you go tell your mother to give birth to herself?"


    The Law Enforcement Elder faced the thousand pointing fingers with cold contempt, remainingposed as he continued:


    "If you think Zhican Valley''s pills have problems, then don''t take them. Don''t take them ever again! If you think there''s something wrong with Zhican Valley, then leave. Never deal with Zhican Valley again!


    "Let''s see how you cultivate in this Land of Immortal Legacy without Zhican Valley''s pills?!"


    Zhican Valley was indeed powerful, and cultivation would be very difficult without their pills, but... his words now seemed deliberately provocative, as if afraid the fight wouldn''t break out.


    Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, there was a chorus of "ng ng ng" as countless swords were drawn simultaneously.


    "What are you doing?" He continued to berate coldly, "This is Zhican Valley, we make the rules here, not you. Do you really think you can threaten Zhican Valley with just your numbers?"


    How could a group of murderous cultivators tolerate such humiliation?


    "Kill him!" Someone suddenly shouted.


    But...


    After this shout, no one moved. In fact, at this moment, all the angry and noisy people fell silent; even the entire Zhican Valley fell silent.


    Because at this moment, the cultivators of Zhican Valley noticed something unusual.


    Whether it was Zhican Valley''sw enforcement team or the external forces wanting to rebel, everyone in mid-air uniformly looked down...


    Zhican Valley was a ce of birdsong and fragrant flowers, full of vitality, like an immortal paradise.


    If Zhican Valley were to bepared to a colorful painting, then at this moment, those looking down from mid-air would see patches of gray spots appearing one after another on this beautiful, vibrant canvas.


    Color represents life, while gray represents death.


    That deathly aura spread throughout Zhican Valley, instilling a primal, soul-deep fear in every living being.

 Chapter 443

    The Death Notice Pill was an idental creation by Qin Ran while researching the Longevity Pill.


    ...Well, not entirely idental, since life and death are inherently two sides of the same coin.


    Just as he and Long Qiqi had created poison from spiritual medicines, he created the Death Notice Pill from a collection of powerful tonics.


    Although he didn''t immediately understand why, he knew this poison was extremely potent. Without hesitation, he documented the pill form and carefully studied its properties, discovering that it wasn''t purely a poison, but rather a pill that existed between life and death.


    To understand life, one must firstprehend death.


    Thus, he named it the Death Notice Pill.


    When his sea domain avatar received the inheritance from the Ancient Demon of Divinity, his pill-crafting skills improved significantly, leading to a new understanding of the Death Notice Pill...


    Or rather, he could now refine this pill symbolizing death to an even purer form.


    Death remained constant, but the power of death grew stronger.Although Qin Ran had used the Death Notice Pill many times before, this was the first time he would use it on arge scale in front of the public in the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    Zhican Valley, renowned as the sacred ground for pill-crafting in the Land of Immortal Legacy, had the honor of bing the ce where the Death Notice Pill would reveal its glory.


    After today, the name and terror of the Death Notice Pill would spread throughout the Land of Immortal Legacy, eternally etched into the souls of all cultivators in Zhican Valley who witnessed its might.


    "What... is that?" someone asked, breaking the deathly silence.


    His voice seemed exceptionally loud in the death-like stillness.


    Perhaps Zhican Valley had never been this quiet since its founding.


    The entire valley was gripped by fear.


    Everyone in the valley heard that person''s voice, but no one answered him.


    Because no one knew what it was.


    No...


    That''s not right!


    One person knew!


    The culprit behind the poisoning knew!


    At this moment, taking advantage of the absolute silence, the poisoner shouted: "Run! Zhican Valley is trying to poison us all!"


    One of the poisoner''s avatars chimed in: "That''s Zhican Valley''s deadliest poison pill, the Death Notice Pill. Zhican Valley wants to kill us all!"


    The Death Notice Pills were thrown into the spirit fields, one here, one there, eleven pills in total.


    Death qi spread from the spirit fields. The spiritual herbs within died instantly, turning to ck ash; the medicine servants and workers in the fields withered and decayed into ck skeletons without resistance; all flora and fauna outside the fields perished, even stones crumbled into ck powder.


    One of the poisoner''s avatars pretended to be caught by the death qi while trying to escape.


    He screamed and struggled as he flew into the air.


    As he rose, his life force rapidly deteriorated, his entire being filled with death. He aged in an instant, his flesh rotting in the blink of an eye. From inside out, from spirit to soul, everything died.


    He screamed madly, ensuring everyone witnessed his fate before he could no longer fly, transforming into a ck skeleton that crashed to the ground.


    His vivid demonstration showed everyone what poisoning would look like, and thus, all understood the power of the Death Notice Pill.


    Everyone''s blood ran cold with fear!


    A primal aversion to death, terror etched into their souls.


    They wanted to flee.


    Another of the poisoner''s avatars seized the opportunity to act, shouting in terror: "Run! Run quickly!"


    "The poison ising!"


    "Death ising!"


    He led the way, running toward the valley''s exit.


    Some had already lost their minds with fear and ran instinctively when others did; some lost their judgment and simply followed the crowd when everyone started running.


    Soon, dense crowds like winter sparrows or seabirds on a beach, groups upon groups of people flew toward the valley''s exit.


    Among them were not just outer sect disciples, but even Zhican Valley disciples. Not just Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators, but even Nascent Soul masters.


    However, when they reached the high tform of Zhican Valley, they suddenly discovered the existence of the Guardian Mountain Formation. Now closed, they couldn''t leave.


    The path ahead was blocked, death qi pursuing from behind.


    At this moment, over a thousand Golden Core cultivators and the high-and-mighty Nascent Soul immortals were driven to despair by their primal fear of death.


    Then, another of the poisoner''s avatars seized the opportunity to draw his sword, shouting: "Kill! Break through Zhican Valley!"


    "Kill!"


    Once again, he took the lead, turning back to attack Zhican Valley.


    Seeing someone take action, those powerful Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators stopped thinking entirely.


    When fear reaches its peak, it explodes into rage!


    They needed to vent!


    They wanted to kill!


    They all drew their life-bound weapons and followed their leader back down into Zhican Valley.


    The poisoner''s avatarnded and raised his sword, not caring whether his targets were servants, medicine ves, outer disciples, or elders. He struck without discrimination...


    "sh!"


    Blood sprayed forth.


    Zhican Valley''s brilliant sunlight fell upon bright petals and deep green leaves, the sunlight on the petals creating a halo that illuminated the spraying blood.


    With blood, with its color, with its scent, with people bleeding, with people dying!


    "Whoosh!"


    They went mad!


    The cultivators descending from the sky went berserk!


    Their eyes blood-red, like flies spotting rotting flesh, theynded and took flight again and again, killing anyone they saw... no, killing any living thing they saw.


    As if they themselves had be living Death Notice Pills, unable to tolerate the sight of anything alive.


    This group had experienced initial fear of the pill, then provocation over treasures, then mass outrage, then terror of the Death Notice Pill, then despair at being trapped in Zhican Valley, and finally... blood and death!


    Immortals are, first and foremost, human.


    Cultivators are still human.


    Humans, such creatures, are bothplex and simple. An individual can be clever and rational, but a crowd is always foolish and blind.


    Zhican Valley descended into chaos, finally erupting into battle and ughter.


    Fighting everywhere, crying everywhere, blood everywhere.


    Blood flowed like rivers. On roof tiles, on roads, in spirit fields, gurgling endlessly.


    Zhican Valley had gone mad with killing. But the one who started it all, one of the poisoner''s avatars, after killing just two people, stood on the valley''s stone path with his sword, no longer participating.


    He stood in Zhican Valley''s warm sunlight, looking up, watching the ughter under the sun!


    This was the massacre he had guided step by step, bit by bit.


    The sun remained, but it was raining.


    Not water, but blood and body parts from those fighting in the sky.


    There were too many people in the sky, too many wounded and dead, their blood and flesh falling like rain.


    A horrific bloody sun shower.


    The killing feast in Zhican Valley didn''tst too long, after all, there were still dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators, hidden Void Transformation experts, and the valley''s Guardian Mountain Formation...


    The ughter was quickly stopped.


    Of course, how many died in this brief massacre, how many spirit fields and resources Zhican Valley lost, would need to be talliedter.


    When the stone path beneath his feet was soaked with bloody rain, blood flowing like streams past his shoes, someone approached Qin Ran and said: "The Valley Master wishes to see you."


    Qin Ran stopped looking at the sky and wiped his face, clearing away the blood. His face, hair, and clothes werepletely covered in blood, having taken a shower in the bloody rain. He shook off the blood like rainwater.


    He looked ahead and saw Sun Yicheng.


    "Elder Sun, was this feast to your satisfaction?" he asked with a smile.


    Sun Yicheng looked at him, silent for a moment, then said: "You''re insane."


    His voice trembled, clearly filled with fear.


    "Haha." Qin Ranughed but didn''t dispute Sun Yicheng''s assessment. He merely reminded him, "You were the invaders."


    Sun Yicheng wanted to say they hadn''t officially started their war against the Dao Sword Sect, but he didn''t have the nerve to say it.


    Instead, he said again: "You''re a devil, a devil who ys with human nature."


    He cursed, "You won''t die well."


    "Won''t die well?" Qin Ranughed, unconcerned. "Wouldn''t it be fine if I just don''t die?


    "Whether immortal or devil, the master doesn''t care."


    "Immortal?" Sun Yicheng''s face twisted with cruelty and malice. "Do you think you still have a chance to walk out of Zhican Valley alive?"


    Hearing this, Qin Ran remainedpletely calm. He smiled and asked Sun Yicheng, "How many of me have you killed already?"


    The viciousness disappeared from Sun Yicheng''s face, and he didn''t answer.


    "I assume all my avatars are dead by now, right? Otherwise, you wouldn''te here trying to persuade me like this¡ªyou would have just killed me directly.


    "You had that Nascent Soul master lock down my soul, probably to prevent me frommitting suicide, right? Unfortunately, a Nascent Soul cultivator''s spiritual power doesn''t affect me as much as you''d think, and when ites to death, I understand it better than he does."


    Qin Ran gazed into the distance, deep into Zhican Valley, where a powerful spiritual consciousness was attempting to lock down his soul. "From the moment I entered Zhican Valley, I had already epted my death."


    "You don''t have to die... Why are you so fixated on death?" Sun Yicheng changed his approach, trying to persuade him.


    "You''re also an avatar, a unique avatar. You''re just an avatar, that''s all.


    "You''ve already be an independent life form, why don''t you think about living on? Break free from your main body and live as a free being.


    "You can survive¡ªZhican Valley has powerful Nascent Soul cultivators who can help you sever your connection with your main body."


    "Sever the connection with the main body, live freely, be a new life..." Qin Ran repeated Sun Yicheng''s words, mumbling them twice. Suddenly finding it amusing, he threw his head back and burst intoughter.


    "Hahaha..." He couldn''t stopughing until tears streamed down his face.


    Sun Yicheng waited patiently until he finishedughing, then asked, "What''s so funny? What you''ve done in Zhican Valley deserves death a thousand times over. It''s only because our Valley Master values talent that he''s willing to give you a chance."


    Qin Ran shifted his gaze back, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes, and looked at Sun Yicheng. His expression suddenly turned serious:


    "Why would you think I would betray myself? What makes you think I''m not me? Avatar? Main body? Must an avatar inevitably turn against its master? Have you considered the possibility that the avatar and the main body together make up who I am?


    "Would your hand turn against you?


    "Zhican Valley has Nascent Soul cultivators too¡ªwhy don''t you ask them? When they cultivate their second spiritual consciousness, does it consider itself a new life form, or does it recognize itself as part of the main body?"


    Sun Yicheng was still far from reaching the Nascent Soul realm and couldn''t quiteprehend Qin Ran''s questions. He just silently raised his hand and looked at it carefully, wondering: would his own hand ever betray him?


    "The idea that an avatar would betray its main body is as ridiculous as the AI crisis," Qin Ran''s lips curled in obvious disdain. "When humans haven''t even figured out their own brains, how could they create a machine smarter than their brains? Let alone one that would betray them."


    He looked at Sun Yicheng, "I am who I am, whether avatar or main body, I am me. Whether I live or die is determined by my own interests.


    "I made this n, and from the moment I separated from my main body, my death was predetermined. My death is a choice I made after careful deliberation, decided by myself. It''s like someone who disfigures their face, changes their voice, or cuts off their hand for the sake of an assassination."


    Sun Yicheng''s head was spinning; he couldn''t understand the rtionship between avatar and main body. He simply asked Qin Ran, "You''re determined to die?"


    "I never nned to live," Qin Ran smiled. "I''m only staying alive a bit longer because it reduces the harm to my main body¡ªto myself. That''s why I''ve been talking with you for so long."


    "s!" Sun Yicheng sighed, and said his final words to Qin Ran, "It''s a pity that despite all you''ve done, you still can''t prevent the Dao Sword Sect''s destruction. We will still attack the Dao Sword Sect.


    "Next, we will storm the Dao Sword Sect in the shortest time possible, giving you no chance to execute any more schemes."


    Qin Ran bowed to Sun Yicheng like a gentleman and smiled, "I''ll be waiting for you at the Dao Sword Sect."


    After speaking, he straightened up, and his body slowly faded in the sunlight, dispersing like dandelion seeds in the wind.


    As his ascending spirit rose higher, he could see Zhican Valley as it was after the battle.


    Countless ruins and broken walls, fires and corpses everywhere; many spiritual fields destroyed, many buildings demolished; as for the death energy spread by the Death Notice Pill, it had killed all spiritual herbs, spiritual beasts, and life forms in that area¡ªno one knew when life would return there.


    Weapons, magical treasures, spell remnants, severed limbs, and blood were everywhere, forming a grotesquendscape of Zhican Valley under the sun.


    Looking at this valley, when theyunch their war against the Dao Sword Sect again, they would no longer understand whether they were the invaders or the avengers.

 Chapter 444

    The death of the Divine Soul Avatar had a significant impact on Qin Ran.


    Each avatar''s death was real; every time a Divine Soul Avatar perished, it meant Qin Ran had truly died once.


    When thest avatar in Zhican Valley dissolved into points of light, he was setting up a formation outside the gates of Dao Sword Sect. The irresistible pain and weakness caused him to fall straight from the sky.


    He crashed into the mud, struggled for a long while, and managed to get up pathetically, sitting weakly on the muddy ground.


    The divine soul of the avatar was separated from his original body''s divine soul, and when this part of the divine soulpletely vanished, it was like losing a limb from the body.


    To put it more concretely, a part of his internal divine soul was nowpletely empty.


    Qin Ran sat in the mud,cking both strength and spirit to move. He didn''t bother struggling, just sitting there.


    At this moment, like entering a state of profound contemtion, he began to ponder about the universe and life.


    He wondered why he hade to this world. What exactly had brought him here? What was his purpose in this world? What was its meaning?How vast was this world? What were the limits of cultivation?


    He wondered why he was trying so hard to help the Dao Sword Sect.


    His missions to the Boundless Sword Sect and infiltrating Zhican Valley were both life-threatening, yet he fearlessly undertook them. Like the diplomats of the Spring and Autumn Period who traveled alone to persuade various lords, facing entire nations by themselves.


    He had been helping Dao Sword Sect withplete disregard for his own life, desperately seeking that sliver of hope for them.


    Why?


    That wasn''t his true nature!


    "I should have just run away!"


    He lifted his head to look at the sky, to the ce where he had fallen from, where his formation patterns were still glowing.


    The sky?


    "When did I stop being afraid of heights?" he suddenly wondered about this question.


    He didn''t know, perhaps it was because he had flown so much that the high altitude no longer made him sick;


    Or perhaps it was because this other world was no longer foreign to him - he had found a home in this world, he was no longer an otherworldly visitor. This world no longer made him feel repulsed, nauseated, or rejected.


    When he thought back to that sky vortex that had pulled him into this world, it didn''t seem so frightening anymore.


    Dao Sword Sect, Dan Peak, Li Shiyin, Li Shiyin...


    Li Shiyin - just thinking about her made his heart wander in warmth and sweetness.


    Though covered in mud and in a mess, he smiled at the sky.


    His smile was warm and radiant from the heart.


    Dao Sword Sect, Dan Peak, Li Shiyin, Chasing the Wind, Long Qiqi, Tian Wenjin, Lu Junxing, Dong Zhongyuan...


    He understood something.


    His home, his family, his friends were all here... so why did he need a reason to protect this ce?


    He was very afraid of death, but if he lost them, how would that be any different from dying?


    "Master?!"


    His silly disciple suddenly flew out from the sect looking for him.


    Li Shiyin had been teaching sword techniques to ordinary disciples along with other elite disciples, but somehow she thought of her master. Once she did, she came out to look for him.


    She called out while searching, and after quite a while, finally found Qin Ran in the mud.


    "Master!" She flew down anxiously and worried, "What happened to you?"


    Shended beside him, crouched down, and carefully examined him up and down.


    Qin Ran grabbed her restless hands, held them to his chest, looked at her, and shook his head with a smile, saying, "I''m fine, just a bit tired."


    "Master~" Li Shiyin heard this and hugged him sympathetically.


    At this moment, she deeply hated herself, because she realized that besides fighting, she seemed incapable of doing anything else, unable to help her master in any way.


    "Master, I''m sorry, I''m too stupid," she said tearfully.


    Qin Ran hugged her back, gently patting her back, and smiled, "No, you''re not stupid. You''re Li Shiyin, the prodigy of Dao Sword Sect, you''re the peerless female sword immortal of Dan Peak."


    "No..." Li Shiyin shook her head repeatedly, "I''m not."


    "You are." Qin Ran buried his dirty face in Li Shiyin''s hair, inhaling her fragrance, and sighed, "I''ve done what I could. Now it''s your time to shine, my sword immortal."


    Li Shiyin raised her head and asked, "Master, is everything finished at Zhican Valley?"


    "Yes!" Qin Ran nodded, somewhat boastfully, "Your master turned Zhican Valley upside down, reduced their fighting force by half, and they''ll never return to their former glory. Isn''t your master amazing?"


    His tone matched exactly how Li Shiyin would brag.


    Li Shiyin immediately noticed that Qin Ran was imitating her, and she smiled, nodding repeatedly: "Amazing, my master is definitely amazing! Master is the most amazing!"


    She hugged Qin Ran tightly, gently swaying.


    "But Zhican Valley will stille, so there will still be war." Qin Ran leaned on Li Shiyin''s shoulder, swaying with her, and asked, "You''ll protect your master well, won''t you?"


    "Of course! I am master''s sword!" Li Shiyin said with a smile in her eyes, "Where master is, I am! If Zhican Valley dares toe, watch me cut them down one by one, leaving none alive."


    "Now that''s my sword immortal!" Qin Rany in Li Shiyin''s soft, fragrant embrace and said softly, "Don''t call me master anymore, you should call me husband."


    Li Shiyin pressed her face against Qin Ran''s hair and called out softly: "Husband!"


    "Wife~"


    "My lord?"


    "Mydy!"


    After cuddling on the ground for quite a while, Qin Ran finally remembered the important matter at hand and asked Li Shiyin to help him up.


    "Go find Yan Yi and have him arrange for some disciples who know how to set up formations toe help me," he told Li Shiyin. "I can''t muster any strength right now. But this formation is crucial, and time is pressing."


    Seeing Qin Ran''s weak state, Li Shiyin felt heartbroken and hesitated, "Husband, why don''t we skip this formation? I''m strong enough, I can defend Dao Sword Sect without formations."


    "Strong my foot!" Qin Ran said irritably, "Zhican Valley still has over five hundred Golden Core cultivators, plus the Boundless Sword Sect. You might be strong, but how many can you fight? Not to mention the Nascent Soul and Spirit Formation cultivators. Are you going to use your hard head to fight them?"


    Li Shiyin weakly replied, "Well, that''s not impossible."


    "We will set up three barriers at Dao Sword Sect. This formation is the first barrier, the mountain protection formation is the second barrier, and Lu Junxing''s River and Mountain Sword Assembly is the third." Qin Ran carefully exined the importance of this formation to his silly wife, "Zhican Valley''s strength still surpasses ours on paper. How do we fight when we''re weaker?"


    "I know this one - it''s about momentum and mindset," Li Shiyin answered. "And since we''re protecting our own sect, we''re united with it, so our mindset will definitely be better than Zhican Valley''s."


    "Wrong!" Qin Ran rejected Li Shiyin''s answer, "This is war, not individualbat.


    In war, there''s no such thing as the few defeating the many or the weak defeating the strong - there''s only the strong bullying the weak, the many overwhelming the few. Even when the few seem to defeat the many, it''s actually still about overwhelming numbers."


    Li Shiyin shook her head repeatedly, not understanding.


    "When the enemy outnumbers us, we need to find ways to scatter them and defeat them one by one.


    For example, if the enemy has twelve people and we only have five, we need to find a way to split the enemy into three groups of four. Then our five people can overwhelm their four, turning the tables to where we have the numerical advantage."


    Qin Ran exined to Li Shiyin, "Compared to the individualbat you excel at, it''s like when you face a stronger enemy, you need to find their weaknesses and use your strengths to attack those weaknesses.


    The principle is the same - avoid the enemy''s strengths, use our advantages to exploit their weaknesses."


    Li Shiyin seemed to half-understand.


    "The formation I''m setting up is called the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Formation, primarily defensive in nature. But I''ll leave eight entrances as living gates... you should understand the principle of surrounding on three sides while leaving one open."


    Qin Ran continued, "These eight entrances will divide the enemy into eight parts. Once they enter the formation, we can concentrate our forces to attack one section, achieving the effect of overwhelming numbers.


    Trading space for time, trading space for power."


    "Ah!" Li Shiyin gave up. She covered Qin Ran''s mouth with her hand and said, "Stop exining, I''ll go find people to help you set up the formation.


    Just tell me directly what to doter, husband."


    Qin Ran red at her and said, "You''re hopeless!"


    Li Shiyin, though not entirely justified, retorted defiantly, "So what if I''m silly? My husband is very smart! Do you have a problem with that?"


    "That''s all the cleverness you''ve got," Qin Ran replied helplessly.


    "Hmph!" Li Shiyin had a smug little expression on her face.


    "Can you stand steadily now?" she asked Qin Ran again. "I''ll go find someone to help you."


    "Go ahead, go ahead!" Qin Ran had recovered his strength by now; the refractory period was over, and he could walk, jump, and fly again.


    "You won''t fall again, will you?"


    "I won''t!"


    "Really?" Li Shiyin cautiously let go of her hand, looking worried that Qin Ran might fall.


    Qin Ran red at her, refusing to answer further.


    Li Shiyin giggled, took a light leap, and flew into the air.


    Before she entered the sect, Qin Ran remembered something and hurriedly called out, "Remember to bring that fellow Chasing the Wind here too!"


    "Yes, husband!"

 Chapter 445

    Yan Yi had been very busy these days.


    Ever since Zhican Valley dered war on Dao Sword Sect and the emergency order was issued, he had been constantly upied.


    He dared not slow down, for whenever he did, fear would creep in.


    Actually, Yan Yi had figured things out. After all, he often visited Zhican Valley with Qin Ran, and through this exposure, he understood the delicate rtionship between Zhican Valley and Dao Sword Sect. So while this sudden war and the deteriorating rtionship between the two major sects came as a surprise, it wasn''t entirely unexpected.


    The reasons for his busyness and fear were twofold: the suddenness of it all, and his genuine terror.


    Zhican Valley was, after all, nominally the strongest sect in the Land of Immortal Legacy. Their overall strength was truly unmatched.


    What constitutes overall strength?


    It''s thebination of spiritual herbs, pills, spirit stones, cultivation techniques, magical artifacts, talented disciples, top-tierbat power, backbone forces, and lower-tier fighting forces.


    Among all these aspects, where was Zhican Valley weak?They only had two weaknesses: exceptional talents and top-tierbat power.


    By exceptional talents, we mean true prodigies like Lu Junxing, Dong Zhongyuan, Li Shiyin, and Tian Wenjin.


    It wasn''t that Zhican Valley had none; they simply couldn''t nurture them properly.


    Why couldn''t they nurture them?


    Perhaps it was the resource curse!


    They were too wealthy - a genius from Zhican Valley would have magical treasures from their hair ornaments to essories to clothes and even tooth imnts. From Qi sensing to Qi vortex seeding to Foundation Building to Core Formation, they had ess to the best resources.


    Weren''t the talents produced this way strong?


    They were!


    But they still fell slightly short of the absolute peak - well, maybe more than slightly.


    Without the most exceptional talents, they couldn''t produce enough top-tierbat power.


    This was why, despite Zhican Valley''s immense wealth and overall strength, both Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect looked down on them somewhat.


    Apart from exceptional talents and top-tierbat power, Zhican Valley excelled in everything else.


    This meant that except for peak talents and peakbat power, their average talents and disciples were superior to those of Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect.


    How could Dao Sword Sect disciples, with just one natal artifact each,pete against Zhican Valley disciples who were armed to the teeth?


    As an ordinary disciple, Yan Yi was terrified.


    He genuinely believed Dao Sword Sect couldn''t defeat Zhican Valley.


    And what would defeat mean?


    The destruction of the sect and death of its people.


    He hadn''t fled yet because he was a Dao Sword Sect disciple. The sect had treated him well, and both emotionally and rationally, he felt obligated to contribute what he could.


    Given his modest strength, he wouldn''t be much use in actualbat. So he could only do whatever else he was capable of.


    What had Yan Yi been doing during this time?


    Preparing medicinal pills for Dao Sword Sect''s uing war.


    He had organized all the pills the sect could currently ess:


    The sect''s existing stockpile; leftover pills from monthly allowances; surplus pills donated or sold by inner disciples; scattered pills bought from independent cultivators and smaller sects, and so on.


    He was trying everything possible to prepare adequate, quality pills.


    Yes, having pills wasn''t enough - they also had to ensure the collected pills were problem-free.


    This had been his sole focustely.


    But... the task was too difficult, tooplex, and too vast. He had been working continuously for several days without rest.


    At this moment, he was supervising junior disciples from the Chief Alchemy Hall in sorting Qi-gathering pills in the courtyard.


    This batch of pills had been purchased externally by sect disciples. The quality varied greatly, so they needed to remove the substandard ones, properly package the eptable ones,bel them, keep count, and store them for future use.


    Li Shiyin suddenly descended from the sky and asked him, "Yan Yi, do you know anyone who can set up formations?"


    "Huh?" Yan Yi was stunned. As just an executive disciple of the Chief Alchemy Hall, how would he know who could set up formations? He replied, "I don''t know!"


    "You don''t?" Li Shiyin frowned, "Then why did Master tell me to ask you?"


    Yan Yi shook his head and said, "I''m not sure... perhaps the Sect Leader confused me with someone else. I used to oversee alchemist training in the sect; maybe he mixed that up with formation master training."


    "Ah!" Li Shiyin waved her hand and sighed, "It seems Master is too overwhelmed!"


    Seeing Yan Yi''s exhausted state, she didn''t want to bother him further and said, "Carry on with your work, I''ll look elsewhere."


    "Yes, Senior Sister." Yan Yi nodded and continued sorting the Qi-gathering pills.


    However, after flying into the air, Li Shiyin scratched her head, unsure where to go.


    "Formation masters? Sword Peak is full of sword cultivators, those brutes definitely won''t have any formation masters."


    She looked toward Qi Peak, "Qi Peak must have some, but I''m not on good terms with them."


    After some thought, she remembered someone, "I''ll ask Senior Brother Dong first."


    Compared to others in Dao Sword Sect, Dong Zhongyuan might have been the most rxed.


    Because he was in charge of the Geniuses Ranking, he had to ensure it functioned properly at all times. So he usually didn''t need to participate in ordinary matters.


    At this moment, Dong Zhongyuan was standing at the edge of Master Peak''s za, casually fanning himself with the fan transformed from the Geniuses Ranking.


    With his good looks, he cut quite a dashing figure.


    While he might have been handsome, what he was doing wasn''t exactly admirable.


    On the za, Lu Junxing, Liu Baixuan, Yao Qingke, and other elite disciples were teaching ordinary disciples cultivation andbat techniques.


    As the saying goes,st-minute practice might not perfect you, but it helps.


    A life-or-death battle for the sect was imminent. Any improvement in the disciples''bat ability, no matter how small, would increase their chances of victory and survival.


    But during such an important matter, Dong Zhongyuan was standing in the shade, fanning himself and shouting provocatively:


    "Wow! Liu Baixuan, don''t teach them wrong. Do you even understand the Great Deste Indestructible Sword Art? Is that how you''re supposed to channel Qi for the Heaven-Questioning Strike? Do you actually know the Qi cirction paths of the Great Deste Indestructible Sword Art?"


    Did Liu Baixuan understand the Great Deste Indestructible Sword Art?


    Well, he had reached the Core Formation stage using this very technique. Among the younger generation of Dao Sword Sect, hisbat power was second only to Lu Junxing.


    Hearing Dong Zhongyuan''s words, Liu Baixuan swung his sword, sending a Great Deste Indestructible sword energy st straight at Dong Zhongyuan, who barely managed to dodge.


    Liu Baixuan then pointed his sword at him, questioning whether Dong Zhongyuan understood the Great Deste sword energy.


    "Ahem!" Since Liu Baixuan couldn''t take a joke, Dong Zhongyuan moved to a different spot and shouted again, "Yao Qingke, since when did you be an expert in wood-attributebat techniques? Can wood-attribute techniques even be used for fighting? Stop misleading people!"


    His notorious personality was well-known. Yao Qingke wouldn''t let him off easily and sent a wooden whip flying at him, forcing him to flee with his head covered.


    "Let me tell you, with such a fierce temperament, you''ll never find a partner!" Dong Zhongyuan taunted.


    "Come here and see if wood-attribute techniques can fight or not," Yao Qingke challenged.


    Dong Zhongyuan replied, "Heh, a true gentleman doesn''t fight withdies. I won''t stoop to your level."


    "If you won''t fight, then get lost! You''re an eyesore!"


    "Tch!" Dong Zhongyuan then looked at Lu Junxing, who was teaching basic sword techniques to ordinary disciples. He opened his mouth but didn''t say anything.


    Though he remained silent, a female voice beside him spoke up: "Lu Junxing, I can tell you don''t know how to use sword techniques. You can''t even hold a sword properly, and you''re not familiar with basic sword arts. How dare you teach others? If you''re so capable,e fight three hundred rounds with my Dong Zhongyuan!"


    Hearing this, Lu Junxing nced in their direction, smiled and shook his head, ignoring the two troublemakers.


    Dong Zhongyuan turned around with a dark face to look at Li Shiyin standing beside him and said irritably, "If you want to fight Lu Junxing, go yourself. Don''t drag me into it!"


    "Eh?" Li Shiyin was puzzled, "Wasn''t that what you wanted to say?"


    Dong Zhongyuan paused, then said, "If Lu Junxing doesn''t understand swordsmanship, then no one in Dao Sword Sect does."


    Li Shiyin pursed her lips but didn''t argue.


    "Didn''t you go to find your master?" Dong Zhongyuan asked, "Why are you back so soon?"


    "Do you know anything about formations?" Li Shiyin asked.


    "A little bit," Dong Zhongyuan nodded, "Why?"


    "There''s an issue at my master''s ce, could you help out?" Li Shiyin said, "You''re on good terms with Qi Peak, maybe find a couple more people who know formations. It''s urgent, please hurry."


    "Alright!" Knowing it was serious business, Dong Zhongyuan stopped fooling around and immediately flew towards Qi Peak.


    Li Shiyin nced at the disciples practicing swordy, magic, andbat drills in the square, but instead of joining them, she flew back to Dan Peak.


    The Dao Sword Sect was bustling with preparations for war, everyone so busy their feet barely touched the ground as they readied themselves for the uing life-and-death battle.


    But Dan Peak...


    The scene there was rather peculiar.


    One need only look at the behavior of Dan Peak''s "king" to understand.


    What was the great king of Dan Peak doing? What urgent matters upied him during such tense times?


    Oh my! He was... sleeping!!


    The snow-white tiger had curled himself into arge ball on the giant cat tower by theke, snoozing soundly under the brilliant summer sun, caressed by the gentle breeze from Sword Washing Lake.


    Li Shiyinnded on the cat tower and, seeing his state, felt exasperated.


    She searched for the right spot, found the back of his head, raised her right foot, took aim for a moment, and then struck hard...


    "Smack!"


    A swift kicknded squarely on Chasing the Wind''s big head. The impact sent his head hanging off the cat tower, with the enormous white cat''s upper body flowing like liquid as it followed his head downward.


    Just as he was about to slidepletely off the cat tower, he finally came to his senses. With a start, a white blur shed, and he was back on the tower.


