With a hint of anger, Li Luoning slapped the stone table,
but to his surprise, the table shattered instantly under his palm.
[What's happening to me? Where did that surge of resentment come from?] Staring incredulously at the pale blue glow of his magic, Li Luoning was filled with confusion.
Outside the cave, the two men heard the sound and were startled.
"What did you do just now? Is he trying to demolish this cave?" Jia Guqing asked, leaning against a rock and drinking wine.
"Nothing much, it's just that I didn't memorize the heart technique Master instructed me to learn this morning," Mi Xingzhe said weakly.
"Ah, it's just a heart technique. Is there a need to get so angry? Was your Master always like this in Mirror Cloud Residence?" Jia Guqing asked, taking a sip of wine.
"Before... Master wasn't like this before. But back then, Brother Qingyi was always protecting me. Now, everything seems different," Mi Xingzhe said with his head down, his voice full of grievance and self-blame. Ever since Brother Qingyi died, everything seemed to have changed.
"Ah, everything has its destiny. You shouldn't blame yourself too much." Jia Guqing didn't continue the conversation, taking another sip of wine before leaning back against the rock to rest his eyes.
Back in The Liao Yin Immortal Realm, O Shinan,
stumbling in a daze, entered his room, shutting the door behind him and collapsing onto the bed.
With tears in his eyes, he pulled out the hibiscus jade bracelet from his chest. His mind was flooded with memories of Hua Ruoying: her disdainful look when she saw him, her excitement at the sight of a room full of herbs, even her angry expressions. It was all as clear as yesterday. But now, all of it had turned to nothing with Hua Ruoying's ascension, leaving only the bracelet in his hand.
O Shinan's eyes were hollow and filled with pain. He clenched the bracelet tightly, his eyes darkening. After a moment of contemplation, a sinister smile appeared on his face.
"Since you are all in such a hurry, I'll send you all to the netherworld to accompany her sooner." O Shinan's voice, cold as forged ice, came through his clenched teeth, each word dripping with hatred.
Early the next morning, as the eastern mountains began to glow with the dawn light,
Li Luoning emerged from the cave, still seeming angry about the previous day's events.
"Where are you going so early?" Jia Guqing, half-asleep, asked from the cave entrance.
"Hunting." Li Luoning coldly replied with two words, not looking back as he headed down the mountain.
Mi Xingzhe, stretching as he exited the cave, greeted Jia Guqing, "Good morning, Elder Jia."
Jia Guqing, a bit surprised, moved closer to Mi Xingzhe, staring in the direction Li Luoning had left. "Don't you think something feels off?" he whispered in Mi Xingzhe's ear.
"No, Master has always been like this, keeping everyone at a distance," Mi Xingzhe replied, not noticing anything unusual.
"Follow." Li Luoning, who had already walked a distance, suddenly said.
"Oh, coming! Elder, I'll be back later with wine." Mi Xingzhe responded hurriedly and ran after Li Luoning.
"Hey, Little Golden Core, you..." Jia Guqing started to say, but Mi Xingzhe had already disappeared around the stone wall.
Left alone, Jia Guqing mulled over the situation, feeling increasingly uneasy.
"Something's wrong. Little Medicine Fanatic has a problem. But it shouldn't be... I've never heard of any side effects from the Cleansing Dust Technique. I need to ask about this." Jia Guqing muttered to himself and headed off in another direction.
In SiTu Fanzhi's residence in The Liao Yin Immortal Realm,
O Shinan entered, holding a golden multi-beast chalice.
Seeing SiTu Fanzhi still meditating, he raised his sleeve and collected a black-bordered toad from the side. The toad, once entirely golden-red, had lost its original appearance.
"Immortal Lord, the time is just right," O Shinan whispered in SiTu Fanzhi's ear.
Hearing the voice, SiTu Fanzhi ceased his magic, slowly opening his eyes. His once clear and righteous aura now seemed tainted with a dark malevolence. Taking a deep breath, he felt a powerful, scorching spiritual energy coursing through him, nodding in satisfaction.
"Thank you for your efforts in protecting me during this time, Apothecary O."
