Chapter 7 Constitution Transformation
Hearing his junior sister's refusal, Li Sheng's eyes widened in shock, and he stammered, "What the heck?!"
"Huh?" Bai Ye looked at him, puzzled.
"Misunderstanding!"
"Junior sister... I really didn't mean it that way... I only admire you, uh... I only have a pure appreciation for beautiful things, absolutely no romantic feelings whatsoever!"
"I swear!" Li Sheng anxiously explained, even swearing to enhance his credibility.
"Then why are you giving me the best martial arts and pills without any cost?" Bai Ye pressed her lips together, a hint of stubbornness showing on her face.
"Uh... that..." Li Sheng's mind raced. Was it to help you improve quickly so the sect could advance and earn sect points? His naturally lazy and trouble-averse character was feeling overwhelmed.
He quickly decided to cut through the confusion: "In short, I have no ulterior motives. You've been loyal to the sect during tough times, so the sect will naturally reward you."
"And this pill isn't as important as you think. I have another one; I can produce this kind of pill every day, so don't feel pressured."
"Pills and martial arts are gifts from the sect. From today on, you are the Grand Elder of Qingling Sect, and you'll receive one pill each month. How does that sound?"
"Grand Elder..." Bai Ye bit her lip, deep in thought.
Seeing that she was still hesitating, Li Sheng hurriedly pressed the jade bottle into her hands and swiftly made his escape. He decided it was best to keep a distance for a while to avoid any awkwardness.
As Bai Ye held the jade bottle, watching her senior brother flee, a smile crept onto her lips. It seemed she had indeed misunderstood him.
Li Sheng ran all the way back to his courtyard. After calming down, he swallowed a supreme Body-Tempering Pill. It felt cool going down, but then a warm sensation spread through him, filling him with boundless energy.
With a slight squat and arms wide open, he adopted the Turtle Stance, feeling a faint current of energy circulate within him, refining his body.
After about fifteen minutes, he completed the first stance, and the medicinal energy in his body showed no signs of diminishing.
Seeing this, Li Sheng proceeded to practice the second stance. Time slowly passed, and before he knew it, the sky had darkened.
At that moment, he completed the last movement of the Turtle Stance. The faint energy within him had grown as thick as a chopstick, sending tingling sensations through his body.
Just as he prepared to withdraw from the stance, a strange white mist enveloped him, and a turtle the size of a small hill appeared before him. Its every movement radiated an inexplicable spiritual rhythm that felt oddly familiar.
"Is this the Turtle Stance Nine Movements?"
Li Sheng's heart leapt with joy as he instinctively assumed the Turtle Stance, mimicking the giant turtle's actions.
He lost track of time, and eventually, everything went dark as he exited that mystical space.
"So this is what Bai Ye meant by enlightenment?" Feeling the vast medicinal energy within him still at about seventy percent, Li Sheng couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder it's a supreme pill! Its potency is hundreds of times stronger than a low-grade pill. In just half a day, I've mastered the Turtle Stance Nine Movements and comprehended the essence of the turtle."
Approaching a nearby stone pedestal, he effortlessly lifted it.
"A thousand-pound stone pedestal lifted with hardly any effort?" Li Sheng was taken aback.
He then moved to the next pedestal, which weighed two thousand pounds—only those at the peak of Body-Tempering could lift it.
Gripping the indentation, Li Sheng summoned all his strength and lifted the pedestal above his head.
"I still have energy to spare!"
After dropping the pedestal, a surge of long-lost passion and ambition surged within him. He was no longer the talentless, ordinary waste he once was. Given time, the dream of dominating the world with martial prowess seemed increasingly achievable.
He pulled up his status panel:
Cultivation Level: Ninth-Grade Body-Tempering
Martial Arts: Turtle-Snake Body-Tempering Technique (Minor Accomplishment)
Talent: Medium (One in Ten Thousand)
Comprehension: Medium (One in Ten Thousand)
Skills: None
"Just mastering one spiritual form has raised my talent from mediocre to medium, while my comprehension seems to have only increased by one tier?"
"With the sect's support, my talent has indeed reached one in ten thousand, but I wonder how it compares to Bai Ye's?" A competitive spirit ignited within Li Sheng.
After some time, he took a quick shower and changed into clean clothes before stepping out.
The night had deepened, and after practicing for half a day, he felt no hunger. He returned to his room and fell into a deep sleep.
As dawn broke, Bai Ye arrived at the courtyard, her soft call echoing through the house.
"Senior Brother."
At the sound, Li Sheng opened his eyes and saw daylight streaming through the window.
He was used to sleeping in his clothes, so he quickly put on his boots and walked out of the bedroom.
In the study, he scratched his head awkwardly. "What's the rush, junior sister?"
Seeing this, Bai Ye felt an inexplicable pang in her heart but quickly suppressed her emotions. "Senior Brother, I have fully mastered the Turtle-Snake Body-Tempering Technique. I'm here to return the books."
Looking at the books on the table, Li Sheng could only chuckle bitterly. Just last night, he thought his talent was comparable to hers, but here she was, surprising him first thing in the morning.
"You've been practicing since yesterday?" Li Sheng asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Senior Brother gave me such a great opportunity, so I naturally had to work hard to repay you," Bai Ye replied earnestly.
Li Sheng inwardly complained, Is it a matter of hard work? I want to practice too, but the lingering soreness in my body tells me I've reached my limit.
He shook his head. "It's the sect that gave you the opportunity. You should be repaying the sect. Plus, you're now the Grand Elder; you need to think more about the sect's future."
"You're right," Bai Ye said, nodding thoughtfully.
"While everything is progressing positively, the sect's combat power is too weak. These seemingly good things are like castles in the air and could collapse at any moment. Do you understand?"
"I will work hard, Senior Brother."
"Now that I've mastered the Turtle-Snake Essence, my combat power is among the top in the seventh grade. If I can break through to the seventh grade, I believe I won't be weaker than an average sixth-grade martial artist."
Li Sheng nodded in satisfaction, revealing his true intent: "The sect is currently in dire need of combat power. So, I'll refine a supreme Internal Energy Pill for you to help you break through to the seventh grade. That way, I can rest easy. You won't refuse, will you?"
"Senior... Senior Brother, Bai Ye obeys." Bai Ye's cheeks flushed as she lowered her head in response.
Seeing this, Li Sheng clapped his hands in satisfaction. "Hurry and break through. Once you have the strength to rival sixth-grade martial artists, we can make a trip to the city."
"Are we going to procure supplies?" Bai Ye's eyes lit up at the mention.
Li Sheng chuckled softly, realizing that this girl was indeed a born shopper.
"Not just for supplies. In half a month, there will be the triennial disciple recruitment event. Our Qingling Sect cannot miss such an occasion. We'll select some good candidates to strengthen the sect."
Chapter 8 Undercurrents Surging
"You are now the Great Elder of our Qingling Sect, so the task of teaching new disciples will be left to you, Junior Sister," Li Sheng said with a smile.
"Me?" Bai Ye was taken aback. She was only seventeen years old and had no experience teaching disciples.
Just as she was about to refuse, Li Sheng spoke up, "Don't worry, I'll be there to guide you."
"Alright, then," Bai Ye nodded in agreement.
"By the way, Senior Brother, there have been rumors about our Qingling Sect all over Qingshan City recently."
"What kind of rumors?" Li Sheng asked, a little curious.
"Rumors about you taking over as sect leader and the three elders leaving the sect. It's been causing quite a stir," Bai Ye explained.
Li Sheng thought for a moment and then chuckled. "It seems like it's the handiwork of those old guys."
"Why would they do that? It's not exactly a glorious thing to be spreading," Bai Ye said, puzzled.
"They're doing it to put on a show for the Guard Pavilion while also scouting for a new place to go. After all, a martial artist at the seventh rank is still in high demand."
After chatting for a while longer, Bai Ye got up and left.
Li Sheng returned to the courtyard, feeling the surge of medicinal energy inside him, and began practicing the "Nine Forms of the Spirit Snake." As he took up the stance, a faint stream of energy flowed through his body, circulating continuously. Every complete cycle consumed a large amount of his energy and blood, but thanks to the pill's effects, it was quickly replenished.
Before he knew it, two hours had passed. Li Sheng finished his training and, after enjoying the meal sent from the kitchen, headed to the pill room. Just moments ago, the daily limit on his refining attempts had been refreshed.
In the pill room, Li Sheng busily worked, and soon, an orange-yellow pill with four stripes appeared in his hand.
"An exceptional-quality Internal Breath Pill!"
According to his calculations, taking one of these top-grade pills could sustain full-powered cultivation of a martial technique for about a month. If it were a dual-spirit form martial technique, it could last around three days.
If someone used a low-grade pill to cultivate a spirit-level technique, it could take years to fully complete even one form. As for when they could comprehend the spirit form, that depended on their personal insight.
After placing the pill in a jade bottle, Li Sheng called for a woman to deliver the pill to Bai Ye, then made his way toward the Martial Arts Hall.
...
In Qingshan City, at the Laifu Inn, Room Four on the top floor, laughter and conversation filled the air. Xiong Zhuang, his face glowing red from drink, laughed loudly as he flirted with the two women beside him. The scene was rather amorous.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Who's knocking like that? Can't a man enjoy a drink in peace? Come in!" Xiong Zhuang shouted, slamming his large hand down on the table.
The door creaked open, and a burly young man with an ordinary appearance stepped inside. His breathing quickened when he saw the two scantily clad women.
Recognizing the young man, Xiong Zhuang calmed down slightly and gruffly asked, "How did the talks with the Huajian Sect go? Any results?"
The young man lowered his head and replied, "Uncle, Sect Leader Liu refused."
"Refused?" Xiong Zhuang sneered but didn't seem too concerned. It was merely a diversion, after all. The Huajian Sect was in a similar predicament to the Qingling Sect. If it weren't for Liu's daughter being so pretty, he wouldn't have even bothered.
Years ago, Xiong Zhuang had reached the peak of the seventh rank. He was confident about advancing to the sixth rank, but what he lacked were resources.
If not for the promise of help from Lu Ying, who could connect him with the second-star sect Fengjian Valley, he wouldn't have given up the position of sect leader so easily. After all, he didn't understand why Fengjian Valley was so interested in the Qingling Sect. After all his years there, he hadn't noticed anything special.
Xiong Zhuang's thoughts wandered briefly to Bai Ye's delicate face and blossoming figure. A flicker of desire flared in his heart. If not for Lu Ying's interference, he would have already taken her for himself. But since he needed something from her, he had to refrain from acting rashly.
