Stone Dragon had been grievously injured and ultimately killed by the Demon Sect, an indirect result of his actions. Even though Lu Da had helped him escape in the end, a grudge like that wasn’t easily cast aside.

Who knew if Lu Da would come looking to settle the score after he recovered?

He glanced again at the unfathomable old man, thinking, ’Golden Sand Castle and the Earth Element Sect are both Major Sects in Lin’an Prefecture. We have our occasional friction, but we’re generally allies. We especially should present a united front when facing forces from Yunlin Prefecture. Now that the Demon Sect has appeared, the situation is treacherous. As an elder, Elder Yu should prioritize the bigger picture... Sticking with them for now is the safest choice.’

His mind made up, Miao Zhicheng completely abandoned the idea of slipping away on his own and began to focus wholeheartedly on circulating his energy to heal.

......

Meanwhile, Chen Qing fled without stopping for over ten miles. He only halted his steps by a secluded mountain stream once he was well clear of the area.

He scooped up a handful of icy stream water, washed his face, and wiped his hands.

’True Astral, manifesting and controlled at will... That’s a master of the Astral Realm!’

Chen Qing’s pupils contracted. ’If I’m not mistaken, that was very likely one of the Nine Elders of Earth Essence.’

Unlike Yunlin Prefecture, Lin’an Prefecture only had two Major Sects: the Haisa Sect and the Earth Element Sect.

The Earth Element Sect was renowned for its "Nine Elders of Earth Essence," all of whom were Astral Force masters. That man was most likely one of them!

Even now, a dull ache throbbed in his right arm.

And that was just from a hasty, long-range attack. The consequences of a direct confrontation would have been unthinkable.

’Earth Element Sect... meddlesome fools!’

A cold light flickered in Chen Qing’s eyes as he silently committed this grudge to memory.

If he ever got the chance, he would repay the "favor" of today’s palm strike many times over.

Afterward, Chen Qing circulated his True Qi to slowly soothe the roiling qi and blood within him. Under the nourishment of his Cyan Wood True Qi, the swelling on his arm and the faint Palm Seal gradually faded.

’Miao Zhicheng is a lucky man. I’ll let him live a little longer.’

Although he hadn’t managed to eliminate the problem at its root, he had captured the genuine Earth Essence Marrow Pearl. The spoils of this venture were already immense.

Chen Qing traveled far from the hornet’s nest that was Black Water Pier and found a secluded, empty cave.

He carefully inspected his surroundings. Once certain he was safe, he cautiously took out the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl, which was wrapped in a tattered cloth, from within his robes.

The moment the Treasure Pearl was in his hand, the Kun Earth True Qi within his Dantian Sea of Qi, which had been circulating steadily, suddenly erupted into a frenzy, accelerating on its own.

As the True Qi flowed through his meridians, it seemed to grow more condensed.

’It really is miraculous!’

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes. ’This thing can subtly purify Kun Earth True Qi and solidify my Earth Foundation. No wonder the Earth Element Sect sent two Elder-Level figures and even had an Astral Force master secretly providing backup.’

He pondered for a moment before an even bolder idea surfaced uncontrollably. ’Leng Qianqiu was able to fuse the Langyue and Cold Ice True Astrals with the help of an Ice Soul Pearl. I possess the Five Elements True Qi. If I can find the corresponding Five Elements Treasures, couldn’t I also walk that path of fusion?’

The power of Five Elements Fusion wasn’t a simple matter of addition; it was a qualitative leap.

At the thought of such a possibility, Chen Qing’s heart blazed with excitement.

’This Earth Essence Marrow Pearl is of the earth attribute. I still need four more treasures of the world for the metal, wood, fire, and water attributes...’

Chen Qing caressed the Treasure Pearl, his mind racing. ’That Old Deng, Master Li, is worldly and wise. He might know how to achieve the fusion. When I get back, I’ll have to find a way to pry the information out of him.’

His mind made up, Chen Qing carefully put the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl away.

