Chapter 422: Killing Intent |
Around the Spirit Ruins Platform, it was already packed with people.
Though the Six Sects Grand Market was nearing its end, almost all the leading elders and guest officials from various forces, and even many True Origin realm disciples, had gathered around this stone platform.
The air was filled with a heavy atmosphere.
In the Tianbao Upper Sect's area, Li Yujun stood with her hands clasped behind her back. Though her expression seemed calm, her right hand hanging at her side occasionally clenched slightly.
Behind her, Huo Qiushui, Zhang Baicheng, and several executive disciples stood quietly, their gazes locked tightly on the Spirit Ruins exit.
"Seven hours have already passed. According to the rules, the Spirit Ruins entrance will soon close," Zhang Baicheng said in a low voice, with a trace of nervousness in his tone.
Huo Qiushui pressed her lips together and said, "Senior Brother Chen and Senior Brother Nan will definitely come out safely."
Li Yujun didn't turn around, only her gaze deepened a few degrees.
She indeed had great confidence in Nan Zhuoran. As the undisputed number one of Tianbao Upper Sect's younger generation, Nan Zhuoran's strength and wisdom were both top-tier.
"Luo Ping..." Li Yujun silently contemplated in her heart.
Luo Ping's cultivation was also at the peak of nine refinements, making him the second person from Tianbao Upper Sect to enter the Spirit Ruins.
But in recent years, the competitive relationship between Luo Ping and Nan Zhuoran had become increasingly obvious. Although internal strife was strictly forbidden within the sect, whether Luo Ping would fully assist Nan Zhuoran at the critical moment was an unknown.
Just then, the thirty-six white jade stone pillars in the center of the Spirit Ruins Platform suddenly lit up!
Milky white radiance shot skyward, weaving into a light net several dozen zhang above, with a vortex slowly emerging at the net's center.
"The exit has opened!"
Low exclamations sounded through the crowd.
Everyone's gaze focused on that gradually expanding light gate.
Amidst the flowing light and shadows, a green-robed figure was the first to step out from the light gate.
The newcomer had a graceful figure, wearing Cloudwater Upper Sect's standard green robes, but her eyes carried a trace of fatigue.
"It's Senior Sister Jia!" A female disciple from Cloudwater Upper Sect's direction exclaimed with delight.
Elder Xie Mingyan moved, already leading several Cloudwater Upper Sect experts forward to meet her.
Her gaze quickly swept over Jia Haiyue. Seeing that though her aura fluctuated slightly, she had no obvious injuries, satisfaction flashed through her eyes.
"Haiyue, you've worked hard," Xie Mingyan said in a low voice.
Jia Haiyue nodded lightly without saying much, simply following Xie Mingyan to step aside.
Following closely after Jia Haiyue, the light gate flashed continuously.
Figures walked out one after another.
Some had dispirited auras and damaged robes, clearly having experienced bitter battles. Some had excited expressions with flowing brilliance in their eyes, clearly having gained considerable rewards. Still others had dark expressions with unwillingness and disappointment in their eyes.
"It seems the Spirit Ruins expedition this time was even more competitive than anticipated," Elder Bai Yue from Lingxiao Upper Sect's direction said in a low voice, watching the figures emerging one after another.
Mei Yingxue quickly searched through the crowd and soon spotted familiar figures.
That was Nan Zhuoran.
Nan Zhuoran, Chen Qing, and Luo Ping almost simultaneously stepped out from the light gate.
All three had restrained auras, but upon closer inspection, each was different.
Nan Zhuoran wore green robes, still upright as a pine, only his brows carried a trace of faint fatigue, with thunder aura that hadn't completely converged flowing faintly around his entire body.
Luo Ping's expression was calm, but deep in his eyes was an extremely faint disappointment that vanished in a flash.
Chen Qing's aura was stable, his complexion normal, as if he had merely undergone ordinary cultivation.
Chen Qing's heart was most nervous at this moment.
Deep in his consciousness sea, those five droplets of Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid were quietly suspended, nurtured by the Pure Yang Seal, not dissipating like ordinary spirit liquid.
This was one of his greatest secrets and also one of his greatest gains from this expedition.