"Any word from Lu Ying?" Xiong Zhuang asked, shaking off his thoughts.
"She said everything is about 80-90% certain, and she'll call you to Fengjian Valley in a few days."
"Great news! Ha ha, excellent news!" Xiong Zhuang laughed heartily. "Once I latch onto Fengjian Valley, breaking into the sixth rank will be a sure thing!"
"And there's even more good news, Uncle," the young man said slyly.
"Oh? More good news? Let's hear it!" Xiong Zhuang laughed again and took a swig of wine.
"Well… Hehe, Uncle…" The young man rubbed his hands together, casting a lecherous glance at the two women nearby.
"You little rascal, just tell me already! If it's really good news, those two girls are yours," Xiong Zhuang said with a grin.
"Uncle, you know Wang Er, right?"
"I think I've heard of him. What about him?"
"It's like this: his uncle is a coachman, and a few days ago, he was hired to transport a load of resources to the Qingling Sect—one cart full of martial arts manuals and another full of alchemy materials. It was quite the haul!"
"Is that so?" Xiong Zhuang's eyes lit up. He was in desperate need of cultivation resources. But where could that trash Li Sheng have gotten so many spirit stones?
Recalling how the previous sect leader had favored Li Sheng, Xiong Zhuang wondered if this was part of the leader's legacy.
"Is this information reliable?" Xiong Zhuang set his wine cup down, a greedy glint in his eyes.
"Absolutely, Uncle. I even questioned several of the coachmen myself, and their stories all matched up."
"Good!"
"The girls are yours," Xiong Zhuang said with a wave of his hand, standing up and heading downstairs.
As he left, the flirtatious voices resumed in the room.
...
In the Spirit Gathering Room, Bai Ye held the jade bottle tightly, deeply touched. She resolved that once she had avenged her family, she would dedicate herself to running the sect and training its disciples, repaying her brother's kindness.
Last night, after completing the "Turtle and Snake Body Refining Technique" and undergoing its transformative effects, her physique had greatly improved, pushing her cultivation to the peak of the eighth rank.
When she took the exceptional-quality Internal Breath Pill, the abundant spiritual energy in the room wrapped around her, and the bottleneck in her cultivation broke. She had one foot in the seventh rank, the Bone Refining stage.
At the Martial Arts Hall, Li Sheng synthesized three ninth-rank martial arts techniques and stopped.
"That should be enough. Now it's time to synthesize eighth-rank techniques," he muttered, tossing five ninth-rank manuals into the Purple Qi Martial Cauldron to begin the process.
Soon, two new eighth-rank manuals were formed. Glancing at the four eighth-rank and five ninth-rank techniques on the shelf, he smiled in satisfaction.
"My daily limit for synthesis is up. Tomorrow I'll see if I can unlock a dual-spirit form technique."
Returning to the courtyard, Li Sheng resumed practicing the "Nine Forms of the Spirit Snake." He had a feeling that today might be the day he finally broke through the Body Refining stage that had confined him for the past decade.
Chapter 9 Xiong Zhuang Drops In
In the courtyard, Li Sheng resumed his practice of the Serpent Stance, starting with the sixth form. The energy within him strengthened with each cycle, rapidly consuming his qi and blood, but the superior-grade elixir quickly replenished it, creating a stalemate between consumption and recovery.
In this state, his understanding of the Nine Serpent Forms deepened even further. Suddenly, his vision blurred, and his mind once again entered the vast, white space.
"It's happening again..." Li Sheng thought briefly before calming himself, neither excited nor anxious.
In the white void, a giant serpent moved fluidly, its every motion filled with an ancient and mystical aura. Li Sheng imitated its movements, silently comparing them to his own.
The Turtle Form: Unbreakable defense.
The Serpent Form: Mysterious and unpredictable.
In a trance, he heard a faint snake's hiss, and the white space vanished.
"The Nine Serpent Forms are complete!"
Inside his body, two streams of energy intertwined vigorously, bringing with them a faint tingling sensation wherever they passed. Li Sheng quickly sat down cross-legged, knowing this was the final step of body refinement. Once completed, he would break through to the Eighth Rank: Internal Breath Stage.
Time passed slowly, and before long, the sun began to set. Outside the courtyard, Bai Ye approached. Seeing Li Sheng sitting cross-legged, she immediately understood and stopped the servant from delivering his meal, silently standing guard.
Li Sheng's cultivation was at a critical moment. The tingling sensation within him gradually dissipated, and he vaguely heard the sound of something breaking inside him.
"Whoo..."
Opening his eyes, Li Sheng exhaled deeply, clenching his fists as he felt the explosive power surging through his body. A smile crept onto his face.
He called up the panel:
Cultivation: Eighth Rank, Internal Breath Stage
Martial Arts: Turtle-Serpent Body Refinement Technique (Mastered)
Talent: Superior (Nation's Genius)
Comprehension: Superior (Nation's Genius)
Skills: None
"I've been here for ten years since crossing over… finally, I've broken through to the Eighth Rank!" His gaze shifted to his talent.
"This transformation only raised my talent by one rank? It seems that the higher I go, the harder it is to improve."
"A genius of national renown, huh?"
He closed the panel, feeling pleased.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on your breakthrough!" Bai Ye entered the courtyard with two food containers, smiling warmly.
"Not bad, but it seems you've made a breakthrough as well," Li Sheng replied with a chuckle.
"Yes, with the help of the superior-grade Internal Breath Elixir, I've broken through to the Seventh Rank," Bai Ye said, clearly in a great mood as well.
"Good, good! A double blessing. However, there are only five doses of the Internal Breath Elixir left, and we're completely out of materials for Bone Refining Elixirs. It seems we'll need to purchase some more alchemy ingredients."
Feeling the genuine joy from her senior brother, Bai Ye was filled with warmth. "Senior Brother, I'll head to Qing Mountain City tomorrow to buy the materials for the elixirs."
Li Sheng thought it over and nodded. "I'll go with you tomorrow."
He decided it was better to go personally—not only to get a better understanding of the market but also to see if he could acquire higher-grade martial arts manuals. Relying solely on mundane-level techniques to fuse higher-level methods was a bit too slow.
"Senior Brother, let's eat together," Bai Ye said, setting out the food with a smile.
Li Sheng nodded and was about to sit when a glowing orb appeared.
"Chirp chirp chirp..."
"Tuan Tuan!" Bai Ye waved in greeting.
"Chirp chirp."
"Someone's here to visit?" Li Sheng furrowed his brows and, with a thought, shifted his perspective upward.
...
Bear Zhuang and his party of five arrived at the mountain gate. He waved his hand, saying, "Someone go inform Li Sheng to come out and greet us."
A disciple named Liu Hu stepped forward, but the moment he entered the formation, dense white mist rose, obscuring everyone's view.
Seeing this, Bear Zhuang's eyes flashed with surprise as he thought to himself, "How has the formation changed so much in just six or seven days? Could it really be the inheritance left by the Sect Leader?"
Just as the group was about to force their way through, Li Sheng ordered the formation spirit to open a path, curious about what Bear Zhuang's intentions were.
"Bear Zhuang? What's he doing here..." Li Sheng wondered. Now that he had broken through to the Eighth Rank and mastered both the Turtle and Serpent forms, he was confident enough to face Bear Zhuang head-on, especially with the formation spirit and Bai Ye by his side.
"Senior Brother, what's wrong?" Bai Ye, unable to understand Tuan Tuan's chirps, asked in confusion.
"Bear Zhuang is here. Not sure what he wants, but I'll go take a look." Li Sheng withdrew his gaze and headed for the gate.
"Bear Zhuang?" Bai Ye's delicate eyebrows furrowed, a look of disgust appearing on her pretty face.
"Senior Brother, I'll come too." She bit her lip and followed him.
Outside the gate, Bear Zhuang was about to force his way through when the mist cleared, revealing Liu Hu wandering aimlessly inside.
"Elder Bear, looks like that waste Li Sheng has noticed we're back and lifted the formation."
"Let's go." Bear Zhuang arrogantly nodded and led the way.
As they entered, the peaceful atmosphere of the Qingling Sect was immediately disrupted. Several disciples began shouting, recalling some of Li Sheng's past embarrassments.
Even the old tortoise by the spirit pool seemed disturbed, glancing at the group before retreating into the water.
At the dining hall, a group of women doing chores gathered to whisper amongst themselves.
"These people look like troublemakers. I hope the young Sect Master and Miss Bai can handle them."
"Yeah, they give off bad vibes, just like that scoundrel Zhang in the village."
"Shush, these are martial artists—you want to get yourself killed?"
"Right, right…"
The Qingling Sect wasn't large, so the two groups quickly encountered each other. Those who had planned to ridicule Li Sheng were immediately distracted by Bai Ye's presence.
Bai Ye's frown deepened, and she stepped behind Li Sheng.
Li Sheng cleared his throat, breaking the spell. Internally annoyed, he thought, Even I don't ogle my junior sister like that, and you fools think you can get away with it?
"Bear Zhuang, if I remember correctly, you've already left the sect. What brings you to the Qingling Sect today?" Li Sheng's expression was cold, his voice frosty.
"You? A mere Ninth Rank nobody thinks he's really the Sect Master now?" one of Bear Zhuang's followers sneered.
"If the Elders hadn't wanted out, do you think you'd be sitting in that seat?"
"Seems like this guy's lost his mind."
Li Sheng's new demeanor seemed to have agitated them. They remembered him as the pushover who never stood up for himself, and they couldn't understand how he dared to show this kind of attitude now.
Some even looked ready to start a fight.
Bear Zhuang snorted coldly. "Li Sheng, I'll get straight to the point. Hand over the Sect Leader's inheritance, and I won't trouble you."
"The Sect Leader's inheritance?" Li Sheng was confused. What was this all about?
"Don't play dumb! I've already questioned the drivers who delivered the resources to your sect—one of the carts was full of alchemy ingredients, wasn't it?"
"That's true." Li Sheng nodded.
Seeing him admit it, Bear Zhuang's face lit up with joy. "Good, you know what's best. Now, bring them here."
Li Sheng gave him a strange look, finally understanding the situation. It seemed that the news of their recent resource purchase had leaked, and Bear Zhuang assumed it was part of the Sect Leader's legacy.
"Senior Brother, I'm sorry! It's my fault for not being more cautious. You can punish me," Bai Ye said, tugging on Li Sheng's sleeve, her expression full of guilt, looking so pitiful it was hard to be mad at her.
