The small clearing between the low cliffs slowly grew quiet again.A few moments ago, the place was still filled with angry shouts and the clashing ring of sharp weapons. But now, all that remained was the sound of the mountain wind sweeping through the dry leaves and the heavy panting of the people sprawled helplessly on the grass.Six members of the bandit group lay scattered in disarray.Not a single one of them was able to stand upright. Some clutched their shoulders with faces as pale as corpses, some gritted their teeth in agony from shattered ribs, while a few others could only stare blankly at the empty sky because their minds were still unable to process what had just happened.They didn't even understand when exactly the fight had started, let alone how it had ended.Everything happened far too fast.In the middle of the cluttered clearing, only one person was still standing tall. The leader of the group.The scar-faced man stood rigidly, his entire body drenched in cold swe

The mountain corridor connecting Lightning Valley to Yunhai City was once again draped in silence. Rows of ancient pines stood tall on both sides of the path, stretching their branches as if forming a natural tunnel. The afternoon sunlight penetrated the gaps of the dense foliage, creating long shadows that swayed gently in the cool mountain wind.In the middle of that tranquil landscape, Qin Zilong walked alone.His expression remained flat and emotionless, as if the deadly battle against the bandit group in Lightning Valley moments ago was merely a trivial nuisance like a small speck of dust on his shoulder that was not worth remembering, let alone keeping in mind.His hand slowly rose, touching the spatial ring on his right index finger.Syuuup.A dim flash of light flickered for a moment. A cloud-patterned purple jade vessel appeared in his palm. The jade’s surface emitted a cold glow that absorbed the surrounding light, while inside, silvery-purple powder glittered like a scatter

Han Wei chuckled softly, dissolving the tension that had previously gripped her companions. "I initially thought an enemy or a high-level beast was chasing its prey."Zilong shook his head slightly. "I was just speeding up my journey."Lin Yue observed Zilong's calm facial expression for a few seconds. As someone sensitive to minor changes, he could catch the aura of impatience veiled beneath the young man's extraordinary calmness."Do you have an urgent matter ahead?" Lin Yue asked cautiously."I do," Zilong answered briefly, without the slightest intention of covering it up."What is it?"Zilong looked straight into the man's eyes. "I am looking for a place that possesses a high-quality alchemy cauldron."The atmosphere on the mountain slope fell silent instantly. The rustle of wind brushing the pine foliage seemed to be the only sound left behind. Several disciples looked at each other with furrowed brows."An alchemy cauldron?" repeated one disciple in a confused tone. "Why look f

Creak...The gigantic stone gate slowly opened to the side, accompanied by a low rumble echoing along with the movement of the ancient mechanism within the cliff wall.As he stepped across the threshold of the gate, Qin Zilong felt a faint wave of pressure sweep across his entire body.Identification formation. Unable to detect aura concealment.The pressure lasted only a fraction of a second before melting away on its own."Not bad," Zilong assessed inwardly. "At least they are not completely off guard against the possibility of intruders."He continued walking without showing the slightest change in expression on his face.Several disciples who were practicing the sword halted their swings. Their gazes followed the black-robed figure."Who is he?" "Why did Elder Brother Lin bring an outsider?"Meanwhile, inside the Main Hall of the South Cloud Sword Sect...The exceptionally spacious room was filled with the calming aroma of sandalwood. Several elderly men in pristine white robes sa

Lin Yue drew another slow breath, absorbing the gripping silence of the room before continuing his testimony."When we entered Lightning Valley, our group split up and got lost in the cliff labyrinth," he spoke calmly, deliberately choosing every word with care so that no detail was missed. "There, I experienced a fierce battle and accidentally triggered an ancient formation trap. That attack struck squarely, making my meridian pathways nearly suffer permanent damage."An ash-robed elder in the left row nodded slowly, understanding. "That makes complete sense. Those ancient formations left behind from ancient times in that valley are indeed famously ferocious and indiscriminate.""However..." Lin Yue continued, his gaze looking straight ahead, "it was precisely in that critical condition that I happened to cross paths with Qin Zilong."Han Wei, who had been standing quietly listening without interrupting, slowly raised her face, focusing her full attention on her companion."We did no