"I absolutely cannot show any flaws," Chen Qing silently recited in his heart, trying hard to maintain his surface calm.
From Tianbao Upper Sect's direction, Li Yujun moved and had already arrived before the three.
Her gaze lingered longest on Nan Zhuoran, then quickly swept over Luo Ping and Chen Qing before ultimately settling back on Nan Zhuoran's face, "How was it?"
Nan Zhuoran took a deep breath and slowly exhaled five words, "I lived up to expectations."
He didn't explicitly say what he obtained, but these five words made most of Li Yujun's anxious heart settle.
Joy flashed through her eyes before quickly recovering to calm. She nodded, "Good."
Luo Zhixian had somehow already come near.
He still had that gray-robed appearance with hands clasped behind his back. His gaze paused on Chen Qing for an instant, nodding slightly, his voice flat, "We'll talk when we get back."
Just then, a commotion sounded around the Spirit Ruins Platform.
From Taiyi Upper Sect's direction, two elders with dispirited auras and covered in blood were carried out by disciples!
"It's Elder Meng and Elder Fu!"
"They... how could they be injured so severely?!"
Shocked exclamations rang through the crowd.
Lu Yunsong's originally calm expression suddenly darkened, his figure flashing.
He extended his hand to press above Meng Xingdu's chest. After sensing for a moment, his brows knitted into a knot.
"What happened?" Lu Yunsong's voice was low.
A Taiyi Upper Sect true disciple hurried forward, quickly reporting in a low voice.
Though his voice was soft, those present were all deeply cultivated individuals. Quite a few vaguely heard words like "Chen Qing," "spear formation," and "one against two."
Gazes, some obvious and some hidden, cast toward Tianbao Upper Sect's direction, ultimately focusing on Chen Qing.
Chen Qing's expression didn't change, but his heart tightened slightly.
After Lu Yunsong finished listening to the report, his expression changed several times before he finally waved his hand, cutting off the disciple's words, "Send them back for treatment. Use the best pills."
"Yes!" Several Taiyi Upper Sect disciples hastily responded, hurriedly carrying away Meng Xingdu and Fu Ting.
Lu Yunsong raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly sweeping past Chen Qing, but he didn't say much.
Chen Qing knew in his heart.
It seemed that though Taiyi Upper Sect had suffered a loss, since Lu Yunsong hadn't caused trouble on the spot, this matter was considered settled.
After all, competing for opportunities within the Spirit Ruins, as long as no one died, it was all based on individual ability. This was a rule tacitly acknowledged by the Six Great Upper Sects.
As for whether there would be other retaliation later, that was hard to say.
As the last few people emerged in disarray, the Spirit Ruins light gate began to slowly contract.
Seven days had expired, and the Taiyi Spirit Ruins was sealed once more.
Various forces began successively receiving their sect disciples, creating a slightly chaotic scene.
During this time, Chen Qing heard several resentful complaints from nearby.
"I finally found three droplets of spirit liquid, all snatched by a masked person!"
"I was robbed too! That person's movement technique was extremely fast, couldn't see their face at all!"
"Didn't Taiyi Upper Sect say private fights and robbery were forbidden?!"
Those complaining were mostly weaker cultivators from aristocratic families and great cities.
They had entered the Spirit Ruins hoping to gain something, never imagining they'd become others' "granaries."
However, these complaints were quickly suppressed by the various family elders.
As long as no one died, grudges within the Spirit Ruins were settled once outside.
After all, no one could guarantee their own disciples hadn't robbed others.
The Tianbao Upper Sect group didn't linger. Under the leadership of Luo Zhixian and Li Yujun, they quickly left the Spirit Ruins Platform and returned to the guest courtyard.
Along the way, the atmosphere was slightly silent.
Not until returning to the guest courtyard's council hall did Li Yujun speak again.
"What were your gains?"
She looked toward Nan Zhuoran, her eyes carrying expectation.
Nan Zhuoran took a deep breath and said, "This disciple was fortunate enough to obtain one droplet of Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid. Additionally, I absorbed approximately twenty to thirty droplets of ordinary spirit liquid."
He paused, then added, "During this period, I exchanged blows with both Jiang Tuo and Wang Jing. If not for the 'Vast Origin Spirit-Nurturing Pill' protecting my heart meridians and restoring True Origin, I'm afraid it would have been difficult to escape unscathed."