    "Huh? How did I almost fall when I was sleeping so well?" he wondered, puzzled, raising his paw to scratch the back of his head. "Eh? Why does this hurt?"


    But since it wasn''t a major concern, he dismissed it.


    "Oh well, back to sleep..." he flopped back onto the cat tower, "I still have one dragon leg left to gnaw on." He drooled a little.


    He closed his eyes, ready to return to dreand, but suddenly sensed something amiss.


    "Who''s there?" he barked sharply, leaping up at lightning speed, creating distance between himself and the presence, then turning to look.


    Upon recognizing Li Shiyin, he quickly put on a fawning smile. Despite being a handsome white tiger, this smile gave him quite a sleazy air.


    "Ah haha, Shiyin?" he asked with a sycophantic grin, "Weren''t you teaching those idiots swordy? How do you have time toe here?"


    Li Shiyin took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was her cat, one she had found and raised herself, which helped her maintain herposure. She replied irritably, "Your father is looking for you!"


    "What does father want with me?" Chasing the Wind scratched his ear, confused.


    "Master is setting up formations..." Li Shiyin''s face showed a hint of schadenfreude, "What do you think he wants you for?"


    "Ah?!" Chasing the Wind''s eyes widened until they nearly took up half his face. He tried to negotiate, "Can I not go?"


    "When I left, Master specifically mentioned your name," Li Shiyin said with a cold smile. "Whether you go or not is up to you."


    The big cat instantly deted, his ears and head drooping as he muttered, "Oh no, oh no, I''m in trouble now."


    Li Shiyin turned to look at the back mountain, took a few steps, but didn''t take flight.


    There was a fox spirit on the back mountain who had been practicing formations for two and a half years, considered Master''s orthodox sessor in the art of formations. However...


    "She''s too beautiful, appearing suddenly might cause chaos," she thought, stopping her steps, deciding against calling for Tushan Youyou.


    "Senior Sister Li!" At that moment, from across the river, Zhang Junyi called out, "Is... is there anything I can do?"


    Li Shiyin turned to give him a cool nce, asking in return, "What can you do?"


    Zhang Junyi opened his mouth but couldn''t respond. Indeed, there was nothing he could do. His cultivation level was too low, and he hadn''t even begun to learn the art of alchemy.


    "Go help your master with whatever she''s doing," Li Shiyin told him. "Battle is just one aspect of this war. Whatever the Sect Leader has assigned your master to do surely has its purpose."


    Zhang Junyi sighed and replied, "Yes."


    "Let''s go!"


    Li Shiyin called to Chasing the Wind, and together they flew away from Dan Peak.

 Chapter 446

    Chapter 446


    When Li Shiyin and Chasing the Wind found Qin Ran outside the Dao Sword Sect, he was standing on the ground, using the most primitive thumb measurement method to measure various positions of the formation.


    "Master!" Li Shiyinnded beside him and called out softly.


    Chasing the Wind, seeing Qin Ran covered in mud, asked, "Wow! Dad, have you been rolling in the mud too?"


    Qin Ran turned to look at him and asked calmly, "After teaching you formations for five years, how well have you learned?"


    "Achoo..." Chasing the Wind sneezed upon hearing this, looking away casually and mumbling, "I learned pretty well."


    "I studied formations for five years and mastered the basics. With formation diagrams, I can easily dismantle basic formations and formation patterns, and setting up formations is even easier," Qin Ran said. "Now you''ve also studied formations for five years. I want to see exactly how well you''ve learned."


    Like a student who had cked off all year and suddenly heard about an evaluation test, Chasing the Wind panicked. He turned back with a forced smile and asked, "Dad, can we not be so serious?"


    Ignoring him, Qin Ran looked at Li Shiyin and asked, "Is this the best you could find?"


    "I found Senior Brother Dong Zhongyuan. He''s very familiar with Qi Peak and has already gone there to find people. They should be here soon," Li Shiyin replied.She nced at Chasing the Wind, who was hanging his head low. Knowing he had no chance, he gradually shrank his body smaller, hoping Qin Ran wouldn''t see him anymore. Meanwhile, he muttered to himself, "It''s over, it''s all over, Dad''s serious this time, I''m dead, I''m so dead..."


    "Hmm! Dong Zhongyuan does seem to know formations," Qin Ran nodded and instructed Li Shiyin, "Go get Wen Jin, Yao Qingke, Ye Qingxuan, Xiao Bufan, and Ximen Wushang. Also find a disciple with earth affinity and one with water affinity."


    "What do you need them for?" Li Shiyin agreed while asking casually.


    "Due to time constraints, we can''t set up aplete formation, so I''ve changed my approach and n to rely on cultivators for the formation. We need people to guard it. I''ve set up eight life gates, so we need eight sufficiently strong cultivators to guard them," Qin Ran replied.


    Li Shiyin counted on her fingers and asked, "That''s only seven, isn''t it?"


    Qin Ran looked at her beautiful face and asked, "What about you?"


    "Oh... right!" Li Shiyin suddenly realized and flew back into the Dao Sword Sect.


    Qin Ran looked at Chasing the Wind, who had now shrunk to the size of a small kitten. The tiny white cat was trembling, muttering formation-rted phrases to himself.


    Things like "wind wood fire thunderke," "seeking dragon dividing gold watching mountain," "heaven thunder stirring earth fire..."


    He waspletely panicked.


    "Come here!" Qin Ran called out, feeling quite helpless inside.


    This startled Chasing the Wind, who stammered, "D-d-dad..."


    "I saide here..." Qin Ran repeated.


    The small cat shuffled towards him step by step, trying to negotiate, "Dad, look, how about you just beat me up? Just don''t make me set up formations."


    Qin Ran just stared at him without speaking.


    "How about I skip dinner tonight?" The little catpromised, "Just don''t make me set up formations."


    Qin Ran still remained silent.


    "I can stay indoors for a month."


    "I... I''ll go into closed cultivation for half a year!"


    "I... I... I don''t want to set up formations!" The white kitten finally broke down and cried, "Dad! Please spare me! I don''t know how to set up formations!"


    When the small white cat shuffled to Qin Ran''s side, Qin Ran lifted his foot and kicked him far away.


    "You said it yourself, remember! A man must keep his word!"


    Hearing this, Chasing the Wind immediately became jubnt, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes! I''ll keep my word."


    Qin Ran called him back again, told him to return to his normal size, and wanted to use him as transportation.


    Getting beaten, being used as a mount - anything was fine as long as his homework wasn''t being checked. Chasing the Wind was happy with that.


    When Dong Zhongyuan led seven formation masters out of the Dao Sword Sect, they saw Chasing the Wind flying up and down with Qin Ran, helping him verify formations while smiling with tears in his eyes.


    It was obvious - he''d been beaten and then consoled with candy, like a child.


    "Uncle?" Dong Zhongyuan approached with the formation masters and bowed to Qin Ran, "What do you need us to do?"


    Sitting on the white tiger''s back, Qin Ran looked down at Dong Zhongyuan and asked, "Can you understand formation diagrams?"


    "Of course," Dong Zhongyuan smiled.


    That was no joke - his formation skills were among the best in the Dao Sword Sect.


    As for the formation masters behind him, would they be worthy of his attention if they weren''t at least decent? Their proud expressions showed they were offended that Qin Ran seemed to underestimate them.


    However, when Qin Ran looked carefully at Dong Zhongyuan, he felt this handsome fellow''s face always gave off a frivolous impression that wasn''t very trustworthy.


    But time was pressing, and he had no choice now.


    "In that case, you eight people, perfect..." he said, taking out a thick stack of papers from his storage bag, and introduced to the eight people, "These are the formation diagrams. I''ve divided it into eight parts..."


    "Wait!" Dong Zhongyuan''s smile froze as he began to realize something was wrong. He pointed at the papers in Qin Ran''s hand and asked with surprise, "Uncle, are these... formation diagrams?! Not formation books?"


    Formation diagrams should be just one sheet, right? A diagram only shows formation patterns, bases, and focal points - how could there be so many pages?


    Qin Ran sighed internally, he knew this would happen!


    He exined, "This formation is designed to deal with Zhican Valley. I specifically took time to deduce it. It doesn''t aim for power or precision, only to maximize space and defense..."


    "Wait?!" Before he could finish, Dong Zhongyuan interrupted him again, staring with wide eyes as if he''d heard something impossible, "Un-uncle? This... this formation, you deduced it?"


    He must have heard wrong.


    Qin Ran put down the diagrams and asked Dong Zhongyuan seriously, "Do you actually understand formations?"


    "Uh..." Dong Zhongyuan had thought formations were his secondary expertise and he understood them well, but now, given the direction of this conversation, he wasn''t so sure anymore, "I suppose... I do?"


    "Ah!" Qin Ran rubbed his temples, feeling mentally exhausted. Not wanting to say more, he divided the formation diagrams into eight parts and gestured for Dong Zhongyuan to help distribute them, saying, "This formation is built on the Eight Trigrams as its foundation, which will divide the area around the Dao Sword Sect into eight parts ording to the trigram attributes. Based on your formation specialties, each of you will be responsible for one area."


    Dong Zhongyuan skeptically epted the diagrams and, after consulting with the other formation masters, distributed them one by one.


    "I''ve already built the basic defensive framework of the formation. The fine details of formation pattern carving, I''ll handle those," Qin Ran watched as they examined the diagrams and exined their tasks,


    "What you need to do is perfect and amplify the corresponding attributes in your respective formation areas ording to their properties.


    "The outer perimeter of this formation focuses on defense, making it difficult for enemies to pass through; but the formation space will be centered around the cultivators guarding it.


    "In other words, the formation space you''re each responsible for should provide appropriate enhancement to thebat power of our fellow sect members stationed there.


    "This is your primary task.


    "Secondly, you need to handle the following aspects:


    "Lay down space-time formation patterns to expand each area''s space, making it easier for our fellow sect members to fight inside while dispersing enemy forces;


    "Set up teleportation formation patterns to facilitate movement between areas, allowing us to concentrate our forces;


    "Implement illusion formation patterns which can confuse enemies at appropriate times, helping our sect members fight or retreat;


    "ce containment formation patterns to prevent enemies from breaking the formation from within."


    "Uncle?" Dong Zhongyuan asked weakly, "Are you finished?"


    Qin Ran looked at him with furrowed brows and asked, "What now?"


    "Ahem..." Dong Zhongyuan looked back at his fellow excellent formation masters, seeing their bewildered expressions, and gathered his courage to say to Qin Ran, "Your requirements are a bit...plicated."


    "I''ve given you all the formation diagrams, you just need to follow them to draw the patterns," Qin Ran said, confused. "Is it really that difficult?"


    "Senior Uncle..." Dong Zhongyuan spoke with slight hesitation, "We... well, it seems we can''t quite understand the formation diagram."


    Qin Ran understood the issue and sighed, unable to hold back his words:


    "None of you have studied formation patterns... When learning formations, didn''t you ever try to break down the patterns? When setting up formations, weren''t you curious about why certain patterns produced specific effects? Haven''t you thought about the principles behind patternbinations..."


    These excellent formation masters looked at each other in confusion. Who would study such things when learning formations?


    It''s like considering how rice is grown, analyzing itsposition, nutritional structure, and molecr basis when eating a meal.


    Who would be that crazy?!


    Qin Ran sighed, "I know human thinking tends to bezy, but I never imagined none of you had thought about it deeply."


    ...Perhaps the problem wasn''t with them, but with him.


    Qin Ran exined to the group:


    "The first few pages of the formation diagram show the detailed breakdown process, from patterns to basic formations toplete formations; the middle pages demonstrate the derivation process from patterns to formations; thest pages contain theplete formation diagram, effect illustrations, and exnations of the formation''s intended purpose.


    "What you probably need is theplete formation diagram... that page."


    The eight excellent formation masters felt strange emotions stirring within them, quiteplex feelings indeed.


    They flipped through the diagrams in their hands until they found theplete formation diagram. Though stillplex, it was at leastprehensible now.


    "Now then, as I said earlier, set it up ording to importance," Qin Ran was quite exasperated. If he wasn''t at his limit, he really wouldn''t want to deal with these... people.


    For these formation masters, though it was still challenging - they had never tried breaking down aplete formation into smaller parts before - they didn''t dare speak up seeing Qin Ran''s obvious frustration.


    "I''ll be here the whole time. If you don''t understand something, ask me directly," Qin Ran instructed finally. "I hope you understand the severity of the situation. Don''t pretend to understand when you don''t."


    "Yes!" Dong Zhongyuan responded with the other uncertain formation masters, and they dispersed to their assigned areas.


    "Father..." Chasing the Wind spoke up from beneath Qin Ran, "See? It''s not that I''m stupid - formations are just too difficult. Even they don''t understand."


    Qin Ran gave him a smack, scolding, "You''re just toozy!"


    Chasing the Wind felt wronged but didn''t say anything more.


    While Chasing the Wind wasn''t good at using his brain, he had plenty of brute strength.


    He carried Qin Ran up and down as they set up formations, flying back and forth in front of the Dao Sword Sect, showing no signs of fatigue.


    His cat-like steps remained elegant throughout.


    In the evening, Li Shiyin brought seven people out from the Dao Sword Sect, including Tian Wenjin, Yao Qingke, Ye Qingxuan, Xiao Bufan, and Ximen Wushang, along with two sect members Qin Ran didn''t recognize.


    Li Shiyin introduced them: "Master, this is Liu Tu from the main peak, an Earth Spirit Root cultivator at mid Golden Core stage; and this is Sun Yao from the Sword Peak, a Water Spirit Root cultivator at early Golden Core stage."


    Qin Ran didn''t say much else, just pointed to the formation being set up and told the eight people, including Li Shiyin:


    "The formation being set up here is called the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Formation. Eight trigrams, eight positions, eight elements, eight directions, so it needs eight people as formation eyes to guard it.


    "This formation will be set up with you eight as the main anchors. You''ll guard the formation space as the Dao Sword Sect''s first line of defense against Zhican Valley''s invasion.


    "Any questions?"


    After what happened earlier, he didn''t want to exin in detail anymore, just directly stated what they needed to do.


    The cultivators who remained at the Dao Sword Sect were basically those who hadn''t wanted to flee. Though they were somewhat reluctant to be the first line of defense, no one voiced any objections.


    Besides, Li Shiyin was also part of the first line.


    "Very well. Li Shiyin cultivates the Nine Revolutions Star Sword Technique, you''ll guard the Qian position; Tian Wenjin, you have the Thunder Spirit Root, guard the Zhen position; Yao Qingke takes Dui; Xiao Bufan takes Li...


    "You need to coordinate with these eight formation masters to set up the formation, and each of you can find ten Golden Core stage and twenty Foundation Building stage cultivators from the Dao Sword Sect to help guard the formation space." Qin Ran arranged with them.


    Finally, he added: "Although you are the Dao Sword Sect''s first line of defense, remember you are only the first line. When the timees, use the formation as your primary means ofbat. Remember, your lives are most important - preserve your fighting strength as much as possible for the battles toe."


    He emphasized, "Fight primarily using the formation. If the formation breaks, retreat immediately. Fall back to the Guardian Mountain Formation, where others will be responsible for the second line of defense."


    He swept his gaze across the faces of these fellow sect members, some friends and some foes, and finally asked: "Have I made myself clear?"


    "Understood!" The eight nodded in unison.


    "Now..." Qin Ran''s gaze lingered on Li Shiyin''s face, "Dismissed!"


    Li Shiyin gave Qin Ran a silly grin, saluted and said loudly: "Yes! Master!!"


    She then secretly transmitted: "Master, don''t worry, Shiyin is the strongest! Watch Shiyin''s performance!"


    Qin Ran hardened his heart and nodded expressionlessly.


    "Please... please... don''t let anything happen!" he prayed silently.


    Time''s passage is actually constant, but psychological time varies greatly for different people.


    For those constructing the Dao Sword Sect''s first line of defense, two days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.


    They had barely finished setting up the formation''s basic framework, arranged the formation elements and spaces, and hadn''t even set up the transportation formations when the enemy arrived!


    At noon that day, outside the Dao Sword Sect, a dark mass of ck clouds suddenly appeared in the distance, gradually drifting closer, overshadowing the sect.


    It blocked out the sky and sun.


    Qin Ran, as the chief formation engineer, was riding his white tiger directing several formation masters when he turned to see that mass of cultivators more oppressive than the storm clouds.


    A massive cloud ship slowly pressed forward, with over a thousand cultivators before and behind it.


    Even for mortals, this would be considered a proper army.


    But this was an army of cultivators, with Golden Core cultivators asmon as dirt, nearly a thousand of them.


    The pressure was almost physical, pressing down on people, threatening to crush them.


    Throughout the Dao Sword Sect area, not a single shadow could be seen, not a sound could be heard. Even the mosquitoes in the forest didn''t dare to fly; the earthworms deep underground didn''t dare to breathe.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran patted Chasing the Wind''s head, and the tiger carried him forward to meet the army of cultivators, flying to the front of the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Formation.


    One man and one tiger, facing thousands upon thousands of troops.

 Chapter 447

    The elders of the sect hadn''te out to receive visitors, the formation masters were still busy working within the formations, and the cultivators guarding the formation spaces couldn''t leave their posts.


    At this moment, only Qin Ran, mounted on his white tiger, was there to face the so-called Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    The shadow of the massive cloud ship, as tall as a mountain, loomed over them, along with the oppressive presence of thousands of cultivators.


    They were like ants facing a mountain.


    Fortunately, the tiger beneath him was a true tiger indeed. Even when facing thousands of murderous cultivators, he held his head high and chest proud, not losing an ounce of his majesty.


    Against the enemy''s overwhelming pressure, his form rapidly expanded. Within a few breaths, he transformed into a massive white tiger over thirty feet tall at the shoulder.


    This was a Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger that treads in darkness!


    In this moment, revealing his true form, he was truly magnificent and domineering!


    He withstood the enemy''s terrifying pressure, raised his head, narrowed his eyes, and looked down upon the thousands of powerful cultivators.The wind came from the tiger!


    The wind that had been suppressed by the enemy army now blew from him!


    A fierce gale arose!


    He stood amidst the raging wind.


    His tail, more terrifying than a steel whip,shed back and forth in the wind. His fighting spirit soared, ready to ughter the enemy forces at any moment!


    "Don''t be afraid, Father, I''ll protect you!" he dered.


    Somehow, that silly, muffled tiger voice had be deep and authoritative.


    Qin Ran didn''t scold him, but smiled and reached out to stroke his neck, running his hand through fur smoother than silk.


    "Are you afraid?" he asked.


    Chasing the Wind shook his massive tiger head, looking at the enemy forces with contempt before replying, "With Father here, I''m not afraid!"


    "Good boy!" Qin Ran said softly, "Let''s protect our home together."


    The cloud ship approached and stopped.


    Sun Yicheng led several disciples down from the cloud ship, walked out from the ranks, and stood in the air not far from the father and son duo.


    He disyed the powerful cultivator army behind him and asked Qin Ran with a smile:


    "Was it worth it? You exhausted yourself scheming in Zhican Valley, plotting and calcting, vainly attempting to wear down Zhican Valley''s strength.


    "What use was it? Destroying the Dao Sword Sect will still be as easy as turning over our palms."


    "Whether it was worth it or not, I believe you know better than I do," Qin Ran replied with a smile.


    "As for your strength, I''ve said from the beginning that you''re just bloated, your power is false. And now I''ll say it again - these thousands of cultivators behind you are nothing but y chickens and pottery dogs. If I wish, I can toy with you all in the palm of my hand at any time."


    Qin Ran''s voice made horrific scenes sh through Sun Yicheng''s mind: spirit fields exuding death energy, skies raining blood and body parts, buildings burning and exploding.


    Looking at Qin Ran''s smile, he still felt fear in his heart.


    Steadying himself, he continued smiling and said, "Elder Qin''s eloquence remains impressive as always. It must be exhausting to maintain such a calm facade. Before absolute power, all schemes and tricks are but floating clouds."


    "All floating clouds, you say?" Qin Ran asked puzzled, "Then why have you chosen this approach, throwing everything at us at once? Is Zhican Valley... is your Hengduan Mountain Alliance unable to find anyone capable of devising an effective strategy?"


    Why go all-in?


    Because they didn''t want to give Qin Ran any more time for his schemes and tricks.


    Why not devise a strategy?


    Because they feared any strategy would be thoroughly defeated by Qin Ran, resulting in greater losses.


    So having no strategy was better than having one.


    Sun Yicheng''s smile grew cold as he asked, "Then may I ask if you still have the opportunity to employ those little tricks of yours now?"


    "Yes! I do!" Qin Ran nodded with a smile, gesturing to the Eight Trigrams Formation of Gods and Demons behind him, "Look, this is the weing gift I''ve prepared for you. Are you ready to unwrap your present?"


    "A formation?" Sun Yicheng sneered, "You have considerable achievements in the Dao of Pills. Could it be that in formations you''re also..."


    He swallowed thest word "powerful."


    "Hahaha..."


    Seeing Sun Yicheng''s outwardly strong but inwardly weak appearance, Qin Ran burst into loudughter.


    Hisughter was wild, soaring to the clouds!


    The thousands of cultivators opposite watched himughing coldly but didn''t make a move.


    Because they all knew, to varying degrees, that the horrific tragedy that urred in Zhican Valley days ago was the work of this man before them.


    No one made a move, allowing Qin Ran tough freely.


    Because they were afraid!


    They cleverly gave themselves an excuse - Qin Ran''s power wasn''t worth mentioning, they were just worried about traps and ambushes.


    Stillughing, Qin Ran turned around on Chasing the Wind and slowly walked into the formation behind him.


    "You want the Dao Sword Sect? Come and take it!"


    These words carried through hisughter.


    Then, his figure mounted on the tiger disappeared into the formation, leaving only his wildughter echoing in the sky.


    Thousands of powerful cultivators watched him disappear, and even after hisughter had subsided, not one of them moved. They didn''t even step forward to test how much substance there was to the formation surrounding the Dao Sword Sect''s Guardian Mountain Formation.


    The world remained silent.


    But in this silence, there was something strange, something awkward, something... fearful.


    One man''sughter had intimidated an army of thousands!


    At the main peak of the Dao Sword Sect, in the square, Sect Leader Gu Yueming and the sect''s elite forces watched this scene unfold.


    "What exactly did that kid do in Zhican Valley?" Liu Boxian asked in amazement.


    He knew about Qin Ran''s three-step n and knew it had seeded, but he didn''t know what the final effect of this n had been.


    What kind of experience would cause cultivators to show such fear?


    "I don''t know the details," Gu Yueming shook his head and said, "He only reported to me that through death or flight, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance lost at least five hundred Golden Core cultivators."


    "Five hundred Golden Core cultivators?!" Liu Boxian eximed in shock.


    But then he looked at the army of cultivators outside that blocked out the sky and asked in confusion, "Even after losing five hundred Golden Core cultivators, there are still so many?"


    He Daoguang looked up at the scene outside, his eyes flickering with emotion. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, whether mockery or praise, but he remained silent.


    "It''s the Boundless Sword Sect..." Qin Ran''s voice came as he descended from the sky riding his white tiger. He exined, "The Boundless Sword Sect ultimately sided with Zhican Valley. Among the cultivators outside, the Boundless Sword Sect contributed at least fifty Golden Core cultivators, not to mention those at Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages."


    Liu Boxian looked at Qin Ran and saw that his face wasn''t smiling anymore, but full of gravity.


    "The force that hase to the Dao Sword Sect is still beyond our expectations," Qin Ran said solemnly. "Uncle Liu, Sect Leader, prepare for street fighting."


    "Street fighting?" Liu Boxian frowned.


    "We have three lines of defense: the Eight Trigrams Formation of Gods and Demons, the Guardian Mountain Formation, and the Mountain and River Sword, but these certainly won''t stop them," Qin Ran said. "When we no longer have formations to rely on, we''ll have to fight within the sect.


    "Sect Leader, we need to both minimize sect losses and preserve our fighting strength for the final battle."


    "I understand," Gu Yueming nodded.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran swept his gaze across the Core Formation cultivators in the sect square, took a deep breath, and cupped his fists in salute to them, saying, "What I could do ends here. The rest is up to you."


    Gu Yueming returned the salute solemnly and sighed, "You''ve already done more than enough."


    "We cultivators, why fear a battle?" Liu Boxian dered boldly.


    "Hahaha!" Qin Ranughed once, riding Chasing the Wind toward Dan Peak.


    "We cultivators, why fear a battle indeed!" he replied.

 Chapter 448

    Sun Yicheng returned to the cloud ship and Qiu Huahui asked him, "How was it?"


    Qin Ran''s arrogantughter was still ringing in their ears, and her expression was solemn, not looking very good.


    "This man is impervious to reason," Sun Yicheng shook his head, "We''ll have to attack forcefully."


    Upon hearing this, Qiu Huahui pointed to the array below where the light and shadow were shifting and said, "To attack forcefully, we need to break the array. Do you know what kind of array it is?"


    "I have not delved into the art of arrays, nor have I seen such an array before," Sun Yicheng sighed, "But from our conversation just now, I know that this array was also created by him. Compared to his level in alchemy and his shrewdness, this array will not be simple. We need to be extra careful."


    Qiu Huahui had witnessed Qin Ran''s alchemy skills; his poison pills and death pills had caused chaos in Zhican Valley that had yet to settle.


    "Such a person..." she was puzzled, "Why was he not well-known before?"


    "His background is very clean; he is from the northern Chu region, a disciple of Wang Yuanyi. He entered the Dao Sword Sect at the age of five with a medium-grade water spiritual root and averageprehension. It took him several years to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. After Wang Yuanyi''s tribtion failed, he has been cultivating in the alchemy peak of the Dao Sword Sect, never leaving the mountain."


    Sun Yicheng was also puzzled, "I don''t know why his alchemy skills are so high; Wang Yuanyi''s alchemy skills were ordinary; as for arrays, no one ever taught him."A too-clean background added more mystery.


    "Could it be that he was born with knowledge?" Qiu Huahui asked, "Or perhaps... he was possessed by a great master; is he a great master reincarnated..."


    Sun Yicheng didn''t know either. Although he had dealt with Qin Ran many times, such people would only show their enemies what the enemies wanted to see.


    If they couldn''t figure out Qin Ran''s origins, they wouldn''t bother. After all, it wasn''t important.


    Qiu Huahui raised her hand and summoned an Elder Lin, instructing him, "Elder Lin, you have considerable research in arrays. Please go and see what level this array is."


    Elder Linplied and flew out of the cloud ship to the edge of the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Array.


    The Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Array was arge-scale array that epassed the entire Dao Sword Sect. It could be said without exaggeration that it was another protective array of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Due to the short time the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Array was set up, many details were not handled, making it appear very crude. For example, the defensive barrier it formed was not hidden, with a very obvious light forming an inverted bowl outside the Dao Sword Sect.


    Elder Lin flew around the light barrier to determine its orientation and size, then returned to the front.


    He stopped in mid-air, holding a seal in his hand, muttering incantations, and gathering a spell of light in his hand.


    When the spell was formed, he lightly shouted "Hurry" and struck the light barrier with the light in his hand.


    In an instant, the array barrier disappeared, revealing the array base, array patterns, and other basic elements of the array behind the barrier.


    The array looked simple from the outside, just a barrier, but the array patterns were extremelyplex.


    The array patterns intertwined like a tangled mess, with a pattern and yet no pattern, forming a huge inverted bowl like the barrier.


    Seeing so many, chaotic, andplex array patterns, Elder Lin felt his eyes go blurry at just one nce.


    But he did have some real skills. After much effort, he tried to find the array''s pattern. He searched for a long time, but when the spell effect disappeared, he still hadn''t fully understood the array patterns... He felt some of the array patterns were different from those in the Xian Yi region. ?


    As for breaking the array, it was even more impossible to say.


    After pondering in mid-air for a while, he took out a spindle-shaped magic treasure and activated it.


    The spindle turned into a beam of light and struck the restored light barrier, producing a "dong" sound, failing to break the defense and bouncing back.


    After retrieving the spindle, Elder Lin flew back to the cloud ship and reported to Qiu Huahui, "Reporting to the Valley Master, this array is a defensive array, based on the Eight Trigrams, incorporating the Qian Kun Array and Illusion Array.


    "The array setter is quite skilled. Just now, I attacked it with the Xuan Yi Breaking Array Spindle, but there was no significant effect."


    What kind of array it was, what level it was, and how to break it, Qiu Huahui didn''t really care.


    She asked, "I only ask you, how long will it take to break the array?"


    Elder Lin thought of the profound andplex array patterns and hesitated before saying, "About a month."


    Whether it could be broken in a month, he wasn''t sure.


    Not to mention that he hadn''t fully understood the array patterns, even if he did, breaking the array wasn''t an easy task.


    After all, not everyone could be like Qin Ran, who could deduce the array patterns and arrays both forward and backward.


    "A month?" Qiu Huahuiughed. It would take a month to break this array, and the subsequent protective array would take a year. She gave a time limit, "Seven days, I''ll give you seven days!"


    "Seven days?"


    Are you kidding?! You try it!


    Elder Lin wanted to protest but held back.


    "Is there a difficulty?" Qiu Huahui looked at Elder Lin.


    If you can do it, do it; if not, get out.


    So Elder Lin thought for a moment and said tactfully, "The Valley Master should let everyone attack together. With thousands of cultivators here, each sending a flying sword, the array can be broken."


    "Energy and spiritual power will all be used to break the array!" Qiu Huahui asked, "What will you do for the following battle?"


    Elder Lin had no choice but to bow to Qiu Huahui and sighed, "I will do my best, Valley Master."


    With that, he turned and flew off the cloud ship.


    Time was tight, and the task was urgent. In addition to Elder Lin, more than ten other skilled array cultivators came out to help Elder Lin break the array.


    After more than ten array masters worked for two days, they finally sorted out the Eight Trigrams array base from theplex array patterns. In another day, they followed the rules of the Eight Trigrams array to find the life gate of the array.


    Once the life gate was found, things became easier. Elder Lin breathed a sigh of relief and reported to Qiu Huahui:


    "The array setter, although skilled, is limited. He still has to follow the basic rules of the array. This Eight Trigrams Array has been found the life gate. Once the life gate is found, the method to break the array is also found."


    Qiu Huahui only cared about how to break the array.


    "How to break it?" she asked.


    Elder Lin replied, "This Eight Trigrams Array has eight life gates. We don''t need to care about the others; we just need to follow the life gate and break it. The array will naturally be broken."


    "Then what are you waiting for?" Qiu Huahui urged.


    "Valley Master..." Elder Lin said, "There is someone guarding the life gate, and I need someone to kill the guardian."


    "Granted," Qiu Huahui said.


    Elder Lin then found eight solid Gold Core cultivators and brought them to the light barrier, describing the task to them:


    "Later, array masters will guide you to specific positions. When the array masters stabilize the array and find the life gate,


    "A gate will appear at your position. You will enter the gate and find the guardian inside. Kill them.


    "Understood?"


    Entering the gate and killing the guardian was easy to understand. The eightbat-capable Gold Core cultivators nodded.


    Elder Lin and the other array masters positioned these eight people ording to the Eight Trigrams array, at the eight directions of the Dao Sword Sect, and then they used array techniques to stabilize the array.


    "Life gate, open!"


    Elder Lin shouted loudly, found the life gate position, and eight gates appeared on the light-shifting barrier.


    "Enter!" Elder Lin hurriedly shouted.


    Eight Gold Core cultivators each urately faced a gate. Without thinking too much, they directly entered the gates.


    As soon as they entered, Elder Lin and the other array masters withdrew their power, and the array closed, the eight gates disappearing.


    At the moment the eight gates opened, Qin Ran, who was sitting under the Devouring Demon Willow, sensed it. He opened his eyes and looked towards the outside of the Dao Sword Sect, murmuring, "It begins."


    Shiyin, Shiyin... you will be fine.


    He closed his eyes again.


    Lu Xian, a core disciple of Zhican Valley.


    As a disciple who practiced swordsmanship in Zhican Valley, not to mention his position in the pecking order among the disciples of Zhican Valley, just the resources he enjoyed were really good... really damn good!


    Zhican Valley had few talented disciples in swordsmanship, so each one was treated as a treasure and given key training.


    Lu Xian''s qi vortex seed was the life-bound sword qi of the legendary sword cultivator Nianhua Sword God;


    Lu Xian''s life-bound sword was Nianhua Sword God''s life-bound sword, a mid-grade magic treasure-level life-bound sword;


    Lu Xian''s cultivation technique was a direct path to the Unity Stage, "Hundred Flowers Shattering Sword Technique."


