Chapter 180: Master Li

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

On the other side, Chen Qing fled into the distance and did not notice Yu He pursuing him. He couldn't help but wonder, could it be that Yu He's target wasn't him after all?

But he quickly dismissed this thought.

Then why hadn't he caught up? Could it be... he had mistaken his identity?

Chen Qing suddenly recalled Jiang Chuanqiao's deliberately loud shout at the end, and his heart stirred.

That old demon had purposely revealed his identity, yet fled first, clearly intending to divert disaster, making Yu He mistakenly believe the person who made the sound was Chen Qing himself, thus chasing in the wrong direction!

Could it be that Yu He had mistaken him for someone else instead?

Chen Qing thought no more about it. He pushed the Startling Swan Escaping Shadow Formula to its limit and swiftly left this troublesome place, traveling without rest the entire way, specifically choosing small mountain paths to rush along.

Three days later, the travel-worn Chen Qing finally returned to the Five Terraces Sect mountain gate.

Not long after returning to Qingmu Courtyard, before he even had time to rest, an administrative officer came to deliver a message that Elder Sang requested his presence.

Chen Qing's heart stirred slightly. He simply tidied his robes and followed the officer to the council hall.

Inside the hall, both Elder Sang and Shen Xiuyong were present.

Elder Sang's expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, while Shen Xiuyong sat to the side with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Elder Sang, Master Uncle Shen," Chen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fists to both of them.

Elder Sang's gaze swept over him as he slowly spoke, "You've returned? Are you alright?"

Though his tone was mild, it carried a trace of concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Elder. This disciple is unharmed," Chen Qing replied respectfully.

Elder Sang nodded, then his expression immediately turned cold as he said with a snort, "Earth Origin Sect has truly gone too far! To dare 'coerce' our sect's chief disciple! The Sect Master already knows of this matter and has personally sent a letter to negotiate with the Earth Origin Sect Master. I'd like to see what excuse he, Yu He and his Earth Origin Sect, can provide this time!"

When sect disciples were targeted outside, the Five Terraces Sect naturally would not let it rest!

"Thank you, Elder, and Sect Master for upholding justice for this disciple."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, then added as a reminder, "Additionally, when this disciple was in Lin'an Prefecture, I discovered that someone had placed a dark bounty at One Blade Nunnery to hunt and kill this disciple. It seems... someone behind the scenes is fanning the flames, widely spreading news about the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl being in this disciple's possession."

During his return journey, he had heard various versions of rumors in wine shops and teahouses, clearly showing someone wanted to muddy the waters and use borrowed knives to kill.

Upon hearing this, Elder Sang's brows knitted tightly. After contemplating for a long while, he said, "One Blade Nunnery... This matter is quite troublesome. The sect will try to investigate the source of the dark bounty, but we may not have results quickly."

Chen Qing keenly noticed that when Elder Sang mentioned One Blade Nunnery, his tone carried a trace of solemnity, as if he wanted to say more but held back.

Afterward, Elder Sang gave Chen Qing a few more instructions, mainly telling him to act cautiously in the near term and not to leave the mountain lightly, then hurriedly left the council hall.

Only Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong remained in the hall.

Chen Qing once again cupped his fists solemnly to Shen Xiuyong, "Master Uncle Shen, on this trip to Lin'an, thanks to Master Uncle's repeated assistance and especially covering my retreat, this disciple is extremely grateful."

Shen Xiuyong waved his hand dismissively and smiled, "Enough, why be so formal with your master uncle? I'm just glad you're safe."

His gaze toward Chen Qing was full of appreciation. This young man not only had astonishing strength, but his ability to adapt on the spot and decisive judgment in combat far exceeded his peers.

Chen Qing smiled, then asked, "Master Uncle, earlier when Elder Sang mentioned One Blade Nunnery, he seemed quite concerned?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiuyong's smile faded, "Indeed, Elder Sang's concerns are not without reason. This One Blade Nunnery is not an ordinary assassin organization. Its background is extremely deep. It's said to have countless intricate connections with a certain thousand-year-old clan. If you want to cause them trouble, it's almost impossible."

"A thousand-year-old clan!?" Chen Qing's heart shook.

He was no longer an ordinary disciple and deeply understood what weight and power the four words "thousand-year-old clan" represented.

"That's right."