"What? You even used the Vast Origin Spirit-Nurturing Pill?" Li Yujun frowned, a trace of distress in her tone.
Chen Qing listened silently from the side.
He naturally knew of the Vast Origin Spirit-Nurturing Pill. It was a sacred healing pill gifted to Tianbao Upper Sect by the Que Religion Saintess, capable of rapidly restoring True Origin and stabilizing the spirit.
The entire Tianbao Upper Sect only had twelve pills. Because he had defeated Qi Taiyue, the Sect Master had bestowed one on him, which he had carefully treasured all along.
It seemed that during those two days he was immersed in the harvest from the Taiyi Wheel Platform stone cave, outside the competition for Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid had been unimaginably intense.
Even someone like Nan Zhuoran had been forced to use a life-saving pill.
"The battle situation was indeed intense."
Luo Ping spoke up, his voice calm, "Taiyi Upper Sect's experts clearly didn't want to let Junior Brother Nan succeed easily. I maneuvered with them for a long time before creating an opportunity for Junior Brother Nan."
He spoke lightly, but Chen Qing could imagine the danger involved.
Though Luo Ping competed with Nan Zhuoran, when facing outsiders, he ultimately helped him.
"As long as the result is good."
Luo Zhixian spoke flatly, his gaze turning toward Nan Zhuoran, "How did you feel exchanging blows with Jiang Tuo this time?"
Nan Zhuoran's brows showed a trace of gravity, "The outcome was undecided, however... he seems to be closer than me to eleven refinements by one step. But if I can enter seclusion to digest these gains after returning to the sect, the final outcome is still unknown."
Hearing this, Li Yujun said in a heavy voice, "Jiang Tuo has exceptional natural talent and Taiyi Upper Sect's full cultivation. That you could fight him to a draw already demonstrates your potential. When you return to the sect this time, the sect will do everything to assist you."
She paused, then asked again, "Besides you, who else obtained Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid?"
Nan Zhuoran contemplated, "Cloudwater Upper Sect's Lin Haiqing seized the chaos to obtain one droplet. Jiang Tuo and Mystic Heaven Upper Sect's Xin Nichang also each obtained one droplet. From what I know, a total of four droplets."
Four droplets!
Chen Qing thought silently.
For these four droplets of Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid, they fought so viciously outside.
Even experts like Wang Jing, Luo Ping, and Cui Lin hadn't succeeded. One could see how brutal the competition was yet he himself had quietly harvested five droplets.
"I must make good use of these five droplets of Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid," Chen Qing silently resolved in his heart.
This was an important resource for him to break through to higher realms. He absolutely couldn't waste it.
Li Yujun's attention seemed entirely on Nan Zhuoran. After inquiring about several more details, she nodded with satisfaction.
Luo Zhixian then looked toward Luo Ping and asked, "What were your gains?"
Luo Ping's face showed a trace of a smile, only deep within that smile there seemed to be a trace of disappointment, "My gains were acceptable, cultivation advanced slightly."
Though ordinary spirit liquid was certainly precious and greatly beneficial to True Origin refinement, compared to Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid that could provide a trace of assistance in breaking through to Grandmaster, the value ultimately couldn't be compared.
Luo Zhixian nodded slightly without saying much, finally casting his gaze toward Chen Qing.
Chen Qing had prepared early and said simply, "This disciple found several spirit springs in the outer areas, obtaining a total of several dozen droplets of spirit liquid. I've absorbed them all, and my cultivation has stabilized with some advancement."
He spoke plainly, neither excessively modest nor attention-grabbing.
After all, with the strength he displayed, obtaining several dozen droplets of spirit liquid within the Spirit Ruins counted as reasonable gains.
Luo Zhixian focused on inquiring about the situation of exchanging blows with Taiyi Upper Sect's two elders.
Chen Qing answered truthfully.
After listening, Luo Zhixian's face showed no expression. No one knew what he was thinking.
He only nodded and said one sentence, "Well done."