    This technique collects the essence of a hundred exotic flowers to condense sword qi, which will then be used to y the avatar of a Nascent Soul cultivator to achieve Dao integration. It is an exceptionally ingenious technique, and mastering it almost guarantees Dao integration.


    Although Lu Xian is currently only at thete stage of the Golden Core.


    As for other treasures, elixirs, and pills, Zhican Valley certainly wouldn''t be stingy with Lu Xian.


    Although he hasn''t met Lu Junxing and Bu Tianming yet, Lu Xian believes he will cut down Lu Junxing with his sword and trample over Bu Tianming.


    To put it modestly, he doesn''t even consider his peers worth his attention.


    So when he entered the Heavenly Life Gate of the Ghost-God Eight Trigrams Array and saw Li Shiyin, who had risen to prominence in the past two years, he looked her up and down, smiled, and asked, "Sister Li, is your sword as beautiful as your face?"


    Due to time constraints, Qin Ran''s Ghost-God Eight Trigrams Array requires the cultivator guarding the array space to take the lead, rather than the array itself.


    The Heavenly array space where Li Shiyin resides is a space specifically constructed for her. Called "Heaven," it is actually a starry sky, a celestial space.


    The main theme of this space is darkness, with stars twinkling above and below. Walking into this space feels like walking in mid-air, in the starry sky, or on a mirror, or on the surface of ake.


    It is a ce that is both novel and extremely romantic.


    Li Shiyin sat in the center of the array space, with Muran Sword floating in front of her.


    The star power of the entire array space was concentrated on Muran Sword, causing it to rise and fall with each breath.


    Hearing Lu Xian''s voice, Li Shiyin opened her eyes. Her almond-shaped eyes, filled with cold starlight and sharp sword intent, made anyone who looked at them tremble.


    "Zhican Valley, the Hundred Flower Sword God Lu Xian?" Her voice was as cold as moonlight.


    Although her question carried no emotion, Lu Xian sensed a hint of disdain.


    Lu Xian smiled modestly, loosely sped his fists in a salute, and said, "Indeed, it''s me. It''s rare that Sister Li remembers me."


    He practiced the Hundred Flower Dao ying Sword Technique and was also known as the Hundred Flower Sword God, so he naturally understood how to pick flowers. In every sense of the word, as a core disciple of Zhican Valley, he was never short of women.


    And a female sword cultivator who was both skilled in sword techniques and beautiful, he had yet to sample.


    So he smiled, he saluted, and his gaze never left Li Shiyin''s body.


    "I remember you because among the famous sword cultivators in the Hengduan Mountains, none are known for their abundance of treasures like you."


    Lu Xian''s impolite eyes made Li Shiyin''s words sharp, "Sword cultivators take pride in the strength of their sword qi, the strength of their sword intent, they discuss the secrets of fast sword strikes, and the secrets of fast body movements, but no sword cultivator brags about how many treasures they have."


    "Heh!"


    Unexpectedly, Lu Xian took it as a point of pride.


    No one else did, didn''t that just prove his uniqueness and his strength?


    "Sword qi and sword intent, Iprehended them the moment I reached the Foundation Establishment stage.


    "My qi vortex seed is the life-bound sword qi of the Flower Picking Sword God, who is of the same origin as me. I naturallyprehended the sword qi and sword intent of a Dao Integration cultivator without wasting energy or time.


    "Only those with poor resources need toprehend sword qi and sword intent on their own."


    He boasted with a smile, "I walk on the path of my predecessors, inherit their sword qi and sword intent, practice their sword techniques, naturally I can walk more easily and further than you. You are foolish, short-sighted, jealous, and desire what you cannot have."


    Li Shiyin shook her head and sighed, "You are too foolish. Some say that everything can be saved, but foolishness is beyond saving. You are beyond saving.


    "Other people''s things are always other people''s, only your own things are truly yours.


    "You are not Lu Xian, you are just the Hundred Flower Sword God."


    She stood up, ced her hand on the Muran Sword, which shimmered like a gxy,


    "My master said, free things are often the most expensive.


    "Youpletely follow the path of others, without a single thought of your own. The easier and faster you walk, the greater the price you pay. The price you pay is your future, your life."


    "Hum!"


    She drew Muran Sword from the starry sky, and meteor showers streaked past her feet.


    "As a sword cultivator, I am ashamed to fight you. You are a sword cultivator without a sword cultivator''s soul." She looked at her dazzling life-bound sword and said, "But fortunately, you are an enemy. I will kill you as quickly as possible. To avoid sullying my sword."


    Being humiliated by Li Shiyin from a spiritual level, Lu Xian''s smile faded.


    He extended his right hand, and a sword with a hilt like a flower stem, a guard like a flower calyx, and a de like a closed flower appeared in his hand.


    "This is the Jinghong Sword of the Flower Picking Sword God! Its sword qi surges like a blooming flower, graceful and swift!" He introduced solemnly.


    With his left hand, he grasped a sword that emerged from his arm like old tree roots.


    "This is the Kushen Sword of the Withered Tree Sword Demon! Once unleashed..."


    "Enough!" Li Shiyin interrupted him directly, "I''m not interested."


    What is the Withered Tree Sword Demon, what is the Flower Picking Sword God? When they stand before her, are their sword daos superior to hers?


    A sword cultivator who has been dead for hundreds or even thousands of years, perhaps his sword dao was highly refined and exquisite in his time, but after so many years, his sword techniques are not worth such admiration from Lu Xian.


    The swords of some great gods, the sword techniques of some great immortals, the sword daos of some great demons, these are the foundations that Lu Xian is proud of from Zhican Valley.


    But there is nothing of his own.


    No sword technique of Lu Xian, no sword qi of Lu Xian, no sword intent of Lu Xian.


    Lu Xian doesn''t realize that when he boasts about how powerful his swords are, when he boasts about his abundance of treasures, it is precisely when he is deeply insecure.


    In a sense, he just wants to prove that his sword dao is not inferior to top sword dao geniuses like Li Shiyin.


    "Ah!" He didn''t know why, but he sighed.


    He looked up, trying to see Li Shiyin, but could only see the starry sky, as if a drop of water had hit the surface, with meteors spreading out like ripples.


    "Ding!"


    Someone stabbed at his side, and he looked over to see Li Shiyin''s fleeting figure.


    He looked down at his waist, where his Immortal Flower Thousand Threads Robe had been marked.


    "Such sharp sword qi." He sighed.


    "Ding!"


    Another sword grazed his neck.


    The Golden Scale Dragon Ring Jade Pendant around his neck activated, and a thin shield appeared close to his neck.


    "Such a fast sword!" He praised again.


    "Ding ding ding..."


    Li Shiyin fully unleashed her body technique, as if there were countless Li Shiyins around Lu Xian, each striking with a sword.


    In an instant, various defensive treasures on Lu Xian activated, creating shields of various colors around him, protecting him from any harm.


    "Such a fast body technique." Lu Xian said again.


    Seeing that Li Shiyin''s hundreds of sword strikes couldn''t break through his defenses, heughed.


    He looked at the fluctuating silhouette in the starry sky and asked, "Sister Li, how do you feel now?"


    Li Shiyin appeared in the starry sky, standing high above, looking down at Lu Xian, and said, "My master said, even the strongest defenses can be broken, one cannot simply defend. If you don''t draw your sword, you won''t have a chance to draw it."


    "Hahaha..." Lu Xianughed and shook his head, thinking Li Shiyin was just stubborn, and said, "Sister Li is really yful!"


    He raised his sword again and said, "But I''ll give you a chance to see the sword technique of the Flower Picking Sword God."


    "Huh..." Li Shiyin took a deep breath


    The array space existed because of her, and the stars in the starry sky breathed with her.


    She brandished Muran Sword and shed forward, sending thousands of star sword qi like fine hairs towards Lu Xian at high speed.


    She used her body technique, while her left hand condensed dreamlike stars, and she flew towards Lu Xian.


    "This is the Peony Flower!" Lu Xian smiled, and the Jinghong Sword in his right hand lit up.


    He performed the sword technique, and the dazzling light at the tip of the Jinghong Sword appeared in the dark starry sky, like a brush, drawing a huge peony flower with intricate sword light.


    He whispered, "The golden petals press down with a fragrant scent, each petal cleverly cut with a dark purple heart."


    As his voice rang out, one after another, peonies bloomed fiercely around him.


    These peonies, clearlyposed of sword energy, emitted a rich fragrance.


    Li Shiyin''s ster sword energy flew towards them, each sword strike meeting the peonies in mutual annihtion, dissipating into the stars.


    Indeed, these were the sword energies of the Flower Sword Deity.


    And that rich fragrance wafted out, reaching Li Shiyin. As she inhaled it during her intense battle, she found herself thinking of her master, recalling their intimate moments.


    She understood what was happening, frowned, stopped, and looked at Lu Xian with clear disgust, saying, "You are truly disgusting!"


    Lu Xian''s lips curled into a sinister smile, "Sister, aren''t these peonies beautiful?"


    "Huff!" Li Shiyin exhaled, addressing Lu Xian, "You chose not to maintain your dignity!"


    With that, she plunged her Muran Sword into the ground before her, softly dering, "All celestial bodies, heed mymand!"


    The dreamlike stars she had gathered in her left hand rose with her words, shing like amand in mid-air. Around her, the starry sky began to manifest more dreamlike stars, rising in droves, resembling the dense stars in the night sky.


    "And what is this move?" Lu Xian asked confidently, relying on his defensive treasures.


    Li Shiyin flicked her finger, sending a dreamlike star towards Lu Xian, she said indifferently, "This is called, Dreamlike Stars!"


    "Boom!"


    The tiny dreamlike star exploded violently before Lu Xian, releasing countless tiny sword energies that, under Li Shiyin''s control, all shot towards him.


    The massive explosion''s impact sent Lu Xian flying, and the tiny sword energies nged against him, yet still failed to breach his defenses.


    But Lu Xian''s expression changed, for the sky was filled with dreamlike stars.


    One dreamlike star was already so powerful, what then...


    Li Shiyin didn''t give him time to think, raising her hand to send the entire sky of stars hurtling towards him.


    "Sister, spare me!" Lu Xian cried out.


    Li Shiyin ignored him.


    Seeing this, Lu Xian frantically channeled his internal energy, shouting, "The fragrance of the sky pierces the stars, my flowers bloom to kill all others!"


    In an instant, one after another, golden chrysanthemums bloomed in this starry sky!


    The chrysanthemums burst open, releasing a sense of annihtion.


    Chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, when other flowers wither and fall. Just like now.


    The ground was covered in golden chrysanthemums, and as the dreamlike stars fell and exploded, the chrysanthemums were shredded, golden petals flying everywhere, all sword energies, blocking the ster sword energies from the exploding dreamlike stars.


    However, Lu Xian''s move only managed to block the initial dreamlike stars. When the dreamlike stars shredded the ground chrysanthemums, it was then that Lu Xian faced the dreamlike stars directly.


    In a blink, he was engulfed by the dreamlike stars.


    "Boom boom boom..." The explosions continued, the third-tier ster sword energies shooting wildly within this starry space.


    Who was stronger, Li Shiyin or Lu Xian?


    This question had no answer.


    But within this starry space, Li Shiyin was far stronger than Lu Xian.


    The starry space gave her too much support, far more than the various treasures gave Lu Xian.


    She only needed to gather one dreamlike star, and this starry space would naturally help her gather hundreds and thousands.


    Just like the scene before them.


    Lu Xian experienced a feast of dreamlike stars!


    When the explosions subsided, streams of ster sword energies darted like meteors through the starry space. Li Shiyin looked towards the center of the explosion and saw Lu Xian, drenched in blood, riddled with sword wounds, and asked, "Can you withstand it?"


    "You..." Lu Xian opened his mouth, and blood poured out like a waterfall, "This is not your true strength."


    What he wanted to say, perhaps, was that shecked the spirit of a sword cultivator.


    "I originally wanted you to die with dignity," Li Shiyin said, "But you used such despicable moves. You brought this upon yourself."


    ...It was like a pay-to-win yer encountering a cheater.


    Lu Xian tried to say something else, but he couldn''t, his strength failing, he finally copsed.


    Li Shiyin drew her sword, walked to the center of the array space, sat down, and the Muran Sword floated before her, bobbing up and down as she meditated.


    The array space was the first line of defense for the Dao Sword Sect, but for the cultivators guarding it, it was also an opportunity.

 Chapter 449

    The Thunder Gate was guarded by Tian Wenjin, who possessed the Thunder Spirit Root.


    In this formation space, thunder and lightning filled both the heavens and earth.


    The sky resembled that before a summer storm, restless and turbulent, with thick dark clouds and rolling thunder, lightning snaking through. The oppression of ck clouds and the majesty of thunder created an unsettling fear in people''s hearts.


    From within the ck clouds, white, blue, and purple lightning continuously burst forth, striking the ground with deafening "boom" sounds.


    Countless lightning bolts struck down, connecting heaven and earth, forming a forest of lightning!


    The ground wasn''t really ground either - like the sky, it was covered in thick clouds. Moreover,pared to the clouds above, the ground clouds seemed more celestial. Standing on them felt like being above the clouds, with clouds beneath one''s feet, above the cloudyer, at the source of lightning - the Thunder Pool!


    Lightning also emerged from the clouds underfoot, connecting to the sky in clusters, like coral trees in the sea.


    Amidst the thunderous chaos, lightning stood like trees, creating an apocalyptic scene.


    At the center of this lightning forest floated a sword - the Imperial Thunder Sword. It was being tempered by thunder, absorbing its essence, nurtured by the formation''s lightning.Behind it stood a woman in red, with a cold yet determined demeanor and otherworldly beauty.


    Due to the lightning, her silk-like ck hair stood on end, giving her a wild appearance. In this thunderous apocalyptic scene, she resembled a supreme demon lord, guardian of the demon realm!


    When Fu Ming entered this thunder space and saw this terrifying scene - the sword connecting heaven and earth''s lightning, and the red-d woman amidst the thunder - he absurdly felt that he was the hero meant to save the world, while she was the great demon lord who could destroy heaven and earth.


    He cast a protective spell to shield himself from stray lightning bolts.


    "So it''s you, Tian Wenjin!"


    Due to the constant thunder, the space was quite noisy, so Fu Ming naturally spoke very loudly.


    "Which level have you reached in your Divine Thunder Sword Qi?" he shouted. "Lu Junxing created the Four Realms of Sword Qi - which realm are you in now?"


    Tian Wenjin was known as the mission maniac in the Dao Sword Sect. She took on missions both to temper herself and to earn money (she had previously borrowed arge sum of spirit stones from Qin Ran to save Huang Feiyu, which she was gradually repaying through missions).


    Her cultivation life consisted of:pleting missions, cultivating, more missions, improving cultivation, learning specific spells for missions, more missions, sword practice...


    A simple yet not-so-simple, unpretentious cultivation life.


    During her missions and learning skills for them, she inevitably interacted with disciples from other sects.


    Moreover, due to both her beauty and strength, she gradually gained quite a reputation in the Hengduan Mountains region.


    Along with Li Shiyin, another beautiful and powerful member of the Dao Sword Sect, these two - initially dubbed by Qin Ran as the Twin Beauties of Sword Peak - gained widespread recognition, and their title spread throughout the Hengduan Mountains.


    In the lightning forest, Tian Wenjin opened her eyes, which were the silver-gray color of lightning, devoid of emotion. She looked down at Fu Ming from above, like a thunder god scorning a mortal.


    "Third Realm," she replied coldly.


    Her voice was icy and authoritative, echoing in the formation space as if she truly were a deity controlling heaven and earth.


    "Third Realm?" Fu Ming drew his natal sword, smiling. "That''s the realm of making the difficult seem easy, right? Making the difficult seem easy, sword qi like rain - not bad. This will be an interesting battle."


    Tian Wenjin grabbed the Imperial Thunder Sword''s hilt, bringing it to her side.


    The Imperial Thunder Sword seemed to be pulled from the Thunder Pool, causing a crescendo of crackling electricity and thunderous booms.


    It was quite intimidating.


    "You are a sword cultivator..." she looked at Fu Ming coldly. "I will give you a sword cultivator''s death."


    "Death? The winner isn''t decided yet!" Fu Ming dered loudly. "In our past encounters, you''ve lost more than you''ve won!"


    Tian Wenjin stood in the air, giving him a faint look, her eyes clearly showing pity.


    Their original strength had indeed beenparable, with Fu Ming slightly stronger, and victory depending on circumstances.


    (Although Fu Ming had been beaten badly by Chasing the Wind, that was because Chasing the Wind was formidable, not because Fu Ming was weak. Even then, Chasing the Wind hadn''t killed him, only severely injured him.)


    But now, she had an advantage.


    This entire thunder space existed because of her. Even though Tian Wenjin didn''t n to actively use the thunder space''s power against Fu Ming like Li Shiyin would have, the space''s invisible enhancement was enough to make her stronger than him.


    "Whoosh!"


    Words were no longer necessary. With a sound like thunder shaking space, Tian Wenjin raised the Imperial Thunder Sword, her form trailing a long blue lightning streak, moving at lightning speed toward Fu Ming.


    "Come on then!"


    Fu Ming showed no fear, shouting as he swung his sword, slightly bending his knees, and flying toward Tian Wenjin like an unsheathed flying sword.


    "ng!"


    The two swords collided in mid-air, the infinitely sharp Boundless Sword Qi and the powerful Divine Thunder Sword Qi shing with a tremendous sound, like early spring thunder!


    "Crack!"


    Thunder exploded!


    Blue lightningposed of Divine Thunder Sword Qi burst forth, circumventing the Boundless Sword Qi and striking toward Fu Ming.


    Fu Ming withdrew his sword, the sharp yet heavy Boundless Sword Qi retreating with him, blocking the lightning at thest moment.


    The lightning struck the heavy Boundless Sword Qi but couldn''t prate it. However, the enormous force was too much for Fu Ming''s physical body to withstand.


    With a "boom," the lightning struck, forcing Fu Ming back step by step until he lost bnce and was sted away.


    Tian Wenjin, wielding the Imperial Thunder Sword, seized the opportunity to pursue and attack.


    Fu Ming hurriedly adjusted his posture in mid-air, dispersing the heavy Boundless Sword Qi and swinging his sword to deflect Tian Wenjin''s iing Imperial Thunder Sword.


    One was swift and fierce like lightning, the other sharp and heavy like the boundless void.


    Both were fast and highly offensive, prioritizing attack over defense.


    In an instant, two frenzied sword lights could be seen fighting from sky to ground, from ground to the edge of the space.


    One blue, one gray, meeting and parting.


    Their speed was extreme, able to traverse the formation space in a single movement;


    Their sword strikes were incredibly fast, hundreds of thrusts in a single breath.


    "ng, ng, ng..."


    The sound of shing swords never ceased, echoing throughout the formation space, gradually drowning out even the thunder.


    They were both fighting at full strength, neither daring to rx for a moment.


    Two top-tier sword cultivators fighting for their lives, each strike at such extreme speed represented their entire understanding of the sword path, each move a masterpiece of perfect artistry.


    Any rxation would be disrespectful to their opponent and careless with their own life.


    With attack and defense counting as one round.


    Eight hundred rounds ago, they were evenly matched, both carrying injuries; but after eight hundred rounds, Fu Ming began to struggle.


    It wasn''t for any other reason than that he had reached his limit.


    A cultivator''s total amount of spiritual power has a limit; the speed at which spiritual power can circte within the body has a limit.


    The difference between cultivators is that some limits are higher, some lower.


    Fu Ming''s total spiritual power could still hold up, but his meridians could no longer sustain the cirction of power.


    Eight hundred rounds of full-power attacks, spiritual power circting at maximum speed for so long - this was the limit of what his meridians could bear. Now, his meridians could no longer support full-speed cirction of his spiritual power, could no longer support continued full-power attacks.


    His meridians told him he needed to reduce his power, to use ny-nine percent, or ny-eight percent of his full strength.


    But this wasn''t Tian Wenjin''s limit.


    Or rather, this wasn''t Tian Wenjin''s limit within this thunder space.


    She hadn''t actively used the thunder space''s power, but the space was unconsciously supporting her, nourishing her meridians.


    The enemy was still at full strength, but he could no longer match it. So Fu Ming was forced into a defensive position. One thousand moves!


    Fu Ming was clearly injured, only able to disy eighty percent of his peak ability.


    While Tian Wenjin could still fight at full power.


    One thousand three hundred moves!


    "Boom!"


    Tian Wenjin struck with her sword, and a massive blue lightning bolt sent Fu Ming flying. He violently crashed into the barrier of the lightning space formation, barely managing to stabilize himself against its wall.


    After steadying himself, Boundless Sword Qi immediately manifested on his de, maintaining a defensive stance as he prepared to face Tian Wenjin''s next barrage of attacks.


    However, Tian Wenjin''s devastating strike never came.


    He looked up to see Tian Wenjin hovering motionless in the air. There she stood, sword in hand amidst the lightning, like a supreme goddess of thunder.


    "You''ve lost!" Tian Wenjin dered.


    "Heh!" Fu Ming chuckled, rxing his battle stance. "You''re very strong," he replied.


    Fighting over a thousand rounds against a top-tier peer opponent with all his might, the battle had been exhrating. Though defeated, he had no regrets!


    Tian Wenjin opened her mouth, wanting to say something. She knew that she had relied on external power, and her victory wasn''t something to be proud of.


    "You''re an opponent worthy of respect, and you needn''t worry about that. This formation didn''t help you as much as you think - your own strength is what made the difference," Fu Ming smiled and said to Tian Wenjin. "If you survive after this great battle, you''ll surely reach the pinnacle of the sword path."


    He circted the magical power within his body, preparing his final technique. "Come!" he said, "Use your strongest move!"


    Use your strongest technique to send me on my way!


    Tian Wenjin gazed intently at Fu Ming, wanting to remember this person, then raised her sword and softly spoke: "Snow in the Wind!"


    In an instant, the rolling thunder of the lightning space fell silent, and a wind began to blow.


    As the wind swept through, the lightning serpents transformed into snowkes - blue, grey, and purple electric snakes became snowkes of the same colors.


    They all flew toward Fu Ming.


    "Boundless Expanse!"


    Fu Ming channeled his magical power and swept his sword forward, creating a wave of sword energy that resembled an approaching ocean surge. At first, it was just a line, but as it rolled forward, it became a surging tide, cleaving through the flying snow in the wind.


    The chaotic, boundless waves of sword energy advanced against the cold wind.


    The cold wind brought snowkes - one ke, two kes...


    As snowkesnded on the waves, they gradually slowed their advance, and then, they froze solid.


    The wind carried snowkes past the waves and onto Fu Ming''s body.


    A blue snowkended in Fu Ming''s hair.


    "So cold!" He gazed at Tian Wenjin''s transcendent beauty and whispered, "Tian Wenjin, there are many good men in this world. You don''t need to be so cold."


    With those words, he transformed into a blue ice sculpture.


    The wind carried the snow past, the thunder''s roar returned, and lightning serpents once again struck down from the heavens, forming a forest of electricity connecting heaven and earth.


    Tian Wenjin stood motionless, staring at Fu Ming''s frozen form, lost in thought for a long while.


    He had fought an intense battle with her.


    He understood her sword techniques.


    He understood her sword intent.


    He encouraged her that life would get better.


    But he died by her sword.


    Suddenly, she realized something and cried out in rm: "Stop!"


    But she couldn''t prevent the indiscriminate lightning strikes within this space.


    A bolt of lightning struck Fu Ming''s ice sculpture, shattering it into blue ice powder.


    Tian Wenjin flew over and crouched before the blue powder remains, gazing at them before letting out a sigh.


    She took out a silk cloth and gathered up the powder.


    He was truly a respectable opponent, deserving of dignity. She nned to find a proper burial ground for him after the war ended.


    Those who seem most heartless often care the most deeply.


    The battle over, the Imperial Thunder Sword returned to the center of the lightning space, continuing to absorb the lightning''s nurturing power.


    Tian Wenjin quicklyposed herself and also returned to the center, resuming her guard over the lightning space.

 Chapter 450

    Li Yi witnessed the entire process of the Zhican Valley Massacre.


    Before the massacre erupted, he had even wanted to persuade and stop the rebellious minor sects;


    During the massacre, the entire Zhican Valley was engulfed, with flying swords and spells everywhere. He, along with his junior brother Lin Han, fled for their lives, barely surviving the brutal aftermath of the battle;


    After the massacre, he wanted to withdraw from the fight, but ultimately did not.


    After the battle, he heard many rumors.


    Some said that this massacre was instigated by someone in the shadows. The instigator was Qin Ran, a member of the Dao Sword Sect.


    The poisoned victims that day had ingested pills that Qin Ran had mixed into the medicines in Zhican Valley; the Death Announcing Pills that destroyed the spiritual fields and killed countless people were also refined by Qin Ran; during the chaos, it was Qin Ran who stirred up panic and initiated the ughter.


    Qin Ran, of the Dao Sword Sect.


    This name was etched deep into the souls of Li Yi and other survivors of the Zhican Valley Massacre.Some called him the Thousand-Faced Poison Lord!


    Dao Sword Sect''s Qin Ran...


    Li Yi felt fear in his heart and wanted to stay far away from such a person. But their Cangjiang Sect had to stay to help Zhican Valley, and he didn''t want others to know he was afraid of Qin Ran.


    So, he stayed.


    And so, he became even more indignant!


    Vengeance! Gratitude!


    He was determined to kill Qin Ran, they were determined to destroy the Dao Sword Sect!


    When the senior formation masters of Zhican Valley needed someone to break Qin Ran''s formation, he was the first to step forward.


    Although his junior brother Lin Han secretly tried to stop him, because he now disliked, or rather feared, people like Qin Ran, he ignored Lin Han''s advice.


    He gripped his Golden Staff and entered the Mountain Life Gate.


    Inside the Mountain Life Gate, within the formation space, stone mountains stood tall, with hard rocks above and below.


    As Li Yi entered, he nced around and saw a medium-built, sturdy young man on a stone mountain. In front of him hovered a fist-sized, earth-yellow pearl, spinning rapidly.


    Seeing him enter, the young man stood up from the stone mountain and said to him, "I am Liu Tu, the guardian of the Mountain Formation Space."


    Li Yi nced at him but didn''t respond, immediately gripping his Golden Staff, bending his knees, and with a powerful leap, he shot towards Liu Tu on the stone mountain like a cannonball.


    Seeing Li Yi start fighting without a word, Liu Tu didn''t panic.


    He channeled his spiritual energy, waved his hand, and the stone mountains around Li Yi suddenly softened, their upper halves closing in like rubber, blocking his path and attacking him. ?


    "Haahhhh..."


    Li Yi roared, his Golden Staff swinging non-stop, producing loud "boom" sounds as the approaching mountains were smashed to pieces.


    The shattered rocks flew everywhere, shooting wildly within the stone space.


    After brutally smashing through the mountains, he continued to rapidly close in on Liu Tu.


    Seeing Li Yi''s ferociousness, Liu Tu quickly summoned two more stone mountains and immediately retreated.


    Li Yi smashed through the mountains, regained his sight, and saw two more stone mountains approaching from left and right.


    "Ah!"


    He shouted, his Golden Staff instantly expanding to over ten zhang in length, and with a powerful swing, he smashed one mountain away.


    He then changed his position, dodged the other mountain, and with a powerful leap, elerated towards Liu Tu.


    Liu Tu had just stabilized on a stone mountain when he saw Li Yi charging at him like a demon. Li Yi was still some distance away when he swung his staff, which instantly elongated, aiming straight for Liu Tu''s face.


    The thick staff arrived in the blink of an eye, and Liu Tu was shocked. He quickly threw the pearl in his hand, which rapidly transformed into a semi-spherical shield in front of him.


    "Bang!"


    The staff struck the shield, and Liu Tu, unable to withstand the impact, was sent flying, crashing through two stone mountains before stopping.


    Pulling himself out of the stone mountains, Liu Tu didn''t even have time to catch his breath when Li Yi, stepping on the stone mountains, was already charging at him again.


    "Quick!"


    Liu Tu quickly chanted a spell, controlling several stone mountains to attack Li Yi while transforming the pearl shield into a cone, aiming to stab Li Yi while he was busy smashing the mountains.


    Li Yi smashed through two mountains and was about to advance when a cone suddenly appeared among the shattered rocks.


    He was in the midst of an attack and couldn''t react in time, taking a direct hit to his chest.


    "Snap!"


    The cone didn''t break through Li Yi''s defenses, but the immense impact force fully hit him. Unable to withstand it, he was sent crashing to the ground.


    "Boom!"


    The ground was smashed into a deep pit.


    Li Yi jumped out of the pit, immediately pulling out the cone stuck in his chest, but before he could throw it away, the cone suddenly softened and elongated, wrapping around his hand like a snake, trying to bind it.


    He immediately clenched the elongated cone into a fist and mmed it into the ground.


    "Thud!"


    The cone remained intact.


    "Thud thud thud..."


    He swung his fist at a blur, mming the ground over a dozen times.


    The ground was smashed into a deep pit, with cracks extending far away, but the cone still showed no sign of breaking.


    Even more, the conepletely transformed into a ribbon, seizing the opportunity to wrap around his entire arm.


    Seeing this method didn''t work, Li Yi quickly stood up, clenched his fist, and his internal spiritual energy and blood surged wildly. His arm muscles bulged, veins and arteries clearly protruding!


    "Haahhh!!"


    He roared, trying to expand his arm to break the ribbon.


    The ribbon, originally intending to spread over his entire body and bind him, stopped moving forward as his arm expanded, almost breaking free. The ribbon focused on binding his arm.


    "Hmph!"


    As Liu Tu exerted all his strength to resist, he couldn''t help but make a sound.


    Hearing this, Li Yi suddenly realized and red at him fiercely. His eyes widened, bloodshot.


    "Ha!"


    Li Yi shouted again, gripping his staff with one hand, ignoring the ribbon on his arm, and shot towards Liu Tu like a flying sword, intent on killing him first.


    "Merge!!"


    Liu Tu also roared, pping his palms together, and the ribbon binding Li Yi''s arm instantly tightened, digging into his flesh.


    "Ah!"


    The intense pain from his arm being squeezed, as if his bones were about to break, forced Li Yi to stop.


    He hovered in the air, channeling his spiritual energy, his internal blood surging like moltenva. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t break free from the stone ribbon binding his arm.


    "Ahhhh..."


    He stopped thinking, looking up and screaming in agony!


    "Snap!"


    Suddenly, his entire arm was severed at the shoulder.


    Blood gushed out like a burst water pipe, spraying down from the air.


    Li Yi didn''t care at all. With his arm severed, he felt like he had broken free from a shackle, his speed increasing even more, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Liu Tu.


    Unable to recall his lifebound treasure in time, Liu Tu spread his palms and waved them upwards, causing the ground to flip over, forming two semi-spherical shells that closed in from both sides, enveloping him.


    "Boom!"


    The earth-stone defense shell trembled violently from Li Yi''s strike, stone fragments wildly falling, and Liu Tu''s body also shook.


    He quickly chanted a spell, and as he recited the incantation, he began to petrify from head to toe.


    "Boom!"


    Another strike, and the defense shell cracked.


    Liu Tu sped up his incantation, and his petrification also elerated.


    "Boom!"


    The defense shell copsed!


    Li Yi, drenched in blood, charged in with his staff through the broken shell.


    Liu Tu had just petrified down to his thighs when Li Yi struck, hitting him squarely. Liu Tu was sent flying like a torn sack, crashing hard against the formation barrier.


    The entire formation space trembled.


    Liu Tu slid down the formation barrier but couldn''t stand up.


    He tried to stand, feeling a void below, and looked down to see his unpetrified legs had been severed.


    "Hum!"


    But before he could feel the pain, the air suddenly vibrated, a huge sense of crisis struck, and he raised his hand to block...


    "Dang!"


    He was struck again and his arm was severed.


    Lying on the ground, he didn''t hesitate to shout, "Save me!!"


    Li Yi was about to rush over and finish off Liu Tu, but the shout made him stop in his tracks.


    He turned around and saw the mountains that he hadn''t shattered begin to crack open. From each mountain, a cultivator flew out¡ªthirty in total, ten Golden Core cultivators and twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators.


    Seeing this formidable lineup, even the reckless Li Yi knew he couldn''t take them on.


    He jumped back, arriving beside Liu Tu, and thrust his staff down, lifting Liu Tu up.


    "One for one!"


    His hoarse voice uttered the first words he had spoken since entering this formation space.


    The Golden Core cultivators nced at each other and didn''t dare to ept his demand.


    "Alright!"


    But Liu Tu, the guardian of this formation space, quickly agreed.