Shen Xiuyong confirmed, "Any clan that can endure for a thousand years without decline is without exception a famous giant within the realm, with deeply entrenched power and unfathomable foundations. Their clan has at least one, or even multiple, experts above True Aura realm presiding over it!"

He paused, then further explained, "Although our Five Terraces Sect is one of the four major sects in Yunlin Prefecture, our sphere of influence is mainly within Yunlin Prefecture, with limited reach. Even a prefecture hegemon-level sect like Chaoyong Sect has influence that at most radiates to two or three neighboring prefectures. Compared to such deeply rooted thousand-year-old clans, whether in strength, power, or influence, we fall far short. So wanting to move against One Blade Nunnery is as difficult as ascending to heaven. At most, we can try to find out who placed the dark bounty behind the scenes and deal with the one who hired the assassins."

Chen Qing's brows furrowed tightly as he slowly nodded.

After Shen Xiuyong's explanation, he understood that this One Blade Nunnery was indeed a hard bone that couldn't be gnawed. The behemoth behind it was absolutely not something he or even the Five Terraces Sect could easily provoke at present.

The current goal should be to find the person who placed the dark bounty.

"However."

Shen Xiuyong's tone shifted as he lowered his voice somewhat, "Through Old Qiao's connections, I did manage to find some scattered information. The one spending heavily to spread your whereabouts everywhere and provide information about you, behind the scenes there are vague traces of Golden Sand Fortress. Of course, they did it very discreetly, almost erasing all traces on the surface."

A cold light flashed in Chen Qing's eyes. It really was them!

On his way back, he had been thinking about it, and Golden Sand Fortress was highly suspicious.

"Thank you for informing me, Master Uncle."

He said in a deep voice.

Although Miao Zhiheng's death was questionable, Golden Sand Fortress still placed this debt on his head.

For them to fan the flames like this, even placing a dark bounty at One Blade Nunnery, nine out of ten times it was Golden Sand Fortress!

"Golden Sand Fortress..."

Chen Qing took a deep breath and carved this name into his heart, his eyes filled with killing intent.

He had always been clear about gratitude and enmity. Now that Golden Sand Fortress had secretly played tricks and posted a bounty, this feud was already a fight to the death.

"For this matter, you must be patient for now. The sect will apply pressure secretly, but it's not appropriate to make a big move openly."

Shen Xiuyong patted Chen Qing's shoulder, his tone becoming serious, "Lin'an Prefecture is not our sect's territory. Although Golden Sand Fortress is inferior to our Five Terraces Sect, they are deeply entrenched locally, with ties to both Earth Origin Sect and Sea Sand Sect. Without sufficient evidence, rashly demanding justice could cause even greater complications. The Sect Master and elders have their own considerations."

"This disciple understands."

Chen Qing nodded.

He deeply understood that the sect's actions needed to balance the overall situation. They couldn't completely tear their face with neighboring prefecture forces because of him alone, especially when the evidence wasn't ironclad.

But this didn't mean he would let it rest.

"The urgent matter at hand is for you to quickly improve your strength."

Shen Xiuyong spoke earnestly, "You are now at late-stage embracing elixir, only one step away from perfection. If you can break through to True Aura soon, what would a mere Golden Sand Fortress amount to? One's own strength is fundamental."

"Master Uncle's teaching is correct," Chen Qing deeply agreed.

This trip to Lin'an Prefecture, especially after crossing hands with True Aura experts, made him increasingly anticipate True Aura realm.

If he had True Aura cultivation, how would Yu He dare to pursue him so brazenly?

How would One Blade Nunnery's assassins dare to easily accept a dark bounty concerning him?

"Now that you have the Wood Yang Jade in hand, make good use of it."

Shen Xiuyong reminded, "If you have any questions, you can come ask me anytime."

The two chatted casually for a while longer before Chen Qing left the council hall.

Night gradually deepened as Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard.

He contemplated for a moment, then retrieved from home the Cold Crystal Grass and Red Blood Vine he had gathered from the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh, and even brought along that nearly twenty-year-old Silver-Veined Blood Mushroom.

Chen Qing's steps were light as he came to the rear courtyard.

This place was as quiet as always, with only a few eternal lamps under the eaves swaying with dim yellow light.

In the courtyard, Li Baichuan sat alone at the stone table with an unfinished chess game laid out before him. Black and white pieces were scattered about. He held a black piece, deep in thought, seemingly unaware of Chen Qing's arrival.