Afterward, Luo Zhixian briefly inquired about a few more things seen and heard within the Spirit Ruins, then waved his hand, "All of you go rest. The Spirit Ruins expedition consumed quite a bit. Recuperate well. Five days from now, we'll set out to return to the sect."
"Yes."
Chen Qing and the other two responded in unison, each bowing and withdrawing from the council hall.
Returning to his guest courtyard room, Chen Qing sat cross-legged.
His mind sank into his body, carefully taking stock of the gains from this Taiyi Spirit Ruins expedition.
First were the five droplets of Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid quietly suspended deep in his consciousness sea.
Second was the Taiyi Pure Yang True Scripture obtained from the Taiyi Wheel Platform stone cave.
Third was that divine technique secret art, the Five Sacred Mountains World-Suppressing Seal.
And the most direct gain was the advancement in cultivation.
Borrowing the rich, pure yuan qi within the Spirit Ruins and the over ten droplets of spirit liquid he'd seized, he was now at the peak of True Origin seven refinements, just one step away from eight refinements.
After returning to Tianbao Upper Sect, he only needed to enter seclusion for a period to digest his gains, and he could naturally advance into the eight-refinement realm.
"Such tremendous gains..."
Chen Qing slowly exhaled a turbid breath, silently contemplating, "Master said we still need to stay at Taiyi Upper Sect for five days..."
Based on his understanding of Luo Zhixian, unless there was important business, he absolutely wouldn't linger here after the Six Sects Grand Market ended.
Though Taiyi Upper Sect had been generous this time in opening the Spirit Ruins and bringing out treasures like Purple Marrow Spirit Liquid, certainly with the intention of displaying magnanimity and consolidating status, there was likely deep scheming behind it.
Recalling the assassination attempt by Jinting Eight Divisions experts on the way here, all targeting the Fei and Zhu family groups that were on good terms with Taiyi Upper Sect, the intent was self-evident.
Cutting off Taiyi's wings, disrupting the great market.
"Taiyi Upper Sect and Jinting Eight Divisions are sworn enemies, confronting each other in the northern border for hundreds of years. In recent years, Jinting Eight Divisions' strength has expanded, frequently raiding southward. Taiyi Upper Sect's pressure must be considerable."
Chen Qing silently contemplated, "Relying solely on Taiyi Upper Sect's strength alone, they might be able to defend their foundation, but wanting to counterattack or severely damage Jinting is probably beyond their capability. Though the court supports them, the northern border battle line is long, and the court also has places it can't reach."
"Therefore, Taiyi Upper Sect holding the Six Sects Grand Market this time, opening the Spirit Ruins, widely inviting various forces, their true purpose is probably to use this opportunity to unite all parties, form an alliance, and jointly deal with the threat of Jinting Eight Divisions!"
The more Chen Qing thought about it, the more possible it seemed.
"Only... will the other Five Great Upper Sects, and even various aristocratic families and great cities, easily agree?"
Chen Qing shook his head.
Though the Six Great Upper Sects seemed to stand together, internal competition was actually fierce.
Who wouldn't want to see Taiyi Upper Sect's strength consumed by Jinting, thereby shaking its position as first among the six sects?
Each family had its own difficulties and calculations. Getting them to commit people and resources to jointly resist the fierce Jinting Eight Divisions was absolutely no easy matter.
Taiyi Upper Sect would certainly have to pay an enormous price or make certain promises before this could possibly be accomplished.
"These five days are probably the critical period for various forces to privately negotiate and haggle."
Chen Qing thought no further.
These high-level power struggles weren't something he could completely influence yet.
The urgent priority was consolidating cultivation and raising strength.
Chen Qing gathered his mind and operated the Taiyi Pure Yang True Scripture, beginning to slowly temper the slightly surging True Origin in his body, making it more harmonious and condensed.
At the same time, approximately one thousand li north of Taiyi Upper Sect, in the buffer zone where Yan Kingdom and northern border Jinting forces intersected.
This was a desolate mountain valley called Black Wind Gorge, where sinister winds howled year-round amidst craggy rocks, rarely visited by humans.
Deep in the gorge, hidden was a border army outpost.
At this moment, in the outpost's main hall, the lamplight was dim and the atmosphere oppressive.
Seated in the primary position at the head sat one person, precisely Grand Lord Di Cang of the Azure Wolf Tribe.