    He closed his eyes to sense, and the formation space trembled, then suddenly stopped. The door through which Li Yi had entered reappeared.


    "Bang!"


    Li Yi struck Liu Tu with his staff, sending him flying. Then, with a leap, he bounded out of the door like a leaping grasshopper.

 Chapter 451

    Li Yi leaped out of the Earth Gate, the formation space, and upon looking ahead, saw that only the few formation masters were outside the formation, with no other Golden Core cultivators who had ventured into the formation emerging yet.


    "Where are they?" he asked aloud, "Has no onee out yet?"


    Elder Lin''s expression was grave as he slowly shook his head.


    "The guardians of the formation are all masters, the battles areplex, and the times vary. Let''s wait a bit longer," Li Yi said.


    Elder Lin looked at him, noticing his severed arm, his pale face due to excessive blood loss, and his weakened aura from severe injuries. He sighed, "You''ve worked hard!"


    Hard work?


    "..."


    Li Yi looked at his bleeding stump of an arm, his expression nk, momentarily speechless.


    "Golden Core cultivators can regenerate severed limbs," Elder Linforted, "After this battle, Zhican Valley will certainly not treat you unfairly, ensuring your breakthrough to Golden Core."Li Yi''s face remained expressionless as he merely nodded.


    It was true that physical cultivators could regenerate limbs upon reaching the Golden Core stage.


    However, the problem was that as a physical cultivator, if his limbs were iplete, especially with an entire hand missing like his, the difficulty of breaking through to Golden Core would increase exponentially.


    Breaking through to Golden Core was already difficult. Thus, Li Yi didn''t know if he still had a chance to break through.


    After treating his wounds, Li Yi waited outside the formation for half a day, but no one else emerged.


    "What exactly is the formation space like?" Elder Lin asked Li Yi.


    "The Mountain Gate I entered was filled with countless towering rocks, with extremely abundant earth elements.


    But I specte that different formation spaces will have different scenarios," Li Yi replied, "The guardian of the formation space was an earth-rooted Golden Core cultivator, probably at thete Golden Core stage. His cultivation technique and attributes were in harmony with the formation space, greatly enhancing hisbat power.


    "Additionally, there were ten Golden Core cultivators of varying levels and twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators hidden within. As for whether there were more cultivators, I am not clear."


    "A Golden Core cultivator at thete stage, further enhanced by the formation space..." Elder Lin sighed, "They probably won''te out."


    Those who ventured into the formation were all Golden Core cultivators, encountering such a situation, it was most likely they were dead.


    Li Yi recalled his own circumstances, silently nodding. If not for Liu Tu''s cowardice, he would certainly not havee out.


    Having roughly understood the situation within the formation space, Elder Lin and the other formation masters studied for another half a day before seeking out eight Golden Core cultivators, each bringing tente Golden Core cultivators, preparing for a second venture into the formation. R


    "Within the formation, there will be a rtively strong Golden Core cultivator at thete stage guarding, who benefits from the formation space''s enhancement, his strength might rival that of a Golden Core cultivator at the early stage... There are also ten ordinary Golden Core cultivators and twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators assisting..."


    Elder Lin described the situation within the formation to these eighty-eight cultivators, "Your most important task is to y the guardian within, the other cultivators can be ignored. Our research has found that this formation relies on the cultivators..."


    The eight Golden Core cultivators nodded upon hearing this, indicating their understanding.


    Zhang Wei, a Golden Core elder of the Boundless Sword Sect, had had many dealings with Qin Ran and his disciple, both overtly and covertly.


    Years ago, at the end of the Devouring Demon Willow cmity, he had once shed with Qin Ran over the Willow''s Dao fruit;st year on the battlefield of Xuanqin and North Chu, he had been tasked to kill Qin Ran, but had been inexplicably swayed by Qin Ran, indirectly relieving the crisis of North Chu.


    Compared to others, he had had multiple dealings with Qin Ran, this old fox, and had a good understanding of him. Despite several attempts, he had not yet been outwitted by Qin Ran, which was quite rare.


    Now, leading a team to break the formation through the Heaven Gate, if asked what he was thinking...


    He wished he could stab himself with his sword!


    Why had he been swayed by Qin Ran on the Xuanqin battlefield and failed to end this scourge with a single sword strike?


    In addition to the two overt encounters, in secret:


    He knew that the Dao Sword Sect''s medicinal crisis was resolved by Qin Ran; he knew that the news of Zhican Valley''s cooperation with the Boundless Sword Sect was discovered by Qin Ran; he knew that Zhican Valley''s forced attack on the Dao Sword Sect was coerced by Qin Ran; he knew that the Zhican Valley massacre was masterminded by Qin Ran; he knew that the current great formation was set up by Qin Ran...


    This scourge, the Thousand-faced Poison Lord! Zhang Wei truly regretted it, his intestines twisted and his teeth clenched.


    As he led ten Golden Core cultivators, his face livid, into the Starry Space, he looked up and saw Li Shiyin and the Mu Ran Sword in the sky.


    "So it''s you guarding the formation?" he sneered, his expression vicious, "It''s truly the will of heaven! Perfect!"


    If he remembered correctly, this rather attractive woman was the disciple of that scourge, someone he had failed to kill.


    Li Shiyin stood up in mid-air, looking at the eleven people who had entered the formation space. The leader was a ck-clothed youth she had met before, a Golden Core sword cultivator, a flying sword cultivator.


    "Boundless Sword Sect..." she said, "I am Li Shiyin, what is your name, senior?"


    "Shoo!"


    The ck-clothed youth did not answer. Did he not know her name? He merely pointed his finger, and a flying sword flew out from his Universe Bag, lightning-fast, towards Li Shiyin.


    "Dead people are not worthy to know my name!" he said coldly, "I will kill you. I will also personally kill your master!"


    The flying sword was incredibly fast, but fortunately, Li Shiyin was fully alert. She pointed her hand, and the Mu Ran Sword instantly flew into her grasp, raising it to block...


    "Dang!"


    She urately blocked this sword strike.


    But this was a Golden Core cultivator''s flying sword, and the immense impact force struck the Mu Ran Sword, sending Li Shiyin and the sword flying.


    A Golden Core cultivator''s flying sword technique, even an ordinary strike, was extraordinary.


    "Golden Core!"


    Li Shiyin''s heart sank. Her internal energy surged frantically, instantly bringing herbat power to its peak. Facing a cultivator an entire realm higher than her, she had to do so.


    She stabilized her retreating figure, then without hesitation, she sidestepped and thrust her sword, precisely blocking the flying sword''s next attack.


    The two sword tips collided, producing a muffled "thud," and she was again pushed back several zhang.


    "Such terrifying strength!"


    She had no time to adjust, as the flying sword followed immediately.


    "And such speed!"


    The War Spirit Art began to operate, herbat power rising from ten to eleven, then twelve.


    At twelvebat power, she could no longer be pushed back by the flying sword.


    Of course, she could barely hold her ground but could not advance.


    Remote techniques were certainly not a match for a flying sword cultivator. Without closebat, she would always be on the defensive.


    "Dang!"


    Another sword strike.


    Herbat power rose to thirteen, finally allowing her to engage normally with this flying sword.


    Having caught her breath, she immediately executed the Immortal Seeking the Way!


    Her figure flickered, closing in on the ck-clothed youth.


    For a qi cultivator or a flying sword cultivator, closebat was a weakness. For a physical cultivator or a sword cultivator, without closebat, it was difficult to inflict damage.


    "What kind of technique is this so magical?"


    The ck-clothed youth could see clearly that Li Shiyin''sbat power was being exerted beyond her limits, she had a technique that allowed her to challenge higher realms.


    He pointed his finger again, and another flying sword flew out from his Universe Bag, urately aiming at Li Shiyin''snding point in the Immortal Seeking the Way.


    Although the Immortal Seeking the Way was powerful, it had its limits. It could not make Li Shiyin instantly teleport to any ce in the world upon execution. Currently, Li Shiyin could, at most, sh a hundred zhang in one move.


    And obviously, in battle, a cultivator could not directly fly a hundred zhang. One could not use all their strength, or it would be easy to get into trouble.


    As soon as Li Shiyinnded, a flying sword urately aimed at her.


    "Dang!"


    She reacted to the extreme, narrowly blocking it.


    But blocking this flying sword forced her to pause, and as she paused, the other flying sword had already caught up.


    She had to turn back to deal with it,


    Losing the opportunity to close the distance.


    "This won''t do!"


    She frowned, operating the War Spirit Art again, herbat power directly spiking to fifteen! "Dang!"


    This time, she could urately block the flying sword and even knock it away.


    "Dang dang" two strikes, she directly knocked away the two flying swords, closing the distance to the ck-clothed youth.


    "Impressive!"


    The ck-clothed youth shook his head.


    He pointed his finger again.


    "Shoo shoo shoo..."


    Ten flying swords flew out from his Universe Bag.


    The ten flying swords flickered in front of him, instantly disappearing, attacking Li Shiyin from all directions.


    "Ten swords!"


    Li Shiyin''s eyes narrowed, and the War Spirit Art began to operate once more!


    Twelve flying swords forced her to halt her advance,pelling her to wield the Mu Ran Sword with all her might to fend off the onught.


    "ng! ng! ng..."


    In an instant, ten flying swords were knocked away by her strikes!


    At this point, herbat power had been amplified to twice her normal state through the War Spirit Art!


    In her current state, the ck-d youth''s single flying sword could no longer match her strength. Each strike she delivered could deflect a flying sword. Once a flying sword was repelled, it needed a long time to recover before it could attack her again.


    "No wonder you''re Qin Ran''s disciple! Indeed formidable!"


    The ck-d youth praised her again.


    With a wave of his hand, his Universe Bag opened wide, and in an instant, a dense array of flying swords appeared before him, totaling a hundred!


    "Go!"


    He pushed his hand forward, and the hundred flying swords all shot towards Li Shiyin.


    The battle situation became intense.


    Li Shiyin continuously knocked away the iing flying swords, but more kepting; she had no choice but to simultaneously employ Immortal Seeking the Way, changing her position and using her movement skills to dodge the flying swords.


    The entire star space was filled with flying swords, and the sound of "ng ng ng" echoed throughout, with Li Shiyin''s afterimages everywhere.


    The flying swords were incredibly powerful, fast, and numerous, leaving Li Shiyin no time to employ other sword techniques.


    She seemed to have lost the ability to counterattack, only able to endure until death.


    "A cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage connects with the heavens, linking their dantian with the external world, ensuring a continuous flow of spiritual energy that never runs dry." Li Shiyin now understood the fundamental difference between the Nascent Soul and Golden Core stages.


    She also realized what had happened on the Xuanqin battlefield when she had chased down a Nascent Soul cultivator. That cultivator had clearly focused on survival rather thanbat. His Cicada Sloughing technique, as long as he had spiritual energy, could be used indefinitely. She could kill him once, but she could never truly eliminate him.


    Now, she faced the same problem. She could knock away the flying swords and continue fighting the ck-d youth''s swords, but his spiritual energy would never run out.


    Although she had the star space as her backing, ensuring her spiritual energy never ran dry, her body would tire. The ck-d youth didn''t need to move, only control the flying swords with his spiritual energy.


    "If this continues, I will surely lose."


    She clearly recognized this.


    Thus, in the subsequent battle, she began to adjust her position, consciously moving closer to the ck-d youth each time she used her movement skills.


    But before she could close the distance significantly, the ck-d youth noticed her intent.


    "Heh!" The ck-d youth sneered, "How naive!"


    He started intentionally controlling the flying swords to intercept and chase Li Shiyin. After a few attempts, Li Shiyin was forced back, widening the distance once more.


    "Can''t get through?"


    Li Shiyin frowned.


    Looking at the swarm of flying swords around her, she felt for the first time the annoyance of a flying sword cultivator.


    "Huff!"


    "I have to take a gamble."


    The flying swords'' power was inferior to hers, their speed was inferior to hers; they were merely numerous.


    She just needed to bypass them.


    Topletely encircle her, the ck-d youth''s hundred and eleven flying swords formed aplete circle around her, above her, and below her. If she forcibly broke through from one direction, she would actually only face twelve flying swords.


    Twelve flying swords?


    Li Shiyin''s eyes narrowed, determined to take the risk!


    She shifted her position, charging towards the ck-d youth, and shed with her sword, knocking away two flying swords; she continued forward, closing the distance with the ten flying swordsing at her, her sword whirling to knock away two more; eight flying swords were now right in front of her, about to pierce her body in the next second, but she didn''t stop...


    "What is she doing? Is she crazy? Charging into my swords!" The ck-d youth was puzzled but didn''t hesitate. He channeled his spiritual energy, pushing his hand forward, and the remaining eight flying swords shot towards Li Shiyin with full force.


    Li Shiyin ignored them, allowing the flying swords to strike her. Just before the swords pierced her, she managed to deflect three more.


    The final five flying swords finally hit her...


    "Puff puff puff" three sounds rang out, three flying swords urately pierced her Tanzhong, dantian, and heart.


    "Mmm!" The immense impact forced her to endure it fully, causing her to grunt and blood to spill from the corner of her mouth.


    The flying swords struck her, their impact immense, but they didn''t pierce through her body!


    The flying swords tore through her clothes, revealing the inner armor beneath.


    The inner armor...


    Her sect''s assessment reward. At this moment, it finally served its purpose, blocking the flying swords of a Nascent Soul cultivator.


    It blocked three flying swords...


    Yet, she still wasn''t safe!


    Because a total of five flying swords had hit her!


    Two more flying swords aimed for her eyes!


    The rapidly erging pair of flying swords, the air-piercing aura, scratched her delicate face.


    "Master would never deceive me!" A thought shed through her mind.


    Her nascent soul flew out from her forehead, and her nascent soul''s power suddenly acted on the flying swords right in front of her face.


    "Hum!"


    The flying swords paused!


    "Puff!"


    Using her weak nascent soul to directly block the flying swords, Li Shiyin was counterattacked and spat out arge mouthful of blood!


    The flying swords moved forward again!


    She ignored everything, once more urging her nascent soul, its power acting on the flying swords again.


    The flying swords stopped, halting just before her eyshes, which were severed. The sharp aura of the flying swords caused her eyeballs to crack and bleed.


    Despite the two nascent soul exertions, she still couldn''tpletely stop the flying swords; they moved forward again, about to pierce into her brain through her eyes!


    "ng!"


    Her Mu Ran Sword swung back, shing the flying swords that had been stopped twice by her nascent soul, knocking them away!


    Breaking through the flying sword encirclement, there was no longer any obstacle between her and the ck-d youth.


    Her nascent soul returned, her eyes bleeding, she coldly red at the ck-d youth, and then...


    Disappeared!


    "What was that?!" The ck-d youth was astonished by Li Shiyin''s method of immobilizing his flying swords, "How did she do that?!"


    But he didn''t have time to think, because the next instant, a cold sword aura approached him.


    The sword aura emerged from the star space first, and Li Shiyin''s figure slowly materialized from the star space.


    "You''re done for!" She said.


    The sword aura, along with her voice, struck the ck-d youth.


    However, the ck-d youth''s expression was only one of surprise, not fear.


    Li Shiyin''s all-powerful star sword aura struck the ck-d youth, producing a "ng" sound.


    The ck-d youth remained unharmed.


    The sword aura shattered!


    A thick and sharp sword intent suddenly emerged from the ck-d youth''s body!


    Boundless Sword Qi!!


    A massive sword enveloped the ck-d youth, directly shattering all of Li Shiyin''s star sword auras, and then shed down, aiming at the shocked Li Shiyin!


    "Boom!"


    A huge sound rang out, Li Shiyin''s protective sword aura summoned in an instant was shattered, and she was sent flying by the giant sword into the depths of the star space, buried under stars and darkness.


    Looking at the ce where Li Shiyin disappeared, the ck-d youthughed, "Do only sword cultivators with swords in hand have a lifebound sword? This is my lifebound sword!"


    Li Shiyin slowly crawled out from the star space on the ground, her hair disheveled, her clothes torn, mostly held together by the inner armor, preventing her from being exposed.


    But more serious than her external appearance was the severe injury caused by the ck-d youth''s lifebound sword strike!


    "Do only sword cultivators with swords in handprehend sword aura?" The ck-d youth looked down at Li Shiyin and said, "This is my sword aura!"


    "I didn''t expect the Boundless Sword Technique to also be a flying sword technique!"


    Li Shiyin was covered in injuries from forcibly suppressing her power, her eyes bleeding.


    She spat out a mouthful of blood, got up from the ground, and casually stuck the Mu Ran Sword into the ground. She wiped the blood from the corner of her eye, tore off a piece of cloth from the remnants of her pants, and tied her straight, long, round, and strong legs, unable to cover thempletely, revealing cracked bloodstains.


    She knelt on the ground, bit the cloth strip with her teeth, gathered her hair with both hands, and tied it into a single ponytail. She held it with one hand, took the cloth strip from her mouth with the other, wrapped it around, and tied her hair into a single ponytail.


    She stood up, pulled out her sword, looked up at the ck-d youth in mid-air, and said seriously, "Unfortunately, you''re still a bit short."


    The ck-d youth who was waiting for her to tie her hair asked curiously, "What''s missing?"


    "You didn''t kill me directly!" Li Shiyin said.


    She raised her left hand, and in this star space, all the stars began to surge towards her left hand.


    "Oh!"


    The ck-d youth suddenly understood, recalling what Elder Lin had said, that the array space would enhance the strength of the guardian.


    "But, so what?" He was disdainful.


    He waved his hand, and the one hundred and eleven flying swords flew over. From his waist pouch, another thousand or so flying swords "whooshed" out, totaling one thousand two hundred and ny-six flying swords.


    All the flying swords obeyed his will and flew towards Li Shiyin!


    However, the flying swords did not attack Li Shiyin but stopped around her, arranged in a mysterious pattern...


    It was a sword array!


    On the battlefield of Xuanqin, Qin Ran had set up a sword array using Li Shiyin''s sword aura, isting sight and sound, and turning the ck-d youth Zhang Wei and the red-d woman Zhang Yan against their side.


    This move was remembered by the ck-d youth. After returning to the sect, he studied many sword ssics,bined with his own understanding, and learned this move.


    When all the stars converged towards Li Shiyin, over a thousand flying swords also surrounded her.


    She raised her left hand high, condensed the stars, and held her sword in her right hand, dragging the gxy. She looked at the ck-d youth setting up the sword array indifferently.


    For her, it was truly "never seen a pig run, but eaten pork." She didn''t understand arrays at all, but her master was a high-level array master. She had been influenced by him, so although she couldn''t set up or break arrays, she had the knowledge...


    When all the stars surged into Li Shiyin''s body, the ck-d youth''s sword array was alsopleted.


    When the chaotic power in Li Shiyin''s body couldn''t be contained and surged, the ck-d youth''s sword array also activated.


    Each flying sword emitted sharp Boundless Sword Qi, one thousand two hundred Boundless Sword Qi in the narrow array space stabbed and twisted towards Li Shiyin!


    "No matter how strong you are!" The ck-d youth was very satisfied with his newlyprehended sword array, "you''re just a small Golden Core cultivator."


    He raised his hand, signaling the Golden Core cultivators behind him, "Prepare to kill the cultivators in this array space."


    Ten Golden Corete-stage cultivators responded, their spells ready to be unleashed, preparing to kill the Dao Sword Sect cultivators who were exposed after the stars were all absorbed by Li Shiyin.


    But at that moment, a clear female voice suddenly came from the sword array:


    "Sky... Outside... Flying... Immortal!"


    The words fell...


    "Boom!"


    A star sword aura as thick as a person protected a figure and suddenly burst out from the array space, breaking the sword array!


    After breaking the sword array, the star sword aura did not dissipate but continued to rush towards the ck-d youth.


    In the process of rushing over, it was like Li Shiyin performing Immortal Seeking the Way, shing and flickering, unpredictable and untargetable.


    Seeing the powerful, solid, and sharp sword aura rushing towards him, the ck-d youth formed a sword finger with both hands, pushed upwards, and shouted, "Just a small trick!"


    His lifebound sword flew out from his body, and under his control, the huge sword collided with the star sword aura!


    "Boom!"


    The two seemingly unremarkable but extremely solid powerful swords collided, causing a tremendous roar and shaking the entire star array space.


    Shaking and showing signs of instability.


    "Heaven Gate?"


    Outside the array, Elder Lin and other array masters saw the shaking array space and couldn''t help but get excited.


    "Heaven Gate?"


    On the peak of Dan, Qin Ran sensed the situation of the array and stood up from under the Devouring Demon Willow, looking at the position of the Heaven Gate, murmuring, "Shiyin..."


    He used his movement technique to fly up from the ground and flew out of the Dan peak.


    Inside the array, the roar subsided, and the aftermath of the collision between the sword aura and the flying sword calmed down. Thirty cultivators on the left and ten on the right all stared at the collision point.


    "Who won?" They all thought, and then hoped for it.


    Because the oue of those two was closely rted to their lives.


    After extreme stillness...


    "Crack!"


    The sound of ceramic breaking was very clear in this star space.


    "Which sword cracked?"


    Everyone in the array space looked at the two swords, their vision sharp...


    A crack appeared on the solid sword, and then it cracked!


    "Crack, crack, crack..."


    The crack spread rapidly!


    "Snap!"


    The solid sword shattered into pieces! Falling into the endless darkness.


    The ck-d youth''s sword shattered!


    The Nascent Soul cultivator lost!


    "Pfft!"


    The lifebound sword was rted to cultivation, body, and soul, which was why it was powerful. But at the same time, if the lifebound sword was damaged, the cultivator would suffer serious injuries.


    The ck-d youth spat blood, blood spraying as he fell from mid-air, crashing onto the dark ground, blending with the darkness, as if exiled to the endless void.


    The star sword aura in mid-air dissipated, and a disheveled, single-tailed beauty holding a gxy-like sword appeared. She stood with her back to the ten Golden Core cultivators and the ck-d youth, her clear butzy voice said indifferently:


    "Master said, trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog. You died in the sword array!"


    She held the sword and walked towards the dark depths without stars, instructing the Dao Sword Sect members, "Kill them!"


    In the next moment, the dark array space under her final control restricted thebat power of the ten Golden Corete-stage cultivators from the Hengduan Mountain Alliance, while the thirty Dao Sword Sect members charged towards the ten Golden Corete-stage cultivators.


    Another bloody and brutal battle.


    But Li Shiyin had done everything she could.


    She had exhausted all her strength, using all the enhancement of the star space, to defeat, heavily injure, and disable a Nascent Soul cultivator head-on. This was her limit.


    She walked out of the array space and saw her master waiting for her there.


    Seeing here out, her master smiled with heartache, flew over, hugged her, and took out clothes to put on her.


    She clung to her master like a sloth, weak but proud, saying, "Master, I defeated a Nascent Soul cultivator."


    "Mm!" Qin Ran held her butt with one hand and gently stroked her back with the other, softly saying, "My Shiyin is the best."


    They chatted in detail and flew back to the Dan peak.

 Chapter 452

    Although it waster discovered that the Zhican Valley massacre was orchestrated by Qin Ran alone, which cleared most of the sects that had intended to cause trouble before the incident, there were still several sects that could not be absolved of guilt.


    Specifically, the four sects that had jumped out first!


    Whether driven by greed, foolishness, or ambition, as mature sects, they needed to face the consequences of their choices.


    The Celestial Sword Sect, a powerful sword cultivation sect, had always aspired to be the premier sword sect in the Land of Immortal Legacy.


    Originally, with their strength, they could have been among those sharing the spoils of victory in this campaign to destroy the sect at Zhican Valley.


    But now, they had not only lost their right to share in the spoils but were forced to serve as a suicide squad... to atone for their crimes.


    They would have to contribute the most effort, sacrifice the most lives, and receive the leastpensation.


    Yu Qingshan, the top genius of the Celestial Sword Sect, had to take action immediately to break through the formation with his own body.


    He led ten Golden Core cultivators into the Thunder Formation space. Amidst the rolling thunder and lightning, he saw a beautiful woman with an imposing and cold demeanor.She seemed familiar to him.


    However, he couldn''t immediately recall where he had seen her. And if he had truly encountered such a woman before, he wouldn''t have forgotten her.


    "Have we met somewhere before?" he called out loudly.


    The woman in the lightning forest opened her eyes to look at him, her gaze cold and emotionless.


    Those eyes, those heartless eyes...


    Yu Qingshan suddenly remembered. That moonless night, those four ck-d figures who had attempted to ambush their Celestial Sword Sect.


    "So it was indeed you people from the Dao Sword Sect who were hunting down smaller sects in the Hengduan Mountains," he said.


    That night had been dark and windy, and besides finding the battle strange, he only remembered those beautiful, emotionless eyes.


    Tian Wenjin neither confirmed nor denied it.


    She remained silent and reached for the Thunder Control Sword before her. The sword crackled with electricity, as if answering him.


    Yu Qingshan reached out and grasped his natal sword as it appeared in his hand, continuing to ask: "Who was it that fought me that night?"


    After that peculiar battle, he had pondered it repeatedly, feeling that something was off about that night''s fight - that person''s swordsmanship had been too strange.


    Hearing his question, though Tian Wenjin remained cold and emotionless, she gave him an odd look.


    You''ve figured it out - perhaps you''re notpletely foolish after all.


    "Let him fight me again..." Yu Qingshan said seriously while looking at Tian Wenjin, "You''re too weak, I don''t want to bully you."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the lightning in this space began to move, all flowing toward Tian Wenjin.


    A bolt of lightning struck her body; she endured it, absorbed it, and grew stronger.


    Gripping the Thunder Control Sword in one hand and making a fist with the other, she endured as bolt after bolt of lightning struck down from above, absorbing them one by one, gradually increasing her strength.


    Her aura steadily rose as she slowly became more violent.


    "Kill me, and you''ll see him," she said.


    Yu Qingshan watched as Tian Wenjin absorbed the lightning, raising his sword with zing sword qi emanating from it, but he didn''t attack, waiting quietly instead.


    "Senior, aren''t you going to attack?"


    Someone behind him spoke up with concern, watching as Tian Wenjin''s strength continued to grow as she absorbed more lightning.


    "No hurry..." Yu Qingshan replied, "She''s too weak to make for an interesting fight. We sword cultivators always prefer to challenge the strong rather than bullying the weak. If one doesn''t have the courage to face powerful opponents, they don''t deserve to be called a sword cultivator."


    "But..." someone reminded him, "this is a battlefield."


    "Battlefield?" Yu Qingshan shook his head and stated firmly, "It''s an arena of interests!"


    He looked at the coldly beautiful Tian Wenjin, "Where in this world isn''t an arena of interests? The bustling world is all about profit. Yet even in such a world, the path of sword cultivation remains the most beloved. Because from the very beginning, no one wants their every word and action to be about profit, their every thought to be about calction. At first, who doesn''t dream of roaming the world with a sword?


    "Sword cultivation represents one''s original aspiration.


    "I respect every true sword cultivator." The Celestial Sword Sect wouldn''t get any benefits anyway, so why not let me enjoy a proper fight?


    Though no one agreed with his view, no one spoke up to argue either.


    All eleven of them waited in ce, waiting for Tian Wenjin to finish absorbing the power of this lightning space.


    Tian Wenjin''s foundation was somewhat inferior to Li Shiyin''s, and since lightning was naturally the most violent type of power and extremely difficult to control, she struggled greatly to absorb this lightning power that exceeded her realm.


    As she absorbed it, blue lightning leaked out uncontrobly, crackling around her body.


    As she absorbed the lightning bolt by bolt, the lead-colored cloudy space was left with only dark clouds. One by one, Dao Sword Sect members emerged from the clouds.


    When she finished absorbing the lightning, a powerful gust of wind suddenly burst out from her center in all directions, wildly blowing her waterfall-like ck hair and making her robes flutter noisily.


    She held the Thunder Control Sword horizontally, and lightning and wind raged!


    She was lightning incarnate! She was divine and demonic!


    Though Tian Wenjin''s mental state had been overwhelmed by the violent power, she looked at Yu Qingshan with reddened eyes but didn''t immediately attack.


    Yu Qingshan had given her time to absorb power, so she should show him proper respect as well, even though she could barely control herself.


    "Excellent!"


    Seeing this, Yu Qingshanughed loudly, raised his sword, and flew into the sky, charging straight at Tian Wenjin to attack.


    His cultivation technique was the "Nine Suns Sky-splitting Sword Art," and as a fire spirit root, he practiced the way of the sword.


    Sun, swordy, dominance, heat, wildness, sharpness!


    When he deployed his sword techniques, he was like a zing sun, every ray of light he emitted was sword qi!


    If he was the sun spanning across the sky, then Tian Wenjin was the lightning that could tear apart heaven and earth.


    Lightning, sword art! She was incredibly violent, her moves tremendously powerful!


    When they shed, it was like the sun colliding with lightning.


    The scene was terrifyingly magnificent, the entire space filled with deafening thunderous sounds, as if one had been thrust into the heart of thunder itself.


    The Dao Sword Sect members hurriedly retreated to the ground and looked up to see a ball of blue lightning repeatedly colliding with a ball of golden mes in the sky. They moved with incredible speed, changing positions several times in an instant.


    Each collision sent lightning and mes spraying outward.


    The blue lightning and red mes falling from the sky suddenly dispersed. What scattered were sword qi, spreading out in all directions. The blue and red sword qi spread like blooming flowers.


    Among the rolling dark clouds, the blue and red sword qi scattered like brilliant fireworks.


    Thus this battle, amid the tremendous roaring and brilliant colors, became like a fireworks disy.


    Beautiful, romantic, sharp, and dangerous.


    Everyone watching the fireworks had to be careful not to be hurt by the scattered sword qi.


    The scattered sword qi didn''t disappear when it hit the ground due to the lingering sword intent. Some cultivators curiously went to touch it.


    The blue sword qi was sharp and cold, while the red sword qi was sharp and scorching. Touch the blue sword qi, and your spiritual power would freeze; touch the red sword qi, and your physical body would burn.


    The thunderous battle sounds made people''s heads numb, making them forget the passage of time.


    After an unknown period, the roaring suddenly stopped, and the world fell silent, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.


    "Is it over?"


    Cultivators from both sides btedly considered this question before looking up at the sky.


    Above, the dark clouds still rolled, but there was no more lightning.


    Under the heavy clouds stood a man and woman facing each other, motionless after their battle.


    The man still had red sword qi swirling around him, his aura full and strong, holding a sword wrapped in mes.


    The lightning that had been uncontrobly surrounding the woman''s body had finally subsided, with only her soul sword still wrapped in blue lightning. Her long hair had fallen back into ce, her clothes were battle-worn, and her body bore numerous wounds. Yet somehow, she looked more beautiful now than she had at the start.


    "Fellow Daoist, you''ve lost," Yu Qingshan said with a smile.


    His voice was hoarse.


    His condition wasn''t much better than Tian Wenjin''s - his clothes were scorched by lightning, and his face and body were covered in sword wounds and electrical burns.


    Tian Wenjin nodded, acknowledging her defeat.


    She took out a blue coat from her storage bag and put it on, then retrieved her scabbard and slowly sheathed her Lightning Control Sword.


    She slung the sword across her back, descended to the ground, andmanded the Dao Sword Sect cultivators: "Retreat!"


    Then she led the way forward, walking into the depths of the rolling dark clouds.


    Seeing this, a Golden Core cultivator quickly flew behind Yu Qingshan and asked, "Senior, shouldn''t we kill them?"


    Yu Qingshan remained silent.


    The Golden Core cultivator sensed something was wrong and reached out to push Yu Qingshan. The moment his hand made contact, "Bang!" - he was thrown back by residual lightning.


    Only after the lightning was drawn from his body could Yu Qingshan move. He immediately coughed up arge mouthful of blood. Then, the mes on his soul sword disappeared, and cracks began appearing across its surface.


    He fell to his knees in mid-air.


    More Golden Core cultivators came to support him, finding his face had turned the color of gold leaf.


    Yu Qingshan had won, but his victory hadn''te easily - he too was severely injured.


    This battle had resulted in mutual destruction.


    Tian Wenjin was also gravely wounded.


    As she emerged from the formation, shecked the strength to fly and fell straight to the ground with a heavy "thud."


    She walked forward unsteadily with her sword on her back, but after a few steps, she suddenly noticed someone waiting for her ahead.


    Who from the Dao Sword Sect would be waiting for her?


    Li Shiyin perhaps? Had things concluded on Shiyin''s end as well?


    She looked up, but instead of Li Shiyin, she saw a man.


    A man with a gentle demeanor who smiled warmly.


    A man who felt both familiar and strange to her.


    Huang Feiyu.