"Disciple Chen Qing pays respects to Master Li."

Chen Qing stood three steps away and bowed respectfully.

"Mm."

Li Baichuan didn't raise his head. His gaze remained on the chess board as he merely responded faintly, his fingers lightly tapping the black piece against the stone table surface, "It seems this trip yielded considerable gains. You've already obtained the wood attribute treasure?"

Chen Qing's heart tightened slightly. Master Li's insight was truly sharp.

He took out the jade box from his robes and presented it with both hands, "I purchased this item. Please inspect it, Master Li."

Only then did Li Baichuan slowly raise his eyes to the jade box.

He casually opened the lid. That warm, verdant Wood Yang Jade lay quietly inside, brimming with vitality.

"Condensed from pure wood essence, abundant in warm yang energy, the quality is acceptable, barely usable."

Chen Qing put away the Wood Yang Jade, then gently placed the Cold Crystal Grass at one corner of the stone table, "During these days away, this disciple could not often receive your teachings and was concerned. I happened upon this medicine, which may be beneficial for Master Li's breathing exercises, a small token of my appreciation."

Li Baichuan glanced at the precious medicine, waiting for Chen Qing to continue.

This young man surely had something to ask of him.

Chen Qing cupped his fists, his expression serious as he said, "This disciple now possesses the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl and Wood Yang Jade, with earth and wood attribute treasures in hand. However, regarding the path of fusing the five elements true qi, I still feel shrouded in fog, not knowing where to begin. I have come especially to request Master Li's guidance."

Li Baichuan picked up a white piece and placed it somewhere on the board, "Five elements fusion is not about forcing things together. To borrow their power, you must first follow their nature. Use yourself as the catalyst to make the treasures resonate with the corresponding attribute true qi origin in your dantian qi sea. The treasures serve as bridges, guiding the two strands of true qi origin to slowly approach and merge with each other. Initially it's like streams converging, where skill is seen in subtle details. There's no need to rush, just repeat the process many times."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing suddenly understood clearly and immediately bowed, "Thank you for Master Li's teaching! This disciple understands!"

"If you understand, then go back and ponder it well."

Li Baichuan waved his hand, indicating he could leave. However, Chen Qing stood in place without moving.

"Is there something else?"

Li Baichuan's eyebrow raised slightly as his gaze once again moved from the chess board to Chen Qing's face.

Chen Qing hesitated briefly but still spoke, "Master Li, you once said that as long as... as long as the silver is sufficient, any trouble can be settled..."

"Mm?"

Li Baichuan put down the chess piece, "Speak plainly."

Chen Qing briefly recounted the parts he could share about being ambushed by Earth Origin Sect outside Lin'an Prefecture city, Miao Zhiheng's suspected stalking that ended with him being killed instead, and how Golden Sand Fortress might be secretly spreading rumors and placing a dark bounty on him at One Blade Nunnery because of this. He glossed over his own secrets and the specific combat details.

"Golden Sand Fortress?"

Li Baichuan said slowly, "...That's not within our Yunlin Prefecture, quite an overreach, but it is indeed troublesome."

Chen Qing naturally understood the implications. He directly took out a prepared cloth bundle from his robes, containing Red Blood Vine and Bone-Rotting Dark Orchid.

In addition, there was a thick stack of banknotes with large denominations, precisely the two hundred fifty thousand taels he had obtained from Miao Zhiheng.

Li Baichuan's gaze swept over those items. He nodded with satisfaction and said slowly, "Put your mind at ease and return to cultivate. The outside matters need not trouble you anymore."

He spoke as if it were a trivial, insignificant matter.

Chen Qing's heart shook. He couldn't help but lower his voice to ask, "Master Li, this disciple presumes to ask, that Golden Sand Fortress has two True Aura experts..."

Golden Sand Fortress might not count as a top power within a prefecture, but it shouldn't be underestimated either.

Li Baichuan glanced at him indifferently, "Just go back and cultivate."

"Yes! This disciple takes his leave!"

Chen Qing's heart tightened as he immediately bowed with cupped fists, then withdrew from the rear courtyard.

Walking back, he pondered in his heart.

Master Li's strength was certainly not simple. Since he said so, perhaps the trouble with Golden Sand Fortress could truly be settled.

His urgent priority was still to break through to True Aura as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Chen Qing took a deep breath and quickly walked toward his small courtyard.