He still wore that wolf fur cloak, the purple vertical mark on his forehead tightly closed, but the invisible pressure emanating from his entire body made the air in the hall seem to freeze.
Below on the left and right sat two people respectively.
The person on the left had an abnormally burly build, like an iron tower even while seated.
He wore blood-red leather armor, his exposed arms bulging with muscle covered in dark red tattoos.
This was precisely Grand Lord Chi Lie of the Blood Leopard Tribe.
The person on the right appeared much leaner, his eye pupils strange vertical slits like a venomous snake.
His aura was cold and restrained. This was precisely Grand Lord Wu Xuan of the Black Python Tribe.
These three were all Grandmaster-level experts with fearsome reputations among Jinting Eight Divisions, each commanding one division and dominating the northern border.
"The Six Sects Grand Market should be about over," Di Cang slowly spoke.
"Taiyi Upper Sect made such a big show this time, opening the Spirit Ruins, nothing more than wanting to curry favor with all parties, win over allies to jointly deal with us."
Chi Lie sneered, his eyes full of disdain, "The idea's not bad, too bad, though Taiyi Upper Sect is first among the six sects, their prestige... is still a bit lacking. Want the other five sects to willingly sell their lives for them? Difficult!"
Though he spoke bluntly, he hit the nail on the head.
With the Six Great Upper Sects standing together, mutually checking each other, for Taiyi Upper Sect to command the masses, how could it be easy?
Wu Xuan didn't pick up Chi Lie's thread. His vertical pupils looked directly at Di Cang, "Di Cang, you urgently transmitted a message summoning us two to this godforsaken place. What exactly is this about? Surely not just to hear you analyze Taiyi Upper Sect's calculations?"
Chi Lie also looked over, wanting to see what medicine Di Cang was selling.
Di Cang's gaze swept over the two, saying each word clearly, "Intercept and kill Tianbao Upper Sect's returning party."
"Tianbao Upper Sect?"
Wu Xuan's brows immediately knitted tight, "Tianbao Upper Sect is located in the northeast and has no direct conflict with our Eight Divisions. Intercepting and killing them now, wouldn't that be gratuitously making an enemy, pushing the originally possibly neutral Tianbao Upper Sect toward Taiyi's side? Di Cang, you haven't been blinded by hatred, only wanting to avenge your nephew, have you?"
Hearing this, Chi Lie's leopard eyes narrowed, but he didn't immediately voice opposition.
Though he appeared rough and bold, he was actually meticulous, knowing that Di Chang's death had dealt Di Cang an enormous blow. Di Cang's urgent desire for revenge was understandable.
But he equally understood that provoking a powerful enemy like Tianbao Upper Sect for no reason was absolutely not a wise move.
He chose to observe first, seeing what Di Cang would say.
"Hmph!" Di Cang snorted coldly, and the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees, "Wu Xuan, do you think I, Di Cang, am the type to abandon public duty for private interests?"
"Isn't that so?" Wu Xuan coldly countered.
"Naturally not!" Di Cang declared resolutely, his gaze forcing Wu Xuan's, "This matter is an order from Great Snow Mountain!"
"Great Snow Mountain?!"
Chi Lie and Wu Xuan's expressions both became stern simultaneously.
Great Snow Mountain, the northern border's true holy land, transcendent above Jinting Eight Divisions with unfathomable foundation.
The Holy Masters of all generations possessed heaven-reaching, earth-penetrating abilities. Their will, to a certain degree, represented the highest level movements of the northern border.
"Truly?"
Wu Xuan pressed, his tone considerably more grave.
Chi Lie also stared intently at Di Cang, waiting for confirmation.
"Naturally it's true." Before Di Cang could answer, a flat voice transmitted from the darkness outside the hall.
All three simultaneously turned to look.
They saw a withered figure thin as skin and bones, somehow having already appeared soundlessly at the hall entrance.
The newcomer wore an unremarkable gray cloth robe, with sparse hair and deep wrinkles on his face. His eye sockets were sunken, only his eyes shining with startling brightness.
He stood there, his aura nearly perfectly restrained. If not seen with the naked eye, his presence was almost imperceptible.