    Huang Feiyu had transformed back from his fire form to human form at the Lingnan Immortal Sect and had rushed back to support them after receiving the sect''s emergency signal.


    Tian Wenjin looked at Huang Feiyu expressionlessly, her face showing no change, her eyes cold, treating him no differently than a stranger.


    She continued walking slowly forward, circumventing him as if he were merely an obstacle in her path.


    "Wenjin?!" Huang Feiyu called out softly.


    "Do you need something, fellow Daoist?" Tian Wenjin asked in return, stopping.


    "You''re injured," Huang Feiyu stepped forward, taking out some premium medicinal pills he''d obtained at the Lingnan Immortal Sect, offering them to Tian Wenjin from behind. "This is the Void Replenishing Pill, a fifth-grade medicine that can heal injuries."


    "Thank you, fellow Daoist," Tian Wenjin acknowledged, but didn''t ept it and continued walking.


    "Wenjin!" Huang Feiyu called out again.


    "Is there something else, fellow Daoist?"


    "You..." Huang Feiyu asked, "Do you still hate me?"


    "I''m happy to see that you''ve recovered your original form, gained new opportunities, and achieved profound cultivation with a limitless future ahead," Tian Wenjin replied tonelessly.


    She cultivated the Path of Emotionless Sword - she could neither hate nor be happy.


    "Then why are you acting like this?" Huang Feiyu said, taking out a jade slip and extending it toward Tian Wenjin, "This is the ''Pure Heart Lightning Control Scripture,'' a Nascent Soul realm technique that would suit you perfectly."


    Tian Wenjin shook her head and asked, "Why are you doing this? Whether it''s fifth-grade pills or Nascent Soul techniques, I have nothing of equal value to exchange. I''m sorry, fellow Daoist."


    She continued stumbling forward.


    Huang Feiyu watched Tian Wenjin''s swaying, injured figure and slowly clenched his jaw.


    What was wrong with a cultivator seeking advancement, pursuing resources, and going to better ces for better opportunities?


    After obtaining resources, he had returned to help his former sect members - wasn''t that showing gratitude? Wasn''t that righteous?


    Why was Tian Wenjin treating him this way?


    Did the Dao Sword Sect have fifth-grade pills or Nascent Soul techniques? Did the Land of Immortal Legacy?


    Why stake everything on pride? Why let emotions rule? How could one achieve the Great Dao this way?!


    "Wenjin!!!" he called out again.


    Tian Wenjin ignored him and continued wobbling forward.


    After a few steps, Liu Baixuan flew out from within the sect, supported her, and carried her on his sword to the Sword Peak.


    Liu Baixuan never once nced at Huang Feiyu.


    The ten Golden Core cultivators emerging from the formation flew past Huang Feiyu overhead, ncing at him without a word.


    They all knew him.


    In this dark world of cultivation, was there truly only benefit without sentiment, without morality?


    Huang Feiyu stood before the Dao Sword Sect''s entrance, holding the fifth-grade pill in his left hand and the Nascent Soul technique in his right, unable to understand.

 Chapter 453

    When the ck-robed youth Zhang Wei was defeated head-on by Li Shiyin, the red-robed woman Zhang Yan led ten Golden Core cultivators into the Earth Gate''s formation space.


    Upon entering this formation space, they were greeted by a lush green forest. The trees were dense and verdant, with vines intertwining everywhere, making it seem like they had stepped into a primeval forest.


    Zhang Yan looked up but couldn''t see the sky through the thick canopy of leaves and branches. She flew upward to check what was above the trees, but found nothing except the formation barrier. Landing back on the ground, she surveyed the area and noticed that while the ce was teeming with life, it only contained trees and vines, with no beasts or animals of any kind.


    The forest had only nts, no animals; no wind, and no sound. The vibrant life carried an eerie hint of death.


    Zhang Yan drew her sword and shed forward, releasing a stream of petal-like sword energy that cleanly cut through more than tenrge trees.


    "These trees are unusually hard, not ordinary ones," she told the Golden Core cultivators behind her. "This forest was created through cultivation techniques."


    Such a vast forest, all created through cultivation techniques¡ªhow powerful must that cultivator be?


    And with this strange atmosphere...


    The Golden Core cultivators exchanged nces, all feeling uneasy and sensing danger.A bare-chested man asked, "Are we going deeper into the forest?"


    "How else can we kill our targets and break the formation?" Zhang Yan replied.


    As a Wood Spirit Root sword cultivator, Zhang Yan actually felt quitefortable here. Besides, as a Primordial Spirit cultivator, she had nothing to fear.


    But as the bare-chested man looked at the thick trees and vines ahead, his mind automatically conjured images of theming alive, making the forest seem like the maw of a giant beast waiting to devour its prey.


    He swallowed hard and said, "Perhaps we should strategize here first."


    Zhang Yan turned and looked him up and down, sneering, "Looking at your muscr build, I assumed you were a body cultivator. Why are you so cowardly and afraid of death?"


    "I''m just saying that rushing in blindly would be dangerous," the man turned and looked at the formation barrier, suggesting, "Why don''t we directly attack the formation barrier and break this formation from within?"


    "Care to guess why we''re not attacking the formation from the outside, and instead going through the trouble of entering to kill the formation''s guardians?" Zhang Yan asked.


    Why?


    Because it wouldn''t be worth it.


    Breaking the formation violently from the outside would require too much energy and time; it would be more efficient to follow the formation master''s method of breaking it.


    The bare-chested man understood this principle, but looking at the formation barrier¡ªa wall covered in vines¡ªhe spected, "Perhaps breaking the formation from the inside won''t be as difficult."


    "Do you know who set up this formation?" Zhang Yan asked.


    The bare-chested man certainly knew.


    As soon as Zhang Yan spoke, his mind involuntarily recalled the bloody scene at Zhican Valley that day. His muscr body tensed as he muttered, "Qin Ran."


    "Would someone like Qin Ran... leave such an obvious weakness?" Zhang Yan sneered and walked forward with her sword.


    The bare-chested man fell silent.


    The other nine Golden Core cultivators thought for a moment before following her.


    However, in reality...


    If there had been enough time, Qin Ran indeed wouldn''t have left such a weakness. But they didn''t have enough time, and this formation wasn''tpletely set up.


    The containment formation, teleportation formation, and illusion formation hadn''t been installed yet.


    Without the containment formation, they could indeed break the formation from within;


    Without the teleportation formation, the formation''s guardians couldn''t gather together to defend each formation space;


    Without the illusion formation, the formation''s changes became fewer and more predictable, making it harder to defend and resulting in more casualties.


    A person''s reputation can cast a long shadow¡ªthey had been frightened by Qin Ran''s name alone.


    They walked deep into the forest for a long while without encountering anything unusual, except that they couldn''t find anyone.


    Stepping over a thicket of thorns, Zhang Yan looked ahead and still saw only the shadowy outlines of trees.


    "How long have we been walking?" she asked.


    "About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea," someone answered.


    "Could this Earth Gate be unguarded?" the bare-chested man asked curiously.


    "That''s unlikely... Watch out!" The person speaking suddenly warned.


    In front of Zhang Yan, a vine as thick as an arm silently slid down from a tree, trying to bind her.


    But she was a Primordial Spirit cultivator¡ªshe raised her sword and easily cut the vine.


    "Looks like someone is here," she smiled.


    But the next moment, the severed vineshed out at her again. The vine''s vitality was extremely strong, growing over ten meters in an instant.


    While this vine was attacking Zhang Yan, therge trees near the ten Golden Core cultivators behind her suddenly came alive. They pulled out their roots and branches, with over a dozen old trees either trying to bind or whip them.


    Seeing this, the ten Golden Core cultivators quickly employed their various abilities, each dealing with one or two trees and defeating them.


    Zhang Yan traced the vine to its source, uprooted it, and flicked it aside with her sword, saying, "They didn''t act earlier but are acting now, which means we must be getting close to where the formation''s guardian is."


    She reminded them, "Everyone be careful."


    As she continued forward, after a few steps, a nearby tree suddenly split open like a giant beast opening its bloody maw, trying to swallow her whole.


    The tree split without warning, startling Zhang Yan. She swung her sword backward, cutting the split tree horizontally into two pieces.


    "How frightening!" Shocked and angry, she struck several more times, her petal-like sword energy turning therge tree into sawdust.


    Seeing her behavior, the cultivators behind her felt their hearts tighten¡ªwhat a terrifying female cultivator. She seemed even more fierce and frightening than the tree.


    A delicate-looking female cultivator quietly patted her chest and continued walking forward.


    But...


    As she took a step, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her foot. She quickly looked down and saw that her foot, shoe and all, had been pierced through by the grass below!


    Grass?!


    "Ah!" She couldn''t help but cry out in pain, quickly lifting her foot.


    The green grass came up with her foot, still rooted and piercing through her sole, following her movement.


    "What is this thing?!" she asked urgently.


    The others looked over at her, all momentarily stunned to see her foot pierced through by grass.


    Pierced by grass?


    One of the cultivators reacted slightly faster and came back to his senses, walking toward the female cultivator to take a look, but after just one step, he too cried out in pain.


    Looking down, his foot had also been pierced by the grass!


    "Everyone stand still!" Zhang Yan shouted in time.


    She bent down and pulled up a de of grass to examine it, discovering that at some point, the grass had be incredibly sharp and as hard as a low-grade magical tool.


    This type of grass covered the entire forest. It had been fine when they walked through earlier, soft and harmless, but only became hard and sharp when they reached this point.


    Trees, grass¡ªshe looked around¡ªthe whole forest was made of these things.


    She began to feel that something wasn''t right.


    "This grass is everywhere, it would be difficult to clear it all," she said. "We''ll just fly instead of walking on the ground."


    Without any better options at the moment, they could only do as she suggested.


    The two Golden Core cultivators whose feet were pierced could only ept their bad luck, pulling out the grass and applying some medicinal powder to their wounds.


    The grass was just sharp, without any other properties. They only suffered momentary pain, and though the wounds didn''t heal quickly, it wouldn''t significantly affect their subsequent actions.


    As they flew through the air continuing their exploration of the forest, the bare-chested man suddenly looked down, seeing the dense carpet of grass below. Thinking of his twopanions'' pierced feet and how sharp the grass was, the grass tips made him feel uneasy, and he said:


    "It''s good that it''s only on the ground and can''t shoot up at us, otherwise it would be quite troublesome."


    As soon as he spoke, everyone felt a sense of foreboding. They all looked down, and sure enough...


    "Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."


    The grass des from the ground allunched upward, like needles or flying swords shooting up at them in the air.


    The entire forest floor was covered in this grass, countless des shooting up at them in what seemed like an endless stream.


    Fortunately, they were all Golden Core cultivators, and the grass was merely sharp¡ªwith hardness close to low-grade magical tools and ordinary speed. They easily used their techniques to either destroy the grass des or fan them away to other ces. Apart from catching those two unlucky cultivators off guard at first, the grass posed no real danger to them.


    Although...


    They had always been there, just as annoying as mosquitoes.


    While flying and driving away these "mosquitoes," the bare-chested man sighed after a while: "This grass doesn''t have much killing power, but if you add those vines and tree whips from earlier, it bes quite troublesome."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the entire team suddenly stopped moving.


    "Huh?" He was momentarily stunned.


    "Can you please shut up?!!!" Zhang Yan finally couldn''t hold back and scolded him.


    And at that moment, the trees and vines around them moved.


    It wasn''t just one tree or one vine that moved. It was everything - all the nts around them started moving.


    The vines were like whips, some trees swung their roots, others swung their branches, like spears and whips, all attacking them!


    These trees weren''t too bad - not hard enough, and their attacks weren''t fast enough. They could handle them calmly, cutting them down with their magical arts.


    The problem was...


    When tree branches were cut off, they would quickly grow back; when vines were severed, they would rapidly regenerate. They could onlypletely kill the nts by uprooting them entirely.


    And there was another problem...


    Now, it seemed that every tree, every nt in the entire forest would attack them.


    It looked as if the guardian of this space had deliberately waited until they were in the middle of the forest before manipting all the nts.


    While clearing away the grass leaves shooting from the ground and dealing with attacks from surrounding nts, these Golden Core cultivators were indeed powerful - they still had strength to spare and could continue searching through the forest.


    That delicate female cultivator was casting spells while flying with the team. As she flew over what appeared to be a decrepit thicket formed by umted leaves, suddenly, the leaves split open into arge mouth... it wasn''t leaves, it was a giant flower, its petals splitting apart like a spring, swallowing her in one gulp.


    "Save me!"


    She was terrified, screaming as her magical power surged through her body. Her spell exploded, instantly sting the flower into fragments, and she emerged from the flower unharmed.


    The others turned around just in time to see her emerging from the flower.


    "There are flowers!" She panted heavily, still shaken as she said, "The flowers eat people."


    "Flowers?" The bare-chested man punched through an iing tree branch and frowned, "Speaking of flowers, have you noticed a floral scent in the air?"


    "What?!" Zhang Yan was startled by his words. She suddenly remembered that this formation was set up by Qin Ran, and considering what he had done in Zhican Valley - using two terrifyingly powerful poisons - could it be possible that this forest was poisoned!?


    Sometimes it''s strange how when people aren''t aware of something, it doesn''t exist, but once they think of it, it immediately bes real.


    Like quantum mechanics.


    Before the bare-chested man mentioned the floral scent, no one could smell it in the air; but as soon as he mentioned it, they all immediately noticed the flowery fragrance in the air.


    And if they hadn''t thought about the possibility of the fragrance being poisonous, they wouldn''t have felt anything wrong; but once they had that thought, they suddenly realized their blood cirction and magical power were flowing more slowly.


    It really was poisoned!


    They quickly confirmed this bad news.


    It wasn''t just poisoned now - it had been from the very beginning, just that the poison level had been so subtle, so minimal, that they couldn''t detect it.


    Until now, when they were deeply poisoned and showing symptoms,


    Only then did they realize it was truly poisoned.


    These eleven people had been harassed by strange things since entering this formation space. Due to their powerful cultivation, these things couldn''t cause them much harm, but they were as annoying as mosquitoes.


    Each time it was like being bitten by a mosquito, very slight, but gradually, they discovered the harassment was escting, and now, it had be a form of torture.


    They had to deal with the endless grass leaves from below, the endless trees and vines from the forest, the asional man-eating flowers, and the omnipresent poison in the air.


    They felt the torture, felt the fatigue, felt the pain.


    But they had already entered this formation space, had already gone deep into the forest, there was no turning back now - they could only press forward and kill the Dao Sword Sect cultivators in the forest.


    The atmosphere had long since be oppressive. They took the antidote pills distributed by Zhican Valley and continued dealing with the forest, exploring forward.


    The bare-chested man uprooted three huge trees in session, clearing out a clean space. Looking around and seeing nothing but trees, he sighed: "We''ve been in here so long, fighting nothing but trees. Weren''t there supposed to be ten Golden Core cultivators, twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, and one powerful formation guardian? Where is everyone?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yan couldn''t help but p her forehead, silentlymenting "Oh no."


    At this moment, the delicate female cultivator finished casting her spell, pped a tree branch in half, quickly stepped forward, gathered power in both hands, and chopped down,pletely splitting the tree.


    Just as the tree split...


    "Chi ying!"


    A sword light suddenly appeared from within the split tree, striking the delicate female cultivator, cleaving her in half with one stroke!


    "Viin!"


    The quick-reacting cultivator discovered it first, channeling his magical power to send a spell de shing through the air.


    But after the sword light seeded in its attack, the cultivator inside the tree dove back in and disappeared.


    Golden Core cultivators had strong vitality, so the delicate female cultivator wasn''t dead yet.


    But... she was close to it.


    In such an environment, no one could tend to her. Even the male cultivator who was quick to react and cared deeply for her could only leave her with a magical defensive shield to protect her while she tried to piece herself back together.


    Afterward, they had to deal with the mosquito-like attacks from the forest.


    "Ah!!!"


    The bare-chested man couldn''t take it anymore. He went berserk, his muscles bulging as he exploded with all his power. He charged forward, one punch per tree, throwing thousands of punches in session, destroying over a thousand trees and clearing out an enormous space.


    "You cowards! If you have the guts,e out and fight me face to face!" He stood in front of arge tree, raised his fists to the sky and roared, "What kind of hero hides in the shadows?"


    As soon as his words fell, a sword energy burst out from the tree in front of him.


    "This is exactly what I was waiting for!"


    The bare-chested man grinned ferociously, pping his palms together to meet the sword energy, instantly crushing it to dust. He stepped forward to the great tree, threw a punch that shattered it to pieces, and the Dao Sword Sect member who couldn''t escape in time was punched out, smashing against another tree and spitting out a mouthful of blood.


    But that Dao Sword Sect member gave him a cold smile, turned around, and disappeared into the tree behind him.


    "Ahhh..."


    The bare-chested man was furious and charged forward, intending to smash that tree to pieces as well.


    But as he exerted force, a sudden weakness came over him, causing him to stumble. This mighty Golden Core body cultivator actually tripped over his own feet and fell t on his face.


    "?"


    What was happening!


    He was very confused - he was a body cultivator, a Golden Core cultivator, how could he be so weak and powerless?


    But when he tried to get up again, he found he had no strength in his hands either.


    Only then did he examine his internal condition...


    His blood essence and magical power had turned to porridge, too sticky to circte properly.


    He was poisoned, severely poisoned.


    The antidote pills from Zhican Valley werepletely useless. Plus, his recent all-out attacks with rapid cirction of magical power and blood essence had elerated the poison''s effects.


    This poison wouldn''t kill him - given time to recover, he would soon be back to normal.


    But when he managed to turn himself over, he saw the trees he had just cleared away growing back at a visible speed.


    Before he could despair, sharp grass tips were pressing against the skin of his back.


    The grass was growing.


    Soon, the grass prated his body and started growing from within him.


    Golden Core cultivators had powerful vitality, so he still wasn''t dead.


    But... he was close to it.


    Zhang Yan had brought in ten Golden Core cultivators, and as these ten cultivators spent more time in the forest, they encountered more bizarre events, their numbers dwindled, and after enduring endless torment, finally, only she remained.


    She did eventually meet the guardian who maintained this formation space.


    She unleashed her magical power with full force, channeling all her energy into her sword qi. Her petal-like sword qi, resembling butterflies, danced outward in all directions from her as the epicenter, spreading throughout the entire formation space. The indiscriminate attack of these petal des cut through everything - every tree, every de of grass, every flower -pletely clearing the formation space of all vegetation. Finally, at the very center of the formation space, she saw them.


    On a throne woven from blue-green vines, Yao Qingke sat like a queen, wearing her natal magical weapon - a glowing green ring - on her right hand. Behind her, the throne extended thirty tendrils of blue-green vines, and on each tendril stood a member of the Dao Sword Sect.


    They all looked down at Zhang Yan, this powerful Primordial Spirit cultivator, regarding her as if she were amb awaiting ughter.


    Deeply poisoned, with her internal magical power too viscous to circte properly, and exhausted both physically and mentally from torture, Zhang Yan truly had little strength left to resist.

 Chapter 454

    The guardian of the Wind Gate was Ye Qingxuan, who practiced an illusory art called the "Illusory Cloud Fog Killer."


    This was a mystical technique that focused on blending reality with illusion, making it unpredictable and enigmatic.


    Such an art wasn''t meant for direct confrontation on the challenge tform; it wasn''t a technique for face-to-facebat.


    In an actual battlefield, encountering someone who practiced this art would make for an extremely formidable and troublesome opponent.


    The formation space guarded by Ye Qingxuan was shrouded in mist, with visibility limited to less than five meters. Even magical detection methods couldn''t prate beyond fifty meters.


    Logically, with such a deceptive technique and environmental advantage,bined with guidance from Qin Ran, a master of survival tactics, Ye Qingxuan should have been able to toy with Nascent Soul cultivators who entered her gate, just like her neighbor Yao Qingke did.


    However, she was unlucky. The Nascent Soul cultivator who came to her area didn''t follow the usual pattern. After being ambushed and losing one Golden Core cultivator, he decisively pulled out a gourd-shaped magical treasure, removed its stopper, and sucked away all the mist in the formation space.


    Without clouds and mist, the "Illusory Cloud Fog Killer" lost more than eighty percent of its effectiveness.


    In the end, the Dao Sword Sect disciples at the Wind Gate fought to their deaths, taking down four Golden Core cultivators with them.Not all prodigious disciples possess the ability, talent, and opportunity to challenge those above their level.


    Tian Wenjin had the ability. Herbat prowess was umted through countless battles, and only with the formation space''s power enhancement did she gain enough strength to face Yu Qingshan head-on.


    Li Shiyin had the talent. She possessed the sword cultivator''s instinct to be fearless and grow stronger when facing powerful opponents. Even in the most difficult times, she never thought of giving up.


    Yao Qingke got the opportunity. The unique environment of the formation space,bined with personal guidance from the Thousand-Faced Poison Lord Qin Ran, allowed her to manipte Nascent Soul cultivators at will.


    As for the others, the sect members guarding the Divine Turtle Eight Trigrams Formation, even with the formation''s enhancement, barely managed to escape from the Nascent Soul cultivators with their lives.


    If there were unfortunate ones like Ye Qingxuan who encountered magical treasures that perfectly countered their abilities, they would die without any chance of survival.


    In the end, when the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Formation was broken, the casualties on both sides were as follows:


    On the Dao Sword Sect''s side, three formation guardians died: Sun Yao, Liu Tu, and Ye Qingxuan. Twenty-three other Golden Core disciples perished (Ye Qingxuan''splete annihtion as an elite disciple was something Qin Ran hadn''t anticipated), along with thirty-two Foundation Establishment disciples. Injuries weren''t counted.


    On the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s side, two Nascent Soul cultivators died: Zhang Wei and Zhang Yan (Zhang Wei was incapacitated by Li Shiyin andter finished off by Dao Sword Sect members; Zhang Yan was directly manipted to death by Yao Qingke). Two were severely injured (Yu Qingshan was heavily wounded with his natal sword damaged, losingbat ability; another who was injured by Ximen Wushang wasn''t described in detail but retained some fighting capability).


    Forty-nine Golden Core cultivators died (seven from the first scouting group except Li Yiquan, twenty from the second breakthrough group in Li Shiyin and Yao Qingke''s formation spaces, four taken down by Ye Qingxuan, plus eighteen others). Other injuries weren''t counted.


    Comparing the casualties, this battle could be considered a major victory for the Dao Sword Sect.


    Even with Ye Qingxuan''s unexpected loss, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance lost two Nascent Soul cultivators.


    After all, while the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had over a thousand Golden Core cultivators, they only had forty-eightbat-capable Nascent Soul cultivators (Zhican Valley had many Nascent Soul alchemists whosebat strength wasn''t counted, as they didn''t participate and needed to stay behind to protect their territory). Therefore, Nascent Soul cultivators were strategic-level assets, and losing even one was a severe blow to the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s fighting strength.


    Of course, despite the heavy losses, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance seeded in breaking the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Formation. With this predetermined objective achieved, they still held the advantage. ?


    Moreover, after the Divine Ghost Eight Trigrams Formation was broken, the Dao Sword Sect would have to face them directly.


    What was it like to face the Hengduan Mountain Alliance head-on?


    Perhaps for the Dao Sword Sect disciples, it could be described like this:


    Yearster, the Dao Sword Sect disciples would still remember the terror of that day. A massive flying ship crashed against the sect''s protective mountain formation, making the entire sect tremble. Around the flying ship, outside the formation, cultivators were everywhere, in the sky and on the ground, endless in number. They held magical weapons, their eyes bloodshot, murderous intent radiating from them, each like an ancient beast seeking prey. They attacked the mountain-protecting formation, seeming as if they would break through at any moment to devour everyone alive.


    Many disciples felt fear, their survival instincts telling them they were surely doomed;


    Many disciples felt regret, wondering why they had chosen to defend the Dao Sword Sect with their lives instead of fleeing;


    Many disciples'' legs trembled as they wondered if surrendering now might still give them a chance to survive.


    They weren''t unaware of the power difference between Zhican Valley and the Dao Sword Sect, but without directparison, they had remained hopeful, thinking the Dao Sword Sect had a chance of victory.


    Now, with the enemy at their gates, the terrifying impact shattered their minds and souls.


    How could they possibly win?


    "Roar..."


    Suddenly, as fear gripped the hearts of all sect disciples, a tiger''s roar erupted from nowhere!


    This roar originated from within the Dao Sword Sect, echoing through its five peaks and rolling across the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s flying ships.


    The tiger''s roar pierced straight to the soul, dispelling the Dao Sword Sect disciples'' fear and instilling dread in the members of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    Amidst the roaring, thousands of Dao Sword Sect disciples and Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators witnessed a massive white tiger rising from within the mountain-protecting formation.


    It stood on the formation barrier,rge enough to block out the sun and sky, casting its shadow over all Dao Sword Sect disciples.


    Winds appeared from nowhere, blowing away nearby Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators. The tiger held its head high, standing at the highest point of the Dao Sword Sect, its eyes slightly narrowed, looking down upon the entire Hengduan Mountain Alliance with contempt.


    It brought a sense of security to the Dao Sword Sect disciples and terror to the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators.


    "The Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger!" Someone knowledgeable in the Hengduan Mountain Alliance quickly recognized the white tiger. "It''s a seventh-grade demon beast! Equivalent tote Nascent Soul or early Transcendent realm!"


    "I know it, it''s the Poison Lord''s mount!" Others revealed even more about the tiger''s background.


    With these two pieces of information, the entire Hengduan Mountain Alliance retreated, including the massive flying ship.


    Whether it was a seventh-grade demon beast or the Thousand-Faced Poison Lord, both were terrifying. But for the cultivators on the flying ship, they feared the Thousand-Faced Poison Lord more, afraid that the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger might suddenly throw some Death Notice Pills at them.


    "It''s just a beast!"


    As everyone was retreating, someone from the Hengduan Mountain Alliance suddenly shouted.


    All eyes turned to see another Celestial Sword Sect Nascent Soul elder stepping forward from the crowd (Celestial Sword Sect had sent three Nascent Soul cultivators: Wu Lan, Yu Qingshan, and this one). He drew his sword, staring contemptuously at the white tiger.


    "A Nascent Soul cultivator?!" The Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s morale surged. "Even a seventh-grade demon beast is still just a beast. How can itpare to humans? How can it match a powerful Nascent Soul sword cultivator?"


    The Celestial Sword Sect elder, encouraged by everyone''s attention, puffed out his chest and moved to attack the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger.


    But before he couldunch his attack, another sound rang out...


    "Roar..."


    A dragon''s cry echoed.


    Dragons are divine beasts with bloodline suppression over all living things. When the dragon''s cry sounded, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators trembled, nearly falling to their knees. The Celestial Sword Sect elder also stopped his advance, quietly retreating back into the crowd.


    The tigermands the wind, the dragonmands the clouds.


    When the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger appeared, fierce winds arose; now with the dragon''s appearance, the clouds transformed, gathering into dark masses. Lightning shed and thunder rolled.


    Amid the changing weather, to the left of the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger, a massive ck dragon emerged from the mountain-protecting formation, coiling through the air.


    It was evenrger and more powerful than the Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger. Any low-level Foundation Establishment cultivators touched by its body were instantly reduced to bloody mist, dying without intact remains.


    It coiled its body around the mountain-protecting formation''s barrier, raising its upper body, its massive dragon head held high, its golden vertical pupils coldly regarding the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators without a trace of emotion.


    A huge ck dragon on the left, a massive white tiger on the right - the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators retreated once more.


    Instantly, the space outside the Dao Sword Sect cleared up, as arge clean area emerged from the densely packed cultivators. The sky above the Dao Sword Sect was finally clean again.


    "Dragon..."


    "Flood Dragon!"


    "It''s a Dragon!"


    The cultivators of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cried out in terror.


    "A Flood Dragon is a ninth-grade beast!" someone shouted.


    A ninth-grade beast was at least equivalent to ate Merger Realm or Grand Achievement Realm cultivator.


    How could such a powerful creature appear at the humble Dao Sword Sect?


    Initially, all cultivators of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance were frightened, including their Spirit Formation Realm cultivators. But they quickly realized something was off about the Flood Dragon.


    It wasn''t a real Flood Dragon¡ªit was the formation spirit of the Dao Sword Sect''s protective array... or something else that existed by relying on the sect''s defensive formation.


    In short, it wasn''t a real Flood Dragon!


    It didn''t possess Grand Achievement Realm power, nor Merger Realm strength¡ªit only had Spirit Formation Realm cultivation.


    Yes... only Spirit Formation Realm.


    Of course, regardless of whether it was a real Flood Dragon or not, it should have been one of the Dao Sword Sect''s trump cards.


    Why reveal it now? ying their strongest hand at the start?


    Why bring out a Spirit Formation Realm expert in just the second battle?


    If the first round was mainly Foundation Establishment cultivators, shouldn''t the second round be primarily Core Formation cultivators?


    "Beast! How dare you show such arrogance?!"


    After discovering the dragon was only at Spirit Formation Realm, a voice suddenly rang out from the massive cloud ship of Zhican Valley. A ck-robed elder flew up from the ship, his powerful aura telling everyone inside and outside the Dao Sword Sect that he was a Spirit Formation Realm cultivator.


    Standing high in the air, he coldly said to Ao Yi: "I am your opponent!"


    However, Ao Yi ignored him, merely casting cold nces at the lower-ranked cultivators of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    "How dare you ignore me!" The Spirit Formation elder produced a soul-binding bell, about to ring it at Ao Yi.


    "Whoosh!"


    Suddenly, a sword flew out from within the Dao Sword Sect, heading straight for the Spirit Formation elder.


    The elder didn''t have time to ring the bell and hurriedly raised his hand, creating a shield before him to block the flying sword.


    At some point, a white-haired elder with stern features had appeared outside the Dao Sword Sect''s protective formation. He recalled the sword back to his hand.


    He smiled at the ck-robed elder and said: "I am your opponent!"


    These were the ck-robed elder''s original words, now returned to him.


    "Are weparing who has more Spirit Formation cultivators?" the ck-robed elder said coldly.


    As his words fell, another Spirit Formation cultivator appeared beside him.


    "If the number of Spirit Formation cultivators could determine the oue of this war..." the white-haired elder shook his head and smiled, "Zhican Valley would have lost long ago."


    A Spirit Formation cultivator appeared beside him.


    Spirit Formation cultivators appeared one after another on each side, and in the blink of an eye, six Spirit Formation cultivators were facing off in the sky above the Dao Sword Sect.


    On Dan Peak, Qin Ran squatted outside the small wooden cabin, drinking a bowl of ginseng soup.


    He looked at the Spirit Formation cultivators confronting each other outside the Dao Sword Sect and asked Gu Yueming beside him: "That Spirit Formation elder looks very simr to you!"


    Gu Yueming turned his head and gave him a meaningful look.


    "Is there a problem?"


    "I never expected you to be a Spirit Formation elder''s second spirit." Qin Ran shook his head. "It''s really unexpected...


    So how many seemingly ordinary cultivators in this cultivation world are actually avatars of Spirit Formation powerhouses? Everyone is more cunning than the next!"


    "Actually, I once suspected you were someone''s avatar, but finally discovered you weren''t," Gu Yueming said. "That''s why you''re the most cunning of all. Others'' cunningness is forced by the cultivation world, but yours is innate."


    Qin Ran didn''t respond, only saying: "The cultivation world... its depths are beyond my imagination. I''ll need to be even more careful in the future."


    "Master!"


    At this moment, Li Shiyin''s voice rang out under the old locust tree, "Did you drink my ginseng soup?!"


    "Ah?" Qin Ran finally realized the ginseng soup in his hand was meant for Li Shiyin. He quickly stood up and walked towards her with an ingratiating smile, saying, "I was just testing the temperature."

 Chapter 455

    Dan Peak had temporarily transformed into a field hospital.


    Those who had retreated from the Eight Trigrams Formation of Gods and Ghosts but were severely wounded were all ced here.


    After all, Dan Peak was the alchemy center of the Dao Sword Sect, and it had always been responsible for treating and healing sect members.


    These injured disciples were rightfully ced here.


    The mistress of Dan Peak and the number one patient, the great sword immortal Li Shiyin, was swinging on a swing beneath an old sophora tree, enjoying a brief moment of rest and recovery from the battlefield.


    The master of Dan Peak, Head Seat Qin Ran, stood beside her, feeding her nourishing medicinal soup one spoonful at a time.


    "Calling out Ao Yi right from the start, isn''t that revealing our trump card?" Gu Yueming asked Qin Ran while watching Ao Yi and Pursuit Wind outside, whose imposing presence had scared the enemy forces to retreat thirty zhang away.


