Qingxuan Sect, Serene Bamboo Courtyard
This courtyard, nestled on the mountainside, had become Shen Mo's new residence. As a direct disciple and now the pride of Qingxuan Sect, it was no longer appropriate for him to stay in the inner disciples' quarters. This courtyard, previously reserved for elders, was reassigned to Shen Mo under Murong Yue's directive.
Shen Mo hadn't even started moving his furniture when Luo Shengnan, leading a group of disciples, rushed over to help. In no time, they moved everything into the courtyard, making it effortless for Shen Mo.
"This place is nice, with a rock garden, a pond, and two bamboo trees."
"Hmm, I guess it's called Serene Bamboo Courtyard because there's a bamboo tree on the left and another on the right," Shen Mo remarked with a smile as he headed to the east wing.
The room had already been cleaned meticulously. As a direct disciple and the winner of the Hundred Sect Ceremony, he didn't need to lift a finger; there were always people eager to assist him.
Shen Mo sat cross-legged on the bed, taking out two items from his storage ring. One was the Green Vine Pearl, which, when consumed, could accelerate blood production and thus speed up wound healing. This item could only be used once in a lifetime, making further consumption ineffective.
The other item was the Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill, a treasure essential for enhancing his Scorching Sun Flame Body to its pinnacle.
Shen Mo casually tossed the Green Vine Pearl into his mouth. The herbal fragrance spread, and the verdant energy permeated his body. An hour later, the pearl was fully absorbed.
He took a small knife and lightly cut his finger. Within three breaths, the wound healed completely.
Shen Mo was pleased. With this, he no longer had to worry about passing out from blood loss when using the demon armor fragment.
Next, he solemnly swallowed the Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill. This pill was crucial, providing a chance to elevate his Scorching Sun Flame Body to the highest tier.
As for the Cold Essence Crystal, he planned to keep it until he had gathered enough top-tier treasures for refining his Fiery Inferno Golden Core.
Meanwhile, at Qingxuan Sect's Cloud Mist Peak...
This was where Liu Yuanfeng and his son, Liu Yunxuan, resided, along with some of Liu Yuanfeng's personally mentored disciples. Returning from the meeting hall, Liu Yuanfeng's brows remained furrowed.
He couldn't understand why Song Chaofeng had suddenly capitulated, and so thoroughly, as if his support had vanished.
"I need to get to the bottom of this," Liu Yuanfeng muttered, shaking his head. Song Chaofeng's shift towards Murong Yue would affect him too, and he couldn't ignore it.
"Father! Great news! Wonderful news!" Liu Yunxuan's excited voice rang out.
"Silence! Have I not taught you to remain calm regardless of the situation?" Liu Yuanfeng scolded.
Liu Yunxuan smiled sheepishly. "Yes, Father, that was my mistake."
"Speak, then. What is it?" Liu Yuanfeng huffed.
Liu Yunxuan quickly replied, "The Alchemy King's Cave! Our people have found its exact location, near Cold Water Stream by Qingshan City!"
"What?!" Liu Yuanfeng's eyes widened, hardly able to believe his ears.
"Go! Quickly! We must leave immediately!" he shouted, momentarily forgetting his own advice about staying calm.
After all, it was the Alchemy King's Cave!
With a swift motion, Liu Yuanfeng grabbed Liu Yunxuan, and they shot out of Qingxuan Sect like a streak of light.
Many elders and disciples witnessed their rapid departure, wondering what urgent matter had arisen.
Despite carrying Liu Yunxuan, Liu Yuanfeng's speed remained unimpeded. Soon, they arrived at Cold Water Stream outside Qingshan City, where Liu Yuanfeng's men were already stationed, barring anyone from approaching.
Upon seeing Liu Yuanfeng, the scattered cultivators kneeled on one knee. "Greetings, Master."
Liu Yuanfeng hurriedly asked, "Is it here?"
The leading cultivator respectfully replied, "Yes, Master. This Cold Water Stream is a hundred meters deep. At the bottom, there's a recess in the rock wall, exactly where the Alchemy King's pills would be placed."
"We have reviewed many records and determined it must be here."
"Excellent!"
Liu Yuanfeng laughed heartily, swallowed a Qi Sealing Pill, and leaped into the water.
Liu Yunxuan shouted, "Father, I'm coming too!"
The father and son plunged into the icy water.
Soon, they found the location mentioned by the scattered cultivators.
Liu Yuanfeng took out a pill from his storage ring.
This pill was a Comprehension Pill, identical to the one Ling Xuan's father, Ling Jiuding, had obtained earlier.
Liu Yuanfeng placed it into the groove.
A faint sound came from the rock wall.
Immediately following was an incredible suction force.
Buzz!
Both were pulled inside.
The surroundings changed.
Moments later, they found themselves in a dry, clean stone chamber.
The chamber was empty, containing only a stone bed, stone table, and stone chairs.
There was also a tightly closed stone door.
"There's nothing here..." Liu Yunxuan looked around, puzzled.
Liu Yuanfeng pointed at the stone door, "Don't you understand? This is the place where the Alchemist King secluded himself. The treasures are behind that stone door!"
Liu Yunxuan's excitement grew, filled with anticipation.
Liu Yuanfeng placed his hands on the stone door, exerted his strength, and pushed it open.
Rumble!
The stone door opened.
What lay before them was a larger stone chamber.
But this chamber was also empty.
There was nothing.
Liu Yuanfeng and Liu Yunxuan's expressions shifted from joy to shock.
"Where are the treasures?" Liu Yuanfeng muttered.
"The Sword Sect's Alchemist King's cave contained Taiyi Nourishing Pills to enhance physique!" Liu Yunxuan was also stunned.
"Even if there's a difference between caves, there should at least be some spirit stones, spirit artifacts, or pills..."
"Father, what's going on..."
Liu Yuanfeng aged a decade in an instant, "Stop talking."
"Father, why..." Liu Yunxuan grabbed his hand.
"I said stop talking!" Liu Yuanfeng was enraged and flung his son's hand away.
Bang!
Liu Yunxuan's body slammed into the rock wall, nearly spitting blood.
Liu Yuanfeng froze, quickly rushing over to help his son up, "Father... Father lost his temper."
Liu Yunxuan coughed up blood repeatedly, "Father... why is there nothing here..."
Liu Yuanfeng closed his eyes in pain, "Son, don't you understand? Someone got here before us!"
"Before we found this Alchemist King's cave, someone had already discovered it and took all the treasures!"
"Poof!" Liu Yunxuan, overwhelmed, spat blood and fainted.
Liu Yuanfeng screamed in panic, "Yunxuan! Yunxuan!"
...
Qingxuan Sect, dusk.
A bloodstained figure stumbled into the training ground.
Disciples quickly gathered around.
This person was covered in cuts, burns, and sword wounds.
Their clothes were tattered, and they were covered in scars.
They looked like a beggar.
When the disciples recognized who had fainted, they shouted in shock.
"It's Elder Song Chaofeng, he's severely injured, quickly, get the Sect Master and the elders!"
Deacon Zhang Weihu, who was in the training ground, panicked and shouted urgently.
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