But the moment Di Cang, Chi Lie, and Wu Xuan saw this person, their eyes all revealed wariness and respect.
"Guest Official Li!"
All three almost simultaneously rose, cupping fists in salute.
The newcomer was precisely Li Qingyu.
He held no fixed position in Great Snow Mountain, but because of his powerful strength and close relationship with the current Holy Master, he was honored as a guest official with transcendent status. Even the Eight Divisions' Grand Lords had to maintain respectful courtesy upon seeing him.
Li Qingyu walked slowly into the hall, nodding slightly to the three, then directly walked to the empty seat beside Di Cang and sat down.
"The Six Sects Grand Market has ended. Forces from all sides are about to disperse. This is precisely when vigilance is most relaxed."
Li Qingyu's voice wasn't loud, "Taiyi Upper Sect's attention right now must be on internal negotiations and guarding against large-scale attacks from us. As for the various sects' return journeys, they won't pay excessive attention, to avoid causing unnecessary suspicion and backlash."
His gaze swept over Chi Lie and Wu Xuan, "This interception of Tianbao Upper Sect's goal isn't indiscriminate killing, but to capture alive their key figures."
"Capture alive?" Chi Lie's brows knitted tightly, "Guest Official Li, Tianbao Upper Sect's party has a spear Dao Grandmaster like Luo Zhixian presiding, and Li Yujun is there too. Capture alive? How can that be easy!"
Wu Xuan also showed a puzzled expression.
Li Qingyu's expression didn't change, saying flatly, "Luo Zhixian will be dealt with by this old man and Di Cang. As for the likes of Li Yujun... if you two join forces, can you truly not take her down?"
Hearing this, Wu Xuan and Chi Lie said nothing more.
"This matter must not leak even half a word," Li Qingyu's gaze suddenly became profound, slowly sweeping over Chi Lie and Wu Xuan.
Swept by this gaze, both felt an inexplicable chill in their hearts, even the circulation of True Origin in their bodies stagnating for an instant.
They were secretly shocked. Though they'd known Li Qingyu's strength was terrifying, they hadn't expected his gaze alone could bring such oppressive force. His strength was probably even more astonishing than rumored!
"Yes!" Both suppressed the trembling in their hearts, responding solemnly in unison.
"Good." Li Qingyu withdrew his gaze, returning to flatness, "Since that's the case, we'll set out shortly."
"Go now? Isn't that too hasty?"
Wu Xuan asked, "Tianbao Upper Sect won't necessarily leave immediately."
"No." Li Qingyu shook his head, his tone brooking no argument, "Opportunity passes in a flash. Arrange in advance, quietly await the opportunity."
Seeing Li Qingyu's determination set and having invoked the Holy Master's name, Chi Lie and Wu Xuan said no more, nodding in agreement.
With the discussion settled, Chi Lie and Wu Xuan rose to prepare to mobilize their divisions' elite experts.
Di Cang looked toward Li Qingyu, reminding him in a heavy voice, "Luo Zhixian's strength absolutely cannot be underestimated. A hundred years ago, he already shook Yan Kingdom with his name. After keeping a low profile all these years, his spear edge has probably been honed even more terrifying."
"Though I'm confident, I don't have complete certainty I can defeat him."
Hearing this, Li Qingyu slowly raised his eyelids.
"I know."
He flatly replied one sentence, his voice calm and waveless.
Di Cang nodded and said no more, turning to leave with Chi Lie and Wu Xuan to mobilize troops.
In the stone hall, only Li Qingyu remained alone.
Under the dim lamplight, his aged face appeared even more profound.
He gazed toward Taiyi Upper Sect's direction in the south, standing motionless.
Suddenly, he frowned slightly, raising his hand to lightly press his heart.
There, the sound of his heartbeat in the silence seemed particularly clear, and moreover... slightly faster than usual.
A nameless palpitation and weak burning sensation arose from deep in his chest cavity, vanishing in a flash.
This feeling... hadn't appeared for a very long time.
The last time seemed to have been before betraying Tianbao Upper Sect and fighting to the death with his master?
Li Qingyu took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, closing his eyes.
Several breaths later, when he opened his eyes again, all abnormal emotions were gone, leaving only coldness.