    By now, the six powerful Nascent Soul cultivators were no longer outside the Guardian Mountain Formation; they had agreed to meet somewhere unknown for tea. Meanwhile, after their initial fear, the Hengduan Mountains alliance was already discussing countermeasures and preparing for the next phase of attack.


    "What are trump cards for?" Qin Ran asked back while feeding Li Shiyin another spoonful of soup.Gu Yueming thought for a moment and said, "To catch opponents off guard and turn the tide in desperate situations."


    Qin Ran shook his head and said, "Wrong. A trump card has only one ultimate purpose - to win!


    "A battle isn''t about how many trump cards you have, but whether you can win or not. There''s no necessary connection between trump cards and victory.


    "If you can win, what difference does it make whether you reveal your trump card early orte?"


    Though the logic made sense, Gu Yueming asked again, "What if Zhican Valley still has trump cards? How will we deal with that then?"


    Qin Ran tried to feed Li Shiyin another spoonful of soup, but as she swung on the swing, the soup spilled on her cor.


    He used a spell to collect the water and threw it at the roots of the old sophora tree, then took out a tissue to wipe the stains on her clothes.


    He said to Gu Yueming, "Trump cards? With Ao Yi and Pursuit Wind out there, working together with Liu Baixuan and others, backed by the Guardian Mountain Formation, we can inflict massive casualties on the Hengduan Mountains alliance''s forces. If all their forces are killed, what good would their trump cards be?


    "Ao Yi can fight Nascent Soul cultivators. And the Dao Sword Sect''s Nascent Soul cultivators are stronger than those from Zhican Valley. Both sides have three Nascent Soul cultivators, so they cancel each other out and don''t matter much. Besides, Nascent Soul cultivators value their lives and don''t want to fight. Since we can have one extra Nascent Soul cultivator, why not call him out early to inflict casualties on the enemy forces?"


    Given that Qin Ran''s previous strategies had all been highly sessful, although Gu Yueming still had doubts, he didn''t voice any objections.


    "When Zhican Valley started this war, they must have had methods to quickly break through formations," Qin Ran continued feeding Li Shiyin soup while telling Gu Yueming, "How effective Ao Yi can be depends on how many people he can kill before they break through the formation. After the Guardian Mountain Formation is broken, when Dao Sword Sect members and the Hengduan Mountains alliance forces engage in chaotic battle, his effectiveness will rapidly decrease." ??


    Tian Wenjin sat cross-legged in thekeside pavilion of Sword Washing Lake, regting her breath. Huang Feiyu stood beside her, while Xiao Bufan was healing his wounds on the other side of the pavilion.


    Looking at Xiao Bufan, Huang Feiyu said to Tian Wenjin, "Junior Uncle''s Dan Peak has really changed."


    No one responded to him.


    "When I left the sect, thiskeside pavilion had just been built, and I helped with its construction," Huang Feiyu continued talking to himself, "But back then, there were no fish in theke, no lotus flowers. There were no trees by theke either.


    "Also, Dan Peak didn''t have the Guardian Mountain Formation. Junior Uncle is really impressive, not only mastering the way of alchemy but also having such achievements in formation techniques. Even the formation masters of the Lingnan Immortal Sect are no better than this."


    Xiao Bufan then asked, "Is fellow Daoist an envoy from the Lingnan Immortal Sect?"


    How could he not recognize Huang Feiyu? During the years when Huang Feiyu was a genius disciple, he was still struggling as an outer sect disciple.


    However, people generally had poor attitudes towards traitors.


    Huang Feiyu quickly cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "May I ask fellow Daoist''s name?"


    With his shrewd mind, how could he not recognize Xiao Bufan, who had risen to fame in the outer sect?


    "My surname is Xiao, given name Bufan," Xiao Bufan replied formally, "Outer sect disciple of the Dao Sword Sect, ranked sixteenth in the entrance examination."


    "With the outer sect''s resources, fellow Daoist being able to rank sixteenth truly shows remarkable talent," Huang Feiyu said, "It seems the Dao Sword Sect failed to recognize talent, wasting your abilities."


    His words were partly mocking Xiao Bufan''s mediocre talent, and partly criticizing the Dao Sword Sect for not providing enough resources, causing many disciples like him to leave for other sects.


    "Not at all!" Xiao Bufan replied, "I know myself well, my aptitude is ordinary, and I''m fortunate that the Dao Sword Sect recognized me, giving me the chance to enter the path of immortality. The sect''s resources matched me perfectly, every resource aligned with my strength and aptitude. My current strength is the result of seizing opportunities, utilizing resources, and diligent cultivation.


    "If fellow Daoist had done the same as me, you would surely have had a great future ahead."


    Xiao Bufan was implicitly criticizing Huang Feiyu for being a three-faced ve, ungrateful and wolf-hearted; also mocking him for ming insufficient resources when it was actually his own problem of not working hard enough.


    "How could Ipare to fellow Daoist?" Huang Feiyu continued, "I heard that fellow Daoist was injured from fighting someone at the Nascent Soul realm while only being at the Core Formation realm. I could never do that - I can''t fight a Nascent Soul cultivator while at the Core Formation stage, I''m ashamed."


    "You indeed have a major problem - insufficient determination," Xiao Bufan said, "Once, in a state of extreme anger, I knocked down Dan Peak''s Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger with one punch..."


    Tian Wenjin couldn''t stand these two''s verbal sparring and needle-hiding-in-cotton conversation anymore, so she silently stood up and walked out of thekeside pavilion.


    "So fellow Daoist is actually a Core Formation elder!" Xiao Bufan suddenly realized, "Do you know this immortaldy? That''s Tian Wenjin from the Sword Peak, ranked fifth among the Dao Sword Sect''s geniuses, with extremely powerfulbat ability. She just defeated a Core Formation cultivator while only at the Foundation Establishment realm. I think she would be a perfect match for you - talented schr and beautifuldy, like a match made in heaven.


    "It''s just a pity that I heard Tian Wenjin hasprehended the Emotionless Sword Intent, cut off her ck hair, and no longer approaches emotions. I wonder why."


    Finally, the smile disappeared from Huang Feiyu''s face. Looking at Tian Wenjin''s departing figure, there was some guilt deep in his eyes.


    Outside the greenhouse, Zhang Junyi''s bamboo house and the surrounding open space had been arranged with many wounded. Those with internal and external injuries who couldn''t move were all assigned beds.


    The beds were woven from bamboo by Zhang Junyi.


    The dark little loli - Dan Peak''s poison master - Long Qiqi was their chief physician, while Zhang Junyi assisted as a nurse, responsible for preparing prescriptions, helping with alchemy, or taking care of the wounded.


    The master and disciple pair needed to care for over thirty wounded, and they were quite overwhelmed.


    From the beginning, the little loli had maintained a gloomy face, which was quite frightening.


    Zhang Junyi watched, not daring to breathe deeply. He always felt that his master might revert to her original form at any moment and eat all these wounded people.


    "Master, his meridians are injured, and he forced himself to use energy, causing his spiritual power to flow incorrectly," he carefully reported to Long Qiqi, "We need to help regte his energy first, then seal his dantian, before treating his injuries..."


    Long Qiqi was studying healing pills for the patient beside her. Hearing this, she looked at the bed where Zhang Junyi was and said, "Prepare the medicine yourself. It''s time you learned alchemy."


    "Master... I''ve never made pills before," Zhang Junyi reminded her quietly.


    "Do you know how to prepare medicines?" The little loli raised her eyebrows, looking quite scary.


    "Yes... yes..." Zhang Junyi replied.


    "What medicine for what situation!" the little loli scolded, "Learn to prepare it yourself! Why do you need to ask your master for everything, am I your ve?


    "This Dan Peak, when the top beam is crooked, the bottom beams will be askew. Am I, Long Qiqi, Qin Ran''s ve? Ordering me around, demanding I do everything... as if they don''t see I have nine heads!"


    Zhang Junyi was too scared to speak and quickly took out medical texts to check and verify, studying how to prepare medicines by himself.


    The wounded person on this bed raised his hand weakly and said, "Um... should we maybe consider my feelings about this?"


    "Don''t worry, the Head Seat has acknowledged my knowledge of medicinal ingredients and principles," Zhang Junyi assured him.


    The wounded person was about to cry - you may understand the book knowledge, but you''ve never actually treated anyone before!


    "I can wait, it''s not that painful," he said.


    Zhang Junyi nced at his master and whispered, "My master is very angry right now, don''t count on her. Only I can help you..."


    "Smack!"


    The little loli smashed the porcin bottle in her hand onto Zhang Junyi''s head, ring fiercely as she shouted, "Are you that free? He doesn''t want you to treat him, find someone else. A battle is about to break out outside, and there will be an endless stream of casualties. Let''s see if he can still wait then!"


    "Oh... oh..." Zhang Junyi nodded, carrying his medical books to the next patient.


    But before he could take a few steps, he was pulled back by the patient, who gritted his teeth in pain and said, "I think, I can still be saved. You can start with me."

 Chapter 456

    "How long will it take you to break the formation?" On the cloud ship, Qiu Huahui looked at the ck dragon and white tiger standing on the barrier of the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection grand array and asked Elder Lin behind her.


    "Three hundred and sixty breaking-array nails, specially crafted for the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection grand array. As long as these breaking-array nails are driven into the barrier formed by the grand array and then activated with spells to connect them, the foundational array patterns of the grand array can be destroyed..." Elder Lin replied, "I need three hundred and sixty cultivators to drive the nails. Foundation Establishment cultivators won''t do; they must be Golden Core cultivators. Additionally, I need twelve array masters, each responsible for thirty breaking-array nails, to activate them. Then I will..."


    Qiu Huahui interrupted him directly, saying, "I asked you, how much time will it take?"


    Elder Lin paused, estimating briefly, and said, "About three days."


    "Good!" Qiu Huahui nodded. "I will have someone buy you three days!"


    "Go prepare."


    Elder Lin acknowledged and turned to find qualified array masters.


    Qiu Huahui then summoned eight powerful Nascent Soul cultivators, presenting them with a scroll and exining, "This is the Eight Immortals Subduing Demon Scroll. When used by eight cultivators, it can summon a Sword Immortal from ancient times whose strength surpasses yours by one major realm. I want you to hold this scroll and hold off that ck horned dragon."


    The eight Nascent Soul cultivators agreed and took the scroll, departing.Qiu Huahui then found five other powerful Nascent Soul cultivators, giving each a talisman and exining, "This is the Ancient Immortal Breaking Demon Talisman, which can restrict the demon''s cultivation and movements. I bestow these upon you to subdue that Xuanming Spirit Tiger."


    She nced at the five and added, "That Xuanming Spirit Tiger is not yet fully grown... Whoever subdues it, it belongs to them."


    The five Nascent Soul cultivators were thrilled and hastily took the talismans, leaving in a hurry.


    Qiu Huahui then summoned Sun Yicheng, instructing him to lead one hundred Golden Core cultivators and five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators to attack the array, creating confusion.


    Sun Yicheng agreed and turned to gather the appropriate cultivators.


    Soon, the five Nascent Soul cultivators holding the Ancient Immortal Breaking Demon Talismans flew out from the cloud ship, heading toward the right side of the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection grand array, stopping in front of the white tiger. They did not attack but waited silently.


    Sun Yicheng rose from the cloud ship, hovering in mid-air. One by one, cultivators from the cloud ship or the surrounding groups of cultivators below flew up, gathering behind him. Nearly a thousand cultivators, roughly forming ranks like an army, hovered behind him. Sun Yicheng led them forward, stopping in front of the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection array. They did not attack but waited silently.


    After a short while, a powerful and sharp aura rose from the cloud ship. The aura was both divine and ancient, resembling a true ancient Sword Immortal.


    A towering figure, over ten zhang tall, d in white robes and holding a sword, appeared from the cloud ship. His form seemed to be a mix of light and shadow, vague and unclear.


    As soon as he appeared, he wielded his sword, performing a series of sword techniques, and attacked the ck horned dragon at the left side of the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection grand array.


    The other two groups had been waiting for him. As soon as he moved, they followed.


    The five Nascent Soul cultivators, holding the Breaking Demon Talismans, charged at Chasing the Wind; Sun Yicheng led the thousand cultivators in an attack on the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection grand array.


    (Among Sun Yicheng''s thousand cultivators, there were one hundred Golden Core, five hundred Foundation Establishment, and three hundred and sixty Golden Core breaking the array.)


    Five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, four hundred and ny Golden Core cultivators, five Nascent Soul cultivators, and one ancient Sword Immortalparable to a Demon Lord attacked together, a scene both awe-inspiring and terrifying.


    Chasing the Wind and Ao Yi, who had been posing on the barrier of the mountain protection grand array, nced at each other upon seeing this and did not engage in battle. Instead, they turned and dove directly into the array.


    Their actions werepletely inconsistent with their initially arrogant entrance.


    "We have the array as a barrier and fortress; why should we fight them head-on?" Qin Ran watched the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators who had charged forward but couldn''t stop in time, crashing into the barrier of the Dao Sword Sect''s mountain protection grand array, and smiled, saying to Gu Yueming, "Minimizing losses while maximizing gains is the art of war.


    "Bullying the weak and overpowering the strong is the essence of war."


    Seeing the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators furiously attacking the array barrier in their frustration, Gu Yueming could somewhat understand their feelings.


    After all, how could a cultivator in a world of cultivation not pursue longevity and power but instead study military tactics and warfare?


    Was it not somewhat off for a cultivator to lead an army into battle?


    He looked at Qin Ran, puzzled, and asked, "You are quite strategic, which is normal, but why do you also know military tactics?"


    "It''s not that I understand military tactics," Qin Ran shook his head. "In the mortal world, I am less knowledgeable about military strategy than a third-rate general. You think I understand military tactics, but it''s only because no one in the cultivation world understands them. They arepletely ignorant."


    As he finished speaking, the white tiger suddenly burst out from the middle section of the array barrier, where a dozen Hengduan Mountain Alliance Foundation Establishment cultivators were located.


    How fast was the white tiger? The Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn''t react in time. With a single charge, the white tiger sent seven or eight of them flying in a straight line.


    Given the white tiger''s physical strength, those seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators were either dead or severely injured.


    The white tiger then turned, using its ws and tail to send another four or five who couldn''t escape in time to meet their end.


    Only three or four quick-witted ones managed to escape far enough. The white tiger didn''t pursue them but dove back into the array.


    The Nascent Soul cultivators holding the talismans had just arrived but hadn''t had the chance to act when they saw only the white tiger''s hindquarters disappearing.


    Meanwhile, the ck horned dragon also emerged from the array barrier, finding a group of seven or eight Golden Core cultivators and charging through, instantly taking out five of them.


    Before the Sword Immortal''s sword energy arrived, he too retreated back into the array.


    "A great military strategist who excelled at defeatingrger forces with fewer troops once said a sixteen-character mantra," Qin Ran watched the scene with satisfaction and smiled, "It goes: ''When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue.''"


    "Isn''t that the despicable and sneaky mosquito-style tactic?" Gu Yuemingmented.


    "Whatever the enemy opposes, we must support..." Qin Ran smiled gleefully, nodding, "If the enemy thinks we are like flies, annoying, disgusting, and despicable, then we are doing it right."


    "But flies are still flies. Once the powerful enemy reacts and concentrates their strength, this tactic won''t work anymore," Gu Yueming said.


    "What more can they concentrate?" Qin Ran replied, "The goals of both sides in this second phase are different.


    "Their goal is to break the array and enter the Dao Sword Sect to wage a destruction war; our goal, however, is to inflict as much damage as possible on their forces.


    "They want to break the array; we want to kill.


    "I don''t care about the array. Let them break it if they can. As long as we kill enough of them before they break it, that''s all that matters."


    Gu Yueming began to understand, asking, "Is this what you meant by ''trading time for space, space for damage''..."


    As they spoke, Chasing the Wind and Ao Yi had already switched several locations, killing multiple enemies.


    Meanwhile, Liu Baixuan also led a group of Dao Sword Sect disciples, employing the same tactic, backed by the array barrier, inflicting casualties on the enemy.


    After two or three rounds of defensive attacks by the Dao Sword Sect, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had suffered nearly a hundred casualties.


    "Fall back! Don''t get close to the array barrier!" Someone noticed the problem and urgently shouted, "Keep your distance; they won''t dare to chase us out!"


    As soon as this voice rang out, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators understood and quickly retreated, pulling back about ten zhang away.


    At a distance of ten zhang, even if the ck dragon and white tiger came out to ambush, the ancient Sword Immortal and Nascent Soul cultivators on their side could react in time. Once the ck dragon, white tiger, Liu Baixuan, and others were entangled, it would be difficult for them to easily escape.


    This was the reason the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators believed they wouldn''t dare to chase them out.


    The initial contact of the array-breaking battle ended in a short time, with both sides pulling back. The ground below was littered with some corpses, belonging to both the Hengduan Mountain Alliance and the Dao Sword Sect. Ao Yi had a special connection with the mountain protection grand array, allowing him to freely enter and exit; Chasing the Wind, being well-versed in arrays and capable of transforming into darkness, could also easily move through the array; but the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect...


    When entering and exiting, they need to use their identity tokens, unlike the others who can do so seamlessly, so casualties are inevitable.


    After pulling back, both sides entered a brief period of peace, standing ten zhang apart and gazing at each other.


    After a while, seeing that the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had no intention of attacking again, the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect sneered contemptuously, then retreated into the formation using their identity tokens.


    Seeing the Dao Sword Sect members retreat into the formation, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance faced the empty barrier of the formation, looked at each other, and fell into deep thought.


    Was this considered a failure to take the city?


    A Golden Core cultivator holding a formation-breaking nail asked, "How do we break the formation?"


    They had Nascent Soul warriors, their Yuan Ying cultivators were many times more than the enemy''s, their Golden Core cultivators were many times more than the enemy''s, but their casualties were also many times more than the enemy''s.


    They had even been driven back, scared back!


    "We are stronger than the enemy!" Sun Yicheng stepped forward and dered loudly, "They are just good at hiding and using tricks. All we need to do is gather together, form a formation, and they will be powerless.


    "As for breaking the formation, it will just take a bit longer."


    "How do we form the formation?" someone asked, "Does anyone here know battle formation tactics?!"


    No one answered.


    Sun Yicheng shouted, "Why do we need a battle formation?!


    "All I need is the simplest thing: grouping together. The formation-breakers stay in the middle, protected by other cultivators; the Nascent Soul cultivators stay above, and the Ancient Sword Immortal stays at the top.


    "Since we can''t drive in the formation-breaking nails all at once, we''ll do it one by one!"


    As soon as this method was proposed, there were voices of agreement: "Elder Sun is right! Why aren''t you changing the formation yet?!"


    One by one, the cultivators immediately moved, surrounding the Golden Core cultivators holding the formation-breaking nails, forming a crude and simple battle formation.


    Someone noticed a problem and asked, "Elder Sun, with the formation in ce, it''s quite inconvenient to move. We also need a unifiedmander."


    Sun Yichengughed and said, "What''s so difficult about that?


    "We need to break the formation, so we act ording to the needs of breaking the formation. And to act ording to the needs of breaking the formation, we need a formation master tomand."


    He found Elder Lin and said, "Elder Lin willmand the uing battle!"


    In fact, it would be best if hemanded, but unfortunately, he didn''t understand formations, didn''t know when to do what, so he had to hand over themand to Elder Lin.


    However, Elder Lin was just a formation master, in simpler terms, a science and engineering nerd. He had no management experience, no experience inmanding wars, and faced with nearly a thousand people in the battle formation, looking at all thosepletely different and unfamiliar faces, he felt anxious and suffocated.


    Fortunately, he was a Nascent Soul cultivator with over a thousand years of age, so even though he had no experience, he could still keep hisposure.


    Looking at the Dao Sword Sect''s protective mountain formation, he once again made a simple measurement and careful consideration, then transmitted his voice to the entire battle formation using magic: "Advance towards the first formation-breaking nail!"


    Inside the protective mountain formation of the Dao Sword Sect, Chasing the Wind watched the Hengduan Mountain Alliance flying towards them in an organized formation and asked Ao Yi, "Brother, they''ve grouped together, what should we do?"


    Ao Yi thought for a moment and asked, "Can you beat a Nascent Soul cultivator?"


    "I can, but I can only win, not kill them quickly," Chasing the Wind said frankly.


    Ao Yi gave him a disdainful look and said, "Trash! All those divine abilities were wasted on you!"


    Chasing the Wind quickly exined, "Brother, I''m still young, I''m only six years old."


    "When I was six, I could already beat and kill a Deity Transformation cultivator!" Ao Yi said, "If you can''t beat a Nascent Soul cultivator today, don''t call me brother anymore!"


    You had special circumstances, okay! Are you a normal dragon growing up? Chasing the Wind opened his mouth but didn''t say it out loud.


    He just secretly thought in his heart, "Don''t call you brother, then I won''t! From now on, you''re the little brother!"


    "Later, I''ll rush out and hold off that Sword Immortal projection..." Ao Yi instructed Chasing the Wind, "You continue as your father instructed, do your best to inflict casualties. You can start from the edge, quietly moving inward to kill!"


    ¡°Brother, I¡¯m a tiger, I know how to hunt,¡± Chasing the Wind said with a very human-like pout.


    Then, after thinking for a moment, he suggested, "Brother, I think your n isn''t good. I should be the one to draw their fire."


    "My n isn''t good?" Ao Yi''s golden eyes widened and he shouted, "Can you beat that Sword Immortal projection?"


    "I can''t!" Chasing the Wind shook his head honestly.


    "Then what are you talking about? You''ll get yourself killed the moment you go out."


    Chasing the Wind carefully exined his n to Ao Yi: "Although I can''t beat him, I can escape. I know many escape techniques, and that Sword Immortal projection is only at the Deity Transformation level; he can''t kill me in a short time."


    He further exined, "If the Sword Immortales to deal with me, then Brother, you can ambush him for better results.


    "If Nascent Soul cultivatorse for me, then Brother, you can help me. After I lure the Nascent Soul cultivators to a certain distance, we brothers can join forces to kill them as quickly as possible.


    "If Golden Core cultivatorse for me, Brother, you can have Liu Baixuan help me, and we''ll first kill the Golden Core cultivators.


    "If they don''te for me, then you let me start hunting from the edge, and you cover me."


    ¡°Huh?¡± Ao Yi, listening to Chasing the Wind''s words, looked up and down at this silly person, surprised to find that this was a silly person with brains!


    "You''ve been corrupted by Qin Ran!" he said, "You''ve lost your beast heart."


    "Huh?" Chasing the Wind blinked his big eyes, looking innocent.


    "Alright!" Ao Yi nodded, epting Chasing the Wind''s proposal, "You go out first, I''ll cover you!"


    On Dan Peak, Gu Yueming saw that the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had indeed grouped together. Watching them attack in an orderly manner, he asked Qin Ran, "What will they do?"


    Qin Ran said, "Inside the formation, we can actually be divided into three parts: Ao Yi, Chasing the Wind, and Liu Baixuan leading over a hundred disciples. Bybining these three parts, they will have seven attack ns. The three parts can act separately, in pairs, or together.


    "Among them, the inferior strategies are: Liu Baixuan leading his men to charge out, which is a pure suicide n; Ao Yi acting alone, which is what the enemy wants, because we can''t expand our gains further...


    "The middle strategies are: Ao Yi and Liu Baixuan acting together, with Chasing the Wind waiting for an opportunity to hunt Golden Core cultivators...


    "The superior strategies are: Chasing the Wind acting alone, Ao Yi covering, and Liu Baixuan waiting for the right moment..."


    Just as he finished speaking, on the other side of the formation, a massive white tiger suddenly burst out from the formation barrier, the tiger, with the might of a fierce predator, charged directly towards the battle formation of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    The white tiger looked like a hungry tiger descending from the mountain, extremely ferocious, as if it wanted to kill everyone.


    Seeing this, Qin Ran''s face showed a smile.


    "As expected of my good son!"


    Outside the protective mountain formation, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance rushed to the formation barrier, and the Golden Core cultivators inside, following the formation master''s instructions, prepared to drive the formation-breaking nails into the formation.


    Just at that moment, the white tiger suddenly pounced towards them again, carrying a terrifying aura that made them instinctively want to retreat.


    "Hold your ground!"


    Sun Yicheng quickly transmitted his voice, then said, "Nascent Soul cultivators, act! Five of you, kill him!"


    The Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s formation was divided into threeyers: the bottomyer was the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators surrounding the Golden Core cultivators holding the formation-breaking nails, driving them into the barrier of the Dao Sword Sect''s protective mountain formation; the middleyer was the Nascent Soul cultivators protecting them; the topyer was the Ancient Sword Immortal guarding against the ck dragon.


    As soon as Sun Yicheng''s voice came out, five Nascent Soul cultivators in the middleyer flew out, holding exorcism talismans, ready to strike at Chasing the Wind.


    They were the first five Nascent Soul cultivators assigned to deal with Chasing the Wind.


    But before they could even throw their talismans, the tiger that had been in a hungry pouncing stance suddenly mmed on the brakes and turned to run in another direction.


    This little tiger''s first attack was originally just a feint; he just wanted to see who the Hengduan Mountain Alliance would send to deal with him.


    He had learned a lot of tricks from his dad, and he was quite cunning.


    When he saw that Nascent Soul cultivators wereing to deal with him, he immediately knew what he needed to do: lure them to a suitable position and take them out.


    Seeing the white tiger turn and run, but not towards the direction of the protective mountain formation, but away from it, a Nascent Soul cultivator''s eyes lit up and he shouted, "This beast is panicking, it''s running in the wrong direction!"


    Immediately following, a Nascent Soul cultivator shouted, "Quick, take it down!"


    Five Nascent Soul cultivators each wielded talismans in one hand and magical artifacts in the other, employing their movement techniques to chase after the white tiger.


    Sun Yicheng, seeing this, instinctively felt something was amiss and quickly transmitted his voice to stop them, "Be cautious, it might be a trap! Don''t chase too far!"


    But these were five Nascent Soul cultivators, not some random cats or dogs. How could Nascent Soul cultivators, who were so high and mighty, possibly listen obediently to hismands? They trusted their own judgments more.


    They exchanged nces and decisively ignored Sun Yicheng''s words.


    The white tiger''s speed was incredibly fast. In just a few breaths, it had dashed several hundred feet in the opposite direction of the sect''s protective array. Only then did it realize it had run the wrong way, quickly stopping and turning back to head towards the protective array.


    The five Nascent Soul cultivators grew excited, their doubts dissipating. They were now convinced that the white tiger had indeed panicked and run the wrong way.


    "Quick, catch it!" one of them shouted.


    They all exerted their full strength, their speeds increasing significantly, closing the distance to the white tiger.


    One of them activated a magical artifact,unching an attack towards the white tiger.


    Seeing this, the white tiger grew even more flustered and no longer dared to run towards the protective array. Instead, it circled around the array and fled further away.


    "Hahaha, this ck Water Spirit Tiger is mine!" One of them surged forward with a burst of speed, using a secret technique, his sword rapidly closing the gap with the white tiger.


    Closer now, he cast a spell with his left hand, a Ancient Immortal Exorcism Talisman shot out, urately striking the white tiger.


    In an instant, the white tiger''s speed visibly slowed down.


    "Hahaha..." Heughed wildly, a seventh-tier beast mount was now within his grasp.


    The other four Nascent Soul cultivators, seeing the white tiger hit by the talisman, no longer had any doubts. They were sure the white tiger had run the wrong way and each began to cast their own spells, elerating their pursuit.


    The white tiger''s speed was astonishing, but the Nascent Soul cultivators chasing it were equally fast. In just a few breaths, they had circled around the Dao Sword Sect''s protective array and reached the other side.


    Due to being struck by a talisman, the white tiger''s speed had slowed, causing it to be hit by another talisman. Its speed continued to decrease, and in no time, it was caught up by the five Nascent Soul cultivators.


    Realizing it couldn''t escape, the white tiger stopped, turned around, wrinkled its lips, exposing its four long fangs, and bared its teeth in a threatening manner.


    But how could it possibly threaten Nascent Soul cultivators?


    The five Nascent Soul cultivators each held their magical artifacts,ughing at the white tiger''s feeble attempt at intimidation. One of them said, "I urgently need a mount. I''ll trade treasures of equal value. Brothers, don''tpete with me, alright?"


    Another said, "I need a spiritual beast to guard my home. You should let it be mine!"


    "I''ve been eyeing your technique. If you let me study it, I won''tpete with you," said another.


    They all thought this ck Water Spirit Tiger was already beyond escape.


    But then, one of them noticed the ck Water Spirit Tiger no longer baring its teeth in threat. Instead, it began leisurely licking its paw, its bright red tongue asionally ncing towards them, its eyes filled with disdain and contempt, exuding a very human-like expression.


    He felt something was off and activated the magical light of a spell in his hand, ready to unleash it.


    "Something''s not right," he said.


    The other four stopped their argument and looked towards the white tiger.


    The white tiger finished licking its paw, shook its head at them, as ifmenting their intelligence, then trotted away, strutting proudly towards the Dao Sword Sect''s protective array.


    "Beast, stop!"


    One of them cast his spell, aiming it at the white tiger.


    But the white tiger ignored himpletely, not even sparing him a nce.


    Just as his spell was about to hit the white tiger, a vast and domineering sword energy emerged from the array, cutting off the light of his spell.


    "A trap?" one of them said in disbelief.


    Setting such a crude andughable trap for five Nascent Soul cultivators?


    But at that moment, three Nascent Soul cultivators stepped out from the protective array''s barrier, their swords already drawn.


    Simultaneously, a powerful, overbearing, and wild aura appeared behind them. They turned in rm and saw the massive ck dragon.


    The five Nascent Soul cultivators suddenly realized they had indeed walked into a trap.


    And this trap was effective against them.


    They... had been outwitted by a tiger''s intelligence?!


    "Fun?" The white tiger turned around, smiling at them, its expression eerily simr to that of the Dan Peak''s first seat.


    The five Nascent Soul cultivators'' faces turned ashen, but they didn''t respond. Instead, they silently retrieved their lifebound artifacts. At the same time, they hoped they could hold out until the ancient sword immortal''s projection arrived.


    "Kill them all!"


    The white tiger no longer wasted time, roaring loudly and charging forward to engage one of the Nascent Soul cultivators.


    Liu Baixuan immediately led the other two Nascent Soul cultivators to hold back three more.


    By holding back four Nascent Soul cultivators, Ao Yi was able to swiftly eliminate the fifth.


    From the moment the five Nascent Soul cultivators and the white tiger disappeared from sight, to when Sun Yicheng noticed no battle had erupted, to when he realized something was wrong and transmitted a message to the eight Nascent Soul cultivators controlling the ancient immortal, and finally to when the ancient sword immortal arrived with his sword, the entire time might not have even been five minutes.


    But when the ancient sword immortal arrived, he found he was still toote. Two Nascent Soul cultivators had already perished.


    He quickly unleashed a sword strike to force back the dragon Ao Yi and save one of the Nascent Soul cultivators.


    "Retreat!"


    Seeing his arrival, the white tiger decisively shouted.


    The five from the Dao Sword Sect immediately disengaged and retreated, pulling back into the protective array.


    Ao Yi clenched his ws, but ultimately did not attack the ancient sword immortal. He too retreated back into the protective array.

 Chapter 457

    In the Guardian Mountain Formation, Chasing the Windy in the darkness, panting and sighing, "What a pity, only two taken down."


    His big eyes nced at Ao Yi,ining, "Brother, you''re too weak. What difference would it have made if you had switched with me at the end? One w strike, and that guy would be dead for sure. You''d only have injured your w. I really don''t believe that phantom could have sliced your w off with one sh."


    Ao Yi''s ck body waspletely invisible in the darkness, only his golden vertical pupils glowing brightly.


    Those golden eyes, cold and detached, hovered in the air, quite intimidating.


    The golden pupils swept over Chasing the Wind and said coldly, "You try letting him sh you once."


    "How could Ipare to you, Brother?" Chasing the Wind chuckled, "You''ve got thick skin, you can take it, but I can''t."


    Ao Yi felt something was off about that sentence, as if it wasn''t meant as apliment. He didn''t respond, only asked, "What do we do next?"


    "What do we do?"


    Chasing the Wind tilted his head to look outside.While they were driven back into the formation, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s formation for breaking the array quickly mobilized, setting up array-breaking nails.


    In a short time, over twenty array-breaking nails had been driven into the formation''s barrier.


    Although Chasing the Wind was known for being mischievous,zy, and unruly, under the dual iron fists of Qin Ran and Tushan Youyou, he had still picked up some knowledge about formations.