"Immortal Lord, it is my duty to serve you. Your tireless efforts for The Liao Yin Immortal Realm make it an honor for me to offer my humble assistance. There's no need to mention hardship." O Shinan's gentle voice carried an undeniable persuasive power.
He slowly presented the golden multi-beast chalice to SiTu Fanzhi.
"Immortal Lord, this is a nourishing tonic I specially prepared for you to replenish your energy after prolonged meditation." He handed the chalice to SiTu Fanzhi.
SiTu Fanzhi took the chalice and inspected it,
"This golden multi-beast chalice was a gift from Immortal Master Xiao Yi. You're using it to hold tonic?" SiTu Fanzhi teased.
"This chalice can identify and neutralize toxins. Using it to hold the tonic is just to ensure that you drink it with peace of mind." O Shinan replied with a slight smile.
"You have now helped me obtain the Chi Xi Pill. Trust must be mutual; surely you don't think I doubt your loyalty?" SiTu Fanzhi said, raising his hand to down the medicinal soup in the golden multi-beast chalice, not noticing the fleeting gleam of triumph in O Shinan's eyes.
In Jiuling,
Mi Xingzhe followed Li Luoning for a long distance without seeing a single animal. From last night until this morning, Li Luoning hadn't spoken a full sentence to Mi Xingzhe. Having finally left the boring cave, Mi Xingzhe was disappointed to find not even a trace of wildlife along the way.
Mi Xingzhe's feet were numb from walking, but his master showed no signs of stopping for a rest.
"Master..." Mi Xingzhe tried to call out softly, too exhausted to continue.
Li Luoning heard his call and stopped abruptly, causing Mi Xingzhe to nearly crash into him. "What is it?"
"This Jiuling is full of rocks. Where are we going to hunt?" Mi Xingzhe asked, looking around at the barren cliffs.
"Kunlun Hill," Li Luoning replied coldly and continued walking.
"Kunlun Hill? The place where many ferocious beasts are said to be imprisoned?" Mi Xingzhe's eyes widened, and he rushed in front of Li Luoning to ask.
Li Luoning ignored him and walked around him, continuing forward.
Before long, the master and disciple arrived at the southeast corner of Kunlun Hill. A rustling sound came from an ancient tree opposite them. Mi Xingzhe peeked over and saw a bird, eight feet tall, perched on a branch, preening its feathers.
"That big? Master, how long will it take to eat such a bird?" Squatting in the grass, Mi Xingzhe looked up at Li Luoning, who was standing beside him, and asked with some difficulty.
Li Luoning didn't reply. With a single palm strike, he shattered the branch, then picked up Mi Xingzhe from the ground and threw him towards the bird.
Before Mi Xingzhe could react, he found himself lying next to the bird's enormous claws.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Mi Xingzhe slowly got up from the ground, careful not to make any sudden movements that might alarm the huge bird. He stared at the "prey" before him and whispered, "Master, what kind of bird is this, and how do I catch it?"
"An Osprey. Its beak is like an eagle's, its wings like a hawk's, its claws like a tiger's, with black markings and a white head, red beak, and golden feathers. It is a divine weapon among birds and beasts, perfect for you to practice with." Li Luoning was already perched on a tree behind Mi Xingzhe, leisurely watching the scene.
"Practice? I thought we were hunting?" Mi Xingzhe began to ask, but then a flash of light shot from behind him, hitting the osprey's wing. The bird, enraged by the attack, flapped its wings, creating a strong wind that sent Mi Xingzhe tumbling against a tree trunk.
The osprey took flight, its tiger-like claws reaching for Mi Xingzhe.
Mi Xingzhe dodged to the side, rolling to avoid the osprey's claws, which tore half of the tree trunk apart.
"Master, it's too big for me to defeat!" Mi Xingzhe shouted in panic, dodging the osprey's attacks while looking up at Li Luoning for help.
Li Luoning seemed completely indifferent, paying no attention to the battle below, instead admiring a crabapple fruit in his hand.
Seeing that Li Luoning had no intention of helping, Mi Xingzhe had to fight on, dodging the osprey's attacks with minor injuries. Realizing he couldn't continue like this, he searched for a weapon. Just as he got distracted, the osprey's golden beak lunged at him.