Come on, who could punish you like that? Li Sheng shook his head, about to say a few words of comfort, when Bear Zhuang interrupted.
"Bai girl, what future do you have following this waste? If you follow me, I promise you'll have enough resources to break through to the Seventh Rank within half a year!"
Chapter 10 Test the Water
Seeing Bai Ye's pitiful expression, Xiong Zhuang felt a strong sense of possessiveness rise within him, disregarding Lu Ying's warning.
Bai Ye ignored Xiong Zhuang's words and just looked at Li Sheng.
"Alright, it's nothing serious. Just be more careful in the future," Li Sheng said, annoyed.
Xiong Zhuang, feeling ignored, gradually turned pale with anger. His sharp-eyed underling stepped forward, raising his right hand to slap Li Sheng's head while shouting, "Useless thing, I'll teach you a lesson..."
Before he could finish, Li Sheng moved his foot, dodging the incoming palm, and sharply lunged into the underling's embrace.
"Bang!"
A dull thud echoed as the underling was sent flying three zhang away, blood spraying mid-air, his right chest collapsing inward.
"Bang!"
He hit the ground with a loud crash, spitting out blood mixed with internal organs, and died instantly.
The scene unfolded so quickly that the others hadn't even reacted before it was over.
"Bold!"
"Dare to ambush?"
"Kill him, avenge Liu Hu!"
The remaining three disciples, instead of being frightened, were filled with rage as they charged forward. They thought Li Sheng had merely succeeded by breaking through to a new realm, and assumed they could easily defeat him in a fair fight, completely underestimating him.
Looking at the three approaching, Li Sheng sighed, "I'm kind-hearted and don't like fighting. Why must you force me?"
He then activated the Spirit Seal, unleashing an invisible wave of energy that doubled his strength.
As the disciples threw their fists at him, Li Sheng quickly struck out three punches, effortlessly sending them flying. Then, he switched to the Snake Shape Seal, his figure instantly blurring and disappearing.
When he reappeared, he was already catching up to the three mid-air, delivering a devastating knee, elbow, and hook punch to their heads.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
As they hit the ground, they didn't even have time to scream before losing their lives.
Xiong Zhuang was still fantasizing about how to win over the beautiful Bai Ye when the situation changed in an instant. By the time he realized it was bad, it was too late.
"You... how did you do that?" Xiong Zhuang's face twisted in anger, unable to comprehend how a useless nine-star martial artist just days ago could now kill several eight-star warriors in an instant.
Though he could do it too, he was at the peak of the seven-star realm.
"I haven't even come for you yet, but you're delivering yourselves right to me. I truly dislike fighting, but you've forced my hand and brought about your own demise."
"Enough nonsense. I underestimated you, but this trip hasn't been in vain. The assets left by the sect master seem quite substantial, even a waste like you can experience such great change." Xiong Zhuang put aside his contempt, deciding to go all out.
"Senior brother, let me handle this. The opponent's aura has reached the peak of the seven-star realm," Bai Ye stepped forward, standing in front of Li Sheng.
"Peak of the seven-star realm, huh... then you take care of it." Li Sheng nodded, not trying to show off.
In the Tianxuan Continent, martial arts are divided into nine ranks.
Nine-Star Body Refining Realm: The foundation is a thousand pounds of strength; at peak, it can reach two thousand pounds of immense power.
Eight-Star Internal Breath Realm: The foundation is four thousand pounds of strength; at peak, it can reach seven thousand pounds of immense power.
Seven-Star Bone Forging Realm: The foundation is ten thousand pounds of strength; at peak, it can reach seventeen thousand pounds of immense power.
Six-Star Organ Refining Realm: The foundation is twenty-five thousand pounds of strength; at peak, it can reach forty-two thousand pounds of immense power.
Five-Star Blood Movement Realm: The foundation is ninety thousand pounds of strength.
Four-Star Spirit Cultivation Realm: Can awaken one's own martial domain; terrifying strength.
Three-Star Master Realm: Awakens martial arts supernatural powers, intimidating all.
Two-Star Grandmaster Realm: The pinnacle of humanity.
One-Star Earth Immortal Realm: Rarely appears in a millennium; combat power is unknown, capable of breaking the void.
In life-and-death battles, rank is only one aspect; skills, weapons, will, and techniques all influence the outcome of the fight. The preciousness of spiritual-level martial arts lies not only in changing one's aptitude but also in the substantial boost in battle strength provided by Spirit Seals.
Having just entered the eight-star realm, Li Sheng possessed four thousand pounds of strength. With the addition of two Spirit Seals, he could unleash twelve thousand pounds of strength, as each Spirit Seal doubled his combat power.
Seeing Bai Ye take action, Xiong Zhuang revealed a sinister smile: "Even if you've broken through to the seven-star realm, I advise you not to struggle in vain. I've reached the peak of the seven-star realm, my technique has attained the Power Extreme realm, capable of unleashing twenty-five thousand pounds of strength. If you get hurt, I'll be quite saddened."
"Done talking? Then die!" Bai Ye shot him a disdainful glance and vanished, a flash of sword light appearing before him.
"The Power Extreme realm only enhances my output by fifty percent, and it can't be used for long. With the support of the two Spirit Seals, Bai Ye can completely crush him," Li Sheng thought to himself, chuckling inwardly, while silently ordering the team to keep watch and attack if anything went wrong.
The sword light struck, and the might it contained startled him, causing Xiong Zhuang's expression to become serious.
His fists, wrapped in spiked gauntlets, collided with the sword light.
"Clang!"
A shower of sparks erupted along with a piercing clash, and Xiong Zhuang's face turned pale as he was blasted back three zhang, a sharp pain coursing through his body.
After just one sword strike, he was severely injured. Seeing the sword light come at him again, Xiong Zhuang gritted his teeth and exerted all his strength.
"Violent Kill Fist!"
"Clang!"
Xiong Zhuang spat out a mouthful of blood, his heart filled with terror as his body lost control, sending him flying.
As the sword light approached again, Xiong Zhuang was completely frightened and shouted, "Wait... I have something to say!"
The sword light flashed, and his chest was pierced through, his eyes wide with horror, freezing in place.
"Boom!"
Xiong Zhuang fell, having lost all life.
"Impressive! Just three swords and a peak seven-star warrior is finished. Congratulations, junior sister," Li Sheng clapped and laughed.
"All thanks to senior brother. This martial art is indeed powerful," Bai Ye smiled lightly.
"Tuan Tuan."
Hearing Li Sheng's call, a white light appeared.
"Chirp chirp?"
"Throw these guys out and clean it up."
"Chirp!"
A mist swirled as the scattered corpses on the ground vanished without a trace.
"Junior sister, has your technique reached the Power Extreme realm?"
"Not yet, but I'm getting close," Bai Ye shook her head.
The technique realm is divided into three levels of Power Extreme; each level enhances strength by fifty percent. After that, there are the three levels of Subtlety, which are even more mysterious, and there isn't much recorded in the Qingling Sect.
"That's understandable; the best way to improve technique is through combat. Figuring it out alone will take much longer."
As the two conversed, several peasant women approached from a distance. One of them spoke nervously, "Li Zhangmen, we have some young boys in our village. Could they join the Qingling Sect to practice martial arts?"
In this world, martial artists are revered, and those who wish to enter the path are as numerous as the fish crossing a river. However, the costs of martial arts are substantial, and ordinary families cannot afford them.
Except for those with exceptional talent, the rest must pay to join a martial school or sect.
After hearing about the intruders, including a seven-star warrior, the women were worried about Li Zhangmen and Bai Ye. Little did they know, it only took a short time for the two to eliminate the threats.
Seeing their power, the women's minds began to race, wanting to send their children to join the sect.
"Li Zhangmen, rest assured, we understand the rules. We can gather some funds from our families, and if it's not enough, we can work for free to repay you," one of them proposed.
"Sure." Li Sheng nodded, not rejecting the idea. For a sect to thrive, having more disciples is always better.
Chapter 11 Qing Shan City
Three days later.
In the alchemy room, Li Sheng threw the last five body-refining pills into the furnace, and moments later, five top-grade body-refining pills floated out. After packing the pills, Li Sheng tucked the jade bottle into his robe and left the alchemy room, heading to the spirit gathering room on the back mountain.
"Brother, are the pills ready?" Bai Ye opened her eyes and asked softly.
"Yes, everything is ready. Let's go. How's your practice of the Thunder Tiger Breathing Technique?"
"The tiger form is complete, but the potency of the internal breath pills has run out, so progress on the lightning form has been slow; I estimate it will take about two months to finish," Bai Ye replied honestly.
"Three spirit forms already?" Li Sheng nodded in satisfaction, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
During these three days, Li Sheng was also busy, crafting the eighth-grade dual spirit form Thunder Tiger Breathing Technique, and producing ten top-grade body-refining pills and five top-grade internal breath pills. After creating the eighth-grade martial arts, he practiced diligently, but without the aid of pills, his progress was less than ideal, allowing Bai Ye to achieve a spirit form first.
The two walked toward the mountain gate, chatting along the way. Passing by the training ground, several boys and girls were practicing stances, learning a ninth-grade martial art that Li Sheng had casually created. Whether to teach spirit-level martial arts would need further observation.
When the youngsters saw them, they stopped and shyly approached to bow.
"Greetings, Sect Leader, Elder."
"Among these seven, only one has moderate talent; the rest are of lower quality, but they all have strong will and train hard," Bai Ye said, as she was well aware of their situations, having taught them.
"It's okay if their talent is lacking; character and mindset are more important. You should pay attention to these," Li Sheng advised.
"Got it."
A horse-drawn carriage, driven by a woman, carried the two out of the sect.
The Qingling Sect was only about twenty miles from Qing Shan City, and over an hour later, the city came into view.
At this time, the sun was blazing, and from a distance, Qing Shan City appeared to be clad in golden armor, resembling a magnificent painting.
As they got closer, the wide ancient road became increasingly crowded with pedestrians and carriages.
"Brother, look, that's a carriage from the Flower Pavilion Sect," Bai Ye said, lifting the curtain to point ahead.
"Flower Pavilion Sect?" Li Sheng turned to look and noticed a prominent red floral design on the carriage ahead.
"I heard this sect specializes in cultivating spiritual materials and flowers?"
"Exactly, but I've heard they've been declining in recent years."
Li Sheng nodded, not paying much attention.