    He could feel that with each array-breaking nail driven in, the Guardian Mountain Formation let out a faint cry of distress.


    "What else can we do? Keep going, of course!" he replied.


    Ao Yi had a deeper connection with the formation, and he felt its pain more acutely.


    He looked at the cultivators outside driving in the nails, his golden vertical pupils filled with pain but also murderous intent.


    "Do you go first again?" he asked Chasing the Wind.


    "Of course, I go first," Chasing the Wind said, lying down but lifting his head proudly, "I go out first, and you guys wait for your chance. This n is absolutely the best; even my dad said so."


    "I mean..." Ao Yi turned to look at him, "Can you still hold on?"


    To prevent those suspicious Nascent Soul stage old monsters from suspecting anything, Chasing the Wind had taken two ancient demon-ying talismans head-on, and then continued to battle a Nascent Soul stage cultivator while under the effect of those talismans.


    He had looked mighty impressive earlier, but the cost had been significant.


    "Just a mere Nascent Soul cultivator!" Chasing the Wind scoffed, "How could I not hold on?"


    The darkness of the formation space was no obstacle for Ao Yi. He could see clearly that Chasing the Wind, who had the potential to be an eighth-grade demon beast, was already gasping for breath. His fur was disheveled, and there was a faint trace of blood on his nk.


    The guy had been injured earlier.


    "Actually, I could go out. That way, I could dy them and prevent them from breaking the formation too soon," Ao Yi suggested.


    Chasing the Wind shook his head, "My dad said it''s not about whether the formation breaks or not, it''s about killing people. Your role in dying them isn''t that significant..." ?


    As he spoke, his tiger eyes suddenly lit up with a mischievous glint as he looked at Ao Yi, teasingly saying, "Brother, if you really feel bad about it, you could give me a couple of drops of your essence blood. Dragon essence blood would help me regain my might! It would be like adding wings to a tiger..."


    "Smack!"


    Before he could finish, Ao Yi''s tail had already struck his face, sending him flying out of the formation with a heavy blow.


    "Hehe, thanks, Brother, hehe!" Chasing the Wind''s cheeky voice came from outside the formation.


    Clearly, Ao Yi had still given him some essence blood.


    Ao Yi prepared himself in the darkness of the formation, waiting for Chasing the Wind to lure away the ancient sword sage phantom so he could charge out and start killing.


    He watched as Chasing the Wind dashed out, stabilized himself at a safe distance from the enemy formation, and then regained his Profound Underworld Spirit Tiger aura.


    Instantly, the pride unique to the tiger n emanated from him. He raised his head, narrowed his eyes, and disdainfully red at the cultivators in the enemy formation.


    The next moment...


    He opened his mouth!


    And unleashed a torrent of vulgar insults at the enemy.


    "Pfft! You''re not even worth a single hair of your tiger lord!"


    A group of you can''t even muster a single brain, being toyed with by your tiger grandpa.


    "I''ve never seen such spineless cowards like you..."


    "Come on, let''s have a hundred rounds..."


    "I''ll even let you have both my hands... or both hands and feet... even my tail, I''ll just use my mouth to bite you to death..."


    At this time, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had already reinforced their formation, with five Nascent Soul cultivators providing protection. They red at Chasing the Wind, their fists itching with anger, but they didn''t make a move.


    "Are you all turtles turned spirit?"


    Chasing the Wind continued his verbal onught.


    "If you don''te over, I''m going to bite you."


    The enemy, having learned their lesson, didn''t fall for his provocation and focused on driving in the array-breaking nails.


    "Here Ie..." Chasing the Wind warned.


    Come?


    What could this little brat do besides running his mouth? Who did he think he was?!


    The cultivators in the formation didn''t believe it for a second...


    "Whizz~Thud!"


    Suddenly, a white shadow darted in, and before the cultivators in the formation could react, the Nascent Soul cultivators couldn''t believe their eyes, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator had no chance to resist, being urately bitten by the white tiger and quickly dragged back to its original spot.


    The speed and precision of the attack left everyone in awe, truly a masterful tiger strike.


    "Pfft!"


    Chasing the Wind spat out the corpse from his mouth.


    The corpse''s neck had four thumb-sized holes, and as Chasing the Wind pulled his teeth out, blood spurted out with a "pssh" sound. The corpse, still spurting blood, fell from the sky,nding in a pile of other corpses below, kicking up dust.


    ¡°Disgusting!¡± Chasing the Wind said with disdain, ¡°You see, cowards even have stinky blood!¡±


    The Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s formation had already halted, their eyes wide with fear as they looked at the white tiger across from them, realizing they had just walked past the gates of hell.


    They hadn''t expected the white tiger to daree over in front of so many of them, nor had they expected it toe and go unscathed.


    So, they couldn''t help but ask themselves a question: if the white tiger''s target hadn''t been that unlucky guy but themselves, could they have survived?


    The cultivators in the formation were all stunned and terrified.


    The outer cultivators, especially the Foundation Establishment ones, were ovee with fear.


    Now, they couldn''t be sure that the next one to be snatched away by the white tiger wouldn''t be them.


    Even the Core Formation cultivators didn''t feel safe.


    The battlefield fell silent!


    A single white tiger had brazenly suppressed over a thousand cultivators.


    "Chasing the Wind has the courage of a tiger!"


    Seeing this scene outside, Qin Ran couldn''t help but p andugh.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin was practicing her sword moves under the Old Spirit Pagoda Tree, hearing his words, she couldn''t help but question, "Chasing the Wind is already a tiger!"


    ¡°Ah! You don¡¯t understand!¡± Qin Ran shook her head and said.


    Li Shiyin continued her sword practice, her sword intent faintly resonating with Qin Ran.


    "Ahem!" Qin Ran avoided looking at Li Shiyin, instead gazing at the outside of the formation, boasting to Gu Yueming, "See that? I trained him. Smart, brave, strong, isn''t he a million times better than a mount?"


    "Indeed!" Gu Yueming nodded in agreement, d he hadn''t taken Chasing the Wind from Qin Ran... another correct decision, "Chasing the Wind''s value is no less than that of ate-stage Nascent Soul elder!"


    ¡°Now, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance is caught between a rock and a hard ce. They have to take action against Chasing the Wind,¡± Qin Ran said with a sense of pride, ¡°But with two Nascent Souls already lost to him, they only have one choice...¡±


    "Which is to send that ancient sword sage phantom to kill Chasing the Wind!"


    "Chasing the Wind is truly both wise and brave!" Gu Yueming praised.


    Because he knew what would happen if the ancient sword sage was lured away by Chasing the Wind.


    "Master..." Li Shiyin said again, "They''re not riding a tiger! Chasing the Wind didn''t let them ride him."


    Qin Ran nced at her, thinking her a foolish disciple, and didn''t bother exining.


    "And Master, since Chasing the Wind is equivalent to ate-stage Nascent Soul cultivator..." Li Shiyin continued questioning, "Does that mean I''m also equivalent to ate-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?"


    "Ah, yes, yes, yes..." Qin Ran nodded.


    Li Shiyin sensed his indifference, suddenly drew her sword, and said, "Hmph! Stinky Qin Ran, watch out!"


    "Swish..."


    Someone had their eyebrows shaved off by a sword...

 Chapter 458

    ¡¸Hmph!¡¹


    In the battlefield, a Yuan Ying cultivator finally couldn''t take it anymore. Even a y figurine has its limits of endurance! Let alone a respected Yuan Ying cultivator?


    He immediately channeled his spiritual energy, and a fiery dragon materialized out of thin air, lunging straight towards Chasing the Wind.


    ¡¸Wow! So you do have tempers, huh?¡¹ Chasing the Wind''s speed was swift, effortlessly dodging the fiery dragon while continuing to taunt, ¡¸I thought you were all cuckold turtles!¡¹


    The fiery dragon seemed alive, chasing after Chasing the Wind in attack. But Chasing the Wind was too agile; the dragon, though powerful, was too clumsy to even graze it.


    ¡¸Hahaha!¡¹ Chasing the Windughed arrogantly, dodging and taunting at the same time, ¡¸Just as stupid as you!¡¹


    ¡¸Ahhh...¡¹


    Another Yuan Ying sword cultivator couldn''t hold back anymore, shouting, ¡¸I''m going to tear it apart!¡¹ and raised his sword, ready to engage in closebat with Chasing the Wind.


    But before he could act, Sun Yicheng''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind: ¡¸Stop. I''ll handle it!¡¹He nced at Sun Yicheng, not particrly keen on obeying, but saw that Sun Yicheng had already contacted the Cloud Boat. The Ancient Sword Immortal above them had moved!


    He still obeyed, halting his advance.


    Chasing the Wind once again shook off the fiery dragon and looked towards the battlefield, spotting the Ancient Sword Immortal charging towards it with a sword in hand.


    Instantly, it felt the hair on its head stand on end, its blood surging. It turned and ran, full speed, channeling its spiritual energy, fleeing for its life!


    The Ancient Sword Immortal stepped forward, crossing a hundred yards in an instant, appearing behind Chasing the Wind and delivering a horizontal sh, aiming directly at its lower back.


    ¡¸What the!¡¹


    Chasing the Wind hadn''t expected the Ancient Sword Immortal to be this fast... Perhaps it wasn''t speed, but some kind of divine ability. In a moment of panic, it transformed into darkness, allowing the sword to pass through its body.


    It reverted to its original form, spitting out a mouthful of tiger blood.


    Though it had transformed into darkness to avoid the sword, it was still injured. The Ancient Sword Immortal''s sword wasn''t easy to dodge; even with its body turning dark, it couldn''t escape the sword intent.


    Despite the blood loss, Chasing the Wind didn''t slow down for a moment. It continued to run while spitting blood, quickly widening the distance between itself and the Ancient Sword Immortal.


    The Ancient Sword Immortal sheathed his sword, watching Chasing the Wind flee, then stepped forward again, suddenly appearing behind it, thrusting his sword forward.


    ¡¸What is this?¡¹ Chasing the Wind wondered, ¡¸How can it be so fast?¡¹


    Its big head couldn''t fathom it.


    Since transforming into darkness couldn''t dodge the Ancient Sword Immortal''s sword, this time it decided to try a different approach. Using the momentum of its forward dash, it stretched out its ws and pped the sword''s spine.


    The tiger''s paw struck true, causing the Ancient Sword Immortal''s sword to graze its cheek. Though the sword didn''t touch its face, its left whiskers were cut off, and its right cheek was shed open.


    At the same time, its body couldn''t withstand the Ancient Sword Immortal''s strength, being sted backward with a loud ¡¸Boom¡¹, instantly flying over forty to fifty yards.


    It flipped in the air, steadied itself, and continued its escape.


    ¡°Luckily, your Uncle Tiger is tough!¡± Its paw was cut by the Ancient Sword Immortal''s sword, leaving a trail of blood drops in the air, and its body ached faintly, ¡°Still holding up.¡±


    When the Ancient Sword Immortal stepped out from the battlefield, Ao Yi was also getting restless within the protective mountain array. As the Ancient Sword Immortal delivered its first strike to Chasing the Wind, Ao Yi also charged out from the protective array.


    Ao Yi moved through the air as effortlessly as swimming in water, twisting its body to cover hundreds of meters in an instant.


    As soon as it emerged from the protective array, it dove into the crowd of the battlefield, twisting its body to cut through them.


    Truly, ¡¸Touch and you die, graze and you''re injured¡¹!


    The battlefield was filled with Jin Dan and Zhu Ji cultivators, and Ao Yi''s charge tore through them, creating a passageway with over a hundred casualties.


    However, as Ao Yi emerged from the battlefield and stood above the crude formation, a voice suddenly echoed behind it:


    ¡¸Monster, we''ve been waiting for you!¡¹


    It coldly turned to see Sun Yicheng speaking.


    As Sun Yicheng''s voice fell, the five Yuan Ying cultivators above the battlefield simultaneously attacked, sending three Ancient Immortal Demon-Shattering Talismans directly towards it.


    Chasing the Wind had already consumed two of these talismans, leaving the remaining three for Ao Yi.


    ¡¸Hmph!¡¹ Seeing these ignorant cultivators using talismans as external aids against it, Ao Yi couldn''t help but sneer. It bellowed, ¡¸Dragon God True Form, Invincible Against All Spells!¡¹


    In an instant, its ck body glowed with dazzling ck light, radiating outward, causing anyone touched by the light to feel an urge to submit, overwhelmed by bloodline suppression.


    The three Demon-Shattering Talismans, in particr, were blown away by the ck light, fluttering like ordinary paper beforending on the ground like trash.


    After all, Chasing the Wind had broken the talismans'' effects after receiving just a few drops of Ao Yi''s essence blood.


    ¡¸Using Demon-Shattering Talismans to restrain me?¡¹ Ao Yi looked at the few Yuan Ying cultivators, disdainfully, ¡¸What a joke!¡¹


    ¡¸Really?¡¹


    Suddenly, Sun Yicheng''s voice rang out again. Simultaneously, a feeling of extreme difort invaded Ao Yi, forcing it to hastily turn around. It saw Sun Yicheng holding an activated talisman, which transformed into red light and shot towards it.


    ¡¸What do you think this is!?¡¹ Sun Yicheng shouted.


    The red light pierced through the ck light emitted by Ao Yi''s Dragon God True Form, directly hitting its body.


    As the talisman struck, Ao Yi immediately recognized it.


    ¡¸True Dragon Reverse Scale Talisman!¡¹


    Every inch of Ao Yi''s body felt like it was being stabbed, its scales seemingly wanting to detach, and its sparse dragon blood trembled with fear, boiling with rage.


    ¡¸And the Dragon-ying Sword!¡¹


    Seeing Ao Yi in pain, Sun Yicheng couldn''t help butugh heartily.


    He took out a sword from his spatial bag and threw it to a Yuan Ying sword cultivator, shouting, ¡¸Senior, take the sword!


    ¡¸Ao Yi, Ao Yi, we''ve been waiting for you for a long time!¡¹


    Ao Yi finally felt fear and began to retreat.


    As they set a trap for the enemy, the enemy had also dug a pit for them.


    ¡¸They came prepared!!¡¹ On Dan Peak, Gu Yueming was filled with worry, pacing forward repeatedly, ¡¸They knew the Dao Sword Sect had a dragon and prepared dragon-ying methods in advance!


    ¡¸But how could they possibly know the Dao Sword Sect has a dragon?!¡¹


    Qin Ran didn''t look at Ao Yi but instead focused on the array-breaking nails pinned to the protective array of the Dao Sword Sect, asking Gu Yueming a question he hadn''t considered before:


    ¡¸Sect Master, how could they have prepared array-breaking nails in advance?¡¹


    ¡¸What?¡¹ Gu Yueming didn''t understand.


    Array-breaking nails are used to break arrays, right? Zhican Valley attacking the Dao Sword Sect and preparing such things to break the protective array of the Dao Sword Sect¡ªisn''t that normal?


    ¡¸How can a set of array-breaking nails break all the arrays in the world?¡¹ Qin Ran shook his head, sighing, ¡¸The variations of arrays are endless. How can a set of array-breaking nails cut off so many variations?


    ¡¸Unless, this set of array-breaking nails was specifically crafted for the Dao Sword Sect''s protective array.¡¹


    He looked at Gu Yueming, ¡¸Sect Master, don''t you understand? There''s a traitor within the Dao Sword Sect!


    ¡¸Someone who handed over the foundational information of the Dao Sword Sect''s protective array to Zhican Valley, someone who knew there was a dragon within the array.¡¹


    Gu Yueming looked at Qin Ran, his eyes filled with disbelief.


    He knew who the traitor was; he just couldn''t ept it.


    ¡¸Why?¡¹ he murmured, ¡¸I thought it was just a difference in governing philosophies...¡¹

 Chapter 459

    "Aoooo..."


    A pained dragon''s roar echoed outside the Dao Sword Sect.


    A massive ck dragon, covered in blood, was surrounded by five Nascent Soul cultivators. Unable to win, and unable to escape.


    Ao Yi, struck by a Reverse Scale Talisman, had his powers diminished. Once a powerhouse with Paragon-level strength, he was now being overwhelmed by the five Nascent Soul cultivators, unable to fight back.


    His dragon scales, which were of top-tier defensive quality, were rendered useless against the Dragon ying Sword. Each strike pierced through his defenses like paper.


    Trapped in the encirclement, he struggled to break free, but was soon riddled with sword wounds, his dragon blood pouring out.


    With the ck dragon immobilized, the main obstacle was cleared. The battle formation swiftly moved to surround the Guardian Mountain Formation, hammering in the formation-breaking nails with utmost efficiency.


    In a short span of time, over a hundred nails were driven in. Combined with the earlier efforts, nearly two hundred formation-breaking nails had been embedded into the Guardian Mountain Formation.


    "Only a hundred more to go!" The cultivators in the battle formation were exhrated.They were on the verge ofpleting their mission, breaching the Dao Sword Sect''s Guardian Mountain Formation.


    In the context of mortal sieges, they were the vanguard, the first to breach the city walls. With the imminent victory, they anticipated the grand rewards, expecting to im the most bountiful share of the spoils.


    The thought of it further fueled their excitement.


    One of the cultivators channeled his spiritual energy, propelling the formation-breaking nail like a treasured artifact. The nail, thumb-thick and two feet long, glowed red, soaring through the air like a flying sword, directed towards the barrier of the Guardian Mountain Formation.


    With precision, he guided the nail to the exact spot indicated by the formation masters.


    Then, with a burst of spiritual energy, he hammered the nail deep into the formation''s barrier.


    Another formation-breaking nail was sessfully embedded!


    Immediately, instructions from the formation masters echoed in his ears, directing him to the next target.


    As he flew amidst the crowd, he nced back at the sky. The ck dragon was now in a frenzy, and even with the Dragon ying Sword, the five Nascent Soul elders were struggling to contain him.


    This sight made him anxious, and he hastened his pace.


    However, fortune rarelyes in pairs, but misfortune often does!


    The barrier of the Guardian Mountain Formation suddenly wavered, and over a hundred Dao Sword Sect cultivators burst out, led by three formidable Nascent Soul sword cultivators.


    "Change formation!" Elder Sun of Zhican Valley''s voice rang in his ears. "Cultivators still holding formation-breaking nails, follow Elder Lin''smand! All others, intercept the Dao Sword Sect cultivators!"


    He quickly drew his weapon, adjusting to the changing battle formation, and charged towards the Dao Sword Sect cultivators.


    ¡°Golden Corete-stage friend, entangle three Nascent Souls!¡±


    Instantly, Golden Core cultivators dispersed, rushing to engage the three Nascent Soul cultivators.


    In the next moment, the fierce battle erupted!


    The sky was a chaotic mess of shing shouts, screams, and the constant sh of artifacts and spells. Blood sttered frequently, and limbs were severed, bodies dropping from the sky like rain. ??


    Although the Dao Sword Sect''s reinforcements were fewer in numberpared to the Hengduan Mountain Alliance, they possessed three Nascent Soul sword cultivators with extraordinarybat prowess. The Hengduan Mountain Alliance was pushed back, suffering heavy casualties.


    Even the Golden Core cultivators who had previously embedded the formation-breaking nails rushed to assist, but the tide was turning against them.


    As the Dao Sword Sect cultivators closed in on those still embedding the formation-breaking nails, five more Nascent Soul cultivators finally flew over from the cloud ship.


    These five Nascent Soul cultivators managed to hold off the Dao Sword Sect''s Nascent Soul cultivators, temporarily stabilizing the situation.


    Five against three, and it was only a stalemate.


    This wasrgely due to Liu Baixuan of the Dao Sword Sect, who was exceptionally fierce. He alone could suppress two Nascent Soul cultivators.


    Nevertheless, as long as the situation was temporarily under control, the pace of embedding the formation-breaking nails remained unaffected. In a short while, over three hundred nails had been driven in.


    Elder Lin, the formation master, encouraged the troops, announcing that only fifty-five more nails were needed.


    As both sides were locked in a deadly stalemate, casualties surged, bodies raining down from the sky like falling leaves.


    Some bodies crashed directly into the pile of corpses on the ground, while others slid down the barrier of the Guardian Mountain Formation, leaving a trail of blood before falling.


    "Only fifty more to go!"


    A loud shout suddenly echoed, boosting the morale of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators.


    Hearing this, Ao Yi''s golden vertical pupils slowly turned red.


    "How dare you breach my formation?!"


    Enraged, his entire dragon body swelled, then suddenly contracted!


    "Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."


    With a single expansion and contraction, the scales that wereparable to top-tier artifacts were all shot out!


    In an instant, ck dragon scales rained down like a storm, each one as formidable as a top-tier artifact. Who could withstand such an onught!?


    "Thud thud thud..."


    The Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators were decimated, with arge number falling, and even the five Nascent Soul elders surrounding him were not spared. Two were severely injured, and the other three were lightly wounded.


    "I will make you pay with your lives!"


    Ao Yi, drenched in blood, roared. Hisbat strength suddenly surged, the effects of the Reverse Scale Talisman suppressed. With his scales stripped away, he no longer cared about defense!


    He focused entirely on offense, engaging in a deadly game of trading injuries, a battle of mutual destruction!


    Within just a few breaths, the two severely injured Nascent Soul cultivators were knocked out of the sky, their fates unknown.


    The three lightly injured Nascent Soul cultivators soon became severely wounded, on the brink of being defeated.


    Suddenly, five more Nascent Soul cultivators flew out from the cloud ship. With eight Nascent Soul cultivators working together, they barely managed to suppress the frenzied Ao Yi.


    "Only thirty more to go!" Elder Lin''s voice echoed.


    At this moment, Liu Baixuan, after forcing back one Nascent Soul cultivator with a single sword strike, turned his head to see the barrier of the Guardian Mountain Formation behind him. It had turned pitch ck, trembling like a frail old man on the verge of copse.


    At the same time, three hundred and sixty red lights glowed at three hundred and sixty points on the formation, signaling its imminent copse.


    Behind the formation was his sect, his home. Within it were his fellow disciples, his masters, and his elders.


    How could he let them pass so easily?


    How could he allow the mes of war to ignite within his sect?


    "Dong Zhongyuan!!"


    He suddenly raised his voice to the heavens, shouting the name of his fellow disciple.


    After the shout, hepletely disregarded everything. His spiritual energy surged beyond its limits, and he unleashed his sword energy without restraint.


    In this moment, he cast aside all thoughts of life and death. He had returned to the unparalleled genius he once was, decades ago, when he had vied for supremacy with Lu Junxing.


    The suppressed essence of his nature began to release!


    His sword energy grew increasingly domineering and primordial, each move and strike reminiscent of the vast wilderness!


    "Crack!"


    A Nascent Soul cultivator couldn''t withstand his overwhelming sword energy and was crushed by a single strike.


    "Hurry!!"


    Seeing this, the other Nascent Soul cultivators of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance urged the cultivators embedding the formation-breaking nails.


    Liu Baixuan had already descended into madness, a demon that would y any god or Buddha that stood in his way!


    Soon, another Nascent Soul cultivator, along with his artifact and defensive artifact, was split in half.


    "Ten more!"


    Elder Lin shouted!


    Liu Baixuan became even more frenzied, his spiritual energy explodingpletely. The domineering and primordial energy within him raged like a wildfire, as if countless rats were scurrying beneath his skin. His eyes turned blood-red, and he charged towards the cultivators embedding the formation-breaking nails.


    Every cultivator who dared to stand in his path was turned into a corpse.


    Bodies flew and fell, blood spilling like water, limbs sliced cleanly by his sword energy, scattering everywhere!


    Liu Baixuan was mad, transformed into a war god from the ancient times, a demonic deity!


    He was determined to shatter every living being before him!


    It was unclear how long the ughter continued, but at some point, Liu Baixuan suddenly realized there was no one left in front of him.


    He was momentarily bewildered, ncing around to see the Guardian Mountain Formation beneath his feet. It had turnedpletely ck, coughing like an old man on the brink of death.


    At the same time, three hundred and sixty red lights glowed at three hundred and sixty points on the formation, signaling its imminent copse.


    "No..."


    Liu Baixuan felt despair, raising his head and roaring to the heavens.


    In the next moment, his body, pushed beyond its limits by his reckless and violent usage, exploded!


    Just like all the cultivators he had in before.


    "Formation..." At the same time Liu Baixuan exploded, high above the Guardian Mountain Formation, Elder Lin shouted, "BREAK!!"


    "Crack crack..."


    Thepletely ckened Guardian Mountain Formation, like tempered ss breached, was instantly covered in fine cracks!


    The Guardian Mountain Formation, BREAK!

 Chapter 460

    Chapter 460


    Chasing the Wind was being chased all over the ce by the ancient sword immortal''s phantom.


    He had already figured out why the ancient sword immortal could always catch up to him instantly... it was a divine ability.


    Although he didn''t know exactly what kind of divine ability it was, its effect was clear: lock onto him and then instantly appear by his side to attack him with a sword.


    Realizing this, he found it slightly easier to evade.


    Initially, he had focused all his energy on running to create distance between himself and the ancient sword immortal as his primary means of survival. But after discovering that the ancient sword immortal could catch up instantly, there was no point in exhausting himself running. Instead, he could focus more on avoiding attacks.


    Of course, even so, he was still being chased and beaten. In no time, he was covered in wounds.


    "Big brother! My dear brother..." he prayed inwardly, "If you don''te soon, I''m going to die!"


    But if prayers were effective, what would be the point of striving? Everyone could just pray all day, and the heavens would naturally drop goodies.


    He was struck three more times, turning his white fur red, yet Ao Yi still hadn''t appeared to save him."Come on, killing a few Nascent Soul cultivators..." he cursed inwardly, "How hard can it be?"


    He finally sensed that something was wrong and stopped leading the ancient sword immortal''s phantom away from Dao Sword Sect. Instead, he turned back and ran towards Dao Sword Sect.


    After paying the price of six more wounds, he returned to the battlefield near Dao Sword Sect.


    As soon as he arrived, he witnessed a scene that broke his heart:


    The protective mountain array of Dao Sword Sect was shattering like a cracked ck ice sheet, pieces falling off. Above the shattered array, Ao Yi, stripped of his scales and covered in blood, was bound by a golden rope, his entire body weak and unable to resist. A Nascent Soul sword cultivator from Hengduan Mountain Alliance held a golden sword, stepping on Ao Yi''s dragon head, raising the sword high...


    "Big brother!!!"


    Seeing this, he let out a desperate roar and frantically circted the magical power within his body.


    In an instant, the howling wind swept in, and darkness descended!


    Hepletely transformed into a mass of ck shadow, darting forward and instantly arriving in front of Ao Yi.


    From the shadow, he extended a blood-red tiger paw, trying to block the Nascent Soul sword cultivator''s Dragon-ying Sword.


    However, Hengduan Mountain Alliance wasn''t just one Nascent Soul cultivator. As he moved, another Nascent Soul cultivator struck. Fully focused on saving Ao Yi, he had no defense, taking a hit to his vulnerable abdomen and being sent flying.


    The intense pain from his abdomen was numbed, as he watched the distance between him and Ao Yi widen. He saw the Dragon-ying Sword above Ao Yi''s head, slowly descending.


    He wed forward desperately, his massive tiger paw capable of grasping the darkness of the heavens, yet unable to grasp the dragon so close at hand.


    The Dragon-ying Sword approached Ao Yi''s head...


    "Puff!"


    It pierced through...


    Ao Yi''s dragon head separated from his body.


    Tears streamed from Chasing the Wind''s eyes as he opened his enormous mouth, but no sound came out.


    He saw Ao Yi''s dragon head open its eyes, the cold vertical pupils looking at him, and a dark dragon pearl shot out from its mouth, hitting his forehead.


    The white tiger stopped in mid-air, while the dragon''s corpse split into two and fell into the pile of corpses below.


    The white tiger''s eyes widened, its mouth gaping, staring down at the dragon''s corpse, yet it made no movement and emitted no sound.


    "Swoosh..."


    The ancient sword immortal had already caught up again, the massive sword stabbing towards his head!


    "Ah!!!"


    "Roar..."


    Finally, a tiger''s roar echoed out, and a ck-and-white pearl shot from Chasing the Wind''s mouth, hitting the ancient sword immortal''s sword at an angle with a "Dang."


    The pearl was his lifebound artifact, the... eye of his mother that Qin Ran had gotten from Sect Leader Gu Yueming.


    "Retreat!!"


    Chasing the Wind cried out hoarsely, shouting to the surviving members of Dao Sword Sect.


    After shouting, he led the way flying towards the inside of Dao Sword Sect.


    He flew fast, the ck-and-white pearl keeping up with him, but his tears couldn''t.


    He smashed through the protective mountain array of Dao Sword Sect and helped the surviving members of Dao Sword Sect retreat inside.


    The ancient sword immortal didn''t pursue, returning his sword to the cloud ship of Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    Someone asked Qiu Huahui, "Sect Leader, shouldn''t we take the opportunity to attack?"


    Despite breaking the array, Qiu Huahui''s face showed no joy, instead, it was covered in dark clouds.


    She looked down at the cloud ship, where the area outside Dao Sword Sect was piled with corpses, mostly from Hengduan Mountain Alliance. To break this array, she no longer dared to calcte how many cultivators had died.


    "The array is broken..." she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, "No need to rush. Regroup and thenunch a full-scale assault on Dao Sword Sect.


    "An all-out assault, not a single one left alive!!!"


    Chasing the Wind brought the remaining members of Dao Sword Sect back inside, leading them to the main peak za and handing them over to Liu Boxian.


    He looked at Liu Boxian, remained silent for a while, and said, "Please ept my condolences."


    Liu Baixuan was not only Liu Boxian''s senior disciple but also his own flesh and blood.


    Liu Boxian looked up at the white tiger, seeing tears still lingering at the corner of his eyes. He stepped forward, patted the tiger''s blood-soaked thigh, and said, "We''ll take care of the rest. You go rest."


    "Master..." Chasing the Wind opened his mouth, wanting tofort, apologize, or say something else, but in the end, no sound came out.


    "Dao Sword Sect has lost so many disciples. For the sect, anyone can die, I can die, Liu Baixuan can die," Liu Boxian said.


    After speaking, he turned to arrange for the surviving disciples. Those who could still fight were given some elixirs and magical artifacts, allowed to recuperate briefly before preparing for the next battle; those who couldn''t fight were sent to the Dan Peak for treatment.


    Chasing the Wind watched Liu Boxian''s busy figure for a while, then suddenly turned and flew toward Dan Peak.


    He barged into the protective array of Dan Feng, found Qin Ran under the Old Spirit Pagoda Tree, stormed over, and lowered his huge head, ring at Qin Ran and demanding, "Why did you do this?"


    ¡°Chasing the Wind!¡± Li Shiyin, holding her sword, immediately stood in front of Qin Ran, ring at Chasing the Wind and rebuking, ¡°What are you going crazy about?!¡±


    Qin Ran pulled Li Shiyin aside, looked up at Chasing the Wind, meeting the tiger''s furious gaze. Watching, he smiled, a smile of satisfaction.


    "Shrink a bit to talk, my neck hurts from looking up," he said.


    "Why didn''t you support us?!" Chasing the Wind asked, his tone less aggressive, and he shrunk down to size, not too small, still eye-level with Qin Ran,


    "The sect still has manybatants. We could have fought them head-on, backed by the protective mountain array. I don''t believe that a sect as big as Dao Sword Sect has no other tricks up its sleeve. We could have held them off outside Dao Sword Sect.


    "Why? Why did you stay idle? Why didn''t you support us? Why did you watch us fight to the death?"


    Qin Ran looked at Chasing the Wind, smiled, and said, "I''m d you can think so much, son. But your tone, your attitude, your distrust... I''m not pleased with that."


    He gently touched the wounds on Chasing the Wind''s head, sighed, and said, "You''ve thought this far, why not think deeper? You don''t ponder the deeper reasons, yet you doubt your father."


    Chasing the Wind avoided Qin Ran''s eyes, looking elsewhere, his eyes filled with tears, and he said, "Big brother is dead."


    Big brother died, his flesh and blood torn apart, his head severed before his eyes!


    Qin Ran stepped forward, hugged Chasing the Wind''s blood-soaked head.


    After a while, he sighed, "It''s not that your father didn''t support you, nor that Dao Sword Sect doesn''t have the power to defeat Hengduan Mountain Alliance. My previous arrangements weren''t about sending people to their deaths or letting Hengduan Mountain Alliance invade Dao Sword Sect.


    "Hiding our strength, what''s the purpose? If you think a bit more, you''re so smart, you''ll definitely figure it out.


    "The reason is only one, the one you can easily think of... our enemies aren''t just Hengduan Mountain Alliance!"