"Floating Light Leap, Golden Seal Radiance, release!" In a moment of desperation, Mi Xingzhe remembered the incantation, crossing his arms in front of his chest. As he completed the chant, a golden barrier appeared, blocking the osprey's attack.
Hearing Mi Xingzhe chant the incantation, Li Luoning finally looked over. Seeing him successfully summon the Floating Light Golden Seal for protection, he jumped down from the tree.
"That's enough."
Li Luoning's voice was light as he used his magic to grab the osprey's wing. Blue energy enveloped the wing, and with a twist of his hand, Li Luoning tore the wing off, causing the massive bird to crash to the ground.
Mi Xingzhe was still fighting the osprey and didn't notice the change. When he realized what had happened, he felt warm blood splatter on his face. Retracting the Floating Light Golden Seal, he wiped his cheek tentatively.
"Master, what is this?" Mi Xingzhe asked, looking at the fallen osprey with disbelief.
He couldn't believe his master had so easily torn apart the giant osprey.
In Mi Xingzhe's memory, his master was a gentle and elegant healer, but the scene just now made him feel like a stranger.
"Are you alright?" Li Luoning asked softly, lifting his sleeve to wipe the blood from Mi Xingzhe's face.
Mi Xingzhe instinctively stepped back, not wanting Li Luoning to touch him. His slightly furrowed brows and eyes showed confusion and fear.
"What's wrong, disciple?" Li Luoning asked with a gentle smile, as if returning to his usual demeanor.
"Nothing, nothing. Master, let's go back." Mi Xingzhe avoided eye contact, wiping the blood and cold sweat from his forehead.
"Alright." Li Luoning smiled and agreed.
In The Liao Yin Immortal Realm, SiTu Fanzhi drank the medicinal soup O Shinan had brought.
As he swallowed, he felt a refreshing coolness spreading down his throat, feeling quite comfortable. Just as he was about to praise O Shinan for the excellent tonic, he felt his spiritual energy turning cold, and a layer of frost appeared on his hands.
"You!" SiTu Fanzhi realized something was wrong, but before he could react, O Shinan swiftly sealed his acupoints, rendering him immobile as the cold energy spread through his body.
"Immortal Lord, no need to be so agitated. This is just a small gift from me to celebrate your return. After all, your life is still very useful to me," O Shinan said, his demeanor shifting from gentle to sinister. He lifted SiTu Fanzhi's chin with his fan, forcing eye contact.
SiTu Fanzhi, unable to move or speak, could only watch as O Shinan manipulated him.
"Actually, Immortal Lord, I know all your secrets. But..." O Shinan slowly extracted a wisp of energy from SiTu Fanzhi's hair crown. As it settled in his hand, it transformed into a scroll. He unrolled it slowly, reading the characters that appeared.
"This is your reason for exterminating the Li family all those years ago? Just for this uncertain celestial script?" O Shinan's face was full of amusement as he looked at the scroll, his arrogant gaze making him seem like the true ruler of The Liao Yin Immortal Realm.
SiTu Fanzhi's eyes burned with fury, but he could do nothing but stand there.
"What do you think Li Luoning will do when he finds out you were the one behind it all?" O Shinan's eyes gleamed with a cold light as he leaned in close to SiTu Fanzhi's ear.
"If it weren't for you, the Li brothers might not have turned against each other. Perhaps they wouldn't have come to The Liao Yin Immortal Realm as healers, nor taken on a Golden Core disciple. All of this is thanks to you, Immortal Lord." O Shinan taunted, patting SiTu Fanzhi's face with a mocking smile. He leaned in closer, his nose almost touching SiTu Fanzhi's, his slender fingers lightly tracing the now purple-black lips of SiTu Fanzhi.
"Immortal Lord, as smart as you are, how could you not guess my intentions? It seems the rumors about your unworthiness aren't unfounded after all."
SiTu Fanzhi closed his eyes in helplessness, trying to ignore the sinister man in front of him, but he still attempted to channel his spiritual energy to break free.
"I advise you to stop wasting your energy. This Crystal Frost Poison was specially prepared for you. Frost poison with your dual-element core, they are a perfect match, wouldn't you say, SiTu Frost?"