As the carriage entered the city gate, a lively scene unfolded before their eyes.
The roads in Qing Shan were straight and wide, bustling with people. The buildings on both sides were arranged beautifully, with flying eaves and elegant curves, exuding an ancient charm, while the shouts of various vendors filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
A strong sense of worldly life rushed toward Li Sheng, making him feel a bit dazed.
"Brother... Brother?" Bai Ye tugged at Li Sheng's sleeve.
"I'm fine... I've been on the mountain too long and need to adjust. Let's find an inn close to the Baibao Pavilion and figure things out later," Li Sheng replied, regaining his focus with a smile.
"Okay, let's go to the Laifeng Inn; it's only three streets away from Baibao Pavilion."
Upon arriving at the inn, Li Sheng instructed the waiter to prepare two top-tier rooms and a banquet.
After a satisfying meal, the two made their way down the street toward Baibao Pavilion. Bai Ye wore a veil, so they didn't attract much attention.
Before long, they reached Baibao Pavilion, which covered a vast area, featuring a grand and ancient architectural style. Six eighth-grade martial artists stood solemnly at the entrance, and those entering and exiting radiated powerful auras, mostly martial artists.
The two entered the pavilion with the flow of people. After an introduction from the attendant, Li Sheng understood why there were so many visitors: there would be an auction event that evening.
Seeing their extraordinary demeanor, the attendant grew even more respectful, answering all of Li Sheng's questions without hesitation.
After some inquiries, Li Sheng learned that ninth-grade martial arts cost around three to four hundred taels of silver, eighth-grade martial arts between two thousand and four thousand taels, seventh-grade martial arts eight thousand to ten thousand, and sixth-grade around twenty thousand.
The exchange rate between spirit stones and silver was 1 to 1000, but few martial artists opted for conversion.
Paying with spirit stones here offered even greater discounts.
Rather than selling the pills directly to Baibao Pavilion, it would be better to take this opportunity to auction them and maximize the benefits.
Just then, a chubby man in fine clothes hurried over, a warm smile on his face.
"Miss Bai?"
Upon seeing him, the attendant quickly bowed, "Manager Liu."
Manager Liu waved him away and asked, "Miss Bai, are you here to purchase medicinal materials?"
Bai Ye didn't answer and turned to Li Sheng.
Seeing this, Manager Liu realized that Li Sheng was the main figure here. Recalling that Miss Bai had spent a hundred spirit stones last time, his gaze toward Li Sheng grew even more eager.
"Young Master, what's your surname? If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask."
"My surname is Li."
"Manager Liu, we are here to auction pills."
"Oh, what kind?"
"Top-grade body-refining pills and top-grade internal breath pills."
"Top-grade pills?!" Manager Liu's smile froze, and he quickly said, "Young Master Li, please, follow me to the appraisal hall."
On the way, Manager Liu subtly flattered Li Sheng, trying to probe the source of the pills, but Li Sheng deftly deflected the inquiries.
Before long, the three arrived at the appraisal hall entrance, where a crisp voice from inside carried a hint of anger.
"This price has always been the same; why is it half a tael less this time?!"
"Mother, let's not sell it!"
"Bang!"
The door swung open, and a charming girl stormed out, pulling along an angry middle-aged woman.
The two parties brushed past each other, the middle-aged woman casting a surprised glance at Bai Ye behind Li Sheng before being dragged away.
"Hehe, misunderstanding!" Manager Liu, fearing Li Sheng might be offended, quickly explained, "The materials they sell have dropped in price in this area; it's not just Baibao Pavilion lowering the price unilaterally."
Li Sheng nodded and stepped into the hall first.
Two elderly men with white hair sat at a desk, and behind a screen were two graceful figures seemingly enjoying tea.
Manager Liu hurriedly approached and whispered a few words to the appraiser before heading toward the back of the screen.
"Top-grade pills?" a charming voice exclaimed as a middle-aged woman stepped out. Her appearance was ordinary, but her figure was incredibly alluring, making even Bai Ye glance a second time.
"My surname is Hua, the manager of Baibao Pavilion. May I ask how many top-grade pills Young Master Li has?"
"Ten top-grade body-refining pills and five top-grade internal breath pills. I would like to auction these pills at tonight's event."
"Fifteen top-grade pills?" Manager Hua was taken aback, taking the jade bottle Li Sheng handed over to present to the two appraisers.
Moments later, the appraisers set down their tools and exclaimed excitedly, "The quality is excellent, and the potency is full; these are undoubtedly top-grade pills."
Hearing this, Manager Hua couldn't hide her shock; the last appearance of top-grade pills in Qing Shan City was eight years ago, and there were only two then. Now, suddenly, there were fifteen—she could already envision the bustling scene at the auction.
"Aunt Hua, come in for a moment," a melodious voice called from behind the screen.
Chapter 12 Liu Hongfeng
Behind the screen, a whispering conversation ensued, but the words were indistinct. Soon, Manager Hua emerged.
"Young Master Li, do you have any top-grade detoxification pills? My young miss is willing to pay a high price for them."
"These pills were crafted by the elders of my sect; I'll need to check if we have any top-grade body-refining pills," Li Sheng replied ambiguously.
"Thank you for your trouble. We will ensure you are satisfied with the auction results. From today on, you are a VIP gold card member at Baibao Pavilion, enjoying an 20% discount on all purchases."
"Gold card member?" Manager Hua looked surprised; only the capital city had the authority to issue gold cards.
"20% off?" Li Sheng's eyes lit up; this was a substantial benefit.
"Thank you, miss." Li Sheng's smile became more genuine. After a few pleasantries, he left the appraisal hall with Bai Ye.
"Isn't giving him a gold card too much?" Manager Hua couldn't help but ask after they left.
"According to my intel, only these two remain from Qingling Sect. These pills look freshly crafted, likely by Young Master Li himself."
"But what if we guessed wrong? You only have one gold card to give in a year, and the upcoming capital city competition is a great opportunity to win hearts. Issuing the card now..."
"A talented alchemist is worth the risk. It's better to help him when he's struggling than to flatter him when he's prosperous," Manager Hua insisted.
"Alright, I must take my leave."
"Leaving so soon? Qingqing has been missing you."
"I have matters to attend to. Once she's older, I'll take her to me for some training."
"Thank you, miss!" Manager Hua bowed, but when she looked up, the screen was empty.
"Miss has such courage... a gold card is worth thousands of spirit stones if auctioned..."
Manager Hua pondered and then instructed, "Manager Liu, spread the news before the auction, especially to the sects, families, and martial halls."
Manager Liu respectfully agreed, but just as he was about to leave, a cold voice echoed.
"If even a hint of today's events leaks, you know the consequences."
At this, both the appraisers and Manager Liu felt a chill.
In the corridor, Li Sheng toyed with the token, casually tossing it to Bai Ye.
"Here, you take it."
Bai Ye caught it, intending to explain its value, but reconsidered, knowing her brother didn't care for high-grade pills or spirit-level martial arts.
"Okay."
After a short stroll, they returned to the inn to rest, with nearly three hours left until the auction began.
As night fell, Qing Shan City grew even more boisterous.
"Bang bang..."
"Brother, it's almost time."
Li Sheng opened his eyes, concluding his meditation, and stepped out of the room.
Outside Baibao Pavilion, a pair of beautiful women scanned the crowd, seemingly searching for someone.
Most passersby stole glances at them, leading to some comical collisions.
The younger girl said, "Mother, the auction is about to start; we haven't seen them yet. Could they have gone in already?"
"Don't worry, Hong Ying. Just wait a bit longer." The older woman appeared calm, though her eyes betrayed her anxiety.
"I wonder if there will be detoxification pills at the auction; Mother's health is worsening..." Hong Ying lowered her head, feeling despondent.
When two figures appeared at the end of the street, the girl exclaimed, "They're here! They're here!"
"Don't shout; that's not proper for a girl!" The older woman lightly scolded her daughter.
Li Sheng and Bai Ye spotted the mother and daughter, and Bai Ye stepped forward, whispering, "Brother, that woman is Liu Hongfeng, the leader of the Flower Pavilion Sect. I only recognized her now from this morning."
"Liu Hongfeng, a sixth-grade detoxification practitioner..." Li Sheng mused, recalling her.
As the two groups drew closer, Liu Hongfeng stepped forward, about to speak, only to be blocked by Bai Ye.
Though veiled, Bai Ye's enchanting presence impressed Liu Hongfeng, who admired her beauty inwardly.
"What a graceful snow lotus."
"Excuse me for the interruption. I am Liu Hongfeng, leader of the Flower Pavilion Sect, and this is my daughter, Liu Hongying," she said, her voice as soothing as a spring breeze.
Bai Ye relaxed her grip on her sword slightly.
"Junior Sister." Li Sheng tugged Bai Ye's sleeve, reassuring her, and stepped forward, saying, "I am Li Sheng, leader of the Qingling Sect. Greetings, Leader Liu."
"Qingling Sect? You are the one who..."
"Hong Ying! Be polite!" Liu Hongfeng furrowed her brows, scolding her daughter.
"My daughter misspoke, and I apologize on her behalf," she added, bowing slightly.
Li Sheng raised his hand in a gesture of dismissal. "No need to apologize, Leader Liu; children speak their minds."
Seeing her mother apologize, Liu Hongying felt embarrassed, covering her mouth cutely.
"What brings you to stop us, Leader Liu?" Li Sheng asked, puzzled.
"I would like to ask for your help in crafting a detoxification pill, preferably of medium grade or higher. I won't trouble you without compensation; I can offer a hundred spirit stones for your efforts. Would you be willing?"
"A sixth-grade detoxification pill?" Li Sheng understood the significance of such pills, which could cleanse toxins and restore health.
"Leader Liu is quite confident I can craft one?" He felt disappointed in Baibao Pavilion for spreading the news so quickly.
"It's just a hope, a last-ditch effort."
"Please elaborate."
"After we exited the appraisal hall, we waited in the lobby. Not long after, news broke that fifteen top-grade pills would be auctioned. Since only you two entered the appraisal room, I..."
"I see. However, you might be disappointed; I cannot produce any sixth-grade pills. You've mistaken the person."
Li Sheng shook his head. He had already turned down the mysterious woman from Baibao Pavilion, let alone an unrelated sect like the Flower Pavilion.
"Forgive me for the intrusion, Leader Li... cough, cough." Liu Hongfeng's expression turned solemn as she coughed a few times.
"Mother! You're coughing up blood again!" Liu Hongying panicked, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her mother's mouth, her face full of concern.