    He gently stroked Chasing the Wind''s wet fur, continuing, "Boundless Sword Sect only sent a small force to join Hengduan Mountain Alliance, waiting for the right moment to strike; there''s also one or two hidden forces, about which your father only has rough guesses, not knowing who they are, whether they''re friend or foe, what their goals are. These forces must be guarded against, must leave a hand behind."


    Upon hearing the exnation, Chasing the Wind shrunk his body and nestledpletely into Qin Ran''s embrace, sobbing bitterly.

 Chapter 461

    In an effort to breach the protective mountain gate array of the Dao Sword Sect, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance dispatched a team of elite warriors, consisting of a dozen Golden Core cultivators and five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators. Almost the entire force was wiped out in the attempt.


    The cost was staggering. Ten Nascent Soul cultivators perished. Initially, two of the five Nascent Soul cultivators sent were ambushed and killed by the crafty Chasing the Wind. Then, Ao Yi went berserk, ying two more and severely injuring three others. Liu Baixuan unleashed a devastating burst of power, killing three more. Finally, as Ao Yi breathed hisst, he managed to take three more with him.


    The mountain gate array was indeed broken, but the price paid by the Hengduan Mountain Alliance was nothing short of catastrophic. Rough calctions suggested that they had lost nearly half of theirbat strength.


    Late into the night, Qiu Huahui stood at the edge of the cloud ship, her hand resting on the railing, gazing out into the darkness beyond the window, her expression nk.


    Unifying the Hengduan Mountains had been her ambition, and she had worked tirelessly, sacrificing much, both physically and emotionally. She had prepared herself for the difficulties and the inevitable casualties. But when the number of deaths became overwhelming, when she saw so many lives extinguished, their bodies reduced to nothing, she began to question the very meaning of life.


    The imagined deaths and the actual sight of them were profoundly different.


    She wondered, was it worth it to sacrifice so many lives just to destroy the Dao Sword Sect?


    She pondered, if they were to proceed and destroy the Boundless Sword Sect next, how many more would perish?


    She considered, was it necessary to withdraw now to mitigate further losses?She questioned, if she were to regret her decisions now, would it be toote?


    She thought, returning now to reconsider Qin Ran''s proposal of a tripartite bnce among the three sects, could it still be possible?


    Her thoughts were in disarray. She might have considered many things, or perhaps she had not thought at all.


    She simply stared into the darkness, at the piles of corpses below, lost in confusion.


    So many had died, far more than she had ever anticipated. The sheer scale of the carnage filled her with fear, hesitation, and a desire to retreat¡­


    "Sect Leader¡­" Sun Yicheng''s voice broke the silence behind her. "What are you thinking about?"


    Qiu Huahui did not turn around, nor did she respond.


    Sun Yicheng stepped up beside her, following her gaze down to the open space below the cloud ship.


    Directly beneath themy the small market outside the Dao Sword Sect.


    This market was a ce where Dao Sword Sect disciples, members of other sects, or lone cultivators could trade cultivation resources.


    Over time, it had developed into a small vige with a street. The central avenue was paved with t stone bs, and on either side were tforms for stalls, behind which simple thatched or wooden houses had been built.


    In the past, regardless of the time of day, the market would have been bustling with activity¡ªtraders, arguments, or casual strolls¡ªthere were always people around. Some even lived in the market.


    But now¡­


    The streets, the thatched roofs, the wooden houses, the stone tforms¡ªeverywhere was stained with blood, littered with severed limbs, and strewn with corpses, transformed into a hell on earth.


    Sun Yicheng gazed down, sighed, but offered no further reaction.


    "Why didn''t the Dao Sword Sect surrender?" Qiu Huahui suddenly asked.


    Hearing this question out of nowhere, Sun Yicheng was momentarily taken aback. He turned to look at Qiu Huahui and saw a flicker of reluctance in the eyes of the usuallyposed sect leader.


    He looked back at the darkness below, at the corpses, and slowly spoke:


    "They must have had some twisted pride! Surrendering to Zhican Valley would have required them to acknowledge Zhican Valley as their superior, and then they would have been spared the war. They would have received an abundance of cultivation resources. We gain prestige, they gain substance¡ªa win-win situation. But they were just¡­ stubborn.


    "They weren''t blind to the situation. At least Qin Ran could see clearly from the beginning how it would end, but he was just¡­ stubborn. He stirred up trouble, igniting the mes of war, forcing a situation where both sides suffer, allowing the Boundless Sword Sect to benefit from the chaos."


    "Stubborn?" Qiu Huahui gently shook her head, sighing, "It''s about integrity, honor, dignity, the very core of their Dao¡­ things like that."


    Sun Yichengcked these qualities himself, so he remained silent, unable to offer a critique.


    "If, I mean if¡­" Qiu Huahui asked, "what would happen if we withdrew now?"


    She had finally voiced the question.


    Sun Yicheng looked at the blood in the darkness and smiled, praising, "Sect Leader, you truly are beautiful and kind-hearted."


    In the current societal context, calling someone "honest" is akin tobeling them as naive or foolish. Simrly, in the cultivation world, praising someone as "beautiful and kind-hearted" is not necessarily apliment, especially when said in the midst of a sea of blood and corpses, to the one who orchestrated it all.


    Qiu Huahui, the leader of Zhican Valley, was no fool. She understood the implications and shot a cold nce at Sun Yicheng.


    Sun Yicheng pretended not to notice and, in the darkness, began to speak slowly, carefully exining to Qiu Huahui:


    "In the previous two battles, because the Dao Sword Sect was on the defensive and benefited from Qin Ran''s schemes, their casualties were minimal. However, they still lost over a hundred disciples, including two talented disciples and a formation spirit with thebat power of a Nascent Soul cultivator.


    "As for us, the casualties can only be described as severe. We''ve lost nearly a thousand warriors, including over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators, hundreds of Golden Core cultivators, and countless Foundation Establishment disciples¡­


    "Although only a small fraction of these were from Zhican Valley, the sect has still suffered significant losses. Other sects have been decimated, with many dead and wounded, making it difficult to calcte the exact toll."


    As he spoke of the dead, of the lives lost below them, his tone remained calm,


    "War brings casualties, and wounds¡­ The blood feud between the two sides is now irreconcble.


    "Sect Leader, once war begins, it''s like an avnche¡ªthere is no turning back."


    His voice began to rise,


    "You want to know what would happen if we withdrew? I''ll tell you.


    "Qin Ran would immediately investigate the truth behind our retreat, and then he wouldunch a counterattack¡ªa frenzied, merciless counterattack.


    "Didn''t Qin Ran cause a massacre in Zhican Valley? Do you really think he would let this go? If we retreat, every sect that participated in this war would be targeted¡­ until they are all destroyed!"


    Qiu Huahui listened in silence, her eyes closing as she reached the end of his words.


    After a long while, she opened her eyes again, now devoid of any emotion, cold as a practitioner, as a leader.


    She parted her crimson lips and issued a coldmand: "Advance into the Dao Sword Sect tomorrow. Follow the original n to seal off the Dao Sword Sect¡­"


    She added, "At all costs, eliminate Qin Ran!!"


    The next day, the cloud ships of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance advanced, shattering the now ckened protective array of the Dao Sword Sect, and entered the sect''s inner grounds.


    However, as the ck array barrier crumbled, revealing the interior of the Dao Sword Sect, the Alliance discovered that there was yet another barrier within!


    The Dao Sword Sect was built upon a spiritual vein, so while its main structures were five peaks, there was still a considerable expanse of opennd around them.


    The protective array had epassed this open space as well.


    Now, with the outer array shattered, within that open space, the five main peaks were still enclosed by a barrier.


    A barrier, a majestdscape painting formed by intertwining ck and white sword qi!


    The members of the Hengduan Mountain Alliance all looked up and saw, hovering high above the Dao Sword Sect, a sword, and above the sword, a man seated in mid-air.


    The man was tall and imposing, with a handsome countenance, dressed in snow-white robes, exuding an air of elegance and charm.


    The sword was three feet and four inches long, with a ck hilt and a white de, resembling a brush that painted the mountains and rivers, or the yin-yang dual fish of a Daoist diagram.


    The man was Lu Junxing, and the sword was the Mountain and River Sword.

 Chapter 462

    Chapter 462


    One man, one sword, and the entire Hengduan Mountain Alliance''s cultivators dared not take another step forward.


    A person''s reputation is like a tree''s shadow.


    Qin Ran earned the moniker "Thousand-Faced Poison Lord" through the tragic incident at Zhican Valley, making everyone in the Land of Immortal Legacy fear his poison and cunning.


    Lu Junxing, on the other hand, made his name with a single sword, earning himself the title "Invincible in the Same Realm."


    These four in and unadorned words carry countless stories behind them, tales woven with blood and tears from countless defeated challenges.


    Lu Junxing has been cultivating for over forty years, from Dao Sword Sect to the Land of Immortal Legacy, engaging in countless battles. Within the same major realm, no one has ever defeated him.


    (That one time with Li Shiyin, he practically held back the entire Tianhai Domain. It wasn''t considered a real battle, and no one would acknowledge it as such... except for Li Shiyin''s die-hard fans.)


    After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, he had no rivals in that realm. After the Core Formation stage, he remained unbeaten in the Core Formation period. After the Nascent Soul stage, he continued to dominate in the Nascent Soul period.


    It''s that simple, unadorned, and monotonous.Unlike Qin Ran, who was unknown before the Zhican Valley massacre, Lu Junxing is a peerless genius and the foremost master of swordsmanship. He has traveled across the Land of Immortal Legacy, fought everywhere, and very few in the Land of Immortal Legacy do not know him.


    When they recognized the figure in the sky, the entire Hengduan Mountain Alliance, including their airship, instinctively retreated.


    They backed off by about a zhang, unknowingly stepping back a full zhang.


    In the sky, Lu Junxing opened his eyes and nced down. Seeing this scene, he smiled and said in a clear voice:


    "My little uncle once said, ''Isn''t it a joy to have friendsing from afar?'' Friends who havee a long way just to die¡ªisn''t that a happy asion?"


    Then, with impable manners, he asked, "How would you like to die?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, a man flew up from the airship, reaching the same height as Lu Junxing. He coldly said, "Lu Junxing, don''t be so smug! Today, it might just be you who dies!"


    Lu Junxing took a closer look and recognized him as Bu Tianming, the current number one of Boundless Sword Sect.


    He leisurely stood up, bowed to Bu Tianming, and continued to smile, "Bu Brother, long time no see. You''re so confident today; have you been practicing a new sword technique these days?"


    Bu Tianming summoned his lifebound sword and replied, "Last time you won just by luck! What need is there for a new sword technique?


    "Of course, I do have a new move... and today, you will die by my sword."


    At this, Lu Junxing shook his head repeatedly and said, "My little uncle was right after all.


    "He said that the ones Boundless Sword Sect sent to the Hengduan Mountain Alliance are all discarded pawns, used to cate Zhican Valley. You''ve lost your sword heart, have no chance of further progress, and are of no value to Boundless Sword Sect. That''s why they sent you to Dao Sword Sect to die."


    He couldn''t help but sigh, "Boundless Sword Sect, what a pity, what a tragedy!"


    Bu Tianming knew all too well what Boundless Sword Sect was like; he didn''t need Lu Junxing to tell him. He was acutely aware of his current predicament.


    But hearing Lu Junxing say it so bluntly still broke hisposure.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± he said coldly, ¡°Enough of your verbal nonsense!¡±


    "Today, I will break through my heart demon, restore my mental state, and regain my supreme sword bone. My cultivation will rise another level, and the sect will honor me as a senior seat!"


    After saying this, he no longer wished to waste words. He thrust his sword forward, carrying Boundless Sword Qi, easily piercing through the Mountain and River Sword Qi barrier.


    "The Mountain and River Sword is nothing special!"


    He scoffed, then withdrew his sword and stood before the barrier.


    "Is that so?" Lu Junxing looked at Bu Tianming and invited with a smile, "Bu Brother, why don''t you step past the barrier?"


    "Your sword barrier is mediocre; it doesn''t matter whether I step in or not," Bu Tianming replied. "Come out and fight me directly; don''t rely on the terrain!"


    "Hahaha..." Lu Junxingughed heartily, shaking his head.


    Earlier, when Bu Tianming thrust his sword filled with Boundless Sword Qi into the Mountain and River Sword barrier, the Boundless Sword Qi waspletely disrupted by the Mountain and River Sword Qi. What pierced through the barrier was just a bare sword. Fortunately, his lifebound sword was sturdy enough, and Bu Tianming could still pull his sword back.


    What Lu Junxingughed at was Bu Tianming himself.


    When they met at Boundless Sword Sectst time, Bu Tianming, though gloomy and arrogant, still had some pride and dared to draw his sword against him, genuinely wanting to take the title of "Invincible in the Same Realm" from him.


    But now, looking at Bu Tianming, Lu Junxing could see that the man''s pride waspletely gone; the gloom and arrogance were now just pure negativity.


    Being a bit sly and cautious isn''t a big deal; my little uncle is like that. But Bu Tianming''s current state is due to his broken sword bone and lost sword heart.


    Without heart and spirit, a person is nothing. For other cultivators, it might not be a big deal, but for sword cultivators and body cultivators who rely on closebat, losing heart means no further progress is possible.


    A sword cultivator without sword bone or sword heart is just a puppet who knows how to use a sword.


    That''s why Lu Junxingughed.


    ...Even Qin Ran, despite being so sneaky, still had his pride.


    Afterughing, Lu Junxing looked at Bu Tianming and said, "Even if I step out to fight you, what of it? With me, Lu Junxing, here, Dao Sword Sect stands.


    "But now, you are no longer worthy."


    Bu Tianming''s face turned ashen. His internal energy surged, and his aura rose steadily, as if he wanted to pierce Lu Junxing with a thousand swords.


    "Well then..." Seeing Bu Tianming''s state, Lu Junxing added, "Seeing how pitiful you are, I''ll grant you a sword strike."


    Grant... him a sword strike?


    Bu Tianming''s eyes reddened slightly; he was beyond fury. His powerful cultivation stirred up an even more powerful aura, and this overwhelming momentum caused a change in the world.


    He summoned winds and clouds.


    Dark clouds pressed down on the sky, and in the distant horizon, a thin line appeared, faint and faint, as if it were the first line that split the chaos at the beginning of the world.


    The Boundless Sword Technique, Infinite Boundlessness! Infinite Boundlessness represents chaos!


    That thin line that split the chaos is the sword of Infinite Boundlessness.


    The Boundless Sword Technique, the Sword Technique of Creation!


    "Too bad..." Lu Junxingmented, "It has form butcks spirit!"


    The sword technique was excellent, with a grand scope, but the sword cultivator was rubbish.


    He raised his two fingers together, shing forward like a sword, sending out a sword qi that was a mix of ck and white, outlining an entire mountain and river within a single sword qi.


    This entire mountain and river shed toward Bu Tianming.


    Bu Tianming raised his sword to counter, and the thin line of chaos under the distant ck clouds instantly appeared at his sword tip. He shed it out with a single sword, shing with Lu Junxing''s Mountain and River Sword Qi.


    The Sword Qi of Creation aimed to split the Mountain and River Sword Qi!


    The sword qi crossed each other. The Sword Qi of Creation struck the Mountain and River Sword barrier and disappeared within it.


    The Mountain and River Sword Qi struck Bu Tianming, passing through him and spreading out into the distance, smoothing out the weather anomalies he had caused and restoring thend to its original state.


    "Next." Lu Junxing''s gaze passed over Bu Tianming andnded on the airship.


    Those on the airship looked at Bu Tianming. Slowly, Bu Tianming was cleanly split into two halves and fell from the sky.


    One sword strike!


    The current number one of Boundless Sword Sect was in by Lu Junxing with a single sword strike!


    There was silence on the airship.


    "Or..." Lu Junxing smiled again, "several at a time will do."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 463

    "Lu Junxing!"


    Qin Ran couldn''t help but exim in awe.


    On Dan Peak, he sat by Sword Washing Lake with Chasing the Wind, now shrunk to the size of a small cat, cradled in his arms. He gazed up at Lu Junxing in mid-air, who was single-handedly suppressing the Hengduan Mountain Alliance.


    Chasing the Wind had taken some medicinal pills and eaten a lot of meat, and was now in a state of recuperation and healing.


    Qin Ran turned to Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin and said, "With him around, it''s both your fortune and your misfortune.


    "The fortune is that there will always be someone ahead of you, clearing the path and shouldering the greatest pressures and responsibilities.


    "The misfortune is that he will always be ahead of you."


    Li Shiyin and Tian Wenjin were practicing swordsmanship on theke to speed up their recovery. Hearing this, they looked up and saw Lu Junxing''s invincible aura.


    "Brother Lu is indeed impressive," Huang Feiyu, standing behind Qin Ran, said with a serious expression. "Even in the Lingnan Immortal Sect, there aren''t many like him."Qin Ran nced back at him and smiled, asking, "How confident are you against him?"


    Huang Feiyu, despite his cunning nature, had to show respect to Qin Ran.


    His life had been saved by Qin Ran from the clutches of death, and he had been given the opportunity to join the Lingnan Immortal Sect through Qin Ran''s Immortal Invitation.


    In essence, for someone like him, he could forget Tian Wenjin, Liu Boxian, or even his own parents, but in the short term, he couldn''t forget Qin Ran''s great kindness.


    "None," he shook his head and honestly replied, "I have no certainty of winning."


    But then he added, calctingly, "The Lionheart Inferno Beast was only a fourth-tier demon beast. If Uncle Qin had used a sixth- or seventh-tier demon beast''s heart for the transnt, I might have had a chance."


    Ah! Just listen to what this man is saying.


    Tian Wenjin, the very person involved, could hear him clearly from theke.


    You see, it was to repay the debt of the fourth-tier demon beast''s mes and demon core that Tian Wenjin had be a task fanatic. She had taken on countless missions to finally repay Qin Ran''s spirit stones.


    Although, as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, Tian Wenjin''s missions had given her valuable experience andbat skills, propelling her into the realm of true talent. However, Huang Feiyu''s words proved that he had no conscience whatsoever.


    Qin Ran stealthily nced at Tian Wenjin, who was expressionless, just continuing her sword practice with Li Shiyin.


    Since Tian Wenjin didn''t react, Qin Ran decided not to say anything either. He just smiled at Huang Feiyu and said, "It''s a pity I didn''t have the strength of a Huashen or Hedao back then; otherwise, I could have gotten you a seventh-tier demon beast''s heart."


    "Brother Lu''s talent is truly exceptional..." Huang Feiyu pretended not to catch Qin Ran''s sarcasm and continued, "It''s a shame he''s limited by resources. If Brother Lu were to join the Lingnan Immortal Sect, ascending to immortality would be a breeze."


    "Well, such things are a matter of personal choice," Qin Ran replied casually, not wanting to delve further.


    But after a while, Huang Feiyu asked again, "Uncle Qin, do you know where the Sect Master has gone?"


    "He''s the Sect Master; how would I know his whereabouts?" Qin Ran replied in surprise. "Do you need to find him for something?"


    Huang Feiyu hesitated, then finally shook his head. "No, it''s nothing."


    "They all say you''re invincible in the same realm..."


    When the entire Hengduan Mountain Alliance was silent, a voice suddenly rang out. Another Nascent Soul cultivator flew out from the cloud ship andnded in front of Lu Junxing, in the spot where Bu Tianming had stood, addressing Lu Junxing, "They all say you''re the most gifted swordsman in centuries. ??


    "But in my eyes, you''re still a junior... You''re too young,cking in experience. Experience shapes the sword path, and your sword path must be insufficiently seasoned."


    Lu Junxing recognized him and quickly bowed, showing respect. "May I ask the esteemed name of the senior?"


    "No need for formality..." the man replied. "I am Wu Lan, the Sword-holding Elder of the Celestial Sword Sect."


    He didn''t dare to im himself as "the true self."


    Lu Junxing had once led a mission to intercept members of the Celestial Sword Sect... Though it was officially an interception, the real purpose was to allow Qin Ran to infiltrate the Celestial Sword Sect. At that time, he had met Wu Lan.


    And Wu Lan, under the influence of Qin Ran''s persuasion in Zhican Valley, had led a rebellion and incurred a great punishment... This time, it was he who had actively requested to challenge Lu Junxing, aiming to cleanse his sins and regain his share of power.


    If he could kill Lu Junxing, it would be a great merit, enough to regain his position. But... it seemed that Qiu Huahui found him annoying and had agreed to his request.


    "So it''s an elder from the Celestial Sword Sect," Lu Junxing said, his expression serious. "It''s quite a distance from the Celestial Sword Sect to the Dao Sword Sect. It''smendable and an honor for the senior to travel such a distance just to die here."


    "You insolent brat, thinking yourself a genius swordsman, yet you''re nothing but a glib-tongued scoundrel!" Wu Lan sneered.


    "s!" Lu Junxing sighed. "I wasn''t always like this. I truly am an invincible genius of the sword path.


    "It''s just that Uncle Qin of Dan Peak is a sly one. After getting to know him, he''s full of dark humor, and I''ve been influenced by him. I apologize to the elder."


    After saying that, he asked, "How long will the elder continue to chat? Could it be that you still have lingering attachments to the mortal world and don''t wish to die quickly?


    "If so, please return to the Celestial Sword Sect. I won''t pursue it."


    He then added, as if remembering something, "But Uncle Qin is a cunning one. He''ll definitely cause trouble for the Celestial Sword Sect. s!!"


    Hearing this, Wu Lan shouted, "Enough of this idle talk!"


    He drew his sword, channeled his spiritual energy, and prepared to strike.


    "That''s more like it, elder. It''s better to die bravely," Lu Junxing said.


    As he spoke, he raised his right hand,bining his index and middle fingers.


    "Why aren''t you drawing your sword?"


    Lu Junxing replied very seriously, "Elder Wu, you overestimate yourself."


    With that, he shed with a single finger!


    A sh that split mountains and rivers, thendscape piercing through space. Wu Lan raised his sword to block, but his technique was broken, his lifebound sword shattered, and his head fell to the ground.


    Another sword strike.


    An ordinary strike.


    Another Nascent Soul cultivator was dead.


    In a short time, two Nascent Soul cultivators had died, as if Nascent Souls were mere cabbages.


    Lu Junxing looked at the cloud ship, his smile gentle, his voice warm, "Next!"


    But his voice was like a chilling wind, sending shivers down the spines of everyone on the cloud ship.


    The same Nascent Soul cultivation, butpletely differentbat power.


    They were not even in the same world.


    When facing Qin Ran''s schemes, they had mustered their courage and elerated, not giving Qin Ran a chance to act further, and had charged to the Dao Sword Sect;


    When facing Qin Ran''s formations, they had worked hard to find formation masters and had risked their lives to break the formations;


    When facing the transformation into divine being of the flood dragon, they had devised various methods and had lured the ck dragon to its death.


    They had never thought of giving up.


    But now, facing Lu Junxing, they wanted to flee.


    What the Dao Sword Sect would do to themter, what the Thousand-faced Poison Lord would do to them, that was all in the future.


    Now, at this moment, Lu Junxing was right in front of them. Lu Junxing''s sword hung there, as if it were pressed against everyone''s neck.


    A few days ago, when they had first arrived at the Dao Sword Sect, they had faced Qin Ran and Chasing the Wind, and they had praised the Thousand-faced Poison Lord for his courage; now, facing Lu Junxing, they felt their own courage was admirable, as they willingly ced their necks on someone else''s sword.


    "Lu Junxing is angry,"


    On Dan Peak, Qin Ran sighed.


    Many members of the Dao Sword Sect had died, including Liu Baixuan, and Lu Junxing should be furious.


    "It seems he''s never been serious before."


    "Shiyin, Wenjin, look, God has descended!"


    Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin, Huang Feiyu, and the other wounded who resided on Dan Peak all looked up at the sky, witnessing a deity descending.


    Lu Junxing was a figure no less than Su Changqing.


    What made Su Changqing stronger than Lu Junxing was his foundation built on the Dao Scripture.


    Su Changqing, who did not cultivate the sword path butprehended sword qi, could fight against someone at the Harmonization Realm with just his golden core.


    So, for Lu Junxing to cut down a Nascent Soul cultivator with a single sword strike was no problem.

 Chapter 464

    In his youth, Lu Junxing wielded a sword, cutting his way from the Dao Sword Sect to the Land of Immortal Legacy and back again. Eventually, he settled down at the Dao Sword Sect, where his heart gradually calmed.


    Thus, the number of people and geniuses who died by Lu Junxing''s hand is countless.


    With such formidablebat power and talent, he could even subdue someone like Liu Baixuan, who practiced dominating sword techniques, turning him into a docile and honest man. It''s easy to imagine that he was far from the amiable and carefree figure that Li Shiyin and others see today.


    Who doesn''t have a wild youth?


    Especially someone like Lu Junxing.


    Li Shiyin, Tian Wenjin, and others only know Lu Junxing as generous, carefree, broad-minded, and indifferent to gains and losses. They believe he fights with restraint, always stopping at the right moment, and never cares about winning or losing.


    They have no idea what Lu Junxing was like in his wild youth.


    A man with the mindset of a master of an era also possesses the strength of a master of an era. When he kills, he does so as a master of an era.


    One sword strike, one Nascent Soul cultivator, like cutting vegetables, without even blinking.In the sky above the Dao Sword Sect, on one side stood Lu Junxing alone, and on the other, a cloud ship apanied by over a thousand cultivators. The difference in numbers was vast, and so was the difference in momentum.


    Lu Junxing stood in mid-air, his gaze gentle as he looked at the opposing side. Seeing that no one came forward to challenge him for a long time, he smiled and asked, "Fellow Daoists, are we still going to fight?"


    There was no response from the other side. He then kindly suggested, "If one person is afraid, you cane two or three at a time. Don''t worry about my feelings; my sword is very sharp, and two or three can be cut down in one strike."


    Still, no one stepped forward to take up the challenge.


    After waiting for a while, Lu Junxing scanned the Hengduan Mountain Alliance. Every person who met his gaze chose to avoid it.


    He was puzzled: "You neither fight nor retreat. What is the reason?"


    "Halt! Don''t be so arrogant. I''ll face you!" Finally, someone responded, flying out from the cloud ship and arriving in front of Lu Junxing.


    Lu Junxing looked happily at the neer, who was emaciated, hunched, with a few white hairs fluttering on his head. He looked like a skeleton wrapped in human skin.


    The old man leaned on a dragon-headed wooden cane, his overlyrge eyes ring at Lu Junxing with hatred, as if he had a deep grudge against him.


    "A mere brute with a sword, what qualifications to be arrogant?" he sneered.


    "You misunderstand, Senior. I am known for my modesty and politeness. I am certainly not an arrogant or rude person," Lu Junxing replied with a smile. "May I ask for your honorable name?"


    "He...ui!" The emaciated old man spat a glob of phlegm toward Lu Junxing and sneered, "You are not worthy to know my name."


    "Under my sword..." Lu Junxing raised his index and middle fingers together, lifting his hand in front of his chest. ck and white sword qi fluttered at his fingertips as he said, "My sword qi does not kill nameless souls."


    "I think you won''t care about this issue anymore!" The emaciated old man chuckled sinisterly and suddenly charged at Lu Junxing.


    "s!" Lu Junxing sighed and shed downward with a finger.


    The Mountain and River Sword Qi sliced through the ck and white sword barrier without any surprise or obstruction, passing through the emaciated old man, and then...


    "Boom!"


    The old man exploded like a bomb.


    In an instant, ck, red, and white matter sttered across the sky, turning into eerie-colored mist that floated in the air, drifting toward the sword barrier like fog. ?


    "Hmm?"


    Though he had killed another Nascent Soul cultivator, Lu Junxing frowned, sensing something was amiss.


    It was true that few could withstand his sword qi, and he had that confidence. But this old man didn''t seem to have been killed by his sword qi.


    What was his level of cultivation? How well did he control his sword qi?


    Whether someone died by his sword qi, he knew better than anyone!


    "He wasn''t killed by me; he exploded himself..." Lu Junxing pondered, "Why would hemit suicide?"


    At that moment, he noticed the eerie mist drifting onto the Mountain and River Sword Barrier, then passing through it without being affected by the Mountain and River Sword Qi.


    "What''s going on?!"


    He immediately mustered all his strength, stirring up a fierce wind to blow the mist away.


    But it seemed that this wasn''t just mist; the wind couldn''t disperse it. It continued to spread and drift slowly.


    It seeped into the Mountain and River Sword Barrier, spreading within it, from the sky downward, toward the five peaks of the Dao Sword Sect.


    Lu Junxing considered retreating, as the mist, though unyielding to wind and sword qi, moved too slowly.


    But could he avoid it while the ordinary disciples below could not?


    And if he, the Dao Sword Sect''s top Nascent Soul cultivator, retreated, leaving the ordinary disciples to face the enemy?


    Lu Junxing didn''t hesitate for a moment. He couldn''t retreat even half a step!


    He stood there, covering his skin with sword qi and spiritual energy to iste the mist.


    However... this didn''t work.


    The mist slowly passed through his protective sword qi, seeping into his clothes and skin.


    "What is this?" Lu Junxing asked seriously toward the cloud ship.


    "Finally here!" On Dan Peak, Qin Ran sighed.


    He stood up from the Sword Washing Lake, cing Zhaofeng on a stool, and looked up at the sky full of mist.


    At some point, Long Qiqi had walked over to his side, gazing at the sky with him.


    "This isn''t ordinary poison, rted to spells and divine abilities," Long Qiqi said with a serious expression, "It''s not just poison... extremelyplex."


    "With a Nascent Soul cultivator as the poison carrier, how could it be ordinary poison?" Qin Ran shook his head, "And that Nascent Soul cultivator wasn''t a normal one; he was a specially cultivated poison person. A disposable Nascent Soul cultivator.


    "Another ace up Zhican Valley''s sleeve!"


    Poison?


    Yes, poison!


    Zhican Valley, a sect specializing in alchemy.


    How could a sect of alchemists not have poison?


    Medicine and poison are inseparable, just the two sides of the same thing. Like life and death.


    Even a declining alchemist like Qin Ran could concoct poison, so how could Zhican Valley, a sect dedicated to alchemy, not have poison?


    Their first move wasn''t ordinary poison but poison from the Poison Scripture, poison from cultivation techniques.


    They found someone with sufficiently high talent and trained them in poison techniques from the very beginning, feeding them various poisons during their cultivation.


    Ultimately, this poison person''s body, spells, and soul were all poison. Every move, every action was poison.


    It''s unclear how many poison people Zhican Valley has, but a Nascent Soul-level poison person wouldn''t be toomon.


    A specially cultivated Nascent Soul poison person, a disposable Nascent Soul... It''s hard to imagine the strength of such poison.


    "Zhican Valley has finally made their move." Qin Ran''s eyes gleamed.


    The previous two formations, though they caused many casualties and even some deaths among Zhican Valley''s members, had...


    Few core members of Zhican Valley perished.


    No one would really think that the corebatants of an alchemy sect would be body cultivators or sword cultivators, would they?


    "Not just poison people!" Qin Ran looked beyond the ck and white sword barrier, where someone was setting up a formation on the ruins of the Dao Sword Sect''s protective array, intending to surround the Dao Sword Sect. "There are also poison formations!"


    Poison, poison. Poison is the main killing tool of an alchemist!


    "It''s time for me to act... into my field of expertise." Qin Ran said, "I''ve rested enough."


    As the poison mist seeped into his body, Lu Junxing initially felt no difort. But soon, he felt that his blood, meridians, flesh, and bones were all affected.


    He realized that this was a poison that bypassed spiritual energy and targeted the physical body, apound poison! It left no chance for survival.


    Intense pain!


    Lu Junxing''s body flickered between shades of blue, white, and red, blood seeping through his skin.


    Soon, he found that his body was no longer under his control.


    His spiritual energy, sword qi, and divine abilities were all functioning normally, but his body was failing!


    He was drenched in blood, his white clothes quickly turning crimson. The pain made his body tremble and contort, and he could no longer stand steadily in the air.


    And at that moment, outside the sword barrier, on the cloud ship, a powerful aura suddenly emerged.


    Following that, a three-zhang-tall white phantom, holding a sword upside down, materialized above the cloud ship...


    Ancient Sword Immortal!


    Zhican Valley''s secret treasure, the Eight Immortals Subduing Demon Talisman, summons an Ancient Sword Immortal phantom with transcendentbat power by sacrificing eight Nascent Soul cultivators.


    The ancient sword immortal''s phantom stood towering at three zhang in height, his sword inverted in hand. He walked through the air, step by step, approaching Lu Junxing...


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