Within the Dragon Abyss Sword Tower, Feng Wuchen knew all too well the terrifying beings imprisoned there.
According to that middle-aged man, prisoners in Dragon Abyss might not be the strongest, but they were certainly the ones who had taken the most lives! Feng Wuchen had already experienced this firsthand in the Great Profound Heaven Realm when a maniac escaped from the first layer of Dragon Abyss.
The intensity of that killing intent still haunted him.
"The first layer's seal has been undone, and in three years at most, the second layer will be unlocked. By then, you'll have only two choices: either refine the sword in the second layer, just like today's refining of the Blazing Sun Sword, and strengthen your spiritual veins, or... that swordmaster will break free and kill you!"
These were the exact words of the middle-aged man.
Yet, even though three years had not passed and the second layer's seal remained intact, someone from the second layer had acted! That fearsome sword energy was far beyond what he could handle.
Did that mean his life was now in someone else's hands?
No... Something was off!
In an instant, Feng Wuchen realized a flaw in his logic. If someone from the second layer could act, why hadn't they killed him outright? Moreover, that entity had even helped him repel the formidable Ye Guluan at a critical moment.
In other words, someone from the second layer was protecting him!
Feng Wuchen gradually understood that the middle-aged man might not have revealed all the secrets of Dragon Abyss.
After unleashing that horrifying sword strike, the Dragon Abyss Sword Tower returned to silence, and the light leaking from the gaps between the chains dimmed slightly.
"Has his strength weakened?" Feng Wuchen's pupils trembled as he puzzled over the situation.
Logically, a merciless killer wouldn't deliberately spare someone like Ye Guluan. Why had he not been killed? The answer became clear: it wasn't a matter of mercy but capability.
Breaking through Dragon Abyss's barriers to strike must have severely cost him.
Feng Wuchen took a deep breath to calm himself. He observed Ye Guluan, who remained prostrate in terror, unmoving.
"He's gone," Feng Wuchen said softly.
Ye Guluan felt a surge of relief, slowly daring to lift his head. Locking eyes with Feng Wuchen once more, he had lost all the pride of a top expert, reduced to meekness.
"You... you and that Sword Sovereign…"
"Don't bother probing. If you're not convinced, try attacking me again!"
At Feng Wuchen's words, cold sweat poured down Ye Guluan's forehead. Another attack? He didn't dare. Even though that Sword Sovereign had never shown himself or confirmed a relationship with Feng Wuchen, the strike wasn't random. The elder must be this young man's relative or mentor.
One strike was mercy; a second attempt would be asking for death.
Ignoring Ye Guluan, Feng Wuchen walked to Qin Xiaorou's corpse, retrieved the Cold Essence she carried, and returned to his room.
Outside, a young woman ascended from below. Noticing Ye Guluan's miserable state, her eyes filled with astonishment.
"What happened to you? Where is he?"
Ye Guluan, still shaken, glanced nervously at Feng Wuchen's door.
"A Sword Sovereign intervened! Cough..."
"A Sword Sovereign?"
The woman's eyes widened, her brows furrowing. After a moment's thought, she said, "I understand. Leave the rest to me and go heal."
Despite being a high-ranking elder of the World's First Tower, Ye Guluan showed respect before the woman. Bowing slightly, he obeyed, "Yes!"
Sighing, the woman entered Feng Wuchen's room.
Inside, Feng Wuchen had just placed the Cold Essence back around Feng Ning's neck. Her body temperature began to stabilize, but her injuries still looked grave.
"Who's there?"
After the earlier battle, Feng Wuchen remained alert. Sensing someone's presence, he immediately prepared to act.
"Don't worry. I'm not your enemy."
Realizing there was no killing intent, Feng Wuchen relaxed his grip on the Blazing Sun Sword.
"What do you want?"
The woman approached, placing a hand over Feng Ning's broken wrist. Green light shimmered from her palm, and the swelling began to subside as wounds healed rapidly.
"A Spirit Healer!" Feng Wuchen's eyes widened in surprise. Like Sword Masters, Spirit Healers were rare among cultivators, specializing in healing and sealing rather than combat power. Their rarity surpassed even that of Sword Masters.
"If you recognize Spirit Healers, you should know I can heal your sister."
While he did not stop her treatment, Feng Wuchen's gaze remained cautious.
"You're also from the World's First Tower, aren't you? Is this how you make amends?"
"It's not exactly an apology. The person who wronged you is dead, and if you wish to demolish this place, I won't interfere. Healing her is simply my way of hoping to befriend you."
"Befriend me?" Feng Wuchen crossed his arms with a mocking smile.
"My name is Mu Qing, a Spirit Healer. And you?"
"Sword Master, Feng Wuchen."
Mu Qing nodded, saying nothing more, and focused on healing Feng Ning.
After a short while, Mu Qing stood up, visibly exhausted.
"She's fine now!"
Feng Wuchen examined Feng Ning, relieved to see that even her internal injuries were fully healed. The speed of recovery astonished him; Spirit Healers were indeed remarkable.
"She has a strong fire energy inside her. This Cold Essence must be to suppress it, correct? No wonder you care so much."
Feng Wuchen didn't answer but gently tucked Feng Ning in.
"You're heading to Qingchen Sect, aren't you?" Mu Qing suddenly asked.
"What if I am?" Feng Wuchen replied warily.
"It's a coincidence. My destination is nearby. We could travel together tomorrow."
As Feng Wuchen began to decline, Mu Qing interrupted, "Don't be hasty. You're now a target of the Blood Robe Tower. The journey to Qingchen Sect is long and perilous. If you travel with me, they won't dare act recklessly. I know you're strong, but think of the girl. Your Sword Sovereign protector can't intervene endlessly."
Her words made Feng Wuchen more vigilant. Mu Qing was unexpectedly shrewd, perhaps even more dangerous than Ye Guluan.
Mu Qing smiled disarmingly.
"Don't think I have ulterior motives. Consider it the World's First Tower's compensation if you will."
"Heh… fine! Tomorrow morning, I'll be waiting for you, Lady Mu."
"..."