"Leader Liu, I must take my leave." Li Sheng clasped his hands, intending to walk past the mother and daughter.
But as he took a step, he felt a tug on his sleeve, halting him.
Taking another step, he was pulled back again, still unable to move.
Chapter 13 The Auction
Li Sheng turned in confusion to Bai Ye, who was clutching his sleeve, her eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at Liu Hongfeng.
"Junior Sister?" He waved a hand in front of her.
Bai Ye didn't respond, her gaze fixed, seemingly lost in thought.
Finally, she murmured, "I miss my mother."
"If you miss her, you can visit her sometime. Let's go; the auction is about to start."
"My mother is gone."
"..."
"After the capital city competition, we can pay our respects together."
"Brother... her voice sounds just like my mother's, always so gentle." Bai Ye watched Liu Hongfeng leave, sorrowful.
"Looks like you see your mother's shadow in her. You're impossible," Li Sheng muttered, quickly catching up with Liu Hongfeng and her daughter.
"Leader Liu, you rushed off before I finished speaking."
"Leader Li, I'm listening." Liu Hongfeng turned, surprised.
"Prepare the herbs; just send them to Qingling Sect when ready." Li Sheng scratched his head.
"Are you really willing to help us?"
"It's not me, it's my junior sister. The one hundred spirit stones are non-negotiable." He pointed to Bai Ye, who was now happily following him toward Baibao Pavilion.
"What are you waiting for? The auction is starting!" he urged Bai Ye, who perked up, skipping along.
This left Liu Hongfeng and her daughter astonished.
"Hong Ying, send some disciples to gather the needed herbs around the city."
"But mother, don't we have enough herbs in our sect?" Hong Ying questioned.
"Just do it," Liu Hongfeng replied, shaking her head.
Inside the main hall, Li Sheng and Bai Ye followed Manager Liu through a narrow passage, emerging into a spacious area bustling with activity. An elderly man animatedly engaged the crowd, while a line of women presented items on red-covered trays.
The circular seating around the stage was filled, with VIP rooms above, the noise making Li Sheng frown.
"Young Master Li, this way please; I'll take you to the VIP room," Manager Liu urged.
Once inside the room, the noise faded. After instructing a maid, Manager Liu took his leave.
At that moment, the auctioneer presented a black sword, glimmering ominously under the lights.
"This is a sixth-grade sword forged from obsidian, weighing three hundred thirty-three pounds, starting at eighty spirit stones, with bids increasing by at least five."
Excitement surged in the crowd.
"I bid ninety!"
"I bid a hundred; no one else better compete!"
"One hundred and ten!"
"One hundred and fifteen!"
After fierce competition, the sword sold for one hundred sixty-five spirit stones.
The auction continued with a sixth-grade inner armor fetching two hundred eighty spirit stones. Li Sheng participated as well, acquiring three books of seventh-grade martial arts and one sixth-grade book for a total of two hundred fifty spirit stones.
"Next up are two lower-grade detoxification pills, known to effectively dispel demonic energy."
"Mother, look! Detoxification pills! Too bad they're only lower-grade," Liu Hong Ying lamented from her box.
"Let's bid on one; if Leader Li fails to refine..." she quickly corrected herself, "He'll definitely succeed."
"For me, lower-grade pills won't help much. Only medium or higher-grade can dispel the lingering demonic energy."
"The first detoxification pill starts at fifteen spirit stones, with increments of one."
"Sixteen!"
"Seventeen!"
"Twenty-two!"
"Thirty!"
"Thirty? Detoxification pills are only worth twenty-seven; anything more is ridiculous!"
"Hong Ying, don't..." Liu Hongfeng sighed, recognizing her daughter's concern.
"Thirty-five!"
"Crazy!"
"Is there spirit stones to waste?"
"That voice belongs to Tian Qingfeng, it's certainly the Elders' doing!" anger flashed on Liu Hong Ying's face.
"Forty!"
"Hong Ying, don't be reckless..." Liu Hongfeng warned, her brow furrowing.
"Forty-five!"
"Humph!" Liu Hong Ying sat down, fuming.
"The second detoxification pill starts at fifteen spirit stones!"
Before the auctioneer finished, a confident voice declared,
"Forty-five spirit stones!"
The audience quickly recognized the rivalry brewing between the bidders.
In another box, Tian Qingfeng grinned, "Grandpa, Liu Hongfeng still hopes a lower-grade pill can dispel her demonic energy; she must be desperate."
"Liu Hongfeng is a sixth-grade master; I heard her disciples are gathering materials for the pills?" an old man beside him shook his head.
"Just a futile struggle," Tian Qingfeng dismissed.
"Don't underestimate her; the appearance of high-grade pills at this auction seems suspicious. Inform the Wolf Pack that plans may have changed."
"Is that necessary?"
"Go!" The old man's tone grew stern, prompting Tian Qingfeng to hurry out.
"Next is one of our key items, a high-grade body-refining pill, starting at one hundred spirit stones, with increments of at least ten."
"One hundred spirit stones? Highway robbery!"
"Sure, it's high-grade, but it's only ninth-grade; selling it for this much is a scam!"
"You have no idea!"
"Fools!"
"High-grade pills not only possess immense medicinal power, but they also contain a hint of spiritual essence, aiding in breakthroughs."
"One hundred ten!"
"One hundred twenty!"
"..." "Two hundred thirty!"
As this bid rang out, the atmosphere grew tense.
"Two hundred thirty, once!"
"Twice!"
"Sold! Congratulations to VIP Room Three for winning the first high-grade pill."
"Insane," Li Sheng chuckled wryly; a high-grade pill fetching such a price was absurd, especially when a top-grade pill could go for much more.
"Brother, you finally understand how precious your pills are," Bai Ye teased, covering her mouth.
High-grade body-refining pills continued to sell, with the last fetching two hundred eighty spirit stones.
When the eighth-grade vitality pill was auctioned, the already heated atmosphere skyrocketed.
The first sold for five hundred spirit stones.
The second reached five hundred thirty spirit stones.
...
As the auction concluded, Manager Hua sent in four boxes filled with spirit stones, totaling over five thousand eight hundred spirit stones.
Chapter 14 Midnight Slaughter
"Are you satisfied with this auction, Young Master Li?" Manager Hua asked with a smile.
Li Sheng nodded in satisfaction, "Manager Hua, let's skip the pleasantries. I need some alchemical materials and martial arts manuals."
After some discussion, Li Sheng confirmed the transaction amounts.
Twenty seven-grade Bone Refining Pills, forty eight-grade Inner Breath Pills, fifty nine-grade Body Refining Pills, and twenty various detoxification and healing pills, totaling fifteen hundred spirit stones.
For martial arts manuals, three sixth-grade, seventeen seventh-grade, forty eighth-grade, and one hundred twenty ninth-grade, totaling three thousand one hundred spirit stones.
He also browsed the God Weapon Pavilion, selecting a full set of fifth-grade soft armor and a sixth-grade long sword for himself and his junior sister.
"Young Master Li, the total expense is seven thousand two hundred fifty spirit stones. With the gold-level VIP discount, it comes to five thousand eight hundred spirit stones. Do you need anything else?"
Throughout the walk, Manager Hua personally accompanied him, introducing treasures and maintaining a constant smile, occasionally brushing against Li Sheng's arm.
It wasn't until Bai Ye noticed and intervened that Manager Hua stopped.
"That's all. Please have these resources delivered to Qingling Sect tomorrow, Manager Hua." Li Sheng cupped his hands, not pretending to be mysterious, as he understood that with the resources of the Treasure Pavilion, they had likely already checked his background.
"Rest assured, Sect Master Li. My young lady specifically instructed me to assist you. If there's anything, you can send someone to inform us. The Treasure Pavilion will do its utmost." Manager Hua said sincerely, his smile fading.
"Thank you for your young lady's kindness. I wonder if I might have the fortune to express my thanks in person?"
"My young lady has already departed, but she mentioned that you will meet again soon."
"Meet again?" Li Sheng pondered the implications.
Manager Hua didn't elaborate further and sent someone to deliver the armor and sword.
As the two left the Treasure Pavilion, night had fallen, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the streets.
"Junior sister, take this soft armor." Li Sheng handed over the armor, still thinking about how to persuade her to accept it.
Bai Ye took the armor without refusing, simply nodding gently.
Li Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, unaware that a blush had crept onto Bai Ye's fair face.
After they returned to their respective rooms for the night, in another inn around the corner...
"Knock, knock..."
"Come in!" an elderly voice called from inside.
The door opened, and a burly young man walked in.
"Have you found out the details?" the old man asked, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.
"Reporting to Elder Feng, I couldn't get much out of that kid. I had to take him to a couple of brothels before he spilled anything, costing me..."
"Just tell me the news." Feng Lu threw a spirit stone and chided him.
The burly young man's eyes lit up as he caught the spirit stone and tucked it away.
"Three days ago, Qingling Sect hired several cart drivers to transport a batch of resources, including herbs and martial arts manuals. Elder Xiong should have gone for this matter."
"Oh?" Feng Lu stood up and began pacing, deep in thought.
"Where did Li kid get the spirit stones to buy resources... Could it be left by the Sect Master?"
"How long has Elder Xiong been gone?" Feng Lu paused to ask.
"Exactly a day has passed."
"A day... You take two people and watch outside the sect overnight. Report back if you see Elder Xiong."
"Overnight?" The young man's expression soured.
"You don't want to go?"
"Of course not... I'll go right away!" The young man quickly took his leave, turning to leave.
The night passed without incident.
As dawn broke, Li Sheng and the others set off.
After returning to the sect and having breakfast delivered by the kitchen, the convoy from the Treasure Pavilion arrived.
He instructed to activate the formation, and several carts entered the mountain gate.
Li Sheng got up to welcome them, seeing off Manager Liu and his party. After the refresh, Li Sheng headed to the Hidden Techniques Pavilion.
Seeing the hundreds of martial arts manuals on the racks, a smile appeared on Li Sheng's face.
He tossed five seventh-grade martial arts manuals into the Ziwai Wu Ding and silently recited,
"Simulation!"
A familiar glow appeared, revealing a brand-new martial arts manual.
Once he obtained the secret technique, a line of text caught his eye:
"Seventh-grade spiritual-level martial art: Golden Ape Fist Technique."
"It still has dual spiritual forms: Golden and Ape."