He then took stock of his recent haul. Besides the ultimate treasure, the silver notes, Jewelry, and Elixirs he’d looted from Zhu Xin, Zhu Yi, and a few other unlucky souls amounted to a small fortune. It would likely add up to a great deal of silver.

’The haul is impressive, but its origins are... a bit sensitive.’

Chen Qing mused, ’Liu Han’s death and the Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor are a lingering problem. The less I have to do with the Liu Family, the better.’

It didn’t feel right to always rely on Liu Chengzong to dispose of his illicit gains.

He sorted and stored all the valuables, deciding to focus on healing his injuries first before studying the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl.

......

At that same moment, dozens of miles away, Yan Yaoyang and Li Lei were slumped against a massive boulder in a mountain hollow, gasping for breath.

Both were injured, their clothes tattered. The terror had not yet left their faces; they looked like they had just escaped death’s door.

After a long while of regulating their breathing, their racing hearts finally began to calm.

Li Lei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and looked at Yan Yaoyang beside him. "Senior Brother Yan... Junior Brother Chen, is he really...?"

Yan Yaoyang took a deep breath and nodded heavily. In a hoarse voice, he recounted what had happened in the inn. "...That Nether Guard struck suddenly from the shadows. He was incredibly vicious. With a single move... The Black Evil Qi spread everywhere, suppressing my True Qi so much that I could barely circulate it. He was definitely a master at Embracing Pill Perfection, and his techniques were strange and malevolent..."

He paused, his face a mixture of lingering fear and an unreadable, complex emotion. "In the chaos, I yelled for Junior Brother Chen to run... I was panicking myself, just trying to get out of that godforsaken place as fast as I could... Just as I was about to break through the inn’s main door, I heard an utterly bloodcurdling scream from behind me..."

Yan Yaoyang didn’t continue, but his meaning was perfectly clear.

Li Lei fell silent for a long time after hearing the story. It ended with a long sigh. "Ah... I can’t believe Junior Brother Chen..."

His expression was complicated, a mix of regret and shock.

That genius from the Cyan Wood Institute... The one who had risen so quickly despite being a newer disciple, who had even defeated Xiao Bieli, whose dazzling brilliance put pressure on even veteran chief disciples like them... had he really fallen in a remote mountain inn, just like that?

"Senior Brother Yan, are you sure... you didn’t see or hear it wrong? With Junior Brother Chen’s strength..."

Li Lei still found it hard to believe.

Yan Yaoyang gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "I’m not mistaken. The Evil Qi was thick, and I couldn’t see clearly, but that scream was real. Besides, you saw some of that Ghost Guard’s power for yourself. Draining marrow and dissolving blood... it was horrifying. Not something an ordinary person could withstand. After I got a head start, Junior Brother Chen was left alone... I’m afraid the odds were not in his favor."

He paused before continuing, "Thinking back on it, that Nether Guard’s killing intent was locked on us. I’m afraid only one of us was ever going to get away... If Junior Brother Chen hadn’t drawn the Demon’s attention, I probably..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Li Lei understood completely.

The air fell silent once more as an indescribable emotion passed between the two of them.

Normally, they might have been rivals with Chen Qing, each with their own agenda, but at this moment, united by their shared sect and their near-death experience, all that rivalry seemed utterly trivial.

They both found themselves recalling Chen Qing’s usual calm demeanor, his dependability in crucial moments, even the time he defeated Xiao Bieli and brought glory to the Sect... For some reason, that junior brother from the Cyan Wood Institute now seemed much more likable in their memories, and their hearts filled with regret and a sense of loss.

"Those Demon Sect fiends are truly despicable!"

Li Lei slammed his fist into the nearby rock, gritting his teeth.

Yan Yaoyang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging emotions as he struggled to his feet. "We can’t linger here. We don’t know if that Female Demon will come after us. We have to return to the Sect immediately and report everything that happened, especially the news of Junior Brother Chen’s likely demise, to the Sect Leader and the Elders!"

Li Lei nodded grimly, his expression grave. "Exactly! This is a critical matter. It must be reported at once!"

Not daring to delay any longer, the two got their bearings and sped off toward the gates of the Wutai Sect.

......