After storing the technique, he began to use today's synthesis chances. Moments later, twenty-five eighth-grade martial arts manuals disappeared, replaced by five seventh-grade ones.
Leaving the Hidden Techniques Pavilion, Li Sheng went to the alchemy room, where a top-quality Inner Breath Pill was freshly produced.
He placed the pill into a jade bottle and went to the Spirit Gathering Room, feeling the abundant spiritual energy within. Nodding in satisfaction, he swallowed the pill and began practicing the eighth-grade martial art, Thunder Tiger Breathing Technique.
Days and nights blurred in his training, and as the dim stone room filled with light, Li Sheng opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of turbid air:
"I've comprehended the Thunder form; only the Tiger form remains..."
Previously, when his talent was exceptional, he had reached his limit after forming a single spiritual body.
After the transformation, comprehending the Thunder form seemed to take little toll on his body.
Li Sheng moved his limbs, confirming all was well before continuing his training.
"At this rate, I should be able to grasp the Tiger form by dawn and break through to the next realm. I hope it goes smoothly."
He sat cross-legged again, activating the Thunder Tiger Breathing Technique. A faint rumble resonated within him, like rolling thunder, strengthening his physique and thickening the true energy in his dantian.
Time passed slowly, and Li Sheng's aura began to fluctuate. In a daze, a sound like a tiger's roar echoed from within him.
As the dense night faded, a glimmer of light appeared on the eastern horizon. Just as Li Sheng was about to break through, a fierce battle quietly approached outside the mountain.
In the forest in front of the Qingling Sect's gate, three dark figures crouched in the grass; one was on watch while two others were sound asleep.
The watching young man yawned and nudged his companion awake: "I can't hold on anymore. You take over. This damn task is really exhausting."
"Uh... you sleep..."
"Clang, clash!"
The sounds of clashing weapons drew near, accompanied by shouts and threats.
"Wake up, there's movement." The recently awakened black-clad man quickly shook his companion awake and hid their figures.
"Master Liu took a hit from the Wolf King and can still hold on for this long with our help. Truly, a sixth-grade refining realm warrior. But I advise you to give up struggling; it'll save you some pain."
"Third Brother, this woman is about to give in. Let's put some effort into subduing her. Having such a stunning mother-daughter pair at our mercy would be exciting to think about."
"Of course, we'll have a good time later."
"Make sure to leave some energy for the two of you. If you kill her, playing with the corpse won't be as fun."
"Haha..."
A dozen black-clad men surrounded Liu Hongfeng and her daughter, shamelessly taunting them with words.
Though they appeared extremely arrogant, they subtly began to retreat, cautious of the dying counterattack from a refining realm warrior.
In the scene, Liu Hongfeng leaned slightly against her daughter, her left arm drooping, while her right hand held a sword, coldly sweeping towards the crowd. The wounds on her chest and thigh from various weapons were painfully evident, blood soaking her clothes crimson.
Chapter 15 Seventh-Grade Bone Forging Realm, Strength Reaches Forty Thousand Jin
"Mother, waah... don't worry about me, you can't escape with me." Liu Hongying cried like a delicate flower in the rain, resembling a little beast in distress, pulling at her mother, filled with guilt.
If it weren't for saving her, her mother would have been able to escape safely on her own. It's all her fault.
Liu Hongfeng's face was frighteningly pale, but she still managed to smile gently.
"Hongying, you're already fifteen; you're an adult now. In the future, don't act impulsively. Think before you speak."
"Mother, please stop! You need to go, quickly!" Hearing her mother's tone as if she were giving her last words tore Liu Hongying's heart apart.
"Listen to me, daughter. I can't accompany you on your journey anymore. You must live well. That's the entrance to the Qingling Sect. Soon..."
"Mother... I won't go... I want to stay with you. If we die, we die together." Liu Hongying shook her head frantically.
"Do you want to see me die without peace?!" A sinister expression flickered across Liu Hongfeng's pale face.
"Mother... mother..."
"Li Zhangmen is not an ordinary person. You must listen and act wisely. You have to live well, my daughter... You will always be my pride." With that, Liu Hongfeng pushed her daughter out of the encirclement.
"Chase!"
"Catch that girl!"
"Who dares?!" Liu Hongfeng's black hair whipped wildly as her dense true qi erupted with rich demonic energy.
Strange black patterns emerged on her pale skin.
"Be careful!"
"She's gone mad!"
"How dare she forcefully activate her true qi and demonic energy? Not even a deity could save her now!"
"Get back!"
"Mother!!!"
Liu Hongying cried heart-wrenchingly, wanting to turn back, but her mother's words brought her back to her senses.
"If you dare come back, you will no longer be my daughter!"
Liu Hongfeng coldly stared at the surrounding black-clad figures, enveloped in a faint black mist. She only had one strike left; while she could take out half of them, her daughter, still close, would be in danger.
After several breaths, seeing her daughter about to step into the Qingling Sect's protective formation, a flicker of relief passed through Liu Hongfeng's eyes.
At that moment, she could no longer control the rampaging demonic energy within her, and her body slowly collapsed, her bloodshot eyes fixed on the direction of the Qingling Sect until she fell into darkness.
In a daze, it seemed her body fell into a warm embrace, the comforting sensation making her unconsciously nuzzle closer.
A moment ago, Li Sheng had comprehended the transformation of the tiger form and broke through to the seventh-grade bone refining realm, greatly increasing his strength. Just as he was about to celebrate, his companion quickly appeared, informing him of a disturbance outside the mountain gate.
When the thought arose, he saw the scene outside the mountain gate—a clear struggle between two factions, and Liu Zhangmen was defeated.
At first, he didn't plan to intervene, wanting to avoid trouble and just focus on growing stronger. However, the parting scene between Liu Zhangmen and her daughter etched itself deep in his mind.
Before he knew it, he found himself walking out of the mountain gate, emerging from the formation, rushing towards Liu Hongying, who looked bewildered.
His steps seemed slow, but every time he blurred out of sight, he reappeared seven to eight zhang away, and in just two breaths, he reached the scene and caught Liu Hongfeng's collapsing body.
Looking down at her nuzzling his chest unconsciously, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Li Sheng's face.
He gently laid her down on the ground and began assessing the surrounding black-clad figures.
"Two seventh-grade, the rest are eighth-grade," Li Sheng calculated in his mind.
"This is a matter of my Evil Wolf Valley; why are you interfering?"
"When did the affairs of the Huajian Sect become a concern of your Evil Wolf Valley?" Li Sheng replied, puzzled.
"The Huajian Sect has already fallen under the banner of my Evil Wolf Valley. We are pursuing traitors; I hope you do not interfere to avoid bringing disaster upon yourself."
These individuals were ruthless and violent; their seemingly polite words stemmed not from kindness but from the fear instilled by Li Sheng's swift movement.
Li Sheng shook his head; since he had already intervened, he didn't plan to explain, as Liu Zhangmen's injury couldn't be delayed any longer.
With that thought, his figure instantly blurred and vanished.
To capture the leader first—a timeless truth.
When he reappeared, he was already in the midst of the crowd, a flash of cold light slicing towards a seventh-grade martial artist.
"Not good! Let's work together to take him down!"
Though startled, the black-clad figures quickly organized themselves, swinging their hammers to counter his sword light.
"Clang!"
The sword met the hammer, and the hammer shattered instantly.
"Poof!"
The expression of the black-clad man turned to shock as his body separated.
Seeing the third-in-command slain in an instant, the others trembled in fear. Li Sheng's figure vanished again, escaping the siege, his sword aiming for another seventh-grade martial artist.
The fourth-in-command felt a tremor of fear; having seen the third brother killed in a single strike, he knew he couldn't withstand this opponent.
He grabbed a nearby comrade and hurled them at Li Sheng before turning to flee.
Li Sheng's sword trembled slightly, piercing through the chest of the flying black-clad man. When he reappeared, his sword pierced the throat of the fourth-in-command.
"You... you're a sixth-grade martial artist... how can there be a sixth-grade martial artist in the Qingling Sect?"
Before he could finish speaking, the man had already died.
"The opponent is a sixth-grade martial artist! Run!" The remaining black-clad figures scattered in panic, fleeing in all directions.
Li Sheng had just wanted to finish them off when a muffled groan suddenly sounded.
Turning his head, he saw Liu Hongfeng, still unconscious, spit out a mouthful of blood, her breath weakening.
"Clang!"
Li Sheng sheathed his sword, disregarding the fleeing black-clad figures, and hurried over to scoop up Liu Hongfeng, heading back to the sect.
All of this happened in less than half a minute, leaving Liu Hongying still in shock, staring blankly at the formation.
When she saw Li Sheng approaching, carrying her mother, she pinched her own pale arm hard.
"Hiss~"
"This isn't a dream?!"
"Mother!!!"
As Li Sheng drew near, he said irritably, "What are you wailing about?"
Wiping her tears, Liu Hongying followed closely, looking pitiful as she said, "Brother Zhangmen, please save my mother. Hongying will repay you with all my strength."
"Good thing it's not about repaying favors in the next life..." Li Sheng thought to himself.
"Your mother's injuries are severe. I will do my best, but whether she can be saved depends on her fate," Li Sheng nodded.
"Thank you, Brother Zhangmen," Liu Hongying expressed with joy, bowing deeply in gratitude.
Back at the residence, Li Sheng instructed a disciple to notify Bai Ye and then laid Liu Hongfeng on the bed, grabbing her delicate wrist to examine her condition.
As true qi entered her body, Li Sheng's brow furrowed instantly.
Inside Liu Hongfeng, the true qi and demonic energy were devouring each other, clashing violently; the situation was already out of control, a chaotic mess.
He had to split his true qi, avoiding the chaotic turmoil and protecting her fragile organs and flesh.
At this time, Bai Ye arrived, and upon seeing Liu Hongfeng, who had turned into a blood-soaked figure on the bed, his expression changed dramatically.
"How did Liu Zhangmen get such serious injuries?"
Without explanation, Li Sheng hurriedly asked, "Do you have any blood-stopping medicine? If this goes on, Liu Zhangmen might bleed to death."
Chapter 16 Liu Hongfeng Enters the Sect
"I have it with me," Bai Ye said as he set down the box.
"First, fetch some water to clean the wounds."
Li Sheng carefully held the opponent's delicate wrist, channeling his energy with precision.
The internal situation was complex, requiring his full attention.
Soon, two basins of water were brought in, and upon seeing the sweat on Li Sheng's forehead, Liu Hongying quickly wiped it away.
Bai Ye checked Liu's injuries—there were wounds on her collarbone, thigh, and abdomen.
"Quickly clean the wounds and apply medicine to stop the bleeding," Li Sheng urged.
The clash of true energy and demonic energy intensified, causing waves that threatened Li Sheng's defenses.
To avoid drawing attention, his energy output was minimal, only protecting vital areas.
"Yes!" They divided tasks: Bai Ye cleaned the upper wounds while Liu Hongying focused on the thigh.
As they worked, a delicate scene unfolded, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Li Sheng focused inward, carefully channeling his energy.
After some effort, they managed to bandage the wounds.
"Senior brother, let me take over," Bai Ye suggested, seeing the sweat pouring from Li Sheng's forehead.
"If I withdraw my energy now, it would worsen the situation. Just a bit longer," Li Sheng shook his head.
"Master, how is my mother?" Liu Hongying asked, her eyes red with worry.
Li Sheng seemed not to hear her question, intent on his task.
"Ugh!"
Liu Hongfeng coughed up blood again, and Li Sheng's expression darkened.
Things were escalating—he knew whether Liu would be saved depended on this crucial moment.
With that thought, he pressed his hand against her abdomen, the smooth warmth causing a ripple of emotions.
He quickly dismissed any distractions, splitting his energy to protect both her organs and her dantian.
"She's a refined warrior; a lower-tier warrior wouldn't have survived this," Li Sheng mused.
His energy not only shielded against the shockwaves but also protected her organs, consuming his focus.
Moments passed, and his clothes were soaked with sweat, heat rising from his head.
Liu Hongying wanted to help him wipe his sweat, but Bai Ye stopped her, knowing any distraction could undo their efforts.
Time dragged on, and Li Sheng's complexion grew pale.
After several hours, the situation inside Liu's body calmed; the true energy and demonic energy had reached a strange balance.
Li Sheng knew this state wouldn't last—if it erupted again, it would be too late.
"Mm~"
Liu Hongfeng groaned and struggled to open her eyes.
"Where... where is this?"
"Mother! You're awake!"
"After you fell unconscious, it was Brother Master who saved you. Several hours have passed, and he has been healing you all this time."
Seeing her mother awake, Liu Hongying was overjoyed, chattering away.
Feeling the warmth at her wrist and abdomen, Liu Hongfeng felt a blush rise.
In nearly thirty years of life, it was her first time being so close to a man.
"Li... Master Li... thank you for saving me..."
Sensing the awkwardness, Li Sheng quickly withdrew his hand.
"Master Liu, try to sense if you can control your inner energy," he suggested, changing the subject.
Liu Hongfeng closed her eyes to feel, and when she opened them again, her expression was grim.
"Thank you for your help, Master Li... the demonic energy and true energy have fused completely, eroding my body. Even a top-tier Golden Core Pill may not help, but thank you for letting me see Hongying again."
Liu Hongfeng smiled gently, seeming to find peace.
"You won't have any issues...," Liu Hongying's eyes turned red, pouting.
Hearing her mother, Li Sheng and Bai Ye exchanged a knowing glance.
"Master Liu, if I can heal you, how about you and your daughter join my Qingling Sect?" Li Sheng asked confidently.
Having a sixth-tier warrior would fulfill the sect's requirements for advancement.
"We agree! We agree!" Liu Hongying exclaimed eagerly, as if grasping at a final lifeline.
"Wait a moment, Master Liu, do not rejoice too early to avoid worsening your condition. I'll be right back."
After saying that, Li Sheng turned to leave.
To spare her daughter's feelings, Liu Hongfeng didn't elaborate but accepted her fate inwardly.
"Master Liu, with such a big issue, where is your husband?"
"Husband?" Liu Hongfeng hesitated; before she could explain, Liu Hongying rushed in.
"Mother isn't married; I was picked up by her," Liu Hongying sniffled.
"I see," Bai Ye nodded.
After a short while, Li Sheng returned, standing by the bed, pouring out a pill from a jade bottle.
"Four patterns? A top-tier Golden Core Pill?!!!"
Seeing the pill, Liu Hongfeng's mouth fell open in disbelief as she looked at Li Sheng.
"Yes, it's a top-tier pill," Li Sheng smiled.
A top-tier pill for a sixth-tier expert seemed a worthy exchange to him.
Moreover, the two siblings were now seventh-tier, capable of contending with sixth-tier warriors, alleviating concerns about competition.
"This is too precious..." Liu Hongfeng understood the pill's value—something a mere sixth-tier warrior shouldn't possess.
Yet, with survival at stake, how could anyone resist?
Noticing her hesitation, Li Sheng teased, "Master Liu, there's no need to refuse; just fulfill my conditions."
"Thank you, Master Li!"
Liu Hongfeng took a deep breath, no longer refusing, and swallowed the pill, determined to repay him well in the future.
"Let's go; Master Liu needs rest to recover. We should step out," Li Sheng suggested.
Outside, he inquired about the circumstances.
After Liu Hongying explained, Li Sheng understood why the Evil Wolf Valley dared to act against the Flower Sect under the protection of an alliance.
It turned out a few elders of the Flower Sect had betrayed them, siding with the Evil Wolf Valley—internal strife of this nature was outside the alliance's jurisdiction.
Evil Wolf Valley was also a tier-three force, ranking among the top sects around the Changqing Mountain Range.
With three sixth-tier warriors within, they dispatched just one to easily seize the Flower Sect's territory.
As time passed, afternoon arrived, and Li Sheng instructed the kitchen to prepare more food.
Creak~
The tightly closed door slowly opened, revealing Liu Hongfeng in a blue robe, a hint of color returning to her face.
The robe was brought by Bai Ye but fit her tightly, accentuating her curves and almost causing Li Sheng to lose focus.
Sensing his gaze, Liu Hongfeng blushed, then straightened up to bow:
"I am Liu Hongfeng from the Qingling Sect, greetings, Master Li!"
Chapter 17 Reactions from All Sides
Hearing Liu Hongfeng's title, Li Sheng's face lit up as he checked the panel.
Host: Li Sheng
Title: Master of Qingling Sect
Sect: Qingling Sect + (Conditions Met for Promotion)
Sect Points: 0
Cultivation Level: Seventh-tier Bone Refining Realm
Martial Arts: Turtle-Snake Body Refining Technique (Complete), Thunder Tiger Breathing Technique (Complete)
Talent for Cultivation: Superior (National Talent)
Comprehension: Superior (National Talent)
Skills: None
Training Arena: +
Transmission Hall: +
Library (Martial Arts Simulation):
Spirit Spring Pool: +
Alchemical Room (Potion Synthesis):
Spiritual Vein: Low-tier (Talent +2, Comprehension +2, Physical Improvement - Strong)
Protective Array: Second-tier (Restoration)
"Finally, I can be promoted!" Li Sheng suppressed the urge to advance immediately.
The system had indicated that each promotion would earn him five sect points, and the stronger the sect, the more points gained after promotion.
"Next, my junior sister and I need to push hard for the sixth tier, ideally before the competition in the capital..."
"Senior Brother."
Seeing Li Sheng in a daze, Bai Ye tugged at his arm.
"Master Liu, please rise... uh, no, I mean, Senior Liu..."
As Li Sheng's titles became increasingly absurd, Liu Hongfeng chuckled helplessly.
"Master, I'm only twenty-nine. I can't bear the title of 'Senior'."
"Twenty-nine? That's only six years older than him..."
Li Sheng scratched his head; it was hard to gauge a woman's age at this stage.
She could easily pass for twenty-five or thirty-five; the effects of martial arts did resist aging.
"Then I'll call you Sister from now on; you're the second elder of my Qingling Sect."
Liu Hongfeng nodded, taking a seat at the table while they ate and chatted.
Meanwhile, several dozen miles away in the Evil Wolf Valley, the atmosphere was tense.
Evil Wolf Valley had three factions: the Evil Wolf lineage, the Killing Wolf lineage, and the Wolf King lineage.
Each faction had a sixth-tier Bone Refining warrior, with the leader of the Wolf King lineage already at full mastery.
In the main hall, three golden thrones were occupied by sixth-tier warriors, surrounded by their subordinates.
A cold voice rang out from the center throne.
"So, you're telling me not only did that woman from the Flower Sect survive, but the third and fourth from the Evil Wolf lineage fell as well?"
The kneeling figures trembled, lowering their heads even more.
"Evil Wolf, speak."
"Big Brother, that woman had long been infused with demonic energy and took a stab from me—she should be dead for sure. The third and fourth rushed in to claim credit and..."
"Describe the one who killed the third and fourth; how dare he meddle in the affairs of Evil Wolf Valley!"
One of those kneeling hurriedly replied,
"Returning to the Wolf King, that man is in his twenties, came from Qingling Sect, and is incredibly strong with strange movement techniques—he killed both of our leaders in just a few moments."
"Exactly, the fourth leader said he had sixth-tier strength; if it weren't for the Flower Sect Master's worsening injuries, he would have turned to leave, and we might not have escaped."
Another added.
"Qingling Sect, early twenties, sixth-tier?" The Wolf King muttered to himself.
"That's nonsense!"
"The Master of Qingling Sect has long fallen, and the three seventh-tier elders have withdrawn from the sect, leaving behind only a ninth-tier waste to take the blame. Are you suggesting that waste has somehow advanced to sixth-tier in just a few days?"
The right-hand man of the Killing Wolf lineage berated, convinced these men were fabricating stories out of fear.
"What we say is true!"
Seeing the sincerity in the kneeling men's expressions, the Wolf King pressed his right hand down.
"If that's the case, we should pay a visit; I want to see what this Qingling Sect is all about."
"Big Brother, we're protected by the alliance; we might..." one of the Evil Wolves hesitated.
"What's the problem? We can easily take one of those three withdrawing elders as a front to deal with the alliance," the Wolf King dismissed, unconcerned.
"Big Brother is wise; I'll send someone to investigate right away."
...
In Qingshan City, at an inn, Feng Luyi stood by the window with a serious expression, recalling the reports from the disciples earlier.
"Sixth-tier Bone Refining Realm... how is that possible?"
"Unless he's been hiding his strength all these years!"
The more he thought, the more convinced he became; earlier assumptions about the Master's inheritance had been discarded.
A sixth-tier warrior, let alone an inheritance, could hardly be cultivated by resurrecting the Master in such a short time.
That fool, Xiong Zhuang, was probably already dead.
Remembering how he had plotted to make Li Sheng take the blame, a chill crept into Feng Luyi's heart.
The disdainful attitude they had displayed would likely seem ridiculous to Li Sheng.
"However, if Li Sheng has such strength, why didn't he keep them alive? Instead, why did he inherit the worthless Qingling Sect?"
Feng Luyi pondered, feeling increasingly puzzled. He decided to seek out Junior Sister Lu for a chat.
This was not only to avoid retribution but also to clarify matters; after all, the two-star sect, Fengjiang Valley, had shown interest in this location, indicating there were things he didn't know.
With this in mind, Feng Luyi leaped out the window without informing the other disciples.
...
Back at Qingling Sect, in the courtyard.
"Sister Liu, how is your injury recovering?" Li Sheng set down his chopsticks and took a sip of tea.
Feeling the gray energy within her, Liu Hongfeng felt a twinge of worry.
Her true energy had actually fused with the demonic energy; not only did she feel fine, but she seemed stronger.
She was on the verge of reaching sixth-tier mastery but chose to conceal the reason for now.
"Rest assured, Master; the effects of the top-tier pill are astonishing. My injuries have healed significantly, and by tomorrow night, I should be fully recovered."
"That's good."
After eating and drinking their fill, Li Sheng instructed a woman to take Liu Hongfeng and Bai Ye to their previous quarters where Lu Qinghong and her daughter stayed.
"Junior Sister, there's about half a month until the competition in the capital. During this time, you need to train diligently; it would be best to break through to sixth-tier before the competition."
"Half a month from seventh-tier to sixth-tier?" Bai Ye instinctively thought it was impossible.
But remembering the effects of the top-tier pills, her doubts faded away.
"Senior Brother, it might take two top-tier pills to have a chance at a breakthrough in such a short time," Bai Ye calculated softly.
"Don't worry about the pills; we've offended the Evil Wolf Valley, and with the potential threat of Lu Qinghong and her daughter joining Fengjiang Valley, we cannot relax for a moment."
"I will work hard!" Bai Ye's eyes shone with determination, feeling her senior brother was even more impressive in her eyes.
Seeing his junior sister leave, Li Sheng smiled slightly.
"Good, her mindset is set; she won't slack off now."
"As for Sister Liu, there are no materials for sixth-tier pills at the moment. She'll have to train with ninth-tier martial arts for now. Since the top-tier pill has already been revealed, there's no need to hide it."
"However, we must maintain a readiness for battle; we cannot let our guard down; this balance is something he needs to manage."
With these thoughts in mind, Li Sheng returned to his room, changed his bedding, and fell into a deep sleep.
Perhaps due to the significant energy expenditure during the rescue, Li Sheng slept especially soundly.
When he next opened his eyes, it was already midday the following day, just in time for the number of usages to reset.
Li Sheng hurried to the Library to exhaust his quota.
Once refreshed, he synthesized more potions.
Then he went to the Alchemical Room to refine a top-tier Bone Refining Pill.
Moments later, Li Sheng called a disciple to deliver a jade bottle to Bai Ye in the Spirit Gathering Room.
After a busy flurry of activity, Li Sheng finally had some downtime.
Instead of practicing seventh-tier martial arts, he strolled around the sect.
He played with Tuan Tuan, fed the Qinglin fish, and chatted with the old turtle, enjoying himself immensely.
Li Sheng's actions weren't out of laziness; rather, he had advanced too quickly.
In just a few days, he moved from ninth-tier to eighth-tier, then from eighth-tier to seventh-tier. Without taking time to settle down, it would hinder his future cultivation.
Just as he was enjoying his leisurely stroll, Feng Luyi arrived at Fengjiang Valley.
Chapter 18 The Attack of Evil Wolf Valley
Outside Fengjiang Valley, Feng Luyi was speaking amiably with the guarding disciples, showing none of his usual aloofness.
After their conversation, a disciple turned to head inside to notify others.
Soon, Lu Ying emerged, her expression showing signs of impatience.
"Feng Luyi, I told you I would inform you and Xiong Zhuang of any news. Why are you here in person?"
Seeing her anger, Feng Luyi forced a smile, inwardly cursing.
"What a petty person taking advantage of her position; she used to call me Brother Feng, and now she's climbing the ranks calling me Feng Luyi."
"Don't be upset, Sister; I have urgent matters to discuss," Feng Luyi quickly explained.
He then recounted Xiong Zhuang's death and Li Sheng's overwhelming defeat of the Evil Wolf Valley experts.
"That useless Li Sheng has become a sixth-tier... are you sure about this?" Lu Ying's face showed disbelief.
"Absolutely. Evil Wolf Valley has probably received word by now," Feng Luyi stated seriously.
"That kid has been hiding his strength all along, and now he's taken refuge in Qingling Sect—doesn't that seem suspicious to you?"
"This involves some plans of Fengjiang Valley, so I can't disclose the details right now."
"But I advise you to do whatever you wish, but don't provoke Bai Ye!" Lu Ying's tone grew impatient.
Feng Luyi's expression faltered; he held back his anger and smiled. "Sister, about what you mentioned earlier regarding helping me enter the valley..."
"Wait for news," Lu Ying said, turning to leave.
"You insufferable woman!" Feng Luyi's face darkened as he stormed off.
He couldn't ignore the dismissive tone in Lu Ying's words and felt regret about his earlier decision to leave the sect.
As he neared Qingshan City, Feng Luyi resolved to return home, pack up, and head to the capital.
Since he couldn't rely on Fengjiang Valley and given Li Sheng's current status, he had to escape.
Just as he made up his mind, three burly men approached him, one asking,
"Are you Feng Luyi?"
Feng Luyi looked around, feeling a chill; these were three seventh-tier warriors.
Noticing Feng Luyi's uncertainty, another man said, "Our Wolf King wants to see you; come with us."
"The Wolf King of Evil Wolf Valley?" Feng Luyi was taken aback but quickly realized their intentions.
They wanted to use him as a front to deal with Qingling Sect, likely preparing to attack.
"If I join Evil Wolf Valley, it might not be a bad thing," Feng Luyi thought, following them.
Two days later, the Wolf King sat in the center of the hall, meditating. Moments later, his second-in-command entered and bowed,
"Big Brother, it's done!"
"Why did it take so long?" The Wolf King's tone was icy.
"Big Brother, the folks at the station were too greedy; they haggled for a day and charged two hundred spirit stones before relenting," the second-in-command replied helplessly.
"Two hundred spirit stones?" The Wolf King frowned, feeling a sting.
However, thinking of the soon-to-be-acquired territory of Qingling Sect brightened his mood.
As long as the station didn't interfere, success was almost guaranteed; paying a few spirit stones was worth it.
"Let's go to Qingling Sect!"
Evil Wolf Valley had many members, and the news was unavoidable. After two days of spreading, even some families and martial arts halls within the city heard whispers, and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was no exception.
At this moment, a letter was dispatched from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion towards Qingling Sect.
Many factions receiving the news felt that Evil Wolf Valley was acting shamelessly, fabricating tales about Qingling Sect's master defeating two seventh-tier warriors just to claim their territory.
A few factions with accurate information had already quietly arrived near Qingling Sect, waiting to observe the developments.
...
Within Qingling Sect, Li Sheng finished using his refreshed quota, now holding a top-tier Bone Refining Pill.
He had used one the previous day; after a day of cultivation, he had mastered half of the first gold form and needed another day to comprehend it fully.
Passing by the training arena, Li Sheng paused.
For the past couple of days, he had spent much of his time there, getting to know the eight young disciples.
Among them, a boy named Wang Hu was particularly diligent, sleeping only three hours a night and spending the rest of his time practicing.
He was honest and open, often approaching Li Sheng with questions whenever he didn't understand something, being the only one with moderate talent among the group.
The practicing disciples noticed Li Sheng's arrival and became even more focused.
Wang Hu's eyes lit up, and he ran over, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Greetings, Master! I've had this pain in my chest since last night, and it hasn't gone away; am I cultivating incorrectly?"
"Let me see," Li Sheng raised an eyebrow.
After checking with his energy, he couldn't help but chuckle; it was clearly just a result of overexertion and fatigue.
"Take a break from training for the next two days and come see me again," Li Sheng shook his head.
"But my mom said I have to train hard so I can marry multiple wives in the future," Wang Hu's face turned red.
"You're thinking about wives at such a young age?" Li Sheng teased.
"I'm not! I just want to train!" Wang Hu hurriedly waved his hands.
"Alright, starting today, you're promoted to an outer sect disciple. Take a good rest for two days, and come see me for resources afterwards."
"Thank you, Master!" Wang Hu clumsily bowed and left, excited to share the good news with his mother.
"Calculating the time, my junior sister should have mastered the gold form by now; perhaps I should let her take it easy," Li Sheng thought.
For the past three days, Bai Ye had only rested for one hour and spent the rest of her time cultivating, making him quite worried.
He needed to advise her to pace herself; she was his only junior sister, and if she overexerted herself, he would feel heartbroken—it was too much trouble to take on another one.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."
Tuan Tuan appeared, chirping excitedly.
"Someone's delivering a message?"
Li Sheng focused his mind and saw a masked man on a fine horse stopped at the sect's entrance.
Li Sheng instructed Tuan Tuan to open the formation; upon seeing it activate, the masked man did not enter but shot the letter toward the entrance using his bow.
"Tuan Tuan, go retrieve the letter."
As the white light faded, a letter floated down.
Li Sheng caught it and opened it to reveal a few lines.
"Dear Master Li: According to reliable sources, all members of Evil Wolf Valley are mobilizing to attack your sect, including three sixth-tiers, forty-one seventh-tiers, and over four hundred eighth-tiers."
"While Hundred Treasures Pavilion can't interfere in sect matters, we can protect a few people. I urge you to decide quickly; as long as the green mountains stand, we won't fear a lack of firewood. Signed, Huayuan."
"Evil Wolf Valley is so powerful? They could rank among the top in the three-star factions!" Li Sheng felt a chill run down his spine.
He could handle the sixth-tier warriors, but so many seventh- and eighth-tiers would be exhausting.
"Should I abandon Qingling Sect?" This thought barely surfaced before he suppressed it.
With a second-tier array, there was still a chance of winning; as for accepting Hundred Treasures Pavilion's protection, that thought never crossed his mind.
Having traveled for ten years, he had grown tired of living at the mercy of others; he preferred to be a head of a chicken than a tail of a phoenix.
"It's just a fight... does he think I'm afraid?!" A strong intent to kill surged within